You’ve probably read about the Esplanade Association’s vision for the Esplanade for the next century. The goals are sound, and the plans are ambitious. As with any civic project, the financial requirements are significant. Responses have often been laudatory, especially when they concern reducing the impact of Storrow Drive. But another reaction has been...
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Menino Plans More Growth for Biking
Mayor Thomas M. Menino released the annual Boston Bikes Annual Report last week, highlighting the success of Boston’s biking initiatives and previewing plans for its continued growth. Menino launched Boston Bikes in 2007 with the goal of making Boston a world-class cycling city. Four years later, Boston has officially gained recognition as one of...
It Takes a Community Effort
The Friends of the Phillips Street Play Area are holding their first planning meeting of 2012 at the Vilna Shul, 18 Phillips Street, Thursday, March 15 from 7 to 8 p.m. If history is the judge of what and how the PSPA will rally its forces to improve the playground for the coming season,...
MBTA to Avoid Cuts
It is becoming obvious that every effort is being made by the MBTA, and the governor, to avoid cancellation of T services in Greater Boston in return for a fare increase. At an estimated 25 percent raise, we are not exactly sure how fair it is for those Boston residents using the T everyday...
Police Briefs 03-06-2012
From Boston Police Area A-1 Larceny from Motor Vehicle 02/23/12 – A victim reported his 2009 Volvo XC90 had the driver’s side window broken and an iPod, two pairs of sunglasses and a portable charger was removed from the motor vehicle between 8 p.m. on Feb. 22 and 4:30 p.m. the next day. The...
New Wing at Gardner Museum Grand Opening
Local residents who attended the opening gala of the new wing at the Isabella Stewart-Gardner Museum are shown in photograph.
Ward 5 Democratic Committee Elects Delegates, Alternates to the State Convention in June
At its scheduled Feb. 18 caucus, the Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee elected 25 ward delegates and four alternates, to the 2012 Massachusetts State Democratic Convention, according to Ross Levanto, the committee’s secretary. Ward delegates include George Alex, Pat Amend, Eda Carroll, Suzanne Comtois, Mary Clayton Crozier, Kate Cook, Mike Dash, Mike George, Kristine...
Celebrating the Love in Your Life
Seeing life through the eyes of a child is one of the most rewarding and refreshing experiences. As adults, we rush through life from one “chore” to the next, while children take great pride and joy in exploring every little “mystery” that their day presents. Their innocence and curiosity provide us with hope and...
Charles Street Market Prevails for Now
The desire of Capital One Bank to take over the commercial space now occupied by the Charles Street Market caused a great stir among many residents and organizations like the Beacon Hill Civic Association in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. That powerful collective voice caused 1,300 Beacon Hill residents to sign a petition stating that...
Police Briefs 02-28-2012
Breaking and Entering – Residence 02/15/12 – A Beacon Street resident reported a male suspect entered her residence through an unlocked rear door at around 2:43 p.m. After the victim said hello to the, he fled the building out the front door with no property. Larceny from Motor Vehicle 02/18/12 – A female victim...
Linear Realty Withdraws Application for Capital One’s Charles St. Location
Linear Realty has withdrawn its application to the city’s Zoning Board of Appeal for a conditional-use change that would enable Capital One to occupy 62-66 Charles St., said Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) Executive Director Suzanne Besser. Besser said Friday that the BHCA had received written confirmation from Capital One attorney Dennis Quilty that...
BHV Hosted its First “Valentines and Victuals”
Beacon Hill Village (BHV) hosted its first “Valentines and Victuals” brunch on Sunday Feb. 12, at the Hill House in Beacon Hill. More than 60 members enjoyed a delicious brunch donated and served by the Paramount Restaurant. BHV extended its gratitude to its sponsors – including The Paramount, Hill House, Whole Foods and Starbucks...
Beating Back the Banks
One result of the agitation over the flood of banks displacing loved and needed businesses has been to point out how Boston could do more to provide the best environment for small, local business success. We know a lot about how small businesses succeed in a city and it has little to do with...
Camargo to Step Down as BHCA Chair
Ania Camargo will step down as chair of the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) in May, curtailing her two-year term by one year. Camargo, who cited “family health reasons” as the reason for her decision, said she would continue to serve on the BHCA board and remain involved in district projects. “I can’t work...
DCR Extends Permit Application Deadline for Field Use
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has extended its permit application period for recreational fields by an additional month. Permit applications for use of Commonwealth-owned athletic fields in the Greater Boston Metropolitan Area, including Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields on the Charles River Esplanade, will be accepted through March 1. “The Teddy Ebersol...
Support Sought to Oppose Zoning Change
Linear Retail Properties is asking the city Board of Appeal for a change in conditional use of the first floor of its building at 62-66 Charles Street from its current use as a food market to a bank. Such a change is necessary for Linear to lease the space to Capital One branch bank....
Joseph Gallo Brings Boston’s Public Street Sculptures to Life in New Book
Strolling through Boston, it’s easy to spot the sculptures that tourists congregate around and snap pictures of during the summer months. But what people don’t see when looking at the bronze or stone pieces is the story behind them, and what they represent. Joseph Gallo, author of “Boston Bronze and Stone Speak to Us”...
The US Postal Service
Many of you who use the post office, heard last week that the US Postal Service is suggesting a .50 cent stamp as the standard cost for mailing a letter. We don’t suppose this shocks anyone as the US Postal Service is heading for bankruptcy. Its estimated loss this year is predicted at $13...
Fares are Rising
The MBTA is telling all of us that services will remain intact, entirely without cuts, if fares can go up by 25%. At first blush, this sounds much better than Draconian cuts that would have affected all public transit users in Boston’s neighborhoods and the cities and towns served by the MBTA in the...
Police Briefs 02-21-2012
Beacon Hill BeaFrom Boston Police Area A-1 Breaking and Entering – Residence 02/08/12 – Between 8 a.m. and 6:58 p.m., an Irving Street resident reported the front door of her apartment was forced open and a laptop and computer software were removed. Larceny/ Shoplifting 02/12/12 – A Charles Street boutique reports unknown person(s) stole...
The Happiest Valentines
Perhaps you’ve been following the trials (literally) and the tribulations of a tycoon named Ronald O. Perelman. Perelman, in case you don’t know, is the chairman of the board of Revlon, Inc. He is also the head of MacAndrews & Forbes, a company that owns a lot of other companies. Coincidentally, Perelman is one...
TEA Shows Ambitious Vision for Esplanade
After two years and more than 100 meetings with citizens, elected officials and other stakeholders, The Esplanade Association (TEA) unveiled “Esplanade 2020” Thursday, outlining the non-profit’s grand vision for restoring and enhancing the state park over the next 100 years. “This is a vision, a group of ideas, not a proposal or specific plan,”...
BHCA to Talk Public Schools Feb. 27
One important aspiration envisioned by the many community members who put together the BHCA Plan for the Neighborhood is that Beacon Hill be a place where families of all ages and financial capacities thrive. Working with surrounding neighborhoods to strengthen public K-12 education is one critical element in making this aspiration a reality. Toward...
Longfellow Bridge Project Public Hearing on March 1
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will hold a public hearing on the Longfellow Bridge rehabilitation project at the State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Conference Rooms 1, 2 and 3, on Thursday, March 1, from 7 to 9 p.m., allowing citizens the opportunity to comment on the Environmental Assessment. The bridge rehabilitation is...