Sunrise over Ten Pound Island this morning – December 10, 2013.
A nice way to great the day.
Sid Falthzik
Community Stuff 12/13/13
Dear Joey.
A Merry Christmas season to you!! After many years, the Annisquam Village church is
changing the time of our annual Christmas Eve Candle Light Worship from 11 p.m. to 5:30
p.m., and we need some help getting the word out. Could you please post this?
All in the community are welcome to join us. Thank you for all you do for our community!
Wishing you a blessed Christmas.
Annisquam Village Church
CHRISTMAS 2013 AT
THE ANNISQUAM VILLAGE CHURCH
December 22 ~ The Fourth Sunday in Advent
Worship, 10:00 a.m. “A Service of Lessons and Carols”
Christmas Pageants, 4:00 p.m.
December 24 ~ Christmas Eve
Candle Light Worship, 5:30 p.m.*
*please note change in time
SENIOR GLOUCESTER MA FIRE OFFICER COMPLETES EXECUTIVE PROGRAM
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA) announced June 28, 2013 that Miles J. Schlichte successfully completed the Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP).
“The intensive EFOP is designed to provide senior fire officers with a broad perspective on various facets of fire administration,” according to U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell, Jr. “This program provides fire service officers with the expertise they need to succeed in today’s challenging environment.”
Each of the four annual courses required a written Applied Research Project (ARP) to demonstrate application of course theory and concepts to real life situations within the student’s own organization. Each of these projects was evaluated through a formal process, and progression through the program was contingent on achieving each of these milestones.
Mitchell also stated, “It is important that these senior fire executives apply what they have learned in the classroom to existing situations in their own communities. This makes completion of the EFOP and the Applied Research Projects particularly valuable to these fire service leaders.”
Six months after completion of each of the courses, the EFOP participants were required to complete an ARP related to their own organization. The required executive-level courses are:
Executive Development, the entry level course, emphasizes team development and consensus decision making to enhance organizations effectiveness. Chief Schlichte’s ARP on the benefits to the City of Gloucester of an effective Emergency Management Program has been published by the National Fire Academy as an exceptional work.
Executive Analysis of Community Risk Reduction, the next course in the sequence, is a mixture of philosophy and application—the value of the community risk reduction and the process of applying risk reduction to the community. It involves developing partnerships with the community to implement programs, initiatives, and services that prevent and/or mitigate the risk of human made or natural disasters. Traditional fire prevention programs are addressed. Chief Schlichte’s ARP on mitigating flooding along Poplar Street by utilizing FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) resulted in a successful million dollar grant to alleviate the periodic flooding in this section of Gloucester.
Executive Analysis of Fire Service Operations in Emergency Management is the third year course. This course is a very critical curriculum in today’s incident response environment. The administration of incident response in light of the Federal Response Plan (FRP), the Integrated Emergency Management System (IEMS), Emergency Operations Center (EOC) functions, planning, and documentation, are some of the topics covered. Chief Schlichte’s ARP on the creation of a Type IV Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) for the City of Gloucester has been published by the National Fire Academy as an exceptional work.
Executive Leadership is the final course which examines all aspects of executive-level leadership and ties together the educational experiences of the three previous years. Chief Schlichte’s final ARP examines the current practice of using acting officers in lieu of permanent officers within the Gloucester Fire Department.
Chief Schlichte is the second member of the Gloucester Fire Department to have completed this intensive program. Chief Carleton Ekborg-retired, was recognized for his successful completion of the Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP) in 2006.
Dr. Denis Onieal
Superintendent
National Fire Academy
U.S. Fire Administration
Hi Joey,
I’ve attached the flier inviting all families to join in our Winter Skating Festival & Family Skate on Saturday 12/14 starting at 11 am.
