The Lawrence and Lillian Solomon Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, and The Esplanade Association (TEA), has committed roughly  $15,000 for the design of the first phase of the Charlesgate greenway path – a multi-use “greenroute” connecting Beacon Street to the Harvard Bridge via a now isolated piece of parkland overlooking the Charles River, according to Herb Nolan, the associate director of the Solomon Foundation and a TEA board member.

Rob Adams of Boston’s Halvorson Design Group, who also helped design the Esplanade Playspace, will develop a conceptual plan for the path layout and associated landscape improvements.

The design should be completed by late June, at which time it will be turned over to DCR and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) for their consideration on implementation.

“We hope it becomes part of MassDOT’s plan to replace the Strorrow Drive eastbound bridge at Charlesgate.” Nolan said.

If implemented successfully, the Charlesgate greenway path could have a profound impact on Boston and beyond

One Northeastern University study suggests the project could open up access to 2½ acres of the parkland overlooking the river in the short term and increase pedestrian and bicycle connectivity by up to 600 percent in the long term.

Along with other park path improvements, Nolan said the proposed path would also make it possible to bicycle or walk from Boston and Brookline neighborhoods along safe Emerald Necklace pathways to the banks of the river.

The public is invited to a meeting on the proposal at the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1154 Boylston St., on Monday, May 21, at 5:30 p.m., followed by the site walk at the corner of Beacon Street and Charlesgate East at 7 p.m.

MaryLee Halpin

MaryLee Halpin, a South End resident experienced in both corporate and nonprofit work, will assume the position of executive director of the Beacon Hill Civic Association on May 29.

With her long roots in Boston and relevant professional and volunteer experiences, MaryLee will bring great talent to the BHCA, said President Steve Young when introducing her to the board of directors at its monthly meeting last night. Prior to assuming her duties, she will attend the May 21 Annual Meeting, begin meeting individually with each of the current board members, and work with Suzanne Besser, the current executive director, to ensure a smooth transition.

Her professional career in the financial services industry focused on the integration of her M.B.A. in strategic planning and her B.S. in accounting.  Her most recent corporate work was with State Street Bank as the senior vice president, State Street Global Markets. Prior positions were with J.P. Morgan and major accounting firms.  Her volunteer work with non-profit organizations has involved financial management, strategic planning, fundraising, membership drives, leadership and mentoring.   Junior Achievement and Friends of Fenway Studios are among a number of non-profit groups that have benefited from her collaborative approach of engaging board members, volunteers, communities and other stake-holder groups.

“MaryLee’s background, talents, and interests along with her living in downtown Boston, make her ideally suited for joining us at the BHCA,” said Young. “I very much look forward to introducing her to the neighborhood and to working with her. We are most fortunate to have MaryLee as our next executive director.”

Halpin joins the BHCA as it moves into its 90th year as an organization with continued focus on the six major aspirations in the Plan for the Neighborhood. “I am honored to be joining the BHCA,” she said. “I look forward to supporting the work that will continue and enhance its strong commitment to the quality of life on Beacon Hill.”

“We have no next steps, no leads, so it’s back to the drawing board,” said Betsy King, who operates the small take-out restaurant with her mother Julie. “Beacon Hill doesn’t allow food trucks, and we have no other options in the neighborhood…although people have approached us about spaces in Cambridge and Somerville.”

The Zoning Board of Appeals voted Tuesday to deny the applicant’s request for the zoning relief to open a 400 square-foot take-out restaurant at 12 Grove St., around 80 feet from Villa Mexico’s current location in Grampy’s gas station at 296 Cambridge St. (The restaurant is soon slated to lose its home of the last six years when the site is redeveloped into office buildings).

While the proposed storefront at 12 Grove St. is within a residential district between Cambridge and Phillips streets, the street-level space was last home to a barbershop more than 15 years ago. Its legal non-conforming commercial use lapsed after two years of non-use, however, and now requires zoning relief to revert back to commercial usage.

Besides the Mayor’s Office and City Councilors at-Large Ayanna Pressley, John Connolly and Stephen Murphy, the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) opposed the application at Tuesday’s hearing. (City Councilor Mike Ross was the sole elected official who went on record to support it, with provisions to minimize impacts on the neighborhood).

“To oppose the relocation of Villa Mexico to 12 Grove Street was a difficult decision for us,” BHCA Executive Director Suzanne Besser wrote in an e-mail to the Times, following the Zoning Board’s ruling. “In the end, the decision was based not just on our standing policy against conversion of residential properties to commercial use, but on the significant concerns expressed by many Grove Street residents (including immediate abutters) who had contacted us about the proposal.”

Besser emphasized that the Civic Association’s position was based entirely on the zoning code and not reflective of Villa Mexico, which she described as a “valued part of our community for several years, providing hospitality and delicious food to residents and local workers.”

