Making a Difference
Our Members. Our Community. Our Region.
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Essex Estuary in Winter| Photo Credit: Andrew Haley, Artfluence |
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February is Black History Month
Welcome to the February issue of Soundings. This edition coincides with the beginning of Black History Month, officially known as African American History Month. In 1976, fifty years after its origins as a week-long event, President Gerald Ford proclaimed the first African American History Month “to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” This issue features Black History Month programs at the Cape Ann Museum. The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce invites all our readers to join us in celebrating the contributions of African Americans to Cape Ann's history and culture throughout the month of February and all year long.
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CEO and President Update
With our newly elected President now firmly in place in our Nation’s Capital and the pace of vaccinations rapidly rising, we are increasingly optimistic for a fantastic 2021.
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Love Cape Ann Podcast
Join the Chamber's new 2021 board leaders Susan Gould-Coviello, Caitlin Pszenny and Loran Caputo as they introduce themselves to the community and share what they are hoping to accomplish in the new year.
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Deadline Approaching! Businesswomen's Committee Accepting Carolyn M. O'Connor Scholarship Applications Until February 28
One $1,500 scholarship will be awarded. The committee welcomes applications from women who are returning to the workforce after an absence or are considering a career change, in an effort to better their life situation.
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Government Affairs Council Report
Much of the January meeting focused on setting 2021 priorities for the Council. Policy areas that were discussed for priority attention included Housing; Security; and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
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Health & Wellness Committee Report
During our first meeting of the New Year, it was our pleasure to welcome Kurt Kalker, RN, Owner of Cape Ann Botanicals. Kurt enlightened us with information on the clinical methodology use of CBD and other Cannabis products for the special needs of his clients, including children with epilepsy and anyone suffering from arthritis.
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Featured Chamber Art Exhibit: Rockport Art Association & Museum
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Rockport Art Association & Museum Art Exhibition at the Chamber
Recognizing that the Cape Ann community seeks out fine art no matter the time of year, the RAA&M is experimenting with having exhibitions in the winter months through a new partnership with the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.
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2021 Advertising Opportunities are Selling Out Fast! Reserve Your Placement Before It's Too Late
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Coffee & Connections
Thursday, February 4 | 9 AM
We invite you to join us via Zoom on Thursday, February 4 at our new and permanent time, 9 AM. This event is a fantastic opportunity to expand your business connections and stay in touch with friends and colleagues.
This month we will hear an update from our Government Affairs Council
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Business After Hours
Wednesday, February 24| 4:30 PM
Grab a cocktail or beverage of choice and join us after a day of work to network and relax in an informal setting, virtually!
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Winter Birding Boat Trip
Saturday, March 6 | 8 AM
We’re bringing back our highly anticipated winter birding boat trip in a safe and healthy environment. Only two tickets remaining!
Reserve your spot now before we are sold out.
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Irish Sweepstakes
Thursday, March 18 | 5 PM
A total of $20,000 will be given away, including a grand prize of $10,000! Tickets are going fast, please contact the Chamber today if you want yours! Tickets are $100 each.
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SAVE THE DATE
Cape Ann License Plate
Low Number Auction
March 22-29
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SBA-Massachusetts Webinar
on PPP, Part II
On Friday, January 29 Daniel Martiniello, Lender Relations Specialist in the Massachusetts District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, led a webinar on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Part II. The webinar, sponsored by the City of Gloucester, was co-hosted by the Chamber and the Mass Office of Business Development. To link to the full webinar please click here and to view the slides, please click here
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Weathering the Perfect Storm: COVID, Vaccine and PFML Seminar
On Thursday, January 28 we heard from Laurie LaBrie, president of Integrated Human Resources, Inc. on how the start of the New Year will impact businesses and their employees.
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Virtual Business After Hours
We held our first-ever virtual business after hours on Wednesday, January 27. The Chamber's new Board President, Susan Gould-Coviello kicked off the event by giving an update on her organization, the North Shore Health Project. Later, breakout rooms, cocktails, icebreakers and plenty of networking took place.
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Coffee & Connections
On January 4, the Chamber's Businesswomen's Committee gave a powerful presentation on their mission and the Carolyn M. O'Connor scholarship. We also welcomed 2021 Board President, Susan Gould-Coviello as she made her first official appearance as Board President.
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Engel & Volkers - Ashling Reilly
120 Main Street| Gloucester
(978) 282-5072 | ashling.reilly@evrealestate.com
Halyard Apartments
2 School House Road | Gloucester
(978) 515-2500| halyard@dolben.com
TD Bank - Gloucester
2 Harbor Loop | Gloucester
(978) 282 - 1200
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Say I Love You AND Support Local Businesses When you Purchase a
Cape Ann Gift Check
The Cape Ann Gift Check program encourages our community to shop local and keeps our dollars on Cape Ann. Now, more than ever, it is important to support local businesses.
