I had a lovely encounter early this morning with a pretty doe. Isn’t she beautiful? Ā It was around 5:30 am and still a bit dark under the trees. We checked each other out for at least five minutes, me filming away and she nibbling on greens, before she somewhat nonchalantly headed into the woods. The deer appeared on the young side, with her knobby knees and keen curiosity. Please, any deer experts reading this post, do you think she is an adult deer or a teenager? How can you tell? Thank you!
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Please join the Gloucester Clean City Commission, Councilors Melissa Cox and Sean Nolan, and Seaside Sustainability, Inc. in supporting aĀ banĀ in GloucesterĀ on allĀ singleĀ use plastic bags and polystyrene (Styrofoam) containersĀ like coffee cups and takeout food containers.
We believe this initiative is important in maintaining theĀ beauty of our city and the health of our ocean and land. Given the availability of biodegradable and reusable alternatives and the economic benefits of the proposed ban, we anticipate support from Gloucesterās residents and businesses.
This proposed ban is similar to those already passed in dozens of cities and towns in Massachusetts (and counting) including our neighbors Ipswich, Manchester, Marblehead, and Newburyport. Cities and towns (and entire states ā Hawaii) along the coast line of our country have been particularly vigilant in creating this ban.Ā Just between 2015 and 2016, bills similarĀ to ours were proposedĀ in 23 states regarding the regulation ofĀ single use plastic bags and/or polystyrene.Ā In a recent investigation of Gloucester Harbor using an ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle), observers reported an abundant amount of plastic bags and Styrofoam cups on the ocean floor.
There are economic and feasible alternatives to these products that all businesses, large and small can stand behind and support!
This petition will be delivered to:
City of Gloucester, MA Mayor’s Office
Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken
City of Gloucester, Office
Councilor Sean Nolan
City of Gloucester, Councilwoman
Councilor Melissa Cox
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Phil Curcuru shares that a new and improved boardwalk is being installed this week at Good Harbor Beach at the #2 location, directly in front of the snack bar. The boardwalk will be wide enough to be handicap accessible.
Thank you Phil and Mike, and thank you to the GloucesterĀ DPW for the tremendous job they do maintaining Good Harbor, and all of Gloucester’s public beaches, throughout the year.
A Ā very huge thanks going out to all of the hard-working folks at GenerousGardeners.org for helping add some amazing beauty to our little island. Keep up the great work!
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Another Gloucester Licensing Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday May 9, 6PM at the City Hall Annex on Pond Road.Ā Once issued, will it be flipped or will it be held?
Here are some scenes from last week’s liquor license meeting at City Hall.Ā Setting local caps on liquor licenses is outlined hereĀ Massachusetts laws.Ā ThoseĀ in favor of caps feel the policy lawsĀ help residents weigh in on whether additional local licenses are desirable, and prevents favoring new business at the expense of established businesses including some that spent tens of thousands on permits. Those against it maintain that it’s arcane, random and a hindrance to economic development. There are year round and seasonal licenses issued. For example, Gloucester Cinema & Stage, the Cave and Topside Grill have seasonal liquor ones. It’s a rarity here. Holyoke added 13 additional licenses in 2015. This interactive Google map of MA liquorĀ licenses dates from that time. You can use Ā +- Ā keys on the map to zoom in to Gloucester as in screenshot below.
Brian Hamilton’s thoughtful input at the Licensing board meeting last week:
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On a grey and wet day a great celebration and opening of the Tulip Festival on the boulevard with a blast of color. Accolades to all involved with this project!!! It was a fun time and congratulations to the winners of the tulip prizes.
A big thank you to all the hard work done by the Generous Gardeners and everyone else who made these beautiful gardens for us to enjoyā¦.and tons of fun to photograph.. The Festival is Saturday morning starting at10 AM.
Learn about the life history, decline of,Ā current status, and how theĀ use of GMO Roundup Ready cropsĀ are killingĀ MonarchsĀ and pollinators.Ā Learn howĀ you can help the Monarchs breed in Massachusetts during the summer months and on their annual migration to Mexico in the fall. Lecture and slide presentation at the Salem Garden Club. For more information, emailĀ kimsmithdesigns@hotmail.com
Female Monarch depositing egg on Milkweed foliage and buds.
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I have lovedĀ this past month’s atmospheric and textured, mistyĀ April weather. Do you recall an April as foggy? I don’t. Whenever out and about and aĀ spare moment was mine,Ā I grabbed my camera and had a go at capturing beautiful fog-shroudedĀ Cape Ann.
Piping Plover
Trying out the new teleconverter–note the little tiny figure fishing on the breakwater in the photo on the left, which wasĀ shot at 18mm, and then with the 400mm lens plus tele.
Same focal lengthsĀ with Ten Pound Island.
And then theĀ sun came out.
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Mike Perrine and his team are on the job, systematically dismantling the collapsed North Atlantic Fish/Channel Fish building. According to Mike, the use of a barge and crane were considered but just the movement alone of the barge would have guaranteed even further damage to the wharf. Considerable expense is saved by manually removing the building. As Mikeās team is pulling the building down, the debris is being loaded onto a trailer on site.
The work area is fenced off and Mike warns that people not try to sneak on site. This is a very dangerous work zone. The dismantlingĀ can easily be viewed from I4-C2 and from the Cape Ann Brew Pub.
Michael Perrine
Mike and his son ZacK.
The two mastiffsĀ are Mike’s and they are named Beauty and BeastĀ šĀ I didn’t catch ZacK’s dog’s names. Dog friendlies may recognize Mike and ZacK as they generously installedĀ the waterlines for Gloucester’s dog park.
