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September 6, 2016
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Featured Stories
In The News
Meetings & Notices
This Week's Featured Event
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Announcements
Deals & Promos
BID Services & Links
Construction & Utility Work Updates
City of Boston Services
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Learn About BID's Strategic Planning Process at DBRA Meeting on
September 12th
The Downtown Boston Residents' Association will meet on Monday, September 12th at the Modern Theatre (525 Washington St.) at 7 pm.
The agenda includes a brief safety update from the Boston Police Department, and business updates from haley.henry wine bar and NimNim.
BID President & CEO Rosemarie Sansone will discuss the strategic planning process the BID is currently undergoing. This will be a great opportunity for residents to provide feedback on the future of the neighborhood.
This is a public meeting. Click here for more information about the Downtown Boston Residents' Association. |
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This Week's Featured Event
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Boston's 386th Birthday on Boston Charter Day and Events Throughout
Next Two Months
Celebrate Boston Charter Day throughout September and October with numerous events in and around Downtown Crossing. This year's Charter Day theme is "Passionate Puritans: Marriage, Love, and Sex in 17th Century Massachusetts."
Admission to the Old South Meeting House is free on Boston Charter Day, September 7th. The Partnership of Historic Bostons has organized events from September 7th through October 26th celebrating Boston's birthday. Events include tours, discussions on numerous topics--including the myths and reality of Puritans and sex--the women of Boston's colonial elite and more. Click here for a full listing of all events. |
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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Enjoy Chef Demos from
Top Downtown Boston Chefs at
The Inaugural Taste of Downtown Crossing
September 25th
Ever wonder how restaurant chefs create delectable dishes? You'll get to learn about their culinary ways during chef demonstrations at the first-ever Taste of Downtown Crossing. The Taste will be on Sunday, September 25th and will feature more than 20 restaurants and attendees will get to sample fare from all of the restaurants.
Executive Chef Kelly Armetta, above, of the Hyatt Regency Boston, will be just one of numerous chefs who will be sharing how he creates mouthwatering meals. The Taste of Downtown Crossing is a destination event that will showcase the diverse food, culture and entertainment of Downtown Boston. Attendees will enjoy a streetside cafe with performing musicians, a wine and beer garden and chef demonstrations. Participating restaurants include: Artisan Bistro, Avenue One, Back Deck, Boston Chops, Central Bistro, David's Tea, Fajitas & 'Ritas, Gordon's Fine Wines & Liquors, JM Curley, Kingston Grille & Bar, Legal Crossing, Marliave, Mast', The Merchant, Oceanaire Seafood Room, Papagayo, Roche Bros., Sa Pa, Serafina, Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen, Teatro and Yvonne's.
The event is from noon to 4 pm. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the event. Click here to purchase tickets.
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Last Boston Calling Block Party for 2016 at Dewey Square with
Sleeping Lion on September 8th
The last Boston Calling Music Festival Block Party for 2016 in Dewey Square will feature music from Sleeping Lion on Thursday, September 8th. The block parties are free and open to all members of the public aged 21+.
The block parties are a partnership with the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Shock Top, Wicked Wines, RadioBDC, CHEN PR and the BID. All block parties will feature local musicians. The parties are from 5 to 8 pm and have a cash bar, lawn games and promotions.
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Unearthing Boston Series at Old South Meeting House on Tuesdays In September
Learn about the archaeological history of Boston during "Unearthing Boston," a Lowell Lecture Series at the Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) on Tuesdays in September.
This series is being presented by the Paul Revere Memorial Association. This series is scheduled for: Sept. 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th at 6:30 pm. It is free and open to the public. |
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'Ben Franklin: Son of Boston' Tour on September 8th
Boston By Foot is celebrating the return of the Benjamin Franklin statue at Old City Hall with the "Ben Franklin: Son of Boston" tour on Thursday, September 8th. Last May the Benjamin Franklin statue at Old City Hall was toppled over during a strong gust of wind. The statue was sent away for repairs and will be returning this week. Celebrate his return with a walking tour through Ben's haunts and homes in Colonial Boston. Meet in the plaza at Washington and School streets between Walgreens and the Irish Famine Memorial. The tour is $15 per ticket and $5 for Boston By Foot members. It is taking place from 6 to 7:30 pm. Click here for more info and to buy tickets. |
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Watch 'Minions,' 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,' and 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' on the Boston Common
Mayor Walsh's Movie Nights return to the Frog Pond on the Boston Common on Friday, September 9th, with the smash hit "Minions."
