No offseason for TD Garden

Also: An exodus at Steward hospitals; Gov. Healey's concerns over Cannabis Commission [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  June 24, 2024 🌤 Today is partly sunny, with a high near 84. Good Morning Boston, A corpse flower, aptly dubbed "Dame Judi Stench,"[has bloomed for the first time at the Arnold Arboretum.]( You can check it out within the next 24 hours or, even better, see it out without having to catch a whiff in [this live video.]( Now, to some news that doesn't stink: - Basketball season may be over, but that doesn't mean the curtain's closing over at TD Garden. The arena is set to host 90 non-sporting events — including a record 56 concerts — this year. (That's up from 50 concerts in 2023.) WBUR's Stevee Chapman spoke to Glen Thornborough, TD Garden's president, about what a successful event season means for the local economy. - Seeing green: According to Thornborough, the Celtics' finals games had an economic impact of $5 million per game in Boston. This boom isn't just good for the arena, "it also benefits the local community in the North End, the local bars," Thornborough said. "This is a major impact, not just for the [Garden] and the team, but the small businesses that are in walking distance." - Summer fun: Whether it's a night of music with Usher, Weezer or Kacey Musgraves, or a smackdown courtesy of WWE's Monday Night RAW, the summer offseason draws in foot traffic while the Bruins and Celtics rest. (This week alone, Chris Brown, Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake are all taking the stage.) "Our goal is for this to become the norm," Thornborough told WBUR. "Our calendar is pretty packed, but we're open for business. So, if there's an opportunity for us to provide something that the market is interested in, we would love to host." You can see a full list of who's coming to the Garden this summer [right here.]( - There will be new restrictions in place for beachgoers hoping to spend the Fourth of July at Bayview, Mayflower or Chapin beaches in Dennis. According to town officials, Dennis police responded to 459 calls for service [due to unsafe conduct at the town's beaches]( on July 4 last year. They're hoping these new rules will help create a safer experience for the popular holiday weekend. So, what's changing? - Daily parking passes to Dennis beaches won't be sold on July Fourth. You'll need a weekly pass or a residential or seasonal sticker to get into the beach parking lots. You can't park on local streets, either, since police will be enforcing a parking ban in nearby neighborhoods. - Police will stop drivers on the way to Mayflower Beach or Chapin Beach at new checkpoints on Rte. 6A. Only those with a pass or sticker will be able to go farther. Everyone else, including those who arrive in a ride share, must disembark and start walking. From the checkpoint, it's about a two-mile walk to Chapin Beach, and just over a mile's walk to Mayflower Beach. - Lastly, there will be a "zero tolerance" policy for loud music, alcohol and drug use at Dennis beaches, which officials hope will curb disorderly conduct. Violating this will result in a written citation and $50 fine. All regulations are only in effect for this 24-hour, Fourth of July period, according to Dennis Police. - Reminder: Orange Line service is suspended for [bridge]( and [track work]( between Wellington and North Station today through Sunday, June 30. In addition to free accessible shuttle buses, you can also take the Haverhill commuter rail line (free between Oak Grove, Malden Center and North Station) to get around the closure. - Trade the train for two wheels: BlueBikes is offering non-members who use their app up to [five free rides during the Orange Line closure](. Use the code MBTAORANGEJUNE to unlock a bike for free through June 30. - A vigil will be held today for 24-year-old Minh-Thi Nguyen, who was[struck and killed last Friday]( while on her bicycle at an intersection in Cambridge's Kendall Square. - Nguyen's death is the second cyclist fatality in Cambridge in the last month. Advocates are urging the city to improve safety at some of the city's riskiest intersections. "We have to ensure that we reduce the likelihood that a collision even occurs, through installing protected bike lanes, improving intersections, and changing traffic signals to give cyclists and pedestrians more time to cross the street," Clyve Lawrence, a volunteer with Cambridge Bicycle Safety, told WBUR. P.S.— The two African penguin chicks who hatched at the New England Aquarium [back in March]( have finally joined their parents and siblings in the aquarium's main penguin exhibit. [You can visit Bunker and Althea now!]( Hanna Ali Associate Producer, Newsletters  The Rundown [Unnerved by bankruptcy, doctors and patients are leaving Steward hospitals]( Since the private, for-profit hospital chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month, doctors are departing, and patients are seeking care elsewhere, according to employees and Massachusetts health care leaders. [Read more.]