My View of Life on the Dock
The beautiful symbolism of the Sistine Seagulls perched atop the smoke stack shortly before the white smoke billowed from the smokestack, announcing the cardinals had elected the new pope, Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He takes the name Pope Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy, the poor, and of birds and animals.
Sistine Seagulls
Images Courtesy Google Image Search
Several weeks ago in one of my posts about Niles Pond at Risk, I wrote about the beautiful Mute Swans at Niles. A reader wrote requesting a description of a phrase that I used, the “vibrant throbbing wingbeats” of the Mute Swan. I have shot hours of B-roll for both my Black Swallowtail and Monarch films at Niles Pond and at Brace Cove, so much so that I am making a mini film about Niles Pond. In organizing the Niles footage, I discovered some good audio of the swans throbbing wigbeats, filmed at sunrise.
The swans often take flight in unison, circling round and round the pond before returning. I patiently wait and wait and sometimes they don’t return, and as has happened more times than I care to say, while I am packing up my gear, they return and then I miss the shot for not being patient enough! Other times they will take flight and head over to feed at Brace Cove. A wedge of swans flying overhead is beautiful to observe, although a challenge to hold in my camera’s lens. Reviewing the footage I heard myself frequently cussing at the mosquitoes because their bite causes me to jag the camera sharply and then I lose sight of the swans. But one especially lucky dawn in September, I did manage to capture several flights.
Isn’t the music so swan-like? The composition is called “The Swan,” written by Camille Saint Saint-Saëns, and is the 13th Movement in a suite of 14 of the humorously themed Carnival of the Animals, Zoological Fantasy for 2 Pianos and Ensemble. See below for more about Carnival of the Animals from allmusic.
Watch on Vimeo if you prefer:
Read more:
Continue reading “Vibrant Throbbing Wingbeats”
From The Gloucester Daily Times-
When Felicia was growing up this special recipe was prepared by her Aunt “FeFe“, Vincie and Uncle Mike (Militello). Now she makes it herself and passes along the family’s recipe secrets. The main ingredients are cauliflower, fava beans, and the ferns on top of the anise bulbs. In fact, since the grocers and supermarkets typically throw away this part of the plant before even putting it on the shelf, Felicia goes around each year to remind them to avoid that for this special week of St. Joseph’s Day so that she and others can properly make the dish.
Her aunt and uncle FeFe and Vincie used to create an alter every St. Joseph’s Day and that became very big, so big that many people came each year to pay their respects and eat some of the special pasta dish. The pasta sauce was served over home made St. Joseph fettuccini pasta. What made this St. Joseph Pasta is that all the flower used to prepare the feast was blessed by a priest the day before St. Joseph day. It was done, in fact, at a very special mass in Aunt FeFe and Uncle Vincie’s home in front of her alter. You cannot get much more authentic than that.
You can read my buddy Heather Atwood’s article about Felicia and St Joseph’s Traditions here-
Looking forward to filming all the moves Bikini Speedo Dodgeballers are bringing to the GMG Harlem Shake video tomorrow night!
There’s a Maine town in Float that is suspiciously like Gloucester, Ma. Is Gloucester your model?
JAH: Gloucester is the inspiration for Port Ellery, Maine, but not the model. Float is fiction, so I needed more leeway with geography and temperament than a real city could offer. As I was writing Float I had an wholly imagined city in my head, but I was not above borrowing bits and pieces from Gloucester on an as-needed basis.
Such as the fish dehydration plant? Seacrest Ocean Products in Float has more than a passing resemblance to a company in Gloucester.
JAH: When I first came to Cape Ann in 1979, the old dehyde plant was still in East Gloucester, and the smell as you drove up over the hill from the intersection at 128 and Bass Avenue … well, it was quite the pungent introduction to my new home. Now Neptune’s Harvest in the Fort transforms fish waste — the 70% of a fish that remains after filleting — into amazing fertilizer and there’s barely a smell. Who could not be inspired by that?
Parts of Float have to do with the relationship individuals have with the sea. What is yours?
