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March 24, 2014
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Meetings & Notices
Additional BID Services
Additional BID Links
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This Week's Featured Event
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Acappellooza 2014 at Emerson College on March 28th
For the first time ever, Emerson College's a capella groups will share the stage at Acappellooza 2014, in an evening to raise money for student scholarships at Friday, March 28th at 7:30 pm at the Paramount Center.
The four groups - Noteworthy (pictured above), Acappellics Anonymous, Treblemakers, and Achoired Taste - will be joined by Emerson's Cheer Squad and guest a capella group, Fermata Town.
Tickets range from $10-$22, please click here to buy tickets. The Paramount Center is located at 559 Washington St. |
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Bubbly & Bites at GEM Girls Night Out March 27th
GEM Restaurant & Lounge is hosting a Girls Night Out on Thursday, March 27th from 6:30 to 8 pm, with complimentary dry styling, makeovers, brow and red lip tutorials, and more.
 There is no fee to get into the event, and the first 50 guests to arrive will receive gift bags from sponsors.
There will also be clothing and jewelry selections for sale and music provided by Malyna.
And after the Girls Night Out, please stay for $1 oysters, drinks and $2 Kobe meatball sliders. RSVP to [email protected] by March 25th. GEM is located at 42 Province St.
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Salsa Lessons at Mojitos on Friday Nights
After a long week why not kick up your feet with a salsa lesson at Mojitos. On Friday nights, Mojitos offers beginner and intermediate salsa lessons at 9 pm, for $10 per person per lesson.
No reservations are required, nor is a partner. Also on Fridays, Mojitos hosts a 5-9 pm happy hour with $5 tapas. A mixology (making cocktails) class is at 10 pm. Mojitos is located at 48 Winter St., and for more info please call 617-834-0552.
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Still Time for Delicious Deals! Dine Out Boston - March 23-28
There is still time to catch some good deals thanks to Dine Out Boston, which replaced Restaurant Week Boston. Not sure where to go? Several Downtown Boston restaurants have been spotlighted by Eater Boston for their good deals and delicious food.
In total, eight restaurants in the BID district are offering prix-fixe lunches from $15 to $25, and prix-fixe dinners for $28 to $38! The eight local restaurants participating are: 49 Social, Avenue One, Back Deck, GEM Restaurant & Lounge, Marliave, Oceanaire, Parker's Restaurant, and Ruth's Chris Steak House.
Click here to see menus and make reservations. |
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Next Liberty Tree Park Meeting April 3rd
The next public meeting about the redesign of Liberty Tree Park is on Thursday, April 3rd at the BCYF Quincy Community Center at 885 Washington St. from 6:30 to 8 pm.
The Boston Parks Department is seeking community members interested in determining the future of Liberty Tree Park, which is located at Essex and Washington streets. For more info please call Allison Perlman at the Parks Department at 617-961-3035 or [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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Downtown Boston BID Ambassadors Connect Those In Need to Social Services
The Downtown Boston BID's Ambassadors provide services seven days a week, nearly 24 hours a day, including providing outreach for those in need. The BID employs a full-time outreach specialist to connect homeless people with housing or social services.
Click here to learn more about the community organizations the BID works with to provide social services.
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- Shoveling crosswalks, catch basins, and handicapped ramps.
- Cleaning and powerwashing in Downtown Boston during warm weather.
- 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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 City Services
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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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Government Center Station is Closed: What You Need to Know
The Government Center MBTA station closed on March 22nd, and is expected to be closed for two years for an extensive upgrade.
Come spring 2016, expect the station to look like the rendering pictured above, while the photo below from the Boston City Archives shows the Government Center station in the early 1960's.
Click here to learn how the project will affect your commute, what improvements are being made, accessibility to transportation, and for frequently asked questions.
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It's Spring! Please Let Mother Nature Know About It, Too
The calendar turned to spring - but you wouldn't know it from outside! The BID asked Downtown Boston shoppers why they're looking forward to spring. 
"Enough with the freezing cold," said Michelle Kuijt, above left, who added she'll shop more when it warms up.
"I'm looking forward to spring actually showing up! It's late," said Lenny Green, above in knit cap.
