Stay Abreast on Local Stories and Schedules This Holiday Week

By Michele Taranto

Monday Essentials is a quick snapshot of significant incidents occurring throughout Jamaica Plain in the week ahead.

For a full listing of events and happenings in town, check out Jamaica Plain Patch.

Christmas Tree Recycling

Boston will collect Christmas trees December 30, 1013 to January 10, 2014. Put the tree out by 7 a.m. on your regular recycling day. Make sure you strip the tree clean of tinsel, ornaments, wire, stands and any other non-recyclable material. Don't put the tree or wreaths in a plastic bag. the trees are composted, so they need to be all-natural.

Callahan Tunnel Closure

The Callahan Tunnel was officially closed Friday, December 27, for several months for repairs. Check out the different detouring options on the MassDOT website.

New Year's Eve Options

There are many events throughout Jamaica Plain and Boston to celebrate the new year. Here are a few family-friendly choices.

For all the information on First Night Boston, including schedules, button purchases, highlights and overnight accommodations, visit their website.

Red Sox Introduce “New Year’s Eve at Fenway Park”

The Boston Red Sox will introduce their first "New Year's Eve at Fenway Park," an ice skating and sledding event for families and children, Tuesday, December 31, 5-10 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at redsox.com/newyears at $40 per person. The event is part of Citi Frozen Fenway, a 17-day period in which the ice rink will serve as host to a variety of skating and hockey events. There will also be free hot chocolate for kids.

The World Series Trophies of 2004, 2007, and 2013 will be on display on the field and available for photographs. Fans are also invited to come  down and take pictures on the warning track and in the dugouts.

Traditional ballpark fare will be on sale at concession stands in the temperature-controlled Home Plate Concourse.

Read about all the events at Jamaica Plain Patch.

New Year's Eve at The Haven

The Haven, 2 Perkins St., will be celebrating Hogmanay (the Scottish word for New Year's Eve) in Scottish time, at 7 p.m., with a live broadcast of the countdown on the BBC. (That's Big Ben for those in the know!)
Combined with a sumptuous 3-course prix-fixe menu, (and a kids menu), champagne toast and plenty of bagpipe music, this event is the perfect way to see in the New Year and be in bed by 10pm!  
To purchase tickets go to http://hogmanay.bpt.me.

Caramelo Clothing Company Winners of Deck the Windows Contest

While shopping Jamaica Plain this week, be sure to stop by Caramelo Clothing Company, 606 Centre St., and check out their window display that was recently awarded as one of the winners of Boston's Deck the Windows Contest. More than 400 small businesses from Dorchester to East Boston, competed in the three week contest which began on November 28.

To read the complete story, visit the City of Boston website.