Cambridge girls’ softball league can’t file a Title IX complaint, but players have advocated for years for better fields. For the first time, city officials and recreation department staff are beginning to listen.

“Dirty Water” doesn’t sound like the most alluring name for a new business, much less a good come-on for people looking to fulfill their New Year’s resolutions. But to Josh Fox and his fellow entrepreneurs, the appeal was clear.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s plenty of celebrations of the solstice – the shortest day of the year and coming of winter – as well as less nature-focused fun with the Sweetback Sisters and Army of Broken Toys. There’s even something to do when there’s nothing to do: A poetry stroll.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events there’s the “Solstice: Reflections on Winter Light” light show at Mount Auburn Cemetery and Midwinter Revels “Solstice Celebration,” as well as one-to-one opera performances, readings and poetry, comedy and weird cinema, history and a protest art performance in Harvard Square.

Public meetings this week look at traffic calming, short-term rentals, access to recreation programs and a revised proposal for the long-vacant Broadway Star Market.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, holiday shopping is underway and so is the Harvard Square Business Association’s Giving Tree tradition, and there’s comedy, music, book readings and interactive events such as the Cardboard City Big Group Build at The MIT Museum.

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.

Organizers of Sunday’s half-marathon road race in Cambridge are investigating how the event ran out of cups at some water stops and water bottles at the finish line on a day temperatures climbed into the high 70s. The problems temporarily left some runners without much-needed water.

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.