The Fourth of July is here

The Fourth of July is here! This week I provide a list of events for you to choose from in Provincetown for the festive weekend. In addition, I’ve included all events in June and July including The Portuguese Festival which starts today.
FOURTH OF JULY

The parade starts down Commercial Street around noon. You can get a pretty good view from almost anywhere along the parade route.

Fireworks start over the bay at dusk. The display is pretty good for our little seaside town so I hope you can make it.

The Art House Theatre

• Varla Jean Merman and the Mushroomheads, Tuesday thru Friday at 8PM.. a special Varla film festival starts at 7:30 PM
  
  
• Miss Richfield is Tuesday through Sunday at 10PM
  
  
• Blanche Survives Katrina… Thursday-Sunday 8:30 PM
  
  
• Suzanne Whang… Wednesday through Sunday 7PM, no show on the 4th.

The UU Meetinghouse

• Hedda Lettuce with Eat Me at 10PM all weekend long
  
  
• Mimi Gonzalez starts July 5th at 8:30 PM

The Crown and Anchor

• Kate Clinton Thursday through Saturday at 7PM
  
  
• Illusions Drag Spectacular is all weekend at 7:30 pm
  
  
• Dina Martina is whacked all weekend at 9PM
  
  
• Thirsty Burlington performs all weekend at 10:30 PM
  
  
• Independence Day Dance Friday and Saturday at 9PM
  
  
• On Tuesday, catch Ryan Landry’s Willie Wanker and the Hershey Highway.

The Boatslip

• Special extended Tea Dance from 4-11PM on Saturday. This is also a great spot to watch the fireworks.

The Post Office Cabaret

• James
  
  
• Jackie Beat
  
  
• Naked Boys Singing

The Vixen and AHOUSE

• Dancing all weekend

David Flower’s features Summer Camp

• Pier Dance Saturday from 3-8PM
  
  
• Hangar Party at the airport Sunday from 8PM-1AM
  
  
• Sunset cruise Monday 5-9PM

Remember to check your ferry or flight times and reserve your ticket if you haven’t yet. Allow for heavy traffic if you are driving here. For more information check mikedubour.com. Other events for the remainder of June and July include:

June 25-28th The Portuguese Festival and Blessing of the Fleet. This includes dancing, singing and food. There is also a parade!

The Art House

• Two Boys in a Bed on a Cold Winter’s Night, weekends in June
  
  
• ANT June 26-28th
  
  
• Jen Kober June 29-30th

July 11th there will be an auction to raise money to help renovate the library

July 11-18 is Bear Week

July 12th is the secret garden tour

June 20th its the 10K Dog Run Dog owner and pooch run

July 22-26 is Girl Splash

Please come to Provincetown and enjoy yourselves. Summer is fleeting. Email me at Michael.dubour@century21.com for more information.

Provincetown News for June 2009

Provincetown News Update

The summer rental season is upon us and so is a scam. If you are seeking to rent a vacation home here on the Cape, make sure you are renting directly from the owner or realtor representing the owner. Criminals looking to make quick cash have advertised homes for rent on Craigslist that they do not own. There are no reported victims as of yet. However, this could potentially cost vacationers thousands of dollars if they fall for it. Always try and validate the owner’s name by visiting the town website and checking the Assessor’s database.

A newly renovated town hall isn’t the only jewel Provincetown is seeing unfold. Recent work has uncovered numerous items from the past. A beer can from the 1950’s, a copy of a 1937 Cape Cod Colonial newspaper which headlined a story on Adolph Hitler’s actions and four signatures from workers who signed their names in the belfry in 1886.

The historic town hall which was built 123 years ago, is undergoing massive renovations after being deemed unsafe last year.

As a side note, there was an advertisement for a four bedroom summer cottage in the 1937 newspaper. The selling price…$2500.

The off road beach access to Race Point Beach South was temporarily closed due to the hatching of Plover chicks. Expected closures will also take place as eggs hatch along other ORV routes to Race Point Beach. If you use these roads, you may be able to use Race Point North roads most of the summer as nesting activity in this area is very minimal.

Piping plovers are on the endangered species list and the nests are monitored daily by the National Parks Service biologist. Once the chicks leave the nest, the roads are re-opened.

If there are unexpected closings, permit holders will be allowed to park for free at Herring Cove Beach, Race Point Beach and Head of the Meadow Beach. Recreational vehicles that are self contained will find parking accommodations at Race Point Beach and The Province Lands Visitor Center.

Provincetown residents have consistently used more water than the town’s allotted daily 850,000 gallons. This over usage may cause the state to enforce a water ration on the town.

