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November 10, 2014
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Meetings & Notices
Announcements
Deals & Promos
BID Ambassador Services & Links
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Downtown Boston BID Annual Meeting
The 2014 annual meeting of the Downtown Boston BID will take place at the Omni Parker House (60 Tremont St.) on Wednesday, November 19th, from 4-6 pm.
Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh will deliver the keynote address. The business portion of the meeting will take place from 4 to 5 pm, with socializing, cocktails and appetizers from 5 to 6 pm. The meeting is taking place in the King Room (second floor). RSVP with your name and business affiliation or local residence to [email protected] .
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BPD District A-1 Community Meeting on Nov. 19th
The Boston Police District A-1 Community Meeting is taking place on Wednesday, November 19th at District A-1 (40 New Sudbury St.).
The meeting begins at 6 pm in the Guard Room. This meeting is open to the public. |
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This Week's Featured Event
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32 Student Actors in 'The Saint Plays' at Suffolk's Modern Theatre
The Suffolk University Theatre Department is presenting "The Saint Plays" from November 13th to 16th at the Modern Theatre.
The show is a selection of six short plays by Erik Ehn. The production features 32 student actors in a fast-paced 90-minute performance that is surprising, innovative and profound. "The Saint Plays" explore the mysteries of spiritual yearning, human desire, and the eternal quest for the divine. Please click here for tickets and more information. Tickets are $15 for the general public, and discounted $10 tickets are available for students and senior citizens.
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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Bob Dylan Concert at Orpheum Theater on November 14th
Musician Bob Dylan will be in concert at the
Orpheum Theater on Friday, November 14th.
The concert starts at 8 pm. Click here to purchase tickets.
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Free Tuesday Recitals at King's Chapel
Baroque cellist Shirley Hunt will perform for free at King's Chapel (58 Tremont St.) on Tuesday, November 11th, at 12:15 pm.
Hunt will plays works by Bach, Gabrielli, and Galli. |
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'Which Way Home' Screening & Panel Discussion at Irish International
Immigrant Center
The Irish International Immigrant Center (100 Franklin St., Lower Level 1) is hosting a free screening and panel discussion of the documentary "Which Way Home" on November 19th.
"Which Way Home" shares the story of immigration through the eyes of unaccompanied children from Central America who face harrowing dangers to make it to the United States. The panel discussion will include Avi Chomsky, Latin American, Latino, and Caribbean Studies Coordinator for Salem State University; Jeannie Kain, IIIC Managing Attorney; and Cristina Aguilera, Director of Organizing for MIRA. Advanced registration is advised by emailing/calling Johanne Meleance at [email protected] or 617-542-7654 ext. 13. Registration starts at 5:30 pm on day of event and the program starts at 6 pm. Light refreshments will be served.
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Boston Ballet's 'Swan Lake' at Opera House Through November 16th
The Boston Ballet's world premiere performance of Mikko Nissinen's "Swan Lake," the classic fairy tale of sorcery, betrayal, and love, will be at the Boston Opera House through November 16th.
This is the second collaboration between Mikko Nissinen and award-winning designer Robert Perdziola (set and costume designer for Boston Ballet's "The Nutcracker"), and has a new prologue and scenic details that recall the emotion and impact of Petipa and Ivanov's original ballet. The show runs from October 30th to November 16th, with tickets varying in price from $29 to $152. Click here to purchase tickets. |
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ArtsEmerson's Polish Film Festival Running Through November 16th
ArtsEmerson is presenting a three-week film festival celebrating Polish arts and culture. The festival began on October 31st and runs through November 16th.
The festival will feature selections from renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese's series Masterpieces of Polish Cinema and the US premiere of Andrzej Wadja's "The Possessed Years Later," (November 14th & 16th) a documentary recalling the creation of his seminal theatrical adaptation of Dostoyevsky's "The Devils."
Click here for a full list of movies, showtimes, and tickets.
