Tag: Brookline

  • Going to Porchfest this weekend? Here are 10 groups to watch for

    by Hazel Nystrom


    Brookline Porchfest  happens Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., so get ready to roam the streets and soak up all kinds of music.

    The lineup features more than 100 bands whose self-described genres range from “indie alt emo” and “original traditional folk” to “psychedelic dance party” and “everybody’s favorite tunes.”

    If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the daunting list, here are 10 groups to keep an eye out for. 

    We Became Whales

    1:10 to 2:10 p.m. at 1398 Beacon St.

    What started in 2019 as five Boston University students jamming in an Allston basement has become We Became Whales , an indie rock band “with a lot of punk and funk influence,” says guitarist and singer Aidan McCall. 

    Expect to hear songs inspired by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. Need more We Became Whales? Their murder mystery concept album is slated to release on Halloween.

    “It’s going to be the coolest porch in Coolidge,” McCall said. 

    Em Wise

    3:10 to 3:40 p.m. at 25 Jenness Rd.

    At 23 years old, indie-alternative singer-songwriter Em Wise  hopes to “connect with people through [her] songs,” she said. With a “unique, dynamic sound,” Wise’s music draws from her personal experiences with identity and love. 

    Classically trained in viola, Wise says her music finally “clicked” when she picked up guitar. If you like songs with “themes of queerness, love, loss, heartbreak,” Wise says you’ll like her music.  

    The Strummerville Ukulele Club featuring The After Jam

    3 to 4:30 p.m. at 361 Washington St.

    It won’t get more light-hearted than Strummerville Ukulele Club . Composed entirely of ukulele players, Strummerville accepts anyone and everyone, of all ages and all experience levels. Alongside classic sing-alongs, expect to hear “songs that have no business being played on the ukulele,” said John Soares, Strummerville’s co-leader.

    “It’s a little messy, it’s a little bit of a train wreck at times, but we lean into it in the best way,” Soares said. 

    Strummerville seeks to cultivate a friendly and welcoming environment as the group tours Porchfests in the Greater Boston area, Soares said. “You’re not going to find a more fun band.”

    Neponset Monastery

    1:50 to 2:20 p.m. at 85 Stanton Rd.

    Neponset Monastery  is a genre-bending goth “post dark-wave” punk band, with vastly ranging musical influences. You “haven’t heard a band that sounds like us,” said Sidney Lyon, the band’s singer. 

    If you aren’t into the goth style, Lyon said you should still give Neponset Monastery a shot.

    “Even if you don’t like the genre, you will feel the energy of my performance in a way that promotes empathy and connection,” Lyon said. “It’s very human, very raw, very real.”

    For Lyon, Neponset Monastery is all about human connection. “We are a goth punk band, but we are also really warm, kind, friendly people.” 

    Seth Hanson

    1:50 to 2:50 p.m. at 7 Griggs Terrace

    You might know Seth Hanson  as Mr. Seth, the persona he takes on when he performs his music for children. While he plays music for both children and adults, the former allows him “ a different kind of freedom and simplicity and silliness,” said Hanson, the 30-year-old artist and music teacher.

    While he won’t perform as Mr. Seth this weekend, this family-friendly artist hopes to create a welcoming environment on his porch, and to simply “play some songs that are nice to hear.”

    Usually Seven

    5 to 6 p.m. at 69 Columbia St.

    Usually comprising seven members, this jazz group, part of the music school Music Makers Studio  usually meets at 7 o’clock, says Mark Leccese, band member and former journalism professor.

    A Brookline Porchfest veteran, this aptly named seven-piece combo jazz band has played the event since 2018. Lecesse hopes to add to the “vibrant scene of amateur musicians” in Boston, he said. 

    To Leccese, Brookline Porchfest adds to that scene by making “music by members of the community, for members of the community.”

    Vices Inc

    4:50 to 5:20 p.m. at 81 Toxteth St

    Check out Vices Inc  for a taste of alternative rock, a sound that evolved from the band’s pop punk beginnings. 

