VOL. 113 - NO. 51 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, DECEMBER 18, 2009 ... · News Briefs by Sal Giarratani...

News Briefsby Sal Giarratani

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$.30 A COPYVOL. 113 - NO. 51 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, DECEMBER 18, 2009

THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTONTHE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTONTHE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTONTHE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTONTHE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTONThis office is open on Mondays Mondays Mondays Mondays Mondays and TuesdaysTuesdaysTuesdaysTuesdaysTuesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Thursdays Thursdays Thursdays Thursdays Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM,

for the convenience of our East Boston and North Shore clients and contributorsCall 617-227-8929 for more information

Sober Christmas PartyThe Recovery Outreach Community will

be hosting a Sober Christmas Party held atSt. Catherine’s in Charlestown at 12 noon on Sat-urday, December 19. This will be the 3rd annualSober Christmas Party. For more information, seeVirgil at 781-727-9288 or Virgil70s.com.

Check Out On the Fly“On the Fly” is the only sports radio show run

by a 16-year-old. It runs every Tuesday from7-8 pm on ZUMIX radio 1630am and streaminglive on the web at ZUMIX.ORG. Call in live at617-568-9777 Ext. 12.

Contrada’s Own Killer MillerIf you stop in at Contrada’s, you can see Phil

“Killer” Miller’s boxing poster on the wall of fame.He’s a regular at the place. He fights out of the

Coast Guard down the street at the base. He is5-0-0 in the ring and a champion father outsidethe ring. He and lovely Chassmin just had a babyboy named London Philip. Keep punching Killer.Contrada’s is rooting for you.

Happy Birthday SethOne of my many nephews, Seth Bennett from

Revere just celebrated his 9th birthday with a bigparty at the Salesian Boys & Girls Club of EastBoston. What a great place for a party. Lots of

Two Advent Events in Preparation for Christmas by Bennett Molinari and Richard Molinari

Saint Leonard Parish isjust one of thousands ofCatholic parishes scatteredthroughout the UnitedStates observing the seasonof Advent with prayers andevents all meant to prepare

the community for the cel-ebration of the Birth of Jesuson Christmas Day.

This year’s Saint LeonardParish annual ChristmasConcert entitled Advent/Christmas Music beautifully

expressed both the spirit ofpreparation that is Adventand the essence of celebra-tion meant to proclaim thebirth of the Messiah

Mayor’s Columnby Thomas M. Menino, Mayor, City of Boston

Fenway Park is one of our city’s mostrecognizable landmarks. On New Year’sDay, as you probably know by now, thehomeruns and diving catches will bereplaced by slap shots and kick saveswhen the Bruins and local college rivalstake the ice on the historic field.

Tickets are tough to come by, but thatdoesn’t mean you can’t participate. I’mthrilled that Boston residents will be ableto skate for free at Fenway on two days— January 3rd and 10th — as part of theCity’s Inaugural celebrations.

Here’s how it will work: This Satur-day, December 19th, we’re giving awaymore than 3,000 tickets at CommunityCenters across the city and at the CopleyLibrary through a partnership with SunLife Financial. Residents, who will beasked to show proof of residency, canpick up as many as four tickets from9-11AM for access to free Fenwayskating on either January 3rd or 10th.Tickets will indicate the date and timethat you can skate at Fenway.

Once you have a ticket, just showup to the Park on the designated datewith a pair of skates. After lacing up,you’ll have the opportunity to skate for

a full hour in the middle of the diamondwhere Dustin Pedroia and MarcoScutaro will turn double plays in a fewshort months.

In addition the free skates, the Cityand the National Hockey League willtransform the parking lot at BrooklineAvenue and Yawkey Way into the 2010Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Spec-tator Plaza. This free outdoor hockeyand entertainment festival will span twodays — New Year’s Eve and New Year’sDay — and feature Bruins alumni,musical performances, interactivehockey-themed attractions, and a ticketgiveaway for the Bruins-Flyers game.Other activities will make this a funexperience for everyone, regardless ofage.

While Boston sports fans love theBruins and all of our professional teams,several of our college teams are amongthe best in the country. When BostonUniversity and Boston College face offon January 8th, the winners of the pasttwo national titles will renew theirrenowned rivalry in a park that’s no

(Continued on Page 15)


Liberals are once againengaging in their favoritesport: Joe Lieberman bash-ing.

The Connecticut senatorand former Democratic vice-presidential nominee firstdrew liberal ire for his vocalsupport of President GeorgeW. Bush’s surge in Iraq. Now,Democrats are attackinghim for pledging to standwith Republicans in filibus-tering the Senate healthcare bill if it contains apublic option or a Medicarebuy-in.

One influential liberalblogger, Jane Hamsher, is soenraged with Liebermanthat she has asked theSusan B. Komen Foundationto fire Lieberman’s wife,Hadassah, from her role asinternational spokespersonfor the breast cancer fight-ing charity. Hamsher haseven implored celebritiesassociated with the organi-zation to pressure the foun-dation to can Hadassah be-cause of her husband’sposition on the Senate

health care bill. Talk aboutpersonal.

The Washington Post’s EzraKlein went even further bywriting that Lieberman’smotivation in opposing thecurrent Senate health carebill is nothing more thanrevenge against those liber-als who opposed him inhis 2006 Senate campaign.Worse, Klein charges, Lieb-erman “seems to be willingto cause the deaths of hun-dreds of thousands of peoplein order to settle an old elec-toral score.”

What slander.Joe Lieberman is a states-

man senator. No matter howhard the left tries to tarLieberman with unseemlylabels and accusations, theycan’t erase the fact thatLieberman risked his politi-cal career by endorsing JohnMcCain for president. In sodoing, he provided all theevidence we need that he isa man who acts according tohis conscience.

Liberal Attacks onJoe Lieberman Get Personal

by Jamie Weinstein


POST-GAZETTE, DECEMBER 18, 2009

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COMMUNITY MAUSOLEUMS GARDEN COLUMBARIUMS

Serving the Italian community for over 100 years!

Res Publicaby David Trumbull

On December 20th, theCommonwealth of Massa-chusetts recognizes our tex-tile heritage by honoringSamuel Slater (1768-1835).

“The governor shall annu-ally issue a proclamationsetting apart Decembertwentieth as Samuel SlaterDay, in recognition of thebeginning of America’s In-dustrial Revolution along thebanks of the BlackstoneRiver where Samuel Slaterestablished his first mill andlater relocated and estab-lished the town of Webster,and in further recognition ofthe contribution of countlessworking men and women toAmerica’s national great-ness, and recommendingthat said day be observed inan appropriate manner bythe people.”

— Massachusetts GeneralLaws Chapter 6 Section

15PPP.How we came to have a

Massachusetts textile in-dustry is a story worthy ofspy-novel, for it was, liter-ally, the result of industrialespionage. For a brief ver-sion of how the textile indus-try was established inAmerica in 1790 I quotefrom the records of the 1925Semi-Annual Meeting ofThe National Association ofCotton Manufacturers —

“[In England] Mr. Slaterwas apprenticed to JeddidiahStrutt, who worked withRichard Arkwright. Whenyoung Slater came to thiscountry, he did not bring anyplans, any models, any pat-terns of any kind, on accountof the prohibition of the ex-porting of cotton machineryby Parliament. He sought fi-nancial support, which hereceived from Moses Brown,who was in need of mechani-cal assistance ... Brown tookSlater out to Pawtucket and

showed him some machin-ery which he had purchasedsomewhere. Slater immedi-ately said the principle waswrong, discarded it, and thenfrom his own mind started tomanufacturer machineryon the Arkwright plan.”

There you have it. Prohib-ited by English law frombringing to American anydrawings or notes on how tobuild a textile mill, Slater,observed closely how Englishmachines were constructedand committed the plans tomemory!

There is another story, onethat is all too familiar — thatis of the loss of jobs, not justin textiles, but all types ofmanufacturing jobs, in theU.S.

The Democrats in Wash-ington are spending us intoa hole that may take genera-tions to get out of. What do wehave to show for it? Reportsof jobs “created” or “saved”which, upon investigation,turn out to have widely in-flated numbers or are justthorough-going fictions.What jobs have been createdare nearly all in government,not the private sector. Theyare jobs that do not createwealth. Where are themanufacturing jobs thatmake possible the middleclass that made Americagreat? If a Samuel Slatershowed up in America todaywith a terrific new technol-ogy that would put millions towork, would our elected offi-cials embrace him? Or wouldthey tax and regulate his in-novations out of business?David Trumbull is the chair-man of the Boston Ward ThreeRepublican Committee. Bos-ton’s Ward Three includes theNorth End, West End, partof Beacon Hill, downtown,waterfront, Chinatown, andpart of the South End.

Time for a New Industrial Revolution

WWW.BOSTONPOSTGAZETTE.COM

The stained glass treatedin the last issues highlightsa French contribution toecclesiology. The Italians,especially those of Renais-sance Italy, expended littleeffort on stained glass com-pared to their work in othermedia, such as painting andsculpturing. The ancientEgyptians were among theearliest contributors to theglass culture or technology.

The oldest specimen to beseen today is an opaque blueEgyptian glass vase which is

now in the British Museum;it dates back to the sixteenthcentury B.C. Even the Egyp-tian tombs and mummycases contained glass cupsand bottles in considerablenumbers, and in somepaintings (about 2300 B.C.)the process of glass blowingis clearly depicted.

A story is told by one an-cient historian that the dis-covery of glass was quite byaccident, and that the RiverBelus in Phoenicia containsa sandy beach that stretches

for about a half mile. Thestory goes on to relate that aship belonging to some trad-ers in natural soda put inhere and built a fire to pre-pare their meal. Since, how-ever, no stones suitable forsupporting their kettleswere available they restedthem on lumps of soda fromthe cargo. When theselumps became heated, andwere completely mingledwith the sand on the beach,

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neighborhood at the place, date, and time listed here.

