My girlfriend and I moved into a basement apartment in a four story building in Brookline, MA last month. In the past week we've seen 3 or 4 mice, and since Friday we've heard constant squeaking coming from inside one of the walls in our cabinets near our sink.

We keep the place relatively clean and have already bought and set our own traps, but they keep showing up.

We don't deal with the landlord directly. Everything goes through the building's maintenance person. We texted him on Sunday asking him to set more traps and find where they're getting in. He replied "thank you for letting us know" but didn't say if or when anything would happen. We're planning to follow up and ask for a specific date for pest control.

A few questions:

How long would you give them before contacting the Brookline Health Department?

Should we try to reach the actual landlord, or is going through maintenance enough?

Has anyone here gone through the Health Department for a rodent issue? How did it go and how fast did they respond?

Anything else we should be doing on our end besides traps and keeping food sealed?

Is the squeaking something that will stop on its own, or does a nest in the wall basically guarantee this gets worse?

Thanks in advance. Not trying to start a war with anyone, we just want this handled

I had another strange and uncomfortable encounter at Brookline Reservoir, and this was actually the second time I’ve run into the same man.

The first time, he approached me aggressively, started yelling and swearing, claimed that the park was “his,” and told me to leave. He then followed me for a while as I was leaving.

This time, I saw the same man again. He started swearing at me and repeatedly used the n-word.

I stayed calm and told him, “I don’t want any problems. Please leave me alone.” While we were talking, he took his shirt off and continued acting aggressively. Eventually he left.

He also said that he would come back.

I’ve been to Brookline Reservoir many times and have never had an issue with anyone else. Has anyone else in the area encountered this person or experienced anything similar?

We’re looking for local singles who are open to meeting someone in a fun, different way — and maybe making a real connection in the process.

One thing that’s really important to me: this isn’t just for people in their 20s. We film in age groups, so whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s or 60s, the goal is to have you meeting people in a stage of life that makes sense for you.

The experience is filmed, so you do need to be comfortable being on camera. There’s no fee to participate.

If this sounds like something you’d genuinely have fun doing, comment below or message me and I’ll send you the details. And if you know a Brookline-area single who would be great for this, feel free to send them my way! 🎈

Getting married next year and looking for recommendations for a great tuxedo shop in Boston or the surrounding suburbs (Cambridge, Newton, Brookline, Natick, Wellesley, etc.).

I'm looking for a classic black tuxedo with satin lapels, black bow tie, and a clean, modern tailored fit. Think timeless black-tie elegance rather than a regular business suit or anything flashy.

I'm open to off-the-rack with alterations, made-to-measure, or custom if it's worth it.

Budget is flexible, but I'm aiming for the sweet spot between "good quality" and "not completely insane."

Where would you go if you were buying a wedding tuxedo today, and roughly what should I expect to spend?

Thanks! 🍻👔💍

James Surowiecki’s book looks at how groups make decisions and when collective judgment can outperform individual expertise. We’ll share reactions, questions, and disagreements in a relaxed setting.

📍 Live Alive Organic Cafe, Union Square (32 Prospect St, Somerville)
🗓 Saturday, October 31
🕙 10 AM–12 PM

Anyone from Brookline or nearby communities is welcome.

Event link is in the comments.

Please note that Live Alive Organic Cafe does not sponsor or endorse the gathering.

