Branding is not a new topic for the Boston tech community. We all know Route 128 is no longer where the energy is, we've exhaustively debated the merits of 'Boston' vs. 'Cambridge.' And yet no single moniker that I know of has emerged to reflect the shifting urbanization of Greater Boston's tech and startup communities. Jay Batson, co-founder of Acquia among other things, had a great post on Friday about the need to reflect this shift in how we talk about the tech ecosystem. He writes: This shift in the Boston tech scene is so significant that I think we (the Boston tech community) should Continue reading >>>

Spector Photography From left to right: Asa Fanelli, president and chief executive officer of Horizons for Homeless Children; Hannah Nersasian, Greater Boston playspace director; PAL of the Year Colleen Daly; Rob Stewart, Greater Boston playspace director; and Matt Epstein, chairman of the organization’s board of directors. By Jeremy C. Fox, Town Correspondent Horizons for Homeless Children has named a North End woman its “PAL of the Year” for Greater Boston in recognition of her volunteerism, the organization announced. For more than a dozen years, Colleen Daly has volunteered as a Playspace Continue reading >>>

Olives in Charlestown, the restaurant that put Todd English on the culinary map when it opened in 1989, closed last week after an unsuccessful second act.A grease fire shut down the restaurant in May 2010. It reopened in May 2012, but controversy continued to haunt English and the eatery, ranging from tax and financial trouble to bad reviews and bad karma: Bostonians long ago turned their back on the former favorite son.There were also ill-advised English antics (his toy gun frightened guests at a New York restaurant opening earlier this year) and even a case of vandalism: somebody tried to throw Continue reading >>>

Olives in Charlestown, the restaurant that put Todd English on the culinary map when it opened in 1989, closed last week after an unsuccessful second act.A grease fire shut down the restaurant in May 2010. It reopened in May 2012, but controversy continued to haunt English and the eatery, ranging from tax and financial trouble to bad reviews and bad karma: Bostonians long ago turned their back on the former favorite son.There were also ill-advised English antics (his toy gun frightened guests at a New York restaurant opening earlier this year) and even a case of vandalism: somebody tried to throw Continue reading >>>

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's Free Shakespeare on the Common is one of Greater Boston's favorite traditions. Returning for the 18th annual season, the company presents the comedy The Gentlemen of Verona, July 6-28 on the Boston Common. The play tells the tale of two friends who leaver their hometown of Verona to find their happy fortunes in Milan. But instead, they find temptation, trickery and trouble as they compete for the favor of the high-society Duke and his debutante daughter. All are drawn into a web of disguises and secrecy, where the last thing anyone wants is for the truth to surface Continue reading >>>

With summer underway, families are converging upon the panoply of great destinations in Greater Boston. But what should be a major attraction, the Franklin Park Zoo, has long been an underfunded, second-class amenity. Zoo New England, the organization that runs the zoo, does its best with a challenging location and limited resources. But the Franklin Park Zoo still ranks only 96th out of the 194 Boston attractions rated by TripAdvisor, and time and again Beacon Hill budgeters confront an uncomfortable question: How much taxpayer money should the state devote to an institution that is valuable Continue reading >>>

All photos by Paul TreselerThe Boston Strong Music Marathon Benefit for One Fund Boston was a 10-hour event at the Irish Social Club in West Roxbury on Saturday.Music was played by the Fenian Sons, Pauline Wells, Erin Og, Silver Spears, Tommy Byrnes, Revel’s Glen, Colm O’Brien, Tradition, Auld Locals, and more - all who donated their time for the Music Marathon.  The fundraising event arose from a large number of people in the community who wanted to help individuals and families through The One Fund as well as giving an opportunity to thank those who put their lives on the line Continue reading >>>

Todd English confirmed Friday he has closed his Charlestown restaurant Olives and plans to reopen it elsewhere in Greater Boston. The announcement came amid rampant speculation about the celebrity chef’s signature eatery, which reopened last year after a fire badly damaged the kitchen. In recent days, passersby noticed the windows at Olives had been covered with brown paper, the sign was removed, and a note posted on the door saying: “The premises is closed until further notice.” “Charlestown is and will always have a special place in my heart. It is with sadness that I will be leaving Continue reading >>>

  Ultima Hospitality buys Marlborough hotel Ultima Hospitality, a Chicago-based investment and hotel management company, this week announced the purchase of the Boston Marlborough Courtyard by Marriott. The price was not revealed. Located at 75 Felton St., the 202-room hotel will undergo $2 million in improvements, including a redesign of meeting space, which will complement the recent renovation of the lobby, guest rooms, restaurant and public space. "The Greater Boston market is an area we have been, and remain focused on as a result of its existing demand and infrastructure, Continue reading >>>

  Ultima Hospitality buys Marlborough hotel Ultima Hospitality, a Chicago-based investment and hotel management company, this week announced the purchase of the Boston Marlborough Courtyard by Marriott. The price was not revealed. Located at 75 Felton St., the 202-room hotel will undergo $2 million in improvements, including a redesign of meeting space, which will complement the recent renovation of the lobby, guest rooms, restaurant and public space. "The Greater Boston market is an area we have been, and remain focused on as a result of its existing demand and infrastructure, Continue reading >>>