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.

Ask Joey C With A Twist- “What To Do With a Wiper Blade Kisser?”

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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EJ says that I need to answer the questions with a touch of the female perspective so I had an idea last night.  I will forward the questions that come in anonymously to two of our GMG contributors who will in isolation provide their advice.  I will not read their advice until I finish mine and then I’ll post all three responses and let you our readers decide which makes the most sense.  Maybe there will be some overlap, maybe they will be completely different.

The point will be that they will be from three completely different perspectives.

Here’s the question

Hey Joey,
I have a question that has been bothering me lately.  I met this wonderful man.  We get along very well, feels as if i have known him for years.  Every single time we make out i am instantly turned off.  He kisses like a windshield wiper…back and forth and back and forth with this firm, strong tongue.  This is so gross and such a turn off.  WHAT DO I DO?  Am i shallow and a horrible person if i end things with this person just because he is a shitty kisser?  I’m already a single mom and don’t need to teach another “thing” to another person.
Time for a new wiper blade?

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Joey C’s response-

Dear Wiper Blade Kisser Victim,

I can sympathize with you.  Back in 95 or 96 I had gone through a time period where I was dating a lot of women.  It came to a point that going from one woman to the next and not really having an established relationship had left me feeling empty.  I met a really nice girl who was physically fit, pretty, smart and came from a nice family.  She was also a virgin.

Dating a virgin who is younger than you is serious business as you don’t want to ruin the girl for other men but I thought enough of this girl that I completely respected her standing as a virgin even though she was already in college.  There would be no pressuring her at all.  The thing was as I found out very early on was that she was a terrible kisser.  I mean brutally horrible.  Like she would just mash her lips up against mine and not even use the muscles within her lips or anything.  It was like pressing your lips up against a piece of liver.

At first I was sort of excited by the prospect of being able to mold this girl into a sexual dynamo.  The idea of taking this very shy virgin and helping her become a woman was something I thought would be fantastic.  So we continued to date even though the act of rolling around in the sack was incredibly awkward.  Even though I was completely patient and never pressuring her about her virginity she made absolutely zero progress toward becoming the least bit better of a kisser.  She was terrible.  I mean terrible terrible.  So after about three weeks of zero progress even though we were spending lots of time together I knew I had to end it.

There was no way I was going to take this girls virginity knowing that this kissing thing wasn’t getting any better.  There are things I might go to hell for that I’d done in my youth but this wasn’t going to be one of them.  I ended the relationship with the classic “It’s not you, it’s me” routine and even though I’m pretty sure her friends thought the reason I broke up with her was because she was a virgin, I swear on my soul the virginity thing had nothing to do with it.  It was the inability to pick up even the slightest nuances of kissing.

So the point is that I’m not even sure “wiper blade kisser guy” is teachable in the first place.  If he’s a great guy and you feel like you’ve known him for years I would tell you that maybe you try to make the switch over to hanging out as friends.  It may or may not be difficult to make that transition but if you really like hanging out with him I feel like it’s you’re only option if you still want him in your life.

Next Up we have Good Moring Gloucester contributor Alicia Pensarosa and her perspective as a 29 year old in a long term relationship.  Alicia also has her own blog-www.MadcapStyle.com.

Alicia writes-

Dear Single Mom,

Do you throw out the whole car if the wiper blades are hindering your vision?  No, of course not, you just update the wiper blades.

A few simple pointers on how you prefer to be kissed could go a long way.  I suggest, you don’t tell him he’s a bad kisser (let’s not kill his ego), but rather show him what you like and what gets you going.  Kiss him the way you want to be kissed. Try slowing things down. When he’s doing it right use your body to let him know.  Practice, practice, practice. I’m sure if he’s really into you, he’ll respond to the cues and you can say bye-bye to wiper blade mouth.

Of course on the off chance that a little coaching doesn’t work, you have to decide if you’re really into him and you’d be willing to commit to a bad kisser. Can you give up some good kissing for an otherwise wonderful man?  Try picturing the rest of your life kissing wiper blade mouth- could you do it? And if you can’t, you’re not a shallow, horrible person; you’re just a woman who knows what she wants and won’t settle for less.

And for our third perspective we have Kim Smith, creator of Kim Smith Designs and married mother of two adult children.

Dear time for a new wiper blade,

No you are not a shallow and horrible person. Because you are turned off by something as intimate as kissing in the early stages of your relationship you are wise to question whether or not this man is a good fit for you.

