Union Square - Somerville Community Blog

At Mike's, we think your service experience here should be a fun one. And if you follow us then you know that along with Boston car repair, we love social media. Besides blogging, we're always tweeting and sharing what we can on Facebook.

Recently, we decided it was time to venture even further into the land of social media. Our next step? Bring on the check-ins! Come one - come all! Whether it be Foursquare, SCVNGR, Facebook, Yelp or Gowalla - your check-in is welcomed at Mike's!

We're hoping to make this a fun experience by giving a little something to everyone. While in for service, check-in at Mike's and you'll receive a free Taza chocolate bar! Just show us your check-in and get Taza-fied!

Taza chocolate is a locally made, stone-ground, organic chocolate. Delicous, local, and sustainable - how can you go wrong?

And if you become the Mayor of Mike's - you receive a free oil change of your choice - including our Boston green oil change!

So, the next time you're looking for quality Boston car repair, head to Mike's and check-in. Then sip on a cup our organic coffee or tea and enjoy your Taza!

Got any other great check-in ideas? Drop us a comment and let us know!

Follow us on Twitter!

Here at Mike’s Automotive, we’re committed to supporting local groups and businesses. We also love promoting green projects and services that benefit the environment. That's why last month we decided to help support one of our favorite local non-profits, Groundwork Somerville, with our Boston green oil change. 

Groundwork Somerville is on a mission to “empower people to live healthier, happier, and more prosperous lives.” Like Mike’s Automotive, Groundwork Somerville focuses strongly on the local community.  They organize events like the recent “Green-A-Thon,” where Groundwork Somerville volunteers worked to beautify the city of Somerville and clean-up the environment. Their programs include: healthy education; green jobs and job training; and sustainable community.

At Mike’s we love that Groundwork Somerville supports local initiatives, promotes strengthening our community, and helps the environment, all in one non-profit organization! We also support local businesses, the community, and of course, efforts to make our city greener - because Mike’s Automotive is locally owned and sustainable as well!

Are you a Boston-area organization working to better the community or the environment? Give us a heads-up in the comments - we’d love to know about it and feature you on the Mike's Automotive community blog!

We've shared a lot of news with you here at Mike's recently - by now, you've probably heard about the Boston green oil change. But I must say, I am equally as happy to share with you great news coming from one of our long-time customers.

Residing in nearby Arlington, for nearly 20 years Michael Prager has been coming to our shop for his Arlington auto repair. We've gotten to know Mike pretty well. When he told us he was writing a book, we were elated! Mike's book, Fat Boy Thin Man, was recently unveiled. The story chronicles his decades-long battle with food addiction - and how he made it out alive!

I can honestly say to you, that Mike's book is not only fabulous - it's authentic. You see, what makes this book so great is that it's a true story. Mike opens up like few people ever would and exposes the deepest and darkest sides of being obese.

Hearing the tales of Mike creating faux lunch order lists to bring into sub shops, in an effort to disguise that the entire order was for him, is truly moving. At the same time, this tale isn't some depressing sob story - as a former Boston Globe editor, Mike manages to integrate surprisingly witty humor, in order to keep the book entertaining and fresh.

Mike takes a bold stance when it comes to tackling obesity. He advocates that food is an addiction like any other. Further, he promotes the use of substance abuse therapy as the only cure for the eating disorder. After all, that's what saved his life!

This book really will change the way you think about food. Hopefully it will have a greater impact on our culture, as we struggle with a ballooning nation that has developed a perverse view of food.

So, if you care about food, health - I dare say your country, then buy Michael Prager's book. Then tell a friend. Maybe together, we can change our country and save lives!

As a Somerville auto shop dedicated to community blogging, we have to give it up to great folks in the community who are doing their part to spread the word about what's going on around town. And, with Halloween in the books and the 2010 holiday season here, we need as many good sources as possible to keep up on what's going to be a busy event season.

