"I am looking for a place to take used greeting cards. Any such place?
I searched the archives but couldn't find anything."
NAME REDACTED
Monday, January 30, 2012
OMG! MOUSE INFESTATION! HANTAVIRUS! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!
When this email about relocating a mouse in the house I knew that the people of Arlington would have some strong opinions. Luckily, they never disappoint!
"Oye! We have a mouse! Before we go out to buy a have-a-heart trap
(thinking we'd release this little guy over near the marsh by alewife) does
anyone have one we could borrow for a little bit. Also, anyone else gotten
any random mice problems? I'm sure hoping this doesn't develop into a
bigger situation. Sigh.
Thanks,NAME REDACTED"
This was the first response.
"Hahahahahaha! 'a' mouse! Hahahahahaha!
You, my friend, are a world-class optimist. This is illegal, (releasing the mouse) but I won't 'rat' you out. A serious word of advice that you'll find also in the archives, repeated many times: find the entrance being used, plug it, and only then deal with the mice.
One word for those reluctant to kill mice. Hantavirus:
http://articles.boston.com/2011-05-24/news/29580736_1_white-footed-mice-hantavirus-droppings
It's not just in the southwest any more. Not that easy to get, but
spray the droppings (bleach is good, water better than nothing) before
cleaning them up.
Good luck,
NAME REDACTED"
Stay tuned for more alarmist advice!
"Oye! We have a mouse! Before we go out to buy a have-a-heart trap
(thinking we'd release this little guy over near the marsh by alewife) does
anyone have one we could borrow for a little bit. Also, anyone else gotten
any random mice problems? I'm sure hoping this doesn't develop into a
bigger situation. Sigh.
Thanks,NAME REDACTED"
This was the first response.
"Hahahahahaha! 'a' mouse! Hahahahahaha!
You, my friend, are a world-class optimist. This is illegal, (releasing the mouse) but I won't 'rat' you out. A serious word of advice that you'll find also in the archives, repeated many times: find the entrance being used, plug it, and only then deal with the mice.
One word for those reluctant to kill mice. Hantavirus:
http://articles.boston.com/2011-05-24/news/29580736_1_white-footed-mice-hantavirus-droppings
It's not just in the southwest any more. Not that easy to get, but
spray the droppings (bleach is good, water better than nothing) before
cleaning them up.
Good luck,
NAME REDACTED"
Stay tuned for more alarmist advice!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Expensive ugly chairs! With windmills!
I know one guy in A town who would love these!
"Solid rock maple chairs with removable thick cushions, windmill motif on front and sides. One is a rocker; the other is stationary. Cushions are in fine condition, but wood needs refurbishing. Great chairs for folks who like refinishing wood furniture. Very comfortable. No smoking or pets in house.
Sold as a pair for $125 or best offer.
See photo on Craigslist:
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/atq/2819902235.html"
NAME REDACTED
"Solid rock maple chairs with removable thick cushions, windmill motif on front and sides. One is a rocker; the other is stationary. Cushions are in fine condition, but wood needs refurbishing. Great chairs for folks who like refinishing wood furniture. Very comfortable. No smoking or pets in house.
Sold as a pair for $125 or best offer.
See photo on Craigslist:
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/atq/2819902235.html"
NAME REDACTED
Monday, January 23, 2012
I swear sometimes they are baiting me.
Okay, I get that it's not worth it to send back, but charging $1? What's the point?
"$1.00 to a good home.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EK00JG/
We like it, but accidentally ordered an extra one for our newly renovated
bathroom. It's not worth the trouble and money to return it, especially if
some Arlingtonian can use it. It's still in the original box, unopened.
Please reply offList."NAME REDACTED
"$1.00 to a good home.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EK00JG/
We like it, but accidentally ordered an extra one for our newly renovated
bathroom. It's not worth the trouble and money to return it, especially if
some Arlingtonian can use it. It's still in the original box, unopened.
Please reply offList."NAME REDACTED
Friday, January 20, 2012
Sometimes the people of Arlington get cranky.
"To whoever let his or her dog crap on my driveway ... if I ever find you, I
will return it!!"
will return it!!"
Freecycle + Arlington = Crazypants
This one came in from the Arlington freecycle. Except that it is completely broken it works great!
