Fenway Civic Association

Dear Members and Friends:

A short week before the holiday, with a food distribution on Wednesday. Then – Happy Thanksgiving to all! After the holiday there’s much ado on zoning and development. Lift a pint with a BPDA planner at Cornwell’s. Zoom in to an important Fenway neighborhood zoning meeting. Get into the details on Longwood Place IAG. Then celebrate the holiday season at the West Fenway Tree lighting.

For this and more, see below:

1. Wednesday Nov 23 – 3:30 pm  Fenway Cares – Food Distribution

Need food? Fenway Cares will be distributing fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. For more information, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/.

UPCOMING PLANNNG & ZONING 

Wednesday Nov 30 6-8 p.m. Pint with a Planner – Cornwall’s Pub 644 Beacon St

Pint with a Planner is coming to Kenmore Square! Fenway has the highest concentration of 20 to 35 year-old residents of any Boston neighborhood, and is undergoing a lot change with new music venues, office buildings, apartments, transportation plans and more. Meet the staff of Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) and provide input on neighborhood planning initiatives! Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pint-with-a-planner-fenway-tickets-453948541307?aff=odeimcmailchimp&utm_source=BPDA+Blog&utm_campaign=af34d92b06-BPDA_News_2022_09_23_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f1dd6a69b7-af34d92b06-137373725&mc_cid=af34d92b06&mc_eid=a3dde4057a 

Monday Dec 5  – 6 p.m. Fenway Zoning public meeting

https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2022/12/05/fenway-zoning-public-meeting Learn about the planning process and how YOU can get involved. The BPDA seeks to gather input on the neighborhood’s zoning and a number of future planning considerations, which will be studied and discussed over the next few months. 

Tuesday Dec 6 – 6 p.m. Longwood Place IAG meeting

https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2022/12/06/longwood-place-impact-advisory-group-meeting The BPDA is hosting an Impact Advisory Group (IAG) Meeting for the Longwood Place (305 Brookline Avenue) proposal located in the Longwood Medical Area. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the proposed Planned Development Area (PDA) Development Plan for the redevelopment of the site, which is the existing Simmons University Residential Campus. The meeting will include a presentation followed by Q&A and discussion from the IAG members, as well as comments from the general public, time permitting.

HOLIDAY FUN

Wednesday Dec 7 – 6 p.m. West Fenway Tree lighting – Kelleher Rose Garden 

It’s our annual holiday celebration: get festive with food, friends and music, and we’ll light the tree! For more fun, take a luminary walk to 401 Park for a community skate.

ONGOING

The Station at Park Dr & Boylston by Star Market

Check The Station website for events and activity info. https://thefenway.com/news/article/2022/visit-the-station-the-fenways-newest-community-space

Dear Friends,

Fenway Civic Association is delighted to report that thanks to the efforts of Senator William Brownsberger, plaza repair funding for the John Boyle O’Reilly monument in the Back Bay Fens has been secured in the passage of the state’s Economic Development Bill. 

We are grateful to Senator Brownsberger and his staff for working to ensure that repairs to a monument honoring this remarkable Bostonian will result in an accessible, safe, public space for all.


With kind regards,
The Fenway Civic Association


Below: before (1) and after photos (2) showing restoration of the monument in September 2022.  

Dear Members and Friends:

A very special thanks to all who got out the vote, and to the poll workers.Also, thanks to the artists who opened their studios this past weekend. More to be thankful for: we can influence the developments around us by joining the public meetings and providing comments; clean out your hazardous waste on Saturday, have a Happy Thanksgiving, and see you soon at the annual Tree Lighting.

For this and more, see below:

1.Monday Nov 14 – 6 pm  Bus Network redesign additional meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ld-yppz4rH9VgI1tfFpJdjWx-KDx66gkV You’ve already made a great impact on keeping the #55 bus service to Copley, hop on this meeting to help drive the design.

