Author: Kimsmithdesigns

Documentary filmmaker, photographer, landscape designer, author, and illustrator. "Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly" currently airing on PBS. Current film projects include Piping Plovers, Gloucester's Feast of St. Joseph, and Saint Peter's Fiesta. Visit my websites for more information about film and design projects at kimsmithdesigns.com, monarchbutterflyfilm.com, and pipingploverproject.org. Author/illustrator "Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities! Notes from a Gloucester Garden."

CATV’S LIGHTING WORKSHOP WITH TED REED

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Ted Reed Erich ArcherFilmmakers, photographers, and videographers: Put Cape Ann TV’s Wednesday noon time Lunch and Learn series on your calendars! Ted Reed gave an outstanding talk on lighting for interviews at this week’s event and a great lineup is scheduled over the next several months.

Check out Ted’s website here. “Ted Reed has been creating award-winning film, television, and web video projects since the beginning of time…almost. Working with clients and projects of every size and budget, his work producing, writing, shooting and editing amount to a career that includes subjects and venues of practically every description. Take a look at some of the samples on this site, and then give him a call.”

 

MIKE FORGETTE #FORTHEMUSIC FULL LENGTH VIDEO LIVE NOW!

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Mike writes,

“This release is about more than just the video. It is a celebration of the first track we took from an idea in my head, and with months of hard work and dedication, we created something real you can listen to and now watch. From producing the beat, writing and recording this track myself with the help of Chris Lane using our own equipment, taking it to Jon Glasser who helped shape it by editing and mixing the audio, and then Moon Rock Sound for mastering. Then I came up with the idea for the video and took a chance and brought in Dee Lane to work on his first film project. We spent hours recording vocals and re-working the beat, I must have written a million words that didn’t make sense before these heart felt lyrics came out. If you know me you know this music journey has been a long and windy road with many bumps and bruises along the way. I’ve never quit, I’ve never given up, and I don’t think I ever will. We’ve come a long way from recording in Chris’s basement and the days my songs were about fake bullshit I thought you wanted to hear. We still have a longer way to go, but to see how far we’ve progressed both as men and artists with the support that all of you have given me over these years has kept me going. I work a full time office job during the week, I pay an absurd amount of money to bills, student loans ect,I live in a basement studio apartment with my girlfirend, I know what its like to have a messed up family, to be stressed out, to question what your purpose is and to ask yourself every day what’s the point? I have dedicated my life to this art form, when its all said and done I will be able to walk away and say I gave it everything I had. Years down the road when they ask me why, I’ll say I did it all… “For The Music”.

BREAKING: YOU CAN WATCH CHIEF CAMPANELLO RECEIVE HIS AWARD LIVE TODAY AT 1PM!

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Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken andĀ Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante are off to D.C. this morningĀ to honorĀ Chief Leonard Campanello as he receives his award “Champion of Change” from the Obama Administration. The Mayor shares theĀ link for live streaming the event, which will beginĀ at 1pm.

554d7f89578a2.imagePhoto courtesy Google image search

SAVE THE DATE FOR AMY KERR’S PORTRAITS SHOW!

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unnamedIn addition to the art show, come see the latest restoration work
at the Paint Factory, headquarters of Ocean Alliance,
including the Robotics Labā€”home of ā€œSnotBot.ā€

See you there!
Amy & Iain Kerr
http://www.amykerrdrawsportraits.com
https://www.whale.org

Gloucester Stage Receives Four Elliot Norton Award Nominations!!

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unnamedBob_9_6347 (1)Elliot Norton Award Outstanding Actor Nominee Robert Walsh in Israel Horovitz’s Gloucester Blue

Gloucester Stage Company Receives Four Elliot Norton Award Nominations

The Boston Theater Critics Association (BTCA) recently announced The 34th Annual Elliot Norton Award nominations featuring over 25 nominations of outstanding actors, directors, designers and ensembles. Gloucester Stage Company received a total of 4 nominations for the non-profit theaterā€™s 2015 season. Gloucester Stage Artistic Director Robert Walsh received both acting and directing nominations. Winners are to be revealed at the 34th Annual Elliot Norton Awards on Monday, May 23, 2016 at 7 PM, at Bostonā€™s Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre.

The Gloucester Stage Company nominations include three for Enda Walshā€™s The New Electric Ballroom: Outstanding Production by a Small Theater; Outstanding Director, Small or Fringe Theater: Robert Walsh and Outstanding Ensemble, Midsize, Small or Fringe Theater:Nancy E. Carroll, Marya Lowry, Adrianne Krstansky, and Derry Woodhouse; and one nomination for Israel Horovitzā€™s Gloucester Blue:Outstanding Actor, Small or Fringe Theater: Robert Walsh.

