Dear Members and Friends:
Big News: Cold then Snow Emergency / Patriots Game! / Time Out is baaaaaack. We haven’t seen a storm like this in quite awhile, since ‘the big one’ in 2015. Be safe and watch out for our neighbors! The storm hits on Sunday, the Patriots Game will be in Denver, but locally, we may face white out conditions – so plan accordingly! And just when it seemed like there was no time left for Time Out Boston, surprise! There is more Time to be had!
WINTER WEATHER EMERGENCY! Temperatures below freezing all week!
The City of Boston has declared a COLD and SNOW EMERGENCY through Monday. Snow is expected to begin Sunday mid-day, then intensify and continue overnight. Please prepare and stay safe, please stay off the roads during snow emergency.
National Weather Service 7-day forecast for 02215: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=42.3459267&lon=-71.1025034
If you see someone in danger outside, please call 911
Exposure to extreme cold can cause frostbite, hypothermia or death. Take precautions, check in on older adults, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness. If you see someone endangered out in the cold, please call 911.
Emergency shelters: https://www.boston.gov/departments/housing/services-those-experiencing-homeless
Cold Weather Safety https://www.boston.gov/departments/311/cold-weather-safety-tips
Parking bans, restrictions and discounted parking lots:
Parking ban starts on Sunday at 8am https://www.boston.gov/departments/311/snow-emergency-parking#map–239736 Visit this page to see which roads have NO PARKING during snow emergency: including Avenue Louis Pasteur, Beacon Street, Brookline Avenue, Boylston Street, Evans Way, Francis Street, Hemenway Street, Huntington Avenue, Longwood Avenue, Louis Prang Street, Westland Avenue also Park Drive, The Fenway, and Mass Ave. Do not park on these emergency thoroughfares. Instead, find a discounted Parking lot on the map, and see the hours and costs.
The Mass DCR and DOT manage roads in and around the Fenway: including Park Drive, Agassiz Way, Forsyth Way, Fenway Service Road, Charlesgate areas, ramps to Bowker Overpass and Storrow… etc. DCR Winter Storm Plan and Priority Map | Mass.gov. So, it’s complicated! Best to stay off the roads and out of harm’s way.
Important winter emergency phone numbers here:
Rules on clearing snow for property owners:
Trash during snow emergency:
THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday, January 26, Expect widespread closures due to snow emergency- If you plan on going somewhere, it is best to call ahead, as widespread closures have already been announced.
GOVERNMENT NEWS
Governor Healey Delivered the 2026 State of the Commonwealth on Jan. 22nd view the full recording on YouTube: skip to minute 54 when Governor takes the podium
Boston City Budget – Participatory Voting is now open until February 15th! The City of Boston’s Participatory Budgeting initiative allows residents to decide how to spend a portion of the City’s budget. Choose which projects will have the biggest impact on your community.You don’t have to be a registered voter or even an adult – if you live in Boston and are at least 11 years old (or in 6th grade), you’re allowed to participate until February 15! Learn more and link to the voting page here: https://www.boston.gov/departments/participatory-budgeting/ideas-action
ONGOING & UPCOMING
Sunday, February 1st from 4:00 pm, Bean Celebration Setsubun- Mamemaki at Kaji Aso Studio, 40 St Stephen Street
A purifying ceremony for the new year, 2026 Year of the Horse, “to hurl beans and oust the bad spirits!” Followed by sweet Japanese pastry and sencha green tea. In-person event. (see flyer below) Please RSVP to administrator@kajiasostudio.com
Suggested Donations:$10 per person / $8 students/seniors / Children under 12 years $4
Kaji Aso Studio – 2026 International Haiku Contest – Submissions due April 6th.
Please Note: This is a different deadline date from previous years. Offering cash prizes, and a complimentary Certificate of Commendation for first prize from the Consulate General of Japan in Boston. Vist the website for full details on how to participate. Click here to read some of last year’s winning haikus.
THE NATION’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY
Revolution never gets old! On July 4th, 2026, the USA will celebrate it’s 250th Anniversary.There are plenty of activities throughout Boston: https://www.boston.gov/boston-250, and throughout the state: https://massachusetts250.org/events/
Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism in Boston – art exhibit at BPL The exhibit runs to April 21, 2026. Free, open to all – check out bpl.org for visitor info.
TRANSPORTATION & DEVELOPMENT
City of Boston – Curb Use Survey: the Public Curb Map project aims to learn how people use curb space, how they understand curb rules, how the City communicates curb-related information, and how residents share feedback. Please take this short survey to contribute to the study: Boston Public Curb Map — Community Survey
MBTA: Visit the MBTA shutdowns 2025 site for full info on service disruptions.
Bowker Overpass project: follow progress on the project page.
DEVELOPMENT NEWS by status: “Under Review”: “Board Approved”:
Monday, January 26, 6:00 PM – 08:00 PM, Planning Department meeting on Tufts University Boston Campuses IMP – Public Meeting | Virtual
The Planning Department is hosting a virtual public meeting for the extension and renewal (with no changes) of the Institutional Master Plan (IMP) for Tufts University – Boston Campuses, located in the Chinatown, Fenway, and Mission Hill neighborhoods of Boston. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Institutional Master Plan Notification Form (IMPNF) that was filed and its potential impacts. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the public.
Tufts University’s IMP was last renewed in 2023. The University seeks to renew the existing IMP for five years with no proposal for additional development plans.
How to Participate
Meeting ID: 160 611 0835
Registration Link: bosplans.org/TuftsIMP-PublicMeet
HEALTH & SAFETY
FENWAY CARES Every other Wednesday, 3:30 pm ‘til done – Next date Jan 28
Fenway Cares Food Distribution 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!
The MGH/MBG Community Care Health Clinic 1-5 p.m. on Fenway Cares dates. Rotates between the West and East Fenway locations (see above). Offerings may include blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
on 2/11 at Morville House, 100 Norway St. and 1/28 at Fenway Community Center.
Boston Police D4 Community News eMail Add your email to the list
See you around!
Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood
Fenway Civic Association 