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January 20, 2015
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Featured Stories
Announcements
Deals & Promos
Meetings
Construction & Utility Work Updates
BID Ambassador Services & Links
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This Week's Featured Event
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Public Dialogue: Freedom of Speech or Tyranny of Silence?
Following the murder of journalists at Charlie Hedbo in Paris, and intimidation of Sony Pictures as a result of the movie "The Interview" - the Old South Meeting House is hosting a public discussion on freedom of speech. "Freedom of Speech or Tyranny of Silence?" will be held at the Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) on Wednesday, Jan. 21st at 6:30 pm.
What is the right of freedom of speech? Does it include the right to offend? How should the government respond when foreign groups and regimes threaten Americans' freedom of speech? Panelists include Flemming Rose, an editor of a Danish newspaper that in 2005 published cartoons of the prophet Muhammad and author of "The Tyranny of Silence: How One Cartoon Ignited a Global Debate on the Future of Speech," Dr. Onkar Ghate, a senior fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute, and Harvey Silvergate, co-founder of Foundation for Rights in Education.
This is a discussion presented with the Ayn Rand Institute and the Ford Hall Forum. The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP here. |
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ParkBoston: Mobile Phone App Allows Drivers to Pay for Meters Remotely, Receive Alerts Before Meters Expire
The City of Boston recently launched ParkBoston, a mobile phone app that allows drivers to pay for parking, receive alerts about expiring meters, and extend their time without having to go back to the meter.
ParkBoston is being piloted in an area of Back Bay, bordered by Beacon Street to the north, Charles Street to the east, Boylston Street to the south, and Dartmouth Street to the west. The remainder of Boston's 8,000 parking meters will be phased in during the coming months. A 15-cent convenience fee will be applied for each mobile phone pay parking transaction.
Smart phone users can create an account by downloading the app for free from the iPhone App Store and the Google Play Store or by visiting park.boston.gov. Click here to learn more about ParkBoston and a how-to video. |
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Last Chance to Apply for Boston's ONEin3 Council
The city is now accepting applications for the 2015 ONEin3 Council. The Council is an action-orientated group that brainstorms, creates, and works on projects that directly affect the lives of Boston's 20- to 34-year-olds. The council is viewed as a direct link between City Hall and Boston's millennial population.
 | | The 2014 ONEin3 Council |
In 2015 the council will identify ways Boston can grow to be an inviting, culturally-rich and sustainable place for young adults to live. Council members work with key members from the Mayor's staff and City Hall leaders. The 2014 council included 31 Boston residents, 16 women and 15 men, who live in 17 different neighborhoods, and work in 22 different industries.
Click here for applications. Applications must be submitted by end of January 23rd. For more information please click here for the ONEin3 website. |
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Emerson College's Little Building Renovation Project Public Meeting on January 26th
A public meeting will be held on Monday, January 26th from 6-7:30 pm at the Hyatt Regency Boston (One Avenue De Lafayette) to discuss Emerson College's proposed renovation for its Little Building. This meeting is being hosted by the Boston Redevelopment Authority.
The proposed project consists of replacing and restoring the fa�ade of the Little Building (80 Boylston St.) as well as interior renovations on floors 2 to 12 and the construction of a new 13th floor located behind a 14'4 parapet. The project will add 294 new beds to building. The above picture is a rendering of the proposal.
The public comment deadline for the project is March 10. Public comments can be submitted through this link, or by emailing BRA Project Planner Katelyn Sullivan at [email protected]. |
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Olympics 2024: First Community Meeting at Suffolk Law School on Jan. 27th
Boston will hold its first public meeting about possibly hosting the 2024 Olympics on Tuesday, January 27th at 6:30 pm at the Suffolk Law School (120 Tremont St.), and no registration is required to attend the meeting.
The host city will be announced in 2017 in Peru, with other international cities being considered.
Boston 2024, the privately-funded nonprofit organizing committee, will host the first meeting of its citizens advisory group on January 21st at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Click here for Boston 2024's website, to provide feedback, and for additional public meetings information. Meetings and additional steps in the community process will be announced on an ongoing basis.
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Public Meeting to Discuss Proposed Development for 110 Broad Street on February 2nd
A public meeting for members of the Impact Advisory Group to discuss the proposed development project for 110 Broad St. will be hosted by the Boston Redevelopment Authority on Monday, February 2nd. The development team and members of the BRA will be present at this meeting.