Is he wonderful in every other way i.e., a wonderful lover (excluding kissing issue), wonderful to your child, loving, generous in spirit, and kind? If that is so then perhaps you could very gently, but confidently, say something like, “ I love to kiss with you; let’s try something different.” Perhaps he is misinformed and thinks his method of kissing is exciting. You could guide him in a way of kissing that is appealing to you, and make it exciting for the both of you. You suggest that you don’t want to teach another thing. Try not to look at it that way. You are in a new relationship with a guy you really like/love. Look at the kissing issue not as though you are teaching a child, but exploring each other intimately.

If you decide to stay with this guy, let us know how your relationship progresses.

Please rate the advice by clicking on the title of the post and clicking on the stars below the post on the page that opens.  One star for terrible advice and 5 stars for spot on.

GMG Spring Fling At Bodin Historic Photo This Saturday Night March 31st Starting at 6:30PM- FOB ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY!!!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Spring Fling!

Good Morning Gloucester and Bodin Historic Photo invite all of our friends of the blog, the gallery, and the public to celebrate the season.

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Saturday, March 31st at 6 p.m.

Bodin Historic Photo & Fine Art

82 Main Street, Gloucester, MA

We’ll have appetizers, dishes, and desserts to eat.

There’ll be artists, photographers, and writers to meet.

Bring your own beverages and if desired – an edible treat!

EVERYTHING in the gallery will be discounted by 10% all day and all night Saturday. Gallery neighbor Premier Imprints will be open late (at least 8 pm) and will discount EVERYTHING by 20% until they close. Across the street, Cape Ann Olive Oil Company will be open until 7 pm, and will supply us with choice oils and balsamic vinegar for our Spring Fling. Also, “Painter Barb” (my sista) will be in attendance:

Join Us to Welcome Spring!

Fred B. and Joey C.

Paul (I’m Horny For Ducks) Morrison will be bringing some of Ryan and Wood’s Knockabout Gin, Sista Felicia promises she’s making something special, Alicia Cox from Mamie’s Kitchen is Bringing her world’s greatest coffee rolls and to-die-for linguica.

It’s a BYOB or appetizer party.  Come on down and have a blast withyour favorite GMG personalities.  There will be autograph signings, you can get your picture taken with a rubber duck and a whole lot more (and who could resist that?)

If you consider yourself one of our FOB’s this is a must attend event.  The Christmas party was off the Chain and I know all you crazy MoFo’s are just itching to get out and have some fun!

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oh and don’t forget to swing by the Horribles Parade fundraiser first and place some bids to help support the great Gloucester tradition!

Video- Middle Street from Henry Ferrini

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

There is a "Middle Street" in the middle of most cities and towns in America. This Middle Street is in America’s oldest fishing port, Gloucester, Massachusetts. It’s crowded with churches, municipal buildings and funeral parlors. The street is a conduit into the life of the city. Traveling over wharves, through religious festivals and into the movies transmuting a personal story into a Gloucester story. Middle Street is a chowder of sounds, gestures, syllables, looks and fleeting moments, a nature walk through Gloucester, Massachusetts with Willie Alexander and Henry Ferrini.
Winner: Somerville Film Festival-Best of Festival, 1995.

Community Stuff Saturday

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Scott Bumpus writes-

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Joe,

Your doing a great job with the blog.  Without your blog we never would have known about tacos lupita, now we come up there all the time for lunch!  It would be interesting to know how many people found out about the place through the blog.

if you think this is of any value to your readers feel free to post but if not, no problem.

We still have availability for the repair classes tomorrow night and remaining classes too.  the info is right on seasidecycle.com or on our facebook site.

thanks keep up the good work.

scott b

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Muffy White writes-

Good morning Joey!
Hope you are well – feel like there is less banter in my life with the
Dodge Ball tourney behind us!

Anyway – I am working with East Gloucester Elementary School hosting a Summer Camp Fair (flyer attached)….wondering if GMG could help us by posting the flyer and inviting all Cape Ann Families to come and see the plethora of options for summer fun for the kids! 

