Because sometimes you want to buy used lightbulbs

Do you like lightbulbs?

Are you insane?

Have I got a deal for you!

"Hi,

We have 2 sets of light bulbs for sale:

They have been lightly used in our home for 6 months.

8 GE, halogen, dimmable, 43W, 120V, E26 base, 750 lumens, soft white. Equivalent to 60W incandescent. Original cost about $4 each. Asking $1.50 each or $10 all 8

20 Philips, incandescent, dimmable, 65W, 130V, E26 base, reflector flood. Original cost about $2.50 each. Asking $0.75 each or $12 for all 20.

Or $20 for all 28 bulbs

Contact me for questions or pics. Pick up in East Arlington.

NAME REDACTED"

Christmas Light Disposal or Electricity 101...

It's that time of year again when the people of Arlington take out their Christmas lights and decorations and prepare to make merry! Naturally they worry about using electricity and the environmental impact of their festivity, but most especially they worry about their festive trash.

"Hi, everyone -


OK, we have more than 1 string of Christmas lights (the small bulb, non-LED kind, several years old).
There is clearly an electrical problem of some kind with them.  (You can make the lights go on and off by touching random sections of wire, touching bulbs, wiggling wires, etc.)


Obviously we unplugged them, and the lights are coming off the (artificial) Christmas tree.  Even if they are fixable (I don't think they are), I want them gone.


So, here's the question: what is the safest way to dispose of them?  Can I just bag them up and put them in my trash, or do I take them to the fire station, or what? It's pretty wet out there, but I don't want to take the slightest chance of starting a fire. Thanks in advance for the advice!"


NAME REDACTED


One of the things I miss most about Arlington is the excessive concern residents have about throwing away things that are broken or useless. I miss it even more when other listers are forced to explain basic principles of science.

"They can't start a fire once they're unplugged and at room temperature."

NAME REDACTED

Get off my lawn!

Miss Crankypants had some complaining to do today!

"Do you have middle school children that walk from school along Mass. Ave
in the Heights??? Today, I stopped one young man drawing in fresh cement a
big circle with Jasper written underneath. I yelled at him to stop and he
ran away. I found that today, National Grid put new cement to replace the
asphalt that had been in place since they started the gas main work. All
the new areas of cement have been carved by young kids with hearts, names
and more. This is destruction of public sidewalks.

Please have a talk with your kids that fresh cement is not for them to
carve their name in unless it is on their own private property."


NAME REDACTED

I bet she kicks puppies too.

More Town Day crankiness!

Sadly, in my experience hermit crabs and frogs live for years. And years. And years.

"After my daughter arrived home from Town Day last year with a frog (in a plastic bag) which she had "won." I posted to the list that this was a cruel activity and most of the frogs (and gold fish) will die (confirmed by a number of local vets). Not just one but two members of the Board of Selectman told me (one on the list) that this would never happen again at Town Day.

HOWEVER, I saw a number of people with hermit crabs walking around and finally found the vendor with a town permit to sell them at Town Day. This time, at least, the vendor also sold plastic cages for them.

I would like to hear for other list members. Some of these crabs might find wonderful homes but many may not. Unlike a pet store where people go because they want a pet, pets at fairs can be bought impulsively (frequently at the demand of children) and end up being ignored, neglected, and otherwise mistreated. In addition, these vendors, unlike pet stores, are not regularly inspected by authorities to make sure the living creatures do not carry diseases and are kept in hygienic conditions. They operate under the radar of regulation.

I would support a request to the Town Day Committee not to issue permits to vendors selling living creatures in the future. "


NAME REDACTED

Town day crankiness!

Children like to play with pretend weapons? Call the police! Alert the media! Halt commerce!

"I was semi appalled today at Town Day that there was a vendor selling slingshots, cap guns, a revolved shaped miniature flash light, plastic small sized machine guns, and more. I believe the vendor was called 'Balloons, Toys, and Novelties'. They were located next to American Alarm's booth. There were kids playing with them everywhere. I don't think parents were purchasing the items but kids who had money were.

I thought it was completely out of line for Town Day. While the vendor had balloons, candy, and other treats, I thought many of their wares were in appropriate.

I mentioned this at the Information Table and they spoke to some one who was going to ask the Police to speak to the vendor. I would hope in the future, that these items would not be available.

Otherwise, Town Day was a great day after the rain stopped."
 
NAME REDACTED

You went to MIT didn't you?

"Does any one have a laptop to sell me cheap? I will use it  essentially as a radio to stream WBUR while I am working in my kitchen so no bells and whistles needed, old but functioning is fine.
Thanks!"

NAME REDACTED

Which would work better? An actual radio which is cheap, durable, and has nice loud speakers or a broken down laptop which will eat up your counter space and requires you to know your wifi password.

Please god make it stop...

How many times do I need to say it? No one wants your half empty package of pads. Seriously. If you cannot bear to throw them away, then discreetly donate them to a shelter, but for the love of pete, do not offer them to the list!

"I have 14 remaining of these pads:

Always Maxi Overnight Extra Heavy Flow with Wings, Unscented Pads, 20
Count.  Pick up in North Cambridge, near the Alewife T stop."

NAME REDACTED

Heavy flow. Good god.