Among the best pieces at the Harvard Arts First Festival this year was “Oyster Floats,” an installation of boxes with juxtaposed photos and poetry.

Carolina wrens stay put in winters, having adapted with a radical shift in diet when weather makes it necessary. But the coldest, snowiest times still kill in droves.

Some duos simply do incredible things together, and you can add to that list “sushi and jazz” at The Mad Monkfish in Cambridge’s Central Square.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, the vibe is strangely spooky with a Third Annual “Hafoween,” Crypt Night, Zombie Prom and Here Come the Mummies performing, but there’s also Arab American and Japanese festivals, a Glowball “anti-gala,” Taylor Swift trivia and comedian Emma Willmann.

These looks at what’s on screen in the coming week include some Terrence Malick and Brian De Palma, a bit of a giant, radioactive turtle playing hero in Japan and a recognition that we’re halfway to Halloween. And what better way than with three “Halloween” flicks?

Cult camp is an odd genre bucket that collects a vast variety of films dumped there for varying reasons – such as these two, one which opens this week.

Late last year the Field & Vine crew opened June Bug with the same local, seasonal and sustainable aims, a veggie and pescatarian lean and a slate of wood-fired pizzas and intriguing small plates that include a rare skate wing.

This beef empanada from Bow Market’s Buenas shop was hot, fresh and seriously delicious – even better than the store’s frozen goods in local stores.

In his third novel, Victor Lodato uses 82-year-old Honey, the daughter of a mobster, to reckon with the role biological and chosen families play in our lives.

The Harvard Art Museums freshens up their collection in various mediums with “Future Minded,” but photography selections are particularly noteworthy.