Betsy was a remarkable person, who I was proud to call a dear friend. She made Brookline a remarkable place. Her energy, knowledge and terrific sense of humor will be missed by many, including me. We lost a great one when Betsy passed. Read the original article, Family, colleagues remember Betsy Shure Gross, activist and… Continue reading RE: Family, colleagues remember Betsy Shure Gross, activist and Olmsted advocate who helped revitalize Brookline’s parks
News
Brookline.News Podcast Episode 3: Trash piling up, a bus lane update, and Brookline’s Buy Nothing Facebook groups
Sam Mintz of Brookline.News and Jessica Smyser of Brookline Interactive Group discuss the latest news, including why trash is piling up, the latest on controversial bus lanes in Brookline Village, school leadership turnover and the story behind two popular Buy Nothing Facebook groups. Click play below, or find us on your favorite podcast platform.
Brookline resident charged with defacing sign on temple’s property
Brookline police have issued a criminal summons to 25-year-old Brookline resident Seph Rose for allegedly defacing a sign outside Temple Ohabei Shalom on Beacon Street earlier this month.
Explained in two minutes: The ongoing debate over whether Brookline should be a city or a town
In a two-minute video, editor Sam Mintz walks through the ongoing debate about the future of Brookline’s governance.
As attorney work stoppage boils over, some defendants in Brookline’s court are not being given a lawyer
As many as 20 people facing charges in Brookline District Court and more than 100 across Norfolk County courts are not currently represented by lawyers, as a statewide work stoppage by court-appointed attorneys continues. The action by some of the state’s so-called bar advocates, private attorneys appointed to represent about 80% of indigent defendants in… Continue reading As attorney work stoppage boils over, some defendants in Brookline’s court are not being given a lawyer
Two months late, Town Meeting member admits to $5,000 in previously unreported local election spending
In a form filed with the town in June, a Town Meeting member acknowledged being behind a mysterious election mailer that had raised questions about campaign finance laws this spring. On June 13, Richard Nangle filed a form with the Town Clerk’s office reporting that he was responsible for more than $5,000 in spending aimed… Continue reading Two months late, Town Meeting member admits to $5,000 in previously unreported local election spending
New Beacon Street restaurant takes inspiration from the ancient Silk Road trading route
Weary riders of the Green Line’s C Branch, or the shuttles soon to be replacing it, can opt instead for a culinary journey at The Silk, a new pan-Asian restaurant at 1223 Beacon Street. With a menu inspired by the Silk Road trading route, the restaurant, which opened June 20, brings diners flavors from China… Continue reading New Beacon Street restaurant takes inspiration from the ancient Silk Road trading route
Family, colleagues remember Betsy Shure Gross, activist and Olmsted advocate who helped revitalize Brookline’s parks
Betsy Shure Gross was a tireless environmental and social justice advocate—a “rebel with a cause,” as she said in a 2001 interview with the Jewish Women’s Archive. When Shure Gross moved to Brookline in 1971, she grew enchanted by the Emerald Necklace, one of the many Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks where she felt “democracy was… Continue reading Family, colleagues remember Betsy Shure Gross, activist and Olmsted advocate who helped revitalize Brookline’s parks
The town wants to hear from you about parking in Brookline Village and Washington Square
The town has launched two surveys to hear from community members about one of the most perennially controversial topics in Brookline: parking. The surveys are for two neighborhoods, Brookline Village and Washington Square, and they are part of separate studies aimed at “improving parking conditions and overall mobility in each neighborhood,” according to a town… Continue reading The town wants to hear from you about parking in Brookline Village and Washington Square
RE: Are the bus lanes near Brookline Village working? Town, MBTA say they need six more months to find out
I often travel through the section of Route 9 with the experimental bus lanes and new markings for traffic. We don’t need six more months to determine that this is not working. People are confused about which lanes they need to use if they are turning and more often than not, they’re traveling in the… Continue reading RE: Are the bus lanes near Brookline Village working? Town, MBTA say they need six more months to find out
Brookline teen flies high in summer tour with Circus Smirkus
