Today’s Forecast

37º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:12 a.m. | Sunset 4:28 p.m.

Boston was home to the first chocolate company in the US. | Photo by @andy_you_goonie

We’d never want to lie to you, Boston, but it’s just the name of the game.

If you’ve played this before, you’ll know that the right — or should we say wrong answer — is not always the most obvious choice. Here are three statements about our city, one of which is a lie:

☎️ The first phone call was made on March 10, 1876 in Boston.

“Mr. Watson, come here.” Those were the first words spoken over a telephone by Alexander Graham Bell to Thomas Augustus Watson. The historic event happened at 5 Exeter Pl. in Boston. Watson worked with Bell on many telephone experiments, and the first complete sentence was heard through a receiver connected by wire to a transmitting instrument located in another room.

🍫 Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was inspired by the first chocolate company in the US — the Baker Chocolate Company in Dorchester.

The chocolate company opened in the 1760s, thanks to local businessman John Hannon and Harvard grad Dr. James Baker. Originally known as Hannon’s Best Chocolate, the company was renamed to Baker Chocolate Company after John disappeared on a trip to buy cocoa beans. At the height of business, the mill was producing five tons of what we know today as bakers chocolate a day. Today the Dorchester mill has been repurposed into luxury apartments.

📍A 12,000 ton tank of fermented molasses flooded the streets of Boston in 1919.

The 50-ft-tall tank was owned and operated by the Purity Distilling Company in the North End. The tank was holding ~12,000 tons on Jan. 15, 1919 —enough to fill three and a half Olympic swimming pools. The weight + gases from the fermentation was what some experts believe caused the tank to collapse, spilling 2.3 million gallons of the sticky sludge onto the streets of Boston and leading to the Great Molasses Flood.

Name the lie

POLL

How often do you go on vacation?

A. Once a year
B. 2-3 times a year
C. 4-5 times a year
D. 5+ times a year
E. What’s a vacation?

Congratulations to Tyler R. for winning a $50 gift card to our online shop, Six & Main. Did you know you could be our next winner? Answer this week’s survey questions for a chance to score a gift card!

Let us know here

Events

Monday, March 27

The Future of Seaport Common | Monday, Mar. 27 | 6-8 p.m. | Seaport Common, 85 Northern Ave., Boston | Free | Share feedback about the current design of Seaport Common + ideas about the future expansion.
Songs & Stories with Russell Dickerson | Monday, Mar. 27 | 7 p.m. | Big Night Live, 110 Causeway St., Boston | $30 | See the country artist at this general admission venue.
Dinner with the President | Monday, Mar. 27 | 6-7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The Massachusetts Historical Society program reveals the culinary tastes of 26 presidents, how their meals were prepared, and how their choices impacted food policy around the world.

Tuesday, March 28

Boston Bruins vs. Nashville Predators | Tuesday, Mar. 28 | 7 p.m. | TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston | $125-$1,541 | Cheer on the Bruins against the visiting Nashville team (hey, NASHtoday).
Suminagashi Marbled Coasters | Tuesday, Mar. 28 | 7-8 p.m. | Cósmica Restaurant in the Revolution Hotel, 40 Berkeley St., Boston | $67 | This 60-minute workshop includes all coaster making materials and a drink.

Wednesday, March 29

Wild Child Book + Bottle Club | Wednesday, Mar. 29 | 12-8 p.m. | Bow Market, 1 Bow Mkt Way, Somerville | $55-$75 | Join the book club on the last Wednesday of the month for a monthly book discussion and bottle pairing.

Thursday, March 30

Wicked Waffle Brunch | Thursday, Mar. 30 | 11 a.m. | Sam Adams Boston Brewery, 30 Germania St., Boston | $20 | Enjoy a Belgian waffle bar with all the toppings + a Wicked Easy Beer-mosas before the Red Sox Opening Day.

Plan ahead with our community events calendar

100+ more events

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

55º | Scattered showers | 50% chance of rain

Biz

Today, Boston Marathon officials will announce the new corporate sponsor during a presentation at 100 Federal St. This will be the first new title sponsor since 1986, replacing John Hancock. (Boston Business Journal)

Travel

Guess who’s back? Lufthansa will bring the Airbus A380 out of retirement to expand service between Munich and Logan Airport beginning on June 1. The German airline retired the largest passenger planes three years ago due to decreased travel during the pandemic. (Boston.com)

Coming Soon

Manhattan-based Borrachito Taqueria and Spirits will open a Seaport location on Monday, April 17. The new restaurant and speakeasy will highlight flavors from Guadalajara, Mexico, like bone marrow and short rib oxtail tacos + birria burritos.

Concert

Is this the real life, is this just fantasy? Queen and Adam Lambert will bring “The Rhapsody Tour” to Boston on Sunday, Oct. 15. Tickets to see the “We Will Rock You” band at TD Garden go on sale on Friday, March 31 at 10 a.m.

Civic

Somerville City Council passed the first-of-its-kind ordinance to protect people in polyamorous relationships from employment and policing discrimination. Somerville was the first municipality to include these relationships as domestic partnerships ~three years ago. (Boston Globe)

Apply

SPARK Boston is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 council. The group is looking for residents between the ages of 20 and 35 who want to make a difference in their neighborhood. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 26.

Drink

Last week, Massachusetts lawmakers approved an extension of the pandemic-era policy that allows the sale of to-go beer, wine, and cocktails. If Gov. Healey signs the bill, the program will be extended for a year. (7 News)

Seasonal

Has spring sprung in your home yet? If you’re looking to get outdoors, these wipeable tablecloths are just begging for some alfresco dining, and these garden and herb labels will get you in a planting mood. Plus, this viral birdfeeder practically brings the birds inside with you.

The Word

Maravilloso. Start using it in conversation in three weeks.*

Finance

Experts at The Ascent have sorted through hundreds of credit cards so far this year. And their top five bonus cards are (cue drumroll)... these five. *

Transit

All aboard the data train

A Green Line train approaching Coolidge Corner.

The dashboard will be updated daily. | Photo by @adnerstrainsandairplanepics

The MBTA has launched a new tool to help riders stay up to speed on the ongoing T speed restrictions.

Riders can view updated data on the “Speed Restriction Dashboard” for information on restrictions that are in place from the previous day’s reports.

There’s a map that breaks down how T officials measure the speed restrictions, so commuters can see full-service areas versus restricted tracks.

The dashboard shows there are ~220 slow spots across the system, which is ~27% of the tracks. The Red Line is the slowest of the pack, with the 107 restrictions and a total of 12.2 miles of slow zones.

Red Line riders can also expect a few April service changes, which should help improve the amount of slow zones. Take a look at next month’s service changes.

Happy commuting.

The Wrap

Jess Burton in a blue shirt and gold necklace

Today’s Edition By:
Jessica

From the Editor

ICYMI — Starbucks has partnered with the mobile app Sanctuary to offer coffee pairings based on your astrological sign. I can’t espresso how much I love that a local coffee shop has been doing this for over a year.

For all my fellow fire signs for Aries season — head over to Cannonball Cafe to sip on the special shaken mandarin espresso.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Start building your spring bucket list.

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* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.

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