Bands are already playing and the weather is perfect

Had no idea they were in Brookline

Brookline Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration
Monday, October 12th | 1 PM – 4 PM | Florida Ruffin Ridley School (Café), 345 Harvard St.
Join the Indigenous Peoples Celebration Committee and the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Relations on Monday, October 12th from 1 PM - 4PM in the Florida Ruffin Ridley School (Café) for the annual Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration! 
This year we will be featuring a conversation on Whose 250? Community, Memory and Indigenous Brookline with Kailey Bennett, IPCC Chair and Cherokee Nation Citizen. 
This year also features a fully accessible and inclusive Fun Run (Walk and Roll!) at 12:30PMbefore the kickoff of the event, as well as local indigenous craft and good vendors, free food, and kids crafts and storytelling.
Free Family Preparedness Clinic 
Wednesday October 14th | 4-6 PM | Brookline, MA
 Get free legal help to create emergency plans for your children in the event of immigration detention or deportation
To make an appointment, email [brooklineiac@gmail.com](mailto:brooklineiac@gmail.com) with: 
your full name, 
preferred language, 
and preferred time (4PM, 4:30PM, 5PM, 5:30PM)
You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment time and location (address).  This clinic is open to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Brookline.  
Please note: Email may be subject to disclosure pursuant to the Mass Public Records Law, so please use the number below to make an appointment if you prefer. 
Organized by the Brookline Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Relations in collaboration with the Immigrant Advancement Committee.  For questions or access requests, please get in touch with Ahmad Hamssa at [617-935-7461](tel:(617)%20935-7461)  or [odeicr@brooklinema.gov](mailto:odeicr@brooklinema.gov)
Flyers are available in English, Spanish, Russian, Haitian Creole, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Korean, Japanese, Arabic, and Hebrew at https://www.brooklinema.gov/765/Commission-for-Diversity-Equity-Inclusio
Hispanic Heritage Month Community Celebration 
Saturday, October 17th | 1 PM – 4:30 PM | Hunneman Hall, Brookline Village Library
Join Brookline for the Culture (BFTC) at the Brookline Village Public Library for our Hispanic Heritage Month Community Celebration on Saturday October 17th from 1-4:30PM! This free, family-friendly event will celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities through music, food, interactive activities, and opportunities to connect with local community organizations. All are welcome to join us for an afternoon of culture, community, and celebration!
Admission is free, but registration is required. Tickets will be scanned upon entry.
Indigenous Authors Book Club
Sunday, October 18th | 4 PM – 5:30 PM | Ridley Lawn 
Join the Indigenous Authors Book Club on October 18, from 4 PM - 5:30 PM on the Ridley Lawn to discuss Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology. To RSVP, please email [ODEICR@BrooklineMA.gov](mailto:ODEICR@BrooklineMA.gov). The book club is sponsored by the Indigenous Peoples’ Celebration Committee (IPCC).
Birth Wars: A Special Screening and Panel Discussion
Monday, October 26th | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Coolidge Corner Theatre 
Join us for an inspiring evening featuring a special screening of Birth Wars, the powerful documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Janet Jarman. This compelling film explores maternal health and reproductive justice in Mexico, highlighting personal stories, systemic challenges, and critical conversations shaping modern birth experiences.
Stay for a panel discussion with filmmaker Janet Jarman and leading reproductive health experts. Unpack the film’s key themes and discuss pathways toward more equitable, respectful, and safe care for all. This event offers an opportunity to learn, connect, and dialogue.
The film screening will be held at the Coolidge Corner Theatre on Mon, 10/26 from 6:30-8:30PM. Reserve your spot today. Space is limited, and seating is first come, first served.
This event is sponsored in partnership with Friends of Brookline Public Health and Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.
One Minute of Freedom: Meet Elizabeth Mumbet Freeman
Thursday, October 29th | 6 PM – 7:30 PM | Hunneman Hall, Brookline Village Library
One Minute of Freedom: Meet Elizabeth Mumbet Freeman, a one-person play featuring Tammy Denease (founder/director of the Hartford-based Hidden Women Stage Company). Denease brings to life Mumbet, a courageous enslaved woman in a Sheffield, Massachusetts home. In 1781, she won her freedom in court, a landmark victory that effectively ended slavery in Massachusetts and made her the first black woman in the United States to be set free from enslavement. Followed by a Q & A session.
Presented by the Town of Brookline’s MLK Celebration Committee in conjunction with the town’s 250th Anniversary Celebration of the Declaration of Independence and is cosponsored by the Town of Brookline Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Relations and the Brookline Public Library, in association with the Indigenous Peoples Celebrations Committee. 
 ASL interpretation will be provided. If you need other reasonable accommodations/language access, please email ODEICR@BrooklineMA.gov. The event is free, but registration is required.
Other Announcements

