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Love is in the air — and often shared between two people at the dinner table.
While you can not go wrong with a traditional Valentine’s Day dinner for you and your sweetheart, couples looking to shake up their holiday this year may want to consider a show, wine tasting or even ice skating.
So to help lovebirds fly away from the ordinary celebration, here are 11 Valentine’s Day date ideas in the Boston area that are more than just grabbing dinner and drinks.
The Pink Rink: Skate with your sweetheart at The Rink at 401 Park in Fenway that will be lit up in soft pink hues from Friday, Feb. 9 through Wednesday, Feb. 14. Tickets are $6-12.
Valentine’s Day Soirée: Enjoy craft cocktails, sweet treats and stories of love and romance at this special GBH “Stories from the Stage” performance in Brighton from 6:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Tickets are $120.
90′s Valentine’s Day Cabaret: Cabaret takes on a romantic and retro spin at this ‘90s-themed performance featuring pole dancing, burlesque and contortion by local artists at Sonia at the Middle East in Central Square in Cambridge. The show starts at 8 p.m., and tickets cost between $35-45.
The Main Stage: Valentine’s Day improv show: Make it the perfect Valentine’s Day night with the Main Stage cast at Improv Asylum in Boston. The lovey-dovey-inspired sketches and improv sketches will be inspired by audience suggestions. The show starts at 8 p.m. Wednesday and tickets are $35 per person.
Valentine’s Day Sparkling Wine and Cheese Pairing: Learn all about sparkling wine, taste varieties from different regions and toast to Valentine’s Day at this sparkling wine and cheese pairing class at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education in Harvard Square. The class is $200 and couples and register online.
Valentine’s Day Adult Night at LEGO Discovery Center Boston: Celebrate love at the LEGO Discovery Center at Assembly Row in Somerville with a Valentine’s Day-themed building competition, quest challenge, prizes and a 4D movie in the LEGO theater. The event starts at 7 p.m., and tickets are $19.99.
Cyberpunk Sweethearts Ball: Dance it out under black lights to live beats by DJ Sir Richard, try your skills at the on-site video arcade and savor themed snacks and drinks at this romance-fueled cyberpunk ball at the Crystal Ballroom in the Somerville Theater. Tickets are $20 and the dance starts at 7:30 Wednesday night.
Beer Mug Painting Night at Break Rock Brewing Company: Between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Wednesday, you and your Valentine can create a beautiful work of art that you can fill with your favorite beer. Tickets cost $25 and you can save a spot online. Space is limited.
BeauTease Burlesque’s “Some Enchanted Evening” show: Catch some of the award-winning troupes from BeauTease Burlesque at a special Valentine’s Day performance at Central Wharf Company in Boston. The show includes a prix fixe meal of your choice of appetizer, entreé and a to-go dessert bundle. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and tickets can be bought online.
“Have a Hoot” Comedy Night at Night Shift Brewing: Share a laugh with your Valentine in Everett at Night Shift Brewing’s comedy show at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Tickets are $20 per person.
Wolf’s Fat Ash Valentine’s Day Massacre: A Slightly Tardy Mardi Gras Ball: The Lizard Lounge in Cambridge will host a Mardi Gras/Valentine’s Day party starting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The show feature special guests of the Mardi Gras Balls and Bastille Day A-Go-Gos. Tickets are $15.
Local News
While Logan Airport has so far avoided the delays plaguing other major hubs, Boston’s airport may see federal immigration agents step into a security role at the order of President Donald Trump.
As the partial government shutdown continues into its second month, more than 400 Transportation Security Administration workers have quit after working without pay since mid-February, the Department of Homeland Security said. Funding for DHS, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is at the center of the shutdown.
Starting Monday, Trump said he’s planning to order ICE agents to airports, where they would arrest “all Illegal Immigrants,” unless Democrats fund DHS.
Mike Gayzagian, the president of AFGE Local 2617, the New England branch of the TSA officers’ union, said it’s currently unclear if ICE will be headed to Logan or any other airport in New England.
“We have not heard anything official from TSA leadership that ICE would be coming to any airport in New England. However, we are making inquiries,” Gayzagian said in a statement. “The New England region has not experienced the same problems as other parts of the country and so we do not see such a move as something that’s necessary at this time. However, if the staffing situation deteriorates, the need for such a move may have to be reevaluated.”
At Logan Airport, the majority of TSA agents have stayed at work, Boston.com previously reported, and the airport has overall avoided long security lines.
Massport confirmed Sunday that Logan has “not seen any impacts to the checkpoints due to the ongoing shutdown” and said it had no information on ICE agents going to Logan.
