Marvel Cinematic Universe available on 3D Blu-ray (US)

I've searched for this list on the internet but either no one has it or it is buried on he last page of the search results. So I decided to create my own page.

Phase One

    1.1 Iron Man (2008) (N/A)
    1.2 The Incredible Hulk (2008) (N/A)
    1.3 Iron Man 2 (2010) (N/A)
    1.4 Thor (2011) (3D)

    1.5 Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) (3D)

    1.6 Marvel's The Avengers (2012) (3D)

2 Phase Two

    2.1 Iron Man 3 (2013) (3D)

    2.2 Thor: The Dark World (2013) (3D)

    2.3 Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) (3D)

    2.4 Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) (3D)

    2.5 Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) (3D)

    2.6 Ant-Man (2015) (3D)

Phase Three

    3.1 Captain America: Civil War (2016) (3D)

    3.2 Doctor Strange (2016) (3D) (Rare)

    3.3 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) (3D) (Rare)

(not pictured)

    3.4 Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) (3D)

    3.5 Thor: Ragnarok (2017) (3D)

    3.6 Black Panther (2018) (3D)

    3.7 Avengers: Infinity War (2018) (3D)

    3.8 Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) (N/A US)

    3.9 Captain Marvel (2019) (N/A US)

    3.10 Avengers: Endgame (2019) (N/A US)

    3.11 Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) (N/A US)

For the Love of the Game

It's about 6:30AM early Saturday morning and I am grilling steak. The kids are up watching TV and waiting to eat. They had waffles with syrup and hash browns last night which was affectionately called "Breakfast for Dinner!!" and in a short while they will be eating steak and potatoes which is the total opposite.

I was preoccupied as I stood by the grill as I thought about the very valuable lesson I learned this past Sunday. My newly formed basketball team took on a squad that included my softball teammate, who is one of the most gifted and inspiring athletes I personally know. I mentioned to my team in good fun that if we won one game this season, this would be a nice one to have. We didn't really have chance against her (my softball teammate) more experienced team but you always want to perform well with and against someone you know.

But we had a bad day. We missed open jumpers, easy lay ups and our rhythm just wasn't there. I began feeling the burden of mentioning this game as we were still trying find our team identity. I didn't need to impede our growth and take away from the fun. And as the person who assembled this team, I felt that I was failing them.

After the game, I sat for awhile, head down. I got great hugs from my little fans who came out to watch. I thought about what I could do to make amends for subjecting my teammates to my misstep when my new friend/teammate came up to me and said that he was sorry we couldn't get this one for me. And then other teammates began expressing the same sentiments of disappointment for not getting the win.

I was floored. This is not the reaction I expected. I began seeing my team beginning to support one of their own in our short time together,

I helped form this team in less than week so I had no idea what we kind of squad we would be. We were made up of friends that knew each other for years, some we haven't seen in years and some we just met.

We quickly congregated at the bar after the loss to hang out for some laughs together. That made me smile because that was also unexpected. And I started to see how very lucky I was with the assembly of this team.

Growing up, I never had a chance to play organized sports as music took me in a different path. And I didn't get a chance to play in recreational leagues until later in life. When I did, I had no foundation of any fundamental skills taught when participating in youth sports so everything I learn was on the fly. And the only knowledge of teamwork was what I observed in the sports teams I watched.w

Some of the team who have basketball experience have volunteered to help us to get more out of this season and go over basics. My main goal in putting this team together was to consistently see old friends and get some exercise but I guess it has taken a life on its own. Though I may not know how to act as a teammate just yet, I know how to be supportive as they have with me and I continue to learn the game I love.

Steak's done and I let sit for awhile before wrapping them with eggs and home fried potatoes in flour tortillas. The kids chant "Dinner for Breakfast!" a couple of times before the youngest decides he's not hungry.  I wrap the steak breakfast burritos in aluminum foil (so they'll reheat quickly and evenly in the oven) and then store them in the refrigerator. The team will be hungry when they come over after practice.

