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February 18, 2014
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School Vacation Week
Deals & Promos
BID Ambassador Services
Announcements
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This Week's Featured Event
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Petticoats at the Revolution: Rachel Revere Talks of Tea & Midnight Ride
The Old South Meeting House is presenting a Middays at the Meeting House series of 18th Century Women in Their Own Words. On Thursday, February 20th at 12:15 pm learn about the American Revolution from Rachel Walker Revere.
Hear a remarkable story of colonial life, the Boston Tea Party and the American Revolution from the woman who rode through life with Paul Revere. Actor and storyteller Joan Gatturna as Rachel Revere talks of the Boston Tea Party, the Midnight Ride, and the Siege of Boston. Rachel Revere was Paul's second wife, and her character has been further developed with assistance from the staff of the Paul Revere House.
The final event of this series is schedule for February 27th, and will be "Lett no Country Grants to be Laid Upon our Lands."
This event is co-sponsored by the Paul Revere House. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, $1 for children, and free for Old South Meeting House Museum Members.
All events in this series take place at Old South Meeting House at 310 Washington St., at the intersection of Milk Street. Please enter through the museum shop entrance on Milk Street as the Washington Street entrance is temporarily closed. For more information, including directions and parking, please click here.
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Fun with History at the Old State House
Visit the Old State House to drop-in on any of the hands-on historical activities during the week of February 17th to the 21st. All activities are free with museum admission. Kids younger than 18 accompanied by an adult are admitted to the Old State House for FREE.
All School Vacation Week-long visitors can explore the Old State House Council Chamber with an interactive scavenger hunt. The Scavenger Hunt is available in the Council Chamber and will give kids the chance to experience what it was like to be the Royal Governor in 1764.
On Tuesday, February 18th attend the Art of the Quill, during which visitors may try their hand at the art of colonial quill and ink writing. From 11 am to 2 pm.
On Wednesday, February 19th, visitors can Make Your Own Coat of Arms. During colonial times, a coat of arms was the ultimate status symbol. Come see the royal British coat of arms at the Old State House, and learn how to make your own. From 11 am to 2 pm.
There are even more free events going on during School Vacation Week at the Old State House. Click here for more info about events and the Old State House.
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What Was It Like to Be 12-Years-Old in Colonial America in 1771?
During School Vacation Week from Monday, February 17th through Friday, February 21st from 10 am to 4 pm, learn about Anna Green Winslow & Daily Life in Colonial Boston at the Old South Meeting House.
In 1771, Anna Green Winslow, 12, began a diary of her life in Boston. In 2014, children of all ages can learn about everyday life in colonial Boston through hands-on activities-from playing a board game to making outfits with replica colonial clothing. All activities are included with Museum Admission.
For additional information, please click here. The Old South Meeting House is located at 310 Washington St.
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Free Skincare Consultation at Macy's
Come to Macy's Cosmetics Department in Downtown Boston on Friday, February 21st or Saturday, February 22nd, to discover the latest in skincare treatment.
Let Macy's expert beauty advisors diagnose your skincare concerns, and match you with the treatment that meets your needs. Enjoy a free consultation and sample of your ideal Skin Perfecting Solution this Friday and Saturday at Macy's. This is a walk-in event all-day long.
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Hyatt Regency Extends Discounts Past First-Ever Hotel Week Boston
The first-ever Hotel Week Boston is from February 16th to the 23rd. And the Hyatt Regency is extending its discounts to the 28th. Guests at the Hyatt Regency (1 Avenue de Lafayette) will receive a 20% discounted rate, overnight valet parking, and complimentary breakfast in Avenue One for children younger than 12. Reservations can be booked online here by selecting Advanced Purchase with Parking offer, or by calling 617-912-1234 and requesting Advanced Purchase with Parking. |
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Reinventing Urban Retail Discussion
Join NAIOP Massachusetts on Wednesday, February 26th for an exciting panel discussion on Reinventing Urban Retail. The panel discussion will include retailers, landlords and brokers, who are involved in Downtown Boston transactions. Hear their perspectives on the changing trends surrounding retail in Downtown Boston, as well as their outlooks for the future.
This event is taking place at One Federal Street.
Registration and networking is from 5 to 5:30 pm; The program is from 5:30 to 6:30 pm; and networking, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres is from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
Please register by clicking here. Tickets cost $55 for NAIOP members, or $75 for non-members. |
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Liberty Tree Park Redesign Meeting on February 25th
The second community meeting for Liberty Tree Park is scheduled for Tuesday, February 25th from 6:30 to 8 pm at the BCYF Quincy Community Center Auditorium at 885 Washington St.
The Boston Parks Department is looking for interested community members to help determine how the Liberty Tree Park will look and function in the future. The park is currently a brick area located at 2 Boylston Street.
Representatives from Crosby, Schlessinger, and Smallridge, as well as Parks Department officials, will give a brief presentation. The presentation will provide an overview of the schematic design alternatives. Community members will be invited to offer input after the presentation.
For more information please call Allison Perlman at the Boston Parks Department at 617-961-3035 or email at [email protected]. |
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Construction & Utility Work Updates
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Construction Continues on Burnham Building, Godfrey Hotel 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 updates on developments, construction, sidewalk closings, and more? Then click here.
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BID Ambassadors Shoveling Crosswalks, Catch Basins & Handicapped Ramps
Snow? What snow? During every storm the BID's Ambassadors are out in force removing snow from Downtown Boston's crosswalks, catch basins and handicapped ramps.
Also, don't forget that all year-round BID Ambassadors will assist motorists in need of having their vehicles jumped. Our Ambassadors will bring the jumper cables, too. This service is free.