    But even if you don’t love rock music, Vices Inc might have something for you. They play rock-inspired covers of pop hits like Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” and Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.”

    “We play what the crowd is looking for,” said guitarist Jagger Hicks. “We’ve done everything from rock to dance music to country music.”

    The Wiggly Tendrils

    2 to 3 p.m. at 188 Winchester St

    Acoustic guitar, electric cello, analog synthesizer, mandolin, banjo and electric violin — these are the instruments that make up The Wiggly Tendrils  “quirky” sound. The four-piece band is a “cross between a farmer’s market string band, and Star Wars cantina band,” said Conor Loughridge, the band’s principle singer and songwriter. 

    The band is working on an album that will comprise of around 100 songs, each dedicated to a single tree. Loughridge often wanders the Arnold Arboretum to find the album’s next subject.

    If you’re looking for “songs about science, science fiction, love, fantasy, or trees, you really can’t find a better band than us,” Loughridge said.

    Brighton Jazz Trio

    12 to 1:00 p.m. at 30 Stanton Rd

    Brighton Jazz Trio  plays jazz throughout the ages, with a mix of New Orleans jazz and more modern styles. The trio of clarinetist, guitarist and upright bassist will be playing Porchfest for the third time this year.

    For clarinetist Andy Moore, Porchfest provides a “festive spirit” and brings music back to its humble beginnings. 

    “You’re just playing to the people,” Moore said. “That’s what music was like thousands of years ago.” 

    Jam Sandwich

    4 to 5 p.m. at 34 Manchester Rd

    Together for 15 years, Jam Sandwich  (not to be confused with Jammwich , another band playing Brookline Porchfest) is a primarily classic rock band that has something for everyone. 

    “We play everything from the ‘50s through the 2000s,” said guitarist Rich Miller. “Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elvis, Beach Boys, Tom Petty, Skynyrd.”

    Grab a shaker or a tambourine provided by the band, and jam out to your favorite classic rock songs. 

    This story is part of a partnership between Brookline.News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

    This article was originally published on September 24, 2025.

  • ‘People are looking to learn’: Brookline Booksmith, Prison Book Program expand access to reading in prisons

    By Hazel Nystrom

    Brookline Booksmith is expanding its partnership with a nonprofit that gives free books to people in prison thanks to an anonymous donor.

    For Banned Book Week, which runs through October 11, the donor will match the cost of all books purchased from the Prison Book Program’s wishlist  on Booksmith’s website, which is compiled through requests by incarcerated individuals. 

    Booksmith has partnered with the program for the past four or five years, said Peter Win, the store’s co-owner and co-manager.

    On the wishlist are books on language learning, legal aid, self-help and trade skills, as well as an assortment of novels.

    Kelly Brotzman, executive director of the Prison Book Program, said the books on the list can provide essential information to incarcerated people. 

    “People are looking to learn,” she said. “They’re looking to improve themselves. They’re looking to gain skills. They’re looking to do better in life. They’re looking to prepare for release.”

    Dictionaries are the top request. “We send thousands and thousands a year,” Brotzman said. 

    The Prison Book Program, which is based in Quincy and has been operating since 1972, is an approved book vendor for over 1,000 jails and prisons in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam. Last year, Brotzman said the organization sent around 70,000 books to incarcerated people. 

    As part of Booksmith’s partnership with the Prison Book Program, the bookstore donates ARCs, or Advance Reader Copies, which are pre-publication books used for promotional purposes that can’t be sold.

    “We’re lucky that we get a lot of ARCs from publishers to preview,” Win said. While the store  had been donating ARCs to county jails independently, “it has been helpful to give those to the prison book program as well.”

    The Prison Book Program is run entirely by volunteers who comb through prison regulations on book content and formatting, write personal notes, and package and mail books.

    Among those volunteers are “book fairies,” people who peruse vintage and second-hand stores, and garage or yard sales to help source books for the program.

