By Jim Clark

While conducting traffic control, a Somerville police officer reportedly observed a man on a bicycle run through a red light at the corner of Beacon St. and Somerville Ave. last week.

The officer followed the cyclist and signaled for him to stop. Instead, the man accelerated and continued up Somerville Ave. in an apparent attempt to get away from the officer.

Taking a closer look at this month’s notable city data
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By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

1,183: That’s the number of veterans living in Somerville according to the most recent census data. However, our Office of Military Affairs and Veterans’ Services estimates that number could be closer to 1,700 veterans when accounting for active duty service members as well as those who do not self-identify. Over the next several months, we will be working to improve our veteran outreach efforts through upcoming initiatives like Operation Vet/ID and SomerVet. And there’s no better time to focus on reaching out to and supporting our veterans than Veterans’ Day, which is right around the corner. This year, we’re working with Somerville schools to give our local vets the opportunity to visit classrooms and share their experiences around what serving means to them. This is part of a larger effort to teach our children the importance of serving, not just through military service, but also through other future careers and volunteering.

— Photo by Kevin Dickinson

On Friday, October 7, the Union United coalition, the Right to the City Alliance, and bands from HONK! came together to protest displacement. To learn more about Union United or to get involved, visit www.unionunitedsomerville.com.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

The wet weekend weather did not dampen the spirits of those who partook in the HONK! Festival, the annual 3-day free festival bringing brass bands from all over the United States and the world to Somerville for a celebration of music, community and activism takes place this weekend.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone joined Concussion Legacy Foundation’s Chris Nowinski, last Wednesday to announce the city’s partnership with the foundation.

By Jim Clark

The City of Somerville announced last week that they have entered into a three-year partnership with the Boston-based Concussion Legacy Foundation to develop Somerville into a model city for concussion education, policy and prevention for its youth athletes.

Urgency critical to remain competitive with neighboring communities

Bluntly Speaking by Ross Blouin

There are two sides to every argument and this side needs to be presented. Assembly Row took more than 25 years to launch and many people feel this is too long to wait for a project as immense as Union Square. Union Square is a development project that will affect every citizen of Somerville.

This Saturday, October 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., it’s Open House here in Somerville with the local Masonic Lodge here in the city, King Solomon’s Lodge AF & A.M. at 125 Highland Avenue (rear up the driveway to the right of the building) doors will be open for residents to come and tour and ask questions about the Masons, the lodge and the building they occupy. King Solomon’s Lodge was chartered September 5, 1783, just two days after the American Revolution ended. Their charter was signed by Paul Revere and they owned and built the original Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. They even have on display the actual documents conveying the land to the Masonic Lodge in Charlestown. Officers and members will be present and light refreshments will be served.

By Donald Norton

The fiftieth reunion of Somerville High School class of 1966 was held this past Saturday night at the Four Points by Sheraton Wakefield Boston Hotel.

There was a good turnout of the class together with spouses and guests, with over 300 attending.

The Super School Bus is a mobile display classroom that is brought to Super School sites for for the purpose of showing off particulars about the school.

By Louise Carpenter

On Monday, October 3, XQ: The Super School Project Bus Tour made a stop in Somerville to celebrate Powderhouse Studios.

The event was well attended. The HONK! Academy Band performed, and Mayor Curtatone and Alderman Ballantyne were there as well. They appeared to be excited about the new school in town.

Awiszus, George F. of Arlington. October 10th. Beloved husband of Ann Awiszus (O’Keeffe). Loving father of George Jr. and his wife Lucy of Boxboro, Thomas and his wife Carole of Stoneham, Dan and his wife Molly of Topsfield, Robert and his wife Roberta of Andover, John and his wife Theresa of Medford and Ellen Cassell of Greenland NH. Cherished grandfather of Mike, Katie, Kayla, Molly, Lexie, Timothy, George, Annie, Annabella, Luke and Aidan. Funeral from the DeVito Funeral Home 1145 Mass. Ave., Arlington on Thursday at 10 am with a funeral mass to follow at 11 am in St. Eulalia Parish, Winchester. Relatives and friends are invited to visit in the funeral home on Wednesday from 4-8 pm. In lieu of flowers donations are requested to: Arlington Recreation Department, 422 Summer St., Arlington, MA 02474. For directions or to send an online condolence visit, devitofuneralhomes.com.