* In January, Ian Moorhouse, associate director of Hill House on Mount Vernon Street, announced ambitious plans for a restructured and expanded youth baseball program for the upcoming season.

* In March, the Boston Center for Adult Education, the self-described “oldest, nonprofit adult education center in New England,” relocated to 122 Arlington St. from the Gamble Mansion, the historic Commonwealth Avenue building that was home to the 76-year-old school since 1941.

* On March 12, City Council President Mike Ross joined the Back Bay Association (BBA) at a forum that allowed neighborhood business owners to suggest new ways in which City Hall could help them weather the current economic crisis at The Fairmont Copley Westin.

* On March 13, Stella Trafford, the “Steel Magnolia of Boston,” died of natural causes at the age of 97 in Boylston Place at Chestnut Hill. As a former resident of the Back Bay, Trafford was a tireless protector of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, the Public Garden and other area parks.

* On April 2, Taste of the Back Bay took place at the Prudential Skywalk at the Prudential Center. The annual event, sponsored by the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay (NABB), featured food from more than 30 of the neighborhood’s most popular restaurants, ranging from the casual seafood fare found at Summer Shack to the fine French cuisine of L’Espalier.

* On May 13, the Back Bay Association held its held 86th annual meeting at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, drawing a capacity crowd of neighborhood business people, elected officials and other dignitaries. Sharon Reilly, executive director of the Women’s Lunch Place, a Back Bay-based daytime shelter for poor and homeless women, was awarded the BBA Heavy Lifting Award for her contribution for the neighborhood over the past year. Capt. William Evans of the Boston Police Department’s District D-4 received the Back Bay Security Network Award on behalf of the Security Network, a BBA-initiated partnership between local businesses and police.

* On May 27, City Council President Mike Ross held a meeting at the Boston Public Library entitled “Turning Back Bay Green.” The discussion focused on Ross’ efforts to work with businesses, restaurants and tenants to promote better recycling practices in the two blocks located between Exeter and Dartmouth streets and from Commonwealth Avenue to Boylston Street.

* In June, Arlington Station on the MBTA Green Line reopened, following a $22.7 million rehabilitation project that brought the 88-year-old facility into full compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) for the first time. The station was outfitted with three brand new elevators, new head-houses and stairways, brand new columns and new electrical signage throughout the facility. Additional improvements also included a new egress at the Arlington Street Church on Boylston Street.

* In July, the Back Bay Association (BBA) launched a new destination brand Web site to promote the Back Bay as the destination for culture, cuisine, couture, and commerce, showcasing the neighborhood’s products, services, restaurants, galleries and attractions. The Web site (www.VisitBostonBackBay.com) includes interactive brand listings of local businesses, videos of neighborhood attractions, photo-realistic walking tours, maps, events and great deals listings, parking information, local history, and a wide variety of service and nonprofit listings.

* On July 1, the city’s Mounted Patrol Unit disbanded after falling prey to budget cuts, thus ending a 136-year-old tradition of Boston police on horseback.

* On July 7, Mayor Thomas M. Menino led a group of retailers, brokers and developers on the second annual “Experience Boston” bus tour of empty storefronts in the Back Bay and Fenway in an effort to attract new businesses to the city. The tour, which preceded the International Conference of Shopping Centers New England Idea Exchange at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center on July 8 and 9, highlighted nearly 20 vacant retail spaces in the neighborhoods. As an incentive for prospective retailers, Menino announced that any retailer who signed a lease for any of the spaces visited on the tour within the next six months would receive two free outdoor advertising displays in downtown Boston for one month, which have an estimated value of $5,000.

* In August, the Garden Club of the Back Bay announced $18,000 in annual grants, including scholarships for six local children to attend day camp. The grants were made possible by proceeds from the group’s two annual fundraisers – the decorating and selling of holiday wreaths and the June 2008 Garden Party.

* In September, the Friends of the Public Garden completed a $20,000 restoration job on the statue of Domingo F. Sarmiento on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.

