When Christmas Was Banned in Boston
When the first wave of European immigration came to the Massachusetts Bay Colony starting in the 1630s, many of the newcomers were not as strict as the Puritans in their religious observations, which became a constant source of consternation..

Welcome Ms. Senator
The district which includes Beacon Hill, Bay Village, Downtown/Chinatown, the North End, East Boston, Cambridgeport, Revere and Winthrop overwhelmingly voted for Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards over Anthony D’Ambrosio, a 25-year old Revere School Committee member.

First Night Will Return
Centered around the Back Bay, First Night has been celebrated annually to ring in the new year since 1975. Backed by a diverse cast of businesses and civic groups, First Night tries to appeal to families and individual attendees over its twelve hours of programming.

Fenway Star Site Will Become Life Sciences
Fenway developer Samuels & Associates will soon file detailed plans for a 553,000 square foot building that will include R&D labs, associated offices and green space on the 2.4-acre lot that is currently occupied by the market and a deserted gas station.

From Scollay Square To the Combat Zone
“Many people would come not just to the various business venues but to the Old Howard theater. Business provided both entertainment and food. In this photo you can see a sign saying that bars would provide good food and even booths for women customers. These businesses attracted people from all walks of life.

Pot Shop Application Delayed until February
Rooted in Roxbury hoped to open a location at 13 West Street, but the Boston Cannabis Board (BCB) voted unanimously on December 15 to defer the matter until February. The proposed location has faced pushback since its inception from residents, businesses and civic groups, but co-owner Brian Keith insists his business would be a boon to the community.

CRIME & PUNISHMENT
About 1:30am, she was unable to sleep, walked around her apartment, and observed that her purse (a black Chanel bag valued at $1,000) had been taken from her kitchen counter. It contained various id cards but no credit cards or money.

Our Changing New Year’s Traditions
On January 1, 1701, Samuel Sewall, a prominent Boston jurist and Beacon Hill resident, distributed an ode to the new year and sent trumpeters to the Boston Common to herald the arrival of the hours-old 18 th Century..

Let There Be Wreaths
Nichols House Museum hosted a self-guided walking tour of selected homes decorated for the holidays last Sunday..

More Housing Is Coming to Fenway
Scape North America, the project’s proponent, first submitted its plan in August. It’s now one week away from completing its public comment period and has begun review with the project’s Impact Advisory Group (IAG), a group of residents gathered to ensure the construction fits with the surrounding community.

109 Brookline CAC Holds Final Meeting
Plans for the 239,000-square-foot building are mostly finalized in anticipation of a January 13 vote by the board of the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), but some public commentators at the CAC’s final meeting were skeptical the building would be a net boon to the neighborhood.

Wu: Roadhouse Will Be A “Temporary” Shelter
The Roundhouse Hotel at 891 Mass Ave is being billed as a “temporary site administered by Boston Medical Center” that will have round-the-clock staff and case management. There will be on-site stabilization services to support and transition patients into permanent housing.

Singing for Cider
The Friends of Hayes Park sponsored holiday caroling last Sunday. The reward was hot apple cider, cookies and awesome brownies..

Let’s Forget 2020 and 2021
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How’s Your Garden Doing?
If it’s the Public Garden, Boston Common or the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, the answer is quite well. Over 100 people assembled last Friday evening for the Young Friends of the Public Garden’s Third Annual Winter Party at the Union Club to support our local green spaces.