🌮🎉 Spice Up Your Fridays at Machaca! 🎉🌮

Looking for great food, refreshing drinks, and a little friendly competition? Machaca has you covered! Join us every Friday from 8:30 PM to 11 PM for FREE TRIVIA and your chance to win awesome prizes!

🏆 Prizes Awarded Every Hour!

🎁 Win gift cards, tequila, and tequila brand swag

⏳ The earlier you arrive, the more chances you have to win!

All you have to do is download the free Tap TV app, play along, and show off your trivia skills.

So grab your friends, enjoy authentic Mexican flavors, sip on some tequila, and play to win! See you this Friday at Machaca! 🍹🔥

Machaca

Tacos & Tequila

14 Rogers St

Gloucester, MA

Help Fill the Book Shelves at East Veterans School by shopping at The Bookstore of Gloucester

The Bookstore of Gloucester, 61 Main Street, is happy to be partnering with East Veterans Elementary School’s parent volunteers for a BOOK DRIVE to help fill the school’s library!

As seen on their Facebook page, “We know the importance of literacy, kids having access to windows & mirrors stories, and the value of community support. Help us fill those shelves by buying books for the library at The Bookstore. Books purchased for EVS at the store will be 20% off – just mention EVS at checkout! We have a collection box in store for donated books, as well as a list of books the library would like. We are always happy to make suggestions as well!”

The EVS Book Drive runs until March 9th! https://www.thebookstoreofgloucester.com/

Update From The Former Good Harbor Beach Inn

We rode over to check on the progress of the former Good Habor Beach Inn on Salt Island Road recently. Despite the cold and wind that day, the work was continuing at the new Inn at Good Harbor Beach. I understand they plan to re-open sometime this year following the complete reconstruction you see here: “blending modern luxury with its storied past to create an unparalleded guest experience”. We look forward to the results.

Sawyer Free Library Presents “Nature’s Voices” A Three-Part Literary Arts En Plein Air Writing Series 

 ~ Sawyer Free Library

Award winning local author JoeAnn Hart to kick off series on Saturday, Feb 23

The Sawyer Free Library, in collaboration with Gloucester’s Writing Center, is thrilled to announce “Nature’s Voices,” a three-part writing workshop that invites participants to step away from everyday demands and reconnect with the natural world. Much like the French Impressionists who painted en plein air, the program invites participants to venture outside to observe shifting light, gentle breezes, and the soothing sounds of nature—only this time, capturing the scene on the page.

Led by professional writers, each session begins with a 30-minute guided walk to gather impressions and inspiration, followed by 90 minutes of writing indoors. Whether you’re a seasoned creator or new to writing, these sessions promise fresh perspectives, a deeper connection to nature, and invigorating creative exercises.

All sessions are free (ages 18+), rain or shine, and registration is required for each at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Dress for comfort and the elements, and bring your own rain gear if needed. Pens, notebooks, and an open mind are encouraged!

WORKSHOP 1:  It Was a Dark & Stormy Night: The Natural World in Fiction with JoeAnn Hart

Sunday, February 23 | 2:00–4:00 PM at Gloucester Writers Center, 126 East Main Street, Gloucester

Award-winning local author JoeAnn Hart will guide participants in exploring how nature’s drama can add depth and tension to fiction. JoeAnn’s acclaimed works—such as her recently released novel Arroyo Circle (Green Writers Press), prize-winning environmental fiction collection Highwire Act & Other Tales of Survival, the crime memoir Stamford ’76: A True Story of Murder, Corruption, Race, and Feminism in the 1970s, as well as Float, a dark comedy about plastics, and Addled, a social satire. Widely published, her short fiction and essays have appeared in Slate.com, Orion, The Hopper, Prairie Schooner, Terrain.org, and many others. Her work explores the relationship between humans, their environments, and the more-than-human world. REGISTER HERE

WORKSHOP 2Rocks, Trees, and Me: Exploring the Self through Ecopoetry with Rachel Dillon

Saturday, March 11 | 1:00–3:00 PM at Lanesville Community Center, 8 Vulcan Street, Gloucester

Local writer Rachel Dillon, Managing Editor of Ploughshares and author of a chapbook on Gloucester’s Dogtown, will lead this hands-on workshop focused on ecopoetry. Drawing on poets from Dante Alighieri to Emily Dickinson to Donika Kelly, participants will engage with the landscape to discover new ways of expressing their personal and environmental connections. REGISTER HERE

