Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

The creator of goodmorninggloucester.org Lover of all things Gloucester and Cape Ann. GMG where we bring you the very best our town has to offer because we love to share all the great news and believe that by promoting others in our community everyone wins.

Community Stuff 2/22/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
stone wall historian speaking at library

Drive along any back road in New England and you’ll most likely see miles and miles of stone walls.  These walls can teach you much about the commercial and cultural history of an area if you know how to read them.  Kevin Gardner, author of The Granite Kiss, has been building and studying the stone walls of New England for nearly forty years. He distills his years of experience into principles and practices that are adaptable to a wide variety of designs and circumstances. Travelling throughout New England, Gardner has been speaking at dozens of historical societies, bookstores, and libraries.  He seeks to refocus attention on these fascinating landmarks, explaining why and how they were originally built and how their styles have changed over time.  On the practical side, he also provides tips and techniques for restoring stone walls as well as information about design and materials for preservation.

Gardner has also worked as a feature writer and producer for New Hampshire Public Radio and as an actor, critic and teacher of theatre.  His book, The Granite Kiss (Countryman Press), received  great critical response and was selected as one of the top fifty books of 2001 by Christian Science Monitor.

Gardner will be appearing at the Sawyer Free Library to discuss not only the history and philosophy behind New England stone walls but also to give amateur wall builders some hints on basic techniques.  Along the way, Gardner will consider the mythology of the stone wall and its place in the New England imagination. As part of his presentation, Gardner builds a miniature stone wall atop his podium/table, illustrating the techniques he is teaching. 

Gardner’s presentation on Saturday, March 9, will run from 2 to 4 pm in the Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue. The program is part of the Gloucester Lyceum’s Adult Lecture Series and will include a question/answer period during which attendees are encouraged to bring up questions or problems concerning their own projects.   The program is free and open to the public.

September 24, 2010
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This image is believed to be a view from the top of the hill near the exit 4 southbound off ramp on 93, looking towards Derry, New Hampshire.

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Inn Magnolia announces our third annual Women’s Retreat Weekend: Relax and Renew – April 12, 13, & 14

(Please reply with "photo" if you’d like a couple of JPEGs of the inn)

Join Inn Magnolia for a weekend of relaxation and strengthening of the mind and body. Our practitioners will pamper and inspire you to take on the spring with a rejuvenated approach and an optimistic outlook. The weekend is chock-full of activities, which range from sublimely calming to joyously energizing, and we have some special offerings to satisfy your tastebuds (all meals are provided).  Group sessions in Yoga, Alexander Technique, Meditation, and an inspirational talk, as well as one hour-long and one twenty-minute-long private session in a selection of massage techniques are ALL INCLUDED. We made sure you will have a wee bit of time free to explore the beautiful beach and incredible conservation land nearby, or just to curl up and read, but you’ll want to take advantage of all the programming that is provided by our extraordinary practitioners.

Our past two retreats have brought together an incredible set of warm, intelligent and friendly guests and practitioners.  We can’t wait to meet this year’s group!

Prices range from $295-$465 per person, including lovely accommodations.  Our early-bird rates apply to those who sign up before March 31.

Please see www.InnMagnolia.com/ events.html for more information, or email us at InnMagnolia@gmail.com

Thank you!

Amanda

Innkeeper/Owner

Massachusetts Cultural Council Takes Over Downtown Gloucester- Photos At Fred Bodin’s Gallery With More To Come

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The Mass Cultural Council came to G-Town to listen to and observe what makes Gloucester so special.  There are no other towns that have more than one Cultural District.  Gloucester already has Rocky Neck.  If approved for Downtown Gloucester, Gloucester would stand as the only City with more than one Massachusetts Cultural District.

When sitting in the room and listening to the distinguished assembly of community people that showed up it was obvious about 10 minutes in that honestly Gloucester deserves this in spades.  There is no where anywhere that is as culturally diverse, enriched and vibrant as our community.

All the people had to do was speak the truth.  It wasn’t about selling Downtown Gloucester.  Downtown Gloucester, it’s merchants, it’s artists, its community and artistic organizations sell itself.