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people

NORTH ENDBoston Public Library25 Parmenter StreetThursdays, 10 AM–1 PM Jan. 7 • FJan. 7 • FJan. 7 • FJan. 7 • FJan. 7 • Feb. 4eb. 4eb. 4eb. 4eb. 4

“MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY”AT ST. JOHN SCHOOL

On Saturday December 5, The “Inner-city scholarship fund professionals team” headedby Meghan Horan of the Catholic School Foundation came to St. John School, NorthEnd, Boston. The group volunteered to “Make a difference” and gave the school adeep cleaning, helping to sanitize the school from top to bottom. Sister Eileen Harvey,principal said, “The volunteers are invaluable, their efforts help to keep the school intip top condition”. The volunteers involved were: Meghan Horan, Mary Francis Horan,Patrick McDonough, Siobhan O’Connor, John McDonough, Melanie Opacki, MatthewCohen, Casey Bass, Susie Salerno, Laura Favret, Jesica Signor, Pirel Curcio, notpictured are William Tyner, and Alex Cook



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Christmas Day is here again,Santa’s on his way.

Many hearts will be so sadOn that Sacred Day.

Our church bells will ring,And our hearts should sing

Yet tears will fall in rhythm ofThose beautiful hymns.

Soon Santa will dropThrough our chimney top

So many toys for girls and boysWhile mothers’ sit and pray.

“Dear Lord, whose birthday is todayplease have those far away

Successfully fill their wondrous tasksSo they’ll come home to stay.”

Then next year we’ll join inand though with tears we’ll sing,

They’ll be tears of happinessIF bells of PEACE will ring!”

Christmas Prayerby Vita Orlando Sinopoli

Marion D. (Ribaudo) Alfe, of the North End of Boston passedaway on December 11, 2009. She is the beloved wife of thelate John Alfe and loving mother of Gracemarie and herhusband Francis LeBlanc of Watertown, Francis and hiswife Rosemarie (Corrao) Alfe of Medford and Jeannette Alfeof Boston. Also survived by five grandchildren and sevengreat grandchildren.

Mass was held at Sacred Heart Church in Boston’s NorthEnd on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 following intermentat St. Michael’s Cemetery, in Roslindale, Massachusetts.Arrangements were from the Cincotti Funeral Home inMedford. Contributions in Marion’s memory may be madeto St. Leonard’s Church, 14 North Bennett Street, Boston,MA 02113.

Marion D. (Ribaudo) AlfeMAY SHE REST IN PEACE

You know its Christmas time in the North End when Caffe Pompei constructs itsItalian Nativity Scene. Ciajup Logli of Caffe Pompei stands next to the Nativity Scenethat is located in the front of the café. Caffe Pompei is located at 280 Hanover Street,Boston.

Christmas Time in the North End

Mary Milano was born on July 22,1916 of immigrant parents, Antonioand Salvatese DiCorrado. Born onGarden Court Street in Boston’sNorth End, Mary was alwaysproud to share the same birthdayand birthplace as her role model,Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. ForMary, education was foremost.Having a love for teaching, sheattended Framingham StateTeachers College. But for Mary,family business would be her truecalling. From the young age ofsixteen, Mary began working sideby side with her father at DiCorrado’sJewelers. Opened in 1912, this was thefirst jewelry store in Boston’s North End.Later, Mary would join her son, daughter, andhusband in running yet another first and familybusiness, the Ye Olde Union Oyster House.Opened in 1826, the Union Oyster House isAmerica’s Oldest Restaurant.

At DiCorrado’s Jewelers, Mary proudly servedas buyer, seller, and bookkeeper for over 25years. For Mary this would prove to be valuableexperience for her later role as the matriarch ofthe Union Oyster House. Mary was a giftedbusiness woman with a shrewd eye for detail.Always mindful of the importance of hard workand excellent service, she also managed severalreal estate properties. As a landlord, Mary’s solefocus was to remain loyal to her valued tenants.

In 1941, Mary married Joseph Milano, Sr., acivil engineer. After having given birth toa daughter, Mary Ann, and a son, JosephMilano, Jr., the couple moved to Medford toraise their family. In 1970, the Milano familypurchased the Union Oyster House. After thedeath of her husband and soul mate in 1977,Mary took a more active role in running therestaurant. For close to 40 years, Mary workedside by side with her daughter and son to instillfamily values to this family business.

Whether you called her Mrs. Milano, Mrs.M, or Mary, at the Union Oyster House shewas everyone’s Mother. Her love for the

Mary MilanoMatriarch of the Union Oyster House Passes Away

restaurant was reviled only by herpassion to travel. In the words of

Mary, “To see the world is life’sgreatest pleasure.” She oftenreturned to her parent’shomeland of Italy as well asretreating to her winter havenin Palm Beach, Florida.

At the ripe age of retirement,Mary continued to don hersignature business suit and takeher seat at her desk on 41 Union

Street at the Union OysterHouse. Up until her passing at 93

years young, Mary could be foundsitting there from nine to five, seven

days a week (except family holidays),greeting customers from around the world andfrom all walks of life. Mary welcomed the loyalpatrons and staff of the Union Oyster Houseinto her home away from home and into herheart. She loved each and every one of themand they loved her in return.

Mary loved to share stories about therestaurant and humble lessons of how hardwork makes you a better person. Her life wasa testament to those ideals. Although her desknext to the trademark Oyster Bar that she satat for almost 40 years now sits empty, her spiritlives on.

She is survived by her daughter Mary AnnMilano Picardi and her husband Angelo Picardiof Boston and son Joseph A. Milano, Jr. andhis wife Jill Milano of Lynnfield. She is alsosurvived by her grandchildren, Liesa, Kristen,Joya, Kimberly & Michael and nine great-grand-children.

Funeral from the Dello Russo Funeral Home,on Thursday, December 17 and Mass from St.Joseph Church in Medford on Friday,December 18. Entombment in the familymausoleum in Oak Grove Cemetery.Memorial donatons may be sent to St.Anthony’s Shrine, 100 Arch Street, Boston,Massachusetts.

The Post-Gazette offers our sincerecondolences to the Milano Family.


THINKINGby Sal Giarratani

OUT LOUD

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with Ben Doherty

FinanciallySpeaking

I recently moved to EastBoston for the first time inmy life. The last time aGiarratani lived in East Bos-ton, the Sumner Tunnel wasstill on blueprint paper. Eventhough, I just arrived, I’vebeen writing for and aboutEast Boston going back tothe old East Boston RegionalReview over on BremenStreet and the East BostonTimes when it was run by theTarbi family. One of EastBoston’s all-time newspaperwriters was John Camplese,a dear friend of mine foryears. Since 1983, I’ve beena writer in the Post-Gazette.

I love the idea of East Bos-ton adding the USS Kennedyto the local landscape.

I think it is a super ideaand will increase tourismand tourist dollars into thelocal community. I was liv-ing in Quincy when the Cityof Quincy and the privatesector worked together to getthe USS Salem to the oldQuincy Shipyard. Today, theship a part of Quincy andbeing used for variousevents and has helped thelocal economy.

The USS Kennedy is amuch more known ship andcan surely attract more tour-ists across the harbor to EastBoston. There is no reasonthat tourists who go toCharlestown to visit OldIronsides wouldn’t alsowant to go aboard the USSKennedy. Charlestown’s lo-cal economy is boosted bythe Navy Yard with the USSConstitution and the USSCassin Young docked there.I can see ferry service be-tween Charlestown andEast Boston connecting the

Charlestown Navy Yard toEast Boston.

Kudos to Senator AnthonyPetruccelli and Representa-tive Carlo Basile for trying tobring the USS Kennedy toEast Boston. It is time forall of East Boston to come to-gether as one to bring his-tory to East Boston. WhenQuincy took the USS Salemfrom Philadelphia it wasgreeting by cheering crowdsat the old Quincy Shipyard.Money was raised to moveit to Massachusetts andmoney needs to be raised tomove the Kennedy back tothe Kennedy’s family firsthome. Now is the time toprepare for the ship, findinga site and raising the cashthrough a public-privatepartnership. In the end theCity of Boston will benefit aswell as the East Bostoneconomy. And its the rightthing to do.

When Jack Kennedy wasrunning for president, I was12 years old. Back in 1958,my father took the family tothe Columbus Day Parade inEast Boston. We would takethe train to Maverick Sta-tion and walk up to the curvewhere the parade turned bythe East Boston SavingsBank. That year I was 10years old when I sawKennedy in person for thefirst time. He was runningfor re-election to his Senateseat but probably thinking1960 too. I remember my fa-ther telling me aboutKennedy’s East Boston rootswhen the neighborhood wasIrish in the 19th century.With the USS Kennedy inEast Boston, those roots cannow be shared with America.

Bringing the USS Kennedy “Home” to East Boston

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Job cuts hit hardest on lowskill men, their outlook isgloomy. The jobless rate canstay high for years and fac-tory jobs probably will not re-turn. Men have been hithard in this recession asjobs in this male dominatedconstruction and manufac-turing fields have evapo-rated, many of them for good.The unemployment rate formen ages 25-55 is @ 10% inNovember, according to theLabor Department. The job-less rate for women in thatage group is 7.6% both upfrom 4% last year. Some oftheir jobs will come back asthe economy rebounds, butnot enough to absorb thebulk of those who havetaken off the payrolls. Manu-facturing has been on adownward trend for a longtime, and its expected toturn around quickly. Con-struction and factory work-ers need to retrain to takejobs in growing sectors, suchas healthcare, computertechnology and business ser-vices economists say. Olderunskilled workers, mightretire early or never getback into the work force.There has been a narrowingout of jobs. The need to getskills that are more relevantto giving to home ratherthan what we had. Thejobless rate for college

graduates is 5% vs. 15%for those without a highschool diploma, mostly forunskilled men. Job openingsfell by 80,000 in October to2.5 million Labor Depart-ment reported.

With more than 15 millionpeople out of work analystssay it could take severalyears for the jobless rate toget back to 5-6% especiallyif the recovery is sluggish.President Obama this weekoutlines plans to boost hir-ing via additional spendingon infrastructure, subsidiesto weatherize homes andcapital gains tax cuts forsmall businesses. It’s gongto take a long time for un-employment to get back to5%. Unemployment canmake people cynical, as youcan’t pay your mortgagewithout a job, and consum-ers will cut back consumerspending which accounts for70% of economic activity.

