A group of North Shore bloggers are joining forces to form the North Shore Blogger Consortium. We will be bringing you the best of Boston’s North Shore each Thursday morning in a series of posts titled North Shore Blogger Consortium Weekend Picks. These picks will feature each blogger’s very top cultural picks of things to do whether it be a museum exhibit, restaurant opening, sporting event, festival or anything that the individual blogger feels would be a great experience in their own opinion.
Here goes something-
Greater Newburyport Today is your online guide to the wide range of activities and events occurring within the Greater Newburyport region of coastal Massachusetts, including the surrounding New Hampshire seacoast and the Ipswich/Essex and Cape Ann regions of the North Shore.
At its core, LynnHappens.com is a place to find out what’s happening in Lynn. It features an events calendar, local weather, arts and events coverage, photo galleries, complete City Council videos, letters to the editor and more.
North Shore Dish is your guide to restaurants and all things food related on the North Shore. Whether it’s gourmet dining or a hole-in-the-wall, if these gals have tasted it, they’ll dish up the inside scoop.
Good Morning Gloucester brings you the best of Gloucester MA and surrounding communities. From the docks to the restaurants, the sporting fields to the art scene and anything in between, if it’s happening in Gloucester it’s generally covered on GMG.
Here are some previously unreleased pictures from the kick off of the Amazing Race Season 17 which I captured in pictures and video. The Season kicks off in Gloucester Ma. and generally folks don’t get to see the very beginning of the show until it airs but we got you some insider footage to check out before the season begins on TV. According to the Amazing Race 17 Wikipedia Page “The season premieres on September 26, 2010 with a special 90-minute episode before returning to its regular hour-long format the following week.” The Amazing Race has won an Emmy every year since its creation in 2003 but got knocked off this year by Top Chef.
Click pics for full sized versions
Here are some sneak previews of what was going on the day they started filming written and the encounter my wife had when one of the teams asked her for directions in Gloucester
At the Lone Gull10K I was introduced to Ken of www.runwithken.com fame- The Running Photographer. The premise behind his blog is that he runs with a camera and takes race photos from inside the Race.
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Joey, your tech posts are great. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if ZD was watching you!
Question: What do you use to edit your video? I’m looking for something relatively simple with basic functionality (and free if possible). Any suggestions?
That’s a great question Abbie. The editing program that I finally found was a godsend.
I’ll share the story of how I arrived at the video solution that worked for me. Keep in mind however that I am not trying to say that the editing solution I use is perfect for everyone. I will say that it is super fast, super easy, can edit today’s HD technology (which is what most new cameras ship with nowadays) and gives you a variety of preset formats for you to save your project in. You can save it as a dvd, you can save your video as a standard definition smaller file size, you can save it in HD, and there’s even a upload direct to YouTube preset which I use 90% of the time.
I’ll start in the beginning of my quest for the right video editing software. In the early stages of the blog I was using the Sony H3 camera which shot standard definition video. It was a bit grainy in low light, it was more square 4×3 in dimension and didn’t have the polished look of widescreen HD video. The newer cameras that were coming out shot in HD, 16:9 widescreen and I wanted the blog to be the best it could be. The desire to shoot interviews and the Gloucester Zen scenes in HD was consuming me so I read every single forum and magazine article I could about HD cameras.
I realized that the new Sony model that had replaced my H3 shot in HD and was pocketable (an absolute must for my blogging needs)Â The camera needs to be on my person to capture things as they happen and not disrupt work running to the office to set up a dslr or separate video camera.
So I bought the new Sony, the DSC H20, my current camera, which shoots 720p HD and went to edit my shoot first movie and my Vista PC could not push the movie around to edit it. It was a format called AVCHD and most video cameras today shoot in this format. I was horrified.  My baby, the H3 that had been with me from the start of the blog and recorded hundreds of great scenes had been sold to a good FOB Brenda Malloy and here I had a new camera that made better qualoity movies but didn’t have the tools to edit them. To say I was frustrated would be a major understatement.
So back to the forums for answers. Vimeo, a video hosting site has a fantastic user community forum with some professional video editors and camera folks that can answer just about anything. A good majority of the people suggested Apple Final Cut Pro or iMovie but I had a PC and switching to a mac was not something I was even considering.
