Cook Local for the Holidays: Where to Buy Locally Sourced Ingredients in Somerville and Cambridge

Dec 07 11:16 am

JJ Gonson

Having trouble finding local ingredients for your upcoming holiday feast? Today on the Somerville Local First blog JJ Gonson, Gourmet Chef Extraordinaire of Cuisine en Locale and co-founder of Cambridge Community Kitchen, gives us the inside scoop on where to buy the best fresh local food items:

When the farmers markets begin to close all around us it means that finding local food will go from a bit of work to a downright chore. Happily, as awareness is growing about the value of eating food produced close to home, so the demand is making availability easier. There is no simple solution to the winter food acquisition dilemma, but I think it is in the finding that the best experiences are had. Here is a round up of places I like to go when I am on the hunt:

Let’s start with markets; places that are there, and don’t move about, or have irregular hours:

Sherman Market 22 Union Sq in Somerville

The market arm of the excellent Sherman Cafe, this is our “local market” where everything is sourced from local producers. Winter items of particular interest here are root veggies, maple sugar, oats, whole wheat bread flour, and a full selection of dairy goods and delicious local kimchee from Lion’s Share Foods

Formaggio Kitchen 244 Huron Ave in Cambridge

Formaggio is a luxury market, rather than a local-centric one, but still an excellent place to gather local cheeses, crackers, beer, honey and some produce, just ask if it is local, they will be happy to tell you. I could not live without cheese. Some of my current faves are Bayley Hazen Blue, Cabot Clothbound Cheddar and Ascutney. We call Ascutney the Brangilina of the cheese world. It’s a sort of aged gouda/cheddar marriage- absolutely gorgeous!

Savenor’s Market 92 Kirkland St in Cambridge and 160 Charles St in Boston

Always the “best on the block” for the highest quality (aka most delicious) meats, a recent understanding of the benefits of local meat has made them even more dilligent about sourcing and carrying a dependable supply of excellent meats and eggs from the area. Try the Double J Farm beef!

The Harvest Cooperative Market 581 Mass Ave in Central Sq, Cambridge

This is an open Coop, so anyone can shop there. I wouldn’t suggest you go there for meat, but they do have an excellent bulk department, and they carry many local grocery items such as Teddy’s Peanut Butter (as local as peanut butter can get- if you cannot live without PB, and my hubby cannot, this is the locavore’s acquiescence),

Market Basket 400 Somerville Ave, and all over MA and NH.

Yes, you read that right, Market Basket. There isn’t a huge number of items I will buy at this Tewksbury MA business, but they do have the big name local stuff at a good price, so I go here to stock up on Kate’s Butter, Cabot Cheese and Stoneyfield Farms Milk, plus they have a lot of the organic cleaning stuff I like to use. I don’t go often, and never after 10am, for fear of being mowed down by a tiny woman dressed entirely in black driving a shopping cart like it is the Grand Prix.

Other ways I get stuff I can’t get at those markets:

For meat, mostly, I buy direct from my friends at Stillman at the Turkey Farm. For the next couple of weeks they are going to be at the Holiday Market at Downtown Crossing every day. EVERY DAY! Wow, that is almost easy! You can send an email (kstilly29@aol.com) or call them ahead if you want them to bring you anything special. They are very accommodating about that. In addition, I organize something called a Meat Meet with Kate on a regular basis. There isn’t much to it. The truck shows up and you dig through the coolers, or you can order ahead of time by posting a comment below the blog posting about the upcoming Meet. It’s a little rustic, but it’s been working for us for a few years now, so you know what they say about things that ain’t broke. The next Meat Meets are on the 18th of December- the first is from 2:30-3:30 at Harvard Law School, in the Pound Parking Lot, the second is from 4:30-5:30 in the parking lot behind Quest Diagnostics in Central Sq, at about 47 Bishop Allen Drive. Keep track of upcoming Meat Meets by signing up for the Stillman email list, or checking my blog.