The stock market portraitgains on Thursday lastweek but it was more thesame. The NASDAQ bumpedagainst the 2000 level againfor the 4th time recently. TheUS dollar was weak, whichhelped reports. Gold roseslightly and oil was flat.Starbucks cleared a highpoint as did Guess whichleapt $4 in a huge trade. TheUniversity of Michigan con-

sumers Index was the posi-tive, helping the market.

AOL returns to Wall Streetas Time Warner spun off thestock in order to focus moreon its core entertainmentbusiness. Time Warner got1 share of AOL for every 11shares of the parent com-pany, they owned. ManyTime Warner stakeholdersviewed AOL as a piece thatdidn’t’ fit in their portfolios.The shares debuted at $27/share and is now seeking@$24. AOL’s plan to morphfrom a provider of low costservices into a web site fea-turing original contact ser-vices. It’s not surprising thatthe stock has languishedsince its opening as thosewho got it in the spin off don’tunderstand it. These littlespin off shares meant littleto its shareholders and theysold them ASAP. In the early1990’s, AOL had e-mail andbought Time Warner near itstop price for $164 billion, butit was a cultural clash andAOL nose dived. Many inves-tors are not convinced thatAOL can turn it around andbe a success again. Theirsuccess is uncertain. AOLwould be a competitor forGoogle, Yahoo and Microsoft.

It’s time to call yourfinancial advisor or call meat 617-261-7777.

UNEMPLOYMENT GETS WORSE

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The 2nd Annual Santa Skate & Toy Drive a Success

The second annual SantaSkate & Toy Drive held onSaturday, December 12 atthe Steriti Skating Rink wasa great success! Sponsoredby the North End ColumbusDay Committee, the eventfeatured caroling, holidaymusic, refreshments, skat-ing and of course a visit bySanta! Hundreds of toyswere collected for thechildren of the Boston ABCDprogram.

The committee would liketo thank all those who par-ticipated and donated toys.A special thank you to thejolly crew at NEMPAC for thewonderful caroling and DJVirgil for spinning greatChristmas music; BostonBeanstock Coffee on Salem

Street for supplying thecoffee and treats; The Bos-ton Bruins; the staff ofDCR and the Steriti SkatingRink and our good friends:Senator Anthony Petru-ccelli, Representative AaronMichlewitz and CouncilorSal LaMattina!

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A Perfect Show For The Whole Family!

The Giunta family 9th annual Christmasparty was held in West Roxbury this year.The Giunta’s were from Saint Phillip’sParish in Roxbury. Attendance for theChristmas party runs anywhere from 80people to last year’s largest attendance of120 people.

The Giunta family immigrated to theUnited States to after a devastating earth-quake struck southern Europe in Decem-ber 1908, Giuseppe and Stefana Giunta,along with their son Joseph. Eventually fivemore children were born, Grace, Catherine,Tony, Johnny and Michael.

Giunta Family 9th Annual Christmas Party

When family members look around at theannual party attendees, they find it hard tobelieve that this started with just two peas-ants emigrating from Sicily. Now, not onlyat Christmas but on many other occasions,we come together, “La Famiglia” (the fam-ily), to pass on the understanding of who weare and where we came from, to get to knoweach other and the special relation thatbinds them. They also come together to passon the gift of extended family, traditions andvalues that have been passed down now tosix generations.

Cent’anni!

Martino Langone Passacantilli was born onNovember 9, 2009 to Daniel and Sue Passacantilli.Martino is the grandson of Lorraine and DanielPassacantilli; and Barbara Riggi and the late MartinoRiggi of Connecticut.

He is the great-grandson of Aurora Langone andthe late Honorable Frederick C. Langone and thelate Albert and Josephine Passacantilli of the NorthEnd.

Martino joins his 4-year-old sister, Adriana.

Congratulationsto the Proud Parents

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St. Agrippina’s membership held its 15th annualChristmas Program for North End children onSunday December 13th. The program once again,was a huge success! Santa Claus arrived atSt. Agrippina’s Chapel via fire engine. There weremany families anxiously waiting for his arrival,while holiday music played. Santa Claus took anindividual picture with the children, gave theman age appropriate gift, a balloon, and a gift bagfilled with school supplies and candy treats forover 125 children. Santa’s friend, Batman, madespecial guest appearances. Furthermore, theBoston Celtics Cheerleaders made a special visitto the program and added plenty of smiles andgood wishes to the families of the North End. Avery merry good time was had by everyone thatattended.

Santa and Nick Mustacchio

St. Agrippina’s 15th Annual Christmas Program



ALL THAALL THAALL THAALL THAALL THAT ZAZZT ZAZZT ZAZZT ZAZZT ZAZZby Mary N. DiZazzo

The Week Before ChristmasIN THE BEAUTY SALON

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The local Italian AmericanWomen’s Group, Donne 2000, hascollected the best ethnic recipes fromits group members and compiledthem into an attractive keepsakecookbook, entitled, Sapori Nostri —A Taste of Tradition. The cook-book contains 150 well-loved Ital-ian recipes including appetizers,

main dishes, desserts and many other recipes thathave been handed down from generation to genera-tion. The cookbook is an attractive three-ring binderwith a convenient easel bookstand. It will make amemorable Christmas gift!

Donne 2000 is a non-profit organization for womenof all ages aimed primarily to benefit and educatewomen in today’s society and preserve ethnic tradi-tions from generation to generation. Donne 2000holds many charitable events throughout the year toraise money for special causes. Their most recentendeavor was the Donne 2000 Breast Cancer Walkwhere a team of woman walked to raise money forthe “cure”.

Cookbooks are on sale now. Proceeds will benefitthe Donne 2000 scholarship fund and other charitableevents. For more information, please contact DoreenGiammarco at 617-742-0226 or [email protected].

DONNE 2000 Cookbook

‘Twas The Week Before Christmas when all through the salonThe scissors were clicking; the mad rush was on.The hairdressers were busy primping the coifs;Perm odor, tinting, hair spray — what cough?

The nail-techs stayed sitting; painting their art,And the patrons were in and out like a dart.

The receptionist was praying for the end of the day,While just out the window she noticed a sleigh.

And in walked a lady all covered in flour;She said she’d been baking for hours and hours.

“I’ve seen to the children, but what of myself?“My husband’s been busy and couldn’t spare an elf.

“My nails are all broken; my hair feels like glue;“I hope there is someone who can make me feel new.”With that gleam in her eye it was hard to say “no”—

Mary volunteered for the job—ho, ho, ho!Shampoo, shampoo, how do you do?Rollers and gel — need the dryer too.

With a trick of her brush she was coiffed in a flash;Manicured, painted, and dried in a dash.

Her nails were all shiny — painted “jungle-red.”The smile on her face left nothing unsaid.

As she waved us good-bye, Merry Christmas to all,Everyone stopped to see the great haul.

While out the window we all began to peerAt a giant sleigh and eight strong reindeer!

Our lady hopped right in and with a nod to goOff went her chariot above all the snow.

Jingle, jingle, jingle you can hear the bells ring.It was a sight to behold there were songs to sing.

— Mary N. DiZazzo-TrumbullRead prior weeks’ “All That Zazz” columns at www.mary4nails.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Mas-sachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products.She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or [email protected]

Ciao bella,I would like to wish all my readers and my comrades at

the Post-Gazette Buon Natale. May God bless you all in theNew Year.

Please enjoy this poem as it is a parody and can be readlike “A Visit from Saint Nicholas.” Christmas in its beautyis the season to make time for people. People you don’t evenknow. Make time.

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MICHAEL F. NOBILE, CPCU

The Annual Saint LeonardParish Christmas Concertthat took place on Sunday,December 13, perfectly cap-tured the spirit of the sea-son. The concert and partythat followed, have quicklybecome a parish traditionand one of the most antici-pated events of the Christ-mas Season in the NorthEnd. As in the past, the con-cert now in its fifth seasontook place in the magnifi-cent setting of SacredHeart’s upper church, onDecember 13th, coinciden-tally, Saint Lucy’s feast day.

Performing at the concertwere Saint Leonard Englishand Italian choirs accompa-nied by Saint John Schoolchildren’s choir all under thedirection of Kevin Galie’,Music Director for SaintLeonard Parish. Mr. Galie’who works with the Teatro delOpera of Rome and has re-orchestrated Russian Balletsfor the Arena di Veronaand the Teatro Colon ofBuenos Aires, arranged andplayed many of the hymnsperformed at the concert.Mr. Galie’ was accompaniedby Robert Byrd who is Cura-tor of Saint Leonard Pipe Or-gan and assistant organist.

The concert beganpromptly at 6:00 pm with apeal of Sacred Heart’s bells.

• Two Advent Events (Continued from Page 1)

Dr Ottavio Nardone openedthe concert by dedicating itto the parishioners of SaintLeonard Parish and inmemory of our Mom, MaryMolinari who was a constantpresence at the concertsfrom their inception.

The performance featuredmany Church hymns of theseason and the beautiful Pie’Jesu’, sung to perfection. Theconcert ended predictablyand delightfully with the Ital-ian folk Christmas carol “TuScendi dalle Stelle “at 7:30.The highlight of the eveningwas a tribute to Saint Lucyin recognition of her feastday. A crown of tiny electriccandles was worn by amember of Saint John Choir.She processed down the cen-ter aisle of the darkenedchurch with members ofSaint Lucy’s Society accom-panying her lighting candlesof concert goers who in turnpassed the flame to theirneighbor until the churchwas ablaze in candle light.

The concert ended with ahearty thank you to theconcert goers from FatherAntonio Nardoianni, O.F.M.,Pastor, of Saint Leonard Par-ish, for making this year’sconcert the most successfulto date. He then extended a

cordial invitation to allpresent to attend the parishChristmas party.

The annual parish Christ-mas party took place at SaintJohn hall, adjacent to Sa-cred Heart Church. Concertgoers were treated to sand-wiches, pizza and cookiesgenerously donated by BovaBakery, Galleria Umbertoand J. Pace & Son.

Plans are already in mo-tion for next year’s Christ-mas concert and the con-tinuation of a lovely commu-nity event.

