Davis Square

Package Theft

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:35 GMT

So my inlaws sent me me birthday package and the post office says it was delivered on the 7th. No one in my apartment building has see it. So it was probably stolen off our pourch, I know this happens a lot. Yet through out the 3 yrs I've live here this had never happened before.. I live on a end of a side street in teele square.
I am talking to the post office tomorrow just to see if it is there.

Anyways, just get packages insured and with a signature required.

Yet another moving sale!

Sun, 18 May 2008 02:01:53 GMT

We're a six-minute drive/bus ride (woohoo 96) from Davis Square. (I walk to work at Johnny D's in approximately 23 minutes. You can too, if you want the exercise.)

Corner of Orchard and Winthrop Streets, just over the line into Medford.

Please come make us an offer, we are unmaterialistic renunciants!!

More details here!

Post any questions here. Thanks! You rock.

non-bar meet-up

Sat, 17 May 2008 05:58:00 GMT

In addition to our regularly scheduled bar meet-up, I thought it would be a good idea to have a non-bar outdoor meet-up. I know there are many moms and non-drinkers that might like to socialize a bit and see random strangers from the interwebs. So a family friendly type thing would be good especially if the weather is nice.

Would people be interested in that? I was thinking maybe on a Saturday afternoon. I'm not as familiar with the parks in the area, but if there is interest, maybe people can suggest a meet-up location (ie, picnic tables would be good).

This wouldn't be in place of our bar meet-up, but an additional one.

BTW, Joe Sent Me was very fun!

Davis Square Game Night!

Sat, 17 May 2008 02:55:12 GMT

Now 100% more predictable!
The monthly game nights at Boloco will now and henceforth occur on a regular night so that you can better plan the gaming goodness:
Davis Square Game Night at Boloco will happen the last Sunday of every month.

What the heck are we talking about? Here's the details:

what:
Bring your games (board games or strategy games, or card games, or dice games...) and enjoy good food and fun. If you bring your own players, that's fine. If you are looking to meet some new people or find a couple of more people to round out a game of Settlers of Catan, that's fine, too. (You can choose to be as social as you want; this is a very informal gathering and no one will put you on the spot. Most people don't know each other, so one more stranger will not seem so amiss.)

when:
The last Sunday of every month, around 5pm to 10pm (close)
(Feel free to come earlier if you'd like- there is no set starting point and some of those games can get long!)

where:
Boloco, Davis Square (187 Elm Street) Somerville

who:
Everyone is welcome. This is a all-community event and is not limited to Davis_Square readers. Bring you family, friends, roommates, people you meet on the way, etc.

This fun event is growing each time it is held. There are always well-known board games like Scrabble and newer games like Blokus, Fluxx, and other fun things. There is always Settlers of Catan, probaly some Citadel or Powergrid or others like that and there are always more games than there are people to play them so don't be afraid to stroll in empty-handed and pull up a chair. The staff of Boloco is great and always makes us feel very welcome.

Can't make it? maybe next month- It's on the last Sunday of every month!
Feel free to repost this wherever you think people will be interested.
Hope to see you all there!

Yard sale tomorrow May 17 -- Childrens' environmental action group

Sat, 17 May 2008 01:16:40 GMT

The Sprouts of Hope, a local kids' environmental action group, is hosting a yard sale/bake sale tomorrow, Saturday, May 17. All proceeds benefit environmental, energy, and animal protection projects.

When the rain ends tomorrow morning, please stop by -- if only to say hello and sample some of the amazing cookies, brownies, fruit salad, and fresh homemade Chinese dumplings!

Clothes (kids and adults) - Shoes, Boots, Winter coats, Toddler car seat, Ice Skates, X-country skis – Household Goods – vases, dishes, and a wine bottle table – New kids’ games and toys – Lots and lots of Beanie Babies -- And many other surprises!!

Directions: From Mass. Ave. at Porter Square, walk, bike or drive two blocks west on Upland Road to Buena Vista Park . Yard sale will be at the bottom of the hill on the right

Sprouts of Hope is a project of Roots & Shoots: http://www.rootsandshoots.org/.

1BR in a 2BR near Ball Sq, Davis, Tufts Available August 1

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:24:06 GMT

1BR in a 2BR near Ball Sq, Davis, Tufts available August 1 to live with Tufts grad student.

