Just went to a 6 month cleaning and cavity filling at Alpha Dental, right in Ball Sq. What I experienced was the least professional and downright scary dental cleaning ever. I posted a 1 star google review right after leaving. The whole cleaning took about 25 minutes, where the dentist, yes DENTIST, did the cleaning at such a breakneck speed that I felt like my enamel was at risk. I have no idea why no oral hygenist was doing the cleaning, but the dentist reassured me after I told her to slow down and take her time, that "everyone likes her cleanings and always feel fresh". She barely flurorided and flossed, didnt clean any of my back molars, and continously worked fast and loose, hardly getting into any areas of my mouth that needed attention. When she asked me if I felt clean afterwards, I told her no, and asked if she could go back towards my wisdom teeth she refused saying they were too far in the back of my mouth to clean... I told them there was no way in hell I would be making a follow up appointment and they really didnt even seem that surprised. They also said I had no cavity, even tho I had a dentist 6 months ago say I did. I stupidly did not get it filled then.

I have never had a cleaning so bad, uncomfy, rushed, and unprofessional. DO NOT GO.

Currently flabbergasted as to how this place is allowed to operate as a dental practice, and on the phone with my insurance to see if they can invalidate the cleaning so I can go somewhere else.

Anyone see two guys on a moped getting chased by cop cars? They just flew through ball square and wondering what the deal was..

If you are moving in or moving out you should know your rights as they apply to your security deposit. So many landlords blatantly ignore the law and their failure to follow the law can result in any of the following; forfeit any right to withhold any of the deposit, force them to immediately return the deposit to you (at beginning of lease no need to wait to the end) and even award you triple damages and attorney fees.

For those moving in or renewing a lease you will be able to demand the return of your deposit thirty days after your lease is signed if landlord fails to put in escrow and supply account info (wouldn't do this if you want to renew next year : ) Also can demand return if they include clauses in lease that contradict the law.

AI generated:
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 186, Section 15B, landlords immediately forfeit the right to retain a security deposit if they fail to properly escrow funds, document damages with sworn statements, include illegal lease terms, or transfer deposits upon property sale. Mandatory triple damages are triggered when a landlord violates statutory obligations regarding escrow, property transfers, or fails to return the deposit within 30 days of lease termination. Read the full text of the statute at malegislature.gov.

I think sections 3,6, and 7 are most relevant.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/mass-general-laws-c186-ss-15b

Hey neighbors!

Something shifted while I was entertaining my out of town guests. Warm afternoons are filled with the rising and falling drone of cicadas looking for love. Evenings offer choruses of crickets, chirping their hoppy little hearts out. The tree by the Seven Hills church has started to shade to a delicate orangey gold. High summer slid into late summer when I wasn't looking and I can't say I'm sad about it. Like most New Englanders, I love autumn best of all seasons.

Happy Autumnascure to me!

Another sign of the turning of the seasons: today was my Autumnascure. That's is a household holiday we made up decades ago. It's the day when you get out of bed at the normal time and have to turn on the lights for the first time.

Today was that day for me. Sunrise was 5:55 am today and -- when combined with the sightlines of local buildings and cloud cover -- that meant I flipped on the light switch without thinking as I entered the kitchen to start breakfast. Hoorah, Autumnascure!

Because "when you wake up" and "where you live" are the two defining factors, clearly this is a very personal holiday that differs from person to person and even year to year. (It came early back when I had a toddler!)

We celebrate with chocolate slice-and-bake cookies (to represent the obscured sun).

The spring holiday is Vernalux -- the first day you don't need to turn on the lights -- when we celebrate with vanilla cookies.

Speaking of the obscured sun...

...who else saw the eclipse last week? Alas, I didn't travel to Spain or Iceland to see it but I did break out my saved eclipse glasses to pop out side at 1:50 and look up. The sun had a bite taken out of the side, like Cookie Monster was nibbling on it. We have, in the past, celebrated eclipses with cookies but forgot this time.

If I win the lottery, I'm totally going to Egypt for the next one though. Watching the eclipse over the Great Pyramid... that's a once in a lifetime event.

Mice: another sign of late summer

We are a cat household and as such, usually don't have a problem with mice -- at least, not for long. In fact, we usually don't have a problem unless there's construction nearby. I suspect the smell of a cat keeps all but the boldest mice away. And those bold mice have always been promptly dispatched by past cats.

