On July 28, George Washburn, building superintendent of the 122 Bowdoin St. apartment building, received certificates from the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate, recognizing him for his more than 50 years of service. The occasion also marked Washurn’s 82nd birthday with a reception at 122 Bowdoin St.
Washburn began working at the building in 1959, several months before Sen. John F. Kennedy became a resident of 122 Bowdoin St., and served in several capacities at the building before being named superintendent. Washburn is also well known around the Beacon Hill community.
Pictured, left to right are: George Washburn; Marty Reilly, a State House lobbyist and former building resident; Howard Leeder of Brookline-based Leedership Management Co., which manages the building; and Walter Laughlin, CFO of Leedership Management Co.

A Staniford Street resident and alleged aspiring bank robber told police he would have returned the money he stole to the teller - if only she had given it to him in the first place.
Joseph Campbell, 45, was arrested and charged with attempted bank robbery last week, according to Boston Police.
At around 3:59 p.m. last Tuesday, July 28, Area A-1 officers arrived at the Sovereign Bank at 125 Causeway St. for a report of a silent bank alarm and learned that a male suspect had walked into the bank and approached a teller.
“This is a robbery. Give me $2,000 in large bills,” the suspect demanded. “No alarm, and no police!”
The teller told police she pushed the panic alarm before informing the suspect that she didn’t have that much money in the drawer. The suspect then fled the bank and ran down Canal Street in the direction of Haymarket Square.
Responding officers also received a description of the suspect and his clothing from the teller. Based on additional investigation, police also learned that the suspect perhaps lived nearby.
Officers then obtained video surveillance footage from the bank and spoke with nearby security officers, who said the suspect may live at 25 Staniford St.
Approximately one hour after the attempted robbery occurred, officers and detectives found the suspect at the Staniford Street address.
The suspect told officers that he was sorry for scaring the teller and that he would have given back the money if the she had given it to him.
Officers also recovered both the hat and shirt the suspect had worn during the attempted robbery.

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department announced the completion of renovations to Phillips Street Park, located at 21 Phillips Street on Beacon Hill, has been delayed due to ongoing utility work and unexpected modifications to existing retaining walls. The construction project at the park will resume after the utility company has completed its work.
The $460,000 renovation to the park includes an upper plaza with brick paving, ornamental metal fencing, benches and game tables, and a lower plaza with a sculptural play structure for children 5-12 years old. An amphitheater seating wall with tiered levels will provide additional flexible seating for the lower plaza, and ornamental metal fencing will protect the plant beds. New drainage systems and planting are also part of the overall park design.
Work on the park improvements began last October. Construction was suspended due to inclement weather during the winter and resumed in April. To date, completed work includes drainage installation, including a new dry well, 80 percent of concrete curbing, and concrete seating and retaining walls, light poles, and play equipment. After utility issues have been resolved, finish work will begin, including plantings, lighting, concrete and brick paving, ornamental fencing, site furnishings, rubber play surfacing, and the remaining curbing.
Updates regarding the construction schedule will be released as they become available. For more information, please call the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-4505.

City Council President Mike Ross and City Councilor Sal LaMattina first established the North End/Beacon Hill Problem Property Task Force nearly three years ago to help alleviate growing tension between students and other residents living in the two areas, but it has since grown into a forum to address a wide range of quality-of-life concerns facing both neighborhoods.
“The task force has been very successful in addressing issues, whatever they might be,” Ross said. “For the most part, people are trying to work together, and it’s a way to promote residents and students living together in a harmonious environment.”
Every two weeks, Ross and LaMattina, who have jurisdiction over Beacon Hill and the North End respectively, meet with dedicated community members and representatives from Boston Police Area A-1, Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s office, the city’s Inspectional Services Department (ISD), Suffolk University and Emerson College to discuss loud party disturbances, unkempt properties, roof deck violations and other issues.
“It’s a great venue to deal [with] and address problems immediately,” LaMattina said. “Both Mike and I take it seriously, and we work together.”
The task force notifies landlords of problem properties in writing, of current or persisting issues, asking them to take responsibility for the disturbances. Property owners are also sometimes asked to meet with the group in an effort to open communication between the two parties.
Perhaps the group’s most notable accomplishment to date came when Ross and LaMattina helped pen legislation that put new restrictions on roof-deck access and entry in the city. This was in direct response to a public comment session from a task force meeting, Ross said.
Ross was also on board for the launch of the city’s first task force in Jamaica Plain three years ago, aiming to help improve relations between residents and Northeastern and Wentworth students. The success of the first group also led to a Fenway Task Force. Unlike its predecessors, however, the North End/Beacon Hill Problem Property Task Force is the first group that covers the issues shared by two neighborhoods and brings together two city councilors.
“We had great success with this as a sounding board for public issues…and it’s all in an effort to build stronger communities,” Ross said.
Residents are encouraged to call 911 when they see a problem-property violation occur, and also the Suffolk University Office of Neighborhood Response hotline at 617-549-7503.
They can also contact City Council President Mike Ross to report a problem property on Beacon Hill, or City Councilor Sal LaMattina to report one in the North End. Both councilors can be reached at 617-635-3040.