I pack up my gear and head to the courts for our first practice and my first time being a student of the game, not knowing what to expect. But I am looking forward to it.

Somerville's Eat at Jumbo's Nick's Garbage Plate

A client sent a picture of a menu from Eat at Jumbo's in Somerville with a Nick's Garbage Plate on it. It took me only two days before I checked this place out.

I arrived around 11am and the place was empty. But they were already making lunch orders to go when I stepped up to the counter. I asked about the garbage plate on the menu and the man behind the counter (who turned out to be the owner) instantly asked me, "Are you from Rochester?" I said no and told him that I was sent a picture of the item from this place. I asked what was in it and he said it's chef's choice. Then I asked if I could request certain items to be in it but that wasn't how the plate was assembled. The man behind the counter explained that it's in the spirit of the garbage plate. You may get a burger or you may get home fries but that combination would be highly unlikely. The food will be similar elements depending on what is available and what was fresh. I further inquired his connection to the plate and he said that he used to visit a friend at Rochester Institute of Technology. "What made you put this on the menu?" He responded, "Well, since I brought poutine to Boston, I needed to set myself apart so I decided to include this in the menu." #PrettyboldstatementBobbyValentine He also noted that he has the best buffalo wings in Boston and let me know the plate was a bargain at $12 because he makes everything on the spot.

My curiosity got the best of me (okay, my stomach did because I was starving) and I reached into my wallet and pulled out a 20 and asked for some quarters so I could plug the meter. When I came back inside, I noted that if you don't have the burger/hot dog, home fries/beans or mac salad, it's not really a garbage plate. Obviously prepared for all these questions, he nicely shot back, "Yes I know. It's the sauce. Not necessarily those elements." Touche.

He continued to let me know that he hadn't had a garbage plate since he last visited his friend in Rochester, which was in the 1990s and I added that was the range of my tour of western New York. There have been customers that brought him Nick's sauce to add to emblish this item but there was no indication that I would see it. His plate was very popular with his customers but admits the word "garbage plate" scares many of them away who are not familiar with the lexicon.

We talked about allergies and I let him know that could be a loop hole in ordering. I could say I was allergic to everything but burgers, hot dogs, home fries, beans and mac salad so that I could "customize" my plate but he was not amused. 

The plate was assembled into aluminum plate and sealed, as I had requested it go. I decided to stay there and eat some of it so that I could further our conversation. I opened the steamed plastic cover to reveal a large burger (no bun) with a slice of melted mozzarella topped with marinara, two small fried onion rings, tri-color rotini pasta salad with black olives, cole slaw, two pickle spears and garlic bread. All the elements were there: your meat, your fried and your cold pasta salad and even bread. And believe it or not, it was actually delicious. The flavors of each melded together like it's original counterpart and my belly felt the fullness that you can only get from scarfing a medley of food put together in a garbage plate  I looked in the drink cooler and loyal to garbage plates, there was Pepsi but I opted for a gentler ginger ale. 

I said thanks to the owner, Grover, who finally introduced himself and then I mentioned I was from the Boston Herald. He felt used when he blurted, "You're not a food reviewer are you? Well, then why all the questions?" I replied, "I just like to know what I am eating."

Overall, I enjoyed it and would go back but not sure I would make the dedicated trip. I do like poutine and buffalo wings...

Food: Creative, Delicious

Nick's Garbage Plate Meter: 2 / 10

Freshness: 8 / 10

Ambiance: Unknown

David Bowie's Last Dance

I worked music retail in the 1990s, DJ'ed a radio show in college, signed up with different aliases to 12-for-1 music clubs in the 1980s and inherited a record collection in the 1970s which I appreciated years later. Needless to say, I've been very lucky to be exposed to different kinds of music through my family, friends and occupation.

https://www.facebook.com/abedewing/posts/10156452824990436

I never had the privilege of being a really big David Bowie fan but I understood his impact. When I think of him, I think of this song. It was released at a time when I started watching music videos. We didn't have cable so I never watched MTV in its infancy. V66 in Boston served up a pretty good selection of music videos and this was in heavy rotation.

