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The Time Trade Circle: A local, recession-proof economy

Event info: Sunday 21 February 2010 – 4:00pm to 6:00pm

What’s a time bank?
A time bank is an organization where members have a bank account of time, and exchange time-based services with other members. It’s a pool of members, and operates like a circle, not a one-to-one swap or barter. In a time bank, for example, Lara makes a cake for Aldo, Keren gives skiing [...]

Tagged as: climate change, community, Potluck

Reportback from Copenhagen: Next Steps on Climate Change, with reflections from JP-area neighbors

Many people hoped that the December’s United Nation’s Climate Change Conference held in Copenhagen would generate a decisive global stance to curb the planet’s warming. With world leaders joining journalists, policy makers, activists, business people, and grassroots stakeholders, the talks were varied and heated. While some walked away claiming victory, others saw the conference as a failure to make critical changes in global climate policy.

A month after Copenhagen’s conclusion, we gather at the Jamaica Plain Forum to talk with two JP residents who attended the conference. Doyle Canning and Kalila Barnett will share their stories, reflections, and photos from both inside the Bella Center, and outside on the streets. For those of us that weren’t at Copenhagen, this JP Forum will be a wonderful way to learn about what happened and what the next step is to challenge climate change.

Tagged as: climate change, copenhagen, grassroots

Creating your own Compost, Wormbin & Rainbarrel

Event info: Friday 7 May 2010 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Do you ever wish that you could stop throwing away your kitchen scraps, and instead use them for something useful? Or, that you could water your garden with all of the valuable rainwater that runs off your roof? Join us at this Sustainability Series workshop where we will surprise you with how easy it is [...]

Tagged as: community, greening, urban sustainability

Help Keep the Conversation Going – Donate now!

At this time last year, we came to you with “10 Reasons to Support the Jamaica Plain Forum.” The list ranged from silly (“Best Cheap Date in JP”) to sincere (“In economically stressful times, we need to come together”). One year later, both still hold true.
This year, we humbly request your support for one reason:The [...]

Special Guest: Ralph Nader

America’s stalwart fighter against corporate abuse, best selling author and presidential candidate will talk about new strategies to build economic equality and his new book, Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us.
In his first work of fiction, Nader tells the story of what would happen if the country’s richest and most powerful decided to act for [...]

Winterizing Workshop: Making a more efficient home

Event info: Friday 6 November 2009 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

With November fast approaching, homeowners and renters alike begin to anticipate the frozen pipes and leaky windows of winter, as well as the financial strain of keeping the winter’s cold at bay.
As part of our continuing Urban Sustainability Series, the JP Forum joins with the Massachusetts Municipal Association to present a 1-hour workshop on home [...]

Tagged as: climate, DIY, energy efficient, environment, greening, preparation

The Buzz About Bees: Urban Apiary for Beginners

Event info: Friday 20 March 2009 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

With warming weather and sunnier skies, springtime will soon be heralded in by our familiar friend, the honey bee. But with staggering statistics about the rapid loss of bees, it may be time to consider small-scale and urban beekeeping as a remedy. Begin your beekeeping experience by learning the basics from a master bee tender, [...]

Tagged as: agriculture, food, greening, local, urban sustainability

Closing the Racial Wealth Divide

Event info: Friday 23 January 2009 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

with Meizhu Lui, Dedrick Muhammad and Amaad Rivera
Three national experts join us to both celebrate the election of Barack Obama and discuss the persistent disparities of wealth that still exist along racial lines. The forum corresponds with the release of “State of the Dream 2009,” a timely study examining racial wealth disparities.
Over the past few [...]

Tagged as: community, economics, race in America, social movements, wealth

“Lioness” Film and Discussion

Event info: Friday 10 October 2008 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

They went to Iraq as cooks, clerks, and mechanics and returned a year later as part of America’s first generation of female combat veterans. Despite an official government policy that states that women are not supposed to partake in direct ground combat, the five women featured here most certainly did. LIONESS, tells the story of [...]

Tagged as: gender, Middle East, military, peace, trauma, war

“There Are No Illegal People” with photojournalist David Bacon

Event info: Tuesday 9 September 2008 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Illegal People: How Globalization Creates Migration and Criminalizes Immigrants, with David Bacon
â€œDavid Bacon is the conscience of American journalism; an extraordinary social documentarist in the rugged humanist tradition of Dorothea Lange, Carey McWilliams, and Ernesto Galarza.â€
â€”Mike Davis, author of No One Is Illegal

Jamaica Plain has a rich history as a “landing pad” for [...]

Tagged as: art, capitalism, community, economics, immigration, politics, race in America, social movements

See you in the fall!

Event info: Tuesday 29 July 2008 1:00pm

Dear Jamaica Plain,

Thank you all so much for such a wonderful first year of the Jamaica Plain Forum! What started out as a few community conversations on current social issues has turned into a well-loved staple of the Jamaica Plain neighborhood.
This season our conversations ranged from parenting, to the local food movement, to genocide [...]

A Report from New Orleans: 3 Years Later

Event info: Friday 27 June 2008 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

“14 Hands, 7 Toolbelts, and 1 New Orleans Family: A Report Back from Post-Katrina Louisiana”

Did you know that, since Hurricane Katrina, Boston-area building trades people have made several trips to rewire and replumb flood-damaged homes on the Gulf coast?
In fact, a crew of seven local electricians, plumbers, and carpenters just returned from New Orleans’ [...]

