Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 3/7 and 3/8

Posted on by Nichole S.

What I wouldn’t give to be writing about warm weather activities…

Alas, not yet.

BONUS FRIDAY PICK!!!

FREE FILM FRIDAYS AT THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE.

PLAY HOOKIE…JUST DON’T TELL THEM I SAID SO…AND HEAD TO THE MOS FOR A FREE IMAX MOVIE!

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

Thanks again to generous support from MathWorks, all IMAX® films in the Mugar Omni Theater each Friday in March (6, 13, 20, and 27) are free! Simply pick up tickets at the Museum box office on the day of the show only (first come, first served).

Pick #1

Maple Sugaring!  The sap is only flowing a few weekends a year so get out there and get yourself some.

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Maple Sugaring Tours

Saturday and Sunday: 10:30, 12:30, 2:30

Spring celebrations begin early at the sanctuary with the age-old tradition of maple sugaring. The warm days of late winter awaken the flow of sap in the maples, causing buds to swell and resulting in sweet-smelling, billowing clouds of steam rising from the sugarhouse.

On our naturalist-guided tours, learn how to identify a sugar maple, observe tapping and sap collection methods, watch the sap being boiled down in the sugarhouse, and get a sweet taste of the final product. Afterwards, warm up in the Barn by the woodstove, indulge in a hot dog cooked in maple sap, or sample delicious soups and desserts made by our volunteers.

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Pick #2

THE MUSICAL ADVENTURES OF FLAT STANLEY

Boston Children’s Theatre:  Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA

March 7 at 2 pm
March 8 at 2 pm and 4 pm
March 14 at 2 pm and 4 pm
March 15 at 2 pm

theatresceneWhere will Flat Stanley travel next?

From Hollywood to Paris to Hawaii and back, THE MUSICAL ADVENTURES OF FLAT STANLEY will take audiences on a whirlwind journey filled with infectious songs, laughter and fun!

With a book by Timothy Allen McDonald, writer of Willy Wonka and James and the Giant Peach, FLAT STANLEY is one adventure you won’t want to miss! Bring your own Flat Stanley to the theater and join our BCT cast for this rollicking musical journey!

Approximate Running Time:  60 minutes with no intermission.

Click this link to purchase tickets and read more!

Pick #3

Chinese New Year in Harvard Square

READ ALL ABOUT IT BY CLICKING HERE!

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Come celebrate Chinese New Year in Harvard Square!  2015 is the year of the Goat and the 60th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Restaurant.  As usual, Massachusetts Avenue from the Hong Kong to Yenching will be festooned with red and gold lanterns hanging from our wrought iron lampposts as we prepare for a grand Chinese New Year procession through Harvard Square and our cultural “Open House” at the Hong Kong!

Schedule of Activities

 

1:00 pm Lion Dance Parade assembles on Brattle Plaza followed by parade to the Hong Kong along Brattle Street to Massachusetts Avenue

 

12:00 pm – 3:00pm Arts and crafts on the 2nd floor of the Hong Kong

 

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Performances. Lantern Riddles and prizes on the 3rd floor of the Hong Kong

 

In addition, at 11am, children 6 and under are invited to join Harvard Museum of Natural History staff for Nature Story Time – Chinese New Year. Nature Storytime Sundays occur each Sunday at 11am.  Enjoy stories and poems designed to engage the next generation of explorers with themes related to the museum’s galleries.  The museum is free to Massachusetts residents, with ID, every Sunday from 9am until noon.

Community Stuff 3/5/15

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

‘Spring Awakening’ Exhibit by Ten Pound Studio silk artists at Flatrocks Gallery, Gloucester, MA

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‘Spring Awakening’, an exhibit by seven silk artists from Gloucester’s Ten Pound Studio will be on display at Flatrocks Gallery in Gloucester, MA March 13 to March 15 2015. Opening Public Reception Friday March 13, 5.30 pm to 9 pm. Gallery hours: Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm.

Ten Pound Studio’s silk artists have created the show ‘Spring Awakening’ inspired by the idea that the vivid, brilliant colors and luxuriant warmth of their silk creations could help overcome the dull hues and biting cold of our Cape Ann winter.

Ten Pound Studio has been a teaching studio for silk painters for the past four years, at One Center Street, Gloucester. Silk painter teacher and musician Stephen Bates, who recently retired from the Kennedy Center’s Opera Orchestra, teaches both experienced and novice artists the magic of painting on silk. The seven silk artists and fellow visual artist in this show ‘Spring Awakening’ will be exhibiting a vibrant and eclectic collection of hand-painted wearable silk scarves, shawls, tops, ties, cushions, silk sculpture, silk paintings, as well as an exhibit of Cape Ann quarry-inspired silk banners and photography by Leslie Bartlett.

