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Choose service with a smile, instead of a box with one

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Choose service with a smile, instead of a box with one

Today is Prime Day. 
 
But stop right there. And step away from that browser.
 
Before you order some stuff you may not really need anyway, remember that every purchase you choose to make locally instead doesn't just help that individual business: It lifts our entire local economy.
 
Here’s a list of close to 200 merchants in our four chamber communities that would really value your business today and every day. (And many also offer online or phone ordering.)
 
Our local merchants can also offer you great personal service with a smile -- as opposed to a box with one.
 
House unveils economic development package
 
House leaders finally unveiled plans to spend down some of the billions the state has been sitting in surplus tax funds and federal COVID relief money yesterday.
 
It’s $3.8 billion package with about $524 million in permanent tax breaks. Among other things, it provides funds to support hospitals ($350 million), nursing home facilities ($165 million), human service providers ($100 million), and hotels ($75 million), reports CommonWealth’s Bruce Mohl and Shira Schoenberg.
 
There's also $300 million for the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund. (If you haven’t done so, read the Globe’s Larry Edelman’s piece about why this really matters to employers.)
 
House and Senate officials also announced agreement on more than $1 billion in tax breaks and rebates.
 
?The package includes Gov. Charlie Baker’s call to raise the estate tax threshold (and eliminate the "cliff" level) from $1 million to $2 million, but not Baker’s short term capital gains cut proposal.
 
The Globe’s Matt Stout lists how the proposal might impact you.
 
Dam breach could be costly to property owners
 
Natick officials estimate that about 150 properties worth nearly $600 million could be flooded if the South Natick Dam ever breaks.
 
Later this month the town is expected to vote on whether or not to invest an estimated $2.6 million to repair the dam — replacing the fish ladder, removing dozens of pine trees that sit on top of the embankment and making repairs to the spillway itself, reports GBH’s Hannah Reale.
 
Removing the spillway would cost $1.5 million, set the Charles River on a path of ecological restoration and establish an uninterrupted 26 miles along the river between dams. Learn more here.
 
For more on the movement to remove dams, check out this excellent segment from Chronicle and this presentation about removing the Watertown Dam from the Charles River Watershed.
 
Other need to knows
 
  • Looking to order meals for your office staff or planning a private party or special event while supporting our local restaurants? Our Easy Eats directory is a one-stop shop for you to browse catering or private event venues for a wide variety of occasions at chamber member restaurants.
 
  • More good news for the walking trails along our favorite river: Newton has received a $340,000 MassTrails Grant from the Mass Department of Conservation and Recreation to complete the second phase of the Marty Sender Greenway Restoration, a 3,700-foot section of the Blue Heron Trail along the Charles River in Auburndale.
 
  • The new law passed last month by state lawmakers will allow eligible applicants to apply for a standard driver’s license in Massachusetts regardless of their immigration status. However, note the new law does not go into effect until July 1, 2023 and may face a potential ballot challenge. Until July 1, 2023 all applicants must meet current requirements for obtaining a driver’s license.
 
  • The Nines apartment complex at 40 William Street in Wellesley (near intersection of Route 9 and 128) is offering 88 affordable studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments, by lottery, for eligible tenants. 61 units are reserved for local preference, which includes people who work in Wellesley. Deadline to apply is July 25. Details.
 
 
Bright Spaces program helps kids in crisis
 
The foundation connected to Newton-based Bright Horizons has launched a campaign to raise money for children in crisis.
 
The "Life is Bright Challenge" aims to raise money and build support for the flagship program Bright Spaces, which has 20 locations in Massachusetts, including five in Greater Boston. These are homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters and other agencies to help kids heal from trauma.
 
“After two hard years of living through a pandemic, we want people to have time to bond with each other and have a laugh, while also contributing to a good cause,” Priya Krishnan, chief client and experience officer at Bright Horizons tells the BBJ’s Meera Raman.
 
The slippery slope keeps getting slipperier
 
And this is where we are.
 
New York celebrity chef opens Newton patisserie
 
He baked a cake for Derek Jeter.
 
Maybe he’ll do the same one day for Jeter Downs.
 
I’m talking about Brazil-born, New York-bred, celebrity pastry chef and chocolatier Thiago Silva (winner of multiple Food Network baking shows, including “Dessert Games” and an all-baking iteration of “Chopped”) who just opened SALT Patisserie in Newton Centre this past weekend. 
 
Boston.com has Silva's story.?
 
Final chance to be part of something special
 
Last but not least this morning, online registration for tonight's big summer shindig at the Garden at Elm Bank in Wellesley closes at noon.
 
The forecast looks great. And our attendee list of more than 200 local business, nonprofit and civic leaders look even better.
 
Turns out today is New Conversations Day, a perfect time to make some new professional connections.
 
Tonight's reception is being held in the majestic Italianate Gardens. But while you're there we encourage you to explore the adjacent gardens as well.
 
?Register.
?
 
That’s Need to Knows for today unless you need to know why you should call your friends.
 
Be back later this week (hopefully I'll be off health-and-safety protocols by then).
 
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
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