Fenway Civic Association

Dear Members and Friends,
Please be advised that Mayor Wu has declared a snow emergency starting at 9 p.m. this evening.
Parking bans for certain roads will be in effect from the start of the emergency at 9 p.m.For a list of restricted parking and available garages, please visit: https://www.boston.gov/departments/311/snow-emergency-parkingYou may park at listed garages two hours before the emergency goes into effect.For more information, visit Boston.gov/snow

With feature presentation: John Boyle O’Reilly: Life, Work, and Art – a panel discussion with Brian O’Donovan, Peter Drummey, and Patricia Gilrein

Join neighbors and Fenway representatives for this virtual annual meeting with remarks from elected officials followed by a lively discussion on the life of famed Irish American John Boyle O’Reilly. Facilitated by GBH’s Brian O’Donovan with Peter Drummey and Patricia Gilrein, this interview style presentation covers O’Reilly’s life, works, and singular place in Boston history as well as information about upcoming repairs to the O’Reilly monument in the Back Bay Fens.

Presenters:

Brian O’Donovan Executive Producer GBH	Peter Drummey Chief Historian Massachusetts Historical Society	Patricia Gilrein Art Collections ManagerCity of Boston

John Boyle O’Reilly monument, Back Bay Fens; Daniel Chester French, artist.“John Boyle O’Reilly Memorial; Allegorical figures representing Patriotism, Erin (Ireland) and Poetry,” photograph by Baldwin Coolidge, circa 1896From Photographic Views of Boston, Mass.; Photo.12.225, Massachusetts Historical Society

This meeting is free and open to all.  To register, scan the following code with your smartphone or register at: bit.ly/FCAMeeting

Brian O’Donovan – Brian is Executive Producer at GBH where he hosts the popular weekly radio program A Celtic Sojourn on GBH Boston. As Celtic Sojourn’s host for over 30 years, Brian O’Donovan has become the authority in showcasing new, emerging artists and bands in Celtic music. As a broadcaster, writer, producer, and presenter, Brian’s work has helped audiences build appreciation and knowledge of Irish poetry, music, and history. Born and raised in Clonakilty, West Cork in a family of 9, O’Donovan received his BA from University College Cork in 1978 before heading to England. He then journeyed to Boston and grad school at Emerson College. 

Peter Drummey – Peter is Chief Historian and Stephen T. Riley at the Massachusetts Historical Society. For over 40 years Drummey has assisted more than 50,000 researchers, prepared exhibitions, transcribed historical documents, and written manuscript collection guides and subject surveys, including Collecting History, a guide to landmark documents and artifacts in the Society’s collections.  In addition, he has contributed book reviews and bibliographic essays to professional and historical journals.Drummey has served as a technical adviser for documentary films and television programs with historical themes, including the HBO miniseries, John Adams; and as a commentator for BBC, C-Span, PBS, and commercial cable television programs on Charles Dickens in America, Thomas Jefferson, historian Henry Adams, the end of slavery in Massachusetts, the Boston Irish, and, most recently, the Gettysburg Address.

Patricia Gilrein – Patricia is the Art Collections manager for the City of Boston’s Office of Arts and Culture. Her work includes managing the physical and intellectual care of the City’s existing collection, including sculptures, fountains, murals, and items associated with public buildings. Patricia also administers the Boston Art Commission. Patricia grew up in Western Massachusetts and lives in Dorchester. She has worked with collections of art and design in the US and the UK for nearly two decades. For the past 10 years, she has worked with Boston-area museums to lead several large-scale collections re-locations as well as storage design and improvement projects. Prior to moving to Boston, she assisted in establishing a physical archive and records management system for Coach in NYC. Patricia graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with a degree in art history, and the University of St. Andrews with an M.A. in museum studies.

Fenway Civic is a board-driven, all-volunteer, member-supported organization whose goal is to promote and sustain a vital, livable neighborhood.