    Despite their large volunteer base, fund-raising is “extremely important,” Brotzman said. The group spent $125,000 on mailing packages last year.

    “The cash match comes in really handy in helping cover those postage costs,” she said.

    During Banned Book Week, Win hopes to bring attention to book bannings and challenges, and wants people to understand that people in prisons are “very interested in having reading material.”

    “Reading is important for everybody,” Win said.

    For people outraged about book bans in libraries and schools, Brotzman hopes they turn their attention to the inequities in the prison system.

    “Jails are not statutorily obligated to provide any kind of programming whatsoever,” she said. And “even when libraries exist in the prisons, they’re very, very inferior.”

    While nearly 2,500 unique titles faced censorship attempts in 2024, according to data from the American Library Association, Brotzman hopes to highlight the “very limited universe of content” incarcerated people have, she said.

    “The prison system can literally ban any book they want to… for any reason they want to,” Brotzman said. “It’s really important for people to know that the limitations on the freedom to read are much, much, much more severe for incarcerated people than for anyone.”

    Win hopes to continue the standing relationship between the Brookline Booksmith and the Prison Book Program in the years to come.

    “I think our work with them has been successful,” Win said. “It’s beneficial for them and beneficial for us.”

    This story is part of a partnership between Brookline.News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

    This article was originally published on October 7, 2025.

  • Why matcha mania is taking over Brookline’s cafés

    Deborah Obeng enjoys her matcha at the Maruichi Tea House in Brookline. Photo by Miu Tung Rong.

    Walking through Coolidge Corner on a weekend morning, it’s hard not to notice the matching cups. Dozens of people pass by holding the same clear plastic cup — each one filled with a layered, vividly green drink. Some swirl it as they walk. Others pause to take photos before taking a sip.

    Matcha – the finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves, known for its earthy, slightly bitter taste and vibrant green hue – has become a highly visible part of Brookline’s food and drink culture. What was once a niche product in health food stores and Japanese grocers is now a common order at cafés and tea houses, especially among younger consumers.

    “I personally have whisked easily over 10,000 matchas,” said Akira Kato, the shift lead at Maruichi Select, a Japanese tea house and market in Brookline. “I actually have a callus from it.”

    The rise of matcha – whose global market is valued at over $2 billion and growing – reflects broader shifts in how people consume food and drink, prioritizing aesthetic appeal, health benefits and cultural variety. Over time, it has steadily integrated into everyday routines, reflecting changing tastes and a growing interest in Japanese tea culture.

    Matcha originated in China during the Tang Dynasty and was brought to Japan by Zen Buddhist monk Eisai in the 12th century, where it became deeply rooted in meditative rituals and the tea ceremony tradition, according to Matcha.com. Eventually, regions like Uji in Kyoto refined the cultivation and stone-grinding techniques, turning matcha into a symbol of Japanese culture and craftsmanship, according to Tenzo Teas.

    Maruichi  Select, part of the Fuji Mart Corp. family of Japanese grocers and markets, launched its Brookline “Select” boutique in 2021. The store combines a curated selection of private‑brand and imported goods — ranging from pantry staples to gift items — with a café offering handcrafted beverages and food. Its prominent matcha line offers insight into how global trends gain local traction and how social media visibility can shape real-world behavior.

    Two cups of matcha at Maruichi in Brookline. Photo by Anny Zheng Wu.

    Other Brookline spots serving matcha — like Kyo Matcha, Caffè Nero and Japonaise Bakery — point to the drink’s broader popularity in cafés, bakeries and specialty shops.

    This summer Junbi Matcha & Tea will open its first Massachusetts location in Brookline. The brand has 11 locations across the United States and is opening eight more, including the shop at 190 Washington St. in Brookline Village. With drinks like yuzu dragon fruit and strawberry matcha, Junbi adds even more variety to Brookline’s booming café scene.

