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12 Places to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree In Massachusetts

Now that the Thanksgiving food coma has (almost) subsided, its time to fully embrace the holiday season. Sure, it may be easy to drive to Wal-mart for a fake plastic tree, but there’s something strangely satisfying about stomping through the wilderness with an ax to chop down your own live tree. This year, I challenge you to don your Timberlands, fill a canteen with hot cocoa and venture out into the rugged unknown to cut a fresh pine for your living room. Here are 12 locations in Massachusetts to cut your own Christmas tree this holiday season. We know these aren’t all of them, but capping it at 12 seemed like a fit – one for each of the 12 days of Christmas!

Bog Hollow Farm
80 Wapping Road (Route 106), Kingston, MA
(781) 585-8414
Annual tree farm weekend, 12/3 – 12/4, open 9am – 3pm

Bristlecone Farm
779 Sodom Road, Westport, MA
(508) 636-8433
Open 9am to dusk daily

Crane Hill Tree Farm
233 Johnson Hill Road, Washington, MA
(413) 623-5865
Open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, 9am to sunset

Crane Neck Tree Farms
114 Crane Neck Street, West Newbury, MA
(978) 363-1272
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mon: 9am-4pm
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 12pm-4pm

Cranston’s Christmas Tree Farm
372 Baptist Corner Road, Ashfield, MA
(413) 628-0090
Weekends, 9am – 5pm
Wednesday thru Friday, 12pm – 5pm
Closed Monday & Tuesday

Deerfield Tree Farm
25 Birch Street, Millis, MA
(617) 803-0493
Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Monday thru Friday, 2pm – 5pm

Herrick Tree Farm
Herrick Road, Boxford, MA
Open December 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th
9am – 4pm

One Stack Farm
441 Great Road (Route 117), Stow, MA
(978) 897-9484
Open daily starting in December, 10am – 4pm

Pell Farms
Soap Hill Road, Grafton, MA
(860) 749-3582
Open daily 10am – 4pm

Sleighbell Tree Farm
130 Whitins Road, Sutton, MA
(508) 234-6953
Saturdays & Sundays, 9am – 4pm
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 2pm – 5pm

Smolak Farms
315 South Bradford Street, North Andover, MA
(978) 688-8058
Call ahead for daily hours

Vandervalk Tree Farm
25 Lovell Street, Mendon, MA
(508) 478-8733
Weekdays 3pm – 8pm & weekends 9pm – 5pm

If you need some added inspiration, check out this clip from my all-time favorite Christmas movie, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation:

from BostInnovation.com http://bostinnovation.com/2011/11/26/12-places-to-cut-your-own-christmas-tree...

Fujifilm's XS-1 bridge camera: 26x zoom, EXR sensor, £699 in the UK (video)

Fujifilm claims it's 'reinvented' the bridge camera with the latest in its X line of premium snappers. The XS-1 is affixed to a Fujinon lens that opens up to f/2.8 and stretches all the way from 24mm to 624mm (in 35mm parlance) in an effort "cater perfectly for every photographic need" and prevent you from ever longing for the flexibility of a DSLR. It even sports a Super Macro Mode for focusing down to a rather intimate single centimeter. Behind the lens sits the same 12-megapixel EXR CMOS found in the X10, which means you get an undersized 2/3-inch sensor instead of the superior APS-C format found in the X100 and many DSLRs. Read on for more specs in the press release plus a short promo clip, and expect to see this hit British shelves in February for £699 ($1090).

Continue reading Fujifilm's XS-1 bridge camera: 26x zoom, EXR sensor, £699 in the UK (video)

Fujifilm's XS-1 bridge camera: 26x zoom, EXR sensor, £699 in the UK (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/24/fujifilms-xs-1-bridge-camera-26x-zoom-exr-...

Facebook Introduces Sponsored Stories to Ticker

facebook sponsored ticker


If you’re annoyed by the Facebook news ticker already, just you wait. Facebook confirmed that it has introduced sponsored stories, or ads, to the ticker.

“Sponsored Stories now appear in Ticker on the home page,” a Facebook spokesperson told Mashable. “Sponsored Stories are an extension of News Feed, so we think it’s natural that they appear in Ticker.”

The ticker first appeared to mixed reviews when Facebook revamped News Feed in early September. It’s intended to be a repository for those quick, repetitive messages like “Jill Liked Flying Kites” or “Dave and Floyd are now friends,” leaving meatier status updates to the main feed.

At the same time, the different kinds of updates that could appear in the ticker expanded, with services like Spotify introducing the ability to automatically share what you’re listening to via the new feature.

The new approach, and the ticker specifically, received tepid reviews from Facebook users, and some reacted with outright anger. Among the more pointed criticisms: If the ticker updates weren’t important enough for the main feed, why have them at all?

