News Briefs

REBUILDING LONG ISLAND BRIDGE

Mayor Martin Walsh announced on Wednesday April 2, that the City filed a notice of intent for the rebuilding of Long Island Bridge with the Boston Conservation Commission, taking another step forward in Boston’s plans to create a long-term recovery campus on the island.

This filing builds on the Walsh administration’s commitment to ensuring every person who needs access to recovery services has the resources they need.

“For many people, including myself, Long Island played a vital role in Boston’s recovery landscape — and it will again,” said Mayor Walsh. “Tackling the opioid crisis means using each and every tool we have, and this is an important next step to ensure Long Island can serve as a resource for this in Boston, and those from surrounding areas, who are struggling with substance use disorders.”

The notice of intent specifies the method by which the bridge will be rebuilt.

Closed on an emergency basis in 2014 for public safety reasons, the superstructure of the bridge was removed in 2015 with the support of all relevant federal, state, and local permitting agencies. Since the emergency closing of the bridge, all 742 shelter beds and all 225 recovery beds from Long Island were replaced, with additional capacity for both the homeless and recovery communities.

Through Boston’s recently released recovery capital plan, Boston will invest $80 million in new funding to rebuild the bridge to Long Island, for a total of $92 million to go towards the project.

In order to minimize impacts on the seafloor around the bridge, the bridge replacement superstructure component will be assembled offsite and then floated into place on barges. The new bridge will be similar to the original 1951 bridge.

KENMORE SQUARE POST OFFICE RELOCATION

A representative from the Postal Service will attend a public meeting on Wednesday, May 16, to discuss the relocation of retail services provided by the Kenmore Post Office. This “new space project” will consist of procuring a suitable substitute location, preparing the new location for use as a post office and then transitioning the retail services to the new location.

The Kenmore Post Office, which is now located at 11 Deerfield St. A new site is  to be determined. The meeting will identify the need, outline the proposal to meet the need for relocation, and invite questions and solicit written input.

The public meeting will take place at Boston University Kenmore Classroom 106, 506 Commonwealth Ave, at 6 p.m. Direct questions to [email protected].

CLARIFICATION

In a previous article titled, “Lenox Street Development Has Two Proposals Vying for City-Owned Parcel,” mis-stated that the Tenants’ Development Corporation owned housing projects, but due to the negative connotation associated with that term we changed it to TDC is a scattered site and owns 60 buildings in the South End.

ESSAIBI-GEORGE AT JJ FOLEY’S

Boston City Councilor At-Large Annissa Essaibi-George is inviting everyone to join her on Thursday, May 10 for her Spring Celebration Fundraiser. The event will be at JJ Foley’s for the Red Sox vs. Yankees game from 6-8 p.m. at the South End location at 117 E Berkeley St. Donations are welcomed.

WASHINGTON GATEWAY SMALL BIZ WORKSHOP

Washington Gateway Main Street (WGMS) will host a Small Business Workshop on Tuesday, May 8, at 8:30 a.m. in the AC Hotel at Ink Block.

This workshop is intended to serve as an opportunity for South End/Lower Roxbury small businesses to network and learn about resources available to them for grants, loans, growth opportunities, financing. technical assistance, and more through your organizations.

Network with other local businesses, learn how to grow with SPARK by Capital One, and hear about financing opportunities and grants.

Register by e-mailing [email protected] by April 30.

BCYF CITYWIDE GIRLS SUMMIT

Boston girls ages 12-18 are invited to BCYF’s Citywide Girls Leadership Summit on Saturday, May 12 at Simmons College, Linda K. Paresky Conference Center, 300 The Fenway.

The theme of the summit is “Tomorrow’s Leaders.” Workshops will cover career options such as Health Services, Business Management, Social Media and Communication, Engineering and Technology, Human Services/ Public Policy and Natural Resources and Agriculture.

A powerful women’s panel discussion, lunch by Chilacates, music with Female DJ WhySham, raffle prizes, resources and program information are also included.

