Monday night open jam @ The Rhumb Line

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Many of you know that Dan King is out on the west coast for a few months. He left last Tuesday. We had the pleasure of him playing at the jam the night before he left.

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The Bandit Kings (that Dan King is the lead guitarist in and shares  vocals with AnnMarie Shimanoski and Renee Dupuis, Dennis Monagle and Joe Cardoza) have been the host band for well over a year, if I am correct.

*Looks like I stand corrected on that one. It’s been three years. My how time flies when you are having fun. Thank you Joe Cardoza for pointing that out.

It has been the best time and I have grown to love them not only for their music but for who they are. For me, if I had to choose between a night of the week to hear live music Monday would be it. So many players come out old and new and get together to let loose. There have been many nights that magic has been an understatement.

I think that in maybe four years I have missed two jams. One due to being sick and the other being away on vacation. That’s how awesome it is.

Dan King turned me on to the jam many years ago. He was playing at an open mic  with Fly Amero on Wednesday and I was blown away. They did some Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin songs (never was much of a Pink Floyd fan but am now).

Dan said if you like that sort of thing you should come out Monday and the rest is history. I am not alone, there are some real die hard fans of  the Monday night open jam. I have heard it said that Monday is the new Friday and it’s true.

Mark Pelosi was the first host of the new open jam two weeks ago in Dan King’s absence. Me being a creature of habit and wondering how anyone would fill Dan’s shoes (and let me tell you it ain’t gonna be that easy) .

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When I saw Mark Pelosi on the stage, I was excited because he is the lead singer in the band Groove and at that moment, reassurance set it. First song was L. A. Woman the rest was history.

Last week Joe Wilkins was the lead host. Joe Wilkins of “The Wilkins Noise” is an uprising band that I believe will be going places. The last few times they played out they had the crowd begging for more.

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Now, what I think will prove to make it a successful jam is the presence of the rest of The Bandit Kings sharing what they have learned from Dan King , who I consider “The Master” and being fair to all the players who show up to jam. Also, pleasing the audience like they have done so many times.

The Bandit Kings kept the jam going for a long time with lots of new originals and lively cover songs. Ones that would make you get up and dance. Like so many do. They set the stage for the rest and worked hard to make it the big success that it was and believe it will be.

Tonight is Inge Berge’s turn. I am looking forward to this because Inge has a unique  style of music and knows how to entertain the crowd. I’ve been a fan for as long as I can remember. As a matter of fact Inge use to host the jam a few years back.  Inge is probably one of the most melodious (singer/songwriter) musicians out there and always strives for perfection. He shares his originals as well as some very popular covers.  Just take a look at the thick book he brings with him when he has a gig. The crowd is never disappointed when he’s up to play.

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Last week Willie “Loco” Alexander showed up to jam…… surprise yes. I’m guessing maybe it was because Dan was leaving or an extension of his birthday celebration, a day or so before. Whatever the reason it’s always a boogie woogie blast when he shows up.

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It’s going to be interesting to see who shows up to host the jam in the next few months.

Just an idea of  some of the players who have and do show up on an occasion to jam. Brian O’Connor, Scott Noring, Sarah Seminski, Mike Miksis,Tim Pike, Andy Pratt, Mark Pelosi, Ned Nugent, Leo Ciaramitaro, Greg Dan, Bradley Royds, Pete Lindberg, Michael Thomas Doyle, Mike O’Connell, Gary Shane, Jittery Jack, George Hall, Sebastian Moceri,Willie “Loco” Alexader, Renee Dupuis, AnnMarie Shimonanski, Joe Cardoza, Dennis Monagle, Joe Wilkins, Luke Conlin, Evie Gariepy, Ryan Alto, Joey Unis and other members of the the BF’s, John Newcomer, Marina Evans, Charlee Bianchi, Chelsea Berry, Chris Keating, Ken Cleveland, Julie Cleveland, Chris Langathianos, Jen Morrison, Derek, Dmus (Mark Mitchel), Ross The Boss, Paula Karahalis, Will Hunt, Janice Fullman, Soul Rebel Project, Jesse Ciaramataro of Qwill, Vinny Briguglio, Inge Berge, Soule Monde, Megan McKenzie, Frank Hawks, Ric Saint Germain, Ken Steiner, Brian King, Shane Bedez, Nelson Bragg (who plays for the Brian Wilson Band) Mari Martin, Rick Geraghty, Carlos Menezes Jr. and others from The Runaround and that’s not all. This list is from the top of my head and I hope I didn’t forget anyone.

