😅🍦 This sweet treat could save lives

🍸 Say it with us now: I. Won’t. Let. The. Heat. Win. ‘Cause we’re treating ourselves to this *unbelievable* list of frozen cocktails around Boston. I mean …  soft-serve espresso martinis?! Done.

🥳 And a big, fat HBD to Members Miranda Cecil and Vito! We definitely hear a frosé calling your names …

👀 What’s on tap today:

Up first…

Need a break? A foot rub? A good, old-fashioned rot? How ‘bout something even better?

We’re back with another B-Side Care Package, stuffed with all of the best media, treats, things to do, and more we’ve been hooked on.

Here’s what’s inside:

OUR PICKS

🐤 “If you can draw an S, you can paint a duckling.” At least, Emily feels like she can after watching these incredible IG videos by watercolor artist Bree Copley. Bree manages to turn a simple letter, number, or shape into an impressive work of art (that seemingly anyone can do). See: an oval into a balloon animal, a P into a peacock, and this viral S into an adorable duckling. Your mileage may vary on the details, but for a low-effort phone swap that leaves you feeling like Picasso, we’ll take it.

🪡 Get in loser, we’re going to the LNS. For the uninitiated, LNS = local needlepoint shop, and boy, did Emily catch the needlepoint bug after stumbling into Stitch Boutique, Boston’s own LNS on Boylston Street. It’s a one-stop shop for all needlepointing needs: hand-painted canvases, threads, tools. Plus, they offer free lessons for beginners. Fair warning: This hobby can be $$$ — her first canvas of this Back Bay sweatshirt was $65. But Etsy has been a godsend for more affordable canvases. Her next project? Wordle. 

🍨 This sweet treat could literally save lives. Kelly was breakin’ a sweat in Eastie earlier this week … but Slush King’s homemade pistachio gelato made her completely forget about the heat. It was rich, nutty, creamy, and only $4, which, given today’s ice cream-flation, is a STEAL. For our allergy girlies, Kelly (as a Chipwich connoisseur) also swears by its chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich. But you’ve been warned: They’re MASSIVE.

📩 Send a digital goodie bag that says, “This reminds me of you.” Yes, a care package inside a care package, if you will. Kelly stumbled upon A Little Box of Goodies, this adorable site that lets you digitally pack music, drawings, photos, voice notes, and more into an interactive bundle with its own URL to share. It’s the perfect surprise to send friends and fam, just because, and Kelly even made one just for you! <3 

EXPERT PICKS

This month’s expert is Annie Jonas, Boston.com’s community writer and author of the Book Club newsletter.  

📖 Transport yourself to 1970s Paris. Annie’s been *obsessed* with “Almost Life” by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, which she describes as “Normal People” meets sapphic romance. Imagine: Two women meet on the steps of the Sacré-Coeur and spend decades circling each other’s lives. Jonas said that its stunning prose + European summer vibes + peak yearning = a story that will wreck you in the best way.

🚲 Go for a hot girl … bike ride. When she’s not reading, you’ll probably find Annie along the Minuteman Bikeway. She starts at Davis Square on the Somerville Community Path, passes through Alewife, then goes all the way to Arlington Center. Her ideal Arlington day looks something like this: 1. People-watch on a bench at Spy Pond. 2. Grab a smoked turkey sammie at Kickstand Cafe. 3. Dig through stacks of used books at Book Rack. The dream.

📖📜 You’ve heard the story. Now see the source material. Through Nov. 29, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum's Declaring the Revolution: America's Printed Path to Independence features rare Revolutionary-era materials from the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection. It's America’s origin story in its original form — and $5 off admission with promo code GLOBE. Grab your tickets now. 

👀 “And it was all yellow.” — literally the sky. Yep, that yellowish haze and the burning smell is coming from smoke from Canadian wildfires drifting allllll the way over to New England. Wednesday’s air quality was definitely “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” a.k.a. children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues. So close your windows and doors, run your air conditioner in circulation mode, and wear an N95 if you need. The good news: The smoke and cloud cover have actually been blocking out the heat, making it less hot than it would’ve been. A win is a win???

🤑 Rent, you’re going DOWN. No, really. Boston’s average rent has actually declined since last year, from $3,054 to $2,930 (yes, it’s only a $124 difference, but we’ll take it). The reason is simple: more supply and less demand. The city’s built more than 37,000 units since 2021 while both international student enrollment and the labor market have declined. Despite this causing higher vacancy rates, the baseline for rent still remains high, and together, these factors could push young people toward more affordable locales.

🌊 Boston’s beach water quality is looking … sus. Our beaches were ranked as some of the safest last year. But now, 40+ beaches were still closed as of Wednesday for high bacteria levels. :( This historically happens after heavy rain since it washes the bacteria in storm drains into the waterways (and last year, we had v little rain). Not to give you another thing to worry about, but the rip currents are also supposed to be BAD this week … so even if the beaches open, stay safe out there.

🍽️ Don’t judge Contessa’s book by its cover … Yes, the hotel restaurant’s marble tiling, Art Deco vibes, and city views are *stunning*, but according to Globe food critic Devra First’s review, she found her meals to be inconsistent and just OK. The spicy lobster capellini? Overcooked. The veal milanese? “Flavorless and dry.” And for a menu that doesn’t really change, they apparently have yet to nail their staples. That said, some of Devra’s faves were the sweet corn ravioli, branzino Portofino, and squash carpaccio — perf for New England fall.

🎸 NICE, a Fest will take over three venues in Davis Square from July 24-26. Hear the tunes of New England bands like Krill, Black Beach, Downtown Boys, Somos, Bay Faction, Twen, Coral Moons, Air Traffic Controller, and many more. B-Side Members save $10. Get tickets here!

Your next game night is about to get HEATED. Meet Mass Transit: The Board Game. 

The goal of this new board game, developed by Ember Art Emporium, is to travel to different stations and earn as many points as possible while facing challenges like Green Line shutdowns (real) and fires on the Orange Line.

Plus, every player is a different Boston-esque character (think: college student, duck boat operator, marathon runner). But our faves are the new expansion characters like rats in a trench coat and Paul Revere. 

Unfortunately, the game is sold out on Etsy, but as of July 14, there are still a few copies of it at the Brighton Emporium. Or go early to the Greenway Artisan Market this Saturday to snag one! Otherwise, they’ll probably be back in stock next month.

— Written by Kelly Chan and Emily Schario

🚃 Thanks for reading! Petition for a new Train Daddy Phil character??

💜 Special shoutout to today’s sponsor, JFK Library, for supporting local journalism and keeping America’s history alive (and actually worth reading).

🚗 The results are in: 52% of B-Siders said that Boston has THE worst drivers, hands down. One reader said, “When you’re in a Boston traffic circle, there are no rules. It’s between you and your god to get out of there safely.” Thoughts and prayers! 

💃 Keep up with us @BostonBSide on IG, TikTok, and X. Send comments and suggestions to [email protected] and [email protected].