UHMMM, In Case Anyone Needs a Reminder- THERE’S A DOWNTOWN GLOUCESTER BLOCK PARTY THIS SATURDAY July 16th!

I’m not involved in the planning of the Block Parties any more but that just means that our family gets to go down and enjoy it!!!!

I haven’t seen the banner around town or any flyers but that’s probably because I haven’t been looking.  YOU ALL NEED TO KNOW!!!!!  IT’S THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!!!!!

It’s a great time to make your reservation to dine outdoors, listen to some free music and catch up with folks you may not have seen since Fiesta.

Make Your Ressies Now!! You Only Get To Dine Al Fresco Right Outside On Gloucester’s Beautiful Main Street Three Times a Year So Don’t Miss Out On This Opportunity!

Please pass this along as I’m afraid many folks may not be aware of it. TIA-J

The Gloucester Downtown Block Party, a citywide food, family and arts event occurring three times throughout the summer in the oceanside community of Gloucester, on Cape Ann celebrates its fourth year with a new spin in the fashion of that other hipster seaside community – Portsmouth, NH.

Valerie Marcley, co-founder and coordinator of the tremendously successful Seaport Fringe Festival in Portsmouth has come on board as Event Coordinator of the Gloucester Downtown Block Party series, which has drawn thousands at each event, organized and powered historically through volunteer efforts alone. Valerie brings a fresh perspective and some new ideas to help broaden the already successful community event to attract and entertain festival goers of all ages.

New this year is the introduction of street minstrels to entertain seated diners when entertainment on the main stage is too far from your al fresco table, a large family zone with more inexpensive and free youth activities such as sidewalk chalk drawing, face painting, games and interactive theater, picnic tables, street food options for those not wishing to wait for a table on “restaurant row”, an Art Street area with works on display and adult street artists, an event-wide 50/50 raffle, and the inclusion of off-Main Street Vendors in the areas not filled by downtown retailers.

Stages at Hancock and Main, and Porter and Main will once again have people “dancing in the streets” with live music, dance performances and lessons, spectacle, comedy, and even a parade down to a waterfront dance party. As always, and perhaps even more this year, Main Street will be full of arts and music, friends and food for participants of all ages to get out and have fun.

The change in organization comes with the retirement and relocation of two of Gloucester Downtown Block Party founders, Janice Shea and Erika Hansen. Their departure from the wonderful summer series has resulted in a new set of local volunteers coming forward, under their invaluable guidance, to sustain and grow this local calendar highlight.

Lorre Anderson of the Black Swan, Mark McDonough of Serenitee Restaurant Group, and founder of Farmer’s Market and Cape Ann Time banks, Judith Brackley, accomplished writer, Jennifer Goulart Amero, Public Relations and Marketing Director for Serenitee Restaurants and Lucinda Seigel join Linn Parisi, destination marketing guru for Cape Ann and event visionary Janice Lufkin to lead events subcommittees including local artists and entertainers like Dawn Gadow of Art Haven, Peter and Vicki Van Ness of GimmeSound and Henry Allen of The Annie.

Festival dates are Saturday July 16, August 20 and September 17, 2011. Information on performing or volunteering at the Gloucester Block Parties through Val atglostablockpahty@gmail.com

For information and event schedules go to www.downtowngloucester.com

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Chickity Check It! Atwood Does The Mackerel Thing In Her GDT Column

July 12, 2011

Mackerel: Local, sustainable and good for us

Food for ThoughtHeather Atwood

In staying true to New England waters, Steve Johnson of Rendezvous Restaurant in Central Square, Cambridge, courageously puts fish on his menu that — oh no! — has bones.

Mackerel. Grilled to a charry crispness, dripping with olive oil, delicate filets lifting off of 8 inches of spiny vertebrae, mackerel.

In Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, just about anywhere but here, a serving of fish means a pile of bones on the plate. Residents of these countries make beloved meals with sardines, anchovies, pike, mackerel and herring.