The Somerville News is a great resource to keep up on community happenings - they cover arts & events, and are one of the most comprehensive sources online for Somerville high school sports news. There's an active community of commenters, too, which can make for good reading.

A recent story on the Aledermen's efforts to ban a particularly potent and popular alcoholic beverage, 4Loko, drew a lot of empassioned ire from the reader base. We love a good comment thread, and that the citizens of Somerville are so empassioned about how the Aldermen are spending their time. As an auto shop, your non-intoxicated driving is our concern, but we take no particular positon on 4Loko.

We look forward to following this fabulous site, and sharing more insights with our community members - and most importantly, helping you get the best auto service from a locally owned, Boston sustainable auto repair shop.

This is a great day for Mike's Automotive, Somerville, and the region. Today, we introduce Boston's only green oil change.

Everybody knows that we're committed to Boston sustainable auto repair. But this goes beyond green initiatives. Like Mike says - this is bigger than us, this is about our community.

We're making a commitment to sustainability that is unmatched! Our goal is to make the green oil change the new standard in Boston.

We're kicking off our green oil change with a week-long push for sustainability. This week (October 18-22), for every green oil change we provide, we will donate $5.00 to our friends at Groundwork Somerville.

So, let's come together for sustainability and Groundwork Somerville. Tell everyone you know and tweet it up! The people at GWS do great work and need all the support they can get.

The race starts now and ends on Friday. If you are as green as you say you are - let's see you run!

It's been 30 years since we started our Somerville auto repair shop, Mike's Automotive Services. Along the way we've had only one focus: Providing quality, transparent auto repair. Times have changed...our community deserves more.

The next 30 years will include a continuation of that legendary Mike's services. But it's about time we add another focus: sustainable auto repair.

That's right - sustainability. We've always been an environmentally conscious shop. Now it's time to take it to the next level. We're taking an environmental pledge. How serious are we? Check out our sustainable auto repair page - we think you'll like what you see. At Mike's we go beyond compliance. We are the greenest auto repair shop in Greater Boston.

Why are we doing this? It's about leadership. There's only one way to build a more sustainable community - it takes local business leaders to stand up and take charge. That's what we're doing. And we're asking all local business to follow.

What's more, the automotive industry by its very nature is one that pollutes. We've always been baffled by shops that don't want to even follow basic practices in order to protect the environment. And unfortunately, they're still out there.

So we're taking a stand. We're laying it on the line - and online - for all to see. It's a pledge not just to be a green auto repair shop, but to help build a more sustainable community.

When Mike makes a promise, he keeps it. Rest assured, the next 30 years aren't just looking bright - they're looking green!

We've got one more big green announcement coming - one that will change Boston sustainable auto repair forever! Stay tuned!

Got any other green ideas for us? Drop us a comment - we want to hear them!

Spread the GREEN word - follow Mike's on twitter!

There are a lot of great things going on in Somerville right now. Everybody's talking about the Green Line, the Community Path, and Union Square.

It's time everyone started talking about Ward 5!

This swath of the city may not be as famous as some other parts, but it's certainly on its way. Of particular interest, is the revitalization of Magoun Square.

Magoun has has been on the rise for some time now, but the brick-lined sidewalks and ornamental lighting are going to help elevate this cozy little square to a new level. It won't be long until a whole new wave of businesses come in and join the likes of Lil' Vinny's and Olde Magoun's Saloon.

So, how do we keep up with all of the happenings in Ward 5?

That's simple - Ward 5 Online!

The Web site, started by Courtney O'Keefe, is a great community resource - it provides valuable information and promotes local businesses.

If it's happening in Ward 5, you'll find it there!

It's community-centric initiatives like this that make Somerville such a great city to live, work, and play. So, visit Ward 5 Online, check out their tweets and do whatever you can to support this great site.

Then drop us a comment - tell us what you think.

And oh yeah, tell Courtney we said, hi!