I didn't like Let's Dance at first but now cannot imagine a world without it. There are a ton of great songs by Bowie but I love this track. Bands from the 70s changed their sound in the 80s to appeal (see Jefferson Airplane/Starship's "We Built This City," Steve Miller Band's "Abracadabra," Santana's "Say It Again" to name a few) but very few evolved. He was one of select artists to do so and this was one of those songs that fused pop art of that time with Bowie's style and signature funk. Yes, it was an 80s song but make no mistake it is trademark Bowie and it was a hit.(Let's Dance was Bowie's last #1 US single and his 2nd after Fame in 1975.)

It's too bad that I never saw him perform live (and for that matter Peter Gabriel with Genesis in its Lamb Lies Down on Broadway days) and regardless of his passing, I planned to listen to his new album, reuniting me with the acquaintance that I respected but didn't know well in high school.

Thanks to one of the very few artists that changed his name, so that he would not to be confused with the other (another being Michael Keaton). He was definitely David Bowie and not David Jones and somewhere Stevie Ray Vaughn is tuning up his axe for his solo at the end. Let's Dance, shall we?

Boston Sports: TV Watch

As an Over the Air (OTA) television house, it is extremely difficult to follow your local team. Teams align with cable channels to increase their revenue but narrow audience. When I was a child, I was able to watch my teams in every sport on a consistent basis. Now my child has access to a fraction of those games and does not have the affordable opportunities to become a local sports fan. When he becomes my age, he may not spend his income on tickets and apparel. And as a subset, may not frequent a restaurant or tavern to specifically watch these games.

Here is the raw data from each of the four major sports that broadcast OTA this past year plus the 2014 Boston Red Sox.

Boston Red Sox: 2015 Season
Preseason: 0/34
Regular Season: 3/162
  Sat, May 23 7:00 PM (FOX) – Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Boston Red Sox
  Sat, May 30 7:00 PM ET (FOX) – Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers
  Sat, Jul 11 7:15 PM (FOX) – New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Post Season: N/A

Total Games: 196
Games Televised OTA: 3
Percentage: 1.53%

New England Patriots: 2014 Season
Preseason: 4/4
  Thu, Aug 7 8:00 PM @ Washington L23-6
  Fri, Aug 15 8:00 PM vs Philadelphia W42-35
  Fri, Aug 22 8:00 PM vs Carolina W30-7
  Thu, Aug 28 8:00 PM @ New York L16-13
Regular Season: 15/16
  Sun, Sep 7 1:00 PM (CBS) @ Miami L33-20
  Sun, Sep 14 1:00 PM  (CBS) @ Minnesota W30-7
  Sun, Sep 21 1:00 PM  (CBS) vs Oakland W16-9
  Sun, Oct 5 8:25 PM (NBC) vs Cincinnati W43-17
  Sun, Oct 12 1:00 PM  (CBS) @ Buffalo W37-22
  Thu, Oct 16 8:30 PM (CBS) vs New York W27-25
  Sun, Oct 26 1:00 PM (FOX) vs Chicago W51-23
  Sun, Nov 2 4:25 PM (CBS) vs Denver W43-21
  Sun, Nov 16 8:25 PM (NBC) @ Indianapolis W42-20
  Sun, Nov 23 1:00 PM (FOX) vs Detroit W34-9
  Sun, Nov 30 4:25 PM (CBS) @ Green Bay L26-21
  Sun, Dec 7 8:25 PM (NBC) @ San Diego W23-14
  Sun, Dec 14 1:00 PM (CBS) vs Miami W41-13
  Sun, Dec 21 1:00 PM (CBS) @ New York W17-16
  Sun, Dec 28 1:00 PM (CBS) vs Buffalo L17-9
Post Season: 3/3
  Divisional Playoffs: Sat, Jan 10 4:35 PM (NBC) vs Baltimore W35-31
  Conference Championship: Sun, Jan 18 6:50 PM (CBS) vs Indianapolis W45-7
  Super Bowl XLIX: Sun, Feb 1 6:30 PM (NBC) @ Seattle W28-24