After the jump you get the rest of the story and a recipe as reward

and when you’re done with that, check out Heather’s Fantastic Blog-

Food For Thought

Hard Bottom Makes Last Stop In Gloucester

George hardy sold out.  Traps, buoys, permit and all to a nice fellow from Marblehead.

Weird seeing Marblehead across her stern but life goes on and at least she will continue lobstering.

This shot was taken just minutes before her final moments in the port of Gloucester after dozens of years in our fair port.

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Here is a a story we documented about George Hardy and the Hard Bottom a couple of years ago in these pages which unfolded over the course of a week.-
July 23, 2008

Broken Davit On The Hard Bottom

So George Hardy set out to go lobstering yesterday afternoon and within hauling of the first couple of trawls he busted his davit.

A davit is the boom that hangs out over the boat with a pulley that the line goes through to pull the traps up onto the boat. It hangs out away from the boat so the traps dont gouge the boat on their way up over the rail.

The reason his davit broke was because when he went to haul his traps up from the ocean floor there were four other lobstermen’s trawls set over his. so when he went to lift his trawl up, the entanglement of four other lobstermen’s gear was being lifted at the same time. Apparently it was too much strain for his old wooden davit and it snapped.

This time of year the lobsters are in close to shore so all of the lobster gear is concentrated in a much smaller geographic area. It creates much tension among lobstermen fighting for prime lobster bottom.

The result for George was a davit that snapped in half. Not good.

George Hardy’s Second Broken Davit In Three Days

Posted on July 27, 2008 by Joey C

Here’s half of the broken davit on George Hardy’s boat The Hard Bottom.

George’s davit snapped from the strain of trying to get his lobster gear up from the bottom of the ocean floor while being entangled with the traps of four other fishermen. This is the second davit that has snapped in three days.

When the first one snapped he went and replaced it with a piece of pine (shown below). So he saved himself a few bucks by using the cheap scrap pine, but cost himself two days fishing due to the mechanical failure of the soft knotty pine used as a davit.

Adding to George’s frustrations on this particular day was the fact that his backman overslept so he had to go fishing alone.

 Here’s a picture from two days ago of broken Davit #1

George Hardy Dismantling Broken Davit #2

Posted on July 27, 2008 by Joey C

Hear George’s choice words as he disassembles the second broken davit aboard his boat in three days in the upcoming video at 9:00AM.

I’m hoping the next one he replaces the broken with is made out of something stronger than untreated pine.

George Hardy And Davit #3 Video

Posted on July 28, 2008 by Joey C
Posted on July 28, 2008 by Joey C

Hey George, you have no idea how happy I am that you decided to make the new davit out of steel instead of knotty pine. It was painful watching the frustration as you disassembled that second one. Video coming soon! Looks like the third time is a charm.

If anyone has been following the George Hardy Broken Davit debacle, there is hope. Watch the video.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about click this text for the background

7th Annual Race to the Bottom

7th Annual "Race To The Bottom"

Wacky Cardboard Boat Race Fundraiser

This year, the Tryian-Ashler-Acacia Lodge is holding our 7th Annual "Race To The Bottom" Wacky Cardboard Boat Race Fundraiser and would like to extend an invitation to all that are interested in participating. This year’s event will be on Saturday, July 16, 2011, from 11am to 4pm at Back Beach in Rockport, MA. This time frame allows you to build your boat from a prepackaged kit (cardboard, duct tape, etc) and then race it. There is a cost of $100 per team, which is used for scholarship funds and community charity within the Cape Ann Area. Come and enjoy a wacky and fun filled day in the sun and on the water. If your team does not want to, or can not find a captain for your boat, the Rockport Boy Scouts will provide a captain to race your boat for you.

Spectators are welcomed and encouraged! Don’t forget your cameras!! The Tyrian-Ashler-Acacia Lodge will be serving refreshments to supplement this fund raising event. If you need more information or would like a registration form, please contact Gary Lucas at 978-546-6788 .