2. Monday Nov 14 –  6 pm  Parcel 13  PUBLIC meeting

https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2022/11/14/parcel-13-public-meeting Parcel 13: the intersection of Mass Ave and Boylston, partially over the Mass Turnpike and the MBTA Hynes Station. The proposed project comprises two main elements: a 10-story, 125-unit, 100% affordable apartment tower and an approximately 300,000 sf, 12-story, lab/office building. This project is in the REVIEW stage and open to your comments.

3. Tuesday Nov 15 – 6 – 8 pm  Parcel 13 CAC [Community Advisory Committee] meeting

https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2022/11/15/parcel-13-citizens-advisory-committee-meeting

4. Wednesday Nov 16 – 6 pm  409 Huntington Avenue PUBLIC meeting

https://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/409-huntington-avenue Proposal to redevelop an existing five-story, apartment building into a nineteen-story mixed use residential building comprising up to 157 dwelling units, up to 2,300 square feet of street-level activated retail space along Huntington Avenue, and improvements to the currently underdeveloped pocket park at the corner of the site along Huntington Avenue. This project is in the REVIEW stage and open to your comments.

5. Saturday Nov 19 – 9 am – 1 pm Household hazardous waste day

https://www.boston.gov/calendar/household-hazardous-waste-paper-shredding-textiles-and-electronics-drop-2 Boston residents can safely dispose of hazardous waste, shred unwanted documents, get rid of textiles and clothing, and recycle electronics for free.

SAVE THE DATES

DEVELOPMENT

Monday Dec 5 – 6 pm Fenway Zoning public meeting

https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2022/12/05/fenway-zoning-public-meeting Learn about the planning process and how YOU can get involved. The BPDA seeks to gather input on the neighborhood’s zoning and a number of future planning considerations, which will be studied and discussed over the next few months. 

HOLIDAY 

Wednesday Dec 7 – 6 pm West Fenway Tree lighting – Kelleher Rose Garden 

We’re working on the program, it’s getting festive; food, friends and music, let’s light the tree!

ONGOING

The Station at Park Dr & Boylston by Star Market

Check The Station website for events and activity info. https://thefenway.com/news/article/2022/visit-the-station-the-fenways-newest-community-space

Dear Members and Friends:

It’s time: State Election Day Tuesday Nov 8! 

Every vote counts!!!! We’re counting on YOU to represent for Fenway! After you’ve exercised your civic duty, exercise your mind on city budgets and planning/development issues, then stretch your imagination with unique local Fenway arts events over the weekend. Clear your home of hazards, and be free to enjoy all your labors during the holiday season.

For this and more, see below:

1. Tuesday Nov 8 – 7 am – 8 pm  STATE ELECTION DAY

Check your polling location  https://www.boston.gov/departments/election. View sample ballots, candidates and more at: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleupcomingelections/upcoming-elections.htm 

2. Wednesday Nov 9 – 3:30 pm  Fenway Cares – Food Distribution

Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway: sign up at tinyurl.com/Fenwayturkey

Need food? Fenway Cares will be distributing fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. For more information, visit: 

https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/

3. Thursday Nov 10 – 6 pm  Virtual Budget educational workshop

https://www.boston.gov/calendar/budget-educational-workshops-virtual-session The Office of Budget Management invites you to use your voice to impact the budget. Learn how at this workshop.

4. Friday Nov 11 –  Veterans Day – Federal Holiday

Veterans Day celebrates the service of all US military veterans. City offices, Boston Public Libraries, and BCYF Community Centers are closed. Parking meters are free with no time limit.

5. Saturday Nov 12 – 7 – 8:30 pm  Kaji Aso “A Spot of Beauty” opening 40 St. Stephen Street

https://www.kajiasostudio.com/, 49th Anniversary Celebrations A SPOT OF BEAUTY: Art, Music & Poetry in-person Saturday and online Sunday Nov 13th at 7:00 pm

6. Saturday-Sunday Nov 12-13 – 11 am – 5 pm –  Open Studios @ Fenway Studios, 30 Ipswich Street

https://fenwayartstudios.org/fall-2022-open-studios/  Meet the artists in their studios and view fantastic original art. The event spans two days November 12-13 from 11am-5pm. A rare and treasured opportunity to enter the working studios of this historic artists association.

