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.
Nothing speaks to warm weather like late summer nights on the porch. Sitting with friends and family, watching the last light of the day disappear behind the horizon and the feel of that cool summer breeze. It’s the stuff dreams are made of. Although we may be in the dead of winter, summer isn’t really that far away. Installing interchangeable panels from Upstate means you can get out there even sooner. Get started on building or remodeling your porch to make the most of this year!
We started the day with a walk in a different direction than the ones we’ve been taking from our neighborhood just to explore more. Walked down Saint-Germain past quite a few shops and cafes, that could be said about any neighborhood And it’s fun window shopping along the way. Although the cafes are mostly open, the restaurants are pretty much empty right up until noon.
After settling in for lunch we headed to The Louvre. If you know about Paris probably third behind the Eiffel Tower and Arc De Triumph in popularity is The Louvre, the world’s largest collection of art.
It is massive. Ginormous. Getting there early was key because we only waited on cue for about 15 minutes to get in but when we were leaving the lines looked outrageous.
So much to see we winded our way through the Sully and Denon sections, marveling at the mummies, tombs, Murals and paintings. Found our way to the massive room where The Mona Lisa is displayed. It’s a massive massive room and the Mona Lisa is a relatively tiny painting. I guess you’d be regret going through and not laying your eyes on the world’s most famous painting. Does it make someone sound dumb if they tell you they don’t get why this particular painting is the world’s most famous? The entire museum is just incredible.
After the Louvre I was determined to find a place that was playing the Champions League soccer match between Paris St Germain and Manchester United. Fired up the trusty strip Advisor App on which a user had suggested Frog et Rosbif was a place likely to have the game on.
As it turns out it was3PM or so and after the 25 minute walk we find out the game doesn’t start til 9PM. We sat down anyway as Frog et Rosbif is also a brewery. Kate got an Aperol spritz and I fell in love with their Ginger Twist beer. The game didn’t start til 9 PM but there were English fans from Manchester United pouring into the place and they were getting after it at a pretty ferocious pace 6 hours before the game was to even start. We chatted with a few of them learning that most of them actually came from all over Europe but were all Man U fans. There was no way we could drink all day and keep up with these animals.
Our server from the Ukraine who spoke perfect English mentioned a fun place to check out called “Player One”. It’s got oversized classic video games to play. We walked about fifteen minutes down Rue Saint-Denis and Kate was in heaven. Stayed for a bit and then started our walk back home.
On the long walk home we discovered Rue Montorgueil. It’s a pedestrian area that’s a permanent market with cheese shops, bakeries, salumierie, all kinds of food and wait for it……..cafes and restaurants! I really love this town. When we come back I’d like to stay up here in the second arrondismont. Kate’s still sleeping but she’d probably tell you she’d prefer where we are staying because it’s quieter.
We made our way back to the apartment to freshen up and head back out to Frog et Rosbif to watch the soccer match. We got there by Uber and the crowd of Manchester United fans all dressed in black had grown considerably. And they were LOUD. I was there to cheer for PSG and my favorite player Mbappe. We met a knowledgeable soccer fan Pierre and a couple of other PSG fans that we sat with and had a great time. The bar was crazy. Each side trying to drown out the other with victory chants. I was surprised the place didn’t get wrecked as there was an air of danger in the Man U large mob. Lots and lots of fun. PSG lost and got knocked out of Champions League in a wretched way with little time left on the clock and a penalty kick.
Uber home and we got let out of the car where I thought was close to a corner store where we could pick up a European outlet as ours broke but got off course and it started to pour. We went around the neighborhood twice trying to find it in the pouring rain only to finally find it and it was closed. Good for a laugh and the memories. Total miles walked day 3= 8 miles.
Here’s the pics-
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Seaside Garden Club invites you to our March 12th Meeting
Life’s So Sweet with Sugar Maples, talk and demonstration by Trish Wesley Umbrell
Sugar maples provide shade, beautiful autumn color, and delicious maple syrup. Trish will share tips on tree identification and uses in home landscape; and share the rich history and traditions of New England maple sugaring. She will give a virtual tour of her local favorite sugar shack, and provide practical tips for making your own maple syrup on your stove top.
