News Briefs

WHOLE FOODS TO AMAZON

The announcement last Friday of the sale of Whole Foods to Amazon.com for $13.7 billion has shocked more than a few people, and piqued the curiosity of a number of those interested in business and consumer issues.

There are three Whole Foods locations in the Sun’s coverage area, with the #2 location in the U.S. being at the Ink Block development on Harrison Avenue.

National Development is the landlord for that location, and Ted Tye of National said it was going to be an interesting transition to watch – though he postulated customers would likely not see a change in their in-store experience.

“I don’t think anyone understands yet what Amazon is planning,” he said. “I doubt that the sale will change the in-store experience very much, but there is huge demand for in-home delivery of high quality goods and the sale will catapult Amazon’s credibility in that area. It comes down to ‘last mile’ distribution, and being able to deliver from Whole Foods through Amazon’s delivery network is a game changer. It will be interesting to watch.”

Last year, Amazon took a big and quiet step in Boston, investing millions in a facility in Everett at the regional New England Produce Market. Part of that building investment was for package fulfillment in Boston and north of Boston. However, another huge swath of space in the giant industrial warehouse there was for the Amazon Fresh concept. Principles from Amazon told Everett officials in a series of meetings on the project last year that they hoped to transform food shopping by offering online shopping, with same-day delivery through their own network and through the U.S. Post Office.

It seemed that Amazon wanted to get in the grocery store business, but saw the typical grocery store was outdated. Many predicted it would close the doors of the traditional supermarkets, but the concept in Boston never caught on hugely and never really got off the ground fully in Everett. It could be the rationale for the purchase of the Whole Foods network – perhaps having more delivery hubs for the Amazon Fresh concept.

At a meeting of the New York Streets Neighborhood Association earlier this year, residents talked with Whole Foods managers from the Ink Block store – asking them to institute more of an Amazon Fresh concept and to revamp their current system that stores online grocery purchases in the store for customers to pick up later.

Perhaps the sale is just what the residents of New York Streets were asking for.

KELLEY ENDORSED IN DISTRICT 2

On Tuesday night, Boston’s Ward 5 Democrats held their candidate’s night for the 2017 municipal election. The group voted overwhelmingly to endorse Mike Kelley’s candidacy for District 2 City Council, making him the first candidate in the race to receive an endorsement from a Democratic Ward Committee. Kelley and his progressive Putting People First agenda received 17 of the 24 endorsement votes cast. He has advocated on behalf of Bostonians for his entire professional life, and looks forward to continuing his service as a member of the Boston City Council. The Ward 5 Democrats have long been tireless advocates for progressive values and ideals in Boston.

“I am running a campaign on the issues that matter most to the residents of District 2, and the endorsement from the Ward 5 Democrats is further proof that my vision for the district is one that resonates,” he said. “I look forward to working with the members of the Ward 5 Democrats as the campaign progresses, and would be honored to serve them as their next District City Councilor.”

Next week, Randi and Bob Lathrop are hosting an evening with District 2 Candidate Mike Kelley on Weds., June 28, at 5:30 p.m.

The event will take place at 5 Haven St. in the South End. Suggested contributions are $500 to $50.

SOUTH END LIBRARY STARTS CAMPAIGN

Friends of the South End Library (FOSEL) is organizing the South End Library Capital Campaign: ‘Writing the Next Chapter,’ to raise $50,000 by October for the first of two renovation phases of the South End library.

This will compliment the Boston Public Library’s FY 2018 capital allocation of $132,000 for a complete overhaul of the branch’s electrical and communications systems, a reconfiguration of the adult room, creation of a teen space, new carpeting and paint. The second phase will complete the transformation; the more money raised, the sooner that will happen. FOSEL is assembling a distinguished Honorary Fundraising Committee of our elected and some appointed officials, many of whom have already agreed to join. The FOSEL board has reached into its own wallets to reach a 100 percent participation rate and is closing in on the $25,000 mark. A generous grant from Eversource is the first of many we hope to receive from our local service providers, businesses and other organizations to fulfill our promise to make the South End branch the best it can be. For more details on this critical and urgent fundraising effort for the library, go to their webpage.

LAND WAVE A COMPLICATED DISPATCH

It was thought last year that the Land Wave public art project in the South End’s Peters Park had finally seen its last days, but things got complicated and the structure still stands next to the South End Baseball field.

Installed many years ago, the Wave is interesting, but has become very dangerous as children now often play on it and frequently fall off and get hurt.