Ahhh...sweet, sweet Somerville! Home to the - powerless?

That's what it seems like sometimes.The city - especially East Somerville and Union Square - has been plagued by power outages for what seems like forever.

Thanks to the fabulous folks at NSTAR, life around these parts can be pure hell to say the least.

Kudos to the Somerville Board of Aldermen for calling NSTAR out on the carpet!

The Aldermen voted unanimously so send an official complaint to the state Department of Public Utilities.  And now Ward 5 Alderman Sean O'Donovan is leading the charge for legal action against NSTAR.

Now that's a little more like it!

Have you noticed that you don't hear this type of thing happening much next door in Cambridge?

It makes one wonder: Will Somerville have the same luck once the gentrification fairy has completed all of her work?

I think the answer is - yes!

Unless of course, we stand up! And stand up together! That's what we at Mike's are doing right now. We've had enough of NSTAR!

Ever since we've moved into our Union Square location we've been plagued by power outages. Have you ever seen a car stuck up on a lift? Not fun! And definitely doesn't make for happy customers.

So, we're backing the Aldermen all the way! And we hope you do too!

Together, we are going to solve this problem - and Somerville is going to get the respect it deserves!

Have your own NSTAR horror stories? We want to hear them?

Strength in numbers! Let's do this!

Here at Mike's we are proud to have always supported our beloved home of Somerville! We try to help out community organizations whenever we can.

Last week we learned just how quickly this can happen in the Web 2.0 world.

I was on our twitter account - @mikesautosvc - and noticed that one of our followers put out a call for help. @GWSomerville needed help with their green JOBS program.

I sent an e-mail right away, asking how we at Mike's could help. I heard back from Jennifer Lawrence, Executive Director at Groundwork Somerville in no time. The green JOBS program is amazing! GWS provides jobs and training to low-income and at-risk youth.

Creating green jobs and supporting local kids? You know we're on-board!

Within minutes of our discussion I notified Jennifer that Mike's would donate $500 to support the green JOBS program!

The crazy thing is - this never would have happened without Twitter.

It is a great lesson in how Web 2.0 technologies have revolutionized business.

Twitter is a powerful tool which can be used by businesses, non-profits and everyday citizens to connect - in real-time. The convergence of brand management and community relations is here and it's real.

So, no more excuses! Civic engagement is only one click away.

And if you haven't done so yet - it's time to tweet! Get on-board and get connected with your community.

You just might have a little fun...and make big difference!

Our friends in Medford have seen something pretty cool take place lately - a resurgence of the arts community.

A recent collaboration of two unlikely partners turned out to be a hit. The Medford Arts Center, Inc. (MACI) teamed up with the Meadow Glen Mall to host a photography contest.

What made this contest so unique? All submissions were to be photographs of Medford. Now that's some local spirit!

The winner was Douglas Shoop of Medford. His photo "Sunset  Solitude" truly captures the beauty of this community - a lone kayaker on the majestic Mystic river, complete with the iconic Saint Joseph's Church in the background.

What's even more interesting is that photography is a hobby for Douglas! He is an architect by day with a practice in Medford Square. Now that's impressive!

Doug even has his own blog where he showcases some of his amazing work - Douglas Shoop Photography.

The other great part of this story is the great arts community in Medford. The MACI has some amazing programs that enrich the city (and the rest of us).

We live in an age in which the arts are under-appreciated. It seems like every other day we hear that art is being cut out of school curricula.

What type of community would we have without the arts? Not a very good one! It's nice to see our friends in Medford realize that.

It's important for all of us to stand up and fight for the arts community, and to let it be known that they are just as important as any other group!

It's the arts community that keeps us from being number-crunching (or wrench-turning) fools! ...Well-rounded to say the least.

So, check out Doug's blog and support the MACI.

And remember - at Mike's we're not just all about Medford Auto Repair - we're all about Medford - including the arts!