Friday, December 28, 2012

Local crimes: remember to Call 9-1-1 when you see something

Sgt. Provenzano of BPD area D4 gives us an update on some neighborhood security issues (below).

This is a reminder for everyone to call 911 when you see suspicious behavior on our streets.  Even if it's not an emergency, call 911 and let them know something is going on.  (See this previous blog entry with more detail on how Boston 911 works.)

When calling, remember to give as much detail of the situation, and as details a description of the people as you can.   If you don't feel safe calling right away, remember the details and call when you feel safer.  Details like number of people, type and color of clothing, ethnicity and build can help police locate people if they've moved on from where you saw the suspicious activity.    Remember, if you're on a cell phone, 911 will connect you to the state police.   Program 617-3434-911 into your cell phone to be connected directly to Boston 911 dispatcher

From Sgt. Provenzano:

After two daytime residential burglaries on 12-27-12 (one on Milford Street & the other on Dwight Street), officers made an arrest of a burglary suspect on Chandler Street this morning(do in large part to the immediate 911 call by a witness & a great description as well as an officer being on scene as the call was coming in). It is unknown at this time if any of these incidents are connected. However, we would like to take this time to remind residents to be vigilant and to immediately notify 911 of any suspicious behavior that they observe. You are our eyes & ears and we need your timely 911 calls.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Xmas day - no trash pickup at all

An important notice about trash next week:

Tuesday the 25th, being the Christmas holiday, there will be no trash or recycling pickup at all.  Trash is often delayed a week during holidays, but for the 25th all trash and recycling pickup has been cancelled.

  • This Tuesday the 18th is the last Recycling pickup of the year.
  • Tuesday the 25th - no trash or recycling pickup at all
  • Friday the 28th - trash pickup only.
  • Tuesday January 1st - regular trash and recycling pick-up.  No holiday delay

Please pass the word about no trash collection on the 25th.  It would be nice if we didn't have trash put out on Tuesday, and then end up sitting curbside until Friday...


The City web site lists Christmas tree pickup for recycling/composting starting the 2nd week of January - so trees will be recycled for Eight Streets on January 8th and 15th.  Trees put out on other days will be picked up with regular trash collection.


Monday, December 03, 2012

December business meeting


Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, December 5th 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:
  • Social night - As suggested at the last meeting, we're going to make our Neighborhood  Networking more social.  Bring a neighbor with you tonight and introduce them to the association.   
  • On the social note, bring your favorite beverage for yourself and a snack to share and we can make an evening of it!
  • 54 Dwight st - Requesting support for change of occupancy form single family to 2 family.  A vote will be taken. upcoming project
  • Discussion on alley security.  Office Rich Littor will join us to discuss how we can make our alleys safer.   Mike and Rob have also been investigating some improvements to the Dwight/Milford alley.  This will be an open discussion 0 everyone can participate and discuss security and crime in the neighborhood.

Hope to see everyone there!  

And a reminder that the meeting schedule for the rest of the year is on line -  mark your calendars so you don't miss a meeting!

Sunday, December 02, 2012

Blackstone has Friends

The newly formed Friends of Blackstone Elementary want everyone to know they're around, and are looking for people to get involved!!  Located at Shawmut & West Dedham, the school is home to almost 600 students and is exceeding expectations as part of a multi-year turn-around program.

Find out more about the Friends, and find out how you can get involved.


Thursday, November 29, 2012

Trees & Tree lighting

It's getting close to that time...

Charlie the Christmas Tree guy is back in our neighborhood again this year. A great way to get your Christmas trees and wreaths without having to go far from home. This year they're across the street - still at Berkeley and Tremont, but in the fenced yard of the Franklin Institute. Look for the Christmas lights, you can't miss him. Open now - every day and evening.

Our South End tree lighting is around the corner as well! Join your neighbors ont he BCA Plaza on Saturday, December 8th for the South End tree lighting. The event is 3-5pm on the BCA plaza, (4:15 est trolley arrival) and includes activities and snacks for the kids. For more information, see the BCA Web site.

 Don't forget to take advantage of the variety of theater events available for half price on the Mayors Holiday Special web site!

