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Tag: Cape Ann
Manchester by the Shop – Nor’East Frameworks
Nor’East Frameworks was opened in October of 1995. Owner CF “Chuck” Haybeck offers ready made photo frames as well as custom made frames in all sizes and various shapes. He uses a variety of woods including such things as recycled wood from fishing boats in Thailand.
Of the unusual things he has framed there was a shadow box frame he made to contain the x-ray of a broken bone along with a custom bent titanium rod that was used to set the injury.
There are all sorts of stories with every custom frame. A man and his wife to be were in Italy where he proposed and they celebrated (she accepted…) the moment with a bottle of wine. The gentleman was able to buy another bottle and have it shipped home where he held it for their tenth anniversary. Chuck was asked to build a shadow box to hold the empty bottle. I think Chuck could write a book of such stories.
On the fine art side Chuck has framed a 1914 John Singer Sargent painting. In this category Chuck provides restoration or replacement of museum quality frames.
An artist as well, Chuck has a BA in Fine Arts from Boston University. As a result he looks at all projects with the eye of an artist, not just a framer. He says that a new or increasing problem for preserving artwork for the long term is protection from ultra violet rays from the sun. Special glass is needed to provide such protection, but Chuck now recommends UV protecting glass in more situations as a result of the increased use in homes of compact fluorescent lights. An unintended consequence of going green.
Chuck displays artistic items that are for sale like 3-4 color silk screens on paper with images from around Cape Ann, suitable for framing! Artists often display their work for sale on the walls of Nor’East Frameworks so its worth checking out Nor’East Frameworks if you need a frame, or not. Nor’East Frameworks is located across from the train station in Manchester at 40E Beach Street.
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Time to order your 2014 Cape Ann calendars! BY SHARON
Cape Ann calendars make a great gift for those who used to live here, someone in the service, or for friends who would love to live here someday! They can be mailed directly or you can pick them up at Present, 33 Main St here in Gloucester. Here’s where you can order: http://slowephoto.com/?p=6864
These calendars have become favorites for people all over the country! Year after year folks re-order for gift-giving or to keep for themselves. I love the notes I get from those who have received calendars during the holiday season.
The calendars make great holiday gifts for:
-Your kids’ teachers
-The dog groomer
-Your hairdresser
-Friends who have moved away
-An elderly person
-Mail delivery person
-Babysitter
-Your favorite waitress
-Party host(ess)
-Newspaper delivery person
-Your mother-in-law
Just about anybody! (Even your therapist!!)
This calendar comes in a unique cd-type case which flips into a stand for the monthly pages. 
Good Harbor Beach desk calendar:
And the 8.5 x11 Cape Ann wall calendar : 
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Manchester by the Shop – Central Street Gallery
11 Central Street
Located at 11 Central Street in Manchester, the Central Street Gallery is an artists cooperative. Gallery Director Alison Rowell says that they have about 14 members who each rent wall space in the gallery which starts off at a width of approximately 73″. The artists can hang as many paintings as are practical.
The focus of the gallery is a traditional Plein Aire style with the paintings set in gold frames. There are some deviations on the theme providing some different styles though the general style for paintings is still life and landscapes.
Each member of the Gallery agrees to rent space and also to paint 5-6 new paintings every two months which they deliver framed and ready for hanging. The Gallery presents six shows each year so the collection of paintings is changing every two months. To give each artist equal opportunity to the better display areas on the walls, every two months each artist rotates their space three wall spaces, guaranteeing each artist equal time in the front window.
Central Street Gallery is celebrating their fifth year at 11 Central Street and will be starting their next show with an opening night reception on December 7th. This show will focus on smaller works from the artists.
In addition to the Gallery there is a website (www.central street gallery.com) where more of each artist’s works are shown.
The artists are generally local with a number living in Manchester and Gloucester. Central Street Gallery is a great place to support local artists and is clearly a place to check out.
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Manchester by the Shop – Mimi
19 Central Street
The Man Cave on the left..