Green's son, Mike, far right, added, "I'm looking forward to going back to Florida (his home state), where it's warm." |
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Authentic Lebanese Food at Shawarma Falafel
Serge Daaboul moved to the U.S. less than two years ago to open Shawarma Falafel. The business opened in December after he specifically chose Downtown Boston because of the "huge lunch traffic."
"There are Middle Eastern restaurants (in Downtown Boston), but none are authentic Lebanese food," said Serge, while his wife, Mary, tended the cash register.
Daaboul recommended the falafel roll-up, which includes fresh mint leaves, in house-made turnip pickles, fresh radishes, tomatoes, tahini, spice, and of course, falafel. Also, don't forget the soujouk roll-up - a spicy ground beef wrap.
Serge, who worked in the restaurant industry in Lebanon, said one of the harder things was to maintain the balance of ingredients, especially because chicken and beef tastes different in the U.S. "The types of spices are different. Same name, different taste, and different spice," he added. "We want to educate and inform people with how authentic Lebanese food is like. So far we have succeeded."
Please call 857-265-3017 to place orders. Shawarma Falafel is located at 26 Province St. |
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Prayers Can Now be Texted to St. Anthony's Shrine Friars
A tradition many hundreds of years old has a new tone. The Franciscan friars at St. Anthony Shrine honor and remember your prayers during communal prayers - and now you can text your prayers to the friars.  You can leave your intentions as a voice message at the new prayer request line at 617-553-4100; or you can now send your prayer request as a text message to that same number, 617-553-4100. The friars will pray for your intentions regardless of how you send them. St. Anthony's Shrine is located at 100 Arch St. |
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Still Time to Dine Out For the Freedom Trail Foundation
The Freedom Trail Foundation has been selected as the charitable partner for Dine Out Boston, and will receive donations through an online auction through April 2nd.
The online auction includes a stay at the Omni Parker House, a private Freedom Trail Tour, and gift certificates to more than 175 participating restaurants and other exciting packages, which is taking place on DOBauction.com, running March 17 through April 2.
Since its inception, Dine Out Boston (previously Restaurant Week Boston) has raised more than $285,000 through the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau's auction. Proceeds from the auction will be used for Freedom Trail Foundation Preservation Fund capital projects and education programs.
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Freedom Trail Foundation Tickets $1 More Starting April 1
The Freedom Trail Foundation's ticket price is increasing $1 starting April 1.
If you're planning to go on a Freedom Trail tour this year, you can still buy tickets at the old price until Tuesday, March 25th. Tickets are good for any tour, any day, any time.
Click here for a schedule of tours and to buy tickets.
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Apply Now: More Downtown Boston BID Ambassadors Wanted
Are you or someone you know looking for a job? How about being a Downtown Boston BID Ambassador? Block by Block, the company that employs our ambassadors, is looking to hire more ambassadors.
There are full-time and part-time opportunities available, as well as early morning, day, and night shifts.
BID Ambassadors perform a variety of work, including removing litter and graffiti in the district, shoveling crosswalks and handicapped ramps, helping visitors find their way, and more. Click here to apply online.
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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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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Marathon-Themed Fundraiser for St. Francis House on April 2nd
Please join the Emerging Leaders of St. Francis House for a marathon-themed fundraiser on Wednesday, April 2nd. 
The 6-member St. Francis running team is committed to raising $40,000 for St. Francis House, and they need help to reach that goal. Carlos Arredondo, a Boston Strong civilian hero and St. Francis House volunteer, will be the guest speaker. There will be a raffle to help runners meet their ambitious fundraising goal, including Celtics and Red Sox tickets, restaurant gift certificates, and movie tickets. For more info and to purchase tickets for $30 each, please click here. This event will take place from 6 to 9 pm at Lir at 903 Boylston St. |
AMC Classics Showing 'The Shawshank Redemption' and 'The Silence of the Lambs'
You'll never look at fava beans and a nice chianti the same again after watching "The Silence of the Lambs" as part of AMC Boston Common 19's Classic Series.
Boston's AMC Classics series features old and new classic movies with "The Shawshank Redemption" being shown on March 26th and "The Silence of the Lambs" being shown on March 30th and April 2nd.
Click here for all movies showing and showtimes at AMC Boston Common 19.
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