Dear Members and Friends:
Spring in the Fenway is full of possibilities —
Want some one-on-one time with your elected representatives? See the Office Hours section below.
On Monday, walk the walk! Get an on-site perspective of what shadows could do to the Emerald Necklace if the current Longwood Place development proposal is put through without shadow restrictions.
We’re looking forward to seeing you Wednesday night at the Fenway Civic Association’s 61st Annual Meeting. We’ve got a lot to celebrate; catch up on what we’ve done, and what we can do collectively.
Women’s History Month – honoring Fenway green space heroines:
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?:
Eugenie “Genie” Beal (1921-2013) The first chair of Boston’s Conservation Commission and one of the city’s most successful advocates for preserving open spaces. “Genie Beal was the mother of green space in the City of Boston,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
Justine Mee Liff (1947-2002) Boston’s former Parks Commissioner was a dynamo whose vision, leadership, and dedication ignited restoration and enhancement of the historic Olmsted-designed Emerald Necklace parks. Party in the Park celebrates the woman and the legacy, while raising dedicated funds; so Justine to bring it all together!
For upcoming meetings and more, see below:
The Week Ahead
1. Monday, March 20 4-5 p.m. Spring Equinox “Walk-shop” ENC shadows Meet at the Terrace between TimeOut Market and Trillium pavilion at 401 Park Drive (formerly the Landmark Center) Rain date: 4pm, Tuesday, March 21. Please join us for a spring-equinox WALK-SHOP* to examine the extent of new shadow cast on the Emerald Necklace parks by the proposed Longwood Place development (305 Brookline Avenue). We’ll have local experts along to explain historic and environmental impacts of the shadow on the park and notable landmarks along the way. Our walk-shop will take less than an hour. Please call or text (617) 794-9860 for more information or with questions. Sponsored by a coalition of community and park advocates, including Fenway Civic Association and the Fenway Garden Society. (See flyer)
2. Wednesday, March 22nd 6-8 PM Fenway Civic Association Annual meeting, 1325 Boylston Street (the VanNess building), 10th Floor
An in-person event, hosted by the FCA and welcoming elected officials and the community. Come, celebrate our achievements and find out how we can collectively improve our future. Enter 1325 lobby to the left of Eventide restaurant. Parking available at Van Ness garage, entrance on Richard B. Ross Way. (See flyer)
3. Thursday, March 23 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.
SAVE THE DATES
1. 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.
2. 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 hearing scheduled 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
3. Saturday, April 9 a.m.-2 p.m. – Wentworth campus master plan charrette at the Tobin Community Center, 1481 Tremont Street. The purpose of this charrette is to help create the vision for Wentworth’s next 10-year Institutional Master Plan. “We have always believed that we achieve better results by including the community in the planning process.”-Wentworth. Breakfast and lunch will be served. RSVP to: Senaj@wit.edu
4. Saturday, April 15, Day of Volunteer Service and Acts of Kindness– One Boston Day honors those forever impacted on April 15, 2013 and recognizes the greatest strength of this City—our people,” said Mayor Michelle Wu.
5. Wednesday April 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
Saturday, Mar 25 – Free Dental services for kids!
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine’s Give Kids a Smile Day (GKAS) is back in-person and will take place on Saturday, March 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tufts University’s Health Sciences Campus in Chinatown. GKAS, a fun activity-filled day for kids and families, is a free community event that is open to all. flyer Translations are available here. Pre-registration for the event is required and can be found here. (See flyer)
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)
Reserve a time slot at https://calendly.com/councilor-kenziebok/office-hours-bok or call the councilor’s office at 617-635-4225 to place your request. Virtual office hours will also be held the following week on Wednesday March 29 at 4:00PM.
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 29 – 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 