How to save for Topsfield Fair: buy discounted ride tickets, don’t forget your kids’ Library Read & Win rewards, note active military and senior discounts

Posted on by Catherine

 

FREE admission for all active military on Tuesday October 4th, 2016.

Senior Citizens discounted entry on Monday October 3rd, 2016.

You can purchase advance discounted tickets from Topsfield Fair on line or at the fairgrounds. Ace Hardware in Gloucester has discounted admission and ride tickets for sale. Discounted admission tickets are also for sale at the Gloucester Daily Times. And Groupon.  Thank you Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library for participating in the Topsfield Fair Read&Win summer reading prize packet incentive which contains free entry, 2 rides and 1 yummy meal!

The 2016 Topsfield fair opens September 30th and closes October 10. Discounted ticket sales are limited and stop September 26.

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Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library one of many that partners with Topsfield Fair Read & Win — great kids reward packet for their summer reading

 

Lexicon Gallery

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Beast and Blooms, Reception: Saturday September 24, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.
Lexicon Gallery
15 Lexington Avenue
Magnolia, Gloucester, MA 01930

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Gloucester schools consolidation

Posted on by Catherine
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Mern Sibley speaking to the Gloucester School Committee Sept 14, 2016 about elementary schools merging

If you missed it, you’re in luck. Busy night of democracy was captured by Dave from Cape Ann TV- direct link if the video isn’t showing below.

The Chair of the School Committee, Johnathan Pope, opened with a power point presentation that went for the first 49 minutes. Questions from the floor began immediately after Pope’s background talk. First question up at minute 50–no surprise –concerned a clarification about the cost of West Parish, quickly followed by Mern Sibley’s remarks at minute 51 which received a large applause as did others throughout the evening. Some residents came prepared to speak. Some were spontaneous. The path to the mike was steady and fascinating. A few residents had more than one take like parent Kylie Mione  who is also by profession a teacher at Veterans.

Here’s a link to the Elementary School Plan Proposal August 2016

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Councilor Ward 1 Scott Memhard Facebook page has several posts about the school proposal.

The audience numbered less than 100 and included Councilors Memhard, Lundberg, Cox and Ciolino.

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Chair Johnathan Pope, School Committee, 9/14/16

THE ONLY FLAG THAT DOESN’T FLY

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

07_big floral_flagThis amazing floral flag was sent by my friend Jan. I thought it especially appropriate in light of the recent attack on NYC/NJ and the uncontrolled wildfire at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

About the flag: Between the fields where the flag was planted, there are 9 plus miles of flower fields that go all the way to the ocean. The flowers are grown by seed companies. It’s a beautiful place, close to Vandenberg Air Force Base (Lompoc, California).

Check out the dimensions of the flag. The Floral Flag was 740 feet long and 390 feet wide and maintained the proper flag dimensions, as described in Executive Order #10834.

This flag was the first Floral Flag to be planted with 5 pointed stars, comprised of white Larkspur. Each star is 24 feet in diameter, each stripe is 30 feet wide. This flag is estimated to contain more than 400,000 Larkspur plants with 4-5 flower stems each, for a total of more than 2 million flowers.flag

Maybe Not Quite as Cool as Those Kansas Kids….AGAIN

Posted on by Nichole S.

Forgive me for reposting…but I had video difficulty yesterday and how else can I prove to Joey that I’m not one of those super overprotective, suck all the fun out of life parents that he likes to talk about.  Not to say that a little roundy round trip on the Go Kart track will actually prove that…but, you know.

Back in podcast #199 we were joined by a great couple from Kansas who owns a large corn and soybean farm.  I was intrigued by the farming for sure, but even more so (if I’m to be honest) by the life style.  Having kids in their 20s, I wanted to know a bit what day to day life was like when (if ever) they weren’t busy farming their land.  We got to chat a lot “off microphone” as well.

At one point they mentioned that their sons liked to “race.” Curious, I revisited the conversation to learn exactly what kind of racing they do.  While I might not have the official term down…I know it involved fast little cars and a figure 8 dirt track.  It further called to attention the differences between raising children in different places in our country.  Right or wrong, for better or worse….we may be much more cautious with our children than other locals in our very own country (not to mention other places in this big wide world).

But, Joey, look.  I let my boys race too.  And….the horror, no helmets!

Little Monkey Found in Stage Fort Park

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey!

This morning, while walking my dog in Stage Fort Park, we found this colorful little guy laying all alone, abandoned (probably by accident) on the ground by the picnic tables (not the ones by the water, but the ones by the road).  I lifted him into the neck of a nearby tree so he would be safe from other pooches, and could at least take a look around at the beautiful scenery while waiting for his tiny person to come back and retrieve him.

Perhaps Mr. Monkey will remain there as his little person has moved on, and he’ll find a new life out there by the ocean.  But I know sometimes kids get pretty attached to their stuffed animals, so on the off chance that there’s a little one who is madly missing his or her tiny friend, figured I’d pass along his whereabouts, so the two could be reunited. 🙂

He’s in the tree right near the sign about busses needing a permit…share if you think it’s worth trying to get him back home (and no worries if not – it was just a thought)!

Love the blog!