ā€œI am hugely grateful to the Norton Award Committee for this honor,ā€ says double nominee Gloucester Stage Artistic Director Robert Walsh, ā€œIā€™m so delighted for the cast of The New Electric Ballroom – they were so amazing to collaborate with, and I am in Israelā€™s debt for such a great role in his play, Gloucester Blue.ā€

The Elliot Norton Awards are named for the eminent Boston theater critic Elliot Norton, who remained an active supporter of drama, both locally and nationally, until his death in 2003 at the age of 100. The Boston theater community carries on his legacy and can be proud of its remarkable growth at a time in our nationā€™s history when the arts are struggling to survive. The awards are presented annually by The Boston Theater Critics Association (BTCA) (Don Aucoin, Jared Bowen, Terry Byrne, Carolyn Clay, Nick Dussault, Iris Fanger, Joyce Kulhawik, Kilian Melloy, Bob Nesti, and Ed Siegel) to honor the outstanding productions, directors, designers, and performers that audiences have seen on Greater Boston area stages throughout the year.

The 34th Annual Elliot Norton Awards will be held at the Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St., Boston, on Monday, May 23 at 7 PM. Tickets are priced at $35.00; savvy shoppers will take advantage of $10 off the regular ticket price (available through May 1), using the code NORTIES10. Tickets are on sale at the Citi Center Box Office, at www.citicenter.org or by calling (866) 348-9738.

The Gloucester Stage 2016 season opens on May 19 with Peter Shafferā€™s Lettice and Lovage featuring Academy Award nominee Lindsay Crouse. For information about Gloucester Stage, or to purchase single tickets or Flex Passes, call the Box Office at 978-281-4433 or visit www.gloucesterstage.com.

Table_Derry_Hand1523Elliot Norton Award Nominated Ensemble (L to R : Marya Lowry, Adrianne Krstansky, Derry Woodhouse and Nancy E. Carroll)Ā  from The New Electric Ballroom directed byĀ  Elliot Norton Award Outstanding Director Nominee Robert Walsh

 

Photos by Gary Ng

SAVE OUR SHORES RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY!!

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c9f28dbd-753d-46e7-a724-c00a5a943a6eTime to Celebrate!

Please join SOS GloucesterĀ for aĀ Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

When: Ā Friday, May 6
Time: Ā 6:00 PM
Where: Ā 166-178 Atlantic Road
(We will gather on the grassy area across from the
Ocean View Inn)We look forward to seeing all our wonderful supporters!

LINZEE COOLIDGE AND MAYOR ROMEO THEKEN WITH NUBAR ALEXANIAN’S GORGEOUS BOOK!

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Linzee Coolidge, who sponsored the publication of the new book GLOUCESTER: When The Fish Came First, by photographer Nubar Alexanian, presenting a copy to Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. Copies are still available at 58% below the publication price through May 5thĀ at Walker Creek Media.
Linzee & Sefatia

MIKE FORGETTE’S TRAILER “FOR THE MUSIC!”

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Congratulations and this isĀ fantastic! We’re looking forward to the full length video!

Mike writes, “The full video and song will be released on Friday, April 29th. The entire video was shot in Gloucester, and the music was produced, recorded, mixed and mastered locally as well.”

CHERRY BLOSSOM CASCADE EAST GLOUCESTER

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Glorious Spring!

Cherry Blossom Cascade Kim SmithCherry Blossom Plum Stree East Gloucester Kim SmithPlum Street East Gloucester

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEoOxZYjyuP/

Note to gardeners: Are you having problems with winter moths? Trees in the Rose Family (Rosaceae), cherry trees, plum trees, peach trees, and apple trees, for example, are especially devastated by theĀ larval stage of theseĀ voracious eaters. There is no perfectĀ solution. The worst thing to do is to spray your trees with chemical pesticides and herbicidesĀ becauseĀ that will killĀ the goodĀ insectsĀ (bees,Ā butterflies, and other beneficials) and not fully destroyĀ the bad.

After blooming, spray horticultural oil on the branches, foliage, and trunk. This won’t totally wipe out the winter moths (nothing does), but it will act as aĀ deterrent. Apply the horticultural oil about once every month or two, through January, as the adult moths depositĀ their eggs in the chinks of bark during the winter months.

