November meeting

Welcome to Fall everyone. And only 2 days of election ads left.
Don't forget to head over to Cathedral Gym on Tuesday to cast your
votes!

Our next meeting will be this Wednesday, November 5th, 6:30-8:30 at
the Boston ballet school (Clarendon & Warren)
6:30-7 - Neighborhood networking
7-8:30 - Business meeting.

Agenda will include
- Voting on a request for deck approval on 24 Hanson
- Social events - we need some!!! What do members want to do, and
volunteers to get the ball rolling!
- ESNA re-org. We talked about moving to a board based
organization. I'd like to continue that discussion

See you all on Wednesday!

ESNA Web changes

Eight Streets is happy to announce we finally have our own home on the web.  The ESNA web pages are now on our own domain at eightstreets.org.   Now that the web pages are ad-free, they'll look a lot less cluttered.  So, for example, our web page and blog directly linked from the 'intro spash' page.   Some of the out-dated sections have been removed from the web page.   Well also be adding more information in the coming months, including more Eightstreets/Google maps like this.  

Also new is the ability to renew/pay your dues on line.   On our Membership page you can now renew your ESNA membership.   Just select your membership and use paypal to renew your membership with your credit card.   It's easy for you to renew, and it saves us time and postage US Mailing the neighborhood.   

So check out the new web location!  And let us know if there's a neighborhood resource you'd like to see on the web in the future.

Ringgold Halloween party

From the FoRP:

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BOO!

Come join the fun at the Halloween Celebration in Ringgold Park starting at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 31st. Sponsored by the Friends of Ringgold Park, the party will feature food, games, and Halloween favors for kids of all ages.
We are still looking for volunteers to help with the party preparations for this big event; please contact us at ringgoldpark@verizon.net for more information. In particular, we need people to help set up at 3:30 p.m. and/or bring food for the event. Savory rather than sweet snacks would be much appreciated for our small party-goers, including hummus, vegetable trays, cheese and crackers, sandwiches, appetizers, and other filling morsels.

It promises to be a spooky-tacular night. Enjoy!

Elections are here

In case you've been out of the country for the past many months, you know Election day is a week from now - Tuesday, November 4th. All of Eight Streets is in Boston's Ward 3, Precinct 7. We vote at Cathedral High School gym, at the corner of Union park and Washington street, a short walk away.

Aside from the much publicized presidential race, we do have a few other offices up for election. These other offices are just as, if not more important than the presidential races.

• Incumbent Senator Kerry is up for election, facing a Republican and Libertarian candidate.


• Incumbent Congressional Representative Michael Capuano is running unopposed.


• Our State Senator incumbent Dianne Wilkerson did not make the primary, and is not on the ballot, although she is staging a 'write in' campaign in some of her districts. For those supporting the nominated democratic candidate Sonya Chang-Diaz, this would be an important vote for you. On the ballot itself, Chang-Diaz is facing Socialist party candidate Leonard


• Incumbent State Legislative representative Sal DiMasi is running unopposed.


• And, of course, the three questions that have been making news will also be on the ballot. We suggest you read the questions beforehand so you know whether to vote Yes or No on each question before you enter your polling location.

The complete ballot that you will see on election day can be seen it here. If you are one of our avid readers outside of Eight Streets, you can find out where to vote and who your candidates are through the state's My Election Information pages.

Polls are open on election day 7am until 8pm, so we hope you can find time to vote!!! And bring a book (or PDA) with you, as Presidential elections tent to bring long lines.

We list these races for educational purposes. ESNA does not endorse any candidates. If you like an incumbent, then vote to re-elect them. If you do not like the incumbent, then cast your vote to a challenger. If an incumbent is running unopposed, and you suport the uincumbent, voting FOR them can show neighborhood suport for the candidate. Not voting for the only name for an office can be a method of demonstrating unhappiness with a candidates performance.

Super 88

For those who don't shop at local asian markets, you may not have noticed the local Super 88 market at Washington and Herald st.   The Globe has an article about that closing and several other 88 closings.

House of Siam in November

The rumors have been confirmed. House of Siam will open a location at the former Thai Village space on Tremont at Upton. The Oct 7th article stated a timeline of "about 3 weeks" until opening.

