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July 21, 2014  
In The News




This Week's Featured Events
The Race Underground: An Evening with Author Doug Most 

Find out from author Doug Most who won the race to create underground travel in America during a free event at the Old South Meeting House on Thursday, July 24th

Most is a deputy managing editor at the Boston Globe and will be speaking about his book "The Race Underground." Most will share his favorite stories about the "rapscallions and risk takers, engineers and entrepreneurs, dreamers, darers and doers" who were behind the making of the first subway in the USA.

The event starts at 6:30 pm and is free and open to the public due in part to The Lowell Institute. The Old South Meeting House is at 310 Washington St. Click here for more info.
 
Free Shakespeare on the Boston Common Begins July 23rd 

The 19th season of Shakespeare on the Common begins on July 23rd with the classic comedy "Twelfth Night." 

One of The Bard's most popular plays, "Twelfth Night" follows the journey of Viola and Sebastian, twins separated by a shipwreck, as they encounter loss and love in the mythical land of Illyria. The show is directed by Steven Maler and runs through Aug. 10th. Shows on Tuesdays through Saturdays are at 8 pm, Sundays at 7 pm, with a matinee show on July 26th at 3 pm. Click here for more information.  
 
Announcements
Get Your Groceries Delivered by Roche Bros. in Boston  

Roche Bros. isn't opening their flagship store in Downtown Boston until next year, but the supermarket chain has already launched its delivery service in several Boston neighborhoods. 

Delivery hours are from 6 am to 8 pm daily. Although delivery regularly costs $9.95 per order Roche Bros. is offering a special promotion for first-time customers in the Boston area. Click here and enter BOSTON14 at checkout for a free delivery with no minimum purchase
BID's New Maps Make Travel Easier for Visitors Throughout Downtown Boston

Have you requested your free new Downtown Boston Visitor's Guide map? The new maps are being distributed by our ambassadors to hotels, restaurants, ground level retail stores, and to residential concierges. If you are interested in receiving our new maps, please email [email protected]

BID Internships Available 

The Downtown Boston BID is seeking qualified, enthusiastic interns to assist with the following projects:

  • Office administration and customer service
  • Policy research and analysis
  • Data collection, input and management
Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected].  
Deals & Promos
Free Fun Fridays = Free Freedom Foundation-Led Tours on July 25th 

The Highland Street Foundation's Free Fun Fridays program will offer free admission to Freedom Trail Foundation-led tours on Friday, July 25th
Freedom Trail Tour OSH
The Foundation will limit the number of passes to 60 per tour. Any individual or family can attend. Tour passes will be given at 10 am on a first-come first-serve basis on the Boston Common near Brewer Fountain (Tremont Street at Park Street). Tour schedule: Walk Into History Tours - from the Boston Common Visitor Information Center on the hour from 11 am until 4 pm. Click here for more info on Free Fun Fridays or here for the Freedom Trail Foundation
Picnic with Your Dog During Shakespeare on the Common Thanks to Artisan Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton 

Enjoy Shakespeare on the Boston Common with one of three special picnic baskets from Artisan Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton
The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company is putting on "Twelfth Night" from July 23rd to August 10th (see this week's Featured Event), and you only need to call Artisan Bistro at 617-574-7176 at least 24 hours in advance to order your picnic basket

There are three baskets: The Boston Common is $85 per basket and includes your choice of two specialty sandwiches, two salads, two side dishes and two desserts; The Public Garden is $125 per basket and includes your choice of four gourmet open face sandwiches, two salads, and two desserts; The Rover (for dogs!) is $50 per basket and includes an Orbee-Tuff durable frisbee, a Chuck-It toss ball, a Planet Dog reusable travel bowl, and a hamburger cookie treat baked fresh from Boston Barkery
Limited Time Offer: $15 Tickets to 2014 Boston Tea Party Reenactment  

On December 16th, 2014, you can go back in time 241 years to the Boston Tea Party, and for a limited time only you can save 60% off the regular price of $25 by booking $15 tickets through August 31st
Click here for tickets for this event presented by the Old South Meeting House and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. The offer expires Aug. 31st, with ticket prices jumping to $20 on September 1st.  
Construction & Utility Work Updates 
Burnham Building Being Restored to House Roche Bros. and More 

Downtown Boston is continually transforming, with new buildings rising, as well as transportation projects taking place underground and at street level. Looking for the latest updates on developments, construction, sidewalk closings, and more? Click here.    