JAH: For a long time I wasn’t a water person. I took my kids to the beach, but other than that, I didn’t like to get wet, and I really didn’t like being on a sailboat, what with people yelling and booms swinging. Then, after watching the International Dory races off Niles Beach, I fell in love with wooden rowing dories. I bought one of the Committee’s old practice boats, named her “Doreen,” and after a rather brutal learning curve with my rowing partner, managed to get the boat to move across the water. It was both exercise and relaxation, and I learned to appreciate the wonders of the sea. The best is when a seal pops up to see what we’re up to, like a visitor from another world. “Doreen” finally died a couple of years ago, but as a dues-paying member of the Dory Committee, I’ll take one of their practice dories out for a spin around the harbor now and then. Gloucester Maritime usually has one or two for members to take out as well.
What’s with all the animals? The ferret, for instance. What is a ferret doing in Float?
JAH: There are always animals in my work, because there are always animals in my life. We have the usual cats and dogs, but we take in rescue livestock too, so we have donkeys (from Save Your Ass Rescue), chickens, a goat and a pig. Over the years, the children have brought home more animals than I can list, including finches, hamsters, and rabbits. Many rabbits. One year, my son brought home a pair of ferrets, and they turned out to be both smart and personable. They pretty much ran free in my son’s room, so I’d open up a sock drawer and there they’d be, curled up in a ball. They loved people and were as clever as chimps, but they smelled terrible. Worse than any dehyde plant. So when my son went off to college, they went too. I placed them with another male teenager, a species apparently immune to smells, but I missed them. So I brought a ferret back in Float, and named him Fingers.
When you sit down at your desk to write, what do you look out at?
JAH: I used to work in the guest bedroom where the family couldn’t find me. It was quiet, but it looked out onto a messy woodpile. Now that the kids have left the nest, I’ve moved my office into one of their bedrooms, with a distant view of the harbor. It’s beautiful, but I have to keep the curtains closed most of the time or else I’d never get any work done. I’d just be daydreaming all day, watching the boats go by.
Snapshots from JoeAnn’s magical garden–just to get us in the mood for delicious warm weather. Throughout the summer JoeAnn and Gordon welcome me to their gorgeous gardens – sometimes I am there filming for hours. Thank you JoeAnn and Gordon for your always gracious hospitality.
I finally got around to voting myself and I think what I’ll do is highlight the local establishments that are on the Ballot that are listed for your consideration-
These are establishments that are already on the ballot locally in the Play Category that I’m sure would appreciate your vote, to enter your own votes, click the graphic-
I’ll highlight the other local businesses in the other sub categories throughout next week
Again I’m just going of of what was on the ballot. You can click on any of the links to see GMG coverage of them and find out what they are all about-
Art Gallery (Viewing) –Local Colors Gloucester, Mosher Gallery Rockport and Pop Gallery Gloucester
Beach- Good Harbor, Natch Last year Cranes and Good Harbor Duked it out and it was close so if you have any local pride at all you will vote Good Harbor
Best Blog 
Brewery- Cape Ann Brewing
Dance Studio- Michelle Shaw Elite Dance
Fair/Festival- St Peter’s Fiesta and if it doesn’t win there should be an investigation.
Golf Course Private- Bass Rocks
Irish Pub- Stones Pub (you just gotta love the people at Stones)
Live Music Venue- Shalin Liu
Live Theatre Venue- Gloucester Stage Co
Lounge (no Gloucester joint represented time for your personal write in)
Marine- Cape Ann Marina is on ballot
Movie Theatre- Cape Ann Community Cinema
Museum- Cape Ann Museum
Trivia Night (no local joint represented write in your personal fav)
Four Brides Judge Each Other’s Weddings. Even with Superstorm Sandy threatening to dampen Enza and John Procopio’s day, Willowdale takes the cake!
“In Italian tradition, rain is supposed to be good luck. We have the hurricane, so that means we are going to have life-long happiness.” said groom John Procopio.
Willowdale Estate pulled out all the stops to make the event a success. The competing brides were blown away by the catering “My sea bass was fantastic!” said one competing bride. Willowdale received a perfect score for the catering and also achieved the highest score for guest experience. The couple walked away with a luxury vacation in the Caribbean Islands and a wedding story that will be in the family for many years.
