Did you know?

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

“Jingle Bells” is one of the most popular Christmas songs ever written. Except it’s not a Christmas song. It was written to celebrate Thanksgiving. In 1850, James Lord Pierpont was hanging out in a tavern in Medford, Massachusetts, when he was inspired by Medford’s famous sleigh races to write a tune called ‘One Horse Open Sleigh” for a children’s Thanksgiving play. Everyone loved it so much that it became incorporated into Christmas. Another bit of trivia for you: Mr. Pierpont was the uncle of banker John Pierpont Morgan, better known as J.P. Morgan. “Jingle Bells” was also the first song broadcast from space, in a Christmas-themed prank by Gemini 6 astronauts Tom Stafford and Wally Schirra.

Beautiful Christmas Arrangements From Sage Floral for Your Last Minute Shopping and Special Hostess Gift

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Thanks to my mother-in-law Janet for sending this lovely arrangement from Sage Floral ~ and thanks to Sage Floral for making our Christmas table so pretty!Sage Floral Gloucester florist Christmas Arrangement ©Kim Smith 2014

Should we bring Booker T. Jones to the Larcom?

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

We’re about to book lots of new shows down the road at Beverly’s Larcom Theatre and one of the people we’re seriously considering is Book T. Jones who wrote “Born Under a Bad Sign” with William Bell, recorded in 1967 by Albert King and later by Cream.  Here’s Booker T’s powerful version with his excellent touring band!  Leave a comment or Click here and tell us whether or not you think we should bring these guys to the Larcom this winter.

Christmas Can Can

Posted on by Nichole S.

I mentioned this last week, but the four of us have been enjoying watching The Great Christmas Light Fight this season (dorks, I know).

While this house wasn’t one of our favorites when the episode aired, this video is pretty sweet and the music-director-turned-Christmas-light-decorator has some mad holiday skills!

 

Tuesday December 23, 2014 Cape Ann Weather…

Posted on by Peter J Lovasco

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Pod Cast Weather :

http://www.spreaker.com/episode/5387074

Hourly Forecast :

 

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Marine Forecast : 

Tue E winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 25 kt Seas 4 to 7 ft. Patchy fog. Rain likely. Vsby 1 to 3 nm.
Tue Night E winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 25 kt… Diminishing to 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 4 to 7 ft. Patchy fog. A chance of rain. Vsby 1 to 3 nm.

Community Stuff 12/13/14

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

SportsAd

AR super sale

Hello Friends of Backyard Growers, 

We’re getting ready to move to our new digs at the top of the year! We’re looking for folks to volunteer for short shifts on Jan 2nd, 3rd, or 4th to help us move our stuff from storage into our new place at 269 Main Street. If you’ve got a truck or van—awesome! If not, that’s cool, you can help us pack our van.

Lots of different shifts available to accommodate your schedule! Click the link to learn more and to sign up for a shift = http://vols.pt/fqXbaK

Thanks a bunch,

Lara

Pinoli From Karen Pischke

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Karen Pischke submits-

Our first dinner at Pinoli’s was like an episode of Cheers- seeing friends neighbors and colleagues from Cape Ann! Plus met a number of newcomers to Gloucester. Delicious food, great service, lots of fun! Chef Paolo knows how to delight the eyes and the palate. 🙂

Solstice Stroll in Ravenswood from Terry weber

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

Last night about 60 people enjoyed a Solstice Stroll through Ravenswood Park. The walk began as the sun was setting and a light snow was falling. Led by Ramona Latham and volunteers of the Trustees of Reservations, the crowd learned about the history of Ravenswood, its animal life, and the meaning of the winter solstice. Flashlights were discouraged even as it grew darker, but Ramona provided makeshift “candles in cans” to light the way. After the walk, the crowd enjoyed hot cocoa and s’mores by a campfire. What a peaceful and beautiful way to mark the weekend of the “shortest day” of the year.  Enjoy the pics of Ravenswood at night, especially the pic of the fog creeping in, it’s a bit mysterious but beautiful.

Merry Christmas, 

Terry

 

Three Days Before Christmas Carol Countdown: A British Isles Invasion Of Christmas Songs!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

A brand new soulful recording of have “Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” by Sam Smith, published December 7, 2014

U2 “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”

The Beatles “Christmas Time (Is Here Again)” with archival footage

David Bowie and Bing Crosby “Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth”

Band Aid 30 “Do They Know Its Christmas? 2014”

Very Sad Breaking News: Joe Cocker Dies @ 70

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

The BBC broke the news a little while ago in this story.  One of my favorite performers. When he covered a song, he made it his own!

Here’s a perfect example of that:

We’ll miss you Joe!

Concert Tickets make Great Gifts — easy as 1-2-3 — Buy-Print-Under the tree

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Oh, I just couldn’t resist that terribly corny rhyme …

Before I head downtown (Gloucester, that is) to (hopefully) finish up my shopping, I figured I’d remind all of you, who might be stressing about what to buy, how easy it is to raise your loved ones’ spirits with the gift of music.  Of course there are many excellent choices this year, but I’ll take this opportunity make a shameless plug for just 1: John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band right down the road at Beverly’ Larcom Theatre on Jan 31.  It’s really easy:

1) Buy your tickets here.
2) Print them out.
3) Fold, wrap in a bow and put under the tree (or where ever you like).

Here are some reasons why this is a good idea: It’s local.  Fun.  Don’t have to go to the mall.  Don’t even have to get dressed to buy them.  Gives you and your loved ones a treat in the dead of winter.  Gives you something to look forward to.  Doesn’t take up any space.  Music heals your soul.