I got the following video camera suggestions (but do yourself a favor and read feedback below for more information on these choices) *plus microphone tip

Cameras:

kodak Zi8 – $179.95

Sanyo xacti – from $139.97 – $466.68

Vado HD 3rd Gen– from $129.95 – $167.41

Vado 3rd gen - $142 at amazon

Audio-Technica ATR3350 – Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier Microphone -$29.95

Feedback:

Dominic Goucher - Social Media and Internet Marketing Consultant (Freelance) out of UK had the following feedback -

Wrote “The most significant factor for choosing a video camera for business is whether or not it accepts an external microphone. No camera (even the most expensive) has a microphone that will do you justice, compared to a $30 lapel mic (I suggest the Audio-Technica ATR3350) . By using a small microphone placed close to you (as seen on TV!) you will cut out the room noise and general hollow sound that is so common in non-professional video, and instantly increase your perceived production quality. So, Flip cameras are out. As are many inexpensive (and expensive) cameras. The two main contenders at a similar price are the kodak Zi8 – used by many of the people here (and myself, extensively), and the Creative Vado HD 3rd Gen. – Both accept external microphones, both have excellent image quality, and both are inexpensive. Hope this helps.”

Charlene Burke – from Search by Burke, a full service online marketing agency

Wrote “I’ve done some research. I suggest you look at the Kodak Zi8 instead. Primarily because of the audio. And as far as I know, they’re in the same price range. Check out this review on youtube – Kodak Zi8 vs. Flip UltraHD – Which is Better? I’m attracted to the Sanyo xacti because it’s a step above and I like that the screen can be moved to face me while I’m recording me.”

Daryl Eames - eCommerce Strategist (located in my native Boston area)

Twitter – @NEWebStrategies

Wrote “I have to agree with Charlene. I also own a Zi8 and love it. There is however a newer model you may want to research. And there is also a very inexpensive wide angle and macro lens available. The only drawback is if you want high power zoom. Find research at Gizmodo or Engadget.”

Links:
•    http://www.gizmodo.com
•   http://www.engadget.com

Ron Harper -Award winning producer and voicetalent at RonHarper.com and Content Producer at Videos On Your Website.com

Twitter @cincyvideos

Wrote “Winnie: Yes, the Kodak is a really nice personal video camera. There’s a lot of pros and cons, but it all comes down to content. I’ve included a link to one of my blog articles. I hope it offers you some help Best, Ron”

Check out his blog Videos On Your Website

Christine Hueber –  at ChristineHueber.com

Twitter @CEHueber

Wrote “Walls would have expert suggestions. She suggested the following expert on this topic  – Wallace Jackson”

Matt Dunlap – Architect of industry altering web applications

Twitter @mattdunlap

Wrote “I love my creative vado 3rd gen… $142 at amazon. I highly recommend putting down the cash… Just don’t wimp out when it’s time to get in front of it and make a video for YouTube, like me…”

Katie Lombardo Medeiros -  Senior Vice President US Operations at Cultural Care Au Pair – (another Boston native)
Twitter @katiemedeiros

Wrote “I agree with the posts below. I have used my flip HD for video and the biggest issue is definitely the volume. A few times, I have used clips for imovie and I always have to significantly adjust the volume of the music versus the flip to get it to work.”

A brief synopsis of my Flip Video camera investigation:
I myself did research the Flip video camera. I called the company and spoke to a women who sounded all but maybe 22 years old and I do not have a problem with age but this person had obviously never had any sales training and seemed foggy about the benefits of her products. There was a lot of questions on my part and a lot of hold time on my side while she got answers.

