Happy Monday! Well, not really the happiest of Mondays. But let’s keep our chins up knowing that we are all doing our part to flatten that freaking curve. We may not see it yet, but that light at the end of the tunnel is coming … we just know i! Until then, here are a few things to make you smile, to enjoy, and to entertain you.
1. B/SPOKE KEEPS THINGS MOVING!
https://vimeo.com/343315601
All B/Spoke locations are currently closed to the public, but B/Spoke was one of the quick acting small businesses in the Boston area working with clients to lease and deliver their bikes to clients homes with their #bikesinthewild campaign. All bikes are currently leased out and B/Spoke is offering online content daily for all “on-bike” classes in addition to offering online content on various “off-bike” fitness and wellness classes.
The B/Spoke online store and gift card purchases are also online and active and B/Spoke is also selling “Mystery Boxes” filled with B/Spoke gear. B/Spoke is assisting staff and various charities throughout the Greater Boston area by donating a percentage of proceeds from both on-demand content and their shop. B/Spoke has also began to lease out other fitness equipment such as weights.
2. CLUB PASSIM KEEPS ROCKIN’!

3. THEY’RE COOKING IN NEEDHAM!
Cook Restaurants with locations in Needham, MA and Newton MA have both been shuttered since the order came down to close restaurants. Chef Paul Turano took to social media to ask his community if they would like him to re-open for takeout + delivery. Posting a letter to the Needham, MA community Facebook page the response was overwhelmingly positive and Turano created a new re-vamped menu focused on takeout + delivery with a lower price point. You can now also order a cocktail with your dinner take out!
Here are some of the tasty items on the menu:
#1. The Not so Basic Burger $16 -cheese: cheddar, bleu, American, smoked gouda, mozzarella, fries
#2 Vegan Burger $14 – avocado salsa, LTO, greens
#3. The Original Cook Flatbread $14 – tomato, mozzarella, evoo, basil
#4. Chicken Parmesan Sandwich $15 – fries
#5. Mediterranean Wrap $15 – falafel, chicken or shrimp, peppadew hummus, feta,
tomatoes, cucumbers choice of fries or salad
#6. Smoky Pepper Grilled Cheese (v) $13. – manchego, house boursin, crispy shallots, smoky pepper jam, fries
#7. Newton Fried Chicken (3pcs)$15 – fried chicken, griddled cornbread, house hot sauce, maple butter, choice of fries or salad
#8. Rigatoni Bolognese $17/$21
#9. Grain Bowl $10 – brown rice, edamame, pickled cabbage, seaweed salad, sesame – add peanut sauce or sriracha aioli – add a protein option available
#10 Salmon Burger $16
“Cook Express” launched late last week in the Needham, MA location and will be open daily from 4:00PM – 8:00PM. Customers can order delivery + takeout via GrubHub or DoorDash as well as on Cook’s website, or by calling the restaurant directly at 781-400-5927. The Cook Express menu is available for download here. The Newton location of Cook may soon follow.
4. NAMASTAY ZEN!
Tonight at 8pm, Namastay Sober offers their free monthly meditation and mindfulness session online. Liam from FitMind leads this FREE online video call focused on MEDITATION and MINDFULNESS! This event is held on the first Monday of every month! This event is FREE & open to all. This class if via Zoom Online. You’ll need the Zoom app on your smartphone or computer. Login information is in their events e-mail sent to all who’ve applied for a Membership. Simply apply and check your inbox!
NamaStay Flowing is a monthly community event that serves as a safe space of love & possibility to attendees. ALL PEOPLE ARE WELCOME to attend these free community events focused around INCLUSION, CONNECTION & COMMUNITY. NamaStay Sober provides complimentary yoga and fitness memberships to individuals recovering from addiction. Rather than discuss the source of specific addictive patterns; whether to drugs, alcohol, food, cigarettes, sex, negative thoughts or anything else we have abused – NamaStay Flowing focuses on freeing us up to personally design a life of love, abundance, and intimacy with the people and world around us.
