Margaret Smith

In the grand hall of Union Station, a quiet has fallen in a space that can echo with the hubbub of commuters and train passengers.

College students face many stresses. Sometimes, they just need to talk to someone. And at Quinsigamond Community College, that someone might be a dog.

If you are looking for some perfectly punk gifts, the third annual Holiday Flea Market presented by Worcester Punk Rock Flea Market has you covered, with a great variety of vendors Dec. 14 and 15 at the Hotel Vernon. Plus, really loud music and comedy set for 4 p.m. both days, and overflowing holiday spirit to make even the grumps get into the groove. (MS)

From graves to ghosts, local artists are inspired to create macabre merriment and ghoulishly good gift ideas.

The holidays can be merry and jolly, but also dark and mysterious. There's no one, correct way to celebrate, and for many people, there are elements of dark, light, joyful and peculiar. For that person in your life, you might look for a gift offered by stores, artists and artisans in the region. They're not lurking in a shadowy castle. Well, maybe some of them are. But they're all here in the area, so you can get a gift for the ghoul who has everything, and show local businesses some frightful, festive support.

Artist Elena Pratt shared an image of her painting, "Cuddles and Coos."

Worcester native Elena Pratt, proprietor of PopArt by Elena, talked about her artist's journey, and why she's still a hometown girl at heart.

There's a perfect present out there for everyone on your list.

Band Aid's failings are widely known. But 40 years on, "feed the world" is still a good and necessary idea.

Peggy-Sue Parks sent a photo of Ladybug the dog, ready for the holidays.