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February 17, 2015
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Featured Stories
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Deals & Promos
Announcements
Meetings
BID Ambassador Services & Links
City Services
Construction & Utility Work Updates
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This Week's Featured Event
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Hear Vera Meyer on the Glass Harmonica at the Old South Meeting House
Treat your family to the ethereal tones of the glass harmonica, a fascinating instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761. Hear Vera Meyer on the Glass Harmonica on Saturday, Feb. 21st at the Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) at 11:30 am.
Once believed to cause nervous disorders and wake people from the dead, today all ages may enjoy the glass harmonica's music. Music will range from special works by Mozart and Beethoven, and your requests. Between songs Meyer will answer questions and provide details about the instrument's history. Admission is $6, or free to Old South Meeting House or Paul Revere House members (the Paul Revere House is co-sponsoring this event). Click here to purchase tickets in advance.
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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Classical Works at King's Chapel's Free Tuesday Noon Recitals
King's Chapel (58 Tremont St.) hosts free music recitals every Tuesday at 12:15 pm. On Tuesday, Feb. 24th Sebastian Baverstam will play the cello and perform the works of Bach and Britten.
Each recital is about 30 to 40 minutes. Click here for more info about King's Chapel's Tuesday recitals.
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School Vacation Week Activities at Old South Meeting House
Are you looking for something to do with the kids this week during school vacation week? Check out the Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) and learn from the ongoing event "Benjamin Franklin: Science and the Arts at the Meeting House."
Channel your inner Benjamin Franklin in activities designed to mimic his exploration of electricity, music and printing. Click here for more details. All activities are included with museum admission. The museum is free for Boston residents age 18 and younger with accompanying adult. |
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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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Macy's Ultimate Wardrobe Pre-Sale Now Happening; Sale Starts Feb. 25th
Macy's is running a pre-sale event now through Feb. 24th, leading up to its five-day Ultimate Wardrobe Sale (Feb. 25th - March 1st).
Reserve pre-sale items now using your Macy's credit card and the store will hold your purchase at the sale price to pick up after the sale begins on Feb. 25th. You can save 50 to 90% off when using your Macy's Wow Pass and take an extra 25% off your $100 or more Men's Store purchase. Select sportswear and fashion jewelry brands are being offered at 20% off when you buy one, 25% off when you buy two, and 30% off when you buy three or more - ask an associate for details. |
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Ames Hotel, Hyatt Regency Boston, and Ritz-Carlton Boston Common Participating in Boston Hotel Week
Hotel Week Boston provides amazing deals and experiences at several of Boston's best hotels from February 15th to 22nd. This year three hotels in the BID are participating: Ames Hotel (1 Court St.), the Hyatt Regency Boston (One Avenue de Lafayette), and the Ritz-Carlton Boston Common (10 Avery St.). Availability is limited, so book your Hotel Week Boston reservation today.  | | The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common |
Here are the individual details for the three hotels:
Ames Hotel: Receive 30% off of the best available rate and complimentary wi-fi access. Reservations can be made online here or by calling 888-293-4112 and requesting the Hotel Week Boston rate.
Hyatt Regency Boston: Hotel Week Boston guests will receive a discounted rate, overnight valet parking, and complimentary wi-fi. Reservations can be booked online here by selecting Advanced Purchase with Parking offer or by calling 617-912-1234 and requesting Advanced Purchase with Parking. Rate is per room per night and includes valet parking for one car per night.
Ritz-Carlton Boston Common: Receive 30% off of the Bed & Breakfast Package for Deluxe and Executive Suite including breakfast for two in Artisan Bistro (inclusive of tax and gratuity); complimentary access to Equinox Sports Club and overnight valet parking. Reservations can be made online here with group code "bbpbbpa." |
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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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Historical Snowfall Keeps Falling, BID Ambassadors Keep Working, 'Know Snow' Resources for All!
Last week BID ambassadors shoveled out a boat in the middle of Summer Street - and this week we got several more boatloads of snow! To deal with these historical snow amounts a parking ban is still in effect and will end at 6 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 18th. To further aid everyone, the BID created a "Know Snow" website page full of information and resources to help you navigate this snowy winter.  | | BID ambassadors work to clear snow around the Old South Meeting House. (Photo by WGBH) |
BID ambassadors continue to work round the clock to clear crosswalks, handicapped ramps, storm drains fire hydrants, and big belly receptacles.
If you have a question about snow removal in the BID please call the BID's dispatch line at 617-261-0066. For general citywide info please call the Mayor's hotline at 617-635-4500.
We would like to thank everyone who has helped in this monumental effort. But as a friendly 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.
To repeat - a citywide parking ban remains in effect until 6 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 18th. For towed vehicles please contact 617-635-3900.
MBTA: Click here for updates from the MBTA about service for subway lines, trolleys, buses, and commuter rails.
