Public meetings this week look at making more housing and making it more affordable, a decision on a plan to reclaim the fenced-off Jerry’s Pond, room for small tech at Porter Square and planning for the Massachusetts Avenue of 2040.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s a weeklong Foundry Festival with a variety of things to do, astounding art, ice skating, a Ladysmith Black Mambazo performance and a dramatic session exploring “What if AI use goes too far?”

A judge has dismissed a domestic violence charge against the Boston man who was injured in a Thanksgiving Day shooting in Central Square that killed 27-year-old Danasia Greene of Cambridge. He faces more charges.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s hip-hop dance, Valentine’s, Galentine’s, Mardi Gras, Lunar New Year and Black History celebrations, operatic ballet not seen since the 1700s, “How to Steal a Presidential Election” and the arts of writing love poetry and sex scenes.

What more could a true lover of sushi want than a lesson in the art of its preparation from a James Beard Award-nominated chef such as Tracy Chang?

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s a “Groundhog Day” Improv Show, We Black Folk music festival, a fermentation workshop (with sauerkraut!) and more fun science, Celeste Ng and Jas Hammonds readings, ice skating and play premieres to go apiary for (such as for “Bumbled”).

Among the 20 chefs nominated for best chef in the Northeast were three Cambridge cooks; a Somerville business is a semifinalist for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program in the prestigious annual awards.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, from “Underground Magic,” poetry with Tracy K. Smith and an Oompa concert to the return of the Harvard Plaza WinterFest, a farewell to ImprovBoston and examination of the darker sides of politics and social media.

The vegan club at Somerville’s Forge Bakery, Bloc and Diesel Cafe; smoked turkey and cranberry sandwich at Flour; and The Dagwood at P&K Delicatessen in Somerville are good not-too-heavy dishes for your January.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there are a few ways to mark MLK Day, a CultureHouse opening party, Hans Zimmer soundtracks by candlelight, parties with cyberpunk and 1970s themes, magic and aliens, a new Text and Tone Festival and the Boston Typewriter Orchestra.