1. More than 50 members of the Copley Society of Art will be all over the place Sunday for Fresh Paint. Look for them around the city painting Boston neighborhood landmarks and locations from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Neighborhoods including Beacon Hill, Back Bay, Bay Village, Charlestown, Jamaica Plain, Kenmore, the North End and the South End.  2. Hundreds of people turned out yesterday for the Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill tour. In the unfortunate case you weren't one of them (or even if you were), you can take a quick tour through our photo gallery of the event. 3. The MBTA announced that it will …

1. The 83rd annual Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill tour is today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Get a look at 11 of your neighbors' gardens you wouldn't normally get to see (unless, of course, you are friends), including those of the Sunflower Castle. Here is everything you need to know about today's big event. 2. In other big Beacon Hill news, the district's new police commander, Capt. Tom Lee, is coming to the Firehouse, at 127 Mt. Vernon St., tonight at 7 p.m. to meet neighbors.  3. In case you missed it: Boston has a reputation for rolling up the sidewalks before midnight, leading to dull nights and…

1. Today is the last to get $30 tickets to tomorrow's Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill tour. Buy them online or at these retailers. Tickets are $40 on the day of the tour. See Beacon Hill Patch later today for a preview of the tour. 2. At-Large City Councilor John Connolly met with about 20 parents last night at the Firehouse to get their input on the city's school selection process. Check back on Patch today for the full story. 3. The Copley Square Farmers Market opened Tuesday. Check out the goods from 20 local vendors at the market, hosted by Mass Farmers Market. The market at 304 Columbus …

1. Do you want to change the number of days of trash and recycling pick-up on Beacon Hill? Soon you'll have a chance to fill out a survey by the Beacon Hill Civic Association's Green Committee asking if you prefer the current practice of three days of trash pick-up and one of recycling or if you would like to exchange that for two days of trash and two of recycling.  2. Following City Councilor Mike Ross' lead, the Boston Redevelopment Authority will consider a motion tonight barring banks from opening on the first floor of Charles Street buildings without a special zoning variance. If the …

1. Tomorrow evening City Councilor John Connolly will holding a special meeting to discuss the Boston Public Schools, and in particular the school assignment process. The community discussion will be at the Firehouse, 127 Mt. Vernon Street, beginning at 7 p.m. The meeting will cover three main subjects: experience with the school lottery; general beliefs about what makes a quality school; and overall experience with BPS, such as what’s working and what’s not working. 2. In this week's Readers' Choice poll we're asking you about the best grocery/convenience store on Beacon Hill. Let us know …

1. Saturday service for all Boston Public Library branches will stop after June 9 but then return again in the fall. Detailed information about current library hours is available online. 2. Boston Barber Shop, the popular North End hairdresser where many Bruins get their cuts, opened a branch on Beacon Hill Monday. The new store is at 124 Bowdoin St., where Capitol Barber Shop used to be.  3. The Esplanade Association is looking for volunteers to help with folding, sealing, stuffing and sorting letters and envelopes for its spring appeal. They coud use help – whether it's 30 minutes or a full…

1. Beginning Monday Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro will offer packed to-go picnics. Guests need to call an hour in advance and need to leave a form of identification as a deposit until the basket and blanket are returned. Picnics are available Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m.to 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. See the menu here.  2. What would the T look like underwater? On Monday the newly formed Boston Climate Defense Initiative distributed thousands of maps showing just what service would look like with rising sea levels. Long story short:  “If we don’t take serious action soon, half the T…

1. Beacon Hill is one of the 10 Boston communities allowed to use clear plastic bags for recycling. If residents cannot find appropriate bags at area stores, they may contact WasteZero at 617-299-8012 or www.wastezero.com/boston, which will contact neighborhood stores to carry the recycling bags. For other questions, call the mayor’s hotline at 617-635-4500 or visit the website.  2. Villa Mexico Cafe will not be moving to 12 Grove St. The city's zoning board voted Tuesday not to grant the variance the restaurant would need to open there. See the full story here, and tell us what you think of …

1. 21st Amendment is celebrating American Craft Beer Week from next Monday to Thursday by hosting a beer dinner featuring a different brewery every night. Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. they will host Allagash Beer Dinner; Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. its Mayflower Brewery; Wednesday is Sam Adams Brewery (5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.); and Thursday it's Harpoon (at the same time). Each course will feature a different beer and a dish tailored for it. Call 617-227-7100 for more information. 2. Residents of The Beacon House, which has a newly formed neighborhood watch group, hosted a Community Safety Day on …

1. Boston's Romeo and Juliet, the swans who summer in the Public Garden lagoon, are coming back for the season (from Franklin Park Zoo) this morning. Their welcome ceremony kicks off at 9:15 a.m. with a parade beginning at Beacon and Charles streets. A brass band will lead paraders to the Boylston Street side of the lagoon, where the official ceremony with Mayor Menino will begin at 9:30 a.m. The swans had been scheduled to come back last Tuesday but rain postponed their arrival.  2. This Sunday the Vilna Shul will celebrate the remarkable Jewish women of Boston over the years. Librarians …