CONGRATULATIONS TO GLOUCESTER STAGE FOR WINNING TWO TOP BOSTON CRITICS’ AWARDS!

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unnamedGloucester Stage Wins 2 Top Boston Critics’ Awardsā€

The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards Ceremony was held Monday, April 11, 2016 at the 1200 Hotel Ballroom (Holiday Inn) in Brookline, MA where the awards for the 2015 Calendar Year were announced. The IRNE Awards honor the best of the previous yearā€™s actors, directors, designers and companies across the full spectrum of large, midsize and fringe theater companies in the New England area. Gloucester Stage garnered two of the top acting awards in the Midsize Company Category: Best Actor Drama: Nael Nacer for The Flick and Best Supporting Actor Drama: Derry Woodhouse for The New Electric Ballroom. Nael Nacer was present at the ceremony to accept his award. Derry Woodhouse was unable to attend and Gloucester Managing Director Jeff Zinn accepted the acting award on his behalf.

Gloucester Stage Company received a total of nine nominations for the 2015 season. The nominations included: two for Deborah Zoe Lauferā€™s Out of Sterno: Best Actress-Play–Midsize: Amanda Collins; and Best Supporting Actress-Play-Midsize: Jennifer Ellis; two for Israel Horovitzā€™sGloucester Blue: Best New Play and Best Actor-Play-Midsize: Robert Walsh; one nomination for Enda Walshā€™s The New Electric Ballroom: BestSupporting Actor-Play-Midsize: Derry Woodhouse and four nominations for Annie Bakerā€™s The Flick: Best Play-Midsize; Best Lighting Design: Russ Swift, Best Actor-Play-Midsize: Nael Nacer and Best Director-Play-Midsize: Bridget Kathleen Oā€™Leary.

The Gloucester Stage 2016 season opens on May 19 with Peter Shafferā€™sLettice and Lovage featuring Academy Award nominee and IRNE Award winner Lindsay Crouse. For information about Gloucester Stage, or to purchase single tickets or Flex Passes, call the Box Office at 978-281-4433or visit www.gloucesterstage.com.

Nael_4492IRNE Winner Nael Nacer in Gloucester Stage’sĀ  The Flick
BestDerry_1551Pictured Foreground: IRNE Winner Derry Woodhouse in Gloucester Stage’sĀ The New Electric Ballroom

 

COYOTE ON THE BEACH!

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Eastern Coyote Canis latrans massachusetts Kim SmithFace to face

When outĀ filming for projects, I’d often thought about what my reaction would beĀ if everĀ again I came eye to eye with a coyote. Many have crossed my path, but too quickly and too unexpectedly to capture. I don’t bring my dog with me any longer because one brazen oneĀ had a goĀ at her two winters ago and it’s just not a good idea to temptĀ fate. I hoped that calmness would prevail, allowing forĀ a non-blurry photo, or two.

Well, I didn’t panic and got some great footage, and when the coyote was too far out of range for my movieĀ camera, took a few snapshots.

Eastern Coyote massachusetts beach Canis latrans Kim Smith

This one appearsĀ smaller than what I have typically encountered, perhaps it is only a year or two old, or possiblyĀ coyotesĀ areĀ not as plump after the winter months. He/sheĀ wasĀ very intent upon scavenging in a bed of seaweed that had washed ashore and thinkĀ itĀ must have been quite hungry to allow me to get so close. He reluctantly left his mealĀ as I moved toward himĀ and then watched me for some time from under cover of beach grass. His shining eyes were easily seenĀ in the fading low light. Mistakenly, I thought that was the end of our meetingĀ and went back to filmingĀ B-roll.Eastern Coyote massachusetts Kim Smith

Beach grass provides excellent camouflage

I was losing the light and decided to call it a day.Ā Packing up cameras and turning to go, there he was, a hundred yards away, staring at me. Deftly traveling through theĀ tall reedsĀ he had circled around. I don’t think he had me in mind for his next meal, but I was halfway between him and the scavanged dinnerĀ from which he had soĀ rudely been interrupted. Plans on how to weaponize my tripodĀ and camera bag quickly came to mind.Ā He trotted leisurely towardsĀ me, changed his mind, and thenĀ trotted in the opposite direction. AĀ car cameĀ down the road and he again turned toward my direction, making his way along the beach until slipping back into the grass.

If ever you have a close encounter with a coyote, be sure to remind yourself of this story and know that they may indeed still be very close by.

