Speedway Welding Supply

Mike and I had a great experience over the weekend at Speedway Welding Supply. Such a great resource right in our backyards!

Family owned, local, passionate, clean showroom and great customer service! Owner, Steve and his son, Sean, are very Knowledgeable and happy to help. You can tell they love what they do. This is why local businesses are so much more valuable than the big box stores.

Things they carry:
Industrial Gases
Lincoln Welders
Grinding, Sanding and Wire Wheels
Harris Cutting Torches & Parts
Welding, Helmets, Protective clothing & Accessories

http://www.speedwayweldingsupply.com/index.htm

Photo of Building from the website:

Me welding for the first time!

Speedway Welding Supplies
16 Old Country Rd.
(down the road from Sprint, behind Sears)
Off Eastern Ave. Gloucester

 

Greetings From Haifa, Israel

Hi Joey, hi Paul

We are your fans from the other side of the pond…

We are in limbo, living in Haifa, until we can come live permanently in Gloucester. In the meantime, we love following GMG. You are both doing a great job!

Here are 3 photographs with the sticker for you. Hope you like them.

Best fishes, as the saying goes…

Neta, Shahar & kids

Haifa, Israel

Click Here to Check Out Neta’s “Let’s ART” Website

Auction Wednesday – Antique & Vintage Boat Building Tools

Walt Kolenda is holding his monthly auction on:

Wednesday

November 2

 6pm

17 Kondelin Rd.  #7

Gloucester, MA 01930

 (inspection 3pm – 6pm)

This sale will include the first part of complete workshop of well known area boat builder Russell “Pete” Tobey of Dunstable MA.

There will be hundreds of lots of antique & vintage tools from the boat building trade, and much more! This sale will be packed w/ over 300 lots! Antique wood plane

Here is a partial listing of Antique/vintage/modern woodworking tools:

6ft long butcher block/ oak top workbench

4ft long heavy duty work bench w/ 3 drawers

woodend dovetailed toolboxes

antique block and tackle pulleys

many hand saws

2 person saw

To see more pictures and details go to his Auctionzip.com page.

Walt Kolenda       Auctioneer License: 2621                                                                         978-636-3101       wkolenda@gmail.com

Ed Parks Recognized for his Dedication and Contributions to Gloucester

Ed and his wife on dedicated bench

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From Gloucester Daily Times:

To the editor:

It was pleasing to watch Edward S. Parks Jr. receive official accolades from the city of Gloucester last Saturday morning for his service to his hometown.

At the unveiling of a harbor-side bench in Ed Parks’ honor, Councilor Bob Whynott did a nice job of outlining the career and successes of Ed Parks that included the creation of Gloucester’s watershed and the revitalization of Stage Fort Park of which the latter has now become a major revenue source for the city.

Ed Parks’ successes in life reach much further than the city of Gloucester. Mr. Parks was a graduate of Gloucester’s JROTC program and went on to The Citadel, the distinguished military school.

After college, Mr. Parks commenced a decorated 22-year career in the Army that included two tours in Vietnam. Some of his honors include two Bronze Stars, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

As his nephew, I’ve been blessed to experience Mr. Parks’ life outside of duties of public service. From a young age, he taught me a “no tolerance” policy for laziness and dishonesty while instilling the value of education enhanced by diligence and thrift.

Gloucester is a much better place for the impact that Mr. Parks has made on hundreds of summer workers who, despite their blistered hands and aching backs, know what it means to serve with honor.

