Dear Members and Friends:
November is a most civic and social month. Time for the nation to cast its vote, honor our veterans, and, as we set back the clock and the days get shorter and darker, we bring light through social celebrations to kick-off the holiday season. Celebrate Thanksgiving rituals, be it Friendsgiving, A Day of Service, a family gathering, homecoming, or football and turkey!
As we finally make it to the polls, take a moment to reflect on the power of your one vote. More often than thought, a few votes have changed an election outcome. Have your say, it’s your day.
POLLS OPEN TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Massachusetts Voter Guide | BallotReady
November is Native American Heritage Month | Boston.gov
Nov 3 Daylight Savings Time ends
Nov 5 Election Day
Nov 11 Veterans Day
Nov 15 Beaver Moon – Full Super Moon
Nov 28 Thanksgiving
Nov 29 Buy Nothing Day v Black Friday
November’s birth flower is the chrysanthemum. Generally, chrysanthemums represent cheerfulness. A red one conveys, “I love you.” White symbolizes truth or pure love. A yellow one indicates slighted love.
For those without a home, November is a lonely and dangerous time, but there is hope and help available. Looking for ways to help via volunteering or donations? Check out these links for Pine Street Inn; Winter Clothing Drive – The Emerald Necklace Conservancy (November 4- December 2) and Boston Public Library Spice Bank (November 1- April 15).
This month, The Fenway News celebrates five decades of community-supported, hyperlocal news (see event details below).
And, a very interesting piece of news from October you may have missed: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum purchased the 62-unit apartment building adjacent to its new wing. Located at 14 Palace Road and 11 Tetlow Street in Boston’s Fenway Court, the five-floor residential building now makes the museum, constructed as a 15th-century Venetian palace, a landlord for its tenants. The museum said its acquisition of the building was a move to safeguard the area from potential development that could threaten the current state of the museum’s surrounding area and the experience of visitors.
Thanks to all who turned up last Friday, November 1st for the inaugural street party at Edgerly Plaza. A wonderful example of civic engagement! The Fenway Civic Association’s Parks and Open Space Committee championed the idea several years ago to transform a lightly used roadway into a public plaza, increasing pedestrian safety and enhancing access to the adjacent Harry Ellis Dickson Park. The celebration had people dancing in the (former) street, and could later host City Hall on the Go. A great addition to the area.
Boston Streets Cabinet Announces Installation of New Edgerly Plaza. Fenway Civic Association came to party with lots of Fenway friends who showed their line dancing talents, played games and generally had a good time in the new plaza. We loved seeing our peeps from the FCDC, Fenway Community Center, Fenway Alliance, and Operation PEACE, Jay Livingstone and Maccon Bonner, along with the City’s transportation team. Enjoy the Plaza!
THE WEEK AHEAD
Tuesday, November 5, 7:00 a.m – 8 p.m., Election Day
Wednesday, November 6, Fenway Cares – see below for full details
Wednesday, November 6, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Free Day at Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum To celebrate all of you who demonstrated your own civic leadership by voting, and to provide a place of joy, respite, and connection during a stressful election season, the Gardner Museum is offering free general admission to the community on Wednesday, November 6, the day after Election 2024.
Saturday, November 9, 7 p.m – 8:30 p.m.., Opening Reception – 51st Anniversary Show “A Spot of Beauty”at Kaji Aso Studio, 40 St Stephen Street. RSVP administrator@kajiasostudio.com. This event is FREE and open to the public.
(for online program click here on Sunday, November 17th at 7pm)
UPCOMING
Wednesday, November 13, 6:30 – 9pm, KEEPING IT LOCAL: The Fenway News 50th Anniversary Celebration, at Kings Dining & Entertainment, 50 Dalton Street Boston, MA
Celebrating 50 years of The Fenway News! Support your favorite source for local journalism for and by the community. This in-person event will be an evening to remember, filled with friendship, food, and fun. Connect with neighbors and the newspaper’s fans to look back on five decades of community-supported, hyperlocal news—and ahead to the next 50 years! Join in as FN honors Helen Cox, neighborhood icon and unflagging champion of The Fenway News for decades. Enjoy a delicious buffet and cash bar. Dress: festive casual – Follow this link for tickets!
Thursday, November 14, 3:30 pm on, The Boston Planning & Development Agency Board welcomes the public to attend the November 14, 2024 BPDA Board Meeting in a hybrid format.
Friday, November 15, 12-1 p.m., City Hall liaison – Maccon Bonner’s Fenway/Kenmore Office Hour at Fenway Community Center, 1282 Boylston Street
Wednesday, November 20, 9:00 a.m start, City of Boston Zoning Commission Hearing
Register for Zoom: bit.ly/BZCNov202024
On the agenda:
2024-2034 Wentworth Institute of Technology Institutional Master Plan (“IMP”)
Map Amendment Application No. 786
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Institutional Master Plan (“IMP”)
Map Amendment Application No. 787
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Institutional Master Plan (“IMP”)
November 26, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., CITY HALL ON THE GO: FENWAY-KENMORE Stopping by the new Edgerly Plaza by Whole Foods on Westland Ave
Wednesday, December 4, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., FCA’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony– join us for this joyful annual event! Friends, elected officials, food, music, parade of lights….Watch for details to come!
Saturday, December 14, 11 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Fourth Annual Army-Navy Football Game, at Roberto Clemente Field, 400 The Fenway.
ONGOING
Mondays, 9-10 a.m., Age Strong Chair Yoga (virtual zoom class) Join the City of Boston sponsored free Age Strong Chair Yoga virtual class. Repeats weekly on Mondays through June 16, 2025.
Every Other Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.until done, Fenway Cares Food Distribution
Next date: 11/6 – at 2 locations:
West Fenway – Fenway Community Center, 1282 Boylston (enter-Jersey)
East Fenway – Symphony Community Park, 39 Edgerly Road
Volunteers are welcome to sign up for all dates and both locations! Volunteer
MGH/MBG Community Care Health Clinic – 2-5 p.m. on Fenway Cares dates, East Fenway, in Morville House, 100 Norway Street. Offerings may include blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia vaccines.
For ongoing cultural events, check the ArtsBoston calendar.
DEVELOPMENTS
City of Boston – Planning Department: The Article 80 Modernization Action Plan. The Planning Department has been working over the past year to improve the development review process, and they want to hear from you! This is a generational opportunity and we encourage you to check out the Action Plan and share your feedback by November 20, 2024. These draft recommendations aim to create a more predictable, transparent, and timely development review process. Learn more and share your feedback by visiting the project page, submitting a comment letter, or filling out a survey.
DEVELOPMENTS BY STATUS:
409 Huntington Avenue, 262 St. Botolph St., 20 Charlesgate West, 142-146 St. Mary’s Street
Kenmore Hotel, Fenway Corners (West), Fenway Corners (North), Fenway Center, Boston University – Warren Towers Renovation, 819 Beacon Street,
601 Newbury Street, 2 Charlesgate West, 165 Park Drive, 1400 Boylston Street,
1241 Boylston Street, 112-114 Queensberry St, 109 Brookline Avenue
See you around!
Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood
Fenway Civic Association 