What if…a section of Dogtown brush was cleared away? If you missed Chris Leahy at Sawyer Free Library last week come to a summit by Essex County Greenbelt & Mass Audubon at Cape Ann Museum March 4

“This Saturday morning forum is offered in collaboration with Essex County Greenbelt, Friends of Dogtown, Lanesville Community Center and Mass Audubon and held at Cape Ann Museum. The forum will be moderated by Ed Becker, President of the Essex County Greenbelt Association.”

Register here

UPDATE: Cape Ann TV is scheduled to film the event!

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Edward Hopper Cape Ann Pasture watercolor drawing (ca.1928) was gifted to Yale University in 1930
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East Gloucester Atwood’s Gallery on the Moors as seen on the left in 1921–open vistas at that time

 

Chris Leahy gave a presentation at Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library on February 23, 2017: Dogtown- the Biography of a Landscape: 750 Million Years Ago to the Present
A photographic history through slides presented by the Gloucester Lyceum and the Friends of the Library. Mary Weissblum opened the program.

Chris broadly covered the history of the local landscape from an ecological bent with a bias to birds and blueberry picking, naturally. New England is a patchwork of forested landscapes. He stressed the evolution of bio diversity and succession phenomenon when the earth and climate change. “Nature takes a lot of courses.” He focused on Dogtown, “a very special place”, and possible merits of land stewardship geared at fostering greater biodiversity. Perhaps some of the core acres could be coaxed to grasslands as when parts of Gloucester were described as moors? Characteristic wildlife, butterflies, and birds no longer present may swing back.  There were many philosophical takeaways and tips: he recommends visiting the dioramas “Changes in New England Landscape” display at Harvard Forest HQ in Petersham.

“Isolation of islands is a main driver of evolution”

“Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester has the highest concentration* of native butterflies in all of Massachusetts because of secondary habitats.”  *of Mass Audubon’s c.40,000 acres of wildlife sanctuaries statewide. “The fact that Brook Meadow Brook is in greater Worcester, rather than a forested wilderness, underscores the value of secondary habitats.”

“1830– roughly the time of Thoreau (1817-1862)– was the maximum period of clearing thus the heyday for grasslands…As farmsteads were abandoned, stages of forests return.”

Below are photos from February 23, 2017. I added some images of art inspired by Dogtown. I also pulled out a photograph by Frank L Cox, David Cox’s father, of Gallery on the Moors  (then) compared with a photo of mine from 2011 to illustrate how the picturesque description wasn’t isolated to Dogtown.

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Edward Hopper, Cape Ann Granite, 1928, oil on canvas can we get this painting into the Cape Ann Museum collection?

dogtown-cape-ann-massachuestts-by-louise-upton-brumback-o-c-vose-galleryLouise Upton Brumback (1867-1929), Dogtown- Cape Ann, 1920 oil on canvas

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Dave Sag’s Blues Party tonight, with Jon Ross and Mr. Rick Russo 8:30pm @ The Rhumb Line 3.2.2017

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Thursday at the Rhummb Line, Mr. Jon Ross blows into town from Mew Hampshire along with Mr. Rick Russo. These cats are old friends and incredible musicians. You will be licking your ear drums in pain.

https://www.facebook.com/JonRossmusicofanatic?fref=ufi

https://www.facebook.com/rick.rousseau.73?pnref=story

 

rhumbline

40 Railroad Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 283-9732

http://www.therhumbline.com/

Jay Brancaleone art exhibit at Cape Ann Coffees

Many Gloucester area businesses rotate exhibitions which can benefit local artists tremendously. The independent coffee stop nearest Good Harbor Beach Cape Ann Coffees at 86 Bass Avenue, Gloucester, MA, features art, stretching out show dates with 3-4 art exhibitions annually. There is also designated wall space set aside for business cards and community news.

Cape Ann Coffees has indoor and outdoor breakfast | lunch seating, and bakery goodies made fresh on the premises.

Currently on view: a solo exhibit of 10 paintings by Jay Brancaleone. There are also two works by Lynda Hyry Figurido .

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Nichole’s Picks 3/4 + 3/5

Pick #1:  Cultural Festival at Harborlight in Beverly

I am pretty excited about this event.  First of all, it is free.  A suggested donation of $10 per family would be appreciated, but is not necessary.

Children will be given a “passport” to go on tour through several different countries (classrooms).  Along the way, they will make crafts and be introduced to a bit of the cultural that makes each country special.  At 11:15 all guests will be invited upstairs to watch the live entertainment.  There will be a Lion Dance troupe and a group named Ballet Folklorico Colombiano Bajucol who will perform three separate cultural dances.  Harborlight students will also sing some songs that they have learned in Mandarin and Spanish…along with American Sign Language.   Baked goods will also be available for purchase.