“The basic issue before the Board of Appeals was not about Villa Mexico or any other tenant for that matter – it was a zoning issue,” Besser wrote. “Many individuals and families have purchased properties and established homes on the street with the understanding that its residential character is protected by the zoning code. We felt that this understanding should be respected in this situation, particularly because the property does not meet any of the conditions required for a variance as stated in the code.”

Besser added, “We hope [Villa Mexico] will find a new home in commercial premises somewhere on or near Beacon Hill, and we welcome the opportunity to help its owner in her search.”

Meanwhile, Betsy King expressed her gratitude to those who spoke in support of the Villa Mexico at the hearing, as well as for the numerous encouraging phone calls and e-mails she and her mother have received since last Tuesday.

“We are happy to receive such amazing support from the food community,” Betsy King said. “We’re touched and just so thankful to our customers. Thank you, truly, because we do this for you.”

Joyce Duvall, executive director, and Katelyn Hinson, family services manager of Christopher’s Haven, were both present to accept the gift.

Under the guidance of Louisa Trombetta, PSS art faculty, and Louise Profit, a PSS parent and co-chair, along with Christine McCormick, of the Park Street

School/Park Street Kids Parent Association Community Cares Committee, children from both campuses collaborated to produce unique and playful pieces of artwork to decorate the walls of Christopher’s Haven. In so doing, the children learned the value of giving of themselves, their time and their creativity to benefit the families staying at Christopher’s Haven.

Each piece was worked on by a team of children, ages ranging from toddler to sixth grade who were often challenged to transform the occasional “oops” into something extraordinary.

Located in Beacon Hill behind Massachusetts General Hospital, Christopher’s Haven provides a home for families when their children are receiving cancer treatment at the hospital. It is a haven for families when cancer invades their lives. This year, Park Street School and Park Street Kids Parent Association Community Cares Committee selected Christopher’s Haven as a particular outreach project. It was an opportunity for the school to reach out to help neighbors.

It is hoped that the artwork created by the children for Christopher’s Haven will truly bring com-fort to the families, and a sense that they are not in their fight alone because neighboring children and families at Park Street School and Park Street Kids are thinking of them.

In addition to the artwork gifted by the children, the Parent Association Community Cares Committee is also collecting gift cards for the families staying at Christopher’s Haven. Suggested gift cards include those from the Galleria Mall, CVS, Whole Foods, Stop & Shop and Charlie Cards. Cash donations are also being accepted.

The Park Street School/Park Street Kids Parent Association Community Cares Committee wishes to thank all the volunteers that donated their time and materials to make this project possible. Most especially, it thanks Louisa Trombetta for her courage and vision to bring out the best in our children each moment they spend in her art studio, as well as the many volunteers who donated their time and materials, including Charles Street Hardware and

Supply, Rugg Road, Boston Home Renovations, Laura Fleming and Mario Turco, Tara Gohlmann, Barbara King and everyone on The Community Cares Committee.

The Community Cares Committee includes Christine McCormick (co-chair), Louise Profit (co-chair), Katie Andrews, Helena Bauk, Emily Bagley, Abby Belge, Lisa Le

Blanc, Catrice Coleman, Jane Connolly, Julie Crafton, Stacy Choi, Laurie Dumas, Michelle Freeman, Jennifer Nassour, Tannaz Saponaro, Mar Shertenlieb, Sarah Snedeker, Gitanjali Srivastava, Sue Touloukian and Kirsten Weller.

The Park Street School/Park Street Kids Parent Association Community Cares Committee also offers special thanks to the support of Jean Egan and Kelly Sawyer, presidents of the Parent Association.

For more information on Christopher’s Haven, visit http://www.christophershaven.org/.

For more information on Park Street School/Park Street Kids, visit www.parkstreetschool.org.

They will instead be forced to use Interstate 95 around the city, unless making a local pickup or delivery.

Mayor Thomas Menino said he was pleased for the residents of the city’s neighborhoods – Beacon Hill and Back Bay- and especially for the residents of the North End.

As a result of the MassDot ruling 18-wheeler trucks carying hazardous loads will be barred from the city’s streets.

The ban goes into effect June 13.

In addition, fuel trucks are permanently banned from Big Dig tunnels but will, however, be allowed to use city streets overnight.

Boston Police started ticketing 18-wheel trucks carrying hazardous loads last year by issuing offending truckers $500 fines for rule violations.

With this MassDot ruling, 18-wheel trucks will be forced to bypass Boston on their way to their various destinations rather than passing through Boston or transiting the city’s streets during the heaviest times of use.

According to the MassDot, the ruling was made, in part, due to concerns of terror attacks and catastrophic accidents.

The mayor said the ruling will be stringently enforced throughout the city.

Truckers have been complaining that it will cost them more in fuel to go around the city instead of transiting directly through it.

The mayor said the added cost for fuel is well worth it given the potential for disaster.

We agree.

An unrepentant NSTAR said then it would not reimburse businesses of residential consumers for their losses.

