Public meetings this week look at rat control and climate zoning; Pikalo Empanadas filling the former Izzy’s restaurant space; the effects of a bus route redesign; Linear Park redesign ideas; urban design guidelines; Coffee With a Cop; and more.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, Petsi Pies founder Renee McLeod shares her secrets for a good cause, a Holiday Plant Enthusiast Market is coming, there are open studios by Brickbottom/Joy Street artists, Robert Pinsky reads, “Something Strange” returns and much more.

All four locations in the local coffee shop chain are being shut down permanently, not just the Harvard Square shop, workers said they learned Tuesday.

In a national midterm election that could decide if America continues to have a functioning democracy, Cambridge and Somerville voters saw a blue tide rolling predictably back in – and many stayed home.

Drivers and some residents around Garden Street may not be happy about traffic changes since the installation of bike lanes – making much of the road one-way and moving vehicles to suddenly jammed side streets – but the nature of the argument has changed, Cambridge city councillors say.

Public meetings this week look at transportation by bus, rail and car, including on the newly one-way Garden Street; a statement of values for the city’s charter; and Alewife zoning recommendations.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s laughs at a “Best of the Boston Comedy Festival” showcase, action at a Smash the Patriarchy! Abortion Fundraiser and plenty of music, drama, art, literature and science in between.

Harvard Square’s coffee shop refresh doesn’t stop at the return of Starbucks in The Abbot building at JFK and Brattle streets. The Dunkin’ Donuts on Church Street has gotten a makeover into one of the company’s “next gen” locations.

Underlying much of the so-far very theoretical conversation by Cambridge’s Charter Review Committee was concern about the relationship between the city manager and council, with debates that will sound familiar to anyone following local politics over past years.

Somerville’s first recreational cannabis seller is preparing to open by mid-November in Davis Square – six years after three-quarters of city voters approved the idea.