Public meetings this week look at fare-free buses, an unarmed and non-police emergency response, the search for a police chief, outdoor dining rules and more.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there are World Cup matches broadcast from Qatar to The Port, a run and wrestling, readings, poetry and storytelling, chances to dance before and after the Thanksgiving meal, and a holiday tradition: “David Boobie” burlesque.

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.

The sale of the 17-story office tower at 1 Memorial Drive, Kendall Square, is being called the biggest of its kind so far in 2021, but think of the three-story building going for $35.5 million. MIT has broken ground on a college of computing, too, and more apartments are going up near Union Square.

Somerville and Cambridge celebrate the return of live music with an all-local Saturday music festival cutely titled Nice, A Fest. “It’s just like, ‘Nice, we’re having a festival,’ or ‘Nice, we get to do this again,’” organizer Alex Prickett said.

A captain of private equity appears to have bought into Harvard Square, the scene of his college years, while Somerville has approved three projects around Union Square.

Transit upgrades are in store for the East Cambridge and East Somerville area as plans solidify to open the green line extension and make McGrath Highway more bike and pedestrian friendly.

The Department of Transportation plans a major revamp of McGrath Highway that will put it on a “road diet” and see the installation of bike lanes, but legislators say bicyclists need to be kept safer from passing cars and trucks.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there is the “La Sonnambula” opera, the unveiling of a life-size robot sculpture, an epic improv comedy fest, and theater, dance, movies and poetry, from DeWitt Henry to Olivia Gatwood, much of it free.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s a Lunar Day followed by Moon Shots and satellite-inspired plays, Chuck Klosterman with Tom Perrotta, the Ragtag circus does two nights, we hear from “The Trumpiad” and much more.