Welcome to Centers and Squares

As a Cambridge real estate agent, the city squares of Cambridge, Somerville and Medford and the town centers of Arlington, Watertown and Belmont, Massachusetts are my home turf. And as a lifelong New Englander who’s lived within twenty miles of Boston most of my life, I can introduce you to other nearby towns as we search for your new home. If you’re planning to sell your home in Cambridge, MA or nearby you’ll find plenty of info about the home selling process here too. Questions? Send me an email or call me at 617-504-1737.

Cambridge Discovery Days 2012

Cambridge Discovery Days

Cambridge Discovery Days

Beats me why Cambridge Discovery Days are held in August.

Hardier souls than I enjoyed a full day of intriguing tours and lectures today but it was just too hot for my delicate sensibilities.  Let’s hope next Saturday’s weather will be easier to take since another jam packed day is planned.

Here’s some of what’s on tap for next Saturday, August 11, 2012:

  • 10:30 am – noon – Modern Architecture in Old Cambridge
  • 1 – 2:30 pm – The Social and Political Activists of Mount Auburn Cemetery
  • 1 – 3 pm – Off the Beaten Path at Fresh Pond (reservations required)
  • 2:30 – 4:30 pm – James Russell Lowell’s Brattle Street

Cambridge Discovery Days are a wonderful way to learn more about the city’s rich history and natural landscape.  Events are free and open to all.  Here’s more information and a printable schedule for Cambridge Discovery Days 2012.

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Hubway Bike Rentals at BU

Hubway Bike Sharing at Boston University

Hubway Bike Sharing at Boston University

I was at BU a week ago or so for the Wordcamp conference and came across these bikes on Comm Ave.  I had heard about the new rental bicyles but this was the firt time I’d stumbled across them.

With Boston University students home for the summer the Hubway station was full of rental bikes.

Hubway’s bike sharing program debuted in Boston last year.  Here’s a great post about one bike rider’s experience with renting bicycles by BU and from other kiosks.  From the sounds of it Hubway is very popular and the BU bikes are well used when classes are in session.

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Belmont Condo – New to the Market

Today was our tour day and my favorite stop on the tour was my new listing at 48 Marlboro St Belmont.  The condo is brand new to the market and listed for $369,000.

This bright and sunny three-bedroom condo is in sparkling, move-in condition.  Conveniently located, 48 Marlboro Street is just blocks from the Cambridge line with easy access to shops, Fresh Pond and public transit.

48 Marlboro St Belmont MA

48 Marlboro St Belmont MA

The condo is part of a two-unit association in a building of much more recent vintage than most.  It was built in 1979 and converted to condos in 2008.  The owners have done all sorts of upgrades – you can just move in and enjoy!  Click on the link above for a list of just some of the updates.

In addition to the three bedrooms, there’s a living room with fireplace, a dining room, a spacious kitchen fully outfitted with stainless steel appliances, and a semi-finished room downstairs with direct access to the garage.  There’s a nicely landscaped common yard and deck.  Do you have two cars?  No problem – you get a driveway space plus the garage parking space. 

Living room with fireplace

Living room with fireplace

48 Marlboro St, Belmont MA can be shown by appointment or at the open houses scheduled for Thursday, July 26, 2012 from  11 am to noon and Sunday, July 29, 2012 from noon to 1 pm.  See you there!

Liz Bolton, ReMax Destiny, Cambridge
617-504-1737

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Arlington Storm Damage

Arlington Storm Damage   If you weren’t in East Arlington last week you may have missed the terrible storm damage from last Wednesday’s “micro-burst.”  According to local residents we spoke to, town employees and local tree companies did a super job – clearing downed trees and cleaning up in less than 48 hours.

“Micro” seems to be the wrong way to describe this freak storm.  In just minutes more than 100 trees were knocked over and countless branches broken in a large part of town – on both sides of Mass Ave from Walgreens to Route 16 .  It’s terribly sad and a huge loss to the local landscape and tree canopy. 

Urban trees have it hard enough under normal  weather conditions – or what passes for normal nowadays.  You could see evidence of this year’s drought around the uprooted trees.  The very dry exposed earth around several toppled trees looked more like sand than dirt.