Booming off the water on Friday evening to insure debris does not contaminate the Harbor.
Pietro Cannavo writes, “As you may already know that a friend and a member of our community passed away unexpectedly. We are trying to raise money for his family to help pay for expenses. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. Please find it in your hearts to help in anyway. Thank you. We miss you Joel.”
Last September we wrote about the rare undulatus asperatusĀ clouds over Gloucester Harbor. According to WBZ-TV chief meterologist Eric Fisher, they were recognized by the Wold Meteorological Organization in MarchĀ as an officialĀ cloud formation. The clouds could be seen over Boston the past few days. YouĀ can see a photos of the wavy formations here: Ā Good Morning Gloucester Undulatus Asperitus.
Undulatus asperatus clouds over Gloucester Harbor from Rocky Neck Railways
CongratulationsĀ to Deo and Paula Braga, and their son Dominick, for the grand opening of the Braga’sĀ newest venture, the restaurant Italiano. Today’s joyful ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by Mayor Sefatia, Ken and Kerry from the Chamber, family, friends, and Barry Pett, who was representing Senator Bruce Tarr. Located at 64Ā Main Street, ItalianoĀ is serving lunch and dinner daily in an elegantĀ yetĀ child friendly atmosphere. TheĀ menu looks deliciousĀ and the staffĀ are simplyĀ terrific. For information about hours and seating call 978-559-7638.
Snapshots from thisĀ morning’s ribbon cutting ceremony.
Mayor Sefatia sharing history about Gloucester’s Militello family photo, circa 1952
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The sweetest and tiniest of shorebirds has been spotted atĀ several of our local beaches, includingĀ Wingaersheek and Good Harbor Beach. They have also been seen at Plum Island,Ā asĀ well as other Massachusetts barrier beaches, for several weeks.Ā TheĀ Plovers haveĀ traveled many thousands of milesĀ to reach our shoresĀ and areĀ both weary from traveling and eager to establish nesting sites.
What can you do to help the Piping Plovers? Here are four simple things we can all do to protect the Plovers.
Don’t leave behind or bury trash or food on the beach. All garbage attracts predators such as crows, seagulls, foxes, and coyotes, and all four of these creatures EATĀ plover eggs and chicks.
Do not linger near the Piping Plovers or their nests. Activity around the Plovers also attracts gulls and crows.
Respect theĀ fenced off areasĀ that are created to protect the Plovers.
If petsĀ are permitted, keep dogs leashed.
The last is the most difficult for folks to understand. Dogs threatenĀ PipingĀ PloversĀ in many ways and at every stage of their life cycle during breeding season, even the mostĀ adorableĀ and well-behaved of pooches.
Dogs love to chase Piping Plovers (and other shorebirds)Ā at the water’s edge. After traveling all those thousand of miles, the birds needĀ sustenance. They are at the shoreline to feed toĀ regain their strength.
Dogs love to chase piping PloversĀ at the wrack line. Here theĀ birdsĀ are establishing where to nest. Plovers are skittish at this stage of breedingĀ and will depart the area when disturbed.
Dogs love to chase Piping Plover chicks, which not only terrifies the adult Plovers and distracts them from minding the babies, but the chicksĀ are easily squished by a dog on the run.
Please keep dogs leashed when at the beach. Thank you!
Female Piping Plover
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Dave Rimmer, Greenbelt’s director of land stewardship, is giving a lecture about the Piping Plovers at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Thursday, April 27th, from 2:00 to 4pm. Preregister by email at:Ā Andrew@ecga.org.
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At the dawn of talkies, ERPI (Electrical Research Products Inc) sought to “bring the world to the classrooms” via 16mm A/V equipment and a catalog of films. ERPI was a subsidiary of AT&T and a forerunner of Encyclopedia Britannica Films.
They produced GLOUCESTER FISHERMEN (under 9 min) in 1938 with backing from Clark University. The film’s narrator was James Brill. There was also a 1938 film titled Shell-Fishing.
from the A/V Geeks archive youtube channel
Here’s James Brill narrating and before the camera in the 1946 film: FROM DEMOCRACY TO DESPOTISM, 1946, Encyclopedia Britannica Films.
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Gloucester, on the North Shore of Massachusetts, is a worthwhile New England coastal travel destination, but not in the precious, slick and refined ways that have come into vogue lately by the sea.
Yes, you will find some great lodging, seafood dining, beaches, a classic harbor and so many earmarks familiar to a typical New England ocean vacation, but what’s overwhelmingly evident here is that it’s a working class community with a long fishing history. It is America’s oldest seaport, discovered in 1623 by an offshoot group of the Pilgrims three years after they landed at Plymouth, MA. You can see the history in the old buildings and homes, and the narrow crooked streets and sidewalks, Some of Gloucester represents the best of coastal New England, while other city elements show a need for revitalization. Gloucester certainly doesn’t share the gentle, gentrified look of neighboring Rockport and Manchester, but it’s just as much worth a visit for very different reasons. For example, Gloucester has done a great job moving the city in the right direction — especially the wonderful,classic seaport downtown with interesting little shops and restaurants, charmingly tucked away in the narrow streets around the corner from the sea. It’s full of character and doesn’t have a phony bone in its strong community foundation. This is the real New England, not some Hollywood set with all the latest retail bells and whistles full of elitism and attitude. There’s a humble, modest feeling here, quite understandable given the city’s working class roots.
White-tailed Deer Doe
Good Morning Gloucester 