The natural area that forms the backdrop of Jamaica Pond on its western side appears eternal. It’s true that Hellenic Hill’s history reaches back to the time when Native American Kuchamakin, Jamaica Plain’s namesake, ruled the area—even back to when the bowls that formed the pond were dug out by glaciers. The natural area...
Peace Garden redesign discussed
EGLESTON SQ.—Tables to play dominoes and more community events were two of many ideas tossed around during a March 13 brainstorming session on the redesign of the Egleston Square Peace Garden, which is located at the corner of Washington and School streets. About 15 people attended the meeting at the Egleston Square YMCA. Other...
On the Police Beat, March 10-24, 2013
The following crime incident reports are public records provided by the Community Service Office of the District E-13 Police Station, which is solely responsible for their content. All suspects are innocent unless proven guilty in court. March 24: Elvin Bello-Gonzalez of JP charged with assault and battery with dangerous weapon (knife), 3151 Washington St.;...
Community centers MOU fate unclear
A rough draft of the new operating agreement between the City and community centers was expected to be in place by now, but it’s unclear whether it is finished. The City had said in December that it anticipated having the document ready early this year. But repeated Gazette phone calls and emails to the...
Vacant house faces new lien
EGLESTON SQ.—A vacant house at 25 Chilcott Place is facing a new lien after going to housing court last year. The owner of the house, Jamaica Plain resident John Darling, has previously been cited by ISD for improper trash storage, overgrown weeds and for failing to secure the property, the charge that took him...
JP artist prints out Atomic Age jewelry
Jamaica Plain artist Bob Field is combining his long-time love of natural shapes and traditional art with new technologies to create and sell something that sound like they’re from out of the 23rd century: 3-D-printed earrings. Much like a traditional printer lays down layer after layer of ink on paper, a 3-D printer creates...
Buses still parking in illegal former stop
MONUMENT SQ.—MBTA buses are still frequently parking in a former Monument Square bus stop that was shut down four months ago due to its illegal location and dangers to drivers and pedestrians. The practice continues despite repeated warnings from MBTA management. “Old habits die hard, but we are working diligently to remind operators...
Homelessness increases in city, JP
The number of homeless people living on the city’s streets increased 7 percent from a year ago, according to the City’s 2012 homeless census. And Jamaica Plain followed suit with two homeless people being found on its streets compared to none the year before. According to the census, 193 homeless people were found living...
Gulf War syndrome study launched at VA hospital
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced the launch of a Gulf War syndrome study that will take place at the VA Medical Center at 150 S. Huntington Ave, according to a press release. The Gulf War Veteran’s Illnesses Biorepository (GWVIB) will support research on the causes, progression and treatment of disorders...
Cops: On-duty firefighter bought heroin
SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/public/*JP%203-29-13/JP%20Copy/firefighter%20drugs%20JP%203-15-13.doc EGLESTON SQ.—A firefighter at Egleston Square’s Engine 42 firehouse was arrested Feb. 26 after allegedly buying heroin nearby while on duty, according to the Boston Police Department. Stephen Hogan, 24, of Dorchester resigned shortly after the arrest. Boston Fire Department spokesperson Steve MacDonald declined to comment on whether BFD views it as an...
WIT students study JP planning
Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) students will be working in Jamaica Plain to develop design ideas for mixed-use projects along the Southwest Corridor this spring and summer as an academic exercise. The Community Design Studio program will analyze existing proposals for the study area, including the Jackson Square Re-development Initiative, and will make proposals...
Mayor rebuts Connolly criticism
After mayoral candidate John Connolly criticized incumbent Thomas Menino for a lack of new ideas and transparency to the Gazette, Menino spokesperson Dot Joyce rebutted some of those comments in a Gazette interview. “The mayor is always reinvigorating his team with new talent from our Office of New Urban Mechanics and all the new...
RE/MAX office coming to church site
HYDE SQ.—A RE/MAX Destiny real estate office is coming to a storefront on the former Blessed Sacrament Church complex at 363 Centre St., possibly as soon as May. “What’s happening in the Hyde Square area is amazing,” said RE/MAX Destiny’s Juan Murray, referring to development in the area. “We’d like to be part of...
Arroyo: School committee student rep should vote
At-Large City Councilor Felix Arroyo, who lives in Jamaica Plain, has filed a hearing order with City Councilor Frank Baker that would give voting power to the student representative on the Boston School Committee. “It just seems right,” said Arroyo in a recent Gazette interview. He said the student representatives can speak during a...
School assignment plan approved
The Boston School Committee voted 6-1 to approve a new home-based, zone-free school choice plan March 13. The approved plan does not include walk-zone priority and will take effect in the 2014-2015 school year. The plan does away with zones and uses a child’s address as a starting point for a “basket” of six...
Record store to open on South Street
A record store called Deep Thoughts JP aims to open at 138b South St. on April 1, according to its website and Facebook page. The store will sell records, tapes, CDs and books in a wide variety of genres, including free jazz, punk and “krautrock.” It also has announced a slate of in-store concerts...
JP Branch upgrade added to BPL budget
A request for funds for a proposed renovation of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library (BPL) has been added to the BPL Capital Budget for the next fiscal year. That means that BPL will request the $8.5 million for the renovation from the City in its upcoming FY2014 budget. The City...
Obituary: Karl Ross Fisher, art teacher
“For you, the world,” Karl Ross Fisher used to say to his students and colleagues, who adored him. That spirit was true to the end; his organs have been the gift of life for five lucky people. Fisher died unexpectedly on Feb. 20, 2013 after suffering a rare, unexplained and massive stroke. He died...
Councilors team up for composting, urban agriculture
Two local city councilors are teaming up to bring a citywide compost program to residents and to increase urban agriculture opportunities. At-Large City Councilor Felix Arroyo, who lives in Jamaica Plain, and City Councilor Matt O’Malley, who represents JP, heard calls for the aforementioned actions during the JP State of the Neighborhood forum Feb....
Trash cans, other concerns raised during park meeting
PARKSIDE—Lack of wintertime trash cans was one of several concerns expressed during a Franklin Park Coalition maintenance meeting March 7, said coalition Executive Director Christine Poff. Meanwhile, the City has said it plans to fund the second phase of an improvement project that began last year. Poff said it was a “great meeting” with...
New church holds first service
EGLESTON SQ.—Christ the King-JP/Roxbury, a new Presbyterian-affiliated Christian church in Egleston Square, held its first service last month. “We want to be a neighborhood church and we are particularly concerned with seeing people across many backgrounds reconciled to God and one another through the Gospel,” said Rev. Logan Keck the church’s founder, who lives...