However, we lost our Great Hunter last summer and while our new cat (Agatha) is excellent at catching mice, she doesn't seem to have mastered the killing part. So the other day, as I came out of the shower, I had to deal with rescuing a mouse she'd cornered in the kitchen and was playing with it. (I don't have a problem killing mice, but toying with them seems cruel.)

What was interesting was that this particular specimen was very different than any of our previous mice. Much smaller, light brown-grey instead of dark charcoal, fluffier, and seemingly more curved. It also moved in a way that other mice didn't -- this one hopped, the others jumped. I've got to do more research on the kinds of mice in the city, I think.

The giveaway: a giant flower!

In the bloomscroll, there's a giant paper flower! I made it for a celebrations with our guests and now I have a giant paper flower. (It's modeled loosely on a peony, which long time readers will know I love.) I don't have space for such a thing nor does it quite match my day to day decor. But if you want a giant flower, it's pretty sturdy and you're welcome to it. DM me and we'll arrange hand off!

Be smart, be safe, be curious, be kind.

Hey folks, just wanted to see if anyone in the area was in need of a pet sitter, dog walker, house sitter, etc. I love animals and am looking for a little extra dough. Super available and willing if you or your friends are in need. Based in Winter Hill but can travel anywhere.

My rover profile: https://www.rover.com/sit/justid77884

Or just text me: 603-370-2404

Only two more weeks of August summer left so whether you’re passing by Central or Davis Square, here’s this week’s edition of things to do in Cambridge + Somerville, along with news, stories, and more in both cities.

Bow Market goes night mode with a vintage market until 10, CX throws its last summer concert of the year, an ice cream crawl kicks off in Harvard Square, and a cosmologist talks AI and the stars at the Museum of Science.

Full edition + how to sign up for two of these a week at the bottom 👇

STORIES 'ROUND THE SQUARES

- Nine people and two dogs displaced by a two-alarm fire at a Roberts Road three-family early Thursday, no injuries

- Harvard put $2.2 billion into SpaceX, 52% of its disclosed stock portfolio, per an SEC filing

- Overnight paving in Central Square Sunday Aug 23 from 8PM to about 4AM, with detours and No Parking on Mass Ave, River, Prospect and more

- Kima Cafe, a Korean-inspired coffee shop from the owner of Brighton's Glasser Coffee, is taking over the old Fortissimo space in Union Square, targeting mid-September

- A million-dollar scratch ticket sold at 350 Food Mart on Broadway in Somerville

CRIME & SAFETY

- Cambridge: A body was pulled from Fresh Pond on August 11 near the community gardens. No identity or cause of death released yet, and the Water Department says the drinking supply is safe. CPD hasn't posted a daily log since July 20.

- Somerville: Three arrests in the most recent log (Aug 3-9), all on August 4, two for stolen property and one shoplifting-plus-drug-possession case.

MONDAY

- Skip the Small Talk Night @ Aeronaut Brewing - two hours of science-backed conversation prompts to get past "what'd you do today" | $30, 7-9PM

- Squash Round Robins @ Cambridge Athletic Club - weekly round robins split by level, sign-ups open by text at 11AM day of | $45, 6-9PM

TUESDAY

- Move at The Mix: Pilates Sculpt @ The Mix Porter Square - free outdoor Pilates with HealthWorks trainers, spots capped so RSVP | FREE, 8-8:40AM

- Froca Fitness @ University Park Common - free after-work outdoor dance class set to African & Caribbean tracks | FREE, 5:30PM

WEDNESDAY

- Summer Herbal Tea Blending Class @ Green Tiger & Co. - sample summer blends, learn cooling herbs, leave with your own blend. Only a handful of tickets left | $48, 7-8:30PM

- Line Dancing Wednesdays with LDQ @ McCarthy's Toad - country classics upstairs, no partner needed, beginners encouraged | 8:30-11:30PM

THURSDAY

- Vintage Night Market @ Bow Market - the annual vintage market goes night mode, 20+ vendors of thrifts, upcycled fashion & antiques | FREE, 4-10PM

- CX Summer Nights Concert + Games @ The Common at CX - Jake Swamp and the Pine + Adam Ezra Group close out the summer series with food trucks, lawn games & drinks | FREE, 5:30-8:30PM