On Friday, September 16th, the classic "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" will be screened and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is being screened on Friday, September 23rd.
All shows begin at dusk (approximately 7:45 pm) and are sponsored by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and Northeastern. Free popcorn will be provided by the AMC Loews Boston Common 19. |
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'Meet the Lighthouse Families of Boston Harbor, Yesterday and Today' on
Sept. 15th
Author and lighthouse historian Jeremy D'Entremont and Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands founder Suzanne Gall Marsh kick off a two-month series on Thursday, Sept. 15th. This series is celebrating the tercentenary of Boston Light with a colorful overview of Boston's lighthouse history, including highlights from oral and family histories and will be at the Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.).
There is a reception at 6 pm and the lecture begins at 6:30 pm. This program is made possible with funding from the Lowell Institute. This is free and open to the public, but registration is requested by clicking here. |
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Three Sheets to the Wind Sing Sea Shanties at the Old South Meeting House
The Gloucester-based group Three Sheets to the Wind will perform traditional sea shanties and songs of the sea in a concert for all ages at the Old South Meeting House on Saturday, Sept. 17th.
This performance is part of the series 'Beacons of Beantown: 300 Years of Boston Lights' and is being presented by the Old South Meeting House and Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands. It is free with museum admission. Registration is requested by clicking here. This event is from noon to 2 pm. |
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St. Paul's Lunchtime Performance Series on Mondays and Thursdays Through September
The BID launched a new lunchtime music series this week outside of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (138 Tremont St.). Solo artists will be performing on Mondays and Thursdays from noon to 2 pm through September (except for Labor Day).
Rachel Sumner, above, is performing Sept. 8th, 19th and 26th. Holly McGarry is performing Sept. 12th.
Kesnel Personnel will be performing Sept. 15th, 22nd and 29th.
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Live Soloist Performers at 133 Federal Street Three Days a Week
The BID sponsors soloist performers outside on the 133 Federal St. Plaza on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for everyone to enjoy.
Rachel Sumner will perform on Wednesday, September 6th, with Tuphan playing on Friday, September 8th. Performances are from noon to 2 pm. |
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Nella Rojas Performing at
Free Berklee Concert Series at
100 Summer Street Plaza
The Berklee College of Music Summer Concert Series continues at the 100 Summer Street Plaza. The series offers free musical performances every Tuesday and Thursday by Berklee students.
Nella Rojas will perform on Tuesday, September 6th and Thursday, September 8th. Rojas has studied and been influenced by such artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Christina Aguilera, and Ray Charles. In 2008, Rojas participated in Latin American Idol.
All performances are from noon to 2 pm. Performances may be cancelled due to weather or changed due to scheduling. Click here to see all of the upcoming performances. |
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Experimental Pop-Up Pedestrian Plaza
Proves Popular with People
Looking to create a better walking environment, the Boston Transportation Department created a pedestrian pop-up plaza on Franklin Street by Arch Street on August 30th. Passersby were welcomed to sit at tables and chairs with umbrellas, all provided by the Downtown Boston BID. The pilot was a view of the future as the city would like to create a semi-permanent seating area on Franklin Street.
"This is great! I would totally hang out here," said Katherine Brekka, of Fennick McCredie Architecture, which has an office at 70 Franklin St. overlooking the pop-up plaza. "I would like to see something permanent. This is an underutilized area that doesn't have a lot of vehicle traffic."
As people drank complimentary coffee provided by BID member Ogawa Coffee (10 Milk St.), they provided feedback for future designs and what they want to see for the area. Throughout the morning engineers monitored traffic and anticipated issues that need to be addressed in future designs.
"I like it. More people will come and get food, come out here and sit down," said Ilan Barniv, owner of Bonapita restaurant (49 Franklin St.), located across the street from the pop-up plaza.
The Transportation Department worked with the Boston Redevelopment Authority, the Public Works Department, the BID and Millennium Partners to implement the pilot project and upcoming phases. The architecture firm H�weler + Yoon has been commissioned by Millennium Partners to develop the designs for the next phase of the experiment. |
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Benjamin Franklin Statue
Returns to Old City Hall;
Ribbon-Cutting on September 8th
Benjamin Franklin is back at Old City Hall after undergoing a significant restoration. The impetus for the restoration came after the statue fell from its pedestal in May due to a strong gust of wind.
The statue was removed, refurbished and was put back via crane on August 31st. Oddly, the statue had never been bolted down for the 160 years it had been at the location, but is now safely bolted down.
