Jeffrey Bolster and “The Mortal Sea”

~ Cape Ann Museum

Saturday, February 18 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cape Ann Museum

Join author and Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire, Jeffrey Bolster, for a discussion of his book The Mortal Sea: Fishing the Atlantic in the Age of Sail (Harvard University Press, 2012).

Cost is $5 for Museum members / $10 nonmembers (includes Museum admission). Registration required; please call (978)283-0455 x10 or register online at Eventbrite. For more information email info@capeannmuseum.org.

Jeff Bolster

Licensed for many years by the U.S. Coast Guard as “Master of Motor, Steam, and Auxiliary Sail Vessels of not-more-than-200-tons upon All Oceans,” Bolster continues to mess about in boats. He earned his undergraduate degree at Trinity College, his MA from Brown University, and his PhD from Johns Hopkins University. He lives with his wife Molly in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and when not in Plymouth they can likely be found sailing their Valiant 40, Chanticleer, to the Caribbean.

‘Leven & Sorellanza Valentine’s Concert

~ chasnaz

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WHAT TO EXPECT:  ‘Leven and Sorellanza performed in concert together for the first time at the Gloucester Meetinghouse in February 2015 and return this year with the Valentine’s Day theme.  They began their debut by flying a long banner over the audience as they produced ethereal sounds that set a magical tone to the whole evening.

The varied repertoire of these talented women and their evident exuberance for singing a cappella was hugely entertaining as well as moving for the audience with playful solos, duets and rhythmic gymnastics adding spice to their superbly blended ensembles.  Prepare to relax, laugh, remember, and allow the theme of love to permeate your soul with music sung from the heart. 

WHAT’S SPECIAL? Two Cape Ann a cappella  women’s vocal ensembles raise their voices in songs of Love…and Home…and Love…and Work…and Love…and Life…and Love…and Strength…and Love…and Peace…and Love some more…

WHEN:  Saturday, February 11th 2017, 7:30pm

WHERE:  The historic 1806 Gloucester Meetinghouse (home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church), corner of Church & Middle Street, with accessible side entrance at 10 Church Street.

COST:  Free admission.  Voluntary donations gratefully accepted for the two womens’ ensembles and the Meetinghouse Preservation Fund.

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‘Leven is an enduring ensemble of Cape Ann womens’ voices founded in 1991 inthe eleventh month, at 1111 Washington St., under the leavening influence of Dawn Pratsonand ten similarly enlightened ladies.

Various combinations of ‘Leven singers have continued to bring powerful, poignant and eclectic a cappella repertoire to Cape Ann audiences for the past 26 years.  In this Valentine season they sing songs for the love of “home” – whether keeping the home fires burning, departing for far off places, or returning back home again.

‘Leven members: Sue Bonior, Pat Maloney Brown, Caroline Haines, Anne Hyde, Kristina Martin, and Sheryl Reed

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Sorellanza is a women’s a cappella group based on Cape Ann and directed by Rockport resident, Patti Pike.  Founded in 2006, Sorellanza draws enthusiastic audiences with varied and upbeat repertoire.  For this concert many songs are a blend of old and new: ancient lyrics set to modern music, a blend of Rumi text with Psalms, and homage to our grandmothers.

Their eclectic repertoire includes a love song from West Side Story, a Lullaby from Billy Joel, an honoring of the One, and some just plain fun songs.  Songs from the Heart is a unifying theme that includes them all.

Sorellanza members:

Patti Pike – choral director, Karen Koerth, Jen Fuller, Peggy Duff, Jenny Sonia, Andrea Coates-Vinson, Kate Stevens, Ruth Maassen, Jane Woodman, Kathy Eckles, Marianne Thompson, Caitlin Cannon, Nancy Goodman

Gloucester Civil War Coat Preservation Plan Wins Statewide Recognition, Grant Money

~ Chris Sicuranza ~ 2 Comments

GLOUCESTER, Mass., Feb. 1, 2017 – Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and Committee of the Arts Board Member Catherine Ryan announced that Gloucester has been awarded a statewide grant of $6,620 from the Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) to help with conservation and historical education for a Civil War uniform coat.

