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December 21, 2015
Featured Stories
In The News
This Week's Featured Event
Meetings & Notices
Announcements
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Deals & Promos
Construction & Utility Work Updates
BID Ambassador Services & Links
City Services
In The News
Chen PR: Downtown Boston Holiday Scenes -- Then and Now 
12/18/15
Jordan Marsh nativity scene from 1950
(Courtesy of Boston Public Library/Leslie Jones)

Boston.com: Photos Show Why Boston Tea Party Reenactment is One of Boston's Great Traditions 12/16/15

Voice of Downtown Boston: Preview of Haley.Henry, Downtown Crossing's New Wine Bar 12/15/15

Bloomberg.com: Primark -- Can Cool Clothes Get Any Cheaper Than This? 12/15/15
Photo by Amy Lombard for
Bloomberg Businessweek
Zagat: Yvonne's Among Boston's 10 Most Important Restaurant Openings for 2015 12/14/15

Globe: Christmas in the City is a Success that Needs Help 12/14/15

Banker & Tradesman: German Investors Buy New Downtown Crossing Hotel for $173.9M 12/14/15

BBJ: Babson College to Open New Downtown Boston Location at 100 High St. 12/14/15
This Week's Featured Event
Ice Skating at 
Boston Common Frog Pond 

The skating rink at the Boston Common Frog Pond is open for people of all ages to enjoy skating. Don't forget there are also season and lunch passes.

The schedule is as follows: Mon. 10 am to 3:45 pm; Tue. to Thurs. 10 am to 9 pm; Fri/Sat 10 am to 10 pm; Sun. 10 am to 9 pm.  

The following is the holiday schedule:
Christmas Eve: 10 am to 5 pm; Christmas Day Closed; New Years Eve 10 am to 4 pm; New Years Day 10 am to 10 pm. 

Admission price is based on skater's height: 58-inches and over: $6; Under 58-inches: free. Rentals & Services: Skates for adult men/women is $12, $6 for kids. Click here for more info.
Meetings & Notices
Advertising Opportunity to Support the BID's 5th Anniversary 
Boston Business Journal Special Section

The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District (BID) is partnering with the Boston Business Journal to publish a special advertorial section in January in the form of a five-year anniversary report. 

 
This report will focus on the revitalization and renaissance of Downtown Boston, which has captured local, national and international investment and media attention. We invite you to support the report by adding your marketing message. Please contact 
Jaclyn Sunseri at Jsunseri@bizjournals.com
704-973-1813 to learn more about advertising opportunities for this special section.  
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Must-See for Families and Children: Holiday Night Lights Show at Walgreens Plaza

Get into the spirit of the season with our Holiday Night Lights Musical program at Walgreens Plaza (Washington and School streets). This is fun, must-see entertainment for families and children. The program incorporates projected moving snowflakes as holiday-themed music accompany the light show. 
 
The Holiday Night Lights Musical Program at 
Walgreens Plaza (Washington and School streets) is occurring daily from 5 to 8 pm every 30 minutes. 
 
Also, more than 100 trees have been lit, and 200 wreaths have been hung on streetlamps throughout the Downtown Boston area. The trees have been lit colorfully, snowflakes are being projected onto sidewalks and streetscapes, and the famous holiday starlight banners are now LED and hung once again above streets. 
 
The Boston Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' at Opera House Thru Dec. 31st 

The Nutcracker by the Boston Ballet is being performed at the Boston Opera House through Dec. 31st. 

Mikko Nissinen's The Nutcracker will capture your imagination and transport you to a magical world of brave toy soldiers and dancing candy canes. Follow Clara as she embarks on her journey filled with colorful characters, breathtaking costumes, and majestic scenery. There are many days with multiple shows, including 1 pm (perfect for little ones). Click here for tickets and more info. 
Last Week for Strolling Performance Groups: Downtown Boston Holiday Brass Band & Twilight Carolers

The BID is sponsoring two strolling groups this holiday season: the Downtown Boston Holiday Brass Band and the Twilight Carolers.
The Twilight Carolers will be strolling everyday through the district through Dec. 23rd from noon to 2 pm. They will also be performing holiday-themed music. 

The four-piece Downtown Boston Holiday Brass Band will be strolling everyday through the district through Dec. 23rd from noon to 2 pm. They will perform holiday-themed music. 
Enjoy Freedom Trail 
Historic Holiday Strolls 

Enjoy one of Boston's best traditions -- the Freedom Trail Foundation's Historic Holiday Stroll.

These merry 90-minute tours are led by Dickensian costumed guides leaving from Faneuil Hall Thursdays through Sundays at 3:30 pm. The stroll is complete with a tour of holiday lights and Christmas trees along the Freedom Trail, a visit to the Omni Parker House for signature refreshments. Guests receive discounts off museum store purchases at several Freedom Trail sites. Tickets are $29 for adults, $19 for children, and reservations are required 24 hours in advance. All Freedom Trail tours are available as private family or group tours. For reservations and more info please call 617-357-8300. 
BID Ambassador Services & Links
BID Ambassadors Provide Walking Escorts and Directions 
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 or snowing! 

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 help@bostonbid.org, which is encouraged. 
Additional BID Ambassador Services
  • Friendly, welcoming downtown presence: helping visitors with directions, notifying fire and police personnel of incident, etc. 
  • Making sure handicapped ramps are not obstructed and storm drain openings are not clogged.
  • Cleaning and powerwashing in Downtown Boston during warm weather. 
  • Landscaping, watering flowers during warm weather.
  • Remove litter and graffiti 
  • Contact info@bostonbid.org for more.
Featured Stories
Restaurants Open for Christmas Eve and Day in Downtown Boston

There are several restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Downtown Boston. 

