Presented by Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
“Come to Newburyport and Amesbury on February 18, 2017, for a full day of fun indoor and outdoor activities celebrating the return of our Bald Eagles! Learn more about these magnificent birds and the habitat they share with us.”
Go on an eagle tour, see a raptor show, pose for photos, and much, much more.
Pick #2: Â Visit the Sawyer Free Library for Dads & Donuts
Saturday, February 18 at 10:30 a.m. Enjoy donuts with dad while also enjoying visiting author Jape Payette, author of the Jape the Grape Ape children’s series.
A while back I wrote a blog post about how funny it was to pull into the rental lot to pick up a car for our road trip to NYC….only to realize that my boys truly thought, for one glorious moment in their young lives, that we were renting a Maserati from the dealership that happened to be right next door. Â We were, instead, renting a minivan. Â The polar opposite, perhaps, of the Maserati Dream they had just been so rudely slapped awake from. Â Sorry, boys. Â I laugh again just thinking about it.
So, how funny that a friend of mine now stars in the 2017 Maserati Ghibli commercial that was just released this week.  He’s the driver….and he could convince me to buy a Maserati any day. My boys remind me of the young boy in this commercial….car enthusiasts that they are. Maybe you remember the video of them sprinting from car to car at the New England Auto Show in a state-of-the-art electronics, leather and shiny chrome induced frenzy….in their own need for speed. While they’ve never met Andrea, they think he’s super cool.  His cool status increased exponentially when he purchased a Cape Ann Youth Hockey cash calendar all the way from Italy….so, he’s a good guy too.  Same guy, in fact, that started One Love Unified….a clothing company with quite a mission that, “believes in the power of youthful optimism- random acts of kindness and individual responsibility to change the world. Our philosophy is to contribute to the betterment of humankind, and to co-exist with all living creatures. At our core essence, we believe in showing love for one another, the community, and the environment. OLU is committed to the fulfillment of this vision- a world free from violence, where all living creatures live harmoniously with one another.”
While the snow came later than expected, a full-blown winter storm was definitely in the air. We took a little tour of Rockport from Old Garden Beach, to Bearskin Neck, to Long Beach, and down Eden Road just before the storm blew in. Â As we were driving home, the snow began to come down fast and furious.
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Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Festival – Feb. 10 through Feb. 12, 2017!
Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Destination Salem, and local retailers, restaurants, and businesses invite you to attend the 15th annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival. A decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping…don’t miss Salem’s sweetest event of the year!
Tickets are $13.50 for adults and $8.50 for children
KAREN K. & THE JITTERBUGS
9:30 Valentine Making
10:30 Show
Enjoy a special Valentine’s Day concert with Karen K and her imaginary friends, the Jitterbugs: Bumble (the bee who doesn’t like to sting), Stinky (loves playing outside, refuses baths), Hop (working on his patience and self control) and Slug Bug (he needs a LOT of naps). Named “Best Kindie Band in Greater Boston 2016” by Mommy Poppins (41,000 votes), Karen and her band were also called “power pop that makes them fun for the whole family” by The Boston Globe!
Before the show, join your child in making a Valentine for a “Community Helper” from your town! We’ll have all the makings for Valentines, plus mailboxes for the staff at PAWS New England, the local Fire and Police Departments, Public Works and more.
Pick #3: Â CAM Kids: Be Mine, Valentine at the Cape Ann Museum
Families are invited to take a look at Victorian Valentines from the Museum’s collection and create a variety of cut paper cards. This event is free for families.
So with a predicted blizzard on the way I’m not quite sure, but all and all I think this looks like a pretty fun way to do something new in the city.
The Lookout Rooftop bar at the Seaport’s Envoy Hotel is drawing some attention with its new “igloos” on the Roof…hence the IGLOOkout Bar.
Winter chill? Snow in the forecast? No problem, here at The Envoy.
Enjoy a few cocktails at the Igloos on Lookout Rooftop & Bar, starting Thursday February 9th, 4pm-10pm. Open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays ONLY. No Reservations, only first come, first serve! Igloos are heated and lit!
Nonmembers can join today during checkout and take immediate advantage of member prices.
Have you ever wanted to try snowshoeing but didn’t know where to start? Are you looking for a way to spend some time with your family outside this winter? Join us for a leisurely snowshoe hike through our sanctuary. Along the way, we will search for animal tracks and keep our eyes open for wildlife. If you’d like to join us and don’t own snowshoes, we’ll provide them for you. Snow or no, we will enjoy a wonderful winter hike and end with some hot chocolate to warm up!
Pick #3: Â Patriots Weekend at LegoLand Somerville
Show your New England Patriots pride this weekend and save! Visit LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Boston wearing your Pats gear this Saturday and Sunday and you can get $5.00 off your walk-up admission ticket!
So….two things. Â First of all, I was excited to read today that Cape Ann Harbor Tours will be offering a new trip in their repertoire of already fun trips for tourists and locals alike. Â Their new trip is called the “Annisquam River Trip.”
On this leisurely 2 hour journey, you will cruise along and view the barrier beaches, clam flats and tidal tributaries. Take in the unique waterscapes and experience first-hand a widely recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) featuring Herons, Egrets, Cormorants, Sandpipers, and Gulls.