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MyLocalMA Business of the Week -
Causeway Restaurant
Located in Gloucester, the Causeway has been a local favorite serving Italian and seafood entrees for over ten years. The Causeway offers daily specials, lunch, dinner and catering services. Feel free to bring your own beer and wine to pair with a delicious dish of your choice!
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Spread Some Love and Send a Valentine
to a Homebound Elder
SeniorCare can't hold their traditional Valentine’s Fundraiser, but they still intend to send Valentine wishes while raising vital funds. Make a donation to SeniorCare’s Meals on Wheels program before February 5, 2021, and a Valentine will be delivered to an elder in your community in your name.
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Cape Ann Foodie Tour
Valentine's Day Special
Purchase two tickets for $125 and receive a FREE Lobster Trap wine caddy. Cape Ann Foodie Tours are fun-filled ways to show you all that Cape Ann has to offer. Call (617) 902-8291 to purchase your tickets!
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Shop Arts Abound in Magnolia
Arts Abound has a variety of gifts for your Valentine. Whether it be your partner, neighbor, or teacher, surprise your loved one with a gorgeous hand-painted silk shawl, a beautiful scarf, a handcrafted wooden wine holder, local art or photography, a heart-adorned octopus mug, a variety of jewelry, ocean-inspired pottery, and much more.
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Buy A Special Valentine's Day Card Made By Local Colors Cooperative Members To Help Those In Need
This year 100 percent of the proceeds will go to The Open Door/Cape Ann Food Pantry. Your card purchase will help provide food and meals to those in need on Cape Ann.
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Beauport Hotel Gloucester Valentine’s Weekend Romance Package
Spend Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart at Beauport. Enjoy ocean views, relaxing guest rooms, in-room dining, and more with our Weekend Romance Package.
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Local Sales, Discounts & Promotions
Posting a Shop Our Member deal is a great way to gain exposure for your business by highlighting your special promotions. Take advantage of this FREE member benefit and list yours today by logging into your account!
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Manchester Historical Museum
Books & Tinware Sale
Tuesdays – Fridays 10 AM - 3 PM
This event will last the entire month of February. Come find some interesting books about many types of antiques and history. MHM will also be adding a few pieces of kitchen tinware during the month.
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Rockport Music Presents Concert View Virtual Series: Pedja Muzijevic, Piano
Friday, February 12 | 7 PM
As a recitalist and symphony soloist, pianist Pedja Muzijevic has defined his career with creative programming, unusual combinations of new and old music, and lasting collaborations with artists and ensembles.
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Hook A Cure Fishing Tournament Presents: Pint for a Pint Blood Drive
Saturday, February 13 | 8:30 AM
Hook A Cure has partnered up with the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center, the Dana-Farber Institute/Brigham and Woman's Hospital Blood Mobile to help save lives.
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Dr. Kabria Baumgartner and Dr. Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello |
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Cape Ann Museum Virtual Lecture Series
African Americans in Essex County
Friday, February 26 | 1 PM
In this virtual discussion with Dr. Kabria Baumgartner and Dr. Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello, learn about the impetus behind African Americans in Essex County, what they have learned, and their ten recommendations for how local individuals and institutions can celebrate and support African American History in Essex County.
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Black Jacks: African American Seamen in the Age of Sail by W. Jeffrey Bolster, 1997. Copy held in the Collection of the Cape Ann Museum Library & Archives, Gloucester MA |
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Cape Ann Museum Celebrates Black History Month
In February's edition of CAM Connects, the Cape Ann Museum combines emerging scholarship, examples from art history, and archival photographs to help tell the story of Black History on Cape Ann. In pursuit of their mission to foster an appreciation of the quality and diversity of life on Cape Ann, the museum is making strategic efforts to offer programming, support research, and tell the stories of Black people who have lived and worked in our area.
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Essex Heritage Presents "Teaching
Hidden Histories" Workshop Series
Join Essex Heritage’s FREE “Teaching Hidden Histories” collaborative workshops as they utilize local organizations’ archives, scholars’ expertise, and community members’ voices to explore local historical examples of larger structural inequities and the fight for more access to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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SCORE's February Lineup of Local Small Business Webinars
Feb. 3 | Simplifying Social Media for Small Business
Feb. 5 | Shopify: Best Practices for Ecommerce Stores to Drive Sales
Feb. 9 | Franchising 101-Small Business Ownership
Feb. 10 | So, You Want to Become a Consultant
Feb. 10 | Creating Content for Social Media and Newsletters
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Apply Now! Essex Heritage Grant Program
Twelve grants are available to local organizations stewarding heritage in the region. The application deadline is February 19.
