Movies – Salem Happenings

Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Boston Common

Star Wars fans of the Boston area rejoice! If you’ve been dying to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens on the big screen again or you missed it when it was on the big screen the first time around, you’re going to love this one. Mayor Martin J. Walsh, in partnership with the Skating Club of Boston, is holding the last of his 2016 series of movie nights at the Boston Common Frog Pond from approximately 7:00 P.M. to approximately 10:30 P.M. tonight (Friday, September 23, 2016).

This event, which is sponsored by Northeastern University and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department as part of their ParkARTS program, will let you see Star Wars: The Force Awakens in its entirety while you devour all of the free popcorn (courtesy of AMC Loews Theatres) that you can get your hands on. The movie itself will begin at dusk, but you may want to get there a little early to find a good spot to sit and make sure that you don’t miss the beginning of the film. For more information on the Boston Common Movie Nights’ presentation of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which is completely free and open to the public, please visit the Boston Common Movie Nights’ Facebook Event page or the Boston Parks and Recreation Department Facebook page.

Photo credit: taymtaym via Visual Hunt / CC BY

Things to Do When It’s Too Cold to Go Out

Is she trying to catch the snow in her mouth or she is screaming about the cold? You decide... — Is she trying to catch the snow in her mouth or is she so cold she is screaming? You decide…

Last week, I talked about some of the ways that you could embrace the winter or try to stave it off a little longer, but it appears that Jack Frost may have had other ideas. In fact, when I got up yesterday morning, it was a degree below zero with a wind chill of 15 below, and there were parts of New England where the actual temperature was nearly 25 below with a wind chill of who knows what. As a result, it’s clear that the winter is here with a vengeance, and ignoring it until it goes away is probably no longer an option. However, if you are stuck in your house this weekend because of the cold weather and you’re looking for something that you can do without opening your door (and turning your home into an icebox), look no further.

1. Board Games

When it comes to board games, people typically fall into one of two groups. The first group are the people that immediately think about how much fun it could be to try a new game or play an old favorite, and if you belong to this group, you should keep reading. The second group are the people that see the word “board” and immediately think it was misspelled (this group believes the correct spelling is actually “bored”) and if you fall into this group, I highly recommend that you skip this suggestion and move onto suggestions two and three. However, if you are one of the fine, upstanding people that belongs to the first group, board games can be a great way to keep you, your significant other, your friends daring enough to brave the cold, and/or your children entertained for hours on end.

In fact, you can always pull out an old classic like Battleship, Chess, Checkers, Clue, Monopoly, Risk, Scrabble, Sorry, Twister, or any variation thereof; or you can try a new game like King of Tokyo or King of New York if you’ve always wanted to be a rampaging monster, Pandemic if you’ve always wanted to be part of a team tasked with stopping a deadly outbreak, Power Grid if you’ve always thought you could handle a region’s infrastructure better than the power companies, or any of a countless number of other games. Best of all, if you don’t have one of these games, you can always find them at a local department store, comic book shop, hobby shop or, if you’re really determined not to leave your house and you’re a member of Amazon Prime, you can always pay the $3.99 for one-day shipping and have your new game tomorrow.

2. Video Games (Online or Otherwise)

If you would rather play a video game than a board game (or you prefer your board games when they are on a TV screen), you may want to check out some of the sites that will allow you to play or purchase video games. If you’re looking for free video games, you can always try out sites like ArmorGames.com, Kongregate.com, and/or Newgrounds.com. Armor Games and Kongregate both offer thousands of free games, many of which are user-submitted. These games include action, adventure, puzzle, RPG, shooter, strategy, and sports games. Newgrounds also offers thousands of free user-submitted flash games in addition to user-submitted art, music, and flash movies.

If, on the other hand, you would prefer to purchase a game rather than just play it in your browser, you can always try Amazon or Steam. These sites have a number of games that you can purchase (usually at a discounted price) and download as soon as you pay.

