CATA’s new website helps you get around Cape Ann on your phone

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CATA Routes Page on an iPhone (portrait)

No, you can’t use your phone as a magic carpet to whisk you to and fro — not yet, anyhow.  But you can use it to see CATA Bus & Trolley schedules.  You can also get real-time transit directions from wherever you are (assuming you have the phone’s GPS feature turned on) and you can call 978-290-5875, follow instructions and get a text telling you when and where to get the next available bus closest to you.  If you see tourists, be sure to tell them about this — and don’t forget to mention that they can park at Stage Fort Park for FREE and take the Trolley Shuttle to downtown, Rocky Neck and the beaches (see schedule here).  Let’s keep their cars off our roads.

So, does CATA have a new app?  Nope.  It’s better than an app.  It’s CATA’s new website built using Responsive Web Design (RWD for short).

Websites that use RWD automatically reconfigure their display depending on what device you’re using.  One reason RWD websites are better than apps is that you can see the ENTIRE WEBSITE on your phone — and it’s optimized for your particular phone’s display based on how you’re holding the phone when you click on the website.

Here’s an example:  The picture above shows what CATA’s new Routes & Schedules page looks like on an iPhone held portrait (taller than it is wide).  Below is the same page on an iPad held portrait.  Click here to see the same page on a computer (but only if you’re on a computer.)

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CATA Routes page on an iPad (portrait)

The top third of this image is what you see on a Droid phone held landscape (sideways).  And when you turn a smart-phone or tablet from portrait to landscape, the website’s design automatically adjusts to the new aspect ratio.

Again, the best thing about RWD is that regardless of the device you use, iPhone, Droid phone, iPad, any other tablet or any computer, you’re getting the complete website — all the info.  And when schedules change, CATA only has to change them in one place and all devices will see the new info automatically.  That’s why Google recommends developing smartphone-optimized websites using RWD (see their recommendations here.)

Pretty spiffy, huh.  WARNING – SHAMELESS PLUG: Vickie and I built CATA’s new website.  That’s what we do when we’re not presenting concerts and keeping gimmesound’s live music listings up to date.

Ambie “The Lobsterman”

Ambie is still making deliveries; however now it is lobsters he traps, on his boat “The Valerie Dawn”.

Ambie will still provide the best Italian Sausage during Fiesta.

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SingerSongwriterShuffle Tonight with Memory Layne as the host @ Giuseppe’s Ristorante&Piano Bar 7-10

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SingerSongwriters for the evening are TMax, Brian Alex, Renee Dupuis, Joe Cardoza, Ned Nugent, Liz Frame and Kenny Chambers.

Just Like Newman this Friday night @ The Farm Bar and Grille ♪♫♪ Essex, Ma.

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This Friday night at 9:30, we’ll be rocking The Farm! — with Peter Hoare, Kenneth Cleveland, John Filias, Chris Langathianos and George Dwyer at THE FARM Bar & Grille.

Gloucester Shack Series – 1898 Linguiça Smokehouse

I think this could be the oldest in the country.

Linguiça – is a dry Sausage, consists of coarsely chopped pork shoulder (both the lean and the fat), plenty of garlic and paprika.  Its shape, rather like a long and slender lingua (tongue) explains the name.

Chouriço – is a chunkier and juicier Sausage and very garlicky, made in links about 10 inches long and 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

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David Demaine And Rufus Return Lost Lobster Buoys.

If You Are A Lobsterman Who Recognizes Your Buoy, Come and Get It!

Update:
Happy Lobstermen Matt Ring and Chris Orsillo Give Thanks for Returned Buoys
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Due to the increases in all oil based products, the price of lobster buoys have quadrupled. These guys are happy to get their buoys back!

The Sequined Fan

Continuing with my series on second-hand (thrift, consignment, antique, etc.) stores in Gloucester, I stopped in to check on The Sequined Fan on East Main Street!

