• Advent School holds Coat Drive

    Special to the TimesAdvent School students hold signs advertising their Coat Drive. The school delivered more than 130 new coats to local children.
    Each December, The Advent School’s students and families join together for its annual Coat Drive, supporting an elementary school in Boston. This year, the school’s reach expanded to also include a new program, Kickoff for Kids, to provide winter jackets for children in need. Advent’s goal was a challenging&
  • Short Play Penned by Phillips St. Resident Rob Whitney to Premiere Next Month in Newburyport

    By Dan MurphyPhoto Courtesy Marcy Axelrad
    Longtime Phillips Street resident
    and now playwright, Rob
    Whitney.
    A short play written by Phillips Street resident Rob Whitney will be among eight works featured in the two-day New Works Festival 2026, which kicks off Saturday, Jan. 24, at The Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport.Over the past few years, Whitney and his wife, Marcy Axelrad, have regularly attend small theatre performances at the nonprofit Firehouse Center, along with Lyric Stage
  • Safety Concerns Rise around e-bikes, Scooters on Beacon Hill

    By Milena FernslerOh, the weather outside is frightful … but thankfully you don’t have to face the frigid Boston wind to pick up your lo mein next door. An irresistibly convenient alternative is at the fingertips of most Americans. With the aid of a delivery app, a courier can deliver a steaming dinner to your doorstep within the hour. But what are the consequences of all the mopeds, motorized scooters and e-bikes necessary to carry out these orders?New regulations for delivery comp
  • Route 55 Service won’t be Extended due to Ongoing Bus Repairs

    By Dan MurphyThe desired implementation of extended service on the MBTA’s Route 55 won’t come to pass this month as buses are now being taken out of service for maintenance.The T suspended service on the 55 bus route after the pandemic struck, and when service on the line was later restored in June of 2021, its daily hours were reduced to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., from the previous hours of 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The last stop on the line was also changed then to Copley Square from Park Street.A
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  • City Council Hearings Identify Operational Issues within Boston Police Department

    By Kiran RajamaniAn analysis of 10 months of Boston City Council hearings reveals that city councilors have repeatedly and consistently raised concerns about overtime spending, staffing levels, crime lab operations and a discriminatory promotion system at the city’s police department.An investigation by Boston University’s student newspaper, The Daily Free Press, revealed more than 200 instances of BPD-related concerns expressed during public meetings between Jan. 1, 2024, and Oct. 1
  • Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $750,000 in Grants to Support Greater Food Access

    Special to the TimesThe Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $779,458 in funding to improve food access in underserved communities throughout Massachusetts by increasing local food production. The funding will directly support the growth of urban farms, community gardens, and food business operations, targeting areas that struggle with food insecurity.Among the recipients are: $20,979 to Trustees of Reservations for  Improving pathways for senior and mobility-challenged garden implement
  • Annual Holiday Event Connects Hundreds of Boston Older Adults with Safety Training 

    Special to the TinesOn December 12, hundreds of older adults visited Boston City Hall for the annual Holiday Connections event, hosted by Boston’s AgeStrong Commission and AT&T. This long-standing collaboration has been held for more than 30 years and provides Boston’s older adults with one-on-one technology help, scam and fraud prevention workshops, safety presentations, free domestic and international calling and a day of fun holiday activities.“Age Strong is so
  • Uber Drivers Worried about Lack of Safety Protocols

    By Arielle ApplebyAfter a passenger looped a wire around an Uber driver’s neck and cinched it tight last month, police say the woman broke free and bolted from her car, screaming as she burst into the closest store in sight, pleading for someone to call 911.While sitting at a red light at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Columbus Avenue in Boston’s South End, police say Christopher Dawkins, 24, of Dorchester, looped a wire around an Uber driver’s neck and strangled
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  • State Fire Marshal Reminds Residents Beware of Christmas Tree Fire Hazards

    Special to the TimesAs the holiday season gets underway, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine is reminding residents to select Christmas trees carefully, water them every day, and decorate them safely to reduce the risk of a fire.“A dry Christmas tree can burn like a forest fire in your home,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “Water it every day, or firefighters might have to do it for you.”The Department of Fire Services recommends the following Christmas tree safety tips to
  • MBTA Achieves Major Milestone with the Historic Daniels-Finegold Settlement 

    Special to the TimesThe Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), disability advocates, and original plaintiffs of a landmark accessibility lawsuit came together December 10, 2025, to celebrate a historic milestone in the ongoing effort to make public transit accessible to all.  After 19 years of steady improvements to the accessibility of its system, the MBTA has fulfilled a substantial amount of its obligations under the 2006 Joanne Daniels-Finegold, et al. v. Massachus
  • There’s Still Time to Help those in Need

    It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just a week away. We realize that the compressed holiday shopping season has put even more pressure than usual on all of us, but we hope that all of our readers can find the time to remember those in need this holiday season.The stock market may be booming and unemployment is still near an all-time low, but there was the depressing news this past week that homelessness among Americans once again has increased in the past year and millions of American
  • Save the Harbor is giving out $300,000 for Free Beach Events

    Special to the Times Through the Better Beaches Program, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) are looking for input from community organizations, local groups, and artists to bring diverse and interesting events to DCR beaches in Nahant, Lynn, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy, and Hull.Events will be free for community members to attend and should reflect the many interests and identities of the community. Anyone
  • Obituaries 12-18-2025

    Edward Lorden DeMoreHe was a self-made man of intensity and authentic curiosity who lived life fullyEdward Lorden DeMore, 79, known affectionately to friends and family as Ed or Eddy, passed away unexpectedly at his home in the North End of Boston on November 28, 2025.Born on May 30, 1946, in Somerville, Edward was raised in humble beginnings, one of four children born to the late Anne M. (Lorden) DeMore and Vincent J. DeMore. A self-described “kid who grew up in Davis Square,” these
  • NHBA Holds Annual Holiday Stroll

    The Beacon Hill Business Association held its annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, Dec. Shown above, The Flat of the Hill was one of the participants of the Holiday Stroll.
    J. McLaughlin The Back Bay Ringers preform.
  • E.R. Butler & Co. Marks 25 Years on the Hill

    By Dan MurphyPhoto Courtesy Nina Castellion (Courtesy of E.R. Butler & Co.)
    A look inside E.R. Butler & Co.’s showroom at 38 Charles St.
    E.R. Butler & Co. is marking 25 years on Beacon Hill this month, since the manufacturer and seller of American hardware first opened its sole retail showroom at 38 Charles St. in late 2000.The New York City-based company, which specializes in architectural hardware in early American, Federal and Georgian styles, was established in 1990, althou
  • T’s Green Line Service Suspended until Dec. 15

    By Dan MurphyService on all branches of the MBTA’s Green line is temporarily shut down until Dec. 22 to allow for the replacement of 130-year-old infrastructure.Beginning Dec. 8, service on the Green Line service between North Station and Babcock Street on the B Branch, Kenmore on the C and D Branches, and Heath Street on the E Branch is being suspended for 15 consecutive days. Regular Green Line service continues to operate on the Green line between Nor
  • Wu Shares Boston’s Winter Weather Preparations

    Special to the TimesMayor Michelle Wu and City officials has announced winter weather preparations currently underway in the City of Boston and resources available to residents and those who are most at risk, including older residents, those with disabilities, and individuals experiencing homelessness. “As the winter season approaches, we are making preparations to ensure all Boston residents are connected to the resources they need all season long,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. &ldq
  • Park Street School Celebrates 25 Years of Opening its Doors

    Special to the TimesIt began as a wish in 1999. It grew into a desire.And then, Park Street School (PSS) became a realized dream, backed by research. Long waiting lists at preschools in downtown Boston provided convincing evidence that there was demand for a high-quality preschool. A group of mothers met and dreamed, and Park Street Kids was born – officially incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the fall of 1999. With 36 Toddlers and Preschoolers enrolled and four faculty and staff,
  • Deborah Jones, Nursing Dean and Chief Integration Officer at University of Texas Medical Branch, Appointed President at MGH Institute of Health Professions

    Deborah J. Jones, PhD, MSN, RN, FAAN, Chief Integration Officer, Senior Vice President and School of Nursing Dean for The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), has been appointed president of the MGH Institute of Health Professions. “I am inspired by the IHP’s mission to educate health professionals and researchers who will drive innovation in the delivery of equitable and interprofessional care,” said Jones. “This mission aligns deeply with my own purpose, whic
  • Two pedestrian bridges designed by Hill resident Miguel Rosales receive total of three awards

    Three prestigious bridge design awards were recently awarded to a pair of pedestrian bridges designed by longtime Beacon Hill resident Miguel Rosales.​The Marion Street Bridge in Seattle, Wash., was named the grand prize winner in the discipline of Architecture and subcategory of Infrastructure in the 18th edition of Grands Prix Du Design awards ceremony held in Montreal, Canada.​Additionally, the Hickory Rivewalk Bridge in Hickory, N.C., was recognized in the category of Architectur
  • Remember those in need on your holiday shopping list

    Americans already have been spending a record amount of money thus far this holiday season, spurred on by the extended “Black Friday” (we are using quotes because Black Friday sales began in early November), Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday shopping days.However, amidst our zeal to find the “perfect” gifts for our family members and friends, we hope that our readers make the effort, no matter how small, to remember those in need this holiday season.Homelessness i
  • Neighborhood Roundup 12-5-25

    Nichols House Museum offers holiday eventsThe Nichols House Museum, located at 55 Mt. Vernon St., offers Candlelight Tours on Dec. 9 and 17 at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.Experience the Nichols House by (electric) candlelight on one of our evening tours. Each room is bedecked with seasonal trimming inspired by Nichols family traditions and turn-of-the-20th-century styles.The museum will then sponsor an Author Visit with Matt Tavares on Dec. 6 at 3 p.m.In partnership with Beacon Hill Books & Café
  • Mass. House passes Supplemental Budget to close Fiscal Year 2025

    The Massachusetts House of Representatives have passed a supplemental budget to address deficiencies, to make new necessary investments, and to  close the books on Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). The legislation appropriates $2.25 billion in gross spending, at a net cost to the state of $750 million, representing a reduction of almost $200  million from the Governor’s original proposal.  “This supplemental budget closes the books on FY25, and aims to fortify the Commonwealth&
  • Wu announces youth job applications open for 2025-2026 school year

    Mayor Michelle Wu and the Office of Youth Employment and Opportunity (YEO) have announced that youth job applications are now open for the 2025-2026 School Year.The program currently has over 2,000 employment opportunities available for Boston youth and young adults ages 14-24.Program HighlightsApplication: Youth can apply online at futureBOS, the centralized hub for all City employment opportunities, including the flagship SuccessLink program.Funding: The City provided $23.3 million in its FY26
  • Boston Parks Department brings Forever Young Program indoors for winter

    Special to the TimesThe Boston Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF), is excited to announce the return of the Forever Young Program for older adults.To keep seniors active, social, and warm all season, the free program is moving indoors to the Carter Playground Bubble.Program DetailsWhat: The program provides a welcoming indoor space for fun and fitness, featuring activities such as bocce, cornhole, walking, and weekly special events
  • Boston Parks and Recreation opensregistration for free youth flag football league

    The Boston Parks and Recreation Department has announced that registration is now open for the 2026 Boston Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL), a free co-ed sports program.The league provides an inclusive environment for young athletes and runs from January 3 to February 7, 2026.League DetailsLocation: Carter Playground Bubble, 709 Columbus Avenue, South End.Schedule: Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m..Divisions: Co-ed categories for 8U, 10U, and 12U, as well as a High School Girls division.
  • Revolutionary Spaces announces December Events, featuring free admission and Boston Tea Party commemoration

