Overnight Closure of Sumner Tunnel
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that the Sumner Tunnel / Route 1A southbound will close to all traffic tonight, Friday, July 31, at 11 p.m. and will reopen to traffic at 6 a.m. the following morning. Travel through the Ted Williams Tunnel (I-90) and Callahan Tunnel (Route 1A northbound) will remain available. A signed detour will be in place during the closure.
This closure is necessary for crews to safely conduct repairs and maintenance activities.
Appropriate signage, law enforcement details, and messaging will be in place to guide drivers through the work area.
Drivers traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution.
All scheduled work is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.
For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to:
•Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, real-time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
•Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions.
•Follow @MassDOT on X, (formerly known as Twitter), to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.
Boston Ward 5 Dems make endorsements
The Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee last week made the following political endorsements: State Sen. Will Brownsberger for reelection to the Suffolk and Middlesex State Senate; U.S. Sen. Ed Markey for reelection to the U.S. Senate for Massachusetts; Latoya Gayle for election to the First Suffolk State Senate; Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden for reelection to the Suffolk District Attorney ; Councilor Mara Dolan for reflection to the Governor’s Council District 3; and Councilor Terrence Kennedy for reflection to the Governor’s Council District 6.
SoWa Artists Guild to offer August events
SoWa First Friday will be held on Aug. 7 beginning at 5 p.m., and SoWa Sundays will be held Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, starting at 11 a.m.
SoWa Artists Guild events, which are free and open to the public, are held at 450 Harrison Ave.
Nichols House Museum offering summer programming
The Nichols House Museum at 55 Mt. Vernon St. will offer a Brahmins & Bohemians Beacon Hill walking tour on Aug.13 at 6 p.m.
Summer evenings are perfect for exploring the neighborhood. Join the Nichols House Museum for a relaxed ramble around the Hill. Enjoy the charming details of our beautiful neighborhood as we chat about some of the artists and writers who lived on the Hill when the Nichols family was in residence at 55 Mount Vernon St.
Also, the Nichols House is open for guided tours Tuesday through Sunday, with expanded hours on the weekends. The museum is fully air conditioned.
For more information and tickets, visit: nicholshousemuseum.org
FOSEL to offer Jazz & Blues concerts in Library Park
Friends of the South End Library (FOSEL) is again sponsoring free Jazz & Blues concerts with Pat Loomis & Friends every other Tuesday through Aug. 18 starting at 6:30 p.m. in Library Park.
Concerts will include “Saxophone Colossus: A Salute To Sonny Rollins,” with Brett Walberg (tenor sax), Adonis Martin (piano), Daniel Day (bass ), Zeke Martin (drums) on Aug. 4; and A Funky Dance Party, with Ivory Jones and White Chocolate, featuring Joey Mazzarella (keyboards), Daniel Day (bass), and Zeke Martin (drums) on Aug. 18.
Open Newbury Street announces August dates
The popular Open Newbury Street series continues this August, transforming the iconic Back Bay thoroughfare into a pedestrian-only walkway. The street will be closed to vehicle traffic starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday, August 2, Sunday, August 9, and Sunday, August 23. Please note that the event will skip two weekends and will not take place on August 16 or August 30. While Newbury Street will be car-free, intersecting streets such as Arlington, Berkeley, Clarendon, Dartmouth, and Exeter will remain open to cross-traffic.
Fenway Park braces for busy concert weekend
Residents in the Fenway and Kenmore neighborhoods should prepare for increased foot traffic and localized street closures this weekend as Fenway Park hosts a series of major concerts. Drivers are advised to use caution, utilize public transit if possible, and expect delays in the area. The upcoming concert schedule includes:
• Thursday, July 30: Tim McGraw
• Friday, July 31: Phish
• Saturday, August 1: Phish
• Sunday, August 2: Zac Brown Band
Titus Sparrow Park continues Wednesday evening concert series
The Titus Sparrow Park Summer Concert Series continues to bring live, free music to the South End every Wednesday evening. Pre-show community gatherings and children’s activities begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by live musical performances starting at 6:15 p.m. at 75 West Rutland Square. The summer lineup features a rotating cast of local artists performing reggae, jazz, funk, and rock. Attendance is free, with blanket and lawn chair seating highly encouraged.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum offers free Thursday nights
As a reminder to Fenway residents and art lovers across the city, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum continues to offer its weekly free admission program. Visitors can explore the museum’s historic galleries, courtyard, and contemporary exhibition spaces free of charge every Thursday evening from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This weekly offering replaces the museum’s previous “Free First Thursdays” model to make the collection more accessible on a regular basis. Advanced ticket reservations are highly recommended through the museum’s website.
Boston Police to host National Night Out in local neighborhoods
The Boston Police Department will host its annual National Night Out community-building events on Monday, August 3, and Tuesday, August 4. The multi-day initiative promotes police-community partnerships through neighborhood block parties, cookouts, and a moving cavalcade of vehicles bringing city officials to different districts. For South End residents, localized activities and cavalcade stops will heavily impact the Castle Square area, prompting parking restrictions on the east side of Tremont Street between #470 and #482. Residents in the Back Bay, South End, and Fenway should anticipate increased pedestrian activity, food vendors, and tabling by local community partners to promote neighborhood camaraderie.