Christmas 2011 is days away. Most of us are busy preparing for the holiday. All of us this year are receiving a great present – the official end of the war in Iraq. Nine Christmas celebrations have come and gone since we invaded Iraq. Thousands of brave Americans died there and tens of thousands...
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Police Briefs 12-20-2011
Dec. 5 18 Arlington St. Larceny, Other, $200 & Over 275 Newbury St. Towed Motor Vehicle Commonwealth Avenue Motor Vehicle Accident – Leaving Scene – Property Damage 346 Newbury St. Larceny, Shoplifting, $200 & Over 35 Commonwealth Ave. Larceny, Other, $200 & Over 88 Newbury St. Larceny, Shoplifting, $200 & Over Dec. 6 261...
BRA Head Outlines Key City Projects: Meade is Optimistic About Boston’s Future
At its monthly membership meeting last week, the Downtown North Association welcomed Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) Director Peter Meade, who provided an optimistic outlook on the future of the city. “We want a city where people work, live and enjoy themselves – a city that people are proud of,” Meade said. “I think we...
Twenty Years of Wreaths!
There’s something about coming here and doing this,”Said Mary Ellen Udelson.”Everything else in your life kind of falls away. It’s just pure joy !” As one of the original volunteers, this was her 20th year decorating wreaths for the Garden Club of the Back Bay’s annual fund raising event,”Wreath Week”.
Attention to Detail
LAST WEEK’S ANSWER The window in last week’s clue is on 354 Marlborough Street. The homes from 348-362 Marlborough were build for real estate developer George Wheatland, Jr. A permit to build numbers 354 and 356, as single family dwellings, was issued on June 11th,1879. Do you have a favorite building or detail you...
TEA Announces $1M Landscape Grant
The Esplanade Association’s efforts to significantly improve the landscape of one of Boston’s most treasured parks have been given a big boost. The organization has announced that it has received an award in the amount of $1 million to help revitalize and re-landscape the Eliot Memorial area on the Esplanade, as well as aid...
The end of Occupy Boston
Mayor Thomas Menino did the right thing in the end, evicting without incident the remaining numbers of those who will go down in local folklore for many years to come as the Occupiers of Boston. As nearly everyone in Boston knows, the end did not come with a bang, as TS Eliot so brilliantly...
Police Briefs 12-13-2011
Investigate Person 11/28/11 – At about 11:40 a.m., officers were responding to a radio call for a larceny in progress when they were informed of the suspect’s description and direction of flight. Police stopped a possible suspect at Massachusetts Avenue and Boylston Street and brought him back to the Apple Store at 815 Boylston...
An Autumn to Remember
This has been a fall of late color, lingering green leaves, and time spent outdoors enjoying the unseasonably mild weather. At the end of November, the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization reported that, “The 13 warmest years have all occurred in the 15 years since 1997.”
Attention to Detail
LAST WEEK’S ANSWER The cornice in last week’s clue is on 330 Boylston Street, the former Shreve, Crump & Low building. This detail was suggested by a reader who admires this feature and the structure it caps. Built circa 1910, the building was remodeled with Art Deco flair in 1930 by architect William T....
Finding Holiday Spirit
Recently, a traveler coming to Boston for Christmas asked the destination experts on Trip Advisor where he would find beautifully decorated hotel lobbies in the city. Naturally, some of the suggestions were right here in the Back Bay. This neighborhood has those places and many more opportunities to immerse yourself in holiday spirit. Victorian...
The Occupiers of Boston
The protesters in Dewey Square have been put on notice by the city that their days might very well be numbered. With the onset of winter – and temperatures about to drop – the protesters will be hard pressed to struggle through the difficulties imposed upon by the New England winter. The city has...
Police Briefs 12-06-2011
Robbery – Unarmed – Street 11/21/11 – At about 7:58 p.m., officers responded to a radio call for a robbery in progress at Marlborough and Gloucester streets. On arrival, officers spoke with the victim, who stated she was walking on Marlborough Street when a group of approximately five males and females approached her from...
Remembering the Past
This week marks the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor surprise attack by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. Most Americans alive today cannot recall that day and year. They can’t even recall what the surprise attack was about nor is there the sense that this one attack galvanized a sleeping giant – the...
Coat Drive: Beacon Hill and Back Bay Residents Asked to Help Their Neighbors by Donating to ‘coats for Kids’ Drive
As yet another brutally cold winter fast approaches, many Beacon Hill and Back Bay families are bracing for a winter season without warm coats. This is why Anton’s Cleaners’ “Coats for Kids” program is once again calling upon the neighborhoods to help make this winter a little warmer for children, teens and adults throughout...
Long Time Newbury Neighbor!
In 1973 John Lewis Inc. moved from 337 Newbury Street to their present location at number 97. Soon after, they planted this birch tree in front of their jewelry shop.
Attention to Detail
LAST WEEK’S ANSWER The window in last week’s clue is on 212 Commonwealth Avenue. This residence was designed by Peabody and Stearns and the original building permit for this “Dwelling House” was granted on December 8, 1879. It began as a single family home, has been a lodging house, had mixed residential/commercial use, and...
Shopping Local on Newbury Street
All along Newbury Street there are local shops that present a carefully curated selection of goods. Many of them carry items from local artisans and manufacturers. Visiting these neighbors is a great way to have fun and find memorable gifts especially this holiday season. The Society of Arts and Crafts is a treasure chest...
Reps. Walz and Rushing Announce New Boston Public Library Initiative
State Reps. Marty Walz and Byron Rushing have announced a new state-funded initiative for Boston Public Library (BPL) that will expand library resources across the Commonwealth and provide additional state funding for Boston’s library system. Through their work with the legislature’s Library Caucus and other legislators representing Boston, Walz and Rushing worked to establish...
Joey McIntyre and Siobhan Magnus to Perform at Common Tree Lighting
The City of Boston’s 70th annual official tree lighting comes to Boston Common on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. The celebration is hosted by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, title sponsor the Province of Nova Scotia, supporting sponsors the Boston Pops, Distrigas/GDF SUEZ, and JetBlue, and...
Holiday Books Are Perennial Favorites
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is the obvious perennial favorite for holiday books. However, many people might not realize that holiday-themed items can be exciting and rewarding choices, simply because there is a plethora of options available. That’s not to say 1834 Dickens classic isn’t wildly popular, even today. There are people who will...
Attention to Detail
LAST WEEK’S ANSWER The window in last week’s clue is on 101 Beacon Street. Built in 1862, this residence begins another set of contiguous houses that runs from here to number 111 Beacon. This building had a sixth story added in 1959, when it was converted from a single family home to nine apartments....
Gathering Family History
Holiday events offer opportunities to learn more about your family history. The experts at the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) have effective tips for collecting important details while everyone is together. Preparation If family members have traveled to be together, make the most of the occasion. Have everyone bring as much family history...