Boston Public Library

A Taste of African Heritage Cooking Classes

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If you haven’t heard of the African heritage diet, it’s time you introduced yourself. Learn all about the traditional foods of the African diaspora in Oldways’ A Taste of African Heritage classes, coming to the Egleston Branch of the BPL in February. In this Oldways-created cooking class, you’ll learn how to prepare the spices and herbs, leafy greens, whole grains, beans, tubers, fruits, and vegetables that have sustained Africans and their descendants for generations. At the end of the six-week series, you’ll be armed with information and recipes that will allow you to bring the African heritage diet into your own kitchen. The class is free of charge, and will meet Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., from February 10 to March 17.

Real Estate

Washington Street Population Could More than Double

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If you want evidence why the city has finally launched a long-awaited planning effort for JP, look no further than this eye-popping prediction: Planners expect the Washington Street corridor to see population growth of as much as 2.5 times current levels. That possibility was among the top topics of discussion last Monday as the first neighborhood review of the proposed development guidelines at the Egleston Square Neighborhood Association monthly meeting. Chaired by Alvin Shiggs and Carolyn Royce; the discussion was led by Sue Pranger. Marie Mercurio, senior planner for Jamaica Plain and coordinator of Plan JP/Rox, was joined by her colleague Tim Davis, senior housing advisor for the Boston Redevelopment Authority, to answer questions and clarify concerns about the draft development guidelines. The planning push is a once-in-a-generation effort to shape the neighborhood's future.

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Transportation

‘A Wasteland to Walk On’ — Residents Envision a Better Washington, Columbus

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"Connecting people with places" was the theme of the fourth workshop in the Plan JP/Rox held on Thursday at English High School. Of all the workshops in of the planning process this was most egalitarian; low income or high income, hotel maid or money manager, everyone uses the sidewalks, the streets or some form of transit to get to work, to school and home. It was also the most interactive and personal; over 100 sat around tables and marked on maps how they get around their neighborhood to their special places or how they got to that night's meeting. "Mobility. Getting around.

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Real Estate

Giant Elderly and Disabled Housing at 125 Amory St. Eyed for Renovation

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Obtaining funding for public housing projects is frequently a challenge. "I'm convinced that the funding for public housing as we know it is gone and it's not coming back," Boston Housing Authority director Bill McGonagle told the Bay State Banner in January, noting that the Department of Housing and Urban Development was pushing housing authorities in the direction of public-private partnerships. This is being done at Amory Street Apartments, 125 Amory St., under the HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration program authorized by Congress in 2012. Amory Street Apartments has 215 units of mostly studio and one-bedrooms; it opened in April 1973. In 2013, the BHA was one of 68 housing authorities nationwide selected by HUD to participate in RAD. RAD allows housing authorities to form partnerships with private or non-profit developers to leverage public and private debt and equity in order to reinvest in public housing stock according to the HUD announcement.

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Jamaica Plain People

Commish Honors Egleston Beat Cop for Arrest of Drive-by Suspect

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Boston Police Officer Carlos Martinez, the beat cop assigned to Egleston Square, is well known around the neighborhood. The officer won recognition this week from the city's top cop for his role in apprehending a man accused of squeezing off gunshots from a car. Martinez witnessed someone firing from a vehicle near Ernst and Bragdon last Saturday, according to a post on the Boston Police Department's blog. Martinez gave chase and, with the help of other units, made an arrest. During the chase, a loaded gun and pair of gloves, later recovered, were chucked from the car.

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Real Estate

Workshop for Washington Street Plan, AKA JPRox, Set for Sept. 30

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The BRA sponsored study of the Washington Street corridor, Plan JPRox, had a rousing kick off on July 28 as previously reported by the Jamaica Plain News. Now it's time to get down to work. The first workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the English High School cafeteria, 6-8 p.m.

BRA Jamaica Plain planner Marie Mercurio  told the Jamaica Plain news "we have met with many of you to introduce PlanJPROX, a new planning study that encompasses an area along Washington Street and Columbus Avenue between the Forest Hills and Jackson Square T stops. [We invite everyone to] come to our next workshop to get an update and work with us to discuss recurring themes and help craft a vision for the future."

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William Morales (far right) looks at photos of the late Father Jack Roussin
Jamaica Plain People

Egleston Square Gathers to Remember ‘Father Jack’

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Members of the Egleston Square community gathered for a special Wednesday night Mass in remembrance of local community leader Father Jack Roussin. Known to his parishioners as "Father Jack," the late pastor began his tenure at the historic St. Mary's of the Angels in Egleston in the mid 1970's, where he worked until moving to a shantytown outside Lima, Peru in the early 1990s. From the outset, Roussin was a force within the community, working to help unify a neighborhood that was gripped by drugs and violence. "He walked as our brother, he walked as our father, he walked as our Shepherd," said the Rev. Wayne Belschner, who was mentored by Roussin.

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Location where suspect shot and killed, police officer shot on Friday, March 27, 2015.
Police and Fire

Cop in Critical Condition After Being Shot Near JP; Suspect Killed

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UPDATE, Monday, 6:30 a.m. — The officer, John Moynihan, is in stable condition after hours of surgery to remove a bullet from his neck, according to Universal Hub. Police identified the man killed as Angelo West, 41, of Hyde Park. ~~~~~

A Boston Police officer was shot in the face and a suspect shot and killed in the H-block section of Roxbury on Friday, according to multiple reports. The incident took place at Humboldt Avenue and Ruthven Street, an area just blocks beyond Jamaica Plain. Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said the officer is fighting for his life, according to a Herald report of a press conference at Boston Medical Center.

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Arts

Apple Arts Day Held at Nearby Historical Gem You’ve Never Heard Of

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The Shirley Eustis House in Roxbury held its annual Apple Arts events in the carriage house on Sunday. The historic home — the only original Royal governor's mansion still standing in the country — is outside JP in Roxbury but worth the short trip. Using apples - including the Roxbury Russett - from the orchard on the grounds, Director Patty Violett and volunteers made apple sauce, baked apples and breads on an open fire. Part of the Roxbury Open Studios Day, this event attracted next door neighbors as well as visitors, many of whom had never been to the Shirley Mansion before. The mansion was built in 1747 by the King's governor William Shirley.

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