MERIT McINTYRE”

Cape Ann TV Election Coverage

Ch. 12
Monday, October 31, 2011
8:00pm Gloucester City Councilor Ward 2 and Ward 3
Debate presented by the LWV of Cape Ann

9:00pm Gloucester City Councilor-at-Large Debate
presented by the LWV of Cape Ann

10:30pm Cape Ann TV Gloucester Candidates Forum
Tuesday, November 1, 2011

12:00am Gloucester City Councilor Ward 2 and Ward 3
Debate presented by the LWV of Cape Ann

1:00am Gloucester City Councilor-at-Large Debate
presented by the LWV of Cape Ann

2:30am Cape Ann TV Gloucester Candidates Forum

10:30pm Cape Ann TV Gloucester Candidates Forum
Thurs., Nov. 3, 2011

9:00am Gloucester City Councilor Ward 2 and Ward 3
Debate presented by the LWV of Cape Ann

10:00am Gloucester City Councilor-at-Large Debate
presented by the LWV of Cape Ann

12:00pm Gloucester Ward 3 Debate presented by the
Gloucester Daily Times

1:30pm Gloucester Ward 2 Debate presented by the
Gloucester Daily Times

3:00pm Gloucester Councilor at Large Debate
presented by the Gloucester Daily Times

4:30pm Gloucester’s Mayor Debate presented by the
Gloucester Daily Times
Friday, Nov. 5, 2011

8:00pm Cape Ann TV Gloucester Candidates Forum

Saturday, Nov. 6 , 2011

12:00am Gloucester’s Mayor Debate presented by the
Gloucester Daily Times

1:30am Gloucester Ward 2 Debate presented by the
Gloucester Daily Times

3:00pm Gloucester Councilor at Large Debate
presented by the Gloucester Daily Times

4:30pm Gloucester Ward 3 Debate presented by the
Gloucester Daily Times

8:00am Gloucester Ward 2 Debate presented by the
Gloucester Daily Times

9:30am Gloucester’s Mayor Debate presented by the
Gloucester Daily Times

11:00am Gloucester Ward 3 Debate presented by the
Gloucester Daily Times

4:00pm Gloucester Councilor at Large Debate
presented by the Gloucester Daily Times

6:30pm Gloucester’s Mayor Debate presented by the
Gloucester Daily Times

8:00pm Gloucester City Councilor-at-Large Debate
presented by the LWV of Cape Ann

9:30pm Gloucester City Councilor Ward 2 and Ward 3
Debate presented by the LWV of Cape Ann

10:30pm Cape Ann TV Gloucester Candidates Forum
Sunday, Nov. 7, 2011

12:00am Gloucester City Councilor Ward 2 and Ward 3
Debate presented by the LWV of Cape Ann

1:00am Gloucester City Councilor-at-Large Debate
presented by the LWV of Cape Ann

2:30am Cape Ann TV Gloucester Candidates Forum

Ch. 67
Friday, Nov. 5, 2011
6:30pm Gloucester Councilor at Large Debate presented by the Gloucester Daily Times
8:00pm Gloucester’s Mayor Debate presented by the Gloucester Daily Times
9:30pm Gloucester Ward 2 Debate presented by the Gloucester Daily Times
11:00pm Gloucester Ward 3 Debate presented by the Gloucester Daily Times

In The Heart of Downtown

In The Heart of Downtown

Even in the heart of downtown we can find

a place of serenity, where the mind can be cleared

and the spirit renewed.

 

Even in the heart of downtown, the sun finds a place

between two trees, bringing light and warmth

to body and soul.

 

Even in the heart of downtown we can discover a

placid place within ourselves and understand that

a greater peace will come only after we visit

that private sanctuary.

 

Even in the heart of downtown we can pause and re-tune

to the rhythm of our breath and the melody of internal silence,

aware of, but not concerned with, the barking dog

just a few feet away.

Marty Luster

 

 

Three Toed Sloth at Silver King Fishing Lodge in Costa Rica

During my recent photo shooting at the Sliver King Fishing Lodge in Cost Rica, I encountered a Three Toed Sloth.  Click on photo for more.

Click on Photo to view Slide_show

Did You Know? (Little Art Cinema & Vasa)

That the Little Art Cinema, a small single-screen seasonal cinema on the corner of Broadway and School Streets in Rockport is located on the second floor of Spiran Hall, VASA Order of America’s Spiran Lodge #98, a Scandinavian Fraternal Society founded in 1908. 