WORKSHOP 3Immersion, Observation, Reflection: Communicating Sense of Place through Essay

Saturday, April 5 | 2:00–4:00 PM at Gloucester Writers Center, 126 East Main Street, Gloucester

Photographer and essayist Mark Thayer offers a final session on crafting essays that illuminate the natural world. Through immersive observation and reflection, participants will learn to convey a vivid sense of place and personal insight into the environment around them. REGISTER HERE

For more information or to register for any of these workshops, please visit the Sawyer Free Library in person or online at sawyerfreelibrary.org, or contact Meg O’Neill at 978-325-5562 or moneill@sawyerfreelibrary.org.  

Comprehensive plan community survey

Hey Joey,

Hope you are doing well. I was wondering if you would be willing to post the link to the Community Survey for the Comprehensive Plan.This quick, anonymous survey (under five minutes) allows residents to weigh in on the priorities that will guide Gloucester’s growth and development over the next decade. The results will directly influence how the city allocates resources and implements key initiatives.

The survey focuses on four core themes:

  • An affordable and innovative place to live and work
  • Thoughtful and engaged city leadership
  • Preserving and sharing 400+ years of history, arts, culture, and landscapes
  • Strengthening physical connectivity and public health

We would really appreciate your support in sharing the survey link with your audience. Translations for Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages are available via Chrome browser settings.
Here is the link: 

tinyurl.com/GCP2034

Cold and windy beautiful Stacy Boulevard

With the wind and cold weather lately, it has been difficult to walk outside.  On Tuesday tried to walk the boulevard but was uncomfortable with some icy patches and the wind.

This bench on the boulevard looked lonely.

Brandon Pratt just got certified as a Renovation Home Loan Specialist at CrossCountry Mortgage this winter.

Since I have flipped and built houses over the years throughout New England, SC and FL, I wanted to expand my mortgage skills to include Renovation Loans

We have EIGHT renovation loans to choose from like FHA 203k, VA Renovation, Fannie Mae Homestyle Renovation, Freddie Mac CHOICERenovation and a few more!  These loans are pretty easy to do and can close in 60 days!  

 

I can do these loans in Mass, NH, Maine, SC and Florida too for second homes and investment properties too!

 

Thanks and chat soon!

Brandon Pratt

VP of Mortgage Lending / Loan Originator 

617.688.6891 

www.ThePrattTeam.com

brandon.pratt@ccm.com

Found Moment

I found my son enjoying a moment and a beautiful sunset. I was happy to watch him from afar for a bit before joing him on the rocks. Simple moments, simple pleasures.

Screenshot

Steer Yourself to Vita Bella

We noticed a new sculpture along Rte 133 gracing the frontage at Vita Bella. I took a closer look when I noticed the scarf accessory and found delightful inscriptions worked into the metal along the steer’s side. Great work! It’s quite striking and another good reason to stop by Vita Bella on Eastern Ave in Essex.

Grove Street Self Storage is here to help you achieve your 2025 goals.

The new year is here, and it’s the perfect time to set your sights on a fresh start. Whether you’re decluttering your home, moving to a new space, or gearing up for a big project, Grove Street Self Storage is here to help you achieve your 2025 goals.

🌟 Here’s how we can make this year your most organized yet:

  • Declutter for a Clearer Mind:Free up valuable space at home or in the office by storing items you don’t need every day.
  • Support for Life Transitions: From moving to renovating, our storage units provide a safe and flexible solution for whatever life throws your way.
  • Seasonal Storage Made Simple: Safely pack away your holiday décor, winter gear, and other seasonal items until you need them again.
  • Boost Business Productivity:Small businesses can use storage for extra inventory, documents, or equipment to keep operations running smoothly. 

🍃 Start 2025 off right with a clean slate and peace of mind, knowing your belongings are safe and secure.

Call Now! (978) 879-4524

Boats ‘n Hoes

Gloucester Fishermen and Boats ‘n Hoes Caps. Both 🔥🔥🔥

Link to purchase- https://gloucesterapparel.square.site.square.site/product/gloucester-fishermen-wide-wale-corduroy-cap/72

Cape Ann Weather On Facebook Is An Absolute If You Live On The Island

Here’s the link-

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EKChCjsHL/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Tailored to the weather in our specific Cape Ann microclimate which can differ wildly from greater Boston Chris does a tremendous job serving our community. You can also donate to support him on his page.