Summer is a good time to discover (or rediscover) the rich arts and culture of Greater Boston neighborhoods. Why? We'll give you one word -- festivals! Artbeat 2012 Every July, thousands descend on Somerville's Davis Square to celebrate local arts, music, dance, and creativity. This year's theme is migration. See how artists interpret that, and get in on the action yourself at a Migratory Movements Parade and interactive mapping activities. Two stages of music, craft vendors, local restaurants, and performers including Contrapose Dance, Mariachi Estampa De America, Big Digits, and Len Solomon Continue reading >>>

Survey says Boston’s hotel occupancies are forecast to increase next year despite a drop in large conventions. Thomas Grillo Real Estate Editor- Boston Business Journal Email Boston’s hotel occupancies are forecast to increase next year despite fewer Continue reading >>>

Monday, July 16, 2012 By Jim Cronin Despite the fact that Boston will host fewer large conventions in 2013, Boston hotel occupancy levels are expected to increase next year, according to PKF Hospitality Research LLC, which tracks industry trends.  PKF reports that Boston area occupancy rate is projected to increase by 0.7 percent in 2013. Meanwhile, citywide convention activity will be down in 2013 from Continue reading >>>

Monday, July 16, 2012 The Greater Boston office market enjoyed a strong second quarter, according to a new quarterly research publication released this morning by Richards Barry Joyce Partners LLC (RBJP).According to the report by the Boston-based commercial real estate firm, during the second quarter of 2012, Greater Boston's office market continued the positive momentum of recent reporting periods.  Continue reading >>>

Nearly a third of the country, 27 percent, is now living alone;On Manhattan, 76 percent of the people on the island are either living alone or with just one other person, while just under half live alone.Still, there are some significant differences in the Boston version. Up to 375 square feet, the micro units Boston officials are looking at are slightly larger than what are being planned in the Big Apple. And, with initial talk of rents up to $1,500, they don't come cheap. However, that both mayors are thinking small is great - that is where the housing market needs to head, especially in increasingly Continue reading >>>

When an armed man intercepted a bus of Boston-area churchgoers in Egypt Friday looking for hostages, a Dorchester pastor leading the group volunteered himself, a fellow pastor told congregants at a Mattapan church Sunday. The captor tried to seize a woman but the Rev. Michel Louis insisted he go instead, the Rev. Matthew K. Thompson, a friend of the Louis family, told worshipers at Jubilee Christian Church. “Take me,” Louis said, according to Thompson. In the end, the captor took both Louis and the woman, Lissa Alphonse of Everett, as well as the local guide-translator for the group of about Continue reading >>>

When an armed man intercepted a bus of Boston-area churchgoers in Egypt Friday, the Rev. Michel Louis of Dorchester insisted that he go in place of the woman the captor tried to seize, a fellow pastor and family friend told worshipers at Mattapan’s Jubilee Christian ChurchSunday. In the end, the captor took both Thompson and the woman, Lissa Alphonse of Everett, as well as the local guide-translator for the group of about two dozen Haitian and Haitian-American churchgoers from Greater Boston. Continue reading >>>

Kyle Warwick is a developer who wants to move beyond cookie-cutter apartment communities. As a principal of Gate Residential, a Boston real estate firm, he is trying to bring a different kind of aesthetic to Greater Boston. He recently spoke with Globe reporter Casey Ross about a new project in Somerville and the market niche he hopes to serve. Real estate development is a tough, risky business, especially in our uncertain economy. What draws you to the work? It’s the diversity of experience, and the people you deal with. It’s also the excitement of creating something from scratch and being Continue reading >>>

Transplants to Boston, MA will quickly find that living in the city is very expensive. But just over the city lines is a hidden treasure...Winthrop, MA.Maureen Reddy, of DaVinci Designer Gallery, has been staging properties in the greater Boston area for 15+ years. “ I have worked in every community on the edge of the city and find that the value Winthrop affords is exceptional by comparison,” says Reddy. Recently, Reddy staged a 4 bedroom home just over the city line, “It is bright and cheery, steps away from protected wetlands, a 2 minute walk to commuter line access, and accommodates Continue reading >>>