There still is no real year round farmers market in the Somerville/Cambridge area. Not, to be honest, in the whole greater Boston area, even! But there is a lot of movement in the direction of creating one, and no one has done more to get there than Shape Up Somerville, who will be holding a winter farmers market every Saturday from 10-2pm, at the Somerville Armory, from January 8- March 26 2011

Once a week there is a new service called Farmers To You coming from Vermont, and bringing down stunning and very well priced products, direct from those farms. I cannot emphasize how much like this company- they are solid people on a mission, and you can find them in a number of places which is growing regularly as demand increases. The Misty Knoll chickens are deeeelicious, and I’ve never seen them at a better price- nice!

Enterprise Farm Share CSA

Finally, if you are interested in a winter CSA (Community Supported Agriculture share- a predetermined selection of food you buy into in advance and get a share of weekly/bi-weekly) you can still get in on the action with the Red Fire Farms and Enterprise Farms food programs, both available through Metro Pedal Power in Somerville. Red Fire are bringing the storage foods they grew- lots of gorgeous roots and cabbages. Enterprise are consolidating foods from where they are in the Pioneer Valley, as well as something referred to as the “East Coast Food Shed”, which means that they bring foods from as far South as FL, like amazingly delicious, candy sweet, small grove, organic pink grapefruits. You can talk to the fine folks of Metro Pedal Power about what is on offer, and they can arrange to deliver it to you, by bicycle, if pick up is inconvenient.

Yes, the opportunities are out there, and with some planning and some running about, it really is still possible to eat local. Thanks for making the effort- the farmers really appreciate it!

Happy Holidays, and I hope to see you out there in the mix, hopefully over a cup of local eggnog,

xo JJ and Cuisine en Locale (locavore personal chefs, cooking and blogging about it at www.cuisineenlocale.com)

Filed under: Local First, Our Members, Shift Your Shopping
Tags: Cuisine en Locale, Enterprise Farms, food, Formaggio Kitchen, Holiday Meals, JJ Gonson, Metro Pedal Power, Red Fire Farm, Savenor's Market, Shape Up Somerville, Sherman Market, Shift Your Shopping campaign, Stillman at the Turkey Farm, The Harvest Cooperative Market

Shift Your Shopping This Holiday: A Somerville Local First Member’s Perspective

Nov 24 11:16 am

Grand Home Goods and Apparel

Today’s post comes from Somerville Local First member Jon O’Toole, owner of Grand in Union Square. While you might be swayed by the deep discounts of big box Black Friday promotions, Jon weighs in on the importance of thinking local for your holiday shopping list. In support of the Plaid Friday movement, take a moment to read Jon’s thoughts on the matter:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Or at least that’s what Andy William says. Right?

Well this year, as a small business owner, all I can say is that depends. See 2010 has been a hell (sorry Santa) year to own a small business. From restaurants to retail and lawyers to landscapers this recession has really made it’s mark on each of us.

But, we can change that and make that old Andy Williams song ring really true with one simple act. Shift Your Shopping and shop locally and independently this holiday season. It’s literally easy as that.

Why you ask? Well mostly because shopping locally keeps money within OUR community. To illustrate this powerful fact look towards one of the many, many studies backing this up check out Somerville Local First’s Economic Studies on the Buy Local and 10 Percent Shift Movements. As you can see when you spend your money locally at a small/independent business your spend really makes a difference. Plus, it just feels right.

Study schmudie you say? Here’s a simpler more immediate reason for those of us in the Somerville business community. We need it. Small/independent businesses need the local community like no time in the past. Your dollars matter more than you can imagine this year. Each of you reading this can sincerely make a powerful statement with your wallet. Believe it!

I leave you with one simple request:

Just think about shopping locally this year. I’m not talking you have to do all your shopping at a small business, but maybe think about taking the 10% Shift and Shift Your Shopping just a tiny bit. It’s these baby steps that day after day, month after month, and year after year that will make Somerville even more great than it is today.

