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Axios Boston
"Cheers" writer settles debate over Boston bar's fate in "Frasier" universe
Even though the bar where everybody knows your name doesn't appear in the "Frasier" reboot series, "Cheers" is very much still open in the show's version of Boston, according to one of the show's original writers.On his "Hollywood and Levine" podcast, writer, director and producer Ken Levine wondered how the more mature Dr. Crane could skip popping into the place he treated like his second home.What they're saying: "Sam's still there, and Norm is still there, and Cliff, maybe Woody," Levine said, confirming that, at least in the mind of one writer, the bar's still patronized by its regulars.Why it...
Things to do in Boston this week
Tuesday and Wednesday — 1/16-17🎥 See "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Extended Edition" on the big screen at the Alamo Drafthouse in the Seaport.The extended middle chapter of the famous trilogy is so good it needs two colons. The 3 hour, 42 minute masterpiece is showing today (2:45pm) and tomorrow (2:50pm.)Thursday — 1/18🔬 NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce discusses her book "Transient and Strange: Notes on the Science of Life" at Harvard Book Store at 7pm."Past Lives", Celine Song's film about childhood friends reuniting in New York is one of the tensest modern romances you'll see this...
Maura Healey's big pitch: Housing, education, MBTA
Maura Healey is one year into her term as governor and less than two years away from a reelection campaign.To convince voters she's moving the state in the right direction, Healey will need power brokers in the Legislature to get on board with her plans to build more homes, spend more on education and save the MBTA.Healey has to find a way to pay for it or her Democratic allies in the House and Senate will quickly become obstacles.Why it matters: The state's first elected female governor used her annual address — the State of the Commonwealth — to ask...
"RuPaul's Drag Race" contestant Plane Jane talks tech habits
Boston's Plane Jane has the makings of the next villain on RuPaul's Drag Race after coming out on top last week.But get to know her, and you'll see she's just a "silly trashy bimbo" (her words).What she's saying: "Take everything I say with a grain of salt because this is all on television."This is all drag. We're having fun."At the end of the day, regardless of the fun shade … I am there and all of the girls are there to support one another when it really f—king counts — and that is when the queer community is under attack."Axios...
"RuPaul's Drag Race" contestant Plane Jane talks tech habits
Boston's Plane Jane has the makings of the next villain on RuPaul's Drag Race after coming out on top last week.But get to know her, and you'll see she's just a "silly trashy bimbo" (her words).What she's saying: "Take everything I say with a grain of salt because this is all on television."This is all drag. We're having fun."At the end of the day, regardless of the fun shade … I am there and all of the girls are there to support one another when it really f—king counts — and that is when the queer community is under attack."Axios...
Massachusetts' 'use yah blinkah' highway signs banned by feds
Friends, carpoolers and road ragers, we gather here not to curse out the feds, but to mourn the highway signs they're killing.Catch up fast: The U.S. Federal Highway Administration's war on fun, once waged against New Jersey, has spread nationwide. The electronic highway messages that brought some levity during traffic jams will be phased out by 2026 under new federal rules.That includes the "use yah blinkahs" signs that debuted in 2014, and the "stay classy, Massachusetts" signs that went live later.Why it matters: To know Bay State drivers is to love them in spite of their terrible, aggressive driving.They don't call us Massholes for nothing.Zoom in: The highway administration wants messages that are "simple, direct, brief, legible and clear" … and devoid of humor.Really. The administration's new manual cautions against signs that are "intended to be humorous" or have pop culture references lest they be misunderstood by most drivers.Yes, but: Just about everyone in Massachusetts knows what a "blinker" is.Some even heed the signs' warnings.Steph's thought bubble: To the state workers behind those signs, thank you for making us laugh while we try to survive the MassPike and I-93.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Mass. rolls out financial aid for undocumented students
Undocumented college students in Massachusetts can now apply for financial aid through a new state program.Why it matters: Massachusetts is home to more than 11,000 undocumented college students who until now have been shut out of financial aid because of their immigration status.What's happening: Education officials released the state's own financial aid form, the MASFA, so undocumented students can get help covering the costs of a community college or public university for the 2023-24 school year.Applicants have until June 1 to fill out the form, though the state recommends submitting it by May 1, especially for those seeking retroactive aid for the fall.Another form will go out for students seeking aid for the next school year.What they're saying: "This is an opportunity to remove what we know is a significant barrier for historically underrepresented students of higher education," state education secretary Patrick Tutwiler tells Axios.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Boston concerts this week
There aren't many big name musicians in town this week, but plenty of veterans and newcomers are filling the clubs.Check out our weekly concerts rundown for shows from Grace Potter, Oliver Tree, the Elovators and more.ThursdayCountry dude Conner Smith comes to the Paradise Rock Club.FridayAvant-garde alt-everything star Oliver Tree comes to town supporting his "Alone In A Crowd" album at MGM Music Hall at Fenway.Indie-pop rockers Magic City Hippies are at House of Blues.Roomful Of Blues plays at City Winery.Wargraves, Marianne Toilet And The Runs play at The Middle East and definitely have the best-named bill of the week.SaturdaySinger, songwriter,...