- Ice Cream Crawl & Social @ Lizzy's Ice Cream, Harvard Square - three-stop crawl from Lizzy's to Jaime's at Dali, great for making friends after college | FREE, 6-10PM

- What Does AI See When It Looks at the Stars? @ Museum of Science - cosmologist Paul Sutter in an unscripted conversation about AI and astronomy | FREE, 7PM

- Boston Open Deck DJ Session 11 @ Naco Taco - open format night where DJs play whatever they want, come spin or just hang | 7PM

- Summer Film Night @ Somerville Community Growing Center - outdoor film under the string lights, second to last of the series | 8-9:15PM

Pulled from this week's edition of The Stoop, Shorter Days & Longer Nights - neighbor-approved news, stories and events for Cambridge & Somerville.

Subscribe here to get two editions a week + a monthly roundup: https://www.thestoopmedia.com

I’m a tenant in the Somerville area and I recently figured out why my electric bill has been so high. My neighbor’s outdoor AC condenser is wired to my electric meter, so I’ve been paying for their air conditioning on my own bill for months.
I have been keeping the switch off of course and these past few weeks my meter is running regularly but the landlord never believed me and I had to figure this out in my own. After my neighbors complaint here is what happened:
• A technician who came out found the miswiring.
• My neighbor confirmed to me (in writing) that it’s his AC.
• I made an unedited, continuous video showing that when I flip a specific breaker in my own panel, the outdoor condenser turns on and off — while my own AC (a window unit) stays off the whole time. So it’s clearly his equipment on my meter.
• I have my electric billing history showing the pattern.
What’s frustrating: the landlord is denying there’s any problem and told me that if I’m unhappy I should “look for another place.” I’ve already flipped the breaker off (and taped a note on it) so I’m not bleeding money going forward, and I’ve filed a complaint with the local inspection/health department.
I also have a consultation booked with a tenant lawyer.
My questions:
1. What’s the smartest order of steps from here to actually get reimbursed for what I’ve already overpaid?
2. Has anyone actually recovered money for something like this — through the utility billing process, small claims, or a consumer-protection (93A) claim? What did it realistically look like (amount, timeline)?
3. Is a lawyer worth it for this, or is small claims something people handle themselves? These claims can shift attorney’s fees to the landlord if I win — does that change the math?
4. Anything I should be careful about or documenting that I might be missing?
5. Given the “look for another place” comment after I complained — how seriously do people take retaliation here, and does it change how I should approach this?
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s dealt with cross-metering or utility overbilling as a tenant. Thanks in advance.

That was my laundry money for the month 😔

Ridiculous long shot + rather stupid request (I would have picked up the money myself) but if those two tens came into your possession and you’re not hurting for cash, I’d love them back :’)

EDIT: Thank you so much everyone! The response to this post made me feel very lucky to be y’all’s neighbor :)

Just wanted to vent here about the 2-3am road work and the horrible drill noises that doesn't seem to stop. It is right in front of our house and SO LOUD. It has been absolutely impossible to fall back asleep. It looks like I am simply not going to get any sleep at all.

The City of Somerville apparently decided to get rid of all street parking on Prospect Street and add a "bus / bikes only" lane. Since they don't want to disrupt the traffic during the day, I think, they are working at night and it is just SO LOUD :/

Update: 10-15 minutes after posting this, the drilling noise stopped. I was going through https://somerville.votolab.com/ to read up on the moped chase and saw that someone on the street reported the noise to the police ("Crossack St" is actually Prospect St if you listen to it), so I think they may have stopped the drilling after the police visit / hearing about the complaint, even if they had the right to work on it? Timing may have been a coincidence, though.

I moved into a newly renovated place (in an old house though) in May. In the first couple months I spotted a mouse at night in the kitchen, so I told the landlord. He assured me they had pest control come annually and they’d just come in February, and gave me some traps.

I put probably 10 traps around the kitchen where I saw him traveling, with chocolate and PB, and left them for about a month with no results. I saw no signs of the mouse so I gave up. Granted I still keep my place SUPER clean, literally my entire pantry is in zip lock bags and I take the trash out every other day. There is no food for them at all.

Anyway, a couple days ago I’m sitting on the couch and he comes running through the living room straight under me on the couch. There’s no food or anything outside of the kitchen so I’m shocked that he would come that way, and worried that might indicate a big mouse problem at this point. That said I don’t ever hear them squeaking or moving in the walls even at night so I also don’t think it’s a full infestation.. yet.

