Squirrels are smarter than bird feeder designers

Posted on by God's Morning

cynthia kennedy sam squirrel feeder

Photos submitted by Annisquam and Cambridge FOB, Cynthia Kennedy Sam of a new fancy glass “birdfeeder” which she hung up off her back deck three days ago to attract cardinals, bluejays, juncos, white throated sparrows – you know those lovely feathered ones…. only to find that this pesky critter figured out how to access it!  Of course, s/he’s a Cambridge squirrel, quite obviously an engineer, maybe educated at HAHVARD!

 

 

 

Representing on the Acela from Boston to NYC

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

©Kim Smith 2013

Usually I drive to visit my daughter in Brooklyn, but with last weekend’s pending snowstorm, I decided to take the Acela from South Station to Penn Station.

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View from the Acela window

The Acela is more convenient and much faster than the usual Amtrak train, although more expensive. My train was crowded in both directions with mostly business-types, each entertaining an array of personal electronic gadgets spread about. No passenger had less than three electronic devices, including a laptop or ipad, a phone, and some type of blackberry.

I very much enjoyed taking the train and it was delightful to work while looking out at the passing scenery, and equally delightful not to have to worry about my car once in Brooklyn. It’s an extravagance I can only justify when the weather is bad because when I drive my Prius to NYC it costs less than 75., including tolls and refreshments along the way, compared to the 340.00 round trip Acela fare. Of course there is always the Fung Wah Bus, but then you run the risk of death by heart attack or crash, or both.

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Folk legend Gordon Bok with local favorites Three Sheets to the Wind @ Old Sloop next FRIDAY [CORRECTED]

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

This will be a one-of-a-kind experience.  Get tickets here.

poster-130308-crop-for-gmgTonight it tough.  Excellent music all over Cape Ann.  Too many good shows overlapping, so you will just have to choose. Here’s some help with that.  Usually we take John with us, and tonight there are plenty of good shows starting early enough to take the kids.  But we’re going to stay out late and party, so we’ll be kid-less tonight.  For us it’s Chelsea Berry at Shalin Liu.  Even though it had previously sold out, right now there seem to be about 6 tickets left on-line from people who couldn’t swap their Feb 9 tickets.  You can try to get them here or you call 978.546.7391.

Then we’ll try to get to Minglewood in time to catch the Toasters’ last set.  Carlos says they should be rockin’ the house until about 12:30.

Boys & Girls Player Positions Still Available

Posted on by Thom Falzarano

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Positions are still available for Girls & Boys at all age groups.  Don’t miss out on the fastest game on 2 feet.

Contact Tricia Reed for more information  triciaann0809@aol.com

To register visit http://www.capeannyouthlacrosse.com

Have you been to the Pop Gallery recently?

Posted on by Matthew Green

_Pop Gallery open for business

During the month of January, the Pop Gallery (67 Main St. in Gloucester) was closed, but the re-opened in February (pretty much right on time for Snowpocalypse Nemo).  Among other things, they used the down time to redecorate the interior:

_Pop Gallery redecoratedThey also have new products to add to their already interesting and eclectic selection.  The gallery carries a variety of “Jolly Roger” and similarly skull-themed items, like these skull-themed items of jewelry:

_Pop Gallery skulls

They also carry some chocolate with some of the most inventive packaging I have ever seen (click on the photo to enlarge it so you can read the small text):

_Pop Gallery chocolateThat’s just the tip of the iceberg, really. At Christmas I bought some really nice catnip toys for my parents’ felines, and they were a big hit!

The gallery’s winter hours are as follows:
Thu: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Fri – Sat: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sun: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

– Fr. Matthew Green

Auction – March 5th – in Magnolia

Posted on by Sharon

From Walt Kolenda at Capeannauction.com

Our first auction in 2013 will be a DOOZY! Don’t forget, we’re running in a new location and on a new night!

Tues. March 5th, 6pm (preview 4-6)

Charles Jones Hall  in the Magnolia Library

1 Lexington St, Magnolia, MA  01930

This will be one of our best quality auctions so far! It features art, antiques, collectibles & furniture from several Cape Ann estates.

Here’s a partial list, check back for more details. 