At the Old Dover Neighborhood Association’s final meeting of the spring season, President Ken Smith put an all hands on deck call for residents in the neighborhood, and the Friends of Peters Park, to write letters and send 3-1-1 messages to the City to alert people to the danger it poses.

“It was well intentioned at one point in time, but it is really a safety issue now,” said Smith. “I see children playing on it from my home office all the time and kids fall off and get hurt.”

Smith said they have sent a letter to the Browne Fund, which paid for the project many years ago, and hope to have a meeting with them. He urged everyone to send letters, e-mails and 311 messages to the Arts Commission and the Parks Department about the need to squash the Wave.

Laurie Matthews, president of the Friends, said they have also invited the South End Baseball leadership to sit at the table with them to discuss what can go there. Some have suggested ornamental boulders to sit on, which would also serve as a deterrent from people parking on the grass there. However, Baseball had hoped to put a batting cage on the long and narrow space, which doesn’t seem popular among others in the neighborhood.

“Because the Land Wave is right next to the baseball field, it’s important that the South End Baseball leadership is involved in the discussion. The space is just too narrow for that (batting cage) use. We want to be sensitive, but the use there isn’t feasible. First, though, we want to make sure the safety issue is addressed with the Land Wave.”

Matthews and Smith added that they are still in talks with Parks Commissioner Chris Cook about using the mitigation and public monies that have been allocated to improvements at the Park. Matthews said they are hoping to regroup with Cook at a July meeting to establish a timeline for the renovation project.

HEARD ON THE STREET

  • Abbey Group: What happened to them? After a huge public engagement in the South End this past spring to show initial ideas and get community input for the Boston Flower Exchange, the talk and momentum has slowed to a halt. Abbey partners told numerous community groups that they planned to file a Notice of Intent letter with the Boston Planning And Development Agency (BPDA) in May, but May has come and went. Now it’s half-way through June. Talk on the street, for what it’s worth, is that the group doesn’t want to be shovel-ready until they have at least 50 percent of the project leased.

Talk in other quarters says that has enraged some in City Hall, who thought the project was moving forward without any leasing constraints. That said numerous commercial entities have moved slowly in recent years in building commercial, as sound business in this market has them getting strong commitments before putting shovels in the ground.

  • Druker coming forward soon…Along the same lines, there is strong talk that the permitted, but long dormant office building at the Stanhope Parking lot on East Berkeley Street might soon see some action. The owner is Ron Druker of Druker Companies and word is they’re about ready to move on something, but what that is could be anyone’s guess.
  • Another closing on Tremont? Small business on Tremont Street has been crying for the neighborhood to pay attention to shopping local. Rents on the street are rising and small business owners are struggling to keep up and to keep their spaces in the affordable zone. This week, talk around Tremont has a long-time store closing on the thoroughfare. There were no details yet, but it adds to a lot of closings on the street in the last year, and a number of people who are worried it might be because of higher rents paid by regional and national chains.

CHILLAX AND REWIND @INK BLOCK

Ink Block is bringing back it’s ever so popular ‘Chillax & Rewind’ summer rooftop movie series, starting on June 27. Sponsored by Capital One in partnership with Ink Underground, the 2017 movie series kicks off on Tuesday, June 27 at 8:30 p.m.. Now in it’s third season, ‘Chillax & Rewind’ provides guests with a relaxing and unique setting to enjoy one of their favorite Boston flicks, the theme of this summers selection. Movies are shown on a large screen outdoors under the stars at the Ink Block rooftop pool while guests lounge in beanbag chairs and enjoy a plethora of ‘movie snacks.’

The 2017 summer rooftop movie schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, June 27 @ 8:30pm – Fever Pitch

Tuesday, July 25 @ 8:30pm – Good Will Hunting

Tuesday, August 22 @ 8:30pm – Jaws

Tuesday, September 19 @ 8:30pm – The Social Network

Movie nights are free and open to the public. Advanced registered is required, InkMovie1.eventbrite.com

READ YOUR WAY TO FENWAY BEGINS AT BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Boston Public Library’s annual Read Your Way to Fenway summer reading contest is underway, in which children and teens ages 5-17 read a minimum of three books for a chance to win tickets to watch the Red Sox play at Fenway Park on Sunday, August 27 at 1:35 p.m. vs. the Baltimore Orioles. Readers may download an application in English or Spanish via www.bpl.org/summer or pick up an application at any Boston Public Library location.

