Dear Members and Friends:
Care for our parks! You can participate in two important discussions this week: Tuesday, Back Bay Fens Park Pathways meeting; and Wednesday morning, the BPDA votes on the Longwood development project.
Boston has an impressive cultural legacy of landscape development, starting in 1634 with The Boston Common, through the 1800s landfill creating the Back Bay Fens, followed by the Olmsted designed Franklin Park and Emerald Necklace. The 20th century saw its share of struggles with urban renewal, protection issues, and one of the nation’s most ambitious projects, the “Big Dig” resulting in revitalization of the waterfront and seaport, and renewed focus on the importance of ‘greenways.’ With future developments looming, it is past due for legislation to protect our public parklands; to prohibit private developments from encroaching on the viability, preservation and legacy of the parks we have so painstakingly created. We call on the City of Boston to prohibit excessive shadows on public parklands.
As we near the end of Women’s History Month, we reflect on the state of women in Boston today. Women are breaking into top political offices, however, there is still a long way to go towards women’s equality in economics, health-care, and civil rights. In a letter dated March 31,1776, Abigail Adams wrote to her husband: “remember the ladies”.
And get ready for the “boys of summer”… Red Sox home opener this Thursday!
For upcoming meetings and more, see below:
The Week Ahead
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 We support development that is resilient, equitable and sustainable. As this project moves forward, it is imperative to put in place a restriction on new shadows cast on parklands. Send your comments by email to ZoningCommission@boston.gov or by post to 1 City Hall Square, 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02201.
Register for the meeting on Zoom: bit.ly/BZC_Mar2023_1
3. Wednesday, March 29 – 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.
4. Wednesday, March 29 – 3:30 p.m. Fenway Cares – Food Distribution
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
5. Saturday, April 1 – 10 a.m.- noon East Fenway Tree mulching with FCA and Northeastern, Westland Avenue
Please join neighbors and Northeastern student volunteers for NU’s annual event to beautify an area designated by local community organizations. This year’s clean-up includes East Fenway Tree mulching! The Breakfast Club is lead by NU students for 12 Sundays, beautifying Mission Hill, Fenway, and Roxbury. This year over 120 students volunteered. Please join the effort and sign-up here two hours.- (Please select Westland Avenue- Fenway) We look forward to students and residents community-building during this civic project. Questions? Reach out to Mallory Pernaa, Director of Off Campus Engagement and Support at m.pernaa@northeastern.edu.
SAVE THE DATES
1. 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.
2. Saturday, April 22 Earth Day 2023 -2023 Muddy River Cleanup
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
The Muddy River Cleanup is a part of the Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup; this event takes place throughout the Charles River Watershed and builds on a national effort as part of American Rivers’ National River Cleanup® which, to date, has removed over 25 million pounds of trash from America’s waterways. Click here to register yourself, or a group.
3. 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
Red Sox Season Opener: Thursday, March 30 2:10 pm
Click here to see the Red Sox schedule, printable calendar
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
Virtual office hours
or call the councilor’s office at 617-635-4225 to place your request.
Maggie Van Scoy, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services
Friday, April 28th 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
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
Fenway Cares – Food Distribution
Wednesday, April 12 – 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
See you around!
Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood
Fenway Civic Association 