Good vibes bounce through Union Square pub

The Duppy Conquerors, a Bob Marley tribute band based in Somerville, keeps the words and music of Bob Marley alive as purely as they possibly can. - Photo by Jeremy van der Heiden

By Jeremy F. van der Heiden

“Don’t worry, about a thing, because every little thing is going to be alright.” The immortal words of Bob Marley still tug at the heart strings of those living in these economically and socially distressful times.

The Duppy Conquerors, a Bob Marley tribute band based in Somerville, keeps the words and music of Bob Marley alive as purely as they possibly can. On Monday nights, they play free shows at The Precinct Bar in Union Square, providing a calming yet riveting atmosphere for Somerville residents to gather, dance, and unwind.

On Monday, the Duppy Conquerors played Bob Marley’s Exodus album straight through during the first set, and followed with a mixture of hits and obscurities for the second. As The Precinct filled, the turnout of both young and old took to the dance floor.

(L to R) R.W. Jerry A Roach Jr and Lodge’s Master, Wor. Jose M. Jorge. - Photo by William Tauro

By Donald Norton

At a ceremony at King Solomon’s Masonic Lodge in Somerville Thursday evening,  the District Deputy Grand Master R.W.  Jerry A Roach Jr was presented a citation and a  clock as gifts from Lodge’s Master, Wor. Jose M. Jorge.   Thursday’s meeting was RW Jerry Roach’s last official visit before retiring,  he is a member of  Amicalbe Lodge in Cambridge.    A large turnout of members in Somerville turned out to wish Jerry Roache the best for his successful term of office these past 2 years.

By George P.  Hassett

Immigrant advocates are denouncing a recent federal immigration action in East Somerville, saying that agents intimidated a family of documented immigrants while looking for another man in a Franklin Street building last week.
On Thursday, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, conducted an operation in Somerville, said Patricia Montes, executive director of Centro Presente, a Somerville based immigrant rights group.

Re: Pensions For Politicians Are A Bonus At The Taxpayer’s Expense

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

Dear Editor,

This is one Democrat who believes Karyn Polito, a candidate for Treasure, has it right.

By Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

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

Question 3, proposing to reduce the state sales tax to three percent, on the Nov. 2 ballot is the latest attempt to gut local and state government. Obviously the temptation is to pay less taxes, but this is just a different version of the state income tax rollback that was rejected by 70 percent of state voters (and by every city and town in Massachusetts) on the 2008 ballot. In fact, it’s the same people who were behind the failed income tax rollback who are behind the sales tax rollback proposal in 2010.

By Lauren C. Ostberg

Just before the ceremony. By Lee Kilpatrick

The words of a wedding ceremony are, for the most part, uninteresting. They’re rehearsed, formulaic, vaguely impersonal. Do you, I do. Do you? Me, too.

Contrary to cinematic interpretations, no one speaks up to offer “a reason why these two should not be wed.” Even during the toasts, you can expect sugarcoated synopses of a relationship. An eavesdropping guest would be more intrigued by the murmurs of acquaintances.

Two Somerville-based amateur wedding photographers prefer the warts-and-all candid shot to a generically-posed engagement photo. Their exhibit, called “Forever Hold Your Peace,” is on display at the Washington Street Art Center until the end of the month.

By George P. Hassett

A 41-year-old Boston man was arrested at KMart for shoplifting Oct. 14.

Mark Aviles used a box cutter and a knife to cut open packages and remove items before stuffing them into his pockets, police said.

To the Editor:

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

The Somerville School Committee has taken a firm stand in opposing Questions #1 and #3 that will be on the ballot on November 2nd.  We ask all voters in Somerville to Vote NO on these questions.
Question #1 would eliminate the sales tax on alcoholic beverages. In 2009, the State Legislature removed the special status exemption given to beer, wine and alcohol products sold in package stores and made these sales subject to the state sales tax like most other goods.

Oiste?

To The Editor:

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

I’m a mom, I live on Clewley Road in Medford and I have three daughters. A year ago my husband lost his job and until two months ago when he got hired at a local hardware store, I was providing our sole source of income. Since he lost his job we have had trouble paying our bills and keeping up with the mortgage.  While all of this has been happening I have not told my three daughters, who are age 13, 16, and 18. They will learn of the difficulty their father and I have been having after the publication of this letter.

DREAM act would give children education opportunities

By Lauren C. Ostberg

Students and local immigrant rights advocates celebrate the Somerville School Committee's resolution to support the passage of the DREAM Act. - Photo by Lauren Ostberg

Somerville’s School Committee unanimously passed a resolution in support of the passage of the DREAM Act during their October 18 meeting.

The resolution also asks that the Chairman convey the Committee’s support to the congressional delegation.