Quote of the Week from Greg Bover

Posted on by God's Morning

Let us turn our thoughts today
To Martin Luther King
And recognize that there are ties between us
All men and women
Living on the earth
Ties of hope and love
Sister and brotherhood
That we are bound together
In our desire to see the world become
A place in which our children
Can grow free and strong

James Taylor (1948- ) from Shed a Little Light (1993)

A native of Boston, Taylor grew up in North Carolina but returned to Massachusetts to attend Milton Academy. Plagued by depression, he committed himself to McLean Hospital for nine months, later moving to New York City where he fell into heroin addiction, but maintained a high profile music career, ultimately signing with Apple records and working closely with Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Clean and sober in 1969 when his first album was released, he married Carly Simon in 1972, and actress Kathryn Walker in 1985, and is now married to Kim Smedvig, publicist for the BSO. They have a home in the Berkshires. The five-time Grammy Award winner is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and holds honorary doctorates from Berklee and Williams Colleges.

Greg Bover

Gregory R. Bover

VP Operations, Project Manager

C. B. Fisk, Inc

978 283 1909

http://www.cbfisk.com

I may be an idiot but I’m not stupid!

Posted on by paultmorrison

While enjoying a Fisherman’s brew at Stone’s Pub this fall with Ed, he introduces me to Brian O’Connor aka brianmoc. Since I have seen way too many photos and mp3 movies of Brian reeling in very large striped bass while standing on a wet rock I mention that since I grew up in graniteless Woods Hole fishing I was finding it a challenge fishing from rocks at Andrews Point and I ask for advice. He told me I had to be an idiot if I fished those rocks without wearing a pair of corkers. I prefer not to be an idiot so I asked what a corker was. He spelled it out to me. Korkers with a K. So I asked Santa for a pair and I finally got to try them out even though I didn’t have a rod in my hand.

krokersBrian was right, I was an idiot. Fortunately, my idiocy was curable. These things are nothing short of awesome. Low tide I walked directly across multiple bands of dry and wet strips of grey, green, black, slimy, greasy rocks like I was Spiderman. I even tried out the icy rocks.  Not a problem.

Details: the ones pictured are strap on “Rocktrax Plus Korkers“. 28 carbide steel points in each foot. The boots are a pair I picked up at Olympia Sports (Gloucester Crossing) in a two for one sale they had and I think now they are going to be married to my korkers.

Warning: I feel invincible with these on but as you can see I do try to keep my stupidity from killing me so I take all the advice I can get. I know that these will help me from slipping on the axle grease that grows on the rocks around here but it will not protect me from getting  nailed by that rogue wave and getting tossed in the drink if I don’t pay attention. So even with these on, be careful out there. Brian’s exact advice was, “never turn your back on the water.”

Rubber Duck is not pictured since her korkers have not arrived.

GHS Girls Basketball vs Manchester-Essex (David B. Cox Photos)

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

2013JAN GHSGIRLS BB MAN ESSEX 006

Click on Slide Show for More Photos:

Thank you

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Thank you from all of us at GMG to the many people who took the time to write their comments on the post “GMG: A Powerhouse of Positivity for Gloucester.” This is what my Inbox that is connected to GMG looked like this morning!

Inbox

P&V’s LOL #10: Lasting change never comes until you defy authority

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Martin Luther King, Jr. arrested in Montgomery, AL on 4 Sep 1958

It’s obvious, really.  Authority is the machine that defends the status quo.  It’s like inertia — a body stays in motion or at rest until a force acts against it.  Defiance is that force.  When you look at people from all times and cultures who have brought us lasting change,  defiance is the one thread that runs through their words and deeds.

Let’s start with Jesus.  He was defiant at every turn.  When he said, “if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;” he was preaching defiance, not submission as some people think.  In Jesus’ culture you’d only strike someone with your right hand.  You’d punch or slap a peer, which would land on his left cheek.  But masters backhanded slaves, hitting their right cheeks.  It was an insult.  So by turning your cheek to present your left side, you are defying both the insult and the authority of the master, thereby treating him as your equal.  (For a more scholarly treatment of Jesus’ nonviolent defiance, click here.)

The founders of our country were defiant.  One quick read of the Declaration of Independence settles that matter.

