NEMPAC is currently accepting submissions and recruiting volunteers for the NEMPAC Film and Music Festival on Oct. 22, 2009 at the Hard Rock Cafe. If you have any friends that make films, please encourage them to submit; preference will be given to films shot in Boston. The deadline for submissions is Sept 15th and there Read More…
Arts & Culture
Armenian Park Delay by BRA Discussed at NEWRA Meeting
A scheduled presentation on the Armenian Heritage Park by Architect Don Tallelian did not happen at this week’s NEWRA meeting because the Boston Redevelopment Authority requested it be delayed pending its own review. Despite the lack of a formal presentation, an update was provided by Victor Brogna who is co-chair of NEWRA’s zoning committee. The Read More…
Prado Concerts New This Year During St. Joseph’s Feast
ST. JOSEPH SOCIETY SALUTES MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES The St. Joseph Society will salute the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces with a pair of free evening concerts during the 84th annual St. Joseph’s Feast being celebrated July 24 to 26 at Battery and Hanover Streets in the North End. Read More…
Tall Ships Mania – Cool Videos
From the last Tall Ships in 2000. Note Bay State Lobster before the Fairmont Battery Wharf was built.Well, I didn’t think it would happen, but I did get sucked into the whole Tall Ships extravaganza. After being asked 3 times where the ships were on my way home from work on Friday, I decided to Read More…
Greenway Programming Schedule
I’ve been pretty outspoken regarding the potential for large-scale events on the Greenway and why the draft guidelines need to have some protection against the “renting-out” of the parks. But I wanted to give the Conservancy credit for also offering some very nice, community-based activities. Check out their schedule on this flyer (pdf) or go Read More…
Maritime Museum Opens At Fairmont Battery Wharf
The Fairmont Battery Wharf formally opened the Maritime Museum this week with an outdoor celebration, including podium speeches by the Mayor and other dignitaries. The Museum is being referred to as a pocket museum, with its 1,000 square feet of space retelling the history of Massachusetts Bay, featuring the U.S. Coast Guard and the history Read More…
Comment Letter Opposing Large, Sponsored Greenway Events
Our new Greenway parks are at risk of being “rented-out”. As discussed in a previous post, the Greenway Leadership Council (GLC) is reviewing draft guidelines for the Greenway’s Public Programming, Special Events and General Use. Approving these “rules & regulations” is one of the most important functions of the GLC as assigned per State legislation. Chapter 306 of the Acts of 2008 created the GLC as a governing body over the private, non-profit Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. A list of current GLC members can be accessed here.
Are large, sponsored events the future of the Greenway Parks?My comment letter strongly opposes the “renting out” of the Greenway parks for large, semi-private events that could destroy the parks and the hurt the character of the North End/Waterfront neighborhood. Turning the Greenway into an outdoor convention center goes against the desired public use nature of these long-awaited parks. Click here for a PDF version of my comments.
The GLC is accepting public comments through July 15, 2009 before considering the final version of the guidelines at their next private meeting. I hope you will take a minute and submit your own comments via email to: comments@rosekennedygreenway.org.
It is a good idea to cc/copy your comments to public officials. Their emails can be found on our Resources/Links page.
Anyone is welcome to copy/paste parts of my letter at the link below.
Greenway Events Create Controversy at Leadership Council Meeting
At issue during the last Greenway Leadership Council (GLC) meeting was how the Greenway Conservancy will handle events, from small-scale community/school activities to large private/corporate convention-like events. This meeting on June 25th was the first without the Conservancy and dedicated to reviewing draft guidelines for the parks. The draft guidelines will cover pretty much everything Read More…
Tall Ships Reaches Agreement With City
The organizers of Sail Boston and the City/State have come to an agreement that will allow the Tall Ships to sail and dock in Boston Harbor as planned on July 8th through July 13th. Public access to the ships will be free, although the parade of ships and two fireworks displays have been canceled. The Read More…
Dan Nuzzo Receives Award From FOCCP
The Friends of Christopher Columbus Park recently honored Dan Nuzzo with an award for his untiring efforts over the years, as President of FOCCP. The adjacent picture shows Dan receiving the award from Meghan Dennenberg, Membership Chair. For more information on the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park, see their website at www.foccp.org. Thanks to Meredith Read More…
Greenway Conservancy Meets Council
At the first joint meeting between the Greenway Conservancy and the appointed Leadership Council, participants reviewed a brief history of the Greenway’s first year and looked forward to fiscal 2010. The Greenway Conservancy was originally tasked with just the maintenance of Chinatown Park, but given budget cuts elsewhere, the Conservancy will now be responsible for Read More…
Feast Season Arrives in the North End
Next weekend begins the feast season in the North End with the 104th anniversary procession for Madonna Di Anzano. Most of the June celebrations are processions only with the larger multi-day events in July and August. The North End feasts are a long-standing tradition of our neighborhood. Many residents take part in organizing and participating Read More…