My View of Life on the Dock
Don’t know if you’re interested in posting this on the blog…Johnny O’Hara is competing in the world stand-up paddleboard championships in Peru right now.
Check out Cape Ann Y member John O’ Hara competing in the world paddleboard championships in Peru today at noon! He’ll be wearing bib #18.
http://irishsupteam.com/live-show/
Click to watch these guys digging that water, sick!
Chris Erbland
Membership Director
Cape Ann YMCA
By Marjorie Nesin Staff Writer
Gloucester’s waterfront I-4, C-2 lot, where many have found a free space to park over the past two years, could soon become a temporary metered lot if the city has its way.
City officials have applied for a state permit to allow such use of the 65 Rogers St. site because the state insists the city have a permit to charge for parking on the 95-space waterfront lot while the city searches for a person or company interested in developing the property, according to Harbor Planning Director Sarah Garcia.
Read the entire article here
This to me is a total no-brainer. They are looking to make it a “temporary” lot which will provide a whole lot of parking for area businesses and will generate money for the city. How is this not a good idea?
Would people rather see it sit fallow, put a chain across it and not let anyone park there just to spite Downtown Gloucester and all the businesses and city coffers that would benefit?
In the comment section of the article folks are calling for an open air fish market from which fishermen can sell their fish directly to the public. That sounds nice but when all is totaled you want to cut out the existing waterfront properties that handle the fish and sell to local consumers and get this product to market while not allowing other uses for the waterfront properties except for marine industrial uses. Isn’t that special? There is Steve Connolly, Intershell, Turner Seafood already selling seafood to the local consumers. Taking a City owned property and offering it up to compete with existing businesses when thiose existing businesses have already been severely impacted by fishing cuts hardly sounds fair to me.
We have a Consumer Supported Fishery (CSF) product with Cape Ann Fresh Catch and we have the Farmer’s Market which already operates in a different location. So take away a property that would provide parking for all of downtown and replace it with a business model that would compete with existing businesses, doesn’t make much sense to me.
A temporary parking lot will feed all the businesses around the Downtown area including the Museums, Restaurants, Retailers, Whale Watch Boats, Schooners and more. best yet the City gets paid for the parking.
Temple Ahavat Achim (86 Middle St. in Gloucester, MA) continues to bring back its popular coffeehouse to sell out audiences, Café Shalom, on Saturday, March 2nd, from 7:00 to 10:00 PM, with an evening of contemporary acoustic music.
Café Shalom will serve hot beverages and snacks. All are welcome; there is no dress or age requirement and families are welcome. Refreshments will be available. Admission is $10 at the door, doors open at 6:30 PM.
The featured performer will be recording artist Fly Amero. Left-handed, upside-down guitarist/singer/journeyman Dennis “Fly” Amero finds his musical roots deep within the vast genres of the ’60’s pop revolution. Fly moved to New York City, joining in on musical projects with members of the pop/rock bands, Foreigner and Meatloaf. In the early 1980’s, Fly struck upon the start of what would become a lifelong friendship with the classic pop singer, Larry Hoppen of “Orleans”. He joined, toured and recorded with the famed group for the better part of 3 years before returning Gloucester to focus on his own writing. His remarkable versatility led to the writing and co-producing of Atlantic’s holiday comedy album classic, Twisted Christmas, which quickly became certified gold in 1995. Fly is currently touring as a member of “Orleans” and fronts the thrilling rock/blues act known as “The Big Strum”.
The opening performer will be Bob Kramer with Al Foucault on bass.
The duo plays a blend of acoustic rock/blues/jazz creating ‘rootsy, rockin’ & blue’ sound that echoes from the Delta to the urban landscape with its unique arrangement of cover songs and original songs. Bob and Al have opened for The Pete Best Band (original Beatles drummer), recording blues artists Paul Rishell and Annie Raines and host the open mic at the Grog in Newburyport.  Bob has produced two CDs, a solo CD, Honorable mention in the Billboard Songwriting Contest and has performed at the Terra Blues Club in the Village in New York City.
