Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 1/31 and 2/1

So, somehow, I have a new time slot.  I think something may have gone down. I may have missed something….I’m not sure.

Regardless….here I am at 7:00 a.m.  Wow….it’s an early time slot to fill!

I’m feeling kind of tired, crazy blizzard and all (did you know that we had a blizzard?), two young boys, full-time job….lots going on. Plus I’m kind of crampy. And out of Midol.  Just saying.

I know that I accepted the responsibility to report some family friendly Picks of the Week…and accepted eagerly at that…but, maybe I’ll just sit back and hope that someone else will cover this mumbo jumbo this week.  Maybe Craig will randomly step up and offer some kid friendly activities.  I wonder types of activities those would be 😉    Maybe, Donna or Kim will.  Maybe Paul or the other Paul.  Surely someone will pick up my slack.  After all, my hands are still cold from sledding and shoveling…..and taking photos and videos during the blizzard at the end of my street.

Oh, wait, that would be wrong, I mean I agreed to do this….I WANTED to do this.   I mean, if I suddenly wasn’t in the mood to do this……or was too busy doing it for someone else….obviously the right thing to do would be to let Joey know.  You know….so he could count on someone else right??

So, on that note….   Here are my Picks of the Weekend.

It’s all about the snow, bout the snow, bout the snow….

It’s all about the snow this weekend because we haven’t had much to enjoy thus far this year!

So, that being the case, my favorite picks would just be to get out and enjoy it!

Pick #1

Sledding, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, you name it.

If you’re looking form simpler things to do in your own backyard, check out these links full of snowy day activities!

Snow Day Activities from Woman’s Day Magazine

Parents Magazine: Snow Day Activities

And, here’s a link to a cute blog with a perfect Homemade Snow Ice Cream recipe!  Ummm….Yummm.  Just stay away from the yellow snow 😉

Gimme Some Oven: Snow Ice Cream

Snow-Ice-Cream-5

Pick #2

If you’re tired of the snow already (it’s ok to admit it) and are looking for an indoor activity that you haven’t already done 100 times, maybe check out the North Reading High School Masquers Club and their performance of Peter Pan!

READ MORE HERE    Please note that this also runs next weekend!

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Pick #3

It’s Groundhogs Day!

I am well aware that I use the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary as my go-to weekend “to do”, but I can’t help that they offer such interesting and fantastic activities each weekend.  This weekend is no different!

Groundhog Day Extravaganza   Saturday 1:00-4:00

Registration is required.

Register online or call 978-887-9264 to register by phone.

Is spring on the way, or are we faced with another six weeks of winter? According to legend, Punxsutawney Phil foretells the impending weather each year. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, spring is near. Ongoing activities throughout the afternoon include nature hikes, a groundhog obstacle course, snow sculptures (if there’s snow), crafts, refreshments, and more. The official groundhog celebration takes place at 2:00 pm in our warm and spacious Barn. Families with children of all ages are invited to join us for this fun seasonal event.

groundhog

My Apology Is No Longer Here Because Pete Asked Me To Take It Down

Before the conspiracy theorists come out of the woodwork, the reason the post is no longer here is because Pete asked me to take my apology post and his farewell post down.

Out of respect for his wishes and because I believe I was wrong to call him out publicly I’m obliging and once again extending my thanks for the posts he did here and wish him huge huge success.

If you would like to follow him for his passionate weather reporting you can follow his Wicked Weather Facebook Page with great videos from the top 5th or 6th storm of all time.

Here’s the link, follow and like his awesome page-

https://www.facebook.com/PLweather

My Hood After Storm East Gloucester #blizzard2015

Smith's Cove East Gloucester Winter Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015 A few more snapshots from after the storm, Smith’s Cove and Plum Street, East Gloucester #blizzard2015.

Plum Street East Gloucester Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015 Smith's Cove East Gloucester Blizzard 2015 ©kim Smith 2015 The red crane has been parked in this location at Smith’s Cove for several weeks. I don’t recall seeing it there in previous years. Does anyone know the story behind the crane?

Murray DPW Blizzard 2015 Gloucester ©Kim Dmith 2015The DPW tackling the side roads. Thanks Murray!