Web: www.fenwaycivic.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FenwayCivic/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fenwaycivic 

Dear Members,
Please see the following meetings for this week:

1. Monday, January 24th, 6:00 p.m. Longwood Place Public meeting

A public meeting will be held to discuss a proposal for redevelopment of the residential campus located at 305 Brookline Avenue by SKANSKA.The development anticipates a change of use from residences to laboratory, office, retail, and commercial, with a modest residential component.To read the filing, register to attend, or submit your comments, visit: http://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/305-brookline-ave-mixed-use-development Or register at: http://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdu6oqzMoGURPbwdQ0pFHvXK1D7_0_bw

2. Tuesday, January 25th, 6:00 p.m. Neighborhood Improvement Committee/NIC Public meeting

A public Zoom meeting of the NIC, a partnership between the community and Berklee College of Music, will be held, covering Berklee and community updates.All are welcome to attend and participate; the meeting link is below:https://berklee.zoom.us/j/93294109797?pwd=NHRvd3VsNCsyN0V2akFaN2M0ZUpyUT09 Meeting ID: 932 9410 9797Passcode: 541326*The Neighborhood Improvement Committee (NIC) is an all volunteer group comprised of Fenway Neighborhood residents, organizations and businesses, facilitated by Berklee College of Music, with the goal of encouraging shared stewardship of the Fenway Neighborhood.

3. Wednesday, January 26th, 7 p.m. Town Hall with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Representative Jon Santiago Join Congresswoman Pressley and Representative Jon Santiago for this virtual town hall. Congresswoman Pressley will provide updates on her work in Congress and with COVID-19 response efforts. To register, visit: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Cy4ZcVwRRU-a6khkFHZpSA; or to submit a question, visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9Q8pp1cE_TIogW49F1wiuxNGEe_tquYW5OH1kROU1N-S_7Q/viewform

Dear Members and Friends:
Here are some updates for this week – please note a save the data for FCAs Annual meeting!

1. Wednesday, January 19th, 6:00 p.m. – IAG Meeting for 305 Longwood Place

A virtual public meeting for the Impact Advisory Group will be held to discuss the proposed plan for 305 Longwood Place.This proposed redevelopment of Simmons University’s residential campus is detailed at the BPDA project page; public comment is also open.To register for this meeting, visit:  www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_E1zjQrXiRF6kr5YvzChlLATo learn more or to comment, visit: https://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/305-brookline-ave-mixed-use-development

2. Wednesday, January 20th, 3:30 p.m. – Fenway Cares free food distribution

Need food or know someone who does? Want to volunteer for a good cause?Fenway Cares will be distributing free fresh produce, grains and more at Fenway Community Center/1282 Boylston Street and Symphony Park/39 Edgerly Road from 3:30 p.m. while supplies last.To sign up to volunteer, visit  bit.ly/FenwayCaresVolunteerTo sign up for a food delivery, visit: bit.ly/FenwayCaresFood
For next week and beyond:

3. Monday, January 24th, 6:00 p.m. – Public Meeting for 305 Longwood Place

A virtual public meeting will be held to discuss the proposed plan for 305 Longwood Place. This proposed redevelopment of Simmons University’s residential campus is detailed at the BPDA project page; public comment is also open.To register for this meeting, visit:  www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdu6oqzMoGURPbwdQ0pFHvXK1D7_0_bwTo learn more or to comment, visit: https://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/305-brookline-ave-mixed-use-development

4. Tuesday, January 25th, 6:00 p.m. – Neighborhood Improvement Committee* / NIC Meeting

A public Zoom meeting of the NIC, a partnership between the community and Berklee College of Music, will be held, covering Berklee and community updates.All are welcome to attend and participate; the meeting link is below:https://berklee.zoom.us/j/93294109797?pwd=NHRvd3VsNCsyN0V2akFaN2M0ZUpyUT09 Meeting ID: 932 9410 9797Passcode: 541326

*The Neighborhood Improvement Committee (NIC) is an all volunteer group comprised of Fenway Neighborhood residents, organizations and businesses, facilitated by Berklee College of Music, with the goal of encouraging shared stewardship of the Fenway Neighborhood.

5. SAVE THE DATE FOR FCA’S ANNUAL MEETING – FEBRUARY 8, 6 PM

We will be holding our Annual meeting via zoom, and have an exciting program in store! Join panelists for a lively conversation about John Boyle O’Reilly and upcoming plans for the O’Reilly monument in the Back Bay Fens.Meeting registration link and details to come!