"Old City Hall is pleased to welcome the Ben Franklin statue back to their building's courtyard where he has been since 1856," said Sean McDonnell of the Architectural Heritage Foundation. "The statue commemorates Franklin's life and his early years in Boston, including that he attended Boston Latin School. It is considered sculptor Richard Greenough's finest work."
At noon on Thursday, Sept. 8th, all are welcome to help cut a ribbon to mark his return. Curator Josh Crane of Daedalus, which restored the statue, will be on hand to discuss his conservation work. Crane said the statue's old coating was removed, a solution was applied with a torch and the old brown shiny color--the statue had taken on a green patina after many years of exposure--was restored. Daedalus then used an acrylic coating to seal everything. Minor repairs also occurred, and of course, the statue was bolted down this time.  The Benjamin Franklin statue had been a green color for many years, seen above, but is now back to its original brown color.
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Washington Street Temporary Parklet Coming on September 7th
On the heels of last week's demonstration of the Franklin St. temporary pop-up plaza, the BID is installing a temporary parklet at 467 Washington St. on Wednesday, Sept. 7th.
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| | A rendering of the temporary parklet set to be installed in front of Liberty Travel at 467 Washington St. |
The parklet will be in front of Liberty Travel in the pedestrian zone from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm starting Wednesday. This is a pilot program to see how the parklet fits on the street. Tables, chairs and large umbrellas will be installed to create the parklet space.
"The Downtown Boston BID has been in conversations with transportation planning firm Howard/Stein-Hudson as well as local residents about improving the Downtown Crossing pedestrian zone" said Anita Lauricella, senior planner/project manager. "The parklet will provide a good location for people to sit down to eat their lunch, figure out their next shopping move or just rest." |
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BID Baggo League Playoffs in Full Swing
The BID Baggo League playoffs started last week and continue this week. The winner will be crowned this Wednesday, September 7th, at 100 Summer St. Plaza, and will be awarded with the commemorative Baggo game set shown below.
Edible Arrangements (241 Washington St.) is the official sponsor of the BID Baggo League and has been providing gift certificates to players of the week.
The BID Baggo Lunchtime League is a free league that anyone can join. If you are interested in playing please contact Mike Testa, above middle, at 617-482-1928.
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Downtown Boston Arts & Crafts Market at
Walgreens This Week
The Downtown Boston Arts & Crafts Market features local vendors offering handmade products.
Vendors will be at Walgreens Plaza (School and Washington streets) from 11 am to 6 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. |
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Now You Can Submit Your Own Event to the Downtown Boston BID Website
If you have an upcoming event you can now submit it to the Downtown Boston BID website. Click here to submit your own event.
Once approved by BID staff your event will be on the BID's calendar section and could be featured in the newsletter or on the BID social media accounts and promoted elsewhere. |
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New Customers Receive 30% Off Hair Coloring at Nest Salon
Nest Salon (53 Bromfield St.) is offering a 20% discount to all customers on their first visit, with first-time customers who are BID newsletter readers receiving an additional 10% off to make it a 30% discount. Click here to make an appointment or call 617-337-2723. Please mention you saw this deal in the BID newsletter.
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Receive Gift Card at Macy's
Fashion's Front Row on Sept. 15th
Get great deals on fashion at Macy's Fashion's Front Row event on Thursday, Sept. 15th in the Women's Department (2nd floor) at 5 pm.
Check out the trending looks for fall, and then stick around for some one-on-one style advice from stylists and receive a $10 Macy's gift card. You will receive a special gift with any $75 or more purchase in the Women's Department. The gift card can be redeemed with a Macy's stylist following a style consultation. The gift card is valid until Sept. 22nd.
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$1 Oysters at The Merchant
The Merchant (60 Franklin St.) is featuring $1 oysters Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays all day each day. So head in for the oysters and ask about their drink selections, too
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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.
B ID 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. You can also email [email protected].
- 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
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Additional BID Services & Info
- Communication and Business Networking
- Meetings with individual BID members to discuss neighborhood affairs
- Entertainment programming
- Member Advocacy
- Capital/Public Improvements
- Wayfinding
- Please click here for the 2016 BID Report to learn about the transformation of Downtown Crossing
- For additional details and information on the complete range of BID services please contact Doug Meyer, Membership Services & Database Manager, at [email protected].
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Construction & Utility Work Updates
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New Developments Under Construction, Proposed Projects 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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Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update
For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: [email protected] |
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