Tuesday, March 15, 2022

With profound admiration for his life and legacy, we sadly mark the recent passing of Michael Linquata at the age of 96. A decorated veteran of World War II and the Battle of the Bulge, Mike Linquata co-founded the Gloucester House Restaurant with his father in 1957. Since then Mike Linquata’s story was intertwined with the history of the Gloucester House, his lifelong hometown of Gloucester and the Chamber.

Join us to learn about the current grants available through Massachusetts Growth Capital, including the Empower Digital Grant Program and the Biz-M-Power Grant Program.

The Cape Ann Regional Grant Team offers workshops tailored to meet the needs of Cape Ann’s small businesses. They are free and open to all Cape Ann businesses and their staff.

This Thursday, 12 "lucky leprechauns" will win a "pot of gold" ranging from $500 - $10,000!

Anyone who has a ticket and would like to attend the live event must CALL 978-283-1601 TO REGISTER. May the luck of the Irish be with all ticket holders.

Thank you to our sponsors: Anthony & Dodge P.C., SeniorCare Inc., Seashore Comfort Solutions, McWalter Volunteer Insurance Agency

Our Cape Ann Community Foundation is hosting its annual Low-Number Cape Ann License Plate Online Auction from March 21 to March 28 2022. Don't miss out on the fun!

Already have a plate? You can make an additional donation! PLUS, All donations of $25 or more will be sent a limited edition “I Love Cape Ann” Koozie!

BankGloucester

The Chamber and BankGloucester Ipswich Branch invite you join them for our Business After Hours Event! Stay for the whole two hours or just stop by for a quick visit.

Business After Hours events are a great way to meet your fellow chamber members and learn about their businesses. Guests are always welcome so please feel free to bring non-chamber members to show them what the Greater Cape Ann Chamber is all about!

Join the women of the Chamber for a fun evening of networking and cocktails at the Crow's Nest in Gloucester!

Organized in 1986, the Businesswomen's group is committed to the growth of greater Cape Ann business and the professional development of the Chamber’s female members.

Winter Birding Speaker Series 

Every season has great birds in Rockport. We will begin the day with a tour a Halibut Point State Park to see what birds are there. It is not unusual to see over two dozen species in an hour's walk.

We will return to the Emerson Inn for a presentation where we will focus on the change of seasons, from the wonderful winter birds on the ocean, to the spring migrants coming to refuel for their trip farther north or to stay and nest.

This event will showcase the Cape Ann region's broad range of health and wellness services. From yoga and massage to general health screenings and resources, this event will provide something for people of all ages! The event will also include a Blood Drive with the Red Cross.

Thank you to our sponsors: Addison Gilbert Hospital, Beauport Hearing Care

The net proceeds of this event fund the Chamber’s extensive work with the four Cape Ann schools and Essex Tech and education non-profits. The programming includes: monthly collaboration with all schools and education non-profits, DECA support, intern and mentorships, annual Cape Ann Career & Collage Fair and several scholarships.  In addition to the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, the Chamber awards four scholarships named in honor of past leaders: Mike Costello, Sylvester (Red) Deering, Rudy Macchi, and Patricia Roy D’Alelio.

We are thrilled to announce the newest member of our team, Cindy Rodzen, who just so happens also resides in our newest community…Ipswich. As Marketing and Communications Director, Cindy will lead our member and Chamber / events promotion, social media, newsletters, and website content for all chamber activities. Cindy is your new "point person" for getting your events into our newsletter and promoted on our social media channels. She can be reached by email at cindy@capeannchamber.com. Cindy also is looking to revive the member spotlight series on the Chamber website and welcomes the opportunity to talk to any member who would like to be featured!

For the second year, Art for Equity is raising money to purchase books by POC and queer authors for classrooms across the Gloucester Public School District! We’ve done tons of research and worked with faculty to choose titles - now we need your help to get them to students!

Project Elm will gift 100 disease-resistant trees to Rockport & Gloucester residents to plant on their property this spring.

Size: The trees will grow to be 60' tall & 45' wide

Timing: 6' "whips" will be planted in April by an experienced team

Cost: Trees are gifts (i.e., they're free)

Donations: $50 donations accepted to cover costs or pay it forward.

Limited Supply: First come, first served

Kory Curcuru, producer of 1623 Studios' Timeline: Cape Ann docuseries, discusses The House That Booth Built. The story of the infamous Booths, America's preeminent family of theater in the 19th century, and their ties to Manchester. Refreshments at 6:30!

Members free, guests $10 – RSVP Requested

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at The Antique Table in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Entertainment will be provided by Reservations suggested. For reservations, please call (978) 704-9833 or reserve a table online below.

Two of France’s most revered young jazz artists, accordionist Vincent Peirani and saxophonist Émile Parisien, join forces for an incredible evening of jazz, chanson and tango. The duo, both award-winning stars in their own right, are touring off the release of their new tango-inspired record Abrazo.

Contemporary artist and Montserrat College of Art Alumni, Sarah Dineen has amassed an army of painted helmets, shields, tubes, and microphone-trees lining the Great Hall of Hammond Castle Museum. Working in multiples to magnify the uncanny human and industrial presence of each form, she uses abstraction to suggest familiarity while leaving open to the viewer the possibilities of their own imagination.

