Schools may take a break over the summer months but students in Greater Boston buckled down with the books this summer.   For the 14th year, Dependable Cleaners hosted its Read to Ride program, designed to foster the love of reading and provide students ages 6-15 with the tools they need to ensure year-long learning success.  This year’s program was an unqualified success, with students reading more than 3,000 books between May 14 and August 20, 2012.  Participants submitted one entry form for each book they read and the more books read, the greater the chance of winning.  Ten Continue reading >>>

A key point about comparisons between RI and Massachusetts September 30th, 2012 at 4:06 pm by Ted Nesi under Nesi's Notes, On the Main Site From this morning’s Providence Journal (emphasis mine): Jim Stergios, of Boston’s Pioneer Institute, said Rhode Island should be careful about copying Massachusetts. “While Rhode Island may consider Massachusetts is doing better,” Stergios said, “the fact of the matter is Massachusetts is Greater Boston and three Rhode Islands grafted onto it. “The high unemployment rates you see in those areas are similar to those in Rhode Island.” Right! Continue reading >>>

Needham Bank, with five branches throughout greater Boston, has announced that Robert W. Madden of Brookline has been named vice president of residential lending, operating from the bank’s Needham location. Madden joins Needham Bank with 27 years of experience in mortgage banking. Prior to Needham Bank, he was employed at Cambridge Savings Bank as a mortgage loan officer. Madden received a bachelor’s degree in economics from SUNY-Oneonta. He is a registered member of the National Mortgage Licensing System. Originally from Peekskill, N.Y., Madden lives in Brookline. He is a member of Continue reading >>>

The Running with the Bridesmaids fun run took place in downtown Boston on Saturday, Sept. 29. The event was sponsored by Boston.com with proceeds going to the Big Sisters Association of Greater Boston. The one-mile fun run took the bridal-bedecked participants through Boston Common and Downtown Crossing with a wrap-up party at Petit Robert Central Bistro. Pictured: Runners in Boston Common. Continue reading >>>

The sun shone brightly, bringing smiles and drying tears, as over 6,000 people celebrated the lives of their loved ones at the 25th Walk for Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston! On Sunday, Sept. 23, the tranquil neighborhood around St. John’s Prep in Danvers came alive as families, friends, students, parents and community volunteers united on campus to remember the special lives that had touched their own. The proceeds from the Walk support essential, comprehensive programming, not covered by insurance, allowing Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston to be an innovator in Continue reading >>>

Nearly 300 people braved the inclement weather in their best, and in some cases their worst, wedding attire.

Women and even some men participated in the “Running with the Bridesmaids” in Boston on Saturday which benefits the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston.

Check out the photos above to see some of the most unforgettable styles from the event.

BOSTON (CBS) – It was a one mile run of tacky taffeta and tuxedos on the Boston Common Saturday morning for the Running with the Bridesmaids.

Hundreds of runners wore bridesmaid dresses and ran to raise money for the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston.

Listen: WBZ Radio 1030′s Kim Tunnicliffe reports

After the run, participants were invited to a brunch reception where the “best worst-dressed runner” was announced.

Schools may take a break over the summer months but students in Greater Boston buckled down with the books this summer.  For the 14th year, Dependable Cleaners hosted its Read to Ride program, designed to foster the love of reading and provide students ages 6-15 with the tools they need to ensure year-long learning success.   This year’s program was an unqualified success, with students reading more than 3,000 books between May 14 and August 20, 2012.  Participants submitted one entry form for each book they read and the more books read, the greater the chance of winning.  Ten lucky readers Continue reading >>>

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I bought my Natick fixer-upper for $280,000 back in 2002. Karen and I stripped the wallpaper off of every room - particularly laborious given the old, horsehair plaster walls - and did the painting. We tore up the carpet, cleaned the mountains of junk out of the basement and paid short money to some floor guys to buff up the nice hardwood beneath.We brought in an electrician to do some quick upgrades, had a new toilet put in, and shelled out a few thousands for a kitchen rehab.It was relatively short money and made our house a pleasant place to live until we put on an addition in 2008, six years Continue reading >>>