Author: Sharon

My passions include photography, music, people, teaching, learning, taking risks and asking "I wonder what would happen if I..."

Nominate your favorite Massachusetts places

Posted on by Sharon
Posted Feb 17, 2010 @ 09:27 PM
Massachusetts —
“1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts” is a new cultural tourism program that celebrates what is unique about the state, its communities and its people. The program also aims to stimulate cultural tourism, and increase visitation to the state’s wide range of exceptional historical sites, cultural venues and natural landscapes.

The state Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) will accept nominations at Massvacation.com/1000greatplaces until Thursday, April 1.

All Great Places that are nominated must be open and available to the public. Only one nomination per person will be accepted. The commission will meet later in April to draw up a final list of 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts, which will be announced in May.

The 1,000 Great Places Commission was created by the Legislature last year. It is chaired by Eric Turkington of Falmouth, a former state representative and first House chairman of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.

So Excited!

Posted on by Sharon

Yesterday I ordered a new Nikon d90. I have been so totally obsessed with getting a new camera, I’m driving everyone around me crazy. I even went to Hunt’s to check it out. I finally pushed the 1-click button at Amazon at 4:00. I haven’t sold the d70 yet, but it’ll happen. I feel like Joey when he got the new video camera. I sure hope it’s here by the weekend; I’m such a little kid when it comes to new toys! 🙂      —Sharon

Local Music for this Week Feb.15 – Feb. 21

Posted on by Sharon
Click on the picture to go to schedule.

When I started this music post, I was able to put a great deal of time into the gathering, editing, footwork that goes into a weekly update of Cape Ann’s music scene. Now I have 3 jobs, my Mom in a nursing home, and my photography getting more in demand. My good friend, Joanne Silva, has happily taken over the GMG Local Music posts for me.  She has created  “Blueslvr’s Blog” . In addition to the weekly schedule,  she has also included a growing list of links to bands and venues. If there is an ultimate music fan, Joanne is it. I appreciate her expertise and passion.

Please welcome Joanne to the GMG community. And if you have a music event you would like posted, you can leave your email address and message on the form below, and I will forward it to her.

Thanks!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Sharon

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Thank you for your response. ✨

School vacation week on Cape Ann

Posted on by Sharon
From the Beacon

From Ravenswood Park to Halibut Point to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, there is plenty for kids and families to enjoy during school vacation week. Plus enjoy art, dance and cheerleading lessons as well.

Here are some ideas:

Ravenswood Park programs

The Trustees of Reservations is hosting a series of programs “February School Vacation = Exploration!” at the Cape Ann Discovery Center at Ravenswood Park with explorations at their surrounding properties beginning on Saturday, Feb. 13 running through Sunday, Feb. 21.

Cost is $4 for Trustees member adults, $5 for non-member adults, and free for children. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The following programs will be offered:

Ice Age Trail, Saturday, Feb. 13, 1-3 p.m.

Hermit’s Tales on the Trails, Tuesday, Feb. 16 and/or Thursday, Feb. 18, 1-3 p.m.

Snowflake Shapes and Science, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1-3 p.m.

“Waterfront” (the movie), Saturday, Feb. 20, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Animals of the Night: Live Animal Presentation, Saturday, Feb. 20, 6-7:30 p.m.

Beginning Winter Birding, Sunday, Feb. 21, 8-10 a.m. (at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport).

Call 978-281-8400, e-mail capeanneducator@ttor.org, or register online at www.thetrustees.org.

Hip-hop and shipbuilding with Wellspring

Wellspring Cape Ann Families is planning two free fun events for February vacation, open to all on Cape Ann.

Shipbuilding will be held Tuesday, Feb. 16, 10-11:30 a.m. at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, 66 Main St, Essex. Make your own Chebacco Boat and learn about maritime history. The first 40 families will also receive a free copy of the local children’s book “Schooner.” Registration is required by calling 978-281-7856 with the number of children and adults.

