Proceeds from Sale of 11 Remaining Low-Number Plates Will be Used to Support Local Charitable and Community Initiatives
The 11 remaining low-number Cape Ann license plates will be made available to the highest bidders through an online auction beginning Monday, April 8, with all proceeds going to the Cape Ann Community Foundation (CACF), which supports local charitable initiatives and organizations.
The auction will conclude on Patriot’s Day, Monday, April 15. Any Massachusetts resident who wants to display their love and support for Cape Ann will have a chance to secure the 11 remaining Cape Ann license plates between 1-100. The remaining plates are numbers 4, 8, 55, 66, 78, 79, 87, 88, 90, 91 and 92.
In addition, this year CACF will for the first time allow those who make a donation to the foundation to choose available 3-digit and 4-digit license plates.
For more information on the auction and to register to bid, visit www.lovecapeann.com. The site also has information on how to request a specific plate through the foundation and the easy steps to order a random Cape Ann license plate through the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
The Rockport Division of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce will hold the 32nd annual Rockport Community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30 at 2 PM. The event is for the children of the town – preschoolers through grade one – and will take place at Millbrook Meadow, Beach Street, Rockport.
Pre-schoolers will be grouped in one section and kindergarteners and first graders in another. In addition to assorted candies, chocolates, and small prizes, the hunt will feature four golden eggs to be redeemed for larger prizes. The Easter Bunny is also expected to make an appearance. Children should bring a basket and arrive early – the hunt will begin promptly at 2.
This year’s event is being organized by the Chamber’s Rockport Division with key support from Institution for Savings and donations from Rockport Inn & Suites and The Seafarer Inn.
As part of a 2024 nationwide promotion, the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce has joined the ranks of over 200 communities representing Chambers in 43 of 50 states to use the “extra” day of Leap Year to do something kind for someone else.
Originally conceived by the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, the first Leap of Kindness Day saw hundreds of local organizations helping thousands of local people on February 29, 2016. Four years later in 2020, Leap of Kindness Day was even bigger and better as chambers throughout the US, Canada, and Ireland joined in for the spread of a lot of kindness.
For our part of #LeapofKindnessDay this year, the Chamber is promoting non-monetary donation requests from our non-profit members. As of this posting, 19 non-profit members have sent in their requests, which are posted on the Chamber website at https://bit.ly/LeapofKindnessDay. Requests were also sent out individually on our Facebook and Instagram feeds over the past few weeks.
If you have a minute, please check out the list of requests, which are summarized below. They range from small item donations to volunteer time to more substantial needs (but it never hurts to ask!). Full request details and contact information for each non-profit participating are available at https://bit.ly/LeapofKindnessDay. If you are able to help fulfill one request, remember to let us know
Leap of Kindness Day Donation Requests from Member Non-Profits
Action Inc.: Personal care items/toiletries for guests at their Emergency Shelter.
Backyard Growers: Gift cards to Timberline Enterprises to buy lumber.
All are invited to join the Greater Cape Ann Chamber’s 102nd Annual Celebration at Shalin Liu Performance Center on Friday, January 26 from 5 to 9 PM as we welcome incoming 2024 Board President Karen Ristuben and thank 2023 Board President Loran Caputo. Tickets may be purchased online at bit.ly/AnnualCelebration2024 or by calling the Chamber at 978-283-1601. Ticket options include Program and Cocktail Reception plus Live Performances for $100; or Live Performances Only at $45 for adults and $20 for youth under 18. See below for a list of the talented performers (there will also be a surprise guest performer!)
With the 2024 theme of Creativity, Culture & Commerce: Stronger Together, our goal this year is to inspire new synergies between greater Cape Ann’s arts, culture, and business communities. This unique Annual Celebration represents the visual and performing arts – music, painting, drama, poetry, and dance – from all five of our communities.
The Program and Cocktail Reception will be held from 5 to 7 PM (heavy appetizers). The Live Performances begin at 7:30 PM.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Cape Ann Big Band with featured vocalists: Alexandra Grace, Emily Grace, Rhiannon Hurst, Scott Parisi, John Rockwell, and Nathan Seavey
BrassFed Nation Youth Swing Orchestra with featured vocalists: Scarlett Berge, Jessica Cote, Alexis Geary, and Alessandro Schoc
Spoken Word: Luce Wren Brandt and Kaley Fantasia
Dancer Performance: Sarah Slifer Swift and Carey McKinley, Movement Arts Gloucester MA (MAGMA)
Lanes Coven Theater Co: Lily Narbonne and Justin Genna
Live Art: Loren Doucette, Seven Suns Gallery. Pastel Artwork*
ADDITIONAL ARTISTS
Wood Carving Demonstration by Harold Burnham*
Live Painting Demonstration by Joli Ayn Wood*
Centerpieces: Chubby Clay Bodies by Miranda Aisling, filled with beautiful floral arrangements by Betsy Morris Quinn (Dirt Floral Works). (Flat-fee purchase price of $40 each – first-come, first-served)
Life-sized Portrait of “Captain Kyle Nelson, Pigeon Cove Lobsterman” by Leslie Heffron, in the Lobby. (Available for purchase from the artist.)
Photography Display by Melissa Cox. (Available for purchase from the photographer.)
* Finished artwork to be sold via Silent Auction. Silent Auction bidding sheets are available in the Lobby. Additional art pieces by Loren Doucette will be on display and available for retail purchase.
All are welcome to join the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce at Shalin Liu Performance Center on Friday, January 26 from 5 to 9 PM as we welcome incoming 2024 Board President Karen Ristuben and thank 2023 Board President Loran Caputo.
We will also be welcoming new additions to the 2024 Board of Directors:
Michele Cooper (Cross Country Mortgage)
Lindsey Egan (Egan Law Center)
Lauren Georgiades (GL Design)
Erina McWilliam-Lopez (Cape Ann YMCA)
Gayle Movalli (Happy Valley)
Charlie Powers (Burgin Platner Insurance Co.)
Outgoing Board members will also be recognized:
Caitlin Pszenny (Chairperson)
Cathy Lanois
Carol Sharoff
Eli Timmons
With the 2024 theme of Creativity, Culture & Commerce: Stronger Together, our goal this year is to inspire new synergies between greater Cape Ann’s arts, culture, and business communities.
This unique Annual Celebration represents the visual and performing arts – music, painting, drama, poetry, and dance – from all five of our communities.
The Program and Cocktail Reception will be held from 5 to 7 PM (heavy appetizers). The Live Performances begin at 7:30 PM. Ticketing options include:
Program and Cocktail Reception plus Live Performances for $100; or
Live Performances Only at $45 for adults and $20 for youth under 18.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Cape Ann Big Band with featured vocalists: Alexandra Grace, Emily Grace, Rhiannon Hurst, Scott Parisi, John Rockwell, and Nathan Seavey
BrassFed Nation Youth Swing Orchestra with featured vocalists: Scarlett Berge, Jessica Cote, Alexis Geary, and Alessandro Schoc
Spoken Word: Luce Wren Brandt and Kaley Fantasia
Dancer Performance: Sarah Slifer Swift and Carey McKinley, Movement Arts Gloucester MA (MAGMA)
Lanes Coven Theater Co: Lily Narbonne and Justin Genna
Live Art on Stage: Loren Doucette, Seven Suns Gallery. Pastel Artwork*
ADDITIONAL ARTISTS
Wood Carving Demonstration by Harold Burnham*
Live Painting Demonstration by Joli Ayn Wood*
Centerpieces: Chubby Clay Bodies by Miranda Aisling, filled with beautiful floral arrangements by Betsy Morris Quinn (Dirt Floral Works). (Flat-fee purchase price of $40 each – first-come, first-served)
Life-sized Portrait of “Captain Kyle Nelson, Pigeon Cove Lobsterman” by Leslie Heffron, in the Lobby. (Available for purchase from the artist.)
* Finished artwork to be sold via Silent Auction. Silent Auction bidding sheets available in the Lobby. Additional art pieces by Loren Doucette will be on display and available for retail purchase.
