Update: Amazon Offering Chromecast for $30 Black Friday Plus $6 In Google Play Store Credits! Poll- Has Anyone Here Cut Their Cable and/or Land Line Phone?

Just saw that Amazon is offering the Chromecast for $30 for Black Friday Today and giving $6 in Google Play Store Credits making the Chromecast an absolute no brainer steal stocking stuffer-  Here’s the Deal At Amazon

For $30 this is something that will have huge impact.  I freakin love mine!

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My guess is that anyone under the age of 30 either laughs or looks puzzled at why anyone would pay for a Land Line telephone or cable.

Reading the last couple years about online services like Hulu for $8/mo and Netflix for $8/mo there are whole slews of great television programming for tiny fractions of what you pay for traditional Comcast cable.

Yesterday I got the $35 Chromecast which plugs into the HDMI port on the back of your TV.  It allows for wifi streaming Television programming from your smartphone or tablet of Netflix or Hulu Plus programming to your TV.

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The amount of network and cable shows that are available through these two services are astounding and way more than I’d ever be able to watch.

The one thing that you don’t get is local cable which admittedly is a big deal for a lot of people (not for me though and I suspect not for a lot of younger people who laugh at the idea of being tied to the exorbitant cable tv package plans).

I used The Chromecast with Netflix yesterday.  It took me less than two minutes to set up and was set up in three crazy simple steps.  I mean so easy my mom could figure it out.

I was always skeptical of these things because the video streams wirelessly from your internet and I figured that the picture would be compromised but the picture was insanely clear.  The show I watched was crystal clear.  I could pause and resume using my iPad as the remote and watch without commercials.  And it remembers where you left off watching a show and you can pick it up watching it on your iPad, smartphone or on your TV.

So if you buy the $35 Chromecast (one time purchase) and sign up for $8/mo Netflix and $8/mo Hulu Plus.  You could completely kick your cable bill to the curb.  Of course you still need internet service.

As for local cable channels which I recognize is hugely important to some people there are still OTA (over the air) antenna sold that will pick up local channels.  I don’t know how effective they are and I’d love to hear from people that have gone this route.  These over the air antenna are smaller and sleeker and look like mini sculptures-

Here’s an example of one of these OTA antenna, the Mohu curve

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So if you can pay $35 once for the Chromecast and $16 a month for Netflix and Hulu Plus and $52 for the Mohu Curve which gets you local OTA channels and after that one initial outlay you’re only into it for $16 a month.

To me it’s a no brainer because I get my news on the internet.

Click here to read about Chromecast

Click here to read about the Mohu Curve

Do you know people who have eliminated home phone line and/or cable tv in favor of cell phones and/or streaming tv services like netflix or hulu plus?

Community Stuff 11/28/13

HI Joey,

Would it be possible to post this to your website? The Rockport Elementary School is starting a new program called “The Movement Breaks” .  Jane Panicucci, of the Active Learning Group, will be kicking off the new initiative with a community presentation on “The Physical Activity/Learning Connection “. The event is Free and open to all.

Sincerely,

Erin Canniff

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Hello,

My name is Jill Cahill, I am the Communications and Events Coordinator at Pathways for Children.  I wanted to reach out to you about our annual Holiday Toy Drive as it involves many local businesses and benefits children in our community.  I have attached an informational sheet for you.  I know that Good Morning Gloucester has become a very popular way for people in our community to find out about community happenings so we would truly appreciate any attention you can bring to this important effort.  I would be happy to send you pictures, graphics, or whatever you think would make this more fun to post.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Thanks!

Best,

Jill Cahill

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Hi Joey C & GMG Readers!
We thought we’d have some fun with all the “Black Friday” Madness so here are some exciting specials we’ll be offering all day this Friday.
We’ll be open extended hours 9am – 8pm along with many other shops throughout downtown Rockport!  
Thanks & Happy Thanksgiving!
Dawn Noble
La Provence
4 Main Street
Rockport, Ma 01966
978.546.5868
www.laprov.com

black_friday


Mark Your Calendars- The Middle street Walk Is Coming! December 14th, 2013

This is easily one of my top 4 events in Gloucester.  Fiesta, Horribles Parade, Schooner Festival, Middle Street Walk.  We all know there’s a ton more but Middle Street Walk is insane with the sheer number of things happening all within a couple blocks of each other.   The schedule of events will be posted here soon but right now do yourself a favor and mark your calendars for December 14th- The 2013 Middle Street Walk!

