We ended our tour of the Business District with lunch provided at the River Grille followed by a cake cut by our special guest, Mrs. Menino, who joined us on the Parade route.

Hyde Park Main Streets was pleased to host our Second Annual Countdown to Kindergarten Parade recently; this event has proven wildly popular with both the new students and their parents.

We met at the Library for light refreshments donated by Dunkin Donuts and finger printing provided by the Suffolk Co. Sheriff’s Office as well as fun tattoos for the kids. Leading the parade was our returning Grand Marshal, City Councilor Rob Consalvo, who wore a special sash made for the occasion. As we left the Library, each child was given a “Shopping on Main Streets” bag filled with items generously donated by the local business community-as well as a pencil box filled with school supplies from Staples a citywide sponsor of Countdown to Kindergarten. For safety, an officer from Boston Police Area E-18 walked with Marshal Consalvo to help the children cross the streets as we went from business to business.

All the kids posed for photos on the benches, wearing their yellow tee shirts and firefighter hats from Hyde Park Station 48. Right then the fire engine drove by and waved to everyone, a really fun moment for parents and children.

Many of the parents remarked on the generosity and warm welcome given by the Hyde Park businesses along the parade.

For a complete list of all and participants please see the list in the Featured Article. We also want to thank our partners, the Boston Public Schools' Countdown to Kindergarten Program.

New England Patriots defeat the New York Jets 24-17 on Sept 17th, 2006. (Click logo for Patriots website.)

Super Bowl XLI in Miami, Florida and you and a friend could be there!Enter our 4th Annual Super Bowl Raffle and have at least a 1 in 300 chance of winning this dream trip package for two people. Raffle tickets are $100.00 each, why not go in on a ticket with a friend today?

If you buy before November 6th, you will also be eligible to win 2 Club Premium seats including a free parking pass to the Patriots vs. NY Jets game at Gillette Stadium. These club seats are valued at $600.00 per ticket and have been very graciously donated to HPMS by Dan Bathon, Chairman of Windspeed Ventures, and his wife Julie. It’s a great kick-off to our signature fundraising event, one that raises funds for our local programming here in Hyde Park and is fun for everyone.

Buy your tickets now online with a credit card at www.hydeparkmainstreets.com or call 617-361-6964 and we will send you a ticket form.

Building Renovation with HPMS Storefront Improvement grant award to property owner and tenants for Subway and the future home of Minute Man Press.

Over the Summer, quite a few businesses have opened their doors in Hyde Park. Some are established businesses that have located here from West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. More are planning on opening in the next few months, all of which is good news for the business district.

Hyde Park Main Streets seeks to work with businesses in a number of ways. For example, I recently attended the grand opening for the O’Dwyer School of Irish Dancing at 49 Fairmount Ave. I met the owner, Helen O’Dwyer and talked to her about applying for a Main Street grant for new signage. We’re also planning on working with Minuteman Press on a grant for their storefront, we already partnered with the property owner to renovate his building on Hyde Park Avenue adjacent to the Post Office. Attracting a tenant that will complement the business mix is part of why we make working with landlords a priority; it is the best way to leverage an even greater investment in the district, not just a physical improvement, but also a business/tenant addition.

Right now a new pool of funding is available for Storefront Improvement projects, call us for an application or download the form from our web site. Click here to download Forms on line.

Don Fitzgerald,owner of Gallagher Insurance Agency, (HPMS Business Member), and staff is presented his award check by Karen O'Connell, Director and Jim Stanton, Officer on the HPMS Board of Directors for his successful Storefront Improvement Project.

Hyde Park YMCA (HPMS Business Member)
21st Annual Auction featuring Boston's top comedians
Friday, September 29, 2006
George Wright Golf Course
420 West Street
For more information call 617-361-2300

Friends of the Hyde Park Branch Library
(HPMS Business Member)
25th Annual Fall Book Sale
Saturday, September 30th
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Hyde Park Branch Library, Menino Hall
35 Harvard Avenue
617-361-2524

Southwest Boston Community Delelopment Corporation (HPMS Business Member)
5th Anniversary Gala Reception
Thursday, October 5th, 6-8 PM
Hyde Park Branch Library, 35 Harvard Ave,
For more information call 617-364-7300 or hmacmaster@swbcdc.org.

HPMS Networking Breakfast
Thursday, October 19, 7:45 - 9:00 AM
With Special Guest: Alec Stern, Vice President of Constant Contact

The Academy of the Pacific Rim (HPMS Business Member)
A Classical Evening to Remember
Thursday Evening October 19, 2006 with The Boston Philharmonic, Benjamin Zander, Conductor
For more information call 617-361-0050 x143

Boston Trinity Academy (HPMS Business Member) Campus Dedication
Saturday, October 21, 2006, 10am
17 Hale Steet, Hyde Park
RSVP 617-364-3700 x219
Directions: Boston Trinity Academy

Citizen Schools Career Opportunity
Be a Teaching Assoicate
For more information and job application , go to the Citizen Schools Website.

Missed a meeting? Contact us for monthly minutes compiled by volunteer committee members and available by e-mail.

If Hyde Park is your home, why not make us your home page at www.hydeparkmainstreets.com and be better connected to your community. *Please note that committee dates are subject to change.