Union Square - Somerville Community Blog

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!

So, I guess you heard about the flooding?

Well, we got slammed here in Union Square! So didn't our friends down the way in East Somerville. Most of us in the area were without power and some were even under water (can't really get your Somerville auto repair if everything is floating).

Have no fear, Mike's faithful! Like many of our Union Square compadres we are back in action!

But what a mess it was.... Check out these photos posted by the Somerville News. (Notice all of the water in front of the Precinct? Yeah, we're right across the street!)

We know you must have your own flood story.

Let us know - we can't wait to hear it!

At Mike's we are used to hearing warranty horror stories from our new customers. They are always relieved when they find out we offer an unmatched 2 year/24,000 mile warranty.

Unfortunately, they usually have taken quite a beating before they get here.

One of our customers named Susan shared her warranty nightmare with us. Susan had been to many places for auto repair - from the big pricey dealerships to other independent shops.

Susan's last encounter with one of these shops was her last! She had paid for new front and rear brakes in her car. One day Susan began to hear noise coming from front-end every time she applied her brakes. Like most people, she went back to the service provider, explained she had brake work performed there, and asked that her car be inspected.

It wasn't long before the service provider came back with a diagnosis - the brake pads had worn out! Susan was relieved at first, as she assumed they would be warrantied.

Then came the bad news - Susan had the brake work performed 13 months ago. And there it was...the infamous 1year/12,000 mile warranty had struck again!

Susan was infuriated!

Needless to say, Susan didn't pay that shop another dime! That's when she found Mike's - and the first thing she asked was about our warranty. She was more than happy when she found that we warranty our work for twice as long as the other guys! Yeah, we definitely made a new friend that day!

Some of our customers have had just as bad luck when they have purchased aftermarket warranties - those are the warranties sold to you before something goes wrong and are supposed to cover you when something does.

Recently, Mike Sr. saw a customer's warranty nightmare first-hand. One of our new clients paid nearly $3,000 to a national company for her aftermarket warranty, and was told that it would cover a host of basic services.

The customer's car was diagnosed with having a faulty alternator. When Mike Sr. delivered the news to her warranty company he was shocked at their response - they wanted to send him a used alternator to put into her car!

$3,000 and she gets a used alternator? Incredible!

Mike wouldn't have any part in this. He promptly informed the customer of the situation. She decided to pay for the new alternator herself.

At least now she has a quality product and the Mike's warranty!

Have you encountered your own warranty nightmares?

Tell us - we'd love to know!

One of our local heroes here in Somerville got some big news recently. Carmelo Mula has been named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the president of France. The Legion of Honor was created by Napoleon in 1802 - we're talking something special here!

Mr. Mula has been bestowed this honor for his noble service during World  War II, during which time he contributed to the liberation of France.

Carmelo Mula served in General George Patton's Third Army. Through his heroic endeavors he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star for the European Theater of Operations, three Bronze Battle Starts for the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, the American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory medal.

He also earned his corporal stripes during the Battle of the Bulge. Now that's something to be proud of!

We are so happy to see a great man like this honored. The Greatest Generation is dwindling in numbers and need to be honored while they are still with us!

This serves as a reminder for our community: freedom isn't free. It seems that many of us have managed to lose that concept.  It's kind of striking when you think about it - we have men and women fighting for us overseas - but collectively, we go on with our daily lives like nothing has changed.

How soon we forgot the horror of 9/11 - just like the terrorists predicted. 

Mr. Mula's service, along with 9/11 is something we should carry with us every day. It's the concept of sacrifice that we need to pass on to future generations. If those before us didn't to it - where would we be?

Next time you're here in Union Square, whether it be grabbing a bite to eat or getting your Somerville auto repair - stop and thank a veteran. After all, if it wasn't for veterans - you wouldn't be here!

Hat's off Mr. Mula! And most important of all - thank you! 

What a victory for small business!

The Zoning Board of Appeals have ruled in what can only be called a tremendous upset! Dipti and Umesh Mistri have won approval to move their specialty market, Little India, to a new location.

This was a battle of biblical proportion - one to tell the grandkids! The Mistris have operated Little India here in Somerville since 1985. They have always dreamed of expanding. However, they were nearly stopped in their tracks.

In another instance of big business trying to crush the little man, the proposed move of Little India to a bigger space just diagonal from its current Bow Street home, was challenged by its much bigger neighbor - Market Basket.

The Mistris were shocked! (Weren't we all.) Market Basket - afraid of Little India?  The new location is right next door, but still....

Thankfully, the Mistris had local attorney Rick DiGirolamo on their side. Rich fought on behalf of the Mistris and delivered a major win!

We understand that Market Basket was concerned about parking - I mean, who isn't? But really, this is Somerville. Parking has always been and will always be an issue. We see it here in Union Square all the time (thankfully we have our own lot).

If you want to run your business in the city, then get used to city life.

Never mind, a small family-owned grocer named Little India? I don't think Market Basket is going to lose too much business. And as far as parking goes, Little India doesn't have any now - it's a specialty store. Note to Market Basket: that's not high volume! Talk about blowing something out of proportion.

Penny-pinching titans with a scorched earth policy - we don't need 'em!

Somerville is synonymous with small business and it is about time little guys like us stand up to the corporate behemoths! Whether it's Somerville car repair, or international groceries, the little man is alive and well in Somerville. And he's just getting ready to fight!

Congrats, Mistris! Can't wait to see the new place!

Our Mayor, Joe Curtatone was out in full force recently as he spoke to a very important group: those in their twenties and thirties.

The Mayor was center stage at the Burren, where he gave his State of Young Somerville address. The event was put together by the Young Somerville Advisory Group (YSAG).

Mayor Joe's task wasn't an easy one - trying to convince those aged 21-35 to stay in Somerville.

Curtatone wasted no time acknowledging the white elephant in the room - the cost of living in Massachusetts. He poignantly noted that many young residents are fleeing the state.

This is a problem that we have been dealing with for quite some time - especially here in the city. 

Our young people are leaving in droves! It used to just be for the warmer weather. Now it is also for the wealth of opportunity that exists in the South and West.

Young people can stay here in Somerville with the high cost of living - or head down to North Carolina where a job in the Research Triangle and a house half the price awaits. Maybe go a little more west and snag a great tech job in Austin, Texas. 

But that's where Mayor Curtatone really shined. He didn't just talk about where Somerville is now - he talked about where it's going!

More green space, the community path, assembly square, the redeveloped Inner Belt and the Green Line Extension!

Somerville is a city on the move!

What's more, Somerville is a city rich in character. An historic community with a diverse population. Fabulous restaurants and shopping. An urban oasis at the gates of Boston.

Good luck finding that in the Research Triangle! Not happening!

The antiseptic feel of those other communities will leave you wishing you were right back here eating your BBQ at Redbones.

So, the next time you stop by for your Somerville auto repair, look around and remember something - this place isn't so bad after all!

Keep up the fight, Mayor Joe! 

The Green Line Extension is creating some news in the communities it will serve - Somerville, Medford and Cambridge. 

There is now word that the green and red lines could connect someday in Porter Square!

According to Katherine Fichter, project manager for the Green Line Extension, this is something that could happen in the far, far future.

Yes, I know - that statement doesn't sound extremely promising. But at least it's on the table!

Connecting the green and red lines is a fantastic idea! 

It's time our elected officials acknowledge that the Greater Boston area is truly "greater" than just Boston!

Why should we have to go in and out of Boston to go from Union Square to Porter Square? That's insane! Just like the fact that our friends in East Cambridge have to go on a trek by bus just to get to Harvard Square. Insane!

Does Beacon Hill not realize that we have a little something to offer here in Somerville and Cambridge? Did they miss the memo that said the patrons of the Green Line Extension shouldn't have to ride into Park Street station just to grab the red line? 

Just think - come get your Somerville auto repair here in Union and whiz down to Porter on the green line! 

I understand that the current Green Line Extension must happen first. But after that - the connection to Porter Square is a must! Let's make sure it happens!

Things are also heating up in Medford. The State is balking at completing the Green Line Extension in one phase.

Yes, you guessed it - crying broke again! Supposedly, due to the "economic conditions" there isn't enough money to complete the Mystic Valley/Route 16 terminating stop by the December, 31, 2014 deadline - when the rest of the extension is legally mandated to be completed.

So they are now talking two phases - one for everything up to College Avenue in Medford - and another for the Mystic Valley stop.

But wait - not enough money? What happened to all that fabulous stimulus money? Nearly 1 trillion dollars of stimulus and no money for Mystic Valley?

We have bankrupted our country and can't event get a T stop?

It's time for Governor Patrick to utilize his Obama ties to make this happen! The people of Medford should not be considered second-rate!

If Washington has spent all of its newly-printed money then it's time for Beacon Hill to step-up and get the job done!