What Do You Want in a Park? Boston Wants to Know
What makes a park great? Is it the amount of open space, the prevalence of natural features, shade trees, trails, benches, gardens or playgrounds? Is it a community garden, like Berkeley, or a nice space with benches, like Library Park? The city of Boston has begun its effort to plan for the preservation of open space and the development of parks through 2021, and wants input from residents through a new online questionnaire. The planning process will consider all of Boston’s public spaces including parks, playgrounds, squares, malls, community gardens, cemeteries, trails and harbor islands, and consider demographics and socio-economic trends and how they fit into park use, officials said. Officials also plan to target natural areas for preseracation, such as rivers, harbors, wildlife and vegetation. “Public participation is crucial to the success of the plan and the key ingredient to helping us make our parks and open spaces better,” the Parks Department said in a statement. Residents can fill out the survey here. Copies of the questionnaire are also available at the Boston Public Library branches and the Boston Centers for Youth and Families community centers through May 24, by emailing openspaceplan2015@cityofboston.gov or by writing to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, May 22: Fundraiser for Project HIP-HOP
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a mostly cloudy day, with a high near 81 degrees, and a 30 percent chance of showers in the afternoon. 2. Fundraiser for HIP-HOP: Join the board, staff and young people of Project HIP-HOP for their 5th Annual event, REVOLVE, a fundraiser and celebration of Project HIP-HOP’s work. There will be foot on hand from Aaron Tanaka, and free beer, wine and non-alcholic drinks. There will be a silent auction with prizes including art, Red Sox gear, or MFA passes. Admission is free with a donation. Suggested donation is $ 35. See here for more information. 3. South End Paving: Is your street slated to get a facelift this year? The city of Boston released a list of all the streets that will be repaved over the course of the coming year. See more here. 4. Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Join others who are seeking a job a a free professional networking group held each week at 6 p.m. at the Boston Public Library’s main branch in Copley Square. Membership is open to anyone in career transition, including unemployed or underemployed individuals and recent college graduates in the fields of business, non-profit, and education, as well as persons re-entering the job market, struggling small business owners and anyone looking for part-time or volunteer work. See here for more information. 5. Scooper Bowl: Does it ever get any better than all-you-can-eat ice cream? The annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl will take place at Boston’s City Hall Plaza on June 4, 5, and 6 from noon to 8 p.m. Baskin Robbins, Ben & Jerry’s, Blue Bunny, Breyer’s, Byrne Dairy, Edy’s, Friendly’s, HP Hood, and SoCo Creamery will be in attendace. All proceeds support adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Tickets are $ 10. See here for more information. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, May 21: Walking Tour of the South End
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a partly cloudy day, with a high near 68 degrees. 2. South End Walking Tour: The Boston Center for Adult Education, (122 Arlington St.) is hosting a walking tour of the South End tonight, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Guests will have a chance to explore the South End’s historical neighborhoods on foot while discovering fascinating facts about the community. The tour will include sites like an 1810 burial ground, an 1830’s alley-hidden wooden house and a number of charming masonry town houses. The BCAE is also hosting walking tours of the Bay Village and the Theatre District, Fort Point Channel Neighborhood and Beacon Hill: the North Slope. Tickets are $ 20 each. See here for more information. 3. Author Talk: Alice Hoffman, author of The Dovekeepers, a historical novel describing the AD70 massacre at Masada, will be giving a talk at the South End Library tonight at 6:30 p.m. Her novel tells the story of four women at the fortress before it fell during the Jewish-Roman war. See here for more information. 4. Fundraiser for HIP-HOP: Join the board, staff and young people of Project HIP-HOP for their 5th Annual event, REVOLVE, a fundraiser and celebration of Project HIP-HOP’s work. There will be foot on hand from Aaron Tanaka, and free beer, wine and non-alcholic drinks. There will be a silent auction with prizes including art, Red Sox gear, or MFA passes. Admission is free with a donation. Suggested donation is $ 35. See here for more information. 5. Don’t Cut Down Trees: The Boston Parks and Recreation Department announced today they would like to remind property owners and contractors that it is illegal to remove street trees without review or approval from the City of Boston Tree Warden. Street trees on public property are protected by Massachusetts General Law Ch. 87, and may not be cut down without a public hearing and authorization by the City Tree Warden. The street tree removal process is outlined on the City of Boston website here. And see here for more information. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, May 20: Stevie Wonder Night at Beehive
