Chevron approved

The ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) has approved construction of the new building at 514 Tremont.   This is the 6 story building that will replace the Dutch Candy building at the corner of Tremont and Dwight.

Details can be found in this Boston.com article

Ringgold Park updates

Spring is almos there, and like the bird and flowers, the great folks of Friends of Ringgold Park are making their return and gearing up for the return of warmer weather.

Friends is on the lookout for some new board members.   If you enjoy the park, live near the park, or just want to get a little more involved, the boar dof Friends of Ringgold is looking for new members!!   Contact ringgoldpark@verizon.net to join or for more information.

Upcoming events:

• Community meeting on playground improvements.  April 5, 6:30, Blackstone community center. We are excited to announce that the City of Boston is holding a public meeting to discuss the 2012–2013 playground improvements to Ringgold Park! The meeting will take place at the Blackstone Community Center, 50 West Brookline Street, 2nd floor. This is your opportunity to comment on the playground renovation design, so please mark your calendars and plan to join us!
• April 7 - Spring Cleanup!!! We have our spring cleanup scheduled for Saturday April 7th from 9 to 12. Please stop by the park for a few minutes or hours to lend a hand as we tidy up after winter. Tools, gloves, and refreshments will be provided.
• April 8 - Spring Easter Egg Hunt - if they get volunteers!!!  Contact ringgoldpark@verizon.net to help out or for more information.  If volunteers can't be found to help organize the event, they won't be having a hunt this year...
• May 6, 12:30 - Fountain Plaza Opening Celebration. Please join us for our opening celebration of the new fountain plaza in Ringgold Park! Mayor Menino, Parks Commissioner Toni Pollock, City Councilors, Parks employees, and Ringgold friends and neighbors will join together in the park to admire the newly constructed fountain. Refreshments will be provided — please stop by and say hello!

To keep up on all the latest park news, visit http://ringgoldpark.org/news-events and sign up to have news delivered to your inbox or your favorite RSS reader

March Eight Streets business meeting

Hi Everyone!

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, March 7th in the Boston Ballet 5th floor board room (corner of Warren & Clarendon streets)

6:30-7 - Neighborhood Networking.   Meet your neighbors in an informal setting.
7-8:30 - Business meeting.

On the agenda this month:

• Construction Updates
• Open member discussion

After 3 months of full/busy meetings, we have a shorter agenda this month.   Several local homeowners/developers we be updating us on some local projects.  These are either already permitted, or they do not need neighborhood support, so no votes will be taken.   These are just courtesy updates so neighbors know what's going in the 'hood.    Projects include 21 and 59 Dwight, ans 26 Milford.

This leaves plenty of time for open discussion.   If there are any neighborhood topics on your mind, come down and discuss!

Hope to see everyone there!

Vote - Primary is this Tuedsay

A reminder that this Tuesday, March 6th is presidential primary.   Anyone who is a registered voter can vote.   Polls are open 7am-8pm.    Eight Streets voting location is the Cathedral High School gym - corner of Waltham and Washington streets.

South End Patch provides a nice summary of the ballot items:

• If you’re enrolled as a Democrat, you’ll only have one choice on the presidential primary ballot, President Barack Obama.
• If you’re enrolled as a Republican, you’ll have seven choices, (in order on ballot) Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Jon Huntsman, Michele Bachman and Newt Gingrich.
• If you’re enrolled as a member of the Green-Rainbow Party, you’ll have three choices, Kent Mesplay, Jill Stein and Harley Mikkelson.
• If you’re not enrolled in a political party, you’ll be able to vote in the primary of your choice, and you’ll remain unenrolled after voting.
• In addition to the presidential primary, you’ll also be asked to select candidates for State Committee Man, State Committee Woman and Ward Committee. The candidates will vary depending on your Ward and party affiliation.

New street sweeping delayed

The new street sweeping schedules, which were to start tomorrow, have been postponed because of potential snowfall.  The next scheduled street cleaning for Eight Streets is next Thursday, March 8th.

South End patch related article

Find us on Facebook

Speaking of Facebook, if you're a FB user, don't forget to "like" the Eight Streets Facebook Page.   Make our FB page a great place to connect with neighbors and share your ESNA experiences.   Feel free to post stories and share neighborhood photos and make our FB page a fun place to visit.

Firefighters Exam

Is firefighting in your future?   The city's firefighting exam is coming up in April.  For more information, see this city flier (pdf) on the exam.   And/or follow the Boston Fire Recruit page on Facebook.   Applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 31, and have lived in Boston for at least 1 year.