You’d have to be deaf, dumb and blind to not see it and I can assure you the representatives of the Mass Cultural Council that visited, Anita Walker, Meri Jenkins, Kylie Sullivan and Maren Brown are anything but deaf dumb and blind.

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Huge thanks to the Downtown GloucesterCultural District Steering Committee Catherine Ryan, Lise Breen, Judith Hoglander, Robert Whitmarsh, Anne Robinson, Ronda Faloon, Maggie Rosa and David Rhinelander for laying so much of the groundwork to make this meeting possible and also to Fred Bodin for hosting this momentous event at his Bodin Historic Photo Gallery.

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Melissa I love my new scarf.  You rock!

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STEP AWAY FROM THE CANNOLI – PUT YOUR ARMS UP AND STEP AWAY FROM THE CANOLLI!

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Bob Lindberg Joanie on The Ponie Update

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Joey: I did write to congressman and suggested a re-dedication of the statue . I will include his response.

Also I did find some additional information on Anna Hyatt Huntington the scupltress.Anna was born in Cambridge which was our second home also !  See   http://www.bronze-gallery.com/sculptors/artist.cfm?sculptorID=75

If some want to see more of her work in a breathtaking location, some of the GMG readers may appreciate especially learning about  her beautiful garden in South Carolina – BROOKGREEN GARDEN/zoo in Myrtle Beach area http://www.brookgreen.org/  and for some images-
see http://www.flickr.com/photos/fernside/469281417/in/photostream/
What a treasure we have in Joanie.
Regards Bob Lindberg

diana of the chase

Joey C Cap Giveaway- Hat #1 Sox 04 World Champion Fitted Mesh Cap With Tag On It

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

After cleaning out my closet last week and using the rule if it hadn’t been worn in 2 years it gets thrown out I went through my cap collection and will be giving one a day away to someone who likes this post on Facebook or tweets this post on twitter.  At the end of the day I’ll look on our Facebook Page- http://www.facebook.com/GoodMorningGloucester and my Twitter account @Joey_C and put all of those names in a hat and draw the name.  Must pick up the cap here at the Dock- 95 East Main Street within a week.  No shipping.  Add @Joey_C to any tweet so that I get a notification that you tweeted it.

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Community Stuff 2/21/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
Happy Anniversary Seaport Grille – Three Days of Celebration March 5-7

Happy Anniversary banner
Yes! Can you believe we are four years old. Where did the time go.
When I think back to when the Restaurant first opened, I sit amazed. We have grown so large. But not large enough to forget our roots.
Our small kitchen went to a large kitchen, from three cooks to ten lines cooks, from one prep cook to five prep cooks, from one dishwasher to two.
However, we know everyones name and we care for each other deeply, this is our roots. Our servers, bartenders, line cooks, host and hostess, bus persons and managers have dedicated themselves to my business values of kindness to each other and ultimately our kindness overflows onto you our cherished guest.
The guest made us famous, you the guest are most cherished. We welcome you into our Restaurant and try to make it your main stay. Your home. We love you, so may I say to you our guest
Happy Anniversary to you. Congratulations on 4 years at Seaport Grille.

Sheree DeLorenzo

Seaport Grille at Cruiseport Gloucester

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John and Abigail Adams visit Essex to share “Love Letters”

On Friday March 8, guests of the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum will be transported back in time, and will see John and Abigail Adams come to life to share their most personal thoughts in a presentation of “Love Letters: the intimate correspondence of John and Abigail Adams” featuring Adams scholars and living history performers Patricia Bridgman and Thomas Macy.

The presentation will begin at 7:30pm at the First Congregational Church on 39 Main Street, Essex, MA. Tickets are available online at Essexshipbuildingmuseum.org or by calling 978-768-7541.  $10 per person advance sale, $15 at the door and $5 students.

During “Love Letters,” the audience hears Adams correspondence beginning at John’s and Abigail’s early courtship, and continuing through the year 1777.  A chocolate buffet featuring Winfrey’s fudge and chocolate will follow the performance.