3. Movies / TV

If you’re a movie buff who would like nothing more than to just sit in your chair and watch your favorite films, you can always just grab a pile of DVDs from your closet or movie rack and go to town. However, if there’s a new movie or TV series that you would really like to see, but you don’t have it on DVD yet, you can always try Amazon.com, Hulu.com, Netflix.com, or the On-Demand services for your television provider. These sites and services often have some (but not all) of the latest movies and television shows, and they will typically allow you to watch them immediately for free, a one-time fee, or as part of a service with a monthly fee.

Photo credit: Luis Hernandez – D2k6.es / Foter / CC BY

2014 US Figure Skating Championships

I have to admit that one of my favorite things about writing is that it gives me the opportunity to learn new things. In fact, while I was researching this week’s blog post, I learned that the amount of snow that a particular location will get during a storm is closely tied to the temperature. Now, I know that some of you are already thinking to yourselves “No Duh Sherlock” (or a less politically correct version of that particular statement.) However, I’m not talking about whether it’s above 32 degrees Fahrenheit and we get rain or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and we get snow. I’m talking about how much snow we actually get when there is a storm.

You see, slight differences in the temperature actually play a key role in how much snow a particular location gets because the temperature affects the size and shape of the snowflakes. For example, if the temperature is 28°F in a particular location and that location is expected to receive the equivalent of an inch of water (or, in other words, an inch of rain if the temperature was above 32 degrees), that location will end up with approximately 12 inches of snow. An area with a slightly lower temperature, however, say 23°F, would actually end up with approximately 15 inches of snow.

If, after reading this, you’re wondering why any of this actually matters, the truth is that, unless you’re a meteorologist or someone who is truly obsessed with the weather, it really doesn’t. However, it is one of the reasons why two neighboring towns can end up with two drastically different snow totals, and it does prove that if the Northeast is supposed to get buried by snow, it must be pretty friggin’ cold. As a result, if you’re looking for a way to enjoy your weekend without becoming an ice sculpture with a tasty human filling, look no further.

First, if you’re a big fan of figure skating and/or you always wanted to see someone actually get into the Olympics, Boston is the place to be this weekend. This is because the TD Bank Garden and the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is hosting the 2014 Prudential US Figure Skating Championships from Sunday, January 4th to the following Sunday, January 12th. This event will feature juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, senior, and champion skaters competing for national titles in both individual and pair competitions. It will also feature a number of well-known skaters and some not-so-well known skaters competing for the right to qualify for the Olympics as a member of Team USA. And, for those of us who think single digit temperatures are a little too cold to be wandering around in, they have wisely made sure that all of the events are indoors. For more information on the 2014 Prudential US Figure Skating Championships and/or to order tickets, please visit the Official 2014 US Figure Skating Championships website.

If, on the other hand, you’ve decided it is entirely too cold to go out this weekend and you have no interest in leaving your house at all (which I completely understand), you can always make your own movie marathon. I know it may sound lame, but grab some microwave popcorn, make some hot chocolate, and toss in your favorite movie or a movie that you’ve never taken out of the package. Sitting on the couch watching movies can be a lot more fun than it seems, especially when walking outside may result in your extremities falling off.

Don’t have a copy of your favorite movie or you’ve already watched everything you own nine thousand times? Don’t worry. You can always rent or purchase a movie from Amazon if you have a computer or a streaming device or On Demand if you’re an Xfinity subscriber. You can also watch movies for free online with Amazon Prime, Netflix, or another movie streaming service as long as you have a membership.

Photo credit: kennymatic / Foter.com / CC BY

Twas The Weekend Before Christmas

Twas the weekend before Christmas, when all through the house
Every creature was stirring, even the mouse.
For nothing was wrapped and the tree was still bare,
In fact, half of the presents still aren’t there.

The children, with scissors in hand, are jumping on their beds,
While visions of a gift-less spouse or child dances in your head.
And everyone thinks you’re desperately seeking that elusive baseball cap,
But what you really want is just one more minute to nap.

When, all of the sudden, you get a look like the mad hatter,
And your spouse begins to wonder what’s the matter.
Away to the computer you fly like a flash,
Click away the screensaver and begin your shopping dash.

