In Gloucester you can climb City Hall tower or follow one of the 3 self guided HarborWalk tours. Walk up the Fish Net mural to see City Hall and Sawyer Free WPA murals. The library is also featuring an annual local artists exhibition. Read about extra special tours and events at Cape Pond Ice, Magnolia Library and Historical Society, Maritime Gloucester, Cape Ann Museum, Cape Ann Trail Stewards tour Rafe Chasm, and Babson Boulders.
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24 NEA National Medal of Arts and NEH National Humanities Medals will be awarded to artists from our country in a special ceremony on September 22, 2016. NEA and NEH “serve different constituents”. Right. Anyhow, celebrating 24 exciting nominees rather than 12 is great! The event will be live streamed at www.whitehouse.gov/live. Both agencies are celebrating their 50th anniversary and request and receive nearly identical budgets, ie. 146 million FY2015.
NEH National Medal (awarding since 1996) recipients
Rudolfo Anaya (author), Jose Andres (chef), Ron Chernow (author), Louise Gluck (poet), Terry Gross (radio host), Wynton Marsalis (composer/musician- he received an NEA one in 2005), James McBride (author), Louis Menand (author), Elaine Pagels (historian), Prison University Project (San Quentin), Abraham Verghese (Physician/author), Isabel Wilkerson (journalist)
There are past NEH recipients with Massachusetts ties. A direct Gloucester match includes Hilton Kramer (2004 NEH). I bet Israel Horovitz and Deborah Cramer will be announced one year soon! Louis Menand to be honored next week wrote about TS Eliot. Prior years there are Gloucester connections like Monuments Men Foundation (NEH 2007/ Walker Hancock.) A wider North Shore net pulls out big names like John Updike/Ipswich (NEH 2003). From the NEH press release: “Since 1996, when the first National Humanities Medal was given, 175 individuals have been honored, inclusive of this year’s recipients. Thirteen organizations have also received medals. A complete list of previous honorees is available at this link: http://www.neh.gov/about/awards/national-humanities-medals”
Rudolfo Anaya’s novel Bless Me, Ultima, is a part of the NEA Big Read, grants awarded mostly for one town events with a book that’s pre-selected. Our local Cape Ann Reads effort will target 4 communities and as Deborah French, Director TOHP Burnham Library comments, “ WE will create one book to be read by four communities!”
NEA National Medal (awarding since 1984) recipients
Mel Brooks (cinema/broadway/tv), Sandra Cisneros (author), Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Morgan Freeman (actor), Phillip Glass (composer), Berry Gordy (music producer/Motown), Santiago Jimenez Jr (musician), Moises Kaufman (theater), Ralph Lemon (dance), Audra McDonald (singer/actor), Luis Valdez (playwright/film/tv), and Jack Whitten (painter)
Any U.S. citizen or group who, in the President’s judgment, “…are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.” [U.S.C. Sec. 955b (b) (1)] Have you submitted a nomination? You can- here’s how. And here’s a link to a list of the prior NEA National Medal recipients.
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“I have not talked to them,” Campanello said of the administration. “All I can say is I will cooperate fully with what they have going until the conclusion of it. I will abide by whatever they want me to do. And I look forward to getting back to work.
“I think being in a public position and being thrust into the spotlight in these last 15 months, you have to expect this sort of thing,” he said, referring to the time line of the angel program. “You have to expect it will get the attention not only of supporters, but also of people who want to strike it down and maybe take it personally.”
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Rotary vs. roundabout: The flyer drawing doesn’t convey the look of the 2 big rotaries nor the crazy crazy thrust the vehicle into a giant pin-ball machine experience of Beverly’s recent build. Whether the quaint English village conjuring that ’roundabout’ conveys or classic MA descriptor rotary, any Tally intersection discussions aren’t new. I’ve seen other plans and heard people express variations on a soaring pedestrian bridge as a lift connecting Main to the Boulevard and expansive view of the harbor.
I’m interested in plans and public space and regret that I can’t attend. It’s the same date and time as Open House at O’Maley Innovation Middle School.