Sincerely,
Jon O’Toole owner of Grand

Filed under: Local First, Our Members, Shift Your Shopping
Tags: Grand, Jon O'Toole, Plaid Friday, Shift Your Shopping campaign

On To The Next One ~ What’s Coming Up @ SLF

Nov 10 12:09 pm

by Joe Grafton

When our blog team got together last Saturday, we decided it might be a good idea to have me write a post about what’s coming up at Somerville Local First. As usual, that’s anything but a short answer.

Before I get there, however, I thought I’d share this, the SLF Logic Model.

SLF Logic Model - Thanks to Ariel Harms

So, this looks really complicated, I know. But that’s because our work is complicated. I am posting this simply to show you that, while its always very much about the ‘next thing‘ at SLF, our efforts and programs are bound together strategically.

And so what exactly are we up to next? Well…..

SHIFT YOUR SHOPPING (November/December)

This holiday season is crucial for local businesses. And I think its safe to say that this year is the most critical I’ve seen in my time doing this work. Working with and speaking to business owners on a daily basis, it seems like our local economy has slowed in the past few months. Many businesses have confided in me that they are concerned if they can’t make it work this holiday season, they won’t be able to survive.

So with this in mind, SLF will launch our 2nd annual holiday shopping campaign, Shift Your Shopping.

You'll see a refreshed series of posters/postcards designed by Oat again this year.

Shift Your Shopping will feature:

–A robust online content plan that will offer a TON of info on where you can do your holiday shopping. We’ll incorporate photos, maybe video, shopping lists, event promotions and more.

–The launch of our Mobile Deals application for iPhone and Android users. By accessing our site, you’ll be able to see real-time offers from our members to save you money as you make the Shift.

–A collaboration with other Somerville organizations to create/promote – ShiftYourShopAPalooza on 12/4 & 5.

–The introduction of “Plaid Friday”, a viral, social media campaign designed to help communities understand the importance, and advantages, to remaining far away from the consumerist driven “Black Friday” concept.

–A campaign themed scavenger hunt!

–Some surprises !!

Where The Locals Go Coupon Book (January)

Last year, the City of Somerville was gracious and crucial in helping build SLF capacity by sponsoring our innagural Coupon Book. As with everything we’ve done, the first year of the project helped us learn and year two is primed for improvement.

We learned some things in our first year...

So we are pleased to announce that in January, 2011. Somerville Local First will be collaborating with our sister organization, Cambridge Local First to produce the Where The Local Go coupon book.

Sneak Preview - Here's what the cover of this years book will look like though we're still revising/improving

The book will be for sale this year, and will be a key fundraising tool for SLF & CLF. For only $10, you will get a book filled with approx 100 coupons, valued at approximately $1,000. Best yet, this project helps demonstrate to both of our communities that buying local is important, wherever you are, and that local economies don’t stop at the border of each city.

I’ll close with a phrase common amongst our organizer friends….Next Thing!

Filed under: Campaigns, Local First, Our Members, Shift Your Shopping, The Movement

Taza & SLF Join Forces to Support Another SLF Member

Oct 28 2:47 pm

A few days ago, we published a request for community support from James Welborn, owner of Hub Comics in Union Square. We’re now taking things another step forward with a collaboration from your favorite local chocolate maker, Taza Chocolate.

Taza, if you don’t know, recently opened a retail store and started giving factory tours. That’s right, you can tour the chocolate factory, right here in the ‘ville!

Win this great tour & gift certificate prize from Taza Chocolate by supporting a member in need

And so, over the next week, Taza & SLF are partnering to give you an opportunity for a FREE chocolate factory tour PLUS a $25 gift certificate for Taza products in their retail store.

All you have to do to enter is do some shopping at Hub Comics.

For every $10 you spend at Hub up to $50, you will receive 1 entry in the contest. Just mention the contest to the folks at Hub while making your purchase and we’ll record your email address. Next Monday, 11/8, we’ll announce the winner.