East Gloucester Blizzard 2015

Beacon Marine Basin East Gloucester blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015Snapshots from this morning ~ Our neighborhood looks gorgeous in the new fallen snow and I can’t wait to get back out there and take more photos later this afternoon!East Maint Street Blizzard 2015 Gloucester ©Kim Smith 2015

Smith's Cove Gloucester Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015Gloucester Duckworth's Restaurant Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015East Gloucester Blizzard 2015 east gloucester copyxx

Snowstorm Jan 27 2015

Storm and next day…. hope a big clean-up will follow.

Storm is over. Time to get out and have some fun!

Lots going on — even in the middle of winter!  Here’s the schedule from gimmesound.com for the next few days.  Aren’t you glad you live in a town with a vibrant music scene?

TONIGHT, Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Fly Amero 8:00 pm Listen to Fly Amero FLY AMERO

Dinner with Fly with special guest Ron Schrank
40 Railroad Ave, Gloucester, MA

Phone: 978-283-9732

FREE SHOW
8:30 pm  JOHN JEROME MUSIC

14 Rogers Street, Gloucester, MA

Phone: 978-515-7817

FREE SHOW
TOMORROW, Thursday, January 29, 2015
Toni Ann Enes 7:00 pm Listen to Toni Ann Enes TONI ANN ENES blues rock jazz

14 Rogers Street, Gloucester, MA

Phone: 978-515-7817

FREE SHOW
Dave Sag's Blues Party 8:30 pm DAVE SAG’S BLUES PARTY blues

40 Railroad Ave, Gloucester, MA

Phone: 978-283-9732

FREE SHOW
9:00 pm  BRIAN FINES

Open Mic
11 Rogers St., Gloucester, MA 01930

Phone: (978) 282-7399

FREE SHOW
Friday, January 30, 2015
7:00 pm  BERKLEE INVASION

guitarist Jake Pardee, super bassist Joe Cardoza and Boston’s own drummer Brad Conant
8 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
Allen Estes 8:30 pm Listen to Allen Estes ALLEN ESTES

with Mike O’Connell
86 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930

Phone: 978-283-8228

FREE SHOW
DJ Vito 9:00 pm DJ VITO rock hip-hop electronic

65 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930

Phone: 978-281-6565

FREE SHOW
9:00 pm  TERRAFUNK

25 Rogers Street, Gloucester, MA 01930

Phone: 978-281-0223

FREE SHOW
Saturday, January 31, 2015
 MET OPERA LIVE IN HD: OFFENBACH: LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN

The magnetic tenor Vittorio Grigolo takes on the tortured poet and unwitting adventurer of the
37 Main Street, Rockport, MA 01966

Phone: 978-546-7391

Livin' On Luck 6:00 pm LIVIN’ ON LUCK

Playing acoustic classic hits
1 Cathedral Avenue, Rockport, MA 01966

Phone: 978-546-6321

FREE SHOW
Dan King 6:00 pm DAN KING acoustic folk-rock

40 Railroad Ave, Gloucester, MA

Phone: 978-283-9732

FREE SHOW
6:00 pm  ELEANOR BIGBY

40 Railroad Ave, Gloucester, MA

Phone: 978-283-9732

FREE SHOW
John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band 8:00 pm JOHN CAFFERTY AND THE BEAVER BROWN BAND

13 Wallis Street, Beverly, MA 01915

Phone: 978-525-9093

Gary Backstrom 8:00 pm GARY BACKSTROM

Opening for John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band
13 Wallis Street, Beverly, MA 01915

Phone: 978-525-9093

8:30 pm  JOE THOMAS

86 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930

Phone: 978-283-8228

FREE SHOW
9:00 pm  THE JOE MACK BAND

65 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930

Phone: 978-281-6565

FREE SHOW
9:00 pm  MO BOUNCE

25 Rogers Street, Gloucester, MA 01930

Phone: 978-281-0223

FREE SHOW

Keeping the Bird Feeders Well-stocked for the Songbirds

Black-capped Chicadee ©Kim Smith 2015The Massachusetts state bird, the Black-capped Chickadee, is well-known at bird feeders. We’ve strategically placed one of our bird feeders adjacent to an iron trellis. The chickadees pop in for a safflower seed and then hop over to the trellis to crack it open against the metal.

Blizzard Update from City Councilor Paul McGeary

unnamedCleanup has begun, but it’s slow going

Dear friends:

The city has been struggling to keep main roads open during this week’s unprecedented snowfall. DPW crews and private contractors have been on the road for 36 hours straight, but they are having trouble keeping up.

This means that cleanup has fallen behind on many smaller roads. Currently there is a substantial list of roads that need attention.

