next Ringgold Park community meeting

From the South End News:


Wednesday, June 13, 6:30 p.m.
Blackstone Community Center 
2nd floor Computer Room, 
50 West Brookline Street, South End.

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services invite the public to the third in a series of meetings to discuss upcoming playground improvements to Ringgold Park in the South End.  The proposed project includes improvements to the play areas.  For further information, please call (617) 961-3058

A Little History

The South End History blog does a little research on the history of the Old Dutch Candy building, slated to come down in the near future.

May ESNA Meeting

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, May 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. 
7-8:30 - Business meeting.  


On the agenda this month:

• Decks on deck.   Building construction at 26 Milford and 21 Dwight are both seeing support for rear decks on their buildings.   A vote will be taken on each proposal
• Trash talk.   We've talked about the problem - let's talk about solutions.   How can we get our residents to put our trash correctly?  Any volunteers for a 'trash education' committee?
• Open member discussion.

Hope to see everyone there!

Ringgold Fountain - Grand Opening

This Saturday, May 6, Ringgold Park will have the Fountain Placa Opening Celebration.    Join Mayor Menino as we celebrate the latest addition to our local park as the fountain is officially opened.   The Mayor will also be there for his coffee hour, and will provide free coffee & treats for the celebration.

Stop by and join the fun!

Sunday, May 6, 12:30-2pm.

• Ringgold Notice on the event
• Mayor's Coffee Hour Notice for Ringgold.

In addition, on Tuesday, May 10, there will be another community meeting for Ringgold Playground improvements.

The Parks Department is very interested in what the community has to contribute to the design process. Representatives from Copley Wolff Design Group, as well as a Parks Department official, will be on hand to give a brief presentation of the project scope and existing site conditions. Following this brief presentation, community members will be able to offer input regarding the material presented, the program for the park, and the design process.

May 10th, 76:30 pm, Blackstone Community Center - 2nd floor computer room

Ringgold Notice for the playground meeting

Trash talk

There's been a lot of talk about trash in the local papers and in the South End blog world.  Most of this has been in response to increased trash regulation enforcement in the South End.    Trash was a hot topic of discussion at an Eight Streets meeting earlier this year.  At that meeting we met with Public Works, and discussed what the sanitation workers responsibilities are, and what Residents responsibilities are.

If you'd like a copy of the flier we handed out, here is a listing of good trash practices for us, and some examples of good and poor trash disposal on our curbs.

Good Curbside Practices

One of the sources of loose trash on the streets is due to trash being put out incorrectly on the street.   Trash should be put out in a trashcan with a lid, or in a heavy duty black plastic bag.   But take a good look at the neighborhood on trash mornings:   trash put out in very thin white kitchen bags, which tear very easily.   Even worse - trash put out in a CVS or Shaws type bag.   This is not only against trash regulations, but it doesn't do a good job of keeping the trash secure.

While we can put trash out as early as 5pm the night before - it's best to put your trash out early the morning of pickup.   Aside form having to look at trash all night long - a lot happens at night.   Wind can blow over bags.   Pedestrians can kick bags if they're not looking.   Squirrels, raccoons and other night critters can easily tear thin bags to get at dinner.  All of this can create a mess of even the best contained trash.   Whenever you can, putting your trash out in the morning of collection day goes a long way to keeping the streets a bit cleaner.

Recycling

Boston now has single stream recycling.  This means your paper and plastic can all go into the same container.   When they started single stream, they also made clear plastic bags the standard for recycling materials.   Such bags are available at Foodies and Shaws as well as other local retailers.   The City will also (shortly) introduce a heavier duty plastic bag for recyclables.   Please, use the clear plastic bags for all recyclables.  it might be easiest to buy a second small kitchen trash can and line it with a clear plastic bag.   On trash day just collect both bags and bring them to the curb!