Dear Members and Friends
Happy New Year! With 2022 kicking off, just a few short announcements for the week:

1. Boston’s B-Together Policy:  Starting January 15th, individuals will be required to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19 in order to enter certain spaces in Boston.To learn more, visit: https://www.boston.gov/departments/mayors-office/introducing-b-together

2. Christmas Tree recycling: The City’s Public Works Department performs curbside pick up of Christmas Trees for recycling.Leave your tree (no ornaments or lights) for curbside pick up  on recycling day by 6 a.m. between January 3rd and 14th. To learn more, visit: https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works/leaf-and-yard-waste-schedule

Free vaccines are offered at Fenway Community Center on Wednesday, December 22nd from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

To learn more see the below flyer.

Dear Members and Friends,

December is whizzing by. Thanks to everyone who attended the #55 bus community meeting!Slides from the presentation are attached, and a link to the recording here.

Please see the following events and opportunities:
1. Wednesday, December 15th 6 p.m. 2 Charlesgate West public meeting

A virtual public meeting will be held to obtain community feedback to proposed development for 2 Charlesgate West. To read a copy of the proposal for this project, with links for public comment and meeting registration, visit: http://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/2-charlesgate

2. Saturday, December 18th  11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Fenway Community Center Holiday Pop up Support local artists at the Fenway Community Center’s 3rd Annual Pop-Up Holiday Bazaar. Locally produced, hand-made arts and crafts will be for sale, including original artwork and prints, hand-crafted jewelry, and other holiday gift items. Craft activities and hot chocolate will be offered. Fenway Community Center is located at 1282 Boylston Street (entry on Jersey Street).
3. Fenway Tree Farm, M-F 11-8; F-Sun 9-8 Through to 12/24 or while inventory lasts Fenway Tree Farm at 1400 Boylston Street is open! Offering trees from Nova Scotia, wreaths, garlands, lights, and more, this temporary market will be open while inventory lasts.

1. Wednesday December 8, 6:00 p.m. MBTA public meeting

Join the MBTA to learn about their planned winter service changesAttendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide input on future service changes.Meeting registration at 

https://www.mbta.com/events/2021-12-08/public-meeting-winter-2022-service-changes-virtual

2. Thursday, December 9, 6:00 p.m. 2 Charlesgate West IAG meeting

The Boston Planning and Development Agency is hosting a public meeting for the Impact Advisory Group to review plans for 2 Charlesgate West. To read details of the project and to submit your comments, visit http://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/2-charlesgate

Meeting registration at: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_dLJ-0BE7QlyQ1Z1s4fvkpA

3. Sunday, December 12, 7 p.m. Virtual “Spot of Beauty” celebration

Join Kaji Aso Studio for their 48th Anniversary Celebration with an uplifting evening of free art, music, and poetry.Zoom premiere at 7 – link for the meeting at: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81240077661?pwd=c3Q5Zk1kQW5kR0g5cXZ4VUt0VnJvQT09#success

For more details, write to administrator@kajiasostudio.com

Save the Dates ahead:
12/13: 109 Brookline Avenue IAG meeting

12/15: 2 Charlesgate West public meeting

Dear Members and Friends,
Two announcements including an important save the date:

1. The Annual Fenway Tree lighting is days away!
Make sure to join us outside the Kelleher Rose garden Wednesday, December 1st at 6 p.m. for a festive tree lighting, cocoa, cider, burgers, and more.Meet and hear from your local representatives and enjoy a chance to visit with Wally and Santa!
Pre-lighting activities for families will take place at the Fenway Community Center, starting at 4:30 p.m. For more details, see below- pre-lighting activities sponsored by the Fenway Community Center and Operation P.E.A.C.E.

2. #55 Bus Survey and Community meeting December 7th 6-7:30 p.m.
Thanks to hard work by residents, community organizations, and Fenway representatives, the MBTA #55 bus was restored to partial service.
However, the #55 remains limited both in schedule and route. Take this survey to share your experience and opinions on public transit and attend a virtual community meeting on December 7th at 6 p.m. to review survey results and share ideas for the future of the #55! Registration available through tinyurl.com/Fenwaybus

Fenway Civic is excited to announce the date for our annual tree lighting! Come join your neighbors and friends for cider and cocoa and see the tree light up to start the holiday season! Much more detail to come.