It appears part of the answer may be for the ticker to serve Facebook’s growing advertising platform. After all, if users aren’t paying that much attention to it, they may be less inclined to complain about advertising occasionally appearing there. While there’s no way to opt-out of seeing the sponsored content, users will be able to click the “X” in the post to hide the updates, just like regular ticker items.

The inclusion of sponsored posts among regular ones will be familiar to any user of Twitter, Digg, and other networks. Sponsored content in various “feeds” is rapidly becoming the norm in social media, although most services clearly mark the content as such.

More About: ads, Advertising, Facebook, Facebook Ticker, sponsored content, trending

from Mashable! http://mashable.com/2011/11/22/facebook-introduces-sponsored-stories-to-ticke...

OpenPGP Implemented In JavaScript

angry tapir writes with this excerpt from Tech World: "Researchers from German security firm Recurity Labs have released a JavaScript implementation of the OpenPGP specification that allows users to encrypt and decrypt webmail messages. Called GPG4Browsers, the tool functions as an extension for Google Chrome and now is capable of working with GMail." A quick gander at the source leaves me with the impression that it should be more or less portable to other browsers. It's also built using a lot of off-the-shelf Javascript libraries. (Who knew Javascript had a bignum library and a number of cipher implementations?)

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

from Slashdot http://developers.slashdot.org/story/11/11/22/0422223/openpgp-implemented-in-...

How Boston University, Wellesley & Wheelock Are Using the Internet In Ways Beyond Social Media

When we talk about how colleges and universities are embracing the Internet, we typically refer to their use of social media. From their various blogs, to the aggregated feeds streaming across their social media dashboards to the newest Facebook milestones they all hope to achieve, the institutions in and around Boston have been adapting to the times and using social media to engage with their students, staff, faculty and alumni outside of the classroom years after graduation.

But their use of the Internet goes far beyond Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Foursquare. Schools like Boston University, Wellesley College and Wheelock College are helping connect students with tutors, and are launching new professional development courses in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, thanks to the World Wide Web.

At Boston University and Wellesley College, they’ve adopted TutorTrac, a web-based tutor and learning center management and tracking software. Hosted by the Redrock Software Corporation, TutorTrac allows schools to connect their registrar, IT department, learning center directors and other tutoring staff to a unified system that tracks course registration, records visits to the tutoring and learning centers, as well as reports on progress and grades earned in the various courses provided.

Students at Boston University no longer need to visit the Educational Resource Center to register for tutoring sessions. Instead, they can log on to the system with their computer, smartphone or tablet, and input the times they’re available. The software takes the stress out of scheduling and spares staff the administrative time spent pairing students with tutors and writing fellows, according to BU Today.

The University began using TutorTrac last fall, allowing students to sign up for tutoring in selected chemistry courses. Now, the Educational Resource Center offers every chemistry and physics course, along with writing assistance. Wellesley College’s Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center also makes tutoring sessions available through the TutorTrac software in various chemistry, math and neuroscience courses.

On Monday, Wheelock College also announced the launch of new online science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) courses. A part of the College’s STEM Teacher Enhancement Program (STEP), funded by NASA, the classes will provide in-service elementary teachers with the opportunity to improve their instruction methods within a schedule that fits their lives. There will be eight courses offered in total, each which will help educators who teach grades one through six.

Starting in January 2012, the program will offer, “Numbers and Operations” and “Teaching and Learning in Elementary Science.” Designed by Wheelock faculty and expert consultants, the courses will strengthen both teaching methods and knowledge in the math and science fields. All STEP classes are offered on a flexible schedule, but will occur over an eight-week period of time.

Although social media is crucial for an institution’s survival, colleges and universities need to continue embracing the Internet in other innovative ways. What could be next thanks to the World Wide Web?

from BostInnovation.com http://bostinnovation.com/2011/11/23/how-boston-university-wellesley-wheelock...

Nook Simple Touch gets $79 limited edition for Black Friday, makes other e-readers vaguely jealous

Barnes & Noble is celebrating Black Friday with a white border. The bookstore chain is offering up a limited edition of its excellent Nook Simple Touch reader this Friday, November 25th. Slight aesthetic differences aside, the real news here is the price -- the company is knocking $20 off the already low-cost device, making it the same as Amazon's ad-supported, touchscreen-free fourth gen Kindle. The $79 deal will only last one day, so get 'em while the e-ink is hot. Press info after the jump.

Continue reading Nook Simple Touch gets $79 limited edition for Black Friday, makes other e-readers vaguely jealous

Nook Simple Touch gets $79 limited edition for Black Friday, makes other e-readers vaguely jealous originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/23/nook-simple-touch-gets-79-limited-edition-...

Apple Working With Sharp on iTV [REPORT]


Apple’s relationship with Samsung has deteriorated, and the Cupertino giant may be working with Sharp on the next generation displays for upcoming devices such as the iPad 3, iPhone 5 and a little something called iTV, claims Jefferies analyst Peter Misek.

Since all of these products are unofficial and unannounced, such predictions fall into the realm of speculation. However, Misek claims that the mythical iTV – a future “smart TV” product from Apple that has been the subject of many recent rumors – is a real thing, and Sharp is working on modified amorphous TFT LCD panels for the device.

Furthermore, he suggests that iTV might be ready for commercial production by February 2012, which could mean a possible release date in mid-2012. Earlier rumors suggested a late 2012-2013 release date.

We’ve looked closely at the possible iTV scenarios, and we aren’t sure that such a device will see the light of day next year – or even that it should see the light of day in the near future. To give its customers a full TV experience, Apple would have to come up with a remote that supports its other consumer electronics devices, and give up a part of the interface control to other parties, such as cable companies.

There’s always the possibility that Apple is working on something revolutionary – as revolutionary as the iPhone, perhaps – which would likely make other TV manufacturers cringe in pain. “Other TV manufacturers have begun a scrambling search to identify what iTV will be and do (…) Mainstream TV manufacturers are likely to be at least 6 to 12 months behind in a best-case scenario,” says Misek.

It’s possible, but it will likely take a lot more than a LCD panel from Sharp, however advanced and beautiful it may be, to make it happen.


Apple iTV Concept Design 1


All rights reserved by Guilherme Schasiepen

Click here to view this gallery.

[via GigaOm, All Things Digital]

More About: apple, Apple iTV, Apple TV, itv, Sharp, trending


from Mashable! http://mashable.com/2011/11/23/apple-sharp-itv/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_med...

Netflix Expects To Be Unprofitable In 2012

PolygamousRanchKid writes with an article in CNN Money about Netflix's prospects in 2012. From the article: "Netflix warned in its last earnings report that it expects to be unprofitable 'for a few quarters' starting at the beginning of 2012. The primary culprit is Netflix's pricey plan to expand its streaming video service into the United Kingdom and Ireland, but a wave of subscribers jumping ship hasn't helped. The filing also revealed that Netflix is in the process of raising $400 million from investors to help bulk up its cash stash. While that will give Netflix more money to invest in content, secondary offerings are sometimes considered ominous signs."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

from Slashdot http://news.slashdot.org/story/11/11/23/1430219/netflix-expects-to-be-unprofi...

Blip.me Records Voice Notes on Any Phone for Easy Sharing and Playback Later [Downloads]

iOS/Android: If you like recording audio messages for yourself to help you remember important details, or you just want to send your friends something more personal than a text message, Blip.me allows you to record short voice messages and send them to anyone in your contacts list instantly. Alternatively, just record notes for yourself as personal reminders. More »


from Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com/5862154/blipme-records-voice-notes-on-any-phone-for-eas...

Last Chance for 50,000 Point Ink Bold Small Business Card Signup Bonus

Key Links:
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Ink Bold

A great companion to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, which offers:

  • 50,000 bonus points after $3000 spend within 3 months
  • No fee the first year
  • Double points on restaurants and travel (airfare, hotel, taxi, tolls, car rental, etc.)
  • Points transfers to United/Continental, British Airways, Korean, Hyatt, Marriott, Priority Club
  • 7% annual bonus on all points earned
  • Access to the Ultimate Rewards shopping portal, which is now cataloged at EV Reward for easy comparison to other shopping portals (and often beats them)
  • No foreign currency transaction fees

.. is the Chase Ink Bold small business card.

  • 50,000 bonus points after $5000 spend within 3 months
  • No fee the first year
  • Up to 47,500 bonus points for hitting spending thresholds: 7500 after $25,000; 15,000 more after $50,000; and 25,000 more after $100,000 in a year
  • Free One-Year Priority Pass Membership which includes 2 free visits to participating lounges and $27 per visit thereafter

However, the 50,000 signup bonus offer for Chase Ink Bold is expected to go away on November 28. Now, there may well be similar offers in the future! There have been similar offers in the past. But in terms of immediate expectations, it sounds like the best offer when this one is pulled will be a 25,000 point signup bonus.

I’ve been pretty busy and haven’t pulled the trigger on this card, though I need to, I had personally been waiting 90 days from my last application until making this one although that isn’t technically required. And I didn’t want to apply with an IP address from out of the country while traveling, I thought that might trigger some alerts. But I plan to hit this one before it expires, because 50,000 points is a really good offer for a no fee card with tremendous flexibility, Ultimate Rewards benefits are the same as I’ve described with the Sapphire Preferred card.

from View from the Wing http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2011/11/22/last-chance-for-5000...