FANTASTIC ORGANIC NORTH SHORE VEGGIE AND FLOWER FARM CEDAR ROCK GARDENS IS ROCKIN!

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Cedar Rock Gardens Sign Kim SmithCedar Rock Gardens is an 18.5 acre farm conveniently located at 299 Concord Street, in Gloucester, a few short miles off Route 128. Plants and produce grown only at Cedar Rock Gardens are sold here, with a wide offering of organic veggies, herbs, and gorgeous flowers.

Elise Jillson Cedar Rock Gardens Kim SmithYou may recognize co-owners Elise Jillson and Tucker Smith from the Cape Ann Farmer’s Market. Operating retail sales at the farm is a first this year.

Cedar Rock Gardens Kim SmithThe welcoming handmade sign sets the scene. A modern farm, with its focus on organic practices, but the setting is pure old-time farm charm. Rambling stone walls delineate the fields of flowers, trays of seedlings are tucked under gnarled ancient apple trees, and an equally as distinguished catalpa tree grows alongside the drive as you enter the garden.Flower Field Cedar Rock Gardens Kim Smith

Dormant flower field

Elise and Tucker have many combined years of experience in organic farming. Read more about the two here. Opening the farm to the public is a new step for Cedar Rock Gardens in their growing business. I can’t wait to see what they’ll be offering in plants, as well as cut flowers, throughout the season (think peonies, zinnias, and sunflowers, to name only a few!). Stop in and say hello to Elise and Tucker and pick up your seedlings today!

Plant Nursery Hours: 8am to 5pm Friday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday, and 9am to 3pm Sunday.

Cedar Rock Gardens Organic Romaine lettuce Kim Smith

Fresh lettuce

Cedar Rock Gardens onions Kim SmithHelpful horticulture instructions provided for each veggie

Cedar Rock Gardens Kale Kim SmithOrganic Kale

Cedar Rock Gardens sweet peas Kim SmithSweet peas growing gangbusters!

Thank you so much to Nubar Alexanian for the tip to visit Cedar Rock Gardens!

 

Sharing my husbandā€™s memory of the night his band opened for Prince

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Last night talking about Prince with my husband, and knowing what a huge fan of his he was, I asked TomĀ what is his favorite Prince song. He said there were too many and then shared a heartfelt story about the night his band (The Atlantics) opened for Prince at the Metro. It was for The Dirty Mind album tour and the year was 1981, Saint Patrickā€™s Day. He and his band mates were over the moon with excitement, but also scared to death. Not because of Princeā€™s growing star power, but because of the intense racial divisions prevailing in Boston at that time, which often manifested at rock concerts, with musicians getting caught in the crosshairs.

All worries were for nothing. To everyoneā€™s joyful surprise, the audience, a sea of black faces and white faces in equal numbers, were all there to have a fantastic time, which they did. Tom especially recalls a group of young black women in the first row, dressed more for church than a rock concert, smiling and dancing to the Atlantics songs, and if you can believe this, they placed their purses on top of the stage, near his feet. (Can people even bring purses to concerts any longer??) Princeā€™s messages of love and tolerance are a powerful inspiration. That Saint Patrickā€™s Day night at the Metro opening for Prince is one of Tomā€™s favorite band memories.

On Tomā€™s facebook page is a great photo from that night, taken by the Metro’s house photographer Steven Stone, maybe a little too sexyĀ in case young kids are scrolling through GMG, butĀ you can check it out here at Thomas Hauck.

Well hello there!

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Beauty Surprise at Twilight!

Female Mallard Nine ducklings Kim Smith

As much as I was surprised by this sweet glimpse of mama and her ducklings coming around a bend in the marsh, she was as equallyĀ surprised to see me, hidden behindĀ a clump of tall grasses. One glance, and momĀ quickly departed with herĀ nine (!!)Ā newly emerged ducklings. Happy Earth Day!

CEDAR ROCK GARDENS OPENS TODAY!

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Cedar Rock Gardens had their grand opening today. Don’t you love their beautiful poster? Happy Earth Day!Cedar Rock Gardens

HAPPY EARTH DAY/EARTH WEEKEND!

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Red-winged Blackbird Kim SmithLast eveningĀ I was making audio recordings of marsh soundsĀ for film projects and could not have picked a better night.Ā Not only were the spring peepers loudly calling, the blackbirds were singing well past sundown. TheĀ resulting combination of bird songs and peepers created a veritable symphony.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEcRzyfDymy/

EDITED W/EMAIL CONTACT INFO Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team Spring Peeper Field Trip Tonight at 9pm

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EDITOR’S NOTE:Ā To correspond with CAVPT, please email atĀ cavpt@yahoo.com
Rick Roth writes from Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team

DID I MENTION WE NEED VOILUNTEERS FOR THIS WEEKEND?!?