Then, the quiet click of your mouse,
Is interrupted as all through the house,
Your screams can be heard for everyone to know,
When you realize there’s no way for your presents to get through the snow!

You sit silently contemplating if there’s something you can click,
To make your gifts appear at your home really quick.
Unfortunately, with only days left to order,
There’s nothing you can do except make a run for the border.

However, I’m very happy to say,
That there is still hope on this winter day.
For if it is a last-minute gift you seek,
Here are some ideas to make your holiday less bleak!

1. Candy

There’s really no question that everyone from kids to adults loves candy, and candy, as a result, has become one of the staples of many holidays. Candy canes, chocolate, and peppermint bark are only a few examples of the sweets that are typically associated with Christmas. However, there’s nothing that says that you have to go with candy that is specifically related to Christmas, and you may find that putting together a basket or a box of some of your friend’s or loved one’s favorite candies can be a great way to come up with a last-minute gift.

2. Digital Goods

Almost everyone loves books, movies, music, and/or video games, but trying to make your way through the mall around Christmas time to get these gifts is never a simple task. However, there is an easier way to get these items, as all of these items have one thing in common. They can all be downloaded.

In fact, if you have a friend or family member with a Kindle, a phone or tablet with a reading app, or another similar device, you can actually buy books online and send the books that you buy right to their device using the e-mail that they have associated with that device. If, on the other hand, you have a friend or family member who is really into movies and/or music, all they need is a computer, a laptop, or a streaming device and you can buy any song, CD, or movie that you want and send it directly to them. And, if you have a friend of family member who is really into video games, all they need is a computer or a console for you to buy them a game and download it.

In the end, the only thing that you need to remember is that you will need your credit card and you will need to make sure that you buy something that will actually work with the device that your friend or family member has. It is also important to note that not every game and movie is available for immediate download, and if you are looking for something specific, you may not be able to find it in some cases.

3. Gift Cards

Alright, I know what you’re probably thinking. Anyone can give a gift card, and it really doesn’t require a lot of thought. In fact, you may be thinking that, even if you wanted to get someone a gift card, there is no way that you will be able to make your way through the crowds this weekend to pick one up.

Fortunately, gift cards don’t actually have to be boring, and they can be a lot easier to get than people think. This is because most grocery stores, pharmacies that belong to national chains, and other similar stores not only sell their own gift cards, but sell gift cards for other retailers as well. As a result, you may be able to go to your local grocery store or pharmacy and find a group of gift cards to all of your friend’s or loved one’s favorite places without going to every store under the sun. Best of all, if you choose a group of gift cards to places that you know your friend or loved one goes to all the time, it will prove that you actually put some thought into it and that you didn’t just pick up a gift card at random.

Photo credit: stuartpilbrow / Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Friday Fun: Hunger is Not a Game

Hungry? Fear not. With Thanksgiving less than a week away, there will be enough turkey, stuffing, and other delicious treats to put you into a food coma for some time to come. However, if what you truly hunger for is excitement rather than the pumpkin pie that your mother always used to make, there is a certain hunger-themed movie coming out this weekend that you should definitely check out.

Now, I am of course talking about Lionsgate’s new movie, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. This film, which stars Jennifer Lawrence as the so-called “girl on fire”, Katmiss Everdeen, and Josh Hutcherson as Petta Melark, is the second film in the quartet based on the popular Hunger Games book series. The only difference this time around is that Katmiss and Petta are not facing average children that were simply unlucky enough to be placed into the Hunger Games but are instead facing battle-hardened veterans that have already survived some of the previous battles designed to entertain the populace and keep the rebels in check. As a result, you can expect the film to be filled with more suspense, excitement, and special effects than you’ve seen before. For more information on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, please visit the Official Hunger Games Explorer website.

