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."

Storm Update: NO SCHOOL and City Hall Closed

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unnamed-3Another storm due tomorrow

  • Parking ban goes into effect at 11 p.m.

  • Schools, City Hall are closed tomorrow

  • Provisions for payment of taxes and filing of abatements due tomorrow are outlined

Dear friends:

The mayor has issued the following statement in anticipation of the coming snowstorm:

Effective at 11 p.m. today, Sunday, Feb. 1, the city has declared a snow emergency and parking ban on all city streets due to the arriving snow storm.

From 11 p.m. on Sunday until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, all vehicles are banned from parking on city streets.

Violators of this emergency declaration are subject to ticketing and towing at the owner’s expense. Residents may park in all municipal and school parking lots.

All residents are reminded that they are responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks adjacent to their property. Your cooperation during this parking ban is necessary for efficient and safe snow removal efforts. Please make every effort to shovel out hydrants at or near your homes.

During times of high tide, expect coastal flooding on various streets along the coast. In addition, bitterly cold wind chills of 15 to 25 below zero are expected making it extremely dangerous to be outside. Please make every effort to check on your elderly neighbors.

Gloucester Public Schools will be closed on Monday, Feb. 2.

City offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 2.

At this time (5 p.m. Sunday), it is anticipated that trash collection will be on a regular schedule.

Updates will be forthcoming as the storm progresses. Please check the City of Gloucester website for further updates at www.gloucester-ma.gov

How to make tax payments and file abatement applications in light of tomorrow’s predicted storm

Despite the fact that City Hall will be closed tomorrow,there are ways to pay your tax bills or file for abatements–both of which are due tomorrow.

Timely filing of abatement applications or payments can be accomplished any of the following ways:

• Hand delivery to City Hall, by 4 p.m. Monday.  Even though City Hall will be closed, abatement applications or tax payments can be placed in the Parking Ticket Dropbox located to the right of the entrance facing Warren Street.

• US Postal Service. (Payments or applications must be postmarked by Monday.)

• Abatement applications may be faxed to 978-282-4113, by 4 p.m. Monday. The Abatement Application can be found here: http://gloucester-ma.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=372

• Payments can be made online. For more information and instructions please consult the City Website’s Online Services page here: http://gloucester-ma.gov/index.aspx?NID=459

Annisquam Village Players and Church 11th Annual Talent Show and Fundraiser!

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unnamedCome join the fun at our
11th Annual Talent Show and Fundraiser!  
Saturday, February 7 – 6:00 p.m.

Annisquam Village Hall, 36 Leonard Street in Gloucester

Tickets at the door: $10 adults – $5 children under 16 ($30 family maximum)

RSVP by Wednesday, February 4 to let us know which part of the Potluck you’ll be bringing: Appetizer, Main or Dessert. Coffee, Tea and Juice provided.

978-281-0376
avchurch820@gmail.com

All proceeds from the show will benefit Cape Ann Animal Aid.

~ More Snow Predicted ~ Please Continue to Report Your Robin Sightings

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American Robin ©Kim Smith 2015Here We Go Again!

So many thanks to everyone who has reported their Robin sightings. See the comments in yesterday’s post and please continue to report your Robin sightings on this post or yesterday’s. THANK YOU!

Matt’s Super Bowl Ad Going Viral!!! And of Course, Go PATRIOTS!

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A million hits in twenty four hours! Way to go Matt!

mophie-sb-powerless-hed-2015Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

Click here to read more about Matt’s ad for Mophie in an Adweek article.

 

IMPORTANT WINTER STORM WATCH ADVISORY FROM MAYOR SEFATIA

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WEATHER: WINTER STORM WATCH

Now in effect for all of Massachusetts for a snow storm that will move into the state late Sunday night and last through Monday.

Snow accumulations around a foot are expected.

Gusty North to Northeast winds may result in near blizzard conditions at times on Monday, with poor visibility and blowing/drifting snow.

A frigid air mass is expected behind the storm Monday night.  Low temperatures by early Tuesday will fall to zero to 10 below for most of the region, including the Boston to Providence corridor.

Dangerously cold wind chills of 20 to 30 below are expected.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS:
– Increase in fires from alternative heating sources or people trying to thaw frozen pipes with blow torches.
– Carbon monoxide poisoning from alternative heating sources.
– Water main breaks possible from frost penetrating deep into the ground.
– Increase in EMS calls and hospital patients with hypothermia and/or frost bite.

Additionally, roads may be slippery or snow covered at times, and there may be periods of significantly reduced visibility due to blowing snow.

