Dear Members and Friends:
This week, it’s about life science building designs, health, food security and transport moves.
Next week, we finally get to meet again, in-person, please note:
The FCA invites you to the Fenway Civic Association’s 61st Annual Meeting, Wednesday, March 22nd. Let’s work together to create a vibrant, equitable and resilient Fenway neighborhood for all. Join us!
Volunteers are urgently needed for Fenway Cares food distributions; Please consider a one-time or ongoing commitment. Volunteer at: https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8
Women’s History Month – Monumental Fenway connections:
We all know of Isabella Stewart Gardner, but did you know of these two fascinating women with Fenway ties whose social activism legacies impact us today?:
Ellen Cheney Johnson (1829-1899) funded the Westland Gate as a memorial to her husband. Her own groundbreaking work on social justice and prison reform was internationally recognized – did you know that women and children were imprisoned alongside men until Ellen Cheney Johnson pushed for reforms?
Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929) is memorialized with a bronze plaque on Agassiz Road as author of “America the Beautiful”, which she wrote at the turn of the 20th century. Bates was a fierce social activist, with a rich intellectual life and was a full professor at Wellesley in 1890s!
For more current news and activity, see below:
The Week Ahead
1. Tuesday, March 14 – 6-7:30 p.m. Life Science Design Guidelines Public Meeting https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2023/03/14/life-science-design-guidelines-public-meeting .
These design guidelines form part of a larger BPDA effort to address recent growth of the life science industry. The draft document will be posted to the Life Science Design Guidelines page after the meeting. (This meeting will present the same material as the public meeting on February 28.) Follow the top link to register.
2. Wednesday, March 15 – 2-5 p.m. Free vaccine and blood pressure screening clinic at Fenway Cares, Symphony Community Park
https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/content/dam/mgb-global/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/community-care-van/Community-Care-Van-Schedule.pdf A Community Care Van will be in your community providing free blood pressure screenings and Covid-19 resources. The mobile clinic welcomes everyone, including those who do not have insurance, and does not ask about immigration status.
3. Wednesday, March 15 -3:30 p.m. Fenway Cares Food Distribution
FCC and Symphony Park, volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8
4. Thursday, March 16 – 6 p.m. Symphony Station Open House
Symphony Towers West, 333 Massachusetts Avenue
The Green Line Transformation team is hosting a public meeting for the Symphony Station relocation of utilities in the community room at Symphony Towers West. Join the MBTA in an interactive, open-room format to learn about the latest news and details on the relocation of utilities planned for the Symphony Station Accessibility Improvements project, anticipated to begin in 2024. Relocating utilities in this area is an integral first phase of this accessibility project. Utilities To Be Relocated Include: • Eversource Electric, Comcast CATV, Verizon Telephone, MBTA Power, National Grid Gas, Extenet Internet, Crown Castle Internet, BWSC Water and Drain and more. Meeting details will be posted at https://www.mbta.com/projects/symphony-station-accessibility-improvements
SAVE THE DATES
1. Wednesday, March 22nd 6-8 PM Fenway Civic Association Annual meeting, 1025 Boylston Street, 10th Floor Fenway Civic’s Annual Meeting will be an in-person event, hosted by the FCA welcoming elected officials and the community. Come, celebrate our achievements and find out how we can collectively improve our future. See flyer attached.
2. Wednesday, March 22 6-7:30 p.m. BBF Pathway meeting- Victory Gardens https://www.boston.gov/calendar/back-bay-fens-victory-garden-design-meeting Join the Boston Parks and Recreation Department for an online presentation on pathway redesign planning for the Victory Gardens with a question and answer session afterward. Follow link to register.
3. Tuesday, March 28 6-7:30 p.m. BBF pathway meeting – #4 https://www.boston.gov/calendar/back-bay-fens-pathways-design-meeting-4 Parks and Recreation presents alternative designs for the Back Bay Fens Pathway project- join an online presentation with Q&A session, follow link to register.
4. Wednesday, March 29 – 9:00 a.m. Boston Zoning Commission Hearing to vote on Longwood Place proposal; and 9:15 a.m. on Map Amendment
https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2023/03/29/zoning-commission-hearing Community members gathered Feb 27th to discuss our concerns, before the BZC meeting on March 1st. However, the meeting was postponed to 3/29. We support development that is resilient, equitable and sustainable, and ask the City take a hard look at how the City will protect our public lands. If you wish to send comments by email, send to ZoningCommission@boston.gov or by post to 1 City Hall Square, 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02201.
Register for Zoom: bit.ly/BZC_Mar2023_1
5. Wednesday Apr 26 – 6 – 8:30 p.m. Muddy River MMOC 2023 Public Meeting, at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
The Muddy River Restoration Project Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (the MMOC) is a shining example of citizen advocacy in Brookline and Boston.
FREE ARTS EVENTS AT KAJI ASO STUDIO
Sunday, April 9th at 2:00pm CONCERT at KAJI ASO STUDIO
Spring Concert: SUMIE KANEKO, koto and shamisen. This event is free. Complete info at: www.kajiasostudio.com
RSVP administrator@kajiasostudio.com
KAJI ASO STUDIO announces its 2023 International Haiku Contest
Submissions and payments are due by April 15, 2023 More info: www.kajiasostudio.com This event is supported in part by the Consulate General of Japan in Boston.
NOTICES
Westland Ave. Parking change notice
Three resident permit parking spaces on Westland Avenue shifted to the inbound side to create a 15-minute active pick-up/delivery zone at Whole Foods. See flyer below for details.
Boston’s annual deadline for licensing pets is March 31st
Please call (617) 635-5348 or email animalcontrol@boston.gov with any questions about the licensing process or to update your information in the database.
The Boston Tax Help Coalition is providing free tax preparation services to residents making $60,000 or less a year
OFFICE HOURS
Senator Will Brownsberger
Zoom Mondays – 4-5:30 p.m.
Schedule an individual 15-minute online Zoom appointment with Senator Brownsberger to discuss a legislative or individual state-related matter on Mondays between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. Not sure who your legislator is? Visit: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
Kenzie Bok
In-Person Fenway office hours
Monday, March 20 4-6 pm
at Oakleaf Cakes Bake Shop (12 Westland Ave, Boston)
Maggie Van Scoy, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services
Friday, March 24th 10-11 AM
Coffee Hour, Pavement Coffee House, 1334 Boylston Street.
Stop by with a question or to share a concern. You can reach Maggie by email at: margaret.vanscoy@boston.gov
ONGOING
Fenway Cares – Food Distribution
Wednesday, March 15 – 3:30 p.m. Need food? Fenway Cares distributes fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. For more information, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/. Repeats every-other Wednesday. volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8
Free First Thursdays – Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum 3-9 p.m.
Thursday April 6
registration required – RESERVE your free ticket online
https://www.gardnermuseum.org/experience/thursday-nights
See you around!
Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood
Fenway Civic Association 