Thanks,
Faye Greel
Cape Ann Skating Club
Come join the Cape Ann Skating Club for our annual Holiday Winter Skating Festival on Saturday, December 14, 11 am, Talbot Rink, O’Maley School, Gloucester! Includes free admission to our Holiday Exhibition, used skate sale, bake sale, fun crafts for little ones. Family Skate $5 for entire family at 1 pm (if rental skates required, add additional $5 per person).
For more information regarding Cape Ann Skating please visit:
http://www.facebook.com/CapeAnnSkatingClub
website: http://cafsc.org/
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
10 Best Cities In Massachusetts- Where Do You Suppose Gloucester Ranked?
The 10 Best Cities in Massachusetts
Thinking about moving to Massachusetts? Now you’ll know which of its cities are the best.
Natalie Grigson
Staff Writer MOVOTO
Massachusetts, the Bay State, is renowned for many things. It has some of the richest history and oldest buildings in the nation; some of our country’s best colleges; and, of course, Boston.
Bean Town is just one city, however, so we wanted to do all Massachusetts residents proud and determine which cities in the state are its very best. It’s the same thing we’ve already done with states like Washington and, a bit closer to home, New Jersey.
Of course, narrowing our selection down to a list of 10 and one winner overall—Marshfield—was not without a certain degree of challenge, but we figured Red Sox and Celtics fans are accustomed enough to dealing with that. When the results were tallied, the 10 best cities in the Bay State emerged:
Click here for the list-
The 10 Best Cities in Massachusetts
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Art in the Schoolhouse – Holiday Art Sale Presented by The Magnolia Historical Society
ART SALE Â –Â Saturday Dec 14th & Sunday Dec 15th from 10am till 2pm
A great turnout of Artist and shoppers during last weekends opening, with over 16 artists participating and 150 plus pieces of work on display, the Blynman School once again fill with joy, laughter and creativity.
Stop in next weekend Saturday Dec 14th & Sunday Dec 15th from 10am till 2pm, and take your time to enjoy some great Art work and see the revitalization of the Blynman Schoolhouse, the home of The Magnolia Historical Society, 46 Magnolia Ave  Gloucester, MA.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Bruce Tarr sings Rudolph
-pvn, sent from my phone
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Chef Matt Beach’s Best Apple Tarte Tatin
Chef Matt Beach’s Sublime Dinner ~Â continued
Individual little apple tarte Tatins hot and fresh from the oven
For the Chef’s Table dinner that I was so very fortunate to recently attend, Chef Matt Beach prepared simply the most delicious apple tarte Tatin you could possibly imagine.
A tarte Tatin is a tart cooked upside down and made with fruit (typically apples) that have been caramelized in butter and sugar prior to baking. The recipe originates from the Centre Region of France, a rich agricultural area where many tree fruits are grown. Peaches, plums, pears, and apricots may also be used to make the tarte.
Flipping the tartes from the ramekins
Warm and ready to serve
Chef Beach served the apple tarte Tatin with his equally as wonderful salted caramel homemade ice cream.
Beach Gourmet is a full-service catering company. They have a passion for sharing good food and friendship. And they know how to throw a great party! Their primary business is Catering and Event Management for parties large and small. Additionally, they have a thriving Personal Chef business, working for clientele they care deeply about and with whom they have grown to regard as both client and friend.
* Â Â * Â Â *
Hotel Tatin, Lamotte Beuvron, FranceÂ
End Note ~ Legend has it that apple tarte Tatin was originally created by Stéphanie Tatin in the 1880s at the Hotel Tatin, located in Lamotte Beuvron, France, and which is still in operation. Visit this fabulous website Friends of the tarte Tatin for more information, the history of, and for a recipe as close as possible to the original 19th century apple tarte Tatin recipe.
Chef Matt Beach’s Sublime Dinner
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Allen Estes Vickie and Melissa Cox at Cape Ann savings bank toy drive
-pvn, sent from my phone
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Variation on a Theme
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Praying That Paul Morrison Brings His Ryan and Wood Knockabout Gin Bottle Encased In Ice Like Last Year For Some Tasty Beverages At Tomorrow Night’s GMG Holiday Party
Puhlllleaaaase Paul. Do The Right Thing And Tune Me Up Tomorrow Night! 
