Welcome to the Eight Streets Neighborhood Association, located in the historic South End of Boston, MA. This blog will give our residents neighborhood updates and associated news items. Visit our web site for complete neighborhood information. Thanks for stopping by!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Vote on Tuesday
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
The connected city
If you're an internet junkie, the City of Boston has some information for you.
Yard Waste collections, Fall 2010
Yes, those are leaves you see in the street - but Autumn isn't quite here yet. The City has announced that Fall2010 yard waste pickup will be October 18th through November 27th.
Did you flood this summer?
1. Flooding of your home.
2. "Near-misses" of flooding
3. Back-up of sewer lines (which can include flushing toilets but the water doesn't go anywhere -- that would normally mean that the check valves, intended to keep sewer water from getting into your home, are working.)
Please let me know where and approximate dates and times, if you can.
Also, if you've spotted subsidence or sinkage taking place in sidewalks or streets, could you please let me know?
Thanks.
Ed Allan
617-877-1619 or edwardjayallan@gmail.com
Meeting tonight (9/7)
Monday, September 06, 2010
“Fall in Love with all of Peters Park” Festival
Neighbors, local businesses, sports enthusiasts and dog owners will come together to “Fall in Love with all of Peters Park” on Saturday, October 2 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Peters Park’s first park-wide event will feature fun for all members of the community: a home run derby and tennis clinics for sports enthusiasts, mini boot camps, face painting and storytelling for children, a dog training and “tips and tricks” session for dog owners, food, refreshments and a raffle for Bruins tickets, dog DNA kits, local business gift cards and much more! Proceeds will support park maintenance and improvements.
Local businesses and organizations that have pledged their participation include Foodie’s Urban Market, PICCO, Gallows, Tufts Medical Center, Animal Rescue League, The Pawsitive Dog, Ming’s Supermarket, South End Formaggio, Polkadog Bakery, Bark Place, District D-4 Police Department and the Fire Department.
Peters Park (www.peterspark.org) is a vibrant urban park in Boston's South End that provides five acres of activities for people of all ages. Renovated in 2007, Peters Park features a gated playground, baseball field, tennis court, basketball courts, an off-leash dog park and gardens.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
A New season begins
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Joe V's to close
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
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?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Doggie Ice Cream Social, 2010
Free movie nights in August
- August 12th
- August 19th
- August 26th
Friday, August 06, 2010
Biketown: Earn a new bike
Temporary art on the BCA Plaza
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Free opera
This Wednesday, 7/28 the BLO and BLO will present Highlights from Tosca. The concert is free and runs form 7-9pm.
From the BLO announcement:
Boston Lyric Opera and the Boston Landmarks Orchestra will showcase excerpts from the opera world’s beloved masterpiece, Tosca, by Giacomo Puccini, which will be the opening opera for BLO’s exciting 2010-2011 Season. Jill Gardner, who will sing the title role in November, will perform with her husband, Jake Gardner, who was recently seen as the “Music Master” in BLO’s critically acclaimed Ariadne auf Naxos. The Gardners will be joined by Richard Crawley, Taylor Horner, and the Boston Lyric Opera Chorus. The singers will be led by guest conductor Andrew Bisantz, who will also be the conductor for the production in November.
The night will also include a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 by the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, conducted by Charles Ansbacher.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Shovel that sidewalk!
If you haven't caught the news today, a Mass SJC ruling today has made a ruling on snow removal and liability. (Full article in the Globe). Before the ruling you were not liable if you never shoveled your walk, or if the sidewalk was covered with ice from "daytime melting and nighttime freezing". This means if someone slips and falls for any snow & ice reason, you can be held liable.
Monday, July 19, 2010
South End Library Concert & Pot Luck
Hear Pat Loomis and his band White Chocolate Bring some food to share!
South End Library
685 Tremont Street
617-536-8241
Tuesday, July 20 at 6:30
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Wholy Grain open house
A Flier with information on the open houe and an overview of The Wholy Grain is here (pdf).
Saturday, June 26, 2010
2010 Free Friday Flicks schedule
People of all ages flock to the banks of the Charles River with their own chairs, blankets and picnics to enjoy these Free movies under the stars.