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Historic Holiday Stroll on the Freedom Trail with Deliciousness at the Omni Parker House
Enjoy the Historic Holiday Stroll this holiday season by walking the Freedom Trail and discover how Boston's holiday traditions evolved. Led by 19th century costumed guides, this tour is complete with Boston cream pie, hot chocolate, tea, or wine at the Omni Parker House.
The Historic Holiday Stroll is running now through January, Thursday to Sunday, 3:30 pm, and is a 90-minute tour. The tour departs from the ArtsBoston BosTix Booth at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Tickets are $32 for adults, $22 for children. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. For reservations and questions please click here or call 617-357-8300. |
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Enjoy Thanksgiving at The Merchant with a Prix-Fixe Three-Course Menu
Make your reservations today for Thanksgiving at The Merchant (60 Franklin St.), which will offer a special prix-fixe menu on that day from noon to 8 pm.
The prix-fixe three-course menu costs $40 per person and offers your choice of one of five appetizers, one of four entrees, and one of two desserts. Click here to see the full menu and to make a reservation, or call 617-482-6060. |
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Make Your Thanksgiving Reservation at Ruth's Chris Steak House Now
Enjoy Thanksgiving without having to do the dishes by dining at Ruth's Chris Steak House (45 School St.). Make your reservations today for a three-course meal that costs $39.95 per person and $12.95 for children.
You will have your choice of one of three appetizers, then your main course, a selection of one of four sides, and then dessert. Click here to see the full menu and to make your reservations, or call 617-742-8401. |
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No Catch! Complimentary Italian Style Buffet After Work on Fridays at GEM
GEM Italian Kitchen, Nightclub & Lounge is offering a complimentary Italian-style buffet every Friday after work as part of its Thank GEM It's Friday promotion. No catch.
This offer is every Friday from 5 to 7 pm. GEM is located at 42 Province St. Call 617-482-1213 for more info and make reservations for other events.
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THE David of David's Tea to be at Store on November 13th
David's Tea (298 Washington St.) is hosting a Drink Tea and Be Merry event on Thursday, November 13th from 4 to 8 pm. And THE David (Segal) from David's Tea will be there.
Come celebrate the season with limited edition holiday blends, gifts, and accessories. There will be tea cocktails along with little things to eat.
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Macy's 'Perfect Christmas Tree' Takes Center Stage in Downtown Crossing
Santa may have to make his trips from the North Pole, but the Macy's Christmas tree is from a place much closer to Downtown Boston. A Holden couple's almost 50-feet tall spruce was chosen from a Macy's contest to be the centerpiece of the department store's seasonal display.
Above photo by Paul Kapteyn of the Worcester Telegram: Christopher Durham of Holden, left, at his property in Holden on Saturday. In the background, Durham's wife Susan, left, talks with a visitor. The Durhams' tree was chosen as the winner of Macy's annual "Perfect Christmas Tree Contest."
The 44-year-old spruce planted by Durham in 1969, was cut down on Saturday, and hoisted onto Macy's marquee ledge on Sunday. The tree was being trimmed on Monday, seen below.
Macy's Christmas tree lighting will occur on Friday, November 28th at 5 pm. There will be musical acts, a visit from Santa Claus, pyrotechnics, and a confetti blizzard. The tree will be decorated with 10,000 multi-colored lights and will shine brightly on Summer Street during the holiday season. Also, Macy's 7th Annual Believe Campaign began on November 7th and continues through December 24th. Based on the New York Sun's "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" editorial, Macy's "Believe" campaign invites believers of all ages to drop off letters to Santa at any Macy's store.
Letters should be deposited in special, designated Santa Mail letterboxes. For each letter received in-store or online, Macy's will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million, to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
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New Antique Store - Dining Room Showcase - Open on Province Street
Like a Hollywood movie in which an archivist falls into a pit of hidden treasures, Ali Roozbehani fell into the antique business in the early 1980s. While a student at BU he started to help his landlord fix chairs, tables and other items. Now he is the owner of the Dining Room Showcase (40 Bromfield St.), which opened in October after relocating from Chestnut Hill.
"I said I can fix it. I got tools and showed how I could fix it. I always liked working with wood and I'm a musician," said Roozbehani. The landlord eventually wanted to open a store and asked Roozbehani to be a partner. Roozbehani also has a store in Natick.
