Candidates who will be on the Gloucester preliminary ballot on 9/19/2023 in Gloucester are:
Candidates for Mayor: Tracy J. O’Neil, Mary Ellen Rose, Francisco A. Sclafani, and incumbent Gregory P. Verga.
Candidates for City Council Ward 2: Dylan C. Benson, Daniel J. Epstein, Barrett S. Pett, and Donald W. Tgettis.
Candidates for City Council Ward 3: Marjorie J. Grace, Jason Michael Hakes, and Joseph R. Orlando.
The League of Women Voters of Cape Ann is scheduling individual interviews with preliminary candidates to be covered by local media including Studio 1623 and The Gloucester Daily Times. Voters are invited to send questions or topics for consideration. Send or call to 508-284-2418 or mail to LWVCA PO Box 244, Rockport MA 01966 by 9/2/2023. If you sign your name, we can acknowledge your contribution.
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Back in February 2023 when we were all told our 25 year old son Greer Viau would need a kidney transplant my immediate response to his medical team was “I’m his mother, take my kidney right now, operate NOW”. The response was “It doesn’t work that way”. We were told he was on a health journey for the rest of his life and that the HOPE would be with Greer being so young, to receive a living kidney donor as living kidneys can last considerably longer, perhaps 20-30 years before he would need another transplant. In addition the wait for a deceased kidney can be 7-10+ years. It was all shocking and mind blowing for all of us. We were guided by Brigham and Women’s Transplant Program which participates in the National Kidney Registry. I was guided how to create Greer’s microsite page that would share Greer’s story/condition and how to help. It was up to us as a family to promote that Donorship awareness to encourage individuals to come forward on Greers page to see if they would/could be medically be evaluated to donate. Potential donors can live anywhere. You can test in your own state. Everyone can live with one kidney. My husband was eliminated for evaluation due to diabetes. They do not want our other son at this time because they have no idea why Greer developed this condition and due to their genetic connection, they cannot say our younger son Dylan couldn’t also develop this so they want to watch him. Hopefully he stays healthy and he could be Greers next donor 20 or so years from now. I myself immediately began the evaluation totally expecting to be Greers donor. After all, of course, I’m his mother. Two months into my evaluation I was eliminated. It was devastating….just a gut wrenching day when I received the news.
I receive a dashboard weekly showing how many to date have started the evaluation process. Over 4000 people have visited his site. Approximately 60 individuals to date have gone into the registration process. It can take 2-4 months for a person to be evaluated. It is a process beginning with a medical questionnaire all applicants start with. I have been told more than three quarters of that 60 have been eliminated for many various reasons since this all began. I am told some are still in the que being “worked up” for eval. So far no one is a match nor have we been told anyone has banked a kidney in his name.
The hope is a direct match. If no one is a direct match yet still has a healthy & viable kidney to donate, they can donate “in Greers name” and someone’s life will be saved and then the registry will in fact find Greer a kidney. Essentially it is banking a kidney, that voucher will allow Greer to then receive one. Typically this happens within a couple of months.
Donor testing takes place on their time frame when a person is available for the various tests. There is nothing invasive in this evaluation. Expenses are through Greers insurance. With each portion of evaluation, applicants will be notified if they are eligible to move forward. Applicants will also be contacted by a Donor Mentor who also was a donor to answer questions and be of support.
A Donor will have a short hospital stay, upon release, rest, no lifting over 20 pounds for several weeks. No Nsaids are allowed again after surgery. Many return to work very soon after. The donor mentor will provide much insight to that. The great thing is YOU HAVE SHARED YOUR SPARE & SAVED A LIFE. Greer is currently on 13 hours of Peritoneal Home Dialysis every single night. Please consider our 25 year old son Greer Viau. His card is pictured in this post also you can go to www.nkr.org/ATE793 PLEASE SHARE his info.
