My View of Life on the Dock
Al forwards this link and writes, “Schooner race from Key West to Cuba is about to start and the boats can be tracked. The link is from Apella who has become a regular in the Gloucester race.” Follow this link.
Message from Dan Hall, Schooner Apella:
Read more about the Conch Republic Cup here.
Elinor Teele Photo Google Image search
With hosts Eric Lorden and Matt Rose!
Many thanks to Parker River national Wildlife Refuge’s Bob Pete for the Red-tailed Hawk information.
Please join us this Sunday from 2 to 4pm at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center artist’s reception “For the Birds.” I hope to see you there!
Readying for take-off
Nine Swans a-Swimming
After checking in with my elbow doctor at Anna Jacques Hospital in Newburyport, I took a drive along the road to Plum Island. I only meant to stay for a few minutes as I was planning to hurry on back to work on current projects but within moments of being there, a gorgeous Red-tailed Hawk was spied circling around. It was too tempting and I desperately wanted to stay longer and photograph and film but turned right around and headed back over the causeway. Halfway across a bevy of some sort of large white avian creature caught my eye–could it be–yes, it was a large flock of swans! They were feeding on the seaweed and seagrass along the Merrimack River shoreline.
Quickly finding a place to park I got out my gear and with a wide swathe of marsh grass dividing me from the swans, I tried to get as close to the water’s edge as possible. There were NINE swans in all, two adults and seven almost year-old swans. So much for getting back quickly. And was I ever pleased with my rule never to leave the house without cameras.
A passing woman from the neighborhood out walking said that this was the first time she had seen the swans at the river’s edge in over two years. For my swan film, footage of one year old swans was needed, and here were seven! Every cloud has a silver lining as I never would have been on Plum Island today if not for elbow injury.
2016 Youth Acting Workshop Winter Session Accepting Students
Gloucester Stage Youth Acting Workshop is accepting students 6-18 for the Winter Session of professional arts instruction beginning on Friday, January 29 for Children 6-10 years old and beginning on Saturday, January 30 for Teens 11-18 years old. The Youth Acting Workshop Winter Session features expanded instruction time of four class hours per week, lower tuition for all students and scholarship opportunities. Students will receive instruction in acting for the stage and film and television, improvisation and interview techniques, costume design and film and television production The Children’s Class meets Fridays:4-6pmand Saturdays:1-3 pm through Saturday, March 5. The Teen Class meets Saturdays: 11-3 pm through February 27 and ends with a special Sunday class day on February 28, 12-4 pm. Acting teacher, director and award winning actress Gloucester native Heidi Dallin will be joined by guest instructors including Holiday Delights costume designer Lara Jardullo to teach costume design and local award-winning videographer Lisa Smith to teach film and television production. Gloucester Stage Youth Acting Workshops are designed to provide young people an outlet to nurture their creative potential through developing self-confidence, communication and teamwork skills to use in their daily life as well as introducing them to the skills necessary for professional theatre. Registration is open for the Winter 2016 Session. Class size is limited and registration is on a first come basis. For class times and schedules and to register, call 978-283-6688.
SEE MORE PHOTOS HERE Continue reading “Gloucester Stage Youth Acting Workshop”
Penzance Road
Climate change is complicated but the damage done from rising sea levels is very apparent in our own community. With the inundation of seawater upon freshwater ponds, vernal pools, and wetlands, at risk especially are habitats for fish, shellfish, wildlife, and plants.
Penzance Road, the narrow strip of land that divides Pebble Beach, on the Atlantic side, and freshwater Henry’s Pond on the opposite side, is periodically closed because of storm damage. I don’t recall ever seeing this degree of destruction however, we have lived here for only twenty years. It would be very interesting and much appreciated to learn from any of our readers who have lived through some of the worst blizzards and hurricanes to hit Cape Ann to compare the levels of damage.
The waves surged clear across the road and into freshwater Henry’s Pond.
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I am looking forward to presenting my “Pollinator Garden” program tonight at 7:30 for the North Shore Horticultural Society. The program begins at 7:30 at the American Legion Hall, 14 Church Street, Manchester (behind Town Hall). I hope to see you there!
Male and Female Monarch Butterly Marsh Milkweed
“Following the rhythm of the seasons, celebrated landscape designer Kim Smith presents a stunning slide show and lecture demonstrating how to create a welcoming haven for bees, birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Native plants and examples of organic and architectural features will be discussed based on their value to particular vertebrates and invertebrates.”
Opening Friday, I am looking forward to seeing the film The Finest Hours on which my friend Donna worked as a costume designer. While in the region working on the film, she shared funny stories such as having to have half a dozen or more of each costume because so much of the film was shot in drenching conditions.
A heroic action-thriller, “The Finest Hours” is the remarkable true story of the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history. The film will transport audiences to the heart of the action, creating a fully-immersive cinematic experience on an epic scale. On February 18, 1952, a massive nor’easter struck New England, pummeling towns along the Eastern seaboard and wreaking havoc on the ships caught in its deadly path, including the SS Pendleton, a T-2 oil tanker bound for Boston, which was literally ripped in half, trapping more than 30 sailors inside its rapidly-sinking stern. As the senior officer on board, first assistant engineer Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck) soon realizes it is up to him to take charge of the frightened crew and inspire the men to set aside their differences and work together to ride out one of the worst storms to ever hit the East Coast. Meanwhile, as word of the disaster reaches the U.S. Coast Guard station in Chatham, Massachusetts, Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff (Eric Bana) orders a daring operation to rescue the stranded men. Despite overwhelming odds, four men, led by Coast Guard Captain Bernie Webber (Chris Pine), set out in a wooden lifeboat with an ill-equipped engine and little, if any, means of navigation, facing frigid temperatures, 60-foot high waves and hurricane-force winds.