Monday, November 05, 2012

no November meeting

Hi Everyone,

The November Eight Streets meeting is being cancelled, so you can now spend a quiet evening at home as we recover from Tuesday's election.    

In reality, we lost our regular room, and with no big agenda items, rather than reschedule for another day, we'll just resume on our next meeting date, Wednesday, December 5th.

Speaking of next meeting, someone had a suggestion to make our 'social hour' part of the meeting more social.   Is there an interest in making our December meeting 6:30-7 period more social?   Snacks plus a 'bring a friend' night?  Might be a fun way to end the year.  Anyone interested?

- John Mc

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Happy Halloween

It looks like we'll have some decent weather for halloween night.  Barring a random shower, the kids will be out in force tomorrow night.

For those new to the city, since we're mostly town houses, the kids don't really go around buzzing apartments.  Instead, we come to them.  Those giving out candy become porch sitters for the night, greeting trick-or-treaters on our front steps.

Aside greeting the kids, this can be a great way to meet your neighbors!  Take this opportunity to say hi to the folks next door that you may only see in passing.   Or combine a few houses onto one stoop and make an evening of it.  (the kids just want candy, they don't care where you live  :)

And if you have kids of your own, don't forget about the annual Ringgold halloween gathering, which takes place Wednesday from 4:30-6.  "Enjoy a potluck of savory refreshments and grab a glow stick before parading out of the park for trick-or-treating along adjacent streets. Please bring something savory to share and join in the fun."

In either case, have a fun Halloween, and make some new friends!!!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Aaron's Coffee Hour

This Saturday, October 13 brings the return of Aaron Michlewitz's Coffee Hours.   Stop by Berkeley Perk (69 Berkeley St) between 10am and Noon and char with Aaron.   "He invites all residents and neighbors to come and join in discussing neighborhood concerns, potential legislation for the upcoming session, who is going to win the election, or what’s going on with the Patriots!?"

This is your opportunity to chat about anything with your state representative.

If you can't make Saturday, you can catch Aaron on these other dates:

  • Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Mohr & McPherson 
  • Saturday, December 1, 2012 from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the Appleton Café

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

October ESNA Business meeting



Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, October 10th 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:
  • 14 Milford - information on upcoming project
  • 6 Milford street - request for support for parlor level deck and roofdeck
  • 286 Shawmut - request for support for a roofdeck on read "L"
We have two voting items on the agenda this month.   

As you can tell this meeting is one week later than usual, but we will be in our regular meeting location.   

Hope to see everyone there!  

And a reminder that the meeting schedule for the rest of the year is on line -  mark your calendars so you don't miss a meeting!

Thursday, October 04, 2012

Old Dutch demolition

South End Patch reports demolition of the Old Dutch Candy building has begin.   (Corner of Tremont and Dwight).   Patch managed to get into Atelier and have some nice overhead photos you can see in this article.

The removal makes way for a new 6 story condo building, construction of which should begin as soon as demolition is completed.

Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Still time to get recycling carts

If you would like to get a recycling cart for your building, there's still time to request one from the city.
Carts are best for those abutting the Dwight street alley (PA705), or those that can store the cart inside their buildings.   Carts cannot be left on the sidewalk.    If you don't have space for a large cart like this, you can continue to use clear plastic bags.


Nov 9 last day to request cart.  No winter cart deliveries.
Recycling CartResidents may request a big blue wheeled recycling cart until November 9th.  No deliveries will be made in the winter.  Deliveries will resume in the spring.
Public Works has a limited supply of recycling carts.  In order to be eligible for a cart, you must live in a residential builidng with 6 units or less.  You must have space on your property to store the cart, and you must bring it out to the curb by 7AM on your recycling day for collection, and return it to your property after it has been emptied. 

Please put your address on the cart.
Carts that are not being used properly will be removed by Public Works
If you need a recycling container but don't have space for a cart, you can still request stickers to convert trash barrels of your own.
To request a recycling cart or recycling stickers, please call (617) 635-4500, or visit www.cityofboston.gov/recycle.
Remember: Recycling carts are for recycling only!

NOTE: Only buildings with between 1-6 units are eligible for carts.  Landlords or property managers of larger buildings (7+ units) are required by law to provide recycling service to tenants.  If you are a tenant and would like to make sure your building sets up a recycling program, please call (617) 635-4500.  Thank you!

