Cold Front…

We were invited to podcast from Magnolia 525 on Lexington Ave Sunday morning and their brunch menu was at the top of our list of discussion points. Brunch is served 10:30-2 on Sundays then the full menu becomes available. If you haven’t tried this place out in a while, it’s definitely a worthwhile stop for delicious food, warm and welcoming atmosphere and to see your neighbors! Tamie and Larry were very gracious hosts and we had a great time. Some brunch menu items include a variety of mimosa flavors, eggs, french toast, quiche, crab cakes benedict and MORE!

Special thanks to my undercover photographer who gets all the photo cred but can’t be revealed because of the undercover nature of the work 🙂

Gloucester Fishermen vs Triton Vikings Boys Varsity Hockey (Replay) 1/6/25
https://youtu.be/sGR1pqtxA1o

Gloucester, a vital economic anchor for the Greater Cape Ann region, faces challenges similar to those of Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities, including ensuring that all residents can access and take full advantage of the online environment. To address this challenge, the City of Gloucester — specifically the Sawyer Free Library and municipal IT Department — has been working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to develop Gloucester’s first Digital Equity Plan. This plan is a roadmap for how the community can address the digital divide by helping underconnected residents better access the Internet and obtain the devices and digital skills needed to fully participate in digital and everyday life. The Gloucester City Council heard a presentation on the Digital Equity Plan on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. 

“The digital divide in Gloucester highlights the need for increased accessibility. Our city is taking steps to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to learn and build technology skills as the online environment becomes increasingly more important for educational attainment, upward economic mobility and personal well-being,” said Mayor Greg Verga.

The plan has been developed and funded as part of the Mass Broadband Institute’s Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program, and consists of existing conditions assessment, community engagement analysis and recommended actions that the community can collectively take, as well as recommendations for resources to implement them. Once approved by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, the City will be eligible for certain grants and funding sources, including the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Grant program. 

“Gloucester’s Digital Equity Plan is an actionable plan that will drive the strategic investment of resources to deliver equitable access, opportunities and outcomes for all Gloucester households,” stated Sawyer Free Library Director Jenny Benedict, who co-led the planning process. “We are so grateful to all the community partners and focus group participants for engaging in this planning process and providing thoughtful and valuable feedback which has informed the recommendations.”

The digital divide does not impact all households equally, and as in many Massachusetts Gateway Cities, income disparity poses a barrier for the community of Gloucester. Many households struggle to afford basic necessities, including internet access and computing devices. Gloucester’s rates of over 10.7% of households lacking internet access and over 7% of households lacking a computer are high figures compared to neighboring municipalities and compared to Essex County as a whole. This gap disproportionately affects residents of color, non-English speaking residents, and immigrants.

After spending much of the last year reviewing data and conducting outreach to residents and community leaders, MAPC alongside the Sawyer Free Library and municipal IT Department, have compiled findings and recommendations for the community into a plan document. Recommendations include ways to support internet access, such as providing public Wi-Fi in community spaces, or subsidized or free internet at public housing sites. The plan also includes recommendations to expand digital literacy and device access programs, as well as to build capacity, for instance, by forming a Gloucester Digital Equity Steering Committee and launching the Digital Learning Lab at the Sawyer Free Library.

Links

• City Council Agenda: https://www.gloucester-ma.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/18024
• City Council Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/186XuuAaBr-xJynD0sdb2ALd2CM3eC104/edit#slide=id.p1
• Gloucester Digital Equity Plan Website: https://digitalequity.gloucester-ma.gov/home
• MBI Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program: https://broadband.masstech.org/municipal
• MBI Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Program: https://broadband.masstech.org/digital-equity-implementation

Sharing information provided on the Cape Ann Veterans Services Facebook page:

Rock of Ages…

The new year is here, and it’s the perfect time to set your sights on a fresh start. Whether you’re decluttering your home, moving to a new space, or gearing up for a big project, Grove Street Self Storage is here to help you achieve your 2025 goals.

🌟 Here’s how we can make this year your most organized yet:

• Declutter for a Clearer Mind:Free up valuable space at home or in the office by storing items you don’t need every day.
• Support for Life Transitions: From moving to renovating, our storage units provide a safe and flexible solution for whatever life throws your way.
• Seasonal Storage Made Simple: Safely pack away your holiday décor, winter gear, and other seasonal items until you need them again.
• Boost Business Productivity:Small businesses can use storage for extra inventory, documents, or equipment to keep operations running smoothly. 

🍃 Start 2025 off right with a clean slate and peace of mind, knowing your belongings are safe and secure.

Call Now! (978) 879-4524

We attended the GHS Girls Ice Hockey game recently and were very impressed by the level of skill and teamwork the group demonstrated. Although Beverly won, the team has had a very successful season so far and are exciting to watch. We are keeping our eye on this group! Here’s a photo dump for the game. I hope you see your favorite player.

January 25 and 26th @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Free and open to the public

Celebrate the fish city’s recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions and businesses during the 4th Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival on January 25 and 26, 2025 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm! Over 1,800 people came out last year to share their salty pride while enjoying free ice sculptures and cultural activities around Downtown Gloucester.

The Cape Ann Museum is partnering with Discover Gloucester and several local cultural institutions and businesses to offer two full days of free programming in the coldest part of the year. Inspired by the annual Salem’s So Sweet event, this two-day event will include ice sculptures, live music, salty treats, free kids’ art activities, and much more.

Today’s Pet of the week is the last one left (but never least!) Meowwwzah! (aka “Meowzer”)  We had a busy cat/kitten month as December often is and have just the one guy left all by his lonesome.  Let’s find him a home for the New Year!

BreedDomestic Shorthair/Mix Age1 year 3 months 21 days GenderMale SizeMedium ColorBlack Spayed/NeuteredDeclawedNo HousetrainedYes Special NeedsAdoption Price$75.00 

Meet our charming and friendly 1-year-old heartthrob! This handsome fellow has had a urinary blockage in the past, making him a bit more prone to future blockages. But don’t worry-he’s been happy and healthy since being in our care. He loves to be picked up and snuggled and is a DREAM at vet visits. He just needs a special diet and a loving, observant adopter with a keen eye to keep him happy and healthy in the future. If you’re looking for a sweet, snuggly companion, he’s your guy! Meowzer is looking to be your one and only cat in the home since he doesn’t seem to be a big fan of them here at the shelter. Adopt him today and enjoy a lifetime of purrs and cuddles. Meowzer is now part of our extended stay club! Since he’s been here for longer, his adoption fee has been reduced so that hopefully he can find a home sooner!

You can apply for him at capeannanimalaid.org/catapp

A timeline from the opening drive: