• Memorial Day Flag Garden Returns to the Common

    For the 14th consecutive year, volunteers planted more than 37,000 American flags – one in honor of each of the Commonwealth’s fallen veterans – at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the Boston Common to commemorate Memorial Day. Every year since 2010, the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund has led the effort behind the annual Memorial Day Flag Garden.
  • Drs. Gurnon Hill Twins Graduate From Tufts Veterinary School

    Special to the TimesEmilie and Sarah Gurnon, the 26-year-old identical-twin daughters of Jack and Cassie Gurnon, owners of Charles Street Supply, graduated on Sunday May 22, from Tufts Veterinary School in Grafton. The Gurnon sisters are both now Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).Both Gurnon sisters are lifelong Beacon Hill residents and attended the Spruce Street Nursery School and The Advent School.Emilie and Sarah Gurnon.
    Emilie and Sarah were living in Worcester for the past four years wh
  • Boston Police Report Area A-1 Sees 7-Percent Spike in Part One Crime

    Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, Area A-1 had seen a 7-percent increase in Part One crime from last year, according to Boston Police.`Between Jan. 1 and May 21 of this year, 761 incidents of Part One crime were reported in the district, which includes Beacon Hill, Chinatown, Downtown, and the North End, compared to 711 incidents during the same timeframe last year.This year also marked a more than 4-percent increase in the district’s five-year average for Part One crime of 730 incidents.Part
  • City Recognizes Beacon Hill Cleaners As ‘Legacy Business’

    Special to the TimesMayor Michelle Wu  announced the inaugural list of Legacy Business awardees, a group of 30 businesses including Bunker Hill Barber Shop that represent the rich diversity and cultural fabric of all Boston neighborhoods. This program – the most expansive in the country – was developed by the Office of Small Business within the Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Cabinet and will support awardees through increased visibility and connecting them with City services
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  • Sharon Durkan, Candidate for Boston City Council District 8, Racks Up Local Endorsements

    Sharon Durkan is racking up endorsements in her second month of campaigning for the seat formerly held by Kenzie Bok. This month, Sharon earned the endorsements of State Senator Lydia Edwards, Former Councilor Josh Zakim, and the Ward 5 Democratic Committee.“Sharon is a community activist, advocate, leader, and trusted friend,” said State Senator Lydia Edwards. “Sharon’s years of organizing as Ward 5 Chair and proven dedication to housing, climate, and environmental justi
  • BHWF holds 2023 Charles Street Couture

    Story by Marianne SalzaThe Beacon Hill Women’s Forum (BHWF) held its 2023 Charles Street Couture for the first time since 2019 on May 9 at the Hampshire House. Curated collections from eight, local boutiques were exhibited: Crush, East Coast Ivy, Helen’s Leather Shop, J. McLaughlin, Sara Campbell Limited, Soodee, Phoebe Jon, and Remy Creations.“The Charles Street Couture fashion show was created with two simple goals – to foster a personal relationship with proud women ow
  • Major Budget Wins This Week in the Massachusetts State Senate

    Special to the TimesThe Massachusetts State Senate convened this week to debate and finalize the Senate budget package. There is a lot to celebrate this year for the residents of the Commonwealth, especially for the constituents of Senator Lydia Edwards’ Third Suffolk district, which covers East Boston, Winthrop, Revere, and portions of Back Bay in Downtown Boston. The community-minded budget success this session is poised to invest in the things residents of the Commonwealth need most.Ten
  • North Washington Street Bridge Construction Look-Ahead Through June 10

    This is a brief overview of construction operations and impacts for the North Washington Street Bridge Replacement Project. MassDOT will provide additional notices as needed for high-impact work and changes to traffic configurations beyond those described below.Weekday Lane Closures at Keany Square – June 5  through June 16• From Monday, June 5 through Friday June 16, there will be weekday lane reductions along Keany Square and the temporary bridge to assist with utility work. Cl
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  • BHGC Sixth Annual Spring Soirée

    Neighbors enjoying the Beacon Hill Garden Club’s Spring Soirée on May 17 at the King’s Chapel Parish
    House Garden.
  • Mayor Wu Announces Safety Surge

    By Michael Coughlin Jr.In a press conference at Thetford Evans Playground in Mattapan on Monday, May 22, Mayor Michelle Wu unveiled the City of Boston’s Safety Surge, an initiative to make city streets safer for everyone.As part of this initiative, the city is committing to installing speed humps, redesigning intersections, and updating traffic signal guidelines throughout all neighborhoods to enhance street safety.“We are looking to having safer streets all across Boston. Not just h
  • BHAC Remands Application to Subcommittee