Gorgeous apartment with living room, dining room, front and back porches, small yard, dishwasher, washer & dryer, waste disposal, basement storage, awesome landlords.

5 min walk to Ball Sq, 10(ish) min walk to Davis.

Non smoker, no pets.

675/month + utilities.

Diatomaceos Earth

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:30:33 GMT

A bit of an odd request, but one that has stumped me: does anyone know where in the area I could find some diatomaceos earth?

Somerville Chorus Concert- Saturday

Fri, 16 May 2008 03:47:19 GMT

Somerville Community Chorus will be having our spring concert this Saturday!
We're performing Haydn's Mass in Time of War ("Paukenmesse") with live orchestral accompaniment
Also featuring guest soloists, works by Mozart and others.

Date: Saturday, May 17 - Armed Forces Day
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church - 155 Powderhouse Blvd. Somerville

Suggested contributions are: $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, active military, veterans, and students, and $5 for children under 12.

Swing Dancing in Davis Square?

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:20:57 GMT

I'm a swing dancer (lindy hop, blues, etc) and I say there should be a free, weekly swing dance in Davis Square. Perhaps each Friday afternoon, early evening, or saturday afternoon, or perhaps Sunday morning? All that would be needed is a boombox that can be turned up relatively loudly and a few couples who like to dance.

Perhaps some of us who are more experienced could teach a lesson during the event?

Speak!

Sommerville Online Guide

Thu, 15 May 2008 20:30:41 GMT

Anyone know anything about this?

Somerville Online Guide

or more specific to Davis, this:

Davis Square

contractor for deck/porch reconstruction?

Thu, 15 May 2008 16:32:52 GMT

The second-story deck of our front porch needs to be reconstructed, and roof or possibly a third level added. I've seen similar work being done on other area homes, but never really paid much attention. Anyone have a recommendation? Thanks!

Somerville History Bicycle Tour - Saturday, May 31

Thu, 15 May 2008 16:07:57 GMT

Join the Somerville Bicycle Committee and the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission for a bicycle tour of historical sights around Somerville. This year's ride will focus on the many commuter rail stations that Somerville once had, and on the Green Line stations that will soon take their place.

The ride starts at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue, at 10 am on Saturday, May 31. We'll take about three hours to ride about ten miles, stopping along the way at railroad-related sites and at such historic landmarks as the Prospect Hill Tower and the Old Powder House. The ride will end at the Somerville Museum, where we'll enjoy refreshments and an exhibit of the Somerville Preservation Awards.

Rain date is Sunday, June 1, same time and starting location. For more information, e-mail rnewman@thecia.net or call 617-628-8895.

Dollar store space--what's the plan?

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:59:02 GMT

Hey y'all, just wondering if anyone knows what the plan is for the old dollar store space between Mike's and the new sushi place . . .

Real estate broker specializing in commercial space?

Thu, 15 May 2008 14:44:17 GMT

Hi everyone
My company is looking for office space along the Red Line (preferably in Central, Porter, or Davis) and I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good broker who specializes in commercial space.

Thanks!

Ten Tables?

Thu, 15 May 2008 14:06:44 GMT

Any update on Ten Tables and their bid to get a liquor license and open a restaurant in Davis Square?

I am crossing my fingers that they will decide to go ahead and open a new restaurant here -- I think it would make a great addition to the area dining options. The Ten Tables concept (fine dining, neighborhood vibe, reasonable prices, and focus on sourcing from small, local, organic farms) seems like a perfect fit for Davis. I like Antonia's too, but from what I understand it's not a question of choosing between Antonia's and Ten Tables ... it's more of a choice between Ten Tables and some other replacement for Antonia's. Again -- that's just my understanding, and my info may be stale.

More housing available. 9/1. 4 out of 5 beds available. $3000

Thu, 15 May 2008 13:25:35 GMT

I am currently trying to find 3-4 roomates to get on a new year long lease with me starting 9/1. My three roomates are all moving out and I really want to stay in this house.

The house is on just off of College Ave, on a very quiet street, very close to the T, semi-furnished.

