Union Square - Somerville Community Blog

Well, it's that time of year again - time for New Year's resolutions! At Mike's, we're urging our customers to include their vehicles when setting goals for 2014.

Our friends at the non-profit Car Care Council, explain why resolving to spend a little time on your car now, can lead to a great year ahead.

“Regular auto care shouldn’t be one of those New Year’s resolutions that goes by the wayside,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Preventative vehicle maintenance pays off all year, every year.”

To be car care aware, the council recommends incorporating the following service interval schedule items as part of your New Year’s resolution:

• Perform monthly checks of tire pressure and the condition of tires, lights and windshield washer fluid. The vehicle should also be cleaned monthly.

• Every three months or per the owner’s manual, check the engine oil and filter, check the levels of other fluids including automatic transmission, power steering and brake, and check the battery and cables, belts and hoses. The exhaust and fuel filter should also be checked at this interval. 

• Every six months or 6,000 miles, the chassis lubrication should be checked and windshield wipers should be replaced.

• Every 12 months or 12,000 miles, the brakes, spark plugs, coolant and steering and suspension should be checked.

As a local Somerville auto repair shop, we're happy to pass on these tips. We hope you'll keep up this resolution a lot longer than the one you made for going to the gym!

Here at Mike's, we had a fantastic MLK Day (of course, we were open as usual). But while in the midst of providing the finest Somerville auto service, we made our way by the annual Maple Syrup Brunch - to benefit our friends at Groundwork Somerville.

The brunch is held every year right here in Union Square, across the street at the Independent, which graciously donates the proceeds of the event to help fund Groundwork Somerville's Maple Syrup Boil Down Project.

This year's event came with a twist - for the first time it was held on MLK Day, rather than a Saturday. And what a great idea that was! The Indo was slammed! With so many people having the day off, the event was a major draw. Who wouldn't want brunch on a day off from work?

A special menu was created for the Maple Syrup Brunch. From traditional items, to vegan options, to specialty cocktails like the Jack Rabbit - there was something for everyone.

It was great to see the event be a major success - knowing that Groundwork Somerville would benefit. The Maple Syrup Boil Down has become vital to the children of our city and is now qutie a tradition.

So next year, don't forget that you've got something planned on MLK Day - brunch! We'll see you there!

But you don't have to wait until next year to help - donate to Groundwork Somerville Now!

Somerville auto service...what Somerville auto service?

Yes - despite the endless construction - we are still here! At Mike's we have been dealing with construction for what seems like forever.

We keep wondering - when will it end? I am sure that many of you have noticed that Somerville Ave. is a mess! I think I can get down Newbury Street quicker. 

Every time I drive down that road I get stuck - just like this guy who was spotted by the Somerville Journal.

It's tough when this is all happening right in your own backyard.

Every day we hear stories from our customers about these traffic nightmares.

The construction started at Porter Square and has a destination of - you guess it - Union Square! Talk about a big project, huh?

This is like Somerville's big dig! 

With all of this going on, Union Square is already a bit chaotic at times (I'm sure it will only get worse as they get closer).

But in the end, we will have a brand new square - one that will signify the future of Somerville!

This project is really going to put Union Square on the map. Coupled with the Green Line extension - Union Square is going to be the urban center of choice. 

Watch out Davis Square - there's a new kid on the block! And he's going to be bigger and better!

Honestly, the situation is driving us crazy (no pun intended), but the payoff is going to be worth it!

Things are about to change in Union Square....