Most of the people on the Vimeo forums that owned PC’s suggested Sony Vegas video editing software. It was $80. I bought it because I desperately wanted to edit HD video and I desperately wanted to create more content for the blog.Â
Sony Vegas is a bit complicated. It was a good program for someone that needs a ton of different options as far as different transitions and color schemes and trickery and special effects. I consider myself more advanced than the average computer user but I had a very hard time figuring out the right export options and if you didn’t do things just right you would have ugly black bars on the top or sides of the video. It also used a ton of system resources on the Vista machine and many times the video would render without sound. I was ready to tear my hair out (and if you know me you know that the little hair I have left is a rare commodity).
So then someone did something very mean to me. Another Blogger and tech geek like myself Kenny McCarthy from The Cut Bridge Blog let me borrow his macbook for a couple days. It was just a basic one, a couple years old but I fell in love with it. I became obsessed with getting a mac- any mac because you can make a pretty professional looking movie with the editing software that comes with them.
Research began.  Going into the Apple store every time I was at the mall, logging onto the Apple online store and configuring just the right model but the prices were going to be over $1000.Â
Cut to the house. My wife’s laptop shit the bed and it needed replacing. I did some research and because her computing needs consist of A) browsing the internet and B) logging onto the internet to check out her Facebook account I decided that for her needs a 4GB of RAM 500gb of storage computer with the newly released Windows 7 would fit the bill. We spent $550 for a Toshiba Satellite 17 inch laptop with a 12 cell battery that screams.
Not knowing a whole lot about Windows 7 beforehand I set out to set up the new laptop for her and discovered this new suite of programs that Windows 7 ships with.
Microsoft even had a blog explaining each new program. While I used Windows Movie Maker with my first camera on the Vista machine the new Windows 7 shipped with a completely redesigned movie editing program that had a very similar name- Windows Live Movie Maker.  I checked out these easy to follow videos on the Windows Live Movie Maker Blog which showed how ridiculously simple it was to make movies with transitions and titles and end credits in mere minutes. The video demo was easy to understand and genius in is simplicity.
Now for MY NEEDS, with such little time to bang out videos and the amount of content I create I didn’t need the complexity of Sony Vegas’ video editing software. I also saved a considerable amount of time with Windows Live Movie Maker’s Auto Movie function over the Apple iMovie.
I can edit a 9 minute HD movie with 20 different slideshow pictures and 3 different movie clips with titles, end credits and transitions in literally less than 90 seconds with Windows Live Movie Maker. I challenge any other movie editing software to be able to do the same in that little time.
Here is a video demo of just how easy Windows Live Movie Maker Works-
So instead of buying an Apple for $1300, I got myself a new gateway desktop with 6GB RAM, 1 Terabyte of Hard Drive Space and Windows 7 operating system for $579.
It does everything I want it to do really well and for blogging I’m convinced I can edit my blog in at least half the time with Windows Live Writer (another free program that ships with windows 7) than I could on any other machine. I also love the snipping tool where I can copy anything on the screen of any web page even if it is a flash movie slideshow or a YouTube Video and paste it into Windows Live Writer and BANG, it’s there! That’s how Abbie’s avatar got into this post up at the top of the page,the snipping tool I captured it from her comment and pasted it in the edit box on Live Writer. No dealing with any url address of where the picture of her avatar was located or code- just a simple capture and paste.
This is coming from a guy who had major Mac lust not even a year ago. I’m just lucky my wife’s old laptop died and needed replacing or I might never have found out how great Microsoft’s new suite of software is. I’ll say it again, I’m shocked that Microsoft isn’t beating it’s own drum more loudly with the clear winner they have in Windows 7.
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Events and projects have kept me from writing these past few weeks. Design work and the start of the new school year have played a part, however, what has really kept me away is that I am working like mad to complete the Monarch book illustrations. The glorious weather and warmth, light and air have exhilarated and inspired (along with the caterpillars and butterflies that have taken over our kitchen!). With writing and photographing, I can work around design projects and my family’s schedule, but with painting I need long stretches of time. As soon as the illustrations are completed i will turn my full attention to the tv show. I take breaks from painting at around the peak time of day when the pollinators are on the wing and have been gathering tons and tons of footage.
