Category: gloucester

It’s About that Time of Year

Posted on by Nichole S.

Once a summer or so we get the phone call.  Well, actually, the email is more accurate these days.  It is always an email that I look forward to getting, but yet it is also one that gives me a moment of panic.  The email usually reads something like this,

“Hey, we thought we’d make a long weekend out of heading up your way for a quick getaway.  Any recommendations of where we should stay?”

So, my question is this….   Where you do recommend that people stay??  Because it’s about that time of year again, and I’d like to be prepared.

Typically, the emails I get are from college friends (who I am always PSYCHED to see) but who come from places where you can easily book a Hilton…or a Marriott….or a Hyatt….or a Sheraton.  All are choices that we don’t have here.  Now, let me be perfectly clear…I LOVE where we live and I love the variety of quaint choices that we have to offer visitors, but I’m never certain of what their expectations might be. 

I’ve had some good luck…and some bad luck…with my previous recommendations.  I feel like a have a pretty good handle of what the options are, but I haven’t stepped foot in many of them.  Likewise, I know that I can read Trip Advisor or many other reviews, but I’d rather ask you.  And…as I tell my students…let’s keep it positive people.  I have no desire to slam any local businesses so, while I’d really love some feedback, let’s stick to places you WOULD recommend and respectfully not mention the places that made your guests want to bathe in scalding water for days.  Not that we have any of those places here, but hopefully you get my point.

I’m so curious as to what you all have to suggest and share!!  Thanks in advance!!

 

GREASE comes to Gloucester

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Beeman Elementary School 4th & 5th Graders present GREASE directed by Heidi Dallin this Thursday & Friday, April 10 & 11 at 7pm.  Check out this preview by Cape Ann TV:

Sing Your Heart Out Fella!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Male Red-winged Blackbird Singing ©Kim Smith 2014Male Red-Winged Blackbird

Although Red-winged Blackbirds are spied around Niles Pond during the winter months, spring brings flocks, and the males are an especially welcome sight chortling atop the pussy willow branches along the water’s edge. Red-winged Blackbirds are one of North America’s most abundant birds. If you were a male of the kind, you might be singing your heart out, too. The species is highly polygynous and some males have been known to have as many as 15 mates during a single season!

Female_Red-winged_Blackbird manijith KainickaraFemale Red-winged Blackbird Image Courtesy Wiki Commons Media

The males are glossy black with distinctive red epaulettes and yellow wing bars, which they often puff out confidently when singing from their perches. The females have a streaky brown song sparrow-like wing patterning and stay close to the ground feeding and building their intricately woven nests at the base of cattails and reeds, along the marsh’s edge.

If you have a spare moment, send us a photo of your favorite signs welcoming spring and we’ll post them under a group ‘welcome spring’ post. Send photos to me at kimsmithdesigns@hotmail.com (thanks Lenny).

*    *    *

I am presenting 2 lectures this coming week, Monday on Butterfly Gardening in Shrewsbury and Wednesday evening on The Pollinator Garden at the Flint Library in North Reading. Please visit the events page of my website for more information.

Thank you Friends of the HarborWalk Cleanup Dream Team!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Thank you Beth, Susan, Jessie, Catherine, George, and Charles–an awesome team and an awesome job well done!!!

We had our first Friends of the HarborWalk cleanup this morning and made great progress. We didn’t get to I4-C2 and hope to next weekend.

If you stop by to have a look, you’ll see the diminutive Dwarf-crested Iris (Iris cristata) just beginning to show their sweet little faces. Dwarf-crested Iris are native to Massachusetts and bloom in shades of sky blue, lavender, and darker blues and purples–the HarborWalk’s iris are are deep purple with gold on their crests.

Big City Concert Sound just down the road in Beverly

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
John Coretto (right) tuning the new system from Orchestra Center, Row F, seat 5. See the Meyer Arrays on either side of the stage
John Coretto (right) tuning the new system from Orchestra Center, Row F, seat 5. See the Meyer Arrays on either side of the stage
Meyer M'elodie curvilinear array up close
Meyer M’elodie curvilinear array up close
John Coretto from WHB Concert Production tuning the new system. He took that laptop all over the orchestra and balcony to make sure the sound is perfect in every seat!
John Coretto from WHB Concert Production tuning the new system. He took that laptop all over the orchestra and balcony to make sure the sound is perfect in every seat at The Larcom Theatre!
Our new digidesign SC-48 console
Our new digidesign SC-48 console
See how the Meyer 600-HP sub-woofers disappear next to the stairs. Still good seats left in the Balcony where this picture was taken.
See how the Meyer 600-HP sub-woofers disappear next to the stairs. Still good seats left in the Balcony where this picture was taken.  Get them here!

