Put the pedals to the metal

Ride on, Brookline. More than three dozen bicycle racks have been installed on public property since October, with funding provided by a grant from the Regional Bike Parking Program, a Metropolitan Area Planning Council initiative that encourages two-wheeled transportation. Several of the new racks have even caught glances from passersby because they resemble a bike. "We thought they were beautiful - and functional - street furniture," said John Dempsey, who serves on the Brookline Bicycle Advisory Committee. Most of the racks are U-shaped and were placed in commercial districts such as Coolidge Corner and Brookline Village, while a dozen multiple-bike racks were set in commercial lots throughout town.

Speaking of grants, Brookline's public schools recently received one from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the district's Steps to Success program, which will now offer after-school activities and academic support to students at the Edward Devotion School. The five-year grant provides $109,000 in funding for the first year, according to program director Janet Selcer. Students in grades 5 to 8 can participate in the program, which focuses on science and math activities, and will also offer golf lessons and a mentoring program that will bring parents and other Brookline residents into the classroom to speak about their careers.

Got a news item from Brookline? E-mail Richard Thompson at thompjourn@gmail.com

Economic times are hard, but don't try renting out the family dog if you're strapped for cash. The City Council unanimously voted to ban pet rentals and has asked the city manager to come up with an ordinance to that effect similar to one enacted recently in Boston. The Boston ban was sparked by the anticipated arrival of FlexPetz, a California-based company that offers busy professionals occasional animal affection without the time-consuming care-giving. According to the FlexPetz website, the company plans to come to Boston soon. Customers can rent a dog for a day and then give it back, which animal rights activists maintain is emotionally disturbing for the animal. The renting of cats is also included in the ban.

For the most environmentally conscious Cambridge folk, electricity from renewable sources is available. This option, offered through NStar Green, allows basic-service customers to switch their plans (at a higher rate) to either half or full wind-generated electricity. Although the option has been available since last month, the City Council recently approved a plan to advertise NStar Green on city cable and the city website. The source of the power is Maple Ridge Wind Farm in upstate New York. Expect rates to increase by 0.837 cents to 1.396 cents per kilowatt hour, depending on the plan.

Got an news item from Cambridge? E-mail Jennifer Schwartz at jensch72@gmail.com.

How to brighten the face of learning? At Somerville High School, the newest answer is: paint. "People don't even realize how much the color is playing on them and how it feels," said interior designer Victoria Mohar, with Somerville-based MoharDesign. She complained about the high school's "ugly blue doors" and drab "brownish taupe" walls to Paul Bockelman, the School Committee chairman, at a block party. He gave her the (volunteer) job of picking better colors. Now the city is slapping on "warm white" paint with cheerful accents that will help students find their way around the building: warm yellow down the main hallway with red in the entryway and blue and green in the wings, she said. The doors are being painted a "warm honey color," Mohar said. Next up? Working the same magic on the public library.

Got a news item from Somerville? E-mail Danielle Dreilinger at djdreilinger@comcast.net.