|
April 19, 2016
|
Featured Stories
In The News
Meetings & Notices
This Week's Featured Event
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Announcements
Deals & Promos
Construction & Utility Work Updates
BID Services & Links
City of Boston Services
|
|
Tonight: Real Estate Reception & Networking Event at Center for Real Estate at Suffolk University
Tonight (April 19th) Suffolk University's Center for Real Estate is presenting a Real Estate Reception & Networking Event from 6 to 8 pm.
George Donnelly, vice president of Northwind Stratagies, will be the guest speaker. Invited organizations include: CREW, Young Professionals Network of GBAR, Asian Real Estate Association, African American Real Estate Professionals and Greater Boston Real Estate Board. This event is at at 120 Tremont St. Click here to register.
|
|
Save the Date:
BID Members Meeting on May 5th;
Celebrating Five Years of the BID!
The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District (BID) will host a BID Members Meeting on Thursday, May 5th from 5 to 7 pm. This will be a celebration of the BID's 5th anniversary!
This meeting will be held on the second floor of 101 Arch St., which is the same location that the campaign to start the BID was kicked off! |
|
Vendors Wanted: Downtown Boston
Arts & Crafts Market 2016
The BID is pleased to announce we are expanding the Downtown Boston Arts & Crafts program for 2016 and are seeking vendors.
The market will be operated in various locations throughout the BID district on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from May 18th to September 17th.
All artwork, crafts and food offerings must be original and handmade by the vendor, vendor studio or enterprise. No mass produced or imported goods are allowed.
Arts and crafts in many categories are desirable, including fiber arts, paintings, photography, stained glass, ceramics, metal, wood, furniture, clothing, children's clothing, toys, items for pets, artisan foods, jewelry and more.
Click here for the vendor application packet, which includes info about the market, participation criteria, cost and regulations. |
|
This Week's Featured Event
|
|
Talk Matters: Civic Oration Yesterday and Today at the Old South Meeting House on April 22nd
From Greece 2,500 years ago to today's TED Talks, civic society has relied on public oration as a way to consider and debate social and political issues. In that vein the Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) will host Talk Matters: Civic Oration Yesterday and Today on April 22nd.
In the 21st century mass media has changed the live and impassioned public speech that marked historical activism. What has taken its place? Listen to Boston College professor Celeste Wells and spoken word poet Danny DeLeon discuss the history of civic oration, and today's different citizen orators. This is a part of the Middays at the Meeting House: Oratory and the Power of Talk series, which is co-sponsored by the Northeastern University History Department. The cost is $6 or free for OSMH members. Click here to purchase tickets. This event is at 12:15 pm.
|
|
Arts, Entertainment & Events
|
|
Caf� de Boston Hosting Discussion on
Food Recovery to Celebrate Earth Week
To recognize Earth Week, Caf� de Boston (75 Federal St.) will be hosting EPA New England Administrator Curt Spalding on April 20th for a discussion about food recovery. The discussion will also include specific info on the restaurant's efforts with food recovery. Caf� de Boston is Three-Star Certified by the Green Restaurant Association and has made an ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility.
Please RSVP for this free event by emailing [email protected]. This event will be held in Cafe de Boston's Patisserie at 3 pm on and will feature items from the restaurant's catering menu. |
|
School Vacation Week Events at the
Old State House Include Learning History Through Comics, Scavenger Hunt
Looking to keep the kids active during School Vacation Week? Here are some options at the Old State House (206 Washington St.).
Young visitors can hunt for artifacts in a scavenger hunt or drop-in on one of the hands-on historical activities. Hear a story read aloud, fashion a coat of arms, create a colonial portrait, design a broadside or make a paper lantern. All activities are free with museum admission. Kids 18 and under accompanied by an adult are admitted to the Old State House for free. Click here to read more about events at the Old State House, including daily tours..
On Friday, April 22nd, J. L. Bell and The Boston Comics Roundtable present: Comic History -- Make Your Own Comic Exploring The Stamp Act at 2 pm. This program will use comics to explore the Stamp Act and the protests that started America on the road to the Revolution. Participants will receive a comic book that tells the story of the Stamp Act. Historian J.L. Bell will engage participants in the history of the Stamp Act through the stories of 18th-century children. After the discussion, local comic book artists associated with the Boston Comics Roundtable will assist and children to create their own comic book. This workshop is free with admission (adults $10 and children under 18 free). Space is limited and prior registration is required. Click here to register for this event. |
|
School Vacation Week Events at the
Old South Meeting House
The Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) is offering several all day activities this week.