Since we discovered the Larcom Theatre and produced our first concert there a year ago this weekend, Gloucester’s singer/ songwriter / multi-instrumentalist and ace sound man, Will Hunt has brought in his gear and, together with Bradley Royds, they’ve mixed our shows to wide acclaim (see a review here).

But Will’s kinda busy and needs his gear for other concerts, like The Nines @ Gloucester’s UU Meetinghouse and The Toasters Concert Cruise.  So we realized it was time to get new gear appropriate for the 550 seat theatre that we don’t have to keep moving in and out.

And we figured, if we’re going do it, we might as well do it right.

On Wednesday, Jon Coretto and his crew from WHB Concert Production (the people who revamped the sound at Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom) installed the top of the line: Meyer M’elodie curvilinear array loudspeakers with 600-HP sub-woofers and Galileo system processor, Digidesign SC-48 console and 6 JBL VP 7212 MDP stage monitors.

Plus we have a 56 channel snake splitter for bands that want to make studio quality live recordings or simply MUST have their monitors mixed on stage.

Now if you don’t much care about all that techno-babble, just know this: IT SOUNDS AMAZING!

And you can hear it tomorrow night when Gracie Curran takes the stage with Roomful of Blues Horns and Lydia Warren Band opening.

Seats are still available.  The best ones are in the balcony.  Get them here.

Say “Hi” to Will, who will be working there tomorrow along with Bill Winn (who wrote the book on sound … literally).

Feel free to thank them for the excellent job they do making sure the sound is perfect in every seat!

It’s that time again. The first Friday of the Month ~ Indoor Yard Sale, 1 Lexington Ave. Gloucester, MA. 4.4.2014 5pm sharp.

Posted on by Joanne

Yard Sale color(1)

Doors open at 5pm sharp! We’ll be packed again with fresh lots of antiques, collectibles, junque, household items and more. People are setting up with things out of their attics, basements etc. There are also other dealers, and of course, Cape Ann Auction will have it’s usual unusual selection. Please share and pass it along!

https://www.facebook.com/CapeAnnAuction?ref=br_rs

OH, and Coffee by Glosta Joe’s, Desserts by East Main St Baking co.

http://www.glostajoes.com/

Magnolia Library Center Inc
1 Lexington Ave
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
Phone (978) 525-3343

Evan Goodrow joins the Dave Sag’s Blues Party this Thursday @ The Rhumb Line April 3rd 8-11.

Posted on by Joanne

dave sag rl 4.3.2014

This week features The dynamic Mr. Evan Goodreau, standup philosopher,winged digitator and blues tweezer, comin’ at you with arms akimbo, ready to take you to where the rubber meets the road. Mr. G., former Stetson® spokesperson and Zen magistrate,is gonna show you how it’s done…in spades!  Big G has been busy, but has made the time to come down here and hook you up to the jumper cables of life. Ladies, put away your Jane Austin and  start your Austin Healeys!

evan goodrow post

http://www.evangoodrow.com/

Fortunately, Mr. Benny Benson, who required CPR after last week’s paroxysm with Mike O’Connell will be on hand to paradiddle the night away. So will I, plucking the bass and eyebrows to the boogie beat. Free smelling salts provided, compliments of Schrigley Industries.

benny benson eg ds

THE RHUMB LINE BAR & RESTAURANT
40 Railroad Ave.

Gloucester, MA 01930

phone: 978-283-9732

Mikey Wins Plastic Head on Small Animal Photo Contest!

Posted on by paultmorrison

Mandy Leone Moffett on behalf of her son Mikey submitted three photos of “Squirrel With Plastic Horse Head”.

Contest rules here.

hungry squirrel acting like a horse's patoity
That is an actual Cape Ann Grey Squirrel wearing a plastic horse head. No details but I have a feeling there is some Gloucester Market Basket Jiff Peanut Butter inside that squirrel head.
sq2
Maybe some peanuts over here.
sq3
Smuckers Grape jam would be nice. With a name like Smuckers, it’s got to be good for a squirrel.

Contest rules state that entries had to be photographed in March and sent in on April 1st. So Mikey wins first second and third place. That makes three Rubber Ducks which Mikey can pick up down at Joey’s Dock or at the next GMG Mug Up.

If there are any late entries there might be consolation prizes.

Well played Mikey, well played.

Wednesdays with Fly Amero ~ Special Guest: Ron Schrank 8-11@ The Rhumb Line 4.2.2014

Posted on by Joanne

rhumb

 

 

 

 

Wednesdays Only:
Tenderloin Tips over Salad, $10.95!

