HyperLocal News for Worcester, Massachusetts

Old City Hall: First public school site boasts Ben Franklin statueBefore the kids head back to school, check out the spot where it all began. Part of Boston’s always-popular Freedom Trail, the Boston Latin School site has the bragging rights as the first public tuition-free schoolhouse open to all boys from all socio-economic backgrounds.

Titus Sparrow Park: Concrete jungle in the South EndNestled in a sea of brownstones and urban renewal is the recently rehabilitated Titus Sparrow Park, a beautifully manicured green space hidden next to the Southwest Corridor and unifying link between the South End and the Back Bay neighborhoods.

Sports museum is more than just the gameSports fans who want more than just the game can visit Boston's Sports Museum of New England at the TD Garden.

The Flea at MIT: Hello, Computer!A high-tech Cambridge electronics and computer flea market draws thousands of plugged-in bargain hunters.

An Irish festival in leafy Vermont September 4-5Fans from New York, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut are expected at the first-annual Irish Music Festival in historic Bennington, Vermont, Labor Day weekend September 4-5.

The Brattle Theater in Harvard SquareThe independent Brattle Theater in Harvard Square is where movie buffs go. From Casablanca and Citizen Kane to new, edgy independent and foreign films, it has been the place for 50 years.

Graffiti tour: Banksy leaves his mark in Boston’s ChinatownBanksy, the controversial and elusive British graffiti artist who had a successful two-month stint with his indie flick “Exit Through The Gift Shop” at the Kendall Square Theatre, left his mark in the Boston area last May with two public art pieces unveiled in Chinatown and Central Square.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Fenway museum plans extensionThe Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, a hub of art and culture since it was first opened to the public in 1903, announced plans for a new wing overlooking Evans Way Park in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood and is slotted to be completed in late 2011 with a public unveiling scheduled for early 2012.

Schooner Liberty Clipper: Location is everythingBoston has plenty of fine hotels. But some choose to stay in a sailing ship docked near the New England Aquarium.

Three-ton teddy bear greets kids at Boston's Floating Hospital for ChildrenA twelve-foot-tall bronze bear that used to greet customers at an upscale toy store now welcomes sick kids at Boston's Floating Hospital for Children.

Puma City: Under-construction hot spot opening in the fallThe athletic company’s pop-up venue known as Puma City was originally slotted to open its doors in August, but the yet-to-be-determined grand opening has been pushed back to mid-October.

Milky Way Lounge: Growing pains for Jamaica Plain hangoutAfter 15 years as an award-winning entertainment complex formerly on Centre Street in Hyde Square, the recently relocated Bella Luna Restaurant and Milky Way Lounge set up shop at its new digs near the Stony Brook T stop in May 2009.

The Hallway: Less is more at this new Jamaica Plain galleryBlink and you may miss this gallery-space newcomer on South Street in Jamaica Plain. The Hallway, which set up shop in what used to be an alley-sized storage space for decades in the now defunct Herb’s TV repair shop, has been transformed into a boutique-style gallery showcasing edgy work that inspires and provokes ranging from mixed-media paintings to glass sculptures to video installations from regional artist

Harvard Book Store: Indie spirit thrives in CambridgeDon't judge a bookstore by its cover. This independent reseller in the heart of Cambridge's Harvard Square may be across the street from a certain ivy league university, but the privately-owned Harvard Book Store isn't affiliated with its prestigious neighbor.

Paramount Center: Rebirth of Washington Street’s theatre rowThe once stunning Paramount Theatre, a former 1700-seat, single-screen Art Deco movie theatre that first opened in 1932 and eventually deteriorated to an adult movie house before it closed in 1976, has been restored to its former glory as part of Emerson College’s new $92 million Paramount Center.

Loring-Greenough House: Jamaica Plain landmark turns 250The last house standing from the pre-Revolutionary War era in Jamaica Plain is marking its historic milestone next month. On Sunday, Sept. 19, the mid-Georgian mansion turns 250 years old and is celebrating the occasion with a café-style birthday dinner under the stars followed by a dance party kicking off at 9 p.m.

Berklee Bean Town Jazz fest brings New Orleans spiritNew Orleans superstars will be in concert at the Berklee Boston Bean Town Jazz Festival

The Beehive hosts ‘K-9 and Cocktails’ in the South EndThe Beehive, the restaurant, bar and performance venue that continues to be a hive of activity for the after-work cocktail crowd and Boston’s weekend warriors, is taking the whole doggie brunch concept a step further … by serving up special concoctions perfect for your furry friend from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29.

Roxbury International Film Festival celebrates diversityEmbracing a global community of filmmakers who make a concerted effort to celebrate people of color, the 12th Annual Roxbury International Film Festival (RIFF) plans to screen more than 50 films during a four-day stint from Friday, July 29 until Sunday, Aug. 1 armed with a roster of films that include features, shorts, documentaries and youth-produced works. Yep, RIFF is taking on the world.

Lantern Festival at Forest Hills CemeteryInspired by an old-school Buddhist ritual, the lush landscape at Forest Hills Cemetery in Jamaica Plain is lit up with paper lanterns inscribed with a personal message crafted by a Japanese calligrapher to pay homage to those who’ve passed in this moving annual Bon Festival, now in its 12th year, at Lake Hibiscus in the heart of this beautifully designed Victorian resting place from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, July 15.

