Help keep Cape Ann beautiful this upcoming Earth Day by participating in Rockport’s annual Earth Day Clean-Up event.
Volunteers are asked to help clean four sites on Saturday, April 27: Old Garden Beach, the Atlantic Path, Cape Hedge Beach, and Sandpiper Overlook at the end of South Street.
In addition, an environmental expo will be held at the Community House, 58 Broadway, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will include Earth-friendly presentations, discussions on green ideas and a gallery featuring art made from recycled trash and debris.
Other planned activities for the day include a “count eels” presentation at Mill Pond, guided hikes on Rockport trails including the new path at Woodland Acres, and a bicycling event with MassBike.
Leading up to Earth Day, the Rockport DPW will conduct a tour of the Water Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 18, at 1:30 p.m., and “Recipe for Disaster: Green Crabs in the Great Marsh,” a documentary by Nubar Alexamian, will be screened at Spiran Lodge, 18 Broadway, on Friday, April 26, at 5 p.m.
For more information, visit www.rockportma.gov.
Still in business
Learn about Rockport’s oldest businesses from the employees and owners who work there on Tuesday, April 16.
Sandy Bay Historical Society will present the panel discussion at 7:30 p.m., at Rockport Public Library, 17 School St.
Speakers include Ken Lane of Sea View Farm (est. 1838), Laurie Tuck of Tuck’s Candy (est. 1929), Karin Porter of Roy Moore Lobster Company (est. 1918) Jay Smith of Smith Hardware & Lumber (est. 1874) and Edna Beaudoin of the Paper House (est. 1922). Cape Ann historian Les Bartlett will moderate.
Admission is free and refreshments will be served.
Get ahead online
Wondering how to get your website ranked higher on Google and other search engines? Head to the latest Brown Bag Collaborative Workshop, “Optimizing Your Google Ranking While Staying Safe in Cyberspace,” on Thursday, April 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Rockport Inn & Suites, 183 Main St.
Greg Blagden of Cape Ann Website Design will cover the basics of search engine optimization along with the best practices for protecting your online personal security.
Blagden is a website designer specializing in WordPress. He is certified in Google Analytics, and also carries Ethical Hacker and SEO – MOZ certifications.
This will be a hands-on learning experience. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop or tablet and a lunch.
There is no charge for this event. RSVPs are requested by emailing [email protected].
Quick hits
* Rockport DECA students will be at the Transfer Station with free baked goods on Saturday, March 30, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Donations are accepted and appreciated to help support the students going to the International DECA Competition in Orlando, Florida, in late April.
* Rockport High’s 16-year-old Kam Diaz, a magician and mentalist, sold out his show last Saturday at Cape Ann Cinema & Stage in Gloucester. He wanted to spread the word that he also does events and parties. For those interested, he can be reached at 978-675-7068 or email at [email protected].
Rockport Ramblings is compiled by Michael Cronin. If you have a news tip or an item for Ramblings, contact him at 978-675-2708, or [email protected].