Wednesday, April 2nd
Special Guest: RON SCHRANK!

ron schrank

I love it when Ron comes to the Rhumb Line.  Easy listening,
cool music, and… he tells me he’ll be doing some new songs
this week!  Come and kick back! ~ Fly
Dinner with great music!
*Each week features a special, invited musical guest
Dave Trooper’s Kitchen…
Tenderloin Tips over Salad, $10.95 (while they last)
Prepared fresh weekly by “Troop”… always good!
Plus – Check out Fred’s rockin’ new wine menu!
Next week..
4/9…
Allen Estes

Allen Estes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit: http://www.therhumbline.com/
Looking forward…
…to seeing you there!  🙂 ~ Fly

Music venues abound — and a new one is on the way!

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Woke up to a dusting of new snow that was gone by noon.  Only a few dirty-gray-white winter leftovers remain as the sun burns a bright spot behind the clouds — too shy to show its full face.  Does this presage one of those jolting seasons when Mother Nature forgets about spring and jumps into summer without warning?

That’s what seems to happen in Gloucester’s music scene.  Before you know it your choices for live music double, but don’t worry.  We’ll continue to help you sort it all out with Cape Ann’s only complete live music listing here.

If you think about it, there really are two kinds of music venues: restaurants/clubs and what musicians call “listening venues”.  (That is, until the weather gets nice enough to add a third: boats with music cruises.)  For now, suffice it to say that we’re extremely lucky to live in an area with an abundance of good restaurants and clubs who offer live music for free because they’re able to make a living on the food and drink they serve.

A good club can make for a great experience (both for artist and fan) but sometimes you end up in a singer vs. crowd competition like the one I wrote about here.

Chelsea Berry wrote an excellent song about this very issue:

And now there’s even a facebook page dedicated to promoting listening venues in MA.  See it here.

Free from the distractions of TV, clanging silver & dishware, people talking, wait staff running around and kitchen noise, the concert milieu connects you with the artist through an intimate, intense bond that’s simply impossible to maintain in a restaurant or bar.  And when you’re on stage you can feel that energy, soak it in and give back something more powerful that seems to arise spontaneously out of the ether.

Luckily, we live in an area with several excellent listening venues.  Good coffee houses: Old Sloop in Rockport.  One World in Essex and Crosswinds in Gloucester.  Cape Ann’s crown jewel, the Shalin Liu performance Center and the Larcom Theatre down the road in Beverly.

ComeTogetherBenefi600With your help, Gloucester’s iconic UU Meetinghouse is working to restore their balcony so it can become another major listening venue and we’re helping them by presenting concerts in the church to raise money for that effort. Cape Ann Winter Solstice started this project off by packing the house on December 21.  We’re doing it again on April 25 with The Number Nines featuring top Cape Ann talent 3rian King, Chelsea Berry, Renee Dupuis and Dennis Monagle together with Boston stars Meff and Brendan Burns.  If you want to be sure to get a seat, you probably shouldn’t wait until the last minute to buy your tickets.  Get them now here:

 

It’s the last Sunday of the month. So, you know what that means…Open Mic with Dan King & AnnMarie 7-10

Posted on by Joanne

sunday open mic gmg

 

Whether you like to sing or just listen….It’s always a good time.

http://www.therhumbline.com/

FRIENDS OF THE HARBOR WALK ~ CLEAN UP POSTPONED UNTIL SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2014

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Due to rain predicted, clean up is postponed until Sunday, April 6th at 10:00am.  Thank you everyone who was and is planning to come. You don’t need to be a gardener to lend a hand and I will have extra pruners and rakes available.

Join us Sunday, April 6th at 10:00am (weather permitting). We are going to be cleaning up the HarborWalk butterfly gardens. Sharpen your pruners and come on down and learn about some of the native beauties planted at the gardens!

GHW I4-C2 view of general store

Reimagining Railroad Meeting at City Hall

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Reimagining Railroad and Maplewood and …

Gloucester Community Development / Metropolitan Planning Area Council

Catt Ryan submits-

Hey Joey,

Last night, Community Development partnered with the Metropolitan Planning Area Council (MAPC) to host the first in a series of discussions about Gloucester’s railroad station and the surrounding area.  Along with all the other robust planning that is ever constant, this interactive meeting was an extra special focus on what transit oriented attention and development might mean for Gloucester. Gloucester Planning Director, Gregg Cademartori, gave a great introduction.

image002 (4)

Eric Halvorsen introduced the team from MAPC, which helps town generally within the wide swath of I-95. I met Eric last fall  at a MA Smart Growth event he was part of. It featured Fred Kent of Project for Public Space and one of our site walks that day considered spaces and transit areas at Harvard. Halvorsen explained that there are 280 or so transit stops in Massachusetts. He enthusiastically gushed, “They are precious and finite”– and therefore merit our attention. These transit hubs account for 5% of the geography of the state, and cover 37% of the jobs. The state considers Gloucester’s railroad station as an ‘urban gateway’, one of 10 types of transit stop categories they’ve identified in MA.  Salem, Beverly and Haverhill are other examples of this urban gateway category.

