Cape Ann has been selected for an exciting and innovative Regional Pilot Grant designed to support local businesses that have been hardest hit by the pandemic and help them make a strong recovery. The state grant was awarded to the Cape Ann Chamber, in partnership with the Cape Ann communities of Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Essex, to carry out the Cape Ann Comeback program.

Business After Hours

Wednesday, April 28 | 4:30 PM

This month's hosts are Gloucester Stage Company and Windhover Performing Arts Center.

Start the month off right and join us for a morning of coffee and connections! Meet new people, expand your business connections and stay in touch with friends and colleagues.

Endicott Entrepreneurial Training Seminar Series | The Secret to Memorable and Moving Marketing | Wednesday, May 12

Interested in sponsoring the Series? Contact [email protected] for more information.

Golf Tournament

Monday, May 24, 2021

Add your portrait to the Cape Ann Museum’s Community Portrait Project! Started in January 2020, the project seeks to create a collective portrait of the Cape Ann community, before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. You can reserve timed tickets to see a selection of twenty portraits currently on display at the main campus and get some inspiration.

“Stripes & Sails” by Donna Baldassari

CATA On Demand is an on-demand public transit

pilot project that will substantially expand low-cost and timely service to employees and employers in Gloucester. The pilot project links MBTA Commuter Rail Stations with major employers in Gloucester. The service will initially operate between 7:30 AM and 8 PM Monday through Friday, with a one-way fare of $2.

This unique, hands-on program prepares students for careers as entry-level technicians in the thriving biotechnology and life sciences fields. Young adults with high school diploma (or equivalent), ages 18-26. No science or math experience required.

Boat owners can recycle shrink wrap at the Gloucester Department of Public Works, 28 Poplar Street. The facility will be open Monday to Thursday from 7:30 AM to 4 PM and from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Fridays. This is a free program open to the general public.

May is Older Americans Month and once again the Council on Aging and Rose Baker Senior Center will be celebrating older Americans all month with special events and activities. The main event, honoring seniors, will take place on Wednesday, May 26 with a "Celebrate Older Americans" drive-through gift bag distribution in the parking lot of the Senior Center. If you would like to provide an item to be included in the gift bags contact Howard Frisch at [email protected]

A Line in the Sand:

Paintings and Jewelry by Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco & Leslie Heffron

Now - April 30 | 1 - 6 PM

Help the Manchester Essex Rotary Clun raise money for local food banks like the Open Door in Gloucester, scholarships to area students attending college and technical schools, and projects around the globe by buying a $100 ticket. The first prize is $7,500! Second Price $1,500, third $1,000. And only 300 tickets will be sold, so while your odds of winning are good, your odds of helping the community are excellent.

April 27 | 6 PM - Website Planning 101: Take Your First Step to Website Success

April 28 | 10 AM - Instagram for Beginners

April 29 | 10 AM - Use YouTube to Grow Your Business

Wednesday, April 28 | 6 - 7 PM

The Sawyer Free Library and Backyard Growers are co-hosting a virtual panel discussion around the topic of food waste. The live virtual presentation is free and open to the public with advance registration through the Sawyer Free Library's website.

Thursday, April 29 | 6 - 7 PM

Big Data in Small Slices is the first program launching the Sawyer Free Library's Technology on the Horizon series. Join data analysis and visualization expert, author, and journalist Dianne Finch-Claydon to learn about how data visualization can be used to combat climate change, better our world, and even help your career.

Thursday, April 29 | 7 - 8 PM

Join Rockport Music for a beautiful lecture/performance with Abigale Reisman/klezmer violin and Hankus Netsky/piano that honors the rich tradition of the Jewish violin in Eastern Europe.

The Scrawney Morgan Foundation is going to be accepting blood donations at True North Ale Company to support cancer research through Dana-Farber/Brigham & Woman's Hospital, a vitally important pillar in the fight for a cure and treatment. Make your appointment to donate blood on Friday, April 30 or Saturday, May 1!

Saturday, May 1 | 2 PM 

This year’s Auction will be held live online only via LiveAuctioneers and the Auction Preview Exhibition at the RAA&M is on view now through May 1.

What started as a cozy storytelling evening at the Gloucester Writers Center (GWC), has developed into a happening weekend night event every other month showcasing real people, telling true stories from the heart. Reserve your ticket today to watch local storytellers bare their funny, vulnerable and honest tales during this virtual streaming event.

Saturday, May 1 | 10 AM - 3 PM

Join Hammond Castle Museum as they kick off their 46th season! Guests may explore the breathtaking building and grounds of Hammond Castle Museum and take guided tours offering insight into the inventor that was one of the North Shore’s most dynamic residents.