KIM SMITH PHOTO
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Tommorrow is St Lucia Day…Soak Your Wheat Berries Tonight
St. Lucia Pudding is traditionally served in Sicilian homes on December 13th, Santa Lucia Day. I have my Wheat Berries soaking do you?
Ingredients
4 cups wheat berries, soaked in water overnight
8 cups whole milk
2 cups sugar
8 tablespoons Argo cornstarch
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground cinnamon
1 large Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with almonds candy bar, chopped into bite size pieces
Step-by-Step
1 Drain wheat berries, and add them to fresh pot of water; bring to boil; cook  20-25 min; drain and set aside
2 Mix milk, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla and cinnamon a large sauce pan
3 Cook over high heat stir continuously until it comes to rolling boil, and become thick
*Note~ scrapping the bottom of the pan while stiring to prevent mixture from sticking and burning
4Â Â Remove from heat; Â add 3 cups cooked wheat berries to pudding; mix well
5Â Pour pudding on large serving platter;Â cool for 5- 10 minutes;Â sprinkle with chocolate pieces and dust with 2 tablespoons of fresh ground cinnamon
Click link below for my recipe video tutorial
http://cook123.com/recipes/saint-lucia-day-pudding.html
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Where’s That
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
The Feast Goes On
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
A Different View of Cape Ann Tool
From some shots I took last summer I have been putting this together. A montage of sorts. As you look at it, there appears more than just rusty relics of buildings, but also Pigeon Cove and the granite breakwater. Thought I’d share this different view.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Win Dinner & A Show with Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr and help needy kids!
If you’re listening to North Shore 104.9 today, you know they’re broadcasting Senator Bruce Tarr’s North Shore Toy Drive live until 6pm and you’ll hear Senator Tarr mention a “Once in a lifetime” auction on air.  We don’t want people who can’t have the radio on to miss out, so here’s the scoop:
This Sunday, Senator Tarr is taking 4 people as his guests to the Larcom Theatre at 2pm for Henri Smith New Orleans Christmas Matinee followed by dinner at Teresa’s Prime (the new steakhouse in North Reading).Â
You can bid on this “once in a lifetime opportunity” by sending an email to northshoretoydrive@yahoo.com with your name, phone number and your bid.
Senator Tarr will be updating the bid price live on the radio during the day — and you can continue bidding during the day tomorrow too. Â The winning bid will be announced tomorrow (FRI) at 5pm. Â The money will be donated to the winner’s local Toy Drive charity.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Calling Out Steve Noble…
Lots of Pressure Keeping up withthe neighbors Griswald Christmas!
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
The are still some seats left for this show! Guest Presentation Friday, December 13, 8 PM Presented by M.E. Productions ROCKPORT BLUES SUMMIT —LUTHER “GUITAR JUNIOR” JOHNSON, SUGAR RAY NORCIA, & “MONSTER” MIKE WELCH
ROCKPORT BLUES SUMMIT
Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson has emerged as the bona fide leader of the West Side guitar style with his unique blend of blues, soul and funk. His blazing guitar riffs and plaintive vocals leave no doubt that Johnson is a blues master at the top of his game. He served an apprenticeship with Muddy Waters (one of the last direct links!) and Magic Sam before developing his own signature style. “Guitar Junior” earned his moniker by performing blistering blends of single string playing on the electric guitar. Magic Sam immediately signed him upon hearing the teenage “Little Junior” sing Sam Cooke’s “Somebody Have Mercy” at a club on Chicago’s West Side in the early ’60s.