There are many ways toprepare for Advent andChristmas and one of themost delightful took place inour parish on December 6th

when parents and volun-teers came together inSaint Leonard hall to createa wonderful day of entertain-ment and religious obser-vance for 32 children; theevent was entitled “A Day ofPreparation for Advent”.

The day began with a talkby Father Thomas Walsh onthe meaning of Advent. Thechildren than took part inan art and craft project inwhich they made Christmasornaments and an Adventwreath. The ornaments willbe hung by the children onSaint Leonard’s Christmastree.

The children than tookpart in a Yoga class led byKaren Shea drawing inspi-ration from the life of SaintFrancis of Assisi. Busyingherself throughout the daywas Lizy Scire who helpedorganize the event.

The children were servedlunch which was followed byHoly Mass celebrated by Fa-ther Walsh. A Lenten eventis planned for early nextyear.

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Lately I’ve been visiting my pooch friendsin other neighborhoods of Boston. It’s funnythe great things you discover just outsidethe tunnel for example. Recently I visitedmy pooch friend Jerry Garcia over in EastBoston. My human companion bundled meup and we took the T over. Just one stopfrom Aquarium Station on the Blue Line toMaverick Station. Wow! My how MaverickSquare has changed. There is a new T sta-tion, very modern looking. The traffic flowsnicely and what a view of Boston from thatside! I often heard my colleague SalGiarratani talk about East Boston but neverreally got a chance to visit as this little poochhas a very busy schedule. It was only a 5minute train ride or a 10 minute drive fromthe North End.

Off we go with my human companion tovisit my pooch friend Jerry Garcia at 80Border Street, Atlantic Works building. Hishuman companion is very well known inEast Boston, her name is Fran Rowen. Franhas been very involved in East Boston ac-tivities and most of the community effortslaunched in Eastie. One of her latest en-deavors is running the art studios at 80

Border Street.This was myfirst time inthe buildingand it wasdoggie heaven!It’s so big andartsy. It’s lo-cated right onthe water andyou have a won-derful view. I surprised Jerry Garcia andFran one day and there was so much goingon! Preparations were underway for an art-ist reception featuring Carmen Sasso’swork, the Squeezbox Stompers were per-forming on Friday night and I got sneakpeak of Dr. Youxin Yang, Ph.D. art whichdebut on Saturday, December 5, 2009.

So Fran took me and my human compan-ion on a tour of the building. We met someartists and finally took a breather in thecultural room, as you can see in photo, Jerrysnuggling with his human companionFran. Imagine the wonderful things you candiscover in other neighborhoods of Boston.I hope my human companion takes me onmore adventures in Boston this ChristmasSeason. I love checking out the diversity inour wonderful city and experiencing newthings just within our reach. Wow, what afun day it was for me and Jerry Garcia. Onething is for sure; my friend Jerry got agood eye on Fran. He sticks by her side allday long at the Gallery and makes sure sheis safe and sound. Stop by and visit Franand Jerry, they are the most gracioushosts! Oh one more thing … I think I’ll stickto writing… I tried painting and, oh well …it looks like writing is my thing!

Check out 80 Border Street, AtlanticWorks at www.altanticworks.org. for moreinformation.

Jerry Garcia and Fran Rowen

East Boston Main Streets and the East Boston Chamberof Commerce are proud to announce that Danilchuck AutoBody at 73 Addison Street has won top honors in the FourthAnnual Holiday Window Contest. The next four runners upare Images by Kahn & Murray at 6 Bremen Street, TheElder Service Plan at 225 Sumner Street, Balloon City at995 Bennington Street and Al’s Shoe Store at 225 BorderStreet. Honorable mentions go to East Boston Diamond andGold, Spinelli’s, La Chiva, Tello’s, Fashion Flowers, Merid-ian Food market, Oxygen, First Class Salon, Burbugos Laun-dry, Boston Check Cashiers and Maverick Family Dental.

East Boston Main Streets and the East Boston Chamberof Commerce would like to thank all businesses who haveparticipated and have helped to brighten up the businessdistricts in East Boston.

Danilchuck Takes Top Prizein 4th Annual Holiday Window Contest

The East Boston Chamberof Commerce first informedCity Councilor Sal LaMat-tina, Chairperson of theCouncil’s TransportationCommittee, in mid-2008 ofthe large volume of neighbor-hood parking issues beinglogged by the Chamber fromlocal business owners.Working with CouncilorLaMattina and BostonTransportation Department(BTD) Commissioner Tho-mas Tinlin, the Chamberhosted a forum in early 2009at Maverick Landing, wherebusiness owners sharedtheir stories and expressedtheir concerns.

Two months ago, theChamber invited Commis-sioner Tinlin to take partin a walking tour of theneighborhood’s businessdistricts; he welcomed theopportunity. Several BTDrepresentatives led by Com-missioner Tinlin, along withChamber President AngeloVigliotta, Jr., Chamber di-rector John Dudley, EastBoston Main Street directorClark Moulaison, and JanetKnott from the Office ofCouncilor LaMattina, took toeach of the four major EastBoston business districts —Central, Day, Maverick, andOrient Heights Squares.

The group made stops atseveral merchants in each

East Boston Chamber Works with BostonTransportation to Address Concerns of Businesses

Commissioner Thomas Tinlin and staff join Chambermembers and representatives from Councilor SalLaMattina’s office and East Boston Main Streets in DaySquare. (Continued on Page 15)

Danilchuck Auto Body window display takes first placein the 4th Annual Window Contest.

Balloon City placed as a runner up in the 4th AnnualWindow Contest.



North End Athletic Association’s 39th Annual Christmas Parade

Everyone anxiously awaits Santa

No snow, so Santa had to arrive in a Helicoptor.

Santa’s Helpers

Greeting Santa Robert “Ted” Tomasone, CathyCarangelo, Louie Cavagnaro, GiGi Cappozzi, CityCoucillor Sal LaMattina, Mickey Mouse (DomCampochiaro) State Representative Aaron Michlewitz.

Charlie Vozella, Albie Maniscalco, Richie Longo, Ted Tomasone, GiGi Cappozzi,Sherman Saltmarsh, Pat Merola, Vito Alvia and Billy Grassia

Christmas is all about Children ...... and so are the Shriner’s!

The NEAA sponsored the39th Annual Christmas Pa-rade on Sunday, December13, 2009. Santa Claus ar-rived by helicopter at theNorth End Park, the paradecommenced there andweaved through the streetsof the North End. Specialguests included, Mickey andMinnie Mouse, Wally theGreen Monster, the BostonCeltics Cheerleaders andmore.

Photos byRoss Photographer

Lenore Tomasone with Santa and Grand-son Samuel

Wally the Green Monster



The Socially Setby Hilda M. Morrill

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Boston Lyric Opera’s re-cent “The Century Gala,”commemorated the 100th

anniversary of the openingof the original Boston OperaHouse on HuntingtonAvenue, which took place onNovember 8, 1909. Thebuilding was demolished1958.

The festive gala, attendedby 200 guests in vintage at-tire and black tie, was heldat The Four Seasons andtoasted the artistry, legacyand future of opera in Bos-ton. It was a lavish, multi-media theatrical celebrationthat featured leading artistsfrom the 2009-2010 Season.

Proceeds exceeded expec-tations by approximately$22,000 for a total of$280,000, which is gearedfor BLO’s education and com-munity programs.

Gala Co-Chairs wereMiguel & Suki de Bragançaof Beacon Hill and Lee &Cokie Perry of Brookline.

Committee members in-cluded Dorothy & DavidArnold, Jane & Steven Akin,Ted & Joan Cutler, JoAnneWalton Dickinson, HoraceIrvine II, and FrankWisneski & Lynn Dale.

Among the guests wereLinda Cabot Black; Tom &Jody Gill; Keith & EmileyZalesky Lockhart; MarkVolpe, Managing Director ofthe BSO; Michael Maso,Managing Director of theHuntington Theatre Com-pany; and FrederickIlchman, Curator of Euro-pean Art, MFA – to name avery few.

Ron Della Chiesa of WGBHand Russell Patterson, Con-ductor Laureate of Lyric Op-era of Kansas City, were theevening’s narrators. Amongthe performers were JoAnneWalton Dickinson, and sing-ers from BLO’s upcoming pro-ductions of “Ariadne aufNaxos” and “Idomeneo.”

……. “First Night Boston” isthe country’s oldest and larg-est New Year’s arts celebra-tion. On December 31, from1 p.m. to midnight, FirstNight presents a day-longfestival of art, music, dance,ice sculpture, fireworks andmuch more.

First Night is an alcohol-free event that welcomesrevelers of all ages to cel-ebrate community and unitythrough the arts. First Night2010 will feature more than

1000 artists in 200 exhibi-tions and performances inover 35 locations throughoutBoston.

Following are some of thehighlights of this year’s fes-tival. A complete schedule,including times and exactlocations, can be found atwww.firstnight.org.

First Night partners withBerklee College of Music andWGBH 89.7 FM at theBerklee Performance Cen-ter to present a special showwith Berklee alumna AnatCohen, to be broadcast livein Boston on 89.7 and acrossthe country as part of NPR’sannual New Year’s Evebroadcast “Toast of the Na-tion.” Idiomatically conver-sant with modern and tradi-tional jazz, classical music,Brazilian choro, Argentinetango, and an expansivetimeline of Afro-Cubanstyles, Tel Aviv-born Cohenhas established herself asone of the primary voices ofher generation on both thetenor saxophone and clari-net.

Many Boston bands will beperforming at various loca-tions throughout the city:The Neats reunite in sup-port of the recent reissue oftheir early recordings onNeats 1981-84, and play atthe Orpheum along withBuffalo Tom and The Lyres.The Parkman Bandstandfeatures Jordan Valentineand the Sunday Saints, withThe Fatal Flaw. Jenny Deeand the Deelinquents bringtheir girl group sound to ThePark Plaza. The PaintedLights, Walter Sickert andthe Army of Broken Toys andCirkestra play at the Hynes,and Emmanuel Church fea-tures Drew O’Doherty,Kristin Hersh and ChrisBrokaw and Geoff Farina per-forming pre-WWII countryblues.