SAVE THE DATES

DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORT MEETINGS

Monday Nov 14 – 6 pm  Bus Network redesign additional meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ld-yppz4rH9VgI1tfFpJdjWx-KDx66gkV You’ve already made a great impact on keeping the #55 bus service to Copley, hop on this meeting to help drive the design.

Monday Nov 14 –  6 pm  Parcel 13  PUBLIC meeting

https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2022/11/14/parcel-13-public-meeting Parcel 13: the intersection of Mass Ave and Boylston, partially over the Mass Turnpike and the MBTA Hynes Station. The proposed project comprises two main elements: a 10-story, 125-unit, 100% affordable apartment tower and an approximately 300,000 sf, 12-story, lab/office building. This project is in the REVIEW stage and open to your comments.

Tuesday Nov 15 – 6 – 8 pm  Parcel 13 CAC [Community Advisory Committee] meeting

https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2022/11/15/parcel-13-citizens-advisory-committee-meeting

Wednesday Nov 16 – 6 pm  409 Huntington Avenue PUBLIC meeting

https://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/409-huntington-avenue Proposal to redevelop an existing five-story, apartment building into a nineteen-story mixed use residential building comprising up to 157 dwelling units, up to 2,300 square feet of street-level activated retail space along Huntington Avenue, and improvements to the currently underdeveloped pocket park at the corner of the site along Huntington Avenue. This project is in the REVIEW stage and open to your comments.

HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY

Saturday Nov 19 – 9 am – 1 pm Household hazardous waste day

https://www.boston.gov/calendar/household-hazardous-waste-paper-shredding-textiles-and-electronics-drop-2 Boston residents can safely dispose of hazardous waste, shred unwanted documents, get rid of textiles and clothing, and recycle electronics for free.

HOLIDAY EVENTS 

Saturday Nov 19 – 3RD Annual Fenway Cares TURKEY Giveaway* (reserve your bird by Wed Nov 16) see flyer pickup at Fenway Community Center 9:30am-noon, 1282 Boylston Street. To sign up for a turkey, visit https://tinyurl.com/Fenwayturkey 

Wednesday Dec 7 – 6 pm TREE lighting near Kelleher Rose Garden

We’re working on the program, it’s getting festive, looking rosy!

ONGOING

The Station at Park Dr & Boylston by Star Market

Check The Station website for events and activity info. https://thefenway.com/news/article/2022/visit-the-station-the-fenways-newest-community-space

Dear Friend, 

We are writing to alert you to serious and permanent threats to the Emerald Necklace’s Back Bay Fens, Liff Park, and Riverway parkland – threats that set dangerous precedent for the ways in which parks may be ‘mitigated’ for future development citywide.Background: Arecent development proposal for the 6 acre Simmons residential campus (305 Brookline Avenue) has vast consequences for our historic park. The development plan filed by Skanska, a publicly traded company, would cast significant shadows on large portions of historic parkland in the Back Bay Fens and Riverway for several hours in spring and fall if approved (see study that follows). The overwhelming massing and building heights, some higher than 30 stories, would block the sunlight over extensive areas of Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace Parks. At the same time, nearly half (45%) of the development’s project area would be new interior greenspace — at the expense of permanent shadows on the public’s historic parklands. Most alarming is the notion that, rather than creating a project that is compliant with established historic park protections, the developer and head of City agencies are in talks to set a price to be paid by Skanska to Boston Parks Department for the damage their project would inflict on our parkland. If approved, such an agreement would pose a disastrous “pay to play” precedence in which permanent, irrevocable damage posed by a developer may be “mitigated” through financial “contributions” to the City of Boston – the very entity entrusted to preserve our parks in perpetuity. We MUST ensure that Mayor Wu, the BPDA, and the Energy and Environment Department understand that sunlight and our historic public parks are our legacy, and they are not for sale, that development cannot proceed at the expense of permanently damaging our parks, and that the public does not support this policy.  Please send an email to the addresses below before November 15^th, 2022. We include bullets for an email and encourage you to write a letter in your own words. We understand that the reviewing departments say they have not heard opposition to this proposal, please speak up!

Mayor Michelle Wu: mayor@boston.gov

Energy and Environment Chief Mariama White-Hammond: mariama.whitehammond@boston.gov

Boston Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ryan Woods: ryan.woods@boston.gov

Boston Planning and Redevelopment Agency Chief J. Arthur Jemison: james.jemison@boston.gov

Diana Fernandez, Deputy Chief of Urban Design, BPDA: diana.fernandez@boston.gov

Fenway representatives:Kenzie.bok@boston.gov, tania.anderson@boston.gov, jay.livingstone@mahouse.gov, chynah.tyler@mahouse.gov,  jon.santiago@mahouse.gov, william.brownsberger@masenate.gov

• Write to voice opposition to the 305 Brookline Avenue project (include your connection with the Fenway or parks)
• Voice that permanent damage to parkland cannot be priced or mitigated
• Remind them that Longwood Medical Area development guidelines were adhered to for the last Simmons campus proposal that resulted in better parkland protection and that we ask the same standard to be applied to this project
• Voice that creation of privately held open space should not be prioritized over the integrity and quality of the public’s parks
• State that approval would set a terrible precedent for parks across the city and that we ask our leaders to step up for parks

 Please close with your name, affiliation, address, and phone number

Thank you

Fenway Civic Association

Dear Members and Friends:

This week is mean, lean & clean! The means: BPDA will host 2 zoning meetings on Tuesday re development projects and Wednesday re zoning on Cannabis; Wednesday MBTA bus network redesigns.The lean: Thursday ISG free First Thursday, and The clean: Friday Berklee neighborhood clean up. And hang on, it’s almost here! State Election Day Tuesday Nov 8! 

For this and more, see below:

1. Tuesday Nov 1 –  6pm Fenway CAC ZONING meeting https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2022/11/01/fenway-cac-zoning-meeting Please join BPDA planning staff for a Fenway Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting to learn more about zoningin Fenway. This session will include basic information about how zoning works to regulate development and a more detailed analysis of existing zoning in the West Fenway district.

2. Wednesday Nov 2 – 6 pm  Bus Network redesign virtual meeting https://www.mbta.com/events/2022-11-02/public-meeting-bus-network-redesign-virtual. Want to prep for the meeting? To view the updated proposed 55 route: https://platform.remix.com/project/4e7bbb9c/line/753f9327?dir=0&latlng=42.34586,-71.09062,13  Also, a joint statement of the 55 coalition will go out Monday, watch your email for updates.

3. Wednesday Nov 2 1- 6pm Cannabis rezoning virtual meeting https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2022/11/02/cannabis-meeting-2?utm_source=BPDA+Blog&utm_campaign=e7ce5b11e0-BPDA_News_2022_09_23_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f1dd6a69b7-e7ce5b11e0-137373725&mc_cid=e7ce5b11e0&mc_eid=a3dde4057a

4. Thursday Nov 3 – Free First Thursdays – Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Registration required – RESERVE YOUR free ticket online

https://www.gardnermuseum.org/experience/thursday-nights

5. Friday Nov 4, 10 am – 12pm Berklee Neighborhood Cleanup

Berklee College of Music will be conducting a neighborhood cleanup in the East Fenway area. Interested in participating? Sign up at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEpnvi_ve_iE2JqlchseCcH0X0CNRRgg0RlcnlWtffx58QdQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Dear Members and Friends:

This week there are a few meetings on crucial matters in the Fenway; a Fenway transportation study, affordable housing discussion, Huntington Ave. development project mitigation and community benefits meeting.  Also, early voting at Fenway Park, and before you know it, it’s voting day!