We’ve spent lots of time on the King Eider and the Lady Jillian as a family, with friends, while playing tour guide and with school groups. Â My favorite nights with Harbor Tours have been when we charter the boat with a group of friends, bring some finger sandwiches and sushi, pack our coolers, play some music, and cruise around the harbor with Capt. Douglass at the helm filling us in on local lore and fishing industry facts.
And THAT…takes me to my next point…
Have you ever wanted to help out a charitable organization, but either didn’t know how (short of writing a check) or honestly didn’t feel as though you were in the position to part with enough funds to make a difference? Â Well, first of all, we know that ANY amount is appreciated by all charities, but….that having been said…here’s another idea for you…
Earlier this month I called Cape Ann Harbor Tours and, along with three other friends, booked one of their vessels for a 2.5 hour trip in May. Â The four of us split the price of the trip equally. Â We then offered the boat excursion up to friends, families, and co-workers. Â The money raised via the 25 tickets sold will go directly to the charity of our choice…which, in this case, is the school where we all work and that our children attend. Â So, for a reasonable amount of money, the four of us offered up the boat (our donation to the school), 25 other people purchased tickets (their donation to the school), and…in the end…we all get a super fun night out with friends, on the water, doing what we love….and the school gets a pretty sweet sized donation. Â Win, win, win….win. Â Right?
This same scenario could be translated to any charitable organization or cause. Â You and few friends decide who you would like to benefit, gather your friends and have them spend a little bit of money to hang out with you on the water, and Ka Bam, instant party and money raised!
I’m excited that this will be one of our first fun nights out when the winter weather turns to spring, I’m excited to raise some money for our school, and I’m excited to support Cape Ann Harbor Tours with a charter at the very beginning of their season.
Photos both courtesy of Cape Ann Harbor Tours website
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If you are looking for great options for your children for this coming summer, you should make a point to visit the Kestrel Summer Program Fair this weekend! Several local organizations will be on site to educate you about their summer program offerings to help you piece together the perfect summer fit for your family’s needs.
Sunday at 2:30 at the Kestrel Get Outside Center at 186 Main Street in Gloucester.
WINTER FESTIVAL 2017
January 25 – February 5, 2017
 This year, the young company presents four fantastic Winter Festival shows! Family-friendly The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Junior takes us on an incredible adventure all across the globe, while The Emperor’s New Clothes teaches us to open our eyes to what’s right in front of us! Mary Poppins uses magic, common sense, and a spoonful of sugar to teach the entire Banks family to value one another. Lastly, the dark and edgy Sweeney Todd shows us just how far some will go for those they love.
This audition-based program for students in grades 1-12 culminates in performances on Stoneham Theatre’s stage. Anyone can audition, and free workshops prepare seasoned actors and newbies alike!
Student matinees available. Please contact Carol Dempsey, Director of Sales, carol@stonehamtheatre.org or
781-587-7905 for more information.
The Harvard Square Business Association is excited to announce the highly anticipated 9th Annual Chocolate Festival. For three days, Harvard Square establishments pull out all the stops to celebrate all things chocolate! Harvard Square restaurants will feature chocolate appetizers, entrees, desserts, cocktails, cordials and nightcaps while Harvard Square retailers will dazzle you scrumptious chocolate specials and deals.
When you’ve had your fill of chocolate, take a jaunt through Harvard Yard to the Museum of Natural History. Visit the famed Glass Flowers gallery where realistic hand-crafted glass models of Cacao, as well as cashew nuts, mango, pineapple, and other edible plants are on display.
I have meaning to get over to Magnolia to visit the studio of Rusty & Ingrid Creative Company since purchasing some of their artwork at City Hall Plaza’s “Boston Winter” back in December. I have yet to do so, but wanted to give a shout out to their amazing work now anyway. Â If I’m being honest, I didn’t realize when I first started to look through their shop for some holiday gifts that Rusty & Ingrid actually calls Gloucester/Magnolia home. Â I was poking around and picking out some prints when I overheard someone mention that their studio was located on Cape Ann. Â How have I missed that? Â Their artwork is gorgeous! Of course, and I should have know, upon conducting some research, both Donna and Joey have done numerous posts here on GMG about the phenomenal art that this talented duo creates…and their super cute kids.
While the boys were skating at #BostonWinter that afternoon I quickly purchased a print of Brant Point, Nantucket for my own home (that’s where we got engaged) and a print of Martha’s Vineyard for my mom…who visits there often. Â I really wanted, however, to also buy the print of Fenway’s Green Monster and at least ten of the prints depicting many of my favorite haunts of both Gloucester and Rockport…including, of course, Thacher’s Island for Thatcher. Â I also texted photos of a print of Lake Winnipesaukee to a friend who owns a home up there….and several of their ski destination prints to friends who frequent various mountains. I would totally decorate a beach cottage or ski lodge with a large series of these….if I had one to decorate.
If you haven’t seen their work, take a peek at their website in the link below. Â I’m in love with their work…but also that they are local and make magic happen as a small, family run business.
Good Morning Gloucester 