Category: gloucester

Cape Ann Residents Celebrate Natti Woodland Conservation Initiative

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Cape Ann residents, municipal leaders, and conservation partners joined together to celebrate the permanent protection of the Natti Woodland, a 20-acre parcel located in the North Gloucester Woods. A dedication event was held on Thursday, July 11, and included remarks, a ribbon cutting, light refreshments, and a guided walk in the woods. Speakers included Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk, representatives from Essex County Greenbelt, New England Forestry Foundation, and the Natti family.

The Natti Woodland is named after Erik and Theresa Natti, who sold the land for conservation to Essex County Greenbelt and New England Forestry Foundation in December 2012. The initiative will further Gloucester’s priority conservation plans for the North Gloucester Woods and the Dogtown area. The parcel provides a key link in a proposed network of municipal and privately held conservation properties in Dogtown and is rich in biodiversity and cultural history. The land also contributes to the watershed for Gloucester’s public water supply.

“Today is a celebration of the community’s commitment to conservation. We come together as a community, with a promise to future generations,” stated Mayor Carolyn Kirk under a canopy of trees and amidst a gathering of 70 people.

It’s wonderful to know this property is protected forever,” commented Erik Natti. The conserved land has been an integral part of the Natti’s family life, and a place where they, their sons and extended family spent so much of their time growing up.

Essex County Greenbelt and New England Forestry Foundation will jointly own and manage the Natti Woodland, which is adjacent to the Foundation’s Norton Memorial Forest with 121 acres. Trails throughout the properties and are well suited for hiking and mountain-biking and are open the public. Outdoor recreationists may also wander past “Dragon Rock,” the namesake for Theresa Natti’s favorite forest destination — a large boulder resembling a dragon’s head. The Woodland addition will provide enhanced access to the properties, with a small parking area and a designated trailhead, as well.

The Natti Woodland initiative demonstrates a successful collaborative effort among the conservation organizations and the Natti family. By working together, the partners provide a true forest legacy to the Cape Ann community for generations to come.

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Mayor Carolyn Kirk cuts the ribbon to dedicate the Natti Woodland, a 20-acre newly-conserved parcel of land in the North Gloucester Woods. Mayor Kirk is pictured with Bob Perschel of the New England Forestry Foundation and Ed Becker of Essex County Greenbelt on the right, and members of the Natti family on the left. (Photo courtesy of Essex County Greenbelt.)

Just Talked To A Fisherman Who Told Me There Was Only One Boat’s Landings On The Gloucester Auction Today

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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That just completely blows my mind. There’s no Saturday or Sunday Auctions so that means that from Friday afternoon, Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning there was only one trip?

Are you fucking kidding me?

When we were handling fish just 10 years ago Monday morning was a shit show with us wondering how the hell we were going to get the three days of fish all into Boston for market. Monday mornings If be loading our huge box truck to the gills making two-three trips into town delivering the weekends fish.

And that was only our joint.  There was Mortillaros, John B Wright, Old Port Seafood,Ocean Crest, Three Lantern and Pigeon Cove handling 20-30 boats each as well.

And its reduced to this?
A Monday in July with flat ass seas to fish in and only one landing on the Auction for 3 whole days?????

Unfreakingbelievable.

Its over.

Stick a fork in it.

For comparison’s sake-

Gloucester MA Fish Landings August 20, 1917- Over 5 Million Pounds. Aug 21, 2012 Gloucester MA 97,300 Pounds. Less Than 2% of the landings in 1917 were landed in 2012

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Joey C

Homie Recycled Sailcloth Pillows In The Hizzouse! and Striped Bass and Tuna and Codfish and Lobster and…

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

When I first saw these pillows I knew I had to add them to All Things Gloucester

Throw in a Man at The Wheel and a Schooner Pillow and you’d round out the line. 

Check ‘em-

http://gmg.storenvy.com/

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They come in 18” or 20” and take two weeks to make as they are produced to order.