BID Ambassador Services & Links
BID Ambassadors Provide Walking Escorts 24 Hours a Day in Downtown 

The Downtown Boston BID Ambassadors provide hospitality services seven days a week, nearly 24 hours a day. BID Ambassadors provide walking escorts all day or night - they'll even tote an umbrella if it's raining! 
Please call 617-261-0066 to arrange an escort or for other BID Ambassador services. Please call 20 to 30 minutes prior to desired escort. You can also email [email protected], which is encouraged. 
Additional BID Ambassador Services
  • Providing walking escorts 24 hours/day: contact 617-261-0066 to arrange. 
  • Landscaping, watering flowers, making sure handicapped ramps are not obstructed and storm drain openings are not clogged.
  • Cleaning and powerwashing in Downtown Boston during warm weather. 
  • Friendly, welcoming downtown presence: helping visitors with directions, notifying fire and police personnel of incidents, etc. 
  • Contact [email protected] for more.

THANK YOU!
Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update

BID Logo Lo Res

For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: [email protected]
Featured Stories
$200,000 Raised by Over The Edge for Special Olympics Massachusetts at Hyatt Regency Boston 

This past weekend more than $200,000 was raised for the Special Olympics Massachusetts at the 4th annual Over The Edge event, as participants rappelled 22 stories down the Hyatt Regency Boston.

Special Olympics athletes, Boston firefighters, and the BID's Clean & Hospitality Manager Steven Brookes, pictured above, were just some who went over the edge of the Hyatt. Said Brookes moments after touching down, "[Special Olympics] is my mother-in-law's favorite organization and although I never had the chance to meet her, I know she was with me and gave me the strength and courage to repel down the side of the Hyatt." 

There were several other noteworthy participants, including Massachusetts Secretary of Education Matt Malone, below in gray shirt, and Secretary of Health & Human Services John Polanowicz, below in black shirt. After going Over The Edge they were joined by Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley, far left, who presented a City Council proclamation honoring Special Olympics Massachusetts to Mary Beth McMahon, CEO & President of the Massachusetts branch, green shirt, and Special Olympians Lauren Hopper and Matthew Millett


Click here for more information about the Special Olympics and Over The Edge.
 
The Freedom Trail Pop Up Book is Coming Soon 

After moving from Denver to Boston almost five years ago, Denise Price was enthralled by The Freedom Trail, and she decided to make a pop up book celebrating the trail.
"I couldn't believe how amazing it was, and that you could walk to these sites. Someone had the foresight to put this trail through the city to connect all the sites," said Price, who worked with The Freedom Trail Foundation for the book. This is the first book for Price, a managing partner at a real estate company in Cambridge.

After trying to get publishers to produce the book, Price opted for a Kickstarter fund, and was fully funded to $52,500.  
Price said she needed to learn how to make a pop up book before getting started, adding that one of her favorite pop ups in the book is the State House, first picture seen above. She expects the book to be out in time for July 4th, 2015, and she's already had interest from Boston shops to carry the book. 
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Arthur Griffin Photography Exhibit at Lafayette City Center Passageway 

Arthur Griffin was one of New England's top photojournalists during the 1930s and 40s with the Boston Globe Rotogravure Magazine, as well as Life and Time magazines. Now through September you can see his work at the Lafayette City Center Passageway through the free exhibit "Arthur Griffin: A Singular Vision." 
The Lafayette City Center Passageway is at 2 Avenue De Lafayette between Macy's and the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The passageway opens at 10 am daily and closes nightly when Macy's closes. This exhibit is brought to the public courtesy of the Lafayette City Center, the Griffin Museum of Photography, and the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District.
Artists Reception at Artists Crossing Gallery on July 22nd 

The Artists Crossing Gallery is hosting an artists reception for three South Boston artists on Tuesday, July 22nd

The reception is for the gallery's July exhibit featuring Maureen Murphy, Deb Putnam (her work is pictured above), and Dan McCole. The reception is from 5 to 7 pm, free and open to the public. The Artists Crossing Gallery is at 431 Washington St
The Bonobros Trio: Performing at Berklee Performance Series This Week  

The Berklee Performance Series, featuring students from the Berklee College of Music, takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays and is a perfect way to spend your lunch break. 

