bostonzest

Tag: Adam Gaffin

  • Universal Hub for Local, Local, Local News

    When I enter the letter U into my Chrome browser, UniversalHub.com is the top choice on my list of websites beginning with that letter. It's where I go when I want local news. 

    Universal hub

    I have shortcuts to get to UH, as many fans call it, on both my iPhone and iPad. It's usually the first site I visit each morning. And, when I want to know what's going on, why traffic is stopped on Storrow Drive, or why I'm hearing non-stop sirens, I call up Adam Gaffin's @universalhub timeline on Twitter. 

    Mainstream Media Failure

    Every night, I wind up clicking away from local newscasts because, instead of local news, they offer up international coverage or some viral video from Los Angeles. Rather than out doing their jobs, they just take the feed from the network to fill the time. If I want local news, I have to turn to sites like UH. 

    Support Universal Hub

    As with many other sites, Universal Hub is supported by advertising, affiliate programs, and contributions. 

    Adam recently added a link that asks readers,

    "Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) donation."

    You'll find the place to click by scrolling down in the right hand sidebar. The next time you get a great, timely, local answer to your question, "What's going on right now in Boston?" click the link and drop a few coins in the UH tip jar. 

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Screengrab from Universalhub.com 

  • Time to Check in with the French Toast Alert System at UniversalHub

    As local weather forecasters jump up and down with joy because the rest of us might be about to suffer through a snowstorm, we turn to the French Toast Alert System over at UniversalHub for forecasting and news we can trust and that will make us smile. 

    Fresnch toast

    With years of experience covering local news and Bostonians' reactions to stories as they unfold, Adam Gaffin has developed a chart that helps you decide when to head for the store and stock up on the classic items that sell out before every major weather event here in Massachusetts.

    You can follow the progress on Twitter @FrenchToastAlert.

    And, as any local story unfolds, you'll want to follow the main page of UniversalHub to keep up with the all the hyperlocal aspects that only an established community of commentators can provide. Here's the twitter feed: @UniversalHub.

    Related Post: What you need to know in a Boston Snow Emergency– our attemp to put all the information and links you might need on one page.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Related articles
    What You Need to Know in a Boston Snow Emergency 2012 – 2013
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Time to Check in with the French Toast Alert System at UniversalHub

    As local weather forecasters jump up and down with joy because the rest of us might be about to suffer through a snowstorm, we turn to the French Toast Alert System over at UniversalHub for forecasting and news we can trust and that will make us smile. 

    Fresnch toast

    With years of experience covering local news and Bostonians' reactions to stories as they unfold, Adam Gaffin has developed a chart that helps you decide when to head for the store and stock up on the classic items that sell out before every major weather event here in Massachusetts.

    You can follow the progress on Twitter @FrenchToastAlert.

    And, as any local story unfolds, you'll want to follow the main page of UniversalHub to keep up with the all the hyperlocal aspects that only an established community of commentators can provide. Here's the twitter feed: @UniversalHub.

    Related Post: What you need to know in a Boston Snow Emergency– our attemp to put all the information and links you might need on one page.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Related articles
    What You Need to Know in a Boston Snow Emergency 2012 – 2013
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Time to Check in with the French Toast Alert System at UniversalHub

    As local weather forecasters jump up and down with joy because the rest of us might be about to suffer through a snowstorm, we turn to the French Toast Alert System over at UniversalHub for forecasting and news we can trust and that will make us smile. 

    Fresnch toast

    With years of experience covering local news and Bostonians' reactions to stories as they unfold, Adam Gaffin has developed a chart that helps you decide when to head for the store and stock up on the classic items that sell out before every major weather event here in Massachusetts.

    You can follow the progress on Twitter @FrenchToastAlert.

    And, as any local story unfolds, you'll want to follow the main page of UniversalHub to keep up with the all the hyperlocal aspects that only an established community of commentators can provide. Here's the twitter feed: @UniversalHub.