So come sing, play, listen and/or dance if you feel so inclined. One thing for sure it’s always a good time.

Happy 100th Birthday- MAHIBA INA’S 100TH BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Hi Joey,

     I couldn’t write when I sent you the picture of Mahiba Ina on her 100th Birthday.  We had a fabulous weekend with the whole family there in West Palm Beach helping her celebrate for 3 whole days.  I thought you might be interested in seeing her family.

     I read GMG every day and love it.  Thanks for all you do.

                                 Irene Ina Shaker

MAHIBA INA FROM INA’S IN MAGNOLIA ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY WITH HER FAMILY

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Inside the church shown in my last post…

…it looks like this:

 

It’s St. Germain L’Auxerrois.  The one where there are Jelly Babies in a little park out front… Photographed during my vacation last fall.

Fr. Matthew Green

The Boulevard 1922 From Mary White via Fred Bodin

Fred writes-

This photo was emailed to me by Mary White of Gloucester.

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Western Avenue, Gloucester, 1922

Like us on Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/BodinHistoricPhoto

Who can come up with a present day photo from the same perspective with the same houses we can identify from the 1922 photo from Mary White.

Community Photos 1/21/13

Joey;

Was down on the Boulevard late this afternoon and caught this Wave…

I think it was showing off a bit… but it had style… don’t you think ?

Charlie C.

Wave


Raven Noise

Kind regards
Bob Bergeron

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Peace- Love- Tolerance- GMG MLK Day Recognition

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Beth Swan Comes through with yet another awesome GMG logo design.

Beth writes-

Today is MLK Jr Day. It is about love, forgiveness, tolerance, and diversity. There is this awesome thing happening where people are taking the challenge to do 100 Acts of Kindness between tomorrow and Valentines Day.  Perhaps we should all be doing this anyway, but I think it’s great and the more focus we can have on that – the better!

Lesson Plan
Living the Dream: 100 Acts of Kindness

Community Stuff 1/21/13

Comedy Night


Hi Joey,
Ed Kaznocha here. We’ve met at a few local events and chatted about Cape Ann’s Commuter sub-culture, which I’m no longer part of, ever since I retired (I was an Economist).  I have a new Veteran-owned Business, and hope you’ll spread the word via GMG about a talk by Dr. Valerie Miles, in Danvers this Thurs, Jan 24, (free to my guests) and a networking luncheon at the Gloucester House Restaurant on Feb 13th: invites attached. 
Thanks so much,
Ed Kaznocha, 978-283-5039
(Sgt. USAF, 1967-1971)

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USS Rockport – a Mystery From Bill Hubbard