THIS SATURDAY MARCH 2nd MILE 21 will be having the original 2007 lineup on THE MINGLEWOOD STAGE!!! featuring SKA LEGENDS THE TOASTERS!!! 10$ @ The door. don’t miss it!
Friday, March 8th Cherish the Ladies, the Number 1 Irish American Act in Celtic Music, will be at Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport. Â Check out this video and get your tickets.
Don’t forget to head out tonight and see some great music starting at 7pm tonight ~ check out the full lineup here.
60,000, as in 1,000 times 60
thank you for the correction Martin DelVecchio
I got there towards the end of the meeting last Thursday, but I got a few photos…
The meeting looked like a “who’s who of downtown Gloucester”!
Anita Walker sounded very optimistic about the establishment of the cultural district.
State Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante spoke for a few minutes while I was there too.
Joey obviously thought the whole thing was wicked awesome!
Kudos to Joey and all those who have been involved in publicizing and promoting, organizing, recruiting support, writing proposals, etc., to make this happen! And thanks to Fred for being a great host and a fine gentleman, as always!
From The Farmer’s Almanac:
February’s full Moon is traditionally called the Full Snow Moon because usually the heaviest snows fall in February.
Hunting becomes very difficult, and so some Native American tribes called this the Hunger Moon.
Other Native American tribes called this Moon the “Shoulder to Shoulder Around the Fire Moon” (Wishram Native Americans), the “No Snow in the Trails Moon” (Zuni Native Americans), and the “Bone Moon” (Cherokee Native Americans). The Bone Moon meant that there was so little food that people gnawed on bones and ate bone marrow soup.
Julia Garrison of the Sarah Elizabeth Shop in Rockport recently updated the shop’s interior and displays. I love the way the black storage/display pieces complement the antique acorn press. Check it out at 10 Whistlestop Mall in Rockport. And if you can’t make it to Rockport, you can see Julia’s line at www.sarah-elizabeth-shop.com. By the way, the shop’s previous owner was the very talented Isabel Natti. Joey did an interview with her before she passed away, which you can find through this link.
Joey,
It was a pleasure to meet you on Sat. The “lobstah” was delicious. Here is
a mini album from the Plunge. Post any, all or none…
Have a great day,
Lisa Cardinal
The Sarah Lufkin Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of Sarah Lufkin, who passed away from complications of leukemia in April, 1997. Friends of the family set up a scholarship fund to help students who are studying in a field that will have a direct effect on children. Sarah was studying Early Childhood Education at Salem State Community College when she was diagnosed.
The Lufkin Family in conjunction with Periwinkle’s Restaurant is hosting a fabulous fun evening to benefit the fund, Thursday, February 28 at Periwinkle’s Restaurant, 74 Main Street (Route 133), Essex.
The evening will include hors d’ouevres, a silent auction, raffle and live music provided by local musician Joe Militello. Tickets are $25 per person and will be available at the door the night of the event. The event starts at 6:00PM and goes until 10:00PM.
We are always looking for donations of food from restaurants or catering companies and donations of items for the silent auction and raffle. If you would like to donate, please call Sue Lufkin at 978-768-7122, Laurie Lufkin at 978-985-6532 or Kim Lufkin Williams at 978-853-0845.
Anita Pandolfe writes-
Dear Joey,
Like the beams of light
coming forth in the fog,
your blog
shows us the way,
to enjoy everyday
on our beloved Cape Ann.
Thanks for all you do!
Anita
Local therapist-midwife, Anita Pandolfe Ruchman, NP, is producing an exciting, provocative play about Childbirth.
BIRTH, a play by Karen Brody, will be performed on Cape Ann and beyond this spring and early summer
This is a call for folks to join the production and acting Teams.
On Saturday and Sunday March 2nd and 3rd, (next weekend), from 1-3pm each day, we will be holding auditions and info sessions at the Rockport Unitarian Universalist Church, 4 Cleaves St in Rockport.
The Goal of this production is to raise awareness about the profound impact the childbirth experience has on a woman’s life. Come share your skills and talents by join us in this important, exciting endeavor. We are seeking creative, energetic folks to be involved on all levels; publicity, marketing, sound, fundraising, acting, stage management, etc.
For further info please contact Anita:
Hi Joey C & GMG!
We’re starting our Renovation SALE this Thursday, February 28th – March 3rd & everything is on 20%-50% OFF!
Thanks!
Dawn @ La Provence
4 Main Street
Rockport, Ma
978.546.5868
www.laprov.com
Winter Hours: Thurs – Sun 11am-5pm
Now accepting registrations for the next session:
March 11 – May 4
Monday adult class: 9:00-12:00 p.m.
Monday kid’s class: 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday adult class: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Wednesday adult class: 6:00– 9:00 p.m.
Thursday adult class: 6:00-9:00p.m.
Friday adult class: 9:00 -12:00 p.m.
All levels of experience – beginners always welcome!
Wheel-throwing ~ Hand Building ~ Glazing
Private lessons ~ Independent Study Program ~ Retail Gallery
Cynthia Curtis Pottery
80 Pigeon Hill Street, Rockport, http://www.cynthiacurtispottery.com
To register, call 978 546 6186 or email: info@cynthiacurtispottery.com
On Thursday, February 28th, The Gloucester High School Drama Club will be presenting the dark comedy, one act play Cagebirds by David Compton.
The show is at 7:00 pm on February 28th in the GHS Putney Auditorium and tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.
In this allegorical play, “birds live in a cage”, each totally absorbed in their own particular characteristics. When the Wild One is introduced into their midst by their Mistress, she endeavors to persuade them to break out from their self-imposed dependence and imprisonment into the wider world outside
This February 28th’s presentation is the GHS entry that will be performed at the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild’s High School Drama Competition. The competition will be held on Saturday, March 2nd at the Ipswich High School at 9 am.
For more information about other school’s performance places and times, see the METG website at metg.org
Cape Ann Shakespeare Troup Performances
Wednesday, February 27: Opening night, all tickets $5!
I respect our City Council, respect our Mayor and respect our Harbormaster.
The editorial in the Gloucester Daily Times asking to scrap the Waterways Board is not a good idea.
Let me explain why. City Councils have elections every 2 years. City Councilors come and go and while they mostly have our best interests in mind they just don’t have the history and knowledge of the rules and regulations and past grudges and what works on the waterfront like people that derive their income from it.
There are people like Tony Gross who have worked on the waterfront most of his life. He also sits on the School Committee and knows processes. Tony knows from dealing with people on the waterfront all his life who the players are and what regulations are in place that have restricted progress and also the ones that have insured stability.
Not having a Waterways board and handing over all the decisions to people who don’t have long terms relationships with the harbor is just crazy.
If some people have their feelings hurt because a cockamamie idea to have the public finance a floating marina which will have to be maintained with public dollars then good riddance.  If people can’t see that a floating marina in the middle of the harbor would compete with existing waterfront properties who would love to be able to finance the transient dockage needs and finance it with private dollars (read not public dollars) and maintain the private docks with private dollars then good riddance as well.
If there is a problem with perceived lack of progress maybe, just MAYBE the PROCESS OF GETTING THINGS APPROVED MIGHT BE LOOKED AT AND STREAMLINED.
How about writing an editorial calling for the elimination of layers upon layers of bureaucracy and allowing the waterfront some relief from antiquated Designated Port Area (DPA) zoning regulations in a time when our fleet has hyper-consolidated and we read daily in the Paper Richard Gaines’ articles about cutbacks, the latest calling for yet another 70 plus percent reduction in landings.
Yes there needs to be more transient dockage but those needs can be filled with the many empty piling fields around the harbor which if the zoning was changed would allow for the private waterfront sector to pay for these needs being built and maintained instead of always looking for government handouts to get things done.
So calling for the Waterways Board to be disbanded is no solution. We need people who have intimate knowledge of the port and its history to help guide and inform the Council as to what is going on.