“I’m proud of our city volunteers, students and residents who came together to help raise awareness of this American artifact that has history to our country and to our local community,” said Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. “With this SHRAB grant, as well as Awesome Gloucester and online fundraising monies, the education and heritage will live on for years to come.”

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The SHRAB program is an extension of grants awarded by the Massachusetts Sesquicentennial Commission of the American Civil War with supporting services from the Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin and Massachusetts Archives Department, which features a rigorous and competitive qualifying process. The program reviewed hundreds of applications across the Commonwealth, but the ten-page application overview designed by two young activists, Charles King and George King, was “enthusiastically” selected by Commonwealth Archivist Dr. John Warner and his committee.

Both Charles and George King joined Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and Director of Communications and Constituent Services Christopher Sicuranza in late January for a conference call with Archivist Dr. Warner to reveal the grant award, which was the culmination of months of work for advocacy and awareness for the conservation project. In addition to the monies provided by the SHRAB program, Charles and George led efforts across Gloucester to raise awareness through local media and manage fundraisers through online sites and the Awesome Gloucester program.

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Charles and George high-fived upon hearing the approval of their grant proposal from Commonwealth Archivist Dr. Warner in Mayor Sefatia Romeo-Theken’s office.

Plans to create an innovative and attractive display case are currently being developed, but a special emphasis on mobility was factored into the funding request so that the artifact can be easily transported to other museums, including the aim of bringing the feature at a Smithsonian National Museum as part of a regional or national ambassador program.

About Civil War Coat

Over 80 years ago, the Civil War coat was installed in the then new Gloucester High School through Albert W. Bacheler who fought in the Civil War and later served as principal of Gloucester High from in 1884-1914, using the coat in his lessons. Years later, a former student , noted businessman and philanthropist, Roger Babson, donated an enshrinement memorial at the school to help preserve the coat, but over the years the coat’s condition became fragile. One parent, Kim Minnaugh, asked Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken to assist with recovery efforts, which gained assistance, support and financing through various offices including Chief Administrative Officer Jim Destino, City Archivist Sarah Dunlop, Veterans Affairs Director Adam Curcuru, Sawyer Free Library Assistant Valerie Marino, Catherine Ryan and The Committee for the Arts, Massachusetts Historical Commission Director of Preservation Planning Michael Steinitz, Superintendent Dr. Richard Safier, Principal Cook Gloucester High School, and Allison Cousins and Principal Lucey at O’Maley Innovation Middle School.

FREE GHS Internship Program Starts February 7th – Register NOW!

~ GloucesterU

TWO HOURS A WEEK COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
Gloucester High School  FREE Spring/Summer Internship Program 2017
Starts Tuesday, February 7, 2017 – SEE INFO BELOW AND REGISTER NOW!!

ATTENTION GHS STUDENTS – Summer 2017 is right around the corner. Do you have a job yet?

The FREE and FUN Gloucester High School Internship Program for 9th-11th graders will help you FIND A JOB and more!
A 15 week class will meet Tuesdays after school 2:20 PM – 4:20 PM starting February 7th.  Job search, resume, networking, college and career tips, speakers and events!
We will match you to a summer internship! (most are paid jobs). You will have a summer job for up to 6 weeks with a career advisor.

To apply, please email Caitlin Pszenny at: ckreitman@gloucesterschools.com
For more information or questions, please call Caitlin: 339-788-1994

Registration:  https://docs.google.com/a/gloucesterschools.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4kHxMuzuQusOf72Z8fPsuNF1axtZ_gjWiBh3mKgsWrKp5vQ/viewform

Cape Ann License Plates Hit The Streets!

~ Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce

The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce has BIG news – Cape Ann’s special license plate has arrived at Registry branch offices and are ready to be picked up and put on the road. The nearly 950 area drivers who pre-applied for the new special plates are now receiving calls and letters with instructions as to where to exchange their current plates and pick up their new Cape Ann license plates.

Those who did not pre-apply but would like to obtain their own Cape Ann license plates can do so online at https://secure.rmv.state.ma.us/SpecialPlates/pltShow.aspx?Plate=027.

Thank you to Rockport Native, Annalei Babson of Coveside Designs for designing this beautiful license plate. She submitted the design when the Cape Ann License Plate initiative began and her design was voted in as the winner!

