Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

November 10, 2011
"Just going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car." 
G. K. Chesterton 1874-1936

Often called “The Prince of Paradox,” Chesterton wrote about 80 books, several hundred poems, 200 short stories, 4000 essays and several plays. His 1905 biography of Charles Dickens is often credited for reviving interest in Dickens’ then largely overlooked work. Though they differed strongly in their respective world views, George Bernard Shaw described him as a man of colossal genius. His life-long study of religion and theology culminated in his 1922 conversion to Roman Catholicism. Diverse writers and thinkers including Mohandas Gandhi, Ingmar Bergman, Jorge Luis Borges, Neil Gaiman and Hilaire Belloc cited Chesterton as an influence on their work.

Greg Bover

6 pm until 10 pm

Bodin Historic Photo & Fine Art

82 Main Street

Gloucester, MA 01930

The gallery Elves have been busy, and are hosting a pre-holiday Open House, with a special menu: Short Rib Chili simmered by our neighbor chefs at Passports Restauranthttp://passportsrestaurant.wordpress.com, with delicious accompaniments, and light refreshments. Painters Jean Byrd and Kathleen Miller will display new oils, calendars, cards, and tree ornaments. Fred Bodin will exhibit his work and George Lenart’s The Perfect Storm, Eastern Point Light, 1991 photograph. Fred will also be showing his substantial photo database on his new 27 inch iMac, aka The Beast.

Each purchase of $60, of any gallery product, or any combination, will receive a free Dave Matthews coffee or chowder mug, batter bowl, word jar, or vase. These items usually sell for $16 each, and are currently on sale for $10. Now every $60, $120, or $180 purchase will get you one, two, or three mugs free. Offer valid while supplies last. Right now we have 55 pieces.

Come on by and join us before the holiday rush and craziness begins. Don’t worry – we’ll be here when it does – pencil us in for our annual Holiday Open House on December 3rd, Ladies’ Night on December 1st, and Mens’ Night on December 8th We’re open late every night until Christmas Eve.

While you’re in the neighborhood, stroll across the street to the POP Gallery for a POP-tail drink and a premier viewing of holiday cards and gifts, ahead of the crowds! http://www.facebook.com/popgallery

Cheers,

Fred, Jean, Kathleen, and all the other artist Elves!

Fredrik D. Bodin

Bodin Historic Photo

So many movies, so little time. The Cape Ann Film Festival kicks off this week at the Cape Ann Community Cinema at 21 Main Street in Gloucester, and anyone who wants to catch all 24 movies is going to have to rest up and do some serious planning.
"Consider it a glimpse at how I spend some of my days," says Robert Newton, the creative director of the Festival and the Cinema. "Wake up, watch a movie, watch a movie, watch a movie, and if there’s time, do silly things like eat and sleep."
For every film that screens at the Festival, Newton notes, another ten don’t make the cut. That means that a line-up of 24 films represents about 500 hours, or about 3 solid weeks spent watching.
The three weeks that comprise the Festival open on Thursday, November 10th at 7:30pm with a Festival Trailer Round-Up, followed by a short documentary to commemorate 20 years since the actual Perfect Storm (of October 31, 1991). There will be prizes (such as movie passes and a private movie party at the Cinema) and surprises, and the night is sponsored by Cape Pond Ice of Gloucester.
Political satirist Jimmy Tingle opens the first official night of the Festival on Friday, November 11th at 7:30pm with an encore of his JIMMY TINGLE’S AMERICAN DREAM: LIVE ON STAGE & SCREEN. October’s show that marked the CACC’s 3rd birthday was sold out. Tickets are $22.00, and are available in advance at www.CapeAnnFilmFest.com.
Writer-director Jay Burke presents a work-in-progress version of his fishing drama WHALING CITY on Saturday, November 12th at 7:30pm. This dramatic narrative feature film is set in New Bedford, Mass. in the rapidly-changing world of the modern fishing industry. It tells the story of a 3rd-generation independent commercial fisherman, struggling to keep a grasp on his way of life – and a long-held family boat – as costs rise and the heavily-regulated fishing industry is pushed towards a corporate model of efficiency. While developing an unlikely relationship with a marine biologist, he is tempted to do whatever it takes to keep his boat.
GUESTS APLENTY
Other Festival guests include "Who Does She Think She Is?" director Pamela Tanner Boll (Sat. Nov. 12 @ 2:30pm), "The True 1692" writer/director/producer Paul Van Ness (Sat. Nov. 19 @ 5:00pm), "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" star Gunnar ‘Leatherface’ Hansen (Sat. Nov. 19 @ 10:00pm), "Nuremberg" restorationist Sandra Schulberg (Sun. Nov. 20 @ 2:30pm) and "Take Shelter" producer Sarah Green (Sun. Nov. 27 @ 5:00pm), who will close the Festival.
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
As has been part of the Cinema’s mission since it began in 2008, this year’s Festival features three fundraisers for local organizations. "The Legend Of Pale Male" (Sat. Nov. 12 @ 5:00pm) benefits Kestrel Educational Adventures, "The Economics Of Happiness" (Sun. Nov. 13 @ 5:00pm) benefits Cape Ann Timebank and for the fourth Thanksgiving running, "Alice’s Restaurant" (Thurs. Nov. 24 @ 6:30pm) benefits Cape Ann’s food bank, The Open Door.
EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PREVIEW
On Sunday, November 20th at 7:30pm, the Festival offers a sneak preview of the new sports drama "The Hammer," a Massachusetts exclusive. The film is based on the life of the UFC fighter Matt Hamill, and is a coming-of-age drama about the first deaf wrestler’s journey to win a National Collegiate Championship. Raised among those with the ability to hear, Matt finds himself no less an outsider amidst the Deaf community. But through sheer determination, he turns what could be a disability into an asset and in the process serves as an inspiration for both those who can hear and those who cannot. The film will encore at 7:30pm on both Friday and Saturday and Sunday, November 25th and 26th.
FREE CLASSICS SERIES
The Festival features a series of five film classics: "His Girl Friday" [1940] (Mon. Nov. 14 @ 2:30pm), "Meet John Doe" [1941] (Tues. Nov. 15 @ 2:30pm), "Detour" [1945] (Wed. Nov. 16 @ 2:30pm), "The Inspector General" [1949] and "D.O.A." (Fri. Nov. 18 @ 2:30pm). All films in the Free Classics series, which continues in January, are completely free to attend.
THE PROFESSOR AND MARY ANN…
The rest of the films playing at this year’s CAFF are "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey," "Chico & Rita," "Mia And The Migoo," the ‘restored’ "Monty Python & The Holy Grail," "My Afternoons With Margueritte," "Weekend," "The Whale" and "The Women On The 6th Floor." A full schedule, including synopses and trailers, is available at www.CapeAnnFilmFest.com.
LOOKING AHEAD
In that the Cape Ann Community Cinema is "the film festival that never ends," the magic continues this winter. On Saturday, December 3rd at 7:30pm when the Cinema hosts Oscar-nominated animator Bill Plympton and filmmaker Alexia Anastasio and her new documentary about Plympton called "Adventures In Plymptoons." On Wednesday, December 28th at 7:30pm, the CACC welcomes Oscar-nominated writer/producer/director John Sayles and his creative/partner Maggie Renzi, with whom he has been working since they made "The Return Of The Secaucus Seven" together in 1979. They will host a Q&A (moderated by Sarah Green) after a screening of their new film "Amigo" (his 17th). On Saturday, January 14th at 7:30pm, former Providence mayor Buddy Cianci lands for a screening of the documentary "Buddy," a Q&A and a book signing. Tickets for all of these post-Fest events are available at www.CapeAnnFilmFest.com.
Tickets for most films are $9.50 adults, $8.00 students & seniors (60+) and $6.50 for Cinema Members. For a full list of films both regular price and premium-priced, visit www.CapeAnnFilmFest.com.
For more information on the Festival or the Cinema, contact Robert Newton at (978) 309-8448.

From rich Sagall-

On the next Cape Ann Profiles show host Rich Sagall interviews Mark Warhol, a Cape Ann composer of contemporary classical music. Mark explains contemporary classical music and airs clips of some of his work .
Cape Ann Profiles can be seen on Cape Ann TV Channel 12 on Friday, November 11 at 10:30AM and 7:00PM and on Sunday, November 13 at 2:00PM. It repeats on Friday, November 18 at 10:30AM and 7:00PM and on Sunday, November 20 at 2:00PM.

Deanna Fay writes-

Hi Joey,

Sharing a couple of photos of the honorees that Melissa Cox took, including the Gloucester contingent, from Harborlight Community Partners’ Celebration of Partnership event last Friday at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. The city of Gloucester was among the honorees, for its ongoing efforts to provide affordable family rental housing, assisted living and first-time homebuyer access for elders, working families and those with disabilities. Mayor Carolyn Kirk  accepted the award.

Gloucester Group Photo – From left to right: Mary Anne Koeller, Executive Secretary-Gloucester Housing Authority; Sarah Garcia, Community Development Director; Mary John Boylan, Trustee of Gloucester’s Affordable Housing Trust; Mayor Carolyn Kirk; Ruth Pino, Trustee of Gloucester’s Affordable Housing Trust; and Jim Duggan, Chief Administrative Officer

Honorees Photo – From left to right: Paul Lanzikos, Outgoing Harborlight Community Partners Board President; Carolyn Kirk, Mayor of the City of Gloucester; and Jack Meany, Executive Director of the YMCA of the North Shore