* In September, the city unveiled a proposal to build bike lanes on both sides of Commonwealth Avenue. The Commonwealth Avenue modifications would be achieved by narrowing the travel-lane widths of the two-lane roadway to create bike lanes between Kenmore Square and Arlington Street. As part of the mayor’s plan, the new lanes would link the Charles River Esplanade network to new bike lanes on Columbus Avenue in the South End.

*On Sept. 24, the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay (NABB) held its “Welcome Back from Summer Barbeque,” which drew more than 100 people to Clarendon Street Playground.

* On Oct. 15, the recently renovated area spanning 1064 –1100 Boylston St. at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The rehabilitation project was undertaken by the city, Berklee College of Music and other local landowners.

*On Oct. 31, the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay sponsored a Halloween party at the Clarendon Street Playground for area families.

* On Nov. 10, the Back Bay Association (BBA) sponsored its annual Best of Back Bay event at the Four Seasons Hotel, Boston, drawing hundreds of city business leaders and a number of public figures.

* On Dec. 2, Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Copley Square sponsored the official Copley Square Tree Lighting. 
The event featured the Salvation Army Brass Ensemble directed by Band Master Bill Rollins, the Trinity Church Children’s Choir directed by Richard Webster, a sing-along, a visit from Santa Claus, donated refreshments from local businesses and the lighting of the 40-foot blue spruce sponsored by the Friends of Copley Square and Normandy Real Estate Partners.

* On Dec. 17, City Council President Mike Ross joined Eliza Greenberg, commissioner of the city’s Elderly Commission at the Boston Public Library for the launch of the Back Bay Senior Club.

In front of a packed audience of local leaders and dignitaries, Mayor Thomas M. Menino this morning took the oath of office at historic Faneuil Hall to begin his fifth term as Mayor of the City of Boston. In a ceremony that also included the swearing-in of the Boston City Council, Mayor Menino delivered his inaugural address, pledging that this term will be marked by a new era of shared innovation that draws on the progress of the past and sets the stage for Boston’s continued growth and success. With a renewed sense of urgency, the Mayor called on the people of Boston to help the new administration accomplish sweeping transformation over the next four years, emphasized by innovation in public education, economic development, and public-private partnerships.
“We should remind ourselves of the progress and look ahead with confidence,” Mayor Menino said. “This, after all, is a city of innovators. So, as we come together and take stock of who we are – on our special Boston DNA – I have no doubts about what will carry us forward. We know we can create jobs, build even stronger, safer neighborhoods, improve our schools, and provide more affordable housing. Today, knowing that all of our potential remains, we inaugurate a new era of shared innovation.”
Identifying transformative progress in education as the first hallmark of this new era, Mayor Menino cited the need to reinvent current approaches to challenges rather than settling for quick fixes. As members of the Massachusetts Legislature this week debate an education reform bill put forward by the House Ways and Means Committee, the Mayor urged legislators to adopt a bill that not only increases the cap on charter schools but also provides turnaround capacity for underperforming districts in three areas. The administration is actively working with House leaders and the Boston delegation to advocate for the following: 1) the authority to create in-district charter schools; 2) the flexibility to assign teachers where they are needed most; and 3) the ability to bypass lengthy arbitration at persistently underperforming schools.
“We can look to a day with one system of education in Boston,” Mayor Menino continued, “when there will be no wasteful feuding on charter versus pilot versus traditional public. Educators and best practices will move across fading boundaries. Our system will welcome innovation with one standard: deliver outstanding results for all our youth.”
The Mayor went on to unveil plans for creating a vibrant “Innovation District” to reinvigorate Boston’s waterfront and the Marine Industrial Park. He called for a new approach to development in the area, one that is both more deliberate and more experimental, in order to turn the space into a center for creative and emerging industries. Rooted in innovation clusters such as the green economy, biotech, and web development, the district would serve as an incubator for entrepreneurial business. The innovation district would be a testing ground for new models of housing, such as co-housing, that provide flexible live-work opportunities for entrepreneurs and researchers. The Mayor also called on the same spirit of innovation to unlock the potential of Downtown Crossing, Dudley Square, and the Albany Street Corridor.
Long known as the “Urban Mechanic” for his attention to delivering effective city services, Mayor Menino pledged this morning to usher in a wave of municipal innovation and shed the outdated label. He issued an open call to foundations, entrepreneurs, technologists, and residents alike to help make Boston the hub of municipal innovation.
“We are all urban mechanics,” Mayor Menino underscored. “Smart phones, GPS, wireless technology, and a resurgent spirit of civic engagement mean that all of us are eyes and ears on the streets, that neighbors are our greatest source of data, and our citizens the best civic entrepreneurs.”
In an effort to scale successful programs, Mayor Menino announced that by April his administration would identify two dozen existing programs to cut or consolidate and six more to expand and support.
Mayor Menino’s grandchildren introduced him at the ceremony and held the bible – a family heirloom – that he took his oath of office on. Reverend Jeffery Brown of the Boston Ten Point Coalition issued the invocation while the City of Boston’s Poet Laureate Sam Cornish recited an original poem to commemorate the event. Local jazz musician and accomplished recording artist Andre Ward provided music for the Inauguration.
“It was the privilege of a lifetime to take this oath for a fifth term this morning,” the Mayor said in concluding his address. “We only have 1,463 days in this new term. Today is day one. Let’s go make the most of it and every one that follow.”

