Beautiful Message for Felicia From FOB Hannah Kimberley

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

In helping Felicia with her Kickstarter Program to raise money to publish her first cookbook, Good Morning Gloucester FOB Hannah Scialdone Kimberley sent the following release to the National Italian American Foundation ~

Hi, my name is Hannah Scialdone Kimberley, and I am a resident of Gloucester, MA. I grew up with my grandparents in Virginia, who inspired so much Italian American pride in our family. One of the greatest gifts my grandfather gave us was the publication of his 1987 cookbook, A Neapolitan Peasant’s Cookbook, which not only left us with a wonderful collection of recipes, but also educated others and us about what it means to come from Italian Heritage and live in America. What started as a gift to his family, my grandfather’s book gained local and national recognition. In fact, his book was selected as one of 17 books on the National Italian American Foundation’s reading list during a conference at the Smithsonian Institution on life in an Italian village.

My grandparents have passed on, but their traditions remain with me. I now live in Gloucester with my family, and I came across a story so similar to my grandfather’s, that I am compelled to bring it to your attention. A local woman in our town, Felicia Ciaramitaro, has written a cookbook that includes recipes passed down for generations. Like my grandfather, she met with her family members and learned their recipes – often stopping them half way through the cooking process to actually measure how much a relative’s “handful” amounted to so that she could record precise measurements for their previously unrecorded recipes. Without my grandfather, our family recipes and traditions would have been lost. I am betting the same goes for the Ciaramitaro family.

While I am not related to the Ciaramitaro family, I believe that Italian cultural preservation is more important now than it ever has been for the national Italian American Community. In the face of atrocious stereotypes created by programs such as “The Jersey Shore” and “Housewives of New Jersey,” it is up to us to keep our culture not only alive, but also maintain it in a positive public light. From her Kickstarter Page Sista Felicia’s Kitchen and her write-up in our local blog, Good Morning Gloucester, it seems that all Ms. Ciaramitaro needs is more publicity and support to keep yet another positive Italian American tradition alive for all of us.

I am asking that you highlight her story on your Facebook Page and/or website, so that your fans might know more about “a unique & colorful cookbook that will bring to life lost recipes & traditions from Ms. Ciaramitaro’s Sicilian kitchen to yours.” These recipes are Felicia Ciaramitaro’s “Gifts of Gold,” which she has written for us all.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration, and for all that you do for keeping Italian American culture and heritage alive and well in our country.

Best, Hannah Scialdone Kimberley

Gloucester, MA

BEAUTIFUL LETTER Hannah! Thank you for sharing!

Please if you are reading this, take Hannah’s advice and “highlight her story on your Facebook Page and/or website, so that your fans might know more about “a unique & colorful cookbook that will bring to life lost recipes & traditions from Ms. Ciaramitaro’s Sicilian kitchen to yours.” These recipes are Felicia Ciaramitaro’s  “Gifts of Gold,” which she has written for us all.”

Amanda, Felicia, Pat Ciaramitaro.

Amanda, Felicia, and Pat

Mimosa Tree

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Wednesday I visited an extraordinary garden in Marblehead. Amongst the many specimens of unusual trees that are not widely grown in our region, which are growing in this sheltering tree-garden, was one of my very favorites, the stunning Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin f. rosea). Although the Mimosa Tree is not indigenous (it is native to southwestern and eastern Asia), the blossoms are a rich source of nectar for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and several species of swallowtails.

