Unity Oil Fund

[lillibet.livejournal.com]

Unity Somerville has just let me know that they've fallen behind on their oil bill by a couple thousand dollars and are soliciting contributions to help them catch up. I know that this is in part because of the very low rent they charge Theatre@First and other community groups for the use of their space. I've chosen to help them, in thanks for what they offer our wider community. If you'd like to do the same, please visit their website and click on "Contribute". You can earmark your donation specifically for the oil bill.

Leaving Bed Bugs Behind When We Move - help!

[crenellated.livejournal.com]

My housemates and I are moving at the end of this week from our place in Somerville, and are stressing about potentially taking the tail end of a months' long bed bug infestation with us to our new place. Does the community have any updated advice since the last time this was discussed? And does anyone local have a PackTite (or know someone who knows someone) we might borrow or rent for a few days? We're worried that our high efficiency drier is a little too energy efficient to properly fry bedding beyond a doubt, and we have other items like suitcases that aren't suitable for driers.

Porter Square Planet Fitness becomes "Rock'n Fitness." Drama ensues.

[keithn.livejournal.com]

If you're a member of the Planet Fitness in Porter Square, or if you were considering joining, you might want to take a look at this:

http://www.universalhub.com/2013/planet-fitness-takes-away-nitpickers-annoyance

The entity that owned the Porter Square/Government Center Planet Fitness franchise has left Planet Fitness and rebranded the two gyms to "Rock'n Fitness." They apparently did not notify customers of this until December 28 and are simply transferring the accounts to their own gym using a payment processor considered unsavory by some (ABC Financial). There is currently no website, social media presence, or any other information available about "Rock'n Fitness" outside of the uhub thread.

If you are a member of one of these two gyms, you will no longer be able to use other Planet Fitness locations as you are no longer a Planet Fitness member.

There are many complaints in the uhub comment thread, and someone who claims to be affiliated with "Rock'n Fitness" has been responding to many of them with insults (apparently they want to be the Amy's Baking Company of gyms).

Longfellow Bridge closed, Red Line busing this weekend (January 11-12)

[ron_newman]

The Longfellow Bridge will be closed to all wheeled traffic except for MBTA buses this weekend, January 11-12. Shuttle buses will replace Red Line service between Kendall Square and Park Street. The north sidewalk will remain open for pedestrians. Bicyclists are asked to walk their bikes on the sidewalk.

There will also be some sort of detour affecting pedestrians and bicyclists on the Esplanade path under the Longfellow. I don't quite understand the details.

Visit http://www.mass.gov/massdot/longfellowbridge for more information on this construction project and the associated detours.