Beacon Hill

Remember our fallen soldiers

adamg — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:20:20 +0000

Neil the roving UHub photographer captured some of the 33,000 flags planted in the Common to commemorate Massachusetts servicemen and women who've died in the line of duty since the Civil War.

No attack on Lechmere tonight

adamg — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:53:08 +0000

NorthEndWaterfront.com reports somebody's gotten permission to shoot off fireworks over the Charles by the Museum of Science for about 10 minutes tonight, starting around 9:30 p.m.

People in wheelchairs chain themselves across Beacon Street to protest T fare increases

adamg — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:21:53 +0000

Steve Annear at BostInno posts a photo of chained Ride riders across Beacon Street today, protesting fare increases scheduled to go into effect on July 1. Alternatives for Community and Environment has more photos.

State Police have asked the city DPW to send somebody over with a bolt cutter.

Quack!

adamg — Sun, 13 May 2012 21:56:41 +0000

Some photos from the Make Way for Ducklings parade.

2012 Make Way for Ducklings parade

adamg — Sun, 13 May 2012 21:34:54 +0000

It's one of Boston's most endearing celebrations - the annual Make Way for Ducklings parade from the State House to the Public Garden. Today was an almost perfect day for a waddling procession - the only problem was it was so warm some kids were getting out of their costumes even before they made the turn from Beacon Street onto Joy.

Beacon Hill could lose its burrito joint

adamg — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:58:40 +0000

Boston Restaurant Talk reports the Zoning Board of Appeals squashed Villa Mexico's request to move from its current location in a Cambridge Street gas station around the corner. Maybe a bank could move in instead.

Ross fights to keep Beacon Hill from being overrun by bank branches

adamg — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:02:38 +0000

City Councilor Mike Ross (Beacon Hill, Back Bay) wants to make it tougher for banks to open along Beacon Hill's main shopping street.

The City Council tomorrow considers a request from Ross for a hearing on a measure that would require banks to go before the zoning board for permission to open new branches. Currently, any bank can just waltz right in, sign a lease and open up, which created a neighborhood brouhaha recently when a Charles Street landlord proposed kicking out a beloved convenience store for a Capital One branch. Under Ross's plan, banking would become a "conditional use" along the five blocks of Charles Street through the heart of Beacon Hill, which would require banks to explain themselves to the zoning board.

In his hearing request, Ross said Beacon Hill is "a vibrant neighborhood with a diverse business community consisting of non-franchised, locally owned businesses that meet the needs of residents" and that "the proliferation of many large banking institutions that would replace small retail stores threatens to erode the character of Charles Street."

The heist that left Beacon Hill reeling

adamg — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:43:05 +0000

Something fishy: State Police detective with recovered Cod.

Late in the evening on April 26, 1933, a call came into the State House press room - the Sacred Cod was gone. The reporter who took the call at first thought it was just a joke, but he alerted security guards, who checked the House of Representatives. And sure enough, the 4'11 pine carving of a cod, which had overseen legislative affairs since 1784, was missing. As the Globe reported at the time:

One of Beacon Hill's hamsters is missing

adamg — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:06:15 +0000

It's orange and white.

White duck is pet on Beacon Hill

adamg — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 14:02:01 +0000

Just put the piano on his bill.

Somewhere on Beacon Hill in 1941, a boy had a white duck as a pet, and Leslie Jones was there to chronicle it.

From the BPL Leslie Jones collection. Posted under this Creative Commons license.

Tempest in a Tea Party

adamg — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:24:31 +0000

The Greater Boston Tea Party wishes it known it has nothing to do with - and wants nothing to do with - the Mass Tea Party Coalition that is organizing a rally on the Common this Sunday:

For nearly three years, Greater Boston Tea Party has been strongly focused on the serious fiscal issues facing the Commonwealth and this country. Our organization does not take positions on social issues, such as gay marriage or abortion. While these issues are important to many people, including some of our members, they do not apply to our mission of advocating for personal responsibility and individual Liberty.

The Mass Tea Party Coalition has a radically different view on tea party activism. Their main focus appears to be the above social issues, as evidenced by the speakers they have chosen for their rally, including two well known anti-gay activists. The coalition claims to represent 40 groups but there is little evidence of this being accurate. We know of at least one legitimate Tea Party group that has asked repeatedly to be removed from the "coalition", but to no avail.

President of Brazil trumps First Amendment

adamg — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:32:16 +0000

In advance of a visit by the Brazilian president today, the Secret Service no less ordered Occupy MBTA evicted from the State House steps last night. State Police provided some trucks so the protesters could move their stuff; they'll be allowed back today after the departure of Dilma Rousseff, her eyes protected from the sight of Americans clinging to the quaint idea they have a right to peacefully assemble.

AmberPaw reports from the scene.

Man robs Beacon Hill drugstore, makes bomb threat to nearby BPL branch as a diversion

adamg — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 16:10:31 +0000

4/7/12 - 11:15 am

Suspect. Photo via BPD.

Updated, 6 p.m.

Boston Police report a man who robbed the CVS at Charles Circle this morning handed workers a note that said there were bombs both there and at the nearby West End branch of the BPL and to give the man all their good drugs.

Bombs were not found at either location, police say:

The note further stated that someone would be watching the store in the event police were called. Provided police weren't called, in 2 1/2 hours time, bombs would be deactivated in the pharmacy and the library. After receiving an undisclosed amount of prescription drugs, the suspect fled the store on foot.

Bank robber who detoured from getaway to settle his hotel bill won't be going anywhere for awhile

adamg — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:18:50 +0000

Patrick Cannon yesterday acknowledged in court he was the guy clad in a white graduation gown and a ski mask who held up the Cambridge Trust branch at Beacon and Charles last Aug. 17, the US Attorney's Office in Boston reports.

State picks Longfellow Bridge design that features more room for pedestrians, bicyclists

adamg — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:36:54 +0000

MassBike reports MassDOT has picked a design for the renovation of the Longfellow that features just one vehicle lane outbound and wider lanes for bicyclists and pedestrians in both directions.