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Axios Boston
Unpacking how the Celtics blew it
The Celtics used the phrase "unfinished business" as a rallying cry this season as they chased banner number 18 for the Garden.Driving the news: The Miami Heat wouldn't let the team finish that business in Game 7 Monday, and fans are asking what's next for a talented Celtics roster that got so close.ESPN's Tim Bontemps blamed the disappointment on the Celts' habit of "spiraling out of control" late in the game. The Globe's Dan Shaughnessy agrees.What they're saying: Derrick White's Game 6 buzzer-beater kept the Celtics alive in dramatic fashion, but all it did was stave off elimination by a...
These Boston spaces are perfect for backyard grilling
Memorial Day came and went. For many of us, our backyard barbecues were just too darn small to really get into the spirit of the holiday.So why not upgrade to a backyard, patio or deck built for grilling?This $2.7 million South End garden condo features a gorg private patio that opens onto another patio for parking (or partying.)A gas line from the kitchen connects right to the outdoor grill area, so say goodbye to those propane bottle exchanges.Another direct gas pipeline connects to this $1.5 million Melrose single family's back patio for true BBQ superiority.The kitchen is just through the glass slider to the patio.A bit down the income scale, where normal people live, check out this cute $585,000 unit in a Jamaica Plain three-decker with a brick patio shared with your neighbors.And for the suburban adventurers, here's a $560,000 New England farmhouse in Weymouth with a fire pit ready to burn.
Bostonians are paying less at the pump this summer
Data: GasBuddy; Note: Price as of the 1st of each month; Chart: Axios VisualsDrivers in the Boston metro area have paid an average of $3.46 per gallon of regular gasoline in May, compared to $4.77 a year ago.The big picture: Gas prices set record all-time highs last year amid a broader inflation crisis, driven in part by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which destabilized global energy markets.Zoom out: Gas prices nationally are rising slightly compared to previous months — but they're still well below last year's levels as we head into the travel-heavy summer season.The nationwide average price per gallon of...
West Broadway's Bar Volpe celebrates summer with an aperitivo hour
West Broadway's Bar Volpe is ringing in the summer with a new aperitivo hour, the Italian tradition of light appetizers and cocktails before dinner.Chef Karen Akunowicz put together a menu of stuzzichini-like fried olives, shrimp and crostini perfect for an after-work happy hour with friends.What to get: The calamari and shrimp fritti misti ($17) with basil is a highlight, as is the shrimp and mustard sauce ($16.)Even the olive-phobic should try the $7 olives all'ascolana for stuffed and fried olives.There's a pancetta panini that's a bit more substantive if you're looking to fill up and the potato-filled crocchetta di patate ($10) has an anchovy zing to it.Top off your hour of apps with the salted vanilla ice cream ($6) which is tastier than soft serve should be allowed to be.Bar Volpe serves aperitivo every day from 4-5pm all summer.
What to expect at Boston Calling 2023
The volume will be up in Allston this weekend as Foo Fighters, the Lumineers and Paramore headline this year's Boston Calling music festival.Why it matters: Boston Calling is the area's biggest music festival and features huge international touring acts.Last year's shows were headlined by Metallica and Nine Inch Nails after Foo Fighters had to drop out because of the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins.Other acts include the Dropkick Murphys (stepping in for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs due to an illness in the band), the National, Niall Horan and Chelsea Cutler playing before Foo Fighters today.Alanis Morissette, the Flaming Lips, Mt....
These are the trendiest baby names in Massachusetts
Data: U.S. Social Security Administration; Chart: Erin Davis/Axios VisualsExpect to see more kids named Maverick, Brooks and Beau in the next decade.Driving the news: Those names have seen the biggest gains in popularity in Massachusetts between 2012 and 2022, according to an analysis of new data from the Social Security Administration.Yes, but: They’re nowhere near the most popular in 2022.Noah, Liam and Theodore were the most popular for boys.Olivia, Charlotte, Emma and Sophia topped the list for girls. (The SSA’s data doesn’t break out gender-neutral options.)The intrigue: Baby names fall in and out of favor every generation, though there’s always an exception that bewilders us all. Meanwhile, Alexa has dropped in popularity since 2012. Maybe Amazon’s to blame for that.Steph’s thought bubble: I’ve never been a big fan of my legal name (sorry, mom), but I was surprised I didn’t see Stephanie or Stephen make the list. Now I feel old.