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a partly sunny day, with a high near 79 degrees and a 50 percent chance of showers and a thunderstorm in the morning. 2. Stevie Wonder Night: The Beehive Restaurant (541 Tremont St.) is holding a birthday tribute to Stevie Wonder tonight with funk-jazz band The Funky ABs. The show goes on from 8 p.m. through midnight, and there’ll be a full dinner menu as well as snacks at the bar. See here for more information. 3. Name Change: Over the weekend, Mayor Thomas M. Menino officially announced the renaming of the Cathedral public housing development for Ruth Lillian Barkley, a former resident and leader who worked for more than 40 years to improve the quality of life for BHA residents at Cathedral and throughout the City of Boston. 4. Marathon Fundraiser: The Boston Center for Adult Education (122 Arlington St.) is hosting a special fundraiser just for hair stylists to raise money for Celeste Corcoran, a stylist from Emerge Salson who was injured in the marathon bombing. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. attendees will learn how to style models for a formal wear editorial photo shoot from start to finish. The BCAE and all stylists are donating their space and time for the event. All proceeds will go directly to Celeste Corcoran. Preregistration is necessary and can be done by calling The Loft Salon at (617) 536-5638. See here for more information. 5. Add your events: Do you have a great event coming up at your organization or business? If it’s happening right here in the South End, add it to the Events Calendar! I feature great events every single day in the daily email update, on the homepage and on social media, so add yours to the mix and help get the word out to South Enders about what’s happening in their neighborhood.Click here to add an event. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, May 17: South End Library Booksale
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a sunny day, with a high near 71 degrees. 2. Book Sale: The Friends of the South End Library is hosting is annual book sale at the library’s park this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All proceeds will go directly to the library staff for programming use and supplies. Check those book shelves in your home for any books you loved but no longer need: someone else will likely love them, too. See here for more information. 3. Is Your Dog a Star? Does your pooch have what it takes to tackle Shakespeare? Bring your pup to Bark Place (1721 Washington St.) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a chance to star as “Crab” in the Shakespeare on the Common production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Rehearsals begin in June with performances July 6-28. You must RSVP for an audition, email crabbiestdog@commshakes.org. See here for more information. 4. Marriage Equality: Today is the 9th anniversary of the legality of gay marriage in Massachusetts. Supporters came out to the public garden yesterday to celebrate. See here to read more. 5. Benefit at House of Blues: Support children’s music education at the House of Blues tonight with burgers and beer. Starting at 7:30 p.m. there will be burgers, Cisco brews, Bacardi spirits and a silent auction featuring autographed items from Kid Rock, Slash, Fun., Grace Potter Alabama Shakes, Dropkick Murphys and many more. Tickets are $ 25. See here for more information. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, May 16: Seminar for Landlords on New Boston Rules
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a sunny day, with a high near 78 degrees. 2. For the Landlords: Since Boston passed an update to its rules regulating rentals, you as a landlord have a host of new responsibilities, including registration of private rental units and inspection of all non-exempt rental units every 5 years. The city is hosting a special session tonight at 6 p.m. to review the process, fees, dates and other important information for landlords to know. The meeting will be held at the Inspectional Services Department —City of Boston 1010 Massachusetts Ave. (5th Fl.) An RSVP is required. See here for more information. 3. South End Flea Market: Put it on your calendars – the Claremont Neighborhood Association is having their 23rd annual Flea Market and Street Fair on Saturday, June 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wellington Street. The Street Fair includes antiques, collectibles, jewelry, art, and household goods for sale, a raffle for prizes from local merchants, face painting and balloons for children, food, and live music. All are invited and admission is free! See here for more information. 4. One Fund Goes 501(c): The One Fund has been officially approved by the IRS as a charity fund, meaning all donations are tax deductible. Victims of the bombing have until June 15th to submit a claim to benefit from the funds. See here for more information. 5. One Fund Benefit: Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar & Grill, with support from the New England cycling community hosts a benefit for The One Fund Boston tonight at 6 p.m., with a full buffet dinner for guests, and 10 percent of cash bar proceeds will go directly to The One Fund Boston. There will be live music from Sweet Tooth & the Sugarbabies and raffles. Cost is $ 20-$ 100. See here for more information. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, May 15: Yoga for Toddlers at Community Music Center
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting an increasingly cloudy day, with a high near 67 degrees, and a 30 percent chance of showers. 2. Yoga for Kids: The Community Music Center of Boston (34 Warren Ave.) is hosting musical yoga classes for toddlers ages 1-3 years old on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. Classes incorporate sitting, standing, and floor poses that the caregiver performs with baby and toddler as well as poses caregiver can do for the child to help develop sensory skills and digestion. Classes are $ 15 at a drop-in rate, or $ 130 for ten classes. See here for more information. 3. South End Resident Elected: Gerard Doherty, MD, chief of Surgery at Boston Medical Center (BMC) chair of the Department of Surgery at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and a South End resident, has been elected as President of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES). He will serve as President-Elect through 2014 and as President through 2015. Read more here. 4. Downtown Schools: Learn more about options for downtown schools tonight at “Meet the Schools Night” at Kingsley Montessori School (26 Exeter St.) tonight from 6-7:30 p.m. Representatives from The Advent School, Beacon Hill Nursery School, The Boston Children’s School, John Winthrop School, The Learning Project, Montessori Parent Child Center, Old South Preschool, Park Street School, Pine Village, Spruce Street Nursery School, and the Torit Language Center will be available. See here for more information. 5. Art Show Announced: The South End Community Health Center (1601 Washington St.) is opening a new art exhibition on June 15th at its facility to raise awareness about its mission and its impact in the South End. The artists on display have committed to donate back at least 20 percent of the sale proceeds made during the show to the nonprofit. This year’s artists include: Susan Jane Belton, James Alan Edwards, Cathy England, Nancy Johnson, Evelyn Berde, Jennifer Ellwood, Betty Canick, Chandra Dieppa Ortiz and Vaughn Sills. See here for more information. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, May 14: Dennis Lehane at South End Library
