You can earn rebate dollars, make a charitable contribution and shop locally

Every year at this time we write a letter to all the residents of Hyde Park, updating them on our programming and launching our annual campaign for Hyde Park and Main Streets. This year we have a great new incentive, a Free Rewards Card that earns you cash rebates for every purchase and at the same time generates a donation to a charity or Boston school of your choice.

It is called the Boston Community Change Card, (BCC Card), and we encourage you to sign up for your Free Card online at www.boston communitychange.org and if possible select Hyde Park Main Streets as your charity of choice. You may select up to three charities and change those choices at any time. You will be receiving a letter from us with more details on this exciting new way to link improving your neighborhood with how you spend your dollars at businesses across Boston.

Here’s a great example of how it could work for you in Hyde Park. Richard’s Wine and Spirits is both a new Business Member of HPMS and a participant in the Boston Community Change Card. From their listing: “We feature hundreds of wines from the everyday affordable to the super high end, with many flights and older vintages. Our beer selection is very extensive, specializing in micro-brews and the finest imports. Fresh bread from Pain d'Avignon Bakery is available daily along with a selection of cheeses.”

Sounds good doesn’t it? Bring your BCC Card to Richard’s and earn a rebate of 10% on a minimum purchase of $30.00 on anything from a six pack of beer, 750 ml. bottles of wine, cheese and bread. You simply present your Card to the cashier who will swipe it to enter the info in our database, then proceed to pay by any accepted method. You receive your rebate in the mail from everywhere you use the card and a donation is made to the charity or school of your choice. There is no rebate or cash adjustment at the register, it is all done electronically and sent to you at the end of the quarter, you can check your rebate balance and charitable contributions online any time.

Click photo to order your tickets online. GO SOX!

This is The Year; again. Of course I say that every year, but you just have to believe as any longtime Red Sox fan knows. HPMS believes you should take a chance on our Red Sox raffle, help raise funding for our Program and maybe find yourself at friendly Fenway this summer!

Tickets are only $25.00 and you have two chances to win, first prize chooses three games, two tickets to each game and the second prize winner receives two tickets to the remaining fourth game. The odds are in your favor with only 200 tickets being sold.

Support HPMS today with your ticket purchase online at www.hydeparkmainstreets.com or call the office.

Read our special new Business Member Profile of Albert Winestein online on our web site.

Last month Mayor Thomas M. Menino joined us for a very special day in Hyde Park, one where we welcomed back a much missed business, Papa Gino’s and formally welcomed to great new additions to the district, M.F. Design Group and Albert Winestein, both Business Members of HPMS.

It was fun day for all; people were impressed to see the elegant and beautiful kitchen show room that M.F. Designs has created at the former TJO Jeweler location at River Street. The owner, Marcel Frederique, cut the ribbon with the Mayor and over 10 members of his family If you haven’t been inside yet, take the time to experience what a transformation has taken place, you’ll leave with dreams of a new kitchen, I know I did!

Next we went across the Square to Papa Gino’s where there were all sorts of family activities from balloons to free pizza for the kids.

The day ended with a reception at Albert Winestein, a new specialty wine shop at 84 Fairmount Avenue.

Michael Morgan of Morgan & Associates Communications (HPMS Business Member) attended the event and at our request has generously written a fascinating profile of Albert Winestein featuring its owner Sean Martin. Here’s an excerpt; “Say the words ‘wine expert’ and the odds are good that the average person will think of someone snobbish, like television’s Frasier Crane. But spend a minute with Sean Martin and you’ll find he’s a million miles from Frasier and Niles. This down-to-earth son of South Boston is the owner of Albert Winestein.” For the full article and more photographs from the grand opening celebrations, go to www.hyd eparkmainstreets.com and thanks to Michael Morgan for generously donating his time and professional skills to Hyde Park Main Streets.

April

Patriot's Day - Mon, Holiday, April 16th

Board of Directors - Tues, 6:00 PM, Apr 24th.

Boston Shines - Sat, 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM, Apr 28th

May

Networking Breakfast- Thurs, 7:45 - 9:00 AM, May 3rd. Special Guest Speaker: Mayor Menino

Design Committee- Thurs, 6:00 PM, May 13rd

ER Committee - Mon, 6:00 PM, May 7th

Promotions Committee - Mon, 6:00 PM, May 14th

Mayor Menino's 9th Annual Neighborhood Coffee Hours - Mon, May 14 at Amatucci Playground, Hyde Park, (East Glenwood and Hyde Park Avenue)

Board of Directors - Tues, 6:00 PM, May 15th .

Memorial Day - Mon, Holiday, May 28th

Senior Palooza - Wed, May 30th

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.