Rare western snowy plovers nesting in Los Angeles after 70-year absence

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Thank you to my new friend Laura Stevens for sharing the following story. I have been to Malibu Lagoon State Beach when visiting Liv in Santa Monica and it is equally as well-loved and highly trafficked as is Good Harbor Beach.

Rare western snowy plovers nesting in Los Angeles after 70-year absence

Mother Nature Network/By Jaymi Heimbuch/May 14, 2017

Photo: Kristian Bell

On April 18, the nest of a western snowy plover was discovered on Santa Monica State Beach. More nests were discovered later in the month on Dockweiler State Beach and Malibu Lagoon State Beach. While finding the nests of shore birds on a beach doesn’t seem like a big deal, it’s an extraordinary moment when you consider the species. The last time a nest of this species was found on a Los Angeles County beach was in 1949! After 68 years, the tiny birds once again are trying to raise families on these busy southern California shores.

The western snowy plover is a tiny shorebird so perfectly camouflaged that it can disappear in plain sight on the sand. It lays its eggs in depressions in the sand, and these eggs can be next to impossible to see until you’re right on top of them. Snowy plover chicks — as pictured here — learn to get up and go within hours of hatching.

Unfortunately, the nesting preferences of these little birds make them vulnerable to disturbance from humans and predation by everything from crows to cats.

According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) news release, “The Pacific Coast population of western snowy plover was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1993, because of habitat loss, impacts from non-native predators and other factors. At the time of listing, the California population was estimated to be about 1,300 adults. In 2016, the population was estimated to have increased to a little more than 1,800 adults.”

The news that the birds are making a comeback in Los Angeles County is heartening, and it shows the conservation efforts to restore habitat and protect nesting areas are paying off.

“This is a sign that, against all odds, western snowy plovers are making a comeback, and we really need the cooperation of beachgoers to help give them the space they need to nest and raise their young,” said senior FWS biologist Chris Dellith. “I’m hopeful that we can find a balance between beach recreation and habitat restoration, which will allow humans and shorebirds like the western snowy plover to peacefully exist along our coastline.”

New England Premiere Opens Gloucester Stage 2017 Season

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

NEW ENGLAND PREMIERE OF COMEDYBANK JOB BY JOHN KOLVENBACH OPENS GLOUCESTER STAGE 2017 SEASON

Gloucester Stage Company kicks off its 38th season of professional theater on Cape Ann with the New England Premiere of John Kolvenbach’s Bank Job from May 19 through June 10 at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA. For two brothers, Russell and Tracey, new to the armed robbery industry, what seems like easy money turns out to be a lot more difficult than it looks in the movies in John Kolvenbach’s hilarious Bank Job. When heist plans A and B (and C through F) fail, the brothers find themselves locked in the executive bathroom with no way out and no choice but to depend on a brave bank teller, a guileless cop, and the man in the shadows who put them up to the whole thing. A fun comedy, Bank Job is about the holes we dig ourselves into—and the unexpected comrades we trust to dig us out. Directed by GSC Artistic Director Robert Walsh and featuring GSC veterans Johnny Lee Davenport, Nael Nacer, Richard McElvain and Paul Melendy and GSC newcomer Shuyi Jia..

 

Bank Job had its world premiere in 2014 at the Amphibian Stage Productions Theater in Fort Worth, Texas. Bank Job playwright John Kolvenbach will be at Gloucester Stage on Sunday, June 4 for a free post show discussion with the director and cast following the 2pmperformance. John Kolvenbach is an American playwright known for works including Sister Play, Gizmo Love, Love Song, On An Average Day, Goldfish, Marriage Play, and Fabuloso. Both Love Song and On An Average Day were performed on the West End in London. Love Song was directed by John Crowley and featured Kristen Johnson, Cillian Murphy, Neve Campbell and Michael McKean, and was nominated for an Olivier Award as best new comedy. On an Average Day was also directed by Crowley and featured Woody Harrelson and Kyle McLachlan. Mr. Kolvenbach’s plays have been performed in London’s West End and all over the world, including productions in Rome, Sydney, Wellington, Seoul, Melbourne, Tel Aviv, Zurich, San Juan, Berlin and throughout the United States.

  Continue reading “New England Premiere Opens Gloucester Stage 2017 Season” →

Sand to City

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

This store on Lexington Avenue is fun to shop.  Stop by and enjoy

 

Sand to City Style located at 21 Lexington Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930
978-526-0954

You can find Sand to City on Facebook

These pillows can go outside

Great kitchen towels

Love this sign

How fun for Tick Tac Dough

The Studio Deck Officially Opens For The Season Tomorrow, Wednesday. Half off Wednesday and Thursday This week

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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For more info- www.studio-restaurant.com

51 Rocky Neck Ave, Gloucester MA
978-879-4896
On Facebook- www.facebook.com/thestudio51

Blood Drive

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Where: Magnolia Library and Community Center
1 Lexington Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930

When: Monday, May 22 at 2 PM – 7 PM

For more information on the Magnolia Library please follow the link below
magnolialibrarycommunitycenter@gmail.com

