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November 25, 2014  
Thanksgiving Info
Announcements
Deals & Promos
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In The News





This Week's Featured Event
Macy's Christmas Tree Lighting Festivities Begin Friday at Noon

Macy's Christmas tree lighting festivities will have something for people of all ages this Friday, November 28th. 
 
Things get started at noon in the Kids Department with activities for the whole familyBring your camera for a picture with Santa and his elves. Plus snap a photo at the holiday station and spend $100 or more in the Kids Department to receive a pair of tickets to "White Christmas" playing at the Wang Theater. At 1 pm, meet local children's book author Stuart Murphy as he reads "Missing Mittens." 

From noon to 4 pm, Macy's Visitor Center will have a spin wheel for customers to win prizes including cosmetic treatments, Macy's tote bags and candy, and special offers from area attractions. 
A member of Macy's window team works on the holiday windows, which will be unveiled on Friday. (Photo by Aram Boghosian for the Boston Globe) 
On Summer Street at 5 pm, there will be performances by Macy's iHeart Radio contest winners Before You Exit, "America's Got Talent" Season 9 finalists and Boston University alums Sons of Serendip, The Boston Children's Chorus, and Jessie James Decker. Then Mayor Martin Walsh, Celtics player Brandon Bass, and the man of the hour, Santa Claus, will present the grand reveal of Macy's Christmas Tree and unveil Macy's Holiday Windows displays. After the show and tree lighting, head inside to meet the celebrity lineup and discover more holiday cheer!
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Enjoy the Strolling Holiday Brass Band and Twilight Carolers This Holiday Season in Downtown Boston

Returning this season are two very popular entertainment groups - the Downtown Holiday Brass Band, and Twilight Carolers! Both groups will be strolling throughout the Downtown Boston streets performing holiday classics for everyone to enjoy. 

The Twilight Carolers are comprised of four Berklee College of Music students and will perform December 1st through December 23rd from noon to 2 pm.

The four-piece Downtown Holiday Brass Band will be performing from November 28th through December 23rd from noon to 2 pm.
Still Time to See 'The Trip to Bountiful' Starring Cicely Tyson at Emerson's Cutler Majestic Theatre

Cicely Tyson is reprising her Tony Award-winning performance as the feisty and funny Carrie Watts in "The Trip to Bountiful," a story of inter-generational family dynamics. Tyson was also honored with a lifetime achievement proclamation by the City of Boston at The Strand Theatre on November 17th, and November 17th, 2014, was declared Miss Cicely Tyson Day in Boston

Vanessa Williams, pictured above with Tyson, and Blair Underwood co-star in the production that is running at Emerson's Cutler Majestic Theatre 
from Thursday, Nov. 20th through Sunday, Dec. 7th

Please note that Williams will 
not appear in performances on Saturday, Dec. 6th, and Underwood will not appear in the Wed., Nov. 26th performance. The show is being produced by ArtsEmerson: The World On Stage, Jonathan Reinis Productions in association with the Center Theatre Group. Please click here for more info and to purchase tickets.
The Boston Ballet's 'Nutcracker' Debuts on November 28th - Get Your Tix Now

The Boston Ballet's "Nutcracker" is a holiday tradition for the entire family. This critically-acclaimed production debuted in 2012 with new sets and costumes, and drew raves from critics. This year's production opens on November 28th and runs through December 31st

Get swept away by the music of Tchaikovsky, with choreography by Mikko Nissinen. Please click here for tickets and showtimes.
MAST' Restaurant Hosting Charity Event for The Italian Home for Children 

MAST' Restaurant (45 Province St.) is hosting its first charity event on December 3rd to raise money for
 All proceeds will be donated to the home. 

The event begins at 7 pm and is being hosted by four local real estate agents: Lauren Brown, Michelle Otey, Emily Romano, and Cara Siciliano. They will hold a silent auction and MAST' will provide authentic Neapolitan appetizers and pizza. Click here to buy your ticket now and learn more about The Italian Home for Children. Early bird ticket purchases are $20, tickets on the day of the event are $30.  
Free Dry Styling and Manicures at Girls Night Out at GEM on December 3rd 

GEM Italian Kitchen Nightclub and Lounge (42 Province St.) is hosting a Girls Night Out Holiday Soiree Edition on Wednesday, December 3rd

Enjoy bubbles and bites with complimentary dry styling, manicures, and more while perusing clothing and jewelry selections. The first 50 to arrive will receive gift bags. There will be music by Malyna. This event is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Come by after the event for $1 oysters, $5 lobster rolls, and $6 sangria. RSVP to [email protected] by Dec. 1
Boston's Official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 4th

The City of Boston's annual Christmas tree was delivered to the Boston Common on November 21st. The tree is near the Boston Visitors Center at 139 Tremont St.  

The official tree lighting ceremony will take place from 6 to 8 pm on Thursday, December 4th, with the tree being lit at approximately 7:55 pm. 

This year marks the 43rd anniversary of Boston's Christmas tree being an annual gift from the people of Nova Scotia. This is a way for the people of Halifax to thank Boston for providing emergency assistance when Nova Scotia's capital was devastated by a wartime explosion in 1917.
Learn About The Boston Tea Party Through Two Days of Events at the Old South Meeting House 

The Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) is hosting a two-day Holiday Open House - A Tea Party Celebration on Friday, December 5th and 6th from 10 am to 4 pm. More than 5,000 colonists gathered in 1773 at the Old South Meeting House to protest the tax on tea - and started a revolution with the Boston Tea Party. Meet colonial characters, enjoy a cup of tea, and discover if you would have been a Patriot or Loyalist. This is free and open to the public.

Also, on December 5th will be That Pesky Tax on Tea program at 12:15 pm. Listen to an exchange between a Son of Liberty and a Tory as they spar on matters of tea and taxes, law and liberty in 1770s Boston. Then join the conversation. This program will feature actors from the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. This program is taking place during the Holiday Open House and is also free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required by clicking here. This program is being co-presented by the Old South Meeting House and The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. 
 
Historic Holiday Stroll on the Freedom Trail with Holiday Cheer 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
 
Deals & Promos
DeScenza Diamonds Celebrating 100 Years with Holiday Sale 

The DeScenza Diamonds (387 Washington St. 6th Floor) Holiday Sale is happening from November 22nd through the 29th. Take advantage of Black Friday pricing all week with up to 40% off retail with sale code "NOV14" at check out and free standard ground shipping. 

DeScenza Diamonds is also hosting an open house on Thursday, December 4th from 5 to 8 pm at all four of its locations.
Special Holiday Rates for Pi Alley Garage for Online Purchases

The Pi Alley Garage (275 Washington St.) is offering Special Holiday Rates only for online purchases
On weekdays Monday through Friday 5 am to 4 pm you will pay $20 (up to 3 hours)and on nights and weekends Monday through Friday 4 pm to 5 am and Saturday/Sunday 5 pm to 5 am you will pay $8 up to 8 hours. Click here to take advantage of these discounted rates. 
Mayorsholiday.com Saves You $$, Provides Info on Free Events, Dining Deals, and More 

Now through New Year's Day
Mayorsholiday.com is a great way to learn about thousands of 1/2 price tickets to more than 100 theater, music and dance performances throughout the Greater Boston region. The website also provides info on free festivities, dining deals, gift ideas, and more. 

Mayor's Holiday is produced by ArtsBoston, and created in partnership with the City of Boston, Mayor Martin Walsh, and the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. Click here for the website. 
Pre-Sell Happening Now for Macy's Friends and Family Sale 

Macy's Friends and Family Sale is back and just in time for the your holiday season shopping. 

Find a gift for everyone on your list, and take an extra 25% off  most purchases, including designers such as: Northface, Levi's, Helly Hansen, Polo, Hotel Collection and more. 
Cosmetics and fragrances are excluded. Also, take an extra 10% off electrics, electronics, and mattressesPre-sell your items now for the best selection, as the pre-sell started on November 10th and goes through December 2nd. The event starts on December 3rdNo time to shop? Call Macy's By Appointment line and let them do the shopping for you at 617-357-3491/3485.
Construction & Utility Work Updates 
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.   

 

THANK YOU!
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].  
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
Local Art and Craft Vendors, Santa, and More! The Downtown Holiday Market Opens November 28th

The 7th annual Downtown Holiday Market will be in a new pop-up location at 459 Washington St. (former Tello's location) this year starting on Black Friday, November 28th at 11 am

"We were looking for a convenient location for our popular holiday market and we were lucky to find an empty storefront on Washington Street across from Macy's," said Rosemarie Sansone, president of the BID. "We're excited. The space is bigger, warmer and Santa will be much cozier."

The BID would like to welcome new vendor B&B Glass Studio to the holiday market. Also, the BID is excited to welcome back the following vendors: Alex's Ugly Sauce, Swiss Bakers, NuArt Jewelry, Recycled Glass Jewelry, Ella Grace Jewelry Design, and Karol Peralta Jewelry. The BID would also like to thank Arline Vogel of Mosbacher Properties Group LLC, the property owner of 449-463 Washington St. for providing the space for the pop-up market.

The market will feature local art and craft vendors selling their wares. Santa Claus
will also be at the market everyday through December 23rd from noon to 2 pm on weekdays and weekends, and also 3 to 4 pm on weekends. It does not cost money to get your photo taken with Santa, but you do need to bring your own camera. The market is open 7 days a week from 11 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday, and 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday. The market's last day is January 10th, 2015. 

The BID also worked with property owners, building and lighting specialists Port Lighting Systems, creator of L.L. Bean's Northern Lights celebration in Maine, and with tree specialists from ValleyCrest to light nearly 150 trees and create snowflake projections on buildings and sidewalks, which will stay illuminated throughout winter. "We're giving people more reason to actually walk through the district," added Sansone.

