Arts

Smell The Love Fundraiser for JP Music Festival at Midway Cafe on Feb. 18

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Local musicians will be performing at fundraiser for the JP Music Festival at the Midway Cafe on Feb. 18. The following are some of the songs that will be sung during the fundraiser that starts at 8 pm. A Lover Sings by Billy Bragg
All But Done by 9 Chambers
All I Want by Joni Mitchell
Are You Gonna Be My Girl? by Jet
Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell
Brand New Love by Sebadoh
Corinna by Taj Mahal
Eighteen Years by Daughtry
Falling In Love by NOFX
Gone Daddy Gone by The Violent Femmes
Hopeless Romantic by Bouncing Souls
I Want You To Want Me by Cheap Trick
I'll Cover You from Rent
Imposters by Lenny Lashley
Interstate Love Song by Stone Temple Pilots
Just One of Those Things by Cole Porter
Love Minus Zero/No Limit by Bob Dylan
Our Lips Are Sealed by The Go-Go’s
Secret Heart by Ron Sexsmith
Son Of A Gun by The Vaselines (and later, Nirvana)
The Origin of Love from Hedwig and the Angry Inch
The Waiting by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush
You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) by Sylvester

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Business

Theme: A Jamaica Plain Resident Created JP Improv…

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Around the neighborhood you may have seen flyers advertising JP Improv. Wanting to know more, Jamaica Plain News asked Jamaica Plain resident Myles McDonough scripted questions in which he provided prepared answers. Q: Why did you want to create JP Improv? McDonough: I'd previously taught improv while at graduate school in Knoxville, TN, and I missed the community that grew up around that troupe. In addition, I saw that there weren't many nearby opportunities for people to try improv, and wanted to fix that.

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Business

Diversity Consignment Recycles Clothing and Customers (Can) Make Money, Too

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Diversity Consignment offers apparel for all sorts of styles. After falling in love with the artist centric community of Jamaica Plains, owner Ian Drake opened up the shop that was originally called DVSTY Consignment at 713 Centre St. This is his second consignment store with ID Drake Consignment in Pembroke. Drake supports a sustainable method of reusing and recycling clothing, as well as an open-ended shopping experience regardless of an individual’s identity. “Any clothing article should and can be worn by anybody,” Drake said.

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Business

What Do You Want to See In This Empty Centre Street Storefront?

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Centre Street commercial spots don't stay empty for long. But this one at 753 Centre St., has been empty for almost three years. Optical Designs moved from the location in February 2020, and no other business has moved into this commercial location located across from Dunkin' at the corner of Centre and Thomas streets. So what would you like to see go in this location? If it's a restaurant, renovations would need to be made to create a kitchen.

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Business

Jamaica Plain Realtors Provide Their Market Outlook for 2023

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The biggest question for the real estate market across the country is how will the historic jump in interest rates affect home sales for 2023? 

Several veteran local real estate agents answered that question, and provided their outlook of the JP market. Before diving into numbers, one thing remains true. “Jamaica Plain remains a desirable Boston neighborhood,” said Constance Cervone of Cervone + Deegan and Associates at Coldwell Banker. But the market is shifting due to the economic outlook, interest rates, and COVID remains an issue, said Cervone. 

The big thing to look at, is indeed the effect of the interest rate. Interest rates doubled in 2022, going from the low 3% range in January for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, and peaking in October to the low 7% range.

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Business

Another Bank Coming to Centre Street: TD Bank to Open Branch

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Another bank is opening on Centre Street. Currently, TD Bank is building out the space at 725-737 Centre St., according to a building permit posted on the wooden boards covering up the space. The alteration permit says it's to "erect, alter, substantially repair, move, demolish or change occupancy" at the location and states its being done by the tenant for "a new TD Bank" branch. The last bank to take up residence on Centre Street, Chase Bank, is only mere feet away from where the new TD Bank will stand. TD Bank will be the sixth bank within 200 yards of that section of Centre Street.

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Business

Bukhara Looks Like It Closed: Space Available Immediately to Lease

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It appears that Bukhara Indian Bistro has closed in Forest Hills, as there are physical signs in the windows that say the space is immediately available to lease. There's a "For Rent" sign in one window, and another saying that 700 sq. ft. is immediately available for a triple net lease. On Monday night, Bukhara's website said it was closed every day of the week.

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Business

On Centre and Ace Hardware Win Holiday Decorations Contest

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Numerous Centre and South street businesses got into the holiday spirit this year, and they've got the prizes to prove it. The Jamaica Plain Business & Professional Association had a Business District Holiday Decorations Contest this holiday season, and 12 Centre and South street businesses registered to have their decorations judged. Points were awarded in three categories: most artistic, most festive, and most inviting to customers.  

And the winners are:
First place: On Centre
First place: Ace Hardware City
Second place: Susanna
Third place: Boing! Runner ups:
Blue Frog Bakery
Miss Laura's
George's Shoes
Papercuts
JP Seafood Cafe
FOCUS Real Estate
Unlimited Sotheby's International Realty

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Business

Tres Gatos Kicks Off New Musical Residency with Fundraiser on Dec. 28

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Acoustic jazz band Manouche Urbain is beginning their musical residency at Tres Gatos with a fundraiser on Dec. 28. "They play incredible gypsy jazz that will get you grooving and tapping your toe," said Tres Gatos in a Facebook post announcing the residency and fundraiser. The first performance on Wednesday is to help retired musicologist/retired concert pianist Leslie Hurwitz, and father to Marc Hurwitz, founder of Hidden Boston and food/travel writer. Half of restaurant sales on Wednesday will go to help Leslie with an ongoing health issue.

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Business

Sherrill House CEO Selected as Chair of State Board of Registration of Nursing Home Administrators

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Patrick J. Stapleton, Chief Executive Officer of Sherrill House, a not-for-profit skilled nursing and rehabilitation center, has been unanimously elected chair of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Nursing Home Administrators, the state body that licenses and regulates nursing home administrators. Stapleton, a national leader in the long-term care profession, will be serving under his third administration when Governor-elect Maura Healey takes office in January. He was first appointed by Gov. Deval Patrick to the board, which protects the health and safety of nursing home residents by ensuring that administrators adhere to quality standards and continuing education. He was reappointed by Gov. Charlie Baker. “I am honored to serve as chair of the Board of Registration of Nursing Home Administrators and am humbled by the confidence my peers have shown by electing me to lead us through what are certainly very challenging times,” said Stapleton, who served as Vice Chair from September 2021 to September 2022.

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