Tuesday, August 24, 2010

A New season begins

Hi everyone,

It certainly feels Fall-like out there with the cool rain falling. If that weren't reminder enough of the changing of the seasons, it's just two weeks until the monthly Eight Streets meetings return.

Our meeting time and place has changed!!!

Due to construction at the Boston ballet building, we've had to change our meeting time and place beginning September through Springtime. We will be meeting the First TUESDAY of the month, and will be meeting at Project Place. PP is the building at Washington and East Berkeley (1145 Washington Street ). The meeting room is on the second floor - the entrance is right next to the door to Myers & Chang. The meeting times will remain the same - 6:30-8:30.

We currently have two items on the agenda - decks at 6 Milford and zoning for 35 Milford. But I'm hoping we can also do some planning for the coming year. What topics to people want to see discussed at meetings? Do we want guest speakers? Any interest in neighborhood events???

Keep an eye on the website and blog (this), and see everyone on Tuesday, Sept 7th at Project Place!!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Joe V's to close

The Boston Restaurant Talk Blog reports that Joe V's restaurant, just outside of ESNA at Shawmut and Union park, will be closing as the owner opens a new establishment in Brookline (Globe Article)

Voter Registration for Primaries


Yes, election season is fast approaching. State primaries are on September 14th. If you are not registered to vote, next Wednesday, August 25th 2010, as the last day to register to vote and participate in the primaries.

More information, including how to register to vote can be found on the City elections web site.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

related crimes in the South End

Passing on this public notice concerning reported crimes that appear to be committed by the same persons.


NEIGHBORHOOD ALERT: POLICE SEEK ARMED ROBBER IN THE SOUTH END

Boston Police Investigators believe the following incidents may be related:

Boston Police have learned that between July 13, 2010 and August 13, 2010, several armed robberies have occurred in the South End (District D-4) and appear to be related. In all of the incidents, the suspect, a similarly described black male, showed a firearm during the robberies (note mostly early morning times for incidents reported below):

Incident Details:

At about 2:59am, on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, officers responded to an armed robbery at Concord Square & Columbus Avenue. On arrival, officers spoke with the victim who stated that, while walking from Columbus Avenue onto Concord Square, an unknown suspect approached him with a black handgun and demanded all of his belongings. The suspect was described as a black male with medium complexion, approximately 5’8” tall, thin build, wearing a black baseball cap, black shirt, and dark blue jeans. The victim handed over his brown and green duffel bag. Officers searched the area for the suspect to no avail.

At about 2:45am, on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, victim walked into the police station to report a robbery. According to the victim, while walking on Dartmouth Street, he passed a black male in his late 20’s, approximately 5’9” tall, wearing a baggy black hooded sweatshirt. After the victim walked past, the suspect approached the victim from behind, showed a black handgun and demanded the victim’s property. The victim turned over his wallet and cell phone. The suspect fled on foot in the direction of Tremont Street.

At approximately 2:54am, on Sunday, July 29, 2001, officers responded to radio call for an armed robbery at Clarendon Street and Tremont Street. On arrival, officers spoke with the victim who stated, while walking down Montgomery Street talking on the phone, an unknown black male, wearing all dark clothing and, possibly a hoodie, approached, showed a gun and demanded his wallet. The victim complied and handed over money and a cell phone. The suspect then turned and began walking down Montgomery Street outbound. Officers searched the area to no avail.

At about 9:40pm, on Saturday, July 31, 2010, officers responded to a radio call for an armed robbery in area of 65 Hammond Street. According to the victims, three black males walked up to their car while they were parked in front of 65 Hammond Street and robbed them. According to the operator, one of the suspects approached the driver’s side window with a handgun and demanded the victim’s property. That suspect was described as a black male, approximately 19 – 21 years old, wearing a red long sleeve shirt with a stripe. Officers also spoke to the passenger, who stated that other two suspects, both black males, approached the passenger side of the vehicle, displayed a black handgun and demanded money. Suspect #2 was described as a black male, approximately 17-19 years old, with gold teeth, about 5’9” in height, slim build, with short black hair and one long braid in the back. Suspect #3 was described as a black male wearing a yellow t- shirt. Victims stated that all three suspects then fled on foot through the parking lot of 65 Hammond Street.

On Tuesday, August 3, 2010, a victim came into the police station to report that he was robbed of his cell phone after being approached from behind by two black males. One suspect showed a firearm and demanded the victim’s cell phone. The victim turned over his phone and then watched both suspects run on foot towards Massachusetts Avenue. Suspect #1 was described as a black male, approximately 20 years old, about 5’8” tall, heavy set. The other suspect was described as a black male, approximately 18 years of age, about 6 feet tall, 180 lbs, wearing black basketball shorts and a white shirt.

At about 2:21am, on Friday, August 13, 2010, an officer on routine patrol in the South End was flagged down on Tremont Street near Massachusetts Avenue by a victim of an armed robbery. Victim stated that he was walking on Worcester Street from Columbus Avenue toward Tremont Street when the suspect (described as a black male, medium complexion, 25-30 years old, approximately 5’11” tall, wearing a black t-shirt and blue jean shorts) approached him from behind and placed his hand on the victim’s shoulder. When the victim turned around, the suspect showed a firearm and demanded money. Victim turned over his cell phone and wallet and then observed the suspect walked down Worcester Street toward Columbus Avenue. A radio broadcast with the description of the suspect and officers canvass of the area to no avail.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to call Area D-4 detectives at (617) 343-5619. You can also provide information anonymously by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department is interested only in your information, not your identity. Your tip is 100% anonymous and we thank you for your help.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Recycling bin overflowing?