Fall Leaf and Yard Waste Collection

From the City - information on the Fall yard waste collection.


Fall Leaf and Yard Waste Collection: Oct 15 - Nov 30
Leaf & Yard WasteFall leaf collection runs for seven weeks: October 15 - November 30.  Leaf and yard waste is collected on your recycling day.
Place leaves in large paper leaf bags or open barrels marked "yard waste."  No plastic bags will be collected.  For free "yard waste" stickers, please call(617) 635-4500 or visit www.cityofboston.gov/recycle.  Two stickers are available per household.
Cut branches to 3' maximum length and 1'' maximum diameter.  Tie branches with string.
Place leaves and yard waste at the curb by 7:00am on your recycling day.
Leaf and yard waste in trash will not be collected during the two weeks before the October 15 start date.  Please save your leaves from October 1 to October 15, when collection begins.
Collecting leaf and yard waste for composting saves tax dollars, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and produces compost!  



Eight Streets recycle days are Tuesdays - so yard waste can be out out on:

  • October 16, 23, 30
  • November 6, 13, 20, 27

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Monthly meeting on Oct 10th

A reminder that our monthly Eight Streets meeting will take place one week later this month, due to room availability.  Current agenda can be found at http://eightstreets.org/next_meeting.html   I'll send a final agenda out before the meeting (things often change...)

See you NEXT Wednesday, October 10th.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Membership Renewals

It's time to renew!!

If you haven't yet, it's time to renew your Eight Streets NA membership!!   Our yearly memberships expire on Aug 31* so renewals for the upcoming year are now due.  

Becoming a member of Eight Streets lets us know you want your voice heard in the community. Membership grants you voting privileges at Eight Streets business meetings. Your dues contribute to ESNA support costs, as well as for projects ESNA takes part in throughout our neighborhood.

Renewing is easy.   Head over to our Membership web page.   You can renew right on that page using paypal (your credit card).   Or, on that page is a PDF you can print out and US mail in with a cheque.

Join us and make 2013 a great year!!!


*If you renewed in June or later, your membership will run through the next August.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Color hotel rendering

The Boston Globe has a story and color rendering of the planned hotel/residential building on the E Berkeley/Albany/Traveller lot.  

In the main photo, Albany St/93 is on the left, and Traveller st is on the right.

Friday, September 07, 2012

Power restoration work: Friday night 9/7

On Wednesday night part of Eight Streets and Bradford st NAs lost power.   This section of the neighborhood is currently on a temporary generator.

According to NSTAR, the replacement work will happen tonight (Friday night (9/7) - Sat morning) between Midnight and 8am.

If you lost power on Wednesday (9/5), then expect power outage during this time tonight as they perform the repairs.   They should complete all work by Saturday 8am.

Tuesday, September 04, 2012

September business meeting


Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, September 5th 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:
  • Change of occupancy for 257 Shawmut
  • (potential) support for rear deck on 286 Shawmut
  • Open member discussion.
We have two voting items on the agenda this month.   (Still waiting on confirmation from 286).   

The main focus this month will be during Open member discussion.   The the question is what do you want your neighborhood association to be?  Where do you want it to go?   What do you want us to do?  The Neighborhood isn't me - it's all of you.   We need to give out neighborhood direction and decide what kind of presence we want the association to have.  And we need you to do it - how do we engage more neighbors to come out and be a part of your neighborhood.    

Hope to see everyone there!  

And a reminder that the meeting schedule for the rest of the year is on line -  mark your calendars so you don't miss a meeting!

Monday, August 20, 2012

2012-2013 ESNA Meeting Schedule

Time to dust off the doldrums and get your engines started for the new season of Eight Streets! (I'd make a back to school joke, but those sales seemed to have started on July 5th)

We're also happy the Boston ballet will continue to host us this year. Our thanks to them for being such a great neighbor! And thanks to Michelle at BB for letting us schedule and confirm the whole year now, so our reservations should be good to go.

The schedule for 2012-2013 is below, starting with our first meeting of the new year on Wednesday, September 5th. The agenda will be out as we get closer to meeting time. But here's the year laid out, so you can mark your calendars early.   The calendar can also be found on our Calendar web page.  If you're a google calendar person, you can also add our calendar to yours.  Enter eightstreets@gmail.com  in the "add a friends calendar" on the left, and Eight Streets events will be displayed on your personal calendar.

