The Beacon Hill Civic Association (http://www.bhcivic.org) announced yesterday that Suzanne Besser will return as executive director, a post she previously held. Besser, who lives on Beacon Hill, will leave her current position as editor of the Beacon Hill Times.

Besser replaces Becky Delaune, who is leaving the association to move to Washington, D.C.

This past Saturday I volunteered as part of Boston Shines and the Beacon Hill neighborhood cleanup. The City of Boston posted signs on some of the Hill's dirties streets, including Phillips, Anderson, Irving and Garden, to ask cars to move the day of the cleanup.

Many owners moved their cars, though I imagine more out of fear that they would be towed. Whatever the reason, this allowed a street cleaner to get to the curb on those streets. I must say, it's amazing how well the street cleaner can do when it can reach the curb.

For those of you out there who move your cars to make way for the street sweeper, thank you! Your efforts make a huge difference!

This Saturday is Beacon Hill's twice-annual Clean Beacon Hill Day. This spring, it's sponsored by the Beacon Hill Civic Association and the Beacon Hill Business Association, in conjunction with Boston Shines, a citywide effort led by Mayor Menino. Special thanks to Suffolk University and Store 24 on Cambridge Street for their involvement and support.

Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. until 2, neighbors will be all over Beacon Hill sweeping up. You can get equipment at one of four locations:
Myrtle Street Playground
Donahue Building, Suffolk University, on Temple Street

Last night, the Boston Parks Department hosted a public meeting to discuss renovations to the Phillips Street Park (which is on Phillips Street between Garden and Anderson on Beacon Hill).

The meeting was led by Angie Murray, project manager, from Boston Parks. Also in attendance: Claire Couric Batchelor from CBA Landscape Architects.

Ms. Murray is planning a three-meeting planning process. During this first meeting, she opened the discussion to the audience to discuss what is liked and not liked about the park.

Universal consensus from the group:

At its monthly Beacon Hill Civic Association (www.bhcivic.org) board meeting last night, the officers for the new Board (which starts in May) were announced:

Chairman: John Achatz
President Lori Geissenhainer
Clerk: Kate Enroth
Treasurer: Dave Thomas
Asst. Treasurer: Austin McClintock

The real change here is the selection of Ms. Geissenhainer to be president, replacing Mr. Achatz who becomes Chairman. Lori has been a board memeber for a year and was recently the co-chair of the group's Architecture Committee.

Mark your calendars. The City of Boston is again organizing the city-wide clean-up day, Boston Shines.

www.cityofboston.gov/neighborhoods/bostonshines.asp

Visit the site for more info or to sign up.

As a captain for Beacon Hill, I can say this is a pretty neat event. Encourage your neighbors to come out and sweep!