The Seaside Garden Club is a group of fun, active, civic-minded and hands-on gardeners. We welcome all types of gardeners from beginners to experienced… there is always something to learn and share. We invite you to become a member of our club and enjoy our monthly programs which feature interesting guest speakers and creative workshops. Guests are always welcome; a $5 guest fee is charged.
Our first day we stayed closer to our apartment, using the On Off double decker bus and Uber to get around and see the Champs-Elysees, Arc De Triumph, Eiffel Tower. Today we planned to conquer the Metro.
FOB Joan Kimberley suggested we check out the Galeries Lafayette in the Opera neighborhood and we’re glad we did. It’s a six story rotunda of high end shopping. On the sixth floor there is a Skywalk made of clear glass that you can walk out for a few minutes to marvel at the beauty of the stained glass ceiling and gorgeous building. After that we went to the Ice Cube Bar atop the building for the incredible view and an adult beverage.
FOB Bradley Scheetz recommended the Metro app and I also downloaded Citmapper app which literally give you walking directions to every form of transportation available and tell you how many stops before your final destination. I HIGHLY recommend anyone that does a fair amount of travel to download the free app. It’s easy to use. The Metro is clean and we felt very safe. Purchased a booklet of ten tickets for 13.90 Euros. A ticket gets you one ride.
After our drink at the Ice Cub bar atop the Galaries Lafayette the plan was to walk up Haussmann to Hard Rock Paris so Kate could take her obligatory Hard Rock photo. She loves working for the company and likes to share the pics with her counterparts. We ate at a brassiere, Corner Haussmann, got a steak entrecôte and a burger. There’s a brassiere or cafe on every corner it seems and I don’t think you could go wrong in any of them.
Hard Rock Paris had a stop for the Hop On Hop Off double decker bus so we hopped on and checked out the neighborhood and got dropped off in Montmartre just after passing by Moulin Rouge. What I didn’t realize was that the street that Moulin Rouge was on had dozens of sex shops on each side of the street.
Montmartre if we’re talking neighborhoods is more bohemian than the buttoned down neighborhood we’re staying next to the Louvre. Twisty narrow streets lined with cute shops and restaurants. At the top Sacre-Coeur with outrageous views of Paris from up high. It’s not to miss and our favorite neighborhood so far. In fact we may go back. In a square behind Sacre-Coeur there are of course cafes and bistros surrounding the square where artists sketch portraits and sell street art. I wanted a portrait of Kate and after checking out a bunch of the different artists and having a beer while meeting a couple on holiday from London we found the artist we kept coming back to because of his simple realistic style. I’m really happy we had it done.
Time flew by and we were hoping to get back down to the Arc De Triumph before dusk to see the lights of the Champs-Elysees come on but by the time we made it back it was past so we freshened up at the room and made 8 PM dinner reservations at Comme Chai Toi.
Comme Chai Toi was a 25 minute walk down the Seine from our apartment and out the windows of the restaurant was a gorgeous view of Norte Dame.
On our way home we walked a bit and discovered this cool enclave of alleyways entirely made up of different bars and restaurants close to La Sorbonne.
What a day! What a trip! People have said not to try to jam everything in, to let Paris come to you. I wouldn’t do it any other way. We’ve just been going with the flow and enjoying every minute of it!
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
With two weeks left until the Priority Deadline closes, make sure to get your applications in to the Gloucester Biotechnology Academy program for classes beginning in September!
Starting March 16th, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Please reach out to Elizabeth Brannon, Lead Teacher at elizabeth.brannon@gmgi.org with any questions.
Nia will groove to the sounds of Motown! We will take the choreography from the last routine, Source, and give it some soul by putting it to the groovy sounds of songs like Baby Love, Midnight Train to Georgia, Superstition and of course Shout! We will still be focusing on using the eyes to guide the movements of the head and spine but in a more funky way
Not sure what Nia is all about? Here is a video from founder, Debbie Rosas on Nia.
Nia cardio-dance workouts combine 52 simple moves with dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts to get you fit in 60 minutes – body, mind, emotion, and spirit.
