Allston Brighton TAB Blog

Sneak a peek at this week’s print edition

Posted on May 15, 2008 by Valentina Zic
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B-line service disrupted, seek alternate routes

Posted on May 14, 2008 by Sarah Gatzke
Filed Under Boston College, MBTA, Schools, Uncategorized, business, commuting | Leave a Comment

After the last B-line train last night jumped the track and caught fire, crews from the MBTA still on-hand this morning to remove the two-car trolley from the intersection of Chestnut Hill Ave and Commonwealth. The train is stuck parallel to Commonwealth and entirely blocking the intersection with Chestnut Hill, causing major delays and rerouting of buses and cars.

Here you can see the burnt trolley car that initially struck a pole and subsequently caught fire.

From what I could see, the best way to get around is to try to take other routes (instead of the shuttle), which prevents any sort of delay as you commute to work and around the city. According to the MBTA website, the bus shuttles are running from Washington Street to Boston College and back. Here, Transit Officer Antoine directs traffic through the intersection.

Here you can see the extent of the fire damage to the first trolley. According to Boston.com the overhead wires were damaged as a result of the derailment. Officer Antoine also said that the area (as of 9:10 a.m.) is still a live electrical site, so pedestrians must walk farther down Comm. Ave (in either direction) to cross.

More details as the MBTA workers make progress on moving the train and restoring service.

Finale desserts in Allston, but don’t get excited

Posted on May 13, 2008 by Valentina Zic
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Finale’s come to Allston, but don’t get excited — they’re not opening a retail location here, rather the pastry kitchen and their corporate headquarters.

The desserts, including the Ultimate Chocolate Cake, the Triple Chocolate Cookie, and the Molten Chocolate Cake, will be made here but shipped to Finale desserteries in other locations including Brookline’s Coolidge Corner and Harvard Square. The Allston kitchen and corporate headquarters are on Travis St. off of Western Ave.

Driver in Allston crash charged

Posted on May 12, 2008 by Valentina Zic
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The driver of the delivery truck that smashed into eight cars on Commonwealth Avenue in Packard’s corner, shutting down part of the street last Thursday, is facing charges of driving to endanger.

Truck driver in Allston crash has bad driving record

Posted on May 9, 2008 by Valentina Zic
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WBZ reports that the truck driver in the Allston crash that shut down Commonwealth Ave. at Packard’s corner yesterday morning has a questionable driving record.

A peek at this week’s print edition

Posted on May 9, 2008 by Valentina Zic
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Did you see the accident this morning?

Posted on May 8, 2008 by Jim Walker
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We are putting together a story right now on what happened this morning in Packard’s Corner. Luckily, it was still pretty early in the morning and the road wasn’t jam-packed with students and people heading to work. Bad as it was, it could have been a lot worse if it had been even a little later in the day.

If you saw what happened, please share.

Multi-vehicle crash closes Comm. Ave., Allston

Posted on May 8, 2008 by Valentina Zic
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No serious injuries are being reported in a multi-vehicle crash but Commonwealth Ave. in Allston is closed both directions.

One commuter on the scene reports having to get off the B-line train this morning, get on the bus, back on the train, then walk, then get back on the train for the rest of the commute downtown.
He reports at least one car being so smashed that it was almost unrecognizable.

Why glue a restaurant shut?

Posted on May 7, 2008 by Valentina Zic
Filed Under City council, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Why would anyone do this?

From this week’s police log:
Brighton Police responded on May 1 to 1029 Commonwealth Ave., Victoria’s Seafood Restaurant, because the owner discovered glue jammed in the keyhole, preventing access to the restaurant. Police also found glue in the keyhole next door at 1027 Commonwealth Ave.

