Speechless.

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Long Island Middle School Bans Footballs, Other Recreational Items

Concerns About Injuries Prompted Ban, Port Washington Officials Say
October 7, 2013 5:19 PM

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Worries about injuries at a Long Island school have led to a surprising ban.

As CBS 2’s Jennifer McLogan reported Monday, officials at Weber Middle School in Port Washington are worried that students are getting hurt during recess. Thus, they have instituted a ban on footballs, baseballs, lacrosse balls, or anything that might hurt someone on school grounds.

I honestly don’t know if I’m more sickened by this, sad by this or outraged by this.

Maybe a combination of all three but what stands out right now is the pit in my stomach over this debacle and ruination of our society by idiots who want to protect everyone from themselves at all times and in doing so decimate of the basic rights of passage of our youth.

How in the world do these parents in this community not step in and fire this school administrator immediately?  What is the end game here? 

Revolting.  Disgusting. 

Listen I was the skinny nerdy kid who was the last kid picked for sides on any athletic game in the schoolyard.  It sucked.  But you know what?  By being the last kid picked all the time it motivated me to eat healthier, lift weights, pack on a little mass and get into sports where I could compete.    I’m glad my feelings got hurt.  It motivated me at the gym when I got older.  It made me want to study harder and save money in my 20s so I could show those girls who were attracted to the over developed stud athletes instead of me that I was worthy.  Still awkward looking well into my 40s, doesn’t matter, if you don’t think I don’t carry that feeling of being the last guy picked for the schoolyard teams into my workouts today you’re crazy.

Enough with the coddling FFS.

Pet of the Week-Charlene

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

Charlene

Hello!  I heard about the Blessing of the Animals that took place last Sunday in Rockport by The Rev. Karin Wade of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.   I am hoping that next year I will be able to attend with my new family.

I am here at the Cape Ann Animal Aid (CAAA), located at the Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter at Four Paws Lane in Gloucester.  I have just finishing raising my seven sweet babies and they all have been placed in forever homes and now I am ready to be adopted and looking for a family to love me like my Cape Ann Animal Aid family is.

If you would like to learn more about the CAAA, please visit: CapeAnnAnimalAid.com and even see more photos of me.

After raising seven kittens, I need a little rest and relaxation.   Oh, my name is Charlene!  I am hoping I will be adopted by someone who loves to spoils cats!

 

Happy Reunion Cooper is Home

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Happy Endings and Fantastic Update: GREAT NEWS everyone! We got him. Cooper is home. He was in the woods, leash wrapped around a wooden pallet. Thank you to the people who reported the crying to the Animal Control, thank you to our Animal Control, thank you to every single person thinking, looking, listening, and praying. We are SO GRATEFUL for everyone’s good thoughts, and positive energy.

And dear people, he’s on the way to the vet to be checked out, but he’s fine from first appearances.

Bad Day? Nah! Plus I had a Visit from the Elf Child’s Daughter.

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
I was having a great day until I parked near my gallery on Main Street, put the keys in my pullover fleece jacket, grabbed my backpack, fed the meter, and then realized "OMG, no keys!" They had slipped out of my pocket before I got out of the Jeep. Can this ruin my day? Not if I don't let it. I went next door to Bananas, which keeps a spare key for me. Once inside, I got tied up with people, including a special friend, Bonnie Goodwin, youngest daughter of the Elf Child. She's the minister of the church in Truro, Cape Cod. My car troubles - What troubles? It only gets to you if you let it.
I was having a great day until I parked near my gallery on Main Street, put the keys into my pullover fleece jacket, grabbed my backpack, fed the meter, and then realized “OMG, no keys!” They had slipped out of my pocket before I got out of the Jeep. Can this ruin my day? Not if I don’t let it. I went next door to Bananas, which keeps a spare key for me. Once inside, I got tied up with people, including a special friend, Bonnie Goodwin, youngest daughter of the Elf Child of Gloucester. She’s the minister of the church in Truro, Cape Cod. My car troubles – What troubles? It only gets to you if you let it.
The Solution. Call AAA 800-222-4357. It took the young man from Tallys of Gloucester (http://www.tallystruckcenter.com/) less that 15 seconds to break into my car and hand me the keys, with no damage. I had to shake his hand. Loyal AAA member since 1991. Worth every penny.
The Solution. Call AAA 800-222-4357. It took the young man from Tallys of Gloucester (http://www.tallystruckcenter.com/) less that 15 seconds to break into my car and hand me the keys with a smile, and with no damage. I had to shake his hand and thank him. Loyal AAA member since 1991. Worth every penny.