The FedEx Family Festivalat the Hynes ConventionCenter features entertain-ment and activities for all

members of the family. Inaddition to face paintingand crafts workshops, therewill be puppet shows, music,comedians, jugglers, stuntsand more. Don’t missImprovBoston Kids Comedy,geared toward kids 8-12, ororiginal songs from well-known Boston folkie EllisPaul and The Guthrie Fam-ily Show, featuring the de-scendants and legacy ofWoodie Guthrie. The Down-side Up Circus combines ashared love of circus artswith a commitment to socialchange to come up with ashow that’s fun for the wholefamily. Local rockers Cul deSac will provide live musicto films geared toward kids.Neighborhood children alsoperform, with First NightDrum Central, and Chu LingDance Academy’s traditionaland contemporary Chinesedance.

In addition to these andother great events, FirstNight will also feature Japa-nese Anime; films of theRoxbury Film Festival; threeice sculptures; The MetroBoston First Night GrandProcession; the Boston Fam-ily Fireworks presented byMayor Menino and TheMugar Foundation; the tra-ditional midnight fireworksover Boston Harbor spon-sored by Cape Dairy; and amidnight countdown withWBZ-TV’s Jack Williams and

Boston Lyric Opera’s “The Century Gala” co-chairsMiguel and Suki de Braganca, left, with Boston SymphonyOrchestra Pops conductor Keith Lockhart (he conductedthe BLO’s recent production of “Carmen”) and EmileyZalesky Lockhart at The Four Seasons.

(Photo by Roger Farrington)

BLO Board of Directors chairman WayneDavis and Ann Davis at “The CenturyGala.” (Photo by Roger Farrington)

“The Century Gala” co-chairs Lee andCokie Perry.

(Photo by Roger Farrington)

“The 101 Dalmatians Musical,” complete with adorablewell behaved doggies, comes to Boston for a limitedholiday engagement December 23–27 at the CitiPerforming Arts Center Wang Theatre.

(Photo by Joan Marcus)

Lisa Hughes at CopleySquare.

All First Night outdoorevents are free, though sup-ported by sales of the FirstNight button (artwork byEkua Holmes), which is theticket for admission to allindoor events. Buttons areavailable at Boston-areaShaw’s and Star Markets,Tedeschi’s, Store 24, Au BonPain and dozens of otherlocations.

For a complete list ofsale locations or to buybuttons online, visitwww.firstnight.org. Buttonsare available at a special webprice through December 26.

……. Just in time for theholidays the North Americantour of “The 101 DalmatiansMusical,” one of the world’sgreatest classic tales, comesto Boston for a limited en-gagement December 23–27at the Citi Performing ArtsCenter Wang Theatre.

Broadway leading lady andDrama Desk Award winnerRachel York stars in the roleof the villainous Cruella deVil. Based on the beloved


Bob D ’s Beatby Bob DeCristoforo

CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK

Nine out of the past 10 years North EndAgainst Drugs has held its Annual Christ-mas in New York City Day Trip. 2009 wasno different, and this past Saturday, Decem-ber 12th, we did it again. Our Family trip hasbecome a Christmas Tradition and this yearin addition to our North End Families andour Charlestown friends, we had a visitorfrom Southie and Cambridge join us. Onelong-time guest has described it the best.“Every year I go, I go to the same places andtake the same pictures, but there is no placelike Christmas in New York City. I love it.I love it too. I made my usual stops to GroundZero, the Christmas Tree at RockefellerCenter and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. All threeremind me of what Christmas is all about,Family, Friends, Caring, Sharing, and theBirthday of a Child. I love Christmas. Next’syear, our 10th Anniversary Trip will takeplace on Saturday, December 11, 2010!

ST. LEONARD’S PARISHCHRISTMAS CONCERT

Only one word to describe Sunday’s De-cember 13th St. Leonard’s Parish ChristmasConcert ... magnificent! The addition of theSt. John’s School Children Choir to thealready beautiful St. Leonard’s Italian andEnglish Adult Choir made it what it alwaysshould be a complete Parish ChristmasConcert. Here at the beautiful Sacred HeartUpper Church we saw and heard the presentand the future of our Parish Choir to-gether for the first time. It was MAGNIFI-CENT. Congratulations to all those,who made our Christmas season evenbrighter.

HIGH SCHOOL PREP NOTEBOOKThe winter season has begun! In City hoop

action Eastie won their first game defeat-ing Southie 71-64, and made it two in a rowdefeating non-league Lawrence 79-71.Madison Park dissed Latin Academy 79-26.New Mission defeated Burke 81-43. WestRoxbury whipped Dorchester 85-55. In

girls hoop Fenway defeated Charlestown49-17. On the ice Eastie won two gamesdefeating Lowell Catholic 6-3 and shut-ting out Snowden 7-0. The Boston Latingirls defeated Chelmsford 4-2. JackieDelmuto from East Boston plays for BostonLatin, and the Latin Academy girls won theirseason opener defeating Archbishop Will-iams 4-1. BC High won, stopping ActonBoxboro 3-1. St. Clement shutout Nashoba2-0. Sunday I attended the Boston Latingame, the Latin Academy game, and theEast Boston-Snowdon game, all three playedat the recently renovated Matthews Arena,home of the Northeastern Huskies andhome to many schoolboys and girls hockeygames for many years. Even more goodnews, French fries are back on the menuat Matthew, the former Boston Arena!

COLLEGE BOARD College Hockey is into its Christmas

break. Good news for BU, who were defeatedby RPI 5-3 dropping the defending NCAA D1Champs to 4-9-3 overall and just 2-7-2 inHockey East play. UNH goes into the breakatop Hockey East. The Wildcats defeatedVermont 5-2, and Providence 4-3. BC wontwo tipping Harvard 3-2 on Jimmy Hayes OTgoal, and dropping Providence 3-1 Lowellsplit a pair with Princeton 4-1 (W), and 3-2(Lost). UMASS topped Merrimack 4-1. Ver-mont shutout St Lawrence 3-0. Much im-proved Maine defeated Northeastern 5-1.STANDINGS BY POINTS: UNH 18, BC16,Maine 15, UMASS 12, Lowell 11, Vermont10,Northeastern 9, Merrimack 8, BU 6,Providence Tommy DeRosa and his TuftsJumbos defeated Connecticut College 3-2in overtime. Leading team scorer DeRosahad a goal, but it was Lindsay Walker, whogot it done in overtime. Tufts is 5-2-1 over-all. On the basketball court Harvard defeatedhost Boston College 74-67 for the secondyear in a row. Go Harvard! Big time collegebasketball comes to the TD Garden thisSaturday, Dec 19, when UMass host Mem-phis at 6pm.

TIDBITS

- Birthday Best to Patte Papa- Celeb Sightings: Barbara Maldero ‘serv-

ing’ at the St. Leonard’s Parish ChristmasParty, hard working Ricky Puopolo prepar-ing for a shift at Damian’s, Father Dominicat the St. Leonard’s Christmas Concert,Umberto DeMarco at his new Caffe Graffiti,and Ralph Z of Pinocchio Pizzeria HarvardSquare fame.

- CYO Basketball has returned to theNazzaro Center. Go Knights!

Good Christmas gifts ...’ Then Belichicksaid to Brady ...’ by Jim Donaldson, and ‘To-tal Patriots: the Definitive Encyclopedia ofthe World Class Franchise’ by Bob Hyldburg.

- Just 7 Shopping Days till Christmas!

Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Plaza

ANGELS & DEMONS(2- Disc Blu-ray)

Extended EditionSony Pictures Home Ent.The Da Vinci Code team of

Oscar Winners Tom Hanksand Director Ron Howardreunite for the box officesmash Angels & Demons. InHoward’s thrilling follow-upto The Da Vinci Code, expertsymbologist Robert Langdon(Hanks) follows ancient clueson a heart-racing huntthrough Rome to find the fourCardinals kidnapped by thedeadly secret society, theIlluminati. With the Cardi-nals’ lives on the line, andthe Camerlengo (EwanMcGregor) desperate for help,Langdon embarks on a non-stop, action-packed racethrough sealed crypts, dan-gerous catacombs, and themost secretive vault onEarth! The Blu-ray Discversion is BD-Live enabled,allowing users to get con-nected and go beyond the discvia an Internet-connectedBlu-ray player. (2 hrs.26 mins.).

RUSH —WORKING MEN (DVD)Anthem-Zoe-Rounder

Working Men features liverecordings of the band’s‘Best of Live’ compilation, aswell as one previouslyunreleased track, “One LittleVictory.” The renowned rocktrio Rush, featuring GeddyLee, bass guitar, keyboardsand vocals; Alex Lifeson, gui-tar and vocals; and Neil Pearton drums, is considered oneof the most inventive andcompelling groups in rockhistory. The dozen songs onthis exciting performance in-cludes, “Limelight,” “Free-will,” “Far Cry” and “TomSawyer” from 2008’s Snakes& Arrows DVD. “The Spirit ofRadio,” “Dreamline,” “Subdi-visions,” the previouslyunreleased “One Little Vic-tory,” and “Working Man” arefrom 2005’s R30 DVD. While“2112,” “Closer to the Heart,”and “YYZ,” are culled from the2003 Rush In Rio DVD. Youwon’t find any harder work-ing men in rock!KOBE DOIN’ WORK (DVD)ESPN & Disney Home Ent.

Director Spike Lee calls theshots as he takes you up-close-and-personal with KobeBryant, the NBA’s Most Valu-able Player of 2008. Experi-ence unlimited access as 30cameras follow Kobe’s everymove in one of the most im-portant matchups of the2007-08 season. Miked tohear his every word, Kobeputs his leadership skills tothe ultimate test as the LosAngeles Lakers take on theSan Antonio Spurs for theWestern Conference titlelead. From locker room prepand strategy talks to the dy-namic action of the big gameitself. Kobe Doin’ Work is theNBA superstar as you’venever seen him before: in-

tense, uncensored and to-tally real! (1 hr. 25 mins.).

