Gloucester downtown harbortown cultural district: Partner Updates | March 2017

Fun updates from downtown coming
–visit repost–

Adderall and Oxys- Can Some Politician Stand Up To The Drug Companies For Christs’ Sake?

Can we figure out other stuff to prescribe?   How bout prescribing a little mental toughness instead of making this shit so readily available?  I respect the hell out of any doctor that asks a patient that doesn’t absolutely need hard core pain meds if they can take a little pain and go with heavy duty Tylenol instead.

This stuff is destroying too many young lives.

World Series pitcher describes his battle with Adderall here

 

House Approves $200 million for Local Infrastructure Needs

Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) joined her colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass legislation that authorizes $200 million for Chapter 90 funding to help municipalities complete road, bridge and infrastructure improvement projects.

The legislation provides Cape Ann’s communities with nearly $1 million for improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Gloucester will receive $665,844.64, Essex will receive $129,965.82, and Rockport will receive $189,641.87. The bill also appropriates $70 million to replace the Registry of Motor Vehicle’s information technology infrastructure.

“Safe roads are key to the safety and prosperity of all communities especially Gloucester,  Rockport, and Essex,” said Ferrante. “Ensuring the safety of local roads for our children, residents, visitors and those who conduct business in our area is a top priority of local leaders, including myself.”

“Chapter 90 funds are essential to providing stability and spurring economic growth in Massachusetts,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) said. “That growth starts on the local level. I am pleased we were able to take action on this bill before April to support safety and efficiency in our municipalities.”

“The House of Representatives voted to support $200 million of Chapter 90 funding for our cities and towns,” said Representative Brian S. Dempsey (D-Haverhill), Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways & Means. “Today’s vote will ensure that local transportation projects will continue to move forward as the busy construction season gets under way.  These funds are a vital source of local aid and demonstrate the House’s ongoing commitment to deliver needed resources to our partners at the municipal level.”

“This funding is instrumental to cities and towns seeking to make repairs and updates to their infrastructure,” said Representative William Straus (D–Mattapoisett), Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “The winter weather is especially tough on roads, and The Legislature’s $200M appropriation will allow municipalities added funds this construction season for repairs that are most needed.” 

This legislation complements a 2016 transportation law focused on highways, small bridges and a municipal grant program. That bill authorized $750 million for both federal-aid interstate and non-interstate highway projects, and $50 million for a new program to repair small bridges.

GINORMOUS BARGE ASHORE ON NILES BEACH

The barge has been hauled out onto Niles Beach to repair damage. Although in use for the environmental clean up underway at Gloucester Harbor, it is NOT filled with contaminated sand, but with new sand to replace the old sand. 

Nautical Driving School: Gloucester, MA

Nautical Driving School: Gloucester, MA

Learn to be safe while having fun on the water!

Boat Handling School

Now Taking Reservations for Spring 2017

The Nautical Driving School will give you hands-on knowledge, skill and confidence to correctly, and safely, handle a boat.

This 12 hour course you will teach you the inner workings of a vessel, boating vocabulary, and the proper protocols for navigating tight waterways as well as open waters. You will learn how to interface with other captains and understand the proper use and protocols of the Marine VHF Radio.

This class will give you the experience and confidence to know how to react in the case of emergencies, to competently and safely relieve someone at the wheel and stand a watch on your own.

Hands on class agenda includes:

Building your self confidence, learn the following…

  • The USCG Rules of the Road
  • Helmsmanship
  • Navigation
  • Radio Protocols
  • Docking
  • Anchoring
  • Perform Mechanical Checklists
  • Line Handling and Knot-Tying

E-mail for information regarding scheduling, pricing or any specific questions you might have.

Captain George Story

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Captain George Story has worked on the water for 40 years, 30 as a professional licensed captain. Over those many years he has Skippered such boats as Whale Watch vessel, High Speed Commuter Catamarans and large Wind-Jamming Schooners and Ketches. Due to his knowledge of northern waterways he has been a sought after Harbor and River tour-boat captain. He has also command tugboats and working barges during winter months inspecting bridge, seawalls and pipelines

Throughout his career he has delighted in educating young and old alike in all aspects of the sea and waterways including how to safely drive boats of all sizes, even under the most adverse conditions. He was an instructor for the Coastal Bound Program. He is happiest when at the wheel of a boat of any size

As an educator, teaching the marine sciences has been a passion and labor of love. Maritime careers are never predictable given the constant challenges to be met. Sharing his knowledge of the sea brings Captain Story full circle.