Inside the mind behind Boston's clown heads with artist Max Streicher
To onlookers, the pair of clown heads hovering between two buildings is either a whimsical surprise or nightmare fuel.To Max Streicher, they’re two lost, helpless souls trapped in an alley after blowing off course.Why it matters: Streicher’s clowns, part of the upcoming “Winteractive” exhibit, got people talking about downtown Boston like it was 2019.Axios Boston spoke with Streicher about his art. The answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.Why inflatable art?It began right after I finished my master's at York University in Toronto in the late 1980s. There was a lot of expectation to do meaningful stuff. Coming out...
Things to do in Boston this week
Tuesday and Wednesday — 1/16-17🎥 See "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Extended Edition" on the big screen at the Alamo Drafthouse in the Seaport.The extended middle chapter of the famous trilogy is so good it needs two colons. The 3 hour, 42 minute masterpiece is showing today (2:45pm) and tomorrow (2:50pm.)Thursday — 1/18🔬 NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce discusses her book "Transient and Strange: Notes on the Science of Life" at Harvard Book Store at 7pm."Past Lives", Celine Song's film about childhood friends reuniting in New York is one of the tensest modern romances you'll see this...
The clown heads are just the beginning
The massive inflatable clown heads hovering between two buildings in downtown Boston brought confusion, delight and, for some with an oddly common phobia, a twinge of fear.Yes, but: Max Streicher’s clown art is just one of 16 installations that will make you stop, take a breath and maybe dance a little.Why it matters: At a time when rent increases, heftier grocery bills and public transit mishaps have a chokehold on Bostonians, we could all use some joy in our lives.Catch up fast: The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District and three art curators from Québec are launching the Winteractive exhibit Wednesday...
Boston Weekender: Things to do for MLK Day
🎵 Catch the Boston Typewriter Orchestra 1-4pm Saturday at the next CCTV Live Wire Session in Cambridge.Here's what they played in their NPR Tiny Desk submission last February.🖼 Several Boston-area museums are free to the public for Massachusetts residents on MLK Day with programming reflecting on the civil rights icon's legacy.The MFA's open house runs 10am-5pm. Admission's first come, first served.The ICA is open 10am-5pm. Free advanced tickets become available at 10am Sunday.The Isabella Stewart Gardner museum is open 10am-4pm.🎶 The Boston Children's Chorus performs at the 21st annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. tribute concert at 4pm Monday at Symphony Hall.Tickets: $15+Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Wind, flood water hit New England hard
The worst of the flooding in New England from Tuesday night's storm was in New Hampshire, where the high tide meant a declaration of emergency in the beach town of Hampton.Residents took to canoes and other small boats to navigate the flooded streets.What they're saying: "Ocean Boulevard is temporarily closed down. Please avoid the area. If you live in the area we recommend you temporarily leave the area for higher ground," Hampton police said.Why it matters: Conditions in Massachusetts weren't much better, with wind and rain forcing MBTA delays and nearly 50 flight delays at Logan.6,700 electrical customers were without...
Wind, flood water hit New England hard
The worst of the flooding in New England from Tuesday night's storm was in New Hampshire, where the high tide meant a declaration of emergency in the beach town of Hampton.Residents took to canoes and other small boats to navigate the flooded streets.What they're saying: "Ocean Boulevard is temporarily closed down. Please avoid the area. If you live in the area we recommend you temporarily leave the area for higher ground," Hampton police said.Why it matters: Conditions in Massachusetts weren't much better, with wind and rain forcing MBTA delays and nearly 50 flight delays at Logan.6,700 electrical customers were without...