Also to note that any camps and programs who would like to get involved they
contact me (muffy.l.white@gmail.com OR wheels2636@aol.com)

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NATIONS MOST COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH SURVEY COMING TO ESSEX COUNTY

The nation’s most comprehensive health survey will be coming to Essex County in April 2012. Known as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, NHANES combines interviews and physical examinations to assess the health and nutrition of adults and children throughout the United States. Every year approximately 5,000 people from 15 different US counties have the opportunity to participate in the survey. 
NHANES began in the early 1960s and is conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. The NHANES interview includes demographic, socioeconomic, dietary, and health-related questions. The examination component consists of medical, dental, and physiological measurements, as well as laboratory tests administered by highly trained medical personnel.
“NHANES is very much like a ‘health exam center on wheels,’ that goes out into actual communities to get data on real Americans,” said NCHS Director Edward Sondik. “It truly is a unique resource for health information in this country, and without it we wouldn’t have data on a number of important health conditions.”
NHANES provides annual estimates on a range of diseases such as the number of individuals who have heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, hypertension, respiratory disease, and other conditions. The information gathered in NHANES is used by public health officials, legislators, and physicians to develop sound health policies, direct and design health programs and services, and expand the health knowledge for the nation.
Individuals selected for the survey represent the U.S. population of all ages. Respondents first participate in a health interview conducted in the respondent’s home. A team of specially-trained professionals conducts the household interviews. The health examination that follows takes place in one of three mobile examination centers which will be set up in Peabody at the Boston Marriott (chosen as a central location for all of Essex County). 
A team of health personnel, including a physician, nutritionists, and health and laboratory technicians using high-tech, state-of-the-art equipment, staffs the mobile examination centers. All participants receive an examination by a physician, as well as a dietary interview, and body measurements that include height and weight.   Some will be eligible for a hearing test, a scan to evaluate skeletal health, a breathing test, as well as a blood pressure test.  The various tests and procedures depend upon the age of the participant. No medical care is provided directly in the examination center, but a report on the medical findings is given to each participant along with an explanation from survey medical staff.
All individual information collected in the survey is kept strictly confidential, and privacy is protected by public law. Participants selected to undergo the physical examination receive reimbursement for travel expenses and are given a monetary incentive. Interviewing in Essex County will begin on April 7, 2012 and examinations will begin on April 28, 2012.
The Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health John Auerbach has endorsed NHANES, as well as Mayor Carolyn A. Kirk, the Gloucester Board of Health, and Noreen Burke, the city’s Health Director. For more information about NHANES, please call 1-800-452-6115, visit http://www.cdc.gov/nhanes, or contact the Gloucester Health Department at (978) 281-9771.

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Video clip- Midsummer Nights Dream at East Gloucester Elementary From James Dowd

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Most of what I think I do as a father is spend huge amounts of time reminding my kids about obvious things like that they can’t go outside in the rain wearing just socks on their feet. If someone said to me at that moment: "You kid and her class are capable of pulling off a pitch-perfect rendition of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream" I’d laugh out loud.

"You mean the kid outside in the rain with the socks on?"

But this is why we have schools and great teachers, to remind us occasionally that there are deep, deep wells of talent in those kids.  Beyond what we can imagine.

This clip is from East Gloucester Elementary fifth grade play, last night.
Tonight is sold out, but there may still be tix for the Sat matinee at 2.

Head To The Fort Square Café ASAP! The Lucky Table Is Back!!!!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Ron Ross has refinished this classic tabletop with boats from Gloucester’s past fishing fleet and they are installing it in the window seat.  There has been 3 $15,000 winning scratch tickets scratched at this table as legend goes  (hence the title lucky table). 

While at the Fort Square Café you can get one of Heidi’s OUTSTANDING muffins, listen to the single most entertaining breakfast counter man in the business Rusty Shatford and try Heidi’s latest creations the stuffed breakfast pepper.

That table has a ton of history on it with the old photos and stories from Gloucester’s fishing fleet so get there early and try to snag “the lucky table!”

Click on the photos for larger views

My “This is Gloucester” DVD’s are available for sale as well if you haven’t got one yet.

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I’ll be donating 5% of the proceeds from the sale of this DVD to The Saint Peter’s Fiesta to rebuild the Greasy Pole.

