Freebie Friday Returns!

Freebie Friday returns with Google Goggles, a free Mobile App with many uses, both practical and fun. Google Goggles lets you use pictures taken with your mobile phone to search the web; it’s ideal for things that aren’t easy to describe. Scan a barcode, and you can find out about a product. Scan a menu in a foreign language, and you can get a translation. You can even take a photo of a landmark or a piece of art, and Google may be able to tell you what it is. This link will let you see Google Goggles in action.  


Google Goggles is being continually improved. According to the support page, right now it works best for printed text, barcodes, logos, and landmarks, and not so well for photos of animals or furniture. 

Here is perhaps one of the products most valuable uses. Do you have a stack of Sudokus you could never solve? Take a photo of one with Goggles and just see what happens! Or watch this video.

And, now that I have your attention, please read on for some news and a few important reminders of upcoming events:

UPDATES from NEW HAVEN

The Long Wharf Nature Preserve will remain intact! Connecticut DOT Commissioner  James P. Redeker has announced the reconfiguration of the Exit 46 plan which would have taken a portion of the preserve. You can read the details in an article from the New Haven Register. According to this article, Redeker said the new plan actually improves traffic flow and safety more than the original proposal! 

Elm City Market posted progress photos. There are now 650 members and counting.

DATES TO REMEMBER

September 17

Slow Food’s $5 Challenge 

Take back the 'value meal' by getting together with family, friends and neighbors for a slow food meal that costs no more than $5 per person.

and a special opportunity from Slow Food USA … during the month of September, you can become a member for whatever you can afford to pay. With over 25,000 members and 250,000 supporters, Slow Food USA is part of a global, grassroots organization which believes that food and farming should be sources of health and well being for everyone. Through national advocacy, local projects and bringing people together through the common language of food, Slow Food USA members and supporters are making it easier to access real food that is good for us, good for those who produce it, and good for the planet. Any donation this month will allow you to join … give it a try. 

September 21

5% Day at Whole Foods in Milford.

Whole Foods in Milford will donate 5% of all sales to benefit New Haven’s Common Ground High School. 

September 21

New Haven Green Drinks

6-8 pm at 

Cave A’ Vin, a newly renovated wine bar at 975 State Street, near Edward Street.

This evening’s program will be a departure from the norm. Instead of a speaker, it will be a “special fun event to get everyone to meet new people.”

September 24

Moving Planet 

At the 350CT event people will come to the New Haven Green via bikes, on foot, carpools, mass transit, anything and everything BUT carbon-intensive travel, for a central celebration with tables, music speakers, art, and a bike-powered outdoor screening of the movie Wall-E! The date is fast approaching, check out the ActNH site for opportunities to volunteer.


TGIF! Be sure to come back for my Meatless Monday post when I hope to report on a very successful $5 Meal!