Nia is non-impact, practiced barefoot, and adaptable to individual needs and abilities. Nia classes are taught by licensed Nia teachers.
What I’ve come to realize is that you can’t rely on decades old misconceptions that get repeated by dumb people.
People have been extremely friendly. You greet people with a Bonjour and a smile and you get the same back.
The cheese, the wine. Oh my goodness.
We’re staying in a beautiful apartment next to the Museo d’Orsay on the left bank. The city is laid out with large structures like the Arc de Triumph, Louvre and Eifel Tower that if you look up you can pretty much get your bearings pretty easily.
We took a double decker tour bus the first day which was a good idea as far as learning the lay of the land and seeing how many of the big sights are laid out.
I think we went to four different cafés yesterday- all fantastic. Coffees are small and delicious. Have yet to see a to-go cup. Out our door within two blocks we could probably go to a different one each day for a month.
So much to see. Time to get some coffee and get day 2 started.
Please forgive any spelling errors – there was wine yesterday. Lots and lots of wine😉
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Headlands is back at Feather & Wedge for an Acoustic Dinner Night. John Rockwell, Amy Rich and Eric Wilson, all of Rockport, are looking forward to entertaining friends, old and new. Their powerful harmonies and great song selections, Roots, Americana and some Country, make for a night of terrific music and dining.
Thursday, March 7
7:30 – 10:00 PM
Reservations highly suggested! 978.999.5917
Feather & Wedge, 5 Main Street, Rockport, MA 01966
Here’s a few shopping characteristics of Vata, Pitta and Kapha…
Vata, Pitta and Kapha walk into a store:
Vata spends like there’s no tomorrow
Pitta buy’s the necessities & leaves
Kapha browses, shops sales & collections
Let us introduce you to yourself through the lens of Ayurveda with a private consultation.
Discover your true nature and how to align yourself to nature’s rhythm. Understanding and applying #Ayurveda principles empowers you to bring health, balance and harmony into your daily life.
If not now, When?
Contact us to set up a private consultation in person or phone/skype session:
info@ayurvedawellnesshealing.com
Looking to refresh your seed collection this year and grow something exciting and new? Bring your seeds to trade at the Backyard Growers Seed Swap, where you can exchange seeeds and connect with other gardeners in the Gloucester community.
And don’t forget to stick around from 6 – 7 p.m. for our Seed Starting Workshop, where you’ll learn the best technique for starting your own veggies from seed. The Workshop is FREE for gardeners in our programs and $10 for other community members. The Seed Swap is free for everyone!
On 22 March, World Water Day, eieio roasters will be giving away a AeroPress Coffee brewing system and half-pound bag of Motif Morning Blend.
I was hoping that you would be able to share this with your readers and listeners. All you need to enter is to signup for the eieio roasters newsletter.
Warm up your weekend and head over to Feather & Wedge this Sunday. The Scollins-Warsi jazz duo returns with Kevin Scollins on guitar and Sahil Warsi on double bass. These talented musicians have a terrific set list that includes selections from the Great American Song Book, modern jazz, contemporary blues and R&B.
Sunday, March 3
10:30 – 2:30 PM
Reservations highly suggested! 978.999.5917
Feather & Wedge, 5 Main Street, Rockport, MA 01966
ATTENTION Gloucester High School Students (and Parents):
Applications for 2019 summer jobs are now being accepted!
Apply for a LEAP for Education – GHS summer internship for July and August. Get a jump on your friends and nail down a summer job!
As part of this FREE program you will:
Select a local company where you will gain important workplace skills - we have numerous job listings at a wide range of employers!
Be paid minimum wage or a one-time stipend
Receive school credit
Start to build a solid resume for college and future endeavors
Internship highlights:
Open to students 9th through 12th grades (including June 2019 grads)
A 2.5 hour workshop each Wednesday at GHS to learn valuable workplace skills during the weeks of July 8th- August 16th, and an internship placement at least 9 hours per week (exact weeks/hours will depend on the employer but will…
New Motown Routine
Want to try Nia?
Good Morning Gloucester 