David Calvo December 9-13th Five-Day Woodcarving Class- Get On It!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

For more Info- https://www.davidcalvo.com/wood_carving_classes.html
https://twitter.com/davidcalvo235/status/663793809491406848

USMC 240th Birthday

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

The official birthday of the United States Marine Corps is on 10 November 1775.

S USMC

Happy Birthday to all my fellow Marines. (Sgt Simoes USMC 1968-1972)

I Don’t Even Think Super Nanny or Mary Poppins Are Up For This Challenge

Posted on by Nichole S.

I spent a minute poking around a couple of weeks ago thinking that maybe, once soccer ended and we were down to one afternoon/weekend sport for each child, I’d look into getting a second job a few evenings a week.  It seemed incredibly daunting to think of actually working MORE and being home LESS, but I thought maybe something perfect is out there and there was no harm in looking.

After just a couple of minutes, I found this.

HOUSEHOLD ASSISTANT
Private Family – ___________MA
$25 an hour

(Hmmm….sounds, interesting, right?)

This private family is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is focused on supporting and helping the family manage a myriad of activities among all family members.

(I can do that! I already do that!)
Key characteristics for employment with the family are flexibility, discretion, trustworthiness, enthusiasm, anticipatory thinking, strong organizational skills and helpfulness. The family hopes that the working environment will be both challenging and rewarding, particularly as one develops skills and builds upon experiences for long-term career goals.

(OK. I’m with you….sounds realistic!)
The position of Household Assistant directly reports to the Estate Manager. It is a full-time, hourly position. Daily work hours and specific responsibilities may vary day to day so it is important that the Household Assistant has flexibly in their schedule. Longer hours might be required from time to time as well occasional overnights and some weekends.

(Ummm, sounds a bit more time consuming than what I have available, but maybe I’ll read on for kicks)
Job Objectives and Responsibilities
The Household Assistant will be expected to provide exceptional care for the family, children and household pets as well as manage various aspects of the home.
(Yikes…I’m not sure I even do that for my own family)
Family Management

  • Responsible for all aspects of family activities, by facilitating activities outside of the home, and creating a positive environment
  • Preparation for daily activities and events
  • Coordinate the calendar forchildren schools, appointments, and activities
  • Work closely with family and Estate Manager on weekly and monthly calendar with a specific focus on the resources and time to accomplish the kids and the family goals
  • Support around travel planning and packing organization
  • Support the family around major events, holidays, and activities
  • Grocery shopping, including the finalization of a meal calendar in consultation with family, and preparation for some children’s meals
  • Manage household inventories and provide support to the Estate Manager to ensure that supplies are up to date
  • Perform daily errands including dry cleaning, returns, meeting with vendors, and miscellaneous activities
  • Assist in the care of pets, including both cats and dogs
  • Provide support to the Estate Manager in the oversight of the primary home, as well as three vacation properties
  • Help coordinate dinners and events with family and friends at the home from catering and decorations to invitations and clean up
  • Monitor and report on all household correspondence in the form of mail and voicemail

(Wait….What????   Is that even humanly possible??)

Qualifications
The Household Assistant must be willing to accomplish a multitude of tasks throughout the day. An ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment is critical. Strong communication skills, prioritization, and organization are critical to job performance.
We would be excited to find someone who has culinary skills and enjoys the process of meal planning, preparation, and occasional cooking; service experience is a plus. This is a great job for someone with past Nanny experience or other household service experience, and wants to move to the next level. One must also be willing to develop constructive working relationships and to collaborate with other members of staff. The ideal person will always remain discreet and cooperative in the accomplishment of job responsibilities.

(and…..I’m out.)

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $25.00 /hour

Local candidates only

Required experience:

  • Private Service: 2 years
  • (26 hands to juggle with.  And…no life of your own.)

Required license or certification:

  • Drivers License
  • (Sainthood.  Or at least a  Master’s in Cloning)

I have to admit, while totally overwhelmed by the job description, I was also a bit sad.  I thought, What a phenomenal job opportunity for some spunky 25 year-old go getter!

But then I thought… Is that really a job for ONE person?  I mean really.  Who can actually do all of that?

And then, forgive me please, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that my next thought was… And what’s left for the parents to do?  

And then I felt bad because I thought…Well, maybe there’s only one parent and they are extremely busy working to provide (the main estate and 3 vacation homes) for the children.  Or maybe they are volunteering like crazy for a multitude of charitable organizations!

