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August 5,  2019
Featured Stories
Announcements
In The News
This Week's Featured Event   
Arts, Entertainment & Events 
Deals & Promotions 
City Services & Important Hotlines
Construction Updates
BID Services & Links
In The News
Boston Guardian: When Charles Street Was "Haight-Ashbury East" And More 8/2/19

Boston Globe: New York Health Start-Up Moving To 101 Arch Street 8/1/19


Boston Globe: Kevin Phelan & Other Boston Business Leaders Developing Mentoring Program For Recent College Graduates 7/29/19

Boston Globe: Ryan Reynolds Film "Free Guy" Completes Filming In Downtown Boston 7/29/19

BostInno: A Peek Inside Attivio's Office At 100 Summer Street [Photo Gallery] 7/29/19

Curbed Boston: 47 LaGrange Street Tower Construction Imminent 7/29/19
This Week's Featured Event
Artisan Bistro & Other Downtown Restaurants Celebrating National Oyster Day

Today is National Oyster Day! The Ritz-Carlton's Artisan Bistro is celebrating the mollusk that, among other things, " made Manhattan," with a number of oyster-themed specials at dinner tonight.

 

Please visit here for a list of all the specials and more info. Other Downtown restaurants celebrating National Oyster Day, through traditional raw bars are The Marliave ( visit here),  The Merchant ( visit here), and  Oceanaire ( visit here).  

Artisan Bistro is also toasting the introduction of a new Travel & Wellness-themed cocktail menu. Please visit here to check out the full selection, which includes offerings such as "Midnight In Kyoto," shown below.

 

Finally, Artisan Bistro is also serving a variety of new dishes on its dinner, brunch, and breakfast menus. Please visit here to take it all in. Call 617-574-7176 for more info. 
Arts, Entertainment & Events
St. Francis House's Annual
"Shooze Cruise" Fundraiser Sets Sail On August 7th

On Wednesday (August 7th), at 6:30 pm, St. Francis House voyages out into Boston Harbor for its annual "Shooze Cruise" fundraiser party



This year marks the 16th straight hosting of the shelter's nautical extravaganza. Attendees are required to bring a pair of shoes to be donated as they board the vessel. Visit here to purchase tickets and also to read descriptions (accompanied by photo galleries) of prior years' outings.   
"Christmas In The City" In August: Auction To Benefit Holidaytime Charity
This Thursday In Seaport

Downtown Boston BID member Jake Kennedy's annual Christmas In The City charity event, in which Jake and his all-volunteer staff host a huge party, complete with presents, for underprivileged Boston families, is entering its 30th year.   



To help stage this year's gala, the organization is hosting a fundraiser this Thursday (August 8th), at 6 pm, at the Seaport Hotel's TAMO Terrace. Among the items to be auctioned are Patriots, Celtics, and Red Sox tickets, as well as a one-on-one meeting with Hugh Jackman prior to his October 1st show at the Boston Garden.  

Please visit here for more info and to buy tickets to the auction.
Yvonne's "Art Of Wine" Series Continues On August 14th

Next Wednesday, August 14th, Yvonne's continues its "Art of Wine" dinner series with "The Endless Summer."   

 

Next week's event brings a taste of Tuscany to the restaurant, with wines from that region paired with appropriate dishes. Please visit here to check out the full wine and dinner menu and to make reservations. Call 617-267-0047 for more info.
Fridays On The Patio At Ruth's Chris
Continue Through August 16th

At Ruth's Chris steak house, summer Fridays are fun-packed, with a variety of activities that take advantage of the Old City Hall patio space adjacent to the restaurant.



Along with grilled burgers and lawn games, each Friday on the Ruth's Chris patio features complimentary beverage tastings. Visit here for the complete listing of featured drinks. Please call 617-742-8401, ext. 22, for more info.  
Announcements
MBTA's "See Something, Say Something" Phone App:
How To Download

The MBTA's " See Something, Say Something" public safety awareness campaign includes an easy-to-download cellphone app for transit system users.
 


Visit here for the app if you have an Apple device and here if you have an Android device. You can make anonymous reports via the app 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to which you will get a response within a few minutes. You can also call MBTA Transit Police at 617-222-1212 or dial 911 if there is an incident you witness on the MBTA that needs to be reported. 
BID Services & Links
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. They provide walking escorts when needed and
they'll even tote an umbrella if it's raining! Please call 617-261-0066 if you want to contact our BID ambassador services program. You can also email help@bostonbid.org.               
  • Ambassadors remove litter and graffiti
  • Ambassadors clear crosswalks, handicapped ramps and storm drain openings
  • Ambassadors shovel during winter
  • Ambassadors maintain landscaping 
  • Masonry Ambassadors fix sidewalks
Additional BID Services & Info
  • Communication and Business Networking
  • Meetings with individual BID members to discuss neighborhood issues 
  • Entertainment programming
  • Member Advocacy
  • Capital/Public Improvements
  • Wayfinding
  • Please click here for the Downtown Boston BID's Welcome Guide that provides a look at many of the BID's accomplishments in leading 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 dmeyer@bostonbid.org.
City Services & 
Important Hotlines    


Important Phone Numbers
Boston Fire, Police & Emergency Services: 911
Non-emergency requests: 311
Eversource gas and electric: 1-800-592-2000
National Grid: 1-800-322-3223
Boston Water & Sewer Commission: 617-989-7000
Mass Water Resources Authority: 617-242-6000
City of Boston Tow Lot: 617-635-3900
National Weather Service: 508-822-0634
Verizon: 800-837-4966
Boston Animal Care and Control: 617-635-5348
Cold Relief Heatline: 800-632-8175
Elderly Commission: 617-635-4366
Emergency Shelter Commission: 617-635-4507
MBTA: 617-222-3200
MEMA: 508-820-1428
Mass. Road and Traffic Conditions: 617-374-1234
City of Boston Neighborhood Services: 617-635-3485
State Police: 617-740-7600
Transit Police: 617-222-1212
City of Boston Veterans Services: 617-635-3957
Featured Stories
Downtown Welcomes Red Sox Foundation's Service Scholarship Recipients 

Last Tuesday (July 30th), the Downtown Boston BID was pleased to host 30  Red Sox Service Scholarship recipients for a special community service project.