The Adams letters provide an unparalleled insight one of the world’s great love affairs. The fact that this love affair takes place at a critical time in America’s history is even more remarkable! Through their letters, John and Abigail reveal their teasing humor, their homely pleasure in their children and their farm, their deepest hopes for their nation, and their undying love and respect for one another. On a few occasions, Abigail shows a tendency toward nagging, and John displays a temper!

With over thirty years of living history experience between them, Patricia Bridgman and Thomas Macy regularly appear as John and Abigail at the Adams National Historic Park in Quincy, and have also performed at the Old State House, Old Sturbridge Village, Minute Man National Park, the Abigail Adams Birthplace, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Emmanuel College, UMass Boston, Suffolk University, and numerous other venues.

Tacos Lupita Doing $1 Tacos On Monday To Celebrate One Year In Gloucester

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

At Tacos Lupita Gloucester Location Monday February 25th They Will Be Giving Out $1 Tacos to Celebrate One Year In Business In Gloucester. 

There has been an overwhelming outpouring of support for Tacos Lupita and on Monday they will be giving back to all those people that have made it a regular stop for friendly service,  delicious food at really reasonable prices.  Tacos Lupita is without question top 6 restaurants in Gloucester IMO. 

Swing by and say hi on Monday and tell ‘em Joey sent you.  $1 Tacos.  I get the roast pork off the spit every time.  And every time it’s just that damn delicious!

All fresh ingredients.  Nothing out of a can.

Authentic Mexican Cuisine

978-282-9600

63 Washington Street Gloucester MA 01930

Open Monday Through Saturday 11AM-9PM

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The Gloucester Yacht Club, Rocky Neck, circa 1910

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Fred Bodin submits-

The taller building with the long pier was Gloucester’s first yacht club, built in 1901 for $5,000. Howard Blackburn was a member and sailed from this building, which is still affectionately called "The Old Yacht Club." It’s located at 5 Wiley Street, sans pier. I lived on the third floor for 12 years, and has a magnificent deck overlooking the outer harbor. The dark house, center, was the home of my friends Al and Florence Taber. Al was a cantankerous guy, but always a gracious host, offering you a screwdriver cocktail, even in the morning. It was only after I read his obituary that I learned that Al rolled across Europe with General George Patton’s army, to finish WWII in Europe. He never mentioned it to me. (Author’s note: This photo post card was lent to me by Al Taber. I copied and printed it for him, and he let me use the image).

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Fredrik D. Bodin

Bodin Historic Photo http://www.facebook.com/BodinHistoricPhoto

Buffleheads from John Nasser

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

I saw this group of male and female Buffleheads along the backshore on Monday Feb. 18, 2013 . A lone Red-Breasted Merganser joins them while they feed 100 yards off shore.

Poll- Is Lenny Bruce Offensive?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Or is Dustin Hoffman playing Lenny Bruce offensive in the movie Lenny?

“I’d like to introduce you to all the niggers in my cabinet”

The PC Race To Eliminate The Term Midget Takes Another Victim

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Barstool Sports reports-

Cains Pickles Stops Selling Midget Pickles After The Mother of A Midget Complains

This just a couple days after my “When did a midget not become a midget?” post-

Serious Question- When Did A Midget Not Become A Midget?

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Joey C

Community Stuff 2/20/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Celebrate Purim with TAA!

Join us THIS Saturday, February 23rd at 6 pm!
There will be a Megillah reading, great Purim schpiel actors from the Yiddish Theater, and adults in costumes, as well as games, crafts, and a magic show by the Sylvia Cohen Religious School teachers, Madrichim, and members of Endicott Hillel!

Free admission! Costumes suggested!

