Friday, May 10, 2013
Self-proclaimed “professional student” Opal Leung posts instructional videos for those in her particularly precarious situation.
Jamaica Plain is home to a variety of people, but the neighborhood is hopping with students. Undergraduates, graduates, law students, medical students, art students, whatever you study, Jamaica Plain has a home for you. One thing most students have in common is living on a minimal income. One resident who lives somewhere between Doyle's and Franklin Park has a Youtube channel devoted to helping those who live with modest means. Opal Leung is “The Poor Student.” She is working on a PhD in organizational behavior at Bentley University, and this is on top of the multiple degrees she holds already. Videos on her channel involve cheap techniques for cooking and transportation, and affords her public with a glimpse into the life of…a poor …
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Forest Hills resident Clay Harper may have written the definitive Forest Hills historical document.
Forest Hills resident Clay Harper has taken it upon himself to thoroughly research and write the story of the Casey Overpass. Beginning with its original Olmstedian design and ending with his position on the current direction for the area's infrastructure, the Hampstead Road resident has garnered solid feedback on Twitter for the post on his blog, 500 Monkeys with Paintbrushes, which typically features commentary on art. Harper's post features several historical photos he's unearthed - admittedly without permission. The Casey Arborway project will involve the removal of the crumbling overpass in Forest Hills and replacement with an at-grade network of roads sometime in 2014.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
State and city leaders were in JP yesterday.
1. Neighborhood Meeting: The Public Service Committee will hold its April 2013 monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 9 at 7:00pm at theJohn F. Kennedy School, 7 Bolster Street (between Wyman and Mozart Streets near the Mozart playground). 2. Weather: Sun was out but the cold remained. It's frustrating, but we may see some warmth today. 3. Arboretum Place Update: Rockland Trust will provide $8 million in financing for Arboertum Place at Forest Hills. 4. Music: The Boston Conservatory Wind Ensemble, Eric Hewitt, conductor, presents a free concert, Friday, April 5 at 8 p.m. at Old South Church (645 Boylston St., Copley Square). For more information, call The Boston Conservatory event line at (617) 912-9240. 5. Voter Registration: The last day …
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Barlow Street resident Julie A. Larson is petitioning the “dog-friendly” neighborhood to maintain the publicly-owned plots.
Three adjoining plots of city-owned land tucked neatly away high in the Forest Hills neighborhood are a struggle to find without a GPS; the likelihood that a city worker – or even an area resident – would take notice is slim. One resident is trying to change that by asking neighbors to urge the city to take over the plots and construct a dog park. Barlow Street resident Julie A. Larson has 10 signatures as of this writing on her online petition that calls for the city to transform the shaded area across the street from her home into a neighborhood park for dogs. Larson, a longtime JP renter and recent homeowner, said through this movement, she hopes her neighborhood gets more visibility in the eyes of the city. “[Barlow] Street is very …
42.29688
-71.1132
23 Barlow St, Jamaica Plain, MA
/articles/forest-hills-resident-looks-to-transform-vacant-lot-into-dog-park
/locations/9118205
Monday, February 25, 2013
Brigham & Women’s Faulkner Hospital is “very interested” in sponsoring a Jamaica Plain Hubway bicycle share station.
There is mounting possibilty the Hubway bicycle sharing system might plan a station in Jamaica Plain for the 2013 season. Faulkner Hospital has expressed interest in sponsoring a station, and while there's no discussion as to where the station will be Green Street and Forest Hills have been floated as possibilities. Where do you think a Hubway station should be placed in Jamaica Plain? Leave your answers in the comments.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The meeting will cover the 25 percent design phase of the project, but the state must give ample notice before convening the hearing.
A public hearing to outline details of the Casey Arborway project originally scheduled for Feb. 6 has been cancelled. Massachusetts Department of Transportation officials said there would not be ample notice – at least 14 days – between the announcement of the meeting and the actual meeting. The state is in the process of scheduling a new date. There is not yet a rescheduled date for the "25 percent design" hearing, typically a formalized presentation in which the public gets to see project plans for the first time. The contentious Casey Arborway project will result in the demolition of the Casey Overpass in Forest Hills and the building of an at-grade network of roads. For more information on the Casey Arborway project, check our topic …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
A state office, reviewing the state’s environmental filing, determined the project can proceeed as planned.
The Casey Arborway project will continue as plan, according to a state office. The Jamaica Plain Gazette reported Friday the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office said the state can move forward with the project as planned. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation filed a report with MEPA for review in November. The Casey Arborway project will remove the dilapidated Casey Overpass and replace it with an at-grade roadway network. The project will drastically change the look of Forest Hills, including a change to Shea Circle, which a state board opposes. The Gazette reports there will be a meeting regarding Casey in February.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
According to MBTA figures released Tuesday, there were 32 reported thefts at the Forest Hills train station in 2012.
Overall crime was down across the MBTA in 2012, though in Jamaica Plain one major station’s crime statistics hit an uptick while the others went down, according to figures released by MBTA Transit Police Chief Paul MacMillan Tuesday. There were 43 total incidents reported at Forest Hills Station in 2012 – six robberies, five assaults and 32 larcenies. This compares to 40 incidents at the station in 2011. However, there were also two auto thefts and one burglary at Forest Hills in 2011, but none in 2012. At Jackson Square, crime was low in 2012. There were 13 reported incidents, down from 19 in 2011. There were four assaults, seven larcenies and eight robberies at Jackson Square in 2012. There were six total incidents at Green Street …
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
How much snow will we get this winter?
1. So far it appears winter has been a bit of a letdown, if you're into snow, that is. Though last week's cold temperatures reminded winter will be around for a while. 2. The city will host its second meeting regarding the South Huntington Avenue corridor tonight. 3. This area is home to 161 S. Huntington Ave., the site of the JPNC lawsuit against the city to block a development there. 4. There were some great blog posts submitted yesterday - join the fun and blog on JP Patch today. 5. Have there been any MBTA problems in Jamaica Plain this week following the situation at Forest Hills Monday?
42.2759
-71.1557
161 South Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA
/articles/5-things-you-need-to-know-today-jan-9-0b049628
/locations/8556980
Monday, January 7, 2013
Trains throughout the region have been and will continue to be affected today because of a downed wire at the Forest Hills MBTA station.
A downed Amtrak line wire at Forest Hills station caused delays on multiple area trains this morning – and the delays could continue through tonight’s commute. A New York-bound Acela train’s overhead wire fell while passing through the station at 5:45 this morning knocking out power to the train, according to Boston.com. This blocked one mainline track to and from South Station, according to the site. The wire was live so multiple lines that run along that course had to be shut down during peak morning commute hours, the story says. Delays could extend through the afternoon commute hours while the trains get back on line.
42.300399
-71.113807
Forest Hills station (MBTA)
Washington St & Hyde Park Ave, Jamaica Plain, MA
/articles/downed-wire-at-forest-hills-causes-delays
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/locations/8543986
Sarah Freeman
10:33 am on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Another big difference (besides building materials) between the bridge in the postcard and Casey: The arched stone railroad bridge went ACROSS the Arborway without highway-style on & off ramps; Casey goes ALONG the Arborway, over 2 large intersections and a very long block in between, plus ramps are needed for those who are going to Forest Hills rather than bypassing. Bridges are a permanent … more ›