Silk painting teacher Stephen Bates said of the Studio, “Ten Pound Studio is a unique silk painting teaching Studio. As far as we know, there is no other such teaching Studio in the United States. It is made up of a group of individual artists with a great variety of artistic and professional backgrounds. It is exciting to me that the students are on different journeys.  Some are treating the work as part of their on-going careers; some do it for the experience of painting on silk to add to their artistic repertoire, and some enjoy silk painting for the pure pleasure it gives.”  Musicality and artistry are intertwined at Ten Pound Studio. “I bring musical ideas and images into the silk work at the Studio,” says Bates. Classical music during classes permeates the large white-washed Studio with it’s 20’ high ceilings and views of the ocean.

Ten Pound Studio is a place where silk artists can experiment with different techniques, materials and artistic approaches, in an atmosphere of support and cameraderie. Each silk artist offers a reservoir of artistic and life experience for the others. Images range from glimpses of the Universe as seen from the Hubble telescope; to the problems of climate change; to fanciful abstractions, and imagery from nature. Another unique element of the Studio!

Silk artist Christine Gauthier-Kelley explained the possible source of this synergy between artists, “There is a supposed energy vortex off Halibut Point, Gloucester said to attract to Cape Ann the most creative souls around.  It’s energy can be the only explanation for the creative force which inspires the production of vibrant hand-painted silks by this talented artist group at Ten Pound Studio.”

The opportunity to show at Flatrocks Gallery, one of the premier new Galleries in this area, is a big step forward for Ten Pound Studio after four years. “This collaboration with Flatrocks represents an important step for us to share our work with Cape Ann community residents and visitors, ” said Stephen Bates.

Ten Pound Studio Artists:    Stephen Bates, Allyson Christopher, Christine Gauthier-Kelley, Sue Niemi, Susan Quateman and Leslie Bartlett (photographer), Joan Wardwell, and Candace Wheeler

Contact: Susan Quateman, Ten Pound Studio, 978. 430. 9534, http://www.susanquateman.com
susiequateman@gmail.com

Do Birds Have Teeth?

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Snow Goose teeth tomia Gloucester Massachusetts ©Kim Smith 2015

Snow Goose Beak and Tomia

If I had thought about the answer to that question when I was five, I would have said yes, most definitely. At that time, our family was living on a lake in north central Florida. A friend’s unruly pet goose chased me home, nipping my bottom all the way to our front stoop!

The jagged points in the serrated-edge jaw of the Snow Goose are not called teeth because teeth are defined as having an enamel coating. There is a special word for the points and they are called tomia. During the Mesozoic era birds had teeth. Over time, birds developed specialized beaks suited to their diets. Bird beaks do the job teeth and lips once did. The Snow Goose’s tomia are not as tough as teeth but are perfectly suited to slicing through slippery grass.

The super graphic below, found on wiki, illustrates types of beaks and how the different shapes relate to the bird’s diet and foraging habits.

Wiki Bird Beak Graphic copy

 

Kim Smith Pollinator Program at Cox Reservation Thursday Night at 6pm

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

32.Monarch Butterflies New England asters ©Kim Smith 2014I hope to see you there!

The event is free.

RSVP to alice@ecga.org.

For more information: Planting an Essex County Pollinator Garden

36. Zinnia Black Swallowtail Butterfly -1 ©Kim Smith 2013 copy

Double dose of Danielle Miraglia and Allen Estes tonight

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Perhaps you saw Danielle Miraglia and Allen Estes at this year’s critically acclaimed Cape Ann Winter Solstice.  These two extraordinarily talented singer/songwriters reunite tonight on Cape Ann TV Channel 12 at 6:30, then LIVE at the Rhumbline tonight at 8.  A perfect way to spend the mid-week evening!

6 year celebration at Seaport Grille continues!

Posted on by Alicia Unleashed

 

In case you didn’t know it’s Seaport Grille’s 6 year anniversary celebration! North Shore Acappella was performing last night and if you have not had the pleasure of hearing them one word: AMAZING! What an awesome experience for my son, 10, to hear an Acappella group for the first time! I wasn’t the only one dancing in my seat to the 50’s! When they started singing Rockin’ Robin and my son had never heard it I became sad.  How could I have deprived my son of Rockin’ Robin for the past 10 years?!

Festivities continue tonight check it out!

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Allen Estes to host for Fly Amero with Danielle Miraglia tonight @ The Rhumb Line 8-11pm 3.4.2015

Posted on by Joanne

allen estes lms

 

Wed. March 4th, i’ll be hosting for Fly Amero at the Rhumb Line in Gloucester, Ma. and my special guest will be Danielle Miraglia..!!! she’ll be coming all the way from Somerville so show your support for this very talented up-n-coming artist…we’ll be pickin and grinnin!! 8-11 see ya there! x,o,allen

 Danielle Miraglia

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jisilva photo

http://www.daniellem.com/

rl p

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

http://www.therhumbline.com/

Gloucester Fishermen Youth Football and Cheering League Sign Ups

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The Gloucester Fishermen Youth Football and Cheering League will be opening up player and cheering registration on Saturday 3/7 and Saturday 3/14 at GHS from 9-12. We realize that this is early to be thinking about fall sports, but since this will be a community lead league, we need to start building our community. We emphasize that it is important to sign your children up during these two sessions so that you can be part of this process.

