Cape Ann Business Briefcase | Business

Workforce challenges panel discussion

The Greater Cape Ann Innovators Collaborative are hosting a free expert panel discussion on current workforce challenges and solutions for the existing labor market this Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cruiseport Gloucester, 6 Rowe Square.

A panel of experts will be presenting innovative strategies to recruit, retain and develop the workforce. Each presentation will be approximately 15 minutes. There will be a question-and-answer period and open discussion following the presentations.

Panelists are:

Jason Andree, vice president, Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester.

Neil Costa, CEO, HireClix in Gloucester.

William Heineman, president, North Shore Community College, campuses in Danvers and Lynn.

Kathy Low, senior HR business partner, SPG Varian Business Unit, Applied Materials in Gloucester.

Light appetizers and cash bar will be offered. Attendees may bring businesses cards as there will be time for networking before and after the presentation.

Registration is required for this free event. To register, please visit bit.ly/CAIC-Workforce or email info@capeannchamber.com.

Chamber considers ‘shop local’ card

The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce is considering an initiative to create a “shop local incentive” — called the Local 365 card. The goal is to encourage continued support of local businesses on a year-round basis.

By offering year-round benefits to cardholders as well as promoting and supporting local businesses, the Local 365 card would be mutually beneficial to consumers and merchants. The program would include selling and distributing annual discount cards for $25 each. The discounts offered would be managed by individually participating businesses.

The chamber said answering a brief survey would help it determine the card this would be beneficial for members and what customization may be needed. To complete the survey, visit https://bit.ly/3tRkh2n.

Coastal Italian dinner, wine

Tonno Cucina e Cantina, 2 Main St. in Gloucester, and Bob “BZ” Zohn will host a special five-course dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. Each dish will be paired with a wine from a specific region of coastal Italy.

Toast to the evening with a Prosecco from Venice for the reception, followed by Grilled Octopus Salad paired with a Toscana Vermentino and Sardinian Vermentino. From there, travel to the iconic Amalfi Coast for a dish of Sauteed Clams paired with a local Aglianico. Enjoy an Orecchiette with pistachio pesto and stracciatella that perfectly complements a vintage blend from the region of Puglia. Traverse to exotic Sicily for a glass of Nerello Mascalese with an exquisite Rolled Beef Braciole braised with tomatoes and veal stock. Round out the meal on a sweet note with Pistachio Biscotti and a Sicilian Marsala for dessert.

Tickets for the dinner are $145 per person and can be reserved on Resy fo Tonno Gloucester at tonnorestaurant.com.

Tonno Gloucester, Tonno Wakefield, Prezza in Boston, and The Blue Ox in Lynn are all part of the Caturano Restaurant Group, owned and operated by chef Anthony Caturano.

Ribbon cutting for Essex restaurant

An open house will be held by the Vita Bella Ristorante at 109 Eastern Ave. in Essex on Tuesday, Nov 14, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The Greater Cape Ann Chmaber of Commerce willl celebrate the restaurant’s opening with a ribbon cutting at 3:30 p.m. Owners Susan Werrick and Jael Reyes will be hand, share and visitors can share some appetizers and meet the team.

RSVP is requested by emailing vitabellaristorante@gmail.com.

Summer season review

On Thursday, Nov. 9, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Gloucester Stage Company will host a review of Cape Ann’s 2023 summer season. Presented by Discover Gloucester, the evening will highlight information collected at the recent Restaurant, Arts/Culture, Attractions, Retail and Lodging Roundtable Sessions.

Learn about what was good, problems encountered and the possible solutions. Light refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP at https://bit.ly/3QM18bh.