The annual Puerto Rican and Dominican cultural festivals will relocate from Franklin Park to City Hall Plaza downtown this year because re-sodding of part of the park is taking longer than expected, according to City and park advocacy officials. The large summer festivals and parades are major Latino cultural events that usually draw thousands...
Latest Story
Politics as Unusual: Menino’s tech legacy is no joke
City Councilor-at-Large John Connolly said something interesting at a mayoral forum in Jamaica Plain last week. He hyperbolized that under his leadership, City Hall would look something like the Apple Store. Presumably, Connolly meant that moving forward, the bureaucratic labyrinth and concrete bunker in...
Church owners set deadline in negotiations
The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) and the New Atlantic Development have said that a decision will need to be made within 60 days in the negotiations with the Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF) over the possibility of that organization buying the former...
Big crowd, officials back Task Force church bid
By John Ruch and Peter Shanley, Gazette Staff A crowd of about 150 people and three of Boston’s mayoral candidates were among those backing the Hyde Square Task Force’s...
Mayor candidate Connolly tours Hyde/Jackson
At-Large City Councilor John Connolly, who is running for mayor, came to Jamaica Plain on April 29 for a walking tour from Canary Square to Jackson Square, where he...
City Life marks 40 years of helping residents
City Life/Vida Urbana (CLVU), a JP-based nonprofit, is celebrating 40 years of empowering struggling tenants and homeowners with a May 18 dinner fundraiser in Dorchester. Founded in 1973 as...
Task Force quiere la iglesia, recibe mucho apoyo
De John Ruch and Peter Shanley, Gazette Staff El 3 de mayo, en un mitin en frente de la iglesia en 365 Centre St., unas 150 personas y tres...
Mayor promised better trash cans 3 years ago
Three years after Mayor Thomas Menino promised 25 “BigBelly” trash cans for the Centre/South streets corridor, Jamaica Plain is still waiting for the upgrades. Menino promised the 25 solar-powered...
State puts 4 small parcels up for bids
The state put four small, vacant parcels along the Southwest Corridor in Jamaica Plain up for bid on April 26. The pieces of land—in Central JP, JP South and...
Jackson Sq. residents surveyed about quality of life
JACKSON SQ.—Urban Edge, a nonprofit community development corporation, is undertaking a detailed survey of Jackson Square’s property and residents. Required by NeighborWorks America, an affordable housing coalition that is...
JP hosts first mayoral forum
FOREST HILLS—Nine mayoral candidates attended a forum organized by the West Roxbury Courthouse Neighborhood Association this week. It was the first open candidate forum held for mayoral candidates in...
Politics as Unusual: At mayoral keg party, who would you drink with?
During the 2000 presidential race, one prevalent and aggravating accolade bestowed upon George W. Bush was that of Candidate Who Voters Would Most Like To Drink Beer With. Whether...
ABCD might go to ‘The Cave’
JACKSON SQ.—Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), an antipoverty nonprofit, might soon be providing services at the youth center “The Cave” at the Bromley-Heath housing development, according to Boston...
JPNDC lowers asking price for church
HYDE SQ.—The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) is continuing negotiations over the Blessed Sacrament Church with a potential buyer, the Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF), and has lowered...
Peace symbol of flowers blooms at pond
PONDSIDE—Call it peace on Earth. Daffodil flowers planted in the shape of a peace symbol are blooming bright yellow on an embankment at Jamaica Pond Park in an unofficial,...
Gazette writer pens marathon bombing ebook
Chris Faraone, a Jamaica Plain journalist who writes the Gazette’s “Politics as Unusual” column, has published an ebook of essays and photos about the week of the Boston Marathon...
JP artist creates poster to aid bombing victims
Jamaica Plain artist Nancy Marks has created a poster honoring the Boston Marathon bombing victims and raise money for them via The One Fund. Each victim will be offered...
Bombing memorial comes down
The makeshift memorial to Boston Marathon bombing victims in Monument Square, partly by bombing rescue hero Carlos Arredondo, was removed on May 6, apparently by its creators. The memorial...
The Connolly-Arroyo election myth
With City Councilors John Connolly and Felix G. Arroyo both in the mayoral race, voters likely will once again hear a minor but enduring political myth: that Connolly ousted...
Car lot project revived after 2-year delay
STONYBROOK—Two years after it was first proposed, a stalled mixed-use development on Washington Street has been revived with only minor changes, following the discovery of hazardous chemicals on the...
Neighbors challenge condo permits
CENTRAL JP—Appeals have been made to the building and demolition permits for planned condos at 207-209 Chestnut Ave., according to a representative for the Glenvale Park Neighborhood Association, which...