READ MORE HERE

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Pick #2: Sugar Shack Saturdays at Appleton Farms

Saturdays, March 4, 2017 10am-11:30am & 1:30-3pm

Spring is coming and the sap is running! Experience the time-honored tradition of maple sugaring with Sugar Shack Saturdays at Appleton Farms. Spend the morning with us and see how we turn sap into sweet syrup. Start by getting creative with some maple themed crafts in the Appleton Old House then get outside and explore our very own sugar shack! Learn how we tap our trees every spring, see the evaporator in action, and taste the freshly made syrup.  We will end back inside with a farm snack, including Appleton Farms cheese, apple slices, and homemade maple ice cream while we read a story about maple sugaring!

Recommended for ages 8 and under but everyone is welcome! Space is limited. Registration is by the family- if you have 5 or more in your family, please register 2 families.  Crafts and snacks included and we want to have enough for all.

PLEASE VISIT HERE TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER!

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Pick #3: Lego Batman Movie Days at the LegoLand Discovery Center

READ MORE HERE

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Every weekend in March!

Super hero. Crime-fighter. Master Builder. LEGO® Batman is all of those and so much more. Come meet Gotham City’s Caped Crusader during this celebration of the Warner Bros. feature film, which will include photo ops with the scene-stealing star, a themed scavenger hunt and a LEGO® Batman-inspired LEGO build activity including:

  • LEGO® Batman Meet & Greets!
    Hi, kids. This is LEGO Batman, the star of his own brand new big adventure, The LEGO Batman Movie. Come meet the coolest, strongest, smartest and best-looking Super Hero of them all.
    Meet & Greets schedule TBD. Schedule of appearances subject to change.
  • Mystery Mosaic LEGO® Build
  • MINILAND Scavenger Hunt: The Villians have escaped

To avoid disappointment, please pre-book your tickets online to guarantee entry. BUY TICKETS NOW

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

Prepping space for new art exhibit “Mothers and Daughters” curated by Juni Van Dyke opening March 4 at Jane Deering Gallery

Jane Deering Gallery
hosts
Mothers and Daughters
curated by Juni Van Dyke

Featuring
Juni Van Dyke | Paige Farrell
Mathilde Iervolino | Bobbi Iervolino Kovner
Jane Crotty | Anne Marie Crotty
Esther Moss Proctor | Eliza Proctor
Constance Rhinelander | Mary Rhinelander McCarl
Helen Burgess | Valerie Sadler

Opening Reception:
Saturday. March 4th. 3-6PM
19 Pleasant Street . Gloucester MA
March – 31, 2017

from the gallery printed matter:

“Mothers and Daughters suggests many possibilities associated with ‘nature versus nurture,’ as well as more obvious associations having to do with gender. Here, however, a table is set with gratitude for what we were able to give and receive…”

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Save money on YOGA + BARRE classes this month at Treetop!

Treetop Yoga Studio's avatarCape Ann Wellness

march-madnessVisit our website for the most up to date schedule and class descriptions.

http://www.treetopyoga.com

3A Pond Road Gloucester, MA 01930

Every BODY Welcome – Come as you are, we’ll meet you there!

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Meals on Wheels Valentine Breakfast on March 10

trixy546's avatarCape Ann Community

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SeniorCare Inc. will hold its annual Valentine’s Day Breakfast Fundraiser Breakfast at The Gloucester House, located 63 Rogers Street in downtown Gloucester on Friday, March 10, 2017, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.  Tickets are $12 per person and include a buffet breakfast. Tickets are available in advance online or by calling 978-281-1750 or may be purchased at the door (cash or major credit card). Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit SeniorCare’s Meals on Wheels program.  For information about the breakfast, contact Paula Curley at 978-281-1750 x-560 or paula.curley@seniorcareinc.org.  (This event was postponed from its original February date due to inclement weather.

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Backyard Growers and Rocky Neck Art Colony Present two workshops TOMORROW!

backyardgrowersgloucester's avatarCape Ann Community

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Want to grow awesome veggies this summer? We’ve got your back! Join us for our annual Seed Starting Workshop at 7 pm, Thursday March 2 with local gardening expert Suzanne Gosselin to learn the ins and outs of starting seeds indoors.

Also, join us at 6 pm for an Eco Printing Art workshop, as a local artist Jane Keddy shares tips for using natural materials to make prints. You’ll leave this workshop with new inspiration and knowledge for gardening and designing into the spring and summer! Sign up here!

Thu, March 2, 2017
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA

FRESH is a six-week exhibition, with accompanying workshops and presentations, hosted by the Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC) and Backyard Growers.