From 9:30 am to 5 pm every day this week will be: I Spy for Architects!; Design a 21st-Century Meeting House -- Community Board; and Tots' Corner.
On Wednesday, April 20th, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm will be Craft Your Own Meeting House!
Click here for more information about School Vacation Week activities. |
|
Health & Wellness Series at marlo marketing: 'What is Ayurveda and Why Should I Care?' on April 27th
marlo marketing (38 Chauncy St. Third Floor) continues its Health & Wellness Series with "What is Ayurveda and Why Should I Care?" on April 27th.
If you're not familiar with the ancient Indian tradition of Ayurveda, this is a great introduction to secrets of this holistic lifestyle. The cost is $25 per person, which includes an acupressure hand tool set with a one-hand roller and a pressure ring, as well as a laminated acupressure hand/foot chart. Click here to RSVP. This event is from 6 to 7:30 pm at marlo marketing's office. |
|
Irish International Immigrant Center's 7th Annual Business Leaders Breakfast on April 28th
The Irish International Immigrant Center will hold its 7th Annual Business Leaders Breakfast featuring guest speaker Attorney General Maura Healey on April 28th.
This is a great opportunity to hear Healey speak, participate in a question and answer session and network.
If you would like purchase tickets please contact Mary Kerr at [email protected] or 617-695-1554. |
|
Author Talk at Old State House: 'A History of Boston in 50 Artifacts' on
April 28th
Join Joseph M. Bagley, Boston's archaeologist and author of "A History of Boston in 50 Artifacts" for a look at Boston's history by examining ancient fishing grounds to red-light districts. This event is at the Old State House (206 State St.) on Thursday, April 28th at 6 pm.
Bagley will discuss cannonballs, ancient spears, chinaware, and the significance of numerous artifacts to Boston's history. Book sales and signing to follow. This event is free, but space is limited so register here. |
|
Open Runway Fashion Show in Downtown Boston on April 29th at Noon
Using the same premise as an open mic night Open Runway will provide an opportunity for local fashion designers to show their creations in the middle of Downtown Crossing. This event is on Friday, April 29th at noon at Summer and Washington streets.
Fashion designers at every stage of their careers (that includes student fashion designers) are invited to participate in this open air fashion show in Downtown Crossing.
Jay Calderin, founder and executive director of Boston Fashion Week, will serve as host. He will be joined by a team of former LAUNCH designers who debuted their first collections during Boston Fashion Week 2013 and 2014: Jeffrey Dickerson, Tatiana Tejedor, Chynna Pope and Carlos Villamil.
This free event is being presented by the BID, Boston Fashion Week and Platform Downtown. Click here for more info. |
|
New Flash Forward Festival Art Exhibit in Lafayette City Center Passageway
[Photo]gogues: New England (Part 4), a new Flash Forward Festival art exhibit debuting last week in the Lafayette City Center Passageway. This new and free exhibit is not a definitive study of New England Photography Pedagogues, rather it is a sampling of faculty members from the region.
|
| | Descent by Stephen Sheffield |
This exhibit is comprised of the work from nine photography instructors who were invited to exhibit their work by Paula Tognarelli and Frances Jakubek, executive director and associate director of the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester.
This exhibit is being presented by the Lafayette City Center, the Downtown Boston BID, Magenta Foundation, the Flash Forward Festival Boston 2016 and the Griffin Museum. The Lafayette City Center Passageway links Macy's with the Hyatt Regency Boston and is open 10 am to 9 pm on Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 9:30 pm on Friday and Saturday and 10 am to 9 pm on Sunday. This exhibit will run from April 11th to August 26th.
|
|
Boston By Foot Kicks Off 40th Anniversary with a Special Selection of Pre-Season Tours in April
Boston By Foot is marking its 40th anniversary with several pre-season walking tours during April. Stops on some of the tours include King's Chapel, the Old South Meeting House, the Old State House and more. There's also a tour geared for children.