“Boston Public Library is extremely grateful to our sponsors for their support; Read Your Way to Fenway is an ideal educational program that keeps children invested in reading out of school and provides an opportunity to experience a great summertime tradition at one of America’s most beloved ballparks,” said Farouqua Abuzeit, Youth Services Manager for Boston Public Library.

Essays are due to any BPL location on August 1. Winners, accompanied to the game by a parent or guardian, receive three Red Sox tickets and a Red Sox t-shirt, hat, backpack, and vouchers for food at Fenway Park.

Read Your Way to Fenway is generously sponsored by John Hancock, the Red Sox Foundation, and the Boston Public Library.

DISTRICT 7 NEWS

Kim Janey, a Boston-based education advocate and lifelong Roxbury resident has been endorsed by Suzanne Lee – a former award winning principal in Boston Public Schools and past candidate for City Council. In 2011 and 2013, Lee won South End precincts with over 70 percent of the vote in her campaign for Boston City Council.

Janey is running to represent District 7 on the City Council, which includes Roxbury and parts of the South End, Dorchester, and Fenway. The seat is being vacated by City Councilor Tito Jackson with a preliminary election taking place in September and general election in November.

Lee said, “I am excited to endorse Kim Janey for Boston City Council. As an educator, I know how important it is for the next City Councilor for the South End, Roxbury, and Dorchester to have a comprehensive understanding of our Boston Public Schools.”  She continued, “Kim has dedicated her life to advocating for Boston’s young people, and I know that she will be a tremendous asset in our work towards closing the opportunity and achievement gaps and providing Boston’s teachers and administrators with the necessary resources to provide a world-class education to our children.”

Janey said, “Suzanne Lee has been a leader in the South End and across Boston, and I am honored to have her support. Ensuring that all of our children have access to a great education will continue to be a priority for me. I look forward to using my position on the Council to work with both parents and policy makers to focus on solutions that increase access and equity for our young people.”

DISTRICT 7 COUNCIL FORUM

The Boston Wards 4, 8, and 9 Democratic Committees, the Boston NAACP, the South End Business Alliance, Fenway CDC, Claremont Neighborhood Association, and the Rutland Square Association will be hosting a candidate forum for the District 7 City Council race on Wednesday, June 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the United South End Settlements Harriet Tubman House (566 Columbus Ave). Yawu Miller of the Bay State Banner will be moderating. All candidates have been invited.

SUPERTEENS FUNDRAISING AT DONA HABANA

Council President Michelle Wu is calling out for help to support the Boston Centers for Youth and Families SuperTeens Program at an event in the South End called Raise the Youth.

SuperTeens bridges the gap for young people who are too old for traditional summer camps, but not old enough for a formal summer job. Participating teens receive professional development, financial literacy training, and career planning advice – and earn money in the process. For many it’s a summer of “firsts”: first paid job responsibility, first time traveling to neighborhoods in Boston they’ve never been to, and first time visiting some of our city’s most treasured cultural institutions. The program traditionally has a long waitlist of applicants.

On June 28, from 6-8 p.m., Wu is holding a party at Dona Habana on Mass Avenue at the CrossTown Center (11 Melnea Cass Blvd.). The goal is to max out the number of SuperTeens slots so it is fully funded.

One can buy a ticket or become a sponsor at bit.ly/RaiseTheYouth62817. To join the host committee, email Sharon at [email protected].

SWITCHING DAYS AT OLD DOVER?

The Old Dover Neighborhood Association switched its meeting date to the third Tuesday of the month last year to accommodate conflicts with other neighborhood meetings. However, it hasn’t worked out as well as they have hoped.

At the meeting on Tuesday night, a poll was taken for moving the meeting day, and virtually no one chose the third Tuesday. The most popular date seemed to be the first Tuesday (which was the original day) and the second Tuesday.

President Ken Smith said they are continuing to get input from the membership and the neighborhood, and will consider a change later on.

LION’S TAIL TO UNVEIL MUSIC

The Lion’s Tail at Ink Block is opening its patio and celebrating every Monday and Thursday night in June with live music and no cover charge. There may even be an American Idol there.

Every Thursday night in June, Van Pelt-Faraday will play pop, soul, blues and covers at 7 p.m.

Every Monday night in June, Vincent King will play pop, R&B and Soul from 8-10 p.m., hosted by Charles Penguin.

TITO PUENTE CONCERT SERIES

Created in honor of Latin music icon, Tito Puente, this series is celebrating 11 years of bringing live Latin music with a strong salsa influence to Boston parks.