With a fresh batch of freshmen arriving at the end of the month, Suffolk University has already taken steps to make them more conscious – and considerate - of their neighbors.
Back in June, the school welcomed incoming students and their parents and screened a video entitled “Neighborhood U” that outlines its student behavior policy, both on- and off-campus, and includes appearances by Beacon Hill and North End residents and Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
“A college education is a significant investment, and parents and students hear the message we’re sending them,” said Mike Feeley of the school’s Office of External Affairs.
Suzanne Besser, executive director of the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA), also spoke to several small groups of students, welcoming them to the neighborhood and explaining life on the Hill, including the proximity of its houses.
Feeley said this firsthand exchange between students and their neighbors is the basis for promoting mutual respect between the two parties. “Looking someone in the eye is the foundation for building relations going forward,” he said.
When orientation begins later this month, students will meet Sgt. Tom Lema of the Boston Police, who will explain expectations of student behavior from the perspective of law enforcement.
“He speaks to them about the unique quality of the neighborhood, penalties for breaking the law, the subsequent reporting of incidents to the university and the outcome afterwards,” Feeley said.
School staff will also be on hand on “Moving Weekend” to greet students and their parents and emphasize the importance of being good neighbors – a message that students will hear repeatedly during their time at Suffolk.
“Orientation is part of a larger effort to make students aware of their responsibilities,” Feeley said.
The school created a dean of discipline position to, among other responsibilities, respond to information from police regarding students.
Three years ago, Suffolk opened its Office of Neighborhood Response. Richard Grealish, the department’s director, accompanies Boston Police on directed patrols of areas where many students live and congregate, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The school pays for these patrols.
“To have an administrator in the field makes kids aware of their responsibilities and is a real deterrent,” Feeley said.
The North End/Beacon Hill Problem Property Task Force has also helped deter rowdy behavior off-campus.
Established in October 2006 by City Council President Mike Ross and City Councilor Sal LaMattina, who have jurisdiction over Beacon Hill and the North End respectively, the committee brings together elected officials, police, neighbors and representatives from Suffolk and Emerson College to address loud parties and other quality-of-life issues involving students.
To further reinforce Suffolk’s message of being respectful neighbors, incoming students are also encouraged to take the class SU 101, which outlines expectations from students, the basics of living in the city, how to seek financial aid and tutoring, and other necessary information for newcomers to the school.

CAPTION: Victoria Soor.