Performing in 65 shows over 50 days makes it hard to remember every audience member interaction but Becky Winickoff will never forget an exchange with a young fan after a recent Circus Smirkus show. Winickoff, a soon-to-be Brookline High School senior, did what she and her peers usually do: ask the swarm of kids if… Continue reading Brookline teen flies high in summer tour with Circus Smirkus
Dozens of Brookline riders get ready to take on the Pan-Mass Challenge
Lewis Berk, a 49-year-old Coolidge Corner resident, never considered himself an athlete, nor a fundraiser. In 2022, he decided to become both. Berk, whose mother battled cancer throughout his childhood and died of the disease when he was 17, signed up for a 186-mile bike ride and fundraiser for cancer research called the Pan-Mass Challenge.… Continue reading Dozens of Brookline riders get ready to take on the Pan-Mass Challenge
RE: In ‘Buy Nothing’ Facebook groups, Brookline’s gift economy thrives
I loved the article about Buy Nothing Brookline! Madeline does a great job as the administrator. I personally have only had great experiences with this site. I love giving items, clothing, books and excessive magazines (for teachers etc.) This program is a win-win for our neighborhood, and makes Brookline a better place! Read the original… Continue reading RE: In ‘Buy Nothing’ Facebook groups, Brookline’s gift economy thrives
Are the bus lanes near Brookline Village working? Town, MBTA say they need six more months to find out
A key town board on Wednesday recommended extending a controversial bus-only lane pilot near Brookline Village for at least another six months to allow the town and MBTA to keep testing out the concept. The “Gateway East” project laid down a bus-only lane last July that runs in both directions of Washington Street between Station… Continue reading Are the bus lanes near Brookline Village working? Town, MBTA say they need six more months to find out
RE: ‘The lost glove is happy’: A front yard lost-and-found exhibition added to the whimsy of Griggs Park
As a longtime resident (since 1983) of Griggs Road in Brookline, I’m writing to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Susan Schnur for adding her “whimsy” to the Griggs Road / Park community. I agree with her assessment that ours is a “very magical neighborhood” and that “this little area is very precious.” I applaud… Continue reading RE: ‘The lost glove is happy’: A front yard lost-and-found exhibition added to the whimsy of Griggs Park
In ‘Buy Nothing’ Facebook groups, Brookline’s gift economy thrives
From doorknobs to limited edition hot dog-themed Red Sox hats, Brookline’s gift economy is thriving, helping residents furnish their apartments and even adopt aquatic pets. Buy Nothing—-a global movement started in 2013 by two friends, Rebecca Rockefeller and Liesel Clark, in Bainbridge Island, Washington, to reduce waste—-encourages 7.5 million participants internationally to offer and ask… Continue reading In ‘Buy Nothing’ Facebook groups, Brookline’s gift economy thrives
School Committee appoints interim deputy superintendent of teaching and learning
The School Committee has appointed Robin Benoit, a science teacher and middle school administrator, to serve as the district’s interim deputy superintendent of teaching and learning. Benoit, who most recently worked as a middle school principal in the Mendon-Upton Regional School District in central Massachusetts, will succeed Jodi Fortuna, who came to Brookline in 2023.… Continue reading School Committee appoints interim deputy superintendent of teaching and learning
Two jewelry businesses try out a Harvard Street storefront as part of Project Pop-Up
FindingYoyo and AuraBead, two small businesses with unique takes on jewelry design, have moved into an incubator space in Coolidge Corner, as part of the fourth round of Project Pop-Up Brookline. The partnership between the company UpNext and the town enables budding entrepreneurs to try out a brick-and-mortar storefront for several months, subsidizing a portion… Continue reading Two jewelry businesses try out a Harvard Street storefront as part of Project Pop-Up
Police investigating graffiti on sign outside Temple Ohabei Shalom
Brookline police are investigating after a person allegedly vandalized a sign outside Temple Ohabei Shalom on Beacon Street with a marker on Monday. The sign outside 1187 Beacon Street contained a Star of David and the words “We support the people of Israel, the dignity and safety of all human beings, and pray for peace,”… Continue reading Police investigating graffiti on sign outside Temple Ohabei Shalom
Town moves to quickly install Driscoll School solar project as Trump slashes clean energy tax credits
The town is moving forward with a plan to purchase solar panels for the Driscoll School, despite uncertainty over federal tax incentives in the Trump administration. The Select Board on Tuesday signed off on the $343,155 purchase of 272 panels for the K-8 school’s roof, which is funded as part of the budget for the… Continue reading Town moves to quickly install Driscoll School solar project as Trump slashes clean energy tax credits