    The Beacon Hill Architectural Commission remanded an application from The Vilna Shul at 18 Phillips St., which has proposed modifying and restoring its existing front plaza,  to a newly created subcommittee at the commission’s monthly public hearing held virtually on Thursday, May 18.The commission had previously heard an advisory review on this project at last month’s virtual public-hearing on April 20, and the applicant subsequently modified and refined their plans in response
  • Boston Traffic Advisory for May 24–28

    Events happening in the City of Boston this week will bring some parking restrictions and street closures. People attending these events are encouraged to walk, bike, or take public transit. Information on Bluebikes, the regional bike share service, may be found on the Bluebikes website and information on the MBTA may be found online. The MBTA advises riders to purchase a round-trip rather than a one-way ticket for a faster return trip. Walking is also a great way to move around.BACK BAY/ D
  • Beacon Hill Won’t Be Able To Ever Solve Its Rat Problem Until the City Changes the Garbage Pickup Schedule

    By Robert A. WhitneyI have lived on Beacon Hill since 1985, and I have been living with Beacon Hill’s rat problem ever since moving here – and it’s getting worse!  An Axios report in December 2022 cited Boston as the “rattiest” city in the nation, according to 2021 American Housing Survey data that ranked metro regions by the number of rodent sightings inside homes.  With 21.6% of respondents reporting rodent sightings, Boston beats Philadelphia’s 19
  • WLP Annual Fundraiser Returns To Park Plaza Hotel

    Women’s Lunch Place celebrated its 12th annual eat LUNCH give fundraiser on Friday, May 12, at the Grand Ballroom in the Park Plaza Hotel.The event was a celebration of the tireless work for the city’s homeless women that the Back Bay women’s shelter has performed in the four decades since its inception in November of 1982, as well as a networking event for companies, groups, and individuals interested in supporting WLP’s mission.This year’s fundraiser also honored
  • Let Us Remember Those Who “Gave the Last Full Measure”

    Although the Memorial Day weekend signifies the start of the summer season and is observed by families and friends who gather for barbecues and similar festivities, we should keep in mind that Memorial Day is our most solemn national holiday in which we remember those who gave their lives in defense of our country.Their sacrifice in the many wars our nation has fought since our country’s founding should serve as a reminder that freedom isn’t free.Although today we technically are at
  • Guest Op-Ed: Reevaluate Your Church Mission Spending

    Dr. Glenn Mollette For fifty years of my life, I’ve been associated with churches that have given over four million dollars collectively to outside denominational endeavors.The typical mainline denominational church/parish will collect weekly offerings from their members. A percentage of this money each month is given to a state office. The state office will in turn keep a large percentage of the money for state denominational purposes. The rest of it will be sent to the national offi
  • Barbara ‘Bobby’ Moore Receives 26th Annual Beacon Award

    During the Beacon Hill Civic Association’s 101st annual meeting on Monday, May 15, at the Somerset Club, Barbara W. Moore, affectionally known as “Bobby,” received the 26th annual Beacon Award for her “sustained and significant contribution to the Beacon Hill community.”Born and raised near Valley Forge, Pa., Barbara earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, School of Architecture & Design in 1953 before moving to Manhattan to work in adv
  • Duckling Day Makes Return for Mother’s Day

    Mother’s Day brought a sea of yellow ducklings to Boston Common and the Public Garden. Just over 2,500 children and their families enjoyed the festivities at the annual Duckling Day organized by the nonprofit Friends of the Public Garden. Attendees were excited to be outside in the sunshine and to participate in a variety of fun children’s activities.For over 40 years, the Duckling Parade has been a Mother’s Day tradition in Boston. Attendees enjoyed a
    party in Boston Comm
  • Beacon Hill Cleaners Recognized by City As ‘Legacy Business’

    A fixture of Charles Street for more than 30 years, the temporarily shuttered Beacon Hill Cleaners will be among the 30 recipients honored by the city as ‘Legacy Businesses’ at the inaugural Legacy Business Ceremony and Reception on Monday, May 22.Beacon Hill Cleaners had continuously operated at 151 Charles St. under the ownership of  Ledung Tran and her husband, Hai Tran, since opening in 1991 until early January of this year when the business was suddenly and unexpectedly dis
  • Wu Announces Debut of Digital Pop-Up Library

    Mayor Michelle Wu announced that riders at 20 bus stops across Boston are now able to access free digital content this spring and summer provided by a Boston Public Library (BPL) pilot program called “Browse, Borrow, Board.” While waiting for the bus, riders can use a QR code to browse and borrow audiobooks, eBooks, e-newspapers, and e-magazines for all ages before enjoying their reading materials on the go. Library cards are not required to use this service and readers don’t n
  • Rep. Michlewitz Endorses Durkan for City Council