How to create pedestrian friendly cities while maintaining necessary vehicular traffic is a challenge. It will be great to hear feedback from the presenters and the community. The flyer and drawing is just that, a rendering. Plans take forever! The boulevard recent reconstruction at the Cut as one example began in discussions pre-1999.
Here’s a coloring sheet. What would you do? And renderings dated February 2015.
From a planning perspective: “Does the investment action help to encourage sprawl or does it invest in your community?”
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Gordon Parks. May 1943. “Memorial services for fishermen lost at sea. Citizens gathered on teh banks near the sea.” photograph, Library of Congress FSA collection
Two hundred feet of canal gravity wall is being reconstructed, extending from the bridge tender’s house around where you see visible in the photographs. This section of sea wall was dry laid granite block. The ebb and flow of tides and wakes took an inevitable toll, pulling debris material–like migrating soil— out from behind the wall. Over time the blocks settled, sidewalks sagged, and ruptures framed views into hollow voids 15 feet deep. Weakened considerably, areas were cordoned off until funding (Seaport Advisory and Executive Office of Environmental Affairs) was secured. The bridge tender’s house is abandoned which is why there is a temporary structure across the street. The state will be rebuilding that at a later date; the control house and the bridge are MassDOT purview and “likely a number of years out until a final plan is done.”
The new sea wall is the “mack daddy of building construction” befitting such an iconic locale. DPW is reusing the same gorgeous rugged blocks and materials, but now there’s footing where there never was any. The historic granite face is tied to reinforced steel. There’s a concrete core wall. Mike Hale Director of Gloucester’s Department of Public Works said the City is mindful of retaining the aesthetics and history, pronouncing any new stone “modular, lego-like” build an anathema to the site and residents.
Thanks to DPW for forwarding these details with labeled drawings explaining the infrastructure behind what’s visible:
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Gray vistas spanned the beat of life and death in nature and prompted basic questions about shelter and what do you think happened here? We stepped over a seagull’s still and headless body and a fury of feathers. Seagulls were fighting over the remains of a sting ray we thought was a horseshoe crab. They didn’t want to see the dead seal. Was it the same seal we saw resting yesterday, the seal my son was relieved to report he saw dip back into the sea? Maybe, I said. A passerby asked if I reported it to a wildlife agency. Enough nature for one morning, my sons turned home to shoot hoops. We heard the sweet sounds from piping plovers, someone raking seaweed, and joyous chatter from a family of 4 swimming before the coming storm.
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Remember her request to share horseshoe crab reports and memories
National Academies of Science Best Book Award 2016
National Academies of Sciences press release: “The winning entries represent science communication at its finest and exemplify the ability of science writers to engage, inform, and inspire the public.”
Society of Environmental Journalists Rachel Carson Book Award 2016
Judges were impressed by the painful beauty and eloquence of Deborah Cramer’s writing; one saw “The Narrow Edge” as a story of loss and hopeful restoration while another said the book “represents everything about Rachel Carson’s legacy that the book award stands for.” In her book, Cramer follows the 19,000-mile migration of an endangered shorebird called the red knot, which depends on horseshoe crab eggs for survival. So do humans:
I like the aesthetic of the 3d metal letters on the DPW at Poplar
Rose Lopiccolo of DPW says that the trash hauler may not do the routes in the same order so we may notice route and timing changes with neighborhood trash pick ups.
Rose writes:
“Our new hauler, JRM began September 1. Just a friendly reminder that all trash and recycling, by City Ordinance(Sec 9-2), needs to be curb-side no later than 7:00 AM. We cannot guarantee that the new hauler will do the routes in the same order as the previous hauler. If animals are an issue in your area it is recommended that you use a trash barrel to contain your purple bag. If your trash or recycling was missed please call JRM at 800-323-4285, or the DPW at 978-281-9785.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition.”
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Happy travelers are such a joy! Meet Dean and Cathy King from Adelaide. They went to Washington and New York where they caught this Holland America cruise to Canada. They said the entertainment director outlined the demographics: 110 Aussies, 700 or so Canadians, 700 or so Americans, many countries represented by 10+ passengers and 13 New Zealanders, “to be precise.” They were squaring away their plans in Cruiseport until an 11:45AM tour to Rockport, and later walking downtown Gloucester. Their friends signed up for an 8AM tour. I spent time in Adelaide and loved it. I hope they have as great a time here, and memorable trip all around.