Waltham/UP Alley Gate Repairs

Union Park NA is spearheading an effort to fix and maintain the gates on the walkable-only alley that runs between Waltham Street and Union Park.  If you would like to help contribute, or want more information ont he project, please take a look at the attached flier.    (View)    (Download)

B/FNA Fundraiser Notice

From the B/FNA:

Blackstone/Franklin Square Neighborhood Association is having its annual silent-auction fundraiser, next Thursday February 23.

The scholarship is available for South End high school seniors to be used to books, computer and other supplies. Last year we gave out eight $1,000 scholarships. This year the silent auction has an amazing range of items: restaurant gift certificates, framing, hair cuts, manicures and coffee.

The event is from 6 to 8 pm at Estragon, 700 Harrison Avenue, South End. Tickets are $25/advance, $30/door. For more information, tickets and a scholarship application, go to http://blackstonefranklin.org.

Thanks! Hope to see you there.

Andrew Parthum
President, B/FSNA
617 834 2696

"Ink Block" BRA Hearings

Notice from the BRA on a public hearing for development on the Boston Herald site - named by the developers as the Ink Block.  The project overview can be found in these Boston.com and Boston Herald articles

---

Project Name: Ink Block (Herald Site)

Project Proponent: National Development

Project Description: National Development (the “Proponent”) is proposing to redevelop the underutilized and soon to be vacant site located at 300 Harrison Avenue in the South End (the “Project”). The Project includes the construction of three new buildings and adaptive reuse of the existing Boston Herald industrial building creating a mix of uses that include new residential and retail activity, and provide public realm improvements. The approximately 548,900 square foot Project in four buildings will create approximately 471 new residential units and a total of approximately 85,000 square feet of retail space, including a grocery store and multiple smaller scale ground floor retail and/or restaurant spaces, The Project is served by a parking supply of approximately 411 spaces, the majority of which will be in the form of structured parking.
Meeting Date/ Place: 6:00 PM, Thursday, February 23, 2012 at Project Place, 1145 Washington Street Boston, MA 02118.

Close of Comment Period: Friday, March 2, 2012

MAIL TO:                             ERICO LOPEZ
BOSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
ONE CITY HALL SQUARE, 9TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02201
FAX TO:                                617-742-7783
PHONE:                                617-918-4429
EMAILTO:                            erico.lopez.bra@cityofboston.gov


Erico J. Lopez
Project Assistant
Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
(p) 617-918-4429
(f)  617-742-7783
Erico.Lopez.BRA@cityofboston.gov

City hearing on Commercial trash pick-up times

A Hearing notice from Councilor Arroyo's office regarding commercial trash pickup times:

---

We have heard from constituents throughout the City who are awoken at 2, 3, or 4 in the morning by the sounds of garbage trucks in their neighborhood.  Under current state law, the City of Boston can regulate the times for residential trash pick up, but CANNOT regulate the times for commercial trash pick up. To remedy this, I have filed a Home Rule Petition, co-sponsored by Councilor Mike Ross that would allow the City of Boston to regulate commercial trash pick up times.  

On February 27, 2012, beginning at 5:30 PM, there will be a Boston City Council hearing on this matter. I hope that you will be able to attend the hearing to support our legislation.  The details are below and if you have any questions, please contact Joy DePina at 617-635-4205 or at joy.depina@cityofboston.gov.

What:    Commercial Trash Pick Up Hearing
When:   Monday, February 27th at 5:30PM 

Where:  Boston City Hall

5th Floor, Iannella Chamber 

Sincerely,

Felix G. Arroyo
Boston City Councilor At-Large
One City Hall Square, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02201
617-635-4205Felix.Arroyo@cityofboston.gov

Deadline to register for primaries

A reminder that Feb 15th is the last day to register to vote if you would like to take part in the March 6th presidential primaries.   For more information, see http://www.cityofboston.gov/elections/

New Rendering for The Chevron

For those who were at this past Wednesday's ESNA meeting.   The developers of the new building at the corner of Dwight and Tremont have issued a new building rendering, showing a limestone color warmer than shown on some of the renderings presented at the meeting

The new picture can be found on this Boston Globe article.

Street Cleaning - Continuing updates

Hi everyone.   2012 is flying by, and March 1 will be here before you know it, bringing with it street cleaning changes.   As a reminder:

• Street cleaning now runs March 1 - December 31
• Towing begins March 1 this year - no 'grace period'
• Street cleaning is postponed if there is snow on the ground, or torrential rain
• The city's No-Tow web site will list when street cleaning is suspended, as well as let you look up sweeping for particular locations (and register for alerts)

The city should be delivering a generic 'street sweeping changes' flier to everyone's door around mid-February.  They will also be putting a paid advertisement in the South End news, and putting fliers on all cars at the end of February.

