Saturday 7 December there will be a neighborhood-wide holiday celebration centering on Washington St. (details via southend.org or The South End News). The South End Business Alliance will host a social event at the BCA Mills Gallery following the 4:00 tree lighting ceremony at the BCA Plaza.

The Citizen's Advisory Committee on the Columbus Center development will meet at the Franklin Institute from 6:30 to 8:30 On 12/17/02 and 1/28/03. A copy of the current plans is available at the South End branch of the Boston Public Library.

The first Wednesday of January will be New Year's Day. Since there are no pressing issues before us, Eight Streets will not meet in January. We hope to arrange a strictly social event during the month.

South End Neighborhood Coalition: SENC committees or coordinating bodies on four issues of neighborhood-wide concerns (trash, public safety, groundwater and Logan airport) are meeting and forming positions for SENC members to consider and act on.

SENC re-elected John Archibald as President, elected (former Treasurer) Dan Loughlin as Vice President, and Brian Marsh as Treasurer. Eight Streets SENC co-delegate Tim Kozlowski did not pursue re-election to the Vice President post.

Alliance of Boston Neighborhoods: Delegate Edward Allen reports that the ABN is acting to identify additional key issues to focus on, while continuing to examine the role of the BRA in Boston.

Police Report: Edward Allen attended the monthly community meeting of D-4 station and reports that there has been a rise in crime in the area, particularly break-ins and drug trafficking.

Ann Emerson and Jim White of the Boston Museum Project made a presentation (including a slide show) on efforts to create a comprehensive museum of Boston's history. The Project is a collaboration between the Bostonian Society, the Boston History Project and the Freedom Trail Foundation. The Project is currently looking at a historically significant site on the Rose Kennedy Greenway as a possible location to build the actual museum. $1.5 million in donations has already been secured; an alliance with the National Parks Service has been agreed upon. A website on the Project (www.bostonmuseum.org) will soon be ready for those interested in tracking the progress of this interesting endeavor.

Ms. Kate Ill presented in advance of a ZBA appearance from which she seeks a variance to do work to legalize and bring up to code an existing roof deck. The Membership voted not to oppose such a variance. [NOTE: letter sent to ZBA (CC Ms. Ill) on 12/6].