February 2021 - News & Updates |
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Buy A Gift Card. Help a Business. Feed a Neighbor. |
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February is Black History Month |
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As we come out of 2020 newly aware of how the dual crises of COVID-19 and structural racism affect Main Streets across the country, it is even more imperative that we take the time to celebrate the diversity of our communities and amplify local initiatives aimed at achieving greater equity in our commercial districts. Black History Month is a great time to refocus and reengage in that work.
Consider getting involved in these initiatives happening in West Roxbury's Main Street district:
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West Roxbury Diversity & Anti-Racism Free Library
In just a few short months since Westie residents Michael Fagone and Kristen Armandt introduced two free West Roxbury Diverse Libraries to the neighborhood, donations from local small businesses and residents have been soaring. Come check out the free libraries including one in the Main Street district on Quinn Way next to the YMCA and one on Greaton Road.
Black History Month: Dinner & Movie Night on February 27
Sponsored by The City of Boston's Black Employee Network, the Office of Public Service & Community Outreach, and The Mayor's Office of Economic Development . Please fill out this form by February 24th for dinner and a movie on Saturday, February 27th! Limited spots available, first come first served!
There are many more #BlackHistoryMonth events happening this month! Check out the list of events and programs for ways to get involved. Available on the City of Boston website.
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The WRMS Annual Meeting is This Tuesday! |
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Local Youth Art on Tim White Way |
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If you’re looking for some positive vibes and inspiration, consider taking a stroll down Tim White Way next to the Post Office.
Huge thank you to local West Roxbury artist Ellen McGill and her after-school art students who created uplifting drawings, words and images meant to inspire hope and happiness during this COVID-19 winter. The students (ages 9 -16) are from West Roxbury, Roslindale, Hyde Park and Dedham. Shout out to Chris Stokes and Pamela Siegel for helping to come up with this great idea for the community.
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Also, big thank you to all the volunteers who helped hang these works of art and to the Boston Main Streets Foundation who helped fund this effort through a grant as part of a winter placemaking initiative.
Photo credit: Local photographer Chris Lang who perhaps summed up this effort perfectly: “The very best of West Roxbury.”
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New Small Business Resources |
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2nd Round PPP Now Open
The U.S. Small Business Administration re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for First and Second Draw applications on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 9 am ET. The portal fully opens on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 to all participating PPP lenders to submit First and Second Draw loan applications to SBA. You can find a local lender here.
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Congratulations to Images Hair Studio (1872 Centre St) on their recent certification as an Age-Friendly Business by the City of Boston.
Images Hair Studio joins over ten other small businesses in the WRMS district to obtain the certification. Learn more about the program here. Watch a quick video tour of the space with owner, Cheryl Smith-Rolfe.
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Recreo Coffee celebrated its 6-Year Anniversary in West Roxbury earlier this month with a week of specials and prize giveaways. Owners Miriam and Hector shared "We are beyond grateful for the community that has been created — from the farm, to the cup, and all that’s in between, thank you for being a part of the Recreo family."
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Happy 3-Year Anniversary to Joe's 320 Cafe. Check out this video message from owner Chef Joe Adamo thanking the community for their support over this past year.
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Banh Mi Oi made it onto the Boston Globe's list of Top 100 Places for Takeout. Owner Yeannie Bach told us it wouldn't have been possible "without the help and support of our local West Roxbury fam!".
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BRAVO is in order for Maria’s Kitchen, one of the newest restaurants on Centre Street specializing in traditional homemade Greek cuisine with an authentic Mediterranean flare. Their new store signage lights up the District like their Spanikopita lights up our palette.
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Reimagine Boston Main Streets SURVEY
As you may be aware, the City of Boston’s Office of Economic Development is in the midst of a process to reimagine its Main Streets programming. Boston Main Streets is the country’s oldest urban program of its kind. It seeks to create, build, and sustain healthy commercial districts across Boston’s neighborhoods.
