My View of Life on the Dock
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
Catherine Ryan Submits
Hi Joey,
There has been a lot of interest in the Downtown Work Plan. There were 90+ people on site at City Hall for the City’s presentation with Utile, and good discussion. Cape Ann TV was filming. Ahead of time, individuals and organizations sent in a range of comments and concerns via email or testimonials. For example here was one (and a repeat one at that) muni wifi rant plea from Joey:
And have a read through the excellent detailed memo from the Downtown Development Commission.
No doubt the robust feedback was helped immeasurably by local media announcements. Thank you, GMG!
So, please come to the next meetings, and/or send along questions or comments to Tom TDaniel@gloucester-ma.gov
Tom Daniel, Community Development Director, writes:
“As promised, we have posted the presentation to the City’s website. You may find it link to the presentation here: http://www.gloucester-ma.gov/index.aspx?NID=760&ART=2142&ADMIN=1. It is a large file and may take a couple of minutes to load. We will post future presentations to the website as well.”
Here are the dates for the next two public meetings to be held in the Kyrouz Auditorium of City Hall, from 6-8pm:
– Tuesday, August 20
– Tuesday, September 17
For More info:
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/local/x218352785/Downtowns-destiny

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
c/o City Clerk’s Office, 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930
gloucesterinfo@gmail.com
July 9, 2013
Mr. Drew Kane, AICP
50 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02110
Dear Drew:
Last evening, the Downtown Development Commission discussed what it would like to see changed, added to or modified in the downtown in anticipation of the upcoming visioning meetings. I encouraged all members to attend but we also felt that we wanted to send you something in writing listing our thoughts.
The following are the items brought up by the Commission:
Parking Garage Many meetings were held about this idea a number of years ago. The idea was to build a deck on top of the current parking lot by the police station. DPW Director Mike Hale was involved in discussions and probably still has this information.
Development of I4C2 It is the hope of the DDC that this can be developed in some way that would benefit downtown and not just be kept as a parking lot.
Empire Building The continued blight of this building is a concern.
Police Station/Central Fire/YMCA Members hoped that there would soon be a plan for the fate of these buildings.
Police Station Steps The terrible condition of these steps roped off with police tape is not an attractive picture. The DDC wondered if there was a short-term solution since any garage or selling of the police station would be long term.
Ornamental Lights/Brick Sidewalks The only sections of Main Street without this streetscape are the middle sections, which were last renovated in the 1970’s. Members would like to see this area tied into the look of the East End and West End.
Trees The trees on Main Street have probably never been pruned. Many hold both decorative old lights that no longer work and some have an abbreviated version of new lights. We feel that there should be some work done on these trees.
West End Ornamental Lights These lights were installed many years ago and the DDC thinks they have never been cleaned. This is one of the reasons they appear to be so dark. The DDC would like to see them cleaned and repainted, if necessary.
Benches There are now a variety of styles of benches downtown. We would like to work towards the replacement of the benches, many of which are wood and splintered, to have one consistent look.
Trash Barrels The DDC bought a number of black trash barrels for downtown and they are showing their age. We would like to re-examine the type of barrels and work on eventually replacing them. Apparently a couple of them were done in by snowplows this past winter.
Preserve America Signs The Commission would like to continue this signage program. We also think there needs to be some type of protocol in place when one is damaged or disappears as has happened.
Gilham & Gander Study The DDC would like this study reintroduced as it had many worthwhile aspects.
Stacy Boulevard The conditions of the railings are in terrible shape and are to the point of being dangerous. Hundreds of people walk this area daily. We understand that this would be a long term and expensive project but it needs to be stated. Having new grass and a working sprinkler system on the Boulevard is a step in the right direction as it is a gateway into Gloucester for so many.
Drew, hope these are helpful. Looking forward to seeing you Wednesday night.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Silveira
Chair
DDC
cc: Tom Daniel
Snapping photos of the Cove on a morning walk and turned to leave to find the sun rising over the North Shore Art Association. Love my hood!
Next Monday 7/29, we’re filming two Local Music Seen with Allen Estes shows for Cape Ann TV at their studio at 38 Blackburn Center (see map).  Filming will begin around 2:30pm.  Allen’s guests will be Joe Thomas & Memory Lane of Giuseppe’s, who hosted the very popular Noise Magazine Singer Songwriter Shuffle.  There will be a break after filming Joe & Memory and then we’ll begin filming a show with very talented, young singer/songwriter Alexandra Valenti as Allen’s Guest.  Here’s Alexandra at the Singer Songwriter Shuffle.
People are welcome to attend as guests. Â If you’d like to attend, please be there by 2:30pm. And please be patient as we have to test sound and lights and often we have to move stuff around and mess with various gadgets to get things just right.
If you’d like to be notified, by email, of all future Local Music Seen with Allen Estes tapings (along with other concert info before the public knows) you can join our gimmeLIVE Concert Club here.
Here’s an entertaining video by Cape Ann TV’s Lisa Smith that captures all sorts of 2013 Fiesta fun with profiles of the Hat Ladies and Greasy Pole Champs, plus a special appearance by Gloucester City Councilor Sefatia Romeo Theken .  ENJOY!
Dave says,
We’re gonna throw everything we got including the kitchen sink into the musical cauldron. And floating up to the top will be that Rockport Rascal and Blues Behemoth, the one and only Ms. Mari Martin. It’s always a pleasure to hear this nightingale sing. She can adjust her uvula in many ways to make your hippocampus explode on cue. My pants will be held up by a strong belt of vodka. Your earrings may melt. Every tune is scientifically designed for  shaking one’s tootsies. Need I say more?