20 Chapters in all-

  • ReplyGloucester at Dawn Featuring Music By Dan King
  • 2011 Friday Greasy Pole
  • 2011 Jr Womens Seine Boat Champs Donna Del Mare
  • 2011 Saturday Greasy Pole Featuring Footage From Adam Bolonsky & Sam Hartson
  • Building The 2011 Greasy Pole Shrine
  • Down The Fish Hold Of The Sanfilippos Captain Domenic
  • Gloucester Zen 6/3/11 Good Harbor Beach at Dawn
  • How Your Lobsters Were Harvested- Aboard The Trapper John
  • Blue Lobster Landed In Gloucester By Lobster Boat The Connemara Bay
  • Lobster Molting In Real Time At Captain Joe and Sons
  • Monkey Balls or Sea Squirts -European Invader Ascidiella Aspersa
  • One Inch Baby Lobsters Filmed and Released
  • Rare Golden Sea Robin Landed Videotaped and Released
  • Triple Pincer Claw Lobster
  • The Back Shore 3/16/10
  • Salting Herring At Cape Seafoods
  • Gloucester Zen 6/3/11 Good Harbor Beach at Dawn
  • Lobstermen Matt and Mark Ring Prepare A Trawl For The ’11 Season
  • Fontana Family St Joseph Novena 2011
  • Ferrante Family St Joseph’s Novena 2011

Here are some screen shots from the DVD menu-

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Winner of The Two Tickets To Tonight’s Berklee Jazz and Roots Concert Jeannette Kresowaty

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Jeannette won the tickets by subscribing to GMG according to this post

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Tonight’s the night!

 

Don’t miss the first public concert in this extraordinary series featuring Berklee professors, alumni and students to benefit a new scholarship fund that will help send a Gloucester student to music school.  See details here.

Listen to some of Ed Saindon’s music here.  This show features a special tribute to Herb Pomeroy.

Berklee Jazz & Roots in Gloucester is sponsored by gimmesound.com.

You don’t get to see jazz of this caliber very often, so don’t miss out!

Roger Goodell of The NFL Is the Pro Sports Commissioner that The Others Should Aspire To Be

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

For those of you non- sports fan Roger Goodell is the commissioner that handed out a real punishment to protect his league, the NFL. There are many sports analysts who are crying out that Roger Goodell has too much power to which I say phooey.

This quote from USA Today-

Sean Payton, the New Orleans Saints coach who knew that his players were participating in a bounty program designed to take out top opponents and lied to the NFL about it? Gone for a year. Mickey Loomis, the general manager who knew as well? Suspended for half the season. Gregg Williams, the man who devised and implemented the head-hunting program? Gone at least for one season, perhaps longer. Here’s hoping it’s forever.

Nearly three weeks ago, Goodell said this: "It is our responsibility to protect player safety and the integrity of our game, and this type of conduct will not be tolerated."

My wife, The Mrs goes absolutely batshit crazy when Major league baseball would hand out $100,000 fines and first second and third strike offenses to MLB players who would test positive for steroids.  $100,000 to a player that is taking home $20,000,000 is peanuts and the unfair advantages of a player taking steroids virtually insured that every kid aspiring to be a MLB player and the vast majority players within the league would take steroids.  so how is that a punishment or deterrent?

Her argument which I whole heartily agree with  is that if they wanted to really ban steroids they should have a zero tolerance rule.  They didn’t have to institute it in the first year.  They could have given players a year to flush that shit out of their systems.  But we watch as it drags on and on over years and years.  Instead of saying to the players union, this is the way it’s gonna be- you get caught with a banned steroid in your system and you are gone.  Done for the season.  Finito.  No pay.

How hard is that to understand that if the result that they want is to ban something that is illegal, they should enforce that for the betterment and health of the entire sport?

You don’t like it?  Hit the bricks.

Gloucester resident, SSGT Peter Greeke was welcomed home by his wife, Melanie and daughters, Jacee and Libby

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Norman Barr writes-

Gloucester resident, SSGT Peter Greeke was welcomed home yesterday from overseas by his wife, Melanie and daughters, Jacee and Libby. Melanie is my daughter.

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Community Stuff Friday

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Cape Ann Artisans

2012 Spring Open Studio Tour

On Cape Ann in Gloucester and Rockport, Massachusetts.

Cape Ann is home to a thriving arts community, one of the oldest in the country. For twenty-nine years Cape Ann Artisans has been inviting the public to visit their studios during their Open studio weekends. This year’s spring tour will be held June 23rd and 24th from 10 am to 5 pm each day.

Brochures with route maps will be available at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, the Rockport Information Booth on Rte 127 and at each of the artisan locations. A bright magenta Studio Tour banner marks each location.

Bring friends and family to visit the studios and meet the 21 Cape Ann Artisans. Make a day of it! Enjoy the extraordinary beauty of our coastline and sample our local seafood.