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Application Deadline Approaches for the MassTech Collaborative's New Accelerator Challenge
The Massachusetts COVID-19 Innovation Challenge is a six-week business accelerator program to identify and grow Massachusetts companies developing innovative solutions to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Application Deadline is Friday, February 19.
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Halyard Apartment's Affordable Housing Lottery is This Month
The lottery for eligible households will be held on February 25, 2021, at 6 pm.
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New Program Announced to Provide Subsidized Internet Access to Eligible Massachusetts Residents
The Massachusetts Broadband Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (“MBI”) has launched a program to provide subsidized internet access to eligible Massachusetts residents through June 30, 2021. You may be eligible for subsidized internet service. Get more information:
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Attention Employers and Community Members: Help Mentor Our Next Generation of Youth and Young Adults - Your Future Employees!
Are you available one hour per week for 6 weeks this summer to mentor a local youth or young adult on Zoom? LEAP for Education’s Summer Internship Program is now recruiting employers and volunteers to be “Career Mentors” who will virtually guide teens and young adults 1-1 on summer projects while teaching invaluable career skills. *For more information, please email Program Coordinator JoAnn Leavitt at jleavitt@leap4ed.org.
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Massachusetts Vaccination Program Enters Phase 2
As we begin the month of February, Massachusetts has launched Phase 2 of the state’s vaccine distribution plan. All residents age 75 and over are now eligible for vaccination. View the latest Massachusetts vaccine update here. View the January 28 weekly vaccination report here
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Vaccine Locations for Eligible Recipients and Good Vaccine News
For a list of local vaccination locations, click here The list was last updated at 12:30 PM – January 26, 2021. Additionally, in a recent New York Times article titled "Good Vaccine News," writer David Leonhardt gathers data that ignites hope and encourages the reader to think positively.
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SBA Provides Information on Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program
The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program was established by the Economic Aid Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.
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Equitable PPP Initiative
The Equitable PPP Initiative offers multilingual technical assistance and lender matching for underbanked and historically underserved businesses, including businesses owned by women and people of color, seeking a PPP loan. To learn more about the Equitable PPP Initiative coalition please click here. To inquire about support, volunteer your time or skills, or simply learn more, email EquitablePPP@gmail.com
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Regional Pilot Project Grant Program Announced
The Regional Pilot Project Grant Program will promote regional recovery from the economic impacts of the 2019 novel coronavirus through partnerships. It is open to municipalities, public entities, or exempt 501(c) organizations. The goal of this pilot program is for municipalities and organizations to work together to create solutions for recovery in their specific economies. The program opened January 22 and will close on February 10. Interested parties should read the RFP and submit an application as outlined on the program page.
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Grants for Artists ~ Deadline Today
Mass Cultural Council’s COVID-19 Relief Fund will award grants of $1,500 through a randomized process to individuals who have lost income derived from their work as individual artists and independent teaching artists, humanists,
scientists, as a direct result of COVID-19 related cancellations and closures in Massachusetts. The application deadline is today, February 2 at 11:59pm. For more information and to apply please click here
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State’s Interactive COVID-19
Daily Dashboard
The Massachusetts COVID-19 Daily Dashboard is now available in interactive format. To view the most recent Massachusetts COVID-19 daily dashboard please click here
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Information Resources
For comprehensive COVID-19 information please visit the Chamber’s special Coronavirus page.
To view the most recent (January 28) weekly COVID-19 Command Center Situation Report from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), please click here
For the latest COVID-19 news and information for Massachusetts, please visit www.mass.gov.
To view the latest nationwide case information published daily by the CDC please click here
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Sonolite Plastics is Seeking a Full Time Bookkeeper/Office Manager/Admin
Competitive compensation including benefits. If interested, please contact Jon at: jon@sonoliteplastics.com
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Cazeault Solar & Home is Hiring a Field Installation Coordinator
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Gloucester Public School is Looking to Fill Multiple Positions
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Help Cape Ann Seniors by Becoming an ABC Shopper for ABC Home Healthcare Professionals
Call Christine (781)914-3273 to learn more
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The City of Gloucester is Hiring
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Local Colors Artists' Cooperative is Looking For Artists
Exhibit your work in the gallery and enjoy being among artists where you'll find a positive, creative, and collaborative environment.
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Cape Ann Youth Friendly Jobs & Internships
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We would like to extend a big thank you to our supporting sponsors.
If you are interested in promoting with the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring this newsletter, please contact Ken Riehl at ken@capeannchamber.com
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