See, Now These Are The Kind Of Politicians We Need Tackling The Real Issues!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

image

Keeping tabs on beer: Michigan law would require each beer pint to have 16 ounces

By Simon Moya-Smith, Staff Writer, NBC News

Several Michigan lawmakers want to make sure that a pint of beer is really a pint of beer, down to the last drop.

A bill introduced last week would amend the Liquor Control Act to make it an offense to “advertise or sell any glass of beer as a pint in this state unless that glass contains at least 16 ounces of beer.”

Rep. Brandon Dillon, a Grand Rapids Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, told NBC News that the goal is not to punish dishonest pub and restaurant owners, but to prompt proprietors to sell what they advertise.

Doesn’t matter that Detroit is  a shithole of epic proportions with miles and miles of abandoned properties, gangs and crime rates that routinely place them at the worst in the  country. These MFers right here are tackling the REAL issues.  The ones that affect the average Joe. 

Politicians with their heart in the right place.  Insuring that when you order a pint of beer they aren’t serving you a 14.5 oz glass of beer.

Get me the name of that pol that introduced this bill.  I want to pat him on the back.  That politician should be celebrated around the country and when he dies they should have a special day each year named after him where the whole state of Michigan goes to Irish Pubs and gets crushed on Guinness in honor of the great politician who introduced the “A Pint of Beer should be a Pint of Beer Bill to the legislature”

Goddamn brilliant piece of politicking right there. 

Detroit:

1. The city’s unfunded liabilities top $18 billion.

2. The city owes money to over 100,000 creditors.

3. Nearly 80,000 buildings have been abandoned and many are unsecured.

4. Population of Detroit has fallen from 1.86 million in 1950 to 700,000 today.

5. Some 47 percent of properties are delinquent in paying their taxes.

6. Police take an average of 58 minutes to respond to calls.

7. Only 8.7 percent of violent crimes are solved and Detroit has the highest crime rate in US of large cities.

8. Manufacturing jobs in the city have slid from a peak of 200,000 to just 20,000 today.

9. Only 7 percent of the city’s eighth graders are proficient in reading.

10. The city manager says its retirement system is underfunded by $3.5 billion.

But you can get a Goddamn Proper Pint By Golly!

image

Thanks to Toby Pett for the inspiration for this post.

Community Photos 10/8/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Al Bezanson submits Rocky Neck Car Ready For Export-

Maaco was here

Juni Van Dyke submits-

Photo from senior citizens

Joey, 

Tom here. Thanks for posting our flyer last week. A handful of hardy souls showed up with their dogs to party in the rain before the Pats game to help raise funds for MassPAWS. Others came and went or just swung by to donate. 

Although the weather kept most everybody home, those who attended had a blast. We are looking forward to doing it again soon. Thanks again GMG, TD Bank, Petco, Animal Krackers, and Quinn’s Canine Cafe. 

Sincerely,

Tom

tgparty

Fall Fest Phtos from Anthony Marks

DSC01844DSC01845DSC01852DSC01853DSC01862DSC01864DSC01865DSC01868DSC01870

Community Stuff 10/8/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
Nubar’s Workshop in October at Rock Neck Cultural Center

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER for this two day workshop for photographers with Nubar Alexanian

SEQUENCING, EDITING & DIRECTION  Here’s the link: http://nubar.com/rncc_workshop.html

Backyard Growers Update:

greenvotepeppervotepumpkinvote

Backyard Growers is going to win $10,000 with your VOTE!

We are rockin’ the Tom’s of Maine competition to win $10,000 to support Gloucester school gardens! The top 15 organizations with the most votes each win $10K, and Backyard Growers is at #7!!! Please continue to vote once a day until October 15! VOTE HERE = http://goo.gl/CKY3Nk (click on Massachusetts, then vote!)

