A parking lot in Central Square is about to be turned into a center for live performances and the arts, dining, community services and education, intended to last from the end of July through October under the name Starlight Square.

The city has changed the way it reports the number of residents testing positive for Covid-19 to include those in nursing homes and assisted living centers who were identified by a novel surveillance project. As a result, the number of positive cases rose from 256 on Monday to 438 on Tuesday.

Michael Pavelecky, 71, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, born March 6, 1949, passed away March 17, 2020. A celebration of his life will be held at a date and time to be announced.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s Space Night at Harvard, a look at the rise and fall of romance comics, the start of a Pete Souza exhibit of photos from the Obama White House, the return of the Empty Bowls charity meal, and plenty of comedy, poetry and music.

If it was surprising for poet, author, playwright, performance artist Jade Sylvan to attend Harvard Divinity School, it might be less surprising to hear how Sylvan is wrapping up their time there: writing and staging a musical called “Beloved King,” presenting the ”gay AF” story of the Biblical David.

While Cambridge will never get its long-promised Constellation Center, what could go in its place – a 250-foot, three-tiered lab tower with 40,000 square feet of public arts and culture space at its base – offers something new: removal of a gas transfer station from the showpiece Third Street.

Cambridge has been waiting since 1999 to find out what’s going to fill 585 Third St., the gravel pit once expected to be the Constellation Center. The space’s next name, design and purpose is set to be revealed at a community meeting Feb. 27.

Like other Kate Hamill literary adaptations, “Vanity Fair” is strikingly original but respectfully loyal to its source, offering audiences an unapologetically feminist perspective of early 19th century Britain told with biting humor and exceptional wit.

Two citizen-led attempts to protect Central Square against changes threatened by a wave of development have been begun and scrubbed since it was learned that The Middle East property is on the block. As much as $500 million in real estate could trade in the months ahead, one developer estimates.

A look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events brings the Once in Valhalla 10-course feast, followed Sunday by free chili cook-offs in both cities, as well as an evening with Sutton Foster in Sanders Theatre, the return of “Medusa: Reclaiming the Myth” and much more.