Check out craigslist for more details and a few pictures. http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/roo/681191422.html

Davis Sq T-station artwork lj icons

Thu, 15 May 2008 05:09:13 GMT

Since the MBTA changed the photo last year I've always wanted to shoot a composite/panorama of the big artwork display in the Davis Square T station. Not that it ever happened :D

But at least I took some photos of the newly installed artwork yesterday and created lj icons. If anyone wants to grab any of these feel free to do so. Larger versions can be found here.

Looking for a mason

Thu, 15 May 2008 03:09:39 GMT

to redo the front brick facade of my garage. Any recomendations for a good mason?

Apartment available in Davis Square - 1600

Thu, 15 May 2008 02:29:51 GMT

Big, beautiful one-bedroom apartment two blocks from Davis Square on Hall Ave.
Available anytime June 1-July 1. Why pay painful oil bills? Heat and hot water are included in your rent! Here's what you get:

-sunny, large eat-in kitchen with amazing counter and cabinet space
-sunny dining room/office area
-nice-sized bedroom with big multi-level closet
-2 bay windows
-front and back porches
-3-minute walk to Davis Square!
-bathroom with tub and linen closet

(x-posted)

Recommendation for a local handyman

Wed, 14 May 2008 18:17:10 GMT

I am looking for a handayman to help me with repairs on my duplex. Can anyone recommend someone? The most pressing need is someone to replace a hotwater heater, but there is also some minor painting/patching required, so I'd rather have a general guy I can turn to rather than getting a task-specific guy each time I need something.

Reminder, DS meet-up tomorrow night!

Wed, 14 May 2008 16:46:15 GMT

Nothing can unite a fractured community like good beer and conversation.

I extend an ~~olive branch~~ pint glass to my fellow community members who have gone through the burrito, coffee, pizza, and Chinese food wars.

We are meeting at Joe Sent Me on Mass Ave starting at 7pm on Thursday the 15th. If you are coming from Davis Square, just walk down one of the streets (like Dover or Meachum) till you hit Mass Ave and make a right. If you happen to be coming from Harvard, it is right off the 77 bus.

The address is 2388 Mass Ave.

You will laugh, you will cry, you will wet your pants.

Is this illegal?

Wed, 14 May 2008 16:36:18 GMT

I was walking in the Davis Square area and saw a man from a industrial cleaning company dumping his cleaning waste down the street sewer from his van -- it was pretty stinky. I'm assuming this is illegal because when he saw me he packed up his truck and took off in a hurry. When I looked on the city's web page I couldn't find anything about illegal dumping, so maybe I'm wrong. I assumed that the street sewers go into the mystic river -- is this true? Please fill me in. I have his licence plate number so I'll report it if in fact it is illegal dumping -- but again who do you report this to?

Budget Priorities Meeting Notes

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:11:03 GMT

Thanks to all who came out to Monday's Davis Square Neighborhood budget priorities meeting! The notes from that meeting - including the results of the priority voting activity - are behind the LJ cut. A pdf version of the notes and the meeting presentation, are available online.

If you missed this meeting, there is one more such neighborhood priorities meeting next Wednesday in Magoun Square.

Davis Square Neighborhood Priorities Meeting Notes
ResiStat Meeting - May 12, 2008

City Officials Present:
Joseph A. Curtatone, Mayor of Somerville
Rebekah L. Gewirtz, Ward 6 Alderman
Anthony Holloway, Chief of Police
Capt. John O'Connor, Somerville Police Department
Stephanie Hirsch, SomerStat Director
Ethan Field, ResiStat Analyst

Presentation:
Ethan Field presented residents with an overview of the city's budget and the process by which it is created every year. (See presentation for details.) Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Gewirtz, and Stephanie Hirsch also filled in details.