"I specialize in mahogany, cherry, walnut, and oak. Dining room and bedroom furniture and furnishings, and Oriental rugs," said Roozbehani, a member of the New England Appraisal Association. "I also provide services including repair, restoration and upholstery for new and old items."
Roozbehani takes great pride in his stores hand-curated inventory including hand-woven silk Persian rugs, above, and Lavar Kerman Persian rugs (which can sell for millions!).
The store is open on Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm (8 pm on Thursdays), and noon to 5 pm on Sundays. You can call to make appointments or to ask help with finding particular items by calling 617-794-9537 or emailing [email protected].
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Step Up to the Podium: Customer Service Evolves at MBTA Downtown Crossing Charlie Card Store
The MBTA CharlieCard store in the Downtown Crossing station between the orange and red lines is there to make life easier for customers. For example, visit the recently-installed podium placed outside of the store, below, with an MBTA representative waiting to answer your questions so you know what line to request when you get inside the store.
"Our goal is customer service. We want to be a friendly face to customers," said Tarnya King, CharlieCard Store operations manager. The store opened in 2012 and continues to evolve to help customers.
On an average day the store helps 1,200 customers, said King, with the busiest days being the first and last two days of each month. Lunchtime is also very busy. "We let people know about the machines, but people also like face-to-face interactions," added King.
The store is also where the general public can purchase reduced fare passes for senior citizens and persons with disabilities; Those applications require a photo ID, so they cannot be purchased online or at a machine. You can print out the application online by clicking here.
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Vote Today! Brigham and Women's Hospital
Public Voting for Stepping Strong Innovator Awards
Brigham and Women's Hospital opened public voting on October 20th for the $100,000 Stepping Strong Innovator Awards. The first annual competition was
inspired by Gillian Reny, a student and aspiring dancer pictured below, who nearly lost her life when she was injured by the bombings at the 2013 Boston Marathon.
Gillian and her family launched the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Fund in February 2014. This fund is designed to inspire innovative research in limb reconstruction, limb transplant, advanced stem cell technology, orthopedic and plastic surgery, and bio-engineering.
Public voting opened Oct. 20 with a reception at the Lafayette City Center (2 Avenue De Lafayette) and continues through Nov. 20. Click here to vote. Every vote matters and you can help change the future of trauma care. The winner will be announced at the 3rd annual BWH Research Day on Nov. 20, and will receive a $100,000 grant to advance trauma research and care.
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Macy's Hiring for Full-Time Visitor Center Position
Macy's Visitor Center is looking to hire a full-time associate. Click here to learn more about the job and to apply.
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Call to Artists for Artists Crossing Gallery
The Artists Crossing Gallery (431 Washington St.) is accepting new artists for the holiday season. Eligible artists should live in the Boston area, and make art by hand. Click here to apply.
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Review & Offer Public Comment on Boston's Open Space Draft Plan for 2015-2021
The City of Boston's Open Space Plan Draft for 2015-2021 is now available for review and comment. To view it, please click here.
This draft plan represents a significant update of the current 2008-2014 plan. It examines Boston's open spaces such as Post Office Square Park, above. This draft plan reviews open space neighborhood by neighborhood, and provides overviews of special types of open spaces, such as community gardens, urban wilds, natural areas, greenways, and bikeways.
The review period began October 23rd and ends on November 26th. Comments should be sent via email to [email protected] or by mail to Draft Open Space Plan Comments, Boston Parks and Recreation Department, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd Floor, Boston MA 02118.
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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]. |
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BID Ambassador Services & Links
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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, creating a welcoming environment for everyone. 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. |
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Additional BID Ambassador Services
- 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.
- Remove litter and graffiti
- Friendly, welcoming downtown presence: helping visitors with directions, notifying fire and police personnel of incidents, etc.
- Contact [email protected] for more.
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Construction & Utility Work Updates
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Floor by Floor, Millennium Tower Going Up 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.  |
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Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update
For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: [email protected] |
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