Monarch Butterfly Migration Through Gloucester Reader Question

GMG Reader Becky Edleman writes:

“Hello! I was emailing you to inquire about the monarch butterfly migration that comes through Gloucester. I recently moved to MA and was told that the butterflies migrate through that area, but have found little evidence as to when this usually occurs. After doing some googling I came across your website discussing the migrating monarchs many times. If you have any information for me as to when I should plan to come up and where to go I would really appreciate it! I love reading your articles and am eager to find out more about the migration pattern! Thank you!”

Monarch Awakening ç Kim Smith 2012

Hi Becky ~ Thanks for writing and wonderful to know you found us through a Google search! The Monarch Butterfly migration through our region is not an exact science. The “when” of the migration depends on may variables including the success of their breeding during July and August, air temperature, and wind flow. When I look back through my records, I would say, generally speaking, we have the greatest number of Monarchs migrating though Gloucester beginning around the second week of September through October 1st. The butterflies are are found in  gardens and wildflower fields and meadows throughout our region. You can often see clusters near the Eastern Point Lighthouse.

Do you have space for a garden? If so, and you would like to attract the migating Monarchs to your garden, plant nectar-rich flowers that are in bloom during their migration. Seaside Goldenrod, New England Aster, and Smooth  Aster are just three gorgeous Massachusetts native wildflowers that will attract the Monarchs to your garden.

I hope you’ll stop by the dock and get a GMG sticker when you are visiting!

Grand Opening of Mary Rose Vintage Designs on Main Street

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Hi Joey-

I think people may be interested in learning about a beautiful and interesting new shop named Mary Rose Vintage Design,located at 269 Main Street in Gloucester.

My son Evan ( his pictures) and I completely enjoyed ourselves at the grand opening this past Sunday.

Just step through the front door and you will instantly feel just how lovely the owner, Jackie Colussi (pictured here) is by the warmth and heart she has put into the design of her shop.

You will find that she certainly has a talent for finding unique objects with distinctive character.

Do yourself a favor and check it out!

Best,

Janet(Rice)and Evan(Shay)

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GMG Twitterati Report 7/10/13

Rob Newton Interview: Lawrence Blume, Director, “Tiger Eyes”

Award winning and best selling author Judy Blume is appearing tonight at Cape Ann Community Cinema. See for more information see: Judy Blume at Cape Ann Community Cinema Monday Night!!!

Since her first novel was published in 1969, Judy Blume has written nearly thirty more books, appealing to children (“Freckle Juice”), teens (“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.”), and adults (“Summer Sisters”) and varying widely in the topics she so smartly covered with them. However, none has made the trip to the big screen, until now. Blume’s 1981 novel “Tiger Eyes,” about a teenage girl named Davey who is transplanted into a New Mexico mountain town after the sudden loss of her father, is the first, and is now in theaters. But why such a long wait for a Judy Blume movie, and why this one, and why now? Lawrence Blume, Judy’s son––and the director of the film––had some answers to these and other questions that her legions of fans want to know.

“Many producers have pondered adapting ‘Tiger Eyes’ over the years,” the junior Blume told North Shore Movies. “There were some false starts, and some things that didn’t work out.”

If things had worked out, Blume may not have been able to realize his dual dreams of adapting the book himself (he read all of them either in process or as they were released) and working with his mother on producing that adaptation.

“Making a film out of the book is something I’ve wanted to do since I read it in high school,” Blume says of the project. “The timing is perfect, and the deal was hard to resist. Yes, we had to make-do with a tiny budget [from a European producer] and just 23 days in which to shoot, but we had full creative control.”

For some, working on such an important project with one’s mother would be a situation far from ideal, but for Blume, it was just the opposite.

“The collaboration was joyful,” he says. “She is an unbelievably fertile artist, and it was amazing to have her to collaborate with. She was with me for nearly every shot, next to me in the director’s chair. It was incredible to be able to turn to her after a shot and say ‘This is the direction I’m going with Willa [Holland, who plays Davey], to have her there, saying ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or ‘you are going off the rails.’ Directing is lonely, so to have someone who knows the story as intimately or more so was great.”

To read Rob Newton’s full interview from online NorthSHoreMovies ~

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Just Added To Gloucester Things Pop-Up Store- White and Pink GMG T-Shirts

Here’s a link to the storefront- http://gmg.storenvy.com/

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Very limited quantities of each item.

Two Black With Black Mesh Back Caps left.

There’s 1 XL Pink, 2 L Pink, 1 Med Pink, 2XL White. 1 S White- All T-Shirts are free shipping for a limited time.

In addition  there are Dinner Dealer Decks, Ron Gilson’s An Island No More, and my This Is Gloucester DVD

Judy Blume at Cape Ann Community Cinema Monday Night!!!