Check them out on  All Things Gloucester

One of the great things about using recycled sailcloth is that it means this stuff doesn’t end up clogging up our landfills.  Something we all can agree is a good idea.

Ocean Alliance Update

Posted on by God's Morning
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Here’s an update from Operation Toxic Gulf, the partnership between Ocean Alliance and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in the Gulf of Mexico:
The Odyssey continues to work offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and has so far obtained 20 biopsy samples from sperm whales. The response from the Gulf community has been overwhelming with donations of food and supplies, lines to tour the Odyssey and even residents coming aboard to cook meals for the crew. Ocean Alliance CEO Iain Kerr is back in Gloucester overseeing the expedition from the Paint Factory while OA President Roger Payne leads the expedition on board. Residents of Rocky Neck will recognize crewmember Andy Rogan who is on board for the entire expedition, coordinating the science and writing blog posts on our Facebook page. Here is an excerpt from his most recent post:
“The very collaboration that we on the Odyssey are a part of brings great hope. As we continue to journey into this new century the whales will face more threats than ever before and no single individual, NGO or even methodology can address all these issues. If we can find ways to work together, to engage the general public and provide the scientific evidence needed for policy change at the governmental level then we have a good chance of protecting these magnificent creatures.”
In photos sent from the Odyssey we see Andy and Hillary Watson (niece of Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson) with a Pensacola resident demonstrating how easy it is to find tar balls on the beach. Another photo shows a pod of emaciated dolphins the crew encountered in the Gulf.

Gloucester on a cloudy day

Posted on by Matthew Green

“Dance of the Cranes” with City Hall in the background. I took this photo on a “photo walk” with participants in my photography workshop at The Hive.

– Matthew Green

 

Meet James Owen Calderwood one of three artists awarded a public art project

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

If you’re downtown, have a look at Parsons Street from either Main Street or Rogers. The Gloucester Committee for the Arts is pleased to announce that the first of 3 public art award projects has begun right there. Stop by today or over the weekend, and next week. You might see artist James Owen Calderwood at work on his 190 foot idea.

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Calderwood proposed a temporary painted abstract fishnet to extend the entire length of Parsons Street (alley way from Main Street to Rogers Street). He wrote, “This street acts as an important pedestrian link, and I am hoping to catch lots of visitors…I have been creating exterior public art for 20 years, and am interested in enriching public spaces with art that engages with the site’s history, culture and native surroundings.”

Here’s some before pictures:

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Some proposal ideas

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Action from yesterday:

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DPW was working on a multi step process to ramp and level the transition from the sidewalk to the street. A manhole casting was raised, new concrete had to dry, and then there was some paving. There are also 2 new bollard/perch seats.

There’s art on Parsons now, here fleeting:

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And substantial: sometimes there’s a peek through of artist Robert Stephenson’s transportive entrance. Fittingly his was the first signature on Jamie’s visitor sign.

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And the harbor calling in one direction; and in the other, Main Street, City Hall and Cape Ann Museum, just quick steps away.

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Many City departments are involved with any public art project.

Here’s Jamie meeting with Victoria Caldwell at City Hall.

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Jamie rented equipment from nearby Gloucester rental (air blower, rake, weed whacker, weed sprayer—vinegar Kim Smith!)

Don’t forget to stop by the library this month to see the ideas from all 15 semi finalists on exhibit.