‘The Dream Lives On’ with Kennedy tribute at TanglewoodActor Alec Baldwin from NBC’s “30 Rock” will join the Boston Pops to narrate “The Dream Lives On: A Portrait of the Kennedy Brothers" at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Lenox, MA on Sunday, July 18 at 2:30 p.m.

Boston Pops: Celebrate Fourth of July with a bangWant to embrace the "Oohs" and "Ahhs" of the Fourth of July holiday? There’s nothing more synonymous with Boston in the summertime than the city’s annual Fourth of July bash on the Charles River Esplanade.

Boston Public Library: Made-in-Massachusetts movie series continuesWant to watch free movies on location where a slew of made-in-Massachusetts films were shot, including the spy thriller “Knight and Day” with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz? You're in luck.

Boston Harbor Islands: Free ferry service for day trippersThe Boston Harbor Island Alliance kicks off its 2010 season of programs and activities this month and on Monday, June 14 and Friday, July 16 the group is offering “Free Ferry Days,” when ferry service to the Boston Harbor's Spectacle and Georges Islands is on the house.

Lowell Folk Festival is largest free traditional U.S. festLowell, just 30 miles northwest of Boston, will host [and feed, ethnically] thousands of visitors at the 25th Lowell Folk Festival July 23 through 25. And the music is completely free.

Roxbury man tries to swipe already stolen vehicleA 48-year-old man has been charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle after police in Roxbury observed a suspicious looking car parked near 516 Columbia Rd. that had apparently been damaged with a popped ignition.

Father, son stabbed in Cambridge housebreakPolice in Cambridge are on the hunt for a heavy-set white male after he allegedly stabbed a 53-year-old father and his 11-year-old son during an early-morning break-in on Pearl Street.

Francesca's Café: Laid-back hangout in Boston’s South EndFrancesca’s Café, a no-frills espresso bar and sandwich joint, has become the go-to place for those seeking a casual afternoon with friends looking to catch up while swilling a tasty tea concoction and sampling some home-baked goodness from a stellar dessert menu like their sinful Big Sexy Chocolate Cake.

Joe Coffee: Espresso bar moves digs in ProvincetownJoe Coffee & Cafe, a Provincetown staple that made a splash at its smaller West End location, has set up shop at a larger spot located at 170 Commercial St. and across from the always hopping Boatslip.

Empire Garden Restaurant: Dim sum in ChinatownIf you’re looking for a traditional dim sum experience in Boston, it’s a good idea to do what the locals in Chinatown do. Instead of opting for the pricier Asian-style hot spots in the area like O Ya and Pearl Villa, follow the flashy marquee that promises exotic cocktails and, of course, dim sum.

Mr. Bartley’s: Gourmet burgers in Harvard SquareIt's been a tumultuous two years for the Harvard Square staple that has been serving up political slander and pop-culture worship along with its killer burgers since 1960.

Le’s Vietnamese Restaurant: Pho for all in Harvard SquareWant to know where to go for pho in Harvard Square? While the hole-in-the-wall ambience of Le’s Vietnamese Restaurant hidden in Cambridge’s The Garage can be enough to scare off the average foodie, don’t judge a venerated culinary hot spot by its food-court cover.

Clover Food Lab: MIT food truck rolls into BostonLooking for a healthy meal on wheels? The a la cart offerings of Clover Food Lab has recently set up shop on Dewey Square Park, the regentrified section of the Greenway between Summer and Congress streets in Boston’s Financial District.

Doyle’s Café: Boston’s quintessential Irish pubWalking into Doyle's Café, the beer-soaked restaurant and watering hole located on Washington Street in Jamaica Plain, is a history lesson waiting to happen.

Picco: South End chic on a budgetWant to chill in the heart of the South End this summer but don’t want to burn a whole in your wallet? Picco, which stands for pizza and ice cream company, is a hidden gem on Tremont Street known for its South End chic ambience and retro décor.

Bella Luna Restaurant: Dine under the stars in Jamaica PlainThe relocated Bella Luna Restaurant has evolved to reflect the tone of their groovy new space. It’s a celestial-inspired aesthetic punctuated with dark red walls and exposed brick coupled with their signature star-shaped lanterns dangling over booths and hand-painted plates.

The Barking Crab: World-famous lobster shack in Boston's Seaport DistrictThe Barking Crab, the no-frills culinary hot spot located in South Boston's Seaport District and known for its bright red-and-yellow, big-top style outdoor dining area and larger-than-life lobster claws, is a New England must-see that kicks into high gear during Boston's warmer months.

Provincetown Inn: Historic hotel on the tip of Cape CodLooking for a reasonably priced room with arguably one of the most breathtaking views in Massachusetts? Provincetown Inn, located at the beginning of Commercial Street near the historic park where the Pilgrims first set foot on Cape Cod on Nov. 21, 1620 before signing the Mayflower Compact, is a historic hotel that boasts to-die-for seaside views of Provincetown Harbor and Cape Cod Bay.