For this and more, see below:

1. Tuesday Oct 25, 6-8pm Virtual CAC meeting Fenway Transportation Study  Please join BPDA planning staff for a Fenway Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting to learn about the start of the Fenway-Kenmore Transportation Action Plan, which will look to transform the area’s multimodal networks. BPDA staff will introduce the project’s scope, partners, and anticipated timeline. https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2022/10/25/fenway-cac-transportation-meeting#:~:text=Please%20join%20BPDA%20planning%20staff%20for%20a%20Fenway,introduce%20the%20project%27s%20scope%2C%20partners%2C%20and%20anticipated%20timeline.

2. Wednesday, Oct 26, 3:30 p.m. Fenway Cares

Need food? Fenway Cares will be distributing fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. For more information, visit: 

Fenway Cares

3. Wednesday Oct 26, 6-7pm Increasing Affordable and Supportive Housing to Reduce Homelessness in Our City and State. (Panel discussion) BPL Central library – Copley Square. A citywide forum to increase public understanding of efforts to combat homelessness throughout our neighborhoods. Hear the panel live or via zoom – for details and registration info: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/632b787602aea59e4fa03f5b

4. Thursday Oct 27, 6pm 409 Huntington Avenue IAG meeting The BPDA will be hosting its first public IAG meeting to discuss proposed development at 409 Huntington Avenue, which includes a 19 story mixed use development project along Huntington Avenue. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the IAG and the public. To read the filing, public meeting notice, and more, visit: https://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/409-huntington-avenue 

5. Saturday-Sunday Oct 29-30 EARLY VOTING AT FENWAY PARK The Red Sox have partnered with the City of Boston to host early voting at Fenway Park on Saturday, October 29, and Sunday, October 30, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can find additional information and early voting locations by visiting boston.gov/early-voting.

6. Saturday Oct 29: Voter Registration Deadline

The voter registration deadline is Saturday, October 29. You have until 5 p.m. to register to vote in-person, and until 11:59 p.m. to register to vote online. If you register to vote by mail, it must be postmarked by Saturday, October 29.

HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Tuesday Nov 1  6 p.m. Fenway CAC ZONING meeting https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2022/11/01/fenway-cac-zoning-meeting Please join BPDA planning staff for a Fenway Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting to learn more about zoningin Fenway. This session will include basic information about how zoning works to regulate development and a more detailed analysis of existing zoning in the West Fenway district.

Friday Nov 4, 10 am-12pm Berklee Neighborhood Cleanup

Berklee College of Music will be conducting a neighborhood cleanup in the East Fenway area. Interested in participating? Sign up at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEpnvi_ve_iE2JqlchseCcH0X0CNRRgg0RlcnlWtffx58QdQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Tuesday Nov 8 – STATE ELECTION DAY 

Check your polling location  https://www.boston.gov/departments/election. View sample ballots, candidates and more at: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleupcomingelections/upcoming-elections.htm 

Voter Registration Deadline: October 29, 2022

Saturday-Sunday Nov 12-13 11am-5pm – Open Studios @ Fenway Studios, 30 Ipswich Street https://fenwayartstudios.org/fall-2022-open-studios/ 

Come inside the building, meet artists in their studios, and view fantastic original art. The event spans two days November 12-13 from 11am-5pm.

ONGOING

The Station at Park Dr & Boylston by Star Market

Check The Station website for events and activity info. https://thefenway.com/news/article/2022/visit-the-station-the-fenways-newest-community-space

TRANSPORT: 

• MBTA  alerts and info  https://www.mbta.com/alerts/subway

• GREEN LINE D Shuttles – Oct 22-30 MBTA.com/GLTrack

#55 BUS: Your voice is being heard!!!! You can comment on fall 2022 route changes by emailing: publicengagement@mbta.com. Public meeting tentatively set for November.

Dear Members and Friends:

Monday: Wondering what the Red Sox are up to? Find out at their neighborhood meeting. Deadline for Boston Cultural grant. Coming soon: virtual Fenway Transportation Study; panel discussion on citywide housing and reducing homelessness @ BPL; Impact Advisory meeting on development of 409 Huntington Ave.; election day; and more access to local art!