Any rations would be a detriment to the hospitality industry which is a cornerstone of the economy. It will also impact homeowners and businesses seeking to expand their water capacity for additions or development. Provincetown gets its water from three wells in Truro. Alternative well fields are being sought out as a back-up water supply.

Remember the old saying… water is a precious resource here in Provincetown, please use what you need and waste none.

Austin Knight, a Provincetown Selectmen, broke his arm this past Tuesday as he was working on a home in the center of town. He was taken to Cape Cod hospital and is doing ok.

The class of 2009, the smallest graduating class in the state, marched through light rain to shake hands and grab diplomas last Friday. The ceremony took place at The Pilgrim Monument where the 23 graduates and over 400 attendees were sheltered under a large tent. The commencement address was delivered by State Representative Sarah Peake. Good luck to all graduates.

Thanks for reading and if you have any ideas, please email me at michael.dubour@century21.com.

Finback Whale on Provincetown Beach

This week, I posted pictures of the Finback Whale which washed ashore on Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown. Click over to michaeldubour.com to check them out

A New Season Begins

The Memorial Day holiday in Provincetown proved to be a promising kick off to the summer season.

Business owners reported that the weather, although a bit gloomy at times, cooperated to make conditions ideal for tourists.

Retail shop and restaurant owners said that this was a very busy holiday weekend. Although the economy is slow, visitors seem tired of bad news. Provincetown provided a breath of fresh air and a chance to get away from the negative media. Most purchases were small, like t-shirts, ice cream cones and bric-a-brac items. But, folks were buying nonetheless.

Even though the holiday is over, the past week was also very busy. The true test of the summer economy will start July 1st with Independence Day holiday. Last year, restaurants, retail shops and entertainment did very well, while galleries struggled. Some galleries have been replaced with retail shops so it will be interesting to see how the newcomers fare.

Send an email to Michael.dubour@century21.com or call 508-789-1107 if you have any questions or to contribute. Thanks for reading and come back next Friday. Have a happy summer.

Provincetown News for May 2009

This month, you'll see town election results, new businesses that will open this season, a quick tour of The Pilgrim Monument and Memorial Day events.

Spring in Provincetown

Ballot Questions Pass

Provincetown voters approved five ballot questions in this week’s election.

Property taxes will increase in order to fund the Recreation Department, the town’s sidewalks and roads will be repaired, storm drains will be maintained, a new ladder truck will be purchased and a new street sweeper will be purchased.

New Businesses Come to Provincetown

Post “rented” signs over the majority of vacant retail space on Commercial Street. What could have potentially been a disastrous look for Provincetown this summer has been averted. An unusually large number of retail spaces have been rented by new businesses in spite of economic times.

Here’s a list of newcomers to support this year.

Wabi Dumplings is opening a take out food service only at 206 Commercial Street. This eatery will be owned by the chef from Victor’s in the West End, but no need to worry, he will not be quitting his night job.

The Caribbean Corner will open at 269 Commercial Street, directly across from town hall. There will be a full liquor license. This restaurant is actually moving from a smaller location, all meals are cooked to order. The food is absolutely delicious, but, put on your patience cap as the preparation takes time.

Townsend Lobster will open in the former Clem and Ursie’s building on Shank Painter Road.

The Brass Key will open its “Shipwreck Lounge” to the public.

The former Commons Guest House Restaurant and Level has a new owner. This summer the businesses will be called The Waterford.

New galleries include the J. Lucas Gallery at 437 Commercial Street, Julie Heller East at 465 Commercial Street, Portraits by Storm Cloud at 346 Commercial Street.

Numerous artists have rented the sheds on MacMillan Pier for the season as well. Look for watercolor paintings, drawings and knitting shops.

Garden Renovations, a nursery, has opened on the corner of Nelson Avenue and Race Point Roads.

Melt will open at 199 Commercial Street. This store will offer facial creams and other skin care products.

Klymaxx Unlimited will open at 207 Commercial Street and sell skin care products, cosmetics and fragrance.

A jewelry store will be opening at 280 Commercial Street. The name has not been announced.

Recycled Retriever, a pet supply store specializing in green products, will open at 322 Commercial Street. Bring your pets on May 14th from 5-8PM for an opening party.

Yates and Kennedy will be opening a retail store selling t-shirts, home furnishings and gifts at 368 Commercial Street.

We wish all these businesses good luck in their first summer. Hopefully, day trippers and vacationers who want to save money and stay local, will come here and support our economy. Nudge and hint Bostonians, New Yorkers and folks from Providence.

Thanks for reading. I’ll be on vacation next week, but will supply some photos for you to enjoy so come back. In the meantime, send me an email if you have questions or comments mike.dubour@verizon.net.