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Archive for March, 2026

The Week Ahead

Dear Members and Friends:

March comes in like a lion, and out like a lamb.

This year, the political storms have been raging along with the meteorological ones! One can only hope the metaphors of spring take hold of everyone and bring us profound personal growth and resilience amidst the inevitability of change; reminding us that after a period of dormancy, growth will return.

In the spirit of resilience, millions of Americans will take to the streets today for ‘No Kings’ rallies… expect disruption.

As we near the end of WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH, consider the works of Katharine Lee Bates, Massachusetts poet, of “America the Beautiful” fame. We all know the opening verse “O beautiful for spacious skies,” but today, let us consider these lines:
   

America! America!

 God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control,

Thy liberty in law!

The Katharine Lee Bates monument is a freestanding granite tablet inset with a bronze plaque on Agassiz Road overlooking the Muddy River and Stony Brook gatehouse. The plaque gives brief information on Bates and includes the lyrics of “America the Beautiful“, which she wrote at the turn of the 20th century.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Sunday March 29th,7pm, “Existence” Group Exhibition of Art • Music • Poetry, at Kaji Aso StudioThis event is free. For the ONLINE Program:Click Here on March 29th @ 7pm for Zoom Premiere 

Monday, March 30, 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Ask Me Anything Town Hall – Join Senator Will Brownsberger over Zoom for an informal Town Hall meeting. Stop in with your thoughts, questions and concerns.

 Register and join the Marh 30 Zoom Meeting

Second meeting date: 

Wednesday, April 1, 7:00 – 8:30 PM 

Register and join the April 1 Zoom Meeting 

Office of Will Brownsberger, State Senator

Fenway, Allston, Brighton, Watertown, Belmont, West Cambridge

617-722-1280 (office)

617-771-8274 (Will’s cell phone)

Tuesday, March 31, 6-7:30 pm, Protecting Boston Pets and Wildlife from Rodent Poison (webinar) MSPCA-Angell and Mass Audubon are co-hosting a webinar on the harms of bioaccumulating rodent poisons on pets & wildlife and how to advocate to end their use in Boston. This event is free and open to all City of Boston residents. For more info and to register, visit: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/l1-bl4IvSiipI61w0Uq43A#/registration

Wednesday, April 1st is April Fools Day!

Don’t get caught unaware….

Wednesday, April 1st: street cleaning resumes – avoid tow or tickets! ​​https://www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/sweeping/

And who remembers this…. 25 Years Ago, April Fools’ Day Blizzard Buried Massachusetts In Historic Snowstorm – CBS Boston

And just for fun: 9 Massachusetts April Fool’s Pranks That Were Good, Bad and Ugly! – Country 102.5

April 1st – Deadline for comments on Phase I of the Longwood development

Longwood Place Development – 305 Brookline Ave

Longwood Place Phase One | Bostonplans.org

Please email comments directly to: sarah.peck@boston.gov.

View the project page for project documents and details. 

To view the last two recorded public meetings:

March 18, focus on shadow studies: https://bpda.app.box.com/s/xtsad42305rqcs1udw1909wfs5qikd03

March 16, general updates:

Friday, April 3, 6:00 pm, The Red Sox home opener game 

In other RS news: the City allowed Live Nation to increase the concert series at Fenway Park to 13 events. The baseball home opener is April 3rdNeighborhood 9s registration is open for Fenway residents.

ONGOING

March is Women’s History Month | Boston.govWomen’s History Month Events | 2026,  Boston Women’s Heritage Trail

March is Irish Heritage Month in Boston Boston Irish Heritage Trail John Boyle O’Reilly

City of Boston Annual Census:  Add Your Name To The Annual Census | Boston.gov

Check your voting status: My Voter Registration Status: Search

Continues ‘til winter: Peterborough Street & Jersey St. Roadwork- parking bans in effect. For details: https://www.bwsc.org/project-lookup-fenway-kenmore

maam.massart.edu Check out the MASSART ART MUSEUM 621 Huntington Avenue – free entry, lots of cool events, artmaking and exhibits

UPCOMING

Running for FENWAY CARES. Connor Frasier is running the Boston Marathon to support Fenway Cares, a collaborative effort of six organizations addressing food insecurity in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston. Since 2020, Fenway Cares has helped fund and distribute more than 46,000 bags of fresh, free produce to neighbors in need. Want to help? Support Connor’s run by following this link and donating

April 6 deadline, Kaji Aso Studio – 2026 International Haiku Contest – Submissions due. Vist the website for full details on how to participate. Read last year’s winners..

April 7, 2026, 6:00 – 7:30 PM,  Boston Lyric Opera at the BPL: 250 years of women’s voices in America (free, registration suggested)

Whose voices do we carry, even when history did not write down their names? 