For this and more, see below:

1. Monday Oct 17, 5:30pm live – 6pm zoom, Red Sox neighborhood meeting, in the Ford Clubhouse at Fenway Park (entrance on Brookline Avenue). You may join in person (doors open at 5:30, ballpark snacks and refreshments to be served), or  listen in via Zoom and utilize the chat function when the program begins at 6 p.m. To join via Zoom, click here (Meeting ID: 964 0985 3986; passcode 320450). 

2. Monday Oct 17, last day to submit grant applications to Boston Cultural Council. For local nonprofits arts and cultural programming: boston.gov/arts-grants.

3. Tuesday Oct 18, 6:00pm – zoom Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Committee (NIC) meeting.

The Fenway NIC, an all-volunteer group of Fenway residents, organizations, and businesses facilitated by Berklee College of Music with the goal of neighborhood stewardship, will be hosting a community meeting to discuss updates and announcements. Join to hear the latest and to share your thoughts and concerns:

https://berklee.zoom.us/j/98996606297?pwd=MGdZeGFGOFI5VjhuaUpEUG04U0o0Zz09

Meeting ID: 989 9660 6297

Passcode: 987215

ONGOING

The Station at Park Dr & Boylston by Star Market

Check The Station website for events and activity info. https://thefenway.com/news/article/2022/visit-the-station-the-fenways-newest-community-space

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Tuesday Oct 25, 6-8pm Virtual CAC meeting Fenway Transportation Study  Please join BPDA planning staff for a Fenway Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting to learn about the start of the Fenway-Kenmore Transportation Action Plan, which will look to transform the area’s multimodal networks. BPDA staff will introduce the project’s scope, partners, and anticipated timeline. https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2022/10/25/fenway-cac-transportation-meeting#:~:text=Please%20join%20BPDA%20planning%20staff%20for%20a%20Fenway,introduce%20the%20project%27s%20scope%2C%20partners%2C%20and%20anticipated%20timeline.

Wednesday Oct 26, 6-7pm Increasing Affordable and Supportive Housing to Reduce Homelessness in Our City and State. (Panel discussion) BPL Central library – Copley Square. A citywide forum to increase public understanding of efforts to combat homelessness throughout our neighborhoods. Hear the panel live or via zoom – for details and registration info: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/632b787602aea59e4fa03f5b

Thursday Oct 27, 6pm 409 Huntington Avenue IAG meeting The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the mitigation and community benefits for the project. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the IAG and the public. https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2022/10/27/409-huntington-avenue-impact-advisory-group-meetin

Saturday-Sunday Oct 29-30 EARLY VOTING AT FENWAY PARK The Red Sox have partnered with the City of Boston to host early voting at Fenway Park on Saturday, October 29, and Sunday, October 30, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can find additional information and early voting locations by visiting boston.gov/early-voting.

Tuesday Nov 8 – STATE ELECTION DAY 

Check your polling location  https://www.boston.gov/departments/election. View sample ballots, candidates and more at: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleupcomingelections/upcoming-elections.htm 

Voter Registration Deadline: October 29, 2022

Saturday-Sunday Nov 12-13 11am-5pm – Open Studios @ Fenway Studios, 30 Ipswich Street https://fenwayartstudios.org/fall-2022-open-studios/ 

Come inside the building, meet artists in their studios, and view fantastic original art. The event spans two days November 12-13 from 11am-5pm.

TRANSPORT: 

• MBTA  alerts and info  https://www.mbta.com/alerts/subway

• GREEN LINE D Shuttles – Oct 22-30 MBTA.com/GLTrack

#55 BUS: Your voice is being heard!!!! You can comment on fall 2022 route changes by emailing: publicengagement@mbta.com. Public meeting tentatively set for November.

