A Pumpkin Parade is set for this Thursday (Oct. 24) at 5:30 p.m. at Pope John Paul II Park, Hallet Street, Dorchester. This family-friendly event is free and open to all, with no registration required.  Dress up in your favorite costume, bring along a decorated or carved pumpkin, and enjoy a fun-filled evening with your friends and family. There will be plenty of activities for all ages, including music, games, candy, and hot chocolate to keep you warm! In case of rain, the event will be held on Oct. 25. For more information, visit neponset.org/events, send an email to ripley@neponset.org, or call 781-575-0354 x 301. This event is presented by the Neponset River Greenway Council, Neponset River Watershed Association, and MassDCR.

Town Field will be the site of a Halloween Haunted House on Thurs., Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. The costume-themed event is hosted by All Dorchester Sports & Leadership (ADSL) at 1565 Dorchester Ave. with candy, music, and more.

A Community Dance hosted by First Parish Dorchester is set for Sat., Nov. 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. at 10 Parish St., Dorchester. Includes square dances, international dances, couples, individual and line and circle dances. This event is for all ages, children to seniors.  A caller leads dancers through the steps to make it fun for novices and experienced dancers.  Refreshments provided. Suggested donation for adults $10, children free. For more information call 617-981-5201.  

The city of Boston Planning Dept. will host a virtual public meeting next Monday (Oct. 28) at 6 p.m. to discuss a proposal by Cobalt Development partners for 101 Boston St., Dorchester, which calls for the construction of a 6-story, 59-unit residential building with ground floor space for retail or restaurant. See bostonplans.org for more info on how to join the meeting.

Boston’s Licensing Board will host virtual office hours on Oct. 30 — and every other Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. —to provide one-on-one application assistance from Licensing Board staff. In addition, staff are available to provide support at City Hall on a drop-in or appointment basis. To make an appointment please email: licensingboard@boston.gov. 

Boston Centers for Youth & Families, the City of Boston’s Public Facilities Department, and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services will host the fifth community meeting to explore options for the design of a new community center in the Grove Hall section of Dorchester via Zoom on Wed., Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. To learn more visit Boston.gov/BCYF-Grove-Hall. To participate in this meeting, please visit bit.ly/BCYFGroveHallCenterDesignMeeting_5 or call 1-929-205-6099.

The Urban Farming Institute will host its annual meeting and community awards on Wed., Nov. 20, at 5:30 p.m. at the Fowler Clark Epstein Farm, 487 Norfolk St., Mattapan. Please RSVP to 617-989-9920 or email ebasile@urbanfarminginstitute.org.

The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is encouraging all Boston residents aged 6 months and older to get vaccinated for Influenza (flu) and Covid-19 ahead of the peak of respiratory virus season. Vaccines are especially recommended for residents who are ages 65 and older, at high risk for severe Covid, or have never received a Covid vaccine. Several free flu and Covid vaccine clinics are available across the city. Appointments are not necessary, and residents are encouraged to bring their health insurance cards if they have one. However, insurance and identification are not required.  The dates and locations include Thurs., Oct. 24, 1-5 p.m. at City Hall Room 115; Tues., Oct. 29, 3-7 p.m. at the BCYF Hyde Park Community Center; Sat., Nov. 2, 12-4 p.m. at the BCYF Mattahunt Community Center; Thurs., Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the BCYF Curley Community Center.  More dates and locations will be added, and residents can visit boston.gov/respiratory-protection for the latest information and additional resources.  

A city Planning Dept. meeting to update the Squares + Streets Zoning with “minor text” amendments will be held virtually on Wed., Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. See page 4 for more info.

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