My main question was do you have a video camera with high definition video quality and also decent sound. She immediately focused on how I could design the cover of my camera and how interesting that could be. Frankly I could care less about how the outside of my camera looks. So after much discussion back and forth it turns out the best Flip choice for me would be the Ultra HD for the following reasons:

The picture quality was the best of the cameras – shoots 720p (1,280×720) high-definition video
I could use regular batteries in the field vs. a Flip battery
The sound quality is decent
However, you may want to read reviews on this from Cnet (after reading these I plan not to buy one)

Posted by Winnie Henchey

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Jebb & Driggin is an Exclusive Buyers Agency serving Greater Boston, Maine and Cape Cod and the Islands

It is so rich and vibrant in color with its flowers, fruits, vegetables, cheese, and baked goods all of which are mostly of outstanding quality. It brings such a sense of community right to the center of Boston. All the vendors participating in the market are local famers. I became curious about how accessible this food might be to people of lesser means as my mom is trying to start an imitative in NH to incorporate SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) into the farmers market that she is involved with. I visited the Farmers Market Management tent and found out some interesting information.  The City of Boston has implemented the Boston Bounty Bucks program. This program not only allows individuals to use their SNAP benefits but also matches their purchases up to $10 (so the math is pretty easy $1=$2, $5=$10 and $10=$20).  This matching program is made possible primarily by a foundation called Wholesomewave.org which actually helps many other states as well.

The 50% match maxes out after ten dollars but this makes a big difference in getting some really healthy food out to those individuals who normally don’t have the opportunity to get fresh locally grown produce. It also adds the much need additional business for the local farmers giving everyone a win win situation

Posted by Winnie Henchey

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August 23 – August 29 in Metro Boston
FINAL WEEK! Friday Flicks at the Hatch Shell – Boston
Fr-ee Friday Flicks are classic & popular, family-oriented movies shown each Friday night throughout the summer at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Esplanade for at no cost for over 25 years. This week: Up
Every Friday from Jun 18, 2010 - Aug 27, 2010

Saint Anthony’s Feast – Boston
The St. Anthony’s Feast in the North End of Boston is celebrated each year on the last weekend in August. Enjoy parades, live music, delicious food and a festive decorated atmosphere.
Friday, Aug 27, 2010 - Sunday, Aug 29, 2010

ICA Play Date: Captivating Portraits – Boston
See Charles LeDray´s unusual and amazing works, crafted carefully by hand, then step into the Bank of America Art Lab to create individual or family portraits.
Saturday, Aug 28, 2010

The Big Hammock – on the Greenway – Boston
BIG things are happening on the Greenway this week. The Big Hammock, brainchild of architect Hansy Better, has officially arrived on the Greenway. BIG Enough for Papi? Come see….
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 - Saturday, Sep 4, 2010

Posted by Winnie Henchey

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Jebb and Driggin is an Exclusive Buyers Agency serving Boston, Coastal Maine and the Cape and Islands

Dick Tillotson – Exclusive Buyers Agent – Covering Cape Cod and Islands

Recently Boston magazine picked best activities to do with in 4 catagories – Best Educational Activity, Best Art Activity, Best Land Activity and Best Water Activity. Only 1 of 4 are actually activties which are located in Boston Proper so I have added 2 other ideas plus a couple of websites for more ideas.

Boston Magazine’s 2010 List for Kids

*Best Educational Activity

Harvard Museum of Natural History

28 Oxford St.

Cambridge, MA

617-495-3045

http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/

Admission Prices:

General admission includes all exhibits.

Adults: $9.00
Non-Harvard Students with I.D.: $7.00
Seniors (65+): $7.00
Children ages 3–18: $6.00

Overview: The Harvard Museum of Natural History was established in 1998 as the public face of three research museums: the Museum of Comparative Zoology, the Harvard University Herbaria, and the Mineralogical and Geological Museum. Presenting the incomparable collections of these parent museums and the research of scientists across the University, it has a mission to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the human place in it, sparking curiosity and a spirit of discovery in people of all ages.

*Best Art Activity

Classes At The Eliot School

24 Eliot St.

Jamaica Plain, MA

http://www.eliotschool.org/

Class Prices -  Most classes are between 4 and 10 sessions and cost about $90

Overview: The school offers classes to people of all ages in fine and applied arts which provides an outlet for people to relax from sedentary vocations and satisfy their desire to create.