This proposed project includes an 83,500 sq. ft. building for residential and retail use. A rendering of the project is seen above. This meeting is being held at the BRA Board Room, 9th Floor, City Hall, from 6 to 7:30 pm. For questions and comments please contact the BRA's Tyler Norod at 617-918-4339 or email him at [email protected]. |
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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Bach & Schutz Works to be Performed at King's Chapel
King's Chapel (58 Tremont St.) is hosting a free concert featuring works by Bach & Schutz performed by the Boston University Marsh Chapel Choir & Collegium. This event is on Tuesday, January 27th at 12:15 pm and open to the public.
 | Boston University's Marsh Chapel
Choir & Collegium |
The next King's Chapel Tuesday recital will be February 3rd and feature works by Henning, Woodman and Leclerc by Carson Cooman playing the C.B. Fisk Organ. Click here for more information on King's Chapel Tuesday recitals.
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ArtsEmerson Presents Winter Rock 'N Roll This Weekend
ArtsEmerson is hosting a Winter Rock 'N Roll Weekend with local bands at the Paramount Center (559 Washington St.) this Friday and Saturday (Jan. 23 & 24).
Local bands scheduled to perform include: Tigerman WOAH, Faces on Film, Quilt, and Julia Easterlin. This is a two-night event with doors opening at 9 pm at The Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theatre. Advance tickets are $10 and $12 at the door. Click here for tickets and more information. |
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Learn About Benjamin Franklin as a Tradesman at the
Old South Meeting House
The printing industry was very instrumental in Benjamin Franklin's life as a tradesman, and you can learn about it at the Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) on Friday, January 23rd from 12:15 to 1 pm.
Follow Benjamin Franklin's early life as an apprentice at his brother's press, which contributed to his success as a businessman and statesman. Historian of science and technology Robert Martello will lead this illustrated talk. You'll learn about Franklin, an Old South Meeting House congregant, how he changed the printing industry, and how the industry changed him. This event costs $6, or free for OSMH members. Click here for ticket information. |
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Public Skating Info for
Boston Common Frog Pond
The Boston Common Frog Pond is open for public ice skating seven days a week.
The rink is open for skating 10 am - 4 pm on Monday; 10 am - 9 pm, Tuesdays-Thursday; 10 am - 10 pm, Fridays-Saturday; and 10 am - 9 pm on Sunday. Admission price is based on skater's height: 58-inches and over - $5. Under 58-inches - free. Skate rentals for adults are $10, kids $5, and lockers cost $2. Rental skating aids for children learning to skate are $10. You can also bring your own skates. There are also season pass options. There is a food and drink concession stand, too! Click here for more info. |
'Excerpts from the Photography Atelier 20' featured at Griffin Museum Exhibit in Lafayette City Center Passageway
A Griffin Museum of Photography exhibit, "Excerpts from the Photography Atelier 20," featuring the works of 13 photographers, is now on display in the Lafayette City Center Passageway.  | | "Carvel" by Tricia O'Neill |
Photography Atelier, now in its 21st year, is a unique portfolio-making course for emerging to advanced photographers offered at the Griffin Museum in Winchester.
Click here to see the photography of present and past Atelier students and teachers. The Lafayette City Center Passageway (2 Ave. de Lafayette), which links the Downtown Boston Macy's with the Hyatt Regency Hotel, is open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm. The exhibit will run from November 19th to February 6th, 2015. This is the third exhibit curated by the Griffin Museum at the Passageway.
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AMP Fitness Offers Custom Personal Training at a Good Price
AMP Fitness (30 Court Square) owner Steve Bergeron's motto is "Better Every Day" - and he incorporates the phrase into every clients' workout.
"The business model is designed for athletes and we treat our clients like athletes - but they're not athletes - they're busy professionals," said Bergeron about the business that opened last October. Bergeron said it's important for all clients to see improvement from one workout to the next.
"We do semi-private personal training," said Bergeron. Semi-private training consists of one to three people with individualized workout regimens. Each plan is based on an initial assessment of the client's posture, strength, and range of motion. AMP Fitness also offers small-group class training with classes up to eight people (and each workout is still individualized for each client). Workouts include a range of options including kettle balls, weights, push-ups, and more.
Bergeron said AMP Fitness personal coaches also work with clients on other elements of their lifestyle, like examining their diets. "We look at one thing in nutrition that can make the biggest change. It's not about overwhelming their life," said Bergeron.
AMP stands for acceleration, movement and performance - all elements part of an AMP Fitness workout. Also notice there's a lot of open space in AMP Fitness because Bergeron wants clients to use their bodies instead of machines.
 | | Steve Bergeron, owner of AMP Fitness, located at 30 Court Square. |
Prices vary with four sessions in a month for small-group training costing $104, or 16 semi-private sessions in a month for $700. There are also options in between those two offers.
