Monday Essentials: Coats for Kids Collection, Pumpkin Fair

Welcome to Monday Essentials, our weekly column taking a look at the week ahead. Here are five things to know about this week:

1) This week's weather 

Looks like a bit of a mixed bag weather-wise this week. According to the National Weather Service we can expect sunny skies at the beginning of the week but then a cloudy and a chance of showers from Wednesday to the weekend. Temperatures will average in the mid to high 60s. Nighttime temperatures will be in the 40s. 

2) Columbus Day 

Monday is Columbus Day. All town, state and federal offices, including Town Hall, The Burlington Public Library, the Post Office and Burlington Schools, will be closed on Monday. 

3) Coats for Kids Collection 

Starting October 14, Anton’s Cleaners is kicking off its 19th annual Coats for Kids winter coat drive and will run through January 11, 2014. Anton’s Cleaners Coats for Kids collection has one simple goal - to help individuals who otherwise wouldn’t be able to keep themselves and their families warm.

4) Massachusetts Book of the Dead discussion 

The Burlington Public Library is holding a talk about "Massachusetts Book of the Dead" with Roxie Zwicker, founder of New England Curiosities Walking Tours. The event will be held on Thursday at 7 p.m. 

5) Fox Hill Pumpkin Fair 

Fox Hill Elementary School is holding a pumpkin fair starting at 6 p.m. on Friday.   The festival is a perfect time to have some terrific fun, a frightful scare, and enjoy a "bite" to eat. Activities: Cake Walk, Haunted Hallway, Moon Bounce, Pumpkin Painting, Hair Spraying, Cupcake Decorating and more