Disney’s “The Finest Hours” is the unforgettable story of the Coast Guard’s courageous mission, which is directed by Craig Gillespie and stars: Chris Pine; Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee Casey Affleck; Ben Foster; Holliday Grainger; John Ortiz; and Eric Bana. Produced by Jim Whitaker and Dorothy Aufiero, the screenplay is by Oscar® nominee Scott Silver and Oscar nominees Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson based on the acclaimed non-fiction book of the same name by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman. Doug Merrifield serves as executive producer. “The Finest Hours” storms into U.S. theaters on January 29, 2016 in Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D.
Another batch of photos from yesterday’s mesmerizing after storm wave-watching.
Good Harbor Incoming Tide
Thacher Island from the Back Shore High Tide
Eastern Point
Off in the distance the waves were pounding Thacher Island in the storm’s aftermath.
Towering waves and beautiful spindrifts all along the back shore today.
SEE MORE PHOTOS HERE Continue reading “GOOD HARBOR BEACH AND BACKSHORE AFTER JONAS”
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After reading Joey’s post about Cake Ann, I just had to make a beeline when done filming today. The newest bakery in town had been inundated with customers all morning, and having sold out several times earlier in the day, were on their twentieth or so batch, of everything! I brought some blueberry muffins and Kouign-amanns (pronounced queen-a-mahn) home and they were quickly devoured by husband, son, and myself. Oh Lucky Us Cape Anners!
Cake Ann is located at 214 Eastern Avenue, in the small shopping plaza next to Common Crow.
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Eben
From the Museum of American Bird Art ~ A New England based naturalist, photographer, and educator, Jaffe grew up in Eastern Massachusetts chasing birds, mucking through ponds, and turning over leaves. For the last seven years he has been photographing caterpillars, exhibiting his photographs and organizing programs to promote these special creatures to the public.
His photographs have received widespread acclaim. They have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, The Guardian and on the widely read art and design blog, This is Colossal. Jaffe has exhibited at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio, the Boston Children’s Museum, and the MIT Center for Theoretical Physics, among other venues.
Each year Jaffe raises thousands of caterpillars of hundreds of native species, capturing female butterflies and moths, collecting their eggs and releasing them. The founder of the non-profit The Caterpillar Lab, Jaffe’s goal is to share his passion for the caterpillars of New England through first-hand encounters at museums and nature centers as well as the stunning images in his photographs and videos.
Life on the Leaf Edge: Photographs of Native Caterpillars by Samuel Jaffe is open to the public January 31 through April 24, Tuesday–Sunday from 1 to 5 pm.
The Museum of American Bird Art at Mass Audubon (MABA) is an art museum within New England’s largest conservation organization, connecting people and nature through art. The exhibitions feature art by internationally recognized artists inspired by nature. The Museum is located at 963 Washington Street in Canton and is sited within a 121 acre wildlife sanctuary.
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Township, Life in Post-Apartheid South Africa
Your support will help me raise money to fund a 160-page book of photographs that celebrates the spirit and strength of South Africans who face endemic violence, extreme economic hardship, and racism that has not abated, while all the time maintaining dignity, hope and courage.
About me:
Outside the cities frequented by tourists and business travelers, in vibrant townships, I found beauty and strength and all the contradictions of being human in the people I photographed; a preacher testifying to his rapt congregation; a couple’s loving embrace at day’s end; the proud regard of my friend Sindi in her traditional Xhosa dress; the moving funeral of a young Sotho man; the poetry and grace of a girl dancing on a warm Sunday afternoon; and the striking face of “Dream Girl,” a young woman studying to be a traditional healer, a “sangoma.”
TO DONATE AND READ MORE CLICK HERE
Andrew Luman, Schuylar Corbett, and Ruby Lyman
Cruiseport was filled to overflowing with the joyful sounds of children laughing and parents socializing, all there to join in the fun of Art Haven’s 8th Annual Buoy Auction. The hundreds of buoys hand painted by local children were displayed in a fresh new layout with a “Haven Walk” surrounding the perimeter.
Andrew Luman did a fantastic job as the auctioneer and emcee (with Emily Bean above)
For the silent auction, beautiful buoy creations were donated by some of the most talented local artists.
Colleen Apostolos-Marsh “Sugar Skull”
Traci Thayne-Corbett “The Big Catch”
Jeff Weaver
Art Haven’s Buoy Auction is truly a community event in every sense of the word ~
Special thanks were noted in the program to the lobstermen who loaned the traps, Peter Mondello, Bob Morris, Chris Orcsillo, and Scott Horne. Sheree Zizik once again generously donated Cruiseport, delicious food was provided by local restaurants and shops, and many area businesses donated buoy supplies, transportation, and event promotion. Thanks too was given to all who helped construct the Lobster Trap Tree, with thanks to the buoy auction committee, and a very special thanks to Traci-Thayne Corbett and Karen Conant.
SEE MORE PHOTOS HERE Continue reading “A SIMPLY SPECTACULAR TURNOUT FOR ART HAVEN’S FAMILY FUN AND BUOY AUCTION!”
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Art Haven Founder David Brooks
Lots More Pics Tomorrow!
I am so pleased with my prints from Cape Ann Giclee for the Rocky Neck Art Colony’s upcoming show “For the Birds.” Thank you James and Anna!
Learn the fundamentals of image processing using RAW, Photoshop, and Bridge. Sign up for James’s Saturday Photoshop Class (tomorrow from 10am to 1pm)!
“For the Birds” is opening January 26th. Please join us for the reception on January 31st, Sunday, from 2 to 4 at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center. We hope to see you there.
Good Morning Gloucester 