Dear Members and Friends:
August, the month, namesake of ancient emperor Augustus, heir to Julius Caesar; the word meaning ‘marked by majestic dignity or grandeur… venerable, revered.’ We certainly see the crowning beauty of summer in the open streets, greenways, vibrant parks and easygoing outdoor events around us. There’ll be a second full moon—a Blue Moon—on Aug. 30, plus both of these are supermoons, when the moon is closest to earth making it appear much bigger. It’s kind of useful that the place will be ‘well lit’ on the 30th, as the ‘great invasion’ aka ‘return of the students’ confluence hits this very same date. Be prepared!
So, as you take what may be your last leisurely run ‘round Clemente, or get a seat at Pavement, take a look at what’s ahead:
For this and more, read on!
THE WEEK AHEAD
Sunday, August 13, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Fenway Transportation Action Plan: “Chat with a Planner” at Open Newbury Street near Mass Ave.
‘Plan’ work began in 2023 in response to neighborhood urging amidst the millions of sq. feet of development and huge changes in our neighborhood. Speak directly to BPDA planners and let them know your concerns and/or suggestions in improving our transport and safety in the Fenway. The last time the City did a study was 14 years ago. See details on the Plan here; as well as other options for making comments.
See ONGOING section for details on Sunday’s Open Newbury Street; Wednesday’s Tai Chi, and Fenway Cares Food Distribution: Thursday’s Park Fitness.
UPCOMING
Tuesday, August 22, 6-8:30 p.m. Free Concert at Ramler Park – Kenji Kikuchi and Friends Ben Cook, piano, Sean Farias, bass, Miki Matsuki, drums. Kenji has played here before with great success! Rain date Thursday, Aug 24. See flyer attached.
Friday, August 25. 10-11 a.m. Fenway-Kenmore Coffee Hours hosted by City of Boston neighborhood liaison Maggie Van Scoy. Pavement Coffeehouse-Fenway 1334 Boylston St. Check the website for more details on this monthly event.
Monday, August 28, 6:00 -7:30 p.m. BPDA hosts: Citywide Child Care Zoning Text Amendment – Virtual Public Meeting
BPDA will present proposed text amendments to the Boston Zoning Code that will make it possible to build day care centers and family day care homes in all neighborhoods. For info and registration links click here.
ONGOING
Fenway Transportation Action Plan – Click here for more details on website Join the conversation.The Action Plan will identify and advance projects for implementation and prepare preferred redesign concepts for Kenmore Square, Brookline Avenue, and Van Ness Street / Ipswich Street. Final design and implementation will occur in a follow-up process. BPDA and Boston Transportation Department staff are having off online and in-person engagement. Staff will be available through August and September in and around the Fenway neighborhood for informal, in-person conversations at “Chat with a Planner” events to learn about community needs and thoughts on travel and transportation in this neighborhood. All thirteen events will highlight the same information and provide identical opportunities to speak with BPDA and BTD staff directly.
Sundays through Oct 15, Open Newbury Street https://www.boston.gov/departments/transportation/open-newbury-street
Wednesdays , 9 a.m.-10 a.m. Tai Chi at Symphony Park Weekly through 8/30; in event of rain, classes will be held indoors at 100 Norway Street
Wednesdays (every other week) Fenway Cares food distribution.
Next date: Wednesday, August 16 – 3:30 p.m.
Need food? Fenway Cares distributes fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. For info, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/. Repeats every-other Wednesday. Volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8
Fenway Cares is looking for more resident leaders. Please see the attached flyer! We need your help.
Thursdays – Park Fitness: Chair Yoga with Michelle – 10-11:00 a.m. Symphony Park, 39 Edgerly Road. Repeats each Thursday until August 31. Participate in a free fitness class offered by a certified instructor. Classes are sponsored by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and the Boston Public Health Commission.
The Station and 401 Park Drive park: view programming at The Station and The Green at 401 Park. Or follow The Fenway on Instagram , or check Events Calendar .
The Fenway Cohort brings diverse and emerging voices with events in arts and culture, public health and wellness, and programming by/for the LGBTQ+ community Read all about it here, announced events below:
• Lipstick & Lyrics (Saturday, 8/19) • Travel Through Music (Saturday, 8/26) • Mindful Moments in The Fenway (Saturday 9/9 and 9/16) • Purple Produce 2.0 (Saturday, 9/16) • Family L.A.W. Fair: Legal & Wellness Resources for MA Families (Saturday, 9/30) • Project Misik (Monday, 10/9)
NOTICES / NEWS / COMMITTEES
BPDA Design Vision Survey Take the survey to share your vision for design in Boston. To learn more about the survey, goals and process click here :http://www.bostonplans.org/planning/urban-design/boston-design-vision . To take the survey, click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y6HL5YS
Red Sox baseball… when they’re in town? printable calendar
Red Sox concerts… https://www.mlb.com/redsox/tickets/concerts
we’re sharing some tickets with members this summer * please renew your Fenway Civic Association membership or join to be eligible! Email us if you wish to join/renew your membership! fenwaycivic@aol.com
2023 Fenway Concerts Announced to Date
August 16, 17 & 18, 2023: Morgan Wallen with special guests
Hardy (8/16 & 8/17), Parker McCollum (8/18), Ernest, and
Bailey Zimmerman
August 19, 2023: Zac Brown Band with special guest King Calaway
August 21, 2023: Guns N’ Roses
Red Sox Concerts – Neighborhood Impacts Committee is monitoring noise, trash, traffic and other impacts – email your comments to fenwaycivic@aol.com and we will voice them.
MBTA & Sumner Tunnel Disruptions
MBTA AUGUST SERVICE CHANGES here – pretty much every line is affected… and the Sumner Tunnel is closed thru Aug 31-more info here.
MBTA Symphony Station Accessibility Improvements click here for details on this ongoing project
See you around!
Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood
Fenway Civic Association 