Hi Joey-  I am the featured artist at Local Colors for the month of September- After 5 years on mad fish wharf,  I’m in Portsmouth for my second season. I was wondering if u could help spread the word…
rpiantedosi.wixsite.com/regina-piantedosi. 

Im so excited to show in Gloucester!!!! 
” I am a second generation creative. It was for me, a hidden talent. I tried to write for years, but to no avail.It wasn’t until my mother, a wonderful and talented painter, was in a nursing home, 2013, did i begin my journey into expressive, non representational art.Once I started painting, i knew it was the most important thing I had ever done emotionally & professionally and must follow this with total immersion.After my mother passed in 2014 I opened a studio/gallery in Rocky Neck Art Colony, Gloucester.​Being in the colony, surrounded by the sea and other artists, I started to develop two methods of painting.Influenced by ocean and cove right outside my door, I began painting singular, lonely, floating boats. It was a merging of my abstract roots and the plein air painters Rocky Neck Colony is known for.​I also continued expanding into the abstract by adding encaustic, metal, glass and all types of mixed media.​I am in my 7th year, but it seems a lifetime. I continue to create, to expand​I do believe this is just a beginning” -Regina Piantedosi

rpiantedosi.wixsite.com/regina-piantedosi

The singular boat concept formed organically watching the empty boats from my studio by the sea.There they waited through the foggy mornings, the relentless sun and the stunning sunsets. The stillness of Smiths cove; the reflection of the boat, the buoy, the mast. It whispered of serenity, solitude, isolation and turmoil. I took those emotions back into my studio and translated the feelings onto canvas.
I’d appreciate any exposure…. thank you so much

GLOUCESTER, MA —LEAP for Education is pleased to announce that nineteen students from Gloucester High School (GHS) recently wrapped up paid virtual summer internships. These 6-week internships required each student to work with a career mentor to define and complete a summer project which was presented at a Zoom forum on August 11th. Students also were required to attend 10 hours of workshops that were designed to develop workplace skills needed to be successful in a career.

Some examples of internship placements included music production with music instructor and performer, Tami Papagiannopoulos, website development with Raincastle Communications, healthy cooking with chef and author Nina Simonds, video production with Danvers Local Access TV, program development with the Sawyer Free Library, and museum management with Cape Ann Museum. Zoom workshop topics covered effective workplace communication, financial skill building, and college and financial aid research. Students earned $500 stipends upon successful completion of their project.

“I went to LEAP for the opportunity to participate in this program. Being thrown into an environment where nine hours of work is expected every week really helped me to develop good work habits that I know I will need for the rest of my life. I also learned how to use digital tools to produce music,” said Gloucester High School student Ella Young.

Like many organizations and businesses, LEAP had to adapt in the wake of COVID-19. While a predominantly virtual program had its challenges, there were significant benefits to this shift. Students that previously had limited experience using technology have been able to boost their computer skills, particularly with Zoom meetings and computer tools. Additionally, virtual internships allowed students to participate who might not have otherwise been able to due to health concerns, transportation issues or schedule conflicts.

“Students with anxiety and other social issues that desperately need support were able to engage thanks to the virtual nature of the program. This was also a great opportunity to engage a wider community of professionals who were eager to help students with their projects,” stated program coordinator JoAnn Leavitt. “And, in turn, students gained important professional connections.”

The internship program was made possible through generous support from individual donors and institutional support from Clark R. Smith Foundation, Institution for Savings, Brace Cove Foundation, and the Applied Materials Foundation.

“We believe that now, more than ever, students need access to high-quality, hands-on learning opportunities that equip them with the skills and confidence needed for the future. We are proud to support LEAP’s career exploration programming that introduces students to a variety of career options through real-life work experience,” said Michele Walker-Moak, manager with the Applied Materials Foundation. With these investments, students were still able to earn stipends despite a decrease in teen work options due to COVID-19, which provided critical income to families in financial crisis.

Among the many wonderful community projects BG has going on, their community gardens help promote healthy eating and sustainable gardening throughout Gloucester. Here Bianca and Andrew are helping their Zia harvest at the Burnham Fields garden. Thank you Backyard Growers! Big and grateful shout out to all your amazing programs and volunteers!
Rina Cavallini

The Boston Celtics recently honored Billy Cincotta, 18, and Haley Blanchette, 20, of Gloucester, MA as ‘Heroes Among Us’ for saving five children from a rip current off the Gloucester end of Long Beach.

Billy, who was working at Cape Ann Motor Inn on Rockport Road heard the cries for help and immediately enlisted the help of Haley. The two of them use a surfboard to retrieve the five children from the water without the help of any lifeguards, who didn’t arrive until after the children were brought to safety.

For their courageous, life-saving actions, the Boston Celtics chose to honor Billy Cincotta and Haley Blanchette as ‘Heroes Among Us.’