Application deadline coming up for 2014 growing season

The leaves might be turning, but we’re already thinking ahead to spring! Low- to moderate-income Gloucester residents are invited to apply to the Backyard Growers Program to receive a raised bed garden and other program services. The application deadline is Friday, October 11. Download an application here = http://capeannfarmersmarket.org/backyard-growers/files/2014_BYG_Final_App.pdf

NEW! Get a Garden/Give a Garden Program

Not income-eligible to be in the program, but want a garden? When you purchase a garden through Backyard Growers you are also making it possible for a low-income Gloucester family to receive a garden and grow some of their own food. Contact Lara at 978-317-8025 or lara@beaconstreetfarm.org for details.

Cyclocross 2013 From Paul Boudreau

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hey Joey,

wanted to share this short video. Some guy from New York made this amazing video of the race. I know there’s a lot of artists in town and they would appreciate how beautiful the Park looks in this:

Also some amazing shots from a website in Australia:

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2013/10/gran-prix-of-gloucester-cyclocross-in-photos/

5 min video of some pilot whales off Gloucester from Eric Swanson

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joe

 Here is a 5 min video of some pilot whales off Gloucester you may want to share with your readers.

Eric Swanson

Breaking News: Gloucester HarborWalk Receives Another Prestigious National Award

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

The HarborWalk has won yet another prestigious national award! I wanted to share Sarah Garcia’s letter that she wrote to all the HarborWalk team members. More about the award, and why it is so very important, will be forthcoming from Catherine Ryan. I understand that Sarah did an incredible job leading the project. Congratulations Mayor Kirk, Sarah, and the HaborWalk Team!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sarah Garcia writes ~ 

Dear Gloucester HarborWalk Team,

I want to let you know that we were presented with a 2013 Excellence on the Waterfront award last weekend at the annual meeting of the Waterfront Center in Davenport, Iowa.  (Lest we forget the Mississippi River flows through the Midwest!)  The Waterfront Center, based in Washington DC, has featured projects in its annual awards for over 30 years.  The Waterfront Center has not yet put out a press release on the awards, but I wanted you all to know, and we’ll do a press release if none is forthcoming!

I attach the beautiful presentation that Cambridge 7 Associates put together to submit for this award.  It was a juried competition, and the HarborWalk was in the good company of other winners such as Brooklyn Bridge Park and some very large scale developments in California, New Zealand and Angola.

Several of the jurors were at the awards event, and said what impressed them about the HarborWalk was its authenticity in reflecting the community and respecting its working waterfront.  That authenticity came from the enthusiasm and generous collaboration of all of you.

This award is the fourth (!) for the HarborWalk.  The others have been the following:

  • The Massachusetts Municipal Association awarded the Gloucester HarborWalk with the Kenneth E. Pickard Municipal Innovation Award for being a unique and creative project, increasing the effectiveness of local government.
  • WalkBoston awarded the Gloucester HarborWalk with The Golden Shoe Award:  “City of Gloucester creatively getting Gloucester Walking” awarded 3.20.13. Every year WalkBoston recognizes communities that are making “major strides” to improve conditions for walking which is a wonderful endorsement of the great work around the HarborWalk, city planning, community development.
  • The American Association of Museums recognizes outstanding achievement in museum media, as part of its national awards recognitions.  Not only was the HarborWalk nominated, but it won the “gold” in its category for its Walking Cinema, in competition with museums like the National Museum of American History (which took the bronze), and the Whitney and MoMa last year winning in other categories.

A primary goal of the HarborWalk was to reunite the City’s working waterfront with its historical Main Street and cultural institutions to create destination in the downtown/harbor area.  Its success in bringing together the partnerships and elements for this unity is made visible by the May 2013 designation from the MA Cultural Council for The City of Gloucester Harbortown Cultural District.

We have the Seaport Advisory Council to thank for sharing in our community’s vision, and making it all possible, and the MA Cultural Council and our Downtown Cultural Committee for carrying that vision on into the future.

Best regards,

Sarah Garcia, ACIP

Harbor Planning Director

2- HW Before I4-C2 paint factory ©Kim Smith 2013 copyI4-C2 Before

Gloucester HarborWalk I4-C2 ©Kim Smith 2012I4-C2 After

Pet Selfies from Pepper, Kali, and The Boss

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns
Pepper from Renate Paster-Pusch
Pepper from Renate Paster-Pusch
Kali
Joanne Souza’s Kali
Carol Mckenna's Boss
Carol Mckenna’s Boss

More to Come!

