The Beacon Hill Civic Association will host a public meeting to enable residents to come and learn more about the project and to provide feedback to the developer.  The meeting will be held on Monday, June 24th at 6:30pm at 74 Joy Street. All are welcome.

Good questions deserve good answers, and that’s what you’ll get from joining Beacon Hill Village members and downtown Boston neighbors at Cambridge Trust’s branch bank at 65 Beacon Street on Thursday, June 27 at 6 p.m.

For more than a decade Beacon Hill Village has offered downtown residents fun, camaraderie, new friendships, access to information about their well-being and the practical help—grocery shopping, transportation, emergency help and referrals to vetted service providers in home repair, computer skills and home care—that people need as they grow older.

Even if you don’t need all the help the Village can provide, membership is an insurance policy to make sure it’s there when you do need it.

Beacon Hill Village, the first in the nation, has inspired a whole movement of adults taking matters into their own hands to stay in their homes in the neighborhoods they love. There are now more than 100 Villages in operation throughout the country and many more in development.

Be part of this independence movement. Join Village enthusiasts on June  27 and learn how you can enjoy the what Beacon Hill Village offers. To RSVP, email info@beaconhillvillage.org or call (617)723-9713.

“I’m even more energized now after not being there for five years,” said Bina-Seibel, who co-owns Lala Rokh on Mount Vernon Street, Bin 26 Enoteca on Charles Street and BiNA osteria & alimentari on Washington Street with her brother Babak Bina. “It was so sad five years ago when I went. I felt guilty for living the way I do here.”

At her husband’s behest, Bina-Seibel, who had previously operated an Italian restaurant, opened Lala Rokh in 1996 to introduce people to not only Persian foods, but also her mother’s cooking. Among the bounties from her trip to Iran’s capital of Tehran were several suitcases full of herbs and spices that lend Lala Rokh its authentic flavor.

“You can find cumin here, but it’s not the same,” Bina-Seibel told WBUR.

Besides Persian cuisine, Bina-Seibel said she hopes Lala Rokh, which takes its name from an epic work by the Irish poet Thomas Moore, has effectively introduced Americans to the rich cultural history of Iran.

“We wanted to bring that to the people,” Bina-Seibel said.

As for her observations on how Iran has changed in the time she was away, Bina-Seibel said she sensed a new optimism apparent in the country’s artists who are now using far more color in their once-drab palettes.

“Five years ago, I didn’t see that in their pictures,” Bina-Seibel said.

Traveling with his son, Adam, Nimoy visited the West End Museum to shoot footage for a family film and view the current exhibit of photographs from Jules Aarons.

According to museum curator Duane Lucia, Nimoy spotted his grandmother in one of the photos, which launched a flood of memories of his early days growing up in the melting pot that was the West End of the 1930s and 1940s.

“He had many question regarding how the neighborhood has changed since urban renewal,” said Lucia. “We looked at the old maps of the neighborhood and he got his bearings using St. Joseph’s Church on Cardinal O’Connell Way, which was formerly Chambers Street across from where Nimoy lived.”

The church is the most prominent building that survived the transformation of the neighborhood in the early 1960s.

Museum tour guide Bruce Guarino provided background and context on the many artifacts and photos comprising the “Last Tenement” exhibit as well as the Aarons photos (on display through Aug. 3).

Nimoy then chatted with members of the museum’s board of directors and other visitors.

When Leonard and Adam Nimoy returned to the museum on June 7, they were accompanied by two camera crews. The Nimoys are working on a film about their family legacy and walked the neighborhood to get video at the Vilna Shul, St. Joseph’s Church, along Cambridge Street and Joy Street.

After the visit, Lucia posted this quote on his Facebook page: “Spent the afternoon on Friday with former West Ender Leonard Nimoy. He had some great stories about growing up in the West End and sounded amazingly like a typical neighborhood guy!”

06/04/13  – A Charles Street boutique reports unknown person(s) broke into the store and removed numerous purses and handbags at around 2 a.m.

Incidents

June 4

103 Charles St.  – Breaking and Entering, Non-Residence, Night – Force

June 6

158 Cambridge St. – Motor Vehicle Accident – Leaving Scene – Property Damage

June 7

14 Brimmer St.  – Towed Motor Vehicle

31 Brimmer St.  – Towed Motor Vehicle

June 8

71 Pinckney St.  – Larceny, Non-Accessory from Vehicle, Under $50

155 Charles St. – - Sick/Injured/Medical – Person

June 9

Charles Street       – Motor Vehicle Accident – Leaving Scene – Property Damage

June 10

60 Chestnut St. – Towed Motor Vehicle

Beacon Hill author Shelly Dickson Carr displays her debut novel, “Ripped: a Jack the Ripper Time-Travel Thriller.”

Beacon Hill resident and writer Shelly Dickson Carr’s debut novel “Ripped: a Jack the Ripper Time-Travel Thriller” was named Best First Book (YA Fiction) at the Independent Book Publishers Association’s Benjamin Franklin Awards last month in New York City.

Held at the Astor Ballroom in Times Square, the awards ceremony kicked off Book Expo America, which drew more than 20,000 readers, writers, publishers and book buyers.

In addition to the IBPA Gold Bill Fisher Award for Best First Book (YA Fiction), the novel garnered a Silver for Best New Voice and a Silver for Best Mystery/Suspense.

The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award, which recognizes excellence in both editorial and design, is regarded as one of the highest national honors in small and independent publishing.

Known by many of her friends and neighbors as Michelle Karol, the author said the awards are a great confidence boost, especially as she works on th sequel.

“To win three of these is just remarkable,” Carr said. “I am beyond happy – over the moon.”

