News Briefs

NEW LICENSING CHAIR

Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced Tuesday the appointment of Kathleen Joyce as Chairwoman of the Boston Licensing Board, a regulatory board that grants and regulates various types of food and alcohol licenses for restaurants and other establishments in Boston. The Board is also responsible for holding hearings on violations and license applications.

“The Licensing Board serves an important function in the City of Boston in making sure that our restaurants and entertainment establishments are regulated and in compliance with the law,” said Mayor Walsh. “Kathleen has years of experience advising on legal and public policy matters, and I am excited that she will be able to take her extensive knowledge and expertise to Boston’s Licensing Board.

As Chairwoman, Joyce serves as the lead commissioner in regulating licenses and the Rules of the Board. The board consists of three commissioners who are appointed by the Mayor. Each commissioner serves a six-year term.

Joyce most recently worked as Senior Counsel at the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), the urban planning and economic development agency for the City of Boston. In her role as Senior Counsel, Joyce provided legal support and counsel on real estate, government and policy matters.

She lives in Dorchester and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and Suffolk University Law School.  She began her new role as Chairwoman Oct. 9.

NO DEMO DELAY IMPOSED ON 384-402 BOYLSTON ST.

The Boston Landmarks Commission held a demolition delay hearing for the four contiguous buildings at 384-402 Boylston St. on Oct. 9. Vin Norton of Urban Meritage said the “buildings have been in tough shape for years.” They are all currently vacant except for 384-390 Boylston St., which is occupied by the Globe Bar and Café on the first and second floors and the deck. There have been temporary repairs to the roof and the rear wall on the buildings, and they have had a lot of water damage. The BLC chose not to impose the 90-day demolition delay after hearing about the state of the buildings.

EARLY VOTING STARTS THIS MONTH

Boston City Hall is the main early voting polling location. City Hall will be open for voting Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., during the two-week period. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, City Hall will stay open until 8 p.m. for early voting.

Early voting “pop-up” polling locations will also be available throughout the City on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Those locations will be open from 12 – 8 p.m.

This year’s schedule includes a full weekend of early voting on Saturday, Oct. 27, and Sunday, Oct. 28. During early voting weekend, there will be nine voting locations open on both days — one in each City Council district —  from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Please note: any voter registered in Boston can vote at any early voting location. You don’t need an excuse or reason to vote early.

Early voting locations in the downtown neighborhoods include:

• Oct. 27-28 Copley Library, 700 Boylston St., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Oct. 30 Benjamin Franklin Institute, 41 Berkeley St., 12-8 p.m.
• Oct. 30 Wang YMCA Chinatown, 8 Oak St. West 12-8 p.m.

BIG MONEY HEARING MONDAY

After the sale was finalized last week on the Winthrop Square Garage downtown, it unlocked $105 million in payments that are designated for the Boston Common and the Public Gardens – among other priorities throughout the city.

Councilor Mark Ciommo will hold a Ways and Means hearing on Monday, Oct. 15, to discuss the transfer of the money from the City’s Surplus Property Disposition Fund. The money comes after a long, long process of review for the project

Another hearing on Monday morning in front of Councilor Michelle Wu’s Council committee will discuss the ramifications of allowing dockless scooters on Boston’s streets.

ERBALUCE LIKELY TO SHUTTER IN BAY VILLAGE

Popular Italian restaurant Erbaluce is planning to close after New Year’s, Boston Magazine reported. Chef-owner Charles Draghi does not own the building at 69 Church St., which is set for redevelopment. The developers have been working with Draghi, but new plans will keep them out of the building for longer than originally anticipated, the article states. Draghi said that it is too expensive for him to relocate and get a new liquor license, since his current one is not transferrable to a different location. He is anticipating that New Year’s Eve will be the final day for the restaurant, and is contemplating what he will do next.

BACK BAY HAPPENINGS

• The NABB Autumn Cocktail Party will take place on Friday, Oct. 12, from 6-8 p.m. in the Hampshire House, 84 Beacon St. Beef Wellington and other delectable hors d’oeuvres, fine wines and a choice of other beverages are all included in cost of $55per person.
• Spooky Walking Tour sponsored by NABB. Souls of artists, murderers, and curious spirit haunt Copley Square to this very day, both living and dead. Explore Boston’s famously man-made neighborhood by night, and the history of the city’s Gilded Age is easy to imagine first-hand. Through storytelling, wink-worthy jokes, and occasional creepy facts and anecdotes, Daniel Berger-Jones will ensure that even if no spirits reveal themselves to our tour group, the city’s past will come alive. This Ghost Walk of the Back Bay will start in Copley Square (steps of Trinity Church), and finish in the Boston Public Garden, lasting approximately 65-70 minutes. It will take place on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. prompt. Cost is $18.
• The Police Panel/Public Safety Committee of NABB will take place on Oct. 25, 6 p.m., in the First Church, 66 Marlborough St.
• The John Winthrop School Street Fair will take place between Berkeley and Clarendon streets on Oct. 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A thriving part of the Back Bay since 1966, the school annually holds the event as an old-fashioned carnival for families to enjoy. Tickets are available at the entrances, cash only.
• The Learning Project will hold its 31^st annual Book Fair on Oct. 13 at 107 Marlborough St., between Clarendon and Dartmouth streets. The event will ru from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• The proposals from the finalists for the Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King Memorial will be on display in the first floor of the Johnson Room at the BPL Copley through Oct. 16. They are available for the public to see and comment upon. The winning proposal will be placed on the Common.