Purim - An Unexpected Journey

Noreen Burke, the director of the Gloucester Department of Health, is the next guest on Cape Ann Profiles. She talks with host Rich Sagall about how she came to the public health field, her work as director of the Department of Health, and the services the department provides residents of Gloucester

Cape Ann Profiles can be seen on Cape Ann TV Channel 12 on Friday, February 22 at 10:30AM and 7:00PM and on Sunday, Februrary 24 at 2:00PM. It repeats on Friday, March 1 at 10:30AM and 7:00PM and on Sunday, March 3 at 2:00PM

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Gloucester Welcomes The MCC Thursday 2/21/13 Info

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Help us Decorate by printing and posting Art Haven’s poster! (attached)

Please print out and share this wonderful poster, a unique and custom welcome for MCC, designed by Art Haven, a founding cultural partner. We’re hoping residents, businesses, and organizations throughout the district at street level or above will put it in their window or door for that day. Founding partner, the  Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce will disperse it to its members. GMG will post it to request that folks display it for us.  Fred Bodin is also reaching out to his network to encourage printing/posting! We hope all the partners print/display and share with others.

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU CAN HANDLE 8MB FILE OR PDF and thank you ART HAVEN!

Review the Itinerary

The MCC site visit will start at 10 AM with a check in at the Cape Ann Museum.  This will only be a quick stop prior to the first meeting, but will give the committee a chance to greet the delegation, distribute literature and prepare information about the venues and businesses within the proposed CD, and offer them a place to stash any items that they might want later in the day.

· 10:00 AM Cape Ann Museum steering committee will  welcome MCC/check in/home base

· 10:30 the MCC delegation will meet at City Hall with city officials, coffee and pastries courtesy Cape Ann Coffee

· 11:30 the walking tour begins and will include 7 stops (not more than 5 minutes each) with pointing and discussion along the way.

The proposed DGCD footprint very roughly spans from St.Peter’s/the Chamber side over  to Gortons, and from City Hall to Maritime Gloucester. This means it includes the Civic jewels, all of Middle, all of Main, all of Harbor Loop, our waterfront, and Rogers until Rose Baker.  It’s the same footprint used for decades and that we all know. We’ll be included in a select group that receive designation and will be marketed with 5 others on the North Shore. We will be the first town in the state with two cultural districts! It mirrors the HarborWalk’s,  the Chamber of Commerce’s, Discover Gloucester,  and Maritime Trail mapsl, etc–everyone’s efforts to maintain the integrity of downtown and historic harbor area. It will likely increase what is already great and working. Our downtown works hard to offer residents, visitors and employees fantastic experiences!

1)Sawyer Free, Dale Avenue  

2)UU Church, Middle Street

3)Legion Hall/Joan of Arc, the west perimeter boundary

4)Café Sicilila, West End, Main Street

5)Maritime Gloucester, Harbor  Loop

6)Rose Baker Senior Center

· 12:30-1:30 Lunch Break Halibut Point, followed by quick pop in to Alexandra’s bakery to  pick up  “to go” treats for MCC guests

· 1:30-2:00 walking tour continues along Main to end point, roundtable discussion

7)Art Haven, Main Street

· 2:00PM- 3:00PM MCC meets with partners at Fred Bodin’s, chair rental delivery courtesy our  own “Party Rental Gloucester”

· 2:45 PM or 3PM other folks who may want to meet MCC are welcome to stop by

Peek at one page tally sheet on the web site (a draft of MCC handout to follow)

https://sites.google.com/site/gloucestermadcd/so-what-s-here-the-tally

Odds this guy gets laid within 30 minutes of shooting this video have to be what, like 1000%?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 

This guy is diabolical.

The old get your girlfriend a puppy the day she puts her old dog down from a heart tumor trick.  Gets ‘em a hundred times out of a hundred.   Well played sir.  Well played.

Moral of the story?

Go down to Cape Ann Animal Aid  and get you one of those cute cats or dogs, bring it home, surprise your girlfriend, get laid.

#Boom!

It’s just that easy.

PS: Shouldn’t I get a be getting Nobel or Pulitzer for this kind of stuff?

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PPS: If I don’t get a Nobel or Pulitzer there shouldn’t there be a bevy of advertising firms straight up fighting to sign me at this point?  I dare say there’s never been a more effective ad for Cape Ann Animal Aid in the history of Cape Ann Animal Aid.

PPPS:  If the grandfather wasn’t sitting right there I would have said 5 minutes propped up on the dryer.