Victoria Victoriahas been the owner of The Beacon Hill Framery at 107 Charles St. since March, but her expertise in the art of framing has been a lifetime in the making.
She previously owned frame shops in Williamsburg, Va. and Lincoln, Mass,. and her interesting life has taken her from Malaysia to New Mexico and back to Boston.
But today she’s enjoying life as a business owner at her popular shop, where she likes to make personal connections with Beacon Hill residents. Her list of clients includes such distinguished Bostonians as U.S. Senator John Kerry and Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., and even a prince. She also does a lot of work for Massachusetts General Hospital and other Boston institutions such as Northeastern and Harvard universities.
Victoria, as she is known by her clientele, has certainly taken a circuitous route to Charles Street.
She moved with her family from New England to Virginia when she was 10 years old. She and the South never clicked, so as a teenager she moved back to Boston and started working at Kennedy Studios on Joy Street.
She worked at the well-known framing studio for 10 years, culminating her service at its Faneuil Hall location. She became the administrative assistant at St. Margaret’s Convent in Louisburg Square.
“I then moved to Malaysia, where I met my daughter’s dad [Zali],” said Victoria, whose daughter, Kamalia, is now 23 years old and also lives in Boston.
The family moved back to Boston and Victoria took a position at Charrette Corporation. She then returned to Virginia and opened a frame shop in Colonial Williamsburg, operating it for 10 years.
She trekked back to Boston and opened a frame shop in Lincoln, where she met Louise Baptiste, a renowned paper conservator who also owns a business on Charles Street and works with the map collection at Harvard University in Cambridge. The two women have collaborated in their coinciding businesses for the past 15 years.
“Louise is a paper conservator and I work with old paper so it’s a really good connection to have,” said Victoria. “She refers clients to me and I refer clients to her that need things repaired.”
Following her time spent in Lincoln, Victoria moved to New Mexico where she met Rick Chavez, her current business associate and life partner. Together they operated a bakery in New Mexico and a restaurant in Navajo Nation in Window Rock, Arizona.
While she was living in New Mexico, Baptiste called to tell her that The Beacon Hill Framery shop was up for sale.
“So I called the owner of the shop [Peter Lanzetti] and Rick and I decided to purchase the business,” said Victoria. “I’ve sort of come full circle, where I started on Beacon Hill. I went away and did all kinds of things, and here I am back again in a great spot.”
She said her affinity for framing and working with wood may have been sparked by her heritage.
“My mother’s ancestors were cabinetmakers who came to Boston in the 17th century - which is where I get my love of wood,” said Victoria.
Most of Victoria’s frames are custom made for her clients, and the price range for her services varies widely.
“People frame pretty much everything: kids’ art, matchbooks, family photos, antique photos, wedding collages, family memorabilia, ” said Victoria. “People often frame things as a way to preserve them. I recently framed a brass compass set in blue velvet with an honorary plaque under it for a retiree from Mass General Hospital.”
What goes into selecting the perfect frame for a client?
“The main thing is knowing the person and picking what’s actually going to complement whatever it is they’re framing the best,” said Victoria. “It’s very expensive, so you want to make sure it’s done correctly.”
Victoria also sells all kinds of original prints and artwork at her shop, which represents artists from the Navajo Nation, including paintings and handmade jewelry. A Beacon Hill artist, Jean Cain, has a number of prints, including an exquisitely created Fenway Park piece available at the store.
Victoria has built up a reputation as an expert in her field.
“Victoria has a talent and a trained eye, and she’s quick in her decision making,” said Baptiste. “She knows all her materials from finished corners to Nelson metal frames. She really is an expert in her field, and she’s been doing it for a long time.
“She’s very knowledgeable about all facets of her work,” said Baptiste. “Victoria shows her clients that it’s the piece that’s important and that it should be taken care of properly and professionally.”
Victoria enjoys being a part of Beacon Hill residents’ lives on a personal basis.
“It’s a great way to meet interesting people and hear things about their lives that you would never otherwise hear because framing is a very personal thing,” said Victoria. “The work I do is about helping preserve what’s really important to them, and it reveals a lot of who they are.”
About her client Professor Gates, who has been in the news lately, she said, “Skip is an awesome person. He’s got a huge heart and is tirelessly committed to his work. He was kind enough to come to our grand opening before I even knew him.”
The Beacon Hill Framery is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Wednesdays (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). The shop is open Sundays, from noon to 5 p.m.

CAPTION: At-Large City Councilor John Connolly listens to a group of Boston residents during a hearing at the Copley BPL on July 28.

On Tuesday, July 28, At-Large City Councilor John R. Connolly joined more than 60 people from the Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Dorchester, the Fenway, Mission Hill and the South End at the Copley Branch of Boston Public Library for the third City Council hearing of the Special Committee on a Livable Boston.
Connolly, who chairs the committee and is a first-term city councilor, divided residents into six discussion groups, where facilitators fostered discussion about the definition of livability in Boston and residents’ major concerns. A brainstorming session for solutions followed.
The hearing reconvened to hear public testimony from a number of people. Many residents mentioned public safety and clean streets as their top concerns, while others discussed the desire for improvement in public schools.
Connolly said he has already begun work on one resident’s idea and is looking forward to more input from residents.
The mission of the committee is to examine the impact of the recession on Boston residents, to discuss the challenges that people face in making the city their home for a lifetime and to find new ways to make Boston more livable.
Speaking to the mission of the committee, Connolly said, “We’re looking at the reasons people either stay or leave Boston. We’re looking at why so many people struggle with staying in a city they want to make home. We’ve already begun to work on some ideas that residents have had.”
Connolly then discussed the adverse effects of residents leaving the city.
“The city’s future hinges on people choosing to live here for the long term,” Connolly. “When someone leaves Boston for whatever reason, we lose a potential Little League coach, civic leader, or neighbor who starts the crime watch. We lose the people who are the heart of our neighborhoods.”
The two previous hearings were held in Jamaica Plain and Dorchester.