    Kato has observed the tea house’s rising matcha demand firsthand. On a busy Saturday, staff prepare anywhere between 700 to 800 matcha drinks, often with customers ordering in groups or picking up multiple drinks for friends or family. Prices typically range from $8 to nearly $20, especially when drinks are paired with food items or include seasonal ingredients.

    Unlike most cafés, where matcha is pre-mixed and poured, each drink at Maruichi is hand-whisked to order — a time-consuming process that some customers view as part of the appeal.

    “It’s never pre-batched in a big container or in squeezy bottles,” Kato said. It’s all just right, directly from the bag into the tins, and then we just whisk it.”

    That attention to detail is part of what drew in Deborah Obeng, who typically makes her own matcha at home.

    “I don’t typically go to places just because I don’t like their quality,” she said. “So I usually make it at home. But this one was worth trying.”

    “I saw her whisking it just like I make it at home, so that makes me feel good about it,” she added. “It’s not super sweet. You can still get the green earthiness from the matcha.”

    Maruichi’s growing visibility has been boosted by limited-edition seasonal menus and pop-up events. One of the most high-profile was a 2024 collaboration with Japanese tea brand Yamamotoyama, featuring Eitaro, a tea expert who traveled from Japan to participate.

    “I think the pop-ups we’ve been having, where we’ve had the strawberry matcha with the guy coming in — that really, especially on TikTok and Instagram, that really propelled us forward.”

    The influence of those online posts has translated into in-person traffic. Kaylie Chapa, a 2025 Boston University graduate, said she was drawn in by a seasonal special.

    “The strawberry one last year was amazing,” she said. “Now I got the seasonal mango one. It’s my favorite matcha.”

    According to Kato, drinks like the mango or strawberry matcha outsell the house menu items during seasonal periods. “For every tonic drink we sell, we probably sell maybe three to four mango matchas,” he said.

    Nikhill Deo & Dani Murdoch enjoy their matcha at Maruichi Select. Photo by Miu Tung Rong.

    With increased attention has come the challenge of maintaining quality at high volumes. Kato said that during crowded events, consistency can be difficult to manage.

    “I heard some complaints saying the matcha was too strong or too weak,” Kato said. “It was so hectic that we couldn’t measure it out,” he said. “Outside of pop-up, we measure everything, you know, by weight just to make sure… we really need that consistency.”

    Flavor preference also plays a role in feedback.

    “Our matcha is pretty strong compared to a lot of other places,” Kato said. “So a lot of people are like, ‘This is too matcha-forward,’ you know. So they either ask for more milk or more syrup.”

    Oat milk is the most popular add-on, though Kato said he personally prefers soy milk for matcha. Syrup additions, like vanilla, are common among first-time customers or those seeking a sweeter option.

    He recommends hojicha, roasted green tea, for those looking for a milder option. “If you had to compare matcha to grass, right – I would say hojicha is more like wood,” he said.

    Though matcha is the main draw, Maruichi also offers a wide range of Japanese grocery items — from onigiri and bento boxes to imported sake and snacks.

    “A lot of people come in here and they’re like, ‘Wow. It’s like I took a plane to Japan,’” Kato said.

  • School Committee candidate and educator Mali Brodt hopes to help reshape NPS

    Mali Brodt moved to Newton for the school system. Now she wants to reform it.

    A mother of three and a longtime educator, Brodt, 46, says her run for the Ward 6 seat on the Newton School Committee is deeply personal.

    She and her husband moved to Newton 10 years ago, when their twins, Manon and Persephone, were in preschool and she was pregnant with their youngest daughter, Reyna.

    “We moved here for the schools, like many people do,” Brodt said. “They’re now in seventh and third grade, so it’s been a full decade.”

    Brodt will face Jonathan Greene, a Newton parent and finance executive, in the race for the Ward 6 seat, which is now held by Paul F. Levy, a businessman, author and professor who is not seeking reelection.