Please note that three meetings this year will be moved to the second wednesday due to room conflicts.

Eight Streets meeting schedule, 2012-2013: 

First Wednesday of each month, 6:30-8:30pm, Boston ballet 5th floor board room

  • September 5 
  • October 10 (one week later) 
  • November 7 
  • December 5 
  • January 9 (one week later) 
  • February 13 (one week later) 
  • March 6 
  • April 3 
  • May 1 
  • June 5

Monday, August 06, 2012

Neighborhood Night at the Gardener

The Gardener museum is having their third in a series of Neighborhood Nights.   Stop by this Thursday, August 9th after 5pm for free admission.   Families are welcome!!

This night's theme is Magical Journey.   For information, please click here.

August 9: Magical Journey
Explore art from Egypt, China, Japan and Spain, and imagine your own journeys. Join in a scavenger hunt to discover fascinating stories and art from around the world. Create your own artwork, and be enlivened by the spontaneous creativity of the Impulse Dance Company.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Streetlights Going Green

The city has informed us that beginning in August, all of our acorn street light fixtures will be replaced with energy efficient LED light fixtures.  This is part of a program to be greener throughout the city, as well as cut the city's energy bills.  All city street lights are slowly being converted.

As you can see from the image on the right, the new lights will look the same.  (Well, if you look close you can see a smaller internal lighting mechanism).  They should put out the same amount of light as the current lights, with less "light trespass" (it should shine in your apartment window a little less).   The light should be white in color - similar to what we have now, but the light son Shawmut will probably be white, rather than the current orange tint they have now.

The regular streetlights on the Dwight Alley (PA705) were replaced a few months ago, and you really wouldn't know the difference unless you looked up at the fixtures.

Update: Shawmut will not be changing at this time.   From the manufacturer: we will be converting only the high cost mercury vapor lights on the residential streets in the South End at this time. We do not have an LED solution yet for the Sodium Vapor lights on Streets like Shawmut Ave at this time. They are in developement and may be available by next year.

Dwight street closed Thursday

Dwight street will be closed Thursday morning, June 28 while a crane is brought in to do some private work.     Closure can begin as early as 7am and should be done by lunch time.   Please plan your travels/parking accordingly.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Bike Safety for Kids

Join BPD for kids Bike Safety Day - A day full of fun and events for families

Saturday, June 23, 11a-2p at 650 harrison Ave (D4 police station)

Bike safety kits and kids helmets while supplies last.

See this Flier for additional information

Friday, June 08, 2012

Milford/Hanson improvements continue

UPDATE:   Due to complications, the sones will arrive Monday morning, not Sunday as originally posted.

The residents abutting the Milford/Hanson alley are following up their alley cleaning with a stone laying effort.   Through group collections, they will be laying gravel/stone down the Milford/Hanson alley this weekend.    Stone will be arriving early Sunday morning, and the rest of the morning will be spent moving and laying the stone down the length of the alley.

Feel free to join them Monday morning to give a hand!   For more information on the project, please contact Michael or Lewis

The alley team adds:

Our plan is deliver and spread the stones on Monday June 11 @ 8.00a.m. onwards. It will likely take most of the day and any volunteers that would like join in the work are welcome, but of course there is no obligation. We will work in the direction of Bond to Tremont.

If you would like to level/grade the dirt in your alley lot please do that before Sunday, since we will spread the stones on whatever surface we find. Please also remove any debris that would get in the way of the spreading. As a recap, we will spread approx 1-2 inches of stones across each yard length, spanning the alley width between Milford & Hanson.

Happy Pride

Happy Pride weekend everyone.

This year the Pride parade has moved the start of the parade back to Copley square, after having started here on Tremont street for the past few years.    As a result Tremont street will not be closed as long this year as in the past.

Tremont from Union Park to Berkeley will be closed around parade time (around noon-2pm).   Please note any parking restrictions as stated on city parade signs posted.  Access to Waltham/Hanson/Milford/Dwight will also be limited during these times.

