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February 2, 2015
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Featured Stories
Meetings
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Valentine's Day
Deals & Promos
Announcements
BID Ambassador Services & Links
City Services
Construction & Utility Work Updates
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This Week's Featured Event
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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 Jan. 27th through Feb. 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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Let Your Voice Be Heard - Olympics 2024: First Community Meeting at Suffolk Law School Moved to February 5th
Boston will hold its first public meeting about possibly hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics on Thursday, Feb. 5th at 6:30 pm at the Suffolk Law School (120 Tremont St.). Originally scheduled for Jan. 27th, then Feb. 3rd, the meeting has been postponed to the 5th due to winter storm. 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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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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'Searching for the Histories of Boston's Public Garden' Lecture
The Friends of the Public Garden will present "Searching for the Histories of Boston's Public Gardens," a lecture by Boston University Professor Keith Morgan on Wednesday, Feb. 4th at Suffolk University's Law School (120 Tremont St.).
Learn about the creation, evolution, criticism, and value of one of Boston's most beloved parks. Morgan will discuss its origins as a private botanical garden built on filled marshland to the public horticultural and educational gem of the mid-Victorian era, and more. This event will take place from 6 to 8 pm. Admission is $15 per person and registration is required. Please click here to purchase tickets and for more information. |
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Suffolk University's Center for Real Estate Sponsoring 'Boston Going for the Gold in 2024: Transportation and Infrastructure Opportunities and Hurdles'
Suffolk University's Center for Real Estate is sponsoring "Boston Going for the Gold in 2024: Transportation and Infrastructure Opportunities and Hurdles" on Feb. 10th at the C. Walsh Theatre (55 Temple St.).
The Greater Boston Real Estate Board is also sponsoring this event. Panelists will discuss how Boston can leverage its Olympics proposal to "ensure that much-needed housing, transportation, and infrastructure improvements will be addressed for lasting benefits. The panel will include: Dan O'Connell, Boston 2024; Peter Zuk, Zuk International; Jeanne DuBois, executive director of Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation; Chris Dempsey, Co-Chair of No Boston Olympics; and more panelists are being added. The discussion will be moderated by NECN's Business Editor Peter Howe. This event is free and open to the public, however, registration is required. Click here to register and for more information. This event is taking place at 7:45 to 9:45 am.
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Celebrate Black History Month with the Freedom Trail Foundation's African-American Patriots Tour
What would 18th-century African-American patriot Crispus Attucks tell of his life story and rebellion in pre-Revolutionary Boston? Learn about Attucks and more through the Freedom Trail Foundation's African-American Patriots Tour during February.
February is Black History Month and the Freedom Trail Foundation is offering African-American Patriots Tours to the public on Saturdays and Sundays at 12:45 pm. Base price for February public tour is $14 for adults (includes $1 donation to the Freedom Trail Preservation Fund); $12 students/seniors; $8 children (under 12). Online general admission tickets are good for this tour. Click here for more information and tickets. |
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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 Jan. 27th through Feb. 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. |
Last Chance to See Griffin Museum Exhibit in Lafayette City Center Passageway
The Griffin Museum of Photography exhibit, "Excerpts from the Photography Atelier 20," featuring the works of 13 photographers, is ending on February 6th. It is 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. This is the third exhibit curated by the Griffin Museum at the Passageway.
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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. |
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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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Congratulations to the World Champion New England Patriots! Super Bowl Parade Tomorrow through Downtown Boston
The New England Patriots will celebrate their fourth Super Bowl victory with a rolling championship parade of more than 20 duck boats starting at 11 am tomorrow (Tues., Feb. 3rd). The parade will start at the Prudential Center and end at City Hall Plaza.
 | | Tom Brady and Bill Belichick celebrate after winning Super Bowl XLIX. (Boston Globe photo by Barry Chin) |
The parade route will go down Boylston Street from the Prudential Tower, take a left at Tremont Street and end at City Hall. There will be no rally at City Hall Plaza due to freezing temperatures.
 Click here for more information about the New England Patriots' championship parade. |
More Snow Thanks to Winter Storm Linus: BID Deployment & Important Info
Downtown Boston is dealing with Winter Storm Linus, another huge storm dumping snow onto the region. The storm is expected to stop late Monday night.
The City of Boston declared a snow emergency and parking ban starting 6 am on Monday. 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.