  1. James Owen Calderwood, awarded project
  2. Justin Desilva, awarded project
  3. Bartek Konieczny, awarded project
  4. Mike McNabney & Troy Zaushny, Hard Hat Painters
  5. Anna Chirico, Joann Chirico, Dave Blakney (no photo)
  6. Frank Morbillo
  7. Angelina Marino-Heidel & Joel Heidel
  8. Tiffany Carbonneau
  9. James Sardonis
  10. Juni Van Dyke
  11. Andrew Thurlow & Andrew Doyle
  12. Lise Breen & Laura Piraino (no photo)
  13. Robert Trumbour (photo), Anthony Sanchez, Jared Steinmark, Alex Cabral
  14. Kim Smith
  15. Gary Duehr (no photo)

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26TH Annual Cape Ann Chamber Auction July 19, 2013

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Click to listen to the Audio Spot-

CapeAnnChamberAuction FIN

 

 

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Susie and Her 6 Foot Lobster Roll

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

I went to a friends cookout and another friend of mine Darren Surette made this giant 20 some pound cheese burger. I told him at my next cookout I would have to out do his burger. So with much thought i decided to make a 6 foot lobster roll. Joe Virgillio made the 6ft roll for me and 30 lobsters later a 6ft lobster roll was born. What a sweet sound it was when Darren spoke those words~~ Yes, Susie you won !!

971932_120327491508276_773489952_n974087_10201480190790203_414965472_n1044770_633797633299211_704172299_nLOBSTA ROLL 2lobstaroll 1

Seal Pup From Tony Hilliard

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Yo Joey!

Thought you and your readers would get a kick out of this pic I took last night while out on the Ardelle. Apparently this little guy is a regular on Ten Pound Island. We nicknamed him Rusty.

                                                All the best to you and GMG

                                                          Tony H

ps: keep up the good work!

GEDC4425

James Eves Creating “Photos from Memory” with Felicia

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Cape Ann Giclee’s James Eves is creating photos from Felicia’s childhood memories for her forthcoming cookbook. Using a current photo of an updated house, the ultra-talented James has removed the contemporary fencing and younger trees and instead, he has replaced with the previous owner’s original lovely shrub hedge, flower plantings, and cheery shutters.

Whatever your heart desires–photo retouching, photo recreating, fine art photo printing, and painting reproduction needs–James Eves is THE MAN!

Filmed with iPhone 5 Super 8mm app.

Get up by 9am tomorrow to hear Allen Estes on the radio

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
AureliaDylanAllen
Aurelia Nelson with Allen Estes (R) & his son, Dylan

North Shore 104.9 host Aurelia Nelson interviews Allen Estes on her radio show, “Curtain Up”, tomorrow at 9am.  Aurelia and Allen talk about Gloucester’s exploding local music scene — and Allen’s TV show that promotes it (see here).  (See Allen Estes Videos here.)

Plus they preview major musical events in Gloucester and Cape Ann and you’ll hear some of Allen’s new music.

It’s worth getting up for.  And once you’re up, you can take advantage of the live music starting at 11AM, with new shows starting practically every hour and going on through the wee hours.  Check out the complete music schedule here.

Bling Cherry tonight @ Captain Carlo’s 9-12 ~ 7.13.2013

Posted on by Joanne

bling cherry louis photophoto by louise

Here is a striped down version of Bling Cherry

 Renee Dupuis and Jon McCormack

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bling-Cherry/298417633508797

Captain Carlo’s Restaurant

27 Harbor Loop

Gloucester, MA 01930

 (978) 283-6342

http://www.captaincarlos.com/

The Past Present Shoppe

Posted on by Matthew Green

Leaving Main Street behind – but not too far behind – today we make a virtual visit to the Past Present Shoppe! (30 Railroad Ave., practically right across from the train station)

_past present shoppe façadeThis is another consignment shop with a variety of items, including clothing, jewelry, china, etc.. What probably is most unique about this shop is the selection of Catholic religious items.

_Past present shoppe 1Of course, this is just part of their selection of items, as you can see from these photos:

(Click on any of the photos to enlarge)

They are open Mon.-Sat. 10AM-5PM, Sun. 12:30PM-5:30PM.  Well worth visiting!

I hear that a new antique store has opened on Main Street. I’ll investigate and include them in this series if it’s true! Plus I have heard about a couple of other stores in East Gloucester… I’ll keep you posted!

