The circus is coming to town next weekend. One should say, it is coming back.

The Open Air Circus has been a Somerville institution for more than 20 years. It was started by State Senator Patricia Jehlen in a fit of philanthropy. The story goes, according to her son Peter, who now serves as the organization’s ringmaster, that the Senator was looking for something to do to give back to the city when the idea came to her in a flash, when she was sitting on an airplane next to a clown.

Open Air Circus returns

Now that the nine-member Town Administrator Screening Committee has done its job, the Board of Selectmen will have to pick from the five candidates the search committee chose to replace Phil Lemnios, who left the town’s top job for Hull in March.

PDF: Read Natick's Town Administrator Screening Committee's Report

On a bright, sunny Sunday morning at a South Acton dog park, Fred Levy never flinched when a big dog came barreling right at him or when a sopping wet dog jumped and rubbed its muddy paws all over his legs. Instead, he whipped out his camera and encouraged the dogs to come closer so he could capture their mischief and glee.

Watch the video

For a local couple, caring for their herd of nine alpacas is a passion.

Labrador retrievers top the list as most popular breed of dog in town while "Lucy" came in as the most common name. How does the rest of the pup-ulation look?

Ruffin' it in Brookline

It began out of the back of a Chevette a quarter of a century ago and now has evolved into a successful program for hundreds of Yarmouth kids.
The Yarmouth recreation sailing program celebrated 25 years last week with a backyard barbeque at the sailing center located on Lewis Bay.
“It was a great success. We had about 150 people there,” said Yarmouth Recreation Director Pat Armstrong.

Watch the band

A new school year is just around the corner, but you wouldn’t have known it last week as dozens of kids filled the Columbus School cafetorium for what some might have thought was the last day of school, but in reality was the final day of the Summer Time Program.

VIDEO: Summer Time Program

As part of an effort to encourage healthy living, Mayor David Cohen has taken residents on a series of walks through the villages of Newton. This morning, Cohen took walkers through the Waban neighborhood. If you missed the walk, you can see it here...

On July 28th, the best players of the Cape Cod Baseball League traveled to Spillane Field in Wareham, home to the Gatemen, for the annual All-Star Game.

Cape Cod League All-Star game

This summer local readers are invited into the lives of two fascinating characters.

Melrose celebrates "National Night Out;" new Police Chief is introduced to community. Click here to watch a video of the city's "National Night Out!"

Jay Hersh has earned his nickname. The Lincoln resident has been teaching beer tasting and home-brewing courses under the name “Dr. Beer” for more than 10 years.

Hersh, who has been home-brewing his own beer for more than 20 years, is also a Grand Master Beer Judge, the highest possible rank in the Beer Judge Certification Program.

Learn how to brew your own

Agility is a sport for dogs and their owners, where dogs attempt to complete a timed obstacle course without any mistakes. The sport started in England as a sideshow at horse jumping competitions, but quickly gained popularity among its participants and now has several competitions worldwide.

Watch the video of Scout's practice

Kris Stecker, president of Spa Tech on High Street, explains how sounds made on crystal bowls soothe the spirit.