😅🚇 Now arriving: A BOGO T shutdown

🕯️ Have you seen this old man skipping through the streets in a nightgown? Don’t worry, it’s just a BU student dressed up as Ebenezer Scrooge who likes to “haunt” the city. Including … campus tour groups. Bah, humbug!

🥳 Also: Happy birthday to B-Sider Paris Gappmayr! We hope you feel as happy as Scrooge looks running down Newbury Street. Have a great day!

👀 What’s on tap today:

Up first…

Good news: It’s been four months since the Red Line shut down! Bad news: That streak ends NOW. The Braintree branch will be MIA from Nov. 15 to 23. And Orange Liners, don’t think you’re off the hook …

Here’s what to know: 

🚇 It’s a textbook shutdown between Braintree and North Quincy. Shuttle buses will hit all the usual stops — here are the exact locations. That said, the MBTA recommends you, say it with us now … Budget. Extra. Time. At least 35 extra minutes for a trip between Braintree and Park Street, to be exact. 

🤝 Don’t sleep on the commuter rail! The Fall River/New Bedford, Kingston, and Greenbush Commuter Rail lines will be offering fare-free service between Braintree, Quincy Center, JFK/UMass, and South Station during the shutdown. Note: Regular fare is collected after that. Here’s the commuter rail schedule!

⚠️ It’s basically the T’s "high maintenance to be low maintenance" routine. This shutdown is part of the MBTA’s plan to pepper in regular ~rejuvenation work~ on the line, including infrastructure upgrades and track renewal. The idea is that by keeping up with regular maintenance, we can hopefully avoid another year-long shutdown saga. Fingers crossed!

😭 Thought you were safe, Orange Liners? Not so fast. The Orange Line is also shutting down between Back Bay and Forest Hills starting at 8:30 p.m. TONIGHT through Nov. 16.

🚌 Shuttles will replace regular OL service. They’ll hit all the usual stops (here are the exact locations). That said, the MBTA recommends budgeting at least 30 extra minutes for a trip between Forest Hills and Downtown Crossing if you’re shuttle-busing it. And don’t forget: The commuter rail will be fare-free on the Franklin/Foxboro, Needham, and Providence/Stoughton Lines between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station. 

🎁 Need a little good news after all that? Don’t look now, but according to this calendar from the city, there aren’t any more shutdowns through 2025. A Christmas miracle in the making!

🤔 Any other questions? Here’s all the info!

🎵🦃 ‘Tis the season of giving thanks (for good music). Boston Pops’ and BSO’s 2025–2026 lineup is packed with unforgettable performances like violin legend Joshua Bell at Symphony Hall Nov. 20–22 and the E Pluribus Unum celebration starting in January. Expect a powerful mix of classical favorites, cultural storytelling, and cinematic moments (yes, John Williams music is involved). Reserve your seats now, or make it official with a subscription.

📅 43 days later, the government shutdown is OVER. A measure to refund the government eked through the House Wednesday night, which President Trump quickly inked. But it’s worth noting: Literally ZERO Mass. reps and senators voted yes. That said, the government reopening ≠ everything is back to normal. Flight cancellations will be frozen at 6% (though they should drop soon), and the economic and emotional impacts of folks going without multiple paychecks and federally-funded programs like SNAP will likely stick around.

🤑 Mayor Wu is getting a BIG raise. And by big, we mean a $43,000 bump (!). Come 2026, Wu and Boston City Councilors will see some small (and not-so-small) salary increases thanks to a measure the council passed in 2022. Wu’s salary will jump from $207,000 to $250,000, and city councilors’ will tick up from $120,000 to $125,000. In Wu’s case, it’ll be a one-time jump (which, fun fact, she vetoed), but for city councilors, this marks the last in a series of increases which gradually raised their salaries from $103,000. 

🎁 This is your sign to start holiday shopping. The Globe just dropped its first holiday gift guide of the season, featuring 27 items from New England-based sellers. For under $25, you can get a trendy olive hair clip from Brave Daughters or a jar of hot honey vinegar from Formaggio Kitchen. There’s a delightful pair of silver star earrings from Rachel Reinhardt or a holiday cookie tin from Saltie Girl under $50. And for under $95, a retro camera from Daytrip Society or an adult stuffed animal from Woolgrass Farm could be yours. Here’s the full list!