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

June meeting: 5th floor of Boston Ballet

Greetings, Boston Ballet has moved us back up to the 5th floor for tonight's (6/6) meeting, but will meet in the Lounge. Take a left as you get off the elevator, and the lounge is the open area near the big window. There will be folding chairs we can set up for the meeting. See you tonight!

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

June Eight Streets meeting


Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, June 6th in the Boston Ballet  (corner of Warren & Clarendon streets)

This month we will meet in a conference room on the 3rd floor.   Please see the ballet front desk for directions.

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

On the agenda this month:
  • A short introduction by The Kitchen - the new restaurant that will occupy the old Pops location.  They're stopping by just to say hi and introduce themselves to the neighborhood
  • 562 Tremont - presentation and vote on addition of rear decks.
  • Safety and Community Policing - see below
  • Open member discussion.
The main focus of our meeting this month will be Safety.  Our local community service office Sargent Provenzano will join us, as well as director of BPD's community watch unit Carolyn MacNeil.  We will talk about general crime and safety in the neighborhood, and things we can to to help make our neighborhood safe.   Included in this Carolyn will talk about the Neighborhood Watch program.

If we have enough interest, the neighborhood can start a Neighborhood Crime Watch program  (read more about the program at http://www.cityofboston.gov/police/crimeprevention/crimewatch.asp

Crime Watches are very neighbor based - so we wouldn't necessarily have a watch for the whole neighborhood, but probably start with a street or section of Eight Streets.  But we would need all neighbors to be involved to start any neighborhood watch program.  Come to the meeting if you can, and read up on the crime watch web page if you're interested in getting more involved.

Hope to see everyone there!  Actually I have other commitments, so I won't see you there, but hope you'll be as great for Jim as you are for me!

Friday, May 25, 2012

next Ringgold Park community meeting

From the South End News:


Wednesday, June 13, 6:30 p.m.
Blackstone Community Center 
2nd floor Computer Room, 
50 West Brookline Street, South End.

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services invite the public to the third in a series of meetings to discuss upcoming playground improvements to Ringgold Park in the South End.  The proposed project includes improvements to the play areas.  For further information, please call (617) 961-3058

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

May ESNA Meeting


Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, May 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. 
7-8:30 - Business meeting.  


On the agenda this month:
  • Decks on deck.   Building construction at 26 Milford and 21 Dwight are both seeing support for rear decks on their buildings.   A vote will be taken on each proposal
  • Trash talk.   We've talked about the problem - let's talk about solutions.   How can we get our residents to put our trash correctly?  Any volunteers for a 'trash education' committee?
  • Open member discussion.
Hope to see everyone there!

Ringgold Fountain - Grand Opening

This Saturday, May 6, Ringgold Park will have the Fountain Placa Opening Celebration.    Join Mayor Menino as we celebrate the latest addition to our local park as the fountain is officially opened.   The Mayor will also be there for his coffee hour, and will provide free coffee & treats for the celebration.

Stop by and join the fun!

Sunday, May 6, 12:30-2pm.




In addition, on Tuesday, May 10, there will be another community meeting for Ringgold Playground improvements.
The Parks Department is very interested in what the community has to contribute to the design process. Representatives from Copley Wolff Design Group, as well as a Parks Department official, will be on hand to give a brief presentation of the project scope and existing site conditions. Following this brief presentation, community members will be able to offer input regarding the material presented, the program for the park, and the design process.

May 10th, 76:30 pm, Blackstone Community Center - 2nd floor computer room

Ringgold Notice for the playground meeting

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Trash talk

There's been a lot of talk about trash in the local papers and in the South End blog world.  Most of this has been in response to increased trash regulation enforcement in the South End.    Trash was a hot topic of discussion at an Eight Streets meeting earlier this year.  At that meeting we met with Public Works, and discussed what the sanitation workers responsibilities are, and what Residents responsibilities are.

If you'd like a copy of the flier we handed out, here is a listing of good trash practices for us, and some examples of good and poor trash disposal on our curbs.

Good Curbside Practices

One of the sources of loose trash on the streets is due to trash being put out incorrectly on the street.   Trash should be put out in a trashcan with a lid, or in a heavy duty black plastic bag.   But take a good look at the neighborhood on trash mornings:   trash put out in very thin white kitchen bags, which tear very easily.   Even worse - trash put out in a CVS or Shaws type bag.   This is not only against trash regulations, but it doesn't do a good job of keeping the trash secure.