    A native of Brookline, Brodt has worked in education for nearly 20 years, first as a middle school teacher in Boston Public Schools and later as a school adjustment counselor in private schools. She currently works in Westwood but said her experience across different school systems gives her a valuable lens on the challenges educators face. 

    “I think becoming a mother changed everything,” Brodt said. “It changed my perspective as a teacher. It made me much more empathetic to parents and families. Before you have kids, it’s easy to think, ‘My kid would never do that.’ But parenting is complicated.” 

    Brodt’s passion for equity emerged early. Her mother worked in public health and was active in the American Civil Rights Movement. Her father, who grew up under apartheid in South Africa, was involved in the anti-apartheid movement.

    “I was brought up in a way that if you can see that you can help in some way, you should,” Brodt said.

    Though Brodt has spent years observing Newton’s schools as a parent and educator, it was the 2024 teacher strike that pushed her to run. 

    In January 2024, Newton educators launched an 11-day strike, the longest in Massachusetts in over two decades. Teachers demanded better pay, improved student mental health support and limitations on the number of students one staff member can be responsible for. Organized by the Newton Teachers Association, the strike drew attention to issues in the classroom and tension between teachers and city officials. 

    “When you move to a place with strong schools, I think there’s a strong assumption that things work well and everybody’s on the same page. The strike really showed us that it isn’t true,” Brodt said. “It was shocking to me to see the antagonism and rhetoric around it, and that’s what pushed me to pay more attention to the politics.” 

    She criticized the situation for characterizing teachers as the problem, worsening the relationship among teachers, parents and the city council. 

    “I mean, being a teacher, knowing teachers and respecting teachers—teachers don’t want to strike, they want to teach,” Brodt said. “It must have come to a point where something was truly off.” 

    During the strike, Brodt said, the messages coming from the school committee and the teachers did not align. She condemned the current school committee for its lack of transparency and cohesiveness when informing parents and community members about the strike. 

    If elected, Brodt said, she would prioritize rebuilding trust among the school committee, teachers and the public. “The school committee and the teachers’ union are on the same side,” Brodt said. “We all want what is best for our schools.”  

    Brodt is also critical of how Newton funds its schools. “We have been chronically underfunding our schools for years,” Brodt said. “You can’t just keep throwing one-time funds at the budget every year and expect it to be fixed—we need to actually fix the problem.” 

    She brought up the example of curriculum development, an ongoing need that’s often treated as a one-off line item. Every year, Newton does curriculum reviews, buys new curricula and does professional development to prepare teachers for new material. However, the budget does not account for these costs on an annual basis. 

    Brodt is candid about the mental health crisis in schools today, especially after COVID-19. “Ever since I started teaching, I’ve seen a steady increase in social-emotional deficits and mental health needs,” Brodt said. “But COVID accelerated everything.” 

    Students, she said, are dealing with more anxiety and attention challenges than ever before. “Teachers don’t necessarily have all the tools that they need to help support the kids in front of them,” Brodt said. “The world is different now.” She described how social media and the pandemic have had a direct impact on children’s ability to learn and behave.

    Brodt said she believes that if the world is changing, so should the curriculum. “We need to have schools meet the needs of kids today, and not just be nostalgic for the way things used to be.” 

    Despite her criticism, Brodt is quick to clarify that she is not running out of personal disappointment.

    “My kids have had a tremendous experience. We’ve loved their teachers, we’ve loved their school,” Brodt said. “It’s not that I’ve been disappointed in Newton schools. I’m frustrated that a city with the resources is not treating schools with the respect and importance they deserve.”

  • ‘You don’t give up’: In new book, Brookline gym owner John Carter recounts injury, incarceration, recovery and redemption

    John Carter at the Hummingbird Book Store in Chestnut Hill on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025. Photo by Muayad Al-Barwani

    John Carter was shot in the head, left in a coma for 99 days and told he’d never walk again.

    Yet on Wednesday night he stood tall – steady, smiling and surrounded by people who came to support him.

