AMPLIFICATION
In a recent story in the Sun, the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) heralded the increasingly female workforce at the agency. Many of the decision makers, it was noted, are now female. However, some readers were ready to point out that women have held positions of consequence at the BPDA in the past. Many readers believed some of them should be pointed out as well.
For example:
- Linda Harr was the director of planning for many years in the 1990s and 2000s.
- Conny Doty served as the director of Workforce in year’s past.
- Rebecca Barnes was the first chief planner for the City and the BPDA.
- Randi Lathrop was the deputy director of Community Planning in the 1990s and 2000s.
- Rebecca Lee also served as the chief of staff.
FLYNN TO HAVE SOUTH END KICK OFF
District 2 Council Candidate Ed Flynn held a campaign kickoff in South Boston last week.
This week, he told the Sun that he is planning to have a South End kickoff in the coming weeks, and will announce details soon.
ANNOUNCING: ELLIS SOUTH END SCHOLARSHIP
Announcing scholarship applications being accepted for The Ellis South End Neighborhood Association
Career Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to a senior high school student or recent high school graduate who plans on pursuing or is pursuing a technical degree at an accredited institution. The awarded scholarship will be $2,000 to be paid directly to the institution to offset costs for tuition or fees. To be eligible for this award, the student must graduate from high school or have a GED and reside in the South End or Lower Roxbury.
Applications are due by May 1, 2017.
For more information contact: [email protected].
Download a scholarship application at:
http://www.ellisneighborhood.org/uploads/4/0/5/0/40506663/cte_scholarship_application.pdf
SOUTH END BASEBALL REGISTRATION, APRIL 8
Registration for the 2017 season is underway and the final registration date is this weekend on April 8. The locations and times are as follows:
Minors (ages 7-9) 10am at Peters Park (1200 Washington St)
Majors (ages 10-12) 12pm at Peters Park (1200 Washington St)
Senior (ages 13-15) 11am at Jim Rice Field (1900 Washington St)
Age is determined by how old the player will be on April 30.
Bring a glove and be ready to workout!
WALSH ANNOUNCES COFFEE HOURS
Mayor Martin Walsh announced dates for his spring and summer coffee hours in the neighborhoods this week.
The Neighborhood Coffee Hours give residents a unique opportunity to speak directly with Mayor Walsh about open space and other needs in their neighborhoods. Through these discussions and a suggestion box at each site, Mayor Walsh looks forward to hearing how the City of Boston can improve upon local parks, public areas and city services.
All participants will enjoy coffee and breakfast treats provided by Dunkin’ Donuts and fresh fruit from Whole Foods Market. In addition, each family in attendance will receive a flowering plant grown in the city’s greenhouses as a gift from Mayor Walsh. Residents at the event will also be eligible to win raffle prizes from Dunkin’ Donuts. Information will be available on City programs from the Boston Public Library, Boston Public Schools, Boston Police Department, and Boston Centers for Youth & Families.
All coffee hours will be held at 9:30 a.m.
- Monday, April 24
Victory Gardens
20 Park Drive, Fenway
- Tuesday, July 18
Monsignor Reynolds Playground
5 Msgr. Reynolds Way, South End (with opening celebration)
- Thursday, July 20
Commonwealth Ave. Mall
Back Bay (Boston Woman’s Memorial)
Between Gloucester St. and Fairfield St
JAPAN FESTIVAL BOSTON
The 6th annual Japan Festival Boston will take place on Sunday, April 30, on Boston Common.
There will be workshops and performances and Japanese food.
The festival is free and runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, go to www.japanfestivalboston.org.
BEEHIVE TO HOLD BENEFIT DINNER
On Monday, April 17, in celebration of the 2017 Boston Marathon, The Beehive on Tremont Street will host its fourth annual event in support of the Gillian Reny Center for Trauma Innovation. From 3 p.m. to midnight, 100 percent of proceeds will be donated towards the organization’s mission to fuel cutting-edge research and clinical programs in trauma healing and limb reconstruction.