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While they sell some antiques, they do not identify as an “antique store”. They offer a variety of items and price ranges, aiming to have “something for everyone” (from exquisite oriental porcelain, to potholders in a “dollar bin”), with an international flavor.

My overall impression is that this is a place to go for beauty.  You can also get more utilitarian items, like the aforementioned potholders, but but the focus is more on decorative items like pictures, jewelry, lamps, throws, etc., and functional-but-beautiful items like painted tea sets, pitchers, etc.

The Sequined Fan is open Wednesday-Saturday, 10-5, and Tuesday and Sunday by chance (closed on Monday).

If you don’t have a place to put these items, you can always get some shelves or tables (as well as other items) next door at Pearls, the subject of tomorrow’s post!

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Free Softball Clinic At The MAC!

Contact Gloucester’s Marcy Plante mplante@manchesterathleticclub.com for more info

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I’m looking for some lesbians to interview for a lesbian-talk GMG podcast

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If interested let me know.

I only want to interview lesbians interested in a candid conversation about being a lesbian, if you feel that being gay in 2013 is less difficult than in 2003, different types of lesbians and if there are certain reasons why some lesbians go the lipstick lesbian route and some go the butch route.  If you’re comfortable talking about these things contact me for a serious candid conversation.

Anyone want in for a lesbian podcast let me know.

Community Stuff 6/13/13

Colleen Coogan from Rockport submits-

My kids have been involved in drama programs in Rockport on and off from first grade through middle school.  Every opportunity has provided them with skills, abilities, self confidence – enhancing their other social and learning experiences.  I am grateful that in this small Cape Ann community, we have talented adults interested in creating drama for, and with, our children

The Middle School productions are large, and inclusive, supported by parents behind the scenes, helping kids create costumes and stage sets for the production.  Mr. McCarthy and his skilled team start with a product in mind – the play that has been selected.  They aim for that goal from tryouts through production. The cast, its ensemble-chemistry and individual skills, adds uniqueness, but some predictability is desired and inherent in this type of production.  Within this small district, we are blessed with talent in both faculty and students; it is only the size of the children that reminds me that these are middle school productions.  Mr. McCarthy somehow inspires and corrals middle schoolers’ capacity for individual drama, fostering new friendships, team skills, and self-confidence.

Experiences with Kristina Martin and Rockport Elementary’s multiage teachers’ Tell About the Time productions and Dona Lambert’s Art Harbor, Summer Pie Theatre, and Coupe troupes are so different from the Middle School productions; it’s like comparing a roasted chicken meal with chicken gumbo. You know the roasted chicken meal will be delicious, wholly nutritious, some variability coming from the spices and side dishes.  The gumbo, well, it could be messy, but is always a rich, interesting and spicy experience, dependent on the ingredients on hand.  The actors, of varied ages, bring unique skills, stories, and interests.  These “ingredients” are assessed before plays are chosen or created.  The resulting shows are magic and always unique, although priorities are more about nurturing the actors than about the actual productions.  The children are transformed, together and individually, by the experiences.  They gain faith in their dreams, and confidence in their ability to express them. Dona takes it a step further, with older troupers mentoring new cohorts and directing plays and workshops. 

This summer, kids can join Dona at her Summer Pie Summer Workshops, coached by Middle and High School trouper-directors, under Rockport’s Unitarian Universalist Church’s accommodating steeple.  on Cleaves Street in Rockport.  Contact Dona at 978 546-2416 or donalambert1gmail.com for more information.


The Rockport Navy Weekend 2013 July 12th to July 15th

The Rockport Navy Committee (RocNavCom) and the town of Rockport will again be hosting The United States Naval Academy (USNA) Offshore Sail Training Squadron (OSTS). Five NA-44 foot sailboats will arrive in Rockport on Friday July 12th, 2013 and cast off Monday morning July 15th, 2013.

