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February 13,  2017
Featured Stories
In The News
This Week's Featured Event
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Announcements
Deals & Promos
Construction & Utility Work Updates
BID Services & Links
City of Boston Services
In The News



Zagat Boston: Boston's Cutest Culinary Couples are Chefs, Culintary Directors at haley.henry wine bar, RUKA and Yvonne's 2/7/17

Boston Globe: Boston Ballet to Offer Wide-Ranging 2017-2018 Season 2/6/17

Zagat Boston: Parker's Restaurant Among 10 Unexpectedly Romantic Restaurants in Boston 2/6/17
This Week's Featured Event
Celebrate African-American History Month with Freedom Trail 
African-American Patriots Tour

The Freedom Trail Foundation is celebrating African-American History Month by offering African-American Patriots Tours throughout February. 

Tales of intrigue and bravery, poetry and defiance by black Bostonians unfold during this 90-minute walking tour of the Freedom Trail. Led by a costumed guide, visitors see history through the eyes of African-American revolutionaries such as Crispus Attucks, Phillis Wheatley, Prince Hall, Peter Salem and others.

The tour departs at 12:45 pm on Saturdays and Sundays from the Boston Common Visitor Information Center (Tremont Street)Discounted online general admission tickets are good for this tour and can be purchased here. Tickets can also be purchased at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center.
Arts, Entertainment & Events
'Some Freaks' and 'Under the Shadow'  at 
Emerson's  Bright Lights Series;
Screenings Feature Post-Film Talks

Emerson College's Bright Light Series continues with "Some Freaks" on Tuesday, Feb. 14th at the Paramount Center. The movie is about a charming romance between a boy with one eye and an overweight girl, who eventually loses the weight. Their relationship is tested in devastating ways they never could've dreamed. A discussion with writer and director Ian McAllister McDonald, producer Sarah Edrie and composer Walter Sickert will follow the screening.

"Under the Shadow" will be shown on Thursday, Feb. 16th. The movie is about Shideh, whose building is hit by a missile during the Iran-Iraq War, and a superstitious neighbor suggests the missile was cursed and might be carrying bad spirits. A discussion with Emerson College faculty will follow the screening. 

Post-film discussions with special guest filmmakers, faculty and alumni will follow all screenings.  All screenings are free and open to the public and begin at 7 pm. Screenings take place in the Bright Family Screening Room (Paramount Center, 559 Washington St.). Seating is first-come, first-served. Tickets will be available, one per person, starting at 5 pm at the Paramount Center box office on the day of the show. Click here for more info about the Bright Light Series.  
Boston Athenaeum Event: 
The Reach and Limits of 
Presidential Directives on Feb. 14th

The mission of the Boston Athenaeum (10 1/2 Beacon St.) is "to serve its members, the broader community, and scholars throughout the world by preserving and augmenting its collections of books and art, by providing library services and cultural programs." Focusing on their mission, there are several events coming up with topics that relate to current events. 

On Tuesday, Feb. 14th, Boston University Professor of Law Jay D. Wexler will lead a lively discussion examining American presidential directives. Starting with George Washington, presidents have issued directives, with the most famous being Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Wexler will talk about what exactly are presidential directives. How much authority can a president exercise through directives? Also, what checks and balances are in place? 

Registration is not required. Spac e is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. This event is for m embers only and there is no fee. Click here for more info. This event is from noon to 1 pm.

The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (105 Chauncy St.) is hosting Now What? Volunteer Open House on Thursday, Feb. 16th.

Many people have reached out to the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) in recent weeks asking how they can help and get involved. Thus MIRA is hosting a volunteer open house. If you are a lawyer, teacher, medical resident, grad student, or anything else, and if you want to help MIRA's cause, then attend the open house. There will be discussion about what MIRA does and the MIRA staff will get to know people and learn how volunteers can get involved. This event is from 6:30 to 8 pm. Email
jrivera@miracoalition.org with questions and RSVPs.  
Last Week to See
'NO ONE' Exhibit at 
Emerson Urban Arts: Media Art Gallery

Emerson College's Urban Arts Media Gallery is hosting its second exhibit, "NO ONE," at 25 Avery St., after opening last year. The exhibit "explores the current generation's desire to construct new and diverse identities that defy the rigidity of social, cultural and situational uniformity." 
"NO ONE" is curated by Emerson College undergraduate students as part of the What Is Contemporary Art? Visual and Media Arts course. Students in the class visited local artists' studios at the Boston University School of Fine Arts, the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and the School of Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts. The Emerson students selected 11 artists for the exhibition. 
The gallery is free and open to the public, and the exhibit will show through Feb. 18th. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 2 to 7 pm  
Franciscan Friars of 
St. Anthony Shrine Celebrating 
70th Anniversary on Feb. 19th

The Franciscan Friars of St. Anthony Shrine are celebrating their 70th anniversary of Friar presence on Arch Street. Click here to learn about the history of the Friars of St. Anthony Shrine.

