Arts
Cristian, 13, lights lanterns for the Jamaica Pond Lantern Parade on Oct. 18.

Jamaica Pond Lantern Parades on Oct. 20 & 21; Lantern Making Workshops All Week

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The very popular annual Jamaica Plain Lantern Parades are on Saturday and Sunday. There are also several lantern making workshops this week for kids (and adults). This is the 35th year for the annual tradition presented by Spontaneous Celebrations and the Friends of Jamaica Pond. It truly is one of Jamaica Plain's most beloved events that attracts hundreds of kids, adults and dogs. Before the parade, people gather by the Jamaica Pond Boat House, and hang their lanterns to display for all to enjoy the varied designs.

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Neighborhood Life

New Pedestrian Walk, Path Around Pond Being Discussed at Celebration of Jamaica Pond Park Meeting

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Two grants that will fund the creation of a new path around Jamaica Pond and a pedestrian walk from the Cabot Estates into Jamaica Pond Park will be discussed at a meeting on Thursday night. The grants will also provide funding for landscaping. The Jane Addams-Ellen Swallow Richards-Harriet Tubman Institute is presenting a Celebration of Jamaica Pond Park on Thursday, Jan. 18th at the First Church in Jamaica Plain (6 Eliot St.) at 7 pm. The meeting is free and open to the public.

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Neighborhood Life
Twins Veronica (left) and Victoria, 9, light lanterns in preparation for the Jamaica Pond Lantern Parade on Oct. 18, 2014. The girls are involved in Spontaneous Celebrations’ La Piñata program, a traditional music and dance group directed by Rosalba Solis.

34th Annual Jamaica Plain Lantern Parade Oct. 21st & 22nd

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One of the greatest JP traditions is the annual Lantern Parade around Jamaica Pond. Children, adults (and dogs!) gather to enjoy music, food and drink, design their own lanterns, and then walk around the pond with their glowing creations. People are welcome to gather at the Jamaica Pond Boathouse from 5:30 to 9 pm. The parades starts at 6 pm on both Saturday, Oct. 21st and Sunday, Oct.

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Police Capt. Alfredo Andres, left, addresses a crowd of concerned residents during an emergency community meeting on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014.
Police and Fire

Police Vow to Keep Up Extra Patrols Until Pond Muggers Caught

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Police brass tried to reassure a crowd of more than 50 concerned residents who gathered at the Pond Friday that they're doing everything possible to find two young men suspected in at least two armed robberies. But although police said they increased patrols immediately after one armed robbery came to their attention, and though armed robberies are down 33 percent in JP's District E-13, some residents came away unconvinced. "We did feel safe here," said resident Carmen Watkins. "I feel like there's an escalation now." Indeed, the morning after the community meeting, scanner traffic indicated another incident about 12:15 p.m. Saturday.

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Dusk at Jamaica Pond, June 2014
Police and Fire

Armed Robberies at Pond Spark Emergency Community Meeting

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Police and residents have organized a community meeting at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Jamaica Pond boathouse/bandstand area to address two brazen armed robberies. The district police captain for Jamaica Plain, Alfredo Andres, will be there to discuss the police response to the incidents, which took place last week on Wednesday night. In one, a bicyclist was robbed and left tied to a tree. In another, the robbers approached a group of three people. Police Officer Carlos Lara encouraged residents to contact Capt. Andres at 617-343-4604 with any questions or comments that you may have about the meeting.

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