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Photo From Joe McKechnie

Click the picture for the deal-

…Can you believe it? On Saturday night, April 23rd, there were THREE things taking place at night. At night!

Citizens of Gloucester, you cannot fully appreciate how amazing this is, as Rockport rolls up its sidewalk at approximately 5 pm. (Then all of us go over to Gloucester to eat dinner at one of your many fine establishments.) Well, that’s what it feels like, anyway. But, this was not the case a few weekends ago. Oh no. On THAT very special night there was an event at the Rockport Art Association (it was private, but who cares? At least there were live human beings coming in and out the front door of the RAA after dark), another event at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, and an art opening at the Tusinski Gallery, all three events taking place on Main Street.

I attended the opening at the gallery and, over a week later, am still enjoying the experience of seeing people in downtown Rockport. So exciting. Here are some photos from a very happening gallery opening. Consider this the society pages of the new so crazy-we’re-up-past-8-o’clock-Rockport. The rest of you on Cape Ann, feel free to join us downtown after dark! Maybe you’ll be able to talk a restaurant owner into staying open for dinner if you come! We’ll toast the good life on Cape Ann together.

http://www.goodmorninggloucester.com Do you get it?

That there are 30,000 balls of yarn at Coveted Yarn?  If you knit or know anyone who knits, you have to check out Coveted Yarn.  Robert Porter (who I sometimes call David, as did one of his school teachers because he has a cousin David that she confused him with – I have no excuse except that I am bad with names), is so cute and sweet, but also very knowledgeable about yarn, which he has to be because of all the colors, varieties, styles, shapes, weights, textures, fibers, strengths, patterns, flexibility, uniformity, and sizes of yarn that he carries.  I don’t knit, but I love going into Coveted Yarn because of the veritable feast of colors, shapes and textures that astound you as you walk into his shop, and because Robert is so nice to visit with.  If you do knit, you will find yourself knitting your brow trying to decide what to buy; but Robert will be right there to help you make the right decision for your project.  I have listened to him patiently talking customers through the ordeal of picking just the right yarn.  Even if you don’t knit, but have friends that do, it is a great place to pick up a really cool skein of yarn as a gift – and maybe they’ll knit something really nice for you.   As one Yelper said: “This is one great place to find quality yarn at a reasonable price.”  He also carries all the accoutrements of knitting that you could need.  And That’s No Yarn!

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

The members of Temple Ahavat Achim held a joyous procession from their

temporary quarters to their new synagogue building on Middle Street.

More than three years after a disastrous fire destroyed their home,

they celebrated the new building that rose on their old site. They are

delighted to be staying in the heart of downtown Gloucester, and are

immensely grateful to all their Cape Ann friends. An open house for

the Cape Ann community will take place on Sunday, June 5, from

2:30-4:00.

That the site of Smokin’ Jim’s Bar-B-Q was once Bob’s Clam Shack, and that Harbor Master, Jim Caulkett’s wife Judy’s father, Joe Sanborn was one of the carpenters who built it?  And did you know that Robert Earl “Bob” Kearsey, born in Gloucester on December 18, 1934, passed away at his home in Moss Point, MS on Saturday, March 26, 2011?  In 1953 Bob built, owned, and operated the famous East Gloucester seafood restaurant, Bob’s Clam Shack, where he served “The Finest Clam on Cape Ann.” Notice, he started that business when he was only 19.  After the Clam Shack and Marina were sold in 1980, he purchased an RV and traveled the United States, living and working wherever his next adventure would take him.  His memorial service was held this past Saturday, April 23rd at the UUC, 50 Middle Street in Gloucester.

Today was the opening of Smokin Jim’s Bar-B-Q and I stopped by to say Hi to Judy and Jim, who are great people with such wonderful energy.  I’m not a big rib person, but I did have some of Jim’s chicken, and it was great – so tender and the sauce just right, not overly sweet and cloying like some I’ve had.  I also have to say that their coleslaw, potato salad, Cajun rice, chili and corn bread are out of this world.  I don’t like gritty corn bread, and Jim’s (although I think Judy actually makes it) is fluffy and so delicious.  Seeing that I’ll be on Rocky Neck this summer, I have a feeling I’ll be a regular at Smokin’ Jim’s for the great and very reasonably priced food, for Jim and Judy, and for all the great people who come through there.  I met a bunch of really nice new people while I was there; a number of Good Morning Gloucester lovers, a couple of new converts, and saw House Doctor, Ed Collard and Robert Porter from Coveted Yarn. 

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Nobody sees a flower — really — it is so small it takes time — we haven’t time — and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.

– Georgia O’Keeffe

Good Morning Joey

If you could please post this flyer about the St. Ann’s summer program on the blog we would be greatful.  We also still have openings in our school for the coming school year.  If in the future we could post something about the school it would be great.  Thanks you for your help.

Have a great day! Barbara Jean Ciolino and St. Ann’s staff

click the picture to view larger

I’ve always loved the brick house at 21 Middle St.  The outside has so much character, the brick, the vines, the large windows and the peek at the little garden patio.

Now the home if for sale and just as spectacular on the inside and full of history. There is a whole site dedicated to the sale. It’s not in my price range at $750,000, but maybe it’ll make someone else’s dream home.

Excerpt from the website: “The Gloucester Brick House, or as it has otherwise been known, The Alfred Mansfield Brooks House, has a patchwork history of colorful characters and associations. Built by that inveterate mover and shaker, George Rogers, bon viveur, sea captain and owner of the Surinam sugar trader California , who bought in Boston the interior of an 1820 Charles Street house and a 1790 West Cedar Street house attributed to Charles Bulfinch, barged them up to Gloucester, placed the Bulfinch atop the 1820 and built the brick shell around the two.”

http://thegloucesterbrickhouse.org

Scott Oil Press Agent and FOB Ellen sends in this-

I attended yesterday’s event honoring the 2011 Red Cross Community Heroes sponsored by the Red Cross of Northeast Mass.  Out of the whole region 4 of the award were given to Cape Ann folks.

• Community Hero: Bill Scott
• Community Hero: Sefatia Romeo Theken
• Community Hero:  Karen Benier, Jeff Jones, and Jorge Lemerise who helped save a distressed boater in Essex last August
• Education Hero:  Shawn Maquire (Principal Rockport Elementary) and parent Tina Lamond

The Red Cross receives a lot of nominations and only 9 total awards were given out including a Youth Award and and Enduring Hero award.  So Cape Ann was well represented.  May your weekend rock, Elle