Tagged as: community, New Orleans, race in America, report-back, service

Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times: Amy Goodman, David Goodman and You

Event info: Friday 16 May 2008 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now! visits the Jamaica Plain Forum on Friday, May 16th at 7:00pmÂ

This event is a Fundraiser for the Jamaica Plain Forum. Tickets are $5.00
Doors open at 6pm, event begins at 7pm. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis
Tickets are on sale at Rhythm and Muse [...]

Tagged as: book for sale, community, economics, local hero, media, militarism, politics, social movements

The Defining Moment for Climate Change with Bill McKibben

Event info: Sunday 8 June 2008 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Bill McKibben, author, educator, environmentalist
Sunday, June 8th, 7:00pm

Read Bill’s most recent article on Alternet.org

As a part of our continuing series on climate-change, join the Jamaica Plain Forum for a conversation with Step-It-Up! global warming activist, Bill McKibben after the Bikes Not Bombs Bike-A-Thon and 1st annual Green Roots Festival.
Bill McKibben is an environmentalist and writer [...]

Tagged as: climate, community, DIY, environment, greening, social movements, urban sustainability

“Unnatural Causes” Film Screening at English High School

Event info: Thursday 1 May 2008 – 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Thursday, May 1st:Â 6:00pm – reception, 6:30-8:30 – screening
English High School Community Center, 144 McBride St., Jamaica Plain
Refreshments will be served.
“Unnatural Causes” is a documentary series that explores the racial and social inequalities in health. Please come to a special Jamaica Plain neighborhood viewing of the episode “Place Matters.” English-to-Spanish translation available.

Learn more about [...]

Tagged as: community, feedback, health care

Hillary Jordan, Author of “MUDBOUND” (Reading)

Event info: Friday 2 May 2008 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

â€œThis is storytelling at the height of its powers: the ache of wrongs not yet made right, the fierce attendance of history made as real as rain, as true as this minute. Hillary Jordan writes with the force of a Delta storm.â€
â€“ Barbara Kingsolver
Please join us for an intimate reading with Hillary Jordan, 2006 recipient [...]

Tagged as: art, author's reading, history, race in America

Building a More Equitable Community/Creando una Comunidad Equitativa

Event info: Saturday 17 May 2008

Save the date!
Saturday, May 17, 2008, English High School

The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation invites you to join us in a day speakers, workshops, and films exploring what the Jamaica Plain community currently looks like, and what kind of a future we envision for our neighborhood.
JAMAICA PLAIN IS AT A CRITICAL JUNCTURE. Across the country, [...]

Tagged as: community, economics, local

The Global Warming Cafe: Concrete Steps to Decreasing your Carbon Footprint

Event info: Saturday 29 March 2008 – 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Please note that the day and time of this event is different than other Jamaica Plain Forum Events
Saturday, March 29th from 1:00-5:00pm
If you were not able to RSVP for this event, please come!Â We still have plenty of space for you!

Scientists overwhelmingly agree that human activity is dangerously warming the earth. Heat is being [...]

Tagged as: climate, community, economics, greening, local, politics, social movements, urban sustainability

“King Corn” Potluck (6:30) and Screening (7:30)

Event info: Friday 14 March 2008 – 6:30pm to 9:00pm

Thanks to the resounding response from parents, our childcare slots available for this screening are now full.Â Join our email list to stay updated on future events with childcare!

Join us for this potluck (at 6:30), documentary screening (at 7:30), and discussion with “King Corn” subject Ian Cheney.
Have you been wondering why Americans are [...]

Tagged as: agriculture, environment, food, greening, social movements, urban sustainability

“Iron Ladies of Liberia”

Event info: Friday 22 February 2008 – 6:00pm to 6:01pm

Due to inclement weather, this event is being postponed.
Please check this website for further updates, or join our email list for the most current information.

Catch it on WGBH stations:
Wednesday, March 19, 8 – 9pm, WGBH WORLD
Sunday, March 23, 9 – 10pm, WGBX, Chanel 44

Sheâ€™s already overcome tremendous obstacles to [...]

Tagged as: Africa, gender, militarism, peace, politics, social movements

“Iron Ladies of Liberia”- POSTPONED

Due to inclement weather, this event is being postponed.
Please check this website for further updates, or join our email list for the most current information.

Catch it on WGBH stations:
Wednesday, March 19, 8 – 9pm, WGBH WORLD
Sunday, March 23, 9 – 10pm, WGBX, Chanel 44

Sheâ€™s already overcome tremendous obstacles to [...]

Defending Kids from Corporate Marketers

Event info: Friday 8 February 2008 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

In a world where we increasingly see marketing in every nook and cranny, it is not surprising that there are advertisements targeted to children. However, what is surprising is the extent and reach of that marketing. For example, current statistics show us that children see more than 40,000 commercials on television, contributing [...]

Tagged as: kids, marketing, parenting

Welcome to the Jamaica Plain Forum’s website!

The Jamaica Plain Forum is a venue for conversations on the great issues shaping our neighborhood and our planet.

In coordination with the First Church in Jamaica Plain Unitarian Universalist, the Jamaica Plain Forum is a free and public series that will feature speakers, discussions and events that celebrate members of our local, national and global [...]