"Colby TF-DVD7100 includes a cord, the power works, the image is extremely dark and appears to not read DVDs correctly - other wise it is fine.
Color is silver.
Arlington near Winchester"
"Colby TF-DVD7100 includes a cord, the power works, the image is extremely dark and appears to not read DVDs correctly - other wise it is fine.
Color is silver.
Arlington near Winchester"
Thursday, January 19, 2012
This is about as Arlington a post as you can get.
This could be rewritten as "I received tons of awesome gift cards, but I am too pretentious to just go use them. Please acknowledge my superiority by suggesting only handmade, organically grown, free range toys for my little precious to enjoy."
"Hi, I have over 10 gift cards that were given to us a birth congrats gift for Toys R Us that I'd like to start using. I find Toys R Us more expensive than Amazon for most of the things we need and I don't want to spend more money at Toys R Us, even if it doesn't cost us the difference; I prefer value shopping.
Can anyone recommend items at Toys R Us that are well priced compared to Amazon or other Internet retailers that I should consider? I guess it doesn't have to be the same price or less than Amazon, but at the very least comparable. Or if I should be on the lookout for sales of a specific type of good?
Thanks,"
NAME REDACTED
Monday, January 16, 2012
Who wouldn't want broken dishes?
"A few chipped dishes - maybe they could be used for a project? Anyone want
them?"
them?"
Sunday, January 15, 2012
In which the people of Arlington attempt to save the world...or at least one cat.
The people of Arlington are very loving. As long as the subject is not the width of Mass Ave, dogs off leash, cyclists who do not obey traffic rules, the town horn, overrides, MCAS tests or the best place to get Chinese food, the people of A town will always come to the rescue. They especially seem to love rescuing creatures which do not actually need rescuing.
Today this came over the list:
"My wonderful neighbors, the Sisters of St. Anne, need some help. A black cat ran up a tree sometime in the night and now is so high that he cannot get down. The poor cat is howling and shaking. Plus it is freezing out! The Sisters have tried to coax him down with food but he is just too scared. They called 911 to ask the fire dept for their help but they were firmly told by the dispatcher "we do not do that type of thing." I thought maybe for the Sisters they could make an exception, but no.
So, does anyone own a black cat with green eyes - mostly likely from somewhere in the Hillside, Claremont, Appleton area. The cat is in a tree behind the chapel on the Germaine Lawrence property. We think maybe the owner might be able to lure it down. If not, who should we call next? MSPCA?
Thanks for any help -"
NAME REDACTED
The people of Arlington sprang into action!
There were many helpful suggestions.
"Any contractor should have a 30 ft ladder. Then it is probably a matter of 2 men, good samaritans, to get the cat down. Any one out there fitting this description?"
"Is there a tree service nearby with a crane to get it down?"
"Has anyone tried running a can opener? This has always been an
attention getter for my pets."
People became more panicked.
"Update on the cat - we have called the mspca, animal control, Boston animal rescue league and now the Arl Fire Dept twice! AFD keeps saying they do not do this type of thing. we have left messages everywhere else.
we are very concerned this cat is going to die of hypothermia. the nuns are very upset. they do not have the money to pay for a tree company. does anyone have any other ideas.
the cat is all black, long haired, green eyes. it is about 30 feet straight up - very easy to get with a large ladder.
fingers crossed for a rescue!"
One Lister could not help getting a little barb in there. Get it? Barb? Never mind. Carry on.
"Good Samaritans indeed as they'd likely want to wear a suit of armor to avoid getting torn apart by the cat.
Another good reason to keep these 'bred to be indoors' cats inside."
Somehow, without the firefighters, the MSPCA and Animal Control, the cat started working his way down.
"My husband just reported back that the cat has come down a bunch, so
he is now bringing one of our ladders over there, which will hopefully be
tall enough."
A voice of reason!
"Thanks. Keep us posted. The other thing we should keep in mind is that cats almost always make their way down eventually. If the cat has already made progress, my guess is that it will get all the way down soon."
I don't know this lady, but she can't possibly be from Arlington.