Right now, we're working with the City to help their team better understand what the Main Streets program is doing well, what could be better, and how this program can help to close the City’s racial wealth gap - all while supporting our neighborhoods in maintaining and enhancing their unique character. That's where you come in.
We would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete this survey that asks about our district and your experiences with Main Street programming.
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Upcoming Public Meetings on Commercial Developments in the WRMS District
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Zoning Board of Appeals Review of Case BOA-1091923 (1870 Centre Street)
Ward 20 Applicant: Centre Trust, LLC
For re-hearing of the appeal originally noticed for January 12, 2021 due to technical difficulty in the virtual hearing which prevented all sitting members of the Board from hearing and voting on the appeal in reference. From the terms of the Boston Zoning Code (see Acts of 1956, c.665) in the following respects: Articles: Article 56, Section 39 Off Street Parking & Loading Req Off Street parking is insufficient 63 required, 25 proposed Article 2A, Section 2A 1 Definitions Entertainment uses including fitness centers shall not operate past 10:30pm. Purpose: Interior build out, new tenant, Change of Use to include 24hr fitness center.
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BPDA Review of 1905-1911 Centre Street
Public meeting to discuss the proposed 1905-1911 Centre Street project in West Roxbury (the "Proposed Project"). The Proposed Project consists of the demolition of the structures occupying 1905-1911 Centre Street and the construction of a four-story mixed-use building with 21 residential units, ground floor commercial space, and off-street vehicle and bicycle parking spaces. The public is encouraged to attend.
March 8th Public Meeting 6:00-8:00pm. Register in advance for this meeting:
Toll-free call-in number: 833.568.8864
Meeting ID: 161 258 6080
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Happy 70th Anniversary to Parkway Community YMCA! |
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2021 West Roxbury Poetry Contest Begins! |
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Vaccine Sites in Boston
- 10 sites are taking registrations from any eligible Boston resident, and that includes the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury, Fenway Park, several sites operated by Community Health Centers, and in partnership with Boston Medical Center.
- There are another 14 sites, operated by Community Health Centers and hospitals, that are reaching out to their own patients who are eligible.
- And there are also 8 pharmacy locations, including Walgreens and CVS in various neighborhoods.
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For information about vaccine access in Boston, including a map of sites, visit Boston.gov/Covid19Vaccine. For more information on vaccine sites and to register, visit Mass.gov/CovidVaccine.
Vaccinations for 65+ and 2+ Comorbities Started February 18
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Individuals ages 65 and over and those with 2+ certain medical conditions, including Asthma, can visit www.mass.gov/covidvaccine to start booking an appointment for vaccines.
- Due to extremely high demand for appointments and limited vaccine supply, it could take more than a month for all eligible individuals to secure an available appointment, unless federal supply significantly increases. Recently, Massachusetts has been receiving approximately 110,000 first doses per week from the federal government. Residents are encouraged to keep checking the website as appointments are added on a rolling basis.
Vaccine Clinic for Veterans
Currently, veterans 55 or older can get vaccinated at VA healthcare facilities in Boston. For more information please visit Boston.VA.gov.
Age Strong Commission Vaccination Assistance for Seniors
The Age Strong Commission is working to get our older residents vaccinated by helping them navigate their options and get access to vaccines.
- They are trying to target:
- People from communities of color or communities hard hit by COVID
- People who cannot access the online scheduling portal/navigate vaccines on their own
- If you have Boston residents 75+ who want to get vaccinated, please either:
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Fill in this short google intake for folks you know want the vaccine (and they will call them to do the full registration - it takes about 15 minutes for each one), or
- Ask them to call 311 and ask for the Age Strong Commission (they will then do a short intake with folks and the vaccine registration team will call them back to do the full registration)
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WRMS would like to thank and acknowledge our sponsoring partner, the Boston Main Streets Organization. |
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West Roxbury Main Streets | 1842 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132 | wrms.org |
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