BPS Families Receiving Free Admission to Boston’s Cultural Institutions Thanks to City Pilot Program

As part of Mayor Michelle Wu's State of the City address on Tuesday, she announced a new pilot program partnership between cultural institutions that will allow Boston Public School students and their family free access to the Children's Museum, Museum of Science and more. In an experimental pilot program, starting in February 2024, on the first and second Sundays of each month, every BPS student and up to three family members will get free admission to the Boston Children’s Museum, the Franklin Park Zoo, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium. Families will show a BPS school ID or an electronic pass to gain admission, said Wu. The city and institutions will track attendance and also develop plans to extend the pilot. "We are thrilled to partner with the city and our colleagues to bring free cultural experiences to BPS students and their families,” said Tim Ritchie, president of the Museum of Science.

795 Views

Talk with Mayor Wu at Mozart Playground on Friday

Mayor Michelle Wu Neighborhood Coffee Hours will bring her to Jamaica Plain's Mozart Playground on Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 am. The coffee hours is a mayoral tradition that provides a unique opportunity to speak directly with the mayor and staff from city departments such as the Boston Planning & Development Agency, Boston Transportation Department, and more. Come talk to the mayor about open space, bike lanes, composting, or does she like cats and/or dogs. As always, Dunkin’ will provide iced coffee, Munchkins, lawn games and gift card giveaways. Fresh fruit will be provided by Star Market, and each family in attendance will receive a free flowering plant provided by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, while supplies last.

958 Views

Governor, Mayor Announcing State’s ’23 Affordable Housing Funding Awards Including JPNDC Low-Income Senior Housing Project

Governor Maura Healey will be joined by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on Wednesday in Jamaica Plain when the governor will announce the Commonwealth's affordable housing funds for 2023, including one JP project for low-income senior housing. Healey is making the announcement during a press conference at the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation's (JPNDC) Brewery Complex, where Wu will also deliver remarks. JPNDC will be receiving funding for two projects that will create 87 new affordable homes for low-income seniors, including 39 units at their project at 3371 Washington St. in Jamaica Plain.

4,395 Views

Sen. Miranda and Rep. Montaño Share Opinions on Rent Control

After the Boston City Council voted in support of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's rent control plan, that put the home-rule petition in the fate of the state Legislature. The plan would tie rent increases to inflation with a cap of 10% for Boston apartments. The plan exempts smaller landlords and units in buildings less than 15 year olds, and about 55% of Boston's 313,000 rental units would be affected if it becomes law, according to WBUR. With the measure now at the State House, it's important to know what state legislators think about it. Previously, Massachusetts voted to ban rent control in 1994, which is why a home-rule petition is required to make it law.

1,012 Views

Boston Celebrates First Electric School Buses

Forty-two different schools have been selected to have some of their students ride the first electric schools buses in the Boston Public Schools (BPS) school bus fleet. Mayor Michelle Wu and other city personnel celebrated the arrival of the first two electric school buses on Feb. 6. Eighteen more buses will be coming to Boston in the coming weeks and are expected to be used following the February school vacation, according to a press release. “I’m grateful to the many people who have been instrumental in getting Boston to this point and helping us demonstrate the many overlapping benefits of moving to a green economy and ensuring that our kids and our workforce are at the center of that transition,” said Wu.

1,437 Views

Celebrate National Night Out at Mozart Park on August 1

Join Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for free kids activities and more during National Night Out in Mozart Park on August 1. Wu will be joined by Boston Police Department and elected officials honoring Boston's neighborhood crime watches. There will be food, entertainment and more. There event is from 5 to 8 pm at Mozart Park (10 Mozart St.). National Night Out started in 1984 by bringing civic groups, community organizations, police, residents and more together.

1,535 Views

Centre Street Going Car-Free for One Day in July

Jamaica Plain's Centre Street will be car-free for one day in July as part of the city's Open Streets events initiative. Centre Street from Lamartine Street (Jackson Square) to the Soldier's Monument (Centre and South streets) will be closed to vehicles from 9 am to 3 pm on Sunday, July 10. That's a 1.4 mile stretch. As part of the half-day event, there will be programming that could include music, games, face-painting, business and community group tabling, fitness classes, bicycle repairs, and more, according to a press release. There will also be a block party in collaboration with SEED in Hyde Square.

3,475 Views

Boston Creates Office for Black Male Advancement; Black Men and Boys Commission Accepting Applications

Frank Farrow will serve as the executive director of the newly formed Mayor’s Office for Black Male Advancement. Farrow will lead the office that seeks to ensure Black men and boys have support to thrive in Boston, announced Mayor Michelle Wu on Thursday. The new office will be part of the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet. Wu also announced that the Black Men and Boys Commission will be accepting new member applications through the end of the month. “I am honored and excited to lead the Office for Black Male Advancement, and to continue to uplift Black men and boys under Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration,” said Farrow.

2,060 Views