    Related Post: What you need to know in a Boston Snow Emergency– our attemp to put all the information and links you might need on one page.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Related articles
    What You Need to Know in a Boston Snow Emergency 2012 – 2013
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Fartootempting Baked Beans From Breakwind Farm

    DSC_9184 - Version 22012-10-07-beans-breakwind farm-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Yes, Breakwind Farm really is the farm's name and the product they were selling at the Boston Local Food Festival on the Greenway was Fartootemting Baked Beans. I wonder if punster Adam Gaffin from Universal Hub is a consultant for this company?

    What's on your food lover's shopping list? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: Ed Cherubino

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Related articles
    Baked Beans Power
    Why Do People Hate the Name Beantown So Much?
    Advertising on Universal Hub
    Make Walking THE Priority
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Fartootempting Baked Beans From Breakwind Farm

    DSC_9184 - Version 22012-10-07-beans-breakwind farm-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Yes, Breakwind Farm really is the farm's name and the product they were selling at the Boston Local Food Festival on the Greenway was Fartootemting Baked Beans. I wonder if punster Adam Gaffin from Universal Hub is a consultant for this company?

    What's on your food lover's shopping list? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: Ed Cherubino

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Related articles
    Baked Beans Power
    Why Do People Hate the Name Beantown So Much?
    Advertising on Universal Hub
    Make Walking THE Priority
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Fartootempting Baked Beans From Breakwind Farm

    DSC_9184 - Version 22012-10-07-beans-breakwind farm-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Yes, Breakwind Farm really is the farm's name and the product they were selling at the Boston Local Food Festival on the Greenway was Fartootemting Baked Beans. I wonder if punster Adam Gaffin from Universal Hub is a consultant for this company?

    What's on your food lover's shopping list? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: Ed Cherubino

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Related articles
    Baked Beans Power
    Why Do People Hate the Name Beantown So Much?
    Advertising on Universal Hub
    Make Walking THE Priority
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • The Boston Stinkers Are Blooming

    PMC_4322 - Version 22012-06-12-boston-stink-trees-Ailanthus-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We see readers popping in to read our posts about Boston's stink trees. And, we walked under this one in full bloom in the Back Bay. If you're seeing sidewalks covered in yellowish, green bloom debris that gives off a strong smell, you've found an Ailanthus. 

    For more information check our posts on the topic.

    Boston's Stink Trees (Ailanthus) Are In Bloom

    The Stink Trees are Back and….

    And, to read what others think about them, click over to these conversations on Universal Hub. Adam Gaffin just loves to write headlines about these trees.

    The Back Bay stinks

    Return of the stink trees brings gasps of disgust, runny eyes to tony Back Bay

    The stink trees of Boston are in bloom

    What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Universal Hub for Award Winning Local Coverage

    Universalhub

    Universal Hub (UH) is our Friday link. We think you should resolve to really know what's going on in Boston in 2012. You can do that by visiting, subscribing, following, and retweeting, the award winning coverage over at Adam Gaffin's site. 

    People ask us how we know so many things long before the story is picked up by traditional media around town. UH is the answer. Penny visits there so many times a day that if you enter the letter u in her Chrome browser Google fills in the rest– www.universalhub.com.

    The world is starting to realize (and we think envy) the hyperlocal community that Adam has created. This month 415 Heat named Adam Gaffin one of the "Top Social Media Strategists to Watch in 2012."

    They said, "Adam Gaffin is the hyper-local journalism wizard behind Universal Hub, a site he founded in 2005 to bring Boston-area news to citizens through a collective online effort. He also coordinates the Boston Blog Network, which helps other local bloggers connect with online advertisers, and consults small, local media and news outlets."

    They listed a very elite group including: Liz Herson from the New York Times; John Pepper, Founder and CEO of Boloco; Scott Monty, who leads social media at Ford; and social media guru Chris Brogan.

    Last March, Adam was also named the winner of the first #Boston Shorty Award, Twitter says, "The Shorty Awards honor the best people and organizations producing short-form, real-time social media content."

    When local TV newscasts are wasting the little air time they have on "interesting" videos from around the world (that most of us have already seen on the web) and PR vidoes being passed off as news coverage, we have to support the people who are in the trenches delivering real news that is of use in our daily lives. Go check out Universal Hub!

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!


    Details:
    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: © 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.