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Bill Hubbard writes-

Joey,
Did you now that the Town of Rockport had a ship named for it in 1917?  But, her name was changed to USS Nantucket only 115 days later.  She was first the USS Ranger, later USS Rockport then USS Nantucket (PG-23/IX-18), was a gunboat of the United States Navy.
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A screw steamer with full-rig auxiliary sail, Ranger was destined for a very long 65-year career, serving first as a U.S. Navy gunboat from 1876 to 1920, and later as a training ship with the Merchant Marine Academy from 1920 to 1940.
After  completion of fitting out, Ranger was assigned to the Atlantic Station,  remaining at the Gosport  (Portsmouth) Navy Yard and Hampton Roads until 8 March 1877, when she was assigned to the Asiatic Fleet. Following a special fitting out for her new duty, Ranger left New York 21 May 1877, arriving Hong Kong 24 August 1877, via Gibraltar, Suez Canal, and Malacca Straits. The ship served on the Asiatic Station until the fall of 1879, protecting American interests and national policy in the Far East.
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Later, she was assigned to protect American seal fisheries in the Bering Sea. On 31 January 1894, she relieved Alliance in protecting American interests in Central America, where she remained until placed out of commission 26 November 1895, except for temporary duty in the Bering Sea in May 1894.
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Re-commissioned 1 November 1899, she was a survey ship for 2 years off Mexico and Baja California, then operated with USS Wisconsin (BB-9) off Central America, protecting American national interests. She was again decommissioned from 11 June 1903 to 30 March 1905 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.  She departed Puget Sound 16 April 1905 for the Asiatic Station, arriving Cavite 30 May. Due to recurring maintenance problems, she was decommissioned again at Cavite from 21 June 1905 to 10 August 1908. Departing Cavite 16 August, she arrived Boston 12 December via the Suez Canal, and was decommissioned immediately.
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On 26 April 1909, she was loaned to the State of Massachusetts as a school ship to replace Enterprise at the Massachusetts Nautical Training School. Her  name was changed to Rockport 30 October 1917 and then to Nantucket 20 February 1918. As Nantucket, she operated as a gunboat in the First Naval District during World War I, as well as a training ship for Navy midshipmen.  Designated PG-23 in 1920, Nantucket was re-designated IX-18 on 1 July 1921. On 11 November 1940, she was transferred to the Maritime Commission for final disposition, to be used as a school ship for the Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, N.Y. During the winter term of 1928 – 1929 the decision was made to paint the outside hull of the Nantucket black, instead of the usual white as in the past. Her four boilers were also updated.
On 30 November 1940, she was struck from the Navy list and was returned to the state of Massachusetts as a school ship.  Where is she today?  Why was she named Rockport for only 115 days?  I’ve been trying to figure that out for a year now.  Maybe one of your readers knows.
Bill Hubbard

Visit my artists website and Blog at: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/bill-hubbard.html

Noble Smith Has Some Nice Things To Say

Good Morning Gloucester:

Although a resident of Harpswell Maine, I am frequently in Gloucester where I consult with two organizations – The Schooner Adventure and the Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter,

Early on in these consulting associations well over a year ago, I asked whether there was any publication that covered the area so that I could gain more perspective of its people, what they did and how they conducted their lives.  The answer was Good Morning Gloucester.

For the past year plus and every day I read GMG which arrives on my computer at around 9:30pm.  If I fall to sleep ahead of the transmission, I always read it when I wake up in the middle of the night.

It is a great service to the community and I wish Harpswell would do the same.  When I am in Gloucester for meetings, the subject of GMG always arises and I think people are a little surprised that a Mainer is right on top of all the local news – thanks to GMG.

Sincerely,

Noble Smith

5 Questions With @Joey_C’s Favorite Twitter Peeps- Steve Saleeba

Starting out with Steve Saleeba- @TheSteveDuJour .  Steve is one of my favorite people on twitter for a couple of reasons.  He has a sarcastic edge but also tweets interesting breaking news tidbits.  IMO there’s nothing worse than when someone gets on twitter and then just hammers the shit out of their feed with advertisements for their company.  The best twitter users highlight the best of what they come across on the web and breaking news and have a sense of humor when they do it.  There’s not many more interesting than Steve.

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Five Questions-

What are your duties at WBZ?

I’m a web content producer for CBSBoston.com . I write news and features, I manage the site’s “Boston’s Best” section, I share responsibility for the site’s social media accounts, and I provide constant entertainment for my co-workers… whether they like it or not.

Why do you think you are follow worthy on Twitter?