The city gave me some street-specific fliers.   If anyone would like to door-to-door flier a single ESNA street, please contact me and I'll get you the fliers.

I've also updated the Eight Streets Street Sweeping page with the new dates and times.  Please note there are a few hiccups.   Bond and PA705 were missing form the city's list, so I'm making sure they are updated.   They city also posted the wrong Shawmut street dates, so I'm waiting for an update on that as well.  Tremont and Washington st will not be changing sweeping dates or times.

Neighborhood Restaurant News

South End patch points us to the bosguy blog, with some local restaurant news/rumors...

February Eight Streets meeting

Hi Everyone!

 

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, February 1st in the Boston Ballet 5th floor board room (corner of Warren & Clarendon streets)

6:30-7 - Neighborhood Networking.   Meet your neighbors in an informal setting.
7-8:30 - Business meeting. 

On the agenda this month:

• Proposed new building at 512-518 Tremont st.    Building plans will be presented, and they ask for neighborhood support of the project.  A vote will be taken
• Open member discussion

The main agenda item this month will be a new building proposal.    The "Old Dutch Candy" building is on Tremont, between Dwight st and PA 705 (Right next to the community garden).  Plans are for the building to be razed and replaced with a 6 story structure, with retail on the ground floor and a half dozen parking spaces to be accessed from the alley.   The building is slightly below the zoned height limit of 70 feet, and will have plenty of architectural detail.  If you're an abutter or are interested in some new architecture on Tremont, then come to the meeting and get full project details.

The 512/518 Tremont building is the only scheduled agenda item this month, so we'll have plenty of time for Open Member discussion this month.  If you have questions, gossip or neighborhoods issues, we'll have some open time to discuss what's on your mind.

Hope to see everyone there!

Primary elections: Deadlines and Absentee ballots

The Boston Elections department sends us this note concerning the Party primaries.

Important dates:

• Now - you can apply for an absentee ballot
• February 15th - last day to become a registered voted in order to vote in the primaries. (If you're registered already, you're good to go.)
• March 6th - Presidential Primary elections

If you want to join a particular party, you must register with that party by Feb 15.   If you are not registered with any party (unenrolled/independent), you can chose which party primary to vote in when you arrive at the polling location.

---

Absentee Ballot Applications Now Available

Request or Renew your Absentee Ballot Application for the March 6 Presidential Primary

The Board of Election Commissioners wants to remind all Boston voters that absentee ballot applications for 2012 are now available. Since an application for an absentee ballot must be submitted and/or renewed by each voter every calendar year, The Board advises voters considering the use of an absentee ballot for the March 6 Presidential Primary to apply now.

Given the unpredictability of early March weather, the elderly, or voters with mobility challenges, may want to consider applying for an absentee ballot for the Primary.  Applications may be obtained by calling the Election Department at 617-635-3767 or can be downloaded from the Department’s webpage: www.cityofboston.gov/elections. If a voter is unsure whether or not his/her absentee ballot request is up-to-date, please call the Election Department.

 The Board also reminds absentee voters that, as March 6 is a Primary, Unenrolled (or Independent) voters should indicate on the application which party ballot (Democrat, Green-Rainbow, or Republican) you wish to be sent. Those who have already indicated party affiliations will receive the ballot of their chosen party, unless a party change has been received no later than 20 days before the Primary.

The last day to register to vote, change one’s voting address, or change one’s party affiliation in time for the Primary is February 15. All mailed forms must be postmarked no later than February 15.

For more information, please contact 617-635-3767 or through www.cityofboston.gov/elections.

Recycle those Christmas trees

The city will begin accepting Christmas trees for recycling on January 3rd and January 10th (Eight Streets recycling days).   Trees ned to have everything removed form them (lights, tinsel, etc), and cannot be in those tree removal bags (take the bag off once the tree is on the curb).  

Trees put out this Saturday will be taken away as trash and not recycled (remember, trash collection is delayed one day this week - pickup is on Saturday, Dec 31).

Trash delayed this week

Happy Holidays everyone!!! And because Christmas is on a SUnday this year, the official City holiday is Monday, December 26th. This year, that means city trash collection, including the South End, is postponed one day this week!!!

 This week only, trash will be picked up Wednesday, Dec 28 and Saturday, Dec 31.  Recycling will be collected on Wednesday.