SLF is also throwing in some prizes. A $20 gift certificate to Sherman Market, a choice of SLF T-Shirts in our inventory, a limited edition letterpress Harvest Fest poster from Union Press, a SLF Water Bottle and (when we publish them in January) a complimentary SLF Coupon Book. That brings the value of the prize pack to almost $100! And all you have to do is support a local business who could use our help.

The only question after that is…are you a Charlie or a Veruca?

Local Loves Local once again and Community is the winner.

Filed under: Local First, Our Members

Dig these Somerville Businesses in the Weekly Dig’s Annual Dig This Awards

Oct 26 1:06 pm

Every year, our friends at the Weekly Dig (check their new website btw, awesome!) hold the Dig This awards. The edit stafforial picks four businesses (almost all of them locally owned) and asks the public to vote for their favorites.

Voting ends 11/5. Let's stuff the virtual ballot box for our faves from the 'ville

There are a TON of SLF members and other Somerville businesses nominated this year. And we’d like your help in trying to sweep the awards for these great businesses. Winning brings more recognition, great marketing and most importantly – new customers!

Below you’ll find the Somerville Business who you can vote for. We’ve identified members of the network with italics.

Best Places to Eat

BBQ

Redbones

Beer Store

Ball Sq. Wine & Spirits

Breakfast

Sound Bites

Brunch

The Independent

Café

Sherman Cafe

Casual Sushi

Snappy Sushi

Coffee Shop

Bloc 11

True Grounds

Gourmet Shop

Dave’s Fresh Pasta

Ice Cream / Gelato

J.P. Licks

Indian

Namaskar

Liquor Store

Downtown Wine & Spirits

Mexican/Central/South American

Machu Picchu

Tu y Yo

Newcomer Restaurant

Foundry on Elm

Pastry

Kickass Cupcakes

Lyndell’s

Petsi Pies

Slow Burger

RF O’Sullivan’s

Boston Burger Company

Tapas

Dali

Thai

Ronnarong

Wings

Eat at Jumbos

Bar Menu

PJ Ryan’s

Dive Bar

Sligo

Small Music Venue

Johnny D’s

Pool

diesel cafe

Sports Bar (International)

PJ Ryan’s

Sunday Night

Sea Monsters at Precinct Lounge

Tuesday Night

Drunken Spelling Bee at Highland Kitchen

Neighborhood Spot – Davis Sq.

Mike’s

Burren

Underbones

Johnny D’s

Neighborhood Spot – Teele Sq / Ball Sq / Powderhouse (89 Bus)

Powderhouse Pub

PJ Ryan’s

Olde Magoun’s

Rudy’s

Neighborhood Spot – Inman Sq.

Trina’s Starlight Lounge

Neighborhood Spot – Union Sq.

Sally O’Brien’s

The Independent

Bull McCabe’s

PA’s Lounge

Best Places to Shop

Accessories

Artifaktori

Furniture

Sunshine Lucy’s

Gifts

Grand

Magpie

Gym

Training Room

Vintage Clothing

Poor Little Rich Girl

Yoga

Bow St

Filed under: Local First, Our Members

SWEET 16 & NOT TO BE MISSED! REDBONES ANNUAL NORTHWEST BEER FEST

Oct 19 10:55 am

Rose Ann & Charles Finkel, owners of Pike Brewing in Seattle, with Todd & Jason Alstrom, beer gurus and publishers of Beer Advocate Magazine

by Anne Cushman, Redbones

For sixteen years Redbones has imported craft brews from Washington and Oregon to tap at its signature Northwest Fest. New in 2010, several of the breweries are sending cask conditioned beers guaranteeing a very Sweet Sixteen! This year, over 60 kegs from fifteen breweries will be tapped starting October 20 with a Kick Off Party featuring beers from Rogue Ales in Oregon and Pike Brewing in Washington. Additional Northwest Fest Keg Parties are November 8 and 9 and a selection of Northwest brews will always be on tap until they run out in late Fall. To keep tabs on the taps, and casks, visit www.redbones.com/brews.html for daily updates.

