Fenway Civic Association

Dear Members and Friends:

Please see the following upcoming announcements:

1. Fenway Film Series – “Addiction,” November 14, 5:30pm, Fenway Community Center, 1282 Boylston Street
The Fenway Film Series is a series of documentary films that explore issues of urban development. Each film will be chosen for its connection to the Fenway neighborhood’s past, present, and future, and will be followed by an interactive discussion. Join us for a special screening of “Addiction” on Thursday, November 14! The United States is in the midst of the deadliest drug epidemic in its history. In 2017, an estimated 70,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, driven by a dramatic rise in the use of opioids like OxyContin, heroin, and fentanyl. As our nation searches for answers, take an unflinching look at the epidemic through the eyes of those living through it, and stay for a conversation about what Boston is doing to help and how you can be involved. Guest speakers include State Rep. Jon Santiago, Craig Regis (Program Director, Kraft Center for Community Health), and Richard Giordano (Civic Engagement Director, Fenway CDC). Doors open at 5:30pm, movie from 6 to 8pm. Light refreshments will be served. Free to attend, guests are asked to register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fenway-film-series-addiction-tickets-79408863047

2. Red Sox Concert Licensing Hearing, November 20, 11:30am, Boston City Hall, Room 809A, 1 City Hall Square
A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, November 20th, before the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing regarding the Red Sox entertainment license application for 2020 Fenway Park concerts. The Red Sox are again seeking permission to hold 12 concerts in 2020, within a list of 45 dates they want to keep reserved for possible booking. The public is encouraged to attend. Interpretation services may be available if the request is made two weeks prior to the public hearing by calling 617-635-4165. Written comments may be made prior to the meeting, submit to: Kathleen Joyce, Executive Director, Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing, Room 817, Boston City Hall, Boston, MA 02201. FCA encourages the neighborhood to express their opinion!

3. Overdose Prevention and Narcan Training, November 21, 6:00pm, Fenway Community Center, 1282 Boylston Street
The Fenway Community Center is hosting a free training on how to recognize and respond to an overdose in the case of an emergency. Attendees will learn background information surrounding the opioid epidemic in Boston, how to identify the signs and symptoms of an overdose, the protocol for responding to an overdose (including administering nasal naloxone), and how to access and obtain naloxone (Narcan®). Sponsored in partnership with the Boston Public Health Commission.

Thank you to all the members, neighbors, and friends who joined us and made it possible to return & rededicate Boston’s Robert Burns Statue in the Back Bay Fens on October 30th. It was a lovely time enjoyed by all.

Photos & Videos of the dedication ceremony by Joe Brooks of the Boston Fire Department, Fire Alarm Office Radio Operations:
https://josephbrooks.smugmug.com/Photography/n-fM9kw2/2019/2019-10-30-Burns-Dedication/

Press:
Boston Parks was great to publish a piece yesterday here:
https://www.boston.gov/news/robert-burns-statue-returned-back-bay-fens

The Patch published it here:
https://patch.com/massachusetts/boston/robert-burns-statue-returned-back-bay-fens

The Boston University’s Daily Free Press wrote a piece here:
https://dailyfreepress.com/blog/2019/10/31/statue-of-scottish-poet-robert-burns-returns-to-back-bay-fens-after-four-decades/

The Boston Guardian’s coverage is available here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxlAOmMchgSjZzByZXZISGtoeEVULU9URnJPSGNhMzRPSC04

The Fenway News’ coverage is available here:

Click to access FenwayNews_Nove2019_web.pdf

Dear Member and Friends:

Thanks to all who joined Wednesday’s dedication of the Robert Burns statue in the Back Bay Fens.
The City of Boston released the following recap of the festivities at https://www.boston.gov/news/robert-burns-statue-returned-back-bay-fens

Special thanks to City Councilor Josh Zakim and Nicholas Carter from District 8 and State Representative Jay Livingstone for joining us along with our neighbors, local businesses and institutional representatives!

We have a busy week ahead in the Fenway!

1. Tuesday, November 5th, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Boston Municipal Election
Make sure to vote in Boston’s upcoming Municipal Election next Tuesday!
You will be voting for At-Large and District City Council members and a citywide non-binding question.
To see your polling location, sample ballots, and more, visit: https://www.boston.gov/calendar/city-boston-municipal-election

2. Wednesday, November 6th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. SCAPE Public Meeting (Date Change)
(This public meeting has been changed from its previously scheduled date of November 4th)
Come learn about recent changes to the proposed project at 1252-1270 Boylston Street and make your voice heard.
This meeting will be held at 2 Charlesgate West, 5th Floor
For more information including the current filing and to submit your comments, visit: http://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/1252-1270-boylston-street
Comment deadline: November 22, 2019

3. Thursday, November 7th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. SCAPE Impact Advisory Group Meeting
Location: 2 Charlesgate West, 5th Floor
This public meeting focuses on the Impact Advisory Group for the project, but is open to all to attend.
For more information, see above.

Dear Members and Friends:

Please see the following upcoming announcements:

1. Fenway Urban Renewal Meeting, October 28th, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Fenway Community Center, 1282 Boylston Street (entry on Jersey Street)
The Boston Planning and Development Agency will hold a public meeting to discuss updates to the Fenway Urban Renewal Plan area.
Come and make your voices heard! Fenway Civic has supported the sunsetting of the Fenway Urban Renewal District and called for a moratorium of this designation, originally created for neighborhoods that were considered blighted.