The Tyrian- Ashler-Acacia Lodge would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated and supported our "Race to the Bottom" Wacky Cardboard Race for the last six years. Hope to see you on Saturday, July 16!

Mendy and Odin Garron Represent! In Barbados

Hi Joey,

I just wanted to pass along a pic of me representing GMG in the fishing village of Oistin, Barbados last week.

BTW, you met my husband and son a few weeks ago: Jim and Odin:)  Here is a picture of Odin representing too.

Mendy

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GMG Series: What’s New in Jenna’s Garden? Week 4

Pleasant Street resident Jenna Howard has agreed to provide updates on the tomatoes, squash and other vegetables growing in her plot at the new Burnham’s Field Community Garden. The reports and photos will allow GoodMorningGloucester viewers to follow the garden’s progress with a weekly answer to the question, “What’s New in Jenna’s Garden?”

Jenna Howard headshot

By Jenna Howard

Week Four

This week was THE week for tomatoes! The tomato plants are growing like wild — literally. I had to use gardener’s Velcro to keep the tomato plants in their cages and stop them from shading the other veggies. Lots of cherry tomatoes appeared this week. But even more exciting was the sight of the tomatillos. For those who aren’t familiar with the tomatillo, it is basically a tomato that grows in a green husk. Pretty cool, right? And these tomatoes are perfect for making salsa! Tomatillos are "self-incompatible," which means they need another tomato plant nearby for proper pollination. Lucky for my tomatillo there are plenty of others around which is probably why we already have so much fruit.

Here is a yummy salsa recipe using tomatillos. Enjoy!

Tomatillo Salsa Verde

Ingredients: 1 1/2 lb tomatillos, 1/2 cup chopped white onion, 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, 2 Jalapeño peppers (stemmed, seeded and chopped), salt to taste

First remove the papery husks from the tomatillos and rinse well. To roast the tomatillos: Cut in half and place cut side-down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Place under a broiler for 5-to-7 minutes to lightly blacken the skin. Put tomatillos, lime juice, onions, cilantro, chili peppers and sugar in a food processor and pulse until all ingredients are finely chopped and mixed. Season to taste with salt. Cool in refrigerator and then eat up!!

So You Say You Know Gloucester? From Adam Bolonsky

Adam writes-

Here’s a quiz for all you locals out there in GMG land. 

Can you read the navigation codes for the south lighthouse at Thachers Island off Rockport, the lighthouse at Eastern Point, and the light at the end of the Dogbar at the entrance to outer Gloucester Habor?

Here are the codes, taken from the images below:

1. Thacher’s Island south light:  FL R 5s 166ft 17m

2. Eastern Point lighthouse: FL 5s 57ft 20M

3. Dogbar light and horn: Oc R 4s 45ft 6M

First reader to give the correct answers gets to accompany Joey  "Baitmaker" Ciaramitaro on his next trip out of town to chop up yet another counterfeit lobster roll maker into tuna chum.

(By the way, you can download NOAA’s printable pdf navatigation chart of Rockport and Gloucester inshore waters for $2.75 at NOAA 13279)

gloucestermap

easternpoint

Teen Artist Guild Gallery Opening July 16th At Art Haven

Hey Joey!! Hope you’re doing well and enjoying the summertime 🙂 Just wanted to let you know that to go along with this Saturday’s block party we’re going to be opening our new Teen Artist Guild gallery where The Hive gallery used to be! Now the students you’ve been seeing every week at the Farmer’s Market and, most recently, at Nights on the Neck, will have a permanent gallery space in our studio. The opening will be on Saturday night from 7-10 and it’s going to be a lot of fun!

www.teenartistguild.worpress.com
Cheers,
Dawn

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Mike Dyer Ardelle Launch Photos

She goes in!