While Eight Streets residents still have their blue bins, the city is phasing those out.   Paper easily blows out of the blue bins, and a stray kick from a pedestrian can knock recyclables all over the sidewalk.   Even if your bin is filled nicely, too often a neighbor or passer by will use your open bin and dump additional paper, or even trash into it, again leaving a mess.   Moving to clear plastic bags is the easiest step to make the neighborhood cleaner.

You can not put out paper recycling in a paper bag, or stuff it into an open cardboard box.  It's too easily  knocked over.   Becomes a terrible mess if it rains or is windy out.   And it's against city trash regulations.

Cardboard boxes?   Break them down and lay them flat on the ground.  Any freestanding open cardboard box will be taken away as trash.  Why?   First, it may contain styrofoam packing, which cannot be recycled.   (put the foam in a trash bag)  Second, many people use open cardboard box as a place to put their own trash bags, or the trash that's in their hand as they walk down the street. That TV or computer box could be full of household trash.   the recycling folks don't have time to lok inside every open box, so they leave them for the regular trash.    Break boxes down, and put your recycling clear bag on top of it to hold it down.

If you are recycling bottles and cans that have a deposit on them, please don't put them in your recycling bag or your trash bag.  Trash picking is a problem that won't be easy to solve.  but face it - people rip trash bags open looking for cans because they find cans.    Leave your returnables next to your recycling bag.   Someone will pick them up before long.


Enforcement

 Trash put out in improper bags, and recycling in open containers is a large contribution to the messy streets and sidewalks we have in the South End.  It's easy to blame trash pickers or wind or "it's not me, it's the guy down the block", but take a look at the streets next trash day.   You won't walk a dozen doors down before you find something put out improperly.  a Foodies bag with trash in it.   A paper bag full of newspaper that's been knocked over already.   I have 4 "don't" trash photos on the trash flier.   I didn't have to look far for that improper trash.  I got all 4 on my street in under 2 minutes.  Really - next Tuesday look at everyone's trash as you go to work.

Both the neighborhood and the city have tried education.   The city distributes fliers and booklets yearly.  We've produced fliers and delivered them door-to-door.   We've had DPW at meetings.   just last February, the city again distributed fliers door to door with trash regulations.  While a few people may change behavior, for the most part behavior doesn't change.   (And it's not just Eigth Streets - this is South End wide).   The next tool in the trash toolbox is enforcement.   Every Tuesday, starting at 7am, code enforcement will be out and about in the South End, ticketing people for improperly stored trash.   Now if you have a nice thick black trash bag that had gotten ripped open, you probably won't get a ticket.   But if your recycling bin that looks like it exploded - you'll probably get yourself a green ticket.

Click here for Boston City trash regulations web page

A List of Recycling regulations, including what you can and cannot recycle

A Clean neighborhood

If everyone put their trash out in a secure can or bag, and put those bags out on the morning of trash collection.   If everyone had their recyclables in clear plastic bags.  if everyone picked up loose trash in front of their building, regardless of where it came from.   If everyone swept in front of their homes on street cleaning day.

if we all work together and do our own little part, all the little parts would add up and give us a cleaner neighborhood.

Meet your senator

Have some time before our May meeting?   State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz will her South End neighborhood office hours this Wednesday, May 2nd from 4-5pm at the South End Library.  This is a great way to get involved and express your opinions to your government representative.

"Senator Chang-Díaz encourages any resident or interested party to attend and discuss any community, regional, or statewide issue that may concern them."


" If you cannot attend these office hours and would like to speak with the Senator, please contact her office at 617-722-1673 or stop by her State House office, located in room 312-D on the Third Floor of the State House for assistance at any time.  Our office and staff will do the best we can to assist you in any way."

Milford/Hanson clean-up

A group of residents is organizing a cleanup of the alley between Milford and Hanson streets as part of Boston Shines.  Come out and join your neighbors and help make our neighborhood a better place.

This Saturday (4/28) at 9am meet Lewis and Michael at the top of the alley near Emilios on Tremont street.   Bring some work gloves - Boston Shines will have rakes, shovels and bags for use right across the street at the BCA Plaza.

