Lasers Will Stop a USCG Search in its Tracks

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

I came across this tonight at the Coast Guard website and was wondering if you would share: Lasers Halt Coast Guard Searches

Apparently  the USCG is looking for help to get the word out about not aiming lasers at their aircraft.  It may sound like a cool idea to hit a low flying helicopter with your laser pointer, but lasers can blind a pilot and crew long enough to end up in a catastrophe.  The Coast Guard has seen a huge increase in laser activity directed at their craft and have instituted a policy where a mission will be terminated and crew grounded immediately should a laser be visible in the aircraft cockpit.  The crew is grounded until they are seen by a physician and cleared to fly a craft again.

The policy is great for the crew of the craft, but if you’re floating around in the Atlantic in the middle of the night and the rescue crew that’s coming to get you is grounded… You wait.  

Thanks,

~Bill OConnor   
North Shore Kid

USCG_Helicopter

Community Photos 8/18/12

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Thursday, August 16th

Dear Joey,

Here are six photos I took aboard Ardelle during Monday night’s Schooner Race against Thomas Lannon.  (I’ll send them in two separate emails, because they’re large.)   You might want to feature one or two on a slow day.

It was a beautiful, warm evening, and the crew was most welcoming; they do Gloucester proud, and the sail was worth every penny. 

I love GMG site!          

                                                           Best Regards,

                                                           Leslie DeVaney    

Linda Colman and handsome Ed Collard at Captain Joe and Sons

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Community Stuff 8/18/12

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

GLOUCESTER EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $58,531
IN FUNDING FOR GLOUCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Gloucester Education Foundation (GEF) has awarded funding totaling $58,531 to the Gloucester Public School District for an array of programs for  students in the city’s elementary, middle and high schools.
    In announcing the grants, GEF President Maggie Rosa said, “We are proud to award this funding to the Gloucester Public Schools.  It will support important activities that enrich the school day for students and help deepen their love of learning.”
    GEF funding is underwriting stipends for faculty advisors of a number of GPSD activities, including the district-wide Docksiders band,  student council, community service, National Honor Society and others; a series of elementary school field trips held throughout the year; elementary and middle school instrumental music; elementary school ballroom dance; and an array of after-school programs at the O’Maley Middle School. 
    “The support that the Gloucester Education Foundation has provided for the children of Gloucester is invaluable,” said Dr. Richard Safier, Superintendent of the Gloucester Public School District.  “The number and the quality of programs they support in literacy, science, and the arts among other things ensures that we are educating ‘the whole child’.  In the future, we will be working to strengthen our collaboration on behalf of the students of Gloucester even more.”….
        GEF is a non-profit organization dedicated to making Gloucester one of the five best school districts in Massachusetts. Since its founding in 2005 GEF has raised more than $2 million to sponsor innovative programs as well as sustain programs that would be otherwise in danger of being curtailed or eliminated in the Gloucester Public School District Schools.  Currently, GEF provides approximately $200,000 in funding each year to support programs in the District.  For more information go to www.thinkthebest.org .

Ethical Electronics Recycling EventTM to benefit Greenbelt

August 25 & 26, 9am-noon

Recycle your used electronics, help conserve local land, AND get free ice cream!

Dear Friends,

It’s time to clean out the basement, attic and garage. Greenbelt and Ethical Electronics RecyclingTM
invite you to participate in a local e-waste recycling event:

WHEN: Saturday & Sunday, August 25 & August 26, 2012, 9 a.m. to 12 Noon, RAIN OR SHINE!

WHERE: Captain Dusty’s Ice Cream, 121 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA 01929

PLEASE DO BRING: Almost anything with a battery or a plug. Click here for a detailed list

PLEASE DON’T BRING: Hazardous materials of any kind.

RECYCLING FEE:  $1.00 per pound, payable by cash or check. (Discounts for air conditioners, microwaves, and marine electronics).

FREE ICE CREAM: Free small Captain Dusty’s ice cream (cup or cone) for everyone who recycles 40 or more pounds of materials.

NET PROCEEDS: Support Greenbelt’s efforts to conserve the farmland, wildlife habitat and scenic landscapes of Essex County.

QUESTIONS? Schedule conflict? Items too big to fit in your vehicle? Need something picked up? Contact Christopher at 617-233-4120, or, onehealthyocean@gmail.com.

