The Surrogates Filming Update - 6/4

This is for the benefit of those of you who subscribe via email or RSS and don't swing by the actual Bloggery website too often. FYI, there's a Recent Comments section on the right hand side of the page where folks have been leaving updates on the whereabouts of the latest filming sites for the Surrogates.

Here's the two latest comments from today 6/4:

I saw VSI crew parking in the garage across from the Sheraton in downtown. Anyone know where they are filming now?

I spoke with two crew members today. They will be filming at the corner of Mass Ave and Comm Ave today through next week!

That makes pretty good sense, if they're parking at the Sheraton downtown (which is near the Prudential Center) it's a pretty short walk to the corner of Mass Ave and Commonwealth Ave.

Happy Hunting Everyone. If it stops raining, I might venture over there and try to snap some photos.

Lastly, thanks to everyone who comes and comments. I post whatever I can find in the news and whatever I see when I walk around town, but everyone's comments and findings have been a huge help. Cheers!

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Mandarin Oriental Opening Postponed Til October

I think we were all probably expecting this. I just walked past the Mandarin Oriental the other day on my way to the new Apple store (here) and it looks pretty close, but definitely not ready for a July opening like it was originally scheduled.


Part of it was probably due to the four alarm fire that broke out a couple months ago (here).

So, they've rescheduled the grand opening for October.

That's three months later than the originally-planned opening date. The hotel suffered a setback from its original July opening when a four-alarm fire broke out on the fourth-floor's fitness/spa area in March. Construction is continuing.

The Back Bay project, headed by Suffolk Construction, includes a 148-guest room hotel, 50 luxury condominiums and 25 apartments, mixed retail and other amenities, including a 16,000-square-foot spa. Frank Nicholson, of Massachusetts, is the interior designer.

Is it just me or does the artist rendering from over a year ago look nicer than the real thing?

Click (here) for the blurb in the BBJ.

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Back Bay Apple Store Opens Tomorrow - 5/15

Over this past Christmas, I became an Apple customer. I got myself a new ipod nano and also an iphone. Now, while I'm in the process of needing to purchase a new laptop, and several of my friends are trying to convince me to get a Mac - which I'm iffy about but am willing to consider.

Things will become much easier to consider starting tomorrow, Thursday 5/15, when the new Back Bay Apple store opens. Normally, I'd have to drive over to Cambridgeside and pay $1.99 for my hour of parking just to check things out at the store. Now I'll be able to walk there to the Back Bay store and loiter as long as I want - much more convenient.

The much debated, highly anticipated, three-story glass facade building at 815 Boylston St. will open to the public on Thursday evening, making it Apple's largest retail venture in the United States. The Back Bay shop will feature oodles of gadgets, including 64 iPod music and video players, 104 Mac laptops and computers, and a third floor dedicated entirely to service that can accommodate 100 customers receiving one-on-one training at the same time.

Click (here) to read the Globe article.

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Anonymous @ Copley Square - 5/10

Anonymous was out and about in Copley Square again this weekend. I first mentioned them back in February when I was walking past the area (here). This time, I stopped to snap a few pictures of the gathering and also speak with one of the Anonymous members there.


Their goal is to protest Scientology and raise awareness about the "crimes of the Church of Scientology." I put it in quotes because I haven't had time to read through their website, and form an opinion on the matter. Here is an excerpt from their website:

Most of us only know of Scientology in passing - something for celebrities. The truth is that Scientology is a very real and very dangerous corporation. We are NOT here to judge their members' beliefs, rather to inform the public about The Church of Scientology's many crimes against humanity.

The fellow also gave me a card with a web url on it to their website called YouFoundTheCard.com

Click (here) to go to the Anonymous website.

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Remember, Remember, the 10th of February?

I was walking to brunch yesterday with my friend Jake and as we passed Copley Square, we saw a group of folks hanging around wearing Guy Fawke's masks. Very strange, I thought to myself, but I've seen stranger so I thought nothing of it and kept walking.

Well in the newspaper today, I see why they were wearing those masks and that I 0nly saw a small portion of the real group.

As you can see from the picture above (From the Globe), they were there to protest Scientology. According to the article, they were members of an informal internet group called "Anonymous."

I wonder if this has anything to do with the recent deal where the scientologists bought the Alexandra Hotel (here). Man, those masks are cool. Now I have the sudden urge to watch V for Vendetta again.

Click (here) to read the Globe article.

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Back Bay Luxury Office Building

Just what we need. Something to make Back Bay more expensive than it already is. Developer Ronald Druker submitted a proposal today for a new nine story luxury office building. The new office complex is to replace the current Shreve, Crump & Low building on the corner of Boylston and Arlington.

According to the proposal, it will be designed by famous architect Cesar Pelli and will be home to: underground parking, a fitness club, a restaurant, retail space, and offices. Expected occupants of the offices? International bankers, hedge-fund managers, venture capitalists, law firms. In other words: $$$$$.

Druker only does high end, so expect rents to be sky-high. Among Druker's portfolio are: Heritage on the Garden, Atelier|505, and the Colonnade Hotel & Residences.

See below for an artists rendering of what it could look like. Or click (here) to read the article in today's Globe.

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Back To School - Back Bay

I figured since all the students are filtering back over the next few days, that I would do a series of posts in the spirit of Back to School. It'll be a little remedial for those already living in Boston, but hopefully it will help those that are new to the city to get acquainted a little faster.

First up, is Back Bay. Back Bay is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Boston. Read more about it (here) on wikipedia. This area is within walking distance for a lot of students (MIT, BU, Berklee School of Music, amongst others) and is home to some of the best shopping in downtown.

It's a little tough to read, so click on the map to enlarge it, but I've circled 3 of the biggest shopping areas: Newbury Street, The Prudential Center, and Copley Place. In addition, you'll see little blue M's where the T stops are (subway stops).

Here are a few places in the area that might come in handy for new students:
Best Buy - Intersection of Massachusetts Ave & Newbury Street
Star Market (Grocery Store) - 800 Boylston Street
Trader Joe's (Grocery Store) - 899 Boylston Street

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Bastille Day Street Dance

Tomorrow, July 14th is Bastille Day. In celebration of this French Holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille in 1789 the French Library Alliance is hosting a "Street Dance" from 6pm to 11pm tonight on Marlborough Street between Berkeley and Clarendon streets.

Obviously that section of street will be closed off to traffic so if you're on the road, take a detour. The event features live music by three French-speaking performers: Rechard Lemvo from the Congo, Ousmane Toure from Senegal, and Emeline Michel from Haiti.

Dance to the live music, sample some French Food, grab a cold beer or glass of wine and take a load off. It's been a long week. Tickets are $35 at the door if they haven't sold out yet. Broaden your horizons and celebrate a holiday from the folks that brought us french fries, french toast, and my personal favorite: french kissing. Just kidding..........french fries are my favorite.

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