The week of January 3, trash collection is on the normal schedule.

I know everyone wants to get rid of their holiday trash, but please remember to put your trash out for Wednesday & Saturday.   Trash put out on regular collection days will sit there for an extra day.

Please pass this information onto your neighbors!

January ESNA Meeting

Hi Everyone!

 

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, January 4th in the Boston Ballet 5th floor board room (corner of Warren & Clarendon streets)

6:30-7 - Neighborhood Networking.   Meet your neighbors in an informal setting.
7-8:30 - Business meeting. 

On the agenda this month:

• Construction project at 8/10 Taylor st.   8 Taylor street is the wooden house next to Watson (Taylor) Park.  10 Taylor is the lot next to 8, currently the driveway/car park for 8 Taylor.  Ramy Rizkalla, new owner of 8 Taylor, would like to construction an addition on the rear of 8 Taylor, and on the 10 Taylor property.

This meeting will focus on two issues regarding the proposed construction.  The first is our regular neighborhood process of reviewing a neighborhood project and voting as a neighborhood to oppose or not oppose the project.

The second issue  has to do with building on the 10 Taylor lot.  That lot is currently under a BRA Land Disposition Agreement.  Under the LDA, 10 Taylor is required to be open space for a set number of years (even though the property is physically owned by Mr. Rizkalla).   Our January meeting double as a BRA Public meeting concerning modifying the LDA to allow construction on 10 Taylor before the current LDA expiration.  BRA representative Maria Faria will be on hand to discuss and answer questions on BRA Particulars. 

Mr. Rizkalla has been meeting with the BRA and Landmarks over his designs.  The city has been happy with the way design is progressing, and is generally OK with the building onto 10 Taylor property and the current design of the addition.   Mr. Rizkalla has also been meeting with abutters to discuss the project and it’s local impact.   We hope all abutters will be attending this meeting to discuss their views on the most recent design that will be presented at the Eight Streets meeting.

As with all new construction in our historic neighborhood, there will be strong opinions on all sides.  I invite everyone to attend the next meeting to participate in some constructive discussion on this potential addition to our neighborhood!

Have a great Holiday, and see everyone in 2012

November ESNA Meeting

Hi Everyone!

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, December 7th in the Boston Ballet 5th floor board room (corner of Warren & Clarendon streets)

6:30-7 - Neighborhood Networking.   Meet your neighbors in an informal setting.
7-8:30 - Business meeting.

On the agenda this month:

• Construction update - Rob Ferris will update us on construction at 5 Dwight st (finishing up) and 21 Dwight st (just beginning).  He will also ask our support for the groundwater recharging plan for 21 Dwight (plan has already been approved by BWSC).
• 251 Shawmut - The building has been sold and they are ready to begin work.  They seek our approval in two areas.   First are cosmetic changes (Windows, Oriel, roof deck).  They are also seeing support to change the first floor adn basement zoning from Commercial to Residential.
• Open discussion -will include an update on some of the Harrison/Albany emails & articles you've seen floating around, redistricting and 8/10 Taylor.

I hope many of you will be able to make it.   Trash is always a hot topic, but we're going to make this a 'solutions' discussion rather than just a grip session.

A reminder that we meet on the First Wednesday of every month, September through June.  This detailed agenda tends to go out a few days before the meeting because our guest list is often in flux. I put potential topics on the web site as soon as they believe they can attend a meeting, but hold off on this detailed agenda until everyone is 100% confirmed, so everyone can see one final correct agenda.  

 Hope to see everyone a the meeting this Wednesday!  

Tree lighting this Saturday

Yep - December is a mere 2 hours away - and you can kick off the holiday season by attending the annual South End Tree Lighting.  Come for an evening of family fun as the Mayor visits the South End and helps light the tree this Saturday (Dec 3) on the BCA Plaza.  Festivities start at 3pm, and a certain someone from the North Pole should make his appearance for the kids around 4:15.  They'll be plenty of entertainment, and they usually snacks and cocoa.   See the event flier here.

Ringgold: Informal opening & Fall Cleanup

While we tend to forget our parks come winter time, this Saturday, Dec 3 at 9am, Ringgold will have an informal park opening to celebrate the end of construction and the completion of the center area, including plantings, seating and the new fountain.   Come and join them for coffee and muffins to show off the new park and discuss Ringgold's future.   (There will be an official ribbon cutting come spring)

And while you're there, bring your gloves and help doa little Fall clean-up.  (Yes, by the calendar its still fall.  :)  Now that the fencing is down, you can actually get into the park, so time to clean before winter actually arrives.