  Adding creme filling to the proceedings will be that unflappable glitar whiz, Mr. Bob Enik. This guy scares me: you can’t lose him…..
He’s bringing his buddy, the keyboard millipede Mr. Jim Gambino, from the crime family.You better like him, or else. Also, Mr. Roger Brocklebank, the heartbeat of Madhouse® and fine drum instructor, will her beating time along with myself, on base. Don’t forget your Serutan®!
I bet Jake Pardee will be all electric
Photo by j.i.silva
photo by Mamadou
http://www.mamadou.com/index.php
EJ put on a spectacular show at Castle Manor Inn, curating the East Meets West show showcasing 8 of of fellow East Gloucester artists traversing the Great City and showcasing in West Gloucester’s castle Manor Inn.
First off the castle Manor Inn might be my first choice for a summer soirée out on that back covered deck. the views, the set-up, the food- all spectacular. Joey C A+ recommendation.
But on top of that I can’t thank our buddy EJ for all the hard work she put in curating this show.
I don’t sing her praises nearly enough. But she really is one very special lady for all she does not only for herself but for everyone around her.
Thanks Laura Baker from Castle Manor and Thanks EJ
You rock!
Killer Beer Battered Fish Tacos at The Castle Manor Inn
How many Block Party participants noticed the beautiful, nearly full moon? Â As wispy clouds passed across the sky, they made the face of the moon seem to be changing constantly.
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
This was shot on a cruise from Canada to Boston, on the Holland America Maasdam. Video below captures the raising in 4X speed. .
Friday August 2nd 7:30 – 10pm @ Savour 76 Prospect St. Gloucester, MA.
This evening will support The Glen Doherty Memorial Foundation and do what Glen would want most – BRING FRIENDS TOGETHER!
Glen Doherty was one of the four Americans killed in a terror attack in Benghazi, Libya on September 12, 2012. The Glen Doherty Memorial Foundation is our way to honor Glen’s life and his beliefs. www.glendohertyfoundation.org
Ticket price is $40 (space is limited)
To purchase tickets please call Kathleen at Savour 978-282-1455 ASAP.
For those of you who cannot attend that evening please know that 10% of all food sales @ Savour’s Gloucester location for the day will benefit GDMF.
Additional questions please contact Tonya t_woolcott@hotmail.com or 907-382-4553
As we prepare for this Saturday’s on-site P&D Committee meeting, I wanted to present our closing statement from the report we submitted to P&D back in January.
The following text was provided to me by Mountain Bike Advocate and Hall of Fame Inductee Peter Webber of Colorado. Please share with your readers because I believe it accurately summarizes the question the City of Gloucester needs to answer.
"When considering any park activity, there are certainly impacts that happen, but the question is, are those impacts acceptable, and are they reasonable and appropriate in relation to the big picture of the specific park and the Park Department’s mission and management policies. One reason the park exists is for recreation.There is an impact of providing recreation. It is appropriate.
"Recreational activities have an impact on the facility.This is clearly true of field sports like football and soccer, and even golf, which are played upon unsustainable grass fields which require weekly, or even daily, maintenance as long as they exist. Playgrounds, sand boxes, flower beds, swim beaches, and trails require repair and maintenance as long as they exist. An extreme example is swimming pools, which require maintenance literally 24/7.These maintenance and repair needs are clearly acceptable to the government and public – even though they cost a huge amount month after month.We understand it is necessary, and worth it.Then why is temporary impact to Stage Fort Park not reasonable and acceptable once a year? Who bears the maintenance costs for the sports fields?The participants or event organizers? For the above cases, no. In the case of cyclocross, the event organizers have taken ownership of the repairs to the park."
We respectfully ask that the City Council please let the tradition of world class cyclocross continue in Stage Fort Park.
Best Regards,
Paul Boudreau
Hi Joey,
I just wanted to thank any and all of your readers who supported the 2013 SeniorCare Sunset Boat Cruise.
Scott Trenti’s first time addressing the “crew” as Executive Director of SeniorCare. Scott is a Rockport resident.
-Anne Springer
Missing In Magnolia
Hi Joey,
My husband and I have been residents of Magnolia for the past couple of years. We read your blog everyday and love everything about Gloucester and Cape Ann. Our neighbor, Terry Weber, did a post in the blog while relaxing in our pretty garden the first year we were here. This is our piece of heaven. We have felt very safe in our neighborhood. Sadly, I writing to express my disappointment. Someone stole a hand painted wooden sign that hung next to our front door. I bought it from an artist at a craft fair in Manchester soon after we moved here. I am attaching a picture. If any of your readers happen to notice someone with a new Cape Ann sign in or our of their home, I would hope that someone might contact you at your blog. This is not a piece of art that would have been purchased locally. We would love to have our sign back.
Lynn and Bob Bird
Magnolia, MA
Heated/Massage State of The Art Dentist Chairs- Pain Free Dentistry, Convenient Downtown Location With Off Street Parking-Rockin Good Music Piped Through The Joint- Super Friendly Staff.
Harbor Cove Dental Has It ALL.
Complete 100% Absolute No Brainer. Like why in heaven’s name would you go anywhere else? Would you rather get drilled out by 1970’s technology?
Kathy Chapman Submits-
Bronze artwork by Mark Read of North Carolina.
Photo © Kathy Chapman 2013
http://www.kathychapman.com
Good Morning Gloucester 