The summit will run from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. and is free, but pre-registration is recommended. To register visit boston.gov/BCYF-Girls.

DUCKLING DAY PARADE

The Ducking Day is on Mother’s Day, May 13, at Boston Common. A beloved tradition for more than 30 years, Duckling Day celebrates the children’s classic book, “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey. The most adorable Boston tradition continues – children parade through the Boston Common and Public Garden dressed like ducklings. Tickets on sale now at friendsofthepublicgarden.org.

RALLY TO IMPROVE BIRTH

Maternal mortality rates in the U.S. surpass those of any other industrialized nation with women of color dying at four times the rate of white women. One in every three Americans is born through major surgery – twice as many as are medically necessary. At the same time, the United States has the lowest birth weights, widest disparities and the worst paid family leave policies in the developed world.

To call attention to these issues, a Rally to Improve Birth will be held On Sunday, May 6 at Copley Square (Tortoise & Hare). This family-friendly event will begin at 1 p.m. and will bring families, maternal health advocates, and community leaders who are concerned or have been affected by the broken maternity care system.

Rallies are being held in over 50 cities in solidarity with the March for Moms also happening on May 6 in Washington D.C.

SAINT CECILIA CONCERT SERIES

• Jeremy Bruns, Concert Organist and Associate Director of Music, St. Paul’s Harvard Square will be performing varied composers including J.S. Bach, Ad Wammes, and Marcel Dupre on Friday, May 4, at 8 p.m. at St. Cecilia’s. Admission is free and donations gratefully accepted.

SUFFOLK COUNTY D.A. FORUM

The Boston Wards 3, 4, and 5 Democratic Committees, in conjunction with Suffolk Law School, will be hosting a candidate forum with the five candidates for Suffolk County District Attorney on Thursday, May 3, at 6:30 p.m. at Suffolk Law. Megan Irons from the Boston Glove will moderate.

BOSTON WARD 4 MEETING

The Boston Ward 4 Democratic Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, May 15, at the South End Library at 6p.m. City Councilor and MA-07 Congressional candidate Ayanna Pressley will be speaking, as will Suffolk County candidates State Rep. Evandro Carvalho and Assistant District Attorney Greg Henning. The members of the MA House delegation for the ward – Jay Livingstone, Aaron Michlewitz, Byron Rushing, and Chynah Tyler — will also give a legislative update and take questions.

LOVE YOUR BLOCK

South End

• Love Your Block at Peters Park will take place Saturday, May 5, at 9:30 a.m. Participates will meet at the bleachers and fan out from there. Refreshments will be served.
• The Chester Square Area Neighborhood Association clean-up will take place Saturday, May 5, at 9 a.m. Meet and get tools in Chester Park near 566 Mass Ave.
• Friends of Ringgold Park will be doing a spring cleanup on Saturday, May 5, from 11-1 p.m. There will also be a simultaneous cookout to keep volunteers filed and friendly.
• Ellis South End Love Your Block Clean up will take place Saturday, May 5, from 9 – noon. Come volunteer and clean up the street, parks, community gardens and more. Free brooms, shovels, rakes and trash bags can be picked up at the Boston Center for the Arts on Tremont Street in front of Banyan.
• Another cleanup will be held at the Harriet Tubman Park Saturday morning along Columbus Ave. Neighbors are invited to help clean and meet one another.

Bay Village

• Join neighbors for a spring clean-up of the sidewalks and streets of Bay Village. Street sweepers will come through for a deep clean and the City will provide brooms, shovels, rakes, bags and trash removal. Meet at Church Street/Melrose Street garden. Doughnuts and coffee will be provided. All residents must move their cars. free parking available in the Revere Hotel garage during the event.

Back Bay

• The Back Bay Alley Rally Clean Up will take place Saturday, May 5 at the Clarendon Street Playground from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Bagels and social beforehand followed by the clean up that begins at 9a.m.