All movies are shown rain or shine at sundown (approximately 8:30pm). But come early to grab your spot on the lawn...and visit the WBZ Tent for lots of free giveaways, food samples and fun interactive games!
What's Playing This Week?
June 18: Grease Sing-A-Long
July 9: The Wizard of Oz
July 16: Star Trek
July 23: Where the Wild Things Are
July 30: Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs
August 6: Monsters vs. Aliens
August 13: How to Train a Dragon
August 20: The Princess and the Frog
August 27: Up
Please call the WBZ Free Friday Flicks Hotline for weekly movie information: 617-787-7200.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Frog Pond opening celebration
Free concert at Fenway
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
SE Garden Tour this weekend!
Tickets are available now, or the day of the tour. Complete event info can be found on the Garden Tour Web Site. I hope you get a chance to hit the tour – it’s a great way to see many of the hidden gardens in the neighborhood – and Saturday is predicted to be great weather!!
Note – I got an email this morning that they are still looking for volunteers to help with the tour. Volunteers work on the tour for a 2 hour shift – and get to attend the tour for free! See the web site for contact information
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Is your home a fire trap?
The cause of the 9-alarm fire on April 7, 2010 at the Beacon Towers Condominium building, 483 Beacon Street, has been found to have been an electrical short circuit. Specifically, an extension cord running under a piece of carpet in a seventh floor unit shorted out to cause the fire. The building remains closed for renovations.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
no June ESNA Meeting
_________________
John McLachlan, President
Eight Streets Neighborhood Association
South End (Boston) MA
http://eightstreets.org
http://eightstreets.blogspot.com
Monday, May 17, 2010
Albany St Corridor
Thursday, May 13, 2010
SoWa Art & Open Market walk this weekend
This is also opening weekend for the South End Open Market. The open Market will be open Both Saturday & Sunday from 10a-5p. This year the Open Market has moved to 460 Harrison, down near Thayer/Perry streets (at Washingston st). Opening weekend usually has loads of extra vendors, so it's certianly worth the trip!
It looks to be a great weekend, so get out and about!
SE Library book sale this Saturday
Thanks,
Anne Smart
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Yard Waste collection schedule for Spring
Again, put out yard waste on the morning of May 11, 18 or 25.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
May ESNA Meeting
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
New BPD News site
911 - the Boston users guide
Safety discussion at May ESNA Meeting
Hi Everyone,
The next Eight Streets meeting is a little over a week away. This month we're going to have a focus on neighborhood security and safety.
Last year Eight Streets worked with Old Dover and Boston Police (BPD) to try to tackle a drug problem that had moved into the area. Unfortunately, as good a job as BPD was able to do, the Spring has brought a resurgence of the problem. What we're seeing this spring is an increase in Drug sales in the Old Dover neighborhood, near Washington/East Berkeley/Harrison area. And with drug sales comes drug use. We're seeing those who want to use or just hang out starting to congregate in Peters Park, Berkeley Garden, and in our ESNA walkable alleys.
At our May meeting, BPD Community Officer Sgt. Provenzano will join us with members of his team. We'll discuss some of the issues we have in the neighborhood, how BPD is working with ESNA and Old Dover to help tackle the problems, and what steps residents can take to ensure our neighborhood remains safe. We hope you'll be able to join us - watch this space for the official meeting notice this weekend.
In the meantime, just remember to always keep an eye out for suspicious activity. Remember to lock your doors, and don't leave valuables in your car. Use your common sense, and report suspicious activity to police. (more on that in the next blog entry).
Thanks to Dave and Jodi who are stepping up and taking an active role in ESNA and helping out with Safety. Many of you have seen their flier in your door, and I look forward to having them continue to work with BPD and Old Dover. And a nice warm ESNA welcome to those visiting the blog for the first time after seeing their flier! I hope to see you at the May meeting!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Friends of SE Library annual meeting
For more details on this and related matters, such as the Save our Libraries update, as well as pictures of our April 4 Easter Egg Hunt, please visit our web site at www.friendsofsouthendlibrary.org .
Regards,
Marleen Nienhuis
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Boston Shines this weekend
If you need some tools, the city will have brooms, shovels, rakes, gloves, and trash bags available to be borrowed from 9am to 1pm. Just stop by the BCA Plaza.