Please join the Friars for light refreshments after the 10 am, 11:15 am and 12:30 pm Masses at St. Anthony Shrine (100 Arch St., First Floor Lobby) on Sunday, Feb. 19th to celebrate the 70th anniversary.
 
Children's Winter Fest Returns to 
Boston Common Feb. 23rd 

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department will be bringing the annual Children's Winter Festival to the Boston Common on Thursday, Feb. 23rd

Among the attractions will be Snowzilla, a three-story high inflatable snow tube slide, a 15-foot tall and 45-foot long Toboggan Tunnel mountainous adventure with twin roller lanes, and a Snow Mazing maze. There will also be a DJ, games, food samples and more. This event is free to attend and from 10 am to 3 pm.

This event is in partnership with the Highland Street Foundation, which is also sponsoring a week-long Winter Camp at the Boston Common Frog Pond with free skating and rentals for all ages from Monday, Feb. 20th through Friday, Feb. 24th. Click here for more info.
 
'The Beauty Queen of Leenane' at Paramount Center Through Feb. 26th

The Tony Award-winning play "The Beauty Queen of Leenane" is live at Emerson College's Paramount Center through Feb. 26th

"In a small house in the mountains of Ireland, a lonely spinster locks horns with her house-bound manipulative mother in a rage-filled battle of wills."

Written by Martin McDonagh, the Druid Theatre Company is bringing the award-winning play back to America, with Tony Award-winning director Garry Hynes, once again leading the production. Actress Marie Mullen, who won a Tony for her portrayal as the daughter, returns in the role of the mother this time.

This production is being presented by ArtsEmerson. Click here for tickets and showtimes.
Ice Skating Path and More at Winter Wonderland on  City Hall Plaza

The first-ever Boston Winter wonderland has been a great success on City Hall Plaza and while the holiday market has ended, the ice skating path and urban lodge are in operation through February.
Photo by Craig F. Walker for
The Boston Globe

The ice skating path loops around a main stage and marquee Boston sign. There are ice skating lessons at select time and dates, Saturday skating with cartoon characters and a rock 'n skate on Friday nights. Skates are available for rent and you can also bring your own skates. Click here for hours of operation, prices and more info about the skating path.
 
Some of the other special attractions include the Urban Lodge and some food chalets.  Click here for more info about Boston Winter.  
Construction & Utility Work Updates 
New Developments Under Construction, Proposed Projects and More

Downtown Boston is continually transforming, with new buildings rising, as well as transportation projects taking place underground and at street level. 

Looking for the latest u pdates on developments, construction, sidewalk closings, and more? Click  here.  
BID Services & Links
You Can Submit Your Own Event to the Downtown Boston BID Website

If you have an upcoming event you can now submit it to the Downtown Boston BID website. Click here to submit your own event.
 
Once approved by BID staff your event will be on the BID's calendar section and could be featured in the newsletter or on the BID social media accounts and promoted elsewhere. 
BID Ambassadors Provide Clean & Hospitality Services  in Downtown 

The  Downtown Boston BID Ambassadors provide clean and hospitality services seven days a week, nearly 24 hours a day. Ambassadors create a friendly, welcoming Downtown presence by helping visitors with directions, notifying fire and police personnel of incidents and more.

B ID Ambassadors  provide walking escorts all day or night  -- they'll even tote an umbrella if it's raining or snowing! Please call 617-261-0066 to arrange an escort or for other BID ambassador services. You can also email help@bostonbid.org.  
       
  • Ambassadors remove litter and graffiti
  • Ambassadors clear handicapped ramps and storm drain openings
  • Ambassador powerwash in Downtown Boston during warm weather
  • Ambassadors maintain the BID's landscaping 
  • Masonry Ambassadors fix sidewalks and more
Additional BID Services & Info
  • Communication and Business Networking
  • Meetings with individual BID members to discuss neighborhood issues 
  • Entertainment programming
  • Member Advocacy
  • Capital/Public Improvements
  • Wayfinding
  • Please click here for the 2016 BID Report to learn about the transformation of Downtown Crossing 
  • For additional details and information on the complete range of BID services please contact Doug Meyer, Membership Services & Database Manager, at dmeyer@bostonbid.org.
Featured Stories
Brrrrr....Get Hot Chocolate at These Downtown Businesses 

Snowy wintry days can be frustrating. But you know what isn't frustrating? Hot chocolate! It's delicious and it warms you up! Here are a few Downtown Boston places to grab a mug of hot chocolate. 

