Nearly 1,000 homes in Arlington were left in the dark afte a rare October nor'easter hit the area last weekend. It took NSTAR until Wednesday to get power back to most homes.

Students at Arlington High School were once again evacuated Thursday afternoon due to an odor of natural gas. Students were evacuated school about 1:15 p.m. after a teacher smelled a strong odor of gas on the school’s fourth floor, by the science classrooms.

And Arlington-based American Alarm and Communications announced this week it will donate 20 personal emergency response systems to veterans who are recuperating in their homes, allowing them to have a greater peace of mind while maintaining a certain level of independence.

Here are more of this week's essential news from Arlington Patch's coverage:

BUSINESS

Local coffee shops got an unusual swarm of customers on Monday, as residents without power looked for places to warm up, charge phones and check emails.

HALLOWEEN

Several East Arlington businesses opened their doors for trick or treaters on Monday, attracting a crowd young children looking for a place to score candy before sundown. 

And nearly 20 middle-schoolers from Ottoson Middle School were reportedly infected as zombies and were spotted lurching around downtown Arlington.

Arlington Patch caught both events with photo galleries.

GOVERNMENT

The Arlington Health and Human Services Department is seeking Thanksgiving donations and volunteers to help make the Thanksgiving season bright for all residents.

POLICE

On Tuesday, Arlington Police responded to Shelley Road for a report of malicious damage done to a Honda Odyssey van, which had two of its windows smashed with pumpkins.

SCHOOLS

In an effort to further expound upon their expeditionary learning platform, first and second grade students from Covenant School headed down to the Arlington Reservoir on Thursday afternoon to plant Allium Cernuum bulbs, also known as the nodding onion.

Arlington Public Schools are once again being honored by the College Board for increasing access to Advanced Placement coursework while maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of three or higher on AP exams.

COLUMNS AND PERSONALITIES

Allison Oropallo, of "All American Handyman" fame, asked the community for help with one of her classrooms. And they're responding with much-needed assistance in transforming a sterile room into a colorful wonder.

On Friday, columnist Bette Yip tackled functional fashion for dogs, and how some pets can experience a calming effect when they are essentially wrapped in a snug garment around their torso—once they have been properly introduced to such a garment, that is.

On Saturday, columnist Ryan P. Standley wrote about yet another adventure with his 5-year-old daughter Lainey. This time, Lainey learned about love and loss when she found out about the passing of her great-grandmother.

Stephanie Haddad wrote about healthy nutrition for toddlers and how to pick the right foods to help your little one grow big and strong.

Sarah Cawley wrote about cold weather indoor activitiesips for when the weather outside is frightful but you still want to leave the house with the kids.

FOLLOW US

To follow our 24/7 coverage of Arlington politics, crime, schools and its people, check us out on Twitter and Facebook. For questions, comments or concerns, contact editor Pedro Oliveira Jr. at pedro.oliveira@patch.com or 781-462-7305.