THE THREE STOOGES:VOLUME 7 1952-1954

(2-DVD)Sony Pictures Home Ent.22 digitally remastered

shorts that continue TheStooges legacy with the re-turn of the original Stooge,Shemp. Included in this vol-ume are such classics as theStooges’ 3D shorts: Spooksand Pardon My Backfire, pre-sented for the first time inboth 3D and 2D, as well asShot in the Frontier, a parodyof the classic film High Noon.Volume Seven continues SonyPictures Home Entertain-ment’s long-running tributeto the comedic mastery ofthe Stooges. 3D glasses areincluded with this hilariousvideo set! (5 hrs.56 mins.).

FAR CRY (DVD)Vivendi Ent.

Jack Carver (TilSchweiger), a retired SpecialForces officer escorts starjournalist Valerie (Emman-uelle Vaugier) who’s on thetrail of a story on a mysteri-ous island off the PacificNorthwest. Upon dockingthey are attacked and pur-sued by a squad of mercenar-ies employed by scientist, Dr.Krieger (Udo Kier). In theirattempt to escape they un-cover Dr. Krieger’s secret laband unleash the geneticallyengineered beasts that he’screated. Director Uwe Boll’saction-packed thriller hasJack battling to get himselfand Valerie off this deadlyisland. (1 hr. 35 mins.).

MARTY BALIN —LIVE AT THE BOSTON

ESPLANADE, JUNE 14,2008 (DVD)MVDvisual

Rock & Roll Hall of FamerMarty Balin, formerly of TheJefferson Airplane and TheJefferson Starship, is one ofthe key personalities of theSan Franciscan sound thatalso launched The GratefulDead, Quicksilver Messen-ger Service, Steve MillerBand and Janis Joplin. Re-corded on June 14, 2008 hereat Boston’s beautiful HatchShell. This solo DVD fromBalin features “Volunteers,”“3/5ths of a Mile in Ten Sec-onds,” “White Rabbit,” “Some-body to Love” with DidiStewart on vocals), plus a ver-sion of Balin singing the lat-ter song as a solo. Along with“Today” and “Summer ofLove,” as well as Balin’sStarship hits “Miracles,”“Count on Me,” “Runaway,”along with his 1980 solo hit“Hearts,” and a cover of BruceCockburn’s “If I Had a RocketLauncher,” plus eight ‘BonusTracks’. This ultimate fanpackage features a rare 2008solo performance by foundingmember of Jefferson Air-plane with extended versionsof his hits, along with inter-view footage and rehearsalsession. (2 hrs. 30 mins.).

The Italians are coming to Boston!We need Italian speaking Boston tour guides.

We train. For more information,e-mail [email protected].

book by Dodie Smith and ledby an award-winning cre-ative team including four-time Tony Award winningdirector Jerry Zaks (A BronxTale, Smokey Joe’s Café,Guys and Dolls), acclaimedbook writer/co-lyricist BTMcNicholl (Billy Elliot,Spamalot, The IT Girl), andco-founder of the legendary

rock band Styx DennisDeYoung, “The 101 Dalma-tians Musical” promises aquirky, upside-down view ofthe world as the actors per-form on stilts allowing theaudience to see life from adog’s point of view.

For tickets, and more in-formation, call 866-348-9738or visit www.Citicenter.org.

For groups of 10 or more, call1-866-633-0194 or 617-532-1116.

You can also check outw w w . t h e 1 0 1 d a l m a t i a n smusical.com, which featuressome really fun videos.

Enjoy!

(Be sure to visit HildaMorrill’s gardening Web site,www.bostongardens.com .In addition to events coveredand reported by the columnist,“The Socially Set” is compiledfrom various other sourcessuch as news and press re-leases, PRNewswire services,etc.)

The Federal Trade Commissionworks for the consumer to prevent

fraud and deception.Call 1-877-FTC-HELP or log on to www.ftc.gov.

• The Socially Set (Continued from Page 9)

Umberto DeMarcoRalph Z


NOWPLAYING

UPTOWN & DOWNTOWN

MUSIC

ZERO ARROW THEATRE2 Arrow Street, Cambridge, MA

THE DONKEY SHOW – Nowthrough January 2, 2010. The intoxi-cating international sensationthat takes you behind the velvetropes into a glittered wonderlandof decadence, divas, and disco,inspired by Shakespeare’s “A Mid-summer Night Dream.” For ticketsor more info, you may call 617-547-8300 or log on to the webiste at:www.AmericanRepertoryTheater.org.

LOEB DRAMA CENTER64 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA

HAMLETMACHINE – Now throughDecember 20th. This story is a descentinto unspoken fears and fantasies,a love story within an imagisticdreamscape. It explores the difficul-ties of transcending our own neuro-ses to make a human connection.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS – Nowthrough January 3, 2010. This is anew musical for the whole family thatis bursting with the sounds of R&Band Gospel which includes commu-nity, university and church choirs —this is a definite must see!!! Fortickets and further information,please call: 617-547-8300 or visit:www.AmerianRepertoryTheater.org.

COLONIAL THEATRE106 Boylston St., Boston, MA

MAMMA MIA - December 19 at2:00PM and 8:00PM and December 20at 2:00PM and 8:00PM. If you loveAbba or not, this musical will defin-itely be sure to delight all! Loseyourself in this fast paced, highlyentertaining musical. It is boundto get you dancing and jumping outof your seats. For tickets callTicketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 orvisit www.ticketmaster.com.

EMERSON UMBRELLA CENTERFOR THE ARTS40 Stow Street, Concord, MA

EBENEZER SCROOGE: A CHRIST-MAS CAROL – Now through Decem-ber 20th (nine performances only). Thisspiritually uplifting musical adapta-tion of the 1843 Charles Dickens’classic tells the story of the tight-fistedcurmudgeon, Scrooge and his per-sonal transformation. You won’t wantto miss this. For tickets and furtherinformation, please call: 877-746-9755or log on to www.NewLifeFineArts.org.

THEATER

KING’S CHAPELCorner of School and TremontStreets, Boston, MA

MID-DAY RECITAL – Tuesday,December 22nd at 12:15 PM. Tradi-tional Carols and Seasonal works byBach, Scarlatti and others. MID-DAYRECITAL – Tuesday, December 29th

at 12:15 PM – Works by Bach, Franckand Guilmant. CHRISTMAS EVE ATKING’S CHAPEL – Thursday, Decem-ber 24th at 10:30 PM – Lessons & Car-ols by Byrd, Mendelssohn, Rutter andDistier. NEW YEAR’S EVE AT KING’SCHAPEL – Thursday, December 31st

at 9:00 PM – A First Night Button isrequired. Heinrich Christensen playsthe C.B. Fish Organ – All works byBach. For more information, pleasecall: 617-227-2155 or visit: www.kings-chapel.org.

OLD SOUTH CHURCH645 Boylston Street, Boston, MA

‘SHEPHERDS, FOLLOW THESTAR” – Friday, December 18th at 8:00PM. This concert includes music fromall ages inspired by the story of thesimple shepherds who suddenly wit-nessed a great star shining in the East.The celebration also includes theannual holiday traditions of a candle-light processional and carol singingwith the audience. For more infor-mation and tickets, call: 800-658-4276or visit: www.choruspromusica.org.

FIRST CHURCH CONGREGATIONALLindsay Chapel Mason & GardenStreets Cambridge, MA

THE KING OF DENMARK’SHEALTH – Saturday, January 16,2010 at 8:00 PM. Works of Thomas

Special Events

ARTSCUTLER MAJESTIC THEATRE ATEMERSON COLLEGE219 Tremont Street, Boston, MA

CHRISTMAS CELTIC SOJOURN2009 - December 17-20, 2009 - WGBHpresents a Christmas Celtic Sojourn2009. Presented by WGBH, A Christ-mas Celtic Sojourn brings dynamicmusical and dance performances fromaround the world center stage for atruly unique experience that embod-ies the warmth of the holiday spirit.Tickets on sale through CutlerMajestic Theatre Box Office:Telecharge, 1-800-233-3123 or onlineat www.broadwayoffers.com.

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA

LOWELL LECTURE SERIES – Nowthrough April 2010. Travel the worldwithout leaving Boston. Lecturers in-clude Paul Theroux Frances Mayesand Alexander McCall Smith. All lec-tures to be held in the Rabb LectureHall. All lectures are free and open tothe public. Please visit: www.bpl.org/news/lowell.htm

BOSTON’S SOUTH END(between 460 Harrison Avenueand Albany Street)

NEW HOLIDAY MARKETPLACEIN SOWA FEATURES DIVERSE SE-LECTION OF ANTIQUES AND COL-LECTIBLES - In December on ThayerStreet. The Marketplace will coincidewith the SoWa Winter Lights Celebra-tion, which will include festivitiesaround the many galleries and retail-ers in the area. There will be singingand dancing and a spectacular lightshow. The Marketplace will be openDecember 18th, 19th and 20th. The Mar-ketplace hours will be Friday from 4:00to 9:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 amto 5:00 pm and Sunday from 11:00 amto 4:00 pm. There is free parking onAlbany Street. For more info visitwww.sowaantiquesmarket.com.

WORCESTER ART MUSEUMSalisbury Street, Worcester, MA

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE:ASSABET VALLEY CHAMBERSINGERS –

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE: THEALL-SAINTS CHOIRS – Sunday, De-cember 20th from 2:00-3:00 PM. Enjoyone of Worcester’s cultural treasuresas they perform joyous holiday music.For more information call: 508-799-4406 or visit: www.worcesterart.org.

CUTLER MAJESTIC THEATRE ATEMERSON COLLEGE219 Tremont Street, Boston, MA

CHRISTMAS CELTIC SOJOURN2009 - Now through December 20,2009 - WGBH Presents a ChristmasCeltic Sojourn 2009. Presented byWGBH, A Christmas Celtic Sojournbrings dynamic musical and danceperformances from around the worldcenter stage for a truly unique expe-rience that embodies the warmth ofthe holiday spirit. Tickets on salethrough Cutler Majestic Theatre BoxOffice: Telecharge, 1-800-233-3123 orwww.broadwayoffers.com.

