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…
Event Notices
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…
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.
Upcoming Neighborhood Meetings
A few reminders for upcoming neighborhood meetings in the next week: Thursday for NEWRA, Monday for NEWNC and Tuesday for FOCCP. See the Calendar for all upcoming meetings & events in the North End/Waterfront community. NEWRA-North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association Thursday, July 9, 2009, 7:00pm Nazzaro Center, 30 N. Bennet St Click here for complete agenda Read More…
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…
Paesan’s License Leaving North End?
According to a June 25th legal notice, Bianca Gianna Enterprises of 76 Salem Street has filed to transfer a beer/wine license to the Upper Crust at 1330 Boylston Street with an 11:30 pm closing time. The location on Salem Street was previously known as Paesan’s. The action follows an auction by Century Bank which had 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…
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…