NOTES: This event is a production of Ethical Electronics RecyclingTM and exceeds the requirements of the Electronic Waste Code of EthicsTM–the highest set of electronics lifecycle standards on the planet. Nothing will be tipped into landfills, incinerated as solid waste, or dumped in the developing world.

Thanks so much for your support.

Blood pressure screening

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Sista Felicia, The Mrs, BJ and Amanda Showcase Waterfront Festival Wares

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Look for their tent at The Gloucester Waterfront Festival Saturday and Sunday and get your photo taken for the live blog we’ll be running all weekend long!

Click pic below for the video-

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We will be Live blogging from the GMG tent at The Waterfront Festival so be sure to stop by to get your mug shot taken to be featured on these pages!

Sista Felicia and The Mrs set up tonight here’s their space booth 88 behind the Chamber’s tent and in the first row!  T Shirts and Iced Tea in those killer mason jars with the crazy straws!  Get yours!

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Also don’t forget that Saturday night your shopping doesn’t stop with the waterfront festival.  Head down to The Downtown Gloucester Block Party to shop and dine Al Fresco.

Family Fun Throughout The Weekend In G-Town Baby!

9am to 6pm each day

Meet the Artisans at the Gloucester Waterfront Festival …

Sponsored by the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce

Where to Park?
Free parking along Stacy Boulevard or at the High School.
However, please note that there is small fee to park across the street at Beach Parking.

Directions … Stage Fort Park, Hough Ave, Gloucester, MA
Easy to find … From Route 128 North, take Exit 14, follow to end.
Weather … Held Rain or Shine! …and it’s gonna Shine!
Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce … Area info dining, shopping…

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Donna Ardizzoni photo

Click for the slideshow below-

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Featured TOP 20 SUMMER EVENT in Yankee Magazine!

Gloucester Image

Historic Stage Fort Park along Gloucester Harbor will come alive with color, flavor and music for the

32nd Annual

Gloucester

Waterfront Festival

Saturday, August 18 & Sunday, August 19

9am to 6pm daily

Over 175 Juried Artists and Craftsmen from throughout the U.S. will display their unique American made creations, craft demonstrations, live musical entertainment, children’s activities plus delicious ethnic foods.
A pancake breakfast, famous Gloucester Lobster and a huge assortment of Antique Cars complete this picture perfect Seaport event!

Are you ready for this?…. this is a big one folks!

Come on out and meet the Artisans … Exhibits include Fine Jewelry, Original Watercolors, Pottery, Quilts, Silk & Dried Floral Arrangements, Wildlife Art, Dolls, Doll Clothes and Accessories, Custom Signs, Plush, Acrylic Sculpture, Tile,

Wire Mesh Buffalo by

Peter Robinson Smith

Pressed Flowers, Painted Antiques, Photography, Candles, Metal Sculpture, Intarsia, Carved Birds, Maps, Fiber Arts, Tapestry, Stained Glass, Vintage Chic, Scroll Work, Wood Burning, Slate, Scarves, Nautical Crafts, Aromatherapy, Pewter, Soaps, Wearable ArtFrances Henderson, Oil Paintings, Blown Glass, Ornaments,

Tide Clocks, Stone, Fleece, Calligraphy, Pet Gifts, Fragrance, Primitive and Folk Art, Mosaics, Wire Mesh, Stone, Candles, Stained Glass, Turned Wood, Basketry, Leather, Glass Chimes, “Sports” wear, Felting, Handbags, Walking Sticks, Accessories, Flags, Burl Wood, PVC Birds & more.

Come and sample gourmet delights such as Herbal Dips, Jams & Jellies, Honey, Nuts, Home-made Fudge and Candies, Oils, Vinegars, Maple, Pickles, Fruit Sauces, Wine Slushies, Cupcakes, Hot Sauces and more.

Ginger Sargent Westminster Whimsy Hebert Honey

Bring your appetite … Food Vendors include traditional American Fare and Lobster Rolls, plus Fried Dough with all the fixins, Fabulous Kettle Corn, Gourmet Lemonade, Brick Oven Pizza, Trolley Dogs and Fresh Healthy Paninis, Guzpacho, Soups, Crab Cakes and Cup Cakes!

Live craft demonstrations include Basketry, Decorative Painting, Fiber Art, Red Work Sewing, Pottery, Tile Making, Leather Embossing & Acrylic Sculptures.

