Time to Reconnect
With a rare unscheduled morning suddenly before me and the boys off for a game of pond hockey, I put Marlin on his leash, grabbed a cup of coffee, and took off for a brisk walk around town.
It has been way too long since I’ve been able to find time to do that and it was exactly the dose of medicine that I needed yesterday. I don’t often forget why I love living in Rockport, but this is the time of year that I don’t necessarily find the time to actually enjoy it….or appreciate it. Early yesterday, for 90 fantastic minutes, Marlin and I played Who are the People in Your Neighborhood while walking past Old Garden Beach, down Atlantic, through town, up and down Bearskin Neck, to Front Beach, into Mill Pond Park, past the frozen pond, by the cemetery, down Hale Street, through town again, and back home….seeing friends and familiar faces along the way.
Along the way, Marlin was kind enough to let me wrestle my phone out of my pocket once in a while to snap a photo. He isn’t keen on slowing down much…but, tolerated my pitstops. He was most appreciative of the stops that allowed him to stalk birds. He, unlike me, doesn’t have an affinity for front doors…but would take those opportunities for a quick pee.
There’s something magical about this town…no matter how cliche that sounds… and I’m so happy to have had the chance to reconnect.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Medical Monday
9.30am: CATA Dial-a-Ride bus picks me up at home to go to Addison Gilbert Hospital.
10:00am: Have an echocardiogram made, to check for heart valve abnormalities.
11:00am: In oncology clinic, get injection for my bones, and have a teaching session about upcoming chemotherapy treatment.
12:30pm: Eat lunch in hospital cafeteria, read, and people watch. The food is good there and inexpensive.
2:15pm: Walk down to the AGH sports medicine and rehab department for specific exercises for gait and balance.
3:00pm: Call Dial-a-Ride for ride home to Rockport.
3:30pm: Hit the couch and watch CNN.
Don’t let anyone tell you that being sick is like a vacation. I’m busier that when I was healthy!
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Monday January 12th , 2015 Cape Ann Weather…
Marine Forecast :
Mon SW winds 5 to 10 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt in the morning. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Snow…rain and sleet. Vsby 1 to 3 nm.
Mon Night NW winds 10 to 15 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt after midnight. Seas 2 to 4 ft. A chance of snow. Vsby 1 to 3 nm.
Pod Cast Weather :
http://www.spreaker.com:80/episode/5473555
Hourly Forecast :
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Fish Tales at the Writer’s Center Friday, January 16th
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Community Stuff 1/12/14
Dear Joey:
GHS Girls Basketball will be hosting a Restaurant Fundraiser this month at Jalapenos. The flyer is attached. Would you be willing to post this on “Good Morning Gloucester” so we can invite the whole community to join us?
Thank you!
GHS Girls Basketball Boosters
New Nature Preschool Opens for Area Residents
Only 10 minutes from Grant Circle, the new Ipswich River Nature Preschool located at Mass Audubon’s Endicott Wildlife Sanctuary on Grapevine Road in Wenham is accepting applications for September 2015 and we are encouraging families on Cape Ann to participate.
This preschool will provide a nurturing learning environment that fosters development of the whole child and a lifelong relationship with nature. Through multi-sensory explorations and cooperative play, our nature-based programs will nurture each child’s curiosity while providing a safe, supportive learning environment that encourages inquiry, exploration and discovery.
To learn more about this new, innovative preschool, or to download an application, please visit online atmassaudubon.org/ipswichriver then click Nature Preschool, or call Kim at 978/887.9264 EXT 7706 and start building your child’s lifelong love of nature!
Sue Ann Pearson
Development Assistant
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Hi Joey, could you include this announcement on your Good Morning Gloucester page? It’s a wonderful opportunity for people in the community!
Community Announcement
The Adult Learning Center of North Shore Community College is looking for students for its FREE Adult Career Pathways program on both the Beverly and Lynn campus. Classes meet in the afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday. Students with or without a High School diploma can apply. Math, English and Science topics are taught, with particular focus on Health Care and Construction Trade careers. For more information, contact Kellie Barker at Kbarker05@northshore.edu or 978-236-1228.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
GHS Wrestling Team and Coach Kirk’s Special Recognition
Hello,
I’m sure you get many requests for posts, but I’d love to let people know about the GHS wrestling team. They had their home opener tonight against Salem High School and they crushed it! They won 48 to 24 with 8 pins; an impressive feat for a team that is only in it’s second year!
I’d also love it if Coach Kirk Benson got special recognition.
At tonight’s meet there was a dedication of the new wrestling mat that Coach Kirk Benson and his family bought with money from his parents estate. Kirk’s parents have both passed away, but were very involved in their community and were all about supporting youth in whatever they were interested in whether it be sports, arts, travel etc.
I’ve attached a picture of the team on the new mat and a picture of Kirk and Carolyn Benson (there is also a non cropped picture of the team on the mat).
Thanks for your consideration!
Neyla Bajoras
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Monarchs Eyed for Possible Inclusion Under US Endangered Species Protection
Cape Ann Milkweed and Monarch Habitat, Eastern Point
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering adding Monarchs as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. A one-year review is underway to monitor the butterfly’s status. Since the 1990s the population has plummeted from about one billion to approximately 35 million. That may seem like a substantial number, but the Monarchs need stronger numbers to be resilient to other threats such as harsh weather.
The reason for the decline is primarily because of loss of milkweed habitat in the agricultural heartland of the United States. With the development of Monsanto’s Roundup and Roundup Ready (glyphosate resistant) seed, farmers are now able to spray glyphosate directly on their corn, soybean, and sorghum crops. Roundup also destroys milkweed. Secondly, with the push for ethanol, farmers have begun to plant corn on conservation land.
If the Fish and Wildlife Service determines that the Monarchs are threatened, they will set aside land for milkweed.
You can read more about the the Monarch Butterfly Endangered Species Act here:
FAQs on the Monarch Butterfly Endangered Species Act Petition
Monarch Butterfly Drinking Nectar from Native Wildflower Joe-pye Weed
You can learn more about the Monarch migration and the loss of Monarch habitat from Professor Tom Emmel here ~
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Update: Top Secret Sign Down At Nonni’s
Photo Super K
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Coolidge Reservation
Remember the ice is not thick enough to skate on. Clarke Pond also has salt water that flows through to the pond from an inlets that have been opened.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Hanna Kimberley’s Feminism Stuff
Hi Joey. The subject of my book is in the #2 slot!
http://www.buzzfeed.com/hannahjewell/historical-women-who-gave-no-fcks#.obQVPaNxX
Hope you are well. xxx, h
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Epic Birthday Felicia Song
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Drone, Drones and more Drones
Any Flight schools for Drone Pilots? I need a new Career.
A long but interesting Video from CES
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Community Photos 1/11/15
Joey,
Loblolly Cove, a bit after 7 AM, -1.1 degree. F.
Ian Crown
Ken Riehl Photos
Joey..
Had to take this when I was down along the Boulevard this am..
Stephen Winslow
Mass in Motion – Cape Ann
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
MARITIME GLOUCESTER FEBRUARY VACATION 2015 EXPLORATION
MARITIME GLOUCESTER FEBRUARY VACATION EXPLORATION
Register online here or call 978-281-0470
All programs are run on-site in our classroom, 23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA
$10 per session for Non-Members, $5 for Members
PreK – 1st Grade Programs, 10:00-11:30
Parents/Guardians Required
Tuesday, February 17 – Shipwreck Detectives
Our marine science classroom has become the site of a mysterious shipwreck: what can you learn from its artifacts? Children will become marine detectives as they search for clues and explore our giant shipwreck mat. What can they discover about the ship and its passengers? A variety of fun activities will be offered as we learn about marine exploration and shipwrecks in New England. We’ll fish for facts and learn about boats in Gloucester Harbor through a fun story.
