CEDAR ROCK GARDENS IS ROCKIN THE FLOWERS FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Come see the ever expanding selection of gorgeous flower and veggie seedlings at Cedar Rock Gardens. Not only are they offering annual flowers, herbs, and vegetable this year, but they are also growing native perennial wildflowers such as New England Aster and milkweed.

It was so cloudy and overcast when I was there picking up an order; these photos don’t do the garden justice. Come on down and see for yourself, Cedar Rock Gardens is bursting with beauty and fully stocked for the Memorial Day weekend.

Open seven days a week, from 8am til 5pm, Cedar Rock Gardens is located at 299 Concord Street in Gloucester.

Marigold Mania!

Sweet William

Loads and loads of peppers, in every degree of heat imagineable.

I love stopping by just to say hello, Elise and Tucker are so friendly and helpful. Tucker built the new office shed.

Coming later this spring are pick your own peonies!! And after that, sunflowers, zinnias, and straw flowers 🙂

CIAO FROM SUNNY CINQUE TERRE ITALY!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

With the rainy weather and chilly temperatures we’ve been having of late, I thought readers would like to see some snapshots from our daughter Liv’s wonderful trip to Italy. One of her best friends from college, Natalie, is getting married this weekend in Florence. For a pre-wedding adventure, Liv has been staying in the beautiful village of Manarola,  located on the Italian Riviera. Manarola is one of five fishing and wine producing towns that make up Cinque Terre (“Five Lands”) in the Province of La Spezia. The photos are from Manarola and the village of Monterosso.

Cinque Terre National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Paths, trains, and boats connect the villages; cars are not allowed. 

Liv is loving the local seafood. Aren’t these paper cone containers fantastic for fish-on-the-go?

Liv enjoys going to beaches where ever she travels and I’ve asked her to let us know how folks manage trash in remote villages by the sea, like Manarola and Monterosso. As you can see in the photos above, there are trash and recycling barrels along the beach, and lifeguards also pick up garbage left behind.

Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, Monterosso al Mare

 

CAPE ANN VERNAL POND TEAM HUGE YARD SALE SATURDAY, TOMORROW, AT ST. PETER’S SQUARE

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Greetings from the Pond Team…

The huge Kestrel and Vernal Pond Team yard sale will be this Saturday, May 27th, from 9 am – 1 pm at the parking lot behind St. Peter’s Square (site of the Fiesta, 1 Rogers Street) in Gloucester.  

We could really use your help:

1)  Donate: If you have anything that you’d like to donate, please bring it to the Get Outside Center over the next two days, or feel free to drop it off at the Yard Sale sometime on Saturday morning.

2) Volunteer for a little bit:  It’s a fun, but exhausting event, so if anyone feels like doing any greatly appreciated community service and pitching in for an hour or so, it would be awesome. We especially need help during set up from 7 – 9 am, and most especially during clean up at 1 pm.  No need to RSVP, just show up.

3) Shop:  I’m not exaggerating that the donations we get are often ridiculously nice, almost like new, but sold at amazing prices. I generally don’t go to yard sales because I’m picky, but this one is like none I’ve ever been to. We also have 400 – 500 brand new books about crafts, art instruction, gardening, sports, cars and more that were donated by a publisher, and will be at least half off the cover.

4) Spread the Word: We always end up with lots of great stuff left over, so please help spread the word!  I’d really like to increase attendance this year, so please pass on this link to anyone you think might enjoy a beautiful day in Gloucester and an amazing yard sale!

https://www.capeannvernalpondteam.org/yard-sale
http://kestreleducation.org/annual-yard-sale/

Hope to see you on Saturday!!

   Anna DiPerna – Team Member

We just added some new photo spreads from recent activities to our website depicting what were up to!
https://www.capeannvernalpondteam.org/Motif-No.1-Day-Festival-Snakes-and-Vernal-Pond-Exhibit-5-20-2017

MA senate votes on creative economy master plan

Posted on by Catherine

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One of Senator Tarr’s bills, the 4 cultural districts and a failed vote were reported by Kate Lannan in today’s Gloucester Daily Times.

The bill

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary, the secretary of housing and economic affairs, in consultation with the executive director of the Massachusetts cultural council, the executive director of travel and tourism and the secretary of labor and workforce development, shall develop and maintain a master plan for the development and advancement of the creative economy throughout the commonwealth, provided that such plan shall be reviewed and updated in increments of not less than three years.