Also, please remember that Downtown Boston's street vendors will be selling food, clothing, memorabilia, and more all season long!
BID Annual Meeting Recap: 
Welcome New Directors and 
Keynote Speech by Mayor Walsh 

The 2014 BID Annual Meeting, hosted at the Omni Parker House (60 School St.), featured a keynote address by Mayor Martin Walsh. At the meeting five new board members were elected and welcomed. 
Boston Mayor Martin Walsh
gives the keynote speech.
The BID's five new board members are: Olivia Brown, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Boston; Ed Haverty, Vice President/General Manager for Ruben Companies/One Devonshire; Rory Cuddyer, Adviser to the City of Boston's Chief of Staff; Jim Robertson, Owner of Origen Ventures; and Doug Sickler, General Manager of Pi Alley Garage. 
 
Highlights included the keynote speech and a question and answer session with Boston Mayor Martin Walsh (above), election of directors to the BID Board (below), and BID President Rosemarie Sansone's preview of future initiatives for downtown. 
From left to right: Rosemarie Sansone, Olivia Brown, Rory Cuddyer, Jim Robertson, Ed Haverty, Doug Sickler, and John Rattigan.
After the conclusion of the meeting attendees enjoyed a reception. 

A special thanks to General Manager John Murtha and his staff at the Omni Parker House for their warm and gracious hospitality. 
Lion and Unicorn Return Atop the Old State House with New Time Capsule 

The lion and unicorn statues are now back atop the Old State House after a hoisting ceremony on Sunday. The lion was also fitted with a new time capsule to be opened in 2114! 
The newly refurbished unicorn before it was hoisted atop the Old State House.
(Photo by Brian Burns for Boston.com)
The ceremony ended a six-year long project to restore the statues. The unicorn, newly-plated in a palladium cover, looks vastly different from its tarnished appearance.

The new time capsule includes a David Ortiz Bobblehead, letters from three current Boston journalists, an iPhone 5 without a battery, a box from Mike's Pastry (no pastries), a f
ragment of a 1713 brick removed from Old State House during the 2014 west fa�ade restoration project, and more. Click here for a complete list of the 29 items put in the new time capsule to be opened in 2114! 
The Old State House unicorn before it was refurbished.
Thanksgiving Info
Major Retailers Store Hours During the Holiday Season 

The BID has compiled a list of holiday season store hours for major retailers in the district. Click here to see when stores are open. Don't see your business listed? Please email [email protected] 
with your holiday hours.

Complimentary Flatbread Pizza to Salvatore's Bar Patrons on Thanksgiving 

All Salvatore's Restaurants are offering complimentary flatbread pizza to bar patrons on Thanksgiving, November 26th from 6 pm to close

Salvatore's Restaurant is located at 545 Washington St. and can be reached at 617-542-5555
. 
Thanksgiving Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton with Turkey, Prime Rib, and More

Make your reservations today to eat Thanksgiving Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton. Indulge in a feast featuring carving stations of roast turkey, prime rib, and a seafood station with shrimp, Jonah Crab claws and oysters. 

There will be family-friendly foods, pastries, live music, and dessert decorating stations. Seating is available from noon to 2:30 pm. $98 for adults and $48 per child. Please call 617-574-7184 to make reservations.
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.
 
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 adult and $12.95 per child

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.
Announcements
Empire Beauty School Career Workshop on December 3rd 

The Empire Beauty School (30 West St.) is hosting a free Career Workshop on Wednesday, December 3rd from 2:30 to 4 pm and 6 to 7:30 pm

Career planning specialists and educators will be available to speak with you about a career change, how your skills can transfer to a new industry, re-entering a new work force, and the pathway to fulfill your dream of becoming a stylist. Click here for Empire's Facebook invite for the workshop and to RSVP. 
 
Open House for Torit Language Center Montessori Elementary School 

The Torit Language Center Montessori (45 Province St.) is hosting an open house for its elementary school (early education and infancy through third grade). The curriculum differentiates for each child, including language and culture study offered in Mandarin, Arabic and Spanish. 

The open house is being held on Tuesday, Dec. 9th from 11 am to noon. The school accepts enrollment contracts beginning February 1, 2015 on a first-come, first-enrolled basis for all families who have visited prior to February 1. To schedule a visit, please register by clicking here on Torit's website and choose an available date that fits your schedule. 
Candlelight Service of Remembrance at St. Anthony Shrine 

The St. Anthony Shrine & Ministry Center is holding a Candlelight Service of Remembrance for all who are mourning the loss of a family member or friend as we enter into the Christmas season. This is being held on Saturday, November 29th, at 6:30 pm

Holidays are family times and when part of the family has been taken away in death, the holidays often emphasize the profound void even more so. The service will take place in the First Floor Church (100 Arch St.), and will celebrate the love that draws us together.  
Write a Letter to Santa and Macy's Will Donate $$ to Make-A-Wish

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. 
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, 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. 
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.

City Services


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