A Brief History of Airport Noise in Somerville

[tom-champion.livejournal.com]

Hello, Ladies and Gents of the DSLJ

I note the airplane noise discussion got ginned up again over the weekend (understandably so, since noise levels were noticeably higher than usual).

I’m going to try once more, as briefly as I can, to provide some crucial historical background, since DSLJ debate on this topic usually resolves so quickly into a match among the “this-is-a-fact-of-life-in-an-urban-environment-and-we-all-need-the-airport” forces, the “my-quality-of-life-my-sanity-my-ability-to-work-are-all-being-destroyed-by-constant-jet-noise” forces and – perhaps most numerous – the “why-discuss-it-when-nothing-ever-happens?” forces.  I am not trying to prolong the discussion, and everyone is entitled to her/his opinion, but it's really important to know the history.

If you lived in Somerville before 2007, your ears do not deceive you: there’s been a sharp increase in jet noise.   The FAA and Massport COULD bring the noise back to past levels with very little change in airfield throughput or on-time performance.  They WON’T, because appealing the most recent court ruling just isn’t cost-effective, so Somerville is unable to carry on the fight.  Policy at the FAA is still largely in the hands of Bush-area appointees, and even Obama appointees don’t like setting precedents that might constrain the authority of the FAA to do whatever it deems necessary to manage air traffic.

So it is what it is.

( More after the cut... )

    

(no subject)

[kafkamnky.livejournal.com]

My current roommates are trying this method to find someone to take my room, so I figured I'd try this channel as well.

I recently signed a lease for a new place and need to find one more roommate. It's a 3 bedroom apartment in the Winter Hill area of Somerville for $500 a month plus utilities. The landlady tells me that split 3 ways utilities will probably be around 40-70 a month per person depending on the season. There's also a brand new boiler and one of those programmable timers for setting the heat low when you're out of the house.  I'm the one on the lease, and on your end, this would be a month to month arrangement. When you'd move in, you'd pay me first and last (500+500=1000 total). Basically, your last month's rent is going into a savings account for when you decide to give me your month's notice (whenever that is), its already covered.

So a bit about the apartment and a bit about me.

Its on Richdale Avenue, which is right next to the Somerville Public Library and a convenience store and by Highland Kitchen, a pretty rad bar. It has a washer and dryer in the unit, a pretty nice patio with a grill outside with a garden that I'd like to attempt to plant stuff in. (Not that I've ever grown anything before, but it might be nice given the opportunity. We're on the second floor; there is another 3 bedroom above us, and one below. The room you'd be occupying is medium sized, at the end of the hall next to the bathroom with 2 or 3 windows. There's cable and internet hookups in all the rooms. Then there's a fairly spacious living room and pretty big kitchen.

Like I said, I'll be moving in the the apartment on October 1. The good thing on your end is that you'd be able to move right in the the room and establish yourself in the rest of the apartment (got decorations? kitchen stuff you dig a lot? furniture? awesome.) If you decided that the apartment sounds appealing to you and we've chatted and I think we'd be a good match, I can facilitate a viewing of the place if you're in Boston. The landlords are nice and have family that lives on the street, so they'll be around if things need fixing, etc.

About me! I'm a 26 year old female who is pretty laid back, kinda geeky, fairly artsy, and generally an enthusiastic, loving person. I just finished graduate school in the library sciences, and I am applying to jobs. My undergraduate degree is in writing and publishing, and currently work in a coffee shop. It's a glamorous life. I've lived in Boston for about 8 years and like Somerville/Cambridge the most. I tend to become fascinated with pop culture in all its forms. I also love cooking and would love to share!

The other roommate will be my boyfriend of 2.5 years, who will be occupying the other vacant room until January. He's a computer science graduate who works at a bike shop by day and a bar by night. He works a ton and isn't home a lot. He's a pretty quiet guy but is known to talk about something crazy interesting around 3am over late night food. After January and there's another vacancy, I'd love for the new roommate to help me find a good replacement!

We also each have a cat, Simon (mine) and Grace (his). When he leaves in January, he'd be taking her with him. They are very sweet and aren't scratchers/destroyers of things. I'd rather not have another pet at this time, but we can maybe talk about it if you also have a cat.

I'm not sure if there's more you'd like to know about me, the house, the area, etc. If you're in Boston, I'd also be up for meeting face to face for a drink/food/coffee.

I hope to hear from you!