– Matthew Green

 

 

First 2013 Downtown Gloucester Block Party Next SAT 7/20 – Entertainment Announced

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

July 20 Entertainment Stages

(SOVEREIGN STAGE) @ Sovereign Bank Upper Main St.

  • 6:00 PM – A Little Bit Country
  • 7:00 PM A short interlude with the Rose Baker Singers
  • 7:20 PM – Honky Tonk Women of Gloucester
  • 8:20 PM – Not That Blonde
  • 9:20 PM – Lauriellen and the Boys

(SARGENT STAGE) – Middle Main St. by Sargent House

  • 6:00 PM – Dr. Bones’ Circus of Marvels
  • 7:00 PM – Fraternal Combustion Engine
  • 8:00 PM – Inge Berge
  • 9:00 PM – The Electric Ear with Special Guest Flag Worship

(MYSTERY TRAIN STAGE) – Lower Main Street in front of Mystery Train Records and the CA Cinema

  • 6:00 PM – T. Max
  • 7:00 PM – Joe and Renee
  • 8:00 PM – Cape Ann Dance Company
  • 8:30 PM – Alek Razdan and the Polygroove Orchestra

*All times approximate

See complete list of all Block Party music @ all downtown venues sorted by time here.

The Eco Boutique

Posted on by Matthew Green

_Eco Boutique 0The Eco Boutique is located at 186 Main Street, in Brown’s Mall (to the right as you enter the mall, although they also have an entrance straight on to Main Street).  Like many of the stores I’ve reviewed, they carry a variety of items, including clothes for all ages (men and women) and hand-made jewelry, but they also have a very specific focus: used children’s clothing!  That is good news for anyone with kids, because we all know how fast they grow, and parents often have used children’s clothes to get rid of and need new ones too! Of course, in some families they use the hand-me-down solution; growing up, I often used clothes that had belonged first to my cousins and then to my older brother… But that isn’t possible for everyone. So, here’s a good place to get into the circle of recycling gently used children’s clothing!

Being just a bit east of the intersection of Main St. and Pleasant St., it’s very easy to find, and you can park at the lot a block away on Pleasant St.  (a good central location to part for you to visit practically any of the Main St. stores I’ve mentioned). Their hours are: Sun. 12-5PM, Mon-Wed. 10-5PM, Thurs. 10-7PM, Fri-Sat. 10-6PM.

Next up: The Past Present Shoppe!

– Matthew Green

 

Getting Ready for the Gloucester Garden Tour

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Jay Ramsey Farm Creek © Kim Smith 2013

Jay Ramsey (right) and crew Mauricio (left) and Mike (center)

On Tuesday, Jay Ramsey and his hard-working and dedicated crew from Farm Creek Landscaping, Mike and Mauricio, spent the morning whipping the HarborWalk Gardens into shape for Saturday’s Gloucester Garden Tour. I will be giving guided tours of the butterfly gardens at the HarborWalk on Saturday at 1:00 and at 2:00. The tours will begin under the Tulip Trees in St. Peter’s Square.

Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea © Kim Smith 2013 copy

Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)

One of  the more fanciful North American wildflowers that you’ll see on the tour is the Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea), which is just beginning its florescence; typically July through August. With elegant, thread-like ferny foliage and charming one-inch flowerheads, this member of the Legume Family (Fabaceae) also adds nitrogen to the soil. The seeds of Dalea purpurea are enjoyed by many songbirds and the nectar-rich rose-purple and gold flowers are attractive to myriad species of butterflies and bees. Purple Prairie Clover grows well in average garden loom, as well as sandy soil, and it is often used for erosion control. Dalea purpurea grows a deep taproot and, once established, it is nearly impervious to drought.

Visit the Gloucester Garden Tour website for information on ticket sales.

Coneflower and Bee -2 © Kim Smith 2013Echinacea and Bee at the HarborWalk

Don’t even think about the weather — just get out and have fun tonight!