You can see some fountain photos on the ESNA Facebook Page.  (Like us while you're there!)

Boston Shines

Boston's semi-annual city-wide cleanup, Boston Shines, takes place this weekend.    While Eight Streets doesn't not organize a neighborhood-wide cleanup, individuals are free to clean up their local area, or organize a street-wide cleanup.

Please let me know if you will be taking part in Boston Shines - I'll forward the information to the city, to ensure they have enough rakes, brooms and trash bags available at the BCA Plaza for your use.

If you do clean up, please place bags of trash on a street corner by Noon.   They need to be visible do DPW can see them during their afternoon special pick-up.

Full election results on line

The city has posted overview and detailed election results on line on their web site.

For Ward 3, Precinct 7 - of wich Eight Streets is a part of:

We had 15% voter participation

For district 2 councilor:

• 74.4% voted for Suzanne Lee
• 24.86 voted for incumbent Bill Linehan

For city councilor at large:

• Ayanna Pressley: 23.10%
• Felix Arroyo: 21.79%
• John Connolly: 20.67%
• Stephen Murphy:  12.95%
• Michael Flaherty:  12.83%
• Will Dorcena:  4.55%
• Sean Ryan:  3.55%

Vote!

If all the phone calls and fliers in your mailbox didn't tip you off:  this Tuesday, November 8th is election day.   We're voting to elect Boston City Councilors - a councilor for our district, district 2; and 4 at-large city councilors.


A complete list of candidates and links to their web pages, please see this South End Patch article.


Polls are open 7am - 8pm.   Eight Streets residents vote at Cathedral High School, corner of Union Park and Washington st.


See you at the polls!!!

ESNA on FB

Eightstreets continues to expand into social networking - we now have a Facebook page!

Facebook offers ESAN the opportunity to quickly post notices and photos.  (and, if I set it up right, these blog posts will also appear on our wall).  but I'm also hoping the FB page will inspire feedback.    We've had our email address for a while, but many folks don't feel comfortable emailing everyone.   I'm hoping people will post photos, links and other comments to the FB page, making it more of a community bulletin board than just an outlet for me to post notices.

So visit our new Facebook page.  Like us.   And maybe make a post or two!!!!

Last chance to meet the candidates

If you missed the at-large forum (That ESNA co-sponsored), the Rutland NA and the Friends of the S End Library are hosting one last city councilor candidate forum this Thursday, Nov 3rd, at the South End Library.

For complete details, see the schedule and format at the FoSEL web site.     This is your last chance to see the candidates in person before the elections on Tuesday!

Taylor street construction hearings

We have two neighborhood construction projects in the works, both of which abut Taylor/Watson park.  Both of these projects have hearings before the Landmarks District Commission on this Tuesday (Nov 1).  While both projects are currently scheduled for our December meeting, some abutting neighbors might be interested in attending these public hearings.

Both of these are Advisory Review hearings.  This means Landmarks is not taking any kind of vote or issuing any approvals.  Construction projects ask for an advisory hearing to basically take their early designs before landmarks to say "This is what I'm planning on doing - what's your opinion".    This allows projects to get Landmarks feedback before they spend time and money on detailed plans.  Landmarks then gives their feedback on the project's current direction, allowing the project to make any modifications to the project before the official Landmarks hearing.

Since this is an advisory hearing, there is no neighborhood association feedback as of yet, but this is an opportunity for residents to see a project in it's early phase.   I don't know what kind of (if any) feedback form residents is allowed during an advisory review.

Unfortunately, although a stone's throw from each other, the two hearings are scheduled 3 hours apart...  The hearings take place at City Hall, room 801.  After 5:30, enter city hall via theCongress street entrance.

5:30-6:00 - Advisory review of 8 Taylor street - "proposal to add onto the wood-clad townhouse at 8 Taylor st, which includes an addition onto the adjacent vacant lot at 10 Taylor st."   (10 Taylor is currently used as a driveway for 8 Taylor, and is enclosed by a stockade fence).  The hearing should cover both height and materials of the proposed addition.

9:00 - Advisory review of 251 Shawmut ave (Abandoned building at corner of Shawmut and Milford).   This hearing is for the external building changes.  This hearing will discuss extending the large plat windows on the first floor around to the Milford side, adding oriels, and recladding the external wall the faces the park.  The hearing will not address their request to change zoning of the 1st floor from Commercial to Residential.  ESNA should be taking that issue up at our December meeting.


