See Somerville's holiday lights by bike: self-guided tour maps

[ron_newman]

Last night's 3rd annual Illuminations Bike Tour was a great success -- I think we had 100 or more riders. It gets bigger every year.

If you weren't able to ride with us, you can still tour Somerville's holiday lights by bike on your own with these two maps.

Short route of last night's guided bike tour, with highlights marked (Google map)

Longer suggested self-guided bike tour route (PDF brochure)

You can also pick up the longer bike tour map at Magpie in Davis Square and Blue Cloud Gallery in Ball Square, along with the $3 official Somerville Arts Council trolley tour map.

Davis Square shirts?

[cos]

Years ago - I don't remember how long, but possibly 10 or even more - someone was selling Davis Square T-shirts at ArtBeat that were very simply blue like the background of the Davis Sq sign, with just the road-shape in white on the front, and nothing else. No words or labels or outline or anything. I got one and it's one of my favorite T-shirts.

I wish I'd gotten 2 or 3, but I've never seen them since. Several years at ArtBeat I've seen a different vendor selling Davis Square T-shirts based on that sign, but they have outlines and text and say "Davis Square", etc. I've had an eBay saved search for many years but all it ever turns up are "Mystic River" movie shirts.

Anyone seen the shirts I'm describing or know where to get them or perhaps want to create them anew?

Edit: wallastreet linked to https://davis.spreadshirt.com/ which is not exactly the same thing but quite close, and I'm going to get some of those!

Looking for a winter foster home for my plants

[sjcap.livejournal.com]

I'm going out of town for around 3 months and need to find a temporary home for about a dozen lovely houseplants. I have 2 hanging pothos, a 3 ft. tall snake plant, and other assorted table-top size ones averaging about a foot high. And all in various styley containers. They'll cheer up your grey winter nest!

Everything is easy to care for. No special instructions. Occasional water, some indirect sunlight, and that's that. In the past, my downstairs neighbor took them on, but they moved out earlier this year. Spread out over a couple of rooms, they should look more like accents, rather than turning your space into a greenhouse.

So, lemme know if you're interested in some delightful instant decor. I can zipcar deliver around Somerville, if need be. Ideally, it would be great if one person could take everything, as that would be a lot easier to keep track of. I'll be going away on the 23rd, so we would need to do things this week. Thanks!

Somerville MA, Summerville SC, and Somerville NJ cooperate on hurricane aid (FIXED TITLE)

[redcolumbine.livejournal.com]

CITIES/TOWNS OF SOMERVILLE ALONG THE EAST COAST COLLECTING DONATIONS FOR HURRICANE SANDY VICTIMS

Somerville, MA, Somerville, NJ and Summerville, SC Undertaking Holiday Collection Drive through December 22nd to Support Hurricane Victims along Jersey Shore; Somerville, NJ Mayor, Brian Gallagher, Coordinating Sister-City Effort for his Home State.

SOMERVILLE - The communities of Somerville, Massachusetts, Somerville, New Jersey, and Summerville, South Carolina are joining forces this month to support victims of Hurricane Sandy along the Jersey Shore, in an effort coordinated by Somerville, NJ Mayor Brian Gallagher. With supplies from around the nation already reaching the Shore over the past several weeks, efforts are being redoubled by the Somer/Summervilles in advance of the holiday season, and to address changing needs as residents begin to clean up and reoccupy homes. In Somerville, MA, the donation drive will begin Monday, December 10th and last through Friday, December 21st. Needed items are: canned, non-perishable foods; household [cleaning] products; toiletries; baby items such as wipes and diapers; hygiene items; and pet food. Please, no clothes.

Donation locations are as follows:

City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.
For hours of operation: www.somervillema.gov

City Hall Annex, 50 Evergreen Ave.
For hours of operation: www.somervillema.gov

Somerville Police Department(s):
Main Station: 220 Washington Street
East Substation: 81 Broadway
West Substation: 1114 Broadway

Somerville Public Libraries:
Main Branch: 79 Highland Ave.
West Branch: 40 College Ave.
East Branch: 115 Broadway
For hours of operation: www.somervillepubliclibrary.org

Somerville Council on Aging: 167 Holland St.

"Hurricane Sandy was a devastating storm for so many communities along the east coast, particularly along the New Jersey coastline, and in its immediate wake so many residents and employees in our community were eager to help. In speaking with Mayor Gallagher from Somerville, New Jersey, it was clear that there was a very specific need for supplies, and that we could be helpful in the weeks and months to come," said Mayor Curtatone. "In the midst of the holidays, as many of us prepare our homes and purchase gifts for our loved ones, it's important that we remember how many people are left without shelter, food, and so many other items this year. Please consider joining me in making even a small donation to victims of Hurricane Sandy, and help us make a difference in the lives of others this Christmas."

Supplies will be delivered to Somerville, NJ on Saturday, December 22nd by a delegation from Somerville, MA, and will then be distributed to residents along the Jersey Shore as necessary.

Additional holiday drives ongoing in the City of Somerville, MA include the annual Toys for Local Children drive coordinated by the Somerville Council on Aging.
Donation boxes for new, unwrapped toys are available at all municipal buildings, and will be distributed to children in Somerville families for the holiday season.