 

The award recipients, from Maine, were recognized later that night at Fenway Park before the start of the Red Sox game. Said Rico Mochizuki, Assistant Director at the Red Sox Foundation, "we couldn't have done it [the community service project] without your help, so thank you from all of us at the Red Sox Foundation!"



Added Steve Brookes, Operations Director at the Downtown Boston BID, " It was a great opportunity for the Downtown Boston BID Ambassadors and scholarship award recipients to join forces to enhance cleanliness in the BID district." The Downtown Boston BID looks forward to hosting next year's group of Red Sox Foundation scholarship winners!
New Look For Old City Hall Avenue: Lighting Installed

The Downtown Boston BID recently partnered with BID member Synergy Investments to string an attractive, cafe-style lighting grid above Old City Hall Avenue. The lights are suspended between two Synergy Investments properties, Old City Hall (45 School Street, left) and 27 School Street (right).



The BID plans to do similar lighting enhancements in other alleys in the district--stay tuned for more updates! 
Rockland Trust Celebrates The Return Of "For You Fridays" On Franklin Street

This past Friday, Rockland Trust and the Downtown Boston BID partnered to re-launch the bank's " For You Fridays" series, celebrating the recent opening of the bank's retail branch at 93 Franklin Street

 

The event included an appearance from the BID's
Downtown Boston Brass Band and free ice cream treats from the Cookie Monstah truck (shown below), and prize giveaways that included 4 free tickets to the Red Sox.



"For You Fridays" continues this Friday with an appearance from Roxy's Grilled Cheese, which will be giving out free sandwiches outside 93 Franklin Street. There will be more giveaways of Red Sox tickets, concert tickets for shows at the Rockland Trust Bank pavilion, gift cards from local retailers--and a grand prize of a year's worth of MBTA Charlie Cards! The event continues through the end of September. 
Veteran Downtown Boston BID Performer Nominated For NEMA "Country Act Of The Year" Award

The Downtown Boston BID is pleased to announce that one of its veteran musical performers, Maddi Ryan, was recently nominated for the prestigious "Country Act of The Year" honor by the New England Music Awards (NEMA). Maddi has been performing for several years for the BID on Summer Street Plaza and also at 100 Summer Street Plaza. 
 
 

The voting for NEMA is completely fan-based and is open through August 15th. To vote for Maddi, please visit here. For more info about Maddi, check out her website, here. Good luck, Maddi! 
Entertainer Profile: Downtown Crossing's "Living Statue"
Ariana Seymourian

Pedestrians traversing Downtown Crossing the past several weeks on sunny days have surely seen her: the " Living Statue," who stands perfectly still on a small platform on Summer Street Plaza and entertains visitors with her silent repertoire. Her name is Ariana Seymourian, and the Downtown Boston BID recently caught up with her in-between performances. 

 

Ariana began performing as a "living statue" two years ago. Per Ariana, "The best way to interact with me is by offering me a tip. When this happens I unfreeze and come to life. Otherwise, I stand completely still. I also love taking pictures with my audience." Ariana performs on Summer Street Plaza on Wednesdays-Fridays (weather permitting), from 1-7 pm, and sometimes Saturdays-Sundays from 1-6 pm. 
Deals & Promotions
Exclusive Pre-Opening Deal
From Workbar At 24 School Street

Workbar Downtown, a co-working space, will open at 10-24 School Street at the start of September. 



The 17,000 sq.-ft. facility--perfect for a growing tech start-up, a small business owner, or consultants who are frequently on the move--is offering new members who join by August 15th two free months of space. For more information, please contact downtown@workbarboston.com
ArtsEmerson Offering Deep Discount On "Passengers"
Through August 8th 

"The journey is the destination" proclaims " Passengers," the show playing at the Cutler Majestic Theatre from September 25th through October 13th--and ArtsEmerson is making it a little easier to get there via a ticket discount valid through the end of this Thursday, August 8th

 

Please visit here to access the offer. The promo code is: SUMMER10. Contact the box office at 617-824-8400 for more info.
"Let Us Engage You": DeScenza Diamonds Launches Proposal-Driven Social Media Contest

Take a picture of a marriage proposal and (possibly) win a gift card: this week, the DeScenza Diamonds poster shown here goes up outside 387 Washington Street, where the jeweler is based.



Ambitious individuals who are ready to "pop the big question," and who stage their proposal in front of the poster and then tag themselves on social media using #DeScenzaDifference, will be entered into a contest to win a DeScenza gift card. The winner will be announced at the upcoming Phantom Gourmet Food Festival. Good luck!
Construction Updates
New Developments Under Construction, Proposed Projects
& 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 u pdates on developments, construction, sidewalk closings, and more? Click  here.
THANK YOU!
Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update



For questions and comments, please contact Doug Meyer, Membership Services & Database Manager, at dmeyer@bostonbid.org.