    Ways & Means Chairman and State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz has endorsed Sharon Durkan for Boston City Council District 8.“I am proud to endorse our next City Councilor Sharon Durkan,” said Rep. Michlewitz. “Sharon’s strong advocacy for safer streets, improved infrastructure, and reliable public transit will make her an invaluable asset in the Council and a strong partner of the State House. With Sharon’s passion and unwavering dedication to enhancing the quality of l
  • Public Gets First Look at Design Concepts for Proposed ‘West End Green Corridor’

    The public got its first look at a project that envisions the creation of a “West End Green Corridor,” which would connect the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway with the Charles River Esplanade, during a presentation on Friday, May 12, in the Hub House community room adjoining North Station.The West End Civic Association’s Green Space Committee partnered with the landscape architecture department at UMass Amherst on the project. They conducted three virtual listening sessions (charrette
  • Wu Announces New Program To Support Tree Canopy Growth

    Mayor Michelle Wu joined Mass Audubon at the Boston Nature Center to announce a new City program to expand tree planting and maintenance on private land. The City has selected Mass Audubon to design and operate a program to support tree canopy growth on private property in Boston. Mass Audubon will serve as the convener of the Tree Alliance, which will include a larger group of non-profits who will collaborate on an annual plan for tree planting, maintenance, and public education activities for&
  • North Washington Street Bridge Construction Look-Ahead Through May 27

    Construction Look-Ahead for the North Washington St Bridge Project through May 27 is as follows:This is a brief overview of construction operations and impacts for the North Washington Street Bridge Replacement Project. MassDOT will provide additional notices as needed for high-impact work and changes to traffic configurations beyond those described below.Scheduled Work• Installation of concrete deck placements• Installation of bridge deck formwork• Installation of electrical util
  • Traffic Advisory for May 17- May 21

    Events happening in the City of Boston this week will bring some parking restrictions and street closures. People attending these events are encouraged to walk, bike, or take public transit. Information on Bluebikes, the regional bike share service, may be found on the Bluebikes website and information on the MBTA may be found online. The MBTA advises riders to purchase a round-trip rather than a one-way ticket for a faster return trip. Walking is also a great way to move around.DowntownYouth Pr
  • The Advent School Holds Spring Benefit

    The Advent School held its Spring Benefit fundraiser on April 28 at Boston Public Market. Shown are teachers Holly Hennick, Caroline Collins, Molly McDermott, Rosa Vega, Rachel Beckman, Liz Collins, and Chloe Adler.
  • Historic New England Reimagining Otis House Campus Amid Proposed Development in Neighborhood

    With several major development projects set to get underway in the neighborhood, including the proposed development on the West End Branch Library, Historic New England is now beginning to reimagine its Otis House campus on Cambridge Street as a “community cultural anchor.”Historic New England, a nonprofit regional-heritage organization, is partnering with the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH) and the city, as well as NADAAA, a Boston cultural and urban design firm, to help redef
  • ADA Montez Haywood Enters Race for District 8 City Council Seat

    Montez Haywood, a longtime assistant district attorney at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, as well as a West End resident, has joined the race to fill the District 8 City Council seat recently vacated by Kenzie Bok.Haywood, age 43, was born in Flint, Mich., and raised in Antioch, Tenn. He relocated to Massachusetts in 2001 to attend Southern New England School of Law (now University of Massachusetts School of Law in Dartmouth). Upon earning his law degree in 2004, Haywood wor
  • Night Shift Beer Garden Returns to the Esplanade for Another Season

    A popular seasonal attraction in the park, the Esplanade’s outdoor beer garden is again open for business.Everett’s Night Shift Brewing, in partnership with the Esplanade Association, has brought back its Night Shift Beer Gardens, Esplanade (formerly Owl’s Nest) to a self-contained area in the park located between Berkeley and Clarendon streets along the  Storrow Lagoon (use the Dartmouth Street footbridge for access). Hours of operation are Wednesdays through Fridays, 4 t
  • Literary Lights Fundraising Dinner at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

    The Associates of the Boston Public Library hosted its 33rd Annual Literary Lights dinner on Sunday, April 30, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. Literary Lights is the Associates’ largest annual fundraiser and one of its primary sources of support for its preservation initiatives. This black-tie-optional event honoring outstanding writers from the Northeast successfully raised over a half-a-million dollars of vital funds to support the preservation of the Boston Public Library’s Sp
  • Beacon Hill Resident Takes Second Place in Bill of Rights Student Essay Contest