    “I had a choice – go back to the life I knew, or take the left and go to a halfway house,” said John Carter, author of “Triggered to Change: A Life Full of Turbulence” and owner of Titanium Health and Fitness in Brookline. “That left turn saved my life.”

    In a cozy corner of Hummingbird Books in Newton, Carter welcomed both familiar faces and newcomers for a free event Wednesday marking the release of his autobiography.

    The evening began with remarks from moderator Matthew Gregory, a client at Carter’s gym. It was followed by a conversation between Gregory and Carter, a question-and-answer session with audience members, and a book signing.

    In his autobiography, Carter, 57, recounts his early years surrounded by organized crime and addiction. He tried to follow in the footsteps of his father – a member of the mob – and quickly fell into dealing drugs, drinking and gambling.

    “My life spiraled out of control,” Carter said.

    He was shot in the back of the head, which he referred to as “the violent moment in 1992.” After surviving the injury, he found himself in a wheelchair, weighing 350 pounds, and still abusing and dealing substances. When police raided his home – 12 officers with guns drawn – Carter’s first thought was, “Thank God it’s over.” Authorities found drugs and cash. Carter spent 10 years in prison.

    But “Triggered to Change” isn’t about trauma – it’s about what comes after. The book focuses on resilience, recovery and choosing accountability over victimhood.

    “You don’t give up,” Carter said. “You get up. You keep going. Even if it’s slow, forward is forward.”

    John Carter signs copies of his book at the Hummingbird Book Store in Chestnut Hill on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025. Photo by Muayad Al-Barwani

    After the Q&A, Carter’s son, Matthew Michael Carter, 20, reflected on the lessons his father passed down. In an interview, he said the most important was not to quit, even when giving up felt easier.

    “There were so many times I wanted to give up – especially during COVID,” Matthew said. “I was failing school and just wanted to drop out, but he wouldn’t let me.”

    Carter pushed him to finish high school and encouraged him to complete a year at Plymouth State University before making any decisions.

    “It’s OK to quit,” Matthew said, “but make sure you actually experience it all before you quit – because you might not know if you liked it or not.”

    Though he hasn’t finished reading “Triggered to Change,” Matthew said what he has read offered a deeper understanding.

    “I didn’t realize how deep it all went — how planned the shooting was, or that someone else was even in the house,” he said. “It’s crazy to think that if one thing had gone differently, I wouldn’t be here.”

    Shelley McHale, who served as Hummingbird Books’ original manager when it opened in 2022 and was present during Wednesday’s event, said Carter’s story clearly resonated with the audience.

    “We try to host meaningful events for local authors,” McHale said. “There was strong energy in the room. Everyone seemed genuinely invested in what John had to say.”

    McHale added that the store hosts around 50 events a year, balancing larger names with emerging local voices. “For authors just starting out, it’s tough to break in,” she said. “But when there’s a compelling story, we want to make space for it.”

    The audience at John Carter’s book signing event at the Hummingbird Book Store in Chestnut Hill on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Photo by Muayad Al-Barwani

    Ian Rossin, Carter’s publicist, helped promote the event and saw the turnout as a promising sign for Carter’s message.

    “This was John’s first public speaking event since his TED Talk in 2019,” Rossin said. “He’s done podcasts recently but nothing like this. It really meant something to see that crowd.”

    Rossin believes the book’s potential impact extends across audiences. “It’s a story about resilience, sure, but it’s also about fatherhood, addiction and second chances,” he said. “No matter who you are, there’s something in there that will stick with you.”

    Employees from the Service Dog Project, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that breeds and trains Great Danes for people with mobility impairments, also attended. Carter has had two service dogs from the organization: Jagger, who retired because of health issues, and Turbulence, who now accompanies him daily.

    Karen Mallory, an employee with the group, has followed Carter’s story for years. “He’s remarkable,” she said. “To see the disadvantages and challenges he’s faced— some of them self-inflicted— and where he is now? It’s a testament to the human spirit.”

