Are you feeling like you can’t breath, that everyone is crowding around you, and you can’t move? You must be on the Green Line. The MBTA will be making a presentation about what can be done to improve capacity and how much it would cost, among other issues. Public comments and suggestions welcome. The meeting was organized by a group of elected officials, including State Sen. Will Brownsberger, Reps. Honan and Moran, and Councilor Ciommo. Details here.
January 8, 2013
Big Macs at 2AM
The endless push to keep every bar, restaurant and fast food joint open as late as possible continues. The McDonald’s on Soldier’s Field Road, next to the IHOP, wants to extend its hours, opening at 5AM instead of 6, and closing at 2AM instead of 11. They already have a 24-hour drive through. Anyone who has been to the IHOP after midnight, especially on a weekend, knows what a drunk-fest it is. We do not need more establishments that will keep people in the neighborhood well into the morning hours, or serve as a magnet for communities that have early closing hours. The hearing is tomorrow before the Licensing Board.
January 7, 2013
Her home was gone
Inscribed on the back of this photograph: “….Mrs. Eunice Hollum of 152 North Harvard Street is told that her home in background was cleaned up by BRA movers and then closed up while she was at the store, by Steve Golden, one of the leaders against the BRA takeover…”
Thanks to Charlie Vasiliades for the photo.
Allston has suffered a lot over years due to the arrogance and indifference of the BRA.
UPDATE: Charlie V. informs me the photo is from 1969, probably October.
January 7, 2013
Round-up on Harvard’s plans
Harry Mattison has lots of information on Harvard’s latest plans for Allston, such as they are. Scroll down to the posts starting with “More on Harvard’s empty warehouses.”
January 4, 2013
100 bottles of beer on the wall
Boston has been named the drunkest city in America, according to The Daily Beast. Think about that the next time someone says we need to extend closing hours to 3AM. Meanwhile, the BPD stopped by the Joshua Tree Saturday night, which they continue to monitor after a fist-fight among patrons this summer. The watering hole was named one of Boston’s douchiest bars back in the fall.
January 2, 2013
Alleged murderer in Allston stabbing arraigned
The Suffolk County DA’s office released an account of the altercation. The victim has been identified as Tony Spaulding of Harwich. He was a tenant at the house and attended the New England Institute of Art.
January 2, 2013
Civic rings in 2013
Thursday, January 3 the BAIA will hear from the owner of 28 Bellamy Street, Brighton on his plan to add a second floor the existing home. There are a few other items as well. Most interested should be the police department report, given this weeks murder in Allston and another in December in Brighton.
January 1, 2013
Man dies of stabbing in Allston, Boston’s first homicide for 2013
A man perished of stab wounds this morning outside 48 Pratt Street in Allston. Police arrived at 2:43AM and found the victim bleeding heavily.
The owners of the property are Carla and Charles Husak of Georgetown, MA. It is listed as a six bedroom home in city records. They purchased the property in July 2008 for $430,000 with a $382,000 mortgage.
The “parties” in South Allston get worse and worse, and add to a sense that large parts of the neighborhood are becoming unsafe. The police can end up overwhelmed with calls, and how are they to know which party will turn violent?
UPDATE: The Boston Police state they have arrested Brian MacDonald, age 24, for the murder.
December 4, 2012
Pet supply store, condo developer to present plans
Up this Thursday at the BAIA’s meeting:
The Stockyard’s new owner continues his quest to acquire all the licenses he needs to reopen the restaurant.
More than one hundred new apartments may be coming to 75 Brainerd Road, Allston.
And for those who want their pets styled for the holidays, a proposed pet supply store at 20 Market Street will also offer do-it-yourself canine washing space.
Full agenda and meeting time and location here.
November 29, 2012
Neighbors unhappy, Harvard shrugs
Neighbors have written the Boston Redevelopment Authority, expressing their displeasure with Harvard’s latest plans for North Allston. It doesn’t sound like they will get much satisfaction from the BRA, based on comments from their point person for the site. Can we ask where is the mayor on this?
November 27, 2012
Even Harvard’s students don’t like their Allston plans
A Crimson editorial writer has tough words for the university’s development plans.
November 26, 2012
The Allston Brighton Coast
According to this map, all of North Allston and North Brighton would end up submerged if the ocean continues to rise. Of course, the most extreme scenario is hundreds of years away, but still. Harvard might want to think twice about spending all that money in an area that may end up under water.
November 24, 2012
Leicester Street murder victim identified
View Larger MapThe Boston Police Department has released the name of the man who was shot to death on Leicester Street, Brighton Street on Monday, November 19. The initial report stated that it appeared that it appeared to be drug-related.
November 13, 2012
The coed wore Prada
A recent theft from a student living on Gerald Road in Brighton included bags from Prada, Tumi and Chanel, three(!) coats from Burberry, and a few other items that ring in for a total of $6050. Ka-ching, ka-ching, the girl likes to shop. Just don’t ever complain about your student loans, OK?
November 13, 2012
That little old lady in your yoga class may be up to no good
Last Wednesday a woman had her wallet lifted while she was taking a yoga class at the Oak Square Y. The elderly suspect had an enormous purse, “overflowing” with stuff, according to the victim. Leaving her wallet on a bench in the yoga studio, she noticed the gray-haired possible perp sitting there. The loot included credit cards, passports for the US and Canada, and $400. Theft has been a problem at the facility since the day it opened. In another incident, Monday of this week a member returned to his locker to discover that his gym bag had been taken, containing his wallet, credit cards and iPhone.
November 13, 2012
BU student on bike dies after being hit by bus
Last night a BU student was hit and killed by a collision with an MBTA bus at the corner of Harvard and Brighton Avenues in Allston. The incident is under investigation by Boston and MBTA police.
This is the second bicyclist in Boston to die this year. It may be time to take another look at safety rules and bike routes. Does it make sense to put them on main roads, or would it be better to divert them to side streets where traffic is slower and cars don’t dominate the road as much?
November 11, 2012
Car arsonist hits again
Two cars were destroyed just before 8 this morning in an act of arson, according the Boston Fire Department. The vehicles were garaged at 15 Long Avenue. There is someone who is getting a sick pleasure from torching cars in the neighborhood.
November 6, 2012
Not so secret ballot
Voting used to involve entering a big, gray metal contraption at your polling place, closing the curtain and casting your votes by moving levers. The whole show concluded when you pulled an oversized lever, thus recording your selections and opening the curtain with a satisfying “thunk.” It was the sound of democracy. When the state flipped to paper ballots that changed. You stand at a table which is somewhat shielded from observation, mark the form, then feed it into something that looks unfortunately like a shredder. Election officials used to give you a folder that was supposed to provide privacy as you slipped the ballot in the black box recording device. This year, in Oak Square at least, you add your ballot in full view of the police officer or election official who is attending the machine. How about putting the secret back in ballot?
November 2, 2012
Aerosmith in Allston: Not the usual basement show
Aerosmith, the Boston rock and rollers who gave us hits like “Dream On” and “Sweet Emotion,” will perform outside their former home at 1325 Commonwealth Avenue in Allston. The event is free and will be held on Monday, November 5 at 12 noon.