The Reny and Epstein Families established the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation in gratitude to the doctors at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) that saved their 18-year-old daughter’s life and limbs following the explosions at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon. The Center seeks to mobilize the full potential of interdisciplinary innovation to fuel trauma research and care for the benefit of civilians and military personnel worldwide who have suffered from the devastation of traumatic injuries and events. The Beehive is proud to honor the medical heroes at BWH who treated and saved 39 patients with life-threatening injuries that day and support this effort to turn the tragedy that befell the Reny Family into hope for the future.
Guests will enjoy an evening of live jazz performances and cuisine from The Beehive’s Executive Chef Gregory Torrech. For reservations and more information, please visit www.beehive.com or call 617.423.0069.
USES HISTORY EXHIBIT APRIL 6
United South End Settlements (USES) invites the community to attend the opening of the USES125 Exhibit, an exhibit exploring the rich history of USES and the settlement house movement which highlights notable Southenders who’ve had an impact on participants of the neighborhood’s settlement houses. The opening reception will be held on Thursday, April 6, from 6– 8:30 p.m. and the exhibit will remain on display at the Harriet Tubman House (566 Columbus Avenue) through the end of the year. All are welcome and no registration is necessary.
“It’s been grounding and inspiring to research and prepare our history exhibit at this time, while USES is engaged in a strategic planning process that’s pivoting our focus to families with growing children, ” said President and CEO Maicharia Weir Lytle. “ We’ve reconnected with our roots while creating our exhibit, and have renewed our commitment to the core settlement house values of equality, inclusion, and opportunity for all. At the same time, we’ve been reminded that as an organization, USES has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of the community. We have a responsibility to always be moving forward.”
Local author and historian Russ Lopez led the research for the USES125 Exhibit. Jovita Fontanez and Rep. Byron Rushing co-chaired an exhibit research committee that includes Jennifer Coplon, Frieda Garcia, Nick Haddad, Claire Hayes, Ken Kruckemeyer, Tunney Lee, Weir Lytle, Bill Meserve, Lauren Prescott, and USES Vice President of Development Nikki Stewart.
Through archival research and materials, the exhibit explores local history beginning with the foundation of Andover House in 1892, through the merger of five South End settlement houses to form United South End Settlements in 1960, and up to present day and beyond with the implementation of a new strategic direction.
USES125 contains exhibit panels exploring the 125 years of history, as well as a slide show of photos and a community board where stories and memories can be displayed. Community members are encouraged to leave commentary and contribute photos to the display.
This exhibit is the second in a series of events commemorating USES’s 125th anniversary. To learn more, visit www.uses125.org/history or contact Nikki Stewart, Vice President of Development, at [email protected] or 617-375-8132.
STING! ART AT THE BEEHIVE
The Beehive’s co-owner and resident curator Jennifer Epstein and guest curator Ian Marcus Corbin of Matter & Light Fine Art, are pleased to present the 24th installment in The Beehive’s continuing art series entitled “Rites of Spring: Rebirth in Color and Form.” This multi-artist exhibition features vibrantly colored, sensuous abstract paintings that recall the vital, explosive energies of spring.
Ian Marcus Corbin is the co-owner and director of Matter & Light, located at 63 Thayer Street in SoWa, Boston’s art & design district. Matter & Light represents contemporary artists from around the world whose work is united by the exploration of profound spiritual questions in the medium of raw, visceral materiality. These works aim to leave the viewer with clearer eyes and a deeper appreciation for the strange, beautiful tensions of the human condition. For more information visit www.matterlightfineart.com.
Sting! XXIV: Rites of Spring features the work of Elizabeth Awalt, Aristotle Forrester and Natalia Juncadella.
SOUTH END BUSINESS BREAKFAST
Several neighborhood partners and the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) will host a South End Business Breakfast on Monday, April 24, at 10 a.m. in the Gaslight Brasserie du Coin, 560 Harrison Ave.
The event will offer an opportunity to network with small business in the South End and hear about financing opportunities, design and signage assistance, crowd funding and technical assistance for small business.
Speakers include Jenny Effron, Washington Gateway Main Street; Bill Nickerson of the BPDA; Karleen Porcena, Local Initiatives Support Coalition (LISC); and Steve Rumpler of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development.
RSVP by April 21 to Washington Gateway at [email protected].
