Category: Chickity check it!

SAVE THE DATE SAT DEC 21: Cape Ann Winter Solstice Fundraiser for UU Meetinghouse

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Vickie and I are honored to announce a gimmeLIVE concert series beginning on the Winter Solstice, Saturday, December 21, 2013 to help the Gloucester UU Church raise money for Meetinghouse restoration, with the goal being that the Meetinghouse becomes one of Gloucester’s premier concert and performance venues. 

This is one of our City’s most cherished landmarks, it’s lantern steeple with a bell crafted by Paul Revere having guided mariners into port for over 200 years.  The acoustics are excellent and the Meetinghouse currently seats about 300 people.  One major goal is to renovate the balcony, which will increase capacity to 525.  More restoration info here.

We will feature top Gloucester talent in this very special holiday concert:

SavetheDate600Stay tuned to GMG for more details.  You know FOBs will hear it first!

Throwback Thursday: “You Gotta Love Him!”

Posted on by capeannpainter

My contribution for Throwback Thursday.

I did this post below back in February 2010. I used to bust Joey’s Balls a lot back when I first started Posting for GMG. I used to wait until Late at Night or when Joey went on his Winter vacations. GMG was a little different back then. I think I quit GMG Three times my first year after Joey started censoring my posts and comments that the “readers” might find offensive. What a kill joy. Well stay tuned. Joey’s vacation times start in about a month.

 

You Gotta Love Him!

No Matter What He’s Doing,

Joey’s Always Working Hard To Bring You Great Content!

Thanks Joey!

Congratulations Savour Wine and Cheese on the Tremendous Success of Your First Annual Wine Tasting!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Savour Wine and Cheese ©Kim Smith 2013Savour Wine and Cheese’s First Annual Wine and Beer Fall Tasting Event was a phenomenal success. When I stopped by to take some snapshots at 3:30 there must have been 150 people and this was after the peak!Savour Wine and Cheese -3 ©Kim Smith 2013.

This just in from Kathleen as I am writing the post–if it was too chaotic when you stopped by to pick up your order, Savour is extending the tasting discounts through the week (10% off 6 mixed wines or beer and 15% off 12 or more mixed wines and beers).

Savour Wine and Cheese -4 ©Kim Smith 2013.Correction–there were closer to 200 people at the event, from as far away as Boston, Stoneham, and New Hampshire. It was Savour’s Best Day Ever and the event was only three hours long! Congratulations Kathleen, Bob, Matt, John, and Team Savour for much deserved success!!!

Savour Wine and Cheese -8 ©Kim Smith 2013. copy

Savour Wine and Cheese -5 ©Kim Smith 2013.Savour Wine and Cheese Nora ©Kim Smith 2013. copySavour Wine and Cheese -6 ©Kim Smith 2013.Savour Wine and Cheese -8 ©Kim Smith 2013.Don’t you think Kathleen and Bob look like newlyweeds?

Chickity Check It! – GMG Nominated For New England’s Best Something or Other

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Here’s the link-

The Boston Artists’ Life on a Dime -An Online Newspaper

“New England’s Best” Nominee – Captain Joey and GoodMorningGloucester

Fun City Baby- Gloucester That Is.

Ken Duckworth Hosts Alan Watts Book Discussion

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Ken Duckworth -2 ©Kim Smith 2013Ken Duckworth and Michelle Anderson

Ken Duckworth spoke before a packed house Sunday evening for the last event of the season of The Writers Book Club, which featured The Book: On the Taboo of Knowing Who You Are, written by the philosopher Alan Watts.

Duckworth's oysters ©Kim Smith 2013The Writer’s Book Club events are co-hosted by Eastern Point Lit House and Duckworth’s Bistrot.  Every seat in the restaurant was filled, and I understand that the house could have been sold three times over. I hope Ken will lead another discussion in the future and perhaps it will be held at a larger venue so more can meet this wryly humorous and engaging side of Ken.

Ken Duckworth -3 ©Kim Smith 2013We have all come to appreciate Ken for his extraordinary talents as the star chef that he is, and it was equally as enjoyable to listen to him share about a philosopher for whom he cares so deeply and passionately. I am very inspired to read The Book by Alan Watts and hope I can locate a copy before my train ride to NYC this Thursday!

