My View of Life on the Dock
So long 6 silver aluminum lights on Main Street. The industrial street lamps are being replaced later this month with the same design as the ones installed on the Boulevard.
Eventually DPW will replace the Main Street period lights, too. This one has earned a distinction of most odd one out for a while!
The replacement of Roger Street lights will be scheduled sometime even further out.
One thing is for certain, when Stage Fort is trash heaped, DPW will pick it up…but why does it have to be like this? Trash operations and picking up litter are expensive. National and state parks worldwide are taking out the trash cans rather than trash by instituting various carry in/carry out policies. Cape Ann is about as National Park worthy as any designation out there. I like
to extra underscore that the parking lot isn’t “out” enough. Marketing won’t help 100%. Despite anti-litter, Keep America Beautiful and green goals, we drop stuff. Especially if it’s convenient. The Law of Litter will prevail. If there are barrels we toss it in, then on, and too quickly around. Once any scrap meets ground, an overflowing heap isn’t far behind. It’s the psychology of litter: people are more likely to litter where there’s litter.
There are great DPW departments (like ours), policies in place in every community, and people who stop pollution (like Donna, Kim, Patty, Amy, and others here in Gloucester). I am amazed and grateful for just how cleaned up the beaches and parks are with every morning’s reset.
Gloucester offers options: DPW, barrels, carry in/carry out, volunteer clean ups and pooper scooper baggy dispensers. If it’s not enough, other options include allocating more funds to the DPW and police department via the municipal budget, entrance fees, and ‘take out/to go orders’ tax charge. Or us.
all photos: Stage Fort Park this morning (before DPW) photos by Pauline Bresnahan. thanks for sending to GMG, Pauline
They brought their own bags…
people start pollution people can stop it
Sawyer spacious and beautiful then and now. “What is the future we want?”
ANNUAL MEETING: tonight, June 12, 7pm, from SFL board letter: “…As we step back from our original plan for a new building, we need to make crucial decisions about the library’s future…”
“SAWYER FREE LIBRARY
At the corner of Dale avenue and Middle street, a few yards from the City Hall, is the spacious and beautiful “Sawyer Free Library” building. These attractive grounds were purchased by Samuel E. Sawyer, Esq., for the purpose of establishing a permanent home for the library, in February of last year. of Mr. William A. Pew, for the sum of $20,000. The grounds of this noble mansion are extensive and well laid out, and Mr. Sawyer has spent large sums of money in fitting up the place for the purposes of what it is now used. The large rooms and stately halls are carpeted and elegantly furnished.
The generous donor has done everything that could be done to make the home of the library that bears his name convenient and beautiful. When the library was dedicated in July, 1884, a large assembly of our best citizens were present, together with several persons from abroad. Mr. Sawyer then presented to the trustees the deed of the entire property, comprising nearly 30,000 square feet of land, and thereby made it a perpetual gift to the citizens of Gloucester. The building was erected in 1764, and is consequently over 120 years old, though during that time it has been somewhat altered and improved by several owners. Mr. Pew built the fine tower upon it and the verandas around the first story, and also the “porte cochere.” He laid out the grounds with considerable taste, and protected them with the fine walls of dressed granite and iron gateways. Mr. Sawyer’s improvements have embellished this valuable estate in many respects, and to-day it is one of the finest sites within our city. The rooms are open daily, afternoon and evening (except Tuesdays), from 2-5 and 7-9- Thursdays, in evening only.
-from In and Around Cape Ann: A Handbook of Gloucester, Mass., and Its Immediate Vicinity. For the Wheelman Tourist and the Summer Visitor by John S. Webber, Jr with eleven illustrations. Gloucester, Mass: Printed at the Cape Ann Advertiser Office, 1885. in the collection of the Library of Congress
“Brook Bank” Sawyer’s summer home and Sawyer’s Hill (heading to Magnolia)
For updates follow the City’s ‘Gloucester Beaches’ and Mayor Romeo Theken Facebook pages
@gloubeaches https://www.facebook.com/gloubeaches/
@MayorSefatia https://www.facebook.com/MayorSefatia/
Info on water temperature, wave height, etc
Scenes from 2nd special John Sayles Presents event at Cape Ann Community Cinema which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The Cinema has added a second screening room opening next week and an organ for monthly silent movie screenings with live accompaniment.
