Jamaica Plain News swag
Business

Jamaica Plain News Has Turned Two. Thank You!

By |

Two years ago this week, we launched a new website covering the neighborhood. More than 900,000 page views later, we'd like to thank everyone who's read us, written for us, talked to us as sources and advertised with us. Readers might not know that the name "Jamaica Plain News" is a nod to the neighborhood’s first newspaper. It was published from 1872 to 1932 by the Jamaica Printing Co., according to the JP Historical Society. A Centre Street storefront was packed two Aprils ago when we held a launch party in the space that's now the home of Hatched.

1,902 Views
David Ertischek
Business

David Ertischek Joins Jamaica Plain News

By |

Hi neighbors, this is Chris Helms, publisher of Jamaica Plain News. I have some exciting news to share about this site. My longtime colleague and friend David Ertischek, a well-known Boston journalist who has lived in JP for nearly 15 years, will be running Jamaica Plain News day-to-day. I'll still be involved with Jamaica Plain News, which I founded in April 2014. But I have a 9-to-5 job now in addition to Jamaica Plain News, so I'm bringing in help.

1,960 Views
Detail from Google search for "Jamaica Plain" in Google News on Monday, March 16, 2015.
Business

Jamaica Plain News Gains Google Juice

By |

In the not-quite-a-year since we launched Jamaica Plain News as an independent, online news source for the neighborhood, we've made great strides. We passed another milestone recently that makes it easier for readers to find us. On Friday Jamaica Plain News was accepted into Google News. This means it will be easier to find our stories through Internet searches. For our local advertisers, it means more people seeing their messages.

3,497 Views
Schools

Journalism Panel Fields Sharp Questions from Boston International High School Students

By |

The 10th-grade students of Boston International High School welcomed a panel of local journalist Thursday for a question-and-answer session — followed by pizza. Representatives from Jamaica Plain News, Bostonia Magazine, Teens in Print and a new East Boston radio station fielded questions like "What's one challenge of being a journalist? What's one benefit?" In the small-group lunch that followed the forum, student Merline Matheiu sought help finding a local publication for her essay about homelessness. Nicole Talbot Da Silva, an ESL teacher, organized the session at the Dorchester high school.

3,802 Views
Flyer for a Celebration of Service Party for Laura Foner
Morning Memo

Celebrate Retirement of Children’s Librarian Laura Foner

By |

Hi neighborhood. I've let it get into the afternoon, but here's your better-late-than-never Morning Memo for all things JP for Monday, June 9. Celebrate Librarian Laura Foner: Monday evening from 6-8 p.m., stop by the Connolly Branch Library to pay tribute to Laura Foner, the well-known children's librarian who is retiring after 18 years of service to the neighborhood. There will be refreshments, music and the presentation of a book of stories, photos and drawings for Foner. 433 Centre St.

2,297 Views
Somerville Porchfest 2012
Morning Memo

Porchfest Is Coming to a JP Stoop Near You

By |

Good morning, neighborhood. Here's your morning memo for Monday, April 21. What's Open, Closed for Patriots' Day: Of course today is a holiday in Boston and Massachusetts. You know the Marathon is being run this morning and the Sox play at home before lunch. Here are the other details like how much your trash and recycling pickup will be delayed and whether the packie will be open.

1,734 Views
Launch party for Jamaica Plain News, Thursday, April 3, 2014.
Business

Packed House Celebrates Launch of Jamaica Plain News

By |

We launched the neighborhood's newest news source, Jamaica Plain News, with a party during the spring's inaugural First Thursday Art Walk. Dozens of residents stopped by to give their best wishes to the new project. My wife, Jane, and I are deeply appreciative of the warm welcome back to the neighborhood. The launch party took place during a celebration of First Thursday. Mayor Marty Walsh attended and spoke of the link between the arts scene and a healthy neighborhood economy.

1,629 Views
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh
Business

Meet Mayor Walsh During First Thursday Art Walk

By |

Mayor Marty Walsh will be attending the Jamaica Plain News launch party on Thursday during his visit to First Thursday throughout Centre/South — please stop by and meet him. We're hosting the launch party with JP Centre/South Main Streets as the business development organization relaunches the First Thursday Art Walk. All along the Centre/South corridor there'll be music, food and drink tastings and lots of art in the various businesses and offices. The party is from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at 668 Centre St. That's the old Verizon store, between City Feed and the Smoke Shop.

1,232 Views
Chris Helms, founder of Jamaica Plain News
Business

Coming April 3: Fresh News For the Neighborhood You Love

By |

Hello, neighbors. This is Chris Helms, publisher of the site you're reading, the Jamaica Plain News. If that name rings a bell, it may be because you knew me as the founding editor of Jamaica Plain Patch. Or maybe you were a dog walking buddy when I lived in Forest Hills. My wife Jane and I are starting this online news and community site for the neighborhood we all love.

2,092 Views