Boston Brewin' Coffee Co. (45 Bromfield St.) is a great little business serving up delicious hot chocolate, food from local vendors and 100% organic fair trade coffee.

Boston Common Coffee Co. (515 Washington St. and 10 High St.) sells hot chocolate, muffin tops, egg sandwiches, coffee and very unique donut flavors like lemon curd pie or glazed banana fritter.

Caffè Nero (560 Washington St. and 10 Summer St.) offers a hot chocolate that is "sweet and milky" topped with milk foam or fresh whipped cream, and Belgian chocolate shavings.

Ogawa Coffee (10 Milk St.) offers a regular hot chocolate, but also a spicy (not too spicy) hot chocolate that has cinnamon, a little bit of a clove and red pepper flakes. They also sell chocolate covered strawberries, seen in the upper photo, which pairs well with the hot chocolate.

Render Coffee (121 Devonshire St.) serves a hot chocolate with Taza Chocolate and milk. 

Thinking Cup (165 Tremont St.) offers a French hot chocolate with melted dark 64%  Tainori Valhrona Drinking Chocolate, seen in the above photo.  
Have You Made Your Restaurant 
Reservations for Valentine's Day?

There are a lots of restaurants in Downtown Boston to choose from for Valentine's Day. Here are just a few restaurants offering special menus, deals and more to make your holiday special. 
 
Artisan Bistro (10 Avery St.) is offering a special four-course Valentine's Day menu, which you can see here. The cost is $75 per person. Click here to make a reservation or call 617-574-7176. Also, Artisan Bistro and Avery Bar (both in The Ritz-Carlton, Boston) are donating 50% of all dessert proceeds from Feb. 10th through Feb. 14th to the Family Reach organization that provides financial assistance, education and more to families in need.  

Avenue One (One Avenue de Lafayette, inside Hyatt Regency Boston) is offering a special Valentine's Day menu, which you can see here. You can make a reservation here or call 617-912-1234. 

Back Deck (2 West St.) is offering a special three-course prix fixe Valentine's Day menu, which you can see here. You can make a reservation here or call 
617-670-0320

Mast' (45 Province St.) is offering a three-course Valentine's Day prix fixe menu that also includes a single red rose for every bella. The price is $45 per person. Click here to make a reservation or call  617-936-3800
 
The Merchant (60 Franklin St) is offering a prix fixe three-course menu on Feb. 11th and Valentine's Day menu for $60 per person, which you can see here. You can make a reservation here or call 617-482-6060.
 
PABU (3 Franklin St.) is offering a seven-course tasting Valentine's Day menu, which you can see here. The price is $135 per person, and add $95 for beverage pairings. You can make a reservation here or call 857-327-7228. 
 
RUKA (505 Washington St.) is offering an a la carte menu with special offerings for Valentine's Day. You can make a reservation here or call  617-266-0102 .
 
Scholars (25 School St.) is offering a three-course Valentine's Day menu, which you can see here. The dinner includes a bottle of either red or white wine for $65 per couple. Call 617-248-0025 to make a reservation.

Serafina Boston (10 High St.) is offering an a la carte menu with special food and Champagne from Feb. 13th through Feb. 18th. Click here to make reservations or call 617-426-1234. 
Downtown Boston Tastes Victory with Patriots Parade 

For the fifth time a New England Patriots Super Bowl Victory Parade made its way through Boston and thousands of fans were there to cheer them on.
For Tremont Street businesses and schools, like the Highball Lounge or Suffolk University, all students and patrons needed to do was look out their windows. 

Downtown Boston businesses also saw an influx of customers thanks to the parade held on Feb. 7th. 

" Both Back Deck and Fajitas & 'Ritas love championship parades, and we've been lucky enough to benefit from quite a few over the last 15 years!" said Brad Fredericks, owner of both restaurants. "The parades provide quite a boost in sales."

"We were super busy after the parade ended as people flocked in to eat, warm up, dry off, and celebrate the Pats," said Shane Smyth, owner of The Merchant. "We filled up pretty quickly at the end of our lunch rush so it was great for business. And we served a special beer to mark the occasion -- Wachusett Brewing Company's Bella Czech Pils -- an apt beer special for the occasion, from a great local brewery."

All photos courtesy of Suffolk University.   
Musician Al Jarreau, 76, Performed at Concerts on the Common Through the Years

Grammy-award winning musician Al Jarreau passed away on Feb. 12th at the age of 76. Jarreau's career spanned several decades and his varied musical styles encompassed R&B, jazz and pop. Locally he was known for performing at the very popular Concerts on the Common through the years.