Last night’s feature Go For Sisters was written and directed by esteemed American filmmaker John Sayles. He introduced the movie and took questions after the screening. Its powerful cast featured Edward James Olmos, aka Eddie. I didn’t know Sayles was a novelist.
sprucing for 2017 St. Peter’s Fiesta
St. Peter’s Fiesta 2017 schedule
Novena to St. Peter, Monday, June 12 – Tuesday, June 20, 7:00 p.m., American Legion Hall
2017 Smallest Full Moon is tonight June 9th
Last chance | last week to visit current group exhibition at
Flowers and Elegant Objects
Group show features Bobbi Angell, Liz Ayer, Stephen Bates, David Bareford, Lorrie Berry, Eli Cedrone, Geoffrey Teale Chalmers, Anne Winthrop Cordin, Traci Thayne Corbett, Yhanna Coffin, Fran Ellisor, Bobbi Gibb, Paul George, Ellen Granter, Marjorie Hicks, Christine Molitor Johnson, Bonita LeFlore, Nella Lush, Marija Pavlovich McCarthy, Tracy Meola, Carole Porter, Judith Monteferrante, Katherine Richmond, Jan Roy, Rosalie Sidoti, Tony Schwartz, Charles Shurcliff, Deb Wolf
Charles Fine Art is hosting a book launch Tuesday June 13 for the new children’s book about Bobbi, The Girl Who Ran, by Kristina Yee and Frances Poletti with illustrations by Susanna Chapman. The event is co hosted by Sawyer Free Library and The Book Store. Here’s the Kirkus Review:
“In cooperation with Gibb herself, Poletti and Yee tell the story of the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, questioning authority with her feet.
The Boston Marathon had been taking place for 70 years when Bobbi Gibb, a white woman, steps illegally to the starting line in 1966, a hoodie covering her hair. Her road there is strewn with the land mines of bias, everything from “So unladylike” to the official comments on the rejection to her application: “Women cannot run marathons. It’s against the rules.” Poletti and Yee neatly evoke the joy some find in running, simply running. Gibb “ran with her pack, going higher and higher, / the world whooshing by, like the wind in the fire.” Such couplets are found every few pages, the last four words the refrain. Readers gain a sense of the experience through Chapman’s artwork, the light-footed energy of the watercolors slipping outside the pen’s fine line, a veil of wind trailing behind Gibb. Halfway through the race her ruse is up. She is boiling in her hoodie and confides to a fellow marathoner, a black man, that she is afraid of ejection. “We won’t let anyone throw you out; it’s a free road.” Well-told and illustrated, Gibb’s story speaks to not only women’s fight for equality, but the power of community.”
Alejandro Springall, Mexican film producer, talk back after The Thin Yellow Line / La delgada línea amarilla screening at Cape Ann Community Cinema, Gloucester, MA.
Last night at Cape Ann Community Cinema was a rare chance to see an auteur film before its American distribution. A memorable talk back with Alejandro Springall — a film producer with a poetic touch– was informative and inspiring. Springall provided behind-the-scenes details on the making of The Thin Yellow Line, other films including ones in collaboration with John Sayles, and the Mexican film industry. Mexican companies can invest in films and write off a deduction with tax incentives built into mandatory state funding for culture. Why give it to the government when your marketing is funding a movie? It’s easy to see why Sayles and Springall have worked together: similar artistic approach to filmmaking, a particular focus on characters, great scripts, and dignity.
About the 2 Gloucester screenings this week
“The New England Beach Soccer Cup tournament is not just about crowning a champion, but more importantly giving back to the community.
These two organizations have been instrumental in the development of thousands of young student-athletes and soccer players and have played a vital part in the community for several decades. We’re so happy to be able to give back to these deserving organizations and re-invest in our youth and community!”
We can’t be there because of a Fishermen Youth Soccer game this Saturday–AWAY AWAY as in Haverhill– but we’ll check out that this cool new add-on: LIVE streaming the event!
Video from 2016
counting down…13 days to go
Novena June 12
Topside Grill & Pub, 50 Rogers Street, Gloucester, MA (978) 281-1399
Topside Grill shut down January through April, but no longer! I asked restauranteur Doug Silva what it means to Topside Grill to have a year round liquor license awarded by the licensing board?
“First of all, we are very excited and feel pretty lucky to have been selected with all the choices.” Other businesses vying for the license included: Captain Carlo’s; Jasmine Garden Restaurant; Dennis Senecal for the former Espresso location; Simon Prudenzi for the former Dog Bar space; and Karma Liquors. You can read more about the process and see a map of all MA licenses on my earlier GMG post.
“What does it mean to us? It means many things. We can stay open year round. We can hold on to our staff which will really help out with turnover. It’s great for our customers who come on a regular basis and won’t need to shift plans in the winter anymore. A year round schedule will stamp out any lingering seasonal perception that we cater solely to tourists. We’re all about local. We live downtown. We help downtown. We’re here for Gloucester and part of the community.”
And?
“It’s been super nice to hear congratulations and feedback from everyone, and so so so nice to hear from the professional community, too.”
Anything else?
If you hadn’t heard, Doug is a master mixologist. What’s popular now? Topside Grill makes a delicious homemade artisan ginger beer–fresh ginger!— refreshing on its own or shoring up a signature Moscow Mule or Dark & Stormy.