All the best –

Meagan Fratiello

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Cape Ann Symphony Opens 65th Season!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

CAPE ANN SYMPHONY

THE 65th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Yoichi Udagawa, Music Director

CAPE ANN SYMPHONY OPENS 65th SEASON WITH

BIG NIGHT, BIG MUSIC

Features Bernstein, Debussy & Respighi

 

 

Cape Ann Symphony kicks off the orchestra’s 65th Anniversary Concert Season on Saturday, September 24 at 8 pm with Big Night, Big Music featuring big thrilling symphonic pieces that showcase the talents of the CAS musicians at the CAS performance venue at Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium is handicapped accessible. Ticket prices are $40 for adults, $35 for senior citizens, $5 for Youth age 18 and under. For tickets and information, call 978-281-0543 or visitwww.capeannsymphony.org.

 

Cape Ann Symphony Conductor and Music Director Yoichi Udagawa describes the upcoming concert program, “We are starting off our 65th Anniversary Season with a concert we’re calling Big Night, BIG Music. The three pieces on the program are BIG!!!! Massachusetts born and raised Leonard Bernstein’s music from West Side Story, the French composer Claude Debussy’s description of the sea – La Mer, and the Italian composer Ottorino Respighi’s musical description of the Pines around the city of Rome are three incredible, powerful, emotional, gorgeous, knock your sox off masterpieces. We’re going to give brief introductions to the pieces during the concert to show our audiences some of the reasons why these pieces continue to move and excite people all over the world. It’s going to be a BIG concert, and we can’t wait!”

Leonard Bernstein was a Massachusetts boy. Born in 1918 in Lawrence, he spent summers in Sharon, and attended Boston Latin before completing his BA at Harvard University. Though he later moved to Philadelphia (to attend the Curtis Institute) and then to New York, he remained connected to the area – studying conducting at Tanglewood and frequently leading the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He holds the distinction of being the first American Music Director of a major orchestra – the NY Philharmonic. Musically, he was a jack of all trades: a brilliant pianist, much sought-after conductor, a critic and lecturer on the arts, and of course, a prolific composer of music in many styles. He was a deep admirer of Copeland and other classical composers of the day, and strove to be recognized as one of them. However, one of the works he is best known for is not one of his symphonies or his chamber pieces, but rather West Side Story.

 

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Read More Here Continue reading “Cape Ann Symphony Opens 65th Season!” →

Last chance Cocktails & Conversation Cruise!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

More Cape Ann Dining News-
http://www.capeanneats.com

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This Thursday! 9/22. Visit http://www.northofboston.org and click on the Calendar of Events to order tickets. cocktails-and-conversations-jpg

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Are you looking to stir things up?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

More Cape Ann Wellness News – http://www.capeannwellness.com

Cape Ann Power Yoga's avatarCape Ann Wellness

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Have you been feeling like it’s time for you to something different, something powerful, something that’s going to precipitate a shift in your life?

Join an amazing group of individuals on this 40 day Journey!

I rely on energy drinks to pick me up in the morning, television to calm me down at the end of the day, and while dinner is usually a pretty healthy affair the other one meal and snacks I have during the day leave a lot to be desired nutritionally and energetically. Like a lot of folks I do whats easiest in the short term without too much of an eye downfield or for the longterm consequences of my day to day habits and behaviors.

My name is Dave DeAngelis and I feel like I’ve been looking for something to jumpstart a shift in my life. My wife Elizabeth and I own and operate Cape Ann…

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What a cute little kitty cat…

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

THE THREE MUSKRATEERS!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

three-muskrat-family-massachusetts-copyright-kim-smithMore muskrat love! Did you know Muskrats eat phragmites?!! They gnaw off the emerging and exposed shoots at the base and then eat the green stems. Very cool. Other fun facts: Muskrats can hold their breath underwater for up to fifteen minutes. They can also chew underwater. Unlike beavers, whose tails are flattened horizontally, a muskrats tail is laterally flattened (in other words vertically). The tail functions like a rudder to help the Muskrat maneuver through water. Muskrats can swim forward and backward.three-muskrat-family-massachusetts-2-copyright-kim-smith

Taking a walk to Ocean Lawn

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

After a wonderful weekend with the grandchildren Rick and I took a walk to Ocean Lawn.  Another jewel on Cape Ann.

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For more information please follow the link below.
http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/north-shore/coolidge-reservation.html

BREAKING NEWS: NEW YORK CITY/NEW JERSEY BOMB SUSPECT APPREHENDED

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Our daughter Liv’s work subway stop is located where the Chelsea bomb went off so you can imagine, we’ve been following closely the unfolding events. The capture was very dramatic; read the full story here in the New York Times.

An ironic aside–Reports state that the five pipe bombs found in a backpack near the Elizabeth train station were discovered, and reported to the police, by several homeless people. And apparently, the second pressure cooker bomb did not go off because two thieves stole the suitcase in which it was housed, unwittingly disrupting the explosive device.

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Household Hazardous Waste Day

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

From Mayor Theken’s Office

Household Hazardous Waste Day September 24, 2016
Household Hazardous Waste day will be held Saturday, September 24, 2016, from 9am-12, rain or shine. Residents are asked to schedule an appointment to bring their materials to the DPW yard. The Recycling Department will begin accepting appointments beginning September 1st. Please call 978-281-9785 to schedule your appointment. Registration closes September 23 2016 at 11 AM.

Gloucester residents are allowed to bring up to 25 pound or gallons of material at no cost. If you exceed 25 pounds or gallons, and additional fee will be accessed and payable to Clean Harbors(payable by check only, cash is not accepted). For up to 1-3 gallons or pounds over it is $19, for 4-10 gallons or pounds over it is $24, 11-25 gallons or pounds over the charge is $46.50.
Please understand that we can only accept hazardous materials when Clean Harbors is on site, early drop offs will not be allowed.