Mimi is an artist driven gift, jewelry and fine art store located at 19 Central Street in Manchester. It was started in Ipswich in the summer of 2007 with locations in Ipswich and a bit later Manchester. Having closed the Ipswich store about three years ago Manchester has become their flagship store.
Co-founders Mia Nehme and her daughter Claudia Bowman say that they search for gifts and fine art that are made or designed by artists, and they feature the work of several local painters and artisan gifts. In addition they carry glassware, silverware, scarfs, by several vendors including Ekelund, Simon Pearce, Le Jaquard Francais, Mariposa and more. Then there is an extensive selection of jewelry.
In the having something for everyone department, Mimi has gifts from $10.oo on up, Yankee Swap gifts to art work and gifts for very special occasions. For men they have created a “Man Cave” at the back of the store where they sell primarily shaving and smoking items.(Actually the “Cave” is a nice display case). They have a jewelry selection with pieces from various local artists. Aron Leaman of Gloucester, a artist who works in glass produced a number of glass globes with actual Singing Beach Sand inside. Mia highlights this to say that because they deal directly with many of the artists special orders even with design changes on some items can be requested.
From time to time Mimi holds special events in which their customers are invited to hear from, see and learn about particular vendors or artists work.
Mimi’s website is at http://www.mimigiftgallery.com, the store is at 19 Central Street just across the street from the Town Hall. Check them out!
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Manchester by the Shop – Surfari
26 Central Street
Christian del Rosario
As a start to a series highlighting local shops in Manchester, Christian del Rosario at Surfari agreed to be the first victim!
I have wondered for some time, how is it a surf shop can survive in New England, let alone Manchester by the Sea. What I have been learning is the incredible appeal of SUP or Stand Up Paddle boarding. As Christian says paddle boards have become the bicycles of water enthusiasts who can purchase racing models, cruising models and boards built for beginners. Manchester with it’s relatively flat waters, islands to visit and proximity to lakes has been perfect. The chances to exercise, explore hard to reach places, enjoy touring and for some explore yoga on a board and even fish are all around Manchester. Taken to the extreme there are organized races and SUP has even started to appear in rivers running rapids!
The surf market is also strong in the area and Christian says that the season is getting underway now. Storm waves that surfers pray for are stronger in the winter months and the season really extends from October to April.
Surfari sells surf boards, paddle boards, shoes, clothing, beach wear, water sport accessories, sunglasses and gifts. Many items are perfect as boating accessories as well. Boards can be rented and lessons can be scheduled. They have sun shirts (AKA “Rash guards” for those on boards), and other sun protection items. They also have cold weather equipment for those surfers braving the ocean at this time of year.
In addition to lessons and working with the Manchester Parks and Recreation department, Surfari provides programs for adults and children from May to October. Anyone, not just Manchester residents, can participate in these programs so there are many ways to learn and enjoy SUP boarding.
Christian, his wife Nicole and two daughters have returned to Christian’s home town of Manchester after 13 years away. He has specialized in surfing and paddle boards and most recently was in Nantucket where he sold boards and provided lessons. Opening a retail store in Manchester looked like a great opportunity to expand from selling boards to clothing, accessories and all the other items they now sell.
Surfari is located at 26 Central Street in Manchester. Their website is http://www.standuppaddlesurfari.com . Stop in and say “Hi” to Christian and Nicole.
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Inner Harbor of Manchester
Fall view of the inner harbor of Manchester by the Sea. Click the image for a larger view.
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Essex – A Front Rolls Through
About 3:45 on Friday, a front rolled through the area providing menacing clouds, incredible spots of sunlight and snow showers in the sky that melted before they hit the ground. Just incredible! Glad to live on Cape Ann and be able to see capture a few scenes like these. Click the images for larger view
Southern Avenue
Hog Island from Farnham’s
Conomo Road
View of Essex River from Conomo Road
View Across Essex River
View Down River towards Crane Beach and Wingarsheek
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Windows on Cape Ann – Can you place them?
Put guesses in a comment…
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Sun Sets on a Short Drive Home…
You can question my haphazard route, but it’s hard to question the picturesque nature of where we live. Amazing. Home to Manchester from Gloucester, via Magnolia.
