Tag: writing

Weekly Technology Help at Sawyer Free Library

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 ~ Sawyer Free Library ~ 

Looking for some help navigating your personal technology – the Sawyer Free Library‘s Technology Assistant is here to help!

Each Tuesday, 3:00 to 4:00 pm, Tech Tuesday: Drop-in Advice: Drop-in sessions for troubleshooting your digital devices or chat about anything tech related. Learn about library apps, chat about current events in the digital world, set up new devices, or anything else tech-related – Our tech assistant is available from 3-4 to work one on one, or even as a group if there are similar questions. Drop in, bring your device, and let’s chat! No registration needed!

Each Thursday, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, Device Advice Sessions by Appointment: Register for a 30-minute, one-on-one session with the Library’s Technology Assistant to troubleshoot devices, set up a phone or tablet, or learn digital tasks. Bring your fully charged device, necessary accessories, and passwords. Registration required at sawyerfreelibrary.org or call us at 978-500-5500 to book an appointment.

Although there’s a lot we can help you with, there are some things that we won’t be able to troubleshoot because they are outside our scope and abilities, such as your home WiFi – or cell service – things like that are better remedied by calling your internet or cell phone provider.

All sessions are at Sawyer Free Library located at 21 Main Street, Downtown Gloucester.

For questions, call 978-325-5500.

Weekly Technology Help at Sawyer Free Library

Live Your Best Life – Session 2: Fuel Your Life with Passion

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 ~ Sawyer Free Library ~ 

Discover the driving forces that make life meaningful and fulfilling in the second of the Sawyer Free Library‘s program “Live Your Best Life” taking place on Thursday, October 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at 21 Main Street, downtown Gloucester.

In this dynamic session with professional life coach Marcy Plante, we’ll explore ways to uncover your true passions and align them with your life’s purpose. Expect an inspiring journey that will leave you feeling empowered, excited, and ready to live with intention and zest. 

Registration is required at sawyefreelibrary.org. For question, contact at lryan@sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Marcy Plante is a dedicated professional with over 50 years of diverse experience as a coach, wellness industry leader, and educator, holding a master’s degree in education. She successfully managed a health club for 17 years, guiding people toward achieving their fitness goals and continually pursuing personal growth. In her free time, Marcy enjoys boating, collecting sea glass, skiing, and cycling, while her true passion lies in helping others unlock their potential and live life with enthusiasm.

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Live Your Best Life – Session 2: Fuel Your Life with Passion

Gloucester Reads: A Community-Wide Reading Initiative

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 ~ SAWYER FREE LIBRARY

Join the conversation and sign up for a discussion group!

DISCUSSION GROUP SCHEDULE: SIGN UP AND BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION

Sponsor/LocationDateTimeRegistration Link
Temple Ahavat AchimSun. July 2810am-12pmRegister
1623 StudiosMon. July 291-3pmRegister
Annisquam Village ChurchTues. July 304-6pmRegister
St. Paul Lutheran ChurchTues. July 307-9pmRegister
Manship Artist Residencies@ Lanesville Community CenterTues. August 67-9pmRegister
St. John’s Episcopal ChurchThurs. August 83-5pmRegister
Gloucester Writers CenterMon. August 126-8pmRegister
Gloucester UU ChurchThurs. August 225-7pmRegister

Together in partnership, the Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester’s Racial Justice Team and Gloucester Health Department, is presenting Gloucester Reads 2024, a citywide, intergenerational summer reading initiative. Running through August, this community-wide book club aims to spark conversations, inspire new ideas, and encourage introspection about race equity in our community.

In collaboration with sixteen additional community co-sponsors, Gloucester Reads 2024 will explore books reflecting Black experiences in America. This initiative includes selections for adults, young adults and children. Adults can participate in three ways: reading the book, joining a structured discussion group, and attending the virtual author’s talk.

The summer book club’s main selection is How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith. This acclaimed book, which has won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism, the Stowe Prize, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, focuses on the history and present impact of slavery in the United States. Through eight sites, including New Orleans, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, New York City, and Angola Prison, Smith uses archival research and interviews to offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has shaped our nation’s history and memory.

For more information or to sign up for a book discussion, visit, SawyerFreeLibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.

To ensure everyone can participate, Gloucester Reads is offering to cover childcare expenses for those attending discussion groups, the author’s talk, or both. Participants can request funds on the discussion group registration form.

Gloucester Reads: A Community-Wide Reading Initiative

Calling All Poets! Open Mic in Rockport

Posted on by S.D. Kelly

A tradition of the Motif No.1 Day arts festival is to feature poets from Cape Ann and their work in a poetry reading, which takes place each year at 4pm.