On Christmas Eve the following restaurants are open.
Artisan Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common (10 Avery St.) is offering holiday specials. Call 617-574-7176 for reservations. Legal Crossing (558 Washington St.) is open 11 am to 9 pm. Call 617-692-8888 for reservations. The Marliave (10 Bosworth St.) is hosting a Feast of the Seven Fishes menu for $70 per person. Call 617-422-0004 for reservations. Mast' (45 Province St.) is hosting a Neapolitan dinner. Call 617-936-3800 for reservations. The Merchant (60 Franklin St.) is open until 7 pm. Ogawa Coffee (10 Milk St.) is open 7 am to 6 pm. Yvonne's (2 Winter Place) is offering a holiday lunch with seatings at noon, 12:30, 1 and 1:30 pm. Reservations are required and must be made via email info@yvonnesboston.com. 

On Christmas Day the following restaurants are open. Artisan Bistro is offering holiday specials. Legal Crossing is open from noon to 8 pm with a three-course menu for $55 per person. Ogawa Coffee is open from noon to 4 pm.
Congratulations to Rafael Rivera! 
BID Ambassador of the Year

BID Ambassador Rafael Rivera was named BID Ambassador of the Year due to his hard work, dedication, willingness to go above and beyond the job and more. Rivera received an award during the ambassador holiday party last week.

Above left to right: Operations Manager Nick Ennis; BID President and CEO Rosemarie Sansone; Rafael Rivera; and BID Clean & Hospitality Operations Manager Steve Brookes.

"Rafael is a jack-of-all-trades. He's a team leader once a week, he helps out with landscaping and watering flowers and has performed overnight outreach to individuals in need," said Brookes. "He did an excellent job preparing the district during last winter's horrible winter so it was easier for residents, shoppers and workers to get around the streets."

Rivera has been a BID ambassador for three years and has trained other ambassadors in how to power wash buildings and streets.  
Delicious Falafel, Gyros and More at 
Boston Shawarma 2 

Downtown Boston has become a smorgasbord for falafel and Middle Eastern food in recent years -- and Boston Shawarma 2 is one of the delicious options.

Owner Fiaz Al-Hamdini, above right, serves up shawarma, falafel, gyros, veggie sandwiches, kabobs, grape leaves and tasty specials of the day like lamb shank with potatoes and rice. There are also numerous desserts like walnut honey baklava. Every plate meal comes with a soda and fries, too. 

"I love being downtown," said Al-Hamdini. "There are a lot of very nice people." Al-Hamdini's first Boston Shawarma has been open on Huntington Avenue for 17 years while Boston Shawarma 2 has been open for about a year.

Boston Shawarma (226 Washington St.) is open daily 11 am to 11 pm.  
Announcements
Dyer Brown Architects Names 
Three New Principals

Dyer Brown (1 Winthrop Square), a 46-year-old, Boston-based, architectural and interior design firm, announced the advancement of associate principals as part of the transition of the firm's new leadership. 

Above: Tara Martin, Director of Client Services; Brent Zeigler, AIA, IIDA, President/Director of Design; Rachel Woodhouse, NCIDQ, LEED AP, Director of Operations; joined Roger D. Shepley, AIA, Principal and Board President, as new principals of the firm.  
Deals & Promos
Earn Points and Cash with Newly-Offered Ogawa Coffee Rewards Program

Ogawa Coffee (10 Milk St.) is now offering a coffee rewards program to show appreciation to their loyal customers. The program allows frequent visitors to earn points and cash value for every cup of coffee they order.

New Year Special at 
Women's Fitness of Boston 

Women's Fitness of Boston (27 School St.) is offering a New Year Special with no enrollment fee.

A one-week trial includes three fitness classes. Women's Fitness of Boston offers numerous activities, including personal training, ballet pilates, piloxing, fitness equipment, zumba and more. Click here for more info or call 617-227-1221. 
Saturday: Hot Cocoa Bar at the Avery Bar 

Warm up with a tasty cup of cocoa and treats at Avery Bar's Hot Cocoa Bar (10 Avery St.) as you sit by the fireplace. This special holiday offering is available on 
Saturday.

Choose your favorite cocoa, top it with a selection of candies, cookies and creams, served with scrumptious holiday sweets and pastries such as Avery Bar's own miniature red velvet cupcakes or peppermint chocolate torte. The Hot Cocoa Bar will be open 3 to 5 pm on Dec. 26th. The cost is $36 per adult and $28 per child. 
Mayor's Holiday Special: 
Over 100 Holiday Shows Now on Sale

Now through New Year's weekend, you can save on more than 100 holiday shows through the Mayor's Holiday Special.

The Mayor's Holiday Special is produced by ArtsBoston, created in partnership with Mayor Marty Walsh, the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) and presented by the Highland Street Foundation. This special deals site gives you access to thousands of ticket deals to more than 100 theater, music, and dance performances throughout the region, as well as free festivities, dining deals, gift ideas, and more. Click here for more info and tickets.  
Sign Up for January Classes at 
Boston Area Spanish Exchange

Want to learn to speak Spanish? Registration is now open for the next course period at the Boston Area Spanish Exchange (50 Milk St.). The next course period begins the week of January 19th. 

Click here to see the winter 2016 course schedule and register by Jan. 9th. Also, receive 5% off registration when using the coupon code "BostonBID5" through Dec. 31st.  
Construction & Utility Work Updates 
MBTA Construction, Millennium Tower, Godfrey Hotel 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.

City Services


Boston City Seal
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 info@bostonbid.org.  
Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update

BID Logo Lo Res

For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: dertischek@bostonbid.org