Before reaching Cruiseport, passengers like the Kings are shuttled ashore by tender boats.
The tenders hold more people than you think!
As they came ashore they were greeted with soaring vocals of Three Sheets to the Wind.
What a reception! Many visitors stopped to take their photo.
Passengers stream upstairs to happy greeters.
The lines ebb and flow with every tender.
Maps and brochures are selected as passengers head outside to enjoy a day in Gloucester and Cape Ann.
Volunteers like Peter Webber, Kathie Gilson, Lorre Anderson, Charlene, Linn, Jeanne, and Elizabeth helping passengers
CATA trolley route
HarborWalk map is popular
Happy helpful greeting at the CATA table. How could it be otherwise–Heidi Dallin!
Passengers heading downtown on the CATA trolley while others stand waiting for a CATA scenic bus.
Unidentified American artist, “It’s good to be on a well-run ship, Holland America Line,” mid 20th century, ink on paper, gift of Stephen S Lash, 2010, collection of Peabody Essex Museum. The museum is featuring the art of Ocean Liners: glamour, speed, and style on view May-October 2017
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A foggy day in Gloucester town. A lucky day all around. Had me high. Had me proud. For suddenly, I saw things there. And through foggy Gloucester town, the life was charming everywhere.
Yesterday’s velvety vistas.
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The roof replacement is underway at the Gloucester police station. The crane is lifting supplies.
196 Main Street went from this
to this
Charles Fine Arts at 196 Main Street opens with ‘The Friends and Family Show’, a group exhibit displayed until September 24th, by appointment. Artists studios are available to rent. http://www.charlesfinearts.com
Artist and artisan studio and gallery spaces:
For over 25 years, artists have pooled together to rent gallery space at Local Colors 121 Main Street. Established in 1978, the gallery operates as a co-op, sharing resources and all operations and administrative duties. They are the staff so there is always an artist on hand! The monthly rent split among the invited artists is modest as Cape Ann Savings (109 Main Street) owns the building and is a stalwart community and arts supporter. The roster is full right now.
Gallery display of another sort is part of goodlinensplans for 130 Main Street and will be installed along the right wall as you enter (photo below was looking left). A curated small selection of artisans will be invited to rent on a monthly basis for a modest fee. Owner Jo Anne Chirico designed special matrices currently in stages of fabrication. Look for three artisans in focus by October.
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photo: a few seaweed examples I teased out from the pile
During the last days of summer, the sands at Long Beach shift to form a ledge that we affectionately call the ‘August shelf’. The slant is a challenge walking or running and a ramp or jumping platform if the tide is right. Children engage in all manner of parapet building and collapsing. The ocean remains warm and the waves can seem bigger. These marks –annual gifts from nature– gently nudge us to fall. This year, as a result of tropical storm Hermine, there is a bonus shelf of seaweed brought in by majestic tumultuous waves. Don’t miss a fantastic chance to inspect species common to Gloucester, Cape Ann and the East Coast. Seagulls and clothing pop against a uniform blanket of red. From a distance, the deep color of the seaweed seems the natural inspiration for the architectural details of Cape Ann Motor Inn.
Look closely as there are so many species intertwined and clumped together teeming with texture and color! Be inspired to create: the Cape Ann Museum includes volumes of pressed seaweeds and mosses. Learn more: Isabel Natti did the algae plant drawings for The Sea is All About Us, a pioneer book on local marine life and shores by Sara Fraser Robbins and Clarice Yentsch. Visit Maritime Gloucesterto learn about life at the shore. Garden: a friend collects some seaweed for her beds. Eat: I haven’t tried making my own seaweed salad but I have eyed Irish moss pudding recipes. Pudding anyone?
Irish Moss pudding: 1 cup (dead, rinsed, cleaned, possibly soaked) moss with a quart of milk in a double boiler for 15 – 30 minutes, strain out the moss. Add sugar to taste, and optional flavoring (citrus, coffee, vanilla, green tea, whatever you like). Pour into mold and refrigerate or blend a health drink. The consistency is thicker relative to time.
