Lifestyle

Essex goings on


Published: August 2, 2008

Goings on and calendar announcements should be sent to the Gloucester Daily Times, Whittemore Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, via e-mail to gdt@gloucestertimes.com or faxed to 978-281-5748. Please send items at least two weeks prior to the event.

Essex Music Festival

The Essex Division of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the 15th annual Essex Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 16, noon to 7:30 p.m., at Centennial Grove. The festival, featuring two stages, will be hosted by Sweet Loretta's Snake Oil Jug Band and will include Daisy Nell & Capt. Stan; Old Cold Tater; Julie Dougherty; Orville Giddings Band; Carol Littlefield McIntyre; Backwoods Ramblers; Squeezebox Stompers; Pick 3; Tamarac; 3 Sheets to the Wind; Dusty & Joanna; Bob & Jen Strom; Not That Blonde; Paul Prue; Joe Boyd; and Herb Smooth. Cost is $6 for adults, free for children. No pets. All proceeds go toward restoration of Centennial Grove. Visit www.EssexMusicFestival.com.

Spaulding Fund

The Spaulding Education Fund, a private, nonprofit organization established to provide financial assistance to Manchester Essex public schools, relies entirely on private donations. Contributions are tax-deductible and may be made online at www.spauldingeducationfund.org or mailed to The Spaulding Education Fund, Box 192, Manchester, MA 01944.

BNI meeting

Yankee Networkers Chapter of BNI, a business referral organization, meets every Wednesday at Periwinkles restaurant, 74 Main St. Business breakfasts are served 7 to 8:30 a.m. and visitors are invited.

Vacation Bible School

Calvary Chapel Baptist Church of Gloucester and North Shore Bible Church of Essex will cosponsor a Vacation Bible School Aug. 4-8, 5:45 to 8:15 p.m., at 384 Washington St., Gloucester. "Amazon Expedition" is open to children ages 4 to 11. Admission is free. Call 978-283-8856 or 978-768-3539.

Foreclosure assistance

The Gloucester Housing Authority, 259 Washington St., will schedule private appointments for those homeowners who are feeling the financial crunch and want to avoid a foreclosure. Homeowners will be guided to the best path to take and will find out about new laws to help the process. The free sessions are open to people living in Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Essex, Ipswich and other North Shore communities. To schedule an appointment, call Kathy at 978-281-4770, ext. 110.

Library home delivery

TOPH Burnham Library offers home delivery for any homebound person. Choose from a selection of books, tapes and other materials. Call 978-768-7410.

Business counseling

The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce offers free small-business counseling at its office at 33 Commercial St., Gloucester, on the first and third Thursday of each month. Anyone who is considering starting a business or has questions about an aspect of his or her firm can make an appointment with a representative from the Small Business Development Center of Salem State College. For an appointment, call 978-283-1601 or e-mail info@capeannchamber.com.

Rotary Club

Manchester-Essex Rotary Club meets Wednesdays at 7:15 a.m. for breakfast, fellowship, to hear interesting speakers and plan community service projects. Call Lex Towle at 978-869-2424 or Dave Peterson at 978-524-4150.

Chamber maps

The Essex Division of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce is collecting business listings for the Essex handout map, which features the town's antique shops, restaurants, shops, attractions and points of interest, and services. The map will be reprinted in its current 5.75 inches x 11 inches high two-sided format and will also be formatted as a standard-sized rack card. Cost for Essex businesses to be included in both of these productions is $65. For more information or to reserve space in the map, call 978-283-1601 or e-mail info@capeannchamber.com.

Trip to Constitution

The Essex Shipbuilding Museum has arranged for a visit to the USS Constitution, which is undergoing renovation and currently closed to the public, Friday, Aug. 15. The trip also includes a visit to the USS Constitution Museum, and the Naval Historical Center. A light lunch will be served at the Tavern on the Water restaurant. The bus will leave from the Essex Shipbuilding Museum at 8:15 a.m. and return at 2:30 p.m. Cost is $69 per person. Reservations are needed by Aug. 8; visit www.essexshipbuildingmuseum.org or call 978-768-7541.

History meeting

The next Essex History meeting will take place Wednesday, Aug. 13, 7 p.m., in the Essex Shipbuilding Museum's Waterline Center, 66 Main St. Join host Kurt Wilhelm for a continuing series of history meetings that follow in the traditions of the original Historical Society. Pursue organized research into the lives of Chebacco ancestors and Essex's history. Admission is free. Call 978-768-7541.