By Tiffani Westbrook

Somerville’s Monster Mash was full of families on Sunday afternoon. The costumes ranged from scary to just plain goofy and even the household pets got in on the fun strutting their Halloween best down SomerStreets. The city blocked off the two mile section to support Shape up Somerville’s healthy living initiative. Julia Sharp, a Somerville native, said that she and her two children have come to the event two years in a row. She said that, “it is becoming a tradition of sorts. The kids love it. It is like having Halloween twice in one year.” At least one family feels that it is an entertaining substitution for Halloween night trick-or-treating. Desire Miller said that, “I am considering this to be Halloween since it falls on a week day this year.” Her son Jeddah is only two so she is looking forward to “staying at home and greeting the trick-or-treaters instead.”  With the cold weather approaching that is not a bad idea for the littlest ones but is sure to be a hard sell to the older kids and the kids at heart.

As unlikely as it may seem, it looks as though we may have gotten over the big “Fall Holiday” flap of 2011. And not a moment too soon, we might add.

The hype and hooplah surrounding a certain internal memo that got blown way out of proportion is gradually dimming from our collective consciousness, having expended its fifteen minutes of fame in a grand fashion before ultimately suffering the fate it so well deserves. It has been duly debunked, ridiculed, and dismissed as fodder for self-appointed pundits and assorted humbugs.

A five-alarm gastronomic event brought local police officers and firefighters together to celebrate the heroes of 9/11. - Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

The 9th annual Chili Fest took place in Carmichael’s dining area at Tufts University last Wednesday. Each year the staff invites firefighters and police officers from Somerville and Medford to chow on some fresh food. The station house Chili Fest honors local heroes. This year commemorates the ten-year anniversary of 9/11.

The winter season for Highlander Athletics starts on Monday November 28, 2011. Sign ups will be held in the atrium on October 27 from 2:45-5 p.m. All first time athletes for the 2011-2012 season must fill out the liability form, medical sports history questionnaire, student-athlete code of conduct, submit a copy of a physical and Impact test (dates to be determined). Athletes who have participated in a fall 2011 sport only needs to submit the returning athlete form. If you wish to play a winter sport, please download required participation forms from the schools websitehttp://www.somerville.k12.ma.us and return them by November 14, 2011 to: Michelle Kelly, ACT, L, Athletic Department, 81 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143.

Arrests:
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Xavier De Sousa, 38, of 20 Marion St., Everett, October 18, 5:20 p.m., arrested at 171 Broadway on a charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Djaima Lopes Dias, 30, of 16 Warren Ave., October 18, 7:09 p.m., arrested at Medford St. on charges of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and lights violation.

Endicott College poet Samille Taylor looks for the steak beneath the sizzle. You’ll see what I mean with her poem Between The Looking Glass.

- Photo courtesy of Tufts photography

A college education doesn’t simply benefit individuals, it generates knowledge and discovery that serve all of society, said Anthony P. Monaco at his inauguration as Tufts University’s 13th president on Oct. 21.

Health Department and all local pharmacies will work together to promote the City’s 24/7 unwanted medication drop-off kiosks, educate residents on disposal of medications.
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The City of Somerville’s Health Department announced today that it will partner with local pharmacies beginning this week to promote “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” by posting and dispensing point-of-purchase flyers at each pharmacy with instructions on disposing of unwanted medications.

Residents asked to take online survey to help shape agenda
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The Mayor’s Young Somerville Advisory Group (YSAG) invites all residents to their annual end of year presentation to Mayor Curtatone on Wednesday, October 26,  from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  The event will be held at Precinct, located in Union Square, and will include a presentation by the YSAG Executive Board Members, Q&A with the Mayor, and networking.  It is free and open to the public.