Ten Pound Studio at Annisquam

Posted on by God's Morning

ten pound studio

No, they haven’t moved from downtown, but you will find the beautiful hand painted silk scarves of Ten Pound Studio artists at the Annisquam Arts & Crafts Show this coming Saturday and Sunday, 10/12 & 13 from 10:00-5:00 at the Annisquam Village Hall, 34 Leonard Street.

This year’s show presents a fresh approach to a longstanding autumn tradition, featuring an expanded collection of fine arts and crafts by: Nancy Adams, Helen Beal, Julia Bishop, Kathy Bucholska, Suzanne Brown, Amanda Cook, Joanne Crawford, Ben Cunningham, Lee Cunningham, Phil Cusumano, Margaret Derby, Leon Doucette, Janet Egan, Dennis Flavin, Rose-Marie Glen, Kerry Gorton, Carl Gustin, Peter Herbert, Andrena Huntsman, Susan Kenna, Bobbi Kovner, Ellen “EJ” Lefavour, Camilla MacFayden, Greg Marchant, Connie Mason, Stephanie Mason, Giovanni Pagnotti, Robin Paine, Daphne Papp, Judith P. Norton, Chris Pullman, Kristin Petty, Linda Steele, Ellie Stevens, Evy Stewart, Ken Tarr, Dona Shea, JP Ware & Elz Spofford, Kirk Williamson and Ann Mechem Ziergiebel with a special Silent Auction presentation Crane Beach 1998, an original oil painting by award-winning artist, Dorothy Arnold. The Annisquam Arts & Crafts Show is a great reason to visit lovely Annisquam Village, enjoy the foliage, get a jump on your holiday shopping and benefit the Annisquam Village Church.  For more info, call 978-281-4552.

The More Things Stay the Same…

Posted on by Lowell Peabody

Manchester-By-The-Sea – Go away for a few days and low and behold things which were thought to never change are changed! After moths of planning, the owners of 7 Summer Street, in Manchester by the Sea, alongside Crosby’s Market, have started renovations. Gone first was the laundramat on the first floor, and now with the building empty it has been cleaned out of all offices too. Coming is new office and retail space in what I am told is a more “shingle style” exterior. Should make a great upgrade for downtown Manchester-by-the-Sea.

Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Game 2

Posted on by David B. Cox

Sox beat  David Price and Rays again to take two game lead in the American League Division Championship playoffs.

Allen Estes Band Larcom Theater, Beverly MA Saturday, October 5, 2013

Posted on by Joanne

By Fly Amero

FLY (Nashville Thumb) (2)

This is not a review.  I would never presume to critique any single one of the great musicians we have here on the North Shore.  Let’s think of it more as a message to those out there who figure they’ve seen Allen Estes perform a number of times, and thus may have passed on tickets for this wonderful Beverly show.  In a nutshell… too bad for you!  Forget that the historic Larcom Theater is a fully restored, gorgeous facility with hand-painted tin, beautifully designed curtains, world-class stage lighting and, well… the list could go on and on.  Forget that the place is virtually next-door.  Forget it all.  This was about a truly incredible songwriter, centerstage at a venue which absolutely captures the nuance of his lilting voice and intelligent, heartfelt lyric.  The sound (under the direction of Will Hunt) was nothing shy of spectacular, with its focus exactly where it should be – the lead voice.  Allen’s words were clear as a waterfall.  His songs could be heard as they’ve never been heard before, and appreciated for the finely crafted works of art that they are.  But there was an unexpected knockout punch that came on with subtlety… and that was Allen’s masterful orchestration of the entire set.  Starting the show solo, he gradually, one by one, eased players onto the stage until ultimately finding himself backed by five of the finest musicians New England has to offer.  I cannot for the life of me think of any place in the world I’d rather have been on Saturday night than right down the street from us all (not “up the line”, which makes everyone think it’s far, far away when it’s really not) at the Larcom Theater, 13 Wallis Street, Beverly, MA.

Allen Estes: vocals/acous. guitar

David Brown: slide dobro/elec. guitar/vocals

Matt Leavenworth: fiddle

Steve Burke: keyboards/vocals

Wolf Ginandes: bass

Dave Mattacks: drums