Power Went from FBI’s Most Wanted List to Jamaica Plain Real Estate Agent

In a 10-year window of time, Katherine Power went from being on the lam using an alias in Oregon, to turning herself in, serving prison time, and then began selling real estate in Jamaica Plain resident. Power was a Vietnam War protestor and was involved with a botched bank robbery that ended in the death of a Boston Police officer. That led to her being on the FBI's Most Wanted List for 23 years. She now lives in Concord, and works at a real estate office on Centre Street. She recently spoke a the Loring Greenough House about her new book Surrender: My Journey from Guerrilla to Grandmother.

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NewGal Concert Series Spans Spectrum of Sound, Led by Jamaica Plain’s Sarah Bob

Longtime Jamaica Plain resident Sarah Bob is the director, pianist and founder of the New Gallery Concert Series. She fielded questions about the series, her musical career, performing in Jamaica Plain, and more. What is the New Gallery Concert Series and why did you want to create it? Bob: The New Gallery Concert Series is a coming together of new music and new visual art. Everyone involved is alive, high quality, and kind.

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Jamaica Plain’s Sadecki Running Boston Marathon to Support Braille Literacy

Jamaica Plain's Mark Sadecki's support of Braille initiatives has grown through the years -- from running in the Blindfold Challenge, to serving as a sighted running guide for his brother, and this year he's running the Boston Marathon in support of the National Braille Press. Sadecki is a web accessibility engineer and has worked with people with disabilities the majority of his life. "One thing that became clear to me is the direct relationship between braille literacy, independence, confidence, and career success. Fact: 90% of employed blind people are braille readers," said Sadecki. His first competitive running experience was with National Braille Press in 2010, running in the Blindfold Challenge 5K, which supports vision related charities.

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Jamaica Plain Resident Joins Project Bread’s Inaugural Council of Experts with Lived Experience

Jamaica Plain resident Concetta Paul is one of the inaugural members Project Bread’s new Council of Experts with Lived Experience, which is designed to engage people who have experiences with food insecurity in conversations to shape the resources and policies that directly impact them. Project Bread is a leading statewide food security organization, and Paul will be part of the 8-person council who will bring their expertise and co-create programs and policies that make it easier for others living in Massachusetts to access and afford food with dignity, according to a press release. “This experience on the council will help me learn more about legislative priorities and programs that regulate and affect food security,” said Paul via press release. “All of Project Bread's legislative priorities have influenced my life and continue to do so. Without the welcome social policies and programs in Massachusetts, my family could not have flourished.

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Jamaica Plain’s Herst Joins Boston Green Ribbon Commission

The Boston Green Ribbon Commission announced the appointment of Rebecca Herst as associate director for resilience. The long-time Jamaica Plain resident and former director of the Sustainable Solutions Lab (SSL) at UMass Boston will bring extensive experience and expertise to advance coastal resilience and climate justice. Herst will help advance all aspects of the GRC’s work to accelerate climate action in Boston, with emphasis on coastal resilience and climate justice. She will also help with strategic alignment across the GRC’s six working groups and Climate Justice Initiative, leveraging the GRC’s unique convening role among its network of private sector and public sector leaders at the city and commonwealth, as the pressure grows to meet 2030 climate goals. The mission of the Green Ribbon Commission is to accelerate the implementation of the city’s Climate Action Plan by convening, organizing, and enabling leaders from Boston’s key sectors.

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Mayor Wu Names Jamaica Plain Resident (and Regular 39 Bus Rider) to MBTA Board of Directors

Mayor Michelle Wu recently appointed Jamaica Plain resident Mary Skelton Roberts, a regular 39 bus rider, to the MBTA's board of directors. For many years Boston fought to have a person represent the city on the board, and the Legislature and governor finally created a board seat specifically to represent the city in August. Roberts is a regular commuter who most often takes the 39 bus and Orange Line, and brings extensive experience with transportation policy to advance climate solutions and foster thriving communities. She is currently the president of the Climate Beacon Conference and senior advisor to the Climate Beacon Project, a newly established non-profit committed to ensuring Massachusetts achieves an equitable energy transition, and also on the Governor’s Latino Empowerment Council, according to a press release. She begins representing Boston at this week’s MBTA Board meeting on Thursday morning.

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Jamaica Plain Pianist Olivia Perez-Collelllmir’s Latin Jazz Album Debuting Sept. 15

Jamaica Plain pianist and composer Olivia Perez-Collellmir debut album Olivia is debuting Sept. 15 and features musicians from all around the world. Perez-Collellmir fielded questions from Jamaica Plain News about her new album, her musical style, her creative process, and more. Q: What do you like best about your album? Perez-Collellmir: This album has allowed me to branch out to musicians all over the world.

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Jamaica Plain Friends Raised Thousands for Bikes Not Bombs By Riding Across Iowa

Two Jamaica Plain neighbors raised thousands by participating in the seven-day Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). "I grew up in northeast Iowa and remember the first RAGBRAI. I thought it was kind of crazy but that some day I would try it. As this is the 50th anniversary of the Iowa ride, now is that time. I thought if I'm doing this, I should use this as a way to promote a worthy cause.

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Jamaica Plain Resident Wins Gastrointestinal Scholarship

As a person with a diagnosed GI disorder, Jamaica Plain resident Raina Levin's earning a Salix Gastrointestinal (GI) Health Scholars Award, is only fitting. Levin will receive a $10,000 scholarship to the Boston University School of Public Health in the fall to receive a Master of Public Health with a focus on environmental health and chronic disease prevention. The scholarship is awarded to 10 outstanding students living with gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and disorders who are pursuing their higher education goals. Among the requirements, award applicants were asked to write about the role their healthcare providers have played in helping to treat the condition. "Over the past decade, I've seen quite a few healthcare providers, but was only recently diagnosed with a GI disorder.

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Jamaica Plain Resident Elected to Massachusetts Society of CPAs Board of Directors

The Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MassCPAs) recently announced that Jamaica Plain resident Adnani Johari was elected to serve a third year on its Board of Directors for its 2023-2024 fiscal year. Johari is a director and vice president at Brighthouse Investment Advisers, a member of the Brighthouse Investment Advisors Valuation Committee and an assistant treasurer of Brighthouse Funds. MassCPAs Board of Directors is a group of 19 elected members that sets policies, manages programs and oversees activities for the 11,500-member organization. “MassCPAs Board of Directors is an exceptional and diverse group of individuals that will have a profound impact on defining the Society's priorities and propelling the accounting profession forward in Massachusetts," said Amy Pitter, MassCPAs president and CEO via press release. “I am thrilled to have Adnani on the board and know that her valuable contributions and leadership will benefit the Society, our community and the profession in the coming year.”

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