View of early stages of mural with artist at work. Come see the completed mural at the Fairmount Train Station.

Featuring the 54th Mass. Civil War Re-Enactors

Saturday, June 24, 2006, 9-10:30 am

You’re invited! Please join Hyde Park Main Streets as we formally dedicate the mural we commissioned at the Fairmount Train Station. Planned festivities include a color guard presentation by the 54th Massachusetts Civil War Re-Enactors, a local group here in Hyde Park. The original 54th Mass. was the first black regiment to serve in the Civil War and trained here in Readville before deploying under Col. Shaw. The regiment is depicted in our mural which has “Hyde Park’s History, Past and Present” as its theme.

Mayor Thomas Menino and City Councilor Rob Consalvo will be there to recognize the contributions of the youth from the Hyde Park YMCA Outreach Program and local artist Jennifer Vanora who together painted the mural at this key gateway location. HPMS provided funding for the mural as part of our comprehensive plan to improve the public spaces in the district. A second phase involved partnering again with the YMCA Youth and Earthworks to start an urban landscaping effort on the adjacent slope leading up to the district.

This should be a fun event with refreshments and chance to thank the kids for their public service and acknowledge the contributions of local businesses that donated supplies and food. Thanks to Auto Electric Supply, Essence of Thyme Café & Gifts, Marr Scaffolding Company, River Grille, S & R Construction, and True Value Hardware Hyde Park.

Blue Waves Fish Market plans to open on June 16th.

Exciting progress to report on our latest major Storefront Improvement Project, demolition/construction is well underway at the future home of C.F. Donovan’s Restaurant in Hyde Park. Have you noticed the removal of the old roof and the opening of the front wall for new larger windows; all part of our architect’s plan to completely transform the space (site of the former Mario’s). Providing professional design assistance at no cost to the applicant is a vital and significant contribution in addition to the actual matching grant funding. The architect, Jason Whitlock, followed the owner, Arthur Donovan’s lead in creating a signature look for the building, one that in his words will promote the restaurant just by seeing the location. The new design says this is a fine dining restaurant with a neighborhood feel, which we believe is a concept that the community is ready to embrace. We hope to be able to help create a new landmark and achieve one of our most important strategic goals, locating a full service restaurant in Hyde Park with his project. To make these goals a reality, HPMS Board of Directors has approved a $20,000.00 matching Storefront Improvement Grant for this major project.

Blue Waves Fish Market is tentatively set to open on June 16th; this is a great addition to our business district. We have worked closely with the owners and just this week attended the final Zoning Board hearing to obtain a take out license for the business. Next up is new signage designed through HPMS with a matching grant. In addition to fresh seafood, Blue Waves will offer prepared foods and take-out with friendly amenities such as recipe cards with the fish and a suggestion box for patrons.

Another interesting new Business Member of HPMS is the Traveling Pet Photographer, Adele Rothman, who is in the process of having a custom web page designed for her business by Tech Boston that will be hosted free on our site. Check out the new Business listings every month at www.hydeparkmainstreets.com

Director Karen O'Connell with Midori Nakano and HPMS Vice President, Ted Palashis at lunch in Essence of Thyme Cafe. (Click photo for Hearts Environmental Design website.)

I had a wonderful day with Midori Nakano, Community Designer from Hearts Environmental Design Ltd. Of Tokyo, Japan this month. We met and discussed Main Streets as a possible model for communities in Japan interested in revitalization efforts; she is interested in the parallels between the U.S. and Japan surrounding economic development issues.

Our tour of Hyde Park included lunch at Essence of Thyme with Ted Palashis, one of our Board Vice Presidents followed by a walk of the district and of course including a stop for ice cream at Ron’s Gourmet Ice Cream & Bowling. Midori sampled a few flavors and met Ron who told her he just finished reading a book on Japanese history.

Everyone was very welcoming and the day ended with Ms. Nakano sitting in on a committee meeting to experience true volunteerism at work. She presented me with a lovely gift of Japanese fabric and a rice paper wall hanging as well as individual gifts to the committee members. HPMS presented Ms. Nakano with a Dining on Main Streets tote bag filled with info about our Program and a Hurley’s Boston Irish Soda Bread.

Her company will be writing a book to be released this fall based on her research and experience including her trip here to study Hyde Park Main Streets.

Design Committee- Thurs, 6:00 PM, Jun 8th

Teen Job Fair - Sat, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Jun 10th at the Hyde Park Branch Library.

Last Networking Breakfast - Break for the Summer- Thurs, 7:45 - 9:00 AM, Jun 15th

Bunker Hill Day - Holiday, Jun 17th

Board of Directors - Tues, 6:00 PM, Jun 20th

Fairmount Train Station Mural Dedication - Sat, 9:00 - 10:30 AM, Jun 24th

Save the Date: Hyde Park Community Arts Festival Set for July 15th.

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.

Ted Nichols recieves his Volunteer of the Year award from Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Charlotte Golar Richie.

Pedro Santana is honored as Hyde Park's Business of the Year at the Boston Main Streets Awards Ceremony.