    Revolutionary Spaces, the organization stewarding the iconic Freedom Trail landmarks the Old State House and Old South Meeting House, invites visitors to experience a schedule of special events throughout December. Revolutionary Spaces was formed in 2020 by the merger of the Bostonian Society and the Old South Association.Family-Friendly EventsFree Admission for Boston Families: In partnership with Mayor Wu’s Boston Family Days, Revolutionary Spaces offers free admission on Sunday, Decembe
  • 2026 Mini-Grant opportunities supportingmental health and violence prevention for youth

    $100,000 in total funding is available through the Mayor’s Office of Women’s AdvancementSpecial to the TimesThe Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement (MOWA) today announced the launch of two 2026 mini-grant opportunities totaling $100,000 to support community-based organizations working to strengthen mental health, prevent violence, and promote the well-being of Boston’s youth.The Women and Girls Mental Health Mini-Grant and the Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Vi
  • BINA Farm Center’s ‘Horsing Around at the Mandarin’ fundraiser raises $775,000

    Special to the TimesMany Beacon Hill residents helped kick off BINA Farm Center’s Beyond the Barn Capital Campaign on Saturday, Nov. 15, at their 16th annual ‘Horsing Around at the Mandarin’ black-tie gala. Founded by Coryn and Babak Bina, the event raised $775,000 to go towards the non-profit’s acquisition of BINA’s new Equestrian and Community Center in Sudbury.The event was emceed by Kamran and Aidin Bina who introduced Brian Cox, from the HBO hit series &ls
  • Part One Crime in Area A-1 Down Negligibly

    By Dan MurphyHeading into this Thanksgiving, the rate of Part One crime in Area A-1 was negligibly less than last year.According to Boston Police, 1,971 incidents of Part One crime were reported in the district, which includes Beacon Hill, Chinatown, Downtown, and the North End, between Jan. 1 and Nov. 9, 2025, compared with 1,977 incidents during the same timeframe last year.This year marked a nearly 7-percent increase from the five-year average of 1,846 Part One crime incidents in the district
  • Wu Joins in the Annual Holiday Tree for Boston Cutting Ceremony in Nova Scotia

    Special to the TimesMayor’s office Photos By Paul Bologna
    This marks the 54th year of the annual tree donation, celebrating 108 years of friendship between Boston and Nova Scotia. The tradition honors the
    people of Boston for their emergency assistance following the devastating 1917 munitions explosion in Halifax Harbor. .Mayor Michelle Wu takes part
    in the cutting of the 45-foot white spruce
    Waddie Long, Natural Resources Environmental Technology instructor at Nova Scotia Community Colleg
  • Transparency Still Needed Despite MWRA Tabling Board Vote on CSO Plan

    By Times staffAlthough the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) ultimately didn’t vote on the recently proposed Combined Sewer Overflows plan at its Nov. 19 board meeting, transparency is still being urged in the decision-making process going forward to allow the public  to participate in the process.A few weeks ago, the MWRA and the cities of Cambridge and Somerville unveiled sewage control proposals that raised serious concerns regarding what public health and the Clean Wa
  • Swearing in Ceremony for Mayor Wu and the Boston City Council Set for January 5 

    Special to the TimesThe 2026 Boston Inauguration Committee announced that the City of Boston will host Mayor Michelle Wu’s swearing in ceremony for her second term as mayor on the first Monday of the year in accordance with the City Charter, on January 5, 2026 at 10 a.m. The inauguration ceremony for Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston City Council will take place at the historic Boston Symphony Hall. Following the ceremony, Mayor Michelle Wu will host a series of events and activations throu
  • Individual Shot on Bowdoin Street, Hospitalized with Life-threatening Injuries