No City Councilor could ever be expected to understand what is really going on in the waterfront and all the rules and zoning that is hindering responsible development because their livelihoods don’t depend on it like many of the members of a good Waterways Board filled with Fishermen, Recreational Marina Owners, Lawyers who understand waterfront zoning, Marine Construction Company Owners, and Waterfront Tourism People.
What you don’t need on the Waterways Board are commies who think that the government should pay for everything and look at private waterfront development as if it was the devil because god forbid someone might make money.
The fishermen should have places to tie their boats and they do. With the drastic consolidation of the fleet the upland portions of these properties should have relief from the archaic zoning of the DPA so these properties can be reinvigorated with private (read not public) dollars so they could pay more money to the City in taxes.  Everyone wins.
I may not agree with the Waterways Board 100% of the time but realistically you never could expect to. However with a Waterways Board filled with people that derive their income from the waterfront and have intimate knowledge of it you will be FAR better served than letting a bunch of commie bureaucrats that only are looking for the public sector and public dollar projects to get things done instead of the people who control the purse strings and have to risk their own capital.
Hey Joey!
Good news! After months of cramped quarters overstuffed with bikes, we moved into the space directly next door that was Miguel’s and before that, Enterprise Car Rental. So our address and everything is staying the same. How easy is that? We’re going to have 3 times our original space. Now we’ll have far more space for used bikes on display, and we can carry a more varied range of accessories and even basic bicycle repair classes. We’re also going to start stocking used sporting goods like ice skates, roller skates, hiking backpacks, etc – why go all the way to Wenham or even Reading for a pair of used ice skates? Ain’t nobody got time for that.
Here’s some pictures of the space coming together. 
Look at all this empty space! I could’ve set up a roller rink. 
Here’s the new repair station. Now we can double our output. 
We have a lot of stuff to put away, but we’re open in the new spot on Tuesday!
Thanks!
Kathleen
Big Mike’s Bikes
http://www.bigmikesbikes.org
I went for a walk out Eastern Point today with my friend Melissa. Along the way we saw a definite sign of spring – these crocus, jonquils, daffodils (? – not sure which they are, what do you say Kim?) popping their shoots out of the snow, then melting ice on Niles Pond with a flock of gulls looking like a crowd at water’s edge on the beach on a hot summer day. Then we got to the lighthouse and encountered these unexpected wild waves crashing over the Dog Bar and out behind the lighthouse. Finally, some of the damage left behind by Nemo to the back of the garage at the lighthouse. Had a very nice visit with Emma Jane, who together with her husband and dog, have enjoyed (not so much) a wild winter so far living at the lighthouse. Hi Emma, I know you read GMG, so thanks for allowing us to shoot, and shoot the breeze, very nice to meet you.Â
E.J. Lefavour
An embarrassment of riches ~Â Whether dawn or dusk, when standing on the footpath between Niles Pond and Brace Cove, sometimes I can’t decide which direction to point my camera. When that happens I focus the video camera in one direction and turn and face the opposite direction with the still camera.
This batch of photos was taken on a chilly afternoon in early January, looking first toward the pond, and then heading down to the beach at Brace Cove after a wedge of eight Mute Swans flew overhead and landed in the cove.
The bevy was comprised of six cygnets and parents. The bill of the adult Mute Swan is vivid red-orange whereas the cygnet’s  bill ranges in shades from dark gray through muted browns. A black knob at the base of the cob’s (male) bill bulges prominently during mating season; the rest of the year it is often difficult to distinguish pen from cob. Anyone who has ever encountered a hissing, snarling, gnarling, and whistling Mute Swan wonders why they are called mute. Mute Swans lack the vocal trumpeting when compared to other members of the genus. The most beautiful sound the Mute Swan makes is the vibrant throbbing of their wingbeats in flight. I believe this sound is unique to Mute Swans. Click photos to view larger.
Eight Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) at Brace Cove, Gloucester
Marcy Runs The Gymazing Program at The Manchester Athletic Club Where You Can Have Your 6 Week To Six Year Old Child Taken Care Of While You Get Your Workout On.
Good Morning Gloucester 