Open studios at library

Posted on May 6, 2008 by Valentina Zic
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An open studios event featuring artwork by the State Rehabilitation Council Artists with Disabilities Task Force takes place Saturday, May 10, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Allston Branch Library, 300 North Harvard St. Activities include storytelling, musical performances, and opportunities to meet with each artist and learn about the specifics of his or her craft. Attendees may purchase artwork at any time during the event. ASL interpreters have been requested. Light refreshments will be provided.
For more information, call Lisa Weber at 617-204-3638 (V/TTY) or e-mail lisa.weber@mrc.state.ma.us.

Parents stroll into fitness

Posted on May 5, 2008 by Valentina Zic
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A weekly walking program for parents with infants and nonmobile babies in strollers begins Wednesday, May 7. Meet at the Brighton WIC office, 480 Washington St., at 10 a.m.
Each session will begin with a short talk about a nutrition topic at the WIC office, followed by a walk around the Rogers Park block. If it is raining, the program will be rescheduled for the following week.
Each program will be in Spanish and English. For more information, call Norma (Spanish) at 617-254-0492, ext. 2; Colleen (English) at 617-474-1143, ext. 250.
This program is offered through the collaboration of Brighton WIC and the Allston Brighton Family Network.

Sneak a peek at this week’s print edition

Posted on May 1, 2008 by Valentina Zic
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Talk on Great Molasses Flood

Posted on April 30, 2008 by Valentina Zic
Filed Under books, history | Leave a Comment

The public is invited to hear author Stephen Puleo talk about the Great Molasses Flood of 1919 on Thursday, May 1, 7 p.m., at the Brighton Branch Library. Puleo will relate the story, told in his latest book, about one of Boston’s greatest catastrophes of the 20th century when a 50-foot-tall steel tank filled with 2.3 million gallons of molasses collapsed on Boston’s waterfront in the winter of 1919, killing 21 people and injuring more than 100, as well as causing widespread destruction. The free talk is sponsored by the Brighton Allston Historical Society. For more information, call 617-782-6032.

Bird watch in Ringer Park

Posted on April 29, 2008 by Valentina Zic
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Friends of Ringer Park invite the public to join Jane, the guide from the Brookline Bird Club, on a walk through Ringer Park, Sunday, May 4, at 7 a.m. Walkers will meet at the Greylock St. entrance and should bring binoculars and a bird field guide if they can. For more information, visit www.ringerpark.org.

Business networking Wednesday, April 30

Posted on April 28, 2008 by Valentina Zic
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Don’t forget:

The second Allston Open Networking Events will take place at Sports Depot at 353 Cambridge St. on Wednesday, April 30, from 6-8 p.m. The purpose of the program is for business people in Allston and the surrounding neighborhoods and towns to network with each other in a casual setting. This is an Allston Village Main Streets event.

Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased at the door. For more information, please call 617-254-7564 or e-mail mainstreets@allstonvillage.com.

Help with the Boston Shines cleanup effort

Posted on April 25, 2008 by Valentina Zic
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Here’s just a couple of the groups that are meeting that you can join:

Spring Fling cleanup in Ringer Park
Join us for our Spring Fling Cleanup of Ringer Park in Allston on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Registration check-in is in back of the Jackson Mann School/softball field area.
All PCBG/RPPG volunteer guests must check-in at the PCBG/RPPG registration table upon arrival. Contact information and directions — Joan Pasquale, executive director, the Parents & Community Build Group Inc., the Ringer Park Partnership Group, 617-254-0632, jpasquale888@hotmail.com. This is a Boston Shines collaborative project.

Boston Shines in Allston Village
Please join Allston Village Main Streets on Saturday, April 26, as the group joins other community groups to participate in the Boston shines program to do some much-needed spring cleaning in the neighborhood.
Please meet at the Jackson Mann Community Center at 9 a.m. or in the neighborhood as the morning progresses. The cleanup will end by12:30 p.m.
Coffee and doughnuts will be served, courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks.
E-mail Katie Reed at mainstreets@allstonvillage.com, or call 617-254-7564 to RSVP so we know how many supplies we will need.