Trattoria Pulcinella on Concord Avenue in Cambridge is one of my favorite restaurants.  You DO feel like a sardine when sitting down at one of their tables in the very small space but somehow it works and adds a "upbeatness" to the atmosphere.  Everything about this place is earthy and the food is great.  I had one of their 'specials', grilled salmon with an artichoke sauce.   Their pasta dishes are always cooked to perfection.  This is definitely a great place to go to unwind. 09/20/2008

Are you moving to the city or new in town?  Do you want to explore some great resources for your canine companions? Because we're hoping to make the move from the burbs to Somerville fairly soon and we have a very active viszla puppy,  I've been doing some research on where to bring my dog and which places are dog friendly.  My stable of dog friendly places up until today included  the bike path and a little dog park on on Elm Street where Anya the viszla has enjoyed playing with a very friendly pit bull. And, there is also the walk around Fresh Pond in Cambridge and a little farther out is Harold Parker State Forest in North Andover. It's well worth a weekend drive. The traffic is slower at this time and you can get there in about 30 minutes.  There are countless trails, lots of histor... 09/20/2008

Inman Square is full of great area restaurants and local bars but don't walk past Rosie's bakery if you're in the mood for something special. They have great desserts and they seem to be less sweet than other bakeries that I've tried.  Try their brownies if you're a chocoholic like moi. 09/19/2008

Well,  I've slipped off the vegetarian bandwagon for quite sometime.  However, I still enjoy ordering meatless meals.  Cambridge/Somerville are packed with interesting little restaurants and most of them have a vegetarian option.  A few of my favorites are in Inman Square : East Coast Grill (their grilled veggie platter is to die for), Ole' (their cheese filled pepper entree and guacamole made at the table are a must) In Davis Square,  the Blue Shirt (creative veggie sandwich options and great juice ,try the apple,celery and lime combo),  Anna's Taqueria  (try their grilled veggie quesadilla) and Al Fresco will more than likely please your palate.  Greek Corner on Massachusetts Avenue has plenty of vegetarian items ( their tsatskiki is fantastic and a meal in itself and their Greek sala... 09/19/2008

There is noting better than walking through the door of Christinas Spices and Specialty Foods.  I'm a passionate weekend cook who happens to live with a classically trained chef.  Together, we can spend hours in this little store!  On top of the exotic spices and dried chiles, there are wonderful teas and great items in stock like French couscous.  This place ought to draw people who love to cook in droves! 09/18/2008

I usually head to Al Fresco a few times a week.  If you love Sunday brunches, I've heard they serve a great one (I'm usually holding open houses but will have to pop in one of these days).  Try the warmed spinach salad with pancetta and goat cheese, a personal favorite.  The prices are incredibly low for the quality, $6-9 for the average lunch. They are open for lunch & dinner every day.  Try to put this Davis Square on your list of restaurants to try!  They are located at 382 Highland Ave. 09/18/2008

Have you visited the wonderful pet store Dogma (and Catma too) in Union Square? This store has personality and then some.   If you have a dog or a cat that is part of the family then check out their list of natural food products for pets. Dilys Burke, the owner, helped me to find a low carb formula for my overweight abysinnian.  Dilys is extremely savvy about dogs, cats and products that relate to them.  The store offers unusual snacks, toys and bedding.  I should add that some of her products are actually less expensive than the actual chains..my viszla is in competition with the cat when it comes to lying on her comfy bed ($20) .  Check out the self-serve dog wash while you're there.  For  $14-$20 you can wash Rover in an easy access tub with all ingredients included.    Burke also of... 09/18/2008

 This is finally in motion after 40 years of discussion.  This project will extend existing MBTA Green Line service from Lechmere Station through the northwest Boston corridor communities of Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford, with an extension of the main line to Medford and a spur line to Union Square in Somerville.  Somerville being the most densely populated city in New England is in dire need of more public transportation hubs.  The Green Line will provide just that.   Although the exact stops are not set in stone they are discussing potential stops in Union Square,  Somerville  High School & City Hall,  Lowell Street, Magoun/Ball Square, Tufts, and ending in W. Medford.  Neighborhoods in East Arlington will also benefit from this.  The goals of the project are to increase mobility... 04/14/2008

Somerville Massachusetts is a town steeped in American history. From Prospect Hill, where the first flag of this then fledgling country was flown, to the Winter Hill made famous by the FBI, and Whitey Bulger Somerville has come a long way.Paul Revere slept here, as did George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and others. Located less than 3 miles from Quincy Market, Somerville offers gorgeous views of the Boston skyline, as well as a quick commute to most all of the capitol and Cambridge.Having made Somerville real estate my area of expertise, I am constantly excited by the afford ability, opportunities, and future of this great city. 12/05/2007

  Tonight I went to show a beautiful Victorian Colonial built in 1900. It had 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2 fireplaces, a wood/work shop in the basement, and lots of historic charm. Many houses in this area have stained glass, usually in the staircase foyer on the first and second floors. This one was no exception and had a stunning half medallion, as you entered.It is not my listing. The sellers want all showings to be accompanied, and the listing agent is out of town for the weekend, so I agreed to show it for him. The buyers agent was on time, and friendly enough, as were his buyers. They looked around extensively, and finally said that they liked the place, but felt that a 100+ year house, would require too much maintenance. Their agent, reminded them of the newish gas heat, and hot w... 11/10/2007