Hip-Hop/Latin Dance is on Thursday, Feb. 18, 10-11:30 a.m. at WCAF, 28 Emerson Ave., Gloucester. Rock your body with local Hip-hop/Latin Dance fitness trainer Jennifer Amero from The Met: Metamorphosis Alternative Fitness Studio. Workshop is geared towards children 7 and up and parents are welcome to participate.

These free events are made possible by the Linden Foundation.

For more information, call Stacy Randell, 978-281-7856, srandell@wellspringhouse.org.

GHS Cheerleading Mini Camp

The Gloucester High School Cheerleaders will host a Mini Camp on Feb. 16, 17 and 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gloucester High School Field House. All children ages 5 to 14 are welcome. The cost is $75. Registrations are still being accepted by calling Patricia Marques at 978-283-5718 or e-mail cpauljr@verizon.net.

Art Haven special classes

While still offering the normal schedule of after-school classes, Art Haven is offering a variety of activities for elementary and middle school students next week. Individual classes are $20 or $25:

Elementary School

Paint Big: Monday, 9-11:30 a.m.; Tie Dye a T-shirt, Tuesday, 9-11:30; and Lord of the Rings Day: Wednesday, 9-3:30 $20

Middle School

Pottery Day: Monday, 12:30-3; Tie Dye a T-shirt: Tuesday, 12:30-3; Lord of the Rings Day: Wednesday, 9-3:30; Jewelry Making: Thursday, 9-11:30; Silk Screen T-shirts: Thursday, 12:30-3.

For information, visit www.arthaven.org. For reservations, call 978-283-3888 or e-mail arthaveninfo@gmail.com.

Watch here if you’re looking for a camera!

Posted on by Sharon

I am selling my Nikon d70. If you’re ready for your first dSLR or looking to upgrade, be sure to catch the info at noon today!

School vacation ‘exploration’: Trustees’ series kicks off Saturday

Posted on by Sharon

By Gail McCarthy
Gloucester Daily Times Staff Writer

The Trustees of Reservations are hosting a series of programs geared toward next week’s February school vacation, all based on a theme of “exploration.”

Several of the programs will be held at the newly renovated Cape Ann Learning & Discovery Center located at Ravenswood Park.

The events will feature explorations at Ravenswood and surrounding properties beginning Saturday and continuing through Sunday, Feb. 21:

*Ice Age Trail: Saturday, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Ravenswood.

*Hermit’s Tales on the Trails: Tuesday and, or Thursday, Feb. 18, 1 to 3 p.m. at Ravenswood.

*Snowflake Shapes & Science: Wednesday, 1 to 3 p.m. at Ravenswood.

*”Waterfront (the movie)”: Saturday, Feb. 20, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

*”Animals of the Night:”a live animal presentation, Saturday, Feb. 20, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Ravenswood.

*Beginning Winter Birding: Sunday, Feb. 21, 8 to 10 a.m. at Halibut Point State Park.

For more information, please click here.

‘My Swinging Valentine’ dance will benefit symphony

Posted on by Sharon
Posted Feb 09, 2010 @ 02:12 PM
Last update Feb 09, 2010 @ 02:14 PM
Gloucester —

From the Beacon –

Cape Ann Symphony will hold a fundraising dance, “My Swinging Valentine,” on Saturday, Feb. 13 from 7-10 p.m. at Cruiseport, 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester.

The Soft Touch Dance Band will entertain with some all-time Golden Oldies from the Swing Era and beyond perfect for dancing and listening. This 18-piece big band specializes in music from the big band era as well as many modern favorites. Miss Tina from Miss Tina’s School of Dance will be at the event to help attendees brush up on their dance moves.

Light hors d’oeuvres and desserts will be served and a cash bar will be available. According to Elizabeth Frere Jones, Chair of the CAS Celebrations Committee, “This is an event to have fun and kick up your heels as well as to support a regional treasure right here on Cape Ann, our very own Cape Ann Symphony!”

Tickets are $35 per person and $20 for under 18 years old. For tickets and more information, email CASCelebrations@yahoo.com, or call 978-283-6750.