Help Rename Bussey Street Renaming: Choose 1 of the 5 Finalists

Bussey Street is being renamed, and the community leaders behind the initiative want the community's input on which of the five finalists to rename the street after. The 5 finalists are:

Cuffe
Dick Welsh
Flora
Margaret Fuller
Shiu-ying Hu

Profiles of the five finalists are below

Bussey Street is a vehicular street that intersects the Arnold Arboretum. The street is named after Benjamin Bussey, whose legacy is complicated due to some of his wealth deriving from the profits of trade in products produced by enslaved people in the American South and the Caribbean, according to the Presidential Committee on Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery, a major initiative by Harvard University "focused on researching and day-lighting connections between Harvard and its community to both the institution and economy of slavery." A large portion of the Arnold Arboretum, land now owned by the city and leased to Harvard to operate the arboretum, was donated by Bussey, according to the Arnold Arboretum. There are numerous things named after him including Bussey Hill, Bussey Brook and Bussey Brook Meadow on the Arboretum grounds.

215 Views

Gov. Healey Issues Pardon for Misdemeanor Marijuana Possession Convictions in Massachusetts

Governor Maura Healey announced on Wednesday that she is taking executive action to pardon misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions in Massachusetts, which needs to be approved by the Governor’s Council. Healey's pardon will apply to all eligible convictions, and most people will not need to take any action to have their criminal records updated. The pardon would apply to all adult Massachusetts state court misdemeanor convictions before March 13, 2024 for possession of marijuana. “Nobody should face barriers to getting a job, housing or an education because of an old misdemeanor marijuana conviction that they would not be charged for today,” said Healey. She said it would be would be the most comprehensive action by a governor since President Joe Biden pardoned federal marijuana possession convictions and called on governors to take similar actions in their states.

366 Views

Neighborhood Talk about Shattuck Redevelopment with Elected Officials (and Pizza!) on March 18

A trio of politicians are leading a community meeting to discuss the redevelopment of the Shattuck Campus on Monday night at English High School. And pizza will be provided, but no word on where the pizza will be from. District 6 City Councilor Ben Weber, state Representative Sam Montaño, and state Senator Liz Miranda will hold the community conversation at 6 pm. The meeting will not be streamed. "This meeting is a community conversation, not an official meeting," tweeted Montaño.

355 Views

Learn How to Repair Your Bike with Ferris Wheels

Spring is coming, and that means more opportunities to ride your bicycle. You'll need a tune-up beforehand, so why not learn how to take care of your own bike with Ferris Wheels? Ferris Wheels is offering basic, hands-on bike skills courses. You can register online or give the store a call at 617-524-BIKE. Classes are the next three Thursdays at 6:30 pm.

405 Views

Franklin Park Coalition Survey Shows Neighborhood Support for White Stadium Renovation

A survey of 700 community residents conducted by the Franklin Park Coalition (FPC) showed neighborhood support for the plan to renovate White Stadium. But support would be higher if certain concerns like traffic and parking were resolved. The plans to renovate White Stadium were announced last year by the city in partnership with the future owners of a professional women's soccer league team, which would use the stadium as their home field starting in 2026. The stadium would also be the hub for Boston Public Schools athletics. But there's been resistance to the plan with several concerns, and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and more than a dozen community members are suing to stop the plans.

439 Views

Councilor Erin Murphy Running for SJC Suffolk County Clerk

At-Large Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy recently let it be known that she's running for the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County's clerk. Murphy is looking to replace Maura Doyle, who recently announced she's retiring from the elected position. Murphy's announcement was originally reported by Kelly Garrity. Garrity reported that Murphy said her decades as a BPS teacher and her time on the council make her qualified for the job whose responsibilities are for "the single justice caseload of the Supreme Judicial Court, administrative and disciplinary matters filed by the Board of Bar Overseers affecting members of the bar, and matters relating to Bar Admission and the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." Murphy will be running against Allison Cartwright, who, like Doyle, is an attorney, reported UniversalHub.com.

407 Views

Learn About Past & Future of Franklin Park with JP Historical Society (Virtual) Event on March 16

Since Frederick Law Olmsted designed Franklin Park in 1885, it has been the centerpiece of the Boston park system that became known as our beloved Emerald Necklace. That's the past. Now there's a lot of talk about the future of Franklin Park. The city created a Franklin Park Action Plan. You may have also heard about the proposal to renovate White Stadium to be the home of Boston Public Schools athletics, as well as a women's professional soccer team.

448 Views
District E-13 (Jamaica Plain) Headquarters, Boston Police

Police Warn Residents of Car Break-Ins Happening Thursday Nights Into Friday Mornings

Boston Police issued a community alert regarding numerous car break-ins that have happened recently, and most of the times on Thursday nights into Friday mornings. Since Jan. 26, several incidents of break-ins and larcenies of motor vehicles have been reported to District E-13. Multiple incidents have occurred on streets including Centre Street, Gore Street, Lochstead Avenue, Forbes Street, Boylston Street, and Castleton Street, according to BPD website. Police say the majority of the incidents took place on Thursday nights into Friday mornings.

769 Views

Cancelled White Stadium Impact Advisory Group Meeting Not Rescheduled Since Lawsuit

The city has not rescheduled a cancelled White Stadium Impact Advisory Group (IAG) meeting that was cancelled one day after a lawsuit was filed to stop the redevelopment of the Franklin Park stadium. The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) IAG meeting scheduled for Feb. 26, was cancelled on Feb. 22, one day after the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and 15 plaintiffs announced a lawsuit to stop "the unconstitutional privatization of public land" to rehabilitate Franklin Park's White Stadium so it can be the home field for a women's professional soccer team. The city previously held one IAG meeting about the project on Jan.

466 Views

Celebrate Ula Cafe Owner’s New Book ‘Wander Woman’ on International Women’s Day

Beth Santos has a lot going on in her life. Santos co-owns Ula Cafe, runs an international community of women who like to travel, and is now a published author. The Egleston Square resident bought the cafe with her husband in June 2021, and it's the perfect place to host a launch party of her first book, Wander Woman: How to Reclaim Your Space, Find Your Voice, and Travel the World, Solo on International Women's Day. Santos answered questions from Jamaica Plain News about the cafe, her book, traveling solo, and more. Q: Please tell us about the event on March 8.

495 Views