Gandhi was defiant.  Using the “weapon” of non-violence, he simply refused to accept British rule.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was defiant, exalting the practice of non-violent civil disobedience to new heights in order to bring us the lasting change that paved the way for an African-American to be inaugurated for his second term into the highest office of authority anywhere, on the official national holiday celebrated in Dr. King’s name.

Last Friday, activists posted MKL’s I Have A Dream Speech on YouTube as an act of civil disobedience defying the copyright laws that make posting his speeches illegal.

Watch this video with your kids.  It’s not just a lesson in how to bring lasting change.  Dr. King is one of the greatest orators of all time.  His brilliantly written speeches are full of musical references, quotes from songs, poetry and metaphor — all woven into a moving piece of performance art.  Dr. King’s voice is lyrical and musical.   It’s like hearing a great song — as entertaining as it is profound.  Enjoy!

So what’s next . . .?

Discover Gloucester Update From Linn Parisi

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey!

I was touched by your post on giving up the car seat/booster seat. I remember that happening- really well- in our family and wishing that time could stand still. But the next thing I knew, we were teaching them to drive that same booster seat-less vehicle. It all goes by too fast!

Thnx for your comments about the ABA Marketplace I attended in Charlotte NC January 5-9. And, no, ABA isn’t the acronym for what you thought it was, lol…. I was at the American Bus Association trade show, meeting with apx. 60 pre-qualified tour operators from around the US & Canada who want to bring visitors here. Group travelers account for a big part of the visitation and income that Gloucester, Essex, Rockport and the North Shore enjoys. 30+ businesses in our community work with group travelers, and that does not include cruise ship travelers. We have a long way to go to become better group-friendly hosts, and we need to make it happen, because they’re coming!

LAsalesMissionTableMates13

On Thursday night I returned from a very successful 3 day trip to Los Angeles for a Japanese sales mission put together by the MA Office of Travel & Tourism, and Discover New England, an organization that promotes visitation to New England from Europe, South America & Asia. I was there to let the 40 tour operators from Japan know that our destination has the "New England experience" that their individual Japanese clients are looking for without having to drive to Maine. The new (hopefully bug-free) Boeing Dreamliner Tokyo/Boston non-stop daily flights and that there are so many Japanese students at Boston area colleges assure that there will be an increase in visitation to our area from not only Japan, but from other Asian countries. The majority of Japanese- and Europeans, for that matter- still buy their travel from travel agencies/tour operators because their countries require travel insurance. The US does not. I was the only attendee there from our region, which was great! Other attendees were form Maine, NH, RI, Conn., VT, Plymouth MA, Cape Cod MA and Boston.

What do the Japanese visitors want in their "New England experience"? They want to see & do what is popular for visitors in the region, and they want to pack it all in: Seafood- the more the better, especially lobster; to get out on the water to see lighthouses and the coastline; to see American architecture, historic homes & art/cultural museums; shopping; American breakfasts- and did I mention seafood, lol?

Bottom line selling points: We have what they want, and we’re close to Boston.

See the attached picture showing a few new Japanese friends at our luncheon table. The boxes in front of us contained two trays with small plates of sushi, sashimi, beef, tempura and other yummys. A soup and rice was served as well. Delish food, and wonderfully gracious people.

Now, to get working on all the followup from both events!

Lastly, all readers interested in Discover Gloucester’s volunteer effort to get more visitors to come here are invited to come to our Annual Meeting/Mug Up on Tuesday, January 22, 6:30PM, downstairs at CruisePort. Thanks to Sheree DeLorenzo for her generosity & hospitality for hosting us. Folks will learn how the money from our primary source of income- the Discover Gloucester Visitor Guide- was spent in 2012, and what we have planned for 2013 and beyond. This is still a grass-roots organization, in it’s 6th year of gettin’ it done, with measurable, successful results.

Thanks for your continued support, Joey, and for always shining a positive light on Gloucester!

Monday night open jam @ The Rhumb Line

Posted on by Joanne

mnoj

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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.

bandit kings

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.

Willie

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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!!!!!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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

Untitled

Inside the church shown in my last post…

Posted on by Matthew Green

…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

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Fred writes-

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

Boulevard1922wm

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

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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

Raven-noise

Peace- Love- Tolerance- GMG MLK Day Recognition

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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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

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

USS_Ranger_Rockport_Nantucket(1876)

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

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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.