You can download the forms at our website, or just show up, forms will be available:

http://www.eteamz.com/gloucesterfishermenyouthfootball

Thank you,

GFYFL

Chifeletti Cookies

Posted on by Sista Felicia

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Baking Chifeletti Cookies for the gang coming over today to help decorated the St. Joseph Altar! Perfect cookie for St. Joseph coffee time…

Chifeletti Cookies

Ingredients

2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter

5 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

2 1/2 cups flour

1 cup finely ground Almond Meal/Flour

1/2 cup whole milk

1 cup thinly sliced almonds

¼ cup confectioners’ sugar

Step-by-Step

1 in bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment; cream butter and granulated sugar together 2 minutes

2 add vanilla bean paste, almond extract, and kosher salt; mix well

3 add flour, almond flour; and milk; mix well

4 using 1 inch cookie scoop fix scant dough balls; roll each dough ball into 3 1/2 inch long rope shape; curve slightly and dip into sliced almond pieces

5 arrange cookies 1½ inches apart on parchment lined cookie sheet; bake  in preheated 375 degree oven 12-14 minutes or  until edges are golden

6  cool 3 minutes; dust with confectioners’ sugar; Serve

* will keep stored in airtight container 7 days and will keep several months stored in airtight container frozen  

 

 

Construction Of The St. Joseph Altar

Posted on by Sista Felicia

 

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The 2015 altar is officially under construction! Yesterday, St. Barry assembled our families St. Joseph Altar, while my dear friend Tanya Frost and carefully removed dozens of Saints and Statues from the “vidina,”China cabinet, for their annual bath, polishing, and inspection for repairs, in preparation of todays traditional decorating  the altar gathering at my home with friends and family!

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A special thank you to “My Love” St. Barry, for all his help, love, and support.

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Thank you for helping yesterday Tanya Frost. You saved me many hours of doing it alone.

Bates Men’s Basketball, captained by Gloucester’s Adam Philpott, has qualified for an at large bid in the 2015 D3 NCAA Basketball Tournament

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Anthony Burnham submits-

Bates Men’s Basketball, captained by Gloucester’s Adam Philpott, has qualified for an at large bid in the 2015 D3 NCAA Basketball Tournament for the first time in program history.   With a number 3 strength in schedule ranking of 417 D3 school, Bates at 19-6 secured the bid.  Bates will play at 5:30pm this Friday, March 6th, vs. St. Vincent College at Stockton University in Galloway, NJ.

Here is a link to the webcast: http://stocktonathletics.com/index.aspx?path=mbball

Bates has the potential to face Babson (25-2) #1 in the bracket in the quarterfinals.   Bates handed Babson its first loss of the season in November at the buzzer at Babson Park.    Roger Babson will be watching!

Let the March Madness Begin!  Go ’Cats!!!!!!!!!!

BatesMakesTourney!

Foreign Affairs Sunday Brunch Part II

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The Grub. Incredible.  Inventive. Expertly Prepared. A1. Spot ON. MUST VISIT.

For More Info Check Out Their Facebook Page- https://www.facebook.com/ForeignAffairsMarketDSC00797

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With Friends Like These

Posted on by Nichole S.

Well, with a friend like this….

I had a really good friend once…actually not very long ago at all…but then, one freezing cold, grey winter day (yesterday), he decided it would be fun to start sending texts…all day long…from beachfront establishments in Key West, Florida.

So, obviously, we are friends no more.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for posting vacation photos on your Facebook page or Instagram or whatnot…where people have the choice to look long and hard..or ignore all together…but TEXTS…come on, seriously.

Why you got to be so cruel?

What makes it worse…if possible…is that this friend has a somewhat unlimited supply of something that I covet a great deal…TIME.

Don’t get me wrong, when he works, he works really hard….but, when he’s off…his days stretch out before him like a long story waiting to be written. Actually, if I’m being honest, maybe more like a movie  (If you’re thinking The Hangover, you’re probably on the mark).

The photos alone were malicious enough, but the comments that accompanied them were plain old spiteful.

Things like:

“I was going to come home tomorrow, but I don’t think so”

 

“Tough day…can’t you see my drink is empty”

 

“Morning Coffee. On the beach.”

 

“Made a move, my new view”

 

“Holding down the fort.”

 

“Taking one for the team.”

 

“4 pounds of stone crab claws…sorry I forgot to send a pic”

“Text later.  Going for a swim.”

“Think I’m going to hang in for another week or so. I’m up for the challenge.”

Did I mention that Key West, Florida is one of my all-time favorite places?

I’m going to miss my friend.  But not his texts.  😉

Be well.  Or, as he would say, “See you out there.  Good game.”