And then, one of my last thoughts was….If I was ever sooo wealthy that I could afford four homes, an estate manager, to throw (seemingly) lavish and catered events, (seemingly) significant holiday decorating, enough travel to require assistance in packing, vendors (?) that need to be met with, a chef, a nanny, and more…..  Couldn’t I also simply afford to work less so that I wouldn’t have to post such a GIANT job description for someone else to do in my home?  

And, then I caught sight of all the dust bunnies taunting me from all corners of the living room, knowing they are safe and sound for at least 5 more days until I might have time to grab the vacuum, and I thought….sigh…maybe I would. 

I’m honestly not judging…just wondering.

Props To MFing Nordstrom!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

image

Damn straight skippy.  I LOOOOOVE THIS!!!!

I’m all in on shopping Nordstrom after I get what I’m getting locally for Christmas presents!

Nordstrom holiday sign getting attention

Retailer Nordstrom is getting a lot of attention for a sign posted to let shoppers know about its holiday plans.

The sign taken by a Facebook user at an unknown location and posted on the social media site has been shared again and again.  It reads “at Nordstrom…we won’t be decking our halls until Friday, November 27.  Why? Well, we just like the idea of celebrating one holiday at a time. “

Nordstrom announced it will be closed on Thanksgiving.  They’ll reopen on Black Friday with a holiday display.

Alicia Unleashed Episode 10-Periscoping

Posted on by Alicia Unleashed

aliciaunleashed-1-picsay (1)

Alicia Unleashed Episode 10 Taped 11/9/2015 With Special Guests KD, B-Side and Host Alicia

Topics Include

Demi Lovato: Confident, Periscope at undisclosed location, Introduction to Periscope, Homiecast + Periscope never happened, Periscope went Viral, Periscope and hearts, 10th podcast!, Poppin bottles, Homiecast talking trash, Alicia gets sad, Squirrels, Homiecast podcast 10, Vagina talk set straight, Homiecast rant, Alicia lost her glasses, Songs of the week, Adele: Hello, Justin Bieber: Cover of Drake, Katrina’s Salmon and Caesar salad, Kyle don’t talk to strangers, Kyle doesn’t like to be touched, Bridget and Meme rant, Squirrel Meme rant continues, Squirrel, Swearing for puppies, Patriot 8-0, Edelman,  Garoppolo blood disorder please, Bridget follow deflate gate, Haterade, Parking assholery, Kyle’s issue with cyclist, Alicia has best text message, Squirrel, Alicia has a face for radio, Grocery manners, Personal space, Nicknames, Squirrel, Porta- Potty Peeper, Best and worst drunk moments, Alicia wants a snuggie, Listeners attention span, Teletubbie’s, Alicia loses it, We love Kyle’s mom, Puke and Rally, Keep going Alicia’s on a pee break, Who is Billy Bob, Counting Hearts, Nat King Cole: Smile
podcasticon1
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10

Community Stuff 11/10/15

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Rockport PTO 2015 Holiday Fair
pto holiday fair logo only, color

Featuring:

Crafters and Artists

Gingerbread House Kits

Surprise Jars

Enchanted Gift Shop

Children’s Games & Face Painting

Baked Goods

Coffee and Lunch

Rockport High School

Saturday, November 14th

9:30 to 2 PM

Cape Ann World War 2 Veteran’s Celebration

Hi Joey, Cape Ann World War 2 Veterans Reception and exhibition of photographs by Jason Grow

at the Kyrouz Auditorium, City Hall on Saturday, November 7, 2015 was an amazing event.

Bob and I keep remembering how his Mother’s Prayers have been answered time and time again,

as we celebrate our 62nd Wedding Anniversary on Thanksgiving Day at 91 and 86 years young. 

Happy Veterans Day to all veterans and “Thank You for Your Service”

Bring Copies of Pictures of Deceased Veteran’s to City Hall open tomorrow from 12-4 for Memory Wall.
Special Public Viewing.

WW2 Exibiy City Veteran's 2015

Everyone is Invited to a FREE Screening of My Film “Life Story of the Black Swallowtail Butterfly”

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Please join us Tuesday evening, November 10th, at 7pm at the Manchester Community Center for a screening and Q and A, sponsored by the Seaside Garden Club. This event is free and open to the public. I hope to see you there!

Black Swallowtail Butterfly Zinnia Male ©Kim Smith 2013.

COWS GRAZING AT ROCKPORT’S WARING FIELD!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Cows Seaview Farms Rockport ©Kim Smith 2015More often we see cows grazing in Ipswich, not along 127A in Rockport. I think I’m in love with these wonderfully friendly cows! They were nuzzling up to each other, pointedly asking to be licked. The smaller cow on the left licked the larger cow until it fell asleep, standing up! They were all doing this communal licking, which looked more like a massage-lick because their tongues are so thick and muscular. The eight cows have been grazing at Waring recently and I believe they are from Seaview Farm.