( [Unnerved by bankruptcy, doctors and patients are leaving Steward hospitals]( Since the private, for-profit hospital chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month, doctors are departing, and patients are seeking care elsewhere, according to employees and Massachusetts health care leaders. [Read more.]( [Family child care is vital, but declining. Massachusetts is reversing the trend]( Family child care caters to a small group of children based in a provider’s home. This type of care can often be more affordable, flexible and culturally competent for families, especially in rural areas. [Read more.]( [Family child care is vital, but declining. Massachusetts is reversing the trend]( Family child care caters to a small group of children based in a provider’s home. This type of care can often be more affordable, flexible and culturally competent for families, especially in rural areas. [Read more.]( [Gov. Healey cites 'concerns' about troubles at the embattled cannabis commission]( Healey said her administration is "prepared to work with the Legislature and fellow appointing authorities on the path forward." Meanwhile, the agency's acting chair is defending against a call by the state's inspector general to appoint a receiver for the $7 billion commission. [Read more.]( [Gov. Healey cites 'concerns' about troubles at the embattled cannabis commission]( Healey said her administration is "prepared to work with the Legislature and fellow appointing authorities on the path forward." Meanwhile, the agency's acting chair is defending against a call by the state's inspector general to appoint a receiver for the $7 billion commission. [Read more.]( [After morgue thefts, Harvard avoids accountability]( A year ago, Harvard Medical School announced its longtime morgue manager had been arrested for harvesting skin, organs and other parts from deceased donors who'd pledged their bodies to science. Since that, no one else at Harvard appears to have faced repercussions. [Read more.]( [After morgue thefts, Harvard avoids accountability]( A year ago, Harvard Medical School announced its longtime morgue manager had been arrested for harvesting skin, organs and other parts from deceased donors who'd pledged their bodies to science. Since that, no one else at Harvard appears to have faced repercussions. [Read more.]( [MFA Director Matthew Teitelbaum announces plans to retireÂ]( Over the course of his tenure at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Teitelbaum has overseen a slew of changes and challenges. He plans to retire in August 2025. [Read more.]( [MFA Director Matthew Teitelbaum announces plans to retireÂ]( Over the course of his tenure at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Teitelbaum has overseen a slew of changes and challenges. He plans to retire in August 2025. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Warm summer air and live music... Has there ever been a better combo? You can immerse yourself in the sounds of jazz, R&B, folk and more at [these 10 music festivals]( happening around Massachusetts this summer. The best part? They're all free. - Michael Jackson's beloved songs and iconic dance moves are recreated in "MJ the Musical." The play also touches on the artist's legacy, which is marred by controversy. [Theater critic Jacquinn Sinclair writes]( for some, "separating the artist from the art might be hard to do." - Alex Trebek, the late host of "Jeopardy!," will be honored with a new Forever Stamp from the U.S. Postal Service. The stamps will mimic the show's blue-and-white clue cards, each with a question about Trebek. [You can get your hands on a set starting July 22.]( - Lisa Borders [writes in this essay]( that Hulu's new documentary about the legendary Brat Pack swept her up "in a wave of nostalgia." What We're Reading 📚 - Donald Sutherland defied categorization ([The Boston Globe]( - “Stolen Valor” Situation Rocks Massachusetts Psychedelics Community ([Talking Joints Memo]( - Family whose roof was damaged by space debris files claims against NASA ([Ars Technica](  ICYMI [Photos: Boston salutes NBA champion Celtics with a parade]( The Boston Celtics, NBA champions for the 18th time, crossed town for a parade Friday, and more than a few Bostonians showed up to cheer from the sidelines. [Read more.]( [Photos: Boston salutes NBA champion Celtics with a parade]( The Boston Celtics, NBA champions for the 18th time, crossed town for a parade Friday, and more than a few Bostonians showed up to cheer from the sidelines. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [chats with Black Men Run founder Jeff Davis about inclusivity in running.]( Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [A little piece of home.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. 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