*Best Land Activity

Tougas Family Farm

234 Ball St.

Northborough, MA

508-393-6408

http://www.tougasfarm.com/

Admission and picking Prices:

Pick Your Own Peach Prices: (subject to change at any time) Price includes admission to the orchard, Barnyard, Playground, and includes fruit to fill the container provided. 5 people – 1/2 bushel (about 24 pounds) – $28.00. 3 people – Peck (about 12 pounds) – $18.00 Additional person -$5.00 each. All sales at the Peach orchard are CASH ONLY

Pick Your Own Apple Prices: (subject to change at any time) Price includes admission to the orchard, Barnyard, Playground, and includes fruit to fill the container provided: 5 people – 1/2 bushel (about 20 pounds) – $25.00. 3 people – Peck (about 10 pounds) – $15.00

Pick Your Own Berry Prices: There is a $3.00 per person (ages 2 years and older who is self mobile) admission collected before going to the berry patch, which is credited towards your purchase of pick your own berries. Berries are $4.99 per pound. If you pick 7 pounds or more of raspberries, it is $3.99 per pound.

Overview: Depending on the season families can pick their own Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and pumpkins. There is also a petting zoo with goats and pigs, a small playground and a farm store with first-rate strawberry shortcake, smoothies and cider donates.

*Best Water Activity

Boston Harbor Islands

Ferry Address

66 Long Wharf
Boston, MA 02110

http://bostonharborislands.org/

Prices for Ferry to Spectacle Island

Adult – $14.00

Child (3-11) – $8.00

Senior (65+) – $10.00

Under 3 – Free

Overview – The fun starts with the 15-minute ferry ride. Use the opportunity to help kids spot birds, airplanes, and (if they’re lucky) a seal or two. When you get to Spectacle Island-of the 34 Islands, perhaps the best one to take the brood-dig into a packed lunch or treat yourself to a snack at the cafe, then take an easy hike up the 157-foot-high hill to catch the city views. After combing the beach for shards of antique pottery and sea glass, you’ll have another great ride across the harbor to wind down.

Source: Boston Magazine’s – Best of Boston (Child’s  Play)

Two childrens activities I recommend if you want to keep your family in the city.

Boston Children’s Museum

300 Congress Street
Boston, MA, 02210
617-426-6500

Admission prices

Adults: $12.00
Seniors(65+): $12.00
Children (1-15): $12.00
0-12mons: Free

http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org

Overview : Boston Children’s Museum exists to help children understand and enjoy the world in which they live. As an early museum experience for children, our environment is informal, but our purpose is serious. We want children to grow up feeling secure and self-confident with respect for others and the natural world. We encourage imagination, curiosity, questioning, and realism. We provide opportunities for new insights, involvement with the world and understanding of human differences with world-class exhibits and programs.

New England Aquarium, Boston, MA

Central Wharf Boston
MA, 02110
1 617 973 5206

http://www.neaq.org/index.php

Admission Prices

Adult = $21.95

Child (3-11) = $13.95

Senior (60+) = $19.95

Children under 3 = Free

Overview: Founded in 1969, the New England Aquarium is a global leader in ocean exploration and marine conservation. The Aquarium is one of the premier visitor attractions in Boston, with over 1.3 million visitors a year, and a major public education resource.

2 websites for more ideas:

Boston.com – Things to Do – Family section

Uptake – A helpful website I found is to find family activities complete with reviews

Posted by Winnie Henchey

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Police said their philosophy is that for the social media efforts to work, they have to be responsive. “That’s certainly the future, and one of the things we’re working on is sort of the next generation of 911,” said Deputy Superintendent John Daley, who heads the department’s operations center and is responsible for responding to Twitter inquiries.

Daley said the department is looking into establishing an IP-based 911 system so that people can send videos or photos of incidents to monitor in real time.

But while the system is still being looked at, Daley said people should continue to call 911 in an emergency

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Jason Santos of Somerville’s Gargoyles on the Square and Benjamin Knack from Sel de la Terre both flexed their culinary muscles on Hell’s Kitchen (Tuesday’s at 8pm on Fox).

Christopher Coombs of Dorchester’s dbar made an appearance this spring on the Food Channel’s Chopped.

