March June 2013 BID Eletter Header
Marathon Bombing Aftermath: Service For First Responders

The sorrow and hardship caused by last week's Marathon bombings, and the Friday manhunt for the suspected perpetrators, is without measure.
Yet despite these terrible events, Boston has come together during its darkest days to protect, assist, and heal those affected by this tragedy.

Boston Marathon First Responder

The Downtown Boston BID salutes the thousands of first responders--police, fire personnel, paramedics, and more--who placed themselves in harm's way throughout the week.

We also thank those in leadership positions-- especially Governor Deval Patrick, Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and Police Commissioner Ed Davis--who oversaw the response, providing a steady and calming presence. Boston is a remarkable city, and the inter-agency cooperation demonstrated by local, state, and federal organizations was truly heroic and inspiring.

To honor the first responders, St. Anthony Shrine (100 Arch St.) is hosting an interfaith thanksgiving and prayer service this afternoon at 4:30 pm. All are invited to attend; please call 617-778-1330 for more info.   
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April 22, 2013
InTheNewsIn the News   

Banker & Tradesman,
"City's Success Has Made It A Target," 4/22/13

Boston Herald,
"Back Bay Businesses Hit Hard By Marathon Bombings," 4/21/13

Boston Business Journal, "Business Leaders Weigh How To Move Forward," 4/19/13

International Downtown Association
,
"A Message From Boston," 4/18/13   
MeetingsAndNoticesMeetings & Notices
Filling Up Fast: 2013 Summer Street Art Markets

The 2013 Summer Street Art Markets are almost here! New and returning vendors will open their tents on Summer Street starting May 1st.

Art Markets 2012 Carolina

Local artisans will display jewelry, photography, gourmet foods, and more every Wednesday and Friday, from 11 am-6 pm, through October 25th.

A few slots remain for interested artists. If you
or a friend would like to participate, please download the application & instructions
and return the completed form to [email protected] as soon as possible.
 
Downtown Events Calendar

Last Will      

Visit the Happening Now section at www.downtownboston.org for a listing of all the exciting activities going on in downtown Boston right now and in upcoming weeks and months.

BID Services 

Ask An Ambassador  
  • Cleaning and powerwashing in downtown.
  • Friendly, welcoming downtown presence: helping visitors with directions, notifying fire & police personnel of incidents, and more. 
  • Downtown beautification and capital improvement initiatives.
  • Summer arts & music shows; winter Holiday Market.
  • contact [email protected] for more.
Development & Research

With so much going on in the downtown area--new businesses, major development projects--it is important to keep tabs on all the changes occurring in our dynamic neighborhood.
The Downtown Boston BID website maintains the following databases, free to browse:
CityServicesCity Services
2013 Boston Shines In Downtown

The City of Boston's annual "Boston Shines" spring clean-up for downtown will take place this Friday, April 26th, from 9 am-noon.

BostonShines2011

The Downtown Boston BID continues coordinate and oversee the downtown neighborhood's clean-up effort. Businesses interested in volunteering can register here. Participants should meet on Summer Street Plaza at 8:30 a.m. on the 26th to receive their assignments. Come add your touch to beautifying the city!
RealEstateListingsReal Estate Listings   
Office, Residential, Retail/Restaurant

The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District is pleased to run real estate listings on www.downtownboston.org for available office, residential, and retail/restaurant space on behalf of Downtown Boston BID members.

Lafayette City Center
 
Visit the Doing Business section of www.downtownboston.org
to view the current set of listings. All questions pertaining to individual listings should be directed to the broker(s) affiliated with the listing.  
FeaturedThisWeekFeatured Stories
Walgreens Prelude: Mobile Truck Preceding Debut

The Walgreens "emporium" at the corner of School & Washington is nearly ready to open!

Walgreens Eve Of Opening

Next week's grand opening kicks off with a "Walgreens Up Market Fresh Mobile Tour," a multi-day extravaganza featuring a mobile truck unit.
The truck, which will be staffed by Walgreens brand ambassadors, will be stationed on the Walgreens plaza April 28th-30th, from 10 am-3 pm daily. It will be serving up squeezed juice, smoothies, frozen yogurt, coffee, and espresso--all fresh and all free!

The Walgreens emporium will open to the public soon after the mobile truck departs. 
Winthrop Square Garage Closure

The Winthrop Square Parking Garage (240 Devonshire St.) has been closed indefinitely, following the discovery of infrastructure issues that require an engineering study.

Winthrop Sq Garage Closing

Many parking facilities are available within a few blocks' radius of Winthrop Square. Please visit our Getting Here page for a downtown parking directory.

DealsandPromotionsDeals & Promotions
Macy's Spring 2013 Friends &
Family Sale: Reserve Now!


The Downtown Macy's annual spring "Friends & Family" sale will take place Wednesday, 24th-Monday, April 29th.

Macys F&F Spring Sale

Now is the time to reserve the best styles, colors, and sizes in advance of the season's biggest event. Friends & Family features an extra 25% off on regular, sale, and clearance items, including the designer names you love: Michael Kors, Cole Haan, The North Face, Calvin Klein, INC, Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Hugo Boss. Call 617-357-3000, ext. 7276, for more info.
Arts, Entertainment, Events 
Downtown Home Tour On May 11th

Explore our neighborhood's new look with "Downtown: Home Where The Heart Is," a self-guided home tour hosted by the Downtown Boston BID on Saturday, May 11th, from 11 am-4 pm.

Home Tour web graphic

Attendees will see what it's like to live downtown in residences of all shapes and sizes, including 45 PROVINCE, The Kensington, The Devonshire, The Millennium Place model unit, and more. For tickets and more information, please visit here.There's no place like home!

Poetry Night At Old South Meeting House

April is National Poetry Month! Old South Meeting House celebrates on Thursday with a night of poetry reading and discussion featuring NPS Ranger Rob Velella (below). 

Rob VelellaVelella will commemorate historic Boston poets ranging from Phillis Wheatley to Edward Everett Hale and Henry Longfellow. The event is free to attend.



When
: Thursday, April 25th, 6:30 pm
Where: Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.)
Contact: 617-482-6439
"An Iliad" At Paramount Center

Has anything changed since the Trojan War? Or does our attraction to violence, destruction, and chaos persevere over the centuries? "An Iliad," Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare's modern-day adaptation of Homer's ancient epic, addresses these questions starting Saturday at the Paramount Center.

 Iliad Paramount Center

Hailed by Time Out NY as "pure theater," the show covers the timeless themes of Homer's story in a way that resonates with today's headlines.

When: Saturday, April 27th-Saturday, May 4th
Where: Paramount Center (559 Washington St.)
Contact: Visit here for tickets and more info.
"Chroma" Coming To Boston Opera House

The Boston Ballet welcomes spring with "Chroma," created by renowned British choreographer Wayne McGregor.     

Chroma Boston Ballet

The show, which debuted in 2006 at London's Royal Opera House, will perform at the Boston Opera House for a ten-night run. "Chroma" is sweetened by two book-end ballet pieces by George Balanchine, "Serenade" and "Symphony in C."

When: Thursday, May 2nd-Sunday, May 12th
Where: Boston Opera House (539 Washington St.)
Contact: Visit here for tickets and more info.
Third Annual Common Man's "Marathon"

Lace up your sneakers: the Downtown Boston Rotary Club continues its springtime tradition with the third annual Common Man's "Marathon," the 2.62-mile fundraiser race around Boston Common.

Common Man Joggers

Taking place this Sunday, the event will benefit Sole Train and Rookie Runners. BID members Boloco (27 School St.) and Cakeology (45 Province St.) are among the sponsors.

When: Sunday, April 28th, 9 am.
Where: Boston Common
Contact: Visit here to register and for more info.

THANK YOU!
Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update

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For questions and comments, please contact Doug Meyer, newsletter editor, at: [email protected]