01.19.2024

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Today’s Forecast

28º | Cloudy | 80% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 7:09 a.m. | Sunset 4:43 p.m.

🧊 Meet the oldest and largest ice rink in Boston

New updates on the world’s oldest ice hockey arena

Inside the Matthews Arena and the empty ice hockey rink.

Northeastern University purchased the facility and re-named it Matthews Arena in 1979. | Photo by @station_nation

Matthews Arena is home to Northeastern University’s men’s basketball + men’s and women’s ice hockey teams. This space was also formerly called Boston Arena until 1979. Dating back to 1910, the arena houses the world’s oldest artificial ice sheet and is considered to be the world’s oldest ice hockey arena.

Since its groundbreaking on Oct. 11, 1909, this building has seen many championship teams + faced two fires: the first in 1918, and another in 1948. Structurally, the arena has seen numerous renovations over the years. Now, the university has filed a letter of intent with the BPDA to replace the aging structure.

The proposed development is part of Northeastern’s 10-year master plan, which outlines a new 290,000-sqft facility that will replace the current arena as a new home for the colleges sporting events.

The future fieldhouse will include “multi-purpose turf, basketball courts, recreational courts, and other accessory uses to support the University’s broader recreation and fitness needs,” according to the filing.

“Matthews Arena is more than a century old and reaching the end of its useful life. It has recently undergone structural modifications that will temporarily extend its use,” said Renata Nyul, VP of Communications from Northeastern University. “Simultaneously, the university has been making long-term assessments regarding the increasing demand for state-of-the-art athletic and recreational facilities on our Boston campus. This is why we’re beginning the process to explore new options with the BPDA.”

If only these walls could talk — here are just a few iconic moments in its history:

The Boston Bruins played their first home game in the building against the Montreal Maroons on Dec. 1, 1924.
The first-ever Boston Celtics game was played on Nov. 5, 1946, where Chuck Connors smashed the glass backboard.
Local hockey tournament the Beanpot started at the arena in December 1952.
Convocations and graduations are conducted at the arena, which has welcomed presidents Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, and JFK.
Past arena visitors include Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhardt, James Michael Curley, and Reverend Billy Graham.

Quiz

The New England Whalers also played their first game at the Boston Arena. The franchise relocated in 1997 to become which current NHL team?

A. Tampa Bay Lightning
B. Carolina Hurricanes
C. Nashville Predators
D. Washington Capitals

Take a shot

Events

Friday, Jan. 19

Revelry Food Truck Pop-Up | Friday, Jan. 19 | 4 p.m. | Harpoon Brewery, 306 Northern Ave, Boston | Price of purchase | Feast on New Orleans classics like po’ boys and jambalaya at this pop-up.
The Taylor Party: The TS Dance Party | Friday, Jan. 19 | 7 p.m. | Big Night Live, 110 Causeway St., Boston | $18 | Swifties and casual fans alike can “Shake It Off” at this themed dance night.

Saturday, Jan. 20

Steve McQueen: Lynching Tree Exhibition | Saturday, Jan. 20-Sunday, Feb. 4 | 11 a.m. | Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way, Boston | $0-$20 | Visit the Fenway museum for a look at Steve McQueen’s photographs and have critical conversations about slavery in the US.
Winter Group Bike Ride | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bikes Not Bombs, 284 Amory St., Jamaica Plain | Free | Dress warmly for this family and beginner friendly bike route through Jamaica Plain with free hot chocolate at the end.
Apres Ski Party | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 7-10 p.m. | Night Shift Brewing — Everett Taproom, 87 Santilli Hwy., Everett | $10 | Boogie down at this Après Ski-themed party with the Glitter Boys.
Grace Potter | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 8 p.m. | MGM Music Hall, 2 Lansdowne St., Boston | $32-$67 | See the “Ready Set Go” artist at the Fenway music venue.