The Rotary Club starts us off Saturday morning with their fabulous Pancake Breakfast! From 7:30am to 10am

Lobster Bake

North Shore Old Car Club will display over 75 Antique or Vintage Autos on Sunday ….

The Gloucester Waterfront Festival runs from 9am to 6pm each day.

Handicap Accessible and friendly pets are welcome, on a leash. Sophia Puppy

Directions: From Route 128 North take Exit 14.


Location: Stage Fort Park, Hough Ave Gloucester

Admission is FREE! Rain or Shine.

Free parking along Stacy Boulevard or at the High School. However, please note that there is fee to park across the street at Beach Parking.

Stick around and visit the Downtown Gloucester Block Party
on Saturday night from 6pm til 10:30pm

Bound For Gloucester. Can You Name The Location?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

WHERE?

Joey  …. Schooners will be arriving for the Festival in less than two weeks.  For some it will be a trek, but getting here can be half the fun.  Sometimes.  Depending on the breeze. 

GREEN DRAGON is a ‘local’ boat but we are not always local.   Here we were bound for the Festival.  WHERE is this? 

From Al Bezanson

Where

Chickity Check It! Dogtown Philosophy

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

NTNW

A new shop on Bearskin Neck is looking to promote the work of Roger Babson and the Babson Boulders located in Dogtown Commons. For those who don’t know, the 24 sayings that were carved into boulders in Dogtown during the Great Depression were Babson’s philosophy of what needed to be done to get out of the depression. With sayings such as Get a Job, Use Your Head, Never Try, Never Win, the sayings are both inspirational and sarcastic. Dogtown Philosophy is trying to get back to the basics, saying that the problems that caused the Great Depression are the same ones that put us in the recession we are in today. You can check out there store located at 64 Bearskin Neck or at www.dogtownphilosophy.com.

Big weekend starts NOW ~ Get ready to DANCE, PARTY, SHOP & WIN with this Classic, Camera-Swinging Video!

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

It all starts tonight with live music at 14 venues.  See the full schedule here.  Don’t worry about sleep (“I’ll sleep when I’m dead” – who said that?  Leave a comment if you know).  Get up tomorrow (Saturday) morning and go to the Rotary Pancake Breakfast — best deal in town and for a good cause.  To get you in the right spirit, I thought it would be fun to reprise Ed Collard’s classic, camera-swinging coverage from 2010 (pants, shoes, turf & all).

Once you’re full of pancakes, walk down to the Waterfront Festival (click the STOP button on the video camera before you start walking — unlike Ed).

Be sure to stop by the GMG booth where you can enter to Win 2 free tickets to ORLEANS at North Shore Music Theatre PLUS 2 Killer GMG Mason Jars of Iced Tea.

Head right from the Waterfront festival to the Block Party for an evening of al fresco dining, dancing, shopping, music, kids’ games & prizes, street performers, life-sized street chess, robot squirt gun fights & more.

Then take the Block Party inside @ 8 local clubs until the wee hours.  Check the complete live music listings for Saturday here.  You’re guaranteed to find something you like — even if you don’t like to party.

BREAKING NEWS FOR KIDS (big & little) ~ New Wacky Acts @ tomorrow’s Block Party

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

This just in from Block Party Artistic Director, Val Markely:

Tell the little and the big kids too – these whacky acts just signed on for Saturday’s Block Party!

Don’t Miss At Kids’ Town & thru the Street!
East Cackalacky :-musical saw, washtub bass, guitar, and “a threat of accordion.”
Peddler’s Fortune for kids (and grownups!) – audience-participation -prizes, fortunes, jokes, and face-painted mustaches to the brave.
Crudbot, a dancing musical robot that gets into water gun fun duels with audience members!

Want to help?
Contact: lseigel1@gmail.com to Volunteer!

 

A Morning Walk

Posted on by God's Morning

This is one of those walks where I cover alot of territory but don’t get lost.  And I always love stopping in at the dock to see “The Boss”.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

 

Painted Lady

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Painted Lady–never a more aptly named butterfly! Although ubiquitous, the sheer number of Painted Ladies found in gardens this summer is simply astonishing.

Painted Lady (Dorsal)

This morning in our postage-stamp-of-a-lot, there were quite possibly over one hundred newly emerged Painted Ladies nectaring from the Joe-pye, Baby Joe, zinnias, butterfly bushes, phlox, and Rudbeckia.

 

How many people went to the last Block Party?