Rogue Brewmaster John Maier creates a new brew every year for the Oregon Brewers Festival. This year’s name was easy: 21 Ale.

21 kegs of 21 Ale will be celebrated by 21 of the Rogue Nation’s most loyal, long time beer emporiums across the country and Redbones is among the lucky ones! Taste this one-time batch tonight – it wont last long!

Even after sixteen years, the brews and the parties continue to attract beer lovers to Redbones for the annual NWFest because it is unique – most of the beers tapped are never available in the East! The beers come from small breweries with limited production and without Redbones stepping in the economics and logistics of distribution would be prohibitive. This year only three of the fifteen breweries are distributed in Massachusetts.

Check it out for yourself!

Wednesday, October 20, 5 – 7 pm – Northwest Fest Kick Off Keg Party

8 – 10 Rogue & 5 – 6 Pike Beers on tap + 4 Rogue Casks
@ 6:21 pm – tap time for Rogue’s 21 Ale
Monday, November 8 & Tuesday, November 9, 5 – 7 pm

Northwest Fest Keg Parties with special guest Drew Cluley, Head Brewer @ Pike in Seattle, WA
Taps are turned over to Northwest beers – 1 Keg/brewery! Taste. Compare. Enjoy.

Cash Bar and Free Apps @ all NWFest Keg Parties.

Filed under: Local First, Our Members

Mike’s Auto Brings the Green Oil Change Revolution to Somerville

Oct 18 11:24 am

Mike's Automotive Somerville Green Oil Change

Mike's Automotive in Union Square

Today’s post comes from SLF member Mark Pedersen of Mike’s Automotive Services in Union Square. Mark works alongside his father, Mike Sr., and brother, Mark Jr., at this family run Somerville autoshop that’s committed to protecting the environment and building a more sustainable community. Learn more about their new green oil change service and how it benefits Groundwork Somerville:

Today marks a seminal moment in the movement for sustainability here in Somerville. Like many years ago, a revolution is taking place in Union Square at the foot of Prospect Hill. This time, the rebel color is green. At Mike’s Automotive Services we’re issuing a sustainability call to arms by being the only auto shop to offer a green oil change in the Boston area.

What is a green oil change? A green oil change is one that uses re-refined motor oil. Mike’s green oil change uses EcoPower – a premium API-certified re-refined motor oil. What’s that mean? It means that EcoPower oil meets all of the same manufacturer specifications as any other conventional motor oil you’ve ever used.

A green oil change has tremendous benefits for the environment:

It results in 99.5% fewer heavy metal emissions and 85% less greenhouse gases than if used motor oil were used for fuel.
It saves more than one million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, which is the equivalent of taking 200,000 cars off the road every year
It takes 85% less energy to produce than motor oil made from crude oil.

Those are just some of the benefits of choosing a green oil change (along with that great feeling you get when you choose sustainability). The State and Federal governments have been required by law to use re-refined oil since the mid-1990s. Now, the rest of us can use it too!

A lot of people talk about the fact that re-refined oil is much more expensive than conventional oil – and it is. But Mike’s is committed to sustainability. So we’re offering our green oil change for only $4.00 more than our conventional oil change.

For us, this is about leadership. If we are ever going to truly build a more sustainable community, it is going to take local businesses to stand up and lead the way. That’s what we’re doing – we’re putting principles before profits.

As part of our commitment to sustainability, we’re celebrating our green oil change in a big way. This week (October 18-22), for every green oil change we provide, we will donate $5.00 to Groundwork Somerville. Request your green oil change online with our convenient Mike’s Automotive web appointment scheduler.

So, no more excuses – the green oil change is here! Let’s see you show your green stripes by getting the word out. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell your co-workers. And above all, when it’s time to change your oil – go green at Mike’s!