If you're on an alley or can store one of the larger recycling bins (see pic) on your property, the City has gotten more in stock. They're given out on a first-come first-serve basis. Go to the City Recycling web site and request one!

With a larger capacity and cover to prevent items from blowing away - if you can fit this in your home or on your property, it's one of the best ways to recycle. Keep a small trash can in your kitchen or home office, and when that fills up just empty it into one of these larger bins.

If you can't accomodate one of the larger bins, please remember to use clear plastic bags for recycling whenever possible. The 'regular' blue bins are nice, but they're easily knocked over and paper blows out, and they can leave a messy street. Also remember if you have cardboard boxes, flatten them down and fold or cut them down in size, and leave them under your recycling bags curbside. If you leave your boxes as-is on the curb, they will not be recycled. a) They may contain styrofoam shipping pieces, which are not recyclable and b) if people see an open box they will dump trash in it. For that reason recycling crews will not take 'open empty boxes' in the recycling trucks. This applies to all those flat-screen TV boxes we're seeing lately as people upgrade to HDVTs.

A final reminder recycling for the Eight Streets area is Tuesdays only. Bring your recyclables to the curb before 7am on Tuesday morning.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Doggie Ice Cream Social, 2010

BOSTON VETERINARY CARE ‘ICE CREAM SOCIAL FOR DOGS’ AT PETERS PARK IN BOSTON’S SOUTH END

Boston, MA – What do dogs and ice cream have in common? Peter’s Park in Boston’s South End! Your best friend can enjoy free canine-friendly ice cream courtesy of Polka Dog Bakery, and free gelato for their human companions. Come and mingle with your canine and human friends and neighbors.

WHAT: A celebration of the “Dog Days of Summer”

Ø An ice cream sundae bar provided by Polka Dog Bakery

Ø Snapshots of you and you dog by photographer Amelia Hughes

Ø Free nutrition and health advice from Boston Veterinary Care veterinarians

WHERE: Joe Wex Dog Recreation Space at Peters Park, 1277 Washington Street (between Waltham Street and Berkeley Street.) in Boston’s South End.

WHEN: Thursday, August 19, 2010 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Animal Rescue League of Boston

Founded in 1899, The Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Boston is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing domesticated animals and wildlife from suffering, cruelty, abandonment, and neglect. In addition to the organization’s animal rescue, law enforcement, shelter, and veterinary headquarters in Boston, the ARL of Boston operates shelters in Boston, Dedham, and Brewster, Massachusetts. The ARL of Boston also maintains a fleet of animal ambulances, a mobile Spay Waggin’ providing subsidized spay/neuter services throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod, and operates the state’s only Mobile Adoption Rescue Vehicle (MARV).


Free movie nights in August

Cathedral High School and Boston Centers for Youth and Families are presenting Thursday Family Fun Nights - a night of structured activities, light refreshments and a movie! It's presented for free a Cathedral High School gym. Activities begin at 3pm with the movie starting at 6pm.

Activities days are on Thursday,
  • August 12th
  • August 19th
  • August 26th

Movies are currently TBD. Fliers with a contact email can be found here

Friday, August 06, 2010

Biketown: Earn a new bike

Bicycling Magazine's BikeTown is coming to Boston!

In 2003, the editor of Bicycling Magazine wondered if a bicycle could change someone's life. After giving away thousands of bicycles to people all over the U.S., the answer is clearly YES! People have lost weight, connected with their family, been able to beat diabetes, saved money, overcome depression, renewed marriage vows and dozens of other stories. For 2010, BikeTown is going to eight cities: Cleveland - Indianapolis - Denver - Boston - Minneapolis - Los Angeles (with Best Buddies) - New Orleans - Charleston. BikeTown, MetLife and Jamis Bicycles will be giving away 31 new bicycles on Friday August 27 at Boston City Hall Plaza during Bike Friday. Submit a 50- word essay about how a bicycle could change someone's life at http://www.bicycling.com/enter-biketown [PDF Announcement]

Temporary art on the BCA Plaza

Monday afternoon, please join us for the launch of "Temporary Public Art on the Plaza" at the BCA.

Two distinct pieces make up this exhibition: John Slepian's Mementos (Aug 2- Sept 6) and Jamie Calderwood's Green Wave Bench (Aug 9-Oct 3). .
Each piece was designed specifically for the BCA's Plaza with the intention of giving audiences a unique opportunity to experience and enjoy public art. Slepian's piece is on display in the window of the Mills Gallery daily from 3-11 p.m., and Calderwood's piece will be on view outside of the Cyclorama around the clock.

Both artists will be on hand at the opening to talk about their individual approaches to creating a public art piece.

Normally closed on Monday, the Mills Gallery will be open during the event so that visitors can also enjoy Richard Bertman's Three Point Perspective, currently running in the space.

Please share this invitation with colleagues, friends or neighbors who may be interested in attending - ALL ARE WELCOME!


Best,
Kristi

Kristi Keefe
Director of Events and Community Relations
Boston Center for the Arts
P. 617.426.5001
F. 617.426.5336
M. 617.828.9155