Does anybody know of any _competent_ HVAC contractors that can upgrade a Somerville home that already has AC and gas heat to a heat pump? It feels like all I've seen/heard are people with bad experiences? Apparently a lot of contractors either don't have enough expertise or are part of some private-equity owned enshittified company.

Reminder: 988 is the suicide hotline and the Trans Lifeline is +1-877-565-8860

It seems all the anti-bike lane folks now have it in their heads that “people should bike on the sidewalk” is the new talking point? I suddenly seeing that pop up on threads discussing the recent tragic accidents. Which is interesting, because until recently, “bikers riding in sidewalks!!!” was a complaint right up there with “bikers always running red lights!”

Ok, wanted a BlueBike to get home and the dock had just one eBlueBike left and nothing else. Great! Been wanting to try one! But, oops, if you get a rental without the app, it lets you unlock but the bike refuses to go a couple of feet before an alarm goes off and you have to redock it? So that was a disappointing waste of money!

Saw a Green line test train go by on the new Medford branch and I have to say it was surprisingly quiet! Hopefully that remains the case over its lifetime.