image001 (8)

The evening ended with three tables of break out discussions. Topics swirled, and questions prompted responses and exchanges. Connections to other areas downtown were mentioned, Gloucester’s past, and the railroad station area as a gateway. We wondered together what people thought it might be like soon and many, many years from now.  Creative ideas and similar words and phrases oscillated throughout Kyrouz like air-popped kernels: emphasis on sidewalks, signage, streets (Washington Street, Maplewood, Prospect, Railroad Avenue, Dale and Pleasant), seniors, bike rentals, safety, young families, terms such as “soft and hardscaping”, public space, shade, paving one side (like the HarborWalk), green energy, beach buggies, maker spaces, lighting, artists and other professionals, trees,  wayfinding, future businesses, pedicabs, mixed use, residences, single stories, design, the stores folks value now, the Jeff Weaver mural, the supermarket, Dunkin Donuts, the restaurants.

Community Development and MAPC will share results from these conversations and offer their take, research and observation. Our input will inform the process,  and there’s funding queued up.

There will be two more public meetings and they’re sure to be interesting … make sure you come if you can for the next ones, and for any that Community Development organizes.

For the Railroad discussions, send in ideas and comments and/or sign up for updates on any future meetings with:

Eric Halvorsen ehalvorsen@mapc.org

Gregg Cademartori gcademartori@gloucester-ma.gov

image009

Cape Ann Milkweed Project Continues ~ Plant Milkweed Seeds to Save the Monarchs

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

monarch-butterfly-milkweed-good-harbor-beach-c2a9kim-smith-2011Good Harbor Beach Common Milkweed

Last year was the beginning of our first and wonderfully successful Cape Ann Milkweed Project. Joe generously offered to hold the plant sale at Captain Joe and Sons, which is very conveniently located on East Main Street, and we had a fantastic turnout. This year I am thinking about doing things a little differently. Rather than shipping and handling live small plants, I am planning on purchasing milkweed seeds in bulk. My question is, and this is not the official order form, but just to get a sense of participation, does anyone have an interest in planting milkweed from seed in their gardens, meadows, and/or abandoned areas around our community?

I think I can get good quantities of seed of Marsh Milkweed, Common Milkweed, and Prairie Milkweed. All three are very easy to grow from seed and take about 14 days to germinate. I will provide complete information and tips on growing milkweed from seed.

Please answer in the comment section if you are interested in growing milkweed from seed.

Monarch Butterfly Overwintering Graph Journey North

Why is it so important to plant milkweed for the Monarchs? We’ve written much about that here on GMG. At the end of the post, please find a list of posts previously published on GMG about the importance of milkweed. In a nutshell, milkweed is the only caterpillar food plant of the Monarch butterfly. The Monarch Butterfly migration is in serious peril  One way we can all take action to is to plant milkweed to help mitigate the loss of habitat, partly due to global climate change and primarily due to the use of Monsanto’s GMO Roundup Ready corn, soybean, and sorghum seed along with the massive use of their herbicide Roundup.

Cape Ann Milkweed Project

News Release: MONARCH WATCH ANNOUNCES ‘BRING BACK THE MONARCHS’ CAMPAIGN

How Exactly is Monsanto’s Roundup Ravaging the Monarch Butterfly Population?

Where Are All the Monarchs?

Monarch Butterfly Marsh Milkweed ©Kim Smith 2011

Having some fun with a radio ad and Adobe Premiere

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Now we often fast forward through TV commercials or change the car radio station when an ad come on, but once in a while somebody crafts such a good radio spot that you can’t help but listen.  That’s what our friends Aurelia Nelson & Jay Foss at Northshore 104.9 did this week and I was so inspired when I heard it that I decided to pop into Adobe Premiere and have some fun.  This is what came out:

And by the way, there are still good seats left to what could be your last chance to see these young, rising blues stars before they break into big venues.  Get them here.

Winter Blues…Spring Blues…Summer Blues

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

OK, folks.  Time to kiss the cold winter blues bye bye and get ready for hot spring & summer blues starting next Saturday, April 5th, with the hottest concert of the season just down the road at Beverly’s Larcom Theatre featuring Gracie Curran with Roomful of Blues horns and Lydia Warren opening.  All three of these bands have a Gloucester connection.  Gracie Curran and Lydia Warren both performed at last year’s Gloucester Blues Festival.  And Roomful of Blues performed at I4-C2 for Celebrate Gloucester in 2010.  Save the date Saturday, August 9th for the 2014 Gloucester Blues Festival!

Here’s Gracie Curran and Lydia Warren at the 2013 Gloucester Blues Festival:

Good seats are still left for next Saturday.  Get tickets here.  This may be your last chance to see these two rising blues stars at an intimate venue close to home!