Prepare for an influx of new Red Sox fans. | Photo by @arosenamedsky
Netflix is in its sports documentary era. The Red Sox are the topic of the latest project for the popular streaming platform.
The plan is to release two films: a documentary to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic 2004 Red Sox season — when the team finally won the World Series after 86 long years and broke the infamous Curse of the Bambino — and a docuseries following the local MLB team on its current 2024 season.
Like most things for Boston, this is a first. Netflix will have access to players, coaches and executives from Spring Training through the end of the upcoming season.
The project will provide a first-of-its-kind look at the Major League team giving fans and foes a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to compete in the world of professional baseball.
Getting all the players on board was critical to getting this project off first base. Since the Netflix crew is expected to be at Fenway Park for most of the home games, and the team + the players are not getting paid for their participation, players who don’t want to participate in one-on-one interviews don’t have to.
The goal is to raise awareness and introduce the sport to a new audience. The ’04 Sox documentary will drop later this year and the docuseries is expected to be released in 2025.
City Awake: Words of Wisdom ft. Juan Carlos Morales | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 5-7 p.m. | Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, 265 Franklin St., 12th Floor, Boston | $30 | Learn from a local professional with 20 years of experience in the financial service industry.
R&B Performance | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 6-7 p.m. | Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston | Free | Visit the downtown market for a live R&B performance by Laquandra Seymore.
Boston Bruins vs. Vancouver Canucks | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 7 p.m. | TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston | Prices vary | Start the weekend early at the Garden with the B’s.
Friday, Feb. 9
Boyz II Men | Friday, Feb. 9 | 8 p.m. | MGM Music Hall at Fenway, 2 Lansdowne St., Boston | $55-$290+ | Sing along with the “One Bended Knee” group at this Fenway venue.
Saturday, Feb. 10
“Mean Girls” Brunch | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | City Tap House, 10 Boston Wharf Rd., Boston | Price of purchase | Enjoy food and drink specials like “It’s Not My Fault You’re Like in Love with Me or Something” or “You Can’t Sit With Us.”
Mardi Gras Party & Cornhole Tournament | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 2-6 p.m. | PKL, 64 C St., Boston | $0-$25 | Enjoy hurricanes, beads, and a brass band while playing in a cornhole tournament
Sunday, Feb. 11
Retro-mini-a 2024: A Taste of Retromania | Sunday, Feb. 11 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave., Brighton | Free | Shop over 50 local vendors at the Brighton community space.
$1.56 billion. That’s the record-breaking total for recreational cannabis sales in Massachusetts in 2023. That total represents a $78 million increase over 2022. There are 338 marijuana retailers and 21 delivery businesses in operation in the Bay State. (Boston Business Journal)
Open
A new Vietnamese restaurant is now open in Watertown. Plan a visit to Banh Mi Cafe at 102 Main St. for fresh sandwiches, tea, and coffee. (Boston Restaurant Talk)
Environment
A coalition of nine participating states will work together to replace fossil fuel-based heating systems for electric heat pumps. Massachusetts and New York are among those aiming to have 65% of all new residential HVAC and hot water heating systems powered by electricity by 2030. (WBUR)
Health
A new study from Boston University could help diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in people who are still alive. The study looked at 364 brains of people with CTE and found a clear connection between the amount of protein buildup and the severity of symptoms. (NBC 10)
Cause
ICycle — an all-day outdoor cycling fundraiser — will return to the Seaport on Wednesday, Feb. 14 from 1 to 7 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 15 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Over 300 corporate teams will help raise funds for HomeStart. Stop by to support the cyclists at 111 Harbor Way.
Eat
Dedham House of Pizza and Cafe Fresh Bagel are teaming up to offer limited-time pizza bagels in celebration of National Pizza Bagel Day on Friday, Feb. 9. Visit Dedham House of Pizza (376 Washington St.) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a pizza bagel for $6 or six for $30.
Travel
A friendly reminder to book spring + summer vacations (they’re just around the corner). Looking for privacy? This beachfront Bahamas cottage is perfect for two. Prefer the mountains? Book this newly built Gatlinburg, TN cabin. Want beach time? Walk to St. Simons, GA’s shore from this Vrbo that’s also a treehouse.*
Catch a free ride on three MBTA bus routes. | Photo via MBTA
In more positive T-related news — The City of Boston is extending its fare free bus program on Routes 23, 28, and 29 until March 2026. The popular program was introduced early in Mayor Wu’s administration and was set to end later this month.
The plan is to use $350,000 per month in American Rescue Plan Act funding to reimburse the MBTA for the extension of the program. For those who haven’t caught a T bus ride in awhile — the fare for a local one way trip is $1.70 or $0.85 with a reduced fare card.
These routes were selected for the program because of their diverse ridership + service in low-income areas. The city worked with Stantec to deliver some key findings:
12+ million trips were taken on the free routes, creating an estimated savings of ~$6 million for riders.
The Giving Heart pillow — a cream, knitted, heart-shaped pillow that’s weighted to replicate the feeling of a real hug. It’s the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for loved ones who deserve some extra coziness and care.
No plans tonight? Head to Night Shift in Everett for a Rom Com movie night starting at 7:30 p.m. The taproom has fun upgraded seating, which is first come, first served, and will tap a new Maple Brownie Batter Imperial Stout for “Crazy, Stupid, Love.”
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