Chris Anderson ©Kim Smith 2013Chris Anderson, Eastern Point Lit House Co-founder

To date, this is the second Writers Book Club event that I have attended and I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed the beautiful dinners, the speakers (Ken and Steve Almond), fellow guests, and the warm and welcoming hospitality of hosts Ken, Chris, Michelle, Nicole, and Jenn.  Thank you Duckworth’s and Eastern Point Lit House!!! Best wishes for an equally successful season of events this coming year!

Michelle Anderson Ken Duckworth ©Kim Smith 2013Michelle and Ken

The Writer’s Book Club is taking a little break during the holidays, but they are already planning a wonderful lineup of exciting speakers and authors for the 2014 season.

©Kim Smith 2013Sunday afternoon I had the pleasure to attend not one, but two fantastic local events. Rather than cramming both into one post, tomorrow I’ll share about the Savour Wine and Cheese’s First Annual Wine and Beer Tasting event.

Ken Duckpwrth -4 ©Kim Smith 2013

Filming in very low light with the Fujifilm X-E1 at ISO 12,000–even so, the Fuji powers on! 

Check out my first post for the Essex County Greenbelt!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Milkweed Eastern PointMilkweed Patch at Eastern Point Lighthouse

Rockporter Patricia Mandell, who helps the Essex County Greenbelt by volunteering for Mary Williamson, Director of Communications, suggested to Mary that perhaps Greenbelt would be interested in reblogging the posts that I write for my blog, Kim Smith Designs, and for GMG; posts that are relative to the Cape Ann ecology. You have read my “World’s Easiest Method of Propagating Milkweed” here on GMG and can now find it on the Greenbelt blog. Check out Greenbelt’s blog and website for a comprehensive view of who they are and of all the good they accomplish, their properties, maps, projects, and events.

‘Don’t Yuck on My Yum’: A Mantra for the Table, and Beyond From John Sarrouf

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

John Sarrouf
Director

submits-

‘Don’t Yuck on My Yum’: A Mantra for the Table, and Beyond

Posted on: November 8th, 2013 by John

Sessa2

To make dinner as nag-free as we can, my family follows few rules at our table. But one rule I insist upon is something I learned from a fourth grader as part of the Family Dinner Project’s lunch mentors program with the Lynn, Massachusetts Public Schools.

Don’t Yuck on my Yum.

For the entire blog post click here

Manchester by the Shop – Central Street Gallery

Posted on by Lowell Peabody
11 Central Street

Located at 11 Central Street in Manchester, the Central Street Gallery is an artists cooperative. Gallery Director Alison Rowell says that they have about 14 members who each rent wall space in the gallery which starts off at a width of approximately 73″. The artists can hang as many paintings as are practical.

The focus of the gallery is a traditional Plein Aire style with the paintings set in gold frames. There are some deviations on the theme providing  some different styles though the general style for paintings is still life and landscapes.

Each member of the Gallery agrees to rent space and also to paint 5-6 new paintings every two months which they deliver framed and ready for hanging. The Gallery presents six shows each year so the collection of paintings is changing every two months. To give each artist equal opportunity to the better display areas on the walls, every two months each artist rotates their space three wall spaces, guaranteeing each artist equal time in the front window.

Central Street Gallery is celebrating their fifth year at 11 Central Street and will be starting their next show with an opening night reception on December 7th. This show will focus on smaller works from the artists.

In addition to the Gallery there is a website (www.central street gallery.com) where more of each artist’s works are shown.

The artists are generally local with a number living in Manchester and Gloucester. Central Street Gallery is a great place to support local artists and is clearly a place to check out.

Rick Doucette Just Turned Me On To The Dollar Shave Club

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

In light of my recent shaving disaster I’m taking my boy Rick Doucette’ (among other people’s) advice.  Literally 7 different people emailed me today telling me how much they dig the dollar saving club service.

Rick Says These Razors Are Great and They Ship You 4 New Blades Each Month for $6 Including Shipping and Handling.

image

What a handsome son of a gun the Rick Doucette is.