Cows Seaview Farms Rockport -2 ©Kim Smith 2015Cows Seaview Farms Rockport -3©Kim Smith 2015 Waring Field ©Kim Smith

See more photos here Continue reading “COWS GRAZING AT ROCKPORT’S WARING FIELD!” →

Thanksgiving Food Drive with North Shore 104.9 Saturday, November 21st

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

12234845_10153145630601771_3034007594913679439_nNorth Shore 104.9 and State Senator Bruce Tarr and Representatives Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Brad Hill will join The Open Door in a one-day Food Drive Extravaganza! Drop by with food donations at these locations:

In Gloucester:
Market Basket at Gloucester Crossing
Shaw’s on Eastern Avenue
Stop & Shop on Thatcher Road

In Ipswich:
Shaw’s on High Street in Ipswich (for Ipswich Food Pantry)
Market Basket in Rowley (with the help of the YMCA and will help benefit Acord Food Pantry)

Items most needed: Cereal, 100% juice, tuna, peanut butter.

If you would like to volunteer, hit us up at info@foodpantry.org

Who Is Attending Tonights “Giada De Laurentiis” Event @ North Shore Music Theater Tonight? 

Posted on by Sista Felicia

  

Although I couldn’t be happier to be away on vacation relaxing in sunny Naples Florida with St. Barry, I’m super dissapointed to miss the opertunity to meet one of my most favorite FoodNetwork Stars! Mom Pat will be seated in the front row with a personally signed copy of ” Gifts Of Gold In A Sicilian Kitchen With Sista Felicia; Harvest!” Wishing everyone a fablouse time! Giada De Lauratiis is a Fantastic Cook, mother and roll model! 

Tag, Tweet, Instagram, or email me your photos with Giada from tonights event! Be sure to tell her Sista Felicia is super disapointed to not be in attendence tonight! 

Sunrise on Niles and Kim Smith

Posted on by God's Morning

sunrise on niles and kim smith

While shooting the sunrise at Niles Pond this morning, I noticed a fellow photographer across the pond shooting the sunrise at Brace Cove.  I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure that’s our Kim there.  I’ll be interested to see the shots she got this morning.

E.J. Lefavour

Local Artist Going Big!!

Posted on by James Eves

Chris Williams to Unveil “Nerve Center” in Kendall Square Essex

Artist Works with BioMed Realty to Beautify Park

Renowned New England sculptor Chris Williams and BioMed Realty are working together to bring a renewed sense of community culture and public art to the technology and innovation epicenter of Cambridge. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, they will unveil “Nerve Center,” a striking 25-foot-tall bronze and glass sculpture in Kendall Square’s newly renovated South Plaza Park.

The neuron sculpture is inspired by the creative thinking running through Kendall square, comprised of a twisted metal frame with pieces of slumped glass, weighing in at 5,000 pounds and illuminated from the inside. A tribute to the biotech area, “Nerve Center,” a permanent installation, will serve as an anchor in the newly designed public park along the Charles River.

The unveiling of the sculpture will take place Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Kendall Square’s South Plaza Park, located at 450 Kendall Street in Cambridge.

A third generation metal worker, Williams, 47, grew up in Rockport where he learned the trade of metal fabrication from his father. For years, he worked with steel and stainless metals before transitioning his passion for art into metal forming more raw materials, such as bronze, to create large life-Art installations of animals. The self-taught artist creates his pieces by hand in his Essex-based studio where he resides with his wife, Finella, and two boys, Thomas, 8, and Jackson, 10.

Williams’ upcoming projects include the installation of a horse sculpture for Simon Properties in Central Valley, NY; a customized ram being made for Framingham State University; a 10-foot high, 15-feet long glass and metal abstract lobby screen to improve the flow of BioMed’s office at 50 Hampshire St. in Cambridge; and large bronze bird installations for the towns of Marblehead and Ipswich. His work is featured in malls, airports, including Logan International Airport, universities, and prominent businesses across the country.

 “I am very passionate about putting life into my work and creating installations that are both recognizable and yet provoke further thought,” says Williams. “Bronze is soft enough to mold by hand with the right tools, most of which I make myself. I have a basic connection to animals – they are uninhibited – and I like to capture the essence and movement of an animal so that people can say, ‘Hey, that’s a bird or a fish,’ and then take a closer look to realize the sculpture is all handmade pieces.”