This year the event is hosted by Christopher Anderson of the Eastern Point Lit House, and will take place in an open mic format. Poets and readers of all ages welcome. Come early for the other literary events at the festival (the Magnetic Poetry Slam, Book Spine Poetry, selections from Shakespeare presented by Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe, and more) and stay for the Words Before Dinner Poetry Reading.

M1D2016WordsB4Dinner

Click HERE for a general festival Schedule of Events.

It’s much harder to write a good review than a bad one

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Inge Berge

It’s not that hard to write review panning a concert or an album.  You’ve probably read many such reviews.  It’s much more difficult to write a glowing piece that doesn’t sound corny or like a puff piece.  Below is one of the best examples of a rave review that I’ve ever read. It is at once intelligent, witty, entertaining, straight to the point and completely devoid of obscure references and highfalutin language reviewers all to often use in an attempt to show off their intellect.  It’s written by local singer/songwriter/composer/lighting designer Inge Berge, who is actually smart, so he doesn’t need to try and convince anybody.  Check it out:

Fans of exquisite music: Pay attention to Ruby Rose Fox. Her headlining at The Cabot tonight, courtesy of Peter Van Ness and GimmeLive is easily among the top 3 shows I’ve seen all year (and I see way too many shows.) This show was pure magic. Sublime. Genius.

Her songwriting is smart, heartfelt, genre-bending, profound and just plain gorgeous. Her musicianship is impeccable. Her stage presence is mysterious, deep, eclectic and sexy as all get-out. The backup singers blend like butter yet cut like a razor. The band is road-tight and stadium-confident. The material is presented with rock balls, sensual vulnerability and analytic intelligence. A show chemically cleansed of clichés and standard showbiz cheese.

I count myself among the lucky few who got to experience this evening of not-yet-world-famous MA-grown music before it turns into something more industry-processed. (Hopefully not.)

Unfortunately, what I find of Ruby Rose Fox’s music currently online does not quite do justice to the show I saw tonight. But I understand there’s a full length CD in the works. I’m first in line to purchase.

Chickity Check It: Seven Tips for Good PR Writing by John McElhenny

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Seven Tips for Good PR Writing

Posted on: February 21st, 2014 by John McElhenny


There’s an unfinished conference room in the back of our office where no one ever goes. Table tops lie on their sides with no legs. Deconstructed cubicles stand against the walls, shelves and desktops assorted like giant puzzle pieces. A dry erase marker lies on the ground, never used.

It’s there in the dark that I write.

As public relations professionals, content generation is becoming an ever more important part of our job. Clients need a continuous stream of blog posts, opinion articles, news releases, feature articles and social media posts to connect with their audiences.

For the entire article click here to view it at Ink House

Is it strange that I enjoy writing on vacation at a beach destination?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

I can’t tell you how psyched I am when I finish writing a post like the upcoming Poop vs Lysol post or the MFers Dropping Like Flies post or the St Lucia vs Turks vs Playa post.  I get this great accomplished feeling.

I get to write while the Mrs is sleeping or reading her books all day long and don’t have the duty of work which allows me the time to write what I want to write.

Creators gotta create.  I know my oldest, The Bean has this blessing/curse.  You just have to be creating and if you don’t you get depressed.  The Bean needs to be creating at all times while Snoop Maddie Mad could just chill all day long.  Two very different children I have.

Like right now, it’s 7:29AM on Tuesday as I write this and I’ve already edited two prior posts that have been scheduled for future time slots.  Been up since 5AM banging away and couldn’t be happier.  While on vacation.

I don’t know what it is but just like the Bean, I’d go stir crazy just laying in bed when I could be creating.

I might make a line of T-Shirts-

Creators

Gotta

Create

I’ve spoken with EJ about this at length and I think it’s true for any creative person be it artist, musician, writer, photographer, even business people.  I know there is not much more aggravating than being stifled when you have ideas and are kept from acting on them by time constraints, or for whatever reason.  When a truly creative person is stifled it’s tough for them to feel fulfilled.

Warning: Deep Thoughts Ahead (Paul Kelly Talks About Summertime Philosophy)

Posted on by S.D. Kelly

In this short video, Paul Kelly — a teacher, worker at Apple Street Farm in Essex, writer, and all-around great guy — talks up the Philosophy & Writing Camps he offers to high school students in the summertime. He meets with small groups of students at the Peabody-Essex Museum in Salem a few hours a day to use the collections there as inspiration for developing skills in writing and discussing Plato, Aristotle and all the rest of those famous guys. Paul says high school students eat this stuff up; they love discussing the big ideas, according to him. The first camp start next week, from Tuesday July 5th – Friday July 8th. For more information, go to Paul’s website: www.philosophy4.com