Announcements
Celebrating 100th Anniversary of John F. Kennedy's Birthday:  Share Your 
Downtown Boston Memories of JFK 

President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Brookline on May 29th, 1917, and there will be numerous events in the Boston area to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birthday. The Kennedy family and JFK have many connections to downtown Boston. JFK proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier at Parker's Restaurant at the Omni Parker House, and Locke-Ober (now Yvonne's) was one of his favorite restaurants. 
 

The BID is also asking you to share your memories and experiences of JFK in downtown Boston. Maybe you saw him at the Marliave, or he came into your store or you shook his hand at a rally. Click here to share your stories of JFK for a celebratory project being made by the BID. 
 
The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum is hosting events all year-long in celebration of JFK's 100th birthday, including a centennial exhibit opening in May at the museum. Click here for more info about the museum's centennial events.
 
Shoveling, Parking and More:
What to Know About Winter in Boston

Whether you're a property owner, a homeowner or a resident with a car it's important to know about shoveling and parking regulations, snow emergencies and more. The City of Boston has a resourceful webpage providing all necessary info here, and below is important info to know for when the white stuff comes down.

Shoveling Info:
Click here for City of Boston rules on clearing snow.
Property owners must:
  • Clear sidewalks within three hours of snowfall ending or three hours after sunrise if it snows overnight, and
  • Clear at least a 42-inch-wide path for wheelchairs and strollers.
Do not shovel snow into the street or you can be subject to fines.  Also please remember to: 
  • Remove ice to bare pavement or make as level as possible and treat with sand, sawdust, or similar material.
  • Please clear any snow that may be blocking a handicap ramp, fire hydrant or catch basin.
  • Don't leave snow or ice on stairways or fire escapes. All common means of exit must be clear in case of fire or another emergency.
What To Do With Your Car When It Snows: 
During a snow emergency main roads need to be clear for plows and emergency vehicles. If you're parked on one of these main roads during a snow emergency, you may be ticketed and your vehicle may be towed.  How do you know if you can't park on a street during a snow emergency? Check the signs posted on the street. Also, here is a map of restricted roads due to a snow emergency.

Click here for a City of Boston list of discount parking garages available during snow emergencies. Click here for the BID's webpage of local parking garages. It is recommended you contact the parking garages to see if they are open for vehicles.  

Please also call the BID's dispatch line at 617-261-0066 to report sidewalks, handicapped ramps or other Downtown Crossing public ways that need to be shoveled. Our Ambassadors will be out in the snow 24 hours a day making sure the sidewalks are clear!
Deals & Promos
Order Your Valentine's Day 
Sweet Bakery Cupcakes

Treat your sweetie to delicious Sweet Bakery (11 School St.) cupcakes this Valentine's Day. There are all types of flavors, designs and messages possible on cupcakes and cakes. Call 617-227-2253 or 617-247-2253 to place an order. You can also order online by clicking here

Joint Ventures Physical Therapy and Fitness Now Offering TMJ Physical Therapy 

Joint Physical Therapy and Fitness (4 Water St.) is now offering TMJ Physical Therapy. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is pain in the jaw joint that can be caused by a variety of medical problems -- but you can get help to relieve your pain.

Also, February is American Heart Month, and Joint Ventures is offering Meet & Greets or Lunch & Learns to hear about their 1-on-1 physical therapy approach for a healthy and balanced life. Email Shannon Reilly at shannon.reilly@jointventurespt.com or call 617-536-1161 to set up a meeting.
 
Learn Spanish with a BID Discount at BASE;
Registration Deadline March 3rd

The next seven-week course period for the Boston Area Spanish Exchange (101 Arch St., 8th Floor) begins the week of March 13th. The registration deadline for classes is March 3rd. And BASE is offering a  discount coupon through 5 pm on Feb. 24th for Boston BID newsletter readers: EarlySpring5. Click here to register and learn more about classes.

Ten Thousand Villages Offering 
Valentine's Day Sale

Ten Thousand Villages (252 Washington St.) is offering 25% off all jewelry and select Valentine's Day gifts.

 
David's Tea Valentine's Day Collection

David's Tea (298 Washington St.) is offering several Valentine's Day teas. The Berry Romantic oolong tea, the Earl's Valentine black tea or the White Chocolate Rose black tea, are all good gifts for yourself or a loved one.  

You can purchase these teas in David's Tea locations or online here. There is free shipping on orders of more than $50 and three free samples with every order. 
 
Salon Euphoria Offering 
$30 Off  Services of $150 or More

Salon Euphoria (333 Washington St., Suite 221) is offering several deals to save you money and make your hair look fantastic. 

Salon Euphoria is offering $30 off all services of $150 or more, and $100 for four blowouts that are regularly $40 each. Click here to book an appointment or call 
617-742-7951.
City of Boston Services

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For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: dertischek@bostonbid.org