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January 26, 2015
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Featured Stories
Announcements
Meetings
Super Bowl Stuff
Deals & Promos
BID Ambassador Services & Links
Construction & Utility Work Updates
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This Week's Featured Event
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Rock 'N Roller Billy Idol Performing at Orpheum Theatre
1980s rock star Billy Idol is scheduled to perform at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday, January 31st at 7:30 pm.
Idol is known for hits including "Rebel Yell" and "Dancing with Myself." Click here for ticket information. |
A.W. Perry Executives Appointed
To Lead GBREB & BOMA In 2015 Congratulations to Richard P. Beal and June M. Cunniff, of A.W. Perry, Inc., for having been named 2015 Chairman of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB), and 2015 President of the Building Owners and Manager's Association (BOMA) of Boston, respectively.   Established in 1884 and now led by Downtown Boston BID Treasurer Jack Spurr, A.W. Perry played a leading role in the creation of the BID. Bravo to Beal and Cunniff for their appointments!
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Old State House Closed for Annual Renovations from February 2nd - 6th
The Old State House will be closed to the public for general maintenance and repairs from February 2nd - 6th.
The Bostonian Society, the stewards of the Old State House, close the building every year for maintenance. Built in 1713, Old State House was the scene of major historical events: the 1763 announcement of the end of the French & Indian War, the 1770 Boston Massacre, and the 1776 public reading of the Declaration of Independence just after it was written and published.
Since 2005, the Society has raised more than $5 million for preservation of the Old State House. Each year more than $400,000 is spent to maintain the building and keep it open to the public. |
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Go Boston 2030: BTD Survey Truck On Summer Street February 2nd
As part of the City of Boston's Go Boston 2030 transportation planning process, the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) will be bringing a survey question truck to Summer Street Plaza on Monday, February 2nd, from 11:30 am - 2 pm.  The truck, which will be serving hot tea, will allow visitors to pose a question about Boston transportation planning via i-Pads, on question cards, or by writing on the side of the truck itself. The truck will be staffed by a BTD representative. Please call 617-635-1916 for more info.
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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 ParkBoston transaction done by mobile phone.
Smartphone 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 to watch a how-to video. |
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Public Meeting to Discuss Proposed Development for 110 Broad Street on February 2nd
A public meeting to discuss the 110 Broad St. proposed development project 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.
The proposed 83,500-sq.-ft. project (shown above) would include residential and retail use. This meeting is being held at the BRA Board Room, 9th Floor, City Hall, from 6 to 7:30 pm. on February 2nd. 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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'Breath & Imagination' at Paramount Center Playing through Feb. 8th
Learn about Roland Hayes (1887-1977) the first world-renowned African-American classical vocalist, through "Breath & Imagination" at Emerson College's Paramount Center. The live show is running from January 27th through February 8th.
Born to enslaved parents in Georgia, Hayes discovered his musical talent as a young boy, while singing spirituals in church. "Breath & Imagination" is a musical play that traces Hayes' amazing journey from the Georgia plantation he was born on to performing in front of European kings and queens and becoming the first African-American soloist to perform with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Click here for ticket information and showtimes.
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Get Dancin' in the Street with 'Motown the Musical' at the Boston Opera House
The smash-hit show "Motown The Musical," about the life of Motown founder Berry Gordy, will perform at the Boston Opera House from January 27th through February 15th.
Featuring classic songs of Motor City and a book by Gordy himself, "Motown the Musical" includes hits like "My Girl," "What's Going On," "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," and more.
Click here for ticket and showtime 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 runs through February 6th. This is the third exhibit curated by the Griffin Museum at the Passageway.
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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 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 Prepares For Winter Storm Juno: BID Deployment & Important Info
Downtown is bracing for the pending arrival of Winter Storm Juno, a major snowstorm that is predicted to dump up to three feet of snow on the Boston area over the next 48 hours while packing dangerously strong winds. A blizzard warning is in effect for Boston from 7 pm tonight through 1 am Wednesday morning. Once conditions are safe, BID Ambassadors, working in close communication with the City's Public Works Department, will be out clearing crosswalks, handicapped ramps, fire hydrants, storm drains, and Big Belly receptacles. Ambassadors will also be salting handicapped ramps and other areas of need. As a reminder, property owners are required to remove snow, ice, and slush from their abutting sidewalks and curb ramps within three hours after snowfall has ended. Please visit here for all City of Boston snow removal guidelines, including the system of fines for violators.