Just makin’ it rain cats and dogs up in this mother.

The Latest From Charlie Carroll

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Charlie writes-

Have finally caught up with all the Image Processing.

Have been concentrating on producing Images for my up-coming show and failed to keep up with what I gather on a daily basis…

Anyway… here’s the Link to two new gallery’s…

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Updated: If I Don’t Get The Answer To The “Why Aren’t The Windmills Spinning All The Time” Question I May Go Postal

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Updated:

The following information is from Rick Johnson, Varian’s Facility Manager.
When winds at 7 miles per hour or less, the Varian turbine will not operate for economic reasons; when the wind speed is 56 miles an hour or greater, the turbine will shutdown for safety reasons.
“economic reasons” is incorrect. The turbine will not spin unless the wind is maintained at more than 3.0 meters/second (6.7 mph).
• The Varian turbine has also been down for the six week maintenance inspection that occurred a couple weeks back.
• We are also experiencing trouble with a couple of relays that are killing power to the turbine. We had service here last Thursday and yesterday working on the issue.
• The turbine can also be down due to icing being detected on the blades. It causes an imbalance and shuts the turbine down until ice is no longer detected.

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I just assume there is a logical reason that the windmills aren’t always spinning on days when there is wind but for many folks it drives them up a wall.

What drives me up a wall is not that they aren’t all spinning all the time on windy days but what drives me up a wall is the people who constantly question why the windmills aren’t  spinning all the time on windy days.

To my thinking, the people that spent the money, time and energy to get the windmills erected obviously want to generate as much power as they can from them.  That’s a logical assumption, right?

So why would anyone complain when they are not spinning as if there is some conspiracy theory as to why they aren’t spinning?  Do you really think the people that put up the money to build them are trying to withhold the generation of power from them for some reason?

One of these people is someone I may or may not be related to through marriage who asks the question every time we pass a windmill that isn’t spinning.

Another is one of my lobstermen who looks out the office window every day and gives me the update on how many are spinning on any given day.

So please, anyone with real inside knowledge as to why they don’t spin all the time when there is wind can you please enlighten me so the next time we pass one that isn’t spinning I can give the correct response to the conspiracy theorists out there who constantly harp on about it.

I’m not looking for guesses from ordinary citizens like myself.  I’d really like someone from Varian, Gloucester Engineering or the iron workers union who actually knows the factual answer to why they aren’t spinning when there would be enough wind to turn them to enlighten us.

Please and thank you.

signed- Joey C

"The Marine Invasion Will Not be Televised! Changes in Gloucester Harbor" Presentation Thursday February 21st

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

"The Marine Invasion Will Not be Televised! Changes in Gloucester Harbor"

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Please join us this Thursday evening, February 21st in the Gorton’s Seafoods Gallery at Maritime Gloucester for the final presentation in our series on Gloucester Harbor.  Judith Pederson, Ph.D. MIT Sea Grant College will be the speaker. World reknowned marine scientists have been looking at Gloucester Harbor for invasive marine species over a number of years. Judy will share results from the 2012 Rapid Assessment Survey of Gloucester Harbor for Marine Invasives and Native Species. She writes "Human activities contribute to an accelerating rate of non-native species invasions that are a threat to resident populations and habitats. Yet our knowledge of how marine ecosystems are impacted is limited by few long-term studies and experimental data.  With climate-related changes in coastal and marine ecosystems, we anticipate shifts of both native and non-native species northward in response to increased temperatures.   In this talk we will explore non-native species in the Gloucester area and explore how communities have changed in response to both climate and human assisted invasions."

The event is free to the public. All programs are held at the Gorton’s Seafoods Gallery at Maritime Gloucester at 23 Harbor Loop. The program begins at 7:00 pm. For more detail about Maritime Gloucester’s winter programming go to http://maritimegloucester.org/visit/events.php.

Gary’s Chocolate Drizzle Bourbon Pecan Pie At Stones Pub Went Right To My Hips Yesterday

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

So I figured I’d get to the gym. 

Do you see yourself as one of these types?

I saw a couple of glimpses of me at the gym in there and I’m not proud.