Letter: Jamaica Plain Civic Associations Oppose DCR’s Selection for Arborway Project

The following letter was sent to Stephanie Cooper, the Acting Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation. As chairs of the Jamaica Pond Association and of the Jamaica Hills Association through whose jurisdictions runs the entire Arborway from the Eliot Street intersection to and through Kelley Circle and to and through Murray Circle, we write to advise the DCR of the united opposition of the Jamaica Pond Association and the Jamaica Hills Association to DCR’s “Preferred Alternative” (Alt 4) for its Arborway Project and of our united support for Alternative 1. We oppose Alternative 4 and strongly support Alternative 1 because Alternative 1:

Eliminates the possible construction of two major, wide, signalized intersections in the park;
Protects against the build-up of air pollution caused by motor vehicles idling day and night at traffic signals at Kelley Circle and Murray Circle;
Allows for easier vehicular access outbound into the Eliot StreetBurroughs Street Pondside neighborhood;
Allows for the reestablishment of a two-lane roadway between Murray Circle and Forest Hills eliminating the present bottlenecks approaching Murray
Provides clearly designated pedestrian and bicycle crossings at Murray and Kelley Circles;
Removes far fewer trees than either Alternatives 3 and 4;
Allows Moss Hill residents direct access to the JP Business District and to travel to the Medical Area and to downtown Boston; and,
Our goal is to keep the parkway as a parkway. We ask that you meet with representatives of our associations so that we might discuss with you our opposition to Alternative 4 and our support for Alternative 1. Very Truly Yours,

Kay Mathews
Chair, Jamaica Pond Association

Andrea Howley
Chair, Jamaica Hills Assocation

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JP’s Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Adds to Leadership Team

The Armenian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA), a nonprofit health care organization dedicated to serving elders locally and internationally, and the sponsor organization of the Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, recently announced an expanded senior leadership team. The Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is an 83-bed, Jamaica Plain nonprofit nursing center located at 431 Pond St., next to Larz Anderson Park, which offers long-term care. AWWA added two experienced administrators: Greg Messina, Chief Operating Officer, and Jessica Brigham, Executive Director. Messina will guide the Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center’s strategic and planning initiatives, including the development of new services and programs, oversight of finances and collaboration with key health care partners. Brigham will lead the day-to-day operations, including the clinical care of patients and residents, management of staff, and communication with families.

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Proposed Retail Marijuana Business Reps Making Rounds to Neighborhood Orgs

The management team for the proposed retail marijuana business that wants to go into the old Milky Way spot on Centre Street will be speaking at two neighborhood groups in the next week. Core Empowerment's leadership has been performing its due diligence to inform the public about its proposed retail store/social justice museum. Representatives have been meeting with neighborhood groups, including the Jamaica Plain Business and Professional Association in October. "Things have been going well. We continue to get local support for the project, so we're thrilled by the reception," said Core's Chief Operating Officer Tomas Gonzales to Jamaica Plain News.

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Half Marathon Means Road Closures on October 7 in Jamaica Plain

You'll want to avoid a bunch of roads on Sunday due to the Boston Athletic Association Half Marathon making its way through the Emerald Necklace park system. An estimated 9,000 runners will start the 13.1-mile course at 8 am from White Stadium in Franklin Park, where the race ends, too. Roads along the route will be closed from 7:30 am to approximately 11 am. The race starts on Pierpont Road. The course heads out from Franklin Park, along New Washington Street and Forest Hills Drive, past the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Pond and the Arborway/Jamaicaway.

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James Purtle arranges lanterns spelling out “Spontaneous Celebrations” for the Jamaica Pond Lantern Parade on Oct. 18., 2014.

Saturday Night of 2016 Lantern Parade Cancelled

Spontaneous Celebrations, the non-profit that hosts several of the neighborhood's iconic events, announced late Saturday afternoon that the first night of the 2016 Lantern Parade has been cancelled. Sunday's parade is on, however. Here's the message Spontaneous Celebrations sent out via email:

Here's the Jamaica Plain News Guide to the 2016 Lantern Parade. It tells you everything you need to know to enjoy Sunday's parade.

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Victoria Wu studies one of many lanterns for sale at the Jamaica Pond Lantern Parade on Oct. 18, 2014.

Your Guide to the 2016 Lantern Parade

UPDATE: The soggy weather has forced Spontaneous Celebrations to cancel the Saturday night portion of this year's Lantern Parade. Sunday is still on. ~~~~~

Here's everything you need to know to prepare for and enjoy the 33rd edition of Jamaica Plain's iconic Lantern Parade. The 2016 Lantern Parade takes place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22 and 23 around Jamaica Pond.

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Your Guide to the 2016 Jamaica Plain Music Festival

The Jamaica Plain Music Festival is here again! Enjoy 20 bands and celebrate your connections to the neighborhood you love. Here's everything you need to know to soak up the goodness of the 2016 Jamaica Plain Music Festival. Where: Pinebank Field

When: Noon to 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10

Cost: Free!

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Detail from “Nieli’ka” mural by Mayor’s Mural Crew, 2013 on wall of Purple Cactus

JP Home to Four of Region’s Top 50 Pieces of Public Art

Several pieces of art familiar to anyone from JP made WBUR's list of the top 50 pieces of public art in Greater Boston. We won't spoil all the enjoyment, as scrolling through Greg Cook's well-reasoned list is half the fun. But we were happy to see Rafael Rivera García's epic mural of Taino mythology at No. 20. Click through for Cook's full fifty to find the four that are in JP.

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