Join Boston Lyric Opera for an inspiring evening of music and conversation exploring 250 years of women’s voices in America and how they still resonate today. BLO artists will present a stirring concert reflecting the many ways women have sung their stories into being, with selections including opera, art song, African American spirituals, and Spanish-language compositions. Following the performance, BLO Artistic Director Nina Yoshida Nelsen will facilitate a conversation on identity, legacy, and representation with a panel of women arts leaders and cultural advocates. Through music and dialogue, the evening invites us to listen more closely to the voices that have shaped our past — and continue to shape our future. 

FREE – Register for event reminders 
Rabb Lecture Hall – Boston Public Library Central Branch   
700 Boylston Street, Boston MA 02116 

REGISTER

Friday, May 1 – May 3, Art in Bloom, 50th Anniversary, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), celebrates the return of spring with the 50th anniversary of its beloved Art in Bloomfestival. 

USA-  250TH ANNIVERSARY – July 4th, 2026  

Boston events: https://www.boston.gov/boston-250

Statewide events: https://massachusetts250.org/events/

DEVELOPMENT 

by status: “Under Review”:   “Board Approved”:

TRANSPORTATION 

MBTA: Visit Alerts | MBTA for info on service disruptions. 

Bowker Overpass project: follow progress on the project page

March 22 – May 1st: nightwork on I-90 eastbound, Sun-Thurs, 9pm-5am

Construction look ahead March 16 – April 3: Bowker Overpass traffic and construction updates | Mass.gov

Boston Public Curb Map — Community Survey 

HEALTH & SAFETY

FENWAY CARES Every other Wednesday, 3:30 pm ‘til done – Next date April 8

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 pm on Fenway Cares dates. Rotates between the West and East Fenway locations (see above). Offerings may include blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, on 4/8 at Morville House, 100 Norway St. and 4/22 at Fenway Community Center. 

Boston Police D4 Community News eMail  Add your email to the list 

See you around!

Fenway Civic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood

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The Week Ahead

Dear Members and Friends:

THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday, March 17, Evacuation Day
(City holiday, parking meters free, city offices are OPEN, trash on regular schedule)

and St. Patrick’s Dayventure to Cambridge to check out Celtic Art Across the Ages at the Harvard Art museums (free entry), now through August.

Wednesday, March 18th: 4-5 pm event (arrive at 3:30) Score Boston Skate Party (free for youth 6-12) at Warrior Arena in Brighton LandingPlease see the attached flyer and contact 617-343-4457 if you would like to sign a child up for this free opportunity. Boston Police team up with Boston Bruins to offer community service.

Wednesday, March 18th: 6-8 pm virtual meeting: Public Meeting

Longwood Place Development News – 305 Brookline Ave

Longwood Place Phase One | Bostonplans.org

This meeting will include a presentation on the shadow studies included in the Supplemental Information Document filing, followed by Q&A from the members of the public. Visit the project page to see the latest iteration posted in February. If you’ve been following this project, you know there was much public discussion surrounding the height, massing, and shadow impacts, with city-wide concerns on how shadows affect open space/parklands, and what impacts these major developments have on our transportation plans in this increasingly dense area.

How to participate:

Register in advance: bosplans.org/LongwoodPlace-031826
Meeting ID: 161 503 4356

Comment period ends April 1st. 

How to Comment: 

Can’t make the meeting, or would you rather comment in your own time? Email your comments directly to: sarah.peck@boston.gov

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The Week Ahead

Dear Members and Friends:

March is Women’s History Month, with International Women’s Day on March 8.

Women’s History Month | Boston.govWomen’s History Month Events | 2026

Discover the extraordinary stories of Boston’s trailblazing women by exploring the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail, covering an amazing array of courage, creativity and civic action which stitch together the fabric of this great city.

What is the current status of women? Women comprise half the population, but are underrepresented in seats of power; underpaid at 84% the rate paid to men, overworked, performing the majority of unpaid home and family care, and losing legal protections in accessing healthcareGender equality is needed to ensure equal rights, opportunities, resources, and protections. Equality includes equal pay for equal work, shared decision-making, and freedom from violence or discrimination. Equality boosts economic growth, improves global health, and reduces conflict. Women have come a long way, but the struggle continues. 

March is Irish Heritage Month in Boston

The Irish-American community played a vital role in shaping Boston. Irish immigrants arrived in large numbers during Ireland’s Great Famine of the 1840s, and faced hardship, prejudice, and poverty, yet persevered and became central to Boston’s political life, workforce, and labor movement, advocating for workers’ rights and civic engagement. Walk the Boston Irish Heritage Trail to learn more! Near the Johnson Gates, you’ll find a memorial to John Boyle O’Reilly, beloved son of Eire, who had an enormous impact on Boston’s political, spiritual and athletic communities. Irish-Americans continue to enrich Boston’s cultural life and, of course, there’s the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday, March 15th! 

