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By Joseph A. Curtatone (The Monday, There were no brass bands playing at the The Secretary Dan O'Connell and his This designation is a big deal in itself, but Given the land swaps, And, But of all the So here goes: Mike Buckley has been a valuable We'll start looking for a new SomerStat |
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Skip the mall this year for holiday shopping and just head down to Union Square. On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Union Square is the place to shop for inspired gifts that you can't find anywhere else. With three individual markets plus an array of unique shops, you'll find items to delight everyone on your holiday shopping list. Gifts include: sculpture, jewelry, knitwear, photography, handbags, unique electronic instruments, greeting cards, wreaths, desserts and more. And, for those who have been more naughty than nice, The Soap Smith offers "coal for your stocking" – naturally black soap in two scents: clove and honey/oatmeal/vanilla. There will be live musical performances all day from local acts and Farmers Market favorites The Pretty Pennies and the Wicked Pickers. There will also be caroling by the Somerville High Chorus. |
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By Tom Nash It was disbelief on Beacon Street Wednesday as local rock fans said goodbye to the Abbey Lounge, a legendary local dive open for drinks for a century and the home of loud punk rock since 1999. Latecomers were turned away to the club's last show Wednesday night, asked to wait in the former Z Bar space next door until doorman Eric Waxwood could let people in without violating the fire code. Those spurned tried to hold out hope. "It'll be open for drinks after tomorrow," one person said while waiting outside. Not true, Waxwood said. The 10-act, six hour show dubbed "The Last Blast" was the final bow for the Abbey. The money collected from the show will help owner Steve Giannino pay off the club's debt, which had been eased after a series of benefit shows in September. Brighton resident Steve Kurimay went to Abbey shows for eight years, mostly to see his friends' bands– almost all were on Wednesday's bill. "It's just sad," Kurimay said. "This was one of the few places that the rock scene felt comfortable and not pretentious. You didn't have to be a part of a scene, but you made a lot of friends." Waxwood, who performed with his band Auto Interiors, had worked the door on Saturdays for the past seven years. "Not only was (the club) supportive and gave me a job, but the Giannino family was supportive," he said. "And I met my wife here." Relative newcomers and veterans alike thrashed out mostly garage-tinged rock with impromptu collaborations ruling the night. All lamented the club's imminent demise, with booking manager and Coffin Lids frontman "Skinny Mike" Feudale's farewell standing out. "Abbey Lounge, my heart is broken tonight," he said. "But you guys satisfy what we're all about." Muck and the Mires frontman Evan Shore said their set was the band's 36th appearance at the club, while newer acts cited the Abbey as an important proving ground. "We're a young band," said Drew "Kazoo" Pilarski, singer for The Sprained Ankles, "and most of our best moments have been here." Others went for a more confrontational send-off, with The Konks bidding farewell with a nearly half-hour rendition of Flipper's "Sex Bomb" while imploring the audience to light-up in defiance of a smoking ban that many say has crippled drinking spots such as the Abbey. By the end of the night, a fresh piece of drywall in one of the restrooms had been covered in goodbye messages. With the Abbey Lounge suddenly absent from the local scene, both band members and concertgoers said the nurturing atmosphere would not be easily replaced. Bands were given the opportunity to set up their own bills, and the club even released a few records. "Through the years we had all these bands come up through us," said John Giannino, one of the owner's sons. "It's a blow for all of us." Triple Thick, which played its first show at the club in 1999, brought the night to a close. Skinny Mike and Konks frontman Kurt Davis were among the dozen on stage who along with the entire audience belted out "Louie Louie," the Abbey's last song. |
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| Well Mike Buckley is out as of this coming Friday, we know he's going to be around and that's good, he is certainly a nice guy and very loyal. Loyalty isn't quite what it used to be, but Mike is an example of what it should be. We hear that Janice McCarthy-Delory, former aide to Mayor Joe, is coming back. *************** Sad news last week *************** Congratulations *************** New nickname for the *************** Congratulations **************** According *************** A *************** The *************** You're *************** The *************** Santa makes an appearence ************* Come out to City Hall *************** Local *************** It |
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By George P. Hassett President Sgt. Paul Savage's father, Paul Savage Sr., Savage Savage and four other U.S. soldiers were hurt Since he was Savage achieved dean's list honors and received his Savage Savage will finish his tour of duty this month when he returns to a Marine base in California. His |
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By George P. Hassett The The decades-old tree inspired neighbors On In the weeks after, "You leave But after |
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