TOP OF THE HUB800 Boylston StreetOn the 52nd floor of the Pruden-tial Building

TOP OF THE HUB - December 31,2009 will usher in the New Year witha special evening-long celebration onThursday, December 31. The festivi-ties will begin with a Welcome Cock-tail Reception at 7:30 p.m., followedby a Six Course Prix-Fixe Dinner at8:30 p.m. and a dazzling ChampagneToast at Midnight. With sweepingviews of the city serving as a spec-tacular backdrop. Live jazz entertain-

PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUMEast India Square, Salem, MA

REVISIONS: INDIAN ARTISTSENGAGING TRADITIONS – Nowthrough Spring of 2010. Come see howsome of today’s leading artists rein-terpret traditional use of color, com-position and subject. This uniqueexhibition pairs some of the finestworks from PEM’s world renownedcontemporary Indian Art collectionwith rare works from the Harvard ArtMuseum.

RARE BIRD OF FASHION: THEIRREVERENT IRIS APFEL – Nowthrough February 7, 2010. This ex-hibit features more than 80 dramaticensembles from the personal collec-tion of legendary tastemaker and styleicon Iris Apfel. She is known for herdesigner clothing and exotic baubles.

TRASH MENAGERIE – Nowthrough May, 2010. This exhibit pre-sents over 30 whimsical animals cre-ated from things most of us simplythrow away. For example: A luminousmoth made from piano keys and pot-

ment will be provided throughout theevening by The Bob Nieske Groupfeaturing Phil Grenadier and popu-lar vocalist Maggie Galloway. To addto the celebration high above the city,the evening not only promises viewsof a Full Moon (weather permitting)but a Blue Moon — which has onlyoccurred on New Year’s Eve one othertime in the past 20 years! The eventis a 21+ event and reservations areavailable by calling 6 1 7 - 5 3 6 - 1 7 7 5.

EMMANUAL CHURCH BOSTON15 Newbury Street, Boston, MA

JOHN HOLLENBECK AND THECLAUDIA QUINTET - December 31,2009 with special guest Gary Versacepremiere new works from their Cham-ber Music America’s 2009 New JazzWorks Grant Commissioning andEnsemble Development programfunded through the generosity of theDoris Duke Charitable Foundation.They’ll be performing as part of theFirst Night Celebration: December 31st

“First Night” Event Set Times: 9:00 PM- 9:45 PM , 10:15 PM - 11:00 PM (withTrevor Dunn and Matt Mitchell)www.firstnight.org.

NORTH SHORE MUSICALCHILDREN’S THEATRE466 Central St., Saugus, MA

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD - Sun-day, December 20th at 2pm. Kaleido-scope has been performing at boththe South Shore Music Circus andCape Cod Melody Tent for almost thirtyyears. Next summer Kaleidoscopewill continue at the Hampton BeachCasino Ballroom with anothermonthly series. In early Decemberyou can also enjoy Kaleidoscope'sCinderella's Christmas at Boston'sWilbur Theatre! For further info,please visit the website atwww.kaleidoscopechildrenstheatre.com,email [email protected] or call1-781-230-3976 for reservations.

ITALIAN RADIO“The Sicilian Corner” 11:00 AM

to 1:00 PM every Friday with host TomZappala and Mike Lomazzo and “TheItalian Show” w/Nunzio DiMarcaevery Sunday from 10AM to 1PMwww.1110wccmam.com

“Italia Oggi”(Italy Today) Sundays1PM to 2 PM with host Andrea Urdi1460 AM www.1460WXBR.com

“Dolce Vita Radio” DJ RoccoMesiti 11 AM-1 PM Sundays. 90.7 FMor online www.djrocco.com

“The Nick Franciosa Show” -Every Sunday at 12 Noon to 3:00 PMon radio stations WLYN 1360 AM andWAZN 1470 AM.

“Guido Oliva Italian Hour”8:00 AM - 9:00 AM every Sundayon WSRO 650AM Framinghamand online at www.wsro.com.

REGATTABARAT THE CHARLES HOTELOne Bennett St., Cambridge, MA

CARMEN CONSOLI - Thursday,January 7, 2010 at 7:30PM. A melodi-ous voice that echos in one ofBoston’s finest and popular jazz ven-ues, Sicilian born artist CarmenConsoli will promise to entertain herAmerican fan base. For more info call617-395-7757 or www.peltrix.com/getshowtix/regattabar.

COLONIAL THEATER106 Boylston St., Boston, MA

TOMIE DEPAOLA’S STREGANONA - Saturday, January 9th at11am, 2pm and 5pm. Strega Nona willbring its delightful story and fresh,original score to Boston’s ColonialTheatre on January 9, 2010. Underthe direction of Tracy Ward (HunterGatherers, Bay Area Premiere), cho-reography by Nicole McGann and a“pop-up book inspired” set design byAndrea Bechert; the magic of eachsong brings new life to the materialfor a young audience and to audi-ences that have grown up reading thelegendary stories of native New En-gland author Tomie dePaola. Maxi-mum Entertainment is presenting thetour in association with Active ArtsTheater. Tickets available through anauthorized ticket seller found only atTicketmaster 1-800-982-2787, at allTicketmaster outlets, by visitingBroadwayAcrossAmerica.com/Boston

Strega Nona the Musical is the fusion of three of TomiedePaola’s cherished books: Strega Nona, Strega NonaHer Story and Big Anthony and the Magic Ring. StregaNona is the musical tale of a friendly magical witch —with a funny name — who strives to cure the ills of hertiny Italian town of Calabria. The baker has bunions(“As big as an onion”), his daughter wishes for witchery,and the local single ladies are always unlucky in love.The town faces real problems when a local lug namedBig Anthony sneaks a peek at Strega Nona’s magic bookand uses Strega Nona’s magical ways for selfish means.When Anthony fools with the magic pasta pot, and can’tfigure out how to turn it off, pasta threatens to engulfthe whole town — unless Strega Nona can save the day.With an energetic and tuneful score by composer AronAccurso, this fantastical tale teaches that witches canbe good, and that and you can’t judge a pot by its pasta!A perfect way to end the Christmas Season and tocelebrate La Befana. Check out Italian Special Eventsand Programs.

Simpson, Dowland, Brade, Schopp,Orn & Borchgrevinck.

CANTATAS, SONATAS & MORALTALES – Saturday, February 13, 2010at 8:00 PM – Music by Telemann,Handel, Weiss, Beyer, Baron & Bach.

GRAND BALLET DUCOUR – Sat-urday, April 17, 2010 at 8:00 PM.Works by Moulinie, Boesset, Mesan-geau, Guedron & du Caurroy. Formore information call 617-776-0692.

SYMPHONY HALL301 Massachusetts AvenueBoston, MA

HAYDN, C.P.E. BACH ANDSCHUBERT - Thursday, January 7,2010 at 8:00 PM; Saturday, January9, 2010 at 8:00 PM and Tuesday, Janu-ary 12, 2010 at 8:00 PM. Ton Koopmanis the conductor for these evenings.Yo-Yo Ma, cellist will be performing.To purchase tickets, please call: 617-266-1200; TDD/TTY 617-638-9289and in other areas: 888-266-1200 orvisit the BSO website at: www.bso.org

and directly at the box office ofBoston’s Colonial Theatre, 106Boylston Street, Boston during nor-mal business hours Monday- Satur-day 10:00am – 6:00pm. STREGA NONAis part of the Broadway Across America– Boston 2009-2010 Family Series andis recommended for ages 4 – 9.

MALDEN CATHOLICHS AUDITORIUM99 Crystal St., Malden, Ma

CHRISTMAS CAROLING FROMORTIGIA SICILIY - Friday, Decem-ber 18, 2009 at 7:00PM. Enjoy SicilianChristmas Caroling. A definite treatand unique experience. To order tick-ets please call 781-461-9950. All pro-ceeds to benefit the flood victims inMessina - Italy.

PARADISE ROCK CLUB967 Commonwealth Avenue,Boston, MA

JOVANOTTI - Wednesday, April28, 2010 at 8:00 PM. Italy’s numberone recording artist Jovanotti an-nounces Oyeah, the debut US albumrelease by the chart topping Tuscansinger, songwriter and rapper for thelegendary Verve Forecast label. Oyeahwas recorded in New York City duringthe Summer of 2009 duringJovanotti’s series of residencies atleading Manhattan and Brooklynclubs with the Soleluna NY LAB, aNew York-based collective of musi-cians from Italy, the United States andBrazil. A critically acclaimed pioneerin the international hip hop scenerenown for working in his native Ital-ian language, Jovanotti again breaksnew ground on his first Stateside set.Resisting the temptation of re-purpos-ing existing recordings in English forthe American market, Jovanotti in-stead conceived and created a projectentirely within its borders, incorpo-rating multiple languages and achiev-ing a musical result ready for world-wide consumption. A double albumcollection, Oyeah’s 20 tracks featureall new live versions of original reper-toire drawn from Jovanotti’s genera-tion-long career plus 3 unreleasedstudio takes on classic Italian songsre-interpreted for today’s interna-tional music market. For tickets andmore information please call 617-562-8800 or www.livenation.com.

tery shards. For more information, call866-745-1876.

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS465 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA

HARRY CALLAHAN, AMERICANPHOTOGRAPHER – Now throughJuly 3, 2010. This exhibition featuresintimate portraits, scenes of UrbanLife and the Natural Landscape.There are a collection of approxi-mately 40 photographs that surveythe major visual themes of thisartist’s career. For more information,please call: 617-369-3445 or visit:www.mfa.org.

INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARYART100 Northern Ave., Boston, MA

CHARLES LEDRAY – Now throughJanuary, 2010. Often intimate inscale, LeDray’s sculptures of clothing,toys and domestic objects are createdby hand with extraordinary detail. Formore information call:

MOMENTUM 15: R.H. Quaytman– Now through March 28, 2010. Thisis a new series of paintings by thisBoston-born artist in her first solomuseum exhibition. Her dazzlingworks incorporate silk screenedphotographs and abstract patterns,diamond dust layers, and hand-painted elements.

RONI HORN AKA RONI HORN –February 19, 2010 through June 13,2010. Using a variety of materials in-cluding pure pigment, 24 carat gold,color photographs, and cast glass,Horn creates immensely beautiful andsensuous works that evoke the mys-tery inherent to even the most famil-iar subjects, the weather, the depthsof water even our sense of place andidentity. For more info call: 617-478-3100 or visit t www.icaboston.org.

