💏 It’s cuffing season in Boston

It's Wednesday, Boston. 

😔 Bad news: I turned the heat on for the first time this season. 

😄 Good news: Today is my last chance to score Taylor Swift tickets. Pray for me. 

👀 What’s on tap today:

• Local Swifties beware

• A lab space boom? Or bust?

• Boston loses some stripes

Up first…

DATING 

A serial dater’s guide to cuffing season

Is Boston a good city for singles? According to Bankrate, we’re in the top 10, with over 39% of residents uncuffed and a median age of 32.2 years old. 

But according to Boston influencer Krissy F., “there’s a lot of opportunities, but the opportunities might not be great.” She declined to give her last name for privacy reasons. 

The 24-year-old Cambridge resident goes by @narcolepsybetsy on TikTok, where she makes videos about living and dating in Boston. She estimates she’s been on 30 to 50 dating app dates since 2020.

Krissy’s experiences in the local dating scene have led her to a few conclusions.

“I've been on so many Southie dates, and they're all the same,” she said. They’re “the people who never mentally leave college.”

But if you’re looking for someone to bring home to your parents, “Cambridge and Somerville are the places to be,” she said. “It’s more of this artsy and academic community.”

Krissy candidly admits she’s been single for the last eight years. “Maybe I’m the problem,” she chuckled. 

But as a seasoned dating app user in the area, she has some tips for maximizing your chances of finding a boo this cuffing season:

1. Your first date should always be in public. “It's a red flag if they're just like, come over, come hang out with my group of friends,” she said.

2. Activity-based bars are a great alternative to dating apps for meeting people. Think PKL and Puttshack.

3. Be direct and upfront. The first prompt on her Hinge profile says “I'm looking for a boyfriend. So if that's not your vibe, please swipe left.” 

4. Looks aren’t everything. “Even if someone might not be exactly your type, get to know them,” she said. Their personality might surprise you. 

And if you’re feeling down about the dating scene, Krissy’s had her fair share of bad dates, too. You can watch her recount one of her worst Hinge dates here.

CITY

Quick & Dirty Headlines

🎟️ Boston police are warning local Swifties to be wary of counterfeit ticket sales. Yes, I understand that sketchy deal may be tempting — this is Woodstock for Taylor Swift fans, after all. However, police are urging fans to only acquire tickets from authorized agencies as purchasing via other avenues can open the door for invalid or counterfeit tickets. If you have any suspicion that someone is selling you a counterfeit ticket, you can anonymously contact Boston police by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).

✋ Boston’s lab boom is hitting the brakes. Billions of dollars were poured into the region’s life sciences industry during the pandemic, creating a boom in building lab space. However, that boom is now slowing due to rising interest rates, soaring construction costs, and a rocky economy. A recent report by real estate brokerage Newmark predicted that 80% of the 40 million square feet of proposed lab space that has yet to be built could be “curtailed” and put on hold.

🥪 A popular Nantucket deli opened a second location in Boston. Known for their specialty sandwiches and salads, Fresh Nantucket has found a second home in Southie (they’re calling this location Fresh Boston). Guests can expect their favorite sandwiches from ACK, as well as fresh pressed juices, speciality toasts, charcuterie, and more. You can even grab an island-themed cocktail at their bar in case you’re missing summer. 

THINGS TO DO

Move your body

💃 Groove your stress away with a dance fitness class from Big Night Fitness and Move with Britt. | Wednesday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m. | Tickets are $20 

🚲 Spin to the queens of pop at Turnstyle Cycle & Bootcamp in the South End. New clients get 10 days of unlimited spin for $10. | Thursday, Nov. 17, 5:30 p.m. 

🧘 Stretch out and sip at a yoga class in the taproom of Remnant Brewing Company. | Saturday, Nov. 19, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. | Class is $15

🤸 Kick it on the Brighton Common in a free kickboxing-inspired fitness class sponsored by the City of Boston | Sunday, Nov. 20, 10 to 11 a.m. | FREE 

🤾 Throw it back to P.E. class with a round of dodgeball at the Andrew Peabody School Gymnasium (we promise it’s more fun than when you played in high school). | Multiple dates | Tickets start at $15

ONE LAST THING

Boston loses some stripes

Anala, a Tiger at Franklin Park Zoo, died from kidney failure yesterday. 

The 17-year old Bengal mix was rescued as a cub by US Fish and Wildlife special agents after a wildlife sanctuary was attempting to sell her illegally. She arrived at the Franklin Park Zoo in 2006 along with Luther, a white tiger who was rescued along with her and died due to cancer in 2019. 

She had been on palliative care since September after bloodwork and a biopsy revealed her kidney failure. In her final weeks she was fed some of her favorite foods: beef heart and liver. May she rest in peace.

😬 Thanks for reading! This Capital One presale better work or I may need to go against Boston police’s wishes …

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