January business meeting

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, January 9th (2013) in the Boston Ballet 5th floor board room (corner of Warren and Clarendon streets)

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

7-8:30 - Business meeting.  

On the agenda this month:

• Parklet discussion
• Open Member Discussion

HI everyone.   Some last minute changes to the agenda.  54 Dwight will be coming before us in February for roof deck and balcony.  

BTD will also be joining us to discuss the proposed parklet on Hanson at Shawmut.  I've discussed the parklet at previous meetings, but BTD hadn't been in touch with us since their initial presentation at a South End forum meeting in May.   At previous meetings some people have questioned the need for a parklet in that area.  There has also been a negative article on the parklet penned by an abutter that made the papers. (the letter can still be found here).

BTD will be at the meeting to present information about the proposal, and to see if the neighborhood is interested in having the Hanson/Shawmut corner still be a part of the city's parklet program.

Additional reading:

• Boston.com article
• PDF on parklets form the city's BostonCompleteStreets web site
• Google search on parklets for your own reading & research

Hope to see everyone there!  

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

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

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

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

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

From Sgt. Provenzano:

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

Xmas day - no trash pickup at all

An important notice about trash next week:

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

• This Tuesday the 18th is the last Recycling pickup of the year.
• Tuesday the 25th - no trash or recycling pickup at all
• Friday the 28th - trash pickup only.

• Tuesday January 1st - regular trash and recycling pick-up.  No holiday delay

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


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

December business meeting

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, December 5th in the Boston Ballet 5th floor board room (corner of Warren & Clarendon streets)

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

7-8:30 - Business meeting.  

On the agenda this month:

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

Hope to see everyone there!  

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

Blackstone has Friends

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

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

Trees & Tree lighting

It's getting close to that time...

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

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

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

no November meeting

Hi Everyone,

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

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

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

- John Mc

Happy Halloween

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

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

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

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

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

Aaron's Coffee Hour

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

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

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

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

October ESNA Business meeting

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, October 10th in the Boston Ballet 5th floor board room (corner of Warren & Clarendon streets)

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

7-8:30 - Business meeting.  

On the agenda this month:

• 14 Milford - information on upcoming project
• 6 Milford street - request for support for parlor level deck and roofdeck
• 286 Shawmut - request for support for a roofdeck on read "L"

We have two voting items on the agenda this month.   

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

Hope to see everyone there!  

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

Old Dutch demolition

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

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

Still time to get recycling carts

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

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Nov 9 last day to request cart.  No winter cart deliveries.

Residents may request a big blue wheeled recycling cart until November 9th.  No deliveries will be made in the winter.  Deliveries will resume in the spring.

Public Works has a limited supply of recycling carts.  In order to be eligible for a cart, you must live in a residential builidng with 6 units or less.  You must have space on your property to store the cart, and you must bring it out to the curb by 7AM on your recycling day for collection, and return it to your property after it has been emptied. 

Please put your address on the cart.

Carts that are not being used properly will be removed by Public Works

If you need a recycling container but don't have space for a cart, you can still request stickers to convert trash barrels of your own.

To request a recycling cart or recycling stickers, please call (617) 635-4500, or visit www.cityofboston.gov/recycle.

Remember: Recycling carts are for recycling only!

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

Fall Leaf and Yard Waste Collection

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


Fall Leaf and Yard Waste Collection: Oct 15 - Nov 30

Fall leaf collection runs for seven weeks: October 15 - November 30.  Leaf and yard waste is collected on your recycling day.

Place leaves in large paper leaf bags or open barrels marked "yard waste."  No plastic bags will be collected.  For free "yard waste" stickers, please call(617) 635-4500 or visit www.cityofboston.gov/recycle.  Two stickers are available per household.

Cut branches to 3' maximum length and 1'' maximum diameter.  Tie branches with string.

Place leaves and yard waste at the curb by 7:00am on your recycling day.

Leaf and yard waste in trash will not be collected during the two weeks before the October 15 start date.  Please save your leaves from October 1 to October 15, when collection begins.

Collecting leaf and yard waste for composting saves tax dollars, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and produces compost!  

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

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

Monthly meeting on Oct 10th

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

See you NEXT Wednesday, October 10th.

Membership Renewals

It's time to renew!!

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

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

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

Join us and make 2013 a great year!!!


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

Color hotel rendering

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

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

Power restoration work: Friday night 9/7

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

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

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

September business meeting

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, September 5th in the Boston Ballet 5th floor board room (corner of Warren & Clarendon streets)

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

7-8:30 - Business meeting.  

On the agenda this month:

• Change of occupancy for 257 Shawmut
• (potential) support for rear deck on 286 Shawmut
• Open member discussion.

We have two voting items on the agenda this month.   (Still waiting on confirmation from 286).   

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

Hope to see everyone there!  

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

2012-2013 ESNA Meeting Schedule

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

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

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

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

Eight Streets meeting schedule, 2012-2013: 

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

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

Neighborhood Night at the Gardener

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

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

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