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation will present a live concert to celebrate the birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach on Sunday, March 20th, 2022 at 4:30p.m. in the historic Meetinghouse at the corner of Church and Middle Streets. The event will be simulcast on the Foundation’s YouTube channel and will be available afterwards for those unable to attend. The event is free and open to the public but a collection will be taken to benefit Ukrainian relief efforts through the International Rescue Committee.

Join the Manchester Public Library’s online presentation on learning more about The School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA), an entity like none other. Founded by Afghan native Shabana Basij-Rasikh, SOLA operated in Kabul as Afghanistan’s first and only all-girls boarding school, growing from a single class of 6th graders in 2016 to nearly 100 girls in pre-6th through 11th grade in 2021.

Join National Heritage Fellow Harold Burnham, and his Apprentice KD Montgomery (Dench) for an update on their progress for the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Traditional Arts Apprenticeship. After a hiatus for the summer sailing season, Harold & KD are back working on the rehabilitation of Sylvina W. Beal, the return home of Schooner Isabella, and all manner of shipyard nonsense.

Dress in your best gala attire for the best Beauport event yet! Let us greet you on the Red Carpet, where you'll enjoy an opening reception, Champagne Lounge, music, private collection film memorabilia, photo opportunities and more. Proceed to the Beauport Grand Ballroom for a decadent four course dinner, emcee host and music entertainment, and an Oscar Night awards viewing on our live screens. Celebrate at our party fit for the Stars, and to help a good cause!

Considering a career in Health Care or the Trades? Explore the in-demand fields of Health Care and the Trades and get your questions answered.

Art in the Barn is recognized as one of the North Shore’s premier art events, showcasing the work of some of the most talented artists in the region. An annual fundraising event for over 30 years, the show takes place at Greenbelt's headquarters, Cox Reservation in Essex on June 10 & 11.

Featuring Kevin Hines: Suicide Survivor, Filmmaker, and Activist.

Parents and Children 14+ cordially invited

5:30 pm: Youth Mental Health Resource Fair

6:30 pm: Kevin Hines Presentation

Sponsored by Gloucester Public Schools and Gloucester Health Department

Are you a boutique, an art gallery, an event venue or are you just looking to take your business's virtual accessibility to the next level? Virtual Tours aren't just for real estate! As a Greater Cape Ann Chamber member, book a virtual tour with VRtical Media and get an hour of post-production ($100 value) towards your first virtual tour.

Local Sales, Discounts & Promotions

This webinar will discuss the new sanctions and export controls targeting Russia and will also address ongoing implementation of list-based sanctions as they relate to Russia, including rules for compliance. The webinar will also address Russian sectoral sanctions, controls on foreign produced items incorporating U.S. technology, end use and end user restrictions, and more. Finally, the webinar will also provide guidance on screening and due diligence best practices, as well as contingency planning for U.S. firms doing business in Russia.

Starting a new business? Learn the essential steps in starting a new business, the key elements of a business plan and financial forecasting needed to manage and grow your business.

Please join the Enterprise Center and Robert Schick, SCORE Certified Mentor, Northeast Massachusetts Chapter for this one-hour interactive workshop webinar. The workshop webinar will include a question-and-answer segment.

Small businesses across the Commonwealth have been severely impacted by COVID-19. The North Shore Region has been particularly impacted because small businesses dominate the entire region. In fact, when it comes to the North Shore businesses, at least 84% rely on fewer than 20 employees and 37% have 4 or less employees. This second phase of the COVID-19 Business Impact Survey is needed to continue to provide relevant information to policymakers, businesses, and others who are making decisions that also impact our region. If you own or lead a North Shore business or non-profit, please help our efforts by completing our COVID-19 Business Impact Survey - Phase 2.

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, MassHire Career Centers and Workforce Boards, and the Commonwealth Corporation are joining forces to present a series of workforce and upskilling “road shows” this spring. These regional events will seek to provide important information on how employers can access state resources, as well as serve as an opportunity for the business community to engage with state workforce officials.

Event details are still in the works. We have been asked to share this information with Chamber members and all employers in the Greater Cape Ann region. If you are interested in attending a session in our region, please fill out this brief form.

Creating a business plan can seem like a daunting exercise. This is especially true for those running a small business, which can be an all-consuming undertaking. But it helps to have a plan. This workshop will explore a simplified means of business and strategic planning through the use of the Business Model Canvas. Participants will leave with a practical knowledge of the essential business elements/essential activities to increase revenues and manage costs for their particular business.

LEAP is now recruiting employers and

community members! Be a “Career Mentor” and virtually advise a youth/young adult summer intern in a six-week project-based remote learning experience.

Secretary Kennealy, Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development . will provide an update of the Housing and Economic Development Priorities of the Baker-Polito Administration. The event of free of charge but registration is required to attend.

Sponsored by the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development.

Gloucester Housing Authority is Hiring for a Life Coach/Caseworker

Schooner Adventure is Hiring for an Executive Director 

Line Cooks Wanted at Happy Humpback Cafe

Marine Retail Store and Parts Manager needed at Cape Ann Marine Sales & Service

Positions Available at Works by Jesse DeBenedictis" Administrative Asst. and Lead Carpenter

Appleton Farms - Trustees is Hiring an Education Manager and a Senior Retail Manager

Assistant Store Manager needed in Rockport

If you are interested in promoting with the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring this newsletter, please contact Ken Riehl at ken@capeannchamber.com