Isn’t there supposed to be a hyphen in follow-worthy? What was the question again?

What types of tweets or twitter user drive you up a wall?

Any kind of politically partisan propaganda… It’s bad enough that I have to listen to Congress acting like a bunch of exaggerating children… Now I have to see a bunch of mindless lemmings regurgitate this crap to me on my Twitter feed? No thanks.  People need to find common ground. I love politics. I tweet about politics sometimes. But I try to keep it non-partisan. In other words – I blame them all.

Who are some of your favorite twitter users?

Pretty sure I’ll get in trouble if I don’t say @joey_c & @JMcElhenny.  So, them. (It’s like getting to play at Fenway Park and saying you aren’t a fan of the managers.) Aside from those guys, I follow beer fans, hockey (and other sports) fans, co-workers, newsies, music buffs, cycling advocates, comedians, employees at competing news outlets, PR people, you name it.   And to be honest, they’re all great… Tough to pick just a few.

Do you have a website you would like to promote?

Yes. 3, actually.

www.CBSBoston.com . I work there. I’d like to keep working there. Site visits = $.

If you want to read my blog, which I rarely update, it’s: http://stevesaleeba.wordpress.com/

www.goodmorninggloucester.com  Apparently they’re going to be running a new ‘Five Questions’ series on that site. I’m sure it’ll be awesome. It’s definitely worth checking out. 

Perkins Street Fire Help

Sefathia wrires-

Good afternoon friends Jackie Hardy and myself need some help we are looking for a space, for 3 days to collect clothes, household items etc for the Perkins Street Fire victims, no stairs please. Any suggestions or ideas? Also if you would like to help out lets us know. We update you once we secure a place Thank you Sefatia

GMG: A Powerhouse of Positivity for Gloucester

In response to the commenters yesterday who implied that by virtue of contributing to GMG, we contributors are somehow tainted: As only one member of the GMG team, I speak only for myself. My policy is no public recriminations and no judgements made toward my fellow contributors, to the people who make comments, nor to Joey. I wholeheartedly choose to be a part of the GMG team and only have the utmost respect for Joey’s community-minded spirit and all he does–tirelessly, day in and day out–to support his beloved Gloucester and all her facets, including the people, the non-profits, the businesses, the maritime industry, and the arts community.  THERE IS NO ONE WORKING HARDER to strengthen our community—who also asks for NOTHING IN RETURN.

Ed, Joey, John, Mayor Kirk.

There are literally tens of thousands of examples of how Joey has helped our community. If you have a spare moment, I invite you to write in the comment section on how GMG has helped you directly, or indirectly, whether business, non profit, musician, or artist. Your comment could be as simple as thanks for posting my flyer or a thank you for the more extensive coverage you may have received through a feature story, photos, and/or video.

Joey, Felicia, Sefatia, Pat

Last October I was at Eastern Point Lighthouse photographing and met a German couple. They were traveling through New England and had only two hours earlier stepped off the plane from Germany. Their mission—to see butterflies at Eastern Point because they had read about the Monarchs on several of the contributor’s posts on GMG. Imagine—From Germany to Boston to Gloucester, because of GMG. I think this bears repeating—from Germany to Boston to First Stop Gloucester—because of something they had read on GMG.

I wish detractors would recognize GMG for what it truly is: A Powerhouse of Positivity for Gloucester. GMG is a FREE PLATFORM for your photos, community events listings, business, writing, paintings, music events; the list goes on and on. GMG is Not a glossy magazine with a large staff and big budget. GMG is the readers, the commenters, and the contributors, but it is mainly one guy typing away in his funky office (often writing and posting in between off loading lobster boats), a very hard-working guy, with the all responsibilities of wife, kids, family, business, and friends.

I feel extraordinarily blessed to be a contributor and to be part of the GMG community. Through GMG I have met some of the biggest-hearted and most fun friends I could ever hope to know. Thank you Joey with all my heart.

Joey yoga