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Steve Willard, “paint master”, with Ardelle on mooring in background

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Harold Burnham adjusting bilge block before the launch

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The Ardelle on launch morning

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The garland arrives, just before the launch

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Harold relaxes afterward with a friend

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Bob Brophy carves “Gloucester, MA” on the stern

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The crew starts work on the port side “car”, upon which Ardelle will lean for the “Essex side launch”

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Yeah, Sunrise Yesterday Didn’t Suck :)

If any of you want these printed you can contact EJ at our Good Morning Gloucester Gallery On Rocky Neck and she will print one up for you. contact her here

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Gentile Bandstand 2011 Concert Schedule

Hi Joey,

I’ve attached the schedule for the summer concerts at the Gentile Bandstand at Stage Fort Park. We started last Wednesday evening. The next concert is tomorrow evening at 7pm. We are featuring North Shore A Cappella, with Gloucester born Vinnie Straccia.

Thanks, David Benjamin

click the picture below to view full sized-

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Barefoot at Rockport, Celebrating Fashion as Art July 28th

On July 28th, Art comes alive in a day long celebration, Barefoot at Rockport. Barefoot at Rockport is a showcase for independent local and national designers, and boutiques. It’s a day of shopping, wine tasting, a showcase for our artisan food designers, and stylists. it’s a fashion exhibit at one of New England’s most notable art associations, the Rockport Art Association and a fashion show and exclusive cocktail party all set against the back drop of the jewel of the north shore, Rockport MA.

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EVENT SCHEDULE

12-4PM Designer Showcase and Trunk Show, Shalin Liu Performance Center

2-4PM Exhibit and Reception, Rockport Art Association

7-10PM Fashion Show & Cocktail Party, Shalin Liu Performance Center

For More Info Click Here

Chickity Check It! Seven in Eleven A Littoral Adventure Live Blogging It Today

Check The Site To Follow Along Live

On Monday July 11, 2011 a group of adventurers will attempt to swim at seven salt water beaches in seven different states between dawn and dusk. With the support of several chapters of The Surfrider Foundation, Seven in Eleven celebrates the beauty of the coastal Northeast and proves that age is no barrier to having fun outdoors.

The event begins at sunrise (5:36 a.m.) at Long Branch, NJ. Subsequent stops will be at Rockaway Beach (Beach 90th Street) in New York City,

Sherwood Island State Park (East Beach) in Westport, CT,

Misquamicut State Beach, Westerly, RI,

Salisbury State Reservation, Salisbury, MA,

Wallis Sands State Beach, Rye, NH,

Ending before sunset (8:23 p.m.) at Long Sands Beach, York ME.

The Seven in Eleven builds on last year’s Quick Six – six beaches, six states, one day. The Quick Six was featured in the Travel Section of the Boston Sunday Globe. http://articles.boston.com/2011-02-27/travel/29337013_1_ocean-beach-park-new-england-three-people

This year’s participants, most in their 50’s and 60’s, are expected to include a registered nurse, a computer security expert, a former Coast Guardsman, a van driver, a veteran long-distance swimmer and runner, and a retired city planner.

For additional background, see

http://walkingaroundpayingattention.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html

Live blogging begins right here on Monday July 11, 2011 at 7 a.m.

What Is Wrong With People???? Another Lobster Roll Disaster From Some Broads In California

My buddy Heather Atwood forwarded me this shamockery of a lobster roll recipe.

I honestly don’t know where to begin in a critique.  I could probably do a whole ‘nother blog in addition to GMG with all these recipe’s from people who don’t know how to let perfection alone.

First the a small preview of the mess that  DENISE WOODWARD & LAUDALINO FERREIRA from EAT Boutique display as their lobster roll- (for the full sized picture I suggest you go to their other than the horrible lobster roll post, excellent food blog)-EAT BOUTIQUE!

Now just from the tiny sample of a picture above at EAT BOUTIQUE! you can imagine how any self respecting lobster roll lover would cringe when you see a lobster roll that has more green visible than lobster parts.

