Dear Members and Friends:
UPDATE on the 9/11 Senate Recount Results: Sen. William Brownsberger wins by 35 votes, and moves forward as the Democratic nominee for state Senator of the Suffolk and Middlesex District. (Belmont Voice article here.)
Upcoming Election Dates & Info
Voter Registration Deadline for November 3rd Elections is October 24
Tuesday, November 3rd Polling Hours: 7am – 8 pm
Visit this site to find your polling place, and see your ballot before you vote: wheredoivotema.com
Want more info? Check out the League of Women Voters 411 site.
2026 State Election Ballot Questions The ballot will include nine binding statewide ballot questions. Detailed information can be found in the MA State official 2026 Information for Voters booklet (online), or look for your booklet in the mail!
The importance of your vote.
For 250 years of American history, voting rights have expanded and contracted through a long struggle with barriers and breakthroughs.
Five Significant years in US voting history
1776 – Voting Rights: A Short History
Initially, only a small subset of white, male landowners could vote.
1870 – 15th Amendment: black men gain the right to vote, with conditions
After the Civil War, Reconstruction Amendments prohibited denying the right to vote based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” However, poll taxes levied against blacks prevented many from voting.
1920 – 19th Amendment: women gain the right to vote
From the demands of the First Women’s Rights Convention in 1848, through generations of activism and civil disobedience, and 50 years after the 15th Amendment, women gained the right to vote.
1964 – 24th Amendment – abolishes the poll tax in federal elections
Prohibits federal and state governments from requiring any poll tax or other tax to vote in federal elections. (State elections kept poll taxes until 1966.)
1965 – Voting Rights Act of 1965 – banning racial discriminatory practices in voting, including literacy tests.
“It is wrong, deadly wrong, to deny any of your fellow Americans the right to vote in this country. There is no issue of states rights or national rights, there is only the struggle for human rights.”
– President Lyndon B. Johnson (1965)
Voting in America continues to be a contentious issue. Exercise your right to vote. Know your options, make a plan.Vist: Elections Division of Massachusetts for more info.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday, September 21, 6-7pm, virtual zoom meeting City of Boston Licensing Dept. Fenway: 1114 Boylston St Abutters Meeting
“Achilitos” seeking common victualler license, closing time 3AM. The purpose of this meeting is to get community input and listen to the resident’s positions on this proposal. Details and registration here.
Thursday, September 24, 3:30 – 6 pm, Fall Festival at New Edgerly Plaza (15 Westland Ave.) Join us at Fenway Forward’s Fall Festival to welcome the new season! We’ll celebrate by creating nature stamp designs with Ginjer, playing yard games, eating some autumn-themed treats, and enjoying live music by the Homefried Valentines and Simon Davis! This event was made possible by the City of Boston’s Fenway/Kenmore Impact Grant. Free and open to all. (flyer below)
Saturday, September 26, 8:30am–12pm, ZERO WASTE DAY. 400 Frontage Road, Drop off your hazardous household waste for proper disposal by the city. Learn more at boston.gov/calendar/ zero-waste-day-drop-2. For a list of accepted items: https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works/zero-waste-day#accepted-materials FREE
Saturday, September 26, from 7pm, Reception and Gallery Talk: “The Box” works by Kaji Aso from the private collection of Bernard Biales. At Kaji Aso Studio 40 St. Stephen Street. Register by RSVP: administrator@kajiasostudio.com Events are Free and Open to the Public
UPCOMING
NEW DATE Sunday, October 4, 4pm, Jazz at Ramler Park with Annie and the Fur Trappers, 130 Peterborough Street. Free and fun for all, come and join us for a light hearted afternoon of old time jazz and blues in Ramler Park on a Sunday afternoon with a lively group of musicians and friends! (flyer below)
Monday, October 12, day-long, Opening Our Doors – throughout the Fenway Cultural District, www. fenwayculture.org/ood-2026-schedule A yearly event showcasing Fenway’s cultural institutions with special events and performances throughout the day. Find what calls out to you.
MBTA & TRANSPORTATION
Alerts | MBTA Orange Line disruptions – check the site for details.
Symphony Station is closed until summer 2029.
Commuter Rail Summer Promotions | Fares Overview | MBTA (new fare options!)
Bowker Overpass – lane closure in effect.
Roadwork at Mass Ave near Symphony Station through November
Peterborough Street Street Excavation for sewer, water main and utility line replacement causes daytime road closures.
HEALTH & SAFETY
EVENTS — Charles River Watershed Association Check this site for ongoing events including a wide array of activity including: arts, exercise, advocacy, education, land many great things going on in the Charles River watershed. Lend your voice to the current advocacy event by Oct 30 to ‘cut the crap!’ getting into our watershed!!
FENWAY CARES Every other Wednesday, 3:30 pm ‘til done – Next date Sep 23
Upcoming Food Distribution Dates (3:30 pm, while supplies last)
WEST FENWAY* Fenway Community Center: & EAST FENWAY Symphony Park
* Presence of Mass General Brigham Community Care Van 1-5pm
See you around!
Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood
Fenway Civic Association 