This series is sponsored in part by Berklee College of Music, Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción, Villa Victoria Center for the Arts, Zumix, Hyde Square Task Force, and Sociadad Latina.

Free salsa lessons led by MetaMovements at select concerts.

  • Thursday, July 6, 7 p.m.

O’Day Playground, South End

Eric Germán y su Orquesta

  • Thursday, July 13, 7 p.m.

O’Day Playground, South End

Zayra Pola

  • Thursday, July 20, 7 p.m.

Mozart Park, Jamaica Plain

Afrobrazil

  • Thursday, July 27, 7 p.m.

Mission Hill Playground, Mission Hill

Radio Calle 32

  • Thursday, August 3, 7 p.m.

O’Day Playground, South End

Conjunto Barrio

  • Thursday, August 10, 7 p.m.

Lopresti Park, East Boston

Los Hacheros

CANDIDATE NIGHT FOR DISTRICT 2 COUNCIL

Jon Santiago, the Ward 4 Democratic chair, reported that the Committee will hold a candidate nights for City Council District 2

The District 2 race will have a candidate night on July 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Calderwood Pavilion. The event is in association with the Ellis South End Neighborhood Association.

SOWA MARKET ANNOUNCES THEME PARTIES

Boston’s largest outdoor market is in full swing, with the SoWa Open Market now bringing 100+ artisans, 50+ local farmers and food makers, a dozen iconic food trucks, craft beers, live music, and good vibes every weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October.

As part of the weekly beer garden and food truck bazaar, attendees will be able to enjoy themed dishes from food truck favorites on seven special weekends throughout the summer alongside tasty beers and ciders from top local breweries.

“The SoWa Beer Garden and Food Truck Bazaar is a great place every Saturday and Sunday and the family friendly block parties make weekends in the SoWa Arts & Design District even more fun,” said Aaron Cohen, Founder of Eat Boston. “I look forward to bringing back the popular Boston Lobster Party and Tacopocalypse and many more themed parties throughout the summer.”

To kick off the themed block party series by Eat Boston, more than 20 food trucks will gather at the SoWa Open Market on Saturday, May 27th and Sunday, May 28th for a Backyard BBQ followed up by additional themed block parties throughout the summer, including:

  • Tacopocalypse

Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25

Have a taste of the world’s greatest finger food no matter if you like hard shell, soft shell, corn or flour – taste them all!

  • Boston Lobster Party

Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9

After 7 years, the Boston Lobster Party is back to celebrate the New England specialty.

  • Oyster, Oyster Block Party

Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6

Shuck’em, suck’em, and slurp’em down.

  • Grilled Cheese & Mac and Cheese & Steak and Cheese & Beer Festival

Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10

When the worlds of cheese and beer collide. Don’t miss this exclusive festival!

  • Sausage Fest

Saturday, October 14 and Sunday, October 16

From brats, dogs, wursts and craft beer – is there anything better?

In addition, proceeds from sales of exclusive SoWa merchandise and donation collection boxes will go towards a local non-profit organization each month. In honor of Boston Pride, proceeds in June will benefit BAGLEY, the Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth.

BUTTERY ON SHAWMUT GRAND OPENING

Neighborhood mainstay South End Buttery announced it has completed a major renovation and has reopened with new Executive Chef Andrew McPherson, bringing updates to their award-winning café and restaurant menus and a 50 percent off neighborhood promotion and open house neighborhood party on June 27 with raffle prizes and free samples of food off their summer dinner menu.

Now in its 12th year, The Buttery opened in April 2005 as a small corner bakery-café in the historic South End. Modeled after butteries in most English universities, The Buttery set out to become a reliable neighborhood hangout for great food throughout the day when there were few options of its kind around. In 2008, The Buttery obtained a liquor license and expanded to include a restaurant with full bar and added a cozy garden level dining room with a fireplace and exposed granite. In 2011 they added a prepared foods takeout market next door to the restaurant and café and a second takeout café nearby on Clarendon Street.

The renovations this winter included a complete overhaul of The Buttery’s HVAC system with a state-of-the-art cooling and heating system to address the climate imbalance created over the years by the additional expansions.  Owners Richard Gordon and Andrew Barker also set out to improve the customer experience in the café with a new process flow, yet still preserving The Buttery’s old world charm.

“We’ve made some great updates to the way we look and operate but one thing we’ll never change is our delicious coffee roasted twice weekly for us by specialty coffee roaster Equator Coffees in San Rafael, California,” said Buttery co-owner Andrew Barker.

