For anyone not generally on the Boston transit news feeds, this just happened:

T-Alert <talert@public.govdelivery.com>
     
5:44 PM (13 minutes ago)
           
to me
All MBTA rail services will be suspended at 7:00 p.m on Monday, Feb 9 and from start to end of service on Tuesday, Feb 10. This means no Subway, Trolleys or Commuter Rail trains will depart Boston after 7:00 p.m.

All MBTA rail services will be suspended at 7:00 p.m on Monday, February 9 and from start to end of service on Tuesday, February 10. This means no Subway, Trolleys or Commuter Rail trains will depart Boston after 7:00 p.m.
Limited MBTA bus service will continue until the end of regular service hours and from start to end of service on Tuesday, February 10, but customers are advised that connections to subway and Commuter Rail lines will not be available.

Last updated: Feb 09 2015 05:43 PM


NOTE: Thread title changed to fit the posts - Admin

Time to at least think about moving the event to Patriot's Day weekend in April as I proposed long ago.

February is such a minefield to dodge every year.

L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 9^th, 2015 at 7:33pm:

Time to at least think about moving the event to Patriot's Day weekend in April as I proposed long ago. February is such a minefield to dodge every year.

Nope!

I don't think I'd move the marathon, but one thing that might be worth considering is uncoupling the festival from the 'thon.  Carve out a piece of late August/early September - maybe roughly the same week as Toronto so that we can get stuff that premieres at their Midnight Madness a few days later like the Boston Film Festival used to do.

The global Fantastic Film Festival circuit mostly runs July - November, and being so far away from that wouldn't help ours even if the weather wasn't more or less guaranteed to clobber some part of a nine-day schedule anyway.  Heck, partner with the Brattle to revive their Boston Fantastic Film Festival which used to run then.

Tradition IS important. But, it just seems like with the addition of the festival you have a 12 Day Target on the event right smack in the middle of the most notorious month for snow in the area. Might have to build in 2 or 3 "insurance" days for the fest where stuff that gets postponed can get placed (and, yes, that includes the Marathon). Somerville Theater willing, of course.

I had enthused my daughter/son-in-law (Jamaica Plain) duo to attend some of the festival. He likes Sf (but is more of a gamer - actually wins big bucks at Magic, The---competitions) She attended three Cleveland 30 hr. Marathons  with me when she was a kid. Deserting their kid for the Marathon is out of the question.
The cr@p of cross town in this weather, first to drop off their (beautiful) baby at a friends and then get to Somerville was too much. They opted out.
DAMN YOU MOTHER NATURE!!!
Personally, I attended two of the last three Boston Thons. Will come to more. But the weather is a definite impediment. Can't plan on driving. And as shown by this year, even paying big bucks to fly doesn't necessarily work.
I have more problems than most. But on a reduced level, weather is an impediment to all. There is a goof to going to a theater in bad weather.
But changing to Spring or Fall has a logic to it.

Sorry you won't make it, Pogo. You are a spark here on the Messageboard!

I'm just hoping to slip in myself!


pogo wrote on Feb 10^th, 2015 at 6:17pm:

I had enthused my daughter/son-in-law (Jamaica Plain) duo to attend some of the festival. He likes Sf (but is more of a gamer - actually wins big bucks at Magic, The---competitions) She attended three Cleveland 30 hr. Marathons  with me when she was a kid. Deserting their kid for the Marathon is out of the question. The cr@p of cross town in this weather, first to drop off their (beautiful) baby at a friends and then get to Somerville was too much. They opted out. DAMN YOU MOTHER NATURE!!! Personally, I attended two of the last three Boston Thons. Will come to more. But the weather is a definite impediment. Can't plan on driving. And as shown by this year, even paying big bucks to fly doesn't necessarily work. I have more problems than most. But on a reduced level, weather is an impediment to all. There is a goof to going to a theater in bad weather. But changing to Spring or Fall has a logic to it.

L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 10^th, 2015 at 3:14pm:

Tradition IS important. But, it just seems like with the addition of the festival you have a 12 Day Target on the event right smack in the middle of the most notorious month for snow in the area. Might have to build in 2 or 3 "insurance" days for the fest where stuff that gets postponed can get placed (and, yes, that includes the Marathon). Somerville Theater willing, of course.

I suspect that if we're just using the screening room for make-up screenings after the festival as would likely be the case, the theater would be less of a problem than getting Garen or someone else with the fest out there for what are probably minuscule audiences.  Unless the actual selections for the fest improve a lot, it probably won't be worth it.

Someday, the bad storm is going to line up with the day of the marathon, but I figure we don't need to worry about it until then.

Now, to talk to Harvard Square and hope I have better luck with the 96 bus than last night...

Hopefully, the snow won't be too bad Sunday. We cut it close a few years back when that mammoth storm started at dawn during the 'thon.

i say without fear of contradiction that parking will suck. can i carpool with someone from north of worcester?

Walsh calls for T to close for weekend snowstorm

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh said that the MBTA should shut down this Saturday and Sunday as the city and region face another significant snowstorm that could bring blizzard-like wind conditions and a foot of new snow.

Our luck may have run out, we may be facing a city shutdown and no choice but to cancel the event.