When asked if ICE agents will be at Logan Airport, a spokesperson for DHS did not address Boston or New England directly, instead blaming the “Democrat shutdown” and addressing the long lines at airports nationwide.
Trump will “deploy hundreds of ICE officers, that are currently funded by Congress, to airports being adversely impacted,” according to Lauren Bis, DHS’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Homeland.
“Because of the Democrat shutdown, President Trump is using every tool available to help American travelers who are facing hourslong lines at airports across the country — especially during this spring break and holiday season that is very important for many American families,” Bis said. “This will help bolster TSA efforts to keep our skies safe and minimize air travel disruptions.”
AFGE National President Everett Kelley slammed the move in a statement, saying the agents “deserve to be paid, not replaced by untrained, armed agents who have shown how dangerous they can be.”
In New England, Gayzagian said as the union makes inquiries into the move to deploy ICE agents, public safety is important if staffing levels suffer.
“It’s important to keep the public safety situation under control,” Gayzagian said. “Any police presence at the airport acts as a deterrent to those who have bad intentions.”
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It was the second time in six months that Reichel had to pack his bags and join a new team. Was it a surprise?
“A little bit, I would say, because it was kind of like last-minute,” Reichel said. “But I knew Boston was always – even when I was in Chicago – always in the mix. It was good when I heard it.”
He tried to take it in stride. Providence runs a fairly parallel system to that of its NHL affiliate; Mougenel’s goal is for the transition to be as easy as possible, he said, when his guys get called upon. While it was a short stint with the P-Bruins, it seemed to be just what Reichel needed to get his bearings.
“I think Providence helped me a lot,” Reichel said. “It was just three games, but it was fun to play with them down there. They’re really good at helping me out, and I felt comfortable right away. They are a really good team.”
Reichel made his Boston debut in Thursday’s 6-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets at TD Garden, and had two points (one goal, one assist) while skating on the third line with Elias Lindholm and Morgan Geekie. He also slotted onto the second power-play unit.
Reichel displayed the speed head coach Marco Sturm has been so fond of during Saturday’s 4-2 victory in Detroit. He bolted past a group of Red Wings and charged the net, drawing a penalty shot in the latter minutes of the third period. While he did not convert, it was a prime example of the motor Reichel brings.
“I think as a player, I happened to be here, too, as soon as you go into a new team – I think it just helps overall your confidence when you score and have success on the first night. It helps you tomorrow, helps you the next day, helps you the next game,” Sturm said.
Lindholm and Geekie have a combined 21 years of NHL experience, and they’re offering it up as a resource for Reichel, who has injected his youthful energy onto the line.
“Just having fun,” Reichel said of his linemates’ advice. “And they try to talk to me a lot between periods or on the bench. Just play my game and have fun with it.”
Sturm had familiarity with Reichel – the Nuremberg, Germany, native – before he joined the Black & Gold. Reichel’s father, Martin, and Sturm were teammates on the German national team.
“I asked him about his dad today. He said he stepped away from youth hockey, and it’s a good thing. He’s focused on drinking wine, I guess. So good for him,” Sturm said with a smile. “He’s a good man, it’s a good family.”
Boston Legacy FC lost their first away game 0-3 to the Houston Dash on Saturday.
The game began with some action: a penalty in the 13th minute for the Houston Dash after a tackle by Jorelyn Carabali in the box. The Dash was unable to secure a goal after a diving block from Casey Murphy.
However, 30 minutes later, the Dash managed to get one through, resulting in a 0-1 score at the half.
In the second half, the Legacy was unable to stop the Dash, with a goal at the 60′ and 65 minute mark. The game ended 3-0. Boston Legacy secured 2 shots on goal, compared to 7 for Houston Dash. The first away game for the Legacy also marked several player debuts, including Amanda Gutierres, Laurel Ansbrow, and Massachusetts own Sammy Smith.
Boston Legacy head coach Filipa Patão said it wasn’t the result they were expecting.
“A lot of bad executions and decisions in the game,” Patão said. “We need to grow a little bit more.”
Midfielder Josefine Hasbo said that the players needed to take responsibility for their performance out on the pitch.
“These are the moments that you learn from even more,” said Hasbo.
Forward Nichelle Prince, who was drafted by the Dash in 2018, told reporters that the Legacy needed to work on keeping the ball on the other side of the pitch, especially on hot days, which may be more transitional for them.
“Pick our moments where we need to beat the press a little bit better and overall just the mentality to win the ball back quicker,” Prince said at a press conference.
Patão said that the team will focus on “getting better” and “improving our process” moving forward.
This loss comes a week after the Legacy’s 0-1 finish against the New York Sirens in their inaugural home game at Gillette Stadium. Boston Legacy will play the Utah Royals on March 28 at 12 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.
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