While we can put trash out as early as 5pm the night before - it's best to put your trash out early the morning of pickup.   Aside form having to look at trash all night long - a lot happens at night.   Wind can blow over bags.   Pedestrians can kick bags if they're not looking.   Squirrels, raccoons and other night critters can easily tear thin bags to get at dinner.  All of this can create a mess of even the best contained trash.   Whenever you can, putting your trash out in the morning of collection day goes a long way to keeping the streets a bit cleaner.

Recycling

Boston now has single stream recycling.  This means your paper and plastic can all go into the same container.   When they started single stream, they also made clear plastic bags the standard for recycling materials.   Such bags are available at Foodies and Shaws as well as other local retailers.   The City will also (shortly) introduce a heavier duty plastic bag for recyclables.   Please, use the clear plastic bags for all recyclables.  it might be easiest to buy a second small kitchen trash can and line it with a clear plastic bag.   On trash day just collect both bags and bring them to the curb!

While Eight Streets residents still have their blue bins, the city is phasing those out.   Paper easily blows out of the blue bins, and a stray kick from a pedestrian can knock recyclables all over the sidewalk.   Even if your bin is filled nicely, too often a neighbor or passer by will use your open bin and dump additional paper, or even trash into it, again leaving a mess.   Moving to clear plastic bags is the easiest step to make the neighborhood cleaner.

You can not put out paper recycling in a paper bag, or stuff it into an open cardboard box.  It's too easily  knocked over.   Becomes a terrible mess if it rains or is windy out.   And it's against city trash regulations.

Cardboard boxes?   Break them down and lay them flat on the ground.  Any freestanding open cardboard box will be taken away as trash.  Why?   First, it may contain styrofoam packing, which cannot be recycled.   (put the foam in a trash bag)  Second, many people use open cardboard box as a place to put their own trash bags, or the trash that's in their hand as they walk down the street. That TV or computer box could be full of household trash.   the recycling folks don't have time to lok inside every open box, so they leave them for the regular trash.    Break boxes down, and put your recycling clear bag on top of it to hold it down.

If you are recycling bottles and cans that have a deposit on them, please don't put them in your recycling bag or your trash bag.  Trash picking is a problem that won't be easy to solve.  but face it - people rip trash bags open looking for cans because they find cans.    Leave your returnables next to your recycling bag.   Someone will pick them up before long.


Enforcement

 Trash put out in improper bags, and recycling in open containers is a large contribution to the messy streets and sidewalks we have in the South End.  It's easy to blame trash pickers or wind or "it's not me, it's the guy down the block", but take a look at the streets next trash day.   You won't walk a dozen doors down before you find something put out improperly.  a Foodies bag with trash in it.   A paper bag full of newspaper that's been knocked over already.   I have 4 "don't" trash photos on the trash flier.   I didn't have to look far for that improper trash.  I got all 4 on my street in under 2 minutes.  Really - next Tuesday look at everyone's trash as you go to work.

Both the neighborhood and the city have tried education.   The city distributes fliers and booklets yearly.  We've produced fliers and delivered them door-to-door.   We've had DPW at meetings.   just last February, the city again distributed fliers door to door with trash regulations.  While a few people may change behavior, for the most part behavior doesn't change.   (And it's not just Eigth Streets - this is South End wide).   The next tool in the trash toolbox is enforcement.   Every Tuesday, starting at 7am, code enforcement will be out and about in the South End, ticketing people for improperly stored trash.   Now if you have a nice thick black trash bag that had gotten ripped open, you probably won't get a ticket.   But if your recycling bin that looks like it exploded - you'll probably get yourself a green ticket.

Click here for Boston City trash regulations web page

A List of Recycling regulations, including what you can and cannot recycle

A Clean neighborhood

If everyone put their trash out in a secure can or bag, and put those bags out on the morning of trash collection.   If everyone had their recyclables in clear plastic bags.  if everyone picked up loose trash in front of their building, regardless of where it came from.   If everyone swept in front of their homes on street cleaning day.

if we all work together and do our own little part, all the little parts would add up and give us a cleaner neighborhood.

