On the kind of day everybody could have used a cold drink, hunger was instead the theme as the class of 2012 said goodbye to Framingham State University yesterday. Commencement speaker Catherine D’Amato, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Food Bank, told the 702 undergraduates shielded from the sun beneath a tent set up on the Framingham Town Green their experience at the school has afforded them “an incredible opportunity” to make a difference in the fight against hunger. Honorary degree recipient Carolyn Mugar, executive director of Farm Aid, said they “have the skills to bring Continue reading >>>

A new U.S. law could force towns, cities and a regional radio network to spend millions of dollars in the next decade to replace police and fire communication equipment, some of which was bought recently to comply with a previous federal mandate. While Congress has promised grants to cover the cost, representatives of the Boston Area Police Emergency Radio Network fear there will not be enough federal money to foot the potentially steep bill. If not, the mandate could jeopardize the 40-year-old, 153-member regional system, its leaders said. “It’s something we’re very, very concerned Continue reading >>>

Dennis: In 1982, Bruce Springsteen released “Nebraska,” a sparse, haunting solo album of 10 songs — stories of everyday people facing challenges in life — showing that folk music is alive and timeless, not just a collection of dusty, old-timey songs. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of this classic, Jonathan Hall will perform “Nebraska” in its entirety, with guitar, harmonica, and vocals. Friday, 8 p.m. Cape Cod Chat House, 593 Route 6A. Free. 508-694-7187, www.capecodchathouse.com.

Peabody: “Urban and Small Space Gardening” is a lecture presented by Betsy Williams. Learn how to garden productively in small plots, raised beds, and containers. The talk addresses flowers, herbs, tomatoes, greens, and many other vegetables. Learn how to choose a garden location, discuss annuals, biennials, and perennials, when to plant, how to feed, watering, and harvesting. Monday, 7 p.m. ­Peabody Institute Library, 82 Main St. Free. 978-531-0100, www.peabodylibrary.org

Monday, May 21, 2012 By Scott Van Voorhis Banker Tradesman Columnist After taking a break during the recession, gentrification is back with a vengeance in Greater Boston, as middle-class capes and ranches get bulldozed in increasing numbers to make room for ever-larger homes. A valid subscription is required to read the article or use the tool you've selected. Already a subscriber? Please enter Continue reading >>>

When Coll Walker was diagnosed with high cholesterol eight years ago, he elected to skip Lipitor and other pharmaceutical solutions. Instead he found the remedy literally at his feet - rows and rows of it growing in the sweet soil of Little Compton, R.I.: his own produce. The owner of Walker’s Roadside Stand, a farm stand revered in local food circles, Walker helped himself to his own medicine, reorganizing his diet around the fresh spinach, beets, peas, and other produce he has grown for four decades. The result? “My cholesterol total dropped over 100 points,’’ Continue reading >>>

It's graduation weekend at Framingham State University. The theme of the commencement speakers and honorary degree recipients for the 2012 spring undergraduate Commencement ceremonies is food, hunger and nutrition. CEO and president of the Greater Boston Food Bank Catherine D’Amato will be Sunday's commencement speaker. The Greater Boston Food Bank is New England’s largest hunger-relief organization. D’Amato has been a tireless advocate for the hungry for more than 25 years. She assumed her leadership position at The Greater Boston Food Bank in 1995 after heading up the Food Bank of Western Continue reading >>>

Man Used Medford Library Computer to View Child Porn: A Medford man used a computer at the public library to view and print pornographic images of young boys, according to a police report. James Judge, 57, of 106 Fellsway West was arrested Monday at Medford Public Library on charges of distributing material of a child in the nude, distributing material of a child in a sexual act and possession of child pornography, according to court records. A group of young library patrons spotted Judge looking at naked pictures of young boys on a computer in the back of the library and told Assistant Continue reading >>>

Home / Real Estate News / We Recommend... ABACUS Asset Management, a provider of commercial real estate asset management services for owners of small to mid-sized office, industrial, retail and multifamily properties, has opened Continue reading >>>

Meredith lived in fear of her abusive boyfriend. Earlier this year, she finally found the courage to call the police during an attack at their Brighton apartment. He was arrested and she was treated for severe head trauma. Meredith obtained a restraining order, preventing him from returning to the apartment and barring him from further abuse. She thought it was safe to begin the hard work of healing the physical and emotional wounds left by her abusive partner. Meredith never expected that the safety of her housing would be threatened because of her experience of abuse. Shortly after the incident, Continue reading >>>