Wu touts wins, public housing plan
Mayor Michelle Wu's second State of the City address was heavy on mentions of accomplishments from the previous year, with the mid-term mayor reminding Bostonians what her administration's been up to since taking office in late 2021.Filling potholes, a perennial issue for mayors looking to get reelected, was brought up early on, along with mentions of approved housing developments, pre-k enrollment and aid for the homelessness and opioid crisis.Between the lines: Wu hasn't announced if she's running again, but election day is in 663 days.As for 2024, Wu said the city will identify locations for 3,000 new public housing units to be built over the next ten years.Wu also looked ahead at her program to ban fossil fuels in city-owned buildings.The city failed to join a state program last year that would have limited fossil fuels in all new construction.Wu also announced free admission to Boston's top museums for all Boston Public School students twice a month.But the mayor stopped short of rolling out an ambitious plan to give tax incentives to real estate developers to build more housing in a tight financing market.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Massachusetts students go pun crazy in "name a snowplow" contest
While most of us were holed up inside our homes last weekend during the snowstorm, Sleetwood Mac, Snow B Wan Kenobi and Snow-hemian Rhapsody were out clearing roads.ICYMI: The state transportation department's annual "name a snowplow" contest for elementary and middle schoolers resulted in several puntastic names for new snow removal gear.Students from schools in Malden, Brockton, Boston, Needham and Lexington won the right to name 12 new plows.Flower Plower, Edward Blizzardhands, Glacier Gobbler, Polar Pathmaker, The Snolar Express, Fast and Flurryous, Snow Place Like Home, The Mayplower and Snow Monstah are also new this year.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Q&A: Yvonne Hao on using AI to make work fun again
The next six months will be crucial for Massachusetts' quest to become the nation's premiere AI hub as private sector leaders consider the state's strategy.Catch up fast: The state is convening public and private sector leaders to map out the state's AI game plan, including how to support AI adoption in biotech, government contracting and other areas.Yvonne Hao, the state's economic development secretary, spoke with Axios Boston about how to approach the technology.Hao is a former executive for investment firm Cove Hill Partners and at PillPack, an online pharmacy acquired by Amazon in 2018.The questions and answers have been lightly...
UMass basketball coach Frank Martin tops state payroll in 2023
A men's basketball coach is the top earner on the state's 2023 payroll, out-earning dozens of UMass leaders.Driving the news: Frank Martin, the UMass Amherst head basketball coach, made $1.66 million in 2023, his first full year in the role, the Globe reported.Why it matters: Taxpayers are footing the bill for Martin's salary, as well as the six- and seven-figure salaries that UMass leaders and other state officials take home.Here's who else stood out on the list:No. 2: Michael Collins, UMass chancellor and senior vice president of health sciences, $1.4 millionNo. 6: Donald Brown, UMass Amherst head football coach, $831,064No. 7: Martin Meehan, UMass president, $802,447No. 14: Gregory Carvel, UMass Amherst ice hockey coach, $562,774No. 23: Anand Shah, chief medical examiner, $504,784No. 24: Thomas McCarthy, Massachusetts State Police detectives captain, $501,764No. 31: Normand Bazin, UMass Lowell head ice hockey coach, $447,500No. 34: William Cederquist, Massachusetts State Police detective lieutenant, $439,059No. 65: Joseph Sacco, MBTA sergeant, $387,816 (by comparison, GM Phillip Eng makes $312,730)The Globe has the full list.Sign up for Axios Boston for free.
Ed Sheeran, the Killers headline Boston Calling 2024
Ed Sheeran, Leon Bridges and the Killers are headlining Boston Calling 2024.The intrigue: This year's lineup has something for the hot girls, hopeless romantics and Millennials who want to relive their hipster days.Driving the news: The festival runs three nights on four stages from May 24-26 (Memorial Day weekend).Sheeran and Bridges headline Friday, followed by Tyler Childers and Trey Anastasio on Saturday and the Killers and Hozier on Sunday.Other performances include Megan Thee Stallion, Reneé Rapp and Young the Giant.Details: Presale begins at 10am tomorrow.Tickets range from $175 for one-day general admission to $2,799 for three-day platinum passes.Steph's thought bubble: If Bridges, Hozier and Megan performed on the same day, I'd get my money's worth.
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