SOUTH END PROJECTS TO ZONING
Two major projects will head to the Boston Zoning Commission on April 12 for final approval and permitting.
The projects include the Leggat McCall Harrison Albany Block and the Related Beal Quinzani’s project (370-380 Harrison Ave.). Public participation is encouraged and the meeting will begin at 9 a.m. on April 12.
The meeting takes place in City Hall at the BPDA Board Room, 9th floor, Room 900.
Both projects have already been approved by the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) Board and the Zoning Commission is the last step in the City’s approval process.
FRIENDS OF MUDDY RIVER
Upcoming events include the 11th Annual Colleges of the Fenway Muddy River Symposium (free) at Wheelock College at 43 Hawes St., Brookline, on Thursday, April 13, from 4 – 7:30 p.m.
Studio Without Walls Art Exhibition in Riverway Park, at Longwood T-Station, will take place on Monday, April 24 to Wednesday, May 24. Opening day will be Saturday, April 29.
BLACKSTONE SWIM TEAM
The Blackstone Sharks Community Center swim team is recruiting kids ages 6-17 for the upcoming season. It is open to boys and girls who want to improve their swimming skills and swim in the “fast lane.” They practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6-6:45 p.m. Membership at the Center is required and the fee is $25 per person. For more information, contact the pool staff at (617) 635-5162.
FENWAY CDC 44TH ANNUAL MEETING
The Fenway Community Development Corporation (CDC) will host its 44th Annual meeting entitled, ‘Celebrating Our Success, Building Our Community’ on Thursday, April 13, at 6 p.m. at Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston St.
Community service awards will go to Fair Foods, Marc Pelletier, David Robers and Louvere Walker-Hannon. There will also be food and a major announcement that cannot be missed.
RSVP by April 10 to [email protected] or (617) 267-4637 x10.
MASSPORT AIRPLANE NOISE COMPLAINT LINE
Residents who are being disturbed by airplane noise are encouraged to call the MassPort Noise Hotline 24 hours a day. The phone number is (617) 561-3333.
PINE STREET INN GOOD NEIGHBOR HOTLINE
Residents who have any problems or concerns related to the Pine Street Inn on East Berkeley Street and Harrison Avenue in the South End are invited to call the Good Neighbor Line. Security Director Kevin Smith said they are glad to get calls from the neighborhood and would address any matter brought to their attention.
The number is (617) 892-9210.
SWAN BOATS TO OPEN
Mayor Martin J. Walsh will host the first ride of the season on the popular Boston Swan Boats as they open at the Public Garden lagoon on Saturday, April 15, at 11:30 a.m.
“This will be the 141st year the Swan Boats have entertained residents and visitors in the Boston Public Garden,” said Mayor Walsh. “Boston is ready for spring, and it’s a wonderful tradition to join the Paget family and Boston students for the first springtime ride around the Public Garden lagoon.”
This annual rite of spring is made possible thanks to the Paget family, owners and operators of the Swan Boats first launched by Irish immigrant and shipbuilder Robert Paget. Paget designed the Swan Boats after attending the opera Lohengrin in New York City. At the end of the opera, the hero crosses a river in a boat drawn by a swan.
FENWAY COMMUNITY CENTER
- Office Hours: State Rep. Chynah Tyler will host office hours on April 20, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Community Center.
- good witch kitchen will host a knife skills workshop on April 12, 6-8 p.m. in the Community Center. Tickets are available on eventbrite.
- The Handle Bar Indoor Cycling Studio will host a spin class at the Center on Tuesday, April 18, at 4:15 p.m.
FENWAY/SOUTH END HOURS FOR CONGRESSMAN CAPUANO
Congressman Michael Capuano will hold office hours for the Fenway and South End neighborhoods on the second Thursday of every month at the Fenway Community Health Center, 1340 Boylston St.
The hours are from noon to 1 p.m. and will have a representative from Capuano’s office in attendance.
SOUTH END DATES
- The Eight Streets Neighborhood Association will have their meeting on Tuesday, April 11, at Project Place 6:45 p.m. The agenda will include a presentation from City Chief of Environmental Austin Blackmon, a meet/greet with Council Candidate Mike Kelley, and a review of the design plans for the MiniLuxe (old Emilio’s Pizza). The will also be reviews from the four Friends groups and plans for the May and June meetings.