Healey pushes for lower taxes on stronger hard ciders
Cider makers in Massachusetts want to make boozier beverages without having to pay higher taxes, and Gov. Healey has their backs.Driving the news: Healey wants a change to the excise tax on hard cider to let makers go up to 8.5% alcohol by volume and still be taxed only 3 cents per gallon.Currently, ciders over 6% alcohol by weight get taxed $1.10 per gallon.The tax relief for cider producers would cost the state $300,000 a year, according to a Healey spokesperson.Why it matters: Higher-alcohol "imperial ciders" are the hot new trend in the market, and local makers want to get...
Patriots take their brand to Europe
The New England Patriots are trying to win fans in Europe as part of the NFL's global markets program.The league announced new marketing rights for American football teams in certain international markets Tuesday.Why it matters: Prior to the 2022 launch of the program, NFL teams were prohibited from marketing overseas. Now, they can sell sponsorships, set up fan clubs, and operate much like they do domestically.The Patriots previously had rights in Germany, and added the country's neighbors Austria and Switzerland this week.State of play: The program now has 21 teams operating in 14 different countries. And many teams are in multiple countries, so it's 40 total markets.The Chiefs and Buccaneers are also active in the same central-European markets as the Patriots.The Jets get to market themselves in the U.K., while the Jaguars and Steelers are operating in Ireland.
How to beat the traffic around Boston on Memorial Day weekend
If you're planning to leave Greater Boston this Memorial Day weekend, you may want to head out early to account for extra traffic.Why it matters: AAA estimates that 42.3 million Americans will travel during the holiday weekend — a 7% increase over last year.Some 2.7 million more people will travel during the unofficial start of summer compared with 2022, writes Axios' Sareen Habeshian.When to go: Friday is expected to be the busiest day on the roads during the long weekend, according to INRIX, which provides transportation data and insights.The best times to travel by car are in the morning or...
Why workers are leaving Massachusetts
Massachusetts has three big problems that are staggering the local economy, according to a new report: the availability of housing, the sorry state of our transportation systems and the outflow of talented workers to other states.Why it matters: Massachusetts's vaunted position as one of the best states to live and work in could be at risk if these long-term trends aren't addressed.Driving the news: The report from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation found that a long-term decline in births and an aging population is also shrinking the Massachusetts workforce.Plus, remote workers don't want to live in such a high-cost area if...
A $20 million fund encourages investing for "ordinary people"
Investing is no longer just for millionaires, and we’re not talking about crypto.What’s happening: The Boston Impact Initiative is raising money for a $20 million fund, and the nonprofit impact investment group is recruiting a number of middle-income residents for smaller investments, CEO Betty Francisco tells Axios.The minimum for these lower- and middle-income residents, or “non-accredited investors,” is $1,000.That’s a lot of money for the average person, but it’s far smaller than typical venture capital fund minimums, which range from $500,000 to $5 million or more. The fund will go toward startups and projects owned by entrepreneurs of color and...
Bicyclist deaths drop in Boston
Data: The League of American Bicyclists via NHTSA; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosThere were 1.5 fatal bicycle crashes on average for every million Greater Boston residents between 2017-2021, per data from the League of American Bicyclists via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — down 51% from 2012-2016.Why it matters: Bicycle use exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic.But while many cities scrambled to install new bike lanes and adopt other measures to keep riders safe and encourage cycling, Boston area bike infrastructure had a head start.Such projects have gained renewed urgency as bike-sharing platforms such as Citi Bike NYC and Chicago's Divvy Bikes...
The country's biggest bounce house event is coming to Topsfield Fairgrounds
Everyone loves a bounce house, especially if someone else is responsible for it. And everyone loves giant, sprawling theme parks where kids can go wild.What's happening: The Big Bounce America, the country's largest bounce house event, comes to the Topsfield Fairgrounds June 17-25.There are separate sessions for toddlers (3 and under), juniors (7 and under), bigger kids (15 and under) and adults (over 16).The $22-$41 tickets get you unlimited access for three hours to colossal bouncing obstacle courses like The Giant, Air Space, Sport Slam or a time slot for the titular World's Biggest Bounce House.
