Blue Socks, who took the above photo, reports that Maria's Hair Fashion, 138 South St. (pre-fire street view), was apparently firebombed around 4 a.m. today. The store was also firebombed in 2006. Unlike in that incident, this time the blaze did not travel all the way down the street, Blue Socks reports, adding:

When will the arson in JP stop?!!

William provides photographic proof that the extra-long 39 buses are every bit as effective at completely blocking traffic on Centre Street as the old trolleys were.

Mark reports on days of yore, when Washington Street in Jamaica Plain was a toll road to Dedham - and people's cows sometimes wandered off near the tollgate.

Gribley watched a bicyclist go by in the Southwest Corridor Park this afternoon.

The Globe reports nobody was injured in the 5 a.m. fire at 50 Jamaicaway.

Matthew jogs in Forest Hills Cemetery. Running with the Dead chronicles his runs through this "genteel necropolis of rolling hills, puddingstone outcrops, and the watchful trees."

Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sparkle: A New Year's Eve Dance!
A Benefit for MTPC

At the Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Doors open at 9 pm - 21+

Dancing! Cash Bar, light refreshments, and noisemakers
Ring in your New Year with MTPC!

Dance the night away with our DJs - Tre Andre and Gunner: "Two Tranny Boys with Ipods," Kit Yan of Good Asian Drivers will be playing host for the evening and other community celebs will be stopping by through out the night, plus other surprises

Rik Ahlberg reports on a recent community meeting about initial city planning for revamping Centre and South streets from Jackson Square to Forest Hills:

... There was lots of talk of "vision" for the street, but little discussion of what that vision could be. A number of people spoke up and said they'd like to see the street reclaimed for local users. And a clear theme throughout was to reprioritize the street for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit before cars. ...

If you drove or walked along the Arborway last December, you couldn't help but notice the mansion of Dominic Luberto, festooned with half a million Christmas lights.

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue noticed, too. They noticed that Luberto is the same guy who walked away from his wife and three kids in 1985, leaving them in poverty. The DOR is now hitting him up for $123,833.37 in back child support.

Conveniently, that Arborway mansion is owned by his current wife, not by him.

Mark posts a photographic survey of the neighborhood's different styles of houses.