Filed under: Local First, Our Members
Tags: Green Oil Change, Groundwork Somerville, Mike's Automotive Services, sustainability, transportation, Union Square

Support Your Local Comic Store

Oct 15 2:24 pm

Hub Comics Header

by James Welborn, owner Hub Comics

The cold facts

This summer has been hard on us. If you don’t know, it’s been a little more than a month since we had new comics in stock. Earlier this week, the comic industry’s monopoly distributor cancelled our account.

A combination of product glut, neglected subscription holds and over-ordering combined to put us behind on our weekly shipments. That lapse dropped revenue here more than 30% in September, and it looks like another 30% drop in October.

What does this mean for Hub?

First, it means we won’t have new monthly comics for a while. Our book shipments will now come from different distributors until we get stabilized.

If you’re an active subscriber, let us know and we’ll arrange to make sure you get your comics via a fellow shop. (You can still buy them here.)

If you’re an inactive subscriber, please let us know if you’re going to pick up what you requested or whether we can put it back on our shelves. We’re holding thousands of dollars worth of merchandise for customers we haven’t heard from in more than a month.

We still have a huge, deep stock of books, tons of comics, toys, games, T-shirts, et cetera. And we will get new items slowly.

Any special orders outstanding will not be filled immediately because of the distributor situation. We apologize for the inconvenience.

What can you do to help? Immediately, we’re having a sale to try to raise some basic survival revenue. There’s also the option to buy “Comic Credit” (see below) and gift certificates.

Hub plans to be around for a long time. This is just a bump in the road.

That said, it’s time for that sale info!

Sale on!

Selected books and toys are 50% OFF
Other books are 20% OFF
Back issue comics and magazines are also 50% OFF!
Buy more than 30 floppies and make it 75% OFF!
Dollar Box comics are 50 cents each! (With lots of great new stuff filtering in!)
Toys are 20% OFF!
T-Shirts are 20% OFF!
Supplies are 20% OFF

Sale does not include held items or local comics. Sale items don’t count toward Trade Paperback Club.

New way to save!

We’re looking for a little liquidity lately here at Hub, which has prompted a new idea: Comic Credit.

You can buy Comic Credit for any amount over $100 and get a 5% bonus. The total amount will spend just like cash at the shop.

With Comic Credit this week, for example, you’d be saving an additional 5% (give or take, we’re not math whizzes) on all our sale items — on top of that previously $20, now-50%-off classic John Byrne Fantastic Four book, for example, making it $9.50.

Let us know what you think, and feel free to call or email with any questions if you want to participate.

Events!

Walking Dead viewing party Sunday, October 31, at 10 p.m., the new Walking Dead TV show premieres on AMC. (See the trailer here.) Come by the shop and watch it with us on the gigantic TV!

Second annual “Dark Knight on a Dark Night art show Again this year, we will host a Batman-themed art show, opening around the Winter Solstice. Deadline for submissions is December 10.

Tuesdays are Game Nights!: Hub hosts Tuesday-night game nights every week. We have a few games on hand (Settlers, Uno, Fluxx, whatever), but PLEASE bring your own! We’d love to find out what games our customers like. We start at 7 p.m. and go through 10 or so.

See us on Facebook

Show us some love on our Facebook page, where you can find out about upcoming events and other cool stuff!

Follow us on Twitter

You can find us on Twitter here.

Our Tweeps (Twitter-peeps, apparently) will hear from us first about sales, shipment arrivals and recommendations. Nothing personal; we’re just lazy.

You can also see our now-famous “Tuesday Twitter Specials,” “Theme-Song Thursdays” and the ever popular “FanFic Fridays!” Our man Jesse is a Twitter twendsetter!

Hours

As usual, we’re open Noon to 9 p.m. weekdays, 10-9 Saturdays and 10-6 Sundays.

See you soon!

