Seems that every so often, the Fort Hill Tower, a.k.a. the Cochituate Standpipe, in Roxbury is opened for a public tour. Brooks Payne climbed to the top yesterday and took in the views - and listened to Byron Rushing and other members of the Roxbury Historical Society talk about the tower's history, which dates to its construction in 1869. Read more.
Rendering by Hacin + Associates.
Historic Boston, Inc. yesterday filed plans with the BPD to build a three-story, 14-unit condo building on Hawthorne Street in Roxbury, behind the currently empty St. James African Orthodox Church on Cedar Street, which the group would renovate into commercial space after completing the condos. Read more.
Recently I had a brief conversation with a young man and woman in a festive setting. Loud urban hip hop music was playing in the background; while clusters of people in their mid to late twenties, occupied a portion of the yard space where I grew up celebrating similar festive events. From birthday parties to cookouts, this place has always been a gathering space where good friends and family come together to enjoy each others company- and learn from one another.
As things were settling down around 11:00on a Thursday night, I made a brief announcement to the women among the some thirty odd people, about a Young Black Women's Society event on Saturday- recommending that they attend. One young man exclaimed, "Can I go?" I replied, absolutely you can go, and you should go, you might learn something about how to truly treat a woman right. While my response was stated somewhat jokingly, there is a little truth in jest. His lady friend chided him implying that he just might learn something, as well. He conceded in his remarks acknowledging what was likely to be partial reality relative to the conversation.
So I took Ramona on her usual dog walk tonight with much trepidation. Last night's altercation has been weighing on me all day. I certainly did not want another incident like last night and at the same time I do not want to be intimidated away from the park which I only use 10 mins in the morning and the evening everyday. As I was making my rounds I ran into the other dogwalker who witnessed the whole argument. I was ready to pounce on him for slinking away BUT he apologized profusely for the other person's behavior and how disgusted he was at what happened. He went on to say that I was completely in the right and that dog has been aggressive to other dogs in the park. Both the guys who walk Jazzy do absolutely nothing about her and he is going to have a talk with the guy who I argued with last night. It was completely uncalled for. I cannot tell you how vindicated I felt. Since Jazzy's owner is friendly with many other dog owners in the park I was worried about my relationship with the other walkers. I feel so much better knowing that there are people who get it.
I have been meaning to write this post for a while. Tonight pushed me over the edge.
I have a 13+ year old dog who is literally on her last legs. Luckily I live across from Highland Park in the Fort Hill neighborhood of Roxbury. Since I moved in over 2 years ago I have been walking Ramona at Fort Hill everyday. There is a small dog community who let their dogs off leash up there. A majority of them are very nice. I keep Ramona on a leash most of the time because she cannot really run anymore, but in her prime I used to run her at dog parks all over the city: Franklin Park, Peter's Hill, Fresh Pond, S. End etc.
I've started a blog on Fort Hill and Roxbury neighborhood issues: jonasprang.blogspot.com. The germ of the blog is the Settles Kerfuffle at 85 Centre Street, but I may branch out once that issue gets thrashed out.
Like many infant blogs, it's a little messy and not very attractive. Even so, I think I'll concentrate on the prose before tarting it up with pretty pictures.
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