A resident asked whether or not external grants were listed as sources of revenue and if the corresponding grant expenditures appear as expenses. Stephanie Hirsch responded that currently grant income and expenditures are not included, because doing so would be much more complicated than it might seem (different fiscal years, multi-year grant periods, etc.). However, this is a goal of our Finance Director.
A resident suggested that it would be interesting to look at expenditures by neighborhood. City staff agreed that this would be interesting and we hope to be able to do it as cost accounting becomes easier with better data management systems.
A resident suggested that the city needs to employ one or more grant writers, who will be able to bring in money for particular projects.
On seeing the level of expenditures on employee health insurance, a resident asked whether or not the city had looked into buying in to the new statewide health insurance plan. The Mayor responded that as the option is currently designed, it is not feasible for the city. He said the real savings are in plan design, and that's where the city hopes to save money as time goes on.
A resident asked if we had data on how Somerville's spending on health insurance compared with other municipalities. The data is available on the Mass. Dept. of Revenue Municipal Databank: <http://www.dls.state.ma.us>. However, the Mayor added that it's difficult to compare municipalities, because of the different budget size, staff size, insurance cost-coding by zip code, etc.
A resident asked about how the schools fit in to the city budget process. The Mayor explained that the Superintendent shares information with the Mayor about all funding received from Federal, State, and grant sources, and lets the Mayor know what is needed from the city to bridge any gap between revenue and expense. The Mayor proposes and the Board of Aldermen approves changes to the Schools' 'bottom line', but they do not manage or approve any line-level changes. However, the Mayor and the BOA President are also both ex-officio members of the School Committee and share feedback and ideas in that capacity.
A resident and former Director of Human Services for the city said that the city needs to fully staff its human services commissions (Human Rights, Multicultural, Women's, GBLT, Disabilities). She noted that most of the staff positions supporting those commissions are vacant and that many of the seats on the commissions themselves are vacant.

Resident Priorities:
Residents were each given five votes to distribute any way they wished between the options described in the presentation, and added new ones not mentioned in the presentation. These issues will be combined with other neighborhoods' priorities to create a resident budget priorities report. Issues that emerge as the highest neighborhood or City-wide priorities will inform the City Departments as they set their goals for the upcoming year. These departmental goals determine how each department prioritizes its staff time, budget, and seeking outside funding.

Votes	Rank	Issue
10	1	Increase amount of job and recreational opportunities for youth in the summer
8	2	Improve pedestrian and bike safety on Willow Ave between Elm and Summer
7	3	Police officers should be based in schools, and students should get to know specific officers
6	4	Address home break-ins
5	5	Fully staff all human services commissions
5	5	Pursue absentee landlords who do not clear snow from their sidewalks
4	7	Increase tree canopy and create a tree-preservation ordinance
3	8	Create partnership with Tufts to create job-readiness programs for youth and adults
3	8	Upgrade city web site
2	10	Provide incentives for home energy efficiency
2	10	Do more data analysis on environmental cost-savings issues, and offer incentives to employees for finding cost-savings
2	10	Increase enforcement of the trash ordinance
2	10	Bury city utility lines
1	14	Skills training and ESL classes
1	14	Explore the possibility of creating a non-resident parking permit for human service providers who work in the city
1	14	Involve experienced, knowledgeable area resident voices in the Davis Square Hotel Advisory Group.
1	14	Do an inventory of raised and broken bricks on sidewalks in Davis Square and address the problem.
1	14	Place emergency call boxes on the community path
1	14	Make info about the property tax deferral program and its benefits to seniors more readily accessible.
1	14	Address motor vehicle break-ins
1	14	Upgrade the corner sidewalk ramps at Russell/Elm/Cutter/Summer to be ADA-compliant
1	14	Increase the number of police officers on foot and on bikes
0		Fully fund police and fire departments
0		Increase resident participation in developing metrics for city performance
0		Initiate a One Book One Somerville program
0		Require stores over 5000 square feet to provide plastic bag recycling
0		Place holiday lights in Powderhouse Park in the winter
0		Address noise concerns in Davis Square especially on Friday and Saturday nights
0		Address pedestrian and bike safety concerns at both ends of Wallace and Irving Streets
0		Address and reduce double-parking in Davis Sqaure, particularly by commercial delivery trucks

Poll # 4: Best Chinese food place located within a mile of Davis Square

Wed, 14 May 2008 12:49:32 GMT

Once again, if I left something out, I apologize. I think this includes everything that was mentioned. Wang's was 1.1 miles from the square so to be consistent in methodology it didn't make the cut.

I'm going to be away from the computer from 9 till around 10:30am.

View Poll: Best Chinese food place located within a mile of Davis Square

Car Detailing

Wed, 14 May 2008 03:02:49 GMT

Can anyone recommend a reputable and thorough place to get a car detailed for around $100-$150? Looking to get my car cleaned up like new - inside and out - with a good vacuuming, polishing, and steam cleaning if necessary. Does not have to be just in the Somerville area. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.