Topside Grill serves a great menu selection of seafood and steak entrees, and creative daily specials. My kids love the appetizers and delicious homemade lasagna and chicken-eggplant Parmesan which are family recipes. They think Doug is so lucky because his mom could cook these, you know, probably after school. Anytime. Just like that.
Topside Grill is part of the downtown cultural district and the Chamber. Doug serves on Gloucester’s Tourism Commission
In case you missed this sign in the background.
The Bookstore of Gloucester
hosts
Alice Gardner | St Peter’s Fiesta Gloucester, Massachusetts
A solo exhibition featuring the original illustrations (gouache, pen&ink, some acrylic) for her NEW children’s picture book published ©2017 the 90th Anniversary of Gloucester’s St. Peter’s Fiesta!
Address: 61 Main Street. Gloucester, MA 01930
Exhibition dates: June 3, 2017 – Fiesta and beyond!
Bookstore phone: (978) 281-1548
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday June 17
The first St. Peter’s Fiesta book launch and debut reading will be held at Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library as a special part of a celebration program for the 90th Anniversary Party of St. Peter’s Fiesta thrown by the library, The Bookstore and Caffe Sicilia on Saturday June 17, 10-11:15AM
She did. Alice Gardner maintains a studio in downtown Gloucester, next to the Cape Ann Museum. She has lived on the North Shore for more than 40 years. St. Peter’s Fiesta is a subject Gardner has photographed, chronicled and painted for over a decade.
Gardner says that multiple programs and contacts stemming from the Cape Ann Reads initiative and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators were critical in getting this new book into production. “Just do it!” was a motivating topic from a Steven Pressfield talk sponsored by the latter. She did. She created an entire new body of some of the Fiesta moments that have touched her most, alive with color and completed in time to coincide with the 2017 90th year Anniversary. Gardner was also inspired by Anita Silvey’s Cape Ann Reads presentations. She said Silvey mentioned “calling all these celebrities for “Everything I need to Know I learned From A Children’s Book.” It made me think that. Why don’t I just call? I wanted to talk to the Mayor. I wanted to talk to many people…This is a Gloucester story. They all grew up with Fiesta. I did not. They became part of creating the book…” Gardner’s generous acknowledgement narrative is given great attention in the design.
The new paintings on exhibit are not for sale, but you can see a small selection of Gardner’s joyous responses to the spirit of Fiesta in larger, earlier works at The Book Store; or call ahead and visit her studio. “I am inspired by public events that make people happy, they’re doing things where there’s a unique sense of place and culture.” Gardner painted a series inspired by Boston icons– like the Boston Common swan boats– for Massachusetts General Hospital’s Illuminations. She’s also captured the seasonal charm of Manchester by the Sea at Fourth of July.
Studio next to Cape Ann Museum http://www.alicegardnerstudio.com/
The Bookstore has a substantial children’s book section The Bookstore of Gloucester Facebook link
Alice print exhibit at the books store for Sebastian Junger reading and Fiesta 2016
Alice photos OF Fiesta featured on GMG
Full house and more than 10 MBTA staff here to answer questions. Jeffrey Gonneville, Chief Operating Officer MBTA, is currently presenting.
First question out the gate: Can’t we have direct buses from here?
Proposed weekday schedule
Proposed weekend schedule
The rainbow flag was raised today and City Hall Tower Light will be 4 colors for the month of June for LGBTQ Pride Month
Growing up in Schenectady, NY, John Sayles didn’t have an art theater in his hometown, but we do. Sayles himself will be here to present 2 movies 2 nights in a row at Cape Ann Community Cinema 22 Main Street, Gloucester MA!
June 9th:More info 2017 Call for Applications
e.e. cummings visited Gloucester in (at least) 1924
“Everything near water looks better” – ee cummings jotting
MBTA Mitigation Public Forum June 5 at 6:30pm in Gloucester City Hall-Kyrouz 2nd floor 9 Dale Avenue Gloucester, MA photo ©Joey Ciaramitaro
Cape Ann Fresh Catch, 46 Commercial Street, Gloucester, at St. Peter’s square.
Whatever’s caught on the dayboats is what they have that day, plus prepared eats like Chef Trina’s awesome jambalaya. They are expanding rapidly.
Look for the OPEN sign by again and again Thursday–Sunday 12-5
Readying for steeple removal May 27 First Congregational Church, Rockport, MA
“Few such meeting houses still stand that can compete with the Old Sloop for its well-documented history and its colonial beauty.”
June 1, 2017
Mary Markos’ Gloucester Daily Times article includes fun facts like this bit about the historic War of 1812 cannonball, along with an important update that the scope of work increased as damage was more extensive than projected. Now, there’s more of an opportunity on the ground to check out the 1775 lantern and bell.
Stow Wengenroth drawing available $450
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