Dear Members and Friends:
April showers bring May flowers…enjoy the beauty of spring in the Fenway.
Last Tuesday, the Boston Zoning Commission voted to pass the Longwood Place proposal and Map Amendment, with the objection of Mike Nichols. This vote runs contrary to the objections raised by thousands of residents objecting to the lack of protection from shadows on neighboring parklands. There will be much work ahead to protect the fragile Emerald Necklace parklands as this project unfolds over the years ahead.
Just one meeting on the books this Tuesday, Boston Civic Design Commission discusses public realm impacts of major projects including a few in the Fenway. Some fascinating local arts events this week, and a nice time to visit the parks.
At the FCA, we’ve been reviewing licensing requests for a crop of new restaurants, arranging funding for this year’s concerts and activities, coordinating with our civic partners on events, and keeping an eye on the many developments in the BPDAs purview.
For upcoming meetings and more, see below:
1. Tuesday, April 4 5 – 7 p.m. Boston Civic Design Commission (BCDC) Monthly Meeting, including Life Sciences building guidelines, and the developments: 409 Huntington Avenue, and Fenway Corners.
The BCDC meeting is to discuss the public realm impacts of major projects currently being reviewed by the BPDA. Commission meetings are open to the public. To view the agenda, get log-in link, and view approximate times per topic visit: http://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2023/04/04/boston-civic-design-commission-meeting
FREE ARTS EVENTS
Thursday, April 6 3-9 p.m. Free First Thursdays – Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Registration required – RESERVE your free ticket online https://www.gardnermuseum.org/experience/thursday-nights
Saturday, April 8th 10 a.m – 2 p.m. Fenway Augmented Workshop Northeastern Crossing, 1175 Tremont Street, Boston. Calling all Fenway Residents! [ bitsandflow ] is hosting a creative space to talk about Fenway places, and how augmented reality technology can enhance or reimagine our public spaces. It’s their first in-person gathering since the pandemic. Starts at 10 am, bring in lunch at noon – then play around with the AR app on available mini-iPads. For info email: bitsandflow@gmail.com (see attached flyer)
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.
SAVE THE DATES
1. Thursday, April 13th (to be confirmed) Back Bay Fens Pathways Design meeting #5: to focus on areas of Evans Way bridge and the John Boyle O’Reilly monument. Agenda, date and time to be confirmed. Visit the project page to review the recorded meetings and see the improvements being considered. We’ll let you know when the next meeting is! https://www.boston.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/improvements-back-bay-fens-pathways
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-muddy-river-restoration-project-2023-annual-meeting-tickets-527343778437
5. Thursday, April 27 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Demystifying the Muddy: 2023 Annual Meeting of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy
On Thursday, April 27, join the Emerald Necklace Conservancy for our 2023 Annual Meeting, all about the Muddy River—the central waterway of the Emerald Necklace linear park system—and the year of achievements that your support made possible! https://www.emeraldnecklace.org/events/annualmeeting/
NOTICES
Red Sox season has begun!
Click here to see the Red Sox schedule, printable calendar
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
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
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 