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“We are very grateful to Senator Bruce Tarr, and Representatives Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Brad Hill for their leadership in enacting key amendments to the Special Plate law,” said Ken Riehl, CEO of the Cape Ann Chamber

“The Cape Ann license plate is not only a tremendous way to strengthen and promote our regional identity, but it will also generate funds that will be involved in our future. Like many such plates, it faced a major obstacle in getting enough pre-subscriptions for approval,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester). “Now, we have legislatively removed that obstacle, and the plate can go to work for our communities.”
“The Cape Ann license plate will be one more in a growing list of ways we increase our visibility and sense of community,” State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) said in a statement on Thursday. “The more people know about the uniqueness of Cape Ann, the more our small businesses and our Cape thrive as new visitors and potential residents explore our main streets.” State Representative Brad Hill (R-Ipswich) added: “The implementation of these Cape Ann license plates is a wonderful way to celebrate both our communities and our identities. Not only do they promote the character of our area as a whole, but they will also allow for further improvement of our Cape Ann communities.”
For those who have not yet signed up, now is the time: “Proceeds from the Cape Ann license plates will go back to the Cape Ann community towards promotion of the region, economic development, and education / training. The funds will be managed by a new 501c3 non-profit called the Cape Ann Community Foundation (CACF), whose Board of Directors consists of residents from all four Cape Ann Communities. ” noted Sara Young, President of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

For more information, please contact the Cape Ann Chamber at (978) 283-1601, email them at info@capeannchamber.com, and / or go to the Cape Ann License Plate website: lovecapeann.com.

WE DID IT!

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The Rotary Club of Gloucester Jumps into the Atlantic for Polio Eradication

~ trixy546

Freezin’ for a Reason

polarplunge2015The Gloucester Rotary Club and Rotary District 7930 will hold its 7th annual Polar Plunge on Saturday, February 4, at the Cape Ann Motor Inn on Long Beach in Gloucester at 11:00 am. The event is part of Rotary International’s ongoing campaign to eradicate polio in our lifetime. More than 200 people are expected to plunge into the cold waters off Cape Ann this year, including Gloucester Rotary President David Slade. Last year, over 250 people braved the icy waters, raising more than $95,000.

Since 1985, Polio has become the signature cause for Rotary International as it has teamed up with partners including The Global Poverty Project, The Global Eradication Initiative, The World Health Organization, and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Since that time, more than a billion dollars have been raised among Rotary clubs worldwide and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. When Rotary International took on the battle against this disease, more than 350,000 people spanning 125 countries were impacted. Today there are three countries left where it has not been eradicated– Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.

This year, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has again pledged a 2:1 match for every dollar Rotarians raise toward eradication efforts (up to $35 million/year until 2018). For as little as $0.60, your donation can make the difference in changing a person’s life. Please support your local Rotarians as they brave the icy waters off Gloucester to help eradicate polio in our lifetime. With a district-wide goal of raising $125,000, the district is utilizing an electronic fundraising process. Supporters are encouraged to log on to https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/polio/team/Gloucester%20Rotary and make a pledge to help Rotarians lead the way to eradicate this dreaded disease.

For more information on how the Rotary Club of Gloucester serves the local and global community, visit http://www.gloucesterrotary.us or https://www.facebook.com/RotaryGloucesterMA.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1568243283204206/.

Biotech Academy Student Recruitment Open House – January 26, 2017

~ Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute

Dear Friends –

Student recruitment season is here! Gloucester Biotechnology Academy is recruiting students for our Class of 2018, to enroll in September 2017.  We are offering a one year fulltime vocational course for entry level jobs as lab technicians, working in biotechnology.

For this second year, the program is free, no expenses for tuition or fees.

We have had a very successful launch year, with 13 students now entering their paid internships.

If you know anyone who might be interested in our program, please invite them to join us on Thursday, January 26th from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. It will be a great opportunity for potential students to learn more and speak with members of our inaugural class.

Call 978-491-5968, email biotech.academy@gmgi.org, or visit Facebook for more information.

Thank you for your continued support!

Biotech Academy Recruitment Open House
Biotech Academy Recruitment Open House