Last year, Sandra Bullock and Mel Gibson visited Gloucester and other Cape Ann communities to film Hollywod movies.

This week, "Sex And The City" fave Sarah Jessica Parker has already landed a planned TV show.

Parker and a film crew were in Gloucester and Salem on Thursday and yesterday, respectively, to film an episode for "Who Do You Think You Are?" a show that's a U.S. network takeoff on a British Broadcasting Co. hit in which celebrities explore their lineage. The show is being produced by "Friends" star Lisa Kudrow.

Gloucester city officials confirmed that a film company had secured permission to film on Avon Court in the Rocky Neck area, and at the Visitors Center at Stage Fort Park, though the permits did not give any indication what actors were involved. Parker, however, was spotted with the crew having lunch Thursday afternoon at The Gloucester House. The filming had shifted to Salem by yesterday afternoon.

By the way, Bullock's "Proposal" — which also stars Ryan Reynolds, Betty White and especially the town of Rockport standing in as Sitka, Alaska — is now in the Disney queue and scheduled for a June 12 release date. There's no word yet on the timing of Parker's heritage trip to Gloucester.

Trash: Purple Reign begins

OK, Gloucester residents: transition time is up. Beginning Monday, trash pickup will include only the city's new — and, in some circles, controversial — purple trash bags.

Those bags are on sale for $2 apiece, and many stores are selling them only in packs of 5 for $10. City Recycling Coordinator Kathy Middleton, however, emphasized that several stores are selling the bags individually.

They are:

Annie's, 90 Concord St.

The Building Center, Harbor Loop

Eaton's Apothecary, 76 Prospect St.

Ed's Mini Mart, 89 Washington St.

Lanesville Package Store, 1180 Washington St.

Railroad Variety, 2 Railroad Ave.

Richdale — East Gloucester, 120 East Main St.

7-Eleven, 50 Maplewood Ave.

Tedeschi's, 28-40 Washington St.

Tony's Variety, Washington St.

Twin Stop Gulf, 123 Eastern Ave.

Middleton also said the stores are selling the "bulky-item" stickers. Bulky items are any item such as a chair, mattress, couch, lawn mover or any other item that will not fit into a "Pay-As-You-Throw" bag.

Bulky items do not include appliances, TVs or computer monitors; those items require a separate pick-up and sticker, Middleton said. Bulky items stickers are sold at Annie's; the Building Center; the city's Department of Public Works, at 28 Poplar St.; Magnolia Variety, 2 Raymond St.; Stop 'N Shop, East Gloucester; Tony's Variety, Washington Street; White Hen Pantry, 50 Bass Ave.

Melanoma movie

A pair of videos that teach teens about melanoma and that are part of the curriculum at Gloucester High School, Manchester Essex Middle and High School, have been recognized by America's skin doctors.

The Melanoma Education Foundation of Peabody has won the American Academy of Dermatology 2009 Gold Triangle Award for excellence in furthering public understanding of dermatologic issues and encouraging healthy behavior in skin care. The award will be presented during the AAD's 67th Annual Meeting on March 6 in San Francisco.

The winning entry was the melanoma videos for teens. The student videos and other classroom materials are available at no cost to all New England middle school and high school health teachers who watch a free 45-minute training video, "Teaching the SkinCheck Class."

The video "Should've, Could've, Would've" educates middle school students about self-detection and prevention of melanoma. Three young melanoma survivors share their experiences, educating viewers to avoid the mistakes that nearly cost them their lives.

"My Melanoma Vlog," for high school students, is about a student who attends a school health fair and becomes concerned about melanoma and the dangers of tanning beds. After searching the Internet for more information, she shares what she has learned through the popular medium of vlogging (video-blogging).

Honored veteran

The flag at the Veterans' Center will this week in honor of World War II veteran Wilfred Stanley Prince. Born May 8, 1926, he entered the Army on Jan. 12, 1945, serving in the military police in Hawaii and Japan with the Headquarters Battery 138th Anti Aircraft Artillery Group.

Prince was award the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Medal.

He was discharged Nov. 21, 1946, as a private first class, and died on Feb. 8 last year.

The flag was requested to fly in his honor by his widow, Janice Prince of Prospect Street.

Anyone wishing to fly a flag in honor of a deceased veteran can call the Office of Veterans' Services at 978-281-9740.