2. Youth Voter Forum, October 29, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.), Fenway Community Center, 1282 Boylston Street (entry on Jersey Street)
Come meet District 8 and At-Large Boston City Council Candidates and elected officials at this event sponsored by students. Food and refreshments will be provided.

3. Return of Burns, October 30, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Agassiz Road at The Fenway (next to the Fire Alarm Headquarters)
Come join in the celebration of the return of the Robert Burns statue to its original location in the Back Bay Fens. Bagpipes, poetry, and song mark this public celebration, with a reception following public remarks. Many elected officials and prestigious figures will be in attendance. All are invited – come, and bring a friend!

4. Red Sox Neighborhood Meeting, October 30, 6:00 p.m., Dell/EMC Club, Fenway Park, 20 Jersey Street
The Red Sox are holding their bi-annual meeting to provide updates on their events and operations, and offer the neighborhood the chance to ask questions and provide any feedback and suggestions that we have. Snacks and refreshments will be served. Doors at 20 Jersey Street open at 6pm, and a short speaking program will begin at 6:30.

5. SCAPE Project / 1252-1270 Boylston Street Public Meeting, November 4, 6:00 p.m., 2 Charlesgate West (enter at Boylston Street)
A public meeting on the 1252-1270 Boylston Street project will be held at 2 Charlesgate West to discuss the project’s recently filed Draft Project Impact Report. To read the filing and submit your comments, visit: http://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/1252-1270-boylston-street

Please see the many programs that await you at this Monday’s annual “Opening Our Doors” in the Fenway!

Dear Friends,

The Alliance’s Opening Our Doors Festival is almost here! Please join us
Monday, October 14 at 10 AM for our Kick-Off at the Christian Science Plaza
-look for our Big Banner! Over 80 cultural experiences throughout various
locations in the Fenway in a day of cultural partnership, inclusion and
excellence.

Please find program book with schedule here: http://www.fenwayculture.org, and help
us spread the word!

Kelly, Genevieve and Sarah, The Fenway Alliance

Citywide preliminary municipal elections will be held next Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. We encourage all residents to participate.

To find your polling location, visit: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema//bal/myelectioninfo.aspx
To review candidates, electoral maps, and more, visit: https://www.boston.gov/departments/election

Join neighbors for a FREE watercolor workshop at Symphony Community Park this Sunday, September 22nd from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
All materials will be provided – come and bring a friend! For more details, see below. Symphony Park is located at 39 Edgerly Road in the Fenway.

FensFest harvest festival at the Fenway Victory Gardens, Saturday, September 7th 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., 1200 Boylston Street

Join gardeners and neighbors to celebrate the end of the growing season for food and fun activities, including raffles, face painting and games for children, music, and a white elephant sale. More details below, or visit: https://fenwayvictorygardens.org/fens-fest-harvest-festival/

Join Mz. Rhythm and the Boston Rhythm Riders for 4 weeks of line dancing classes at Symphony Park, 6 p.m. Thursdays, hosted by the Friends of Symphony Park. Why stand on the sidelines? Get moving in these free sessions and learn basic line dancing call outs. More information below. Thanks to the Boston Rhythm Riders, The Mission Hill/Fenway Neighborhood Trust, and The Boston Cultural Council for making these classes possible.

Dear Members and Friends:

With the school year upon us, please review upcoming parking restrictions in the Fenway.
Please note that other restrictions, including on state parkways, may exist – check signs carefully for details:

1. City postings:
The following parking restrictions take place between August 27th and September 2nd:
Map: https://www.boston.gov/news/parking-and-traffic-restrictions-during-2019-student-move#map–339276
Schedule: https://www.boston.gov/news/parking-and-traffic-restrictions-during-2019-student-move#fenway-parking

2. Berklee postings: The following restrictions and events take place between August 25th and September 5th:

Sunday, August 25th Residence Hall Move-In, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Parking Affected:
o 8 spaces on Belvidere St.
o 2 spaces in front of 98 Hemenway St.
o 4 spaces in front of 270 Commonwealth Ave.

Wednesday, August 28th Residence Hall Move-In, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Parking Affected:
o 8 spaces on Belvidere St.
o 2 spaces in front of 98 Hemenway St.
o 4 spaces in front of 270 Commonwealth Ave.

Saturday, August 31st New Student Move-In, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Approximately 1000 students will move into 150 Mass. Ave., 160 Mass. Ave., 98 Hemenway Street and The Fenway. Students will complete check in at 7 Haviland St. and 8 Fenway.

Students moving into 150 and 160 Mass. Ave. will enter Belvidere Street at Dalton Street and form two lanes on Belvidere, one on each side, based on which building they will move into. The middle will be a lane for through traffic, which will not be impeded. Berklee Public Safety will manage the traffic flow on Belvidere and will also have officers on Mass. Ave. making sure cars don’t stop and unload in front of the buildings.

Students moving into 98 Hemenway, 270 Commonwealth or The Fenway will pull up to the curb to unload their belongings.
We have hired 40 movers to unload cars and fill up carts as cars arrive. As soon as the cars are empty, they will be ushered off to find parking so that we can keep the lines moving.

Parking Affected:
o Both sides of the entire Belvidere St (Commercial Spaces included)
o 4 spaces in front of 98 Hemenway
o 8 spaces in front of 270 Commonwealth

Thursday, September 5th New Student Block Party at 7 Haviland Street, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

There will be a live DJ on the 7 Haviland Street Patio and food at this event. Open to local residents.
Parking/Traffic Affected:

Haviland Street will be closed from Mass. Ave. to Edgerly Road between 3:00p.m. and 8:00 p.m.