Check out The GDT for the worst kept secret around

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

MAYOR KIRK IS RESIGNING. 
We’re doing a podcast with her on Sunday.  I’ll just simply state for now that I think she was the best Mayor we ever had and the only person with the balls to stand up to the nimbys was in fact a woman.

She was unwavering in her support for many projects that will and have vastly improved our City.  I didn’t agree with everything she did but I did agree with a whole lot.  I just hope we don’t end up with a Mayor that treats businesses large or small as if they are evil and encourages responsible growth rather than trying to extort and discourage potential future investment.
THANK YOU MAYOR KIRK FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE

Iguazu Falls

Posted on by Marty Luster

imageOn the Argentine – Brazilion border, this is one of over 200 magnificent waterfalls cooperatively protected by the two nations. The falls are surrounded by thick rainforest, with both temperatures and humidity often in the nineties . It is a fascinating place, but not the most comfortable I have ever hiked in.

Cookie Competition Winners and Last Chance Closing Party

Posted on by God's Morning

cookie competition winners copy
Of course, this all takes place at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center, 6 Wonson Street on lovely Rocky Neck. Free, Open to all, and plenty of nearby parking.

E.J. Lefavour

The Coolest Thing You’ll See on The Web Today- Global Shark tracker

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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@AndreaWBZ shared this tweet from @OCEARCH today-

 

Shark Katherine (data below) set off a ping this morning just off Nantucket this morning at 4:42AM. You can see the path of Shark Katherine’s travels up and down the Atlantic Coast and In the Gulf of Mexico from the pings she sends out every time she breaks the surface of the ocean.  not only do they have real time data on the latest shark pings, they have videos from when the individual sharks are tagged.  The whole thing is about as cool a use of the internet as I’ve seen.  Check it out here

Species: White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)

Gender: Female

Stage of Life: Immature

Length: 14 ft. 2 in.

Weight: 2,300 lb.

Tag Date: Aug 20, 2013

Nutty Redhead looking For Some help

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Kind greetings Joey,

Thank you for pledging to my last Kickstarter project in October for Whole Foods Market. I didn’t reach the goal so I got nothing, that’s the rules. No credit cards were ever charged.

As you know, I have launched the project one more time. I’m already 85% funded and only have 7 days left. If you could kindly re-pledge, as the others already did, I will hit my goal. Pledging last time does not carry over to this one, as some had thought. You must pledge again. In the spirit of holiday giving, I humbly ask you to give once more. You will get 10% off all future orders along with your reward gifts listed, and you will take pride in knowing that you helped a friend in need. Happy Holidays to you and yours, Sincerely, Lisa
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1019762443/that-nutty-redhead-sayshooray-you-can-eat-nuts-aga

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Little Lost Dog Bengi at Brace Cove Update

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Update: GMG reader Lisa provides the following link: http://www.lostmydoggie.com/details.cfm?petid=78091. Please contact the owner if you see Bengi.

78091

To the owner of the little white lost dog Bengi, as of 2:35 today, Thursday, he is at Brace Cove. A bunch of us tried to catch him, but he does not want to be caught. He’s going up and down the beach and tearing through the deeply thicketed path. He does not have a tag. Please let us know when Bengi finds his way home. Thank you so much.

Lisa writes: 

I too saw little Bengi on Niles beach on Christmas. We had no luck catching him. Above is the link to him but no contact to the owner. Does anyone know were he belongs in Gloucester? It says this little fella has been missing since Dec 19. The police said he was reported running around Rocky Neck on Christmas Eve. If anyone knows his owner please tell them to search East Gloucester!! Last I know the little fella was seen on Grapevine.

Rant and Poll- Let me Set The Record Straight On Ugly Sweater Contests

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Toby sent me this picture of someone who won the ugly sweater contest wherever he was at yesterday-

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Well it seems like the whole ugly sweater contest has officially jumped the shark.  You wanna know the precise moment when the formerly cool ugly sweater contest fad jumped the shark?  Well let me tell you- It’s when cottage industries all over the place started producing “Official Ugly Sweaters” for mass marketing in department stores.

The whole point of Ugly sweater contests was to find one from way back in your closet or your dad’s closet, or a thrift shop.  Anyone that goes out and buys an ugly sweater new off the rack that was actually designed as being an “Ugly Sweater” does not deserve a win.

In my opinion the all time ugliest sweaters were those Coogi sweaters worn by sportscasters in the 90s-

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Second point  of reference determining that The Whole Ugly Sweater Contest Has Lost It’s Cool Factor?

Every single sports franchise coming out with their ugly sweater jersey-

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OVER. DONE. STICK A FORK IN IT.

I’m not saying there should never be another Ugly Sweater Contest.  What I Am Saying Is That Anyone That Buys An Officially Designed And Marketed AS AN UGLY SWEATER from the Get-Go Sweater, They should Not Be allowed to win the contest.  Has to be vintage or get out of here with that new off the rack designed-as-an-ugly-sweater Ugly Sweater.

So Toby find that woman who took home whatever the prize was for winner of the Ugly sweater contest at your party and strip her of that title.  She doesn’t deserve it.  Only way she brings home the title in that contest is if no one else shows up in an ugly sweater at all.

Poll Time-

Friday December 26th , 2014 Cape Ann Weather..

Posted on by Peter J Lovasco

Marine Forecast :
Fri W winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft.
Fri Night W winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas around 2 ft.

Pod Cast Weather :
http://www.spreaker.com:80/episode/5398187

Hourly Forecast :

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Community Photos 12/26/14

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
Christmas Caroling Wheeler’s Point, Gloucester – photos from Anthony Marks
Kent Circle Christmas Tree, Glosta – photo from Anthony Marks

Kent Circle Christmas Tree

Thank you for your support.

Jude Abbe

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Simple Christmas Blessings

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin

XmasTreeComm5447wmChristmas morning I was waiting for my sister to arrive from the Vineyard. I saw a white sedan pull up and a woman came to the house, carrying a small basket. She gave it to me on the porch, and said it was from the Rockport and Pigeon Cove Christmas Tree Committee, a private organization which has been giving for 116 years. I don’t know how they got my name as a person who may be in need. The basket contains fruit, raisons, candies, chocolates, and a large container of cookies. Totally unexpected, but so are all of my Christmas blessings. The saddest song for me in November was “Dreaming of a White Christmas.” Now it’s a happy song and I’m looking forward to 2015.

Christmas Must Be Tonight by Daryl Hall feat. Shelby Lynne

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

A very special rendition of “Christmas Must Be Tonight” recorded Live at Daryl’s House. I think this is a somewhat obscure Christmas song; perhaps in time Daryl Hall’s version will help it gain recognition, deservedly so!

Going down to Bethlehem, see the little son of man
Lying away in the manger, praise the Prince of Peace
Wheels start turning, fires start burning
Shine a light on the wise men journeying from the East.

[Chorus:]

How could a little baby boy, be bringing down so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
It must be Christmas, must be tonight

See the shepards on a hillside, looking up at the sky
On a cold winter night they hear the angel’s sing
In a dream I heard a voice, said fear not, come rejoice
It’s the end of the beginning, praise the new born King

Just a little baby boy, he’s brining us so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
It must be Christmas, must be tonight

[Chorus]

Then it came to pass, the child was born at last
Happened right before the star that shines on high

How could a little baby boy, be bringing down so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
It must be Christmas, must be tonight

[Chorus]

Must be tonight, it must be tonight
Christmas must be tonight
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
All right and it’s all right, Mary carried the holy light

The original recording by The Band (1977), written by Robbie Robertson.

Little Lost Dog Bengi at Brace Cove

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

To the owner of the little white lost dog Bengi, as of 2:35 today, Thursday, he is at Brace Cove. A bunch of us tried to catch him, but he does not want to be caught. He’s going up and down the beach and tearing through the deeply thicketed path. He does not have a tag. Please let us know when Bengi finds his way home. Thank you so much.

Santa is Coming….again

Posted on by Nichole S.

After a LOOOONG day/night, Santa will be back in Dock Square to say “Good-bye” until next year and to give all of the children of Rockport an opportunity to say “thank you” for their wonderful gifts. One of my favorite holiday traditions.

Merry Christmas!!

Nichole’s “Picks of the Weekend” December 27th and 28th

Posted on by Nichole S.

Ok, I’m not going to lie, my First Pick for this weekend would be to R.E.L.A.X!!!

Enjoy some quiet family time.  Watch the kiddos play with their new toys. Unplug.  Plug in. Read a book.  Take a nap.  Go for a walk. Take a nap. Get the holiday crap out of the house.  Regain some normalcy.  Take a nap.  Go for a bike ride. Take a nap.  You get the picture.

Seriously, it is going to be (while I’m no meteorologist) close to 50 degrees.  Get outside and enjoy the somewhat mild weather and just chill.  I’m assuming that, like me, you’ve all been on the go like mad.  Shopping, hiding, finding, losing, wrapping, lying, shopping some more….repeat.  Throw in some holiday parties, engagements, and casual stop bys….and we are all BEAT.

I’m psyched for some major chill time with the family, but, if you are the proverbial energizer bunny and need something to do….have at it. I’ll offer a couple of suggestions.

With all my talk about relaxing, I have to admit I am kind of a hypocrite, because I’m super tempted to sign up for Pick #2

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is offering a couple of excellent programs this weekend!

The first is SURVIVOR….family style.  While I kind of feel like every day in our life lately should be dubbed “Survivor Day”…this does sound pretty awesome.

Survivor: Saturday, December 27, or Friday, January 2
Through teamwork and problem-solving, we will explore the woodlands of the sanctuary and imagine that we are explorers stranded in the wilderness. In order to survive, we will need to build shelters, collect firewood, and find food and a water source. Come and find out how you would survive!

The second is Build a Bird Feeder!

Parent/Child Build a Bird Feeder: Sunday, December 28, or Saturday, January 3
Brighten up your yard this winter with a bird feeder handmade by you and your child. Each family will receive a kit containing all the necessary parts to build a feeder that will attract chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, cardinals, and many other birds to your yard. A short slide presentation will highlight the birds that commonly come to feeders. We’ll also observe the sanctuary feeders to see which birds are looking for food. Instructors will circulate to provide assistance.

Check it all out here for sure!

 

Pick #3

Keeping in mind that it is school vacation and most indoor activities everywhere will be jammed….the Museum of Science is now showing some pretty excellent IMAX movies and a 15 minute 4D Polar Express Show!

The IMAX Theater is showing 1. Galapagos (I will actually travel there some day!! Total bucket list vacation!!) 2. Pandas: The Journey Home  and 3. Mystery of the Maya.

Read More Here.

The Polar Express film…while really short…also looks pretty awesome!

We’ve taken trips into the MOS during school vacations in the past and, while the Museum itself is usually mobbed, we’ve had good luck simply parking, heading to an IMAX movie, and then getting out of there.  I like to save an actual day at the museum for days when it is safe to say that it won’t be too crowded.