Welcome to The Boston Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Motional reduces workforce, delays launches.

• The Blue Man Group comes to Charles Playhouse

• A deep-dive into the life of Phillis Wheatley

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“The more you know, the more you realize you know nothing.”

-Socrates

Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

Which Boston university is famous for its Law School and is the second oldest institution of higher learning in the city?

A) Boston College

B) Boston University

C) Harvard University

D) Northeastern University

Answer to Last Week's Trivia: The historic neighborhood in Boston known for its narrow, gas-lit streets and brick row houses is A) Beacon Hill.

News

💼 Business

Motional cuts jobs, says it's 'de-emphasizing near-term commercial deployments'. (link)

Swingers Mini Golf Venue and Office Space Addition Approved for Boylston Street in Back Bay. (link)

Takeda kicks off multiyear revamp. What's it mean for Mass. employees? (link)

HarbourVest's longtime top executive in Boston will become CEO. (link)

🏒 Sports

Boston Bruins face elimination as Panthers lead series 3-1. (link)

The Celtics Could Be Without Another Center in Game 4. (link)

Boston sports fans excited for busy week of playoff action. (link)

Five reasons to be infuriated about Bruins-Panthers series. (link)

🏦 Finance

CGS to Speak at Harvard Business School Association of Boston Event. (link)

Boston Financial to Acquire Boston Capital's LIHTC Business| Housing Finance Magazine. (link)

Boston Scientific (BSX) Q1 Earnings: Taking a Look at Key Metrics Versus Estimates. (link)

Boston Scientific Lifts 2024 Profit Forecast On Strong Growth From Cardiovascular Devices, Stock Soars. (link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

⚾ Boston Red Sox vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Fenway Park, Boston, MA
Friday, May 24th | 7:10 PM | (More info)

⚾ Boston Red Sox vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Fenway Park, Boston, MA
Saturday, May 25th | 4:10 PM | (More info)

⚽ New England Revolution vs. New York City Football Club
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Saturday, May 25th | 7:30 PM | (More info)

⚾ Boston Red Sox vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Fenway Park, Boston, MA
Sunday, May 26th | 1:35 PM | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎸 Incantation, Ringworm, Ascended Dead
Sonia 10 Brookline St. Cambridge, MA
Tuesday, May 21th | 6:30 PM | (More info)

🎻 Amos Lee
MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston, MA
Tuesday, May 21th | 7:30 PM | (More info)

🎤 Warrens, Luxury Deathtrap, Populace
Middle East - Upstairs 472 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge, MA
Tuesday, May 21th | 8:00 PM | (More info)

🎷 Belmont/ Can't Swim
Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA
Tuesday, May 21th | 8:00 PM | (More info)

Family

🎢 Strange Loop
Calderwood Pavilion, Boston, MA
Wednesday, May 22nd | 7:30 PM | (More info)

🐠 Blue Man Group Charles Playhouse
Charles Playhouse, Boston, MA
Wednesday, May 22nd | 7:30 PM | (More info)

🎪 Auschwitz. Not Long Ago. Not Far Away.
The Castle at Park Plaza, Boston, MA
Thursday, May 23rd | time varies | (More info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Bostonscape with a fusion of different historical eras.” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

Boston Historical Events

Opening of the Back Bay (1857-1882) - Landfill project that created the Back Bay neighborhood.

The Opening of the Back Bay (1857-1882) marked the ambitious landfill project that transformed the polluted marshland of the Back Bay into the iconic neighborhood it is today. The project, which began in 1858 and concluded in 1882, involved filling in the Back Bay area, creating new land and expanding the city of Boston, Massachusetts. The landfill project was a response to severe overcrowding in Boston and pollution of the former tidal marsh, inspiring plans to fill the Receiving Basin. This massive undertaking remains the largest residential and commercial landfill project ever carried out in the United States, and it significantly contributed to the city's growth and prosperity.

The Back Bay neighborhood, as we know it today, is a product of the railway age and the innovative landfill project that reshaped the landscape of Boston. The newly built area became a symbol of elegance and prosperity, with its Victorian architecture and modern cityscape. The project not only expanded the city's boundaries but also provided a solution to the environmental challenges posed by the polluted marshland. The completion of the landfill project in 1882 marked a significant milestone in Boston's history, showcasing the city's ability to adapt and transform its environment to meet the needs of its growing population.

The Opening of the Back Bay (1857-1882) landfill project stands as a testament to Boston's ingenuity and determination to overcome environmental and urban challenges. The project's completion around 1890 marked a new chapter in the city's history, as it became a model for large-scale urban development and expansion. Today, the Back Bay neighborhood stands as a vibrant and prosperous part of Boston, reflecting the success of the landfill project and its lasting impact on the city's landscape and identity.

Famous People From Boston

Cotton Mather – Minister and Author

Cotton Mather: 1663-1728

Cotton Mather, a Puritan clergyman and author, was born on March 19, 1663, in Boston, Massachusetts, and passed away on February 13, 1728, in the same city. He was the eldest son of Increase and Maria Mather and the grandson of Richard Mather, the first minister of Dorchester, Massachusetts, and of John Cotton, a prominent theologian in early America.

Early Life and Family Legacy (1663-1685)

Cotton Mather was born into a family with a rich legacy in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. His father, Increase Mather, was a noted scholar and president of Harvard College, and his grandfathers, Richard Mather and John Cotton, were prominent Puritan ministers who played significant roles in the establishment and growth of the Massachusetts colony.

Ministry and Political Influence (1685-1701)

In 1685, Cotton Mather was ordained in the Second Church in Boston, a prestigious institution in the city, where he became its pastor. His position as a minister granted him considerable political power in Massachusetts, and his words carried weight from the pulpit.

Literary and Scientific Contributions (1702-1728)

Cotton Mather was not only a clergyman but also an author and early American scientist. He was personally and intellectually committed to the social and religious orders in New England. His literary and scientific contributions illustrated two sides of early American scientific thinking, and he was a member of the Philosophical Club of Boston.

Legacy and Influence

Cotton Mather's legacy extends beyond his literary and scientific contributions. His influence as a Puritan clergyman and author has left a lasting impact on early American religious and intellectual thought. His work reflects the religious and social dynamics of the time, and his writings continue to be studied for their historical and cultural significance.

Key Achievements of Cotton Mather:

• Ordained as a minister in the Second Church in Boston, gaining considerable political influence.

• Notable literary and scientific contributions, reflecting early American scientific thinking.

• Legacy as a Puritan clergyman and author, leaving a lasting impact on early American religious and intellectual thought.

Cotton Mather's life and work exemplify the religious and social dynamics of early America, and his legacy continues to be studied and celebrated for its historical and cultural significance.

Connect With Me

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/matthewblarsen

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