Just as his likeness makes a big impact in the Public Garden, as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, Washington played an important role in our local history. Take a tour of “George Washington’s Boston”
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George Washington’s Boston
While the federal holiday celebrated this weekend is called “Presidents’ Day,” in Massachusetts it’s officially “Washington’s Birthday” in recognition of the man who played a large role in local history. The holiday began here in 1856 out of Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis’ determination to honor Washington. “From morn till midnight on February 22, the...
TEA Unveils Ambitious Vision for the Esplanade in 2112
After two years and more than 100 meetings with citizens, elected officials and other stakeholders, The Esplanade Association (TEA) unveiled “Esplanade 2020” Thursday, outlining the non-profit’s grand vision for restoring and enhancing the state park over the next 100 years. “This is a vision, a group of ideas, not a proposal or specific plan,”...
Highest Paid in Hub an Upside Down Mish Mash
The wages earned and paid to some city employees is an outrage to other city employees and to many residents and taxpayers unable to fathom how a police Lt. can earn $259,000 while Police Commissioner Ed Davis earned only $177,000. The top money earner in the city, School Superintendent Carol Johnson, presides over a...
Police Briefs 02-14-2012
Jan. 30 745 Boylston St. – Larceny in a Building, $200 & Over 346 Newbury St. – Larceny, Shoplifting, $50 to $199 Newbury Street - Sick/Injured/Medical – Person 150 Newbury St. - Trespassing Jan. 31 360 Newbury St. – Investigate Person 939 Boylston St. – Larceny, Non-Accessory from Vehicle, $200 & Over 120 Beacon...
On the Right Path!
These bikers are on the Esplanade section of the 17-mile Paul Dudley White Bike Path. Along the Esplanade there are dedicated bike paths like this one, shared paths, and areas where riding bikes is prohibited. Bikes should be walked on the bridges and ramps leading to the park and on the waterside paths where...
BPL Behind the Scenes: The Conservation Lab
In 1982, the National Endowment for the Humanities gave the Boston Public Library (BPL) a grant for in-house restoration of specific collections. Stuart T. Walker, Book Conservator, explained that the initial work included the John Adams Library, a large collection of manuscripts of the American Revolution, and the important anti-slavery collection that documents Boston’s...
Safety First
The mayor and the police commissioner both detailed enormous efforts being planned by the city’s public safety and police forces in preparing for possible crowd control containment measures had the Patriots won the Super Bowl. A barrage of news reports containing the stern voice of Police Commissioner Ed Davis warning that everyone who became...
Morton’s Closes
One of Back Bay’s truly premier steakhouses has closed its doors. Morton’s is no longer in business at its well known Back location on Boylston Street. The end of the Boylston Street steakhouse was hastened by the great success of its newest location in the booming Seaport district only a few miles away. Morton’s...
Police Briefs 02-07-2012
Jan. 23 239 Newbury St. – Larceny, Shoplifting, $50 to $199 Berkeley Street – Larceny, Non-Accessory from Vehicle, $200 & Over Boylston Street – Larceny, Non-Accessory from Vehicle, $200 & Over Jan. 24 30 Commonwealth Ave. – Towed Motor Vehicle 321 Beacon St. – Towed Motor Vehicle 505 Boylston St. – Larceny in a...
Accommodating Sunsets
This is a leap year. We add February 29th to correct our calender of 365 days and catch up with the solar year in which there are actually 365.242374 sunsets. A leap year is, “any year whose date is exactly divisible by 4 except those which are divisible by 100 but not 400.”
Singing Duo Performance at Hampshire House, Feb. 9
Benjamin Sears and Bradford Conner, a singing duo known for combining entertaining performances with outstanding historical research, will play a collection of old show tunes and popular songs at A Musical Feast on Beacon Hill Thursday, February 9. The performance will be held at the Hampshire House, 84 Beacon Street, and is co-sponsored by...
A Local Chocolatier’s Script ….
Commonwealth Avenue resident Valerie Conyngham has an alter ego. It’s Vianne, the lead character and chocolatier from the movie, Chocolat. Valerie even named her company Vianne Chocolat in honor of that magical persona. The Making of a Chocolatier The script for Valerie’s own story opened as she graduated from the Cambridge School of Culinary...
In Memoriam
Mayor Kevin White’s death is a moment for all of us to remember him and the days when he managed this city with an iron fist. He was above all, a real Bostonian with his early roots in West Roxbury and his adult life spent on Beacon Hill. He loved Boston. He loved downtown...
Police Briefs 01-31-2012
Jan. 16 Hereford Street – Violation of the Auto Laws – Operating After Revocation/Suspension 45 Fairfield St. – Towed Motor Vehicle Commonwealth Avenue Motor Vehicle Accident – Police Vehicle 303 Berkeley St. – Dangerous or Hazardous Condition 15 Arlington St. – Investigate Person Massachusetts Avenue – Motor Vehicle Accident – Other Jan. 17 245...
BosTix Budget Entertainment
This little booth in Copley Square can stretch your entertainment budget. The nonprofit champion of the local arts community, Arts Boston runs the BosTix program. It lets you walk up and buy half price day-of-the-show tickets to performances around town.
Mrs. Gardner & Mr. Sears
The reopening of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum shined a spotlight on the home Mrs. Gardner built in the Fenway with the assistance of architect Willard Thomas Sears. It’s a good time to remember that for 40 years Mrs. Gardner’s principal residence was on Beacon Street in the Back Bay. And, that Mr. Sears’...
Friends of the Public Garden to Open New Office at 69 Beacon St.
Patti Quinn, vice president of The Friends of the Public Garden, the 41-year-old citizens organization that works to preserve and enhance the Boston Common, the Public Garden and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, recently announced its office will move from 87 Mount Vernon St., where it has been for nine years, to 69 Beacon St.,...
From Boston Police Area D-4
*Firearm/Weapon–Found or Confiscated 01/09/12 – At about 9:21 a.m., Area D-4 officers responded to a radio call for the recovery of a firearm magazine outside of 26 Marlborough St. Upon arrival, officers were directed to a doctor’s office at that address and spoke with the receptionist, who stated the office housekeeper found a firearm...
First Snow
The first real snowfall of the year over the weekend has turned Back Bay and Boston’s other neighborhoods into a winter wonderland. It wasn’t a heavy snowfall as snowfalls go around here. But at least it reminded us that the New England winter guarantees the beauty and the inconvenience of the white stuff. In...
Mayor Menino’s Address
Mayor Menino’s 19th annual address last week at Faneuil Hall was vintage Menino. There wasn’t much in it for Back Bay, but then, Back Bay doesn’t have some of the nagging and dramatic needs of the rest of the neighborhoods of this city. Back Bay stands almost alone as the city’s greatest success story,...
The Patriots Super Bowl Bound
The New England Patriots pulled off a classic victory Sunday at Gillette Stadium. In a skin of their teeth victory following one of the team’s less than stellar performances, they beat the Baltimore Ravens in a thriller that came down to field goal kick the Ravens missed with 11 seconds remaining in the game....
Treats Please!
Allie Lopez-Cuadra said that her dogs think every mail carrier has treats for them since one of their favorite postal employees always does.
Attention to Detail
LAST WEEK’S ANSWER The carved, stone panel in last week’s clue is on 393 Commonwealth Avenue. Built in 1899, it was designed by architect, Arthur Little. Over the years, the building has been a single family home, professional offices, and an advertising agency. Today, it contains six condominiums. Do you have a favorite building...