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

TONS!  As you can see by this photo of a small section of Main St.  The whole street was this packed.

Small section of Main St @ Downtown Gloucester Block Party July 21, 2012

These block parties just keep getting bigger … and bigger … and bigger.  More music, more dancing, more dining, more kid shows … you get the picture.

If you were there in July, you know what we’re talking about.   If not, come down tomorrow and you’ll see what we mean.

And speaking of Kid activities: Just look at this photo to the right.  Kids with painted faces, balloons in hand playing chess after dark in the middle of the street!  How cool is that?  Only in Glosta!

Be sure to visit Kid Town run by YMCA Kid & Teen Guru, Rick Doucette, who also makes all the balloon animals.

See complete the Block Party Schedule and more info here.

Salem Jazz and Soul Festival ~ This Sunday at 11:15am at the Salem Willows the North Shore Jazz Project

Posted on by Joanne

http://northshorejazzproject.org/

Salem Jazz and Soul Festival

This Sunday at 11:15am  at the Salem Willows the North Shore Jazz Project  

 
All Stars are performing under the direction of Mike Tucker.
 
Here is a video from last year’s performance. 
 
 
The Willows is a fun place for family’s  to come out and listen 
 
to these talented young musicians. Bring a picnic and enjoy the music.
 
Thanks.  
 
Henry

St. Ann School Open House next week

Posted on by Matthew Green

Current and Prospective Families are cordially invited to join us for an upcoming Open House Event:

All Grades, PK – 8
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
6:00 – 7:30 pm

Preschool Only
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
9:00 – 10:30 am

St. Ann School provides an academically rigorous,
faith-based curriculum with a full range of exploratory
subjects and extra-curricular activities
for students in Grades PK – 8.

For more information, please contact:

St. Ann School of Cape Ann
60 Prospect Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
978-283-3455 www.stannsschool.com

St. Ann School of Cape Ann – Where Faith and Education Meet

Safety at Harbor Loop last night

Posted on by Sharon

Guy Fiero and the band “Safety” takes the crowd back to the 80’s…

and 3 year old Madison Lord loves it!

Kids Are Having Way Too Much Fun At The MAC

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 

Marcy Plante forwards-

  Joey!! What fun our campers had last week at FIRE FOAM DAY. The
Manchester Fire Department loaded us up with foam and off we went. Sliding
down the hill, playing in the foam, by far my favorite day at Summer Camp.
There is still time to enjoy the fun. Call Manchester Athletic Club
978-526-8900!! Happy Summer!         

Community Photos 8/17/12

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The "Highlander Sea" an historic Essex built schooner now at the Gloucester Marine Railways from Len Burgess

Get ye over to the Gloucester Railways and see this Starling Burgess beautifully designed gaff-rigged topsail schooner that was built in 1924 in Essex, Massachusetts by J.F. James and Sons. She was designed in the typical Grand Banks tradition with a spoon bow, round bilge and full keel. Originally christened PILOT, she served 47 years as a Boston pilot ship. For a period of that time she served along side the pilot ship ROSEWAY.

In the 1970’s she was purchased to circumnavigate the globe. She got as far as Fiji and in 1976 was sold. Her next owner renamed her STAR PILOT and obtained a US Coast Guard certification to serve as a school ship. She passed ownership again in 1998. Then soon after sailed from San Diego, California, to Nova Scotia. In Nova Scotia she had a major refit and was used as a training ship for young seafarers. At that time her name was changed to HIGHLANDER SEA. In 2002 the vessel was purchased by her current owners. In 2004 she had a major refit. The HIGHLANDER SEA now serves as the community tall ship for Port Huron, Michigan.

Length 121’9"; Beam 25′;  Draft 13’10";  Rig height: 131 feet; Sparred length: 154 feet; Sail area: 9,728 sq feet; Power: Twin Detroit diesel 8V-92, 350 HP each; Built in Essex, MA in 1924; Major refit in 2004; Builder J.F. James & Son; Now for sale at $2,000,000.

–Len Burgess

Schooner Adventure Gets A New Prop

Photos from Bruce Slifer

IMG_3242IMG_3246

Tide Skipper From Ruth Curtis

Hi there Joey, I just love this boat in the Smith Cove and took the liberty of taking out the other boats ..

Tide Skipper websig

Ruth Curtis

ruthcurtis@mac.com

www.ruthcurtisphotography.com