If you want to clean up your sidewalk of dirt and tree droppings, sweep it into the middle of the street – street sweepers will be making the rounds throughout the day. (of course, bag your trash, don’t sweep it into the street)
The city will also pick up trash until noon on Saturday. Leave bags of trash you have collected on a corner so the DPW can easily see the bags. Now remember this is trash you’ve cleaned up from outside – this is not a chance to clean out the basement and attic. DPW won’t take your junk (sorry).
We hope the sunshine will inspire you to take some time to help clean up on Saturday morning!!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Watch what is in your car
Monday, April 12, 2010
Ringgold Park Fountian Meeting
Exciting news - the Parks Department is convening a public meeting to discuss the center circle fountain design. Please mark your calendars, line up a sitter if necessary, and join us to make your voice heard! We will be meeting at 6:30 pm on Thursday, April 29, in the second floor computer lab at the Blackstone Community Center. The Parks Department will be publicizing this meeting by distributing flyers to neighbors of the park.
Some of you may have noticed that the Parks Department recently removed the swing in the small tot lot. Its foundation had become unstable in the recent rainstorms, and it was clearly a safety hazard. Replacing it has been added to the scope of work for our general capital improvements. And the upcoming public meeting is a great opportunity to find out when it will be replaced!
Thank you to all the volunteers who pitched in to clean up the park and run our annual spring Egg Hunt last weekend, particularly the Effgen Family, the Mullin Family, Conrad Ello, the Weiss-Currys, Rebecca Schulman, and Beth Prindle. The weather was gorgeous and a great time was had by all! Attendance at the cleanup, however, was very low, and although our group worked for over 3 hours, we didn't get through all the areas of the park that need to be cleaned. In the past Hope House used to send over a group of energetic volunteers, but now For future cleanups, FORP is seeking to partner with a corporate entity that would like a community service opportunity. Our cleanups happen twice a year - prior to our Halloween event, and prior to our spring Egg Hunt. If you know of a company or school that would like to help us out, please let me know!
Lastly, while you have your calendars out, please also mark Monday, May 10 at 9:30 to join Mayor Menino in Ringgold Park! This is our opportunity to demonstrate how important this project is to the community, and to show off our new plantings and irrigation system. I hope to see you there!
Thank you as always for your support.
Claire Corcoran
President, Friends of Ringgold Park
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Monday, April 05, 2010
April ESNA Business Meeting
_________________
John McLachlan
President, Webmaster
Eight Streets Neighborhood Association
South End (Boston) MA
http://eightstreets.org
http://eightstreets.blogspot.com
Sunday, April 04, 2010
The city continues to embrace the digital age
Reminder - Street Cleaning has begun
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Ringgold Park cleanup
Saturday, April 3
Noon-2pm
Ringgold Park
Friends of Ringgold Park newsletter; Sp 2010
The buds on our new shrubs are swelling, Easter and Passover are right around the corner, and spring is in the air! Below are some important dates for your calendar.
The Friends of Ringgold Park will host our annual Spring Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 4th at 10 am in the park. Please note: we will ask that children not enter the park while we are setting up the egg hunt from 9 to 10. This family event is appropriate for all ages, as different areas of the park will have eggs hidden at different levels of difficulty. Please join us for this annual celebration of spring.
To prepare for the event, on Saturday April 3, we will host our Spring Cleanup of the park from 12 to 2 pm. Join us to spruce up the park for the egg hunt! Pizza and drinks, rakes and gloves will be provided.
Although the center circle appears unchanged, our capital improvement project is moving along! The City of Boston has contracted with Copley Wolff, the landscape architects who helped us develop our fountain concept, to provide detailed construction specifications. As part of this process, we will be working with Copley Wolff on scheduling a series of public meetings to get further input from the community. Stay tuned for dates!
An important part of this process is advocacy from the community of park users. On Monday, May 10th from 9:30 to 10:30 in the park, we have a critical opportunity to bend the Mayor's ear about our important issues! Please join us at the Mayor's Park Coffee Hour in Ringgold Park to ask for continued investment in improving Ringgold Park. We worked diligently to raise private funds to install the new plantings and irrigation system. This is our chance to show off our most recent investments to the Mayor. At this coffee hour, we will be ask the City of Boston to invest in 1) Big Belly trash compactor cans for the park; 2) permanent low cast iron fencing along the edges of the shrub beds to protect the plants and prolong their lives; and 3) our center circle fountain project, which also includes resurfacing of the play areas with safety foam.