Since the Herald articles go off-line rather quickly, the article segment is quoted below

"The House of Siam is arguably the most popular Thai restaurant in the South End, and frequent customers credit not only its food, but the moderate prices and lovely personality of owner Joe Thailand.

The 60-seat Columbus Avenue restaurant does a booming business, with 350 to 400 takeout orders alone each day.

So when Thai Village on nearby Tremont Street closed this past summer, neighborhood customers suggested Thailand should pounce. He’s obliging, and the House of Siam on Tremont is slated to open in three weeks.

“We’re so busy here, so I think I need one more,” Thailand said.

With 34 seats, the Tremont outpost will be smaller than the original that opened in 1998. It also will have a pared-down menu.

Thailand believes the secret to his success is the freshness of the food. “We go to the market twice a day every single day, except Sunday we go only once,” he said. "

South End Buttery in the news

A review of local eatery South End Buttery has appeared in the Boston Globe [Article].   Their expansion is complete, and the bistro section is now open.  While the Bistro is now open, they continue to have their Bakery & Cafe in the front end of the store Stop by and check out their new menu!  

No October meeting

The October Eight Streets meeting has been cancelled. We will be having a November meeting. If you had any issue you were hoping to bring up at the October meeting, feel free to email us.

Ringgold park events postponed

Due to our weekend of rain, the events at Ringgold part have been postponed:

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Unfortunately due to the weather, we have to reschedule our weekend events at Ringgold Park for next Sunday, October 5th.

Join us that morning at 9 AM for our cleanup - gloves, tools, coffee and donuts provided. That afternoon, come back to the park from 3 to 6 PM for our Fourth Annual Fall Barbeque! Groove to the sounds of Sara Wheeler and her band Little Groove, have a burger or dog for $1 from the Hope House Grill, and view the plans for the center circle fountain that we developed over the past year with the community.

Thank you -Let's hope by then the rain has stopped!

Claire Corcoran
President, Friends of Ringgold Park

Ringgold Park events

Passing on this information about some Fall events brought to you by the Friends of Ringgold park

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I hope most of you have had a chance to appreciate the improvements that occurred in the park as a result of our visit with Mayor Menino. The benches have new wood, the lampposts and ironwork have a fresh coat of paint, and the trees and shrubs have been professionally pruned. Many thanks to the City of Boston Parks & Recreation Department for all of their efforts.

FALL CLEAN-UP: Saturday September 27th, 10 am – 12 pm.
Please join us on Saturday to help clean the park after a busy summer. We will be sweeping, raking, and picking up trash from 10 am to noon. We know many families have sports or lessons on Saturday mornings, but we schedule this event so that the Hope House residents can participate, and this time works best for them. Please try to join us - it is always a fun and satisfying event! Refreshments will be provided.

COMMUNITY BBQ: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th, 3 pm – 6 pm.
This coming Sunday, the Friends of Ringgold Park will host a community barbecue in the park. Come have a hotdog or hamburger from the renowned Hope House Grill for $1 each, decorate a cupcake at our cupcake decorating table, and groove to the sounds of Sara Wheeler and Baby Wiggle! It will be a fun time for the whole family!

Also - volunteers are still needed to help organize our annual community Halloween party! Please email ringgoldpark@verizon.net if you're able to pitch in.

Thanks so much, see you this weekend!

Claire Corcoran
President, Friends of Ringgold Park

Picnic in the Dog Park

Passing on this information about an event in the Dog Run

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The Friends of Peters Park Dog Recreation Space Committee invites you to the Fall "Pawnic" at The Joe Wex Dog Park!

Where: Peters Park, South End, Boston
When: Saturday, October 4, 12:00 noon - 2 pm (raindate Sunday, October 5)

Enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs and softdrinks for a suggested minimum donation of $10

The ARL of Boston will be there to talk about pet adoptions and their other services, and Eric Scott Smith, a profession photographer, will be taking complimentary pet photos!

There will be a raffle with tons of great prizes, including:
A treat basket from Polka Dog Bakery
A DNA test from the ARL of Boston's veterinary services
$100 gift certificate to Kelly's Underground Grooming
$100 gift certificate to The South End Buttery
and many more!!!

