Rock & Roll Yard Sale

Somerville, Mass - It seems like it's been decades that we have been saying that Union Square is "up and coming". In fact it has been seven years - ever since we moved into the pink house, which is a four-minute walk from this mini urban center.

In that time, we have seen businesses open and others close, but there are always customers in the Ex-con-venience Store. That place isn't going anywhere. 

I still believe that Union Square is on the upswing, despite the construction that has been ongoing for about a year, and the recent closure of my favorite shoe store (while I was off buying shoes in Italy - I have only myself to blame!)Aside from the businesses that come and go - and others that endure - there is a sure sign that Union Square is on the upswing: community events.

In recent years, Union Square hosts a thriving Saturday-morning farmers' market, which attracts shoppers all the way from North Cambridge. Our little square also maintains a regular schedule of fun and funky events organized by the Union Square Arts Council.

So this afternoon we went to the Somerville Rock & Roll Yard Sale, which was a mini flea market of used records, old stereo equipment, handmade jewelry and vintage clothing. The crowd was impressive, ranging from yuppie to goth, along with plenty of kids and dogs. I was disappointed that the Sikh gentlemen were not in their usual benches in the middle of the square. But it was a pretty diverse crowd, nonetheless.

The local bars and cafes seemed to be doing a brisk business (although nobody was buying shoes). Unfortunately, the yard sale did mean that the new bar Precinct could not set up its outside tables, which has been a draw this summer. 

From a rock & roll point of view, the yard sale received mixed reviews. There were a lot of different dealers, with plenty of vinyl for sale. But the place was crowded, so it required jostling for position, just to get a chance to rifle through the boxes. We went in search of glam rock (apparently we really need to add Ballroom Blitz by The Sweet to our record collection). But we had to settle for British invasion (an early album by the Kinks).

True, it takes ten minutes to drive through the Union Square because of the row of orange barrels blocking off this or that lane. That's why you should get out of your car and walk... you might just find live music, congenial crowds and maybe - just maybe - that Beach Boys album you wanted.