With the snow now hopefully out of the picture, Gloucester's streets are now drawing some residents' and visitors' ire for the traditional springtime bugaboo — potholes.
In fact, the city's street "divots," as Mayor Carolyn Kirk called them during a press conference announcing the debut of the RunGloucester road race last year, caught the attention of at least one high-profile visitor last week.
Comedian Jimmie "JJ" Walker, the 1970s TV "Good Times" star who is now 63 and has long performed regular standup, brought his act to The Gloucester House last weekend, where he not only drew rave reviews but drew laughs from the start by noting the condition of Rogers Street.
How big are Gloucester's potholes, according to JJ?
Well, the comic said he fell into one soooooooo deep that he discovered a family living down there — and they were carrying out a few enterprises.
"They were raising cats and dogs and chickens," Walker said in mock disbelief. And that's not all, he said.
"They were building a Wal-Mart!" he exclaimed.
GHS leaders eye State House
The Gloucester High School senior class president and a four-year member of the student council will be getting a taste of big-time government this week.
Class of 2011 President Michael Tomaino and veteran student council rep Adam Philpott — also members of the Fishermen's football team and captains with this past season's GHS boys' basketball team — were voted by their peers to represent the school at the annual Student Government Day at the Massachusetts State House in Boston next Friday.
They will be accompanied to the State House by Student Council advisor Carol Finacey and Gloucester High Youth Awareness Coordinator Don Riley.
GHS principal William Goodwin said he's also arranged for the students to meet with State Sen. Bruce Tarr, and State Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante on Tuesday morning in advance of the event.
Tomaino will be paired with Tarr on Student Government day, while Philpott will be paired with Ferrante.
"These boys are definitely future leaders," Goodwin said, with a justifiable sense of school pride.
City student wins writing award
Waring School senior Leah Breen of Gloucester was chosen as one of the 2011 The Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards — American Voices Nominees.
Her writing piece titled "Polaroids in Tajikistan" was one of 74 pieces honored with a Gold Key (out of 570 country-wide). Only five students won American Voices Nominees.
The five works were selected by the Boston Globe writing judges as the "Best of the Best" in this year's program.
The nominees were honored at an awards ceremony on Sunday, March 6, at the John Hancock Hall in Boston.
An excerpt from Breen's work is on exhibit as a large poster in the 2011 Gold Key and Silver Key Art Exhibit at the State Transportation Building through April 7.
Help Action plan services
The Action, Inc. organization wants to know what you think are the current needs and problems within the community, particularly for disadvantaged individuals and families.
The downtown Gloucester-based shelter and social service organization is inviting residents to visit www.actioninc.org and click "We Want to Hear Your Ideas" to complete its online survey.
Action officials will be collecting surveys until April 15.
By completing this anonymous survey, organizers say, you'll help identify issues in the community, assess how well needs are currently being addressed, and develop new and innovative initiatives to fill gaps in services
The results of the Community Needs Assessment is designed to advance development of Action, Inc.'s 2011-2013 Community Action Plan, which will be published at www.actioninc.org this fall and serve as a guidepost for providing services over the next three years.
Honored veterans
The flag at the Veterans' Center flew last week in honor of Korean War era veteran John "Jocko" J. Hanrahan Jr. Born March 24, 1936, he entered the U.S. Marine Corp. on Dec. 1, 1953.
The corporal served with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine, and 2nd Marine Divison. He served in the Mediterranean and at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Hanrahan was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and Marksman.
He was discharged Nov. 30, 1956, and died Aug. 8, 2005.
The flag was requested to fly in his honor by his friend, Georgia Gadbois of Gloucester.
The flag at the Veterans' Center will fly this week in honor of veteran George F. Fincel. Born April 3, 1936, he entered the U.S. Marine Corp., and U.S. Army Reserves, National Guard in 1954.
The sergeant 1ist class served for more than 31 years in the military.
Fincel was awarded the National Defense Service Medal with two stars, the Marine Good Conduct Medal with three stars, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, the Army Reserve Achievement Medal with an hourglass, the Army Commendation Medal, the NCO Professional Device Ribbon, the Army Reserve Component Medal, and the Army Reserve Overseas Ribbon with one star.
He died June 22, 2009.
The flag was requested to fly in his honor by his wife, Sandra D. "Cookie" Fincel.
Anyone wishing to fly a flag in honor of a deceased veteran can call the Office of Veterans' Services at 978-281-9740.
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