Again, both these items are currently on our December agenda.   Another blog/email will go out before that meeting to give you extensive project detail for both projects, as each one will be coming to the NA to ask for our support for their projects.   These Advisory Review hearings are for direct abuters and interested parties to get  more information.  If you can't make the hearings, you'll still get all the project information and get a chance to vote on the proposals at our December meeting.

November ESNA Meeting

Hi Everyone!

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, November 2nd in the Boston Ballet 5th floor board room (corner of Warren & Clarendon streets)

6:30-7 - Neighborhood Networking.   Meet your neighbors in an informal setting. Refreshments will be served
7-8:30 - Business meeting.

On the agenda this month:

• Buttery update - The South End Butter will be expanding into the adjacent space, formerly occupied by Hudson. They'll give us an update on what changes we can expect to see at the location.
• Let's Talk Trash - this our big Trash meeting.   Frank O'Brien from Boston's Public Works Dept will be joining us in a discussion about Trash.   Frank will tell us what the City's responsibilities are for trash collection, and will take your questions about trash and street sweeping. We'll also discuss what we the residents can do to ensure a cleaner neighborhood, including putting trash out correctly and grabbing a broom from time to time. I hope we can use this meeting as a spring board to a neighborhood trash education campaign
• Taylor Park Construction - we have two construction projects next to Taylor/Watson park that are on our December agenda. We'll finish tonight's meeting with a brief update on what will be discussed at the December meeting.

I hope many of you will be able to make it. Trash is always a hot topic, but we're going to make this a 'solutions' discussion rather than just a grip session.


A reminder that we meet on the First Wednesday of every month, September through June.  This detailed agenda tends to go out a few days before the meeting because our guest list is often in flux. I put potential topics on the web site as soon as they believe they can attend a meeting, but hold off on this detailed agenda until everyone is 100% confirmed, so everyone can see one final correct agenda.  



Hope to see everyone a the meeting this Wednesday! The Haley's will also be bringing in some refreshments, so save room for some dessert!

Leaf and Yard Waste collection

Flurries on Thursday not withstanding, it's still Autumn, and time to clean out those yards.

The city has begun collecting Leafs and Yard waste.   Green waste will be picked up on Recycling Day, between now and November November 30th.  For Eight Streets, this means Tuesday mornings.through the end of November.

Yard waste needs to be in paper bags, or open barrels.   No plastic bags - anything in a plastic bag will be taken away as trash.  Tree branches must be cut to no longer than 3 foot lengths, and tied with string

For complete details, or for more information, please see the City Leaf and Yard Waste web site

City Council-at-Large candidates forum

The neighborhood organizations of Boston, including Beacon Hill, Back Bay, the West End, the North End, the South End and others, are again coming together to jointly sponsor the 4th Biennial Boston Neighborhoods City Councilor-at-Large Candidates Forum, to take place on Monday, October 24, 2011, 6:30pm - 8:00 pm, in the Auditorium at the Park Street School, 67 Brimmer Street, on the Flat of Beacon Hill.  The forum's moderator will again be Peter Nessen, a long-time Beacon Hill resident and well-known former governmental official. 


City Councilors-at-Large represent everyone in Boston, and will be on the ballot in every districts.   The candidates for City Coincilor-at-Large are, in alphabetical order. 

Felix Arroyo (I)
John Connolly (I)
Will Dorcena
Michael Flaherty
Stephen Murphy (I)
Ayanna Pressley (I)
Sean Ryan

The top 4 candidates will take the At-large seats.

A Reminder the October 19th is the last day to register to vote in the November elections.   For complete City voter information, please see this web page.  You can also visit the State web page on Voter Information.    And, to debunk a myth, the city does not use voter registration for the jury pools - so it's save to be a registered voter  :)

Ringgold - Halloween is back on

Friends of Ringgold will be partnering with Friends of Peters Park to hold the Ringgold Halloween Celebration in Peters Park this year!!

The celebration will be from 4:30 to 6 in Peters park.   Friends of Ringgold is looking for volunteers to help set up, clean up, and "donate savory food items".  To help with Halloween please email ringgoldpark@verizon.net.

Additional info:

We will host a cleanup beforehand, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Oct 30, from 2 to 4 pm.  Rakes, bags and gloves provided. Please join us in making this fun community event a success!  Our friends at the D4 Police Precinct are planning to close Shawmut Ave and Waltham Street for a short period so we can safely parade back towards our traditional trick or treating route, up Waltham and Hanson Streets before branching out to surrounding streets. All are welcome!

South End News also posted an article on the fountain construction... 

