Want to rent a neglected parking space in the Cambridge / Somerville area

[ihavemeaning.livejournal.com]

I work for one of those dog walking companies, and get to take the van home at night. Sadly, the van has commercial plates, so I can't park it on the mean streets of Somerville.

I can't afford to pay much, but I'm hoping that somebody has a neglected spot next to their apartment that they could rent out to me. I don't have a lot of cash, but I'm willing to pay some. Perhaps somebody would consider an exchange of cleaning or cooking for the spot?

Thanks in advance.

x-posted to b0st0n

Le Chic Boutique

[ron_newman]

is apparently the name of a consignment store that's about to open at the former CD Spins location, 235 Elm Street.

Here's their website. I hope the store décor looks better than this.

The store owner advertised in a very strange way: as a comment to this 16-month old Somerville Journal article.

More than regional editions to shut down at the Globe?

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090309/us_time/08599188378500

Time.com thinks the Boston Globe is losing so much money that it will stop printing the newspaper altogether and become an online paper only:

5. The Boston Globe is, based on several accounts, losing $1 million a week. One investment bank recently said that the paper is only worth $20 million. The paper is the flagship of what the Globe's parent, The New York Times, calls the New England Media Group. NYT has substantial financial problems of its own. Last year, ad revenue for the New England properties was down 18%. That is likely to continue or get worse this year. Supporting larger losses at the Globe will become nearly impossible. Boston.com, the online site that includes the digital aspects of the Globe, will probably be all that will be left of the operation.

U2 at the Somerville Theatre

[colorgarden.livejournal.com]

Am I crazy or is U2 setting up at the Somerville Theatre right now for a performance tonight?

(Sorry if I'm late to the party and everyone already knows this, or if this already hit Snopes.com.)

new and changing davis square businesses

[jodi.livejournal.com]

ron_newman posted earlier about the addition of Le Chic Boutique consignment store in the storefront previously occupied by CD Spins; here are some other business changes around the square:

-- Boston Burger Company, if I am remembering the name correctly, seems to be making quick progress towards opening their spot in the storefront formerly occupied by Antonia's. They've had workmen in and out in the last couple weeks and there is now a menu on the wall (sans prices, though). It looks like they will have 6 or 7 salad options, all the appetizers you'd expect to find at a bar, and about 20 different burger options ranging from the familiar sounding to the gourmet sounding. Between the flat-screen tv aimed at the tables and the endless list of boneless chicken wing flavors, it seems like they are going for a sports-bar type of vibe. With so few tables, I predict their best business move would be to also offer take-out, so that they can fill the square with burger-eaters to go with the ice-cream lovers.

-- Artifaktori, on College Ave, has made itself over. If you haven't been by this storefront in a while you might have missed this curious change. It has shed its "junk-store" look that had it packed to the gills and has transformed the front half of the store into an art gallery space. I don't know if this is a temporary change or a lasting one, but the rear half of the store is still the junk/antique/retro selection (only more shoppable and organized) and the front half has the art. I am not usually in the market for either offering, but I applaud the store for supporting art, supporting flexible models of business and for doing something different.

-- BSC (Boston Sports Club) is likely going to be renting out a portion of the third floor of One Davis Square to expand the fitness club. This news is semi-official and probably well-underway but hasn't been announced officially anywhere that I know of. The sales people are telling it to the new people but it has generally been kept on the downlow. Will it go forward with the deepening economic woes? Who knows. This branch of the BSC, for those curious, is the single busiest BSC in the metro area. It is also the smallest. This makes for a very crowded gym and the extra space for classes or cardio machines will be well-used and definitely responds to needs.

Any other neighborhood news of this ilk?

Important Traffic Information for Wednesday, March 11th in Davis Square

[somerville311.livejournal.com]

On Wednesday, March 11th at 9 p.m., due to the special U2 concert at the Somerville Theater in Davis Square, several parking restrictions and road closures will be in effect in the Davis Square area.   Effective at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Dover and Meacham Streets will be closed to vehicle traffic.  After 4 p.m., there may be additional road closures in the Davis Square area, although pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. Some parking restrictions will be in place on Holland Street near the Somerville Theater, and additional restrictions may be imposed as needed.

Extra service has been scheduled on the MBTA's Red Line for the evening hours. The City will post any bus rerouting and bus stop relocation information on its website as soon as it is available. Businesses will remain open at their discretion and police details will assist in maintaining access for customers. The City does not recommend car travel through Davis Square center between 5 p.m. and midnight, but all metered city parking lots will remain open for use throughout the day and evening hours.

Residents should note that no tickets for this event are available for sale, and no one who does not already have a ticket will be admitted. This event will, however, be broadcast live by WBCN FM.

For more information, please call 311 during normal business hours or visit the City's website at www.somervillema.gov.