If you find yourself at Polka Dog Bakery, please thank them for sponsoring our Dog Waste Pickup Bags! They have generously provided both the refill bags and their storage.
Thank you as always for your support, and see you in the park!
Claire Corcoran
Friends of RInggold Park
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
NIH Panel on Risk Assesment
The NIH Blue Ribbon Panel to Advise on the Risk Assessment of the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories at Boston University Medical Center is holding a public meeting to update the community on the status and proposed approach of the study. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, 110 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 from approximately 6:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
The meeting program will include presentations providing an overview of the risk assessment process, as well as breakout sessions in which more detailed presentations and dialogue about the proposed approach will take place. Members of the public may, at any time, file written comments to the following address: NIH Blue Ribbon Panel, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Mail Stop Code 7985, Bethesda, MD 20892-7985 or by sending an e-mail to: nih_brp@od.nih.gov . An agenda and slides for the meeting may be obtained prior to the meeting by connecting to http://nihblueribbonpanel-bumc-neidl.od.nih.gov/ .
For additional information concerning this meeting, please contact Ms. Laurie Lewallen, Advisory Committee Coordinator, Office of Biotechnology Activities, Office of Science Policy, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Room 750, Bethesda, MD 20892-7985; telephone 301-496-9838; e-mail lewallenl@od.nih.gov .
Regards,
Carla
Carla J. Richards, MPP
Director, Community Relations
Department of Corporate Communications
Boston Medical Center and Boston University Medical Campus
85 East Newton Street, Rm 421
Boston, MA 02118
Phone: 617-638-8627
Fax: 617-638-8044
E-Mail: carla.richards@bmc.org
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
South End Baseball signup
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Dear Community Member:
Regards,
Carla
Carla J. Richards, MPP
Director, Community Relations
Department of Corporate Communications
Boston Medical Center and Boston University Medical Campus
85 East Newton Street, Rm 421
Boston, MA 02118
Phone: 617-638-8627
Fax: 617-638-8044
E-Mail: carla.richards@bmc.org
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Be on TV - My First Place
Season of "My First Place." We're seeking first time homebuyers (and
their agents) in the Boston area who might be interested in sharing
their home buying experience with HGTV and its audience.
Thank you.
Cindy Baggish | AP-Casting
Community Emergency Response Training
The next CERT training information sessions are coming in April. "Help your neighbors be prepared for emergencies. Get trained to assist first responders and organize other Volunteers during and after a disaster. " Sessions 4/13 and 4/20 at the Tobin Community Center, Roxbury and 4/15 and 4/22 at the BPL main branch.
Info on Library Closings
Passing on this meeting notice from the Friends of the S End Library. If you use our library at all, we encourage you to attend.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
New Bakery/Sandwich shop
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Be on TV
Good Afternoon!
My name is Brooke Schledewitz and I work for the show "Bang For Your Buck” on Home and Garden Television (HGTV). We are now in production of our 4th season and are looking to bring the show to the greater Boston, MA area. I'm hoping for your help in locating homeowners who may be interested in having their recently remodeled great room (ie. kitchen/family room) featured on our show!
I am contacting you to see if you could pass this information on to the people in your neighborhood and/or if you know of anyone in your community who has completed this type of renovation.
I have attached a press release for you to take a look at. If you have any questions or need any additional information please feel free to call or e-mail me. We are hoping to select our homes within the next few weeks, so time is of the essence.
Please let me know if you are able to help!
Thanks,
Brooke
Brooke Schledewitz - Bang For Your Buck
High Noon Entertainment
303-712-3168
bschledewitz@highnoontv.com
Monday, March 01, 2010
March Eight Streets meeting
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
February Eight Streets meeting
- 45 Milford St - request for approval for adding 2nd floor balcony and roof deck to building. Also seeking support for change in occupancy (reducing)
- Pops restaurant - seeks approval for extending closing hours form midnight to 1am.
- Open member discussion - News and open discussion of neighborhood issues. Topics to include trash and safety,a nd anything you'd like to bring up