Category Archives: video games

Gifts to Give and Get: Roku Streaming Stick

roku-streaming-stick-w_package-1024x768Are you thinking about becoming a cable-cutter?  Do you look at the cable bill with dismay every month?  I found I could save $70 a month by just paying for internet service instead of a full-service cable.  I’m happier than ever with more shows to watch than before and a variety of movies and specials to chose from.  I added an antenna so that I could access 20 local and national channels mostly for local news and sports.  The other essential tool-the Roku streaming stick.  I had an early version of the Roku streaming media center but found the interface to be more trouble than it was worth. The new Roku streaming stick beats the Chomecast and the Amazon Fire on speed and variety of available programming. A win win situation.

The Roku streaming stick allows me to access both netflix and hulu so I had to make a decision whether I wanted or needed one or both of these.  I chose Hulu (unfortunately with annoying commercials) because of the exclusive programming that only airs on Hulu (the show Nashville ’cause I’m hooked).  Accessing either service is easy once to enter your log in and password for Hulu or Netflix.  If you are an Amazon Prime subscriber you can access all of that programming as well as Vevo, YouTube, CBS news, PBS kids, Sling,FX Now, Red Bull TV,  Watch ESPN, and Pandora.  If you subscribe to Showtime or HBO to go,  you can watch all of this programming as well.  Some channels require rental fees for certain programming.

Setting up the stick was easy even for the non-techie me.   The important thing is to know what HDMI slot you put the stick in.  Use your input on your television so that you can see the set up for the streaming stick.  Configure your account and you are finished.

The Roku streaming stick sells for $49.99 and is available at all of your big box retailers as well as from Amazon Prime (free 2 day shipping) here.

 

Scholastic Video Game Workshops June-September 2016

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2016 video game workshops:

June 26-30: Turtle Mountain Reservation, Turtle Mountain, ND
July 16: NAACP | ACT-SO Convention, Cincinnati, OH
July 16: Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
July 22: Philadelphia Writing Project, Philadelphia, PA
August 1-5: Red River Valley Writing Project, Fargo-Morehead, ND
August 19: Philadelphia Writing Project, Philadelphia, PA
August 20: University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, Philadelphia, PA
September 17: National Museum of American Jewish History
If you or someone you know is interested in the video game workshops please contact Tendo Mutanda at tendo@artandwriting.org. For more information about the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, please visit www.artandwriting.org

A Review of the band Twin Atlantic “Free”

Twin Atlantic Review by Ben Pawliger

Twin Atlantic is a band not many are familiar with in the US; but in Europe, specifically the United Kingdom, Twin Atlantic is a band many enjoy listening to. Twin Atlantic is an Alternative Rock band from Glasgow, that was formed in 2007. Some of their previous top hits include What is Light, Where is Laughter? and Human After All. Twin Atlantic is a band unlike others, in that the music is from the heart and is about what the members truly believe in. The album Free which includes some fan favorites such as Free and We Want Better, Man is an album with many types of songs. The album gives listeners a little of everything, with love and relationship songs, party songs with a party vibe, some old fashioned alternative rock songs, and even some pop songs too. The music can give listeners the chills while hearing the work on Free. Its not often that you find music like this, which is music that is based on a true emotional honesty. That, makes listening to the music on Free an even better experience. I recommend the album to any Alternative or Rock fan, because this will be a new favorite for you. Even if you are not an Alternative or Rock fan, I still recommend you listen to Free, because this is the kind of music that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Graffiti Spray Can for IPAD now!

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Graffiti Spray Can 2 was released for the iPad this weekend with new tools and features requested by users and developed by graffiti artists at Elite Gudz.
“We’ve added different caps, drips, a new interface, and a lot of other elements the fans asked for,” says a spokesperson from Elite Gudz. The studio read through user comments on the first Graffiti Spray Can, which has been #1 on iTunes in Entertainment and Free Apps, and added many requested features to the new iPad version.  “With Graffiti Spray Can 2, the only limit is your imagination.”

New Features Include:

* 5 New Tips/Brushes – Including Drips! * Classic Shake Animations and Rattle Sounds updated in HD * Easy to use color wheel with millions of choices * Full Featured Music Player with 3 FREE tracks * Enhanced Touch-Screen Interaction * All New HD Backgrounds to choose from * Variable Cap/Brush size from fine to thick * Save and Share through Facebook, Twitter & Email

Updates to Graffiti Spray Can 2 will include new backgrounds, hand-made text fonts, stencils, new music, and artist packs from famous graffiti artists from around the world.

Graffiti Spray Can 2 is free for the iPad. A version for iPhone and iPod touch is in development and will be out later this year.

Download Graffiti Spray Can 2 at www.GraffitiSprayCan.com