The Vasa Order of America began more than a century ago as a benefit fraternal society for Swedish immigrants to the United States. Membership at the time was limited to Swedish born men who through the Vasa Order met others who needed to learn the new language and ways of the new country. A benefit fund provided a small income to members during sickness, and a death benefit, which at that time would cover final expenses. The Order is named for Gustav Vasa, who liberated Sweden in the 16th century and became the first King of modern Sweden. The name of Vasa reflects the Order’s roots as a Swedish American Fraternal Organization. Swedish in origin, the Vasa Order welcomes men and women over 14 years of age of Scandinavian roots, (Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish or Icelandic,) and their spouses who would like to rediscover the traditions of their forefathers; and those who are not of Nordic ancestry but are committed to the promotion and advancement of Swedish and Nordic heritage and culture. They do this by encouraging the observance of special dates old and new, such as Midsummer, Leif Ericksson Day, etc. with proper festivities including Smorgasbord and Scandinavian music. While much of their activity occurs during the summer season, in mid-December it is hard to find a Vasa Lodge where Luciafest is not observed. 

As we all know, the Scandinavian immigrants were an important part of the quarrying industry on Cape Ann, and continue as an integral part of the community here to this day. 

About the theatre, one Yelp reviewer wrote:  ah.  This place is like a museum of memories.  AND a labor of love it seems.  A tiny little theatre on the 2nd floor of a building on the corner of Broadway and School St. in Rockport, “Little Art Cinema” is something from another time.

I happened to see a poster in the “Bean and Leaf” cafe on the Neck (that’s Bearskin y’all, not Rocky Neck) indicating that a documentary on the marriage of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier was playing the week of July 8.  I made a note to see this and wondered where there was a theatre in Rockport.  (who knew?)

I looked online and found a phone number but it is disconnected.  Don’t let this stop you….The theatre is there and appears to run like clockwork. One guy sells tickets, popcorn and snacks AND runs the projection.  I’m not sure if he’s the owner but he sure seems to be ‘into it.’  Turns out the film I went to see, airing at 7 and 9PM – was a double feature.  There was a film about Pablo Picasso playing before “A Wedding in Monaco.”  EXCELLENT.  Can’t tell you the last time I sat in a theatre that has been showing films since 1890 [this may have been when the building was built, but the theatre has only been there since 1985], in the air conditioning, with popcorn to see 2 films in a row for $7.50~~~~!!!!  Seems like they show quirky, artsy, independents…and I love that!

Seats are “decent” but not like new cinema chairs…no drink holders, etc.  Theatre is up a flight of stairs.  Parking is ON STREET and after 6 you no longer need to feed the meter.

As Cinema Treasures says about the Little Art Cinema:  “This small single-screen seasonal cinema in the seaside Massachusetts beach and resort town of Rockport is located on the second floor of a building called Spiran Hall. The concession stand and ticket-purchase area are located on the first floor.

Walk up the winding staircase to the second level and you enter a pleasant but slightly musty auditorium with seating on a single flat level amid a moderately tattered environment. The small place has real character and is of the kind that is sadly disappearing from America.

The programming of mostly art-house movies of recent vintage is appropriate and reflects the interests and tastes of the clientele that spend time in the area and patronize the place.”

I never knew this place existed.  Sounds like Cape Ann Cinema, but without Rob and the comfy couches and chairs, and no musty or tattered environment –  not to say that isn’t cool in its own right.  I personally happen to be a fan of cool old rusty, musty, tattered places and things. 

E.J. Lefavour

Upcoming Cape Ann Profiles Including Our Greg Bover

On the next Cape Ann Profiles show host Rich Sagall interviews Greg Bover, a Vice President of CB Fisk, Inc., a Gloucester-based designer and builder of pipe organs. They discuss the intricacies of designing, constructing, and installing organs. CB Fisk has supplied organs to institutions around the world.
Cape Ann Profiles can be seen on Cape Ann TV Channel 12 on Friday, October 28 at 10:30AM and 7:00PM and on Sunday, October 30 at 2:00PM. It repeats on Friday, November 4 at 10:30AM and 7:00PM and on Sunday, November 6 at 2:00PM.
Upcoming guests include Mark Warhol, a Cape Ann composer of contemporary classical music other Cape Ann personalities who have a story to tell.
Rich Sagall is a physician and the president of NeedyMeds, a national non-profit that provides information on programs that help people unable to afford their health care costs. He also publishes Pediatrics for Parents, a children’s health newsletter.