    Adam Whitney, a 16-years-old sophomore at Boston Latin School and a lifelong resident of Beacon Hill, earned second place in the 2023 Bill of Rights student essay contest sponsored by the Massachusetts Federal District Court and the Massachusetts Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.On May 3, Whitney read his winning essay out loud before a group of federal judges and magistrates at an awards ceremony held at the Federal Courthouse on the Seaport (pictured).His essay was on adding a new r
  • Hood Park Hosts First Annual Spring Fest

    Hood Park is excited to announce its inaugural Hood Park Spring Fest, which will take place on May 13, 2023, from 11:30am to 3:30pm. The public is welcome to join us for this springtime celebration, which will be held at Hood Park’s public green space which located at 100 Hood Park Drive and 6 Stack Street in Charlestown, MA and is admission free.Springfest promises to be a fun-filled day with a variety of local vendors and onsite retailers, including Tradesman, Landry’s Bicycles, Th
  • Community Boating Holds Open House

    Nicholas Valayannopoulos-Akrivou demonstrating how to rig a Cape Cod Mercury during the April 22
    Community Boating Open House.
  • ‘Cheese Guy’ on Duty at DeLuca’s

    Since arriving on the job at the end of October, Laurence Spitzer is already well ensconced as the self-described resident “Cheese Guy” of DeLuca’s Market at 11 Charles St.Spitzer, who lives in Holliston, just outside Framingham, has been a self-described “cheese monger” for a little more than 10 years now, working in the industry extensively during this time. He received The Crompton Scholarship, a national award from the American Cheese Society, in 2018 as top ret
  • Bok’s Staff Will Continue To Serve District 8 Constituents

    While Kenzie Bok stepped down as District 8 City Councilor on Friday, April 28, to assume her new role as administrator of the Boston Housing Authority, her office at City Hall will continue to serve constituents during the summer in Bok’s absence.“My staff, with the help of summer interns, will continue to perform constituent casework and community services, and will still liaise with City and State departments for assistance whenever necessary,” Bok wrote in her April 24 week
  • Duckling Day 2023 Returns Mother’s Day

    By Susan AbellDuckling Day is a beloved tradition since the late 1970s; we now have people who attended as children all grown up and bringing their own kids. Duckling Day is always on Mother’s Day, and this year it is Sunday, May 14 – the fun starts at 10 a.m.When the weather looks good, we often sell out, so we recommend buying your family admission sooner rather than later.  We celebrate rain or shine – any weather is nice weather for ducks!  We cap the event attend
  • Mayor Wu’s Neighborhood Coffee Hours Series Returns for ’23 Season

    Mayor Michelle Wu was on hand on Tuesday, May 2, at the Chinatown Branch of the Boston Public Library to kick off the 26th season of the Mayor’s Neighborhood Coffee Hours Series.The event was originally scheduled for Elliot Norton Park, and during his remarks, Boston Parks Commissioner Ryan Woods acknowledged Thomas Kauycheck, a Bay Village resident who died last October, for his longtime commitment to caring for the park.Like other upcoming Coffee Hours, guests enjoyed Dunkin’ iced
  • Bay Village Historic District Commission Meeting Set for May 9

    The Bay Village Historic District Commission will hold its next public hearing virtually on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 4 p.m.Please note: This hearing will be held virtually and not in person. To participate, please go to our Zoom meeting link or call 301-715-8592 and enter meeting ID 954 2449 4639 #. You can also email comments through email at [email protected] testimony begins at 4:00pmI. Advisory Review16 Piedmont Street: Construct rooftop addition, headhouse and deck.Ii. Status Of
  • Kenzie Bok Endorses Sharon Durkan To Succeed Her As Next District 8 City Councilor

    Special to TimesOn Friday, April 28, her last day in office before leaving to become administrator of the Boston Housing Authority, outgoing District 8 City Councilor Kenzie Bok announced her endorsement of Sharon Durkan to succeed her in the role as city councilor.Durkan, a Beacon Hill resident, announced her candidacy to represent District 8 on the Boston City Council over two weeks earlier.“I’m very proud to endorse Sharon Durkan to succeed me as District 8’s Boston City Cou
  • Women’s Lunch Place Fundraiser and Networking Luncheon Set for May 12 at Park Plaza Hotel

    When Women’s Lunch Place  holds its 12th annual ‘eat LUNCH give’ fundraiser and networking luncheon at the Park Plaza Hotel on Friday, May 12, the event will be a celebration of the tireless work for the city’s homeless women that the Back Bay women’s shelter has performed in the four decades since its inception in November of 1982.“This year, we’re celebrating our 40th anniversary, and the focus is on the impact that people have made over the past
  • Public Restrooms Now Open on the Common