Come find out why Gloucester was named 3rd in Top 25 Arts Destinations for cities under 100,000 by American Style Magazine

June 23-24 from10am to 5pm daily

The self-guided tour along the scenic coastline of Gloucester and Rockport presents a unique opportunity to meet 21 professional artists and see their work in the setting in which it was created. The work represented includes: pottery, painting, sculpture, photography, mosaics, jewelry, hand made glass beads, and weaving. Several of the artists will be demonstrating their working process during the tours.

Our website has more information, a map, a copy of the 2012 brochure and a list of participating artists and examples of their work. www.capeannartisans.com

Please share this email with anyone that might be interested in joining us!

About the CAA

The members of Cape Ann Artisans, while diverse in our art and expression, share a common sense of place on Cape Ann. Whether we were born and raised in the area, left and returned from other places, or found Cape Ann later in life, we draw our aesthetics and our inspiration directly from the color, light, and vistas of our environment.

International Dory Racing Committee Reminder From Erik Dombrowski

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Cape Ann Military Support Group

The Cape Ann Military Support Group is "Springing" into action with a special event on Thursday, March 29 at 7 p.m. at the Frank Ritvo Veterans Center, 12 Emerson Ave. Gloucester. 

Cape Ann resident, Teresa Tocantins will present a new program called "Yoga Warriors" for all Veterans and their families.

Most people have heard about the benefits of Yoga, but  a recent study conducted on our Iraq troops has shown that  special yoga methods  can reduce PSTD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

The new "Yoga Warrior Method"  is a pro-active way of managing combat stress and improving  the focus of our returning troops who may be trying to manage the more silent wounds of battle. Ms. Tocantins will discus how sleep habits, irritability, concentration, anger management, and intrusive thoughts of images, loneliness, self blame and sadness have been improved.  It is a way for our troops as well as stressed family members of returning troops to find healing in relaxing.

We are fortunate that Ms. Tocantins has chosen to make this program available here on Cape Ann.  Let’s all spring together and welcome all our Vet’s from all wars  home to such a great program.

Sarah VanAuken

Cape Ann Military Support Group

GMG Spring Fling At Bodin Historic Photo Downtown This Saturday Night!!! FOB ATTENDANCE MANDATORY!!!!!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Paul (I’m Horny For Ducks) Morrison will be bringing some of Ryan and Wood’s Knockabout Gin, Sista Felicia promises she’s making something special, Kim Smith is bringing scallops wrapped in bacon, Alicia Cox from Mamie’s Kitchen is Bringing her world’s greatest coffee rolls and to-die-for linguica.

It’s a BYOB or appetizer party.  Come on down and have a blast withyour favorite GMG personalities.  There will be autograph signings, you can get your picture taken with a rubber duck and a whole lot more (and who could resist that?)

If anyone wants to buy a “This is Gloucester” DVD let me know and I’ll bring some, or if anyone wants one of EJ’s calendars or Sharon’s Calendars or if one of our contributors has a certain print you would like to have them make up for you let us know.

The party hosted by the awesome Fred Bodin starts at 6:30PM at his joint at 82 Main Street in the heart of Beautiful Gloucester MA.

If you consider yourself one of our FOB’s this is a must attend event.  The Christmas party was off the Chain and I know all you crazy MoFo’s are just itching to get out and have some fun!

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oh and don’t forget to swing by the Horribles Parade fundraiser first and place some bids to help support the great Gloucester tradition!

Discover Gloucester Weekly From Linn Parisi

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Linn Parisi writes-

A team of Discover Gloucester partners just got back from attending the four day Discover New England Summit for the 4th time, held this year at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston. I’m happy to say that it went very well with lots of interest in visiting Gloucester. This trade show is appointment based where International tour companies (Buyers) meet with and learn about destinations, local accommodations and attractions (Sellers).  There were five of us from Gloucester, the best representation we’ve had so far, and I couldn’t be more proud of the great job that the team did talking up all the reasons for travelers to come here for their holiday from Europe, South America and Asia. The international tour companies put together what they learn here and create vacation packages and itineraries that they sell to individuals in their countries. Our job was to pitch all the great things about our area and how they fit into the overall vacation experience starting with their flight into Boston. The buyers said they want a real New England experience – and what’s more real than Gloucester?