    By Times staffAn individual was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being shot on Bowdoin Street on the morning of Friday, Nov. 14, boston.com reported.At about 9:15 a.m., Boston Police responded to a report of a person shot at 39 Bowdoin St., described as a lodging house, where they located a victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was then transported to an area hospital.The victim’s name hasn’t been released, and no further information on the incident was a
  • An Appetite for Art – the Future of Art in Boston 

    By Arielle ApplebyDoors to the stately brick-walled SoWa Power Station opened to a maze of contemporary art booths on a nippy Thursday night in October. The smell of fresh paint lingered, ambient jazz cushioned a buzz of voices and laughter, while the signature sound of cocktail shakers prepped drinks for an edgy young crowd. Many members of Boston’s new generation say they are hungry for art, and perhaps for the first time, their appetite was satiated at the Affordable Art Fair held
  • Wu Celebrates Progress of Greater Boston Collaborative Food Access Hub Amid National Snap Emergency

    Special to the TimesMayor Michelle Wu gathered with partners of the Greater Boston Collaborative Food Access Hub for a one-year progress update on the Hub’s operations as partners work to address food insecurity exacerbated by the federal government shutdown and delay in SNAP benefits. In its first year of operations, the Food Access Hub served an average of 20,000 individuals every month, distributing almost 62,000 pounds of produce, on average, every single week. In one year, organizatio
  • Boston Harbor Now Bolsters Resilient, Welcoming Harborwalk

    Special to the TimesBuilding on its nearly 10 years of work to create a vibrant, welcoming, and resilient Boston Harborwalk, Boston Harbor Now has appointed its first-ever Senior Manager for Harborwalk, Access and Resilience overseeing the 43-mile coastline public trail.The recruitment of Jason Rundle, a coastal access and environmental advocate who also holds a graduate degree in public health, puts a dedicated lead and champion in charge of all aspects of implementing Boston Har
  • Water Authority Board Tables Vote on Proposal to Dump Sewage in Charles River Forever

    Special to the TimesFollowing a wave of public outrage over the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s (MWRA) recently-proposed plan to allow for sewage to continue to be dumped into the Charles River forever, the MWRA Board of Directors has tabled a scheduled vote on the proposal at its November 19 meeting.“The public has responded loud and clear. No amount of sewage is acceptable to be dumped in our beloved Charles River,” said CRWA Executive Director Emily Norton. “
  • New England Aquarium Invites Families to Special Screening of Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo

    The New England Aquarium is hosting a family movie night during Thanksgiving weekend with a special screening of Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo on the Simons Theatre’s five-story giant screen.This family-friendly evening offers audiences the chance to revisit the ocean adventure that introduced millions to the wonders of marine life, from clownfish and blue tangs to sea turtles and white sharks. The screening provides an opportunity to connect beloved animated characters with the re
  • City of Boston and Northeastern Announce New Five-year Pilot Agreement and 10-Year

    institutional master plan, including historic commitments on housing and community benefitsSpecial to the TimesThe City of Boston and Northeastern University announced landmark agreements on an Institutional Master Plan (IMP) and Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT), which include unprecedented housing commitments and community benefits for the City and neighborhoods around Northeastern. The IMP includes approximately $62.5 million in community benefits over the next 10 years, as well as $16.5 milli
  • SoWa: the Creative Enclave Thriving Just Off Boston’s Grid

    By Arielle ApplebyAn artist takes the long way to her studio, passing through a tranquil park bathed in morning light. She is alone, save a few squirrels and a grandmotherly figure thumbing pages of an old book on a nearby bench. She stops to admire a grand fountain and the crystalline droplets dancing in the morning light.She may have slept through her alarm this morning, and a considerable queue of emails is waiting at the office, but there is no firm timeline in her work routine. She lives th
  • More Than Words Shifts to Thrift as it Meets Changing Consumer Needs