While we wait & hope for a living kidney donor. In the meantime, Greer would love to work contract work part time @ 20-25 hours a week. He has a degree in Computer Science with a concentration in A.I. and a minor in Math. He has a YouTube channel under his name with some videos of independent work he’s done. For his senior project in college he designed his own self driving car. His job prior to this was with a robotics group that worked on drone systems that surveyed land areas for percable water/agricultural systems and so forth. If anyone needs or know anyone who could use his creative talents, please message me/email. hwsdance@gmail.com
Thank you
The Viau Family
Could you be the HOPE to Save a Life
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They are literally the perfect layering piece of apparel for any gender.
Great for summer evenings or layered in the fall, winter or spring. Also the best for going out to dinner when you know there’s going to be air conditioning and you go from being warm to freezing and uncomfortable.
LAYERING SEASON!!!!
We are coming up to that time of year where you wake up in the morning, head out and it’s chilly, then the middle of the day is hot and then the evening you freeze. You put this over a white t shirt or polo and you’re ready for any temperature swings. You can wear them with jeans, with shorts, just all around the perfect versatile piece.
While we were at the Yankee Clipper Inn having a drink on Sunday, we watched this beauty make its way into the Rockport Harbor and anchor. I found Columbia listed on the Marine Traffic app and have been told its on a charter. We drove around the harbor to catch this gorgeous schooner from a couple of different angles. We hope to see her for a bit in Gloucester Harbor soon for the Schooner Festival.
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When Rabbit @brianpitcher and I visited Gloucester UK to visit @adventureman a week before the covid shutdowns we were lucky enough spend time with @alan_myatt @ice_mindset @cnyland and Jamie’s dad Don. @alan_myatt is a Guinness World Record holing Town Crier who has been at it over 30 years. Alan made a special proclamation for us in honor of @gloucester400. Thanks Alan!!
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August 19 – September 3, 2023 Reception: Sunday, September 3, 1-4 PM
North Shore Arts Association, 11 Pirate’s Lane, Gloucester, MA 01930
North Shore Arts Association’s much-anticipated, long-awaited annual Silent Auction is finally here! Starting August 19, the public can bid on over 70 different artworks, starting at $150 with a minimum increment of $25. This is a wonderful opportunity to purchase world-class artwork at an affordable price.
We will have a Champagne & Strawberries closing reception on Sunday, September 3rd, from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Bidding will close at 4:00 PM. Come enjoy light fare and beverages and get your final bid in!
All are welcome! North Shore Arts Association is located at 11 Pirate’s Lane, Gloucester, MA 01930. For more information about events please call (978) 283-1857 or email arts@nsarts.org. Visiting hours are Monday – Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM, Sundays 12 – 4 PM.
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I am writing once again looking for help to spread the word. The Gloucester Luminaries & Love display (13th Annual Gloucester Overdose vigil) is Monday August 28th from 6:30-8:30pm. This event is truly a labor of LOVE in helping us remember those we have lost to substance use & supporting the community members they left behind.
In the last three years we have included a canned food drive to help weigh down the bags for display & then we donate to the Open Door. In 2022 we collected 1100 lbs of food. Collection boxes are at Cape Ann Lanes & Cape Ann YMCA. There is also an AMAZON link
As you know it’s a peaceful night. Our goal is to just “hold space” for people to come & be with others who know and understand. Feel free to bring a chair & linger.
Thank you for consider posting. Let me know if I can answer any questions! Fliers attached photo credit of luminaries goes to Isaac J Aiello photography.
Thank you.
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Did you know the Yankee Clipper Inn has bar service on the summer weekends? We stopped by yesterday to check it out. It’s a very lovely setting with grounds to explore outside and intriguing history inside. Paolo graciously served our drinks and delivered our shrimp ceviche to our outdoor patio seating. Paolo recommended the ceviche and did not lead us wrong. I had the frozen strawberry daquiri which was delightfully full of strawberry flavor! The bar is open Fri-Sat-Sun and you can get more info on their Facebook page link here. BUT these are currently only summer hours and is scheduled to end in just a few weeks, so you should get yourself there ASAP. Very relaxing and a perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon.
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Good Morning Gloucester 