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/four-weddings/and-the-winner-isenza.htm
Watch the full episode:
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/four-weddings/videos/and-a-super-storm.htm
Willowdale Estate is a special events venue in Topsfield Massachusetts that provides celebrated restaurant style catering for all events, as well as complementary planning services. Willowdale’s fieldstone mansion is surrounded by over 700 acres of forest, the Ipswich River, and beautiful flowering gardens, with sweeping views, privacy, and endless possibilities for any event. Willowdale Estate is a full service venue with many amenities including a pristine Sperry Tent, equipment, and guidance from our experienced event planners. For more information about planning your wedding, corporate event, or fundraiser contact Info@WillowdaleEstate.com or call 978-887-8211
Lilac ‘Maiden’s Blush’ (Syringa vulgaris) and the Friendly Red Admiral
Tomorrow night I am presenting one of my garden design lectures in West Newbury. For a complete list of programs that I offer, see the Programs page on my blog. For a list of upcoming lectures and programs, see the Events page on my blog.
Oyama Magnolia Bud (Magnolia sieboldii)
The Oyama Magnolia is often planted adjacent to tea gardens in Japan because the blossom of the small tree nods downward, allowing the seated person to look up into the face of the flower. The first time I saw (or should say smelled) Magnolia sieboldii was in a wholesale nursery close to the Rhode Island border, where a single large specimen was tucked in with other more common species of magnolia. The divine fragrance emanating from the tree had drawn me towards it. The tree was unmarked, but since I so strongly value fragrance in plants, I had read about it and knew exactly what it was. Spring had not yet sprung in Gloucester and the honeysuckle sweet and citrus fragrance was intoxicating to my winter weary brain. I tied my tag around to claim it and have adored this tree since the day our Oyama Magnolia arrived to our garden.
Check this out from Brad Byrd, whose songs have appeared on TV shows, including ABC’s Happy Endings, MTV’s Teen Mom, The Challenge, Downtown Girls, VH1’s The TO Show, E! Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and in TV commercials and films, including Bloodline.
Brad says,
Hi there, are you a songwriter!?? Have you ever thought about working with a “producer” to make them, as they say in the biz “fully realized”?? Well, aside from developing my own songs, I LOVE working (and developing relationships) w/other artists/songwriters on their SONGS as a producer, songwriter, arranger, music director, songwriting teacher, drummer, vocalist, and/or guitar player (teacher). I work out of my home studio, do skype sessions, travel to client’s homes, and have had the unique opportunity of working out of various amazing studios around the country for over 10 years! If you have songs, and think that working with a producer could help get them (YOU) to next level in your music career, well, I think I can help…
See more here along with a long (shortlist) of musicians you’ve heard of, for whom he’s produced . If you’re not sure what a “fully realized” song is like, check out his new video, below (more Brad Byrd videos here).
Follow Andrea here-https://twitter.com/andreasoldier
What are your duties at your job and do you use twitter as a tool for your job?
I’m editor of the Gloucester Daily Times and Cape Ann magazine. I also handle most of the social media for both publications. The facebook accounts for both publications are linked to Twitter, so I can try and multitask ( I can Ryan saying "No, no, NO" right now.)
But I retweet stuff I think will be interest to readers — Facebook followers miss out on that.
Also when breaking news happens, I tweet about it first, then post on facebook when I have enough to put together something more substantial.
Why do you think you are follow worthy on Twitter?
By searching for #CapeAnn, #GloucesterMA, #RockportMA, #EssexMA or #ManchesterMA you can find out the news that’s important to you as a resident of these communities. I don’t tweet everything, but if anything is trending on gloucestertimes.com, I usually post it.
What types of tweets or twitter user drive you up a wall?
Spammers who use @GDTnews to get my attention for viagra sales, weight-loss gimmicks, etc.
Who are some of your favorite twitter users?
Work-related: @Joey_C, @DscvrGlstr, @VisitEssexMA, @AP (Associated Press), @kidsns and Steve@alertnewengland, a scanner junkie who tweets the latest on the police front.
For fun: @FranJurga and @HoofcareJournal, both by Gloucester resident Fran Jurga who blogs about equestrian news and horse-related hoof care; @goodreads for the latest on new books
Do you have a website you would like to promote?
Of course, gloucestertimes.com!
I love this time lapse-so beautifully rendered with gorgeous colors!
You can follow Hobson on twitter as he travels around the world creating time lapse videos.
