— Photo by Keith Foster

Join your ward’s ‘Neighborhood Connect’ meeting for an overview of the latest City and community updates.

The series continues this week on Tuesday, October 13, in Ward 1 in the East Somerville Community School cafeteria (50 Cross St.) and Thursday, October 15, in Ward 6 at Somerville Community Baptist Church (31 College Ave.). Meetings run from 6 to 8 p.m. Free pizza and refreshments will be available starting at 6 p.m. The final meeting in the series, will be Ward 2, on Wednesday, October 21.

During the week of October 26, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Somerville Public Schools. DESE reviews each district’s and charter school’s ELE program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations.

— Photo by Bobbie Toner

Free festival brings live music, a costume parade, and fall fun to Union Square

From fluff to frights, Somerville is celebrating its hometown heroes. On Sunday, October 18 (rain date October 25), the Arts & Culture Division is holding its annual Monster Mash celebration in honor of the Halloween classic co-written by Somerville native Bobby “Boris” Pickett. The afternoon-long event will include a costume parade, pumpkin carving, face painting and local food vendors.

City offices will be closed on Monday, October 12, for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day. No street sweeping on Monday.

The City of Somerville is offering free COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinics at locations across the city this fall to help community members protect their health. Appointments are strongly encouraged, and walk-up availability is limited. Information on upcoming clinics scheduled for October and November can be found below.