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Four Solar-Powered Wayfinding Pylons Debut in Downtown Boston
To make downtown easier to navigate for all--from lifelong residents to freshly-arrived visitors--the Downtown Boston BID recently installed, as part of a pilot program, four new 100% solar-powered wayfinding pylons in key intersections of downtown.
"Boston is a historic city, with roads and pathways that developed from cow paths," said BID Planner/Project Manager Anita Lauricella. "The layout can be confusing for pedestrians who are used to street grids. Our pilot system is being installed to make the area welcoming and to encourage pedestrians to feel comfortable exploring and we hope to hear feedback from users."
The pylons include arrows pointing towards commonly visited destinations such as Faneuil Hall and Chinatown. The pylons also include maps showing where you are and which way you are facing. Each of the four pylons is crowned with an image of an iconic downtown landmark (such as the Old State House), along with a solar panel that powers the pylons at night so they can be seen.
The four pylons are located at: Winter and Tremont streets, Summer Street near the entrance to Macy's, 125 Summer St., and the corner of Summer and Purchase streets.
Share your opinion about the new pylons by emailing [email protected]. |
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Let Your Voice Be Heard - Olympics 2024: First Community Meeting at Suffolk Law School Postponed To February 3rd
Boston will hold its first public meeting about possibly hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics on Tuesday, February 3rd at 6:30 pm at the Suffolk Law School (120 Tremont St.). Originally scheduled for this Tuesday, the meeting has been postponed to the 3rd due to the impending blizzard. The meeting is free to attend and no registration is required.
The host city will be announced in 2017 in Peru, with other international cities being considered.
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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Gregory's Fine Tailoring - Custom Shirts Made to Order
Gregory Chobanian makes shirts in the traditional way that garments used to be made - by hand and with a sewing machine. At Gregory's Fine Tailoring (76 Summer St., 2nd Floor), based on Summer Street since 2008, you won't be disappointed because the shirts you order will be custom-made to fit you.
"I make the shirts custom," said Chobanian, a tailor for over 50 years, shown above at his second-floor business. "I make the shirt the style they want, the patterns, the collar, and I make the models for collars. I'm a designer." Along with custom-made shirts and ready-made suits, Gregory's also tailors shirts, suits, pants, and ties. All work is done in-house.
Gregory's is open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 am to 7 pm, 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, and by appointment on Sundays. Call 617-482-1111 for more information or to make an appointment. |
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Patriots in the Super Bowl! SB Deals, Promos, Menu Items & Watching Parties
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are off to Arizona for Super Bowl XLIX, which will take place Sunday, February 1st, at 6:30 pm, after soundly defeating the Indianapolis Colts two weekends ago. That means Super Bowl deals, promos, drink specials, watching parties and more in Downtown Boston this Sunday afternoon and evening!
The Merchant (60 Franklin St.) is offering its bar menu at half-price during the game along with a $6 venison chili special.
Capital One 360 Cafe (129 Tremont St.) is hosting a Tailgating Celebration on Sat., Jan. 31st from 10 am - 5 pm. Customers are invited to participate in fun activities and enjoy complimentary light snacks.
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 the Walgreens Emporium), and more.
Please email your deals, promos, specials and more to [email protected] for promotion. Thank you and go Patriots! |
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Boston Common Coffee Company Selling Deflated Football Pastries
An unexpected storyline for the Super Bowl and the Patriots is "DeflateGate" - and Downtown's Boston Common Coffee Company seized the moment to make deflated football pastries!
Boston Common Coffee Company (515 Washington St.) quickly garnered media attention from Sports Illustrated, Eater.com, and Boston Magazine for their unique pastries.
"Fresh cookies are being baked as I type this out," said a Facebook post on Boston Common Coffee Company's page. "A limited supply was sent to each store this morning and we had no idea they would take off like this. Look for more 'Deflategate' cookies in all locations soon." The cookies were quickly being made by baker Wren Werner. |
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Super Bowl Brunch at GEM
GEM Italian Kitchen Nightclub & Lounge (42 Province St.) is hosting a Super Bowl Tailgate Brunch on Sunday, February 1st.
The Super Bowl Brunch starts at 2 pm with music by Jessejess and Malyna. The kitchen will be open until 6 pm. Call 617-482-1213 for reservations or 617-592-2391 for VIP reservations. |
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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, which takes 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 and 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 here for the Cuffs & Collars website or call 617-720-2833 for more info. |
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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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Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update
For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: [email protected] |
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