–James, for Hub Comics

Hub Comics is a small locally-owned business and is a member of Somerville Local First

Filed under: Local First, Our Members
Tags: Hub Comics

Samara Yoga: Yoga in the Heart of Davis Square

Oct 13 10:27 am

Nicoline Valkenberg

Today’s post comes from SLF Member Nicoline Valkenberg. Nicoline owns Samara Yoga in Davis Square, where she is also an instructor. Find out why Nicoline decided to set up shop in Davis and how you can get a taste of Samara at their upcoming open house below:

“Yoga in the heart of Davis Square”. We chose this tagline for our new studio – Samara Yoga – a sunny 1,500 square foot space tucked above the urban canopy of Davis Square- not just because of our location in the middle of this eclectic Somerville neighborhood, but because of Yoga’s capacity to help us live from our hearts amidst the chaos of modern life.

A nod to our location on Elm Street – our name Samara refers to the winged pockets that carry off the seeds of the elm tree – a lucky metaphor for the process of personal transformation on the mat becoming positive change carried out into the world.

Having just enjoyed Honk Fest from our windows overlooking Davis, I really feel I am in the right place. After having taught for years on the Boston side of the river, I am reminded of Somerville’s crowds of creative change-makers, movers and shakers. I’m excited to be contributing to this rockin’ community, a dedicated Yoga space with some of my dearest friends – who I can honestly name as some of the Boston area’s most sought-after Yoga teachers.

This weekend, October 16-17, Samara Yoga will celebrate joining the vibrant Davis Square community with an Open House! Come tour our beautiful space, and sample our weekend long schedule of free Yoga classes accompanied by live music, complimentary massage and acupuncture by the studio’s resident specialists, and a Sunday evening potluck party where students and instructors can meet and mingle over bean salad instead of bakasana.

Open House with Free Yoga, Massage, Acupuncture and Potluck Dinner

Sat. Oct. 16 9am-6pm – Sun. Oct. 17 10am-6:30pm (Dinner at 7pm).

For more information on this weekend’s events please visit Samara Yoga’s Events page.

Filed under: Local First, Our Members
Tags: Davis Square, Nicoline Valkenberg, Samara Yoga, yoga

iCar : Your safe way to continue your day or night after Harvest Fest 2010

Sep 29 11:21 am

Let’s face it. Harvest Fest 2010 is gonna be a lot of things, and a place to sample some amazing alcoholic beverages is one of the biggest. We, of course, encourage you to have a Designated Driver, take the T or walk if you live in the area. However, we also know that some of you may want to head on out and continue your day of local love elsewhere in the ‘ville.

Enter new New SLF Member and Somerville’s own iCar.

iCar ~ A Proud 100% Women Owned business.

At the end of each session, iCar will be offering free rides for up to 15 guests in two separate shuttles to Davis Square & Union Square/Lechemere. Here’s the schedule:

Session 1
First Shuttles Depart – 4:50 PM
Second Shuttles Depart – 5:10 PM

Session 2
First Shuttles Depart – 9:50 PM
Second Shuttles Depart – 10:10 PM

We are now taking registrations for a space in the iCar vans. You must have a purchased ticket to reserve your space in advance. Should there be huge demand, iCar has agreed to increase the number of shuttles/vans. (they rock!)

To register for your free iCar shuttle ride, email us at jg@somervillelocalfirst.org.

And now, a bit more about this great new local independent Somerville business:

iCar is Boston’s latest car sharing organization. iCar provides the latest state-of-the-art car sharing technology and fuel efficient vehicles to help satisfy the car sharing needs of their members, providing members access to vehicles for a variety of needs – whether they need a car to run a few errands, or a vehicle to move into a new apartment or a passenger van to coordinate a class trip. iCar members don’t have to worry about car payments, parking, gas, maintenance, or insurance again.

iCar ~ Wheels to Go!

iCar was founded in 2010 by two leading automotive entrepreneurs in New England with over 30 years experience in the automotive industry. In reviewing the needs of their communities, the owners realized growing congestion and parking issues and created iCar to help improve the quality of life.

The goal of our company is to provide our members with instant access to our fleet of vehicles for all of their transportation needs, reducing the number of vehicles on the road and our carbon footprint.

Filed under: Local First, Our Members

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