So for $72 a year I’ll get 48 Blades.  Way Less Than Gillette razors for the same quality shave.  I get to toss the blades once a week and use a fresshie.  They give you a free handle and if you don’t like the razors you simply quit without any obligation.  No Brainer city baby.

I ordered the middle of the line razors-

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From the site-

How it Works

Are you ready to join the ranks of our enlightened membership?

Dollar Shave Club couldn’t be simpler. Select one of our great
razors, pay one low monthly fee, and we send ’em right to your
door. No more over-paying for fancy brand name shave tech.
No more forgetting to buy your blades.

Don’t be the dope like me that goes for the cheapo generic brand ones and cut the heck out of your face-

cuts

It’s $6 including shipping and handling.  Cheaper than any package of Gillette razors you can buy.  The Gillette comparable blades cost over $3 per blade.  I don’t see much risk in trying it out especially with the recommendation from Rick Doucette.

So if you want to try it out like me here’s the website-

Dollar Shave Club

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FWIW I’m trying the wipes too. Nothing but the best for my butthole is what I always say.

Manchester by the Shop – Mimi

Posted on by Lowell Peabody
19 Central Street
The Man Cave on the left..

Mimi is an artist driven gift, jewelry and fine art store located at 19 Central Street in Manchester. It was started in Ipswich in the summer of 2007 with locations in Ipswich and a bit later Manchester. Having closed the Ipswich store about three years ago Manchester has become their flagship store.

Co-founders Mia Nehme and her daughter Claudia Bowman say that they search for gifts and fine art that are made or designed by artists, and they feature the work of several local painters and artisan gifts. In addition they carry glassware, silverware, scarfs, by several vendors including Ekelund, Simon Pearce, Le Jaquard Francais, Mariposa and more. Then there is an extensive selection of jewelry.

In the having something for everyone department, Mimi has gifts from $10.oo on up, Yankee Swap gifts to art work and gifts for very special occasions.  For men they have created a “Man Cave” at the back of the store where they sell primarily shaving and smoking items.(Actually the “Cave” is a nice display case).  They have a jewelry selection with pieces from various local artists. Aron Leaman of Gloucester, a artist who works in glass produced a number of glass globes with actual Singing Beach Sand inside. Mia highlights this to say that because they deal directly with many of the artists special orders even with design changes on some items can be requested.

From time to time Mimi holds special events in which their customers are invited to hear from, see and learn about particular vendors or artists work.

Mimi’s website is at http://www.mimigiftgallery.com, the store is at 19 Central Street just across the street from the Town Hall.  Check them out!

Reminder: Ken Duckworth Hosts the Writer’s Book Club on Sunday November 17th

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Ken Duckworth ©Kim Smith 2013Ken Duckworth is not only preparing an array of seasonal appetizers, he is also leading the discussion!

Eastern Point Lit House Fall Book Club Calendar

November 17: Ken Duckworth leads a discussion of The Book by Alan Watts. SOLD OUT

Ken Duckworth is the award-winning executive chef of Duckworth’s Bistro, where he focuses on local, seasonal ingredients that supports local industry. Following his passion for all things food, he honed his culinary skills at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa and The Cloister in Georgia. He has been our gracious host for this series and we are so pleased to have him leading our last discussion of the year.

 

Manchester by the Shop – Surfari

Posted on by Lowell Peabody
26 Central Street
Christian del Rosario

As a start to a series highlighting local shops in Manchester, Christian del Rosario at Surfari agreed to be the first victim!

I have wondered for some time, how is it a surf shop can survive in New England, let alone Manchester by the Sea.  What I have been learning is the incredible appeal of SUP or Stand Up Paddle boarding.  As Christian says paddle boards have become the bicycles of water enthusiasts who can purchase racing models, cruising models and boards built for beginners. Manchester with it’s relatively flat waters, islands to visit and proximity to lakes has been perfect. The chances to exercise, explore hard to reach places, enjoy touring and for some explore yoga on a board and even fish are all around Manchester. Taken to the extreme there are organized races and SUP has even started to appear in rivers running rapids!