Cape Ann TV brings home coveted ACM awards

The Alliance for Community Media Northeast Region has announced the winners of the Fall Video Festival, and this year, Cape Ann TV is taking home two awards. Cape Ann TV won a Second Place award in the Children and Youth category for the Cape Ann TV Youth Productions Club “Interview with Mayor Kirk,” and a Third Place award in the General Talk Show category for “Cape Ann Profiles: Egypt Revolution” produced by Rich Sagall.
    "All credit for the award belongs to Samantha and Cape Ann TV,” said Mayor Carolyn Kirk. “She asked thoughtful questions and made me feel comfortable during the interview — not something that can always be said of professional news organizations!"
    "The students who participate in our after school video club created a professional looking program, they do a fabulous job!” said Lisa Smith who coordinates the youth program. “This show was interesting to watch because Samantha Delaney-Burke, who was only in eight-grade at the time, had a great rapport with the Mayor. She interviewed the mayor from a teen perspective, and the viewer could learn about some of the influences that shaped the Mayor as a young person."
    Cape Ann TV Youth Productions landed another coveted award earlier this year winning the top award for “Bad Day at Good Harbor,” from among all of the high school entries for the Gloucester Education Foundation Video Contest. The Youth Productions After School program has weekly meetings this fall on Tuesdays from 3-5 p.m.
    The other award recipient, Rich Sagall, producer of Cape Ann Profiles, was equally honored to receive recognition. “We are so pleased to win this award,” said Rich Sagall,” producer, “Our show is a great platform to interview a wealth of interesting people and topics in Cape Ann.” Cape Ann Profiles is a new interview program was started in  (month) and features local people in the community and many diverse local and international subjects of interest. Some of Sagall’s recent guests have covered topics from the NOAA and the fishing industry to the Egyptian Revolution. The program is cablecast on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.   
    “Cape Ann TV is working to help members to develop high quality programming skills and for our center to become a leader in providing valuable local content to the Cape Ann communities. These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our members and producers,” said Donna L. Gacek, the executive director of Cape Ann TV. Cape Ann TV is on Facebook and Twitter and you can find much more information on http://www.capeanntv.org and capeanntv.wordpress.com.
     The ACM-NE Region includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. The ACM-NE Video Festival honors and promotes community communications and local cable programs that are first distributed on Public, Educational and Government (PEG) access or Local Origination (LO) cable television channels. Awards are presented to creative programs that address community needs, develop diverse community involvement, challenge conventional commercial television formats and move viewers to experience television in a different way.     The ACM-NE mission is to foster the belief that in order for democracy to flourish, people must be active participants in their government, educated to think critically and free to express himself or herself.  The Mission of the Alliance for Community Media is to advance democratic ideals by ensuring that people have access to electronic media and by promoting effective communication through community uses of media.

Honoré de Balzac Quote of The Week From Greg Bover

October 27, 2011
"Behind every great fortune there is a crime."
Honoré de Balzac (1799 – 1850)

image

Balzac is often considered the founder of European Realist Literature. His attention to detail and his multi-faceted characters have served as an inspiration to generations of writers, including Dickens, Dostoyevsky, Proust, Poe, Faulkner, Kerouac, and Calvino. His masterwork, Le Comédie Humaine, or The Human Comedy, is a series of sketches of all aspects of life, often presented minute by minute. Although a conservative royalist in his politics, Balzac understood the frustrations of the down-trodden and the revolutionaries in the great social upheavals of his later life.

Greg Bover