For the purposes of this section the creative economy shall include but not be limited to elements that encompass the visual and performing arts, cultural interpretation and presentation, tourism and affiliated economic activities related to and dependent thereon.

In developing and maintaining said plan the secretary shall seek to ensure inclusion of necessary components to support and strengthen the creative economy of each region and sub region of the commonwealth, as their special circumstances may escalate, and shall seek to maximize and capture to the fullest extent possible the opportunities for job creation, workforce training and skills development, in such regions and sub regions.

The process of developing and maintaining such plan shall include, but not be limited to, at least one public hearing in each geographic region identified in the plan, provided further that the plan shall recognize and support cultural districts as critical resources in advancing its goals.

https://malegislature.gov/

S.202 SD.1688 By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 202) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to create a creative economy master plan. Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

creative economy stats: of the 226,000 North Shore jobs, how many do you think are arts and culture related?    Tourism related doubles that count

Gloucester Downtown Harbortown Cultural District

Gloucester Rocky Neck Cultural District

Rockport Cultural District

Essex Cultural District

Free Family Film at Cape Ann Community Cinema June 3

Posted on by Catherine

Two chances to see a FREE family movie: The Sandlot, Saturday June 3rd, 12:30PM and 3PM. Cape Ann Community Cinema, 21 Main Street Gloucester MA. But wait there’s more: “A free North Shore Navigators ticket for every guest!”

free family film

Visitors from Manchester-By-The Sea

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

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A fun Group Enjoying the “Dutch Gardens” of Gloucester

A wonderful couple, he told me how much he enjoyed his 80th birthday party at Beauport 1606 Restaurant.

City’s Memorial Day plans adjusted indoors due to weather forecast

Posted on by Catherine

From Lucia Amero, Cape Ann Veterans Services

Due to the inclement weather the 2017 Gloucester Memorial Day Ceremony will the held at Gloucester High School auditorium beginning at 9:00 on Monday, May 29.

The Memorial Day parade has been canceled.

PLEASE HAVE ALL WREATHS DELIVERED TO GLOUCESTER HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM BEFORE 8:30

Lunch will take place in the Gloucester High School cafeteria immediately following the ceremony.

For all those participating in the ceremony, please arrive at the auditorium by 8:30. Please pass this information on. Please post on social medial.

 

Thank you.

 

Lucia Amero

Salty Frank’s Dogs

Posted on by Nichole S.

Have you been lately?  You should.     6 Roger’s Street, Gloucester.

After an afternoon baseball game the other day we wanted a quick, buy yummy, fix for dinner.  We didn’t want to cook….but didn’t have the stamina to head out for a sit-down dinner.  I also had my hopes set on sitting outside by the water and enjoying more of the nice day we’d been gifted.

We quickly made the decision to head to Salty Frank’s Dogs.  We hadn’t been there since we grabbed some dogs and fries to take to Pavilion Beach to watch the Parade of Lights during last September’s Schooner Festival.

Definitely the right choice for that night….and again for this past Saturday.  While Salty Frank’s has a picnic table out front for a quick meal, we wanted to head to the sun on the other side of the street and look at the boats.  They had no problem at all with us taking their tray…and even a box of napkins…with us to enjoy from our perch in St. Peter’s Square.

My husband had inquired about their new Lobster Salads, but didn’t order one.  The owner (Frank, I’m assuming?) threw in a container of salad with a generous chunk of lobster meat as well!

We sat, watched a bigger fish chase the minnows, checked out some of the fishing fleet, enjoyed the warmth of the sun, and chatted about Finn’s game and the week ahead.

A big thanks to Salty Frank’s for being so kind and accommodating.  Sometimes totally simple nights like the one we shared are the best.

CHECK OUT SALTY FRANK’S HERE   and don’t forget that they have ice cream too!

They’re a pretty great option en route to the beach or out for a day on the boat.  Their “Beach Box” consists of 12 hot dogs, 4 bags of chips, and 4 drinks for $32…or substitute fries for the chips for $37.  They have lots of other menu items as well.

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Chickity Check It- 1-3 Day Special Cultural Events and festivals In Gloucester MA Site

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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https://sites.google.com/view/gloucesterculturaldistrict/annual-events

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Check the site here for hyperlinks and the summer/fall schedule