Sunday, Jan. 21

Forecast Form Exhibition Tour | Sunday, Jan. 21 | 2-3 p.m. | Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston | Free with admission | Deepen your understanding of “Forecast Form: Art in the Caribbean Diaspora, 1990s-Today” through a guided tour and discussion.
Keys & Community: A Piano Festival | Sunday, Jan. 21 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Roundhead Brewing Company, Powerhouse at Westinghouse Plaza, Boston | Free | The brewery team is bringing in a six-foot, 88-key baby grand piano for a day of short concerts and performances.
Coffee Tasting + Mug Making Pottery Class | Sunday, Jan. 21 | 2:15-4:45 p.m. | Time Out Market, 401 Park Dr., Boston | $125-$145 | This beginner-friendly pottery class includes a 20-minute coffee tasting experience and supplies to build 1-2 mugs or cups.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Wellness

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Nutrafol’s five unique formulas are physician-formulated. | Photo by Nutrafol

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News Notes

Weather

The National Weather Service is predicting a period of light snow today. A coating of ~two inches is expected in the city + up to 4 inches are possible for parts of Plymouth county towards Cape Cod.

Civic

Boston Saves — the city’s children’s savings account program — is offering a January sign-up incentive for eligible Boston Public Schools families. Families who log on to the online savings platform by Wednesday, Jan. 31 will receive an extra $25 for their child’s account.

Health

Mass General Brigham is partnering with a Canadian drone company to deliver medical equipment to patients in the home hospital program. Drones are being used to help reduce traffic-related delays and are expected to become operational in the next six months. (Boston Business Journal)

Stat

29%. That’s the increase in eviction filings over the last two years, according to a report from the Massachusetts Housing Partnership. The data shows that new filings have now outpaced pre-pandemic levels for 15 months and can be attributed to the increased cost of housing + tenants losing the pandemic rental assistance. (Boston Globe)

Arts

Sh*t-faced Shakespeare’s new season will feature a raunchy retelling of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” The performances at Somerville’s Rockwell Theater will begin on Friday, Jan. 26. No two shows will be the same and tickets are on sale now.

Eat

Chef Michael Serpa and friends are cooking up a special charity dinner to support Best Buddies International on Thursday, Feb. 1. Tickets to the six-course dinner at South End’s Atlántico start at $125.

Finance

Erasing interest on purchases and balance transfers into 2025 can really make a difference. Throw in no annual fee, and there’s no wonder why thousands are lining up for these cards.*

Outdoors

🌳 A tree-mendous project underway

🌳 Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s tree-mendous project

Emerald Necklace Conservancy sign and an orange tree work ahead sign.

A seven-year tree pruning cycle is about to begin, watch out for workers in Olmsted Park. | Photo provided by Emerald Necklace Conservancy

Turns out trees need self care too. This month, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy begins the second seven-year tree pruning cycle across the entire Emerald Necklace park system. The work to prune 500+ trees throughout Olmsted Park will continue through March, while trees are dormant in the winter.

Curious why? This cycle helps improve trees’ overall health + removes dead branches to keep park visitors safe. The process helps develop stronger structures and more aesthetic forms while maintaining clearances for roads, paths, and park accessibility. It’s a win-win situation for Bostonians and the trees.

The Emerald Necklace, which was designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, is home to 30,000+ mature trees throughout its seven miles and 1,100 acres. Together with partners and public agencies, the team works to preserve trees + maintain digital records, currently tracking over 10,000 trees.

Bonus: The park will not be closed and visitors are welcome to watch the arborists from a safe distance.

The Buy

The Buy 1.19.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

“The 5-Minute Gratitude Journal.” Written by happiness and relationship coach Dr. Sophia Godkin, this journal inspires gratitude with prompts to answer every day — and it only takes five minutes.

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The Wrap

Jess Burton in a blue shirt and gold necklace

Today’s edition by:
Jessica

From the editor

Today’s snow day means I will likely be curled up with a book or two over the weekend.

Need some winter reading inspiration? The Boston Public Library is hosting the Winter Reading Challenge, where you to read a book by authors from six geographic regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania. Complete your reading log by Wednesday, Feb. 28 to receive a Winter Reading Challenge enamel pin.

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