In the fall of 2000 a big blow off the coast was a boon to surfers, and a lucky break for the fishermen they saved after a boat capsized. And more dramatic and not-so-dramatic snippets from our past coverage.

This week sees early salvos in the coming town election. And, as ever, much more.

On Oct. 18, the L.V.I.S. landmarks committee will host a fund-raising lunch at the Maidstone Club, and speaking will be Allison McGovern, an anthropological archaeologist who will share insights from the Mapping Memories of Freetown Project and the Freetown Neighborhood Cultural Resources Survey.

The fast slide toward a post-constitutional dictatorship was on display Tuesday as the president and defense secretary addressed a perhaps unprecedented gathering of the nation’s top military leaders.