Saturday, May 8 | 10 AM - 4 PM

join Hold Fast Company and several other makers for this Spring Pop-Up outdoor event. There will be many Mother's Day gift options including jewelry, art, home decor, body care, sea salts, and more!

This Week's Takeout Today Featured Members: Windward Grille and Main Street Antiques

Located in Essex, you’ll find the Windward Grille, offering a wide variety of fresh seafood, steak, and poultry dishes with an extensive wine list and full bar. Open from Wednesday-Saturday at 4pm, enjoy dining indoors or takeout this week. Feel like perusing? Make your way over to Main Street Antiques in Essex, an old-fashioned antique shop that is celebrating 40 years! Jammed packed with four floors of antiques, enjoy a storewide 50% off sale! Open 7 days a week from 11-5pm. 

Join the Manchester location now with a friend and you both get 50% off monthly dues for 6 months when you commit between now and May 1! Already a member but want to take advantage of this promotion? Get your friend to join and you both get 50% off your dues for 6 months! Email [email protected] for more details and to sign up!

Caffe Sicilia, located on Main Street in Gloucester, offers a taste of Sicily right here on Cape Ann! Serving delicious espresso, sandwiches, pizza, pastries, cakes and so much more, you will just have to leave with an extra treat (or five). The next time you stop by Caffe Sicilia, be sure to say hello to the owner, Maria and her staff, who always offer a warm hello and exceptional service to their beloved customers.

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal reopened Monday, April 26, 2021 at noon. Applicants will need a smartphone and a multi-factor authenticator app to register and apply. For additional information and to review applicant resources, visit www.sba.gov/svogrant

On Thursday, May 6 at 9 am the Chamber will join with the City of Gloucester and Discover Gloucester to host SBA Lender Relations Specialist Dan Martiniello for a webinar on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business. To register please click here

Over 2.3 Million Now Fully Vaccinated in Mass

According to the April 26 Daily COVID-19 Vaccine Report from the Department of Public Health 2,250,027 people have been fully vaccinated in Massachusetts. All residents age 16 and above are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. All who live, work or study in Massachusetts may pre-register for an appointment at a mass vaccination location here View the latest Massachusetts vaccine update here View the April 22 weekly vaccination report here

State’s COVID-19 Positivity Rate Drops Below 2%

The state’s 7-day weighted average positivity rate fell to 1.74% on April 24, its lowest point since last October. Other key indicators, including hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID are also showing encouraging downward trends. To view the most recent Massachusetts COVID-19 daily dashboard please click here. For the April 22 weekly public health report please click here 

My Local MA Campaign Invites

The state’s My Local MA campaign recently launched a new feature on their website where businesses can share their stories of resilience, customer service and innovation. The Chamber encourages all Cape Ann small businesses to submit their own stories about how they have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. View this new feature and submit your business’s story here

For comprehensive COVID-19 information please visit the Chamber’s special Coronavirus page.

To view the most recent (April 22) weekly COVID-19 Command Center Situation Report from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), please click here

For the latest COVID-19 news and information for Massachusetts, please visit www.mass.gov. To view the latest nationwide case information published daily by the CDC please click here

Cape Ann's Marina Resort & Cape Ann Marine Sales & Service are Looking to Hire Multiple Positions

The resort is currently seeking a housekeeping supervisor, administrative assistant, front desk associate, and housekeeping attendant.

Join the ranks of the busy hardware and building materials stores. You'll become part of the team that provides Ace's friendly and helpful customer service. This position requires a good attitude and a smile!

The position will be 2-4 days a week at a seasonal 40 room property located on the beautiful Back Shore.

Are you interested in a part-time position with a financially stable company located on the North Shore? Cummings Properties is seeking a bright, hard-working individual to join our watch staff team at Cummings Center in Beverly.

Two positions are currently available at Hammond Castle. Click here to learn about the Events Manager position and here to learn more about the Security Manager position.

Many positions are available, including Produce Team Member, Kitchen Assistant, Cafe Lead Barista, and more!

Beauport Hospitality Group is Hiring Multiple Positions

Atlantic Vacation Homes is Seeking a Full Time Property Manager

Care Dimensions Invites Applications for the September 2021 Hospice Nurse Residency Program

Nursing graduates and experienced nurses interested in hospice and palliative care are invited to apply for the 2021 Hospice Nurse Residency Program, which introduces the vocation of and trains nurses in hospice and palliative care. The deadline to apply is May 3.

If you are interested in promoting with the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring this newsletter, please contact Ken Riehl at [email protected]