Wednesday, February 18 – Frozen Crystals: Exploring Ice and Snow
Does this time of year have you thinking of ice and snow? Explore the science of all things frozen! Make your own saltwater paintings and watch shimmering crystal patterns appear. Turn an ordinary sock into a toy seal, walrus, or beluga whale. We’ll learn about coldwater creatures, Arctic and Antarctic exploration, and snowy habitats!
Thursday, February 19 – Submarines and Sea Creatures
Imagine you’re exploring the deep sea in a submarine. What strange sights and sea creatures do you see? Children will create their own paper portholes, submarine windows to underwater scenes. We’ll touch and hold live sea creatures from Gloucester Harbor and then create our own deep sea animals for the portholes. Through a story about Jacques Cousteau, we’ll learn how scuba divers explore the ocean.
2nd – 5th Grade Drop-Off Programs, 1:00-2:30
Free Maritime Movies for Participants, 2:30-3:30
Tuesday, February 17 – Shipwrecks and Maritime Archeology
Become a maritime archeologist and search for clues as we explore our giant shipwreck mat! As you examine each paper artifact, what can you learn about the ship and its passengers? Where did the ship come from? When did it sink? Through a variety of fun activities, we’ll learn about the famous shipwrecks of New England and the tools and techniques for exploring these undersea sites. Children are encouraged to stay afterwards to watch Ghosts of the Abyss, a documentary about the wreck of the Titanic.
Wednesday, February 18 – Polar Explorers and Icy Experiments
What did explorers find on Arctic and Antarctic expeditions? What kinds of creatures have adapted to freezing temperatures? Students will learn all about ice through a variety of icy experiments, challenges, and projects. Using a variety of ice shapes, build an ice tower as high as you can. Paint a snowy scene with saltwater and watch crystals appear. Children are encouraged to stay afterwards to watch The Blue Planet: Frozen Seas, a nature documentary about polar sea creatures.
Thursday, February 19 – Mapping the Deep
The deep sea is no easy place to explore. What strange creatures lurk in the depths? How can we learn about the shape of the seafloor? Through fun activities, we’ll learn all about the various ways to explore the ocean floor. We’ll build a deep sea model in a box, complete with creatures and shipwrecks. Afterwards, we’ll measure ocean depth and surprising seafloor features without even looking in the box! Children are encouraged to stay afterwards to watch The Blue Planet: The Deep, a nature documentary about deep sea animals.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Snowy Owl Sighting From Alice Gardner
Hi Joey,
We saw this snowy owl on the “Snowy Owl Prowl” this afternoon at the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich run by the Trustees. A wonderful hike in the dunes looking for these lovely creatures.
Alice Gardner
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
My Paris, I’m Relieved and Wounded
It’s not over yet. I look forward to the final resolution of this situation. I hope it’s peaceful and will lead to better communication between the different peoples of France. Although I haven’t spent much time in France, it was a precious time for me, which I’ll never forget. For me, every French casualty hurts
. A respectful “hat’s off” to my FB friend Nadia Bodin of France. We may be related, as there is a network of Bodin folks in France. Nadia, please join the conversation, and invite your friends to chime in. Photo: Champs Ellysee, Paris. circa 1915.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Electricity Savings Update 16: Solar Opportunities and A Solar Home Evaluation At Brian O’Connor’s
Home Solar Evaluation At Brian O’Connor’s East Gloucester House
As part of our ongoing series since National Grid went up 37% on Elecricity prices we interviewed Kevin Prickett who came out to East Gloucester to do a Home Solar Evaluation. According to the Kevin, not only do you save money, but if your home qualifies, you actually will get back more than you put in. Watch the video to listen to how it works and if you are interested sign up for a Free Evaluation for yourself. The way he explained it is that Deval Patrick signed something into action that calls for National Grid to have a certain percentage of homes using renewable energy by a certain date. If they don’t reach that quota, they will be fined three times the cost to the Government. Currently from what he says there are less than 2% of households taking advantage of the program so there is this huge pool of money available for the smart people who make the call and take advantage. Our goal is to educate our readership and to get as many of us to be inside of that 2% of the smart people who are getting something back for the money they are putting in.