Your patience and keeping cars off the streets will help immeasurably to get the roads open as quickly as possible.

Do be aware that even if your street is impassable, the Fire Department is able to reach people in emergency situations.

Snow Emergency Update

Due to the ongoing storm and blizzard conditions, a snow emergency remains in effect until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Parking is banned on all City streets until that time. Violators of this ongoing declaration are subject to ticketing and towing at the owner’s expense. Municipal and School lots will remain available to residents until Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. at which time they are to be removed.

Gloucester Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday Jan. 28 and all City offices will be delayed in opening. All City offices will open and resume business at 10 a.m. Wednesday Jan. 28.

The city website www.gloucester-ma.gov is updated regularly with the latest information.

Trash Collection delayed

Due to the blizzard, trash collection for Wednesday Jan. 28, has been cancelled. Collection will resume on Thursday. The schedule is as follows: Wednesday’s pick up will be Thursday, Thursday’s pick up will be Friday, Friday’s pick up will be Saturday. If your regular day is Tuesday we are asking that due to the extenuating circumstances that you please hold onto your trash until next week.

General Snow Emergency Information

Where Can I Park?
Off-street parking areas including:

  • Harbor Parking Lot (near Gloucester House Restaurant)
  • Main Street Parking Lot
  • Manuel F. Lewis Parking Lot
  • Pleasant Street Parking Lot
  • St. Peter’s Square (Town Landing Parking Lot)
  • Fitz Hugh Lane Lot (Roger’s St next to TD Bank)
  • Boynton Way Lot (off Rogers St in between Pilot House lot and House of Mitch)
  • School Parking Lots may also be used for off-street parking

Vehicles parked in parking lots must shovel their cars out of the space.

NOTE: All vehicles must be out of municipal and school lots by 1 p.m. today.

Please be aware that the City of Gloucester is authorized to remove any vehicle that interferes with the removal of snow and ice. Removal costs shall be paid by the owner of the vehicle.

Residents are required to remove snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of their homes/businesses.

Please call the Department of Public Works at 978-281-9785 for information or questions concerning snow and ice removal.

#Blizzard2015 Digging Out!

East Gloucester Blizzard 2015 Colleen digging out ©Kim Smith 2015Colleen Apostolos Digging Out!

Colleen Digging Out Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015It’s a Glorious Morning! Although I did crash after only taking ten steps from our door and, not realizing it, got water spots all over my camera’s lens. Every photo had to be de-spotted prior to uploading. I hope I didn’t miss any spots.

Ken Duckworth Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015Ken Duckworth Digging Out!

Valerie and Joey Marino Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015.JPGValerie and Joey Marino Blizzard 2015 ©Kim Smith 2015Valerie and Joey Marino Digging Out!

 

 

 

Wednesdays with Fly Amero ~ Special guest: Ron Schrank @ The Rhumb Line 8pm 1.28.2015

rllogofly cDinner Specials Every Week!

Wednesday, January 28th
Special Guest:
RON SCHRANK!!

ron schrank

Ron has developed a serious fan base around here.  Why?
Well, let’s start with a soft, soothing voice.  Then there’s the
eclectic, hand-picked song repertoire.  But, bottom line… just
look at him.  I mean, how can you not love this guy? 🙂 ~ Fly
Dinner with great music!
*Each week features a special, invited musical guest
Dave Trooper’s Kitchen…
Prepared fresh weekly by “Troop”… always good!
Check out Fred’s rockin’ wine menu!
Upcoming…

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

 

DRONE AERIAL: THE BLIZZARD 2015 – RESCUED IN BAY VIEW

IT’S THE BIG DIG 2!!
So here’s the rescue I was waiting for! Finally we are getting dug out of here. With drifts as high as 8 feet, there was no access to Kilby St., until now. Sorry for the crappy flying, but it was very gusty up here!

(click the little gear for 1080hd)

 

Snowpocalypse Hits Rockport

Who remembers when Hollywood turned Rockport into Sitka, Alaska?  Well, this morning kind of reminds me of that.

The salt water encrusted homes on the waterfront look down right creepy and others look as if they have covered in white creamy frosting (Thatcher’s words, not mine).

Some one asked that I post new photos of the houses I photographed yesterday afternoon.  Today they look like ice castles!

Someone had asked about the “house on stilts” and how it handled the storm. Fortunately it appears fine….and it is no longer simply on stilts.

It is gorgeous this morning.  But….I’m ok going quite a while until this all happens again!