News Briefs

West End Museum To Honor Jane Jacobs

The West End Museum will join groups in hundreds of cities around the world to lead Jane’s Walks on Friday and Saturday, May 6-7.

The museum is adding two additional walks after the first filled quickly. The free walking tours will explore the character of Boston’s North and West Ends before the beginning of urban renewal in 1958.

Jane’s Walk is an international movement honoring Jane Jacobs (1916-2006), the activist who championed a community-based approach to city planning. She fought against urban renewal projects, like the one in the West End. Her 1961 book, “The Death and Life of Great American Cities,” introduced groundbreaking city-building principles still used today.

“Jane has the reputation of a saint standing against the sins of a failed ideal that decimated hundreds of urban communities in the 20th century,” said Sebastian Belfanti, director of The West End Museum.

For this year’s Jane’s Walk, Belfanti will discuss how the neighborhood’s four historic sections – Lower End, Upper End, North Slope, and Bulfinch Triangle – developed after urban renewal.

To learn more about The WEM’s Jane’s Walks, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/janes-walk-2022-at-the-west-end-museum-tickets-313882560187.

 The WEM is also extending its Exploring the West End Walking Tours through June. The tours circle the West End and highlight the neighborhood’s people and places over the last four centuries. Tours are second and fourth Saturdays each month. For times and to register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/west-end-walking-tours-tickets-257891740137.

Writing Your Last Chapter: Medical Aid in Dying with Roger Kligler, MD and Melissa Stacy

Compassionate? Controversial? An essential human right?  Join Dr. Roger Kligler and Melissa Stacy for a discussion about medical aid in dying for mentally competent, terminally ill adult patients.  Should Massachusetts join ten other states and the District of Columbia by passing a bill that would authorize doctors to provide this assistance to their patients in carefully defined circumstances?

Dr. Kligler is a retired primary care physician, a patient with a terminal illness, and a plaintiff in a suit against the Commonwealth for access to medical aid in dying.  Melissa Stacy is the Regional Advocacy Manager-Northeast for Compassion and Choices.

This virtual program is presented in partnership with the Boston Public Library, as part of Beacon Hill Village’s Living Well Ending Well series. Closed captioning is available. In order to receive the Zoom link, registration is required online or by calling Beacon Hill Village at 617-723-9713.  Registrants will receive the Zoom link a day or two before the event.  Free and open to the public.

Upstairs Downstairs Blooms In May

Laura Cousineau, owner of Upstairs Downstairs Home at 69 Charles  St., loves the month of May and lives by the motto, “May more than any other month of the year, wants us to feel most alive.” And true to these words, she is planning four lively major events at the store.

Saturday, May 7 – Kentucky Derby Celebration – 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Repeating the activities last year, Upstairs Downstairs will again host a day-long fun and games event.  Friends and neighbors will be invited to play the  vintage Schylling metal racing track known as “Neck and Neck,” and pick and send their favorite down a rambling track and win a prize. Then, all will pose in the winner’s circle with a provided Derby Hat and a bonnet with ribbons upon it and a bouquet of roses.  And imbibe with a non-alcoholic mint julip.

Sunday, May 8 – Mother’s Day – All Day

Special promotions all day with a slew of last-minute gifts for Mom. The always-annual and popular game…spot the flower on any item and receive a 20-percent discount of that item.  HINT: The bountiful and beautiful blue-and-white pottery of vases and lamps…check it out!

Thursday, May 12- Eleanor Score Artist Reception – 6-8 p.m.

Following on the heels with the immensely popular Paul Donnelly reception, Upstairs Downstairs is pleased to present artist Eleanor Score.  Eleanor is a well-known and popular local artist. She has been a Beacon Hill resident for many years.  She studied at the Maryland Art Institute in Baltimore and graduated from the Boston University of Fine Arts.  Her depictions of Boston and its environs are stunning, beautiful to the eye, and treasured by those who have purchased one.  Space is limited, so please R.S.V.P. to [email protected].

Thursday, May 19 – Hidden Gardens Tour – All Day

The Beacon Hill Garden Club is pleased to announce that its Hidden Garden Tours is back and can be visited in person –  what a nice way to celebrate this tour in its 93rd year. In addition, Upstairs Downstairs has been selected to participate.  Laura is already planning a spectacular window and excited to showcase her very secret and Hidden Garden in the rear of the store.  Many wonders and surprises await those  who come to visit on the tour and all for a good cause – the Beacon Hill Garden Club.

“Yes, we love the month of May and so enjoy planning events for our loyal customers, friends, and neighbors who we owe so much to and are so grateful for their support,” says Laura Cousineau.

Juveniles Connected to Downtown Crossing, Boston Common Attacks Arraigned

Two 13-year-old juveniles were arraigned on Monday, May 2, before Suffolk County Juvenile Court Judge Peter Coyne on various assault charges related to recent attacks in Downtown Crossing and Boston Common.

One of the juveniles was charged with 14 counts from nine incidents and ordered held on $5,000 bail, according to District Attorney Kevin Hayden, while the other was charged with nine counts from five incidents and ordered held on $3,500 bail.

Both juveniles were also ordered to wear GPS tracking bracelets, to leave home only for school or service provider reasons, and to stay away from Downtown Crossing and other areas where the attacks occurred, said DA Hayden.

The charges are in relation to numerous violent incidents at Downtown Crossing, Boston Common and other areas of the city over the past month.

“Our hope and practice is always to keep children from getting involved in court.  But the frequency and seriousness of these incidents demanded an approach that would address the immediate public safety threat presented by these juveniles,” added Hayden.

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