(NECN: Alison King) - Speaking to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, mayoral candidate John Connolly told a packed room how better schools will affect all aspects of improving the city, including more jobs and a better economy."I know I hear people say all the time, I know, John Connolly, I like him, does he ever talk about anything other than schools," he said. "Well, no, not really."He was followed by his opponent, Marty Walsh, who took the opportunity to tell business leaders the he is not -just- the union candidate."If that is all Continue reading >>>

(NECN) - Greater Boston Chamber of Comerce president and CEO Paul Guzzi joins NECN to go On the Record with some of the week's top stories in business.This week, he discussed the candidates to be Boston's next mayor."I can say, in total honesty, both did very well and both are strong in their own ways," said Guzzi of John Connolly and Marty Walsh.Additionally, Guzzi addressed the end of the government shutdown, including what lies in the future, and Harvard University's expansion into Boston's Allston neighborhood. Tags: Boston, Continue reading >>>

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston presents Vegas star Martin Preston as Liberace on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. Experience glitz, glamour, sparkling wit and magnificent music as Preston recreates the magic of Liberace in a one-performance-only spectacular, complete with crystal candelabra and rhinestone-studded grand piano, recapturing the flamboyant excitement of Las Vegas’ greatest musical showman, according to the theater. Preston brings to life Liberace’s music, comedy and glamour through skill as a classically trained pianist and vibrant actor. Most recently, Continue reading >>>

The Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston (JCC) is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Leventhal-Sidman campus in Newton with a full day of events on Sunday, Oct. 20. The celebration includes events that reflect the strong programs and activities the JCC provides to thousands throughout the community every year, including arts and culture performances and interactive programming for young families. “30 years ago our community came together to imagine the role a JCC could play in a thriving Jewish community. Since then, we’ve built Jewish identities and family Continue reading >>>

19 days to Nov. 5. State Rep. Marty Walsh and City Councillor At-Large John Connolly both appear in front of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce this morning at the Fairmont Copley Plaza. Walsh will then campaign with City Councillor At-Large Felix Arroyo in Hyde Park, while Connolly holds a press conference on his proposal for a Roxbury Entrepreneurship Center. Connolly will be joined by campaign co-chair Val Hyman, a DJ, Greg Selkoe of Karmaloop, Darryl Settles of D’Ventures Limited, and Clayton Turnbull, president of Waldwin Group, among others. FUNDRAISING FIGURES: In the first half Continue reading >>>

BOSTON — The housing market in Greater Boston continued to rebound in 2013 with rising home prices and sales, increased housing production and fewer foreclosures, yet a lack of affordable housing hinders the recovery, according to a report released earlier this week.Affordability remains a problem, especially for renters, the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University reported. And it’s not just due to the recent increase in housing prices.Researchers reported the overall cost of living in Greater Boston has increased twice as fast as median homeowner household Continue reading >>>

Although the Boston housing market has experienced fewer foreclosures and increased housing production in 2013, rising home prices and a lack of affordable housing supply could challenge the market’s recovery, according to a new report.Barry Bluestone, lead author of the Greater Boston Housing Report Card released on Oct. 10., said more multi-unit home construction would help Boston’s housing affordability problem.“After a long drought of very little production, falling prices, lots of foreclosures, we seemed to have come out of the housing crisis,” he said. “On the other hand, we have Continue reading >>>

“It’s a situation where good is coming from it and it allows us to take care of our own community,” explained Catherine D’Amato, president and CEO of the food bank. D’Amato estimated an additional $33,000 in revenue could be generated by the conversion, which would go towards the food bank’s programs. The two billboards, which are visible from I-93 and South Boston, are located in a commercial/industrial area and are not near any residential structures. If the conversion were to be approved the size, shape, and positioning of the billboards would not change. If the Greater Boston Continue reading >>>

Our cover story on minorities in the workplaces of Greater Boston started out small. Our cover story on minorities in the workplaces of Greater Boston started out small. Contributing writer Colman Herman proposed a story about the racial makeup of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the agency charged with bringing three casinos and a slots parlor to the state. Herman thought it was odd that a new agency starting from scratch had only four minorities (two blacks and two Hispanics) on its 29-person staff. One of the minorities was Commissioner Enrique Zuniga, who was appointed by state Continue reading >>>

Ekua Holmes was recently appointed by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to a five-year term on the Boston Arts Commission, in acknowledgement of her distinguished service to the arts. Ms. Holmes is the first African American to be appointed a commissioner since the founding of BAC in 1890. Holmes is one of six Greater Boston artists recently selected to receive a 2013 Brother Thomas Fellowship from The Boston Foundation. Holmes and the other awardees were chosen for making significant contributions to their communities through excellence in their craft. Brother Thomas Fellowships are given every Continue reading >>>