Below are three tours that go through the BID, but there are more tours. Click here for more information on Boston By Foot tours. The Heart of the Freedom Trail tour is on Saturdays at 1 pm and Sundays at 10 am. This tour meets at the Samuel Adams statue, in front of Faneuil Hall on Congress Street. This tour includes numerous sites such as the Old State House, King's Chapel, Old South Meeting House and more. In May (through October) this tour will also be on Mondays and Fridays at 11 am. The Road to the Revolution tour is on Saturdays at 10 am and Sundays at 1 pm. This tour meets at Tremont/Beacon streets across from King's Chapel. The tour includes historical landmarks such as King's Chapel, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, site of the Boston Massacre and more. In May (through October) this tour will also be on Mondays and Fridays at 1 pm. The Boston by Little Feet tour starts during school vacation week April 19-22 (Tues-Friday) at 2 pm. It meets in front of Faneuil Hall at the Samuel Adams statue. This tour visits the Old South Meeting House, the Old State House and the Boston Massacre site. This is a tour for children 6 to 12. In May (through October) this tour is on Saturdays at 10 am and Sundays at 1 pm.
|
|
|
|
Congratulations to Everyone Who Makes the Boston Marathon a Great Success!
Runners, Staff, Medical Teams, BPD, BFD, DPW, Volunteers and More
Monday's 120th Boston Marathon was a wonderful success! This was the first time ever that Ethiopians won both the men's and women's races in the same year -- Atsede Baysa won the women's race and Lemi Berhanu Hayle won the men's race.
|
| | Bobbi Gibb, the first woman ever to run the Boston Marathon, ceremonially crossed the finish line again. (Photo by Jean Nagy) |
One of the most memorable moments was when Bobbi Gibb, who 50 years ago was the first woman ever to finish the Boston Marathon, ceremonially crossed the finish line again.
The BID congratulates everyone on a fantastic marathon -- the runners, Boston Marathon staff, Boston Police and Fire departments, Department of Public Works, medical personnel, volunteers, fans and more. |
|
Springtime Cleanup Season and
Commercial Trash Regulations
Spring is in full swing in Downtown! The BID is busy meeting with individual property owners and businesses as we coordinate spring clean ups, painting and provide additional programming with increased promotion of the district.
We also wanted to make sure property owners and managers are aware and in compliance with the City of Boston's Trash regulations located on our website here. - No rubbish will be placed out for collections on a public street, sidewalk or alley between 7 am and 6 pm.
- Rubbish may be picked up during these hours but it must be transported directly from your premises where it is stored.
- Rubbish must be stored in durable containers, dumpsters or tightly secured plastic bags.
- Dumpsters must be placed on private property; have lids which are closed at all times; and be picked up regularly to avoid a health hazard.
- Rubbish shall not be placed out in cartons or paper bags.
- Receptacles must be returned to their normal place of storage as soon as possible. When pickup occurs between the hours of 7 am and 6 pm receptacles must be returned to their place of storage immediately.
- Storage containers, dumpsters and storage areas must be thoroughly cleaned following removal of garbage and rubbish.
- The business owner is responsible for cleaning up the loose trash from the sidewalk following collection.
If you have any questions or particular challenges in meeting the requirements of the city's rules and regulations please notify the BID's Clean & Hospitality Operations Manager Steve Brookes at [email protected]. |
|
Spa Day is a Modern Organic Day Spa on Washington Street
Nathaniel Van Camp owned several fast food restaurants, was overweight and needed a change. That's when he decided to create Spa Day (330 Washington St.), a full-service day spa specializing in organic products.
"Being organic really sets us apart. We feature non-toxic nail treatments," said Van Camp, who has since lost a lot of weight after selling off the restaurants. "We have water-based nail polish that is safe enough for a 3-year-old. We have options so if someone wants to get their nails down while pregnant they don't have to worry about chemicals, carcinogens and paint going into their body."
The spa also incorporates science and technology into their services in numerous ways. Nail service, facials, waxing and massages are all offered with different options or packages and can be customized.
Click here to learn more about Spa Day and book an appointment.
|
|
jm Curley Officially Reopens After
Recovering from Storm Damage
The very popular jm Curley restaurant (21 Temple Place) officially reopened this past weekend. The restaurant had been closed since mid-February due to storm damage.
The restaurant also debuted a new menu item -- the pulled pork plate (below). The restaurant is open six days a week from 11:30 am until 2 am, and 11:30 am to midnight on Sundays. |
|
Citizens Bank Branch with Mandarin/Cantonese-Speaking Employees Moved to Washington Street
The Citizens Bank branch that was inside the Lafayette City Center recently moved to 580 Washington St. This branch employs Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking employees.
The branch is between Millennium Place and
Caff� Nero and is open 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. The ATM is available 24 hours a day. Please call the branch at 617-292-4891 for more info or questions.
|
|
BID Flowers Bring Cheery Colors to Downtown Boston
The BID's spring plantings hit the streets last week to bring cheer and color to the early days of spring. Street planters throughout the area now have a mix of purple and orange pansies, curly and pussy willow branches, as well as spring blooming bulbs of yellow daffodils and hyacinths.