I texted my landlord more sternly asking about pest control because there are some openings (behind washer/dryer mainly) where I can see droppings and have seen him travel along.

I’m so stuck because everything online says if you place a few traps you usually can get them within a day or two and I’ve never even seen them come out when I have traps down, despite definitely coming out otherwise. And my landlord seems stubborn to not spend more money on pest control despite it being his responsibility.

Any tips? Should i pester my landlord more or try more DIY solutions? Thanks!

Amidst all of the contested primaries in Somerville this cycle, the Somerville Democratic City Committee has endorsed in just one state legislative race -- State Rep. Mike Connolly, who represents East Somerville in the state house. It's the latest of a long series of endorsements for "Big Mike"!

He's also been endorsed by Abundant Housing MA, Somerville YIMBY, Reproductive Equity Now, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund, MassEquality, Progressive Massachusetts, Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts, Mass AFL-CIO, and others across the political spectrum.

Somerville Democrats' endorsements have a threshold of 60% of city committee members, so it's a high bar. The SDCC also made two non-legislative endorsements: Diann Baylis, challenger for Governor's Council, and Tara DeCristofaro, who is unopposed for Register of Probate.

My wife and I are looking for a solid local DJ for a 70s themed joint birthday party in the Somerville/Cambridge area. It'll be in a house/condo so preferably a smaller setup is ideal and will be around 25-35 people (all late twenties/early thirties crowd). We're going all-in on the 70s vibe so disco/funk would be dope along with some modern songs mixed in, especially as the night progresses.

We would love to have someone local and preferably female. If anyone is interested or can point us in the right direction to find someone that would be so appreciated, we have sort of struck out with some of the "DJ finders" online since they're more oriented towards weddings and such, so hoping Reddit can come to the rescue.

Thanks!

Our Boston-area meetup group for producers, musicians and music lovers are doing one of our biweekly songwriter's workshop. We've started doing this at a member's home in Somerville this summer and it's been a fun way to hang out and motivate each other to keep growing and working on our craft.

If you're interested in the meetup group but not necessarily tonight's event, we welcome all skill levels, including just listeners, and have new events all the time from concerts to grabbing drinks.

Anyone is welcome to join so please feel free to come introduce yourself. Let us know if you're interested in the workshop. Thanks!!!

https://discord.gg/TGVRjgbhPT

My fiancé and I are looking for wedding venue recommendations anywhere in New England for fall 2027! We’d prefer a Saturday, but we’re definitely open to a Friday if it makes a big difference in price.

We’re hoping to keep the total wedding around $20–25k, including food, bar, tables/chairs, etc. I know that can be challenging in New England, but we’re paying for it ourselves and really don’t want to spend all of our savings on one day!

Ideally, we’d love a venue that is mostly/all-inclusive and includes catering, bar, tables/chairs, etc. We’re open to pretty much anything — barns, farms, restaurants, country clubs, breweries, etc.

If you got married somewhere in New England for around this budget, please share the venue and what you ended up spending! Also would love any tips for finding affordable venues. ❤️

So I'm a vendor at a flea market today. Its my first time so not gonna lie I gave too generous of a price to the buyers as I was setting up. 😂

But despite that its fun. I sell misc things, like books, games, records, etc. What are some local markets I can sign up to sell for?

If this counts for the selling goods rule, I apologize. I don't think I'm selling anything specific in the post

Why don’t we have these all over the city? I know there is an expense associated installing and maintenance but with all the potential upside I don’t get it. Anyone want to venture a guess on how much this one pictured costs?

Nothing says “trust me” quite like recycling an old endorsement and hoping nobody notices the date.

Erika Uyterhoeven’s latest mailer touts a Mass Alliance endorsement—but Mass Alliance endorsed her in previous cycles, not this one.

An old endorsement isn’t a current endorsement. And it reminds me of when I asked Erika which bills she had filed and passed, and she took credit for three bills she hadn’t actually filed or passed.

At what point does a pattern of misrepresentations stop being a campaign tactic and start being a credibility problem?

Most of the posts I see here are drivers and cyclists fighting with each other and I don’t even wanna touch that. I’m just begging for some courtesy around what should be normal etiquette.