1. Charles Street,  between Boylston and Beacon, will be closed to vehicular traffic Sunday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the Project Bread Walk for Hunger. Parking on Charles St. will also be restricted. Registration is from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on the Boston Common. For more information, call 617-723-5000 or visit www.projectbread.org. 2. Be sure to get your vote in today before 9 a.m. for the best place to take your mom for Mother's Day. So far, Harvard Gardens is on top.  3. Beacon Hill Chocolates this week is featuring pistachio, strawberry, bananas foster, almond and chocolate-covered chocolate…

1. Hill House’s 6th Annual Backyard Dash & Girls on the Run 5K will take place this Saturday. The family-friendly event, which starts at 12:45 p.m. will feature a diaper dash, a fun walk/run, a picnic lunch, field games and crafts, a book-signing by children's author Matt Tavares, live music, a visit from Wally the Green Monster and a 5K run by the Girls on the Run of Suffolk County. Prices vary; visit hillhouseboston.org or call 617-227-5838, ext. 13 to register. 2. Boston Public Schools launched an online survey to gather feedback from parents, teachers, students and others on school …

1. J. McLaughlin temporarily closed the Charles Street part of their store Tuesday and moved into an adjacent spot on Chestnut Street, formerly occupied by the Koo de Kir retail store (the Koo de Kir design studio is still in operation on River Street). J. McLaughlin will renovate the Charles Street space over the next three weeks and move their men's inventory to that spot while keeping the women's clothing and accessories in the adjoined Chestnut Street location. 2. JP Licks opened for their first full day of business Tuesday at 150 Charles St. In celebration of their opening, all customers…

1. After wintering at the Franklin Park Zoo, swans Romeo and Juliet will make their annual return to the Public Garden lagoon today, following a parade that begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Beacon and Charles Street corner of the park near the Make Way for Ducklings statue. “These beautiful birds are as important a part of Boston’s landscape as the historic Swan Boats that share the water with them," Mayor Menino said. 2. A Beacon Hill woman's friends saw a suspicious man walking out of her house, surrounded him and prevented a theft! Read more here. 3. The Beacon Hill Civic Association's Streets…

1. Silhouette artist Erik Johnson will be at The Red Wagon this Friday to cut out children's silhouettes. Space is limited, so call the store at 617-523-9402 for an appointment. 2. This week we're asking readers for the best place on the Hill to take mom for a Mother's Day brunch. Let us know! 3. And while your at it, buy your mother some flowers. Rouvalis Flowers and Garden was named the best florist in the neighborhood in our poll last week. 4. Missed any news on Beacon Hill last week? See our Week in Review to catch up.  5. The weather’s going to be pretty close to perfect. Highs in the …

1. Today and tomorrow volunteers will give the city a spring cleaning. Boston Shines 2012 is a citywide effort to tidy up. Volunteers in Beacon Hill are meeting at the Philips Street Play Area, at 161 Philips St., and Myrtle Street Playground, at the corner of Myrtle and Irving streets, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Supplies will be at Charles Street Supply Co., at 54 Charles St., and at the Phillips Street Playground. Contact the city's neighborhood coordinator, Shaina Aubourg, for more information. 2. The King Street Parish House will hold a Blessing of the Animals this Sunday at 9:45 a.m…

1. The Museum of African American History is having its annual meeting tonight, including a preview of an exhibit called "The Color of Baseball in Boston." The featured guest will be NPR's Bill Littlefield. The event, at 46 Joy St., is free and open. The program starts at 6 p.m. and a reception follows at 7 p.m. RSVP to rsvp@maah.org or (617) 725-0022 ext. 222. 2. Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro took home top honors for their macaroon dessert last night at the annual Chocolate Madness event at the Cyclorama. Chef Josh Lewin's macaroons with Bergamot ganache and salted toffee took top place among …

1. A new women's clothing store called Vira opened Tuesday in the space where Beacon Hill Framery used to be, at 107 Charles St. It specializing in designers from around the world. 2. The Beacon Hill Civic Association's new members reception tonight has been moved from the Tip Tap Room to the association's building, at 74 Joy St. because of construction. The reception is from 6 to 8 p.m. 3. Construction is under way in the former men's comfort station on the Boston Common for the new sandwich shop called The Earl of Sandwich, a franchise with outlets across the country and abroad. Find out …

1. Tracy Hollander, the owner of Charles Street Market, will appear before the city's zoning board today at 10:30 a.m. to seek a variance to move to 39 Charles St., which now houses the Charles Street Laundromat. Hollander won the approval of the Beacon Hill Civic Assocation's board after presenting his plan to the group's zoning committee.  2. Howard Chadwick Antiques will close Monday afternoon after 34 years on River Street. Beacon Hill Patch spoke with Chadwick this week as to why he's shuttering his store. Check back for the full story. 3. The Esplanade Association hired horticulturist…

1. Beacon Hill's next "Meet and Greet" with police will feature an opportunity to meet Capt. Tom Lee, the new commander of the area that includes the Hill. The event will be at the Firehouse, at 127 Mt. Vernon St., on Thursday, May 17 at 7 pm. 2. Members who have joined the Beacon Hill Civic Association since November and those interested in learning more about membership are invited to attend a New Members' Reception at The Tip Tap Room, Beacon Hill's newest restaurant, slated to open April 28 at 138 Cambridge St. 3. With Mothers Day around the corner, we want some recommendations on …