In this exhibition, artists from all over New England will present works that reflect on the theme FRESH, exploring the ways in which food connects us to the…

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MARSH MAGIC

marsh-gloucester-sunset-copyright-kim-smithOur Great Salt Marsh is beginning to spring back to life. Red-winged Blackbirds can be seen, and heard, chortling from every outpost, Morning Doves are nest building, and the Mallards, Black Ducks, and Canada Geese are pairing up. Only 19 more days until the official start of spring!

morning-dove-copyright-kim-smithMourning Dove

Searching for treasures

After a wonderful lunch at The Beauport Hotel, went out to beautiful deck and the view is so amazing then watched people searching for treasures.

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Mari Martin and Mark Retallack 6-9pm Thursday March 2nd @ The Beauport Hotel 1606 Gloucester.

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Hello dear North Shore friends and family…hoping this finds you all well. Mark and I will be at the Beauport Hotel 1606 Restaurant and Bar  (Thursday night, March 2nd) from 6-9pm, playing a mellow and fun mix of music for your dining and listening pleasure. This place is really fabulous–good food, comfy couches, and great atmosphere. Come on out for a full meal, or just a drink by the fire. We’d be so happy if you’d join us! xo, Mari.

The Honkytonk Women Join Fly Amero Tonight Wednesday the 1st of March 7-10pm @ The Rhumb Line

Dinner Specials Each Week!
Wednesday, March 1st – 7pm
Special Guest: HONKYTONK WOMEN!

Honkytonk Women 2014                                                            photo by Sheila Roberts Orlando

 

This is one serious blast of a show, ladies and gentlemen. These
wonderful, talented artists – most commonly known as Honkytonk
Women – totally packed the place and ripped the walls down last
time they came in on a Wednesday. Let’s do it all again! ~ Fly
Dinner with great music!
*Each week features a special, invited musical guest
The Rhumb Line Kitchen…
…now features Janet Brown with some new and healthy ideas!
Plus a fine, affordable wine menu!
Upcoming guests…
03/08 – Quentin Callewaert

03/15 – Allen Estes

03/22 – Charlee Bianchini

Visit: http://www.therhumbline.com/
Looking forward……to seeing you there 🙂

PRNWR Barred Owl overload

Sorry for the Owl overload on GMG lately but this guy just makes me smile every time I get to see him!    If you are walking the Marsh Loop at the Hellcat Lot at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge keep an eye out for him or look for the crowd of his adoring fans!  (as always…stay on the boardwalk and a keep a respectful distance away!)

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GLOUCESTER’S COYOTE ORDINANCE AMENDED

COYOTE raiding garbage can left outside house. Rocky Mountains. (Canis latrans).
Photo courtesy google image search

Gloucester’s Animal Advisory Board member Jen Holmgren shares the following:

Last night, in a unanimous vote, the City Council approved an important animal-related measure initiated by Councilors Valerie Gilman and Scott Memhard. The Animal Ordinance GCO Section 4-2 has now been updated to reflect the prohibition of the feeding of coyotes as well as gulls and pigeons.

This type of thing may only seem to be common sense, but without an ordinance in place, the police or other authorities, and even neighbors, don’t have a legal leg to stand on. This is a solid, much-needed step in the right direction.

Thanks, and have a good day!Eastern Coyote Canis latrans massachusetts Kim Smith

Fantastic Summer Program at Harborlight

I know that those of you with young children are in the midst of trying to plan their summers.  Be sure to explore all options!  Harborlight has some pretty fantastic summer offerings for your child.  Their Beverly campus is very conveniently located if you should find yourself commuting out of town over the summer weeks and just a short 15 minute drive from Gloucester.

If you are looking for exciting and varied summer options for Grades PK-7 please look through their catalogue of summer offerings.

Harborlight offers one-week sessions beginning July 3rd and ending August 25th for Grades 1-7 and two four-week session for PK-Kindergarten aged children.

Elementary aged children may Sign up for one week, or sign up for all eight! 

READ ABOUT ALL OFFERINGS AND FIND ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION HERE

FIND THE ENROLLMENT CONTRACTING AND TUITION HERE

Here are some of the descriptions for Children ages 3-5 and Grades 1-7.  

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Celebrate the 4th:  Visit Trustees of the Reservations and Audubon properties to see “America the Beautiful.” Come back to campus for old-school picnic lunches on the lawn, BBQ, and yard games.  Make patriotic t-shirts, crafts and recipes. Spend the week designing and decorating a patriotic float and take it on parade on Friday!