For more information, see this flier

A Ringgold Park Weekend

Join the fine folks at Ringgold Park for a weekend full of activities.

Stop by Ringgold this Saturday (4/7) between 9am and noon for the annual Spring Cleaning.  Help clear away the winter buildup and get the park ready for a great summer!

And on Easter Sunday the Friends are hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt. Great fun for the kids!!  FoRP also thanks a special volunteer who came forward to organize the event.  Park access will be restricted before the hunt while the goodies are hidden.

If you're interested in helping out on the board, send an email to the Friends.

April business meeting

Hi Everyone!

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, April 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:

• Open member discussion

Hi everyone.   No hot topics on the agenda this month.   But since we had some good discussion during last month's open discussion, I decided to have another open meeting rather than just cancel.  So come with your favorite neighborhood topics in hand and let's get some discussion going!

Hope to see everyone there!

Ringgold Playground community meeting

A reminder that This Thursday there will be a public meeting on the playground improvements for Ringgold park, scheduled to take place this summer.

 At this meeting the Parks department is looking for community input on the design for the play ground areas. What would you like to see? What kind of materials would you like to have? What kind of play areas are you looking for?

All neighbors are welcome to attend. Get involved in the latest changes to our park!!

Thursday, April 5 
6:30pm 
Blackstone Community Center (50 W Brookline, across from Franklin square) 
2nd floor computer room 

For more information you can contact Cathy baker-Eclipse at parks dept. 617.961.3058 or cathy.baker-eclipse@cityofboston.gov.

Click here to download an event flier (pdf).

Rep Aaron's Coffee Hour

State representative Aaron Michlewitz is starting up his coffee hour sessions this Spring, with this first session being this Saturday over at Berkeley Perk from 10am until Noon.   Stop by and meet your representative in an informal setting.  Chat.  Ask questions.   Voice concerns.   Get into.  Or just say Hi.

Aaron's invitation is below, as well as some other near-by dates and locations if you can't make Berkeley Perk on Saturday

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Aaron will be starting up his coffee hours for the Spring starting this Saturday. I have listed the schedule below. As we gear up towards the fall election we are trying to have a good showing for these gatherings. We would greatly appreciate your attendance at these coffee hours, even if its only for a short period of time. It will also give you a chance to meet the newest addition to team Michlewitz, Maria Puopolo, our new Legislative Aide.

Thank you all for your continued support. If you're around please stop by and say hello!

Thanks again everyone and hope to see you this spring!

-Blake

Saturday March 31st 10am-12pm

Berkeley Perk, 69 Berkeley Street

Saturday April 21st 10am-12pm

Mohr & McPherson

Saturday May 12th 10am-12pm

The Appleton Street Bakery, 123 Appleton St

Chevron approved

The ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) has approved construction of the new building at 514 Tremont.   This is the 6 story building that will replace the Dutch Candy building at the corner of Tremont and Dwight.

Details can be found in this Boston.com article

Ringgold Park updates

Spring is almos there, and like the bird and flowers, the great folks of Friends of Ringgold Park are making their return and gearing up for the return of warmer weather.

Friends is on the lookout for some new board members.   If you enjoy the park, live near the park, or just want to get a little more involved, the boar dof Friends of Ringgold is looking for new members!!   Contact ringgoldpark@verizon.net to join or for more information.

Upcoming events:

• Community meeting on playground improvements.  April 5, 6:30, Blackstone community center. We are excited to announce that the City of Boston is holding a public meeting to discuss the 2012–2013 playground improvements to Ringgold Park! The meeting will take place at the Blackstone Community Center, 50 West Brookline Street, 2nd floor. This is your opportunity to comment on the playground renovation design, so please mark your calendars and plan to join us!
• April 7 - Spring Cleanup!!! We have our spring cleanup scheduled for Saturday April 7th from 9 to 12. Please stop by the park for a few minutes or hours to lend a hand as we tidy up after winter. Tools, gloves, and refreshments will be provided.
• April 8 - Spring Easter Egg Hunt - if they get volunteers!!!  Contact ringgoldpark@verizon.net to help out or for more information.  If volunteers can't be found to help organize the event, they won't be having a hunt this year...
• May 6, 12:30 - Fountain Plaza Opening Celebration. Please join us for our opening celebration of the new fountain plaza in Ringgold Park! Mayor Menino, Parks Commissioner Toni Pollock, City Councilors, Parks employees, and Ringgold friends and neighbors will join together in the park to admire the newly constructed fountain. Refreshments will be provided — please stop by and say hello!