And… there will be a field trip tonight. Ā Almost all the salamanders have left the vernal pools and gone back to the woods. Ā We might see a few. Ā Peepers should be screaming. Ā Meet at Walgreen’s parking lot on Main Street at 9pm. Look for my van, White Lightning.

My cell phone is still out of order. Ā So… those of you that have been calling or texting that you are helping with these shows, please respond to this email. Ā If you have not been calling or texting respond to this email anyway. Ā We need you.

Okay… CAVPT basically has three components: protection of wetlands and wildlife habitat, education- this is where we teach people about the importance of wetlands and wildlife habitat, and fundraising, which is where we get the money to do this. Ā So… this weekend we have apportunities to accomplish two of these goals, education and fundraising. Ā But we can’t do it without volunteers. Ā So far I have a total of one volunteer besides me for two shows. Ā Please get in touch and tell me you want to volunteer this weekend.

TWO SHOWS AGAIN THIS WEEKEND, so… we will need lots of volunteers:
Saturday Ā April 23, 2016 Ā somewhere around noon or 1pm.
Snakes of New England and the World- one hour live animal presentation.
Earth Fest at Lynn Woods, Ā Lynn MA- Pennybrook Rd. entrance.

Sunday Ā April 24, 2016
Gloucester Pride Stride, Stage Fort Park, Gloucester
Pride Stride starts at noon. Ā We will be there with some sort of live animal exhibit for the after walk party.
We need people to walk for CAVPT and people to help with the exhibit.

And… keep gathering those yard sale items for the Big Giant Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team/Kestrel Educatrional Adventures Yard Sale, Saturday Ā May 28, 2016 Ā 9am-1pm, St. Peter’s Square in Gloucester. Ā Rain date- Saturday June 4th.

Thanks, Ā Rick

we only have one earth, save it

AJ’s AT THE HARBOR NEW GLOUCESTER RESTAURANT RESTORES MASTERFUL MURAL

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Jefff Weaver Mural Gloucester -2 detail c Kim SmithI just can’t tell you how excitingĀ it wasĀ to see the fineĀ restoration of the Jeff Weaver mural at AJ’s at the Harbor.Ā WeĀ haven’t even had a chance to try the restaurant, but they get my vote for Good Eggs of the week for taking care to restoreĀ thisĀ originalĀ GloucesterĀ painting by unquestionably one of Gloucester’s finest painters.

Thank you AJ’s!Ā Best wishes withĀ your new restaurant!Jefff Weaver Mural Gloucester -3 detail c Kim SmithJefff Weaver Mural Gloucester c Kim Smith

Jeff Weaver Mural Gloucester c Kim SmithSee Joey’s posts about AJ’s –

AJā€™S AT THE HARBOR FIRST LOOK ON WWW.CAPEANNEATS.COM

AJā€™S AT THE HARBOR MENU- MORE AT WWW.CAPEANNEATS.COM

MY MONARCH BUTTERFLY FILM TRAILER!

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Dear Friends,

I am super excited to write that today I am launching the trailerĀ for my monarch butterfly documentary, Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly. I hope so much you enjoy watching as much as I have loved creating!

I am asking a huge favor of all my Good Morning Gloucester, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram friends and that is to please share the trailer, hit all like buttons, and if you have time, to please comment.

In seeking funding to finish the film, I am currently in the process of writing grant proposals. Recently, I wasĀ invited to join the Filmmakers Collaborative, which is a tremendous and well-respected organization that is providing excellent advice and will also act as the fiscal sponsor for the film. Each filmmaker represented by the Filmmakers Collaborative has a project page on the FC website and I invite you to visit mine here:Ā Filmmakers Collaborative.

The next stages in finishing the documentaryĀ are title design, audio mixing, and color correcting. Iā€™ll keep you posted on progress made through GMG, the filmā€™s website, and my website.

Look for Pilar, Meadow, and Atticus in the trailer. They were wonderful and I am so appreciative of their assistance. There were additional kids from our East Gloucester troupe that participated in making the film however, I couldnā€™t squeeze them all in the trailer. I think youā€™ll love all the childrenā€™s parts in the finished film!

For more information about the documentary, please visit the film’s website here: Beauty on the Wing

My most sincerest thanks to everyone for yourĀ kind support!