- On April 25, 6 p.m., at the Blackstone Community Center, the South End Forum Working Group on Addiction, Recovery and Homelessness will meet. The meeting will be specifically about South End neighbors being able to share their thoughts, constructive suggestions and concerns about the challenges facing the Mass Ave/Melnea Cass area. Members of the Working Group representing South End service providers, institutions, government agencies, neighborhood associations, and our many partners will be on hand to listen to ideas and concerns from individual residents.
- The Ellis South End Board of Directors will meet on Tuesday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m., One Chandler Street. The Ellis Executive Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 11, 6 p.m.
- Blackstone/Franklin Square Spring Social, members of the Blackstone will combine with the Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association (WSANA) on Tuesday, April 18, for a spring multi-association social time. The fete will be at 7 p.m in Gaslight Brasserie du Coin.
- The 8th Annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Sunday, April 16, in Library Park, from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. Easter eggs are being filled with chocolates, poems and knock-knock jokes. There will be a separate area sectioned off for tiny hunters to prevent the very enthusiastic larger children from crushing the little ones. The Easter Bunny reportedly is counting the days.
- Old Dover Spring Social, members of the Old Dover Neighborhood Association will be gathering for a social time at The Lion’s Tail restaurant in the Ink Block next month. Date and time to be announced. Later in the spring, GTI Properties will be hosting a Block Party for the Association on its property.
- The Old Dover Neighborhood Association will meet on Tuesday, April 18, 6:30 p.m. at Project Place. The meeting will include safety updates, a presentation by the Abbey Group for Exchange South End, Rep. Aaron Michlewitz address and Council Candidate Mike Kelley meet/greet.
- O’Day Bike Tune Up, The Boston Police, IBA, the new West Newton Group, Boston Bikes and Bikes Not Bombs will all come together on April 29, 1-3 p.m., in O’Day Park to host family-friendly bike tune-up event to help kids and adults get their bicycles ready for the summer. Volunteers and donations are needed, including rags, gloves, tools, air pumps and spray bottles. Donations will be accepted in the IBA offices on West Newton Street from April 10-17. For information e-mail Nicola at [email protected].
- Scholarship awards. Scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors who are planning to pursue a college or a technical degree and for students currently enrolled in higher education.
These scholarships include $1,000 Scholarships for Academic Achievement and Community Service and $2,000 Andrew Parthum Scholarships for Outstanding Community Achievement.
Applications are due by Friday, May 19, 2017.
EIGHT STREETS TO DISCUSS NEW MINILUXE
The Eight Streets Neighborhood Association (ESNA) will be hearing from the designers behind the new MiniLuxe that is scheduled to replace the former Emilio’s pizza at 536 Tremont Street, in the South End.
The meeting will take place 6:30p.m., Tuesday, April 11, at Project Place meeting room at the corner of Washington St. and East Berkeley, next door to Meyers & Chang.
This comes after the South End Landmarks Commission (SELC) approved the updated design plans at the April 4, hearing.
The new design drastically differs from the original plan, which sported white painted wood around the glass windows with MiniLuxe signs and logos punching through the windows. The new design keeps to more traditional looks in the South End with stained wood and two simple signs above the windows.
“We took the comments to heart after the last meeting,” said Chris Mastrangelo from MiniLuxe. “We wanted to limit the scope to just the bare essentials.”
The ESNA got 120 signatures to show SELC that the neighborhood is interested in this project and asked that the SELC delay their vote until the neighborhood hears from designers but to no avail.
Commissioner Catherine Hunt said that based on the comments it didn’t seem like it would be ok to go ahead with the vote.
“I didn’t want to come to object,” said Lydia Walshin of ESNA. “I just wanted to say were here and we’re interested.”
Ted Chaloner of the South End agreed. He pointed out that in that area alone there are already three other nail salons and the last thing this neighborhood wants is another one. But he said, “This will be the Starbucks of nail salons.”
Chaloner said he wished that MiniLuxe had come to the neighborhood much sooner than they did so that they could have been a bigger part of the process.
Walshin chimed in, “because we often have good ideas.”