THE WEEK AHEAD

Longwood Place Development News – 305 Brookline Ave

PHASE ONE IS STARTING NOW

Longwood Place Phase One | Bostonplans.org

Important upcoming meetings and dates:

Monday, March 9th: 6-8 pm virtual meeting:  IAG Meeting (Impact Advisory Group) 

Wednesday, March 11th: 6-8 pm virtual meeting: Public meeting

Monday, March 16th: 6-8 pm virtual meeting:  IAG Meeting (Impact Advisory Group) 

Wednesday, March 18th: 6-8 pm virtual meeting: Public Meeting

Wednesday, April 1 – comment period ends (aka April Fool’s Day)

Visit the project page to see the latest iteration – A 1,670 document posted in February details the last revisions, current plans. These plans are to be discussed over the next month by the IAG and Public at different zoom meetings. If you’ve been following this project, you will know there was much public discussion surrounding the height, massing, and shadow impacts, with city-wide concerns on how shadows affect open space/parklands, and what impacts these major developments have on our transportation plans, or lack thereof, in this increasingly dense area.

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The Week Ahead

Dear Members and Friends:

Mayor Michelle Wu Announces First-Ever Office Hours

Thursday, March 5, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

at the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building in Roxbury

Mayor Wu and the Community Engagement Cabinet announced the first-ever Office Hours, a family-friendly one-stop opportunity for Boston residents from across the city to connect directly with the Mayor, City services, and department staff to have their questions or concerns answered in real time. 

March is Women’s History Month, with International Women’s Day on March 8.

Women’s History Month | Boston.gov

Women’s History Month Events | 2026

Women in The Fenway According to Boston Plans data (2025); there are slightly more women (22,720) than men (19,631) of our 42,351 residents. 

Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. local time, when clocks “spring forward” one hour to 3:00 a.m.. 

March 17 is both St. Patrick’s Day and Evacuation Day

Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Sunday, March 15 11:30 start. Celebrated in Boston since 1737! St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world’s most popular saints. He was believed to be born in Roman Britain in 419, and when fourteen or so, captured by Irish pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. At the time, Ireland was a land of Druids and pagans but Patrick turned to God and converted most of the fair isle to Christianity over the next 40 years of his life.

Evacuation Day – marks the day in 1776 when General Washington forced British troops to evacuate Boston after a 326 day siege. The National Parks is having a series of events, beginning on March 5th (the anniversary of the Boston Massacre) leading up to Evacuation Day. For more info visit:https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/evacuation-day-250.htm 

Spring brings LOTS of activity: The home opener at Fenway Park on Friday, April 3 kicks off the 2026 baseball season and a growing concert seasonThe 130th Boston Marathon will take place on Patriots’ Day, Monday, April 20 Boston Marathon.

The Fenway Civic Association is hard at work planning this year’s series of neighborhood events to include concerts in the East and West Fens, our annual Flower Share, bird walk, and Rose Garden Picnic, street cleanups, tree care, continuing with Fenway Cares food share and much more! We’re looking forward to spring and spending more time out and about without the arctic outerwear!

THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday, March 3, Comments Due, re: City of Boston Entertainment Application Hearing: Live Nation d/b/a Fenway Park requests 13 concert dates in 2026. A public hearing was conducted Wed., Feb 25 2pm on Zoom. Entertainment Application Hearings | Boston.gov  If you wish to add your comment for consideration, you can email mocal@boston.gov or call the office at 617-635-4165 by end of day, Tuesday.

Thursday, March 5, 6-8 pm, Safety Preparedness Workshop

Health of the Community| Community Wellness Series 2026at Northeastern Crossing, 1175 Tremont Street, Boston

In partnership with the City of Boston’s Office of Emergency Management, this workshop will explore the importance of personal and community safety through practical tips, checklists, and resources on handling emergencies effectively.

  • Learn about different aspects of Emergency planning
  • Create a family emergency plan
  • Receive a starter “go” bag, with first aid kits and a battery-operated lantern.

Dinner will be offered, supplies are limited, registration is strongly suggested but not required.

UPCOMING

Kaji Aso Studio – 2026 International Haiku Contest – Submissions due April 6th.

Vist the website for full details on how to participate. Read last year’s winning haikus.

USA-  250TH ANNIVERSARY – July 4th, 2026  

Boston events: https://www.boston.gov/boston-250

Statewide events: https://massachusetts250.org/events/

TRANSPORTATION & DEVELOPMENT

Boston Public Curb Map — Community Survey 

MBTA: Visit Alerts | MBTA for info on service disruptions. Red and Orange line alerts.

Bowker Overpass project: follow progress on the project page. A look ahead … now – March 13: Bowker Overpass traffic and construction updates | Mass.gov

DEVELOPMENT NEWS by status: “Under Review”:   “Board Approved”:

Longwood Place Development News – 305 Brookline Ave – PHASE ONE IS STARTING

Visit the project page to see the latest iteration – A 1,670 document posted in February details the last revisions, current plans. These plans are to be discussed over the next month by the IAG and Public at different zoom meetings. If you’ve been following this project, you will know there was much public discussion surrounding the height, massing, and shadow impacts, with city-wide concerns on how shadows affect open space/parklands, and what impacts these major developments have on our transportation plans, or lack thereof, in this increasingly dense area.

Read Full Post »