"Everyone just needs to chill a little bit. Put a dish of food at the bottom of the tree - open the can outside so the cat can see (you don't need can openers anymore to open cat food). Wait a couple hours and it will probably come down on its own. It will never come down if there are a bunch if people making a commotion and staring up at it. Despite some people's concerns, cats are adapted to withstanding much colder temps than we are. They can withstand long periods in the cold (my cat is actually outside right now rolling around in a sunbeam and hanging out in the yard - she shows no interest in wanting to come in). More humans have died or gotten seriously injured from falling from high ladders than cats have gotten stuck permanently or died from being in a tree. It will come down when it's hungry. If its still there tomorrow, then try the ladder - but be careful."
Finally the cat did what most cold and hungry cats did. It came down.
"My husband just stopped back to check on the cat
and retrieve his ladder and just called me to report that the cat is down
from the tree -- yay! Maybe he just got tired of all the humans making
such a fuss down on the ground he decided to get the heck out of there.
Anyway, hopefully he's found his way home.
Thanks for alerting us all to this, NAME REDACTED."
But then we learned something new! A cat ninja coaxed the cat down!
"The cat is down! Larry went back to retrieve his ladder and saw that the
cat was no longer in the tree. He met one of the nuns who showed him the
cat --- they have him safe and sound in the convent. Apparently we have a
'cat whisperer' in town who stopped by and coaxed the little guy down with
his gentle technique. No idea who he is ... like our own Zorro! Came by
to do a good deed and quietly left without any fuss. The cat is now safe and sound
with the nuns. It's a beautiful long-haired black cat, if anyone knows
someone who is missing one."
Next came the inevitable suggestion that the media be alerted to the fact that a cat was stuck in a tree and then came down.
"Now this would be a nice story for the Advocate. Arlington is a great town!
Anyone have any influence?"
Then came the jokes. This is the part I like.
"None of this would have even occurred if the town didn't insist on narrowing
Mass. Ave.
(Sorry)"
"That off-leash cat was probably spooked by a bicycle riding on the sidewalk."
"Nope, I think the town horn drove him up the tree."
"Amen! Not to mention the presences of bicyclists in Arlington Heights. We won't mention unleashed dogs ..."
There you have it. There were about fifty posts in total on the subject of a stray cat stuck in a tree.
Today this came over the list:
"My wonderful neighbors, the Sisters of St. Anne, need some help. A black cat ran up a tree sometime in the night and now is so high that he cannot get down. The poor cat is howling and shaking. Plus it is freezing out! The Sisters have tried to coax him down with food but he is just too scared. They called 911 to ask the fire dept for their help but they were firmly told by the dispatcher "we do not do that type of thing." I thought maybe for the Sisters they could make an exception, but no.
So, does anyone own a black cat with green eyes - mostly likely from somewhere in the Hillside, Claremont, Appleton area. The cat is in a tree behind the chapel on the Germaine Lawrence property. We think maybe the owner might be able to lure it down. If not, who should we call next? MSPCA?
Thanks for any help -"
NAME REDACTED
The people of Arlington sprang into action!
There were many helpful suggestions.
"Any contractor should have a 30 ft ladder. Then it is probably a matter of 2 men, good samaritans, to get the cat down. Any one out there fitting this description?"
"Is there a tree service nearby with a crane to get it down?"
"Has anyone tried running a can opener? This has always been an
attention getter for my pets."
People became more panicked.
"Update on the cat - we have called the mspca, animal control, Boston animal rescue league and now the Arl Fire Dept twice! AFD keeps saying they do not do this type of thing. we have left messages everywhere else.
we are very concerned this cat is going to die of hypothermia. the nuns are very upset. they do not have the money to pay for a tree company. does anyone have any other ideas.
the cat is all black, long haired, green eyes. it is about 30 feet straight up - very easy to get with a large ladder.
fingers crossed for a rescue!"
One Lister could not help getting a little barb in there. Get it? Barb? Never mind. Carry on.
"Good Samaritans indeed as they'd likely want to wear a suit of armor to avoid getting torn apart by the cat.
Another good reason to keep these 'bred to be indoors' cats inside."
Somehow, without the firefighters, the MSPCA and Animal Control, the cat started working his way down.
"My husband just reported back that the cat has come down a bunch, so
he is now bringing one of our ladders over there, which will hopefully be
tall enough."
A voice of reason!