    Jami Snow, another employee, added that Carter’s attitude mirrors the mission of their organization. “He never gives up. He just keeps going,” she said. “A lot of people could benefit from that.”

    Carter announced that a portion of the book’s proceeds will go toward supporting the Service Dog Project’s operations.

    For Carter, the goal wasn’t just to tell his story, but to show others change is possible. “You just have to make the choice,” he said. “Then do the work.”

  • Five state legislators outline strategy to counter Trump administration at Brookline forum

    From left to right: Moderator Tom Hallock, State Senator Cindy Creem, State Representative Tommy Vitolo, State Representative Bill MacGregor, State Representative Greg Schwartz and State Representative Kevin Honan. Photo by Jacqueline Manetta

    Five Democratic state lawmakers advised Brookline residents Monday how to navigate the Trump administration and push back against its policies.

    About 70 people attended the forum, which featured state Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem and state Reps. Kevin Honan, William MacGregor, Greg Schwartz and Tommy Vitolo. It was hosted by the Brookline Democratic Town Committee and Activist Evenings, a progressive group based in Brookline.

    Tom Hallock, treasurer of the Brookline Democrats, asked the legislators questions about essential services, the environment and immigration. The group responded to three audience questions at the end and stayed afterwards to answer one-on-one questions.

    Creem cited the state Senate’s new committee, Response 2025, as a potential solution to the Trump administration’s cuts. The initiative has tasked the bipartisan Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling with finding policy solutions to combat misinformation and protect residents’ rights.

    Keeping political allies in office is one of the most effective ways to fight the executive branch’s polarizing policies, Vitolo said.

    “I think it’s really important in all of the things we talk about tonight to consider the reality that if Governor Healey doesn’t win reelection — or Attorney General Campbell doesn’t win reelection — we are in much worse shape,” he said.

    Schwartz, the only medical doctor in the Massachusetts legislature, said health care programs — and consequently state revenue — will be affected if defunding continues. If the U.S. Senate approves President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” Massachusetts can expect its $14 billion of Medicaid reimbursement to be reduced, he said.

    “That could affect 200,000 to 300,000 patients losing Medicaid and, of course, it will affect the emergency rooms, the primary care physicians and the hospitals, which are already not in great shape,” Schwartz said.

    All five lawmakers emphasized the need for Massachusetts to remain at the forefront of responsible environmental efforts as federal environmental protections roll back. The legislators plan to concentrate on statewide initiatives such as expanding clean energy, increasing accessibility to electric vehicles and strengthening existing policies.

    The lawmakers also discussed immigration, which they identified as a core American principle that must be protected. Honan cited several bills that work to protect the rights of immigrants, including the federal Safe Communities Act, which prevents local law enforcement from asking about immigration status.

    “We say the best Americans represent hard work, taking chances, building a business, finding success, improving yourself and being part of a community,” Vitolo said. “These are all the things we say we value as a country, and the folks who do it best are the immigrants.”

    Before taking questions from the audience, Creem discussed the Massachusetts Data Privacy and Protection Act and its aim to support women’s reproductive health care rights.

    Under the bill, selling location data and other information collected on cellphones and devices would be prohibited. In recent court cases, consumers’ data from apps has been used  to prosecute health care providers and women receiving out-of-state abortions.

    “My hope is that we can protect that data and minimize the use of that data outside of what you intended it to be,” Creem said.

    The audience at a community forum on safeguarding democracy on Monday, Jun 9, 2025. Photo by Jacqueline Manetta

    Asked if the public has a role to play in resisting the Trump administration’s policies, the lawmakers urged residents to engage with opposing viewpoints and point out injustices.

    “Every second Saturday, from 11 to 1 p.m. in Coolidge Corner, we’re out there doing the very public work of reminding folks that this is not normal, and it’s perfectly reasonable to say it out loud,” Vitolo said.

    The audience erupted with applause as the panel of representatives was asked about increasing transparency in the state’s government.

