If you think Worcester needs government money and programs to revitalize its economy, you may be overlooking a very important local stimlus: fun. Very interesting story on Boston.com about how an area’s “fun” factor — bike trails, fine dining, amenities, etc. — can be major driving forces behind success.

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Tim Russert may be gone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep your own election score card. Every vote counts, but as we’ve learned from past elections, some state’s votes count more than others — particularly if you’re in a swing state.
Check out this interactive map from 270towin.com. Play political pundit and calculate just what states your favorite candidate needs to win.

The Times & Courier newspaper in Clinton reported last Friday that one of the men on the state’s “most wanted” list of sex offenders turned himself into Clinton District Court last Friday. The man, Shayne M. Sampson, is a former Worcester resident.

You couldn’t have asked for better weather at today’s Columbus Day Parade on Shrewsbury Street, but did the recently passed vendor ordinance put a dent in the number of places you could buy food or water this year?

For anyone following the city’s discussions over the past year to tap into PILOT funds, this week’s Pie and Coffee 508 Podcast is something to listen to. PILOT stands for payment in lieu of taxes and the City Council has been discussing on and off over the past year attempts to get Worcester’s non-profit colleges and universities to “pay up.”
Brendan Melican gives what is quite likely the best and most succinct argument against PILOT. You can find Melican’s comments about 12:40 into the podcast. Melican argues colleges forking over money to …