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a sunny day, with a high near 62 degrees. 2. Dennis Lehane at South End Library: Dennis Lehane, a successful author who grew up in Dorchester, will be speaking at the South End Library tonight at 6:30 p.m. Lehane most recently published Live by Night, in 2012. His previous novels include, among others, Gone Baby Gone,Shutter Island and Mystic River, all made into movies. See here for more information. 3. American Dream Discussion: What does the American Dream look like in 2013? Join in on a free a panel discussion moderated by Benjamin Forman, Research Director for MassINC at the Boston Center for the Arts’ Nancy and Edward Roberts Studio Theatre at the Calderwood Pavilion, (527 Tremont St.) To register for the event, please visit http://tinyurl.com/btjb9gx. See here for more information. 4. Free Skin Cancer Screenings: Massachusetts Eye and Ear physicians Dr. Jessica Fewkes and Dr. Oon Tan will provide free skin cancer screenings tonight from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Carolyn and Peter Lynch Center for Reconstructive and Laser Surgery on the 9th floor at Mass. Eye and Ear (243 Charles St.) This screening is for those who do not have a dermatologist. See here for more details. 5. Add your events: Do you have a great event coming up at your organization or business? If it’s happening right here in the South End, add it to the Events Calendar! I feature great events every single day in the daily email update, on the homepage and on social media, so add yours to the mix and help get the word out to South Enders about what’s happening in their neighborhood.Click here to add an event. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, May 10: Hurley School Fundraiser
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a sunny day with a high near 81 degrees. 2. Hurley School Fundraiser: Looking for a way to donate to a local elementary school while having a great time? This Friday is the Club ¡TropiCaliente!, an event organized by the Neighborhood Parents for the Hurley School. The Benjamin Franklin Institute will be transformed into a glamorous 1950s Latin nightclub with food from Toro, Morse Fish, Flour, Tremont 647 and Vejigantes, and more. Stop by from 7-11 p.m. to shake your maracas and listen to live music and participate in a silent auction. Tickets are $ 125 and all proceeds will go to the charity. See here for more information. 3. Rosé Tasting and Art: The Laura Preshong (558 Tremont St.) is holding Pink Rocks and Rosé today 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come in and try on a fabulous collection of pink gemstones and pink gold jewelry, while sampling the season’s freshest rosé wine from Brix while supporting Dress For Success Boston. Guests who donate gently worn women’s business attire will enjoy 20% of their purchases. See here for more information. 4. Art for Non-Profits: On Saturday, May 11 at noon, 150 pieces of art from some of the region’s leading contemporary artists will be sold for $ 150 each to benefit the non-profit Laconia Gallery. Called 150×150:The Mad Dash! the idea is to come together to raise money for the gallery. See here for more information. 5. Rosé Tasting: Spend your Saturday at The Urban Grape (303 Columbus Ave.) for a grand rosé tasting, from 2-5 p.m. Over a dozen rosés from around the world will be open at each store to sample, for free. A 15% discount on mixed or full cases of rosé will be available for those making a purchase. Kitchensurfing will be on hand sampling food. See here for more information. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, May 9: Fun Run With South End Athletic Company
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a cloudy day, with a high near 66 degrees and a 60 percent chance of showers or a thunderstorm. 2. Get Running: Has the nice weather inspired you to get outside and get active? The South End Athletic Company, (652 Tremont St.) hosts weekly fun runs with light drills every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. See here for more information. 3. Rosé Tasting and Art: The Laura Preshong (558 Tremont St.) is holding Pink Rocks and Rose on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come in and try on a fabulous collection of pink gemstones and pink gold jewelry, while sampling the season’s freshest rosé wine from Brix while supporting Dress For Success Boston. Guests who donate gently worn women’s business attire will enjoy 20% of their purchases. See here for more information. 4. Mother’s Day concert: Several Boston area family music artists are teaming up this weekend to present a free Mother’s Day concert to benefit the One Fund Boston. Featuring groups such as Karen K and the Jitterbugs and Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys, the event will be held Sunday, May 12 from 12-5 p.m. at the Exchange Conference Center (212 Northern Ave.), at the Fish Pier. Donations will be accepted for the One Fund. Vendors and businesses throughout the greater Boston area will donate food, drinks and other items. Learn more at onefamilymusicfestival.com. 5. Free for moms: The New England Aquarium (1 Central Wharf) is offering free admission for moms this Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, with the purchase of any accompanying full-price ticket. Learn more at neaq.org or by calling 617-973-5200. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch