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

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
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!

---

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!

September ESNA Meeting

Hi Everyone!

Fall is in the air, and time to return from our summer breaks.   We will also be returning to our original dates and location.   Eight Streets NA returns to the First Wednesday of each month, and we return to our traditional, and new and improved location at Boston Ballet in their 5th floor board room.

Our monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, September 7th in the Boston Ballet 5th floor board room (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:

• 86 Waltham street - seeks approval to add a roof deck.  A vote will be taken
  
• Rob Ferris - update on 5 Dwight construction; introduction to 21 Dwight work. Information only, no vote on any issues
  
• Discussion of crime in the "south east" South End.  Information on work ESNA has been doing with the Old Dover Crime Committee over the summer.  We'll also be looking for ESNA member(s) who would like to join the Crime Committee

 Hope to see you Wednesday!

District 2 Candidates Night

The Blackstone/Franklin Square Neighborhood Association is hosting a Meet the Candidates night.

This election season we will be electing our district City Councilors  District 2 candidates include Incumbent Bill Linehan, and challengers Suzanne Lee and Bob Ferrara.

Join B/FSNA on Tuesday, September 13th at the Franklin house, 11 E Newton st.  The meeting starts at 7pm and should last about an hour.

One of these people will be your representative in city government.  Come out and meet them so you can be an informed voter in the upcoming elections

Discuss the redistricting process

Councilor Linehan will hold a discussion on the redistricting process with his South End constituents on Monday, September 19^th from 6-8pm at the Franklin House, 11 East Newton Street. 

Councilor Linehan is Chairman of the Council’s Committee on Census and Redistricting. The Committee held a public hearing at City Hall in May and will conduct five hearings at locations throughout the City this fall. Given the 2010 Census results and the current delineation of Council districts, it has become clear that the South End will be impacted and likely to see changes to the current City Council boundaries as a result of the redistricting process.  

As your district City Councilor, Bill would like to solicit feedback from neighborhood leaders and those active in the community.  If you cannot make the meeting, you can contact the Councilor's  office  via email or phone at 617-635-3203.  

Help plan the South End Holiday Stroll

Planning begins for the 2011 Holiday Stroll - meeting this Thursday (Sept 8) at 9:30am.   Please contact Nick Fedor if you would like to join the team.   The official announcement follows below...

---

I’m writing to invite you to a holiday stroll and decorations planning meeting on Thursday, September 8 at 9:30am at Gaslight.  Gaslight is located at 560 Harrison Avenue.

At our first holiday planning meeting, attended by business owners, South End Business Alliance board members and Washington Gateway Main Street staff and board members, the group discussed coordinating holiday decorating efforts among businesses and neighborhood associations throughout the entire South End.  In this follow up meeting, we are hoping to get input from neighborhood associations.  It would be great if a representative from each association could attend this meeting.

We will also be discussing holiday stroll events centered around the Mayor’s tree lighting at the BCA plaza. 

The goal is to get the entire South End involved to create a fun, festive community atmosphere this holiday season. 

Please feel free to forward to anyone I may have missed. 

Thanks for reading and please RSVP to me by Tuesday, September 6^th.

Best,

Nick 

That time of year - ESNA resumes

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe September is about to smack us upside the head.   The summer doldrums are over and time for things we set aside for the summer to command our attention.   And so it is with the neighborhood Association as well.

Construction is finished at the Boston Ballet, and it looks fabulous.   The new boardroom is stunning - and huge - I hope we don't get lost in it!!  but today I confirmed the boardroom for the 2011-12 meeting year, so we will be returning to our regular time and location.  Thanks to Project Place for hosting us throughout 2011, and continued thanks to Boston Ballet for also hostin ESNA and other neighborhood groups in their space.

Beginning Wednesday, September 7th we will be returning to our schedule of First Wednesday of each month, and returning to the Boston Ballet 5th floor board room  (Board room is now right when you exit the elevators).

A complete meeting agenda will be going out later in the week, but please give us feedback if you'd like any topics or speakers in the upcoming year.  

And as we get the blog going with many September events - we want to let you know that our blog is now smartphone friendly.  If you visit eightstreets.blogspot.com on your smartphone, you'll see a smart-phone-friendly version of our blog! (see attached image for an example).

See you in September!

Sidewalk Sale this weekend

South End Business Alliance announces the annual South End Sidewalk Sale begins this Friday, Aug 19 and runs through Sunday the 22nd.  Shop local stores to see deals and special sales running all weekend long.

