06.15.2023

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

37º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:12 a.m. | Sunset 4:28 p.m.

💰 Banking on the environment

Massachusetts cashes in on the first green bank

The Massachusetts State. House- on a sunny day in Boston.

There’s a lot going on at the gold-domed State House. | Photo by @bimbolie

In another first for the Bay State, Gov. Maura Healey announced the first-of-its-kind green bank that will be dedicated to making affordable, eco-friendly housing.

The Massachusetts Community Climate Bank will provide capital to encourage the use of clean energy and efficient technology in new housing developments. Think: Heat pumps, high-efficiency appliances, and solar panels.

This program will also help speed up Boston’s climate goals for greenhouse gases and decarbonization projects, including a 49% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from residential heating by 2030. This is a game changer, since the building sector contributes over 25% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the Bay State.

Curious where the money is coming from? The green bank will launch with $50 million in state funding from the Department of Environmental Protection. State officials also hope to utilize federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act + attract private sector.

The bank will be housed within MassHousing, which already manages the state’s affordable housing finance + investment bank.

In the beginning, the bank will focus on the affordable housing market. Over time, the bank will offer additional decarbonization measures that will support local communities.

Events

Thursday, June 15

“Taste of Somerville” | Thursday, June 15 | 5-8 p.m. | Baxter Riverfront Park at Assembly Row, 330 Great River Rd., Somerville | $17-$58| The rescheduled al fresco foodie event returns to Somerville in support of the city’s dining and beverage scene.
Seaport Sweat: Mind Over Mat(ter) | Thursday, June 15 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Seaport Common, 85 Northern Ave., Boston | Free | Bring your own yoga mat for this all levels yoga class.

Friday, June 16

Juneteenth Celebration of Black Poetry | Friday, June 16 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second St., Cambridge | Free | Kick off the Summer Series with performances curated by Eleazer (Elae) Weekes + support the arts programs with a donation to earn a free dessert from The Lexington.

Saturday, June 17

Big Gay Dance Party | Saturday, June 17 | 5-8 p.m. | Union Square Plaza, 66-70 Union Sq., Somerville | Free | Celebrate Pride at the outdoor dance party with your out-of-this-world outfit for this year’s space theme.
Seaport Summer Market | Saturday, June 17-Sunday, June 18 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Seaport Common, 88 Seaport Blvd., Boston | Free to attend | Support local and shop 130+ makers at the waterfront market.
Bebe Rexha | Saturday, June 17 | 7 p.m. | House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston | $40-$60 | See the “Meant To Be” artist on the “Best F’n Night Of My Life Tour.”

Sunday, June 18

Vintage & Vinyl: Pride Edition | Sunday, June 18 | 1-5 p.m. | Samuel Adams Boston Brewery, 30 Germania St., Boston | Free to attend | Grab a cold beer and shop local LGBTQ+ vendors at the Jamaica Plain brewery.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Arts

Explore the Red Planet at the Museum of Science

Presented by a BOStoday Partner

Two people standing in front of the Mars globe at the Museum of Science.

Get ready for take off — we’re headed to Mars. | Photo provided by Museum of Science

The journey to Mars starts here, Boston. If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring another planet, you can start the adventure right now at the Museum of Science.

The Museum’s new Mars Spotlight highlights the wonder and possibilities of venturing to the Red Planet. Through the Museum’s on-site exhibits and live presentations, virtual learning experiences, and in-classroom activities, you can gain insight into the complexity, opportunity, and awe of Mars.

Dream up what might be possible by stopping by the Mars globe or interactive immersion room.
Get tickets to the Planetarium to experience “Explore: Mars LIVE!” and “Destination Mars: The New Frontier.”
See a full-scale model of NASA’s Perseverance Rover at their newest exhibit “AI: Making the Invisible Visible.”
And more

Start planning your experience — and check out a recap of ours — at the Museum of Science.

