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Axios Boston
What's going up: New offices and bigger food halls
A Chestnut Hill office park is set for a $41 million overhaul as Brookline considers rezoning the area.The four buildings on 5.3 acres along Route 9 could become the site of a hotel, science labs, housing and some retail space.The CambridgeSide mixed-use development, formerly the CambridgeSide mall, is opening a new "food hall," a collection of eateries formerly referred to as a food court.14 stalls will fill the CanalSide Food + Drink with familiar counters like anoush'ella, Caffé Nero, DalMoros Fresh Pasta To Go and Sapporo Ramen.💭Deehan's thought bubble: Courts are fancier than halls. But food halls are fancier than food courts for some reason. Under the Scooby Doo villain mask, I think this is just a food court at a mall.Developer Rafi is cutting back on plans to expand its Somerville Ave. properties into a humongous campus.Instead of 9-to-16-story towers, Rafi is looking at much shorter buildings that include housing.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Turkey Head, "Smelly Cat" and the couch: "The Friends Experience" is in Boston
Steph here. I got an early look at "The Friends Experience," an exhibit that opens Friday in Boston and runs until mid-January. The intrigue: If the 2019 Friends pop-up at Time Out Market is any indication, the installation will draw "Friends" superfans from across New England to celebrate the TV show's 30th anniversary.The tour was wasted on me, a casual fan at best, but the spokesperson who guided me insists it's a good time for anyone vaguely familiar with the show. She wasn't wrong.What to know: The installation opens Friday morning at 343 Newbury St., down the street from...
Harvard's pro-Palestinian protesters take down encampment
The last Boston-area pro-Palestinian encampment came down Tuesday in Harvard Yard.Why it matters: Unlike the other tents at nearby colleges, the Harvard encampment ended without a raid or arrests — just a resolve to continue protesting in other ways.Catch up fast: The Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine (HOOP) coalition Tuesday announced it would end its encampment after nearly three weeks.The group said in a statement "the utility of this tactic has passed, and we have decided to regroup and carry out this protracted struggle through other means."Between the lines: The end of the spring semester was always considered an unofficial...
Harvard's pro-Palestinian protesters take down encampment
The last Boston-area pro-Palestinian encampment came down Tuesday in Harvard Yard.Why it matters: Unlike the other tents at nearby colleges, the Harvard encampment ended without a raid or arrests — just a resolve to continue protesting in other ways.Catch up fast: The Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine (HOOP) coalition Tuesday announced it would end its encampment after nearly three weeks.The group said in a statement "the utility of this tactic has passed, and we have decided to regroup and carry out this protracted struggle through other means."Between the lines: The end of the spring semester was always considered an unofficial...
Massachusetts parentage laws exclude many LGBTQ+ families, advocates say
Two decades after winning the right to marry, gay couples in Massachusetts are still being separated from their children because they don't share DNA.Why it matters: LGBTQ+ parents and advocates say the state's laws fail to secure the same protections that biological parents have in court.The gaps in the law ultimately hurt unmarried, non-biological parents, often those in same-sex relationships, and their children the most, says Polly Crozier, director of family advocates at GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders.Kam Thompson, a former Worcester-area resident, learned that the hard way.Thompson's partner was visiting family in North Carolina in 2016 when her water...
Massachusetts parentage laws exclude many LGBTQ+ families, advocates say
Two decades after winning the right to marry, gay couples in Massachusetts are still being separated from their children because they don't share DNA.Why it matters: LGBTQ+ parents and advocates say the state's laws fail to secure the same protections that biological parents have in court.The gaps in the law ultimately hurt unmarried, non-biological parents, often those in same-sex relationships, and their children the most, says Polly Crozier, director of family advocates at GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders.Kam Thompson, a former Worcester-area resident, learned that the hard way.Thompson's partner was visiting family in North Carolina in 2016 when her water...
Concerts this week: Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Diana Ross and more
You want to see some stars this week? Diana Ross and Neil Young are in town and aren't letting age stop them.There's a glut of '90s hard rock around too, with Helmet, the Cro-Mags, Orgy and Cold in town.TonightRainbow Kitten Surprise play night two of a three-night stand at Roadrunner.No wave icons Swans are at the Paradise.WednesdayRainbow Kitten Surprise cap off their three-night stay in Boston at Roadrunner.ThursdayThere are legends, then there are icons, then there's Diana Ross. She's still going strong at age 80 at the Wang Theater.Alternative metal doesn't have too many must-see tours these days, but Helmet and The Cro-Mags are not to be missed at the Middle East.Lords Of Acid play at Brighton Music Hall.FridaySpeaking of legends, Neil Young & Crazy Horse kick off the outdoor concert season at the Xfinity Center.Gospel sing-songwriter Tye Tribbett is at the Orpheum Theater.Austin indie-pop group Wild Child comes to the Paradise.Saturday'90s jam band The String Cheese Incident will be at MGM Music Hall.English singer-songwriter James Arthur plays at Roadrunner.Two survivors oft he late-'90s nu-metal scene, Orgy & Cold, are teaming up to play at Brighton Music Hall.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Concerts this week: Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Diana Ross and more
You want to see some stars this week? Diana Ross and Neil Young are in town and aren't letting age stop them.There's a glut of '90s hard rock around too, with Helmet, the Cro-Mags, Orgy and Cold in town.TonightRainbow Kitten Surprise play night two of a three-night stand at Roadrunner.No wave icons Swans are at the Paradise.WednesdayRainbow Kitten Surprise cap off their three-night stay in Boston at Roadrunner.ThursdayThere are legends, then there are icons, then there's Diana Ross. She's still going strong at age 80 at the Wang Theater.Alternative metal doesn't have too many must-see tours these days, but Helmet and The Cro-Mags are not to be missed at the Middle East.Lords Of Acid play at Brighton Music Hall.FridaySpeaking of legends, Neil Young & Crazy Horse kick off the outdoor concert season at the Xfinity Center.Gospel sing-songwriter Tye Tribbett is at the Orpheum Theater.Austin indie-pop group Wild Child comes to the Paradise.Saturday'90s jam band The String Cheese Incident will be at MGM Music Hall.English singer-songwriter James Arthur plays at Roadrunner.Two survivors oft he late-'90s nu-metal scene, Orgy & Cold, are teaming up to play at Brighton Music Hall.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Massachusetts can't get enough of the gig economy
As voters prepare to decide whether gig economy workers should be considered employees or independent contractors, a new study shows just how addicted to deliveries and rides Bay Staters really are.Why it matters: Massachusetts is reevaluating its relationship to gig economy companies like Uber, Lyft and Instacart, but the impact app-based services have had on consumers' way of life is undeniable.There were 144.3 million rides and deliveries in Massachusetts in 2023, a 70% increase over the pandemic year of 2021, according to data provided by the companies and analyzed by BW Research Partnership.Ride-hailing apps accounted for nearly 80 million rides...
Picking the best Boston Calling artist, bracket-style
We asked you to pick the best major act at Boston Calling 2024, and after four rounds, you landed on the millennial-rock darling The Killers.The Killers and California indie band Young The Giant knocked out Megan Thee Stallion and Leon Bridges in the last round before facing off. But the 2000s nostalgia runs deep. Young The Giant didn't stand a chance. Bracket: Axios VisualsThe biggest surprise, perhaps, was not that The Killers won against Megan Thee Stallion, but how much more support the band got compared to the H-Town hottie. The bottom line: Brandon Flowers can head into Boston Calling satisfied this weekend, knowing The Killers are shining on in the hearts of locals.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Harvard Yard encampment remains amid campus protest arrests
The pro-Palestinian encampment in Harvard Yard lives on, even as student protesters get booted off campus.The big picture: This historic college town, one of the epicenters for U.S. campus protests against Israel's ground invasion in Gaza, has one major encampment left standing in Harvard Yard as students call on the university to cut ties with the Israeli government.Police have arrested protesters at Emerson College, Northeastern and MIT and cleared the tents there.State of play: Harvard began suspending people who didn't leave the encampment Friday.The suspensions come as final exams are underway.Suspended students can't sit for exams, participate in commencement or...
Boston-area things to do this week, 5/13 - 5/16
Tuesday🏒 The Anchor in Charlestown hosts a watch party for the Bruins playoff game against the Panthers, 6pm-11pm.🏺 Make your own plant vase or pot at Pottery With A Purpose's workshop at Dorchester Brewing Co., 6pm-7:30pm.Price: $75.WednesdayRevolutionary Spaces presents Coercion, Conflict, and Consensus: Revolution is Brewing (Anew!) in Boston, an immersive game experience at the Old South Meeting House where modern day Americans can debate the issues that lead to the revolution.💭 Deehan's thought bubble: I'm emceeing this one, so I expect a big crowd!Thursday📖 East End Books hosts author Charlee Dyroff to discuss her novel, "Loneliness & Company," moderated by writer Aube Rey Lescure, 6pm-7pm.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
New Boston-area vets get bougie
Parents of fur babies are opting for a new kind of vet clinic, one with minimalist decor and 24/7 telehealth services. (Think: One Medical for cats and dogs.)The big picture: According to the 2023-2024 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 66% of U.S. households own a pet, and they're willing to spend big on medical care.Zoom in: Small Door, a membership vet clinic with an app, opened its second location in Brookline in May 2023, per Patch.It's first Boston-area clinic opened in Newton.Bond Vet, which doesn't require a subscription or use an app, has a 24/7 helpline and earlier this year...
Brandeis University's transfer requests trickle in amid Israel-Palestine protests
Brandeis University is welcoming Jewish students seeking to transfer and escape pro-Palestinian protests on their current campuses with open arms, but so far it hasn't seen a bump in transfer requests. Why it matters: Despite rising tensions at Boston-area colleges over the Israel-Hamas war, Jewish students haven't made plans to leave their colleges — at least not for Brandeis, per numbers from the Waltham university. Zoom in: Brandeis received at least 520 transfer applications so far, according to a university spokesperson.About 20 came in since last month when Brandeis announced it would extend its transfer application period until May 31.Reality...
UMass students condemn new chancellor
After over 100 students and protesters were arrested Tuesday for occupying an unauthorized pro-Palestinian encampment, the UMass Amherst student government voted overwhelmingly to express "no confidence" in new Chancellor Javier Reyes yesterday.Why it matters: Reyes was inaugurated less than a month ago and the pro-Palentinian encampment has been his first major challenge heading up the state's top public university.What they're saying: "We have to be about letting people in rather than shutting people out. But it also means that you don't arrest peaceful protesters," U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, Amherst's congressman, said on New England Public Media yesterday morning.McGovern said he understands Reyes' concerns about public safety but that, to his knowledge, the protesters were not violent.UMass President Marty Meehan, a former congressional colleague of McGovern, said Reyes has his full support."Chancellor Reyes and his team have engaged in good faith discussions, offered meaningful paths to a resolution, and done everything within their power to engage sincerely and protect students' rights to free speech," Meehan said in a statement.Meanwhile, MIT student protesters are vowing to maintain their encampment after administrators threatened to suspend them.The demonstrators want the universities to sever ties to the Israeli military.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
UMass students condemn new chancellor
After over 100 students and protesters were arrested Tuesday for occupying an unauthorized pro-Palestinian encampment, the UMass Amherst student government voted overwhelmingly to express "no confidence" in new Chancellor Javier Reyes yesterday.Why it matters: Reyes was inaugurated less than a month ago and the pro-Palentinian encampment has been his first major challenge heading up the state's top public university.What they're saying: "We have to be about letting people in rather than shutting people out. But it also means that you don't arrest peaceful protesters," U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, Amherst's congressman, said on New England Public Media yesterday morning.McGovern said he understands Reyes' concerns about public safety but that, to his knowledge, the protesters were not violent.UMass President Marty Meehan, a former congressional colleague of McGovern, said Reyes has his full support."Chancellor Reyes and his team have engaged in good faith discussions, offered meaningful paths to a resolution, and done everything within their power to engage sincerely and protect students' rights to free speech," Meehan said in a statement.Meanwhile, MIT student protesters are vowing to maintain their encampment after administrators threatened to suspend them.The demonstrators want the universities to sever ties to the Israeli military.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Where parking fines hit hardest around Boston
Parking scofflaws beware. No one likes seeing the dreaded orange envelope beneath their wiper, but parking violations in some parts of the Boston area are cheaper than others.Why it matters: We compared parking ticket fines in some of Greater Boston's biggest municipalities to see where starving the meter or blocking a bike lane will get you a slap on the wrist and where a ticket will send you into debt.The bottom line: Boston typically charges way more for tickets than its neighbors do.A bike lane, bus stop or fire hydrant ticket costs $100 in Boston.Blocking a loading zone is $90...
Boston Weekender
FridayMFA Late Nights is back, showing museum-goers what the galleries are like after dark.There will be dancing, DJs, drinks and Boston Dynamics robot dogs with paintbrushes.WBUR's City Space hosts an edition of the Sound On concert series dedicated to the upcoming Boston Calling festival.South Shore country outfit Ward Hayden & The Outliers, singer ToriTori and Kieran Rhodes are all set to perform.SaturdayThe Watch City Steampunk Festival returns to Waltham with exhibitions, kids' activities, food trucks and performances, 10am-5pm.Time Out Market hosts a Mother's Day brunch, where you can buy flowers, charms and other gifts for your mom while having brunch and mimosas, 11am-1pm.Porchfest returns to Somerville with local rock, jazz, blues, electronic and other acts.Here's the map. Rain date's Sunday.SundayAlfred Hitchcock's classic thriller Psycho screens at the Brattle in Cambridge.If you have never seen it, or have seen it 1000 times, check out this 1pm matinee.It's Duckling Day, where Boston celebrates the Robert McCloskey classic, "Make Way for Ducklings" on Boston Common, 10am-12pm.Stop by for lawn games, live music and the parade heading to the ducklings sculpture in the public garden.Price: $35 before noon Friday; $40 on Sunday.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Boston Weekender
FridayMFA Late Nights is back, showing museum-goers what the galleries are like after dark.There will be dancing, DJs, drinks and Boston Dynamics robot dogs with paintbrushes.WBUR's City Space hosts an edition of the Sound On concert series dedicated to the upcoming Boston Calling festival.South Shore country outfit Ward Hayden & The Outliers, singer ToriTori and Kieran Rhodes are all set to perform.SaturdayThe Watch City Steampunk Festival returns to Waltham with exhibitions, kids' activities, food trucks and performances, 10am-5pm.Time Out Market hosts a Mother's Day brunch, where you can buy flowers, charms and other gifts for your mom while having brunch and mimosas, 11am-1pm.Porchfest returns to Somerville with local rock, jazz, blues, electronic and other acts.Here's the map. Rain date's Sunday.SundayAlfred Hitchcock's classic thriller Psycho screens at the Brattle in Cambridge.If you have never seen it, or have seen it 1000 times, check out this 1pm matinee.It's Duckling Day, where Boston celebrates the Robert McCloskey classic, "Make Way for Ducklings" on Boston Common, 10am-12pm.Stop by for lawn games, live music and the parade heading to the ducklings sculpture in the public garden.Price: $35 before noon Friday; $40 on Sunday.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Dozens arrested at UMass Amherst protest
Police shut down a student encampment at UMass Amherst Tuesday night, leading to dozens of arrests at Massachusetts' flagship public university.Why it matters: At least 135 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested after students built an encampment outside the Student Union.UMass Chancellor Javier Reyes met with students Tuesday and asked for the encampment — on a lawn known as "hippie beach" — to be removed.He later instructed campus police to dismantle the encampment.The big picture: The student- and educator-led protests over Gaza are part of a national movement of activists calling on the U.S. to cease involvement in the war and urging...
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