— Photos by Bobbie Toner

The community enjoyed beautiful weather on Sunday, October 18, as the Somerville Arts & Culture Division’s annual Monster Mash celebration took over portions of Somerville Avenue. The festivities featured a costume parade, pumpkin carving, face painting, local food vendors, performances by the BosWitches, Proyecto Tempo, Los Mambiseros, and a lineup curated by Mass Ave Music.

Last week, Japanese students got a taste of American culture – and pizza – at Flatbread and Sacco’s Bowl Haven. — Photos by Cyrus Konstantinakos

By Eliot Josti

On Friday, October 16, Somerville welcomed a group of curious students eager to experience American culture all the way from Japan. The Showa Boston Institute, located in Jamaica Plain, provides an immersive experience dedicated to community conversation and cultural exchange.

The City of Somerville is planning to redesign Broadway between Winchester Street and Central Street to increase safety, improve accessibility, reduce congestion, and create a more comfortable street for everyone. As part of this process, the Magoun Square intersection (Broadway at Medford Street) will be reimagined, sidewalks will be rebuilt, and the roadway will be fully repaved.

Somerville’s annual “Truck O’ Treat” takes place on Thursday, October 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. outside City Hall (93 Highland Avenue). Rain date: Thursday, November 5. Costumes are encouraged at this family-friendly event, which will include safe Trick-or-Treating on the City Hall concourse, a spooktacular visit from a decorated City of Somerville truck, lawn games, light refreshments, and more.

Em Plotkin, Leah McCarthy, and Kenzie Ballard, the co-directors of Groundwork Somerville at South Street Farm. — Photos by Mina Rose Morales

By Mina Rose Morales

In the corner of a narrow alley, industrial buildings, busy streets, and graffiti walls surround an urban farm, and down the street sits a community garden – both parts of Groundwork Somerville.

Ivan Abarca-Torres (center), curator of the “Common Ground: Photography, Place and Community” exhibition. — Photo courtesy of the Somerville Museum

By Keith Foster

Cultural leader and community builder Ivan Abarca-Torres collaborated with 15 local artists who have chosen Somerville as their home to showcase their work in a curated tour, Common Ground: Photography, Place and Community, at the Somerville Museum, now through December 5.

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What’s the difference between a frittata, a quiche, and a tart? A frittata and quiche are basically the same, both are savory dishes with the only difference being the quiche has a crust. But now we add a tart into the mix.

For some of us, it feels like forever since we’ve shaken off the cares and concerns that seem to be bearing down so heavily as we observe the divisions and discord that have been so prevalent in our society over the past few years.

Another state election is just around the corner. The balance of power in Washington will be in play, and more than ever it seems as though so much will be at stake in this particular election cycle, no matter which side we align with.