    Special to the TimesMore Than Words, the Boston-based nonprofit social enterprise that empowers system-involved youth through paid work experience and leadership development, announced a major evolution of its retail business model. Beginning this month, the organization’s flagship Boston bookstore at 242 East Berkeley Street will evolve to include a curated thrift shopping experience featuring pre-loved clothing, home goods, and small furniture, in addition to its longstanding book offeri
  • Coastal Climate Resiliency Issues at the Center of the Massachusetts MBC Annual Hearing

    Special to the TimesThe Metropolitan Beaches Commission (MBC) and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay hosted their annual hearing at the Massachusetts State House on the condition of the 15 metropolitan beaches stewarded by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). DCR’s new Commissioner, Nicole LaChapelle, testified on the agency’s ongoing work to ensure the beaches are welcoming to all and strengthen the resiliency of DCR properties along the Boston coastline.“Our coastli
  • Annual Veterans Day Parade

    Mayor’s Office Photo by Mike Mejia
    The city held its annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 8, to honor the service and sacrifices of all
    who have served and those who continue to serve. This year’s parade featured 40 veteran-supporting organizations from across the state and over 1,100 participants.
  • Restored Madonna and Child Tiffany Window Returns Home

    By Dan MurphyCourtesy of Serpentino Studio
    A close-up of the Madonna and Child detail after conservation.
    After undergoing an approximately year-long, off-site conservation process, The Madonna and Child Window has returned home to the sanctuary of Church of the Covenant in the Back Bay.Between 1894 and 1897, the sanctuary at the church, located at 67 Newbury St., was completely redecorated by Tiffany Glass and Decorating Co., including the installation of “glass mosaic at the front, the h
  • City Offering Incentives for Landlords Who Rent to Individuals Transitioning Out of Homelessness

    By Dan MurphyThe city is now offering two programs that give significant incentives for landlords of Boston properties who rent to individuals transitioning out of homelessness.The city’s Home for the Holidays campaign is seeking to support landlords who rent to individuals moving out of homelessness by matching households who have rental assistance vouchers with available units.The program provides landlords with signing bonuses, up to two-months’ rent, and also offers stability to
  • Minds Matter Boston Named Community Captain by Bank of America and Patriots Foundation, Receives Grant Toward Mission of Prepping Students for Success

     Special to the TimesBank of America and the New England Patriots Foundation recently awarded $50,000 grants to several charitable organizations, including Minds Matter Boston, a non-profit that helps students from low-income families prepare for educational success. Minds Matter Boston will use the grant to expand their program, which has traditionally focused on high school students, to include college students as well. Bank of America Massachusetts President Miceal Chamberlain greet
  • Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1 Million for Guild House Retrofit

    By Dan MurphyVia the fourth round of funding allocated through its Climate Ready Housing program, the Healey-Driscoll administration has awarded $1 million to the Planning Office for Urban Affairs for the ‘deep energy retrofit’ of The Guild House in Kenmore Square.The proposed 100-percent affordable project at 20 Charlesgate West, made possible via a partnership between the city’s Planning Office for Urban Affairs and the nonprofit Fenway Forward (formerly the Fenway CDC [Commu
  • With Cold Weather on the Way, State Fire Marshal Urges Heating Fire Safety

    Special to the TimesWith temperatures falling into the 30s this week, Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine is reminding residents protect themselves and their loved ones from some of the most common home heating hazards.“Most of Massachusetts will see some of the coldest weather since last winter over the next few days,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. “Heating equipment is the leading cause of carbon monoxide at home and the second leading cause of residential
  • Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $1.1 Million for Public Safety Initiatives

    The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $1,155,240 in public safety grants through the Commonwealth Project Safe Neighborhood (CPSN) Initiative and the Human Trafficking Enforcement and Training Grant Program. These awards strengthen partnerships between state and local law enforcement, enhance prosecution of violent crime and human trafficking, and expand community-based prevention and intervention services.For the Commonwealth Project Safe Neighborhood Grant, Suffolk County District Attor
24 Dec 2025
19 Dec 2025

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