Mimosa Tree ©Kim Smith 2013

Mimosa Tree ~ Albizia julibrissin f. rosea

Rolling Stone’s Guitar God Plays Shalin Liu on August 2nd

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Kaki King

KAKI KING

Hailed by Rolling Stone as “a genre unto herself,” Kaki King is a true iconoclast, a visionary musician/artist whose singular work rightly stands out amongst the easily formatted.  Over her decade-long career thus far, the Brooklyn-based guitarist/composer has recorded five extraordinarily diverse and distinctive LPs, performed with such icons as Foo Fighters, Timbaland, and The Mountain Goats, contributed to a variety of film and TV soundtracks (spanning Golden Globe-nominated work on Sean Penn’s Into The Wild to scoring – and appearing in as guitar-playing hand double – the acclaimed 2007 drama, August Rush), and played to ever-growing audiences on innumerable world tours.  Each twist and veer marked the turning of a page, another step forward on a truly exceptional musical path.  Beginning with 2002’s Everybody Loves You – to date, her only fully acoustic guitar recording.  Best known for her percussive, virtuosic take on string instruments, Brooklyn-based guitarist-composer Kaki King has expanded and reconceived the role of the solo instrumental artist, constantly kicking at the boundaries of what is expected. For her solo performance, she brings a collection of several rare instruments, including a harp guitar, a dojo, a hybrid between a guitar and koto that King made herself, and, of course, her custom Ovation Adamas guitar.

“Her command of the guitar creates a unique listening experience that explores every raw emotion.”
-Paste Magazine

“Guitarist Kaki King’s rightful place is among kings of the strings.”
–Chicago Tribune

“Kaki King has never been just a guitarist. While her immaculately picked guitar remains the centerpiece, she creates immersive, organic and cinematic compositions.”
–Relix

Rockport Music Shalin Liu Performance Center
Friday, August 2 @ 8pm

British Choir sings Concert Monday July 29 @ St. John’s Episcopal Church

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

The Choir of St. Mary’s Church from Maldon, in the County of Essex, in the United Kingdom, will sing a concert program of British classics including music of Britten, Stanford and William Byrd on Monday, July 29, at 7 p.m. at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 48 Middle St Gloucester. There is free parking at 33 Washington St. The public is welcome, there will be a free will offering. 978.283.1708

The Choir of St Mary’s, Maldon, is a mixed choir of adults and children which leads the worship Sunday by Sunday. The ethos of the choir is rooted in the rich tradition of Anglican Choral music but also draws heavily on continental experience, singing music from the sixteenth century to the present day. Formed, in its present guise, in January 2008, the choir has gained an enviable reputation both in the UK and around the world. They are now recognised as one of the best choirs in the Diocese of Chelmsford and receive frequent invitations to sing at special services and concerts in Chelmsford Cathedral and in parishes throughout Essex.

The choir’s first CD, A Maldon Christmas, was issued in 2009 and a second is currently in preparation. The choir gives an annual liturgical performance of Bach’s St John Passion on Good Friday, accompanied by professional original instrument ensemble, Spiritato. This moving event, complete with homily by the Bishop of Chelmsford, sees the church packed to capacity, with standing room only.

Touring is an important part of the choir’s schedule. Besides touring in the UK, they have sung in Germany and several times in Italy. This is the choir’s first trip across the Atlantic and they are delighted to be visiting their sister town of Malden, Mass., to which, along with the Parish of St Paul, they are extremely grateful for the kind hospitality they have received.

15+ Things to do on a RAINY DAY & a classic video

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Visiting Gloucester?  Have friends in from out of town?  You’re probably complaining to yourself that the weather isn’t cooperating, right?  Not to worry!  There’s lots to do in Gloucester and Cape Ann when the weather is lousy.  Just be glad you’re not on Cape Cod, where there really isn’t much to do except go to the beach.

Just to see what he’d say I asked a friend, who grew up in Gloucester and now lives in NYC (owns a bar and writes for a New York Time Blog) why would New Yorkers come here instead of Cape Cod.  Here’s the mini rant he wrote back:

Gloucester is a place for culture now, just like it was in the 1800s and 1900s. Contemporary culture is actually at its best here, maybe more so than any Mass city other than Boston and Cambridge.  Where else can you buy fresh caught fish, see a great play, hear Henri Smith play a bar or watch the Met opera in 3D, attend a reading by a national author, eat lobster in the rough or a 3-star style meal, hike, jump quarries, dive off rocks into the ocean (there are no rocks on Cape Cod), mountain bike, drink a $2 beer in barroom full of fisherman, see the most beautiful boats in the world, go to a world class museum, etc etc. 