Tickets Available
redcrossblood.org

3rd Week of Katrina’s $1,000 Singer Songwriter Challenge Tonight! 7:30pm start

Posted on by Joanne

Check out last week’s 2nd challenge 2nd night
Katrina’s $1,000 Singer Songwriter Challenge 5.9.2017
Another night with a great mix of music from so many singer songwriters.
Moving lyrics with passionate deliverance by all.
It always amazes me how one can write lyrics and put it to music or vice versa…What a talent and then to get up in front of a crowd and share it all.
Thank you to all that shared.
Collin Curtis
Lisa Manning
Chad Perrone
Maximillian Wentz
Red Tail Hawk duo
JP Heston
Joseph Andrew Slepoy
Nico Rivers
Peter Mercier

photos by Sheila Roberts Orlando

Collin Curtis
Lisa Manning
Chad Perrone
Maximillian Wentz
Red Tail Hawk duo
Red Tail Hawk duo
JP Heston
Joseph Andrew Slepoy
Nico Rivers
Peter Mercier

Congratulations to Chad Perrone for winning last nights challenge. We will see you at the finals.

jisilva photo


http://chadperronemusic.com
Thank you to the judges: Alice Arnold, Eric Reardon and Jake Pardee.

I could never do it, seriously…
A special thank you to Chris Langathianos for bringing it and Katrina’s for hosting.

MAY 19 FIRE FRIDAY (REGGAE PARTY) 9 PM@ SHORT AND MAIN

Posted on by Joanne

Details

WE’RE BACKKKK!!! FIRE FRIDAY (REGGAE PARTY) @ SHORT AND MAIN!!! upstairs in the TIKI LOUNGE
With DJs LION PRIDE SOUNDSpring is here and what a better way to celebrate the warm weather with a reggae party! So join us in the tiki lounge upstairs from Short and Main FRIDAY MAY 14th
9pm DOORS
$5
18+

DJs Renegade Red and Vision of LION PRIDE SOUND have opened for numerous legendary reggae acts, put on some of MASS and Vermonts most popular reggae nights as well as the infamous REGGAE BASHMENT ON THE HIGH SEAS BOAT-CRUISES … they will be in full affect playing strictly the best in Roots Reggae, Dancehall, Rockers, Lovers rock , Ska and Rocksteady on the 1s and 2s!

Gloucester Smiles-611 In the Garden

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

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Pet of the Week- Felix

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa


Do you enjoy travel and cruising around and are looking for someone who would enjoy car rides as much as you do? Well then here I am! I love going for rides, just sitting in the seat and watching the world go by, maybe I was born for an RV lifestyle? Felix here and considering myself a lucky guy for getting to travel from Georgia up here to Massachusetts to find a new family I can relish as my own! I am a very affectionate fellow and want to be part of your day. I get along great with the other pooches here and don’t mind having other small dog roommates here so wouldn’t mind sharing my new home with a canine sibling or two. I spent some time in foster before traveling here and my foster family had this to say. “Felix was sort of needy and whiny his first few nights in my home but once he figured out the schedule and what was expected of him he settled right in. Felix is very well crate trained, and walks great on the leash. He is not 100% house-trained but does well with supervision. He really loves attention but likes to explore too. I have never seen him react negatively to anything or anyone. I honestly think that Felix would be a great addition to any home that plans to treat him with patience and positive, consistent reinforcement. He is so very special and deserving of a posh life in his older years!” So what do you say, take a chance on me? To see all of the available animals at the Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter please go to our website:capeannanimalaid.org.

Turkey Trauma

Posted on by Nichole S.

A few turkeys were walking around the side yard of campus yesterday so I walked outside to take some photos of them.  Imagine my horror when I realized that one had a long arrow straight through its body!  While it seemed to walking fine and keeping up with its friends, it was totally heartbreaking to see.  I can only imagine the pain and discomfort the arrow must be causing.

I made a phone call to Beverly Animal Control who told me to call Fish and Wildlife who told me to call Boston Wildlife Rescue.  They asked for photos and asked for us to keep an eye out to see if the turkey is able to roost at night and whether or not it looks like it is eating, etc.  Hopefully they will come find it this week to see if there is anything they can do.

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GLOUCESTER’S AWESOME DPW HARD AT WORK AND ON THE JOB!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Phil Curcuru shares that a new and improved boardwalk is being installed this week at Good Harbor Beach at the #2 location, directly in front of the snack bar. The boardwalk will be wide enough to be handicap accessible.

Thank you Phil and Mike, and thank you to the Gloucester DPW for the tremendous job they do maintaining Good Harbor, and all of Gloucester’s public beaches, throughout the year.

Wanderbird Open House At Gloucester Marine Railways Saturday May 27th

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Good morning Joey. It’s Rick here from the vessel Wanderbird over at Gloucester Marine Railways. Hey we are having an open house on the vessel Saturday May 27, 1500-1800. The purpose is to introduce folks to our new floating gathering area for groups of families and/or friends. We are anticipating offering an afternoon or evening aboard at harbor side for groups of up to 12. The evening would start with snacks and wine while sitting in comfortable chairs on the open deck. We would then move into the coach house for appetizers of maybe local scallops wrapped in bacon and then dinner of possible local fresh sole picatta, wild rice and rolls from a near by bakery. To sum it up, a group of 12 can spend the evening on a beautiful vessel, eating and drinking all while getting close up in personal with one of the finest kind harbors we’ve ever met. Can you help us promote this to your loyal followers? Cheers, Rick

For More Information Click Here

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