Now comes a second incident, last Tuesday, which caused 12,500 NSTAR customers to lose their power for about an hour.

According to NSTAR, the Back Bay power supply failed Tuesday during ongoing repairs to the electrical sub-station that caught fire in March.

Because of a supposedly faulty power supply a protective system activated, shutting down a transformer and a 115,000 volt line.

That is all well and good.

What would be better is NSTAR informing all of us who are consumers of its electricity that a system wide survey will be taken of its Boston power supply grid to ensure that no such shutdowns occur in the weeks and months to come.

A shutdown due to an explosion and fire can be understood. What cannot be as easily digested is a shutdown without notice caused by the repairs that are being made.

Chairs of Beacon Hill Nursery School’s Annual Spring Auction.

Beacon Hill Nursery School (BHNS) held its Annual Spring Auction on Friday, April 27, at the Four Seasons Hotel, across from the Public Garden.

Six  parents – Lauren Strik, Kristi Amendolare, Carey Hennigar, Kristy Kelleher, Annie Ketchen and April Bradshaw – served as co-chairs for the event, alongside BHNS staff including Micki Rowaan, development director; Ali Munroe, Rainbow Room teacher; and Keisha Jones, Kaleidoscope teacher. The theme, “Spring in Your Step,” was a wonderful celebration of springtime in Boston, and the auction chairs drew inspiration for the décor and prizes from the weather and landscape of the city.

“We wanted to create a light-hearted event in which the BHNS community could gather and celebrate its accomplishments,” said Annie Ketchen, auction chair. “The BHNS families made the evening one of the most profitable in the school’s history. The staff, teachers, and parents alike all had a fantastic time, so we feel that our goals for the event were accomplished.”

During the silent auction, guests could try their luck at the table of tulip “grab bags” or buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a case of vintage champagne or sapphire and diamond earrings. The evening’s most coveted silent auction prize was a VIP trip to Miami with passes to the exclusive Art Basel, donated by a BHNS family.

Welcoming the 238 guests into the ballroom was a tap group, Boston Tap Company, which set the light and fun tone for the evening. Once inside, guests were treated to dessert during the live auction, slide shows and dancing. The popular tote bag auction (bags decorated by each classroom) was a hit as always. The most coveted package in the live auction was an exclusive Umbrian villa for a week, a gift from a BHNS alumni family. John Terrio, served as the auctioneer for the event and ended the evening with a paddle raise to build up the school’s professional development fund.

Allison holds both a MA and a Ph.D. in History from Harvard University, chairs the history department at Suffolk University, and teaches at both Suffolk and at the Harvard University Extension School. One of his most popular courses is “Boston: The Heritage of a City,” a course enjoyed by many Beacon Hillers. He has authored a wide range of books and publications including The Boston Tea Party (2007), The Boston Massacre (2006), and A Short History of Boston (2004).  Allison is a Fellow with the Massachusetts Historical Society, vice president of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, and a frequent lecturer with the Bostonian Society and the Adams National Historic Site, among other organizations.

Also on the Annual Meeting agenda is a vote on a proposed by-law amendment, the election of officers and board members, and the presentation of the sixteenth annual Beacon Award. The award which is presented to an individual or group deserving of particular recognition for their significant and sustained contribution to the Beacon Hill community.

The election of 25 residents to serve as members and officers of the BHCA board of directors will take place at the meeting. Those present will also be asked to vote on a proposed amendment to clarify that spouses or domestic partners in non-individual membership categories are entitled to vote at a meeting of ‘members.’ An explanation of the change and the specific by-law changes are on www.bhcivic.org.

Friends and neighbors are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and to join together for a reception immediately following on Monday, May 21, at the Union Club, 8 Park Street. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and guests are encouraged to allow extra time to check in so that the meeting can start promptly at 6 p.m.

“Introducing recycling bins to our streets, gives our residents and visitors an opportunity to recycle on-the-go,” Arroyo said. “We have all been to a park or walking down the street with a plastic water bottle and had nowhere to recycle it. I want to look into ways to make Boston greener by increasing recycling without costing the city a dime.”

One of the programs mentioned by Arroyo is Free Green Can, a company that provides free installation of recycling bins, free hauling of recycling waste, and free maintenance of recycling bins. In return, the company sells advertising on the bins. There is currently a pilot program of Free Green Can in Chicago, Ill., and a full program in Omaha, Neb.

“Public recycling bins make it as easy as possible for everyone to recycle no matter where they are,” said Sarah Freeman, who serves on the board of directors for the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and the Arborway Coalition. “We are happy to work with Councilor Arroyo to make that a reality in Boston in a way that works for all neighborhoods.”

Arroyo is working to make Boston greener and believes that public recycling bins will help increase recycling throughout the city.

“A greener city is a better city for all of us and for generations to come,” Arroyo said. “We want to examine and consider every opportunity to increase recycling on our streets and in our parks to continue to build a better Boston for everyone.”