You nailed it Ray!  Below the video, we’ve listed another 15 things you can do on a rainy day.  Just be glad you don’t live in England, where you wouldn’t expect the sun.  As John Lennon put it in the Beatles classic, “I Am the Walrus”:

Sitting in an English garden waiting for the sun.
If the sun don’t come, you get a tan
From standing in the English rain.

SEE 15 RAINY DAY IDEAS BELOW VIDEO:

Glazed – Paint Your Own Pottery & Glass Fusing
184 Washington St
Gloucester MA 01930
Phone    978-283-5751

Cape Ann Lanes
53 Gloucester Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930-2256
(978) 283-9753

Cape Ann Art Haven
 180B Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
978-283-3888

Gloucester Cinema
74 Essex Avenue (Rte. 133)
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 283-9188

Cape Ann Museum
27 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, MA

Maritime Gloucester
23 Harbor Loop
Gloucester, MA 01930
978-281-0470

Beauport, Sleeper-McCann House
75 Eastern Point Boulevard
Gloucester, Mass. 01930
Tours on the hour. Last tour at 4:00 p.m.

Cape Ann Foodie Tours
617-902-8291

Cape Pond Ice – Ice House Tour
104 Commercial Street
Fort Point Wharf
Gloucester, MA
978-283-0174

Ryan & Wood Distilleries
15 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA
978-281-2282

Sargent House Museum
49 Middle Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 281-2432

Rocky Neck Art Colony
Rocky Neck
Gloucester, MA

Cape Ann Community Cinema
21 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
978-309-8448

Shop Locally!

Live Music – At over a dozen locations

SATURDAY at the Rockport Farmers Market!

Posted on by S.D. Kelly

BN7kmniCIAEz3hAExciting times coming up this Saturday! We have the Cape Ann Waldorf School joining us to offer a fun, food-related activity for kids. And we also have Alek Razdan, who is just an amazing musician, playing a set or two for market-goers. Wally’s Blackburn Bistro will be on hand with coffee to jump start your morning (or afternoon), and Sea Biscuit Bakery is back with their amazing bread and granola. And those are just a few of the amazingly delicious items on offer this week! Don’t forget to pick up fresh produce from Mike of First Light Farms. He manages to bring beautiful produce week after week, no matter the growing conditions. We’re so happy that Mike, along with our other hard-working vendor — all of whom offer delicious, high quality items — are a part of the Rockport Farmers Market!

p.s. After selling out the first week they went on sale, reusable Rockport Farmers Market totes are back! Pick up yours this weekend at the market and fill it with good things to eat…


 Vendors

Seaview Farm

Prides Osteria

Sullivan’s Sugarhouse

Ma’s Tomato Marmalade

First Light Farms

Home Grower’s Wheelbarrow

Rockport Festivals Market booth

Batter Up Bakery

Sea Biscuit Bakery

Wally’s Blackburn Bistro

 

Musician

Alek Razdan

 

Children’s Activity

Cape Ann Waldorf School

August Theatre Camp for Kids at the YMCA

Posted on by Matthew Green

 

If your little ones couldn’t make it to the July theatre camp, there’s another once coming up!  They’ll have fun and discover their own creativity and talent for theater!august ymca kids theatre– Matthew Green

 

Sail GHS Summer Sailing Clinics

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

I’m sure you have seen the kids on the Sail GHS Team out in the harbor having a great time racing in all weather throughout the year.  During the summer months, they are offering Summer Sailing Clinics in their

new, C 420 sailboats and even in their newly acquired Laser!  Level II Sailing Coach, Guy Fiero is at the helm and with assistance from his very, dedicated team of volunteers.  This is the biggest bargain for sailing on Cape Ann at  ONLY $85 per week, Monday through Friday 8 – 11:30am.  Five days a week and still time in the afternoon to hit the beach!  Kids with some sailing experience ages 10 and up are welcome.  Classes meet at Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center and there is no need to pre-register!  Just bring yourself, your friends, and your life jackets if you have them.  Sailors should arrive promptly at 8:00 am as space is limited.  Discounts available. 