To get more involved with Ringgold park, please email the Friends of Ringgold park....

South End House Tour

The South End Historical Society's 43rd Annual South End House Tour is Saturday, October 15th from 10 am to 5 pm.  

 

From a sleek and contemporary reinterpretation of a row house to a family-friendly, traditional Victorian home, each of the featured spaces presents a different South End story.  Whether you are looking for fine historic architectural details, seeking design inspiration, or simply want to get a glimpse of the view from one of the South End’s best located roof decks—there is something for everyone on this tour.

 

General tickets are on sale and can be purchased through our website at www.southendhistoricalsociety.org or by check by calling 617-536-4445.  General tickets purchased in advance are $25 each.  Upgrade to a $50 Sponsor's ticket and attend the private party after the Tour! 

 

General tickets are $30 on the day of the Tour and will be available at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street, or Rondeau-Tierney Real Estate, 69 Appleton Street. 

 

Please call 617-536-4445 or email admin@southendhistoricalsociety.org with questions.

 

Ms. Hope Shannon

Executive Director

The South End Historical Society

532 Massachusetts Avenue

Boston, MA 02118

p. 617-536-4445

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www.southendhistoricalsociety.org

October Eight Streets meeting

Greetings Eight Streets members

 

A reminder that our monthly meeting is Tomorrow, October 5^th at the Boston Ballet’s 5^th floor board room.

We have no business items on the agenda this month.  I had hoped to have the city come and talk about Trash, but that will be happening at our November meeting.

Rather than cancel the meeting, I hope we can get together and get some engagement going.   If we want the Association to thrive, we need more participation by members and residents.   Some things we can work on over the next year include:

• Crime – Bernard has volunteered to work with the OD Crime committee.   Do we have others interested in crime?  Maybe put tips together and flier the neighborhood.   Have a neighborhood walk-through with BPD to point out hot spots and see how we can make our neighborhood safer?   Do we have enough interest to get neighborhood watches together?
• Trash – the City’s DPW will come next month to talk about the City and trash collection.  What can we do?   Fliers and brochures delivered to residents to educate US on proper trash containers & collection procedures?   How can we work to keep our neighborhood clean between trash days?  Should we fundraise to get big-bellies throughout the neighborhood?   Any other trash ideas?   Or better – people who want to form a trash committee?
• Greenspace – we have two parks in our neighborhood, we’re adjacent to a third, and are home to one of the largest community gardens in the city.   Is the association supporting them enough?  Is there more we can do to help the spaces “Friends” organizations?   Raise money?  Help with projects? 
• City services – How’s our infrastructure?   I attend a quarterly meeting with DPW.  Are others interested in joining in?   Do we need a place where people can report issues to ESNA so we can bring them to the city?  Or is Citizens Connect enough?  (Hope everyone is using that app;  :) 
• The neighborhood!!! – We moved to a blog form email to reach more people.   Are we reaching enough of our residents?   Should we also facebook?  Tweet?   Should we flier or direct mail residents to remind them we’re here?    Are you interested in a civic outreach campaign?  (possibly in conjunction with the fundraising mentioned above)
• Activities – We haven’t had many activities outside of the monthly meetings in a while – and the few we have had were lightly attended.   What kind of activities do you want to see?   What’s fun and exciting?   Are these events we can hold that tie together some of the ideas mentioned above?

None of this can happen without you.  We can have a passive neighborhood with Heather & I minding the shop and blogging you news.  Or we can have an active organization with more events and outreach to our community.   It’s in your hands.  Only your participation can decide what kind of association you want your neighborhood to be.

So come join us at this Wednesday’s meeting.  Regular meeting format with socializing and meet & greet form 6:30-7, and the business meeting starting at 7.

I hope you can make it for some great discussions!!!

- John

Ringgold park news

Friends of Ringgold Park just sent out a lot of news updates.   To summarize:

• The construction of the fountain has been delayed a bit due to manufacturing issues with some of the custom-designed pieces.  Fountain work should be complete in November
• Given the delay, there will not be Ringgold Park Halloween party this year.    Sorry kids.
• Parks department has announced the two Ringgold playgrounds will be renovated in 2012!!!

Check out the Ringgold Park News page for complete details.  And while you're there subscribe to their newsletter, subscribe to their news RSS feed, and Friend them on Facebook!!!

Free self defense class for Women

BPD is offering a free self defense class for women.   This is a 4 session class, being given at the JP Health center in Jamaica Plain.