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

HarborLoopCrowdJust because you can get the weather on your phone doesn’t mean the prediction has gotten any better.  As of right now, tonight’s Harbor Loop Concert is cancelled due to bad weather.  It was raining when we talked to Bradley Royds about this, but the sun is coming out now.  You just never know what’s going to happen, so be sure to check the local live music listings for last minute changes.

Gloucester weather may be unpredictable, but here’s a prediction you can count on: You can go out tonight — every night — and have a great time without even knowing what the weather will be.  This is the advantage of living in a town with a vibrant music, entertainment & cultural scene —  something Patty Hecht pointed out at last night’s Downtown Visioning Meeting at City Hall (see Joey’s interview with Patty @ 191 Main St. here).

So don’t fret about it.  Just go downtown.  If the weather cooperates, you can sit, eat and be entertained outside.  If not, you can stroll around in the rain (kinda fun in the summer) and pop in and out of all the restaurants offering music until the wee hours of tomorrow morning (see schedule here).   And don’t forget to be grateful that you live here.

Great news! Ricky “King” Russell is jumping’ into the pool with us. Along with Cheryl Arena and Ed Scheer. Don’t miss it! Tonight at The Rhumb Line 8:30pm

Posted on by Joanne

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Dave says,

It was a much needed week off. Finally had time for some maintenance and a new sleeve job.Had my brakes removed, too. Now we’re back with a great lineup for the rest of the summer.
So, let’s welcome back Ms. Cheryl Arena, that shit-kickin’ former Texass gal with the big harp and the bigger repertoire. She’s comin’ so look out. Try not to spill your drink while she regales you with her own upbeat blend of the finest toons that money can’t buy. Furthermore, Mr. Edd Scheer, that baddie of the eggbeaters will be providing the 60 cycle hum that’ll  thrill you to the bottom of your big toe. We’re gonna make him sing a lot, keep him on his other toes. As of yet, the dragnet hasn’t picked up a suitable suspect for the guitar chair, but rest assured, he’ll be a homunculus where it counts.  Bring your glutes, and  a couple Ace bandages. Remember: we hit at 8:30. Thursday 7.11.2013

Cheryl Arena

http://www.cherylarena.com/

ricky king russell

courtesy photos

http://www.rickykingrussell.com/

http://www.therhumbline.com/

THE RHUMB LINE BAR & RESTAURANT40 Railroad Ave.

Gloucester, MA 01930

phone: 978-283-9732

Email: shred1946@yahoo.com

EJ Curated Our Show At Castle Manor Inn Which Opens Tuesday

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Looking forward to Tuesday Night’s Show Opening At Castle Manor Inn.  I have a few pieces as well as many of your GMG favorites.  EJ will no doubt chime in with more of the deets

Hi Joey,

Attached are some photos of your exhibit at Castle Manor.  The opening reception will be Tuesday, July 23 from 5-7:00.

Joey C exhibit copy

Here’s some of the video I shot just as the new owners took over-

Click below for the video tour-

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also here for their website- http://www.castlemanorinn.com/

 

click to play the video

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The Dress Code – the 2nd-hand store series continues!

Posted on by Matthew Green

Continuing my series on second-hand stores in the Gloucester-Rockport area, today we make a virtual visit to The Dress Code! (159 Main St.)

_The Dress Code façadeThe Dress Code is a consignment store that specializes in women’s clothing and accessories, although they also have some men’s clothing and other items.  Very often they welcome visitors with a rack of clothes outside the front door:

_The Dress Code 3 dollar rackI have been in here a few times looking for men’s clothes (including the first tie I’ve worn in 20 years), and the staff has always been welcoming and helpful. Here are some photos of the inside of the store:


They are open Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, and Sunday 12PM-5PM.

Next up in the series: The Eco Boutique!

– Matthew Green