"Thanks. Keep us posted. The other thing we should keep in mind is that cats almost always make their way down eventually. If the cat has already made progress, my guess is that it will get all the way down soon."
I don't know this lady, but she can't possibly be from Arlington.
"Everyone just needs to chill a little bit. Put a dish of food at the bottom of the tree - open the can outside so the cat can see (you don't need can openers anymore to open cat food). Wait a couple hours and it will probably come down on its own. It will never come down if there are a bunch if people making a commotion and staring up at it. Despite some people's concerns, cats are adapted to withstanding much colder temps than we are. They can withstand long periods in the cold (my cat is actually outside right now rolling around in a sunbeam and hanging out in the yard - she shows no interest in wanting to come in). More humans have died or gotten seriously injured from falling from high ladders than cats have gotten stuck permanently or died from being in a tree. It will come down when it's hungry. If its still there tomorrow, then try the ladder - but be careful."
Finally the cat did what most cold and hungry cats did. It came down.
"My husband just stopped back to check on the cat
and retrieve his ladder and just called me to report that the cat is down
from the tree -- yay! Maybe he just got tired of all the humans making
such a fuss down on the ground he decided to get the heck out of there.
Anyway, hopefully he's found his way home.
Thanks for alerting us all to this, NAME REDACTED."
But then we learned something new! A cat ninja coaxed the cat down!
"The cat is down! Larry went back to retrieve his ladder and saw that the
cat was no longer in the tree. He met one of the nuns who showed him the
cat --- they have him safe and sound in the convent. Apparently we have a
'cat whisperer' in town who stopped by and coaxed the little guy down with
his gentle technique. No idea who he is ... like our own Zorro! Came by
to do a good deed and quietly left without any fuss. The cat is now safe and sound
with the nuns. It's a beautiful long-haired black cat, if anyone knows
someone who is missing one."
Next came the inevitable suggestion that the media be alerted to the fact that a cat was stuck in a tree and then came down.
"Now this would be a nice story for the Advocate. Arlington is a great town!
Anyone have any influence?"
Then came the jokes. This is the part I like.
"None of this would have even occurred if the town didn't insist on narrowing
Mass. Ave.
(Sorry)"
"That off-leash cat was probably spooked by a bicycle riding on the sidewalk."
"Nope, I think the town horn drove him up the tree."
"Amen! Not to mention the presences of bicyclists in Arlington Heights. We won't mention unleashed dogs ..."
There you have it. There were about fifty posts in total on the subject of a stray cat stuck in a tree.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
NAME NOT REDACTED!!!
Sometimes people are not grateful when they are given wonderful gifts.
"Dear Arlington List,
A very dear friend just moved out of Arlington, leaving me with nothing but a broken heart... and no less than SEVEN bottles of Holloway House Quick Shine floor finish. Who knows what the heck possessed her to buy so much; obviously she liked her floors really, really shiny. It actually does work very well, covers scratches, makes damaged floors look nice and new, doesn't have hazardous fumes or a noxious odor. The bottle is made from 25% post consumer recycled plastic, and the it claims they were "recognized for Safer Chemistry" by the EPA. Anyway, I have no place to put the stuff, and I already had two unused bottles of my own, bought on her glowing (get it?) recommendation. She loved the Arlington List, and I know she would be thrilled to know it had been passed on in this way.
Let me know if you're interested and I will leave it on my porch.
Cheers,
Amy"
ADDENDUM:
"Dear Arlington List,
Actually, now that I look at them, one of the bottles of Quick Shine is half empty. So make that 6 1/2 bottles.
Still up for grabs!
Amy"
"Dear Arlington List,
A very dear friend just moved out of Arlington, leaving me with nothing but a broken heart... and no less than SEVEN bottles of Holloway House Quick Shine floor finish. Who knows what the heck possessed her to buy so much; obviously she liked her floors really, really shiny. It actually does work very well, covers scratches, makes damaged floors look nice and new, doesn't have hazardous fumes or a noxious odor. The bottle is made from 25% post consumer recycled plastic, and the it claims they were "recognized for Safer Chemistry" by the EPA. Anyway, I have no place to put the stuff, and I already had two unused bottles of my own, bought on her glowing (get it?) recommendation. She loved the Arlington List, and I know she would be thrilled to know it had been passed on in this way.