Total Games: 23
Games Televised OTA: 22
Percentage: 95.65%


Boston Bruins: 2014 Season
Preseason: 0/7
Regular Season: 2/82
  Sunday, Feb. 22: Boston at Chicago (3:30, NBC)
  Sunday, March 8: Detroit at Boston (12:30, NBC)
Post Season: N/A

Total Games: 89
Games Televised OTA: 2
Percentage: 2.24%


Boston Celtics: 2014 Season
Preseason: 0/8
Regular Season: 0/82
Post Season: 2/4
  Sunday, April 19 1:05 PM ET (ABC) – NBA First Round Game 1: (7) Boston Celtics at (2) Cleveland Cavaliers
  Sunday, April 26 3:05 PM ET (ABC) – NBA First Round Game 4: (7) Boston Celtics vs. (2) Cleveland Cavaliers

Total Games: 94
Games Televised OTA: 2
Percentage: 2.12%


Boston Red Sox: 2014 Season
Preseason: 0/32
Regular Season: 4/162
  Saturday, May 31 7:00 PM ET (FOX) – Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox
  Saturday, June 7 7:00 PM ET (FOX) – Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers
  Saturday, June 28 7:00 PM ET (FOX) – Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
  Saturday, July 5 7:00 PM ET (FOX) – Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox
Post Season: N/A

Total Games: 194
Games Televised OTA: 4
Percentage: 2.06%

As we become more of an internet viewing world with Netflix, Amazon Prime and other streaming services, the gap will widen. The NBA, MLB and NHL may not suffer but we can definitely see that the NFL will continue to grow because of the reach it has.

10 1980s Movies That Didn't Need to Be Remade

Wow, there has been a rash of 1980s remakes in the last couple of years.  In my opinion the John Hughes movies and Back to the Future Trilogy would be too iconic to remake. Only time will tell.

Arthur (2010)

Clash of the Titans (2009)

Conan the Barbarian (2011)

Fame (2008)

Footloose (2011)

Fright Night (2010)

The Karate Kid (2010)

Red Dawn (2010)

The Thing (2011)

And a list of 1970s and 1980s horror remakes:

A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

Amityville Horror (2005)

Friday the 13th (2009)

Halloween (2007)

My Bloody Valentine (2008)

Prom Night (2008)

Stepfather (2009)

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

List of Greater Boston Breweries That Provide Tours (WIP)

Thought I would just post a list of breweries in the Greater Boston area who provide tours.  I couldn't find a comprehensive list online so here it is. Of course, this is a work in progress (WIP). And feel free to let me know who I am missing.

Thanks!

Abe

P.S. They are in no particular order.

Samuel Adams

30 Germania Street

Boston, MA 02130

888-661-2337

Tour Times:

Monday -  Thursday: 10am - 3pm (last tour starts at 3:00)

Fridays: 10am - 5:30pm (last tour at 5:30)

Saturdays: 10am - 3pm (last tour at 3:00)

Duration: 45 minutes to an hour

Cost: Suggested donation: $2.00, all donations to benefit local charities.

Notes: To avoid parking issues we recommend using public transportation.

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.samueladams.com/share-passion/tours.aspx

Harpoon Brewery

306 Northern Avenue

Boston, MA 02210

617-574-9551

Weekend Tour Times:

Saturdays 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM (starting every half hour)

Sundays 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM (starting every half hour)

Duration: About 1 hour

Cost: $5, includes a souvenir tasting glass, beer tasting, and donation to Harpoon Helps.