(Or maybe delay till next weekend Sat & Sun?)

I would hope the Thon would be postponed, not cancelled. If the MBTA isn't running I don't think we will be able to make it in.

The morning of Sunday is supposed to be pretty bad for just about anyone, driving or taking public transit.  If the trains close or a parking ban happens, we're basically all SOL.  I assume that postponing is a major hassle due to getting and returning the films, but I also assume Garen is at least considering it if the forecast continues as it is presently.

A cancellation would be tragic especially for the 40th Postponing would be logistically difficult too..

If there is anything more than a dusting I can pretty much predict emergency parking rules will be in place. I know a lot of people had a backup plan to park at Alewife. If the T isn't running, well...that won't work.

We're flying in from Kansas City in a couple of hours. The hub in Chicago looks good but once we land at Logan things could go terribly wrong! So much for flying on Friday the 13th.

Obviously, a rescheduled event would be just as bad as a cancellation for us. We're staying within walking distance...long cold...but walking distance. I wonder if there isn't a member of the Marathon community who could shuttle attendees from Alewife should the worst happen.

According to some Facebook posts the word is the Marathon is still a go.

MBTA Plans to Run Saturday; No Decision Yet on Sunday Service


Quote:

With a blizzard threatening to bring around a foot of snow and high winds this weekend, the MBTA plans to operate on Saturday but officials have not yet said if the public transportation system will be open Sunday and beyond. “With the storm track uncertain, it is premature to make a decision [on Friday],” MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo said in an email. “We plan to keep the system open on Saturday and will coordinate closely with Mayor Walsh on ensuring that the City can conduct all necessary snow removal operations. Decisions about service on Sunday and beyond will be made [Saturday].”

Quote:

This weekend’s storm is expected to begin Saturday afternoon, with the strongest part hitting Sunday morning. The bigger issue will be the whipping winds, which are expected to severely limit visibility Boston.com’s David Epstein writes.

It's looking like it might be a last minute decision so we won't know anything about the T for certain till Saturday.
Checked some hotels near Alewife and they're full.
I'm pretty much resolved to just getting there ASAP on Sunday (if it does go on.)
I'm not giving up after 40 years, just don't know how I'd get there very early.
Can someone post about parking when they do get there?

The upcoming Boston blizzard may be equivalent to Category 2 hurricane


Quote:

The NWS is forecasting between 10 to 14 inches of snow in Boston on top of the three to four feet already on the ground, and is also warning of a life-threatening combination of powerful winds and cold temperatures during and in the wake of the storm through Sunday.

Blizzard warning issued as Mass. braces for more snow


Quote:

The forecasters warned that travel could become nearly impossible and potentially threatening because of whiteout conditions and could remain dangerous well into Sunday. Wind chills will be bitterly cold. Some areas could see electrical outages due to the powerful winds bringing down trees and power wires, the forecasters said. “Travel must be completed by late Saturday afternoon,” the forecasters advised.

Its official, the MBTA will be shut down all day Sunday.
They warn of extremely hazardous travel conditions.
We may see a driving ban and of course after a storm a parking ban.

Its over.

Facebook page mentioned the possibility of a delayed start. Might help a few people...

I'm considering just doing the festival again tomorrow and skipping the 'thon completely - I'm local, but not local enough that I can wade through the snow to get there and back without busses.

A short  delay only helps if you are local.  A push back to 6pm as Ian stated might e more helpful.

Frank wrote on Feb 13^th, 2015 at 8:45pm:

A short  delay only helps if you are local.  A push back to 6pm as Ian stated might e more helpful.

A pushback to 6 PM would make the most sense. The storm should hopefully peter out by Sunday afternoon. If people try to drive in while the visibility is zero, people are going to get hurt...or worse.

Neil_N wrote on Feb 13^th, 2015 at 10:54pm:

Frank wrote on Feb 13th, 2015 at 8:45pm: A short  delay only helps if you are local.  A push back to 6pm as Ian stated might e more helpful. A pushback to 6 PM would make the most sense. The storm should hopefully peter out by Sunday afternoon. If people try to drive in while the visibility is zero, people are going to get hurt...or worse.

Not bad but it would still exclude a lot of people who were planning to take the train or subway in since those will be out of commission all day Sunday, leaving them stuck.

UncleTim wrote on Feb 13^th, 2015 at 11:13pm:

Neil_N wrote on Feb 13th, 2015 at 10:54pm: Frank wrote on Feb 13th, 2015 at 8:45pm: A short  delay only helps if you are local.  A push back to 6pm as Ian stated might e more helpful. A pushback to 6 PM would make the most sense. The storm should hopefully peter out by Sunday afternoon. If people try to drive in while the visibility is zero, people are going to get hurt...or worse. Not bad but it would still exclude a lot of people who were planning to take the train or subway in since those will be out of commission all day Sunday, leaving them stuck.

We're facing a pretty dire situation here. I don't think postponing the event to another weekend is really feasible.

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--EQ2QB4CJ--/17mcn5zzhurpapng.png

PANCAKE CARS!  Get started now everyone!  We'll ride the syrup-laden roads to glory!

I nominate Joe Neff to take over management of the Boston public transit system!

It'd serve him right.  I second!