MBTA Orange Line Train Shuttle - Kudos.

MBTA deserves a compliment. With Orange line delays lately, and the uproar about weather and maintenance, it was a pleasant surprise to have the MBTA doing a very sane thing using train shuttles between Wellington and Oak Grove. The one track shuttle is a great idea...

- Only one track has to be kept running.
- Switches need less operation.
- Signals can be minimized (one train just goes back and forth).

There were minor delays. There was some confusion. Though the confusion seemed unwarranted and somewhat frivolous from the ridership. Riders standing in the door at Malden asking "does this train go to Boston?" seemed almost comical. The anonymous answers "Eventually." and "Just get on, its frigid out there!" seemed very appropriate. The only real confusion was at Wellington with announcements saying to get on for Oak Grove on the "South" side (aka Inbound or Boston-bound track, or the Westside track, or the track farthest from the busways, or the track nearest the MBTA Orange Line repair shops).

The delay from train change at Wellington seemed to be mostly due to holding for the outbound shuttle to fill. Always a somewhat dubious decision (rather then setting a schedule), but is nonetheless understandable.

Moving Storage - Melrose, Malden, Medford

Had very positive experience with recent storage and move. Happened to rent a new larger warehouse space and was in no way dissatisfied with previous storage spots. Would use again and recommend to others:

http://www.melrosestoragefacility.com/

If you need close to Melrose (and the Malden Orange Line MBTA) and you are flexible about climate control (though it was fine for what it was where I stored in old carriage house space) then this is your space. Bob, Julie, Pedro and others are great. Family feel.

http://www.cubesmart.com/massachusetts-self-storage/medford-self-storage/180.html

If you want climate control, good access hours and close to Malden/Medford (and the Wellington Orange Line MBTA) then this is great. Staff always friendly and helpful.

Have had nothing but good luck with BCb movers in Malden.

http://bcbmoving.com/

BCb did an apartment to home move for me two years ago, and just recently moved me from the above spaces to new warehouse space.

• Four fellows and two trucks (with the owner and a spare truck on backup).
• Very quick, efficient and straightforward.
• Great upfront statement of work and responsibilities.
• Easy going, helpful…

Not sure what else I can say *grin*. If they have a slot available, BCb is a great pick.

Friends of Malden River Festival 2013 - Saturday September 21

Friends of Malden River Festival 2013 - Saturday September 21
http://malden.patch.com/groups/events/p/4th-annual-malden-river-festival
http://tri-cap.org/2013/08/26/fourth-annual-malden-river-festival-september-21-2013-11-am-3-pm-at-200-rivers-edge-drive/

And there is more along the Mystic banks.
http://www.assemblyrow.com/events/
http://www.yelp.com/events/somerville-6th-annual-riverfest-at-assembly-row-in-somerville

About the Malden River itself...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malden_River

Target has Bullseye Logo on Roof

Noticed the logo on the Target in Everett MA many years ago. Can almost see it from the MBTA Orange Line, and can certainly see it on Google Maps. Found it as a part of an overall interest in the Mystic and Malden River areas (parks, trails and eco-development).

Others have noticed too.
http://www.chadupton.com/blog/2008/06/bullseye-target-paints-logo-on-their-roof-that-is-250-feet-in-diameter/

Fits in with recent interest in renewables and energy savings. The white on the roof is actually a good energy saving strategy for abating heating. But was left wondering if Target could do even better with tinted/highlighted solar panels? There could be all – logo, heat abatement, renewable energy. Might even extend the programme to canopy solar in the parking lot with the Target logo formed from strategic omission of the solar panels, and open “asphalt” being red-tinted recycled rubber composite (like in playgrounds – where it is usually blue or green rubber stuff)/ That would be striking from the air, at a distance, and in the parking lot itself.