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Here’s the current list of Gloucester stores, museums, and organizations with special offers for the Zuiderdam passengers coming this Friday September 9th!
Peter Webber and Ken Riehl of the Cape Ann Chamber will be walking down Main Street in Gloucester tomorrow to hand out these festive welcome flyers for Holland America passengers. If you don’t see Peter or Ken, please print them out from the photo and display on doors and windows, or contact them and they can email you a PDF.
Ships arrive Friday September 9, Saturday September 24th–which is also a big Essex Heritage Trails & Sails day in Gloucester and Cape Ann– and Thursday September 29th as part of fall foliage cruising.
Three Sheets to the Wind will perform from the Cruiseport deck. CATA will be making bus stop locations and selling all day passes for $3. Some passengers remain on ship and 40% have pre-arranged day trips. After processing through security, 1000 remaining passengers or so will be guided to CATA’s special trolley downtown (including one stop at Western Ave and Middle Street for walking over to Stacy Boulevard) and regular routes to Rocky Neck and downtown Rockport. CATA doesn’t loop to Stage Fort. Steve Douglass runs water shuttle service to Rocky Neck. Local taxi and car services have been alerted. Please reach out to Peter@capeannchamber.com for details. Crew come ashore and in the past have numbered in the hundreds.
If you are ever interested in volunteering contact Lorre Anderson at welcomecruisers@gmail.com to sign up for welcome cruisers, the visitor center, and/or the Chamber. Lorre has managed the cruiseship volunteer brigade for the Chamber for years and is fabulous.
10-day fall color route from Holland America
Gloucester’s Downtown Welcomes Holland America Zuiderdam passengers! Enjoy these special offers:
DIVA;161 Main St.: 12% off all purchases. Vintage and curated jewelry
Cape Ann Museum; 27 Pleasant St.: $2 discount on our regular admission (currently admission is $10 for adult and $8 for seniors so admission for cruise ships would be $8 and $6 respectively) contemporary exhibits and permanent collection with world class holdings including Marsden Hartley, Fitz Henry Lane, Stuart Davis, Umberto Romano, Paul Manship, John Sloan, Katharine Weems, Viginia Lee Burton, Milton Avery, Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer and many more.
Harbor Loop Gift/Building Center; 1 Harbor Loop; 10% off all nautical merchandise for the Cruise ship arrivals
Kids Unlimited; 123 Main St: Take an additional 10% off all summer & winter clearance, already 50%-80% off
Mark Adrian Shoes; 103 Main St.: $10 off any purchase of $50 or more
The Brass Monkey; 85 Main St.: for a “TASTE OF NEW ENGLAND”. Sample a wide variety of New England specialty foods and explore our two floors of unique gifts, antiquities, clothing, jewelry and much more.
Toodeloos! / Island Art; 142 Main St.: 10% off entire purchase awesome independent toy store and art supplies
Trident Gallery; 189 Main St.: free exhibition poster ($25 value) to first 50 visitors
Weathervane; 153 Main St.: 25% off sweats (excludes Cape Pond Ice)
Please note: Additional specials may be available at other businesses. Passengers are encouraged to ask merchants for details. City Hall tower tours may be available September 9th and definitely offered on Sept 24th and 29th.
Last week I was in the Amherst area to meet with clients at a museum. I added on a couple of exhibitions that I knew were closing before I’d be back in that area. I have to map out shows or I miss them.
If you do an online search for ‘art museums in Massachusetts’ or ‘best of’ museum inquiries there are several helpful lists that pop up. The New England Museum Association for one has stepped up their digital presence for their membership directory. Still, must-see institutions on the North Shore and Cape Ann are rarely high lighted, buried deeply, and frequently absent from compilation lists ( see omissions at Artcyclopedia, Massvacation, Tripadvisor, visit Massachusetts, art-collecting, etc.)
Here’s a link to Massachusetts Art Museums created in Google maps. Part 2 Massachusetts 2016 fall/winter museum exhibition guide coming!
Upcoming show trends include: illuminated manuscripts, citizenship, art of picture books, and vintage and contemporary photography.
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