Judy Blume, award winning and best selling author (Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret) is appearing Monday night at Cape Ann Community Cinema to introduce Tiger Eyes, followed by a Q & A.

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Have you checked out our plans to upgrade upon the successful completion of our Indiegogo campaign? With 2 weeks to go, we have reached 25% of our $30,000 goal, and we really need your help in getting the rest of the way. We are not rich Hollywood stars who would rather tap their fans than reach into their own pockets to see a project through. We are just crazy kids with a dream, one which we hope you are enjoying, too. Check out what we’re raising money for, and how you can help. Your donation to this essential campaign is tax-deductible, and we have a dozen different thank-you gifts, ranging from bumper stickers to private movie parties to complimentary admission to the Cinema for a whole year. The full menu of premiums is listed on our Indiegogo page. This campaign ends July 22nd, and if we reach our goal, we can be up-and-running with the new gear just after Labor Day.

Again, the full inventory of our needs and plans can be found onour Indiegogo page. This campaign ends on July 22nd.

If you haven’t bought your tickets to see best-selling author Judy Blume come present “Tiger Eyes” (the first big-screen adaptation of one of her books) on Monday, July 8th at 7:30pm, please do it soon. She will host a Q&A after the movie. You can read my interview with her son, Lawrence (the film’s writer, director, and producer) here. Order your tickets (while we still have some) atwww.CapeAnnCinema.com.

Thanks again––and see you at the movies!

Rob Newton
Creative Director
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GMG Local Twitterati Report 7/7/13

North Coast Angler Fishing Report 7/5/13

Fishing Report: 7-5-2013

I only got out fishing just one morning this past week (at Plum Island) so I don’t have a whole lot of intel to pass along. This is what I do know;
The Cape Ann fishing is settling in to its usual summer pattern with the best bite happening in the mornings. Gloucester Harbor continues to fish fairly good along the various beaches and a few anglers are taking some big fish outside the harbor at the Woe and groaner. Best bait continues to be live mac’s. Some big blues are also in the mix here and there but not big numbers as yet. Steve P and Brianmoc reported spotty action around fishtown and at Rockport, however Brian and buds had a few good mornings at Crane with one big striper pushing the tape beyond 45 inches. So plan on shifting gears to full on summer pattern; mornings with live bait or tossing plugs at the beaches.

The Merrimack and Joppa are running really stained and foul as last week’s torrents are flowing brown on the flats and at the mouth. We did manage a few dinks on the flats Tuesday but had our best luck running and gunning the beachfront with topwaters. A few guys were taking some quality fish drifting live or dead mac’s on the dropping tide at the mouth. I have also heard that the night shift anglers are starting to get some action at the tide top drifting eels on Joppa. So indeed the summer pattern is taking shape there as well. That’s all I got!


Dave B with a quality striper taken using a topwater


Matching the hatch with the abundant sandeels

To book a fishing guide expedition with Captain Skip-

Capt. Skip Montello
(508)395-5871 Rockport

Bookmark The North Coast Angler Fishing Report Direct Here-

http://www.northcoastangler.com/

Critics say Gloucester Stage’s “Spring Awakening” is Better than Broadway

Eric Engel photo: GDT

The thing about risk is that when it pays off, you end up with something far better than what you would have gotten had you gone the safe route and avoided the risk altogether.  But risk is scary and losing really sucks, so most people avoid it.

Last week, in this post, I congratulated Eric Engel and the Gloucester Stage Board for taking the risk to open their season with the controversial Broadway musical, Spring Awakening (the original play was banned), by saying that Eric had brought Broadway to Gloucester.

Well, as it turns out, Eric’s direction and the cast’s performances are so good that reviewers are proclaiming Gloucester Stage’s production BETTER THAN BROADWAY!  Check these out:

Now you can reap the reward of Eric’s risk without having to take any risk yourself!  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that you only have another week to see this groundbreaking show.  So don’t delay.  Get tickets NOW, before anybody else reads these reviews and the rest of the shows sell out out and all you can do is kick yourself.

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Video – 2013 Sunday Greasy Pole Walking for Loved Ones and Former Champs

Nicky Avelis Walking for Loved Ones

Nicky Avelis captures the flag for the third year in a row. Avelis dedicated his win to family friend and St. Peter’s Fiesta legend Sleepy Pallazolla.

Congratulations Nicky!

I love filming this event for several reasons; to capture the camaraderie and the hilarity, and mostly because of the the true grit and determined spirits of the Greasy Pole Walkers. It takes tremendous courage to walk and to keep trying. To all the Greasy Pole Walkers–may you all experience the glory of a win!

