Who will win the Pudding Pot?

Runners, walkers, and volunteers of Wentworth Institute of Technology have captured the Pudding Pot for four straight years. The much coveted trophy is awarded at the Annual Mission Hill Road Race to the organization that turns out the most people; plain and simple. BUT, who will win this year!? (Disclosure - Urban Mechanic is Director of the CLP@WIT, a Wentworth department)

Though WIT has so far had a lock on the prize for the entirety of its short history; competition has only mounted each and every year making for a fierce (but courteous) battle generating what feels like a century's-long rivalry among colleagues and neighbors. Will Wentworth clinch it's fifth straight victory, or will the Pudding Pot be relocating from 550 Huntington after Saturday's race? 

More importantly, all of this turnout goes to a fantastic cause, the road race event itself is a fundraiser and celebration of Kevin Fitzgerald Park. Tucked behind (and above) Brigham Circle, the northern anchor of Mission Hill's business district, the park offers stunning views from Longwood (up close) down toward Back Bay and downtown Boston. Learn more about the fascinating story behind this very special place here.

For decades the park area was actually an abandoned quarry that once produced Roxbury Puddingstone. Now, as a park the former "ledge site" also features shopping, dining, and offices developed by Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services (a community development corporation) and the New Boston Fund.

WANT TO WALK, RUN, OR VOLUNTEER?

The Road Race features Boston most scenic and toughest 5k run, walk, and a bit of celebration. Imagine a course half dozen or so "Heart Break Hills." Walkers are fired off at 930 am and runners at 10 am...this Saturday, September 19th. The race does issues officiated/metered results and awards various categories of runners/walkers by age and gender, and time ranking. Registration (walkers and runners) is available the day of the event for $20. For that Jackson, you'll get food, water (of course), your official number (and results) and a fantastic t-shirt (usually in a vintage swoosh style). Just be warned, be there early if you haven't already registered as the Pudding Pot crowd and the residents at-large make this an immensely popular event.

See more photos of Kevin Fitzgerald (Pudidngstone) Park on the Mission Hill Flickr Group page.

Props to the CLP@WIT Crew!

Many props go the crew of students and staff who joined scores of equally dedicated Mission Hill residents and business owners for last weekend's 'Neighbor Hill' Celebration organized by the Community Alliance of Mission Hill (CAMH).

The CLP@WIT crew (let it be known, 'Urban Mechanic' is the Director for this organization) put in an 8 plus hour day and lent a hand to everything from planning (before the event), hauling equipment to the event, set-up at the event, cooking, cleaning, photography, playing with kids, chatting and mingling with neighbors, and breaking down the event. Again, much, much more work remained and a big shout out goes to those who came out from across all of Mission Hill to make the event happen and successfully so. Great Work!

I personally look forward to next year (yes my CAMH friends you're on the hook to keep doing it now). If you want more of Mission Hill before then, come out to annual Mission Hill Road Race to benefit Kevin Fitzgerald (formerly Puddingstone) Park.

See more photos of the event (and Mission Hill in general) on the Mission Hill Flickr Group page.

Neighbor Hill Event

Whether you've just moved-in, you've been the neighborhood for decades, or you simply haven't made it to this part of town recently...

...come to Mission Hill on Saturday to take in the sites, sounds, food and music of the Neighbor Hill community block party. Organized by a diverse group of residents, institutions, businesses and spear-headed by the Community Alliance of Mission Hill...the event follows weeks of move-ins, and other end of summer excitement.

Oh, and be sure to check out the Mission Hill Road Race next weekend. You can walk, run, or just hang out  and watch the action. You can register with this form, or the day of the race.

Boston Neighborhood Takes A Bow

Mission Hill, one of Boston's most diverse communities takess a bow this weekend as it's famed Mission Church and Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help (pictured) hosts a funeral mass for the late Senator Ted Kennedy. While Massachusetts and arguably much of the nation mourns Kennedy's passing, Mission Hill has been granted an opportunity to not only honour him, but also strike out a new image locally and nationally.

After decades of often tumltuos change, the community today truly represents a crossroads for Boston's diverse population of young and old, student and lifelong resident, rich and poor, and ethnicities from across the globe. The neighborhood's assets, which include a stunning geography and landscape including parts of the emerald necklace, urban wilds, tree-lined streets, playgrounds and eclectic architecture to match.

Mission Hill is home to a substantial portion of the Longwood Medical and Academic Area (home to Harvard Med and dozens of hospitals, research labs colleges and other institutions), but also boasts numerous grassroots and citywide agencies and community anchors and a resurgent community business district.

As Peter Schworm from the Boston Globe acutely points out, the community brand over the past decades has been one also of strife, change, and transition. However, those who love Mission Hill know it's quality and character to hold much, much more. It seems that thanks can be given to Ted for understanding likewise.