By Tom Bannister

Calling all dogs, runners, and walkers! som|dog is taking to historic Union Square in Somerville for their semi-annual Doggie 5k Fun Run.

This year, they honor the late Tom Taylor, who served on the Somerville Board of Alderman from 1983 to 2013, and was an avid som|dog supporter. Tom was a major force behind the efforts to bring off-leash dog parks to the Somerville community.

Acting Superintendent Mark Lawhorne was on the hot seat as he presented to the Board details on the base charges recently implemented by the department.

By Jim Clark

At the latest regular meeting of the Somerville Board of Alderman on Thursday, September 22, Acting Superintendent of the Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund Mark Lawhorne presented answers to questions posed by the Board relating to unexpected increases in water rates.

Starting on July 1 of this year, a $60 fee was placed on water bills each quarter. A public outcry followed, with none being louder than that which issued from the Somerville Aldermanic Chamber.

Co-founder of Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI) John Rosenthal was the keynote speaker at the forum sponsored by CHA and the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery on Saturday.

By Amy Swain

This past Saturday, Cambridge Health Alliance and the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery sponsored a forum focused on education and awareness on addiction, recovery, and access to services.

The event took place at Tufts’ Barnum Hall in Medford. The complete event, which lasted from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., was free and open to the public, and drew a large audience.

A shooting took place on Pinckney St. Monday evening.

By Jim Clark

On Monday, October 3, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Somerville police units were dispatched to a Pinckney St. location on reports of a shooting incident.

According to reports, the victim received seven gunshot wounds, and was taken to Mass General Hospital for treatment.

On Saturday, October 8, it’s the Somerville High 50th Class Reunion, for graduates in 1966. This reunion will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton Wakefield Boston Hotel, One Audubon Road Wakefield 01880. A Dinner/Dance takes place from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. Make check out to SHS Class of 1966 and send to 44 Morrison Road, Wakefield, MA 01880. We know some have heard this before, but this class graduated in the sixth month, sixth day, at six o’clock 1966, 6/6/6/66 at Dilboy Field on a hot evening. Some say it was hell out there on the field, get it? Believe it or not a lot of the class of ‘66 still lives in Somerville and surrounding communities.

Victor and Rosa.

By Donald Norton

Last week, Phantom Gourmet was in Ball Square to check out the famous Victor’s Deli and, of course, their famous dishes they put out every week.

Pictured here are the founders, Victor and Rosa. Anyone who goes in to Victor’s knows they are the best.

The mouse that roared: WJIB FM is coming back soon

Bob Bittner is doing his bit to keep local radio alive and well, including devoting himself to an initiative to bring WJIB in Cambridge to the FM band, thus broadening the station’s reach to more listeners.

By Ross Blouin

Some of you might remember the wonderful instrumental music from years past that was played on WJIB FM in Boston. The Chelsea Clock chimes would ring out and peaceful melodies would come to you over the airwaves.

Those days are gone but the good music has come back to us on WJIB AM 740 thanks to one man, Bob Bittner. He is a career broadcaster with ideas that are etched in stone.

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The foundry has been serving brasserie-style gastropub food since 2010 in the heart of Davis Square. From the appetizers, small sharing plates, flatbreads and entrees, there is a large enough selection to satisfy everyone in the group. 

By Donald Norton

This week, our friend the Winter Hill Turkey waltzed down to our local friendly Century Bank branch here on Mystic and Fellsway. Apparently he wanted to open an account in the bank, but Lisa told him he needed two forms of ID. The fowl was apparently irate that Lisa had to ask security to keep him out of the bank and not make a fuss. Perhaps he’ll get those two forms of ID and will return. We’re sure Lisa or Jeannie will know how to handle it. They are both excellent bankers.

The man or woman who assumes the roll of Commander and Chief of our nation must be ready willing and able to rise to the occasion when called upon to do so. Each one of us, whoever we may be supporting in this year’s election, is searching our heart to determine whom we feel will best fill those shoes.

Most of us seem to be very confident that our favored candidate is up to the task. Others bemoan a lack of integrity or skills required to do the job well among those who are running.