My Dad and I drove around on Friday.  We wouldn’t have been able to drive through East Arlington just a day or so before – streets were littered with trees. There were still some downed trees  and branches that had yet to be cleared but it was amazing how much had been done in such a short period of time.  Kudos to all who worked so hard on the cleanup. 

 

Arlington Storm Damage July 2012

Arlington Storm Damage July 2012

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New Cambridge and Somerville Properties on Tour

It felt like we were in New Orleans yesterday on our weekly tour – awesomely hot and humid.  Though it’s mid-summer the real estate market continues to hum and we had a great selection of new to the market Cambridge and Somerville properties on tour.

Two of my favorites:

A recently built single family house at 16 Churchill Ave in Cambridge was a real surprise.  We don’t get to see many new construction single family houses in Cambridge.  Buyers will appreciate the open floor plan, gorgeous kitchen, first floor bedrooms, and direct access garage.  The house sparkles – even the garage floor gleams.  16 Churchill Ave is newly listed by Bill Patterson for $874,900.

The location of 12 Elston Street in Somerville can’t be beat – smack dab in Davis Square and just down the street from Porter Square.  It’s a two-family with really nice original features and a third floor that’s been  opened up with vaulted ceilings.  12 Elston Street Somerville is listed by Terry Drucker for $895,000 and sure to be popular.

Wondering about how to navigate this market as a buyer or seller?  Give me a call – I’d love to help.  Liz Bolton, ReMax Destiny,  Cambridge – 617-504-1737.

Here’s what we saw on tour yesterday.  To get more info about these newly listed Cambridge and Somerville properties click on the small photo:

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Supermarket Hours

Foodmaster doesn't have the best hours but it's my favorite supermarket

Foodmaster doesn't have the best hours but it's my favorite supermarket

Supermarket Hours  The real estate market is buzzing and many nights I leave the office late. I’ve spent way too much time lately driving around trying to find a supermarket that’s open. What gives? I live in the city in large part because I like the conveniences. The suburbs roll up the carpet early – in the city we night owls expect our conveniences.  Shame on these supermarkets with their lousy hours.

So – here’s a rundown of supermarket hours in local cities.  I know I need this list so I’m betting you do too.  Supermarket hours are current as of today, July 7, 2012, but are subject to change.

Cambridge Supermarket Hours:

Shaw’s 699 Mount Auburn Street
     Mon – Sat: 6 am to midnight
     Sun: 7 am to midnight

Shaw’s Porter Square
     7 days a week: 24 hours – hurrah!

Shaw’s 20 Sydney Street Central Square
     7 days a week: 7 am to midnight

Trader Joe’s 748 Memorial Drive
     7 days a week: 8 am to 10 pm

Trader Joe’s Fresh Pond
     7 days a week:  8 am to 10 pm

Whole Foods Fresh Pond
     7 days a week: 8 am to 10 pm

Whole Foods 115 Prospect Street Central Square
     7 days a week: 7:30 am to 10:30 pm

Whole Foods 340 River Street Cambridgeport
     7 days a week: 8 am to 10 pm

Arlington Supermarket Hours

Foodmaster 808 Mass Ave
     Mon – Sat: 7 am to 9 pm
     Sun: 8 am to 9 pm

Stop & Shop 905 Mass Ave
     Mon – Sat: 7 am to 11 pm
     Sun: 7 am to 9 pm

Trader Joe’s 1427 Mass Ave
     7 days a week: 8 am to 9 pm

Belmont Supermarket Hours

Shaw’s 535 Trapelo Rd
     7 days a week: 7 am to 10 pm

Medford Supermarket Hours

Aldi’s 630 Fellsway
     Mon -Sat: 9 am to 8 pm
     Sun: 10 am to 7 pm

Shaw’s 61 Locust St
     Mon – Sat: 7 am to 10 pm
     Sun: 7 am to 9 pm

Super Stop & Shop 760 Fellsway
     Mon – Sat: 6 am to 11 pm
     Sun: 7 am to 9 pm

