-By Dan Murphy A woman who was pinned beneath an unoccupied car on Charles Street Wednesday has alert construction workers working at a nearby site to thank for helping to rescue her. According to published reports, a BMW that was double-parked on Mt. Vernon Street rolled backwards about 200 yards at about 3:15 p.m.,...
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Much to look forward to
It was an America at peace with itself this long Memorial Day weekend. The kick-off to the Summer of 2011 went smoothly in New England and here in the Greater Boston area where the weather finally, fully, wonderfully cooperated, sending tens of thousands to our beaches and into the streets of our neighborhoods for...
Police Briefs 05-31-2011
Breaking and Entering – Residence 05/20/11 – A victim reported her Chestnut Street basement apartment was broken into between 8 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Golf clubs, jewelry and a laptop were removed from the apartment. Larceny/Shoplifting 05/22/11 – A Charles Street store reported a female suspect stole dresses and fled the area at around...
MGH Official Provides Latest Update on Museum
-By Dan Murphy As the keynote of the Beacon Hill Civic Association’s 89th annual meeting last week, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Museum Director Peter Johnson provided an update on the Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation. The 8,000 square-foot, two-story building, including a rooftop garden, is currently under construction at...
Hill Resident Elected to UNICEF Board
Beacon Hill resident Alli Achtmeyer was recently elected as a member of the New England regional board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, which raises funds, educate and advocate on behalf of the organization in the region. A native of Southern California, Achtmeyer moved to Boston after receiving a B.S. in political science. Her...
Steve Young Elected Civic Association President
-By Times staff Steve Young beat challenger Rob Whitney in the election for president of the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) at the organization’s 89th Annual Meeting last week. Young, who was unanimously selected as the presidential candidate by the group’s Nominating Committee, garnered 117 votes while Whitney received 36 of the ballots cast,...
FOPG Partners with City to Study Dog usage on Common
-By Dan Murphy Friends of the Public Garden is partnering with the city to survey dog owners on their usage of the Boston Common. Liz Vizza, executive director of the Friends group, said the survey would solicit input from dog owners in Beacon Hill, Back Bay and the Ladder District and include data gathered...
The Weather
Cab drivers share cab stories. Cops trade cop stories. New Englanders talk about the weather. For the past ten days we have experienced nothing but rain, cold, dreariness and more dreariness. This spate of bad weather at a time when things are supposed to be looking up tends to bring down even the heartiest...
Police Briefs 05-24-2011
Unarmed Robbery 05/11/11 – A victim reported he was standing in front of a Beacon Street building at around 1:37 p.m. when three male suspects approached him and grabbed his Sprint cell phone out of his hand before fleeing the area. Robbery/Firearm Bank 05/14/11 – A male suspect entered a Beacon Street bank at...
A Beacon of Hope
Gael Mahony, the BHCA’s first president, receives the organization’s highest honor At its 89th Annual Meeting held last night at the Union Club, the Beacon Hill Civic Association honored an individual whose vision was instrumental in shaping our community more than 50 years ago and continues to guide us today. Gael Mahony, a ‘legal...
Mass. Eye and Ear Honors Media Entrepreneur Norman Knight at Opening of Nursing Center
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary nurses paid tribute to media entrepreneur Norman Knight at the opening of the hospital’s new Norman Knight Nursing Center in Boston.The benefactor was joined by his buddies Peter Smyth of Greater Media and wife Cathy, Carol Sawyer Parks of Sawyer Enterprises and Keith Leighton, lawyer Wendy Murphy, State Fire...
The TEA Turns 10
Beginning with an effort to rebuild a dilapidated playground, a group determined to restore the Esplanade in its entirety formed The Esplanade Association (TEA) in 2001. Since then, TEA has been working to protect, restore and enhance this iconic century old park. With thanks to their many donors, volunteers, partner organizations and the Department...
Gael Mahony Honored, and Rightfully So
This year’s 15th annual Beacon Award, given by the Beacon Hill Civic Association, went to Gael Mahony, the BHCA’s first president. Mr. Mahony for 50 years has been an inspiration to those he served with as well as a friend to the many people living on Beacon Hill. Over the years, his sage legal...
Police Briefs 05-17-2011
Explosion 05/07/11 – Officers responded to a Joy Street manhole explosion at around 10:47 a.m. Homes in the area had their windows blown out. Firefighters and NStar were on the scene. Assault and Battery 05/08/11 – A patron reported a staff member of a Charles Street pub punched him in the face at about...
Advent School Reps Address Community Concerns with Cedar Street Expansion
-By Dan Murphy Advent School representatives met with members of the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) and the community last Tuesday to address their concerns with the school’s planned expansion to a former office building at 99 West Cedar St. The school has entered into a multi-year lease for the 5,400 square-foot, two-story building,...
Hidden Gardens Tour returns May 19
-By Dan Murphy In the 82 years since its inception, the Beacon Hill Garden Club’s Hidden Gardens Tour has become one of the neighborhood’s most eagerly anticipated events. In May and June of 1929, 11 members of the fledgling Garden Club opened their gardens to the public for the first time at the inaugural...
Henry Lee’s Example
Henry Lee has stepped down as the Chairman of the Friends of the Public Garden. He has become its president emeritus. His departure after 41 years leaves a void as Mr. Lee came to personify the idea that example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing. In every...
Police Briefs 05-10-2011
Breaking and Entering – Residence 04/26/11 – A Phillips Street resident reported that unknown person(s) forced open the front door and removed numerous pieces of jewelry between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Breaking and Entering – Residence 04/26/11 – An Irving Street resident reports unknown person(s) damaged the front door and lock to the...
‘Taste of Beacon Hill’ a Destination for Food Lovers
-By Dan Murphy Beacon Hill Business Association (BHBA) President Susan Symonds hopes that food lovers far and wide will flock to the Omni Parker House Hotel for the group’s 11th annual “Taste of Beacon Hill” next Thursday. “We want people to come to experience the fine restaurants here,” Symonds said. “The objective is not...
Mounted Patrol Unit still on the Trail, Thanks to Friends Group
-By Dan Murphy The Boston Park Ranger Mounted Patrol Unit will continue to patrol the Emerald Necklace through the end of fiscal 2011, thanks to the efforts of the Friends of the Boston Parks Rangers. Julia H. Donahue, who co-chairs the Friends with Cokie Perry, said the group raised the necessary $155,000 by the...
MBTA Stations Temporarily Closed to make Way for New Elevators
-By Dan Murphy With work now underway to install two new elevators at the Science Park/West End Station, the MBTA is shuttering the Science Park/West End and Lechmere stations until November. The new elevators are part of $10.4 million in accessibility improvements to the station that will bring the 57-year-old facility into compliance with...
A Sunday to Remember
By all accounts, Sunday was a lovely spring day. A bit cool with a sea breeze all day – but a fabulous day to be alive and, it turns out, to be an American. Boston was resonant with colors bursting everywhere and gardens coming to life with the color green appearing extremely brilliant in...
Police Briefs 05-03-2011
Larceny from Motor Vehicle 04/21/11 – A victim reported her purse, checkbook, bank cards, U.S. currency, laptop, backpack and GPS system were stolen between 9:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. from her 1998 Olds Cutlass, which was parked on Charles Street. The victim said the motor vehicle’s left front passenger-side window was broken. Disturbing the...
Levanto to Step Down from BHCA Board
-By Dan Murphy Following eight years of service, Ross Levanto will step down from the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) board of directors after the group’s May 16 annual meeting. Levanto joined the board in 2003 and is the former chair of the BHCA City Services Committee. He also served as an Executive Committee...