The award is administered by the Independent Book Publishers Association, with the help of more than 160 book publishing professionals coming from the library, bookstore, reviewer, designer, publicity and editorial industry segments. This year was the 25th anniversary of the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards.

Published by New Book Partners in December of 2012, “Ripped” is available in soft cover at Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill, as well as independent bookstores and online outlets. It is also available as an eBook.

Carr’s grandfather was John Dickson Carr, who wrote more than 100 mysteries, many of which were set in England. Her grandfather lived in England for many years after falling in love with and marrying a

British woman, Clarice Cleaves. Shelly said her grandfather became more English, rather than her grandmother becoming more American, even after they moved to the United States.

Carr’s love of British culture, books and history primed her for recognizing the genius and appeal of “Downtown Abbey” before it was a household name here. After seeing the television drama years ago, she spearheaded the effort and succeeded in bringing the program to millions of homes in America.

On another trip to London – this time with fellow trustees for the Huntington Theatre in search of great plays to bring back to Boston – she thought anew about Jack the Ripper. She returned home with the skeleton sketch for her book, based on a Boston teen traveling back in time to Victorian London. The heroine, Katie Lennox, lands in the year 1888 when Jack the Ripper is terrorizing the city by killing young women. Katie knows she’s there to stop him.

On the heels of these awards, Carr is looking forward to a busy summer and fall, sharing “Ripped” with book lovers here and abroad. At the Boston

Book Festival in October, Carr will participate in a panel devoted to Young Adult books.

And in September, the author will be greet fans in London, where she has been asked to do a reading and book signing at the Tower of London. Formally known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress, Carr  was asked to read from her book at this historic castle to help “celebrate” the 125th anniversary of Jack the Ripper’s reign.

According to hospital officials, MEEI intends to partner with Meridiam Infrastructure of New York City to build a six-level, approximately 1,000-space garage beneath two at-grade parking lots that the hospital currently leases from the Department of Recreation and Conservation (DCR). The lots would in turn be converted into 3 acres of public parkland, which the hospital would build and maintain. MEEI also plans to construct an approximately 180,000 square-foot addition to the main hospital building at 243 Charles St. to accommodate the growth of biomedical research and additional patient care.

To build on the DCR-owned lots, however, the hospital must acquire legislation allowing the state to negotiate a “fair market” price for the long-term lease of the land.

While the plan would require the reconfiguration of Storrow Drive, John Fernandez, hospital president and CEO, said traffic flow on the roadway wouldn’t be disrupted during construction.

Fernandez also said the proposed garage would be accessible to the east and west of Storrow Drive, thereby diverting traffic from congested Charles Circle.

Fernandez and other hospital officials outlined the plan for more than 40 neighbors and other stakeholders last Monday, June 3, at an informational meeting sponsored by the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) Traffic and Parking Committee.

“We’re appreciative of Mass Eye and Ear’s president, staff and other professionals for taking the time to come to the community to detail where they are in the planning process, and to seek our support,” BHCA Chair Steve Young told the Times. “The Traffic and Parking Committee will consider the matter at its June 11 meeting and then come to the board with its recommendation.”

Fernandez said, “We were pleased with the productive feedback from our neighbors on Beacon Hill, and we look forward to working with them and all members of our community throughout the project review process.”

At about 2:15 p.m., on, May 30, police responded to a call for a sexual assault in the area of Anderson Street. According to the victim, the suspect approached her from behind and groped her. The victim further states that she yelled for help and, upon doing so, the suspect fled along Anderson Street towards Phillips Street.

The suspect is described as a white male in early 20s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a thin build and weighing approximately 150 pounds. He has fair skin, dark hair and dark eyes, and was wearing a black or gray flat-brimmed cap, black shirt and long shorts and sneakers.

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to call District A-1 detectives at 617-343-4248 or the Sexual Assault Unit at 617-343-4400.

At that time, the applicant outlined his proposal to convert an approximately 500 square-foot storefront at 120 Charles St. that was formerly home to Dakota Puffin Dog Boutique into an eatery called Eva’s. It would be primarily a take-out business, offering no indoor seating and only a small railing for customers to eat on the premises. The proposed hours of operation are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Eva’s would feature a small tabletop convection oven for cookies and other baked goods, but the applicant said there were no plans for frialators or any additional ovens.

In response to concerns about trash, the applicant said Eva’s would serve locally sourced bread, produce and other food items in an effort to produce less waste, as well as use biodegradable cups and straws made of corn.

The applicant agreed to enter into a standard “good neighbor” agreement for restaurants with the BHCA.

In another matter, the committee failed to reach a decision on a proposed shed dormer wath a single-family residence at 5 West Cedar St., with four votes to oppose granting the necessary zoning relief for the project, four votes not to oppose it and two abstentions.

The matter was previously discussed at the May 1 committee meeting, at which time the applicant withdrew the proposal and subsequently revised it after extensive dialogue with neighbors.

Committee co-chair Tom Clemens said the stalemate would be reported to the BHCA board of directors at its June 10 meeting. At that time, the board can vote to accept the committee’s position or to take a different stance on the proposal.

Meanwhile, Thomas A. Kershaw, chairman and CEO of the Hampshire House Corporation, which operates Hampshire House, Cheers Beacon Hill, Cheers Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 75 Chestnut, and 75 on Liberty Wharf, outlined his plans to open 75 on Cambridge at the former site of Grampy’s gas station at 209 Cambridge St.

Slated to open in the fall of 2014, the proposed 2,751 square-foot restaurant and bar would have a capacity of 114 and offer a similar menu to 75 Chestnut, which Kershaw said serves moderately priced comfort food. Its proposed hours of would 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, with earlier opening times on the weekend, Kershaw said. The committee didn’t vote on the matter, since Kershaw’s presentation was intended for informational purposes only.