See flier for more details

Washington street survey

WGMS is conducting a survey to see what kind of businesses you patronize, and what kinds you would like to see along Washington street.    What do you think?

Take this short 5 minute survey

Dog Run users - feedback wanted!

  Peters Park Dog Park Patrons
We need your Help and want your Feedback !!

Tues June 28, 2011

7-8pm

Note Change of Location: The Franklin (11 E Newton St - corner of Washington St)

• Come and meet other DRS Users (and learn their names)
• Discuss planned improvements
• Learn how to be a good DRS user
• • Boston City License
  • Leash Law/Dog Fouling
  • Park Rules
• Review ongoing maintenance costs for park
• Learn ways to volunteer and contriute
• Share your thoughts in a positive way with us

Sorry - No dogs at the meeting

"Shakespeare for Everyone!"

 COMMONWEALTH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY’S SUMMER ACADEMY KICKS OFF ITS TOUR OF THE PARKS WITH SHAKESPEARE ON LOVE

What:               Shakespeare on Love, a performance piece comprised of Shakespearean scenes and sonnets

Who:                Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s Summer Academy Apprentices

                         Antonio Ocampo-Guzman, Director

Where:             Titus Sparrow Park (South End)

When:               Wednesday, June 29^th @ 6:30PM

Tickets:             Free

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s Summer Academy Apprenticeship students are at it again with Shakespeare on Love premiering on Wednesday, June 29^th at 6:30PM in Boston’s Titus Sparrow Park. The twenty-three Apprentices that comprise CSC’s Summer Academy Class of 2011 begin their 12-show Tour of the Parks with a series of Shakespearean sonnets and scenes from the bard’s bountiful stock of gestic poetry. ‘Tis bound to be an evening of theatre not to be missed.

South End Garden Tour THIS Saturday!!!

(if this email doesn't display correctly, visit the site directly at http://www.southendgardentour.org/ ) www.southendgardentour.org The South End/Lower Roxbury Open Space Land Trust is one the country's first urban, neighborhood-based land trusts.  It was established in 1991 as a means to protect community gardens and parks.  It currently owns and manages 16 sites in the South End and Lower Roxbury neighborhoods of Boston.  The all-volunteer organizations enables over 500 individuals and families to grow their own food and enjoy nature in the city.  The South End Garden Tour is the organization's primary fundraiser. CHECK OUT THE LAND TRUST'S NEW WEBSITE: WWW.LANDTRUSTGARDENS.ORG

June ESNA Business meeting

Hi Everyone!

Our monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Tuesday, June 7th, at Project Place (Washington & East Berkeley). 


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

7-8:30 - Business meeting.  


On the agenda this month.

• 26 Dwight - Seeking approval for enclosing their deck. This deck was cut in to the building, so enclosing the deck brings the rear wall even with the rest of the building, but triggers a F/AR issue. A vote will be taken. 

• 5 Dwight - they have their official city 'denial' letter for the planned rear decks, as shown to us at a previous ESNA meeting. They will be seeking support for the rear decks. A vote will be taken. 

• 251 Shawmut (Corner Shawmut & Milford) - Owners are planning to rehab the building, and wish to change the first floor from a commercial space to a residential space.  We'll have a discussion on the proposed change and what that could mean for the neighborhood.  A vote may be taken

 We  hope you can make this important business meeting.


See you on Tuesday!

Dover St hearing on Tuesday

On Tuesday, May 24 there will be a hearing on the East Berkeley/Dover street name change.   The hearing is at 6pm in the auditorium of the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (41 Berkeley st).

The purpose of the hearing will be resolve "any discrepancies" in the city's policy for street name-changes and to facilitate an open discussion on reclaiming the Dover Street name for the thoroughfare, currently known as East Berkeley Street.

More about the name change can be found here.

We encourage all to attend

Traffic on Wednesday (May 18)

President Obama will be at a fundraiser at our very own Boston Center for the Arts on Wednesday, May 18th.   While there will be traffic around the event time (3pm), be aware there may be significant parking restrictions in the days beforehand.    Please keep an eye on local news for details, and make sure you park carefully in case a "no parking" sign should pop up while you're away.   It's also not unusual for items like mail boxes and trash cans to disappear before such an event, so plan your personal trips accordingly.

Boston.com article

[Update]   South End Patch has posted the following parking restrictions:

Parking is prohibited on the following streets from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday:

• Tremont Street from Berkeley Street to Dartmouth Street
• Clarendon Street from Tremont Street to Appleton Street
• Warren Avenue from Berkeley Street to Dartmouth Street
• Montgomery Street from Clarendon Street to Dartmouth Street

South end News adds:   Tremont St. will be closed to all traffic between W. Dedham Street and Berkeley St. all day Wednesday as a part of the high security.

Aaron Michlewitz's Coffee Hour

State Representative Aaron Michlewitz is having his next coffee hour this Saturday (May 14) from 10am-noon at Berkeley Perk coffee shop (69 Berkeley St)

Everyone is welcome to stop by and chat with Aaron about state issues that are on your mind.

May ESNA Business meeting

Hi Everyone!

Our monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Tuesday, May 3rd, at Project Place (Washington & East Berkeley). 


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

7-8:30 - Business meeting.  


On the agenda this month.

• 10 Bond street - Last month they informally presented plans for a roofdeck on the "L" of the building.   This month they will be formally presenting the roofdeck plans, and we will vote to oppose or not oppose said plans.    Ever up to today they were still waiting for their official 'letter of rejection' from the Zoning Board of Appeals.   As of this afternoon the ZBA told 10 Bond they would be getting their rejection letter on Tuesday and should have it in hand in time for the meeting. 

• Pops restaurant - Last month Pops also visited us, seeking support to extend closing hours from midnight to 1am.  At the time neighbors brought forth several long standing complaints concerning Pops - including improper trash disposal, smokers in front of residential buildings, noise issues during closing and the vent noise/smells at the rear of the location.   Doug Noble, now taking a managerial role at Pops, said those items went unaddressed in the past due to the former Pops manager.   Doug said that in his new role as Pops manager he would work to address all items ASAP.    Since neighboring Union Park association would not be meeting until after our May meeting, we voted to postpone a vote on Pops until the May meeting, giving Pops a month to "put their best foot forward" through April.    Now, a month later, we will hear feedback form both Pops and abutters to see if the situation has changed, and if abutters concerns have been addressed.   At this May meeting, we will vote to oppose or not oppose the request to extend the operating hours from midnight to 1am.

We  hope you can make this important business meeting.


See you on Tuesday!

Dedication of Land Wave

Mayor Menino will be on hand to dedicate the sculpture LandWave - the undulating mass of Land and Sea in Peters Park, next to the ball fields adjacent to Washington street.   The artwork represents the meeting of Land and Sea at what was once the "neck" of boston - the narrow strip of land (often covered at high tide int eh early days) that made the original boston land mass almost an island.  

Join the Mayor at 11:30am on Monday, April 25th for the dedication ceremony.

Complete information on Monday's event and an over view of LandWave.

The LandWave web site

Hearing on Public and Private alleys

On Wednesday April 27th the City Council will hold a hearing on Public and Private alleyways in Boston. the hearing takes place in the City Council chambers, 5th floor of city hall.  This hearing begins at 6:00pm. The hearing is sponsored by Councilors Arroyo and Linehan

We spoke of this hearing at the last meeting - the topic of this hearing is geared toward alleyways that are drive-able.   All Eight Streets alleys are walkable-only, and will not be discussed at this meeting.   Our only drive-able alley is already public - PA705, between Dwight and East berkeley.   (And if you missed the meeting - is due to be re-paved this season!!)

At issue in this hearing is the maintenance of alleys.   As the South End was built, some rear alleys were turned over to the city to become city property; while others remained private.    Private alleys allow the owners flexibility over use of the alley, but maintenance and snow removal must also be privately paid for.

Today, if the owners of an alley would like to turn the alley over to City control, the alley must be brought up to City standards, meaning in a state of good repair, ADA compliance, and conform to other city regulations.   This can be cost-prohibitive for the owners.    This hearing is to discuss this specific issue.

From the hearing flier:

The public is invited to attend and learn form city officials:

How alleys are designated as public or private
What jurisdiction the city has in providing services for private alleys
What duties private property owners have in upkeep and maintenance of private alleys.

Please feel free to attend the hearing.  Even though it is not an ESNA issue, it is a South End issue of concern to many residents.

A Boston.com article on the issue can be found here.

[Update] Two post-meeting articles can be found here:    South End Patch,   Universal Hub.