See more + explore

News Notes

Civic

Boston City Council officials approved the $4.2 billion operating budget with ~$53 million in amendments. The budget will be sent back to Mayor Wu’s desk for another round of vetos and approvals. (Boston Globe)

Plan Ahead

Come on Barbie, let’s go party. Tickets to the Barbie Boat Cruise will be available today at 10 a.m. The cruise sets sail from Boston Harbor on Friday, June 30 at 6 p.m. and will include photo opps + giveaways. Tickets are free and up for grabs on a first come, first served basis.

Number

$1,000,000. That’s the amount that the Boston Public Library received from the late Howard Cooper to expand its LGBTQ+ resources, collections, and programming. The funding will also create a new research position to review the historic collections materials.

Environment

Local scientists are using improved sensors + cameras to monitor the white shark population in the waters off Cape Cod. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy has tagged ~300 sharks with acoustic sensors to help notify public safety officials and lifeguards when a shark swims within range. (7 News)

Shop

Massachusetts shoppers, save the date: Saturday, Aug. 12 + Sunday, Aug. 13 will be this year’s sales tax holiday. The state’s 6.25% sales tax will not be added to certain purchases under $2,500. (NBC 10)

Seasonal

Swim over to this link if you’re searching for a summer job. The City of Boston is hiring 150+ lifeguards for the summer to man the water at the pools for the Boston Centers for Youth & Families.

Listen

Tori Dunlap, whom you might recognize from TikTok on Her First $100K, was featured on the Boston-based financial podcast called “Fit Money,” hosted by Jessica Pelletier. Give the episode a listen.

Featured Deal

Need a last minute Father’s Day gift idea? Treat dad to the ultimate smart home upgrade by converting his manual window shades into motorized SmartShades. Easy-to-install, energy savings, and smart sophistication all in one package. RYSE is offering 10% off the entire store. Snag the deal here.*

Finance

A Banksy painting that gave everyday investors 32% returns? Yep, you read that right. Thousands of investors are smiling all the way to the bank thanks to the fine art investing platform Masterworks. Masterworks investors have benefitted from sales with returns of 13.9%, 35.0%, and 27.3%. Skip the waitlist and join.*

Travel

It’s time to plan that last summer hurrah for Labor Day weekend. May we suggest a coastal getaway to the Outer Banks? Or maybe your dream destination is a rustic treehouse in the Adirondack Mountains. Wanna splurge? This modern farmhouse in Napa Valley is sure to be unforgettable.*

Community

The faces of Pride

LGBTQ+ changemakers in Boston

The 2022 Portraits of Pride display on the Boston Common.

The Portraits of Pride display moved from Boston Common to City Hall Plaza this year. | Photo by @friendsofthepublicgarden

Have you seen this year’s Portraits of Pride display on City Hall Plaza?

The photography exhibit features local faces of the LGBTQ+ community, including public servants, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and activists. The photographs by Jean Dolin will be on display until Friday, June 30.

Here are some of the honorees you might recognize:

Gov. Maura Healey — Taking office in 2022, the Governor of the Bay State is one of the first openly lesbian elected public officials in the US.

Dr. Kenneth Mayer — Dr. Mayer is the Medical Research Director for Fenway Health, a LGBTQ+ health institution since 1971.

Sam Chambers — Has supported the LGBTQ+ community for years during his time with the City of Boston to the Boston Foundation.

Ann Maguire — The former campaign manager for Mayor Menino has dedicated decades to promoting community resources, including volunteering as a councilor.

Jim Morgrage — The owner of Club Cafe has worked to create a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community to gather and celebrate love.

The Wrap

Jess Burton in a blue shirt and gold necklace

Today’s edition by:
Jessica

From the editor

If you haven’t had time over the weekends to make it over to Chattermark Distillers yet — I have good news. The Charlestown distillery has extended its hours to Thursdays from 4 to 10 p.m. Register for a free tour of the facility today from 5 to 6 p.m. Pro tip: If you don’t know what to order, get the Charlestown Buck.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_7}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY