What Can the City, Businesses and Residents Do to Improve Downtown?

Today is Monday, Oct. 21. Here's a look at the week ahead in Peabody.

1. The next free flu clinic offered by the city is Monday at the Torigian Center from 9 a.m. - noon.
2. The Fire Department will be flushing hydrants in Ward 2 Precinct 2 and Ward 6 Precinct 3 starting Monday. The testing may cause some temporary discoloration in tap water in those neighborhoods.
3. The third and final meeting for hashing out ideas and plans to develop a downtown economic development initiative is Tuesday (6 p.m.) at the South Branch Library (78 Lynn St.). Residents, business owners and anyone else interested in the future of the downtown is encouraged to attend. The talking points for the evening are: what is the “big picture” vision of the downtown, where are the best opportunities to make things better, how to get more people to come to downtown Peabody and how can we get them to come back again, what to do to make downtown a more livable place for existing and future residents, what can the city do to lead the way, what can downtown property owners and businesses do, and lastly what can residents do? There will be light refreshments. Questions can be directed to Blair Haney at blair.haney@peabody-ma.gov.
4. The School Committee meets for its regular session Tuesday at the Kiley School (the Student Advisory Committee will brief the board, starting at 7 p.m.) and the City Council meets again on Thursday at City Hall. First is the Municipal Safety Committee at 6:45 p.m., followed by the full council session at 7:30 p.m.
5. Friday is time for another Oktoberfest beer tasting at Karl's Sausage Kitchen. Hornst Dornbusch will also be back as well.
6. The Recreational Education Center is hosting its second annual Halloween party Saturday (10 a.m.) -- spooky fun for the whole family and free admission if your child comes in costume. And if you come back to the main parking lot at 5:30 p.m., you can Trunk or Treat with the Branch Church. There will be a lot full of decorated cars for kids to trick-or-trick at, free inflatables, food, drinks, prizes and more.
7. Lucky Dogs Daycare is also hosting a spooky bash Saturday, but for canines. There will be treats, a doggie costume parade and more.
8. Make sure to stop by Brooksby Farm Saturday as well between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the 2nd Annual Drawn to Brooksby Harvest Art Festival. There will be all different types of artwork on display by Peabody Public Schools students, live entertainment and Halloween costumes are encouraged. The event is sponsored by GreenPeabody.
9. And then on Sunday afternoon (2:10-3:40 p.m.), the McVann-O'Keefe Skating Rink puts on its 4th Annual Halloween Skating Party. Wear your costume on the ice.