Sailors from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, the USS Constitution in Boston, Massachusetts and the Navy Band in Newport, Rhode Island have been invited to participate in the weekend events. The sailors/midshipmen will participate in various social and sporting events including a kickball game with Rockport children ages 6-16 on Saturday afternoon, a softball game against a Rockport Police/Fire team on Saturday evening and a benefit pancake breakfast at Brackett’s Ocean View Restaurant on Sunday morning. The public is welcome to attend the above events.

The RocNavCom is looking for Rockport residents to host the forty midshipmen and ten advisors during their visit. The midshipmen range in age from 18 to 23. The hosts will be responsible for room and board Friday, Saturday and Sunday, transportation to morning events and returning the midshipmen to T-wharf Sunday evening or Monday morning. Many of the activities the midshipmen will be participating in include meals. We are holding to the Navy standard of the buddy system; hosts must be able to accommodate at least two midshipmen or advisors.

Due the lack of available lodging for visiting active duty sailors, the Rockport Navy Committee is looking for Rockport residents willing to host sailors in their homes. We are holding to the Navy standard of the buddy system; hosts must be able to accommodate at least two sailors. The sailors only need lodging; no meals or transportation is required.

If you are interested in hosting midshipmen/advisors or sailors, or would like more information about the Rockport Navy Weekend please go to: www.rocnavcom.org


10th Annual Lyons Ambulance Golf Tournament

to benefitADDISON GILBERT HOSPITAL,

Monday, September 9, 2013

Bass Rocks Golf Club, Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Blood Drive hosted by Gloucester Fire Fighters and Jalapeños

In response to the Marathon bombing and emergency need to replenish blood supplies, Jalapeños and the Gloucester Fire Fighters will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Saturday, August 24 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The community blood drive will be held outside Jalapeños, 86 Main Street, Gloucester.  The American Red Cross blood donor van will be parked at 86 Main Street.  Palazola’s Sporting Goods at 85 Main Street are providing several parking spaces in their parking lot for those donating blood.   Jalapeños will be providing a $20. gift card to those who donate that day.  Addison Gilbert Hospital will provide a gift bag to each donor.

To arrange for an appointment, please call the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 or register on-line at redcrossblood.org[redcrossblood.org] Walk-in guests are also welcome.

For further information , please contact Amy Randazza at 978-390-3820 or check Jalapeños on Facebook!

Stripers Back Aggressively This Morning 5:10AM

Video- Introducing Happy Dumplings!!!!

At 91 Washington Street In The Former Location Of Turtle Alley

Check Them Out On Facebook- Happy Dumplings Facebook Page

Where else do you see bout the latest local restaurant openings but right here on GMG!

Make sure if you go in tonight or tomorrow that you tell them you saw their video here on the blog.

One item is $9.99 and everything else is way less expensive.  Cheaper than a sub and everything made from fresh ingredients. #Boom! 

Gets the Joey C MUST TRY Recommendation.  ASAP!

At the bottom of this post click to share it on Facebook to share the good word and get this new business off to a rousing start!

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THEN and NOW – Pavilion Beach

Pavilion Beach in 1905, the big rock seems to have worn down over the past 100 years.

Pavilion Beach 1905 (3)

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SailBot Pics From Curtis Sarkin at Maritime Gloucester

At Maritime Gloucester, we are pleased to be SailBot headquarters!  College and high school teams from Canada, Wales, and across the United States are competing in the SailBot 2013 International Robotic Sailing Regatta in Gloucester Harbor!

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PLUM COVE BEACH CLOSED TILL FURTHER NOTICE

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Due to the recent severe weather, as of today, Wednesday, June 12, 2013, the City of Gloucester Board of Health has posted a sign at Plum Cove Beach notifying residents that regularly scheduled testing discovered that bacteria counts were found to be beyond the states bathing beach limits.

Residents are advised that they swim at their own risk. 

The next scheduled test results will be available in the afternoon of Friday, June 14, 2013.  City of Gloucester Health Department will continue to closely monitor the situation. 

For more information and updates, please visit the city website at http://www.gloucester-ma.gov

For more information, please contact:
Gloucester Public Health Department
Max Schenk, Manager of Environmental Health Services
978-282-8025