Renovating our little apartment has kept me away as well. Our wonderful tenant of ten years purchased her own home and moved out this past month. Ten years is a long time and we miss her terribly. My husband and i have been scouring and scrubbing and painting, and with several fresh coats, the place is sparkling. The apartment is charming and sunny, with hardwood floors, private entrance through the garden, and would make a great artist’s or writer’s studio, office space, pied-Ă -terre, or modest home. It is within walking distance of Good Harbor Beach, Niles Beach, Rocky Neck, Gloucester Stage Company, and several fabulous restaurants (Duckworth’s Bistro!). Please pass along this information if you know of an interested person.
Great Spangleds are on the wing at this time of year. They adore fresh blossoms of butterfly bushes. With this year’s drought I realize it has been particularly difficult, but try to keep your butterfly bushes well-hydrated so that they will continue to produce new blossoms during the remaining weeks of late summer, while there are still myriad species of pollinators needing fortification. Additional photos of Great Spangled Fritillaries and Monarchs are on the blog at www.kimsmithdesigns.wordpress.com.
Warmest wishes,
Kim
Welcome Oh Great Spangled Fritillary!
Singularly beautiful—large and rounded with tawny orange wings checkered with black dots and dashes—when observed from above. When wings are folded, this fritillary shows a striking underwing pattern of spangled spots, bordered by a wide yellow band and outlined in iridescent crescents. Perhaps the Great Spangled Fritillary has graced your garden. I had never encountered this creature of extraordinary beauty until the summer after we planted violets dug from a wildly unkempt cemetery. They were common violets (Viola sororia). I don’t recommend the common violet for a small garden, unless you desire a garden composed entirely of common violets. Please don’t misunderstand; I do not regret planting V. sororia because otherwise I may never have encountered the Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele). No, I am glad to have welcomed this beauty to our garden. There are, however, far better behaved violets that are of equal importance to the fritillary caterpillars and they would be a far better choice for the garden. Both native wildflowers Labrador violet (Viola labradorica) and Canada violet (Viola canadensis) naturalize readily, making rulier groundcovers than common violets, and are lovely when in bloom and when not in flower.
It`s Dean Burgess form the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association here in Gloucester.We have a club of over 100 amateur radio operators and we are sponsoring a course to to the people of Gloucester if any are interested in getting their Technician class amateur radio license which is an entry level license.I have attached a PDF flyer with all of the necessary information.If others are interested in what is happening in amateur radio here in Gloucester they can go to our clubs website at www.caara.net .
On a side note I do enjoy the GMG website and you put a lot of hard work on letting all of us know what is happening culturally here in town-I also like the homie pics
Thanks in advance if you can add this to your website.
Dean Burgess
Click the picture below for full size version
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Hi Joey!
How are things going down at the Dock?? Let’s get coffee soon and catch up!
I’m wondering if you could do me a huge favor. I’m trying to sell a couple bikes, and was wondering if you could put an announcement on GMG for me? I’m not sure you do that sort of thing, but I thought I’d ask.
I’m including the pictures of them, and you can tell people if they’re interested then send me an email: charleebeth@gmail.com
Greatly Appreciative! and let me know when you’re free. I should be around this week if you want to hit up the Gull!
C
The green bike is only a few years old, and in absolutely perfect condition–not a spot of rust on it. I’m trying to sell that one for $300, but am flexible. The red bike is a bit older but still rides very well. I’ll sell that at $200, again flexible.
Here is a video of Cahrlee conducting an interview with your boy Joey before she left for China last year.
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UGHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Wasn’t it just last year when they said they wouldn’t sell lobsters any more because they considered it inhumane to hold them in crates?
Read Doug Maxfield- the most honest fisherman I haven’t had the pleasure to meet.