Update: just got a text from Brian O’Connor who just told me that if his house qualifies, not only would he have no electric bill but he would get a check in the mail.
SIGN UP FOR A FREE SOLAR EVALUATION HERE-
For Parts 1-15 of our Electricity Saving and Home Comfort Series-
Parts 1,2,3 Here
Electricity Update #4: Free Home Energy Assesment With Kevin From Next Step Living
Electricity Update #5: Video Walkthrough- Energy Efficiency Assesment and Free Stuff At Mom’s House
Electricity Update #6 Energy Saving Ideas
Electricity Savings Alternative Home Energy and Comfort Update #7- Cape Ann Chimney and Hearth
ELECTRICTY AND HOME ENERGY UPDATE #8 NO BRAINER- DONNA AND RICK GET THEIR ENERGY EFFICIENCY ASSESSMENT!
ELECTRICITY, HOME HEATING AND ENERGY UPDATE #9 CAPE ANN CHIMNEY AND HEARTH TESTIMONIAL FROM CAROL CATALDO
Electricity Update #10
Electricity and Home Heating and Comfort Update 11: Cape Ann Chimney and Hearth Part III
The No Brainer Electricity Update #12
Electricity Update #13 Next Step Experience At Lise Breen’s Laneseville Joint
Electricity Conversation Update #14 Paulie Walnuts Gets His Energy Assessment #GloucesterMA
Have You Opened Your Recent Electricity Bill and Seen The Energy Efficiency Charge? Update 15
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Community Stuff1/11/15
Collin Campbell writes in-
Joey,
I found a red Jawbone on GHB.
Hey Joey, my friend lost her pup… if you find this appropriate, would you post to GMG, Facebook?
Understand if you can’t.
Thanks for considering.
Kristie
Massive SALE at POP Gallery!
30 % OFF SELECT ITEMS, CLOTHING AND JEWELRY!!
We are making room for new inventory for SPRING, but we need some help! Come snag 30% OFF some of our top selling looks and transitional Winter/Spring garments!
Plus, save on artisan made jewelry by SKLO, Emily Rosenfeld and Dandy, which hardly ever goes on SALE!!! Also, a stunning selection of jewelry at the desk which is now 1/2 OFF!!!
ALL MONTH LONG, leading into February! You do not want to miss this SALE!!!
Hours are weather pending and by chance Monday through Wednesday. But we are always open Thursday through Sunday, weather permitting.
You can always reach us via our facebook page!
Meet local award-winning, artist, Elaine Caliri Daly, and view her paintings at her reception on Saturday, January 17th, at BankGloucester at 160 Main Street, Gloucester.
At her reception, you can meet the artist in the bank’s lobby between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, and enjoy light refreshments.
Anita paints portraits, landscapes, and seascapes in watercolour and acrylic.
Her work will be on display at the Bank until March 1. 2015.
New Year’s Rockport Eve Lottery Calendar
You can still purchase your New Year’s Rockport Eve Lottery Calendar up until February 2, 2015! A $10 purchase gives you 40 chances to win $2,500 in prizes; either $100 every Sunday & Holiday and $50 for every other day between Dec. 23 & Jan. 31st. If you win on day, your name goes right back in for a chance to win again for all 40 days. Drawing doesn’t take place until Feb. 2nd so we can sell them right up to this date. Drawing to take place at the Pigeon Cove Circle, 6 Breakwater Ave, Rockport at 7 PM, open to the public. For Sale in Rockport: Bean & Leaf Cafe on Bearskin Neck, R3Sons in Dock Square, Rite Aid in Whistlestop Mall or Seaside Pizzeria on Railroad Ave, next to Cumberland Farms. In Gloucester: Sears on Eastern Avenue or Wally’s Blackburn Bistro in Blackburn Industrial Park. Suggestion: these make wonderful Birthday, Anniversary or Thank You gifts! Don’t forget the snow shoveling person you may have hired to shovel out your driveway or walkway! Or the postman you forgot at Christmas, it is never too late to remember him or her!
Good Morning Gloucester 