Singer and harp man Sugar Ray Norcia’s career kicked into high gear in 1979 when he formed the original Sugar Ray & the Bluetones with guitar giant Ronnie Earl, and it has stayed there ever since. They backed Big Walter Horton, Big Joe Turner, Jimmie Rogers, Otis Rush, JB Hutto & countless others in the early ’80s all over the North East. In 1991 Norcia hooked up with Roomful of Blues and toured the world with the 11 piece band, appearing on their Grammy-nominated Turn It On, Turn It Up!
Mike Welch has been on the international blues scene for 15 years, and he’s only about 30!! Dubbed “Monster Mike” by Dan Ackroyd at the opening of the first House of Blues club some 15 years ago, Mike has seen his career move through three distinct phases already, from young teen phenom in the mid 1990s, to in-demand session guitarist, to a deep, soulful artist whose early promise has been fully realized working with Sugar Ray and solo projects.
Luther is at the top of his game and the pinnacle of his legendary career. Sugar Ray is nothing short of an icon in the New England blues scene, and “Monster Mike” is blazing his own distinct path. It’s the Blues baby, don’t miss it!
Tickets:Â $25, $35, $39
*Additional fees apply
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Dave Sag’s Blues Party tonight with Dennis Brennan, Matt Stubbs and Chris Rivelli and dear Ol’ Dave @ The Rhumb Line tonight 8-11 12.12.2013
Dave says,
Let’s welcome the Boston Brain Trust back to Gloucester in the form of the incandescent Dennis Brennan with his cohorts Matt Stubbs and Chris Rivelli. Another close shave with three chords and the truth. Every time these guys show up, I feel like I’ve been reborn into a higher form of reptile! Someday, I won’t need the sun to make my aorta pop with rhythm. But for now,I’ll get out of the house before it’s too late. Put on your Keds and come out swinging.
Dennis, of the oleaginous windpipes and great collection of hats, is truly a master of the blues. Not only that, but of many other styles, too. Why am I telling you this?? You should already know! His gunzel Matt Stubbs has travelled the world many times around backing up many famous cats. A sizzling guitarist, watch his fingers: now you see it, now you don’t. And Chris? Well, he’s the de facto Rheumful o’ Blooz agitprop, reedy to scramble your eggs with his whisking style.
Truly one of my favorite agglomerations, I can’t wait to see how it ends! Remember: Winter hours now 8 to 11
THE RHUMB LINE BAR & RESTAURANT
40 Railroad Ave.
Gloucester, MA 01930
phone: 978-283-9732
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Winniahdin?
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Community Photos 12/12/13
Beautiful December Magnolia Sunset!
From Sue Ann Pearson
Joey – here are our pets Tony and Cuba wishing you a merry Christmas
Tony is a Black Lab – Bichon Frise mix while Cuba is a Havanese puppy.
Judith Monteferrante
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Gloucester Schooner Festival awarded four scholarships to Cape Ann organizations who foster greater knowledge and appreciation of Cape Ann’s coastal waters
On Tuesday, December 3rd at Maritime Gloucester, the Gloucester Schooner Festival awarded four scholarships to Cape Ann organizations who foster greater knowledge and appreciation of Cape Ann’s coastal waters by providing opportunities for young people to sail, row or otherwise become immersed in our ocean environment. The 2013 Gloucester Schooner Festival Awards were given to adults and student representatives from GHS Sailing, Cape Ann YMCA, the Gloucester Museum School and Sea Scout Ship 5. Checks for $1,000 were presented to each organization. The grants are made available through the generosity of the corporate sponsors of the Schooner Festival, as well as raffle and merchandise sales.
The picture include the following individuals from left to right
Tom Balf, Maritime Gloucester,
Patti Paige, GHS Sailing
Amanda Madeira, North Shore Sea Scouts Ship 5
Jo-Anne Crawford, Gloucester Museum School/Project Adventure
Katy Coffey, YMCA Sailing
Daisy Nell, Gloucester Schooner Festival
Good Morning Gloucester 