Please join the Greater Cape Ann Innovators Collaborative for a free expert panel discussion on Current Workforce Challenges and solutions for the existing labor market. Our panel of experts will be presenting innovative strategies to recruit, retain and develop the workforce. Each presentation will be approximately 15 minutes. There will be a question-and-answer period and open discussion following the presentations.
Panelists
Jason Andree, Vice President, Addison Gilbert Hospital
Neil Costa, CEO, HireClix
William Heineman, President, North Shore Community College
Kathy Low, Sr. HR Business Partner, SPG Varian Business Unit, Applied Materials
Light appetizers and cash bar will be offered. Registration is required for this FREE event. To register, please visit https://bit.ly/CAIC-Workforce or email info@capeannchamber.com.
What is the Cape Ann Innovators Collaborative? An initiative of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, CAIC is a collaborative of innovators, entrepreneurs, makers, artists, designers, developers and producers dedicated to supporting people from all walks of life in their endeavors to create lasting, innovative change, with the ultimate objective of growing the economy and creating new jobs. The CAIC Forums are designed to Inform and Inspire.
The Silent Auction portion of the 36th Annual Love Greater Cape Ann Fundraising Auction is now open to ALL! Simply go to https://onecau.se/lovegca to register and start bidding! Bidding will be open until 6:55 PM on Thursday, September 28.
You do not need to be at the Live Auction event to bid on and win Silent Auction items!
Check out all the great Silent Auction items at https://onecau.se/lovegca. There are some sweet deals to be had! You can also set your maximum bid for any item to give yourself a better chance of coming out on top! Bid today!! Bid often!!
A Gloucester Women-Owned Business Tour – Walk, Shop, Network, Win
Put on your power-walking shoes and prepare to explore some of Gloucester’s finest Women-Owned businesses, right here on Main (and adjacent) streets! After picking up your Passport and Raffle Tickets at Shore Nutrition, visit the list of participating Women-Owned Businesses, get your Passport stamped and enter raffle drawings at each location. Three additional Grand Prize Drawings will be held at Oliver’s Harbor at 7 PM.
Register and purchase your Passport & Raffle Tickets today for just $25 at bit.ly/Main-Street-Meet-Up. (You may also purchase at Shore Nutrition on the day of the event.) Anyone may participate!
Shops will be open from 3 to 7 PM for all Passport holders, with on-street networking, owners waiting to meet YOU, and a chance to win a raffle prize in every store!
Main Street Meet-Up is a great way to learn more about and support women-owned businesses. Presented by the Businesswomen’s Committee of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. All proceeds benefit the Carolyn M O’Connor Scholarship Fund.
Experience one of the best views on Cape Ann with a cold beer in your hand on Saturday, September 16 at the 2nd Annual Blackburn Brew Fest at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester MA. Join us to sample hundreds of beers, ciders, and meads brewed by close to 30 Commonwealth breweries. Also featuring two live bands – Over the Bridge and Soul Rebel Project – and 7 food trucks. There is only one session on Saturday, September 16th, 2023 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. $50 in advance tickets or $60 at the door. $10 designated driver ticket available. This is strictly a 21+ event. No children (including infants) or pets allowed. Please visit https://blackburnbrewfest.com for tickets. Presented by the Next Gen Young Professionals Group of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce to benefit the Cape Ann Community Foundation.
Join the Greater Cape Ann Chamber and the City of Gloucester for the last of the three summer block parties on Friday, September 1st from 6 to 10 PM to kick off Labor Day and Schooner Festival weekend!
Featured performer Cate Great will delight the young and old alike with her balancing and juggling skills. A “possible appearance” by Slyde, the NE Revolution mascot, face painting, Mary Poppins, Captain Jack and Cape Ann Vernal Pond will also be on hand to entertain the kids. Visit with non-profits, street vendors, and retailers. Enjoy the delicious offerings of numerous food trucks & restaurants, and dance the night away to music on three different stages. A great start to the “end of summer weekend!”
Cape Ann Community 