On Nov. 10, the Back Bay Association (BBA) sponsored its annual Best of Back Bay event at the Four Seasons Hotel, Boston, drawing hundreds of city business leaders and a number of public figures to what has been called the premiere networking event of the year.
This year, 28 companies purchased a table for the event, each of which was given the opportunity to invite eight guests to join them for a dinner at one of the neighborhood’s finest restaurants. Guests also received a gift from one of the Back Bay’s finest retailers.
While a drawing for restaurant and retail gifts has traditionally taken place live from the event stage, this year was a departure. Amy Moody-McGrath from Goulston & Storrs, a Boston law firm, joined BBA President Meg Mainzer-Cohen on stage to certify that the random drawing for restaurants and retailers had taken place prior to the event. Mainzer-Cohen then announced the results.
Afterwards, a surprise performance from Berklee College of Music students took place. The first group is Called "Women Of the World" it is a student group that is made up of Women from a number of countries across the globe. The second group was a collection of students form Berklee’s "City Music" program, a scholarship-based program for needy inner-city students pursuing a career in music. The finally act was Darcel Wilson, a faculty member at Berklee and one of the youngest people to be featured in the ‘80s Broadway hit "Dancing in the Streets."
Following the performances guests made their way to the Old Town Trolleys that were waiting outside the hotel, which brought the guests to dinner locations throughout the neighborhood. A group of string players greeted the guests as they boarded the trolleys.
For making the evening such a success, the BBA would like to thank Bill Taylor, general manager of the Four Seasons Hotel, Boston, Fresco Flowers, and Old Town Trolley, as well as the 28 participating restaurant and 31 retail sponsors, including Asana, Atlantic Fish, Avila, Bouchee, Brasserie Jo, the Bristol Lounge, The Café at the Taj, Boston , the Capital Grille, City Table, Davio’s, Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks, Grill 23 & Bar, Legal Sea Foods, L’espalier, Morton’s Steakhouse, Oak Room, Post 390, Lucca Back Bay (formerly Sasso), Sel De La Terre, Sonsie, Sorellina, Stanhope Grille at the Back Bay Hotel, Stephanie’s On Newbury, Top of the HubTurner Fisheries, Via Matta, the Apple Store, Avanti Salon, Barneys New York, Boston Body Worker, Brooks Brothers, Cartier, Copley Flair, Copy Cop, Cross, Dempsey & Carroll, Denise Hajjar, Dorfman Jewelers, Down To Basics, Essence, Galleria Florentia, Hotel Chocolat, Jos. A Bank, Jari Boutique, Levenger, Loro Piana, Lux Bond & Green, Mizu Salon, Porsche Design, Ralph Lauren, Salon Iisse, Shreve Crump & Low, Sephora, Saks Fifth Avenue, Stilista, Truffles and Vineyard Vines.
Underwriting sponsors for the event were Avalon Bay Communities, Boston Properties, Normandy Real Estate Partners, Suffolk Construction, Simon Property Group, Weiner Ventures, Liberty Mutual and Upland Capital Corporation.

A 24-year-old Boston man was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly robbed an elderly man who had just withdrawn money from an ATM, police said.
On Wednesday, Area D-4 officers responded to the Bank of America at 221 Massachusetts Ave. for a report of a robbery in progress. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the 73-year-old victim who stated he was walking away from the ATM after withdrawing money when Sawallich allegedly walked up behind the victim and stole the money from his hand before fleeing on foot. Officers also learned a second suspect fled with the first suspect at that time. A description of both suspects was then broadcast.
The next day, Area D-4 officers observed two individuals who matched the descriptions of the suspects walking on Washington Street. Officers stopped both parties and learned of their identities before transporting them to District 4 headquarters for questioning. Detectives spoke with one of the parties and gathered probable cause to place the other into custody for the robbery.
Adam Sawallich faces charges of unarmed robbery of a victim over 65 years of age.

A Shaw’s Supermarket employee helped thwart an alleged purse snatching Wednesday after the inept thief was seen shoplifting from the store, police said.
Shortly before 5 p.m., Area D-4 officers responded to the supermarket at 53 Huntington Ave. for a report of an attempted robbery after a loss prevention officer observed a male steal various items from the salad bar and walk out of the store. The individual was known to the loss prevention officer for shoplifting from the store in the past.
The security officer followed the suspect and observed him approach a female on Huntington Avenue, making an aggressive move towards her as she was attempting to enter her home.
“Give me your money, give me your money,” he said while stuffing salad into his mouth.
The victim jumped back to avoid the suspect’s advances before the security officer intervened and took hold of the suspect until the police arrived.
The victim told police that she believed the suspect was attempting to take her purse and push her down the stairs.
The suspect was identified by the suspect and placed into custody. Hector Tetzaguic, 38, of Dorchester was arrested on the charges of shoplifting and attempted larceny from a person.