To keep up on all the latest park news, visit http://ringgoldpark.org/news-events and sign up to have news delivered to your inbox or your favorite RSS reader

March Eight Streets business meeting

Hi Everyone!

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, March 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 Updates
• Open member discussion

After 3 months of full/busy meetings, we have a shorter agenda this month.   Several local homeowners/developers we be updating us on some local projects.  These are either already permitted, or they do not need neighborhood support, so no votes will be taken.   These are just courtesy updates so neighbors know what's going in the 'hood.    Projects include 21 and 59 Dwight, ans 26 Milford.

This leaves plenty of time for open discussion.   If there are any neighborhood topics on your mind, come down and discuss!

Hope to see everyone there!

Vote - Primary is this Tuedsay

A reminder that this Tuesday, March 6th is presidential primary.   Anyone who is a registered voter can vote.   Polls are open 7am-8pm.    Eight Streets voting location is the Cathedral High School gym - corner of Waltham and Washington streets.

South End Patch provides a nice summary of the ballot items:

• If you’re enrolled as a Democrat, you’ll only have one choice on the presidential primary ballot, President Barack Obama.
• If you’re enrolled as a Republican, you’ll have seven choices, (in order on ballot) Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Jon Huntsman, Michele Bachman and Newt Gingrich.
• If you’re enrolled as a member of the Green-Rainbow Party, you’ll have three choices, Kent Mesplay, Jill Stein and Harley Mikkelson.
• If you’re not enrolled in a political party, you’ll be able to vote in the primary of your choice, and you’ll remain unenrolled after voting.
• In addition to the presidential primary, you’ll also be asked to select candidates for State Committee Man, State Committee Woman and Ward Committee. The candidates will vary depending on your Ward and party affiliation.

New street sweeping delayed

The new street sweeping schedules, which were to start tomorrow, have been postponed because of potential snowfall.  The next scheduled street cleaning for Eight Streets is next Thursday, March 8th.

South End patch related article

Find us on Facebook

Speaking of Facebook, if you're a FB user, don't forget to "like" the Eight Streets Facebook Page.   Make our FB page a great place to connect with neighbors and share your ESNA experiences.   Feel free to post stories and share neighborhood photos and make our FB page a fun place to visit.

Firefighters Exam

Is firefighting in your future?   The city's firefighting exam is coming up in April.  For more information, see this city flier (pdf) on the exam.   And/or follow the Boston Fire Recruit page on Facebook.   Applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 31, and have lived in Boston for at least 1 year.

Waltham/UP Alley Gate Repairs

Union Park NA is spearheading an effort to fix and maintain the gates on the walkable-only alley that runs between Waltham Street and Union Park.  If you would like to help contribute, or want more information ont he project, please take a look at the attached flier.    (View)    (Download)

B/FNA Fundraiser Notice

From the B/FNA:

Blackstone/Franklin Square Neighborhood Association is having its annual silent-auction fundraiser, next Thursday February 23.

The scholarship is available for South End high school seniors to be used to books, computer and other supplies. Last year we gave out eight $1,000 scholarships. This year the silent auction has an amazing range of items: restaurant gift certificates, framing, hair cuts, manicures and coffee.

The event is from 6 to 8 pm at Estragon, 700 Harrison Avenue, South End. Tickets are $25/advance, $30/door. For more information, tickets and a scholarship application, go to http://blackstonefranklin.org.

Thanks! Hope to see you there.

Andrew Parthum
President, B/FSNA
617 834 2696