Please visit the City of Boston's Snow Center subpage for a variety of important snow-related links, including:
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Vicary Graham of BYN Mellon Wealth Management Honored with Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce 2015 Pinnacle Award
The BID congratulates Vicary Graham, president of BNY Mellon Wealth Management (One Boston Place) for being honored with a 2015 Pinnacle Award Achievement in Private Management by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 29th. BNY Mellon Wealth Management is a BID business member.
 | | Vicary Graham |
Graham is president of BNY Mellon Wealth Management in New England, at which she manages the investment management, wealth planning, and private banking services for individuals, families, endowments, and foundations for offices in Boston, Providence, and West Hartford. She's also a member of BNY Mellon Wealth Management's Operating Committee. Graham also launched The Boston Company's national jumbo mortgage business. Outside of BNY Mellon Graham serves as Executive Committee Chair of the Skidmore College President's Advisory Council, and is the former Chair of the Board of the Greater Boston Food Bank. She also currently serves on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of Boston and is a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council. |
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Make Your Reservations for Valentine's Day in Downtown Boston
There are plenty of options to celebrate Valentine's Day in Downtown Boston. Below are just a few. If your business is not included please email David Ertischek at [email protected] with your Valentine's Day. And look out for those Cupid arrows!
Artisan Bistro (10 Avery St.) is hosting a What's Yours is Mine night featuring a 3-course meal for $65 per person. The meal includes a red hot candy cart takeaway in which you can fill a bag of your favorite treats to enjoy the rest of the night with your sweetheart. Call 617-574-7176 for more info and to make reservations.
Avenue One at the Hyatt Regency Boston (One Avenue de Lafayette) is offering dinner and romance complete with room service on Feb. 13th and 14th. Receive six complimentary chocolate covered strawberries when you order a bottle of wine or champagne to be delivered to your room. Click here for the wine list and menu. To make a dinner reservation visit opentable.com or call 617-422-5454. Call 617-912-1234 to make a hotel reservation.
GEM Italian Kitchen, Nightclub, and Lounge (42 Province St.) is offering a champagne dinner for two for $149, which includes a bottle of Moet, two appetizers, two entrees and a shared dessert. Call 617-482-1213 to make reservations.
The Merchant (60 Franklin St.) is celebrating Valentine's Day on Feb. 14th and 15th with a prix-fixe 3-course menu costing $55 per person or $80 with an added wine pairing. Click here for the special menu. Please note the regular menu will not be offered on that Saturday. For reservations, get a $15 credit when you book a table via Reserve. Call 617-482-6060 for more info or to make a reservation.
Ruth's Chris Steak House (45 School St.) is celebrating Valentine's Day from Feb. 12th through Feb. 15th. Click here to make a Valentine's Day reservation, or call 617-742-8401.
Salvatore's (545 Washington St.) is featuring chef specials, V-Day drinks such as Cupid's Arrow Martini, delicious desserts and more on Feb. 13th and 14th. Call 617-542-5555 to make reservations and for more info.
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'Another Parker's Restaurant Special Event' on Feb. 8th
Parker's Restaurant at the Omni Parker House (60 School St.) is hosting "Another Parker's Restaurant Special Event" on Sunday Feb. 8th. It will be a 4-course Extra Virgin Olive Oil Dinner featuring Italian olive oil from Madge & Louie. The cost is $59 per person. The event takes place at 6:30 pm. Reservations are required by calling 617-725-1600. |
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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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Notice Of Downtown Boston BID Seasonal Entertainment License Hearing
Notice is hereby given that the Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs & Licensing has received the following application: For a seasonal entertainment license to operate and maintain exhibitions, promotions, art shows, stage plays, choral groups, instrumental/vocal music, video screens, audio device, disc jockey, dancing, and street performers, to operate from March 2, 2015, to December 31, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. At: Summer Street Mall-Washington and Summer Streets; Shoppers Mall, Walgreens Plaza-Washington and School Streets; Dewey Square Park; 100 Summer Street Plaza; 125 Summer Street Plaza, Boston. The applicant is: Downtown Boston Business Improvement District; Manager of record is: Michael D. Testa. A public hearing on this application will be held at Boston City Hall, Room 801, on Monday, March 2, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Anyone wishing to speak on this matter is invited to attend the hearing. Sign language interpreters are available upon request. Interpretation services in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole and American Sign Language may be available upon request if the request is made two weeks prior to the public hearing. Call 617-635-4165 to request an interpreter. Written comments may be made prior to the hearing by writing to: Patricia A. Malone, Esq., Director Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing Room 817, Boston City Hall, Boston, MA 02201 Telephone 617-635-4165 Fax 617-635-4174 |
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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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