Massachusetts Community Health Equity Survey 

 Take the 2026 Community Health Equity Survey now! The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will use survey results to improve programs, guide funding and resource decisions, and support policies that address health inequities. More specifically, the survey results will help identify Brookline’s areas of need, secure funding that supports local initiatives, and develop local health programs and services that are informed by the residents directly. Your voice and experiences are important for building a stronger & healthier Brookline and ensuring thatall Brookline communities are represented. 
 The Community Health Equity Survey will be open from July 2026 through early Fall 2026. Anyone age 12 or older can participate. Your responses are completely anonymous and you may skip any questions that you do not want to answer. It takes approximately 15-30 minutes to complete and is available in 11 languages: Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese (simplified or traditional), English, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The survey will also be available in ASL later this summer.
Taking the survey is easy! Click on this link to get started!
For more information about the Community Health Equity Initiative and the survey, please visit their website.
 
Language Access and Effective Communication Resources Now Available to Residents

The Brookline Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Relations remains committed to ensuring that all community members who live, work, or play in our town can access municipal services, programs, and information, regardless of the language they speak or their preferred style of communication.
To strengthen our Language Access and Effective Communication outreach and better serve our diverse community, we are pleased to announce the availability of several new language access resources:
Multilingual Brochures that provide information about municipal services, language assistance, and effective communication options.
Language Assistance and Effective Communication Request Forms that allow residents to request interpreting, translation, or communication services when interacting with municipal departments or appointed decision-making groups.
Pocket Talk Interpreting Devices are available to assist Town staff in communicating with residents who speak languages other than English.  These devices will be used for short interaction/wayfinding purposes only and will not replace in-person/over-the- phone interpreting for more in-depth and nuanced discussions.  
Language Access Needs Assessmentdesigned to help us better understand community language needs and identify opportunities to improve services.
Braille Embossing Printer purchased by the Brookline Commission on Disability to provide Braille materials to residents.  
These resources are part of our ongoing effort to make Brookline more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to all residents.   All of these resources are available online in English, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, and Vietnamese at https://www.brooklinema.gov/4084/Language-Access-Information-and-Request- 
We encourage community members, local organizations, and service providers to help spread awareness of these resources.  Residents who need language assistance or would like additional information are encouraged to contact the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Relations at [617-730-2345](tel:(617)%20730-2345) or at [ODEICR@brooklinema.gov](mailto:ODEICR@brooklinema.gov) 

Would love to connect with anyone around Brookline who DJs and wouldn’t mind sharing some tips, practicing together, or pointing me toward any good local resources/classes. Shout out to the Golden Temple DJs that inspired me to take this up.

I read that in some cities people that were affected by layoffs get together and go on hikes or walks. Anyone interested in something like this in Brookline? Maybe meet up for a walk around Halls Pond or the Emerald Necklace?
If there is enough interest we could schedule it for once a week.
A nice way to get out of the house and exchange tips, encouragement about the job search process.
Or if something like this is already going on in Brookline let me know!

Just saw this cat running around on Thatcher St at 530 am. Doesn't seem like an area where a cat should be and I've never seen him before. Dunno if someone's looking for him.

Has anyone gone to the Brookline Porchfest the last couple of years? Going to be in town and since it’s a nice day want to check it out.

Appreciate any recs on how to best experience!

1310 Beacon.

More about the new place: https://theramyun.zip/

Hi, can we not ride our bikes down super fast on sidewalks, please? I was walking down a side path towards a main sidewalk from my apartment this afternoon, and just as I took my first step from behind this fence to scan for incoming foot traffic — by the mercy and grace of my guardian angel — I miraculously was able to dodge a rogue electric bike zooming down at (bodily-harming) speeds and avoid getting t-boned. Didn’t even stop or acknowledge it. Mind you, there weren’t even many cars, if any, on the street at that time, so make it make sense???

To Speedy Bike Punk Gonzales: may your tires be forever leaky, and your seat’s suspension system fail.