5. COOK OYSTER SLIDERS AT HOME!
Anyone else miss Island Creek Oyster Bar’s Oyster Sliders? Imagine biting into the hot, crispy (yet juicy!) oysters covered with pickled onions, siracha mayo, and snug between two warm grilled brioche buns. Sounds just like the comfort food we could all use right now. Well, we have good news for you. Now you can make your favorite oyster sliders at home!
Chef Jeremy Sewell (Chef Owner of Island Creek Oyster Bar and Row 34) is teaching us how to make his famous oyster sliders at home! All you need is a 50 count bag of Island Creeks and several ingredients you likely have in the fridge and cupboard already! Click here to order those oysters!
6. COREY GRIFFIN FOUNDATION FEEDS OUR NEIGHBORS!
In the wake of Coronavirus and the dramatic effect this is having on our beloved city of Boston, the Corey Griffin Foundation has joined forces with the Boston Police Department’s Bureau of Community Policing to help feed our neighbors. They are cutting out the middleman with this grassroots initiative to respond quickly and compassionately to our neighbors.
And they are looking for help. Your donation will have an immediate impact on “Corey’s Kids” through this boots on the ground initiative. ” Join them as they provide gift cards for meals & supplies to Boston’s most vulnerable families and help serve Boston families in need!
Created in memory of Corey C. Griffin (1986-2014), the Corey C. Griffin Foundation provides strategic financial support to Boston’s most innovative non-profits focused on children in need. Through their high-impact partnerships with leading academic and healthcare organizations, they are providing critical opportunities to “Corey’s Kids”, and building upon Corey Griffin’s legacy of giving back while encouraging others to do the same. Click here to make a donation today!
7. WATCH BROWN BEARS FROLICKING LIVE!
Brooks Falls in Alaska’s Katmai National Park is the best place in the world to watch brown bears feasting on salmon as they swim upstream to spawn. Watch salmon leaping up the falls, while brown bears compete with each other for the best fishing spots. The largest and most successful bears can catch and eat more than 30 salmon (over 120 pounds) per day! Bears are most abundant at Brooks Falls in late June and July during the sockeye salmon migration – giving us all something to look forward to! You can also keep an eye out for bald eagles and even the occasional wolf trying to partake in the salmon buffet.
8. TAKE EASTER & PASSOVER TO GO!
The Beehive will be launching a Passover and Easter “to go” pop-up. Guests are asked to order online by April 9, 2020 for curbside pick-up on April 12, 2020 between 10:00AM – 3:30PM. The menu can be found here.

All holiday orders serve four people.
Their special Easter & Passover To Go menu is available for pick up so you can celebrate without spending the day in the kitchen. All you have to do is order by clicking here, pick up, heat & enjoy. One Day Only!
Wildlife Hospitality Group which includes: The Beehive in Boston’s South End, The Beat Brew Hall in Harvard Square and the newly minted Cosmica in the Revolution Hotel all currently remain closed – that said Beehive is opening for this holiday pop up only.
9. WHISKEY & WATER SUPPORTS NASHVILLE
https://www.facebook.com/WatchHeartlandTV/videos/783147978759816/?v=783147978759816
Rising Country Music singer-songwriter/Foundry Records recording artist Austin Merrill’s “Whiskey & Water” music video made its broadcast and digital premiere on The Heartland Network’s show Country Music Today. Merrill is an artist to look out for as his songs continue to rise up the charts and his genuine lyrics capture the hearts of all who listen. Merrill is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on his second EP, scheduled to be released later this year.
“I am so excited to have my video for ‘Whiskey & Water’ premiere on The Heartland Network,” says Austin Merrill. “I really stayed true to my roots with this song, so I can’t think of a better partner on this release than The Heart of Country. Thanks a million for the support.”
As part of the recent Facebook Live event, Keep The Music Playing, Austin Merrill joined the stage with some of Nashville’s finest featuring Shenandoah and friends: Michael Ray, T. Graham Brown, Aaron Tippin, Katie Austin and hosted by Inside Edition’s Megan Alexander. The event accepted donations online via Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp Foundation / Music City Inc to aid Middle Tennesseans who were affected by Covid-19 and the recent tornadoes that devastated the area.