You can contact AMP Fitness by calling 774-259-0865 or by clicking here. AMP Fitness is open 6 am to 8 pm Monday through Thursday, 6 am to 2 pm on Friday, and 9 am to 2 pm on Saturdays. |
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'Sons of Liberty' TV Show Includes Old State House, the Boston Massacre Site, and Suffolk's Bob Allison
The History Channel's "Sons of Liberty" mini-series will feature local BID destinations and personalities including the Old State House, the Boston Massacre site, and Suffolk University's Professor Bob Allison. Allison, chair and professor of Suffolk's History Department, is one of the co-narrators. Surely, the Old South Meeting House - the rallying point of the Tea Party - will also be featured in the show.
"Sons of Liberty" debuts on Sunday, January 25th at 9 pm, and is a three-part series airing three nights in a row.
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WCVB's 'Chronicle' Spotlights Downtown Boston's Theater District
WCVB's "Chronicle" recently spotlighted Washington Street's Theater District in a series of video segments. "Chronicle" highlighted numerous influences that improved the area including educational institutions, new residential towers, and more.
Click here for Chronicle's video feature "Theater District's Own Drama" about Boston's latest makeover - lower Washington Street's Theater District.
Click here for Chronicle's video feature "The Downtown Crossing of Tomorrow" about the architecture along Washington Street. Learn about the past, present, and future of Washington Street's architecture.
Click here for Chronicle's video feature "Staging Success" on the renovations of Emerson College's Paramount Center and Cutler Majestic Theatre, and Suffolk University's Modern Theatre, which lit up and made the district a marquee destination in Boston.
Click here for Chronicle's video feature "Opera House Reborn" and how the Boston Opera House helped lead the revival of Washington Street. |
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Patriots in the Super Bowl! Let the BID Know About SB Deals, Promos, Watching Parties
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are off to Arizona for Super Bowl XLIX after a convincing victory against the Colts this past weekend. That means Super Bowl deals, promos, drink specials, watching parties and more in Downtown Boston!
Next week's newsletter will have a special Super Bowl section. Please email your deals, promos, specials, and more to David Ertischek at [email protected]. Thank you and go Patriots!
There are also plenty of places to get your Patriots gear in the BID including: Macy's, Champs, Footlocker, City Sports, Unique Boutique (vendor outside of Walgreens Emporium) and more. |
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Boston Calling Music Festival Lineup Announced for May - Get Your Tix Now
Beck and the Pixies will headline the lineup for May's Boston Calling Music Festival - and tickets for the three-day music festival are now on sale.
Headliners for the festival taking place May 22nd - 24th include: Beck, the Pixies, My Morning Jacket, Tenacious D, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, and more. Click here for the full lineup. Click here to purchase three-day tickets. Single-day passes may be made available at a later date. |
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Free Mineral Mud Mask and Skin Consultation at Arianna Skincare
Arianna Skincare (151 Tremont St.) is offering a free skin analysis/consultation and mineral mud mask treatment through its Facebook page.
All you need to do is 'Like' and share Arianna Skincare's Facebook post here about this deal, and then send an inbox message with your email and contact number. This offer is good through Valentine's Day. |
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Get Stylin' with Cuffs & Collars
Suit Package Deal
Cuffs & Collars (9 Water St.) is offering a suit package deal through the end of February.
The suit package starts at $595 and includes: one suit, one shirt, two ties, and one pair of cufflinks. The deal includes alterations. Click
or call 617-720-2833 for more info. |
Macy's Men's Private Pre-Sale Running
through January 21st
Reserve your choices during Macy's Private Pre-Sale while selections are best. The pre-sale began on January 11th and runs through the 21st.
Plus use your Macy's pass for an extra 25% off regular, sale, or clearance purchases of $100 or more in the
men's store. The sale starts Jan. 22nd. |
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Aw, Shucks! GEM Wednesdays Offering $1 Oysters + All-Week Long Deals
GEM Italian Kitchen Nightclub & Lounge (42 Province St.) is offering $1 oysters, $5 lobster rolls, and $3 sliders all-night long every Wednesday.
GEM also offers $3 drafts, $6 sangria, and $5 house wines all-week long.
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Join Before January Ends and Enrollment Fee Waived for Women's Fitness of Boston
There will be no enrollment fee if you join Women's Fitness of Boston (27 School St.) in January. That's a $59.99 savings.
You will also receive a one-week free trial pass that includes fitness classes.
Call 617-227-1221 or click here for Women's Fitness of Boston's website. |
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Exclusive Online Offer to Join Planet Fitness, Opening Soon on Winter Street
Planet Fitness (17 Winter St.) is opening later this winter and are offering an exclusive online offer to join.
Planet Fitness is offering a no-commitment membership for $1 down and $10 a month. You will be billed monthly to your checking account, which includes a $29 annual membership fee. This deal includes a t-shirt. Call 617-482-1210 for more info, or email [email protected], or visit www.planetfitness.com. |
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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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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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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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Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update
For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: [email protected] |
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