The BID works with Flora Explora to provide landscaping loveliness throughout the year. BID Ambassadors take care of the landscaping by watering the plants and discarding items strewn in the planters. |
|
Springtime Sight: Swans Boat of Boston Public Garden Now Paddling
One of Boston's beloved traditions -- the Swan Boats of the Public Garden are now operating seven days a week after opening day this past weekend.
The Swan Boats have actually been in Boston's Public Garden since 1877! Rides are available 10 am to 4 pm seven days a week through June 20th and then to 5 pm through Labor Day.
Swan Boat rides lasts about 12 to 15 minutes while the driver pedals you around the Public Garden lagoon. Tickets are purchased at the Swan Boat dock prior to boarding the boat. Click here for more info. |
|
Gordon's Fine Wines & Liquors Now Offering Wine Storage
During the last year Gordon's Fine Wines & Liquors (39 Temple Place) have been asked if they could provide wine storage. And after hearing their customers the business is now very close to opening its own wine storage facility.
The new storage facility will be located on the Newton/Watertown line and be equipped with security, HVAC and humidity control. Customers may store their wine at the facility in either bulk storage or their own locker. Click here for more information. |
|
Office Space Available at 294 Washington St.
Two fourth floor offices with over-sized windows and a shared waiting room that overlooks the Irish Famine Memorial at 294 Washington St.
This suite would be ideal for therapists, lawyers, accountants, writers or a small startup. It's in the Old South Building, an 11-story office and retail building between State Street and Millennium Tower. It has entrances at 10 Milk St and 294 Washington St. Please contact Nicole Kontos at [email protected]. |
|
|
Macy's Friends & Family Sale Ongoing Through May 2nd
Mother's Day is right around the corner and mom deserves a special gift -- so take advantage of Macy's Friends & Family Sale.
There will be a 25% off discount storewide and 10% off electrics/electronics. The presale to reserve your purchases is through April 23rd and the sale is from April 24th through May 2nd. |
|
Boston Area Spanish Exchange Classes Next Course Period Begins May 9th
The next Boston Area Spanish Exchange (50 Milk St. 16th Floor) course period will begin the week of May 9th. It's not just Spanish being offered, there's also Intro to Portuguese and more.
Register by April 29th and invite somebody for a free course. Click here for more information about classes and to register. |
|
Signup for David Maister Presents
High School Hop Series
Signup now for Downtown Boston resident David Maister's High School Hop Series on Sundays starting in September.
Although this 8-week seminar isn't for five months, you should signup now because it books up quickly. This seminar will cover pop music and artists from 1955 to 1963.
This seminar is being held at the Paramount Center's Bright Family Screening Room (559 Washington St.). Only $30 for all eight sessions. Please send a check for $30 per person (plus your email address) to: David Maister, 1 Avery St. Unit 32A, Boston MA 02111. |
|
Construction & Utility Work Updates
|
|
What's Being Built? Millennium Tower, Congress Square 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. |
|
BID Ambassadors Provide Clean & Hospitality Services in Downtown
The Downtown Boston BID Ambassadors provide clean and hospitality services seven days a week, nearly 24 hours a day. Ambassadors create a friendly, welcoming Downtown presence by helping visitors with directions, notifying fire and police personnel of incidents and more.
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 [email protected], which is encouraged.
- Ambassadors remove litter and graffiti
- Ambassadors clear handicapped ramps and storm drain openings
- Ambassador powerwash in Downtown Boston during warm weather
- Ambassadors maintain the BID's landscaping by watering flowers
- Masonry Ambassadors fix sidewalks and more
|
|
Additional BID Services & Info
- Communication and Business Networking: Along with the weekly newsletter; safety and construction/utility alerts and more are provided that affect the district and businesses
- BID staff schedules individual meetings with BID members to discuss neighborhood affairs
- Entertainment programming: The BID sponsors and organizes entertainment throughout Downtown to engage the neighborhood
- Member Advocacy: The BID works collaboratively with the City of Boston and other agencies on behalf of the district. For advocacy-related assistance or questions please contact [email protected]
- Capital/Public Improvements: The BID coordinates and develops streetscape beautification, provides tables and chairs with umbrellas, public art, plantings and more
- Wayfinding: The BID is installing a wayfinding signage system to assist pedestrians throughout the district
- Please click here for the 2016 BID Report to learn about the transformation of Downtown Crossing
- Contact [email protected] for more
|
|
Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update
For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: [email protected] |
|
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]. |
|
|