All proceeds from this ongoing fundraiser go to Sail GHS, a non-profit organization to help defray operating costs and provide the youth of Cape Ann and beyond with this wonderful sailing opportunity!

Please contact sailghs@yahoo.com or Guy Fiero at 978-290-7894 with any questions.

Thanks so much for sharing!

Becca Campbell

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You’ve been Hearing About It For 2 Years- Sista Felicia’s Cookbook Kickstarter is Finally Live!!!!!!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Click here to check it out and reserve yours

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Check out the video and reserve your copy today!!!

A unique & colorful cookbook that will bring to life lost recipes & traditions from my Sicilian kitchen to yours. My Gifts of Gold!

Funds raised through Kickstarter will allow me to realize the first step in my dream of publishing a series of four cookbooks that includes recipes and stories I learned growing up in a Sicilian family. When I became a mother of twins, I was compelled to collect the stories and the recipes I felt were being left behind because I wanted my children to be raised with all the same traditions and rich cultural heritage I had experienced.

What started out as a gift for my children quickly evolved into a hardcover 250 plus page restoration of Sicilian culture and foods. Through my cooking videos onGoodMorningGloucester.org and Media Program Network (MPN), a demand has developed for a text copy version of all my recipes so they may be shared with others within my community and beyond.

My first book is ready for print; it is written, is loaded with photographs, and awaits funding. Monies raised will pay for current  expenses related to editing, book design and layout, photography, and publication.

With your help, Kickstarter will enable me to bring my passion for all things Sicilian to your kitchen to share with your loved ones. This book embodies my commitment to ensure the past is not lost but is forever saved for future generations.

Last Call To Order Super Crazy Soft Ladies Feminine Cut T’s For The First Shipment

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

I’m taking requests for different colors email me here with your combination (Marty Morgan I know you want the scoop neck Dark gray but I forgot the size so shoot me an email)-Request your color/style/size example: navy/scoop neck/large

When I called the rep I asked her to tell me what the top three premium women t-shirts are for softness and quality.  So I ordered a bunch up and we narrowed it down to one brand and two different styles from that brand v neck and scoop neck.

The regular GMG email is messed up so use the contact form to make a request and I’ll place the order for your request for any sizes/colors/styles that aren’t listed as in stock from the ordering page.  

Click here to use the GMG Store contact form- http://gmg.storenvy.com/contact

The three color GMG logo will be on the left chest, small and classy.

Here’s the very limited inventory I got just to try out sizes and quality-

V-Neck Super Crazy Soft and Lightweight

Sista Felicia and Amandacakes model our product samples (yet to be emblazoned with GMG Logo)

DSC09923

Features:

  • pre-shrunk 100% combed cotton jersey
  • 3.7-oz.
  • 36 singles for extreme softness
  • 1×1 baby rib-knit set-in collar
  • satin label

Black Med 1, Lg 1

Dark Gray Med 1, Lg 1, XL 1

Indigo Med 1 Lg 1 Lg

Light Pink Med 1

Scoop Neck Super Crazy Soft and Lightweight

Alicia DeWolfe models the Scoop Neck version

DSC09922

Features:

  • pre-shrunk 100% combed cotton jersey
  • 3.7-oz.
  • 36 singles for extreme softness
  • front cover-stitched 1×1 baby rib-knit set-in collar
  • satin label

Black Lg 1,XL 1

Navy Med 1, Lg 1, XL 1

Check to see if your preferred size/color/style combination is already in stock on the ordering page here- http://gmg.storenvy.com/

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Community Stuff 7/26/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Vintage Fashion of Cape Ann Exhibit

In Style: Two Centuries of Cape Ann Fashion” , vintage clothes from the collection of the Sandy Bay Historical Society, will be on exhibit at the Rockport Community House, Broadway, Friday August 16 through Sunday, August 18, from 10 to 4 p.m. The five dollar donation includes admission to the Sandy Bay Historical Society, 40 King St., Rockport and the Old Castle in Pigeon Cove.