The surf market is also strong in the area and Christian says that the season is getting underway now. Storm waves that surfers pray for are stronger in the winter months and the season really extends from October to April.

Surfari sells surf boards, paddle boards, shoes, clothing, beach wear, water sport accessories, sunglasses and gifts. Many items are perfect as boating accessories as well.  Boards can be rented and lessons can be scheduled. They have sun shirts (AKA “Rash guards” for those on boards), and other sun protection items. They also have cold weather equipment for those surfers braving the ocean at this time of year.

In addition to lessons and working with the Manchester Parks and Recreation department, Surfari provides programs for adults and children from May to October. Anyone, not just Manchester residents, can participate in these programs so there are many ways to learn and enjoy SUP boarding.

Christian, his wife Nicole and two daughters have returned to Christian’s home town of Manchester after 13 years away. He has specialized in surfing and paddle boards and most recently was in Nantucket where he sold boards and provided lessons. Opening a retail store in Manchester looked like a great opportunity to expand from selling boards to clothing, accessories and all the other items they now sell.

Surfari is located at 26 Central Street in Manchester. Their website is http://www.standuppaddlesurfari.com . Stop in and say “Hi” to Christian and Nicole.

Festival of the Trees Manchester November 29th

Posted on by Lowell Peabody

A newly formed group made up of downtown merchants in Manchester have formed the Manchester Mercantile. In order to promote the Christmas season, create a festive atmosphere and plant the seed to think locally when shopping, they are organizing the first Festival of the Trees hoping to make this an annual event.

The plan is to decorate 24 8 foot tall Evergreens on the Town Hall Common. Groups (Hornet sports teams, a Middle School art class or make up a group) will be provided a tree and a string of white lights. The rest of the decorations are left to the imagination of the groups and individuals decorating.

Trees will be set up for decorating which will take place between November 29th and December 7th. The number of trees is limited so people are encouraged to sign up early.

For specific guidelines and sign-up sheets contact Nicole DelRosario at Surfari (978) 704-9051 or email info@supsafari.com.

Snapshots of Korea Today from Korean War Veteran Dave Moore

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns
3184061 Chinhae Cherry Blossom time the mountain overlooking the city quite a few steps up
Chinhae Cherry Blossom time the mountain overlooking the city quite a few steps up

Good Morning Gloucester FOB and Korean War veteran Dave Moore forwarded all these photos. Dave grew up in Lanesville and lives with his wife Kim at the Osan Air Base in South Korea.

Dave thought fellow Korean War veterans would be interested in snapshots of Korea today. I believe Dave was in the Air Force and perhaps he can tell us more about his service. Thanks Dave for sharing the photos.

Turtle Ship old with Rok Navy New In Background
Turtle Ship old with Rok Navy New In Background
I walk by this place in moutains on my hikes about 2 1-2 hours round trip
I walk by this place in moutains on my hikes about 2 1-2 hours round trip
Old Korean Won
Old Korean Won
Chinhae Admiral Yi Staute
Chinhae Admiral Yi Staute
Korean Security toward North border Paju Close to DMZ
Korean Security toward North border Paju Close to DMZ
Korea Times
Korea Times

Big Mike’s Bikes Blowin Up!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Hey Joey!

Just wanted to let you and the GMG readers know we’re moving to a bigger space! We had NO IDEA we would get this popular, and we are running out of space here on Maplewood. We’re moving to the former Junque & Disorderly spot at 57 Washington, next to Tacos Lupita and Sclafani’s. It provides us with storage space for all our trade-ins and purchases, and no more tripping on bikes! We should be open the week of Thanksgiving so we will be all set for Christmas season. 

We recently started selling Redline BMX bikes in addition to being a new Jamis dealer, and new 2014 models are reasonably priced Christmas gifts for boys and girls! Now we can have a space to actually display them! 

HUGE thanks to you and all the GMG contributors and readers for the support we’ve gotten since we opened a few years ago. We knew Gloucester needed a bike shop, but we didn’t realize how much support Gloucester gives to local business! 

Kathleen T

Big Mike’s Smaller Half