Complete details can be found here

Tour Castle Square this weekend

Between 10 and 2 this Saturday, October 1, Castle Square will be offering tours of the ongoing Deep Energy Refit construction that has been going on at the square.   All the work going on will change the face of Castle square both inside and out, as units are made energy efficient and the exterior receives an insulation coating, transforming the look of the building.   Details of all the work can be found on the CastleDeepEnergy web site

Details and more information are below.   Hope you can take advantage of this opportunity!

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The Castle Square Tenants Organization and WinnDevelopment invite you to tour the construction of what is likely the largest Deep Energy Retrofit in the U.S.

When:            Saturday, October 1^st, 2011, 10:00 – 2:00 pm

Tours will be offered on an ongoing basis during this time.

Where:           Castle Square Apartments, 476 Tremont Street, Boston

About Castle Square  - The 500-unit, low-and moderate-income Castle Square Apartments occupies an entire city block in Boston’s South End.  Constructed in the 1960s, 192 apartments are currently undergoing a trailblazing Deep Energy Retrofit Renovation.

Why are Deep Energy Retrofits Cutting Edge?  - Deep Energy Retrofits are the next wave in green building.  The majority of green buildings are only 20 to 30 percent more efficient than typical buildings in the U.S.   To date, there has been a technical glass ceiling on what is feasible for energy and carbon reductions in existing buildings.   Deep Energy Retrofits completely raise the energy savings bar.  Castle Square is expected to achieve a 72 percent energy reduction (a dramatic improvement over 20 to 30 percent energy savings)!

How is Castle Square  Different than Other Green Renovations?

ü  The key difference between Castle Square Apartments Deep Energy Retrofit and standard energy efficiency renovations is insulation, which at Castle Square will be located on the outside of the building (visually transforming the dated property).

ü  A new 5” super insulated shell, combined with a super insulated reflective roof, high efficiency windows and extensive air sealing, will increase the insulation value of the building by a factor of ten.

ü  Because of super insulation, the building will require only a fraction of the energy to heat and cool.

ü  Additional energy savings will be made using small high efficiency cooling and heating equipment, LED and CFL lighting, Energy Star appliances and solar hot water.

ü  This is not a gut renovation, so fewer resources are used.  Residents stay in their apartments during the renovation, with minimal disruption.

To learn more about the renovation check out www.CastleDeepEnergy.com

This free tour is being offered in conjunction with the Northeast Sustainable Energy Alliance Green Open House.  http://www.nesea.org/greenbuildings/

Primary results: Linehan vs. Lee

Results from today's primary are in.

W3P7 had 13% voter turnout today - thanks to all that got out and voted!!    Results are:

Suzanne Lee:  39.12%
Bill Linehan: 35.03%
Bob Ferrara:  25.35%

Suzanne & Bill will move forward to the final elections on November 8, which will also include the office of City Councilor At Large.

Full (preliminary) results can be found on the City Election Web Site

Vote - primary on Tuesday

A reminder that we have elections this week.  on Tuesday, September 27th there will be a primary election for City Councilor for District 2 (our district).   The top 2 vote getters will proceed to the final election in November.

On Tuesday's ballot you fill find

• Incumbent Bill Linehan
• Suzanne Lee
• Bob Ferrara

All of Eight Streets votes at Cathedral High School gym, corner of Washington & Union Park Street.  (We are Ward 3, Precinct 7).  Polls are open 7am until 8pm.

Hope everyone can make it!!

What's going on this week?

A reminder that Eight Streets has a Google Calendar which we try to keep up to date with local events.   The calendar holds out business meetings, as well as other events in the South End; such as open studios this week, and the City redistricting meeting on Monday.

How you can you see our calendar you ask?

• You can go to it directly through this link and see the calendar on its own web page
• If you have your own Google calendar you can add the NA's calendar - just go under other calendars on the left, and add our address - eightstreets@gmail.com
• Head to the Eight Streets web pages - we've embedded the Google calendar right on our calendar web page

On our web site calendar page, we've also included links to several other South End calendars, so you can keep up on all local South End events...

Coffee Hours with Rep. Michlewitz

State Representative Aaron Michlewitz has announced his Fall coffee hours series, with 2 locations near the Eight Streets neighborhood.

• on Saturday, October 8th he'll be at Berkley Perk (69 Berkeley st) from 10 until noon
• on Saturday, November 12th he'll be at South End Buttery, 314 Shawmut ave, again from 10 'til noon.

This is a great opportunity to chat with your state representative in a casual atmosphere and discuss the issues of the day.   I hope you'll be able to make at least one of the sessions!