Items range from a men’s beaded wedding vest from 1784 to a 1970s Indian caftan. The dresses include the wedding dresses treasured by Cape Ann women and their everyday sunbonnets

SUBMITTED BY SARAH CLARK, DIRECTOR OF COLLECTIONS, SANDY BAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
email: revsarahclark@hotmail.com

Fundamentals New Moon Reunion Party
Tuesday, August 6th  7:30pm at the Dogbar, Main Street, Gloucester. Join us for a new moon celebration featuring the soulful vocals of Greg Coles, and the original members of the Fundamentals:  Ira Levine, Lon Mackey, Tucker Lindquist, Will Hunt and John Buckner, and friends.  Be prepared to dance and party.
Hi Joey, I hope this notice can get in for the next couple weeks. Thanks, Tucker Lindquist

History Alive! presents
Goodnight, Captain White
Salem’s hysterical history-mystery 

Written by Mark Stevick
Directed by Jill Miriam Rogati

at The Griffen Theatre, 7 Lynde Street, Salem, MA

July 26th-28th and August 2nd-4th

7:30 Fridays and Saturdays, 5:00 Sundays

Tickets: $23 general admission, $20 seniors

Ticket prices include bonbons and bubbly

poster for theatremania2

DESCRIPTION:

It’s 1830. "All friends and well wishers are invited to attend" the retirement party of Captain Joseph White’s favorite ship, the Caroline.  But this magnanimous invitation lures a host of enemies and ill-wishers into the perfect opportunity to murder the rich, old captain.  Allegiances twist and turn. Foibles are exposed, depravities revealed. It’s up to the audience and an under cover Daniel Webster to figure out who-dunnit and how. The creators of Cry Innocent give Salem a crime to laugh about.

"A hysterical interactive whodunnit"–Salem News

"Dashedly clever"–Georgetown Record

"quick-witted, playful"–Weekender

"A zany who-done-it. It captivates you. Four stars!"–The Eagle Tribune

Hi Joey, I wonder if you could post this event on your blog…
and wish the rain away while you’re at it!

byjeseipswichdays

Olde Ipswich Days
43rd Annual Art & Craft Fair • July 26-28, 2013 • Ipswich, MA 10-5 daily

On the Historic South Green, corner Rt 1A and 133, free entrance, free parking, awesome artists. I’ll be there with a huge sale on my linen clothing, ByJESE

Here’s a link to the event
http://oldeipswichdays.wordpress.com

Lost Dog

Hi Joey  wondering if you could post this for me.  I found a dog today running down Bass Ave in traffic.  The dogs name is Quizno.  I called the # on the tag a few times but got no answer I’m hoping they are not like me and don’t use their home phone. The dog is small seems to be maybe a miniature schnauzer. I had to go to work so the dog is at my house alone. I can be reached at 978-290-1228. Thanks. Kellie

“Spirit of Gloucester Cocktail Contests” Crowns Champion Mixologist- Felicia Grossi Of Alchemy Bistro

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Champion mixologist, Felicia Grossi Of Alchemy Bistro, was announced today at Ryan & Wood Distillery as the winner of the first “Spirit of Gloucester Cocktail Contests” with her drink “Simpler Tides”. The contest is being held at each of the 3 Downtown Gloucester Block Parties of 2013 and Block Party Organizers designed it to increase the synergy and camaraderie between the Sponsoring Supporter Ryan and Wood Distillery, local restaurants and the block party participants.

