The four-faced mechanical clock in City Hall's tilting bell tower is two-faced.
In other words, it tells viewers looking up from Main Street one thing, and those looking up from all other perspectives something else.
The clock tells Main Street it's 8:38.
It's three other faces say the time is more or less 1:29.
That's the time to those looking south from the Post Office.
Looking from the Cape Ann Historical Museum, it's 1:30, and looking from the Central Fire Station, it's between 1:27 and 1:28.
But who's quibbling?
The clock is broken.
Public Works Director Joseph Parisi, who is supervising the larger effort underway to rid the tower of its weak internal supports and bring the entire building, which is on the National Historic Register, back to near-mint condition, said the clock broke "just prior" to the start of St. Peter's Fiesta, which began in late June.
"We have some problems," Parisi said.
The main problem is the electrical motor that powers the clock is broken. He said one would be surprised to see how small the motor is.
But replacing it could be another problem.
"It's an oddity," Parisi said. "We can replace it," but it might take some time.
Old, old open house
People circling Grant Circle are invariably drawn to that old, old, old-looking dark saltbox at the corner of Washington and Poplar streets, and wonder: What's that, why is it abandoned and why isn't anybody living in it?
It isn't abandoned. What it is is the White-Ellery House, built circa 1704, one of the handful of First Period (meaning 1650-1750) homes in Eastern Massachusetts.
It is unoccupied because it is owned by the Cape Ann Historical Museum, which has scheduled an open house - not to sell it but to show it - next Saturday.
Tours are free, but reservations are required. So, if you want to see what a typical house was like more than 300 years ago, give a call to the museum, 978-283-0455.
One supposes they'd listen to an offer.
'Idol' singer coming to town
Another name is lined up to sing for charity Aug. 11, and this one is renowned beyond Cape Ann.
Ayla Brown, a Wrentham native and singing talent who placed 13th in last season's "American Idol" competition, agreed to sing during the Concert from the Heart, an event at Newell Stadium to raise money for the families of J.J. Nicastro and Jackson Altieri. The money will be collected by the Gloucester Fund and distributed to the families.
In other words, it tells viewers looking up from Main Street one thing, and those looking up from all other perspectives something else.
The clock tells Main Street it's 8:38.
It's three other faces say the time is more or less 1:29.
That's the time to those looking south from the Post Office.
Looking from the Cape Ann Historical Museum, it's 1:30, and looking from the Central Fire Station, it's between 1:27 and 1:28.
But who's quibbling?
The clock is broken.
Public Works Director Joseph Parisi, who is supervising the larger effort underway to rid the tower of its weak internal supports and bring the entire building, which is on the National Historic Register, back to near-mint condition, said the clock broke "just prior" to the start of St. Peter's Fiesta, which began in late June.
"We have some problems," Parisi said.
The main problem is the electrical motor that powers the clock is broken. He said one would be surprised to see how small the motor is.
But replacing it could be another problem.
"It's an oddity," Parisi said. "We can replace it," but it might take some time.
Old, old open house
People circling Grant Circle are invariably drawn to that old, old, old-looking dark saltbox at the corner of Washington and Poplar streets, and wonder: What's that, why is it abandoned and why isn't anybody living in it?
It isn't abandoned. What it is is the White-Ellery House, built circa 1704, one of the handful of First Period (meaning 1650-1750) homes in Eastern Massachusetts.
It is unoccupied because it is owned by the Cape Ann Historical Museum, which has scheduled an open house - not to sell it but to show it - next Saturday.
Tours are free, but reservations are required. So, if you want to see what a typical house was like more than 300 years ago, give a call to the museum, 978-283-0455.
One supposes they'd listen to an offer.
'Idol' singer coming to town
Another name is lined up to sing for charity Aug. 11, and this one is renowned beyond Cape Ann.
Ayla Brown, a Wrentham native and singing talent who placed 13th in last season's "American Idol" competition, agreed to sing during the Concert from the Heart, an event at Newell Stadium to raise money for the families of J.J. Nicastro and Jackson Altieri. The money will be collected by the Gloucester Fund and distributed to the families.
"It's a great opportunity to not only give back to a cause, but to have a day filled with music and filled with a concert where people can come, pay their respects and have fun listening to music," Brown said.
Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, worked with Brown's father, Wrentham state Sen. Scott Brown, on nailing down the details and setting up the performance.
"I told her about the Concert from the Heart, and she really wanted to do it," Tarr said.
Nicastro, whose heart was attacked by a virus, died July 12. Jackson, a 16-month-old boy diagnosed with cardiomyopathy who is awaiting a heart transplant, is at Boston Children's Hospital.
Volunteers and sponsors willing to help are asked to call Tarr at his Boston office at 617-722-1600; at-large Councilor Sefatia Romeo at 978-283-1527; or Cindy Donaldson at Addison Gilbert Hospital at 978-283-4000, ext. 126.
Those interested can also visit the Web site at www.concertfromtheheart.org.
Dennis "Fly" Amero, Allen Estes and David Brown will also perform, starting at 6 p.m., in tribute of the boys.
Honored veteran
The flag at the Veterans' Center will fly this week in honor of World War II veteran Jerome Joseph Pallazola. Born Aug. 4, 1927, he entered the U.S. Army on Nov. 2, 1945.
A private first class and an automobile mechanic, Pallazola served with the Headquarters Squadron 46th Air Service Group.
Pallazola was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
He was discharged Feb. 21, 1947, and was lost at sea while fishing onboard the fishing vessel Captain Cosmo on Aug. 12, 1978.
The flag was requested to fly in his honor by his wife, Margie, and his children and grandchildren.
Anyone wishing to fly a flag in honor of a deceased veteran can call the Office of Veterans' Services at 978-281-9740.
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