The mayor’s inaugural

At Faneuil Hall on Monday morning, Thomas Menino made history by taking the oath for the Mayor’s office for a fifth time.
While there were lighter moments as when Menino was swearing in the City Councilors and gave them the oath for the office of Mayor, Menino’s inaugural address outlined the four serious areas that he will concentrate on in the fifth term.
These areas are improving the public school system, delivering city services better, finishing developments in downtown, along the waterfront and Dudley Square and bringing the city residents together.
Each area represents a challenge.
Some of the challenges are clearly within Menino’s power to fix like city services and development projects. As for bringing residents together, Menino is clearly the master.
The challenge of public schools is perhaps the most bold undertaking since the solutions will require authority from beyond the city. Menino is seeking help from the State House.
Senate President Theresa Murray. Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo as well as Governor Patrick were in attendance on Monday. These are the leaders that Menino must make sure are on his side in the coming battle with the School Union.
In this election year, many of the state representatives and senators as well as the Governor will not be willing to go out on a limb for Menino in his fight against the School Union.
However, the public school system must be addressed and these state leaders must do what they have been elected to do.
A healthy school system in Boston will make Menino’s other goals easier to attain and bring about a better city.
Boston needs a first quality school system that will show all the students the lesson that education is the best road to achieve success, both in business and personal choices.
Clearly there are bright spots, but there are as many troubled spots in the public school system.
Students who can clearly read and write and understand will make Boston neighborhoods safe and vibrant.
Almost all the City Councilors at large in November’s election decried the state of the public schools where many of the basic supplies are left up to the teachers to provide while paying more than $40 million yearly for a failed bussing system intended to aid the education of our children.
Menino said that we must try new roads and new solutions and that the status quo is no longer acceptable.
With his place in history certainly assured, we look forward to Menino taking the gamble and risk. With these choices can come victory or defeat.
However, Menino will need a little help from his friends at the State House.


The extended holiday

The New Year’s Holiday falling on Thursday evening was a nice touch. It extended the holiday, which gave most of us added valuable time to think and to dream. Then came almost two days of snowfall, which gave us still more incentive to build castles in the air.
The neighborhood covered with snow takes on the appearance of a jewel.
The bright white against a sea of brilliant red brick is as exhilarating to look at and to ponder as the blackness of the winter sky lit by the biggest shining stars.
This weekend’s snow cover capped the entrance of the New Year.
It caused many of us to stay inside and literally, to look inward.
What is inside always comes outside – and so it will go in 2010.

The Bruins at Fenway Park

Fenway Park is a jewel of a different sort.
The outdoor hockey game witnessed by more than 36,000 was one of the most memorable sports moments in a city replete with them over the decades.
Ice hockey began exclusively as an outdoor sport.
However, professional ice hockey is almost exclusively played inside arenas.
By coming to Fenway Park, it was like a return to yesterday. And for many New Englanders who grew up playing pond hockey during the winter, this was a moment to savor.
A hockey game inside Fenway Park at the height of a New England Winter.
Now that was something to behold!