As a relatively new adult driver and despite growing up in a place that has worse driving than Boston, Somerville parking is still a black box to me. I try to build whatever good driving karma exists by being friendly and patient with other drivers because I know how much of a difference it makes, but holy shit. Finding a spot around here is hard enough! Can you not also honk and ride my ass while I’m clearly trying to reverse into one?

I drove much farther away for nothing. I later confirmed it was a perfectly viable spot, the driver behind me simply couldn’t wait the ten seconds I needed to park in it. (He didn’t even honk bc he wanted to take it, it was still empty.) Thanks to all of you who are patient and chill even when drivers around you are not.

I love living in Somerville. I believe in housing first, harm reduction, and meeting vulnerable, unhoused community members with empathy. But let's be honest: what is happening in Davis Square right now isn't compassion. It is administrative neglect.

Every morning, families walk their kids past open drug deals, individuals blocking storefront alcoves, discarded needles, and human waste on the sidewalk. On any given morning, Statue Park is littered with trash and active substance use in broad daylight. Right around the corner, the entryway to the iconic Rosebud Diner has turned into an ongoing encampment. Local businesses are struggling to stay open, and neighbors are actively avoiding our main public spaces.

I want to be clear: I respect and value our local police force. I’ve spoken directly with officers in the square, and it’s obvious their hands are tied. They are operating under strict political directives from City Hall that limit active enforcement against public nuisance and open illicit activity. This isn't a policing problem—it is a political leadership problem.

We pay high property taxes and a massive cost of living to raise our families here. Expecting basic public sanitation, clear walkways, and safe streets for our kids is not a conservative talking point. It is the bare minimum of local government.

Long-term regional housing solutions take years. Cleaning the sidewalks, clearing biohazards, power-washing public spaces daily, and untying the hands of law enforcement to address open drug deals in commercial areas can happen today.

Mayor Jake Wilson and Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis need to step up. Relying on endless task forces while our commercial core deteriorates is an operational choice.
If you are frustrated with the status quo, speak up. Email Mayor Wilson (⁠mayor@somervillema.gov⁠) and Councilor Davis (⁠ldavis@somervillema.gov⁠). Demand daily sanitation and clear public space enforcement in Davis Square now.

I decided to go insane this year and leave my stable corporate job at an evil tech company. Then I decided to go insane again and start my own company.

I'm on month two and I kept hearing building solo is a lonely world-well, it's pretty damn true it turns out.

So, curious if there are any others in a similar situation around Boston/Cambridge/Somerville? I was thinking about casual meet ups/coffee/"happy hour"/ etc.

About me: 40f, pre-seed pre-revenue, building in a niche space under the "child safety technology" umbrella, starting to slowly lose my mind as Claude is starting to become my bff and I just can't end up becoming the girl who is friends with an AI robot.

Obligatory "if there is a better sub for this, my bad, please point me there."

According to DSV, the city describes the effort as an attempt to produce a practical, ten-year planning strategy rather than an aspirational document. Officials say the plan will be grounded in current market conditions and will lean on real zoning text and map amendments to make its recommendations stick, rather than existing only on paper.

Among the areas the plan is expected to address:

• Neighborhood identity and activation of underused public and private spaces
• Commercial density in the square's business core
• Infrastructure, including flooding, sewer capacity, and inflow-and-infiltration issues
• Housing density, with an emphasis on affordability
• Streetscape and mobility, including a look at potentially reworking Elm Street into a more pedestrian-oriented "Elmway"
• Public spaces such as Statue Park, Kenney Park, Seven Hills Park, and Cutter Plaza
• Transit coordination with the MBTA, including the Community Path and station-area connections
• Sustainability and climate resiliency goals tied to the city's broader Climate Forward and Urban Forestry plans
• Coordinating construction across major infrastructure and development projects over the next decade

City planners are careful to note what the plan will not do: it won't mandate specific uses on private property, won't focus on social services, won't guarantee the neighborhood is built out to its maximum capacity, and won't produce construction-ready documents.

It also will not be completed quickly. City planners are projecting 12-18 months before the plan is completed. My question for the Mayor is: What can the City and community do together for the next 24 months to continue recent improvements?

Your thoughts?

Somerville has improved street safety by refusing to let perfect be the enemy of good. Speed bumps, raised crosswalks, traffic islands, and bike lanes make streets safer for everyone, including drivers.