Alison Moronta, business development director for the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Association, shares a smile with Jason Waddleton, owner of The Haven, which hosted a meeting of Hyde and Jackson Square business owners on May 13, 2015.

Biz Leaders in Hyde and Jackson Squares Aim to Work Together

[Editor's note: This report is being reproduced in English by kind arrangement with El Mundo Newspaper, where it originally appeared.]

Business owners in two of Boston’s most Latino neighborhoods, Hyde and Jackson squares in Jamaica Plain, aim to work together to bring in more customers. In two recent sessions hosted by Hyde Jackson Square Main Street and the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corp., a total of more than 30 business owners strategized on how to improve the business environment. Business owners at the first meeting, held May 13 at the Julia Martin House, focused on safety, parking and cleanliness, said Rafael Mejia, owner of Evelyn’s Market and president of the Hyde Jackson Square Merchants Association. Mejia said business owners want to give people more reasons to go into Hyde and Jackson squares. “A lot of people don’t know what’s in the neighborhood,” Mejia said.

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Nona (Patricia Cullen) in the Escena Latina Teatro production of "La Nona" in Mozart Park on Tuesday, July 29, 2014.

Crowd Enjoys Spanish-language Theater in Mozart Park

More than 150 people attended Tuesday's production of "La Nona," a comedy written by Argentine Roberto Cossa. Roslindale's Escena Latina Teatro performed it in Spanish. Here's a gallery of photos from a lovely night in Mozart Park. The performance was organized by Hyde Jackson Square Main Street, a business and community development organization. And they had lots of help, including Hyde Square Task Force and several local business sponsors.

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Screenshot of clip of Escena Latina Teatro's production of "La Nona" in Mozart Park on July 29, 2014.

Video: Outdoor Theater in Spanish Comes to Mozart Park

More than 150 people attended an outdoor production of the comedy, "La Nona" in Mozart Park Tuesday night. Here's one scene that gives a flavor of the play, which was presented in Spanish. In this clip, Chicho (Victor Hugo Arellano), tries to convince Don Francisco (Juan Carlos Pinedo) it'd be a great idea to marry Chicho's ancient grandmother. Roslindale's Escena Latina Teatro produced the play, which was written by Argentina's Roberto Cossa. Hyde Jackson Square Main Street organized the event with help from sponsors including El Oriental de Cuba, Alex's Chimis, El Mundo and Tremendous Maid, among others.

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Get Up Offa That Thing: James Brown’s Son is Coming to JP

Good morning, neighbors. Here's your Morning Memo for all things JP for Monday, July 28. James Brown's Son Is Coming to Tres Gatos: You rely on Tres Gatos for your tapas fix, quality book selections and well-curated vinyl. So what better place for Daryl Brown, son of James Brown, to discuss his book, "Inside the Godfather" (of soul, that is.) Sunday, Aug. 3, 3 p.m. at Tres Gatos, 470 Centre St.

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JP Neighborhood Development Corp. Holds Annual Meeting/Party

Hello neighborhood. Here's your Morning Memo for all things JP for Thursday, May 22. Annual Meeting of the JP Neighborhood Development Corp.: It’s hard to argue that any one organization has had more of an affect on what gets built around here than the JP Neighborhood Development Corp. Just a handful of their projects include the Brewery, the former Blessed Sacrament campus and the revitalization of Jackson Square. Here's an online map of all their projects or projects they helped midwife.

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Brad Brown at the State of JP forum, Feb. 27, 2014

JP — ‘The Greatest Place to Live in North America’

Thursday night, more than 250 gathered for a forum addressing racial justice and equity. Here are a few short clips of residents reflecting on the "State of JP." Betsaida Gutiérrez

These comments, from perhaps JP's most well-known advocate of affordable housing, are in Spanish. Scroll to the bottom for a rough translation into English. Native speakers, let me know in the comments if I missed anything!

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