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bluePartial listing: A great cedar wood 5 mast ship model of the Sea Princess 34”h x 44”long in excellent condition individually planked, a 34”h x 36”l wooden model of a whale boat also individually planked, a wooden ship model of the Great Republic, wooden ship model of the Bluenose wooden ship model of the Suez 2, vintage half hull wall plaque ship model, a beautiful pair of 19th century Icons w/ Angels, blue stoneware planters, standing wicker planter w galvanized trough, arts & crafts period oak slant front desk , antique oak chest of drawers, pair of danish modern chairs , wainscot wardrobe period cherry drop-leaf table, large Norman Rockwell art book, lot of Edison cylinder records, 4 pc. Czech Victoria China decanter set, blue satin art glass bowl, Fenton cranberry glass vase, blue hobnail glass vase, black amethyst glass art deco brass rim bowl, bar in a barrel decanter set, group of 3 green art pottery vases, antique iridescent green 5” vase, vintage blue Hall teapot & 2 other brown vintage teapots, Fenton hand painted signed covered ladies boot decanter, green/brown majolica 22” umbrella stand, green/brown majolica (Weller?) 10” planter in drip glaze w/ trees, orange carnival glass bowl & orange carnival glass vase, yellow Pyrex mixing bowls Jadite mixing bowl & 2 Hamilton Beach custard color mixing bowls, green/brown majolica 7” vase, green depression glass plate, heavy cut clear leaded crystal vase, hand painted black tin decanter set, sprayed gold retro decanter set, unusual cyclops pottery jug 8” tall, blue funny face stoneware mug, his/hers happy sad stoneware mugs, See more

Just added… A rare signed, Fred Thompson hand colored 6 mast schooner print, Bradford’s History of the Civil War, several signed impressionist paintings marine themes and cityscape, Motif #1 depicted in a stone wall plaque. Still  more to come.

For more pictures and details go to: http://www.auctionzip.com/auctioneer/gloucester

Our snack bar will now be a kitchen! Come early, have a bite and save your seat.

As usual, there is NO BUYER’S PREMIUM at The Cape Ann Auction.

MA lic#2621

Visa, MC, Checks & Cash accepted

Sea Serpent Captured and Skewered! From Fred Bodin

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Fred writes-

Since Gloucester had its own Sea Serpent, I thought it appropriate to post this news story from New Jersey. It’s a scary serpent-like monster, but not even close to the size of ours (or as good looking). This bloody photo went viral on the internet. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions and ID it in the comments box:

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I wonder if Joey ever off-loaded one on the dock? Recipes?

Fred

Pigeons and Gulls From Charlie Carroll

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Pigeons and Gulls… and a smattering of other stuff…

Am still going after Birds in flight… Pigeons are still a tough subject in the Air…

http://seasquared.viewbook.com/

We’re into March next week and I can start to look for some color.

C.

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Schooner Ernestina 119 years old!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Len Burgess forwards the link-

Now 119 years old, the SCHOONER ERNESTINA (formely EFFIE M. MORRISSEY) was Essex-built in the Winter of 1893-94 and launch on Feb. 1, 1894. Designed by George Melville McClain and built at the James & Tarr, Essex, MA. the builder was Willard Burnham.
Be sure to read the link below to her great history as a…Grand Banks fishing schooner…Extensive Arctic exploration…U.S. military survey and supply…Cape Verdean packet trader, and now a National Historical Landmark of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, official sailing vessel of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Under SEMA (Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association) Ernestina is being restored and will be operated as an educational enterprise. Other agencies and organizations committed to her stewardship are DCR, the Ernestina Commission and the National Park Service. History: http://www.ernestina.org/about/about-ernestina/history/
-LB

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Fish on Fridays

Posted on by Marty Luster

The Fish on Fridays series is a collaboration between Gloucester photographers Kathy Chapman and Marty Luster. Look for various aspects of Gloucester’s centuries-old fishing industry highlighted here on Fridays.

This week we’re thinking about China. Kathy is working with Philips Auction House opening on the Back Shore next week (http:www.philipsauctionhouse.com). She came across these wonderful pictures of fishing boats from a personal vacation album dating from 1910-1920 China.

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A little closer to home, Marty visited Horizon Chinese Restaurant, 4 Rogers St., Gloucester, and watched Chef James prepare mouth watering stir fried shrimp in garlic sauce and lobster in spicy chili sauce.  All seafood is fresh off the boat in Gloucester Harbor.

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KCedit1437 Photos © Kathy Chapman 2013
www.kathychapman.com and
© Marty Luster 2013
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