Please call 617-261-0066 to ask for help. Phone calls after 10 pm will be forwarded to the after hours dispatcher. You can also email [email protected]. |
 City Services
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Falafel King Continues Living His Dream with New Location
The Falafel King will tell you the secret to making delicious falafel, which led him to opening a third Boston location at 62 Summer Street in January.
"I love my job. When you love your job, the food is delicious," said Kadhim Alzubaidy. "This is my dream right now - to hire people and have (customers) enjoy my Mediterranean recipes and spice."
For Alzubaidy the recipes and the spice is a labor of love that brings him daily to his kitchens to prepare, cook, and make sure all three of his businesses are running smoothly. He creates the food from scratch every day. Alzubaidy added his recipes were developed through more than 30 years of working in the restaurant business, combined with his own taste, and help from his family.
One of his not-so-secret fafafel tips is that he dips his fafafel in frying canola oil. That's the same method he's used for years, and he didn't change the menu for the third location.
In turn, the Falafel King now has a loyal following at all three of its Boston locations. "I made [falafel] popular in Boston. In 1999 there was only one falafel business. Now there's more than 20 places serving falafel."
For Alzubaidy, whose name means "friendly" in Arabic, he takes great pride and happiness in serving customers, who he refers to as friends. "My best time is when I'm cooking. I feel like I'm in Hawaii," smiled Alzubaidy.
There are three Falafel King locations. The newest location is at 62 Summer St., and there are two other Falafel King restaurants at 48 Winter St., and 260 Washington St. Call 617-338-8355 to place orders or for catering.
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Boston Appraisal Bureau Works with FBI and Secret Service
When the FBI branch of Boston needs help evaluating confiscated diamonds, watches, jewelry and more, they go to the Boston Appraisal Bureau.
Founded in 1968, the Boston Appraisal Bureau (BAB) is the appraisal arm of the highly-regarded DePrisco Jewelers in Downtown Boston.
The BAB also works with the Secret Service, as well as Washington D.C.'s FBI branch, said Donna DePrisco.
The BAB is footsteps away from DePrisco Jewelers' Downtown Boston location, but serves a very Hollywood-esque role working on special cases with the Massachusetts' Attorney General's office, and other governmental organizations.
"The [BAB] has done appraisal work for the state treasurer's office for unclaimed property," said DePrisco. "It's for people who don't get to their safety deposit boxes." Unclaimed safety deposit boxes occur for numerous reasons including, a lack of a will, heirs not knowing about the box, or individuals forgetting about the boxes.
After confiscated items are appraised for validity, quality, and value, they are usually auctioned off. The BAB also works with many local police departments.
But the "meat and potatoes" of the BAB is appraising clients' items for insurance purposes. Sometimes the BAB provides a second opinion on a family heirloom, or a separate evaluation for an item.
DePrisco said walk-ins with up to 10 simple items are welcome to come in, but individuals looking for an appraisal of more complicated items should contact the BAB at 617-720-1400 for an appointment. The Boston Appraisal Bureau is located on the 4 th floor at 333 Washington St. Click here for its website. |
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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Candidate for Governor
Jeff McCormick Speaking for Free at Suffolk University
The Rappaport Institute's Roundtable discussion series with the candidates for Massachusetts governor continues on Wednesday, February 19th with Jeff McCormick (independent).
All of the roundtable discussions are free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information and to register click here.
The event takes places at Suffolk Law School's Sargent Hall at 120 Tremont St., in the Function Room on the 1st Floor. This event is from noon to 1:30 pm. A complimentary lunch will be served.
The next candidates will be Evan Falchuck (United Independent Party) on Monday, February 24th, and Mark Fisher (Republican) on Monday, March 3rd, and Juliette Kayyem (Democrat) on Wednesday, March 19th. |
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Time's Running Out for African-American Patriots Tour
February is African-American History Month and the Freedom Trail Foundation offers an informative African-American Patriots Tour of the area. Led by a costumed guide, the 90-minute walking tour tells the stories of famous African-American revolutionaries such as Cripsus Attucks, Phillis Wheatley, Prince Hall, Peter Salem, and others.  This tour is not offered regularly except during February, when it is offered Saturday and Sunday at 12:45 pm leaving from the Boston Common. The tour can be booked for a private, group or school tour anytime throughout the year. Base price school groups: $10 for the first 20 students; and $9 for everyone thereafter. Price includes one free chaperone for every 20 students. Base price for the February public tour: $13 adults (includes $1 donation to the Freedom Trail Preservation Fund); $11 students/seniors; $7 children (under 12). Online general admission tickets are good for this tour. Base price for private group tour is a $125 minimum. For more information click here. |
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Mosaics Class at Artists Crossing
The Artists Crossing Boston gallery is offering a two-night mosaics class on Tuesday, February 18th and Wednesday, February 19th.  The Introductory Mosaics Class will take place from 6 to 8:30 pm. The cost is $90 per seat, and all tools and materials are included. The Artists Crossing is located at 431 Washington St. For more info email [email protected]. Click here for the Artists Crossing website. |
AMC Classics Showing 'On the Waterfront' at Boston Common 19
Stella!! He could've been a contender!! The Marlon Brando classic "On the Waterfront" is the next movie in the AMC Classics Series.
Boston's AMC Classics series features old and new classic movies like "On the Waterfront" which is being shown on February 23rd and 26th. Click here for tickets and showtimes. Or click here for all movies showing and showtimes at AMC Boston Common 19.
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Internships Available
The Downtown Boston BID is seeking interested students to help out with a variety of projects. Please send cover letters and resumes to [email protected].
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- Cleaning and powerwashing in downtown.
- Providing walking escorts 24 hours/day: contact 617-261-0066 to arrange.
- Friendly, welcoming downtown presence: helping visitors with directions, notifying fire and police personnel of incidents, etc.
- Contact [email protected] for more.
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Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update
For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: [email protected] |
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