Logan Airport: Travelers are encouraged to check with their airline for up-to-date flight information. Click here for a list of all airlines at Boston Logan Airport and their contact info.
Trash & Recycling: Click here for City of Boston trash and recycling information and to learn what day your collection is on. Click here to report a missed pick-up. For property and business owners - please contact your trash hauler or check the city web site for residential pick up times.
Hotels/Lodging: Click here for a BID link to local hotels.
Parking Garages: Click here for a BID link to local parking garages open for public parking.
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New Griffin Museum Exhibit 'SKY' Debuts at Lafayette City Center Passageway
With the recently drab weather it's a perfect time to check out "SKY" a new Griffin Museum exhibit on display for free at the Lafayette City Center Passageway ((2 Avenue de Lafayette). The exhibit debuting on Tuesday and is open to the public through April 19th.
 | | 'The Effect of Certain Causes: Choice 1.1.0' by Frank Kosempa |
The following is the curator's statement about the exhibit: "Since ancient times Man has been mesmerized by the sky. It has inspired us. We've written poems and sung about it, and danced by it. Before understanding, we prayed to it and feared it. Life and tragedy spring from it. We measure our goals against it (sky high) and solve problems because of it (blue skying). The possibilities in life are endless because of it (the sky's the limit). We have written in it, and rocketed through it, and fallen from it. And alas we have tainted it. The sky can be seen from above and below and it is immense beyond our understanding. We can tell time and find our way by it. It has been described as changing, mocking, moody, vanilla and tangerine. The sky though is not what it seems to be," wrote Paula Tognarelli, executive director and curator of the Griffin Museum of Photography.
"The artists of SKY responded with a wide artistic interpretation of the topic giving way to abstract, representational or conceptual interpretations of 'SKY' in all forms of light based media," added Tognarelli.
The Lafayette City Center Passageway links the Downtown Boston Macy's with the Hyatt Regency Boston, and is open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm. This is the fourth exhibit curated by the Griffin Museum at the Passageway.
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Welcome New GM and Chef to The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common
The BID would like to welcome The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common's new General Manager and Executive Chef: Olivia Brown and Frank Kassner to Downtown Boston.
 
Brown was also recently elected as a director to the BID Board. Brown has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 25 years, and most recently served as general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, and The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton. In 2011, Brown was named Global General Manager of the Year for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.
Kassner will oversee all of the hotel's food and beverage programming including menu creation and execution for some of the hotel's high-profile events such as galas and weddings. He grew up in Germany, and started his professional culinary and hospitality career at The Schlosshotel in The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin. |
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Ashes Available at St. Anthony Shrine, The Paulist Center, and King's Chapel, on
Ash Wednesday on Feb. 18th
St. Anthony Shrine (100 Arch St.), The Paulist Center Boston (5 Park St.), and King's Chapel (58 Tremont St.) are open for ashes on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18th. St. Anthony Shrine is open from 7 am to 7 pm for ashes. The Paulist Center Boston will distribute ashes at the following Masses: 7:55 am, 8:45 am, 12:05 pm, 1:05 pm, 5:15 pm, and 7 pm. King's Chapel ministers will be available throughout the day for ashes and at services at 12:15 and 6 pm. |
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Artists Crossing Gallery Moving Soon - Get That Piece of Artwork Before the Move
The Artists Crossing Gallery, now located at 431 Washington St., will be moving at the end of February. If you've had your eye on a piece of artwork, now is the time to purchase it! The new location and reopening date are not determined as of yet, so check back here soon for an update.
Please click here for more information about the Artists Crossing Gallery. The Gallery is a cooperative fine art gallery featuring unique art hand-made by local artists. |
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Public Meeting About Proposed Development at 110 Broad Street on Feb. 23rd
The Boston Redevelopment Authority is holding a public meeting for the developer to present their proposed project at 110 Broad St. This meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 23rd from 6-7:30 pm at the BRA Board Room, 9th Floor, City Hall.
The proposal includes approximately 52 residential units, 3,500 sq. ft. of ground floor retail, and 35 below grade parking spaces. Contact Tyler Norod at the BRA at 617-918-4349 or email him at [email protected] for more info. |
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Rescheduled: Emerson College Little Building Project Public Meeting on Feb. 24th
Emerson College has submitted an institutional master plan amendment for its Little Building Renovation Project (80 Boylston St.). The Boston Redevelopment Authority is hosting a public meeting on Feb. 24th to discuss the proposed project that includes adding a 14th floor to the dormitory, as well as renovating the inside and outside of the building.
This meeting was originally scheduled for January but needed to be rescheduled due to weather. This meeting will take place at 6 to 7:30 pm at the Hyatt Regency Boston (One Avenue de Lafayette). For more info please email Katelyn Sullivan at [email protected] or call her at 617-918-4425. |
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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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