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Found on the Hard Drive Plein Air Painting 2007
Found on the Hard Drive Plein Air Painting 2007
Randy from Florida put out a call on the message board “Wetcanvas” back in 2007 to find someone to paint with in New England. His Daughter was invited to take a class at Harvard so he would have some time on his hands to paint.
I invited him to Gloucester to go painting. We ended up at Loblolly Cove in Rockport. We had a good time painting the area. Randy painted some Houses on his right and I painted Straitsmouth Island when a red lobster boat came just in time to be part of my painting.
I sold my painting at EJ’s Gallery a couple of years ago.
I love painting outside but I try to find a place where there’s low people traffic. I’m a little shy when it comes to painting outside. We had a great day and the Rockport Police only charged me $25.00 to park. 🙂
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Cape Ann Before Contact, Sept. 19 Slide Presentation
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Cape Ann Lost Pets
Found this Facebook Group through a post that SeaPort Veterinary Hospital Shared on Facebook (they always share good stuff). It’s a Cape Ann Lost Pets group. You can join and share your lost and found animals on the page:
Follow this link to Join the Cape Ann Lost Pets group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/107454752616503/
Like SeaPort Vetinary Hospital on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SeaPort-Veterinary-Hospital/225768857452567?ref=stream
It’s nice to know there are resources out there in case you lose or find a lost pet!
~Alicia
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Summer Shots From Jay Smiledge (The Boulevard & Annisquam)
Hi GMG & Joey:
Here’s a few Summer shots from around town today 7-10-2013. (The Boulevard & Annisquam)
Jay Smiledge
Cape Ann Imagery
jay@capeannimagery.com
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Cape Ann Fishing Report From Captain Skip Montello 6/7/13
Fishing Report: 6-7-2013
The overall striper fishing was very good from last weekend through this week. Good numbers of stripers were available from Cape Ann to Plum Island and the Merrimack. The Cape Ann backwaters were chock full of very small schoolies, 7 to 11 inches in length and I landed about 20 in an hour at Little River on Wednesday late afternoon. I’m assuming that these stripers are from the 2011 year class and made the swim up from the Chesapeake spawning areas. Eric L. also found them there on Tuesday and as well landed a nice fluke on a fly. The Annisquam also fished well at the north end during the early part of the week with good numbers of keeper sized fish in the mix.
Another bright spot is the oceanside surf fishing is also picking up as Steve P. landed a nice fatty using a new Ocean Saltwater Lures Sandeel Plug;
Brian O’C did OK at the Essex backwaters. He also pointed out that tons of baitfish are beginning to drop back creating a food glut so the stripers are well fed and not so aggressive but will eat with angler persistence.
Up at Plum Island, Capt Al did well with his client Paul D landing quite few nice keeper fish and numerous schoolies last Sunday.
The cold front that moved through on Monday put the brakes on a bit on what had been a consistent striper bite as John C. and I found on Tuesday. We only managed half dozen schoolies before the N/W wind made for lousy flats drifts and nasty fly casting. I got out again on Thursday to scout the river mouth and flats and found lot’s of stripers but many had lock jaw as I had countless follows and refusals. I suspect that the tons of bait in the river and river mouth are keeping the stripers well fed and less likely to crash an artificial bait. Even the guys drifting live macks at the river mouth were not getting too many takes either. But all in all, I did manage a dozen schoolies on flies and one nice striper that couldn’t resist an MD Sandeel in shallow water.
I expect the heavy rain this weekend will most certainly negatively impact the Cape Ann backwaters and quite possibly lead to stained water out on the flats. May be best to fish the oceanside beaches.