The Week Ahead – starting Monday 10/3

Dear Members and Friends:

It’s Fall in The Fenway — with our neighboring institutions fully staffed, be safe, stay well, and explore! Wednesday, Fenway Cares presents a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, whether it’s your first shot or a booster. Thursday, enjoy free entry at the ISG. Monday, Oct 10, Celebrate Fenway Cultural District’s “Opening our Doors.”  Good things coming up: Back Bay Fens Pathway Design – get up to speed on the zoom meeting! More good news: transport is improving, and the 55-bus route may be extended. UPCOMING: Nov 8 ELECTION DAY, be ready. Nov 12-13 FENWAY OPEN STUDIOS.

For this and more, see below:

1. Wednesday Oct 3, 10am – 3pm – Fenway Cares COVID-19 Vaccine clinic

Symphony Park, 39 Edgerly Road, 02115  

INITIAL VACCINES (Pfizer and Moderna for age 6 months and older) and  BOOSTERS (Pfizer and Moderna bivalent boosters) available. You should bring proof of vaccination to receive your booster.

You may pre-register for a time-slot by visiting https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/cataldo?calendar=88283ae7-5dba-42b2-8348-1b13ed3b69be and selecting the Fenway Cares East site. Pre-registration is recommended but not required. Attendees may receive a $25 gift card to Stop & Shop while supplies last. For questions, please write to fenwaycares@fenwaycommunitycenter.org

2. Free First Thursdays (10/6) – Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Registration required – RESERVE YOUR free ticket online

https://www.gardnermuseum.org/experience/thursday-nights

3. Monday, Oct 10 – all day – OPENING OUR DOORS – A Celebration of the Fenway Cultural District

All free, all access to Boston’s art + cultural hub, the Fenway Cultural District! Performances, activations, art, music, dance, crafts, spoken word, historic walking tours, nature walks, garden tours, and more. Now in its 21st year, Opening Our Doors is Boston’s longest running & largest day of free cultural experiences! http://www.fenwayculture.org/opening-our-doors What started in 2001 with 12 locations and 16 programs grew in 2021 to a festival that spanned the entire Fenway Cultural District with 18 locations, a temporary stage at Evans Way Park, 31 community partners, and 12,000 attendees.

4. Wednesday, Oct 12, 5:30 p.m. Back Bay Fens pathway design meeting #1 Virtual The project scope includes rehabilitation of pathways at the Back Bay Fens, to improve accessibility and site conditions. Register to join this virtual meeting via zoom: bit.ly/Backbayfens More info on the project page: boston.gov/fens-pathways

ONGOING

The Station at Park Dr & Boylston by Star Market

Check The Station website for events and activity info. Have you attended? Do you have comments? These events are in development, we’d like to hear your thoughts on the use of this space.

Boston Cultural Council accepting grant applications through Oct 17

For local nonprofits arts and cultural programming:boston.gov/arts-grants.

TRANSPORT: 

• MBTA  alerts and info  https://www.mbta.com/alerts/subway

• GREEN LINE D Shuttles – Oct 8-16 & 22-30 MBTA.com/GLTrack

#55 BUS: Your voice is being heard!!!!

MBTA asked for public feedback on fall 2022 route changes. Fenway/Kenmore/LMA was an area that returned the most comments, and thus will see the most changes. The MBTA will be engaging with stakeholders and orgs over the next 6 weeks, with a tentative public meeting early November, and possibly a board vote. Public comments about routes 39 and 55 voiced a preference to a one-seat ride vs transfers. Extending the 55 into the LMA and increasing frequency are also on the table. You can send your comments to publicengagement@mbta.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

MAKE YOUR VOTING PLAN – STATE ELECTION DAY – Tuesday, NOV 8

Check your polling location  https://www.boston.gov/departments/election.  View sample ballots, candidates and more at: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleupcomingelections/upcoming-elections.htm 

Voter Registration Deadline: October 29, 2022

Saturday-Sunday Nov 12-13 11am-5pm – Open Studios @ Fenway Studios, 30 Ipswich Street https://fenwayartstudios.org/fall-2022-open-studios/ 

Come inside the building, meet artists in their studios, and view fantastic original art. The event will be held on November 12 – 13 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.