On June 27, The Buttery is holding a neighborhood party to celebrate summer, its new dinner menu and will be starting a dinner discount of 50 percent off all dinner food Sundays through Wednesdays. The promotion will run through August 2, 2017. In collaboration and sponsorship with Gallery Naga on Newbury Street, animal rescue advocates Barker and Gordon will also be raffling off the chance to have your pet’s portrait painted by acclaimed local Boston artist Ed Stitt at the June 27 event and the entire month of July with proceeds to benefit the MSPCA.

FOPG BORDER BRIGADE

Join the Friends of the Public Garden’s Border Bridge every other Thursday, 5-7 p.m.

Just show up ready to help at the Boylston Street border. FOPG is looking for champion volunteer weeders to help maintain the now-beautiful Boylston Street border and the Beacon Street border in the Public Garden. Gloves, kneepads, and some brief instructions on weed identification will be provided. No previous experience necessary and one can participate every week, a couple of weeks, or only once.

Participants will get a free Friends of the Public Garden t-shirt and a book about the Public Garden.

Email [email protected] if interested in volunteering.

NABB UPDATE

  • Licensing and Building Use Committee. NABB’s Licensing and Building Use Committee meets regularly on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Lenox Hotel. For more information, please contact the Committee’s Chair Elliott Laffer at [email protected].
  • Architecture Committee. NABB’s Architecture Committee usually meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be in the Clausen Room of the New England College of Optometry, 424 Beacon Street, to review applications coming before the City’s Back Bay Architectural Commission. For more information, please contact Sue Prindle through the NABB office at 617-247-3961 or by email to [email protected].
  • NABB’s next Police Panel/Public Safety Forum will take place on the last Thursday of the month, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the first floor sanctuary of The First Church in Boston, 66 Marlborough Street. Don Carlson, Chair, Public Safety Committee.

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.

BPL CONCERTS IN THE COURTYARD

Boston Public Library’s Concerts in the Courtyard series began this month and runs through Wednesday, August 30, showcasing a variety of artists and musical genres in the library’s iconic Italianesque courtyard at the Central Library in Copley Square, located at 700 Boylston Street. Concerts are held on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and on Fridays at 12:30 p.m.; the performances are free and last approximately one hour. The Friday concerts will be streamed live on the BPL’s Facebook page.

June schedule:

  • Francisco Roldán, Friday, June 23, 12:30 p.m. Colombian-born guitarist Francisco Roldán plays solo and chamber music nationally and internationally. Roldán presents a concert of lyrical, rhythmic, and sensual music by Central and South American composers on the classical guitar.
  • Aliya Cycon Project, Wednesday, June 28, 6 p.m. Aliya Cycon Project (ACP) blends Aliya Cycon’s soulful compositions with characteristics of traditional Arabic music to create an unforgettable East-meets-West experience.
  • Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO) Intensive Community Program (ICP), Friday, June 30, 12:30 p.m. The Intensive Community Program is a rigorous instrument training program that brings quality classical music instruction to underrepresented communities.

THIRSTY TREES NEED WATER AT WSANA

The city has provided new trees in front of 0 Worcester Square, both sides of the street, and in front of 37 and 41 Worcester Square. The city, however, only has them watered every three weeks, which is not enough, especially in times of high heat. When the trees die, it is often years before the neighborhood can get new ones. The Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association is hoping to get a few volunteers for each area so that it will not be a burden on any one person. Anyone interested should contact the Association or mes sage them on their Facebook page.

UNION PARK ANNOUNCES EVENTS

The Union Park Neighborhood Association (UPNA) announced its upcoming social events throughout the rest of the year. Some of the events include:

  • Sunday, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10, (5-7 p.m.), Evening in the Park, Union Park.
  • Saturday, October 7 (rain date October 8), 8 – 5 p.m., Pictures in the Park, Union Park.
  • Sunday, October 8, 1-6 p.m., Crime Walk, City of Boston.
  • Friday, December 1, 6-8 p.m., Holiday Party, Benjamin Franklin Institute.

FREE FITNESS CLASSES AT THE PRU

Free fitness classes at Prudential Center are back and start next week. Below is a list for the FIT on the Garden series. Classes are scheduled with some of Boston’s top fitness instructors for Wednesdays in June from 6-7 p.m. at Prudential Center.