For More information about Gloucester’s Ryan and Wood Distillery Check Out Their Very Informative Website Here http://www.ryanandwood.com/

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Gloucester mixologists in the block party were challenged to create a winning cocktail using Ryan & Wood’s Folly Cove™ Rum and these restaurants rose to the challenge: Short & Main, Dogbar, Giuseppes, Ohana, Topside Grill, Alchemy and Lat43.

Ryan & Wood is a local distillery based in Blackburn Industrial Park whose owners Bob and Kathy Ryan are natives of Gloucester. The Ryans branded the name of each of the participating 7 restaurants on an oak cask which they placed side by side at their Block Party table on Main Street. Partygoers were encouraged to go and try a sample of the different drinks at each restaurant, which were also offered on the menus in a full-size for purchase. They then voted for their favorite concoction by placing a wooden nickel, distributed to the restaurants by the sponsor, in that restaurant’s cask.

Over 400 people voted in the spirited contest, which is an astonishing 20%, assuming even that 2000 people attended the first block party.

The contest was feverish and the vote was close. Grossi’s success was said to be due to her careful research of the rum, and a team effort in which Owner and Serenitee Executive Chef Jeff Calas suggested his favorite drink “Pain Killer” as the inspiration; Restaurant General Manager Danny came up with the drink name and Alchemy Executive Chef Scott Jensen added the final “Midas Touch” with his special, traditional Italian meringue which Grossi torched into a brulee before garnishing it with a fresh-cut flower.

Bob Ryan expressed his gratitude and amazement when he said “This was about Gloucester for Gloucester and everybody contributed. I had not realized how much the staff of each restaurant would have to do to get the thing going. I had friends tell me that they went into restaurants they had never been in, to try the cocktails, so I do think these great efforts were rewarded.”

Gloucester Downtown Block Party Committee Head Valerie Marcley commented “This contest fits into our block party criteria for any sponsor or event: It has to be free, fun and adds to the party. Stay tuned for the GDBP August 17th contest, featuring Ryan and Wood’s Beauport Gin™.”

The Demolition of a Rockport Landmark

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Fred Bodin Submits-

This iconic smokestack is being slowly taken down, in anticipation of a
housing development planned for the site. It’s scary to see how high up these workers are as they attack the masonry. The "Tool" closed in 1987 after almost a century of manufacturing drop-forged metal tools. Sailors will miss the navigational marker, but now we have GPS and cell phones. The black ring marked the very top of the tower. In the foreground is Pigeon Cove Harbor.

These workers have been working hard with powerful and noisy equipment, and this is how far they got. Implosion is not an option because of nearby homes, boats, cars, and its proximity to Route 127, the major and only road that circumnavigates this island of Cape Ann.

I’ll report on this project as things change, including the mandated public access to the shoreline and water.

Fred

Catching Memories

Posted on by Marty Luster

P1060368_edited-1

When I was about this young boy’s age I regularly went fishing with my father in the Rondout Creek in Ulster County N.Y. where he was raised.  During those outings we spoke little, but communicated a great deal. He taught me patience and the practice of meditation as it applied to repeated casts into the mesmerizing swirls, pools and eddies of the creek. He taught me that subtlety and finesse caught more fish than brute force and that the joy was in the journey, not the destination.

I never became a great fisherman, but the memories I caught on those excursions – hiking through the woods to the creek, baiting up, watching how Dad expertly cast his line and landed his fish, and walking home quietly through the fields as the setting summer sun cast a magical glow  – these prizes I caught, and they are displayed forever on the mantel of my heart.

Cape Ann Views and North Shore Gardens by Audi Souza

Posted on by God's Morning

announcement_audi souza final

There will be an exciting exhibit of Audi Souza’s acrylic paintings at Khan Studio, 77 Rocky Neck Ave., Gallery 3 from July 27 – August 9 with an Opening Reception on Saturday, August 3 from 6-8:00pm.  Come over to Audi’s opening before steppin’ out to the Beaux Arts Ball.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com