Joey DaSilva wins the Guinness World Record for the fastest time Greasy Pole Walk, in only 4.96 seconds!
Lots of footage of Joey DaSilva (Nick Avelis, and many Greasy Pole Champs, too) in this Fall Greasy Pole Fundraiser video.
Hi Joey , our son tattoo artist,Paul Slifer has a book coming out this month with Schiffer Publishing. “A is for Anchor” is child’s illustrated alphabet inspired by classic images from traditional tattoo design.The book combines Pauls love for classic folk tattoo art with his interest in kids books since becoming a Dad of our two terrific grandkids Esme and Sadie. The book is available on line from Amazon as well as from Schiffer books and will be in book stores soon. You may remember Pauls commemorative Ardelle launching painting in the same style a while ago. I hope all your tattoo enthusiasts here on GMG will like the book.
Best, Kathy Slifer
Chelsea Market
Liv and I had lots of fun shopping the flea market and shops at Chelsea Market the afternoon that I left.
Adjacent to the market is an entrance to the High Line. Don’t you love the chaise idea? They are really comfy and relaxing.
The architects of the High Line intentionally left little patches somewhat wild to show what the elevated rail looked like after years of disuse. The rail had reverted to a a native wildflower garden, which then became the inspiration for much of the park’s plantings!
Enough!
We met leopard-wearing Fashionista Kira at the Blue Bottle Coffee shop on her way upstairs to a photo shoot at MILK Studios. She was showing us her ballet moves, which she does with her eyes closed. When we asked why, she said it is because she has not yet studied ballet, but dreams about someday becoming a ballerina, and that is why she has to dance with her eyes closed as she is only “dreaming.”
Here’s My Dreamer
There is nothing like spending time with your daughter and I am so looking forward to our next visit. I hope it’s not too long a wait!
Usually I drive to visit my daughter in Brooklyn, but with last weekend’s pending snowstorm, I decided to take the Acela from South Station to Penn Station.
View from the Acela window
The Acela is more convenient and much faster than the usual Amtrak train, although more expensive. My train was crowded in both directions with mostly business-types, each entertaining an array of personal electronic gadgets spread about. No passenger had less than three electronic devices, including a laptop or ipad, a phone, and some type of blackberry.
I very much enjoyed taking the train and it was delightful to work while looking out at the passing scenery, and equally delightful not to have to worry about my car once in Brooklyn. It’s an extravagance I can only justify when the weather is bad because when I drive my Prius to NYC it costs less than 75., including tolls and refreshments along the way, compared to the 340.00 round trip Acela fare. Of course there is always the Fung Wah Bus, but then you run the risk of death by heart attack or crash, or both.
Snapshots from visit with my darling daughter Liv
We walked and took the L everywhere and Liv showed me some of her favorite spots in Williamsburg and surrounding neighborhoods.
184 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn–gorgeous waterfront residential building and one of the few adaptions of Egyptian Revival Style to modern commercialism in the United States.
We saw the fabulously fun and playful Gutai group at the Guggenheim, which is an exhibit about the Japanese avant-garde Postwar artistic movement led by Jiro Yoshihara.
Liv snuck this photo of Atsuko Tanaka’s famous Electric Dress at the Guggenheim (read more about the Electric Dress at the bottom of this post).
Juliette Restaurant Williamsburg
Liv’s record producer friend always recommends the best restuarants. Next door to the utterly charming Juliette Restaurant is the hipster restaurant “egg,” and with an hour long wait for brunch, we decided to take Dave’s advice and go with Juliette. We were more than delighted–French cooking at its most delicious, from Brittany owner Thierry Rochard. I’d love to go there on a warm spring night and enjoy starlight dining on their roof garden.
Dutch Pancake with lemon zest, blueberries, and creme fraiche
Jeff, the manager, at Juliette Restaurant
I’ll post a few more photos over the weekend
Atsuko Tanaka wearing her Electric Dress
To Read More About Atsuko Tanaka Electric Dress
Continue reading “Snapshots from Brooklyn and NYC”
Oscar Winning Best Foreign Language Film Opens at the Cape Ann Community Cinema Today, Friday at 4:30pm and 7:30pm.
Donations are needed for the raffle ! If you would like to sponsor please contact Greg Dann. Business stuff or services
Good Morning Gloucester 