Update: Dinner Dealer Decks New In The Gloucester Things Pop-Up Store – Blue W/White Mesh GMG Caps Sold Out- 4 Black With Black Mesh Left

Check It Out Here-Gloucester Things Pop-Up Store

I’ve written before about how much I’ve saved using my Dinner Dealer Deck.  It’s one of those No-Brainer things unless you don’t like saving money.

For $19.50 you get over $300 in restaurant savings. Basically once you use two of the cards in the deck you’ve in the green.  I’ve used mine at Lat 43 and The Farm.  I still have Duckworth, Alchemy and Cape Ann Brewing,Willow Rest, 15 Walnut and a ton of other Beverly, Manchester, Essex, , all over the North Shore spots to use the other cards in the deck.  It’s not a question if all those cards get used, it’s a fact because I go to all those joints during the course of the year.  So if you hate money, don’t buy one.

if you only used the one for Cape Ann Brewing you’d already be in the green.

If you do like saving money click here to get yours

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Towns with coupons

Beverly, Byfield, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lynn, Manchester, Marblehead, Middleton, Newburyport, Peabody, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wenham.

15 Walnut • $10 off
9 Elm American Bistro • $5 off
Alchemy Tapas and Bistro • $10 off
The American BBQ • $10 off
Antique Table • $5 off
The Boston Hot Dog Co. • $5 off
Brown Sugar by the Sea • $5 off
Cala’s Restaurant • $10 off
Caffe Paolina • $5 off
Cape Ann Brewing Co. • $20 off
Christopher’s Table • $5 off
Daily Harvest Café • $10 off
Duckworth’s Bistrot • $10 off
Essen • $5 off
The Farm Bar & Grill • $5 off
Henderson’s Café • $5 off
Ithaki • $20 off
Joey D’s Italian Grill • $5 off
The Landing at 7 Central • $10 off
Latitude 43 • $10 off
Le Bistro Café & Grille • $5 off
Maggie’s Farm Restaurant • $10 off
Main Street Market • $5 off
Maki Sushi Bar & Grill • $5 off
Maple Street Tavern • $5 off
Marino’s Café • $5 off
Nate’s at Front Beach • $10 off
North End Café • $20 off
Oregano’s Ristorante • $10 off
The Organic Garden Café • $10 off
Parker River Pub and Grille • $10 off
Riverside Bistro • $10 off
Rolly’s Tavern on the Square • $5 off
Scratch Kitchen • $5 off
Stone Soup Café • $5 off
Stonewood Tavern • $10 off
Tatiana’s Restaurant & Lounge • $5 off
Vic’s Boathouse • $5 off
Victoria’s Station • $5 off
Vidalia’s Market • $5 off
Willow Rest • $10 off
Whoo(pie) Wagon • Free Whoopie Pie

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There are 0 Navy with White Mesh Baseball Caps Left  and 4 Black with Black Mesh GMG Caps Left For Pre-Order.

Quick answers to questions we’ve been getting about tonight’s parade, fireworks, concert & laser light show

Over the past couple of days, Vickie and I have answered a number of questions from people calling about tonight’s festivities.  I figure that for everyone who calls there are several others who have the same question but don’t call, so here are some answers:

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GO TO THE CONCERT?
NOTHING.  It’s Free.

CAN WE PARK AT THE HIGH SCHOOL?
NO.  At least not according to this article in the Gloucester Daily Times.  “Because construction crews have blocked off part of the school’s parking lot due to Newell Stadium construction …”

WHAT TIME IS THE CONCERT, PARADE, FIREWORKS, LASER LIGHT SHOW — AND WHO’S PERFORMING?
5:00 Roots 66 Kicks off the Music
6:00 Horribles Parade
7:00 Cape Ann Big Band & Runaround
9:30 Fireworks
10:00 Laser Light Show
Then dance and party under the stars and lasers ’till 11pm.  Horribles Parade Winners will be announced from the Concert Stage at some time after the fireworks.  All times (except fireworks) are approximate and may change based on the parade.  (See more details here.)

WHAT IS THE PARADE ROUTE?
Here’s an excerpt from today’s Glocuester Daily Times:
“beginning at Gloucester High School. Parade runs from GHS down Centennial Avenue, up Western Avenue to Tally’s Corner, then down Rogers Street before turning left on Manuel Lewis Street. Parade then runs up Main Street to Pleasant, up Pleasant to Prospect, and then turns left on Prospect, right onto Railroad Avenue, right onto Washington Street, and left on Centennial back to GHS.”
See the full Glocuester Daily Times article, here.

WILL THERE BE FOOD?
YES.  Vendors will be on the Boulevard and Gloucester boasts some of the best restaurants north of Boston.  See a list of Gloucester restaurants here.

WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO SEE THE FIREWORKS?
That depends on how close you like to be.  For an intense fireworks-emersion experience, my favorite spot is the path that runs along the harbor at Stage Fort Park.  If you’re on the Boulevard facing west, just walk toward Stage Fort Park (see map) on the sidewalk that is as close to the water as possible and stay close to the water.  You’ll end up on a fairly dark path right under where the fireworks are shot off.  It’s loud, brilliant and awesome!

Now, if you want a more communal experience, the best place is on the Boulevard near the concert stage (see map here).  The view is perfect and you get to oohh and aahhh and cheer with lots of other fireworks fans.  Plus you’ll be in a perfect spot to catch the laser light show that immediately follows the fireworks.

Let’s have some fun tonight!

GMG Local Twitterati Report 7/3/13

GMG Local Twitterati Report 7/2/13

GMG Stats and Top Ten Posts- Monday July 1st,2013 83,137 Views- Past 30 Days 1,702,455 views- All Time Views 37,090,143

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For The Past 30 Days-1,702,455 views

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Since The Beginning- 37,090,143 views

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Greg Cook Fiesta Photos At THEARTERY ON WBUR

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Hi, y’all,

Here are highlights of my photos of this year’s St. Peter’s Fiesta:

http://artery.wbur.org/2013/07/01/st-peter-fiesta

Some of my photos from last year are here:

http://gregcookland.com/journal/2012/07/02/st-peters-fiesta-in-gloucester-2/

Thanks to everyone for their kind hospitality, and

Viva San Pietro!

Greg Cook

Roots 66 to open Free Boulevard Concert July 3 ~ Dance & Party from 5-11PM

Ev Harlow and his band Roots 66 have agreed to open the free concert on the Boulevard beginning at 5pm on Wednesday 7/3.  Their bluesy blend of roots, classic rock and Americana fits perfectly with the spirit of the day and will help us all get ready to celebrate our independence with music, dancing, parade, fireworks & a spectacular laser light show.

Then after the parade, and for the 6th year in a row, Carlos Menezes, Jr. will bring us music from Cape Ann Big Band and The Runaround Sound to Ringo Tarr’s Boulevard stage for a city-wide dance party by the Cut Bridge at the corner of the Boulevard and Centennial Ave (see map here).  This free concert, presented by The Gloucester Fund and gimmesound.com, is only possible because of lots of hard work and generosity on the part of Ringo, his stage/event team and the musicians — all of whom donate their time and talent.  Come down on Wednesday and show them some love!

The Runaround Sound at the BoulevardHere’s the updated schedule:
5:00 Roots 66 kicks off the music
6:00 Music breaks for Horribles Parade
7:00 Cape Ann Big Band & The Runaround Sound after the parade
9:30 Fireworks over Gloucester Harbor
10:00 Spectacular LASER LIGHT SHOW by RK Lighting Design
Then dance with Runaround under the stars & the lasers until 11 P.M!

Check online for the latest updates
Check online for the latest updates

GMG Local Twitterati Report 6/30/13

Chickity Check It! New England Surf Company

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Over the past few years there has been a rise in surfing, and now stand up paddle (SUP)  in New England  and two local surfers, Collin Goodrow and David Stowell, co-founders of The New England Surf Company (NESC), saw it as a chance to create surf apparel and accessories exclusive to the New England coldwater surfing experience.  The co-founders, forever loyal to the unique surf community, culture, and local history, stay true to their maritime roots when creating NESC designs, like the popular Surf Co block print design. 

Recently, NESC started a Brand Ambassador program to foster a love for New England surfing and other water sports.   They’ve recruited New England standouts in the surf and SUP surf categories as a way to connect with the community and promote surf protection-activism.

Another way NESC strives to make a local and meaningful impact is through their “Go Blue” initiative.

“GO BLUE” with the simply stated motto “Save Our Waves,” helps raise awareness and support other organizations that are making a positive difference in the local economy, communities, and environment.  NESC dedicates a portion of sale proceeds of the GO BLUE t-shirts and bracelets to organizations that work to save our oceans, beaches and waves.

NESC designs and products are being picked up, sold and displayed in more surf shops throughout New England every day including SURFARI SUP in Manchester-by-the-Sea, the Gloucester House General Store in Gloucester MA, Ocean House Surf Shop in Swampscott MA, or Cinnamon Rainbows located in Hampton NH, where you can find your next favorite NESC t-shirt, sweatshirt or beanie with ease.

If your local shop is sold out, no worries the NESC online store gives you immediate access to NESC products. NESC guarantees to keep you stoked and connected with America’s “original” north shore and the regions truly unique surfing experience. Check out the New England Surf Company today at www.newenglandsurfco.com  facebook and twitter and be sure to tell a friend! And if you’re interested in getting involved in representing the brand through our Amabassador program get in touch we’re always on the lookout for new team talent and help spread the stoke!

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