The acclaimed Boston playwright and actress, Melinda Lopez, will be at the South End library to talk about her work on Tuesday October 30 at 6:30 PM. Lopez will be introduced by Isabel Alvarez Borland, Distinguished Professor of Arts and Humanities at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.
Lopez is recognized as one of the most exciting playwrights currently working in the U.S. In 2013, she was named the first Andrew Mellon Playwright-in-Residence at the Huntington Theatre Company.
Friends Of The South End Library (FOSEL) received an unexpected gift of $5,000 for its Capital Campaign from the estate of poet Victor Howes who passed away earlier this year at the age of 94.He lived around the corner from the library, where he would read his poetry from time to time, and where he was a much-appreciated member of its long-standing book club. He served for many years on the board of the New England Poetry Club,where he welcomed new members and facilitated writing workshops. His last collection, Thoughts after Spenser, came out two years ago. Thank you, Victor.
South End Library Renovation Update
Library Park's redesign has been completed and the trees have been pruned but additional park furniture is still on back order. As the image above shows, it looks a little barren at the moment. FOSEL's board has applied to the Community Preservation Fund (CPA) for a $50,000 grant to pay for several projects, including landscaping; a combination of bluestone curbing and wrought-iron fencing to protect garden beds; repair and refurbishment of the Tremont and West Newton Streets tree enclosures; and to restore the two LightWells that are connected to a groundwater preservation system. The CPA will take at least six months to make decisions about its grants. Public meetings will be organized after that to, among other things, solicit your comments on a proposed planting plan we submitted as part of our CPA application, as per below.
In the meantime, FOSEL has ordered more than 2,000 spring bulbs for the park's spring performance. The tree enclosures around the library have been beautified, too, with mums, grasses and pumpkins.
FOSEL is in discussion with the project managers and leadership of the BPL to manage the next steps of the library's downstairs renovation.Details will follow as soon as we know them.
Sewing Classes For The Young:
The South End library will offer one-hour sewing classes for teens and tweens on six Friday afternoons at 3:30 PM in October and November, starting October 12. Fabrics and sewing materials will be provided. For further information and pre-registration, contact Anne Smart or Margaret Gardner at the South End branch at 617 536-8241. Or call Kelli Bos at 617 455 4547, extension 800, or #sheiskellibos.
More information at www.friendsofsouthendlibrary.org. The South End Branch of the Boston Public Library is located at 685 Tremont Street.