Business

JP Social Justice Cannabis Museum Offering Free Info Sessions on Operating Dispensaries

By |

Jamaica Plain's Core Empowerment Social Justice Cannabis Museum is collaboration with the city to offer a series of free introductory informational sessions on the cannabis industry. The objective of the January sessions is to increase equity amongst Boston based cannabis licensees and applicants. “As we build a cannabis industry in our city, it’s crucial to uplift the communities that have lived the harms of previous marijuana laws and enforcement,” said Mayor Michelle Wu via press release. “I encourage all interested entrepreneurs to use these resources to ensure equitable growth for this emerging industry.”

Boston passed an ordinance establishing equitable regulation of the cannabis industry in 2019. That ordinance developed policies and procedures to encourage communities disproportionately by the War on Drugs, such as Black and Latino communities, to own dispensaries.

2,552 Views
Government

Matt O’Malley Energized About Next Opportunity, Reflects on City Council

By |

After 11 years, Boston City Council President Pro Tempore and District 6 City Councilor Matt O'Malley is moving on from City Hall and is very excited about what the future brings. O'Malley spoke to Jamaica Plain News about his proudest accomplishments, unsung constituent services, and what's next for him. This is an edited version of the conversation. https://twitter.com/MattOMalley/status/1463893405604401160
Q: Tell us about your new job and what does it entail? O'Malley: I was named the Chief Sustainability Officer of Vicinity.

3,273 Views
Business

Local Vyntage Goes from E-tailer to Retailer in Hyde Square

By |

Clothing retailer Local Vyntage recently held a grand opening at its location in Hyde Square.  

Owner and Jamaica Plain resident Chet Winnicki started the lifestyle apparel brand online, focusing on nostalgia and local culture. Now he's opened his first commercial spot at 386 Centre St. Local Vyntage also got a push from Acting Mayor Kim Janey, who declared Oct. 23, 2021 as Local Vyntage Day in honor of the launch of the store.

2,897 Views
From the Community

Outdoor Halloween Festival at Connolly Library on Oct. 31

By |

Enjoy an outdoor Halloween Festival complete with games, activities, free food and more for the whole family on October 31 at the Connolly Branch Library. The event is hosted by the Hyde Square Task Force and the Connolly Branch Library, and will also include photo booths, and arts & crafts. The event will be from 2 to 5 pm on the Blessed Sacrament Plaza (361 Centre St.). Masks and social distancing are encouraged. Hand sanitizer will be provided at each station.

2,039 Views
Business

Proposals for Future of Blessed Sacrament Church Being Shared Starting Sept. 18

By |

Three proposals for the shuttered Blessed Sacrament Church will be shared with the community virtually and in-person starting Sept. 18. Back in May 2020, Hyde Square Task Force's (HSTF) board of directors voted to sell the church as redevelopment and ongoing maintenance were too expensive, and took away from HSTF's mission of supporting enrichment programs for Boston's youth. HSWTF hired Colliers/Cushman and Wakefield to help move the sale of the property forward to a developer that will do something with the property that benefits the community. "As a long-standing nonprofit, deeply rooted in Jamaica Plain, we understand the concerns expressed by members of our community and have worked to address those within the top finalists among the bidders, acknowledging that there could be some community members that might not be satisfied with the options before us.

2,665 Views
Restaurants

A New Breakfast Restaurant Is Coming, Another Is Going

By |

We've got two updates on restaurants in Jamaica Plain. We're going to have a new one in a beloved spot in Hyde Square, and another restaurant that shutdown due to COVID, announced it's not going reopen. The well-liked Mike & Patty's breakfast spot and sandwich shop has applied for a license to open at 388 Centre St., which was once home to the beloved Sorella's restaurant until it closed in 2019. The news was first report by Boston Restaurant Talk. This will be Mike & Patty's first dine-in restaurant, according to Eater Boston, as its locations in Bay Village and Somerville are just takeout.

4,014 Views
Development

Hyde Square Task Force Declares Sale of Blessed Sacrament Church Will Benefit Community

By |

The Hyde Square Task Force announced that the sale of the Blessed Sacrament Church will eventually be sold to a developer that will do something with the property that benefits the community. The Hyde Square Task Force Board of Directors emailed an update in English and Spanish to provide an update to the community. The board reiterated that they decided to sell the old church after six years of exploring ways to turn it into a community space. But they ultimately decided they didn't want to do a multi-million dollar campaign to transform the church. After announcing they would sell the property, many community members were frustrated that a community space was not being created, and that HSTF would sell the property to a developer.

3,042 Views
From the Community

Call for Artists for Pop-up Art Performances and Exhibits in Latin Quarter

By |

Calling all artists! Hyde Square Task Force is looking to host a series of outdoor pop-up art performances/exhibits in different locations throughout Boston’s Latin Quarter between June and August. We are looking for a variety of performances/exhibits that will uplift the Afro-Latin culture of the neighborhood, bring vibrancy to the cultural district, and encourage people to get out in the district and support our local businesses. We are open to all art forms! Deadline is Monday, May 17th.

1,772 Views
Neighborhood Life

My Ten Favorite Streets to Walk in Jamaica Plain

By |

Alex Cox recently accomplished an amazing feat -- he walked every single street in Boston.  

Cox is currently a Master in Urban Planning candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He recently achieved his long-term goal to visit every street in Boston by foot or by bike, and holds the Guinness World Record for fastest time to travel to every MBTA station. A long-time resident of the Fenway-Kenmore area, he now lives in Somerville. Here are his 10 favorite streets to walk in Jamaica Plain:

Jamaica Plain has always held a special place in my heart, because it was the first neighborhood of Boston that I ever lived in.

6,727 Views
Coronavirus

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Hyde Square Task Force on May 7

By |

The Hyde Square Task Force is happy to be hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic this Friday, May 7th, from 2 to 7 pm. Anyone ages 16 and older are welcome to register for the clinic. This clinic is in partnership with the city of Boston. The vaccination clinic will take place at Hyde Square Task Force, located at 30 Sunnyside St., Jamaica Plain, directly behind the former Blessed Sacrament Church building. Please click this link to register for a vaccination appointment: https://www.cic-health.com/boston/hyde.

1,813 Views