Bloomberg business published an article this week regarding Whole Foods efforts to apply sustainability ratings to its seafood (http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9I73COG1.htm). With Walmart and Target Corp removing several species from its retail stores this past year and Trader Joe’s announcing that it will only sell sustainable seafood by 2012, the green wave continues to spread. And, while these companies simply want to make tons … Read More
If there is one blog to subscribe to I would say subscribe to Doug’s but there is no button on his blog to subscribe that I can find. So the next best thing to do is what I always advocate for readers of this here fancy blog- bookmark it and check back often.
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Two days After We Lost Charlie the Coast Guard Will Be Holding a Press Conference To Detail Their Conclusions In The Patriot Sinking Investigation.
Media are invited to attend a news briefing for the fishing vessel Patriot marine casualty investigation at Sector Boston, Friday, Sept. 17, 2010 at 8 p.m.
The late hour of the news briefing is due to previous briefings with members of the family of the two fishermen who lost thier lives when the Patriot sank in January 2009.
Who: Capt. John Healey, commander of Sector Boston, will be answering questions pertaining to the marine casualty investigation.
What: Media briefing on the fishing vessel Patriot marine casualty investigation.
When: Sept. 17th at 8 p.m.
Where:
Sector Boston
427 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109
Media are asked to R.S.V.P. and have proper credentials prior to arrival.
For more information on this release, please contact 1st District Public Affairs at (617) 223-8515.
Click the Picture Below For The Slide Show Of Pictures I Took Aboard Matteo Russo’s Patriot July 29, 2008
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Nautical themes will have a strong influence… look for SNS Herning and Inis Meain knits this season. From the Norfolk Museums and Archeology Service on the older traditional sweaters worn by fishermen:
Some Folks Will Be Watching It At Cape Ann Community Cinema- Just Make Sure You Don’t Forget To Watch Jimmy Make Us Proud
We have a ridiculous amount of pictures and video’s with Jimmy from over the years so if you want to see more about the man click the link below to see some more of what life with Gloucester’s Favorite Son,Jimmy T is like-
Sawyer Free Library New England Aquarium discount coupons are back – the coupon allows 4 people in at $8.00 per person. There is only one coupon available each day, so it is best to reserve the date you want to go. Call to reserve it: 978-281-9763
via Twitter
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Bowcam footage of dolphins swimming alongside Ocean Alliance’s research vessel Odyssey, as it heads south from Georgia toward West Palm Beach, FL.-
The Ocean Alliance which has purchased The Paint Factory In Gloucester has updated their blog with many videos and a great ships log of their journey down south.
Here’s the latest from Doug Maxfield. The man that boils it all down and make sense of the nonsense. (or at least shines a bright light on it)
In Staying consistent with their efforts to drive fishermen out of business, NMFS has just this week cut the remainder of the common pool fisheries efforts in half for the 2010 fishing season. The common pool, or 'days at sea' system will now be charged for two 24 hour days the second they leave the shore. This action comes just three months into the season in which many fishermen were given only 21 days to fish. Truth be told, everyone invol … Read More
The long-term future of Gloucester’s most famous vacant lot may not be as the site of a marine aquarium and research center — or as a regular concert venue, despite Sunday night’s glowing Celebrate Gloucester success.
But it is good to see an entrepreneurial spirit growing for the 2-acre I-4,C-2 parcel off Rogers Street.
Click the picture for the rest of the editorial
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You know after a while you read all the foodie blogs and they come up with stuff with ingredients you never have in your fridge or they require a ridiculous amount of preparation with kitchen tools most normal folks inevitably never own.
So after seeing this post on Lifehacker about something so universally simple and effective I just had to pass it on to you my loyal viewership-
At its core, LynnHappens.com is a place to find out what’s happening in Lynn. It features an events calendar, local weather, arts and events coverage, photo galleries, complete City Council videos, letters to the editor and more.
North Shore Dish is your guide to restaurants and all things food related on the North Shore. Whether it’s gourmet dining or a hole-in-the-wall, if these gals have tasted it, they’ll dish up the inside scoop.
Good Morning Gloucester brings you the best of Gloucester MA and surrounding communities. From the docks to the restaurants, the sporting fields to the art scene and anything in between, if it’s happening in Gloucester it’s generally covered on GMG.
Good Morning Gloucester 