Performances are at 100 Summer St. (adjacent to Long's Jewelers), from noon to 2 pm. The Bonobros Trio, pictured above, is scheduled to perform on July 22nd. The Bonobros Trio is composed of Matt Byron on bass, Neal Rosenthal on trumpet/guitar/vocals, and Elena Bonomo on drums, pulling from the styles of jazz, bop, funk, rock, R&B, and many more. HartBeat is scheduled for July 24thClick here for a full schedule of performers.    

MAPC and Asian Community Development Corporation Present

Youth-Guided Tour of Chinatown on July 26th 

Join the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) for a youth-guided tour of Chinatown on July 26th 
Learn about more than 130 years of history, and hear stories about the community's struggle, activism, and continued legacy of immigrants in the neighborhood. After the tour there will be a dialogue on the current challenges and opportunities Chinatown residents face in regards to housing choices, displacement, and gentrification. $10 per person. Traditional Chinese tea will be served. The tour is from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at ACDC at 38 Oak St. Click here for more info and to RSVP by July 24th.
Live Music at Readers Park/Irish Famine Memorial Plaza During Lunchtime  

The Readers Park/Irish Famine Memorial Plaza Lunchtime Music series continues with Arthur Smeall on July 25th, and Vessela Stoyanova, pictured below, on July 26th. 

The series runs on Fridays and Saturdays in front of the Walgreens Emporium (intersection of Washington and School streets) from noon to 2 pm

Carlos V. Ramos is scheduled to play on August 1st and 2nd. Click here for a full schedule of performers. 
Wednesdays and Fridays: Have You Shopped at the Summer Street Market?  

Delicious popcorn, handcrafted jewelry, soy soaps and candles are just a few items for sale at the Summer Street Market on Wednesdays and Fridays
The market has a new location (125 Summer St.) this year due to construction on upper Summer Street. Original artwork, food, crafts, and more are for sale by local artisans. The market is open 11 am to 6 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. 
Last Chance for 'Downtown By Foot Summer Walking Tour' on July 23rd

NAIOP Massachusetts, a commercial real estate development association, is hosting a Downtown By Foot Summer Walking Tour on July 23rd

The presentation will start at One Federal Street and will feature speakers from Related Beal and the Boston Redevelopment Authority. The tour includes stops and feature presentations from property owners at Lafayette City Center, the Kensington, One Greenway, and Millennium Tower.  

The presentation starts at 4 pm with the walking tour to follow until 5:45 pm. After the tour there will be a networking, cocktail/light appetizers event from 5:45 to 7 pm on the roof deck of the Sports Club/LA-Boston (4 Avery St). You do not need to be a NAIOP member to attend this event. Tickets vary from $45 to $85. Click here for more info and to register for the event. 
The Misselwood Concours d'Elegance 5th Anniversary Gala on July 26th for Endicott College Scholarships 

The Misselwood Concours d'Elegance 5th Anniversary Gala is a premier classic car show on July 26th to benefit scholarships for Endicott College Boston students. Endicott College has offices at 19 Temple Place in the BID.

This is an opportunity to see more than 100 classic cars ranging from Aston Martins to Duesenbergs. 

Tickets are $100. Online tickets are available here until 5 pm on Monday, July 21. Afterwards tickets can be purchased at the Misselwood Estate between 9 am - 5 pm until July 25th or 26th at the Concours Boutique (376 Hale Street, Beverly). This event is at 65 North Beacon St., Allston from 6 to 8 pm. Click here for more info. 
 

City Services 

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