Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why an urbanism expert ranks Back Bay among America’s best neighborhoods
Also, don't miss Free outdoor meditation @ Boston Public Garden on the Back Bay Patch calendar

Coffee in hand, Back Bay? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why an urbanism expert ranks Back Bay among America's best neighborhoods
Also on today's calendar: Free outdoor meditation @ Boston Public Garden and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: An afternoon shower or two, with a high of 85 and low of 60 degrees.
- Friday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 78, low: 62.
- Saturday: A couple of afternoon showers, with a high of 69 and low of 65 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Duany's 25 top American cities, and why the grid is key (cnu.org) — Back Bay gets a shout-out in an urbanist's list of the 25 best American city neighborhoods, praised for its signature Victorian brick townhouses and classic Boston character. The piece compares Back Bay's orderly grid to other walkable districts nationwide, arguing that simple, orthogonal street patterns often create the most enduring, people-friendly places.
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📸 Around Back Bay
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Back Bay
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Free outdoor meditation @ Boston Public Garden →
Public Garden, Boston
6:30 pm - Little Miss and the Boom: The Velvet Hour - A Modern Vintage Cabaret Experience →
Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square, Somerville
8:00 pm - Webinar: AI SEO: Get Your Brand Seen and Chosen Online →
Online Webinar,
3:00 pm
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Wednesday September 16
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Bells on The Christian Science Plaza →
250 Massachusetts Ave, Boston
5:00 pm - Historic Library Tour
Boston Public Library - Central Library in Copley Square 700 Boylston Street, Copley Square, Boston, MA 02116
5:30 pm - Reflections of U! with ReprezentU
Fenway Community Center 1282 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215
6:00 pm - Zine Making: What Does the Declaration Mean 250 Years Later?
Parker Hill Branch Library 1497 Tremont Street, Roxbury, MA 02120
6:00 pm - Block Party: Summer Streets →
Eataly, 800 Boylston St, Boston
6:00 pm - English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Conversation Gr
Parker Hill Branch Library 1497 Tremont Street, Roxbury, MA 02120
6:30 pm - Bells on The Christian Science Plaza →
250 Massachusetts Ave, Boston
5:00 pm - WANDERVILLE a roving music festival →
Winter Hill Brewing Company, 328 Broadway, Somerville, MA, 02145
12:00 pm - Change Your Mind, Change Your World: with International Buddhist Teacher Kadam Morten →
Renaissance Boston Seaport District, 606 Congress St, Boston
3:30 pm
Thursday August 20
Thursday August 27
Saturday August 29
📣 Back Bay Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Back Bay PatchAM possible:
- RARE Restoration — (617) 969-7273
- Kerry Spindler Bespoke Aesthetics Spa — (617) 395-0077
- Mr Home Guy - Same Day Next Day Service — (617) 606-3668
- Boston Construct, LLC — (617) 697-1719
- 80onVernon | 8 Luxury Residences | New Construction — (617) 843-5685
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: A Musical Reading at Old North Church —Diana Read on Patch
🗞 Nearby News
South End
- People Travel For Hours Just To Get The Secret Sauce At This Beloved Massachusetts Deli (takingthekids.com)
North End
- Firefighters rescue trapped golden retriever in the North End - Boston News, Weather, Sports (whdh.com)
- Exploring new places & revisiting the old, part one (featuring the BTS concert without spoilers, the North End, and Growl Growl) (wellesley.edu)
- Two More Chances To Enjoy North End Feast Season Before Summer Ends (newbostonpost.com)
Boston
- Boston Police Tow More Than 30 Mopeds As Part Of Operation Kickstand (patch.com)
- Boston Woman Sentenced In Bank Fraud Scheme (patch.com)
- 2 Men Federally Charged In Connection With Boston Bank Robberies (patch.com)
Ok Back Bay! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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