So what are these Chefs backgrounds and what type of food do their restaurants serve and where are they located?

Ana Sortun of  Oleana

Jody Adams of Rialto

Rialto is located in Charles Hotel, Cambridge, MA 617-661-0505 – The Restaurant menu is based on Jody’s sophisticated and whimsical interpretations of regional Italian cuisine. Fresh New England ingredients add a local twist and keep the menu evolving as each season changes.

Jason Santos of Somerville’s Gargoyles on the Square

Gargoyles on the Square is located at 219 Elm St. Somerville 617-776-5300 – The Restaurant offers an award winning innovative modern American Cuisine with Asian inflections with out the pretentious prices. Boston Magazine named it the Best Neighborhood Restaurant for the past 3 years.

Benjamin Knack from Sel de la Terre

Sel de la Terre is located at 255 State St. Boston 617-720-1300. The Restaurant offers the rustic country fare of Provence & surrounding Southern France. Fresh local bounty is the motivation behind their creative, yet rustic menu.

Christopher Coombs of Dorchester’s dbar

dbar is located at 61 Mass Ave.  in Boston. The Restaurant offers a unique menu changes with the seasons and features the finest and freshest available ingredients throughout the New England area. Most of the menu takes a French twist, but also contains an assortment of comfort foods (such as their famous Veal & Pancetta Bolognaise) and old favorites (like their simple yet delicious Giannone Chicken Under a Brick.)

Posted by Winnie Henchey

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Jebb and Driggin is an Exclusive Buyers agency located in Boston

Source – Stuff Magazine and my own research

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Posted by Seth Driggin – Partner

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Jebb and Driggin is an Exclusive Buyers agency located in Boston

Why is Newton #3
They made Newton, MA #3 because it is 45 minutes from downtown Boston which can be reached via train, subway, or express bus.

Newton is divided into 13 “villages” loaded with classic New England charm. Most have pedestrian-friendly shopping districts, parks, and playgrounds. The town weathered the economic storm pretty well due to local employers as Boston College and Newton-Wellesley Hospital. And nearby Greater Boston which offers a wealth of health care, education, and government jobs.

Residents rave about the top-ranked schools, and parents are excited for the new high school opening this fall. The school cost $197 million. It is a pricey town with average house price of $600,000 but the quality of life is very good.
Why is Waltham #28
With a rich history, this town is 20 minutes outside of Boston and is home to cotton mills, pocket watches, and the actor who plays Big Bird.
Brandeis and Bentley University are right here, bringing lots of cultural opportunities. And with the growth of medical and technology companies on nearby Route 128, Waltham has fared better than most other cities during the recession. Residents love its community feel and I would add enjoy the variety of ethnic restaurants the town offers.

Why is Brookine #39
If you love the Red Sox and who doesn’t in Boston? Brookline could be for you: Residents can walk to Fenway, and easily commute to Boston and Cambridge.

It is the hometown of Jack and Robert Kennedy, Conan O’Brien, Mike Wallace, and Larry Bird, Brookline is very exclusive. The Country Club has hosted the Ryder Cup and the U.S. Open. The home prices range from $500,000 to more than $20 million for the fanciest estates.

I would add Coolidge Corner is an interesting eclectic place to visit with its historic Coolidge Corner Movie Theatre (sponsors film festivals and shows independent and foreign films) and varied shops. Beacon Street offers a beautiful walk/drive through historic brownstones.

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Posted by Winnie Henchey

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See new listings in Newton, MA, and Brookine, MA

The Regional Bike Share System is a multiple-city bike sharing system making thousands of bicycles available throughout the Boston metropolitan area with the swipe of a card. The Bike Share system was conceived as an extension and enhancement of the existing public transit system. More than 500 Bike Share stations will be located at or near Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus and rail transit stations to encourage and facilitate use of public transit. The system will create two million new bike trips per year.

Bike Friday in Boston

This will help our city’s green efforts and will finally provide alternatives for people who are not in walking distance of T.

Posted by Winnie Henchey

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Jebb and Driggin is an Exclusive Buyers agency located in Boston