Fenway

• Calling for Fenway Volunteers! Berklee College of Music will be hosting an East Fenway Love Your Block cleanup on Friday May 4, from 9 – 12 p.m. Volunteers will meet outside of 7 Haviland Street and form teams to clean and beautify the neighborhood. Activities will include weeding, mulching, trash removal, and more. If you have any questions reach out to Abria Smith, associate director of Community Engagement at Berkeley at [email protected].

SOUTH END DATES

• Join Friends of Hayes Park for May Day in the Park on Sunday May 6, from 3 -5 p.m. Light refreshments provided, entertainment by the Morris Dancers. This year Friends of Hayes Park is partnering with Cradles to Crayons, a local non-profit that provides items for free to children, newborn to 12 years of age. New and nearly new items can be donated.
• South End Kicks fundraiser for the South End Community Health Center will take place on Thursday, May 3, at 6 p.m. in the Ink Block Entertainment Lounge, 300 Harrison Ave.
• SoWa Open Market Season Kick-off will take place Sunday May 6 from 10-4p.m.
• USES Neighborhood Gala will take place May 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the SoWa Power Station for a night of friendship, delicious food and dancing to help support their innovative work. Buy tickets in advance at uses.org/gala.
• ART SE, the South end Party for Art, Music and Good Times will take place Tuesday, May 22 from 7 – 10 p.m. at 460 Harrison Ave. Boston – SoWa. Tickets are $15 each. To purchase visit gatewaymainstreet.org.
• The next East Berkeley Neighborhood Association (formally Old Dover) monthly meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Project Place.
• Bikes not Fights – grab your bikes and helmets for a free Spring cleaning and tune-up on Saturday, May 19, from 1-3 p.m. at the O’Day Playground and Park.

BACK BAY HAPPENINGS

• The Friends of the Public Garden are looking for champion volunteer weeders to help maintain the beautiful Boylston Street boarder and the Beacon Street border in the Public Garden. ‘You supply the enthusiasm, we supply the gloves, kneepads, and some brief instructions on weed identification!’ Volunteers meet up on alternative Thursdays, starting April 26, 5 – 7p.m.
• NABB Licensing and Building Use Committee will meet on Monday, May 7 at the Lenox Hotel at 7p.m.
• NABB Green Committee will meet Wednesday, May 9 at The Learning Project, located at 107 Marlborough St. at 5:30 p.m.
• The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay (NABB) will be holding its Spring Wine Tasting on Thursday, May 10 from 6-8 p.m. at the Pucker Gallery located at 240 Newbury St. Guests will be sipping from five flights of white wines while contemplating the thought-provoking scenes in “Ner Ot: Candles in the Art of Samuel Bak,” the newest exhibition. To R.S.V.P. visit nabbonline.com.

FENWAY TIMES

• Calling all musicians for Fenway Porchfest! Apply now for the music festival on Saturday June 16, from 12-4 p.m. For more info, visit: fenwayporchfest.org/signup.
• Please join Fenway Civic Association on Sunday, May 6, for the annual spring “Birds of the Back Bay Fens” birdwalk. Participates will meet at 7:30 a.m., rain or shine at the Peace Bell, located behind the Kelleher Rose Garden across from the Museum of Fine Arts footbridge, for a morning of birding, led by naturalist Stephen Baird of the Friends of Jamaica Pond. Bring your binoculars and a friend. This walk is open to everyone, and will take place rain or shine. Questions, write fenwaycivic.org.
• It’s a Spring Thing! Everyone is invited to volunteer with Fenway Victory Gardens at the May Community Participation Day on Saturday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to noon. The Fenway Garden Society provides snacks and coffee.

RED SOX GAMES

The Red Sox will be taking to the road this upcoming week. From Thursday to Sunday, May 6, they will be battling it out with the Texas Rangers. Then from Tuesday to Thursday, May 10, they will be taking on their rivals the New York Yankees.

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.