Let me know if you're interested and I will leave it on my porch.
Cheers,
Amy"
ADDENDUM:
"Dear Arlington List,
Actually, now that I look at them, one of the bottles of Quick Shine is half empty. So make that 6 1/2 bottles.
Still up for grabs!
Amy"
Thursday, January 12, 2012
OMG more free used bags!
"I have a collection of newspaper bags to give away as well.
Pickup near Dallin School.
Please let me know when you can pick up.
Thanks,"
NAME REDACTED
Pickup near Dallin School.
Please let me know when you can pick up.
Thanks,"
NAME REDACTED
Used plastic bags!
"Another "bag of bags" for picking up after your pooch. Newspaper bags, bread bags, etc. - all clean.
Please tell me when you can pick up.
Thanks,"
NAME REDACTED
Please tell me when you can pick up.
Thanks,"
NAME REDACTED
Will trade thread for thread!
"I have two new spools of Coats & Clark machine embroidery thread, one
white, one black. The black spool does not have a label, but the white
specifies 1100 yds., 40 wt., 100% Trilobal Polyester.
I would like to trade both spools for one full, large spool of standard
black thread.
Please reply off list. Thank you."
NAME REDACTED
white, one black. The black spool does not have a label, but the white
specifies 1100 yds., 40 wt., 100% Trilobal Polyester.
I would like to trade both spools for one full, large spool of standard
black thread.
Please reply off list. Thank you."
NAME REDACTED
OMG free staples!!!!
"Hi neighbors - I found a box of staples that I will likely never finish in this lifetime and it's nearly full. I'll pull out a row or two for me and then it's yours if you reply offlist and are the first to claim them!"
NAME REDACTED
NAME REDACTED
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Just answer the question!
Sometimes the people of Arlington use the list in a nice neighborly way.
"I know so many of you are superb cooks - and my husband loves pot pie - could use a really delicious recipe for turkey pot pie....."
Isn't that nice? Just asking for a recipe. The people of Arlington cannot stand to answer the request with just a recipe.
"i don't cook pot pies but we like them. if you want to try some very
good ones, check out seven acres turkey farm in north reading. they
don't even seem to have their own web site as it is a very local and
single family operation. they sell turkeys, pot pies, eggs, smoked meat,
and other related things. some jams, maple syrup and a few other
products. when we get there we usually buy 3-4 frozen pot pies to stock
up. very tasty, large chunks of meat (all white or mixed pies), no
veggies and a great whole wheat crust. i made some peas and carrots the
last time i cooked one which made for a nice side.
call them to get info on what they have in stock. they have no employees
so even when you go to the store in the back, you may be waiting for
someone to answer the bell for service. good folks and worth supporting
local farms like this.
http://www.farmfresh.org/food/farm.php?farm=1583
http://local.yahoo.com/info-10104698-seven-acres-farm-north-reading"
NAME REDACTED
Yes, you should drive forty minutes to a farm stand which may or may not have the turkey pot pies in stock and which may or may not actually have employees available to sell them to you. So. Helpful.
"I know so many of you are superb cooks - and my husband loves pot pie - could use a really delicious recipe for turkey pot pie....."
Isn't that nice? Just asking for a recipe. The people of Arlington cannot stand to answer the request with just a recipe.
"i don't cook pot pies but we like them. if you want to try some very
good ones, check out seven acres turkey farm in north reading. they
don't even seem to have their own web site as it is a very local and
single family operation. they sell turkeys, pot pies, eggs, smoked meat,
and other related things. some jams, maple syrup and a few other
products. when we get there we usually buy 3-4 frozen pot pies to stock
up. very tasty, large chunks of meat (all white or mixed pies), no
veggies and a great whole wheat crust. i made some peas and carrots the
last time i cooked one which made for a nice side.
call them to get info on what they have in stock. they have no employees
so even when you go to the store in the back, you may be waiting for
someone to answer the bell for service. good folks and worth supporting
local farms like this.
http://www.farmfresh.org/food/farm.php?farm=1583
http://local.yahoo.com/info-10104698-seven-acres-farm-north-reading"
NAME REDACTED
Yes, you should drive forty minutes to a farm stand which may or may not have the turkey pot pies in stock and which may or may not actually have employees available to sell them to you. So. Helpful.