SOUTH END DATES

• The South End Forum Opiate Working Group will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 4 p.m. in the Hampton Inn on Mass/Cass.
• The East Berkeley Neighborhood Association (EBNA) will resume its regular scheduled meeting on Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Project Place. They will have a Development Update from The Abbey Group, the proponents of Exchange South End. Also plan on a discussion about the 200 Shawmut Ave. parking lot at the corner of Shawmut and East Berkeley regarding their bid to continue operating as a parking lot.
• Friends of Childe Hassam Park has unveiled a fun fall full of events in the park. First, there is a public art installation by Rosa Weinberg in the park. There will also be several art in the park events as well. Oct. 14, Jesica Perry Lang at 3-6 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 28, at 4 p.m., there will be a pumpkin carving event, and then on Saturday, Dec. 1, there will be a Park Lighting Ceremony at 4 p.m.
• South End Soccer will have its 10^th Anniversary Gala on Oct. 27 at the SoWa Power Station, 540 Harrison Ave., from 6-10 p.m. South End Soccer is a non-profit committed to giving urban youth the opportunity to play the world’s most popular sport regardless of prior experience or economic means.
• SoWa Second Sunday. More than 80 artists will be in their studios at 450 Harrison Ave. in the SoWa Art + Design District on the second Sunday of every month, from noon to 3 p.m. staring on Oct. 14. Meet the artists, and see a wide variety of original contemporary art.
• United South End Settlements (USES) will have its third community meeting for its Vision125 plan on Oct. 11, at 6:30 p.m., in the South End House, 48 Rutland St. The meeting will discuss the strategic plan, an update on programming and the future of the Harriet Tubman House, Children’s Art Centre and the South End House. Tours will be offered at 6 p.m.

for those interested.

• For the Love of Leo. A gathering will take place to honor Ellis Memorial leader Leo Delaney on Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Fairmont Copley, 6 p.m. Delaney has served as the leader of the school for more than 30 years.
• Join the Boston Ward 4 Democratic Committee to discuss the ballot questions this November and to learn about how to get out the vote for Democratic candidates locally in the Back Bay, Fenway, and the South End. Learn more athttps://bostonward4dems.org/.The meeting will take place on Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. in the South End Branch Library.
• Hayes Park Benefit. The Friends of Hayes Park will have a benefit on Oct. 18, 6-8:30 p.m. at Mills Gallery, 539 Tremont St. The gathering will feature friends and neighbors supporting the park and socializing over wine and apps.

 

FENWAY TIMES

• New summer hours for Fenway Community Center. Monday through Saturday open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, also open 5-8 p.m. Closed Sunday.
• Upcoming Fenway Park Events: Saturday, 11/10/18 & Sunday, 11/11/18—Spartan Race, 10,000 expected, times TBA

Saturday, 11/17/18—“The Game” Harvard v. Yale, 35,000 expected, 12:00pm-3:30 p.m.

• The Red Sox return to the playoffs this week on their run to the World Series. They will face either the Yankees or Athletics at home starting on Friday, Oct. 5, at 7:32 p.m. Then they will play at home on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 8:15 p.m. The rest is TBA.

Public Meeting for the Kenmore Redevelopment Project: Related Beal, LLC proposes to redevelop seven parcels known as 533-541 Commonwealth Avenue and 650-660 Beacon Street. Six of the existing buildings will be demolished, and one will be renovated and expanded to construct two new, mixed-use buildings. The approximately 1.09-acre site is bound by the Deerfield Street to the west and Commonwealth Avenue and Beacon Street to the south. The Proposed Project includes approximately 280,500 square feet of newly constructed and renovated office and retail space, and approximately 60 parking spaces. The meeting is on October 22 from 6:00-8:00pm in the Kenmore Classroom Building, Rm. 101

 

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF BOSTON EVENTS

• Nov. 10 – Moonlight Masquerade, Aloft Boston Seaport

The night will include dancing, drinks and a raffle to raise funds for the League’s community programs.

• February 28, 2019-March 2, 2019

LBDI (Little Black Dress Initiative), Kick off TBA.  LBDI is an advocacy campaign that seeks to raise community awareness on the issues of poverty in Boston. During the week, LBDI advocates will wear the same black dress for five consecutive days to illustrate the effects poverty can have on a woman’s access to resources, her confidence and professional opportunities.

• March 30, 2019 – Annual Charity Gala, JFK Museum.