If, on the other hand, excitement is not really what you crave or you’re simply looking for an opportunity to help children rather than watch them maim each other in a Battle Royale, you may want to think about donating some food to your local food bank. There are an alarming number of people who simply don’t have the means to purchase the turkey, stuffing, and other delicious treats that many of us enjoy on Thanksgiving. In fact, according to the hunger-relief charity, Feeding America, 1 out of every 6 Americans does not have enough food to stay healthy on a daily basis, let alone enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. There is, therefore, no better way to show that you’re thankful for what you have and to show the true spirit of giving than to help those who have a whole lot less to be thankful for than you do this holiday season. For more information about how to help the hungry or to locate a local food bank, please visit FeedingAmerica.org.

Photo credit: Photo by M. Rehemtulla / Foter.com / CC BY

Friday Fun: The Season of the Witch Has Begun

As we approach the end of the first week of October, many people are already in the process of planning out their Halloween costumes and looking for ways to partake in all of the merrymaking and treats that All Hallows’ Eve has to offer. Unfortunately, the celebrations that people typically associate with Halloween are now being overshadowed by the events that are dragging on in our nation’s capital. In fact, with the government shutdown, there are approximately 800,000 government employees wondering when they are going to see another paycheck and countless government contractors and other businesses that are trying to figure out what they’re going to do with their own employees if something doesn’t happen soon. As a result, there is a growing number of people who simply don’t have the funds to enjoy Halloween in the way that they typically would, and some of these people are already looking for a way to keep their kids happy this All Hallows’ Eve.

Fortunately, if you are one of the people looking for a way to keep your kids happy or just someone looking for a way to get your mind off of your politically-induced financial woes, there are a number of Halloween-themed activities that will allow you to get an early start on the festivities without breaking the bank.

First, if you’re a big fan of shopping or your friends and family members have a strange interest in shiny things, there’s no better way to start off the Halloween season then in the Witch City itself, Salem. This is because the Salem Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair, which is more commonly known as the Bizarre Bazaar, this weekend from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday (October 5, 2013) and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday (October 6, 2013.) This street fair, located at the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, features over 75 vendors selling everything from doll clothes and jewelry to books and souvenirs. However, it is important to remember that the Biz Baz isn’t your typical street fair, as there will not only be vendors but also music and street performers as well. For more information, please visit the Salem Chamber of Commerce website or call 978-774-0004.

Secondly, if you’re already in Salem for the Biz Baz and you’re looking for something to keep your kids entertained, you may want to take a quick walk around the corner to Salem Common. The Common has a bunch of activities for kids this weekend, including contests, food, games, inflatable slides, moon bounces, and even a movie on Saturday night. For more information on the events taking place on the Common this weekend and other events happening in Salem throughout the month of October, please visit the Haunted Happenings website.

Photo credit: Powerhouse Museum Collection / Foter

Friday Fun: Scavenger Hunts, Discounts, and Movies, Oh My!

Are you a big fan of the Wizard of Oz? Are you looking forward to the new Disney movie coming out next weekend, Oz the Great and Powerful? Well, if you are, you may want to head down to Salem, MA tonight because the Witch City is tipping its hat to the fine film that helped bring the idea of a “good witch” into the mainstream. This celebration, which is taking the place of the normal First Friday activities in Salem this month, will include an Oz the Great and Powerful scavenger hunt; dancing; a series of games and other activities to keep your kids busy; and a bunch of special offers, giveaways, and discounts at local restaurants and retailers. All of the fun is scheduled to begin around 5:00 p.m. and is expected to last until approximately 8:00 p.m. tonight, Friday, March 1st. However, the exact times for each of the activities in Salem tonight may vary, so it may be a good idea to check out the event’s website before you go.

If the Wizard of Oz is really not your favorite film or you’re nowhere even remotely close to Salem right now, you may want to check out some of the other films that are playing at your local movie theater this weekend. There are a number of strange, thrilling, and hopefully entertaining movies coming out today and tomorrow, including 21 and Over, Jack the Giant Slayer (which comes in a variety of flavors, including the standard 2D format, 3D format, and IMAX 3D format), The Last Exorcism: Part II, Stoker, and a number of other films.