 

2013 Middle Street Poster 8.5x11

Thanks Gloria!

Black Friday

A couple of people have asked me what stores are participating on Black Friday, here is the list. Hope to see you there.
Black Friday Event 3

Beautiful Video Filmed at Willowdale Estate and Produced by Long Haul Films

Mary Foss Murphy writes ~

I am a faithful GMG reader and enjoy your posts and pictures.  Thank you for sharing your talents with us. Knowing of your work at Willowdale and your work as a video producer, I thought you would enjoy this wedding trailer from Long Haul Films of a recent wedding there. The intro to the trailer mentions the beautiful setting; I wish a few more scenes of Willowdale had made it into the trailer.  I love the cranes as the backdrop for their vows. I have been following the Long Haul blog for a few years. I’m always cheered by watching two people in love get married!

Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Mary Foss Murphy

P.S. My mom bought me your book Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities! for Christmas a few years ago.  I garden, though have not had time to do your book justice.  I love having it anyway.

My response ~ Thank you so much for sharing Mary and thank you for your good words regarding my book. I loved seeing this film and am so glad to become acquainted with Long Haul Films!  The video must have been created very recently as I planted the sunflower window boxes just a month or so ago!

https://vimeo.com/79721751

*   *   *

Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities! is currently selling for only $15.00 on my publisher’s website which is a $20.00 value off the list price of $35.00.

Click here to purchase a copy of Oh Garden.

Artist Spotlight Series – Len Burgess

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Spotlight on Len Burgess

Len has lived on the North Shore for the last 43 years with wife Joanne, who was a Landmark School special ed teacher and is a painter and graduate of Mass Art. They have four sons. Len grew up in Hingham MA and after graduating from Hingham High School he attended Mass College of Art where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree majoring in Advertising Design. In his early career he was employed as an artist and then art director for two Boston Advertising agencies, designing and creating ads, booklets, brochures, and trade show booths. His artistic abilities were also used to do renderings and illustrations of clients products, and services. He’s now retired after a 45 year career in the greater Boston area including 39 years operating his own company, Burgess Associates Inc. a graphic design/advertising company.

Len has been involved in photography since the age of 15, starting with an old box camera. He gained valuable photo experience through the years in his advertising and graphic design business supervising professional photographers and also taking photos himself. His quest for good closeup photography was realized with his first digital camera in 2006. Since then he has shot thousands of macro photos, many of which are of tiny ice crystal patterns which grow on the old storm windows in his house in winter. Because he loves the ocean and North Shore towns, many of his photos are of the sea, beaches, ships and wildlife, as well as native flowers, sunsets and moon shots. Other photo interests are abstract design, antique autos, WWII aircraft and insects.

As a member of the Essex Shipbuilding Museum he volunteers as a photographer and has been an instructor in 6 digital photography workshops at the Museum. Len is a member of the Rocky Neck Art Colony and contributes his photography on a regular basis to Good Morning Gloucester. He has won a dozen local and regional awards for excellence in graphic design and advertising. His nature, abstract and Schooner Festival photography has appeared in local newspapers, visitors guide pamphlets and on many websites. Len’s photos tend to celebrate the intricate beauty of nature in all its forms. View 2900 of his photos on Yahoo flickr… http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenbo/ or by 41 sets… http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenbo/sets/

You can see more of Len’s photography at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Rubber Duck asks, “Is it Edible?”

Edible? I guess so.
Edible? I guess so. Sure, why not? Ed. Edible. More or less. If anyone posts the ancient joke please use the one involving Queen Elizabeth guessing the correct answer on “What’s My Line?”. Leave out the Canadians, eh? Thank you.

First Snow – Essex

Snow

As frightful as snow may be, especially before the Thanksgiving travels, we were spared yesterday from adding snow to the storm troubles. It was just enough, though, to make some snow scenes appear.

Safe travels to all and enjoy Thanksgiving

What did you forget? The Cave is here to HELP

If you are like us and remember what you forgot to buy right when they get home, there’s HELP:  The Cave will be open Thanksgiving MORNING 7am – 11am for all gourmet delights you forgot to get today.