Egg Hunt Postponed Due to Weather

The Ringgold Park Egg Hunt has been rescheduled due to inclement weather.



Please join us next Sunday, April 24th, at 10 am.

We hope to see you there!

The Friends of Ringgold Park

---

email: ringgoldpark@verizon.net

Neighborhood News on-line

Since you're reading this blog, you probably have some intent savvy, and an interest in neighborhood news.  We'd like to remind you our two Press outlets also have a presence on line.

The South End News has a Web page as well as a Facebook Page and Twitter feed.    On the Web Page they also have (at the bottom of the page) and email sign-up, where you can get a weekly email of the weeks' headlines.

The South End patch also has a Web Page, Facebook Page and Twitter Feed, as well as an RSS feed for news stories.  They also have an email newsletter (link is on the upper right of the Web Page)

[[Update - the Patch now has an iphone app (android coming soon) ]]

Both outlets provide news covering the South End, and we hope you follow both and get all your neighborhood news...

Yard waste pickup for Spring

City of Boston press release.   Eight Streets' recycling day is Tuesday


If you don’t have time to compost your leaves or yard debris this spring, Boston Public Works Department will do it for you.  Public Works crews will collect your leaves and yard waste on neighborhood recycling days from April 25 to May 20.

• Residents should place leaves and yard debris in large paper leaf bags or open barrels labeled “yard waste” (no plastic bags).  Yard waste stickers for barrels are available by calling (617) 635-4500.
• Residents should tie branches with string: 3’ maximum length. 1” max. diameter. They should not put branches in barrels.  
• Barrels, bags and branches should be placed curbs:

7:00 AM on your Recycling Day:  April 25 through May 20
Yard Waste will not be collected for two weeks prior to the spring collection (April 11 thru April 22).  Residents should please hold their yard waste until collection begins the week of April 25. 


More Information on Yard Waste Guidelines

April ESNA Business Meeting

Hi Everyone!

Our monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Tuesday, April 5th at Project Place (Washington & East Berkeley).  

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

7-8:30 - Business meeting.   

We have some exciting items on the agenda this month.

• Pops restaurant - Pops is seeking support to extend closing hours from midnight to 1am.   Their hearing was last week - no word yet if it was denied or postponed.   But according to the city they still wish to visit the NA and get feedback on extended hours.

• 10 Bond street - they wish to present information on a planned roofdeck.   There was recently a hearing on the validity of their existing permit, but I have not yet received feedback on how that went.   but this is information only - there is no vote on this issue scheduled at this meeting

• Meet Eric Hill - Eric works at Paul Sullivan housing and will be a regular attendee at our meetings.

We've got some great agenda items this month, so we hope you'll be able to make it.   (A local business also promises to bring some treats to nibble on).   

See you on Tuesday!

Street Sweeping begins

A sure sign of Spring - Street sweeping is here!

As of April 1st, the street sweeping season for local streets has begin (although sweeping was postponed due to snow on Friday).   This week is the "first" week - many of our streets are cleaned on the First Mondays and Thursdays.  A full schedule for Eight Streets and surrounding streets can be found here (let me know if we need any corrections)

So please remember to move your cars this week.   Never mind the potential ticket - our streets are a mess after this long winter, and this is a chance to start the Spring cleanup.

March ESNA Meeting

Hi Everyone!  We seem to be storm-free at the moment, so the weather looks good for our March ESNA Meeting!

Our monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Tuesday, March 1st at Project Place (Washington & East Berkeley).  (Yes, this coming Tuesday is March already)

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

We have some exciting items on the agenda this month.

• Election season isn't that far off.   This November the City Council seats will be up for election.  Suzanne Lee has put her hat in the ring for the District 2 seat, and will visit us this month to let us know about herself and her candidacy.   I hope we can get a good crowd for this (and all) candidate presentations to show Eight Streets has an interest in who represents us in City Hall.

• Berkeley Greenery - Berkeley's fence on Berkeley street is now up, but they still have more work planned.   Along the fence they plan an to have array of greenery to compliment the fence and bring year-round color to the Berkeley edge.   Ann McQueen from the garden will give us a short presentation on their fence greenery plans.

• Rob Ferris, who is developing 5 Dwight street will give us a project update on the building rehab.  

We've got some great agenda items this month, so we hope you'll be able to make it.   (A local business also promises to bring some treats to nibble on).

See you on Tuesday!