  • June 28 Trainer: Sarah Gaines; Studio: CYC / Burn Fitness; Class: Bootcamp HIIT

SUMMER MOVIES AT THE PRU

The Prudential Center in the Back Bay announced the line up for this summer’s free outdoor movies. Family-friendly movies shown under the stars, the Magic 106.7 Family Film Festival is a great summer night out. Entertainment, children’s activities and giveaways will start at 6 p.m.. All movies will start every Saturday at sundown. Rain dates will be held the following Tuesday. Picnic blankets and beach chairs are welcome. Spend just $10 and receive discounted parking in the Prudential Center Garage. Closed captioning will be provided for all movies.

2017 Movie Schedule:

July 1: Annie (1982)

July 8: The Jungle Book (Live Action)

July 15: The BFG

July 22: Pete’s Dragon (Live Action)

July 29: Finding Dory

August 5: Moana

August 12: The Little Mermaid

August 19: Beauty and the Beast (Live Action)

August 26: The Secret Life of Pets

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.

SOUTH END DATES

  • In Worcester Square, Christmas pays for summer fun, and the holiday party fundraising has resulted in a great musical lineup. The Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association (WSANA) will host Music on the Square, including Opera! on Thursday, July 20, at 7 p.m. A third concert has yet to be booked, but will take place on Thursday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.
  • The Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 27, in the Newton Pavilion, conference rooms A & B.
  • Titus Sparrow Concerts, The Friends of Titus Sparrow will host another outdoor concert on Weds., June 28, at 6:30 p.m., BT ALC Big Band will bring its funk sound to the Park as well.
  • Pine Street Inn will hold a graduation event at its Berkeley Street building on Friday, June 23, at noon. The event will highlight those who have found success from homelessness, and will also include an appearance from Patriots All-Pro Matthew Slater.
  • Stoop Parties are back. The Eight Streets Neighborhood Association will hold its first Stoop Night of the summer on Friday, June 23, on Dwight Street.
  • Mayor Martin Walsh will hold his annual Coffee Hour in the South End on Tuesday, July 18, at 9:30 a.m. in the Monsignor Reynolds Playground on Harrison Avenue and Monsignor Reynolds Way. The Coffee Hour will be a chance to talk with the mayor and other City officials, and will also be an official ribbon cutting for the renovated park.
  • Next week Tuesday, June 27, at 6:30 p.m., author Kathy Nichols will read from her newly published book, Deep Water. It is based on a true story that played out in Coronado, CA, in the 1970s and 1980s when a member of the local swim team was invited to swim with packages of drugs across the border between the US and Mexico. By the time the tale ends, a $100 million global drug smuggling operation was in place with many other high school teammates participating, including their former Spanish teacher. The coming-of-age book is marketed to teenagers, but it’s a fun adult read, too. The Deep Water discussion by Kathy Nichols is the last of the 2017 spring season’s author events.
  • Summer Jazz with Pat Loomis returns, the Friends of the South End Library summer jazz and blues concerts by the fabulous Pat Loomis and his Friends have been booked. The dates are all Tuesdays, July 18, August 1, August 15 and August 29. Stay tuned for the details.

HARRISON ALBANY BLOCK CONSTRUCTION

Construction is expected to start July 1 for the Harrison Albany Block redevelopment in the South End.

Right now a completion of a Construction Management Plan and its approval by the City of Boston is in the works and is not open to public comment.

In addition, the site is currently being surveyed to evaluate rodent presence that will be followed by a development of rodent control plan.

Once construction begins a project management trailer will be set up on site or nearby. The site will be fenced, demolition, asbestos abatement, and some utility work will occur of this summer.

Normal site work hours will be Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with some Saturday activity to start at 8 a.m. There will be advance notice to neighbors in event of Saturday work.

The DaVita dialysis center or Gambro Building will continue to operate as normal.

Existing parking and sidewalk travel along the sides of East Dedham and East Canton streets opposite the site will be preserved. During the construction phase of the project, some parking and sidewalk access on site side of East Canton will be removed.

The worker parking for Leggat McCall and Suffolk Construction are exploring options, including speaking with the Flower Exchange owner.

In response to concerned residents, the construction companies are open to barring workers and subcontractors from parking all day in designated commercial plate zones on neighboring streets such as on East Brookline opposite the Estragon restaurant.

Anticipated completion of Building 1 is expected for October 2019.

If problems arise before or during construction, abutters and neighbors are encouraged to contact the following people with concerns: Sam Reiche, VP, Leggat McCall at [email protected] and Jason Nadeau, superintendent, Suffolk Construction at [email protected].

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