    MacGregor said representatives are candid about financial statements and regularly audited.

    Creem said she posts her votes on social media to communicate with her constituents. The accusation of insufficient transparency has been brought to her attention before, but she said she doesn’t understand what voters mean or where their concerns come from.

    Schwartz, who was elected to his position in 2024, framed problems with transparency as a potential shortcoming of the media.

    The legislators’ answers to the transparency question were met with eye rolling and groans.

    The event closed with a discussion about reforming the Democratic party. Although Honan said he thinks Republicans will cause their own demise, MacGregor and Creem said Democrats must regain popularity with the working class.

    Vitolo and Schwartz agreed their party must find a message that speaks to a larger segment of the population.

    “We on the left like to play demographic bingo with our voters,” Vitolo said. “What they see is a Democratic party picking off little bits and pieces of certain people and saying, ‘That’s what’s important’ instead of saying everybody’s important.”

  • Town will install on-street EV charging stations thanks to new grant

    Matthew Helwig charges his car at a Greenspot Charging Station at 1361 Beacon Street, near Coolidge Corner on May 24, 2025. Photo by Muayad Al-Barwani

    Brookline has received a state grant of up to $500,000 to install on-street electric vehicle charging stations.

    The town is among 15 municipalities getting funds from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for on-street charging stations. The grant will cover design, procurement, equipment and installation, with no cost to Brookline.

    The Brookline Department of Public Works expects to install four to 10 charging ports at each of up to three sites by the end of 2026. The locations have yet to be determined, but Alexandra Vecchio, the town’s director of sustainability and natural resources, said efforts will target North Brookline because of its dense population.

    Community input will also determine future charging locations. As part of Brookline’s climate action resilience plan, the DPW has released a community survey  to learn residents’ climate priorities, and it includes a section on electric vehicles.

    “In there, we’ve added basically a live interactive map so people can click in different areas that they would like to upvote as a spot they would like to see EV charging,” Vecchio said.

    Most of Brookline’s 56 EV charging stations are in public parking lots. Vecchio said this initiative will focus on curbside solutions in an attempt to further develop the charging network.

    The need for more charging stations is evident in Brookline, where gas-powered vehicles frequently occupy the spaces designated for charging and where EVs and plug-in hybrids make up 9.3% of vehicles registered in town – more than 40% higher than the statewide ownership rate of 6.6%.

    “I have gotten into a situation where someone was just parking their car in an EV spot, and I can’t just move their car,” said Lio Cheristio, who has owned his plug-in hybrid Honda for about a year. “I would have to call the police to tow, and it just became too much, so I just had to go somewhere else.”

    EV owners in Coolidge Corner say charging their vehicles can become competitive. Thamanai Jeremie said she regularly schedules her day around the task. Although she goes to Coolidge Corner Theatre or runs errands to pass the time while her car is charging, bad planning can throw a wrench in her day.

    “It’s really like a game of chance – you really just gotta plan ahead,” she said.

    EV owners say Brookline needs more fast chargers, which can drastically reduce the duration of charging.

    “The fast charger takes two hours, but the regular charger like this takes endless hours,” Cheristio said. “It could take seven to nine.”

    Brookline plans to install level 2 chargers at the new stations, which can charge an empty electric vehicle battery to 80% in 4 to 10 hours . Level 3 chargers can complete the same amount of work in less than an hour. The town currently operates 52 level 2 ports and just four level 3 ports.

    People in town are using the existing stations. The number of unique drivers — individuals who have plugged into the network — increased from 425 in 2024 to 700 in 2025.

    The EV initiative and grant take Brookline one step closer to its goal of being a net zero carbon emission community by 2040. To achieve that goal, the town has identified two sectors of substantial energy use: buildings and transportation. The DPW views vehicle electrification as one way to incentivize and make it easier for residents to shrink their carbon footprints.

    “Providing these would possibly increase the adoption of electric vehicles and also improve access to charging for EV owners that are currently out there,” Vecchio said.