Richard Congelosi

Richard Congelosi spent 47 years in the automobile industry. The last 30 as General Sales Manager for a well-known Jaguar dealer. Richard brings a background in finance, as well as organizational skills necessary for any business.

Richard is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild and has worked in several movies and TV programs, had his own rock ’n’ roll radio program “American Jukebox” on 3 stations in the Boston area for 12 years, Richard is always looking for the next adventure. A love for cars, and a fascination with boats brings Richard here.

Leon Doucette at Charles Fine Arts this weekend

Leaon Doucette

 Leon Doucette will be doing live sketching at the “Form Face Figure” Exhibit at Charles Fine Arts Gallery at 196 Main Street Gloucester, this weekend.

Saturday, April 1st 2017: 2 – 5

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Gloucester Smiles-570

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Prince Henry  “Hank” the Dog, celebrates his birthday today March 30th

Sunrise over GHB Marsh

Knowing the sun was going to show it’s face this morning after days of dreariness,  I took one for the team and skipped exercise to grab a sunrise shot this morning.  (I know…my sacrifices know no bounds lol!!)  

Nichole’s Picks 4/1 + 4/2

April!!!  Happy Dance!

Pick #1: Little Mermaid at the Larcom Theatre

When:     Sat, Apr. 1st and Sun, Apr. 2nd

Tickets:   $13 to $21

Venue:     13 Wallis Street, Beverly, MA

The beloved tale of The Little Mermaid is brought to the stage in a brand new production following a sell-out tour of China and the UK. The Panto Company presents their adaptation of this classic Hans Christian Andersen’s story to the stage in a fantastic, funny and exciting interactive show full of singing and dancing.

 It follows the dreams of a young girl who believes there is something more for her out of the water. Of course there’s a handsome prince, an evil baddie and lots of laughs along the way.

 Together with stunning scenery, eye-catching costumes, original songs plus up to date chart songs and not forgetting loads of audience participation this show makes for a thoroughly entertaining family day out.

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http://www.thelarcom.org/thelittlemermaidhttp://www.thelarcom.org/thelittlemermaid

Pick #2: Meet the Chicks at Green Meadow Farm

Meet the Chicks

April 1st, 2017 11:00am – 2:00pm

     Join your farm friends for this grand opening day at Green Meadows on April 1st, 2017 from 11 am until 2 pm. Learn about the life of a chicken on our farm and welcome our newest additions to the farm menagerie, the chicks! There will be free crafts and an out door scavenger hunt if the weather allows. This event is free and open to the public.

READ MORE HERE

Pick #3: Build a Bluebird House at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

READ MORE HERE

Parent/Child Build a Bluebird House

Sat, Apr 01, 2017 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield

Instructors:

Angela Walsh – Sanctuary Field Teacher; Cheri Corrado – Sanctuary Nature Guide

Audience:

All (suitable for children 6 – 18 years)

Members:

Adult $19.00, Child free

Nonmembers:

Adult $23.00, Child free

Celebrate spring by building a bluebird house with your child. We’ll supply all the materials and instruction to build a nest box for bluebirds and tree swallows. These wonderful nest boxes also attract chickadees, tufted titmice, house wrens, and woodpeckers. A short slide presentation will introduce families to the natural history and behavior of birds in Massachusetts, and we’ll discuss where and how to place your nest box. Dress for the weather because we will take a short walk to look and listen for bluebirds.

Instructions and Directions:

Meets in the Barn. The fee is per family and includes one kit. Extra kits may be purchased for $12 each and must be ordered when you register. Please bring a hammer.
Registration is required.
Call to register 978-887-9264.
Register by mail: program registration form (PDF 66K)
For your own security, DO NOT send credit card information via email.

For more information, contact:

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As always, for a more comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid

AL BEZANSON’S GREEN DRAGON SCHOONER FEATURED IN CHARLES MOVALLI PAINTING!

Did you know that the schooner shown here in the Charles Movalli painting is none other than Gloucester’s Al Bezanson’s Green Dragon?

Saturday, April 1st, at 2pm author and art historian Judith Curtis is giving an illustrated lecture to accompany the “Charles Movalli: Cape Ann and Beyond” exhibit currently at the Cape Ann Museum. To reserve seating and read more about the event go to the museum’s website here.Â