We did particularly well with companies from Italy, Germany, Norway and Japan.  If you’ve seen the news of the new Boeing 787 coming to Boston you know Japan Airlines begins their non-stop flights from Tokyo to Boston on April 22, which will offer new adventures in New England for the Asian market. We got to attend a seminar to learn how to work with Japanese travelers. Did you know: They want to come here to learn about our culture, so trying to replicate a Japanese breakfast – poorly – would be offensive. They want to experience a good American breakfast – even though they might not eat any of it! Food portions should be cut in half. They would much rather have a small “perfect” lobster roll than a big overflowing roll. Two beds are a must, even for honeymooners.

I was talking with a Japanese woman at an appointment and she mentioned Gloucester’s relationship with our Japanese sister city Tomano. I was impressed! She then said “And we work with Robert, Why Not?” Of course, I’m thinking – yeah, why not? While we were waiting to go to the MFA for an evening event, another American helpfully said to a small group of Japanese Buyers “The ducks are here to bring us to the event!”. That took a few moments to translate and we had a good laugh.  Once we got there, I could hear Pilar Garro from Beauport Museum, whose fabulous laugh you can hear from a mile away. Turns out she was showing others the silver pieces donated to the MFA by Henry Sleeper, who owned the Beauport mansion. Way to go, Henry! We’re all still trying to figure out what’s behind the name of one Italian tour company name: “Quiiky”!

I’m extremely pleased that contracts are being written between DNE Summit Buyers and Discover Gloucester partners right now, building on recent and past exposure at this trade show. Many companies will be including Gloucester and the area in itineraries for their clients. Woot!

On Sunday before the trade show began I was showing a rep from Germany around Gloucester, She’s looking for another accommodation to recommend to her clients. I showed her a couple, and then drove her by the Birdseye site and she said “Now you’re talking!” She wants a hotel where people can walk to dining, shopping and things to do.

Another company’s rep I spoke with, who knows Gloucester well, jumped up out of her seat to high five me when I told her that Gloucester might be getting a new hotel.

Discover Gloucester partners are working very hard to promote our amazing area to people beyond our amazing area. We are entering our 5th year and it’s great to see the efforts paying off.

Shrimp – Pet of the Week

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Shrimp – Pet of the Week

Shrimp

My name is Shrimp, I am a male cat who is at the Cape Ann Animal Aid presently located at 260 Main Street in Gloucester.  I think I was named Shrimp because I love to lounge and when I curl up, I look like a shrimp!

I am only two-years-old and we cats do not go through the terrible twos!  Please stop on by and visit us.   We look forward to the new shelter opening later this year at Four Paw Lane.

Check our website at CapeAnnAnimalAid.com

As you can see I have a handsome black silk coat and I have magnificent green eyes.  I am affectionate, sweet, and a medium size cat … but I am no shrimp!

Updated at 9:29PM Baby Seal Still Stranded as of 4:45PM On Pavilion Beach Gloucester MA

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Update:

Submitted on 2012/03/29 at 8:54 pm

Hi Everyone,
This seal is a harbor seal pup. Pupping season for this species begins in the spring from Maine to Massachusetts mainly, but pups have been documented as far south as New Jersey. Responders from New England Aquarium, authorized by NOAA, are monitoring this animal. The pup looks in very good condition, but will be monitored to see if the mother returns for continued nursing. Pups are on land to rest as they nurse and gain weight. It is very important that the mother returns to the pup. A lot of human activity near the pup may frighten the mother and cause her to abandon her pup, so please observe from a distance. New England Aquarium is monitoring the animal for any changes in health that may require intervention by Aquarium personnel. Further information on harbor seals can be found at:http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/pinnipeds/harborseal.htm.

Mendy Garron
Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator
NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

Two Ten Dolla Tickets To Berklee Jazz and Roots Concert Friday Night Yo!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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We’ve got our grubby little mitts on two tickets to the Berklee Jazz and Roots concert Friday night at The Glo Ho.

Second person that subscribes to GMG here gets them free.  You can pick them up at Fred Bodin Historic Photo on Main Street any time after 2PM today if you win.  I will email the winner at the email address they use to sign up to let them know they won.

It pays to subscribe I’m tellin ya!

How Does Curt Schilling Get Inducted Into The Red Sox Hall of Fame and Not Pedro Martinez?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

I just read on the Eagle Tribune’s Smitty on Baseball that  that Curt Schilling will be inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame.  Looking at the list of inducted players I see that Pedro Martinez isn’t in there.  How can that possibly be?