Massachusetts lawmakers consider in-state tuition for undocumented students
Data: College websites; Chart: Jared Whalen/AxiosThe Massachusetts Senate this week will debate a plan to offer in-state tuition and financial aid to undocumented high schoolers.Why it matters: Immigration activists, Senate President Karen Spilka and Gov. Healey say Massachusetts is falling behind states that have used the policy to expand their workforces.Senate Democrats have said they believe the policy would be a net gain financially for the state because it would help public colleges that have struggled to preserve their enrollment numbers.The big picture: 23 states and Washington, D.C. have "tuition equity" laws or policies, including a number of red states.Massachusetts...
Boston’s first adult-use dispensary is expanding to downtown
Pure Oasis made waves when it opened Boston’s first adult-use cannabis dispensary in Dorchester. Now it’s coming to another location in the heart of downtown.Driving the news: Pure Oasis plans to open its doors at 85 Devonshire St. on June 1, says co-owner Kobie Evans. The 7,000-square-foot space was once home to a bank.Why it matters: The locally owned and Black-owned store’s first location opened in Grove Hall in March 2020.The downtown opening represents an expansion into a part of Boston that historically has not hosted many Black businesses and entrepreneurs.What they’re saying: “Coming from Boston, living as a native, it was a big deal to make that step,” Evans said. “Although it isn’t anything written in stone, it’s (because of) the idea of growing up in the city with demarcation lines that you’re breaking a barrier.”What’s next: As part of an effort to work with community organizations, Pure Oasis plans to donate $50,000 this week to Haley House, a nonprofit soup kitchen, food pantry and affordable housing organization that also runs a program to help formerly incarcerated people rebuild their lives.Cannabis businesses sometimes make donations as part of their agreements with host cities, but Evans says this is voluntary.
How Swifties are getting to the concert at Gillette
Taylor Swift plays the first of three concerts tonight at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough and fans are already headed down Route 95 so they don't miss a moment.Why it matters: Swift's Eras Tour has become nothing short of a major cultural force.First the Swifties took on Ticketmaster.Now they're impacting the economies of each city their idol visits.The intrigue: We asked you Monday how you planned to get to Swift's shows.Reader George C. told us he and his whole family just came back from one of Swift's Philadelphia shows and the concert afterglow is still strong."I’ve never paid that much for...
How Swifties are getting to the concert at Gillette
Taylor Swift plays the first of three concerts tonight at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough and fans are already headed down Route 95 so they don't miss a moment.Why it matters: Swift's Eras Tour has become nothing short of a major cultural force.First the Swifties took on Ticketmaster.Now they're impacting the economies of each city their idol visits.The intrigue: We asked you Monday how you planned to get to Swift's shows.Reader George C. told us he and his whole family just came back from one of Swift's Philadelphia shows and the concert afterglow is still strong."I’ve never paid that much for...
A “full sensory experience” at Grace by Nia
Restaurateur Nia Grace has created the new crown jewel of the Seaport.What’s happening: Grace by Nia, a collaboration with Big Night Entertainment Group, opened last week and is already booked three-plus weeks out.The supper club is gearing up for brunch service, which starts May 27.The intrigue: This part-supper club, part-music venue exudes Art Deco-style opulence and intimacy. It’s the kind of place patrons wear their favorite suits and dresses to sit down and suck on crawfish with their favorite people.“Dress up to get down,” Grace says.Zoom in: The stage on the left side anchors the 5,000-square-foot venue. French valances line...
A “full sensory experience” at Grace by Nia
Restaurateur Nia Grace has created the new crown jewel of the Seaport.What’s happening: Grace by Nia, a collaboration with Big Night Entertainment Group, opened last week and is already booked three-plus weeks out.The supper club is gearing up for brunch service, which starts May 27.The intrigue: This part-supper club, part-music venue exudes Art Deco-style opulence and intimacy. It’s the kind of place patrons wear their favorite suits and dresses to sit down and suck on crawfish with their favorite people.“Dress up to get down,” Grace says.Zoom in: The stage on the left side anchors the 5,000-square-foot venue. French valances line...
Pet Pick: Justin the one-eyed shorthair
Perpetual wink. Photo: MSPCAThis domestic shorthair goes by Justin, and that's about all the MSPCA knows about this mysterious feline character.One-year-old Justin doesn't let his one eye stop him from being playful. And we think it gives him a certain allure.He's waiting on the Cape for adoption, so check him out at the MSPCA site.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston.
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