For more info about booking a charter and Skip’s Fishing Guide Services-
http://www.northcoastangler.com/
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Music Around Town ♪♫♪ May 22-26, 2013
Click photo for music info
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View from the Fort
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Renate’s Red Fox Kit Photos from Several Years Ago
GMG Reader Renate writes: “I am writing to you today to tell you that I also noticed the absence of foxes in the past two years. We live out near Wingaersheek Beach and we used to see the foxes crossing the big meadow, that is used for parking in the summer and we even had a fox walk up our driveway, with a dead bunny in his mouth, to go behind our neighbors property, where she had young ones waiting for food, I am sure. I woke up a couple of nights ago to the screaming of coyotes (it is probably mating season), not a pleasant sound. A couple of years ago, we had a coyote leave her young ones behind our house to go hunting for food and I was able to take a couple of pictures. I am attaching one for you to see if these were in fact young coyotes. Some people think they are foxes, but I think they are too big in the legs. What do you think?”
Renate, I believe these are Red Fox kits. Thank you for sharing and sending the photos!
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Cape Ann Seasonal Openings Part II
This list used to be easy to make but Cape Ann is exploding with openings today. So turn this computer off, finish that cup of coffee and get off your butt and get out there. Because when you are putting up your Christmas wreath this fall you do not want to regret missing one day of the season. The outdoor, eat a fried clam and enjoy Cape Ann season.
Rockport Update: “BearskinNeck.net has this covered. Click Here for their facebook update. TopDog opens today. Helmuts Strudel is Open. Roy Moore is open. Lobster Pool next weekend. The Town Fathers officially did not roll the sidewalks up last night. Really. Click Bearskin to get the full list.
Below I stick my normal list but there are plenty more places opening this weekend. I could spend time adding names and links but I got a date with a fired clam and I don’t want to
Hot Tip: Cape Ann Whale Watch sets sail starting on Saturday April 13 at 10AM weather permitting. Tonight, after you drag your fired clam filled sunburned butt back to the couch click here and get tickets.
Saturday, March 30, Top Dog of Rockport opens.
Thursday, April 11, Lobsta Land Restaurant opens.
Thursday, April 11, Captain Carlo’s opens.
Friday April 12th, Dairy Train in Rockport opens.
Thursday, April 18 The Rudder opens.
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Don’t Be Shocked But That is a Wolf at Your Door.
Everyone knows that coyotes have moved onto Cape Ann and Cape Cod but did you know they are actually a new hybrid with the eastern wolf? The DNA typing of this new species is just in its infancy. Mostly using mitochondrial DNA to get a rough understanding but now that genomic sequencing is much cheaper a more detailed picture is forming. Some coyotes trapped have come up as 90% eastern wolf DNA! These hybrids, I’ll call them coywolf from now on, are bigger than coyotes. They are very sociable, live in family packs and can have a range of ten square miles. That is a decent chunk of Cape Ann. I would guess though if the food is plentiful they would hang in one region near their den.
Should you be fearful of these coywolves? You shouldn’t. In fact we should be happy they are here. They fill the niche that the wolf filled here for centuries and now she is back. They eat deer, mice, rabbits, all those small animals. The deer and mice are key. Lyme disease has a life cycle that explodes when deer and mice populations increase. Knocking down both of these populations will keep Lyme disease in check.
Yes, the coywolves will eat your cat but your cat should not be out there anyway. Feral and outdoor cats eat more than 3 billion birds in the US annually. You can’t blame them. They have been trained to do this since ancient egyptian times protecting granaries from vermin. They don’t even eat them just killing one bird after another. Keep your cat inside and let these coywolves keep the population of Lyme disease plagued vermin like deer and mice down to tolerable levels. They are a perfect fit for Cape Ann. They don’t like to eat birds. And if you find a dead coywolf I need just a very small blood sample to run a genetic haplotype test to see how much of a wolf she was. But please do not hunt them. They are doing us all a big favor. Imagine going for a hike in Dogtown and having no fear of being covered by disease ridden deer ticks. If you’ve had Lyme disease you should kiss a wolf on the lips for moving into your neighborhood. They might even take out a fishercat or two.
If the genetic testing of the coywolves on Cape Ann come up as over 80% wolf DNA we can drop the hybrid coywolf name. That is a wolf.
[3/26/13 edit] Lots of great comments on this article. For some local information on wolves go to Wolf Hollow in Ipswich:
http://www.wolfhollowipswich.org/
Good Morning Gloucester 