If it wasn’t for Pedro’s willingness to throw inside and intimidate opposing players I just don’t see us winning a World Series. Pedro played for the Red Sox from 97-2004 and was dominant throughout.  Schilling had two good years and then was injured for his remaining two.   This is ridiculous in my opinion.  Your thoughts?

From wikipedia-

Pedro Martinez Red Sox 1997-2004-

The seven-year contract he received from the Red Sox had been considered a huge risk in the 1997 offseason, but Martínez had rewarded the team’s hopes with two Cy Young Awards, and six Top-4 finishes. Martínez finished his Red Sox career with a 117–37 record, the highest winning percentage any pitcher has had with any team in baseball history.

Curt Schilling with the Boston Red Sox 2004-2008

On October 19, 2004, Schilling won Game 6 of the 2004 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees. Notably, he won this game playing on an injured ankle—the same injuries that contributed to his disastrous outing in Game 1 of the ALCS. These injuries were so acute that by the end of his performance that day his white sock was soaked with blood, which is now referred to as “the bloody sock”. Following the game, Schilling took the famous sock and threw it away in the Yankee Stadium clubhouse. The win forced a Game 7, making the Red Sox the first team in MLB history to come back from a three-games-to-none deficit. The Red Sox would go on to win Game 7 and the ALCS and make their first World Series appearance since 1986. Schilling pitched (and won) Game 2 of the 2004 World Series for the Red Sox against the St. Louis Cardinals. In both series, he had to have the tendon in his right ankle stabilized repeatedly, in what has become known as theSchilling Tendon Procedure, after the tendon sheath was torn during his Game 1 ALDS appearance against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. As in Game 6 of the ALCS, Schilling’s sock was soaked with blood from the sutures used in this medical procedure, but he still managed to pitch seven strong innings, giving up one run on four hits and striking out four. This second bloody sock was placed in the Baseball Hall of Fame after Boston’s victory over St. Louis in the World Series. A four-game sweep of the World Series erased the Curse of the Bambino.

Schilling was once again runner-up in Cy Young voting in 2004, this time to Minnesota Twins hurler Johan Santana, who was a unanimous selection, receiving all 28 first-place votes. Schilling received 27 of the 28 second-place votes. Later, the entire Red Sox team was named Sports Illustrated’s 2004 Sportsmen of the Year, making Schilling only the second person to have won or shared that award twice.

Schilling began 2005 on the disabled list due to recurrent ankle injuries. He returned in July as Boston’s closer. He eventually returned to the starting rotation and continued to struggle. The Red Sox made it to the playoffs, but were swept by the Chicago White Sox in three games.

For the 2006 season, Schilling was said to be healthy. He began the season 4–0 with a 1.61 ERA. He finished the year with a 15–7 record and 198 strikeouts, with a respectable 3.97 ERA. On May 27, he earned his 200th career win, the 104th major league pitcher to accomplish the feat.[6] On August 30, Schilling collected his 3,000th strikeout. Schilling has the highest ratio of strikeouts to walks of any pitcher with at least 3,000 strikeouts, and is one of four pitchers to reach the 3,000-K milestone before reaching 1,000 career walks. The other three who accomplished this feat are Fergie Jenkins, Greg Maddux, and former Boston Red Sox ace and teammate Pedro Martínez.[citation needed]

Would you pay double to see a classic like Springsteen play ONLY His Old Stuff?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

How many times have you gone to see a musician that has a library of 20-40 incredible classic songs, pay huge money for the tickets and then endure over half the songs off the new album they just put out with songs you’d never heard of?

You’re standing in the audience expecting to hear Rosalita and Badlands and three or four songs in a row go by and there isn’t a single song you recognize.

Before everyone jumps down my throat, I completely understand the need to grow as an artist and explore and create new stuff so you can satisfy your own desire to create.  I get that.  When I feel like the blog has been stagnant and we haven’t come up with new ideas in a while I get extremely irritable and it’s when we break new ground or stories that I feel most satisfied with the work we’re doing.

But what I’m talking about is strictly from the consumer’s standpoint.

Would you as a consumer be willing to pay double for a ticket to a classic band if they promised a complete show of pure top number one hits and nothing new?

Because I rarely go to concerts any more, I would.

Wouldn’t it be great if say Springsteen alternated years where one year he does the classics tour and then the following year he plays a mix of classics and new stuff?