⛷️ Forget December, ski season starts NOW. While we got excited over a few flurries in Boston, ski mountains Killington and Sunday River both officially opened on Wednesday, marking the beginning of New England’s ski season. We can thank the freezing temps from this week’s arctic blast, plus an early season snow that coated northern New Hampshire and Vermont with 10+ inches. It’s a promising early sign that this year’s winter weather will actually give … winter, but whether that means we can expect much here in Boston is still TBD.

🥒 Get in a pickle … party! Grillo’s Pickles is having one at Southie’s Small Victories on Nov. 14 with a pickle menu, claw machine, FREE merch, and … this guy.

🤠 Put on some apple-bottom jeans. And head to 617 Country’s “Boots with the Fur” free line dancing night on City Hall Plaza Nov. 15! Don’t miss the food truck or pony rides(!) either.

🧶 Fill a bag with craft supplies. For just $10 on Nov. 15, you can fill a whole bag with overstock, scraps, and seconds from crafty thrift store Make and Mend. Think: Yarn, fabric, tools, and books.

🍂 Toast to the end of Fall. What better way to celebrate cozy season than sipping a seasonal brew and listening to some live music at Aeronaut’s Lagers and Leaves fall fest on Nov. 15? 

🛍️ Shop above your tax bracket. The cool girls called, and they said Reformation is having a sample sale in the Seaport with knits, denim, dresses, and outerwear up to 80% off through Nov. 16.

🫘 Sip that free espresso … martini. Time Out is back with another day of FREE cocktail tasting on Nov. 16. Show up, sip samples of Boston’s best espresso martinis, and vote for your fave. 

📚 Give a book, get a book! The West End museum is hosting a free book swap on Nov. 16. Bring a book (or five!) to swap and chat with fellow bookish baddies.

💃🏽 Celebrate Haitian dance. Boston’s own Jean Appolon Expressions is performing her stunning folkloric-meets-contemporary Haitian dance for free at Roxbury Community College Nov. 15. Bonus: Bring something for RCC’s food pantry!

⛷️ Kick off ski season in style. Snowbound Ski Expo brings discounted gear (up to 70% off!), speakers, and even a trampoline show under one roof this weekend. Snag 25% off tickets now before they’re gone.

The B-Side is a proud media sponsor of the 2025 Emerging Leaders Fall Soirée on Nov. 17 at Grace by Nia. It’s your chance to dress up, mix with Boston’s young professional crowd, and support Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program’s incredible work. Every ticket helps provide compassionate care to people experiencing homelessness — so you can feel good while having a great night out. Snag your spot and be part of an evening in Boston that actually makes a difference. Grab a ticket here before they’re gone!

As if we needed another reason to avoid swimming in the Charles: There was an alligator in it this week. No joke.

On Tuesday morning, Whitney Lieberman was taking her morning jog around the river when she first noticed this little guy. After snapping a few pics and videos, she told MassWildlife (also, her coworkers) and posted a pic on Reddit. And she wasn’t the only one who spotted him.

But as it turns out, MassWildlife didn't have to worry. On Wednesday night, after finishing an interview with NBC10 about the gator, Joseph Kenney of Joe's Crazzy Critters decided to take matters into his own hands.

“With some luck and a couple of bright flashlights,” Kenney caught him in just 15 minutes. Apparently, if all goes well, the gator will become “a new resident and ambassador” at Joe's Crazzy Critters.

— Written by Gia Orsino, Emily Schario and Claire Nicholas

🐊 Thanks for reading! It’s giving … Robert Irwin.

💜 Special shoutout to today’s sponsor, the Boston Pops, for supporting local journalism and bringing unforgettable musical experiences to our community.

💳 The results are in: 71% of B-Siders said that rewards and perks are the top reasons to choose a credit card. One reader said: “Cuz I’m all about those points, ‘bout those points, no trouble.” OK, Meghan Trainor!

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