Any of you that have been with the blog from the beginning know how I feel about anything green touching a lobster roll.

A quote from my original post from July 3, 2008 as a refresher-

What I found was shocking and disturbing. It seems these mooks up in Maine have found a way to fuck up ruin a perfectly good lobster roll. Listen to me, under no circumstances should the words lettuce, paprika, French baguette, or celery enter the equation when speaking about lobster roll preparation.

So back to the mess in California and the EAT BOUTIQUE! version of a lobster roll.

This quote near the end of her blog post really gives you an idea of how unqualified they are to be writing about lobster rolls-

I like to use a live lobster, but have used frozen lobster tails, when I am in a pinch; both types are as equally delicious.

Really now????   You’re gonna go and say that frozen lobster tails are in any way shape or form equally as delicious as fresh shucked meat?  Oh No You Diin’t

oh-no-you-didnt

If stating that frozen lobster tails are just as delicious as fresh shucked lobster meat for your lobster rolls wasn’t enough wait ‘til you see what they use for ingredients-

There isn’t just one strike on their ingredient list, there are five, count ‘em five!

Among the list of ingredients on the Mrs Joey C lobster roll banned ingredients list which the author uses-

  • 1 – 1-1/2 pound live lobster (a frozen tail works as well)
  • 1 lemon, cut into quarters
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 jalapeno, seeds removed, minced
  • 1 celery stalk, minced
  • 3 green onions, minced
  • 1/8 cup mayo
  • 1/4 fresh lemon, juiced
  • Salt for sprinkling
  • 4 hot dog buns
  • Butter

If you didn’t already know, the highlighted ingredients in her list are all no-nos.

I understand that some strange folk like celery (for the crunch), but jalefuckingpenos?  Jalepenos????  This just strikes me as another food writer’s attempt to differentiate their dish, but what they obviously don’t get is that the beauty of the classic lobster roll is it’s simplicity.

I guess you have to give these poor misguided women a pass with them living in California and all with all those other fruitcakes. 

They  do some things right, like buttering the hot dog rolls and grilling them so they get a 2 on a scale from 1-10.

To do the right job refer to this original post from The Mrs’ recipe-

For the proper way to prepare a lobster roll see this post

Lobster Roll Ingredients

Worls Greatest Lobster Roll

Has to be Cains mayo, and hot dog rolls so you can grill them to a golden brown with the salted butter.

Notice there is no lettuce, paprika, celery or any other filler. If anything else appears in your lobster roll, you have an inferior lobster roll.

steam the lobsters and shuck the meat

tear the meat into 1/2 inch chunks or so and mix with cains mayo

refrigerate

once lobster and mayo is chilled, butter each side of cheap hot dog rolls (the kind you tear apart)

you do not want to use any goddamn baguette or crusty overpowering roll

you want white bread tear apart soft hot dog rolls

once you butter the sides of the hot dog rolls with SALTED butter you pan brown the roll so its warm and golden brown

just barely browned but the roll should still be very soft

then load up your cool lobster/mayo filling into the warm soft buttery roll and you have yourself the perfect lobster roll

note- NO  LETTUCE- NO  CELERY-NO  PAPRIKA- NO FANCY CRUSTY FRENCH ROLL

Annisquam Light From Len Burgess

Taken from the "Lewis Story", the Essex Shipbuilding Museum’s schooner on route to Essex to be there for the launching of Harold Burnham’s new ship the "Ardelle"  on July 9th at 6:30 Saturday evening.
Len Burgess

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VIDEO- SCHOONER ARDELLE LAUNCH FROM JOANNE MARKS

This one from the perspective behind the Schooner where all the action was including the jacking of the bow and the hammering away at the blocks!

Click here for the dozens of posts containing the building and launching of The Schooner Ardelle here at Good Morning Gloucester.
I think it is safe to assume that no one covered it as well all the way through as the GMG team.
Great Job everyone!