Be safe

Mayor Romeo Theken

SUPER FUN SUPER BOWL BREAKING NEWS PREVIEW AD!!! #StayPowerful MOPHIE

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The commercial was created by Liv’s fiance, Matt O’Rourke, and his team. Matt is the Creative Director for Deutsch LA. The ad is the first for Mophie, and was made for the Super Bowl! AMAZING!!!

Read more here in Adweek.

 

The MIGRATING ROBINS HAVE RETURNED!

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American Robin winter crabapple turdus migratorius, americanus ©kim Smith 2015American Robin and Crabapples

Right on schedule, the robins have returned to our East Gloucester neighborhood! They were seen flocking to the holly berries, crabapples and sumac. This morning it was bleak and drizzly; I hope to see them back in our neighborhood on a sunnier day!

Dear Readers, If you spot robins in your garden or neighborhood, please comment in the comment section and let us know when and where. If you get a good capture of a robin, or any songbird for that matter, please send to kimsmithdesigns@hotmail.com and I will be happy to share the photos here on GMG. Thank you so much!

For more information about robins see previous posts here:

American Robin Nestlings 

The American Robin and Bird Food

I Love Sumac

Bananas Are A Berry?

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Banana Flowers ©Kim Smith 2015Although not native to the Americas, we came upon a banana tree, bearing both blooms and bananas, growing at an abandoned ruin in Solstice Canyon, which is located in the Santa Monica Mountains. The brilliant red high up in the treetops caught our attention and we were amazed to see the cluster of bananas along the stem of the inflorescence. The red bracts are not petals; new flowers emerging are the yellow curly blooms peaking between the opening bracts.

Did you know that bananas are technically speaking a berry? Botanists define a berry as a fleshy fruit produced from a single ovary. The berry is the most common type of fleshy fruit, where the entire ovary wall ripens into an edible pericarp and the seeds become embedded in the flesh of the ovary. One banana inflorescence produces 50 to 150 bananas! Blueberries and cranberries are also examples of a true berry.

tomatfr1The tomato graphic above illustrates the pericarp, the fleshy edible part surrounding the seeds. You will most likely not see any seeds in a commercially grown banana because they are cloned from a single cultivar, the ‘Cavendish,’ which also makes them highly susceptible to disease and a potential mass die-off.

Inside_a_wild-type_bananaWild banana seeds

Every morning while visiting Liv and Matt, Liv made deliciously healthy smoothies combining bananas, spinach, avocado, and whatever other fruit and veggie were on hand. That’s how we began our Solstice Canyon day hike and I was glad to have had the power-packed breakfast. As you can see, we encountered beautiful and enchanting wildlife along the trail.Pocket Gopher Southern California ©Kim Smith 2015

Pocket Gopher

California Sister Butterfly Santa Monica Solstice Canyon ©Kim Smith 2015

California Sister Butterfly

Acorn Woodpecker Solstice Canyon Southern California ©Kim Smith 2015Acorn Woodpecker Stashing His Acorns

Acorn Woodpecker Solstice Canyon Southern California -2 ©Kim Smith 2015If I were still designing clothes, the Acorn Woodpecker would definitely inspire an outfit, or two! 

A few more snapshots here – Continue reading “Bananas Are A Berry?” →

My Hood After Storm East Gloucester #blizzard2015

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Smith's Cove East Gloucester Winter Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015 A few more snapshots from after the storm, Smith’s Cove and Plum Street, East Gloucester #blizzard2015.

Plum Street East Gloucester Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015 Smith's Cove East Gloucester Blizzard 2015 ©kim Smith 2015 The red crane has been parked in this location at Smith’s Cove for several weeks. I don’t recall seeing it there in previous years. Does anyone know the story behind the crane?

Murray DPW Blizzard 2015 Gloucester ©Kim Dmith 2015The DPW tackling the side roads. Thanks Murray!

East Gloucester Blizzard 2015

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Beacon Marine Basin East Gloucester blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015Snapshots from this morning ~ Our neighborhood looks gorgeous in the new fallen snow and I can’t wait to get back out there and take more photos later this afternoon!East Maint Street Blizzard 2015 Gloucester ©Kim Smith 2015

Smith's Cove Gloucester Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015Gloucester Duckworth's Restaurant Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015East Gloucester Blizzard 2015 east gloucester copyxx

Keeping the Bird Feeders Well-stocked for the Songbirds

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Black-capped Chicadee ©Kim Smith 2015The Massachusetts state bird, the Black-capped Chickadee, is well-known at bird feeders. We’ve strategically placed one of our bird feeders adjacent to an iron trellis. The chickadees pop in for a safflower seed and then hop over to the trellis to crack it open against the metal.