Ready, Set, Chef!: Take a journey in the life of a restaurateur.  We will explore what it takes to create the concept of a restaurant and what the space and menu will look like.  We will travel to different restaurants on and around the North Shore learning to cook, create, serve, and run a restaurant. Students will launch their own pop-up restaurant on Friday and will be open for business.

Marine Heritage:  Explore Cape Ann’s rich marine heritage.  Join the marine science crew aboard the Sea Station’s vessel Endeavor.  Set sail on a lobster boat, visit touch tanks and learn about ocean life in a fun, hands-on learning environment.

Rock On!:  Join the band and hone your music performance and ensemble skills in a creative and fun environment. Experiment with and learn about instruments from around the world. Improvise during a percussion circle, create through sound-painting activities, and learn to express yourself through music.

History Alive:  Walk the streets that hummed with the actions of the revolution, puritans, accused witches, artists and writers. Be a Colonial! Learn how to make traditional colonial foods, try colonial crafts, games and visit some of the places made famous during the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the American Revolution. Be a part of history.

A Day at the Museum:  Learn about the history of art through trips to some of the North Shore’s most intriguing museums.  We’ll provide a sketchbook.  You bring a bag lunch, water bottle and your imagination!

Biking and Hiking:  Explore nature as we hike and bike the great outdoors!  We’ll study wildlife, compete in nature scavenger hunts and enjoy geocaching activities while gaining greater appreciation for the natural world.

Break a Leg!:  Let’s put on a show!  Enjoy the rehearsal process while learning more about stage directions, improvisation and character development. On Friday, family and friends are invited to the performance!

Small Swell:  Entering grades 4-8 .   Catch a wave this summer! Learn balance, coordination, timing the waves, falling and getting back on the board in this fun, educational program that is ideal for children of all surfing abilities.

Art Walk:  Stand in the footprints of famous maritime artists and see the harbor through their eyes.  Create your own art inspired by the seascapes and working waterfront before you.  Walk Gloucester’s “Harbor Walk”, complete a scavenger hunt challenge, and stop along the way to sketch, paint, and draw.  Visit the Cape Ann Museum, snack by the water, and return to campus excited to continue the creative process in both the indoor and outdoor art studios.

Coast and Compass:  Entering grades 4-7 .   Enjoy some great summer adventures as we kayak, hike and hit the beach. The highlight of the week will be our legendary two-night trip to the Isle of Shoal’s Star Island where you can hike, play tennis, jump off the dock, roast marshmallows over an open fire, and learn the local lore of the island!

Authors’ Corner:  Become an author and illustrator! Share your love of books with friends as we read, write and illustrate our own work. Learn the craft from guests who are professional authors and artists. Children will come home with a finished product of a picture book, poetry collection, play, or graphic novel.

I Survived!:   Entering grades 3-7 .     Ever wondered how to start a fire, build shelter, search for food, and stay safe in the wilderness? Learn some of the basic skills taught in the Army Ranger School program and then apply your knowledge as we rough-it during a two-night camping trip in New Hampshire.

Animal League:  Come spend a week with Iris the therapy dog and her friends! We will wash, groom, train, walk and play with dogs! Meet a real dog trainer and learn a few tricks yourself. Bake healthy dog treats and learn about various breeds. Have a community “dog wash” and we will give all money earned to our local dog shelter when we visit there. Bring your dog or borrow one of ours for “Bring our Dogs Day” on Friday.

Game On!:  Let’s play some games!  Tennis, soccer, bowling and mini-golf are among the fun activities planned for this session.

And, as the standard Summer Session Day ends, children who wish to sign up for more hours will enjoy Get in the Game: 3:00 – 4:30 daily from 7/3-8/25

Get moving as we explore the wonderful nature of games and sportsmanship. Fine- tune the skills necessary to challenge yourself in a variety of mental games, beach and lawn games and physical challenges. In the circuit of games and strategies presented, many skills will be enhanced, strategies developed, and missions accomplished.

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Mayor Romeo Theken Delivers 2017 State of the City Address

Chris Sicuranza's avatarCape Ann Community

2017 State of the City Address

Delivered by Her Honor, Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken

Dear Citizens of Gloucester,

In January of 2015, I took the oath of office to be Gloucester’s Mayor and I promised to represent all of our citizens and to work with you to keep our city moving forward, together. Over the past two years, we have strengthened our city government through honest and transparent policies, meetings and forums.  We have also worked with our state and federal delegations to ensure relief money is received and high value grants are awarded. While we have new businesses helping expand our seasonal tourism, we have also embraced new initiatives designed to benefit our workforce. As we reflect on the efforts this administration has made, I want to assure all of you that the state of our city is strong and our future is brighter now more than ever.

Much…

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