Meet your senator

Have some time before our May meeting?   State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz will her South End neighborhood office hours this Wednesday, May 2nd from 4-5pm at the South End Library.  This is a great way to get involved and express your opinions to your government representative.

"Senator Chang-Díaz encourages any resident or interested party to attend and discuss any community, regional, or statewide issue that may concern them."


" If you cannot attend these office hours and would like to speak with the Senator, please contact her office at 617-722-1673 or stop by her State House office, located in room 312-D on the Third Floor of the State House for assistance at any time.  Our office and staff will do the best we can to assist you in any way."

Milford/Hanson clean-up

A group of residents is organizing a cleanup of the alley between Milford and Hanson streets as part of Boston Shines.  Come out and join your neighbors and help make our neighborhood a better place.

This Saturday (4/28) at 9am meet Lewis and Michael at the top of the alley near Emilios on Tremont street.   Bring some work gloves - Boston Shines will have rakes, shovels and bags for use right across the street at the BCA Plaza.

For more information, see this flier


Friday, April 06, 2012

A Ringgold Park Weekend

Join the fine folks at Ringgold Park for a weekend full of activities.

Stop by Ringgold this Saturday (4/7) between 9am and noon for the annual Spring Cleaning.  Help clear away the winter buildup and get the park ready for a great summer!

And on Easter Sunday the Friends are hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt. Great fun for the kids!!  FoRP also thanks a special volunteer who came forward to organize the event.  Park access will be restricted before the hunt while the goodies are hidden.

If you're interested in helping out on the board, send an email to the Friends.

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

April business meeting

Hi Everyone!

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, April 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:

  • Open member discussion
Hi everyone.   No hot topics on the agenda this month.   But since we had some good discussion during last month's open discussion, I decided to have another open meeting rather than just cancel.  So come with your favorite neighborhood topics in hand and let's get some discussion going!

Hope to see everyone there!

Ringgold Playground community meeting

A reminder that This Thursday there will be a public meeting on the playground improvements for Ringgold park, scheduled to take place this summer.

 At this meeting the Parks department is looking for community input on the design for the play ground areas. What would you like to see? What kind of materials would you like to have? What kind of play areas are you looking for?

All neighbors are welcome to attend. Get involved in the latest changes to our park!!

Thursday, April 5 
6:30pm 
Blackstone Community Center (50 W Brookline, across from Franklin square) 
2nd floor computer room 

For more information you can contact Cathy baker-Eclipse at parks dept. 617.961.3058 or cathy.baker-eclipse@cityofboston.gov.

Click here to download an event flier (pdf).

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Rep Aaron's Coffee Hour

State representative Aaron Michlewitz is starting up his coffee hour sessions this Spring, with this first session being this Saturday over at Berkeley Perk from 10am until Noon.   Stop by and meet your representative in an informal setting.  Chat.  Ask questions.   Voice concerns.   Get into.  Or just say Hi.

Aaron's invitation is below, as well as some other near-by dates and locations if you can't make Berkeley Perk on Saturday



Aaron will be starting up his coffee hours for the Spring starting this Saturday. I have listed the schedule below. As we gear up towards the fall election we are trying to have a good showing for these gatherings. We would greatly appreciate your attendance at these coffee hours, even if its only for a short period of time. It will also give you a chance to meet the newest addition to team Michlewitz, Maria Puopolo, our new Legislative Aide.
Thank you all for your continued support. If you're around please stop by and say hello!
Thanks again everyone and hope to see you this spring!

-Blake

Saturday March 31st 10am-12pm
Berkeley Perk, 69 Berkeley Street

Saturday April 21st 10am-12pm
Mohr & McPherson

Saturday May 12th 10am-12pm
The Appleton Street Bakery, 123 Appleton St

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

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


Sunday, March 11, 2012

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

Monday, March 05, 2012

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.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

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

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

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

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

"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
BostonMA 02201
617-635-4205
Felix.Arroyo@cityofboston.gov

Thursday, February 09, 2012

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.


Wednesday, February 08, 2012

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...

Monday, January 30, 2012

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!

Friday, January 20, 2012

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.