Blizzard Update from City Councilor Paul McGeary

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unnamedCleanup has begun, but it’s slow going

Dear friends:

The city has been struggling to keep main roads open during this week’s unprecedented snowfall. DPW crews and private contractors have been on the road for 36 hours straight, but they are having trouble keeping up.

This means that cleanup has fallen behind on many smaller roads. Currently there is a substantial list of roads that need attention.

Your patience and keeping cars off the streets will help immeasurably to get the roads open as quickly as possible.

Do be aware that even if your street is impassable, the Fire Department is able to reach people in emergency situations.

Snow Emergency Update

Due to the ongoing storm and blizzard conditions, a snow emergency remains in effect until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Parking is banned on all City streets until that time. Violators of this ongoing declaration are subject to ticketing and towing at the owner’s expense. Municipal and School lots will remain available to residents until Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. at which time they are to be removed.

Gloucester Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday Jan. 28 and all City offices will be delayed in opening. All City offices will open and resume business at 10 a.m. Wednesday Jan. 28.

The city website www.gloucester-ma.gov is updated regularly with the latest information.

Trash Collection delayed

Due to the blizzard, trash collection for Wednesday Jan. 28, has been cancelled. Collection will resume on Thursday. The schedule is as follows: Wednesday’s pick up will be Thursday, Thursday’s pick up will be Friday, Friday’s pick up will be Saturday. If your regular day is Tuesday we are asking that due to the extenuating circumstances that you please hold onto your trash until next week.

General Snow Emergency Information

Where Can I Park?
Off-street parking areas including:

  • Harbor Parking Lot (near Gloucester House Restaurant)
  • Main Street Parking Lot
  • Manuel F. Lewis Parking Lot
  • Pleasant Street Parking Lot
  • St. Peter’s Square (Town Landing Parking Lot)
  • Fitz Hugh Lane Lot (Roger’s St next to TD Bank)
  • Boynton Way Lot (off Rogers St in between Pilot House lot and House of Mitch)
  • School Parking Lots may also be used for off-street parking

Vehicles parked in parking lots must shovel their cars out of the space.

NOTE: All vehicles must be out of municipal and school lots by 1 p.m. today.

Please be aware that the City of Gloucester is authorized to remove any vehicle that interferes with the removal of snow and ice. Removal costs shall be paid by the owner of the vehicle.

Residents are required to remove snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of their homes/businesses.

Please call the Department of Public Works at 978-281-9785 for information or questions concerning snow and ice removal.

#Blizzard2015 Digging Out!

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East Gloucester Blizzard 2015 Colleen digging out ©Kim Smith 2015Colleen Apostolos Digging Out!

Colleen Digging Out Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015It’s a Glorious Morning! Although I did crash after only taking ten steps from our door and, not realizing it, got water spots all over my camera’s lens. Every photo had to be de-spotted prior to uploading. I hope I didn’t miss any spots.

Ken Duckworth Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015Ken Duckworth Digging Out!

Valerie and Joey Marino Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015.JPGValerie and Joey Marino Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015Valerie and Joey Marino Digging Out!

 

 

 

Let it Snow! #blizzard2015

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Son’s making blueberry pancakes, Husband is shoveling, Daughter with Love in Santa Monica, bread in the oven, and I am editing my Monarch film–life is sweet!

Snowflake ©Kim Smith 2015

 

Hold Onto Your Hats! #Blizzard2015

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Blizzard 2015 Gloucester ©Kim Smith 2015Shoveling a path for our Rosie and keeping the bird feeders clear of snow. Hold onto your hats!

 

Nicole Duckworth’s Best Granola (And Duckworth’s Re-opening This Thursday Night!)

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Nicole Duckworth Granola ©Kim Smith 2015As you may already be aware, Nicole Duckworth makes the fabulous desserts at Duckworth’s Bistrot–her amazing ‘Death-By-Chocolate’ and ‘Banana Cake’ are two favorites that come to mind immediately. She stopped by with a wonderfully tasty maple-walnut-dried cherry granola, possibly the best ever, along with a sweet thank you note. When she has a spare moment, I’ll ask her if she can share the recipe. Our family thanks you Nicole!Jude Nicole Duckworth ©Kim Smith 2013

Nicole and Jude

Duckworth's ©Kim Smith 2013Duckworth’s will be reopening on January 29th, 2015.

Did you make your Valentine’s Day Reservation?