For more information, please contact SouthEndDRS@gmail.com

Primary results

Results are in for the primary election held on Sept 16th.      Sonia Diaz beat Dianne Wilkerson by only 228 votes - so never think your vote doesn't count.   

Full results on the City Election Results page

City newsletters

A reminder - the City offers several email newsletters you can subscribe to. Get all the latest City and neighborhood information delivered right toyour inbox.

Check out the City Subscription Page for a list of newsletters that can be yours.

VOTE

A reminder that TUESDAY, Sept 16th is Primary Day. If you are registered, head over to Cathedral High (Washington and Union park) and cast your vote between 7am and 8pm!!!

State Voter Information page

Democratic primary ballot

And remember, if you are NOT registered, you have until October 15th to register in order to vote in the November elections

South End Open Studios

This weekend, Sept 20-21, brings us the 22nd annual South End Open Studios.  Dozens of South End artists open up their studios to the public.   See the varied work of our local artists as you stroll through the South End visiting the artists themselves.

In conjunction with Open Studios, St. John the Baptist greek church will be having their annual Grecian Festival  on Saturday and Sunday, and a larger South End Open market on Sunday.  Also  look for a lot of local sales, tag sales and special events throughout the neighborhood all weekend long.

It's the perfect weekend to get out and about and see all that our neighborhood has to offer.  I can hope you can make it!

September meeting

Welcome back everyone,

Hope everyone had a great summer, however short or long it may have seemed. So let's start the new year with a bang.

the next Eight Streets meeting will be THIS Wednesday, September 3rd. The meeting will take place from 6:30-8:30 in the Boston Ballet 5th floor boardroom (Clarendon and Warren).

6:30 - 7 - Neighborhood Networking
7 - 8:30 - Business meeting.

Two items are on the agenda

- Outdoor seating for Addis Red Sea - Addis would like to have an outdoor cafe in front of their restaurant (544 Tremont). They will be seeing support from ESNA.

- Future of the NA. We've been getting stale lately. How can we liven up the NA and get more interest? What direction would you like to see the NA take? Join an interactive discussion and help determine what you want the NA to be...


I hope to see everyone there!

Boston Greenfest

The Boston Greenfest is coming up on Friday & Saturday, September 26th & 27th.  The event is free on City Hall plaza.

Find the flier and additional with here, or visit the Boston Greenfest web site

Primary Elections

With Labor Day upon us, our thoughts turn to fall.  In a little over two weeks, the state's Primary Elections will take place.  There are two races of primary interest to Eight Streets.   Both are in the Democratic race.

• US Senator John Kerry faces a democratic challenger Edward O'Reilly.  There is no race on the Republican side, so the winner of the democratic side will continue on to the general election in November.
  
• As you may have seen in the newspapers, the local State Senator seat is up for election (State Senators are elected by districts - we are in the Second Suffolk district).   Incumbent Dianne Wilkerson faces challenger Sonia Chang-Diaz.   Since there is no republican candidate at all, the winner of this race will most likely go to the general election unopposed.   So this makes the primary race for this seat the only chance to vote for your choice as State Senator.
  

Elections will take place Tuesday, September 16th.  Polls are open 7am until 8pm Eight Streets voting location is the Cathedral Gym, Washington St and Union Park.  If you live in Eight Streets, your voting district is Ward 3, Precinct 7.

Unfortunately, if you are not registered, the deadline to register for this primary has passed.   You have until October 15th to register for the November elections. If you have any questions, please call the Boston Election Department at 617-635-3767 (Election Department Web)

Hope to see you at the polls on September 16th!!   

Thursday Movie Nights

The "Movies on the Diamond" series is back again this year.  Movies will be shown on Thursdays at 8pm on the baseball diamond at Peters Park.  Admission is free and open to all.   The next three Thursdays will being us:

8/14 - Surf's Up

8/21 - Bee Movie

8/28 - Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone

D4 police station building

There are apparently some problems with the new D4 police station over on Harrison ave.   This Herald article outlines some of their problems (Article should be on line for a week or two.)

And a great big Thank You to Carolyn MacNeil, who has left her job as D4 community coordinator to work a similar job city wide.  Carolyn worked with Eight Streets and all other South End NAs to help keep our neighborhood a safe place, and was a wonderful liaison between NAs and the police in general.  She will be missed.   Community interaction will now be handled by officers with D4.