    Special to TimesThis summer, the Friends of the Public Garden are excited to again welcome back the public restrooms on Boston Common, this year featuring artwork from Artists for Humanities.The restroom trailer is easily accessible for visitors to both Boston Common and the Public Garden. It is located along MacArthur Mall, halfway between the Charles/Beacon entrance to the Common and the mid-block crossing of Charles Street.They will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. through the fall.The res
  • BPHC Announces Scale Down of Standing COVID-19 Sites

    The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC)  announced it is scaling back vaccination and testing site operations starting May 13, due to a sustained decline in site utilization and patient volumes. Two sites, the Bruce C. Bolling located in Roxbury and Boston City Hall will remain in operation.    The following sites will cease operations on May 13: · BCYF Hyde Park  · Josephine Fiorentino Community Center · Lena Park Community De
  • Outdoor Performance Venue and Beer Garden Set To Open May 4 on the Common

    A new seasonal performance space and outdoor beer garden offering music, food, and beverages is set to open Thursday, May 4, on the Boston Common, the city announced two days earlier in a press release.The city released a Request For Proposals (RFP) in January 2023 “calling for vendors with experience running a successful food and beverage service program to operate and manage a hospitality destination that would enhance the southeast corner of the park,” according to the city. Emers
  • Esplanade Association Names Jen Mergel As First James and Audrey Foster Executive Director

    Special to TimesThe Board of Directors of the Esplanade Association has announced Jen Mergel as the nonprofit organization’s new Executive Director, according to a press release from the group.Beginning June 1, Mergel will lead the non-profit dedicated to revitalizing and maintaining the iconic 64-acre park along the Charles River while providing engaging programming that benefits the broad community.           Mergel is a nationally respec
  • North Washington Street Bridge Construction Look-Ahead Through May 13

    The Construction Look-Ahead for the North Washington St. Bridge through May 13 is as follows:Scheduled Work• Installation of concrete deck placements• Installation of bridge deck formwork• Installation of electrical utility conduits on bridge structure• Installation of gas and water utilities on bridge structureWork Hours• Most work will be done during weekday daytime hours (6:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)Contraflow Pilot• The MassDOT-implemented contraflow pilot will
  • Lane Closures Start on Tobin Bridge

    The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced it has implemented evening and overnight lane closures on the Tobin Bridge on Route 1 southbound on the upper deck’s left lane, from the Everett Avenue on-ramp to approximately the old toll plaza area. The closures will occur during the months of May and June, (and is a continuation of work that began last month.)  The closures are occurring weekly, Mondays through Thursdays, starting each night at 6:00 p.m. and conclu
  • DA Hayden Appoints Edmond Zabin As First Assistant District Attorney

    Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden today announced the appointment of Edmond J. Zabin as first assistant district attorney, a key legal and administrative position in the office.“Ed brings an unmatched depth of experience, institutional knowledge and professional achievement to this vitally important position.  His guidance and acumen will be tremendously helpful as we set the course of the office in all of its many aspects—crime prevention strategies, illegal firearm initia
  • The Equation Is Very Simple: More Guns = More Shootings

    Although mass shootings — especially in schools — typically draw the most attention from the media, the reality is that these shootings account for a very small percentage of death-by-firearms in our country.The recent spate of random, isolated shootings — the 16 year-old boy who was shot by an 84 year-old man in Kansas City when he mistakenly knocked on his door; the 20 year-old young woman who was shot by a 65 year-old man in upstate NY when her car mistakenly  drove up
  • Parks and Recreation Summer Programs Now Online

    Looking for outdoor fun this summer? Check out the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s complete schedule of free events and activities for all ages. Visit boston.gov/parks to learn more.You can select from a variety of free activities such as concerts, movies, fitness classes, sports centers, watercolor painting workshops, and fun children’s activities. Highlights include:• Summer Fitness Series• The opening celebration at the Boston Common Frog Pond spray pool on
  • Chestnuts Friends Over Fifty Keeping Busy

    The Chestnuts Friends Over Fifty recently gathered at a member’s home on Joy Street on Beacon Hill.
    From left to right are members Genean Stec, Jin Brown, Wendy Oleksiak, Jeanne Jepsen, Cindy Sullivan,
    Paige Lescure, Elizabeth Angelino, and Patricia Butler (Not pictured: Martha McAllister.) This was a
    “Chestnuts Small Spots” event, which gathers a smaller group of between six and 12 women for more intimate conversations. The Chestnuts Friends Over Fifty is a social group that
05 Jun 2023
01 Jun 2023

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