Annual Homecoming Celebration!

I know the weather isn’t great but we are New Englanders so get out and enjoy some great music tonight before you do the whole Thanksgiving thing and the tryptophan kicks in.

Tonight (Wedneday 11/27/13)

7:00 pm Listen to John Rockwell JOHN ROCKWELL  ~ Alchemy Cafe and Bistro

7:30 pm  BATSU ~ American Legion
Hornets Benefit – Batsu, Hairyairya & Jeff Arcari of the Glostafarians $10, food, Cash Bar

8:00 pm JUST LIKE NEWMAN ~ The Landing at 7 Central

8:00 pm Listen to Fly Amero FLY AMERO and “The Band” (Brown, Mattacks, Ginandes) ~ The Rhumb Line

9:00 pm THE RUNAROUND SOUND ~ Cape Ann Brewery

9:00 pm  CRAZY JAY Karaoke~ Dog Bar

9:00 pm Listen to dennis monagle DENNIS MONAGLE ~ Minglewood Tavern
with Groove Therapy ~ GROOVE Night B4 Thanksgiving PARTY!

Check online for latest information
Check online for latest information

Did You Make Olive Cunsati For Thanksgiving Yet?

PrintI know in our family it would be a holiday without  Olive Cunsati on the table. I made it this morning after visiting Joe Virgilio at his family run Italian Bakery here in Gloucester on Main Street….There is still plenty of time to get downtown to Virgilio’s Bakery and pick up Sicilian Green Colossal Olives  from Joe and make a batch for your holiday table tomorrow! Tell him Sista sent you in, he  and his staff will take good care of you!

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Click The Picture For The Video at The Gloucester Daily Times Taste of The Times Site

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My recipe and Cooking video tutorial QR Code for Marinated Vegetable Salad With Olives “Alivi Cunsati” is on page 200 in my newly released cookbook Gifts of Gold In A Sicilian Kitchen With Sista Felicia, Harvest” Click Link below to order on line

http://www.storenvy.com/products/2742897-gifts-of-gold-in-a-sicilian-kitchen-with-sista-felicia-harvest

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While shopping at Virgilio’s Bakery this morning Joe shared a sample of their Semolina Olive Bread…It was delicious! I’m planning to make a pork loin dinner this evening for my family and can’t wait to incorporate it into the meal in some way …I’ll keep you all posted I have an idea for a stuffing swirling around in my head right now, but must stick to preparing my feast for tomorrow first!

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THANKSGIVING EVE at the RHUMB LINE

 

 

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Wednesdays Only: Prime Rib, $12.95!

Hello everyone!
Wednesday, November 27th, Thanksgiving Eve
Special Guests: THE BAND IS BACK IN TOWN!
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We haven’t done this in a few years.  Always festive.  Very cool.  It’s Fly, Dave Brown, Wolf Ginandes & Dave Mattacks.  Know what happens?  Da walls get ripped down, that’s what happens!
This is how we kick off the holidays in Fishtown.  It starts at 8:30, but you’d better get there earlier than that if you wanna sit… and if you wanna get some prime rib before it’s gone!  ~ Fly
Thanksgiving Eve with Fly & the Band: 8:30 – ‘til
*Each week features a special, invited musical guest
Dave Trooper’s Kitchen…
Prime Rib Special –  $12.95 (while they last)
Prepared fresh weekly by “Troop”… always good!
Upcoming…
12/4 – John Rockwell

12/11 – Dan King (John Lennon Tribute)

12/18 – Amero Family Christmas

Looking forward…
…to seeing you there!  🙂 ~ Fly 

  
 
  
 

 

Check Out The Misery Map For A Constantly Updating Video Short Of Where Flights Are Most Cancelled

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Click on the arrow on the map to see it for yourself- pretty cool! (unless you’re flying that is)

Downtown Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting This Sunday!

Joe Ciolino forwards-

Mark your calendars – THIS Sunday is the downtown Holiday Parade, followed by the Kent Circle tree lighting!
It’s all free, and it isn’t too late to join the parade if you like! Either way come on down – details here:

Get all the Info at North Shore Kid-

Gloucester’s Santa Parade & Tree Lighting