Weekday Tastings:

Monday - Friday: 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM

Duration: About 1 hour

Cost: Complimentary

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/breweries/boston/weekend-tours

Night Shift Brewing

3 Charlton St

Everett, MA 02149

617-294-4233

Tour and Tasting Times:

Thursdays, 5-9pm

Saturdays, 12-5pm

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: Free!

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.nightshiftbrewing.com/site/brewery-tours/

Blue Hills Brewery

1020 Turnpike Street #3B

Canton, MA 02021

(781) 821-2337

Tasting Times:

Wednesday 5:00 - 8:00

Friday 3:30 - 6:30

Saturday 2:00 - 6:00

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: Free!

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.bluehillsbrewery.com/contact.php

Mayflower Brewery

12 Resnik Rd

Plymouth, MA

508-746-2674 

Weekend Tour Times:

Saturday: 11AM to 3PM

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: Doesn't say.

Weekday Tastings:

Thursday-Friday: 4PM to 6PM

Saturday: 11AM to 3PM

Duration: About 20 minutes

Cost: Doesn't say.

Notes:

The facility includes a 9,000 square foot production area as well as a retail store and tasting room for visitors. The brewery is open to the public for retail sales, tastings and tours. Parking is available, no reservations are necessary and families are welcome.

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.mayflowerbrewing.com/visit-us.php

Wachusett Brewing

175 State Road East

Westminster, MA

978-874-9965

Weekend Tour Times:

Wednesday and Thursday: Noon - 4:00 (last tour at 3)

Friday and Saturday: Noon - 5:00 (last tour at 4)

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: Doesn't say.

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.wachusettbrew.com/index2.html

Cape Cod Beer

1336 Phinney's Lane

Hyannis, MA 02601 

508-790-4200

Guided Tours:

Tuesday at 11am

Saturday at 1pm

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: Free!

Self Guided Tours & Tastings:

Weekdays (M- F): 10am - 6pm

Saturdays:  11am - 3pm

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: Free!

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.capecodbeer.com/brewery/visit-tours/

Berkshire Brewing Company

12 Rail Rd. St.

South Deerfield, MA 01373

413-665-6600

Tour Times:

Saturday 1:00pm

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: No charge.

Notes:

They cannot sell beer directly to the public.

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.berkshirebrewingcompany.com/virtual_tour.html

Paper City Brewing Company

108 Cabot St.

Holyoke, MA 01040

413-535-1588

Open House:

Thursday and Friday, 6-8pm

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: Free!

Notes:

They cannot sell beer directly to the public.

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.papercity.com/index.php

Ipswich Ale Brewery

23 Hayward St.

Ipswich, MA 01938

978-356-3329

For list of their events:

http://www.ipswichalebrewery.com/ipswich-weekend-starter-open-house

Buzzard's Bay Brewing is now Just Beer

98 Horseneck Rd

Westport, MA

Store Hours:

Saturdays from 11am to 5pm. Tastings, growler fills, bottle sales.

Website:

http://justbeer.us/#2

Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project

(rented brewery)

For list of their appearances and tastings:

http://www.prettythingsbeertoday.com/wp/events/

Boston Beer Works

(several locations)

BREWERY TOURS & TASTINGS – Available. Contact location.

Website:

http://www.beerworks.net/home/index.html

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Smuttynose Brewing Co

225 Heritage Ave

Portsmouth, NH 03801

603•436•4026 

Tour Times:

Fridays: 5:30 pm

Saturdays: 11:00 am &1:00 pm

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: $2 minimum donation to one of two non-profit organizations selected by our staff

Notes:

If you will be bringing your children with you as you tour Smuttynose, please keep them with you at all times.  Also, we urge you to wear appropriate footwear, avoiding sandals, open-toed shoes or flip-flops. We’ve got fittings, hoses, puddles, cleaning chemicals, hot things, cold things and heavy machinery. 

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.smuttynose.com/how_to_find_smuttynose.html