Whole Foods Route 16
     7 days a week: 8 am to 9 pm

Somerville Supermarket Hours

Foodmaster 45 Beacon Street
     Mon – Sat: 7 am to 9 pm
     Sun: 8 am to 9 pm 

Foodmaster Route 16
     Mon – Sat: 7 am to 10 pm
     Sun: 8 am to 9 pm

Market Basket Union Square
     Mon – Sat: 7 am to 9 pm
     Sun: 7 am to 7 pm

Shaw’s 14 McGrath Hwy (aka East Cambridge)
     Mon – Fri: 6 am to midnight
     Sat – Sun: 7 am to midnight

Star Market aka Shaw’s 275 Beacon Street
     7 days a week: 7 am to 10 pm

Super Stop & Shop 779 McGrath Hwy
     7 days a week: 7 am to 11 pm

Watertown Supermarket Hours

Super Stop & Shop 700 Pleasant St
     Mon – Sat: 7 am to 11 pm
     Sun: 7 am to 9 pm

Super Stop & Shop 171 Watertown St
     Mon – Sat: 7 am to 11 pm
     Sun: 7 am to 9 pm

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Condo Near Harvard – New to the Market

Are you looking for a condo near Harvard?  Hoping to find garage parking? Central air conditioning? An elevator building?  You’ll find all this and much more at a newly listed condo near Harvard in Kirkland Village at the Cambridge / Somerville line.

97 Kirkland St Living Room

97 Kirkland St Living Room

 

This four room, one-bedroom condo with a study is less than a half mile from the heart of the Harvard campus.  97 Kirkland Street Cambridge (aka 435 Washington Street Somerville) is in Kirkland Village and Savenor’s Market, Dali, the Wine and Cheese Cask, The Biscuit and more are just outside your door.

This condo near Harvard has a sparkling renovated kitchen

This condo near Harvard has a sparkling renovated kitchen

You’ll be able to check off all the items on your wish list including hardwood floors, in-unit washer and dryer, air conditioning, an elevator, garage parking, stainless steel appliances and granite counters in the kitchen, and a  private balcony.

This Kirkland Village Condo has a spacious bedroom plus a study

This Kirkland Village Condo has a spacious bedroom plus a study

Unit 206 at 97 Kirkland Street Cambridge is new to the market at $349,000.  You won’t find a nicer condo near Harvard for the price. 

For more information, please call Liz Bolton of ReMax Destiny- that’s me! – at 617-504-1737 or come by the open house on Saturday or Sunday, July 7 and 8, 2012 from noon to 1:30 pm.

Unit 206, 97 Kirkland Street, Cambridge MA in the 97 Kirkland Condo Association, is taxed in Somerville as 435 Washington Street.

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4th of July 2012 Celebrations In and Near Cambridge

July 4th Celebrations

July 4th Celebrations

Time to make plans for this mid-week holiday. Boston is the place for fireworks on the 4th of July near Cambridge.  Here’s a link to the very glitzy website for the Fourth of July festivities on the Esplanade.  And here’s a link for info about Boston and Cambridge road closures on July 4, 2012.

Here are some other ways to celebrate Independence Day locally:

Arlington 4th of July Celebration

You’re invited to celebrate the 4th at Robbins Farm Park in Arlington Heights.  The party starts at 6 pm with refreshments available and music from the John Penny Band starting at 7 pm.  The Boston Pops fireworks will be shown on the big screen starting at 10:30 pm.

4th of July in Cambridge

The Recreation Division is hosting kids’ activities in three locations in Cambridge on the July 4, 2012.  Events include races and doll carriage and bicyle parades.  Events begin at 9:45 am at Donnelly Field at 40 Willow Street; Glacken Field at Huron Ave and Holworthy Street; and Hoyt Field at Western and Putnam.

Watertown July 4th Events

There aren’t fireworks scheduled for Watertown but the Recreation Department is hosting a day of fun at Victory Field.  The Watertown 4th of July celebration begins at 9 am and activities continue until 3 pm including a homerun derby, All Star baseball games, water ballon toss, flag football, dodgeball, and much more.

Still want more fireworks?

Lexington Fireworks on July 5th

The Lexington Lions Club annual carnival runs from Tueday, July 3 to Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Hastings Park.  This year the fireworks are scheduled for Thursday, the 5th, after dusk.

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