THE STERLING AND FRANCINECLARK ART INSTITUTE22 Clark St., Williamstown, MA

STEPS OFF THE BEATEN PATH:NINETEENTH CENTURY PHOTO-GRAPHS OF ROME AND ITS ENVI-RONS- Now through January 3, 2010.This is a loaned exhibition of photo-graphic images from the collection ofW. Bruce and Delaney H. Lundberg.Viewers today can step into a Romethat was about to step out of the pre-industrial age. For more info call: 413-458-2303 or visit: www.clarkart.edu.

ITALIAN EVENTS & PROGRAMS


Recipes from theHomelandHomelandHomelandHomelandHomeland

by Vita Orlando Sinopoli

COPYRIGHT, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Vita can be reached at [email protected]

1st Generation

Italian-American

Vita Orlando SinopoliShares with us

a delightful recollection

of her memories as a child

growing up in

Boston’s “Little Italy”

and a collection of

Italian family recipes

from the homeland.

Great as GiftsFROM MY BAKERY PERCH available on AMAZON.COM

and in local bookstores — ask forHard cover #1-4010-9805-3 ISBNSoft Cover #1-4010-9804-5 ISBN

1 pound container ricotta cheese2 cups flour1 tablespoon orange rind3/4 cups water1 tablespoons red wine1/4 cup shortening or margarine1/2 teaspoon sugarPinch of saltPinch of cinnamon (optional)2 cups cooking oilAdditional granulated sugar10-inch Teflon skillet

Place ricotta cheese in a colander to drain.Put flour in ten-inch bowl. Cut in shortening with knife

and fork. Add sugar and salt. Mix while adding water slowly.Before using all water, work red wine into mixture. (Winecauses dough to bubble when fried). Continue mixing doughuntil it holds together and all flour is used. Knead dough toa smooth consistency. Separate into three portions. Rolleach into a long piece. Cut roll into smaller portionsapproximately one-inch thick. Place in bowl and cover.

Transfer drained ricotta into bowl. Add orange rind,cinnamon and mix thoroughly by hand. With rolling pin,roll each piece of dough into paper-thin rounds. Place atablespoon of ricotta in center of dough. Fold over (like turn-overs). Press lightly around filling to allow inside air toescape. Then seal edges with crinkled pastry cutter or pressedge with fork. Set aside on pastry cloth or a flour-dustedtablecloth. Makes about twenty-four Cassattedi.

Pour enough oil in a ten-inch Teflon skillet to coverbottom. Prick top of 6 Cassattedi at a time (with a pin) be-fore placing in hot oil top down. When frying, turn each onewith spatula until golden brown on both sides.

When any ricotta or fluid escapes into the hot oil, theliquid will splatter and burn. Remove Cassattedi from oil.Clean skillet. Add and heat new oil and continue fryingremaining Cassattedi.

Place fried Cassattedi in a serving platter layered withgranulated sugar. Sprinkle additional sugar on each one.Serve hot or cooled.

Leftover Cassattedi must be refrigerated.

NOTE: While I fry my Cassattedi each year with my daughters,my mind wanders back to the many times I stood with my cous-ins at Zia Marianna’s black Glenwood stove on Charter Street.We waited patiently to sprinkle granulated sugar over ourfavorite Christmas treats. Then we served them to the relativeswho gathered at the round kitchen table where we later enjoyedour Christmas Eve supper.

CASSATTEDI “ka-sa-ted-dee”A Sicilian Christmas Ricotta Cheese Turnover

No crucifixes in schools: Italians of all po-litical stripes are expressing outrage over aEuropean Court of Human Rights rulingrequiring that crucifixes be removed fromItalian classrooms because they could of-fend non-Catholics. “This is one of those de-cisions that often make us doubt Europe’scommon sense,” said Prime Minister SilvioBerlusconi, who plans to appeal on thegrounds that the crucifix is part of Italianheritage; the country is overwhelmingCatholic. A poll found 84 percent of Italians,including many who do not attend Mass, sup-port keeping the crosses in public schools,where they hang on every classroom wall.The case was brought by a Finnish immi-grant who complained that the presence ofcrucifixes in Italian classrooms infringed onher right to raise her child as an atheist.

A Massachusetts woman whose life hastaken a bad turn was heartened recently tofind Jesus Christ looking at her from hersteam iron. Mary Jo Coady, 44, says the ironwas lying on the floor of her daughter’s bed-room when she spotted the curious patternof scorching on its face. “I see his eyes, hisnose, his whole face,” says Coady, “and I waslike, ‘That’s Jesus looking at us.’” Coady, whorecently separated from her husband, movedout of her house, and had her hours cut atwork, said the miraculous image “gave mea sign that life is going to be good.”

Ugh! A Vietnamese man, distraught afterthe death of his wife, dug up her corpse andslept beside it for five years. The unnamed55-year-old says that for the first 20 monthsafter his wife’s death, in 2003, he slept ontop of her grave, but when the rain and coldstarted to affect his health, he dug up herremains, used clay to restore some of herwomanly form, and took the corpse home.“I’m a person who does things differently,”the man told authorities.

Interesting to note, one in four Americanchildren now depends on food stamps. Amongall Americans, one in eight is receiving foodstamps, and as unemployment drops middle-class people into poverty, 20,000 additionalpeople are signing up each day.

Not having any cash won’t be an excuse topass by the Salvation Army red kettles thisholiday season. Bell ringers in about 200cities, including New York, Chicago, andDallas, now accept credit cards.

Meow! Bow wow! 52% of the nation’s petowner’s plan to their animal a holiday gift,up from 43% last year.

Bella Culo of Chestnut Hill suggests for theholidays, why not give the gift that keeps ongiving? — a female cat.

Authorities in Dudley, Massachusetts, re-sponding to complaints about a woman whose15 cats were destroying a neighbor’s lawn,outlawed owning three or more cats withouta kennel license. The cat owner, Mary EllenRichards, announced she was selling herhouse and moving “to a more-cat-friendlycommunity.”

Speaking of animals, Tom Analetto ofMedford thinks animals are such agreeablefriends; they ask no questions, they makeno criticisms.

Healthy advice! Eat mushrooms to beat theflu! Scientists have discovered that mush-rooms are a great, natural way to boost thebody’s immune system-and fight off seasonalviruses and infections. A team from TuftsUniversity says that eating the fleshy funghiimproves the body’s level of hormone-likeproteins called cytokines that play an im-portant role in staving off flu infections. Ex-perts say all mushrooms are good, butshitake, maltake, and reishi appear to packthe biggest immunity punch.

Planning to take a cruise? Well, beware thedangers lurking onboard if you’re going on acruise, say experts. An investigation of 56ships operated by nine large cruise linesfound that only 30% of public bathroom sur-faces were disinfected daily. Though visiblyclean, they were a haven for bacteria thatcould cause diarrhea and vomiting, foundresearchers from Carney Hospital, Boston.They advise using your cabin rest room andwashing hands with soap and water.

If you find yourself in a showdown at work

with a boss ora colleague,c o m m o nsense sug-gests that youshould biteyour tongue and walk away. But that ap-proach could kill you, new research suggests.In brief, Scientists in Sweden claim “youhave to act.” Men who screamed, protestedimmediately, or spoke up later all showedlower rates of heart complications. So blowyour stack!

“Mona” Lisa Cappuccio of East Boston sug-gests before you have an argument with yourboss, you’d better take a good look at bothsides-his side and the outside.

Carlo Scostumato suggests never arguewith a woman. You might win-and then you’llreally be in trouble.

What do we know the widely read BostonGlobe columnist Joan Vennochi? In brief,Vennochi joined the Globe in 1977 as a re-search assistant on the Globe’s investiga-tive Spotlight Team. She is a graduate ofBoston University (1975), Suffolk Law School(1984), and a member of the MassachusettsBar. After graduating from Boston University,Vennochi worked at the Thomaston (CT) Ex-press, a small weekly newspaper, and theDanbury News-Times. In 1980, as a memberof the Globe’s Spotlight Team, she shared aPulitzer Prize that the Globe won for a Spot-light report on waste and mismanagementin the Mass. Bay State Transportation Au-thority. She has also worked as a generalassignment reporter, Boston City Hall Bu-reau Chief (1984), State House Bureau Chief(1986) and covered the 1988 presidentialcampaign. She joined the Globe’s businessreporting staff in 1988, and began writing hercolumn in July 1991.

Have your cake — but don’t eat it! You canhave your cake — and lose weight, too! Ofcourse you can’t eat the sweet treats. Youcan only look at mouth-watering photos ofthem! Researchers discovered that tempt-ing pictures of yummy cake actually discour-aged female test subjects from pigging outon high-cal desserts.

News from the Sahara Desert, Egypt: Ital-ian archaeologists believe they have foundthe remains of 50,000 Persian soldiers killedin a freak sandstorm 2,500 years ago. TheGreek historian Herodotus wrote about thelost army of King Cambyses II, sent to con-quer Egypt in 525 B.C. “A wind arose fromthe south, strong and deadly, bringing withit vast columns of whirling sand,” Herodotuswrote, “which entirely covered up the troops,and caused them wholly to disappear.” Butarchaeologist twins Angelo and AlfredoCastiglioni announced that they had foundhundreds of skeletons, along with ancientPersian arrowheads and artifacts, in theSahara. “In the desolate wilderness of thedesert,” said expedition member Dario DelBufalo, “we have found the most precise lo-cation where the tragedy occurred.”

Wee bit of show business reminiscing withthe maestro and musicologist Albert Natale.Singer/actress Connie Stevens made herfilm debut at age 20 in a movie called “Youngand Dangerous.” Her recording career beganin the early ’60s with a duet with Ed Byrnescalled “Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb.”Singer Eileen Barton was an understudy forthe Broadway musical “Best Foot Forward”in 1941. Her biggest hit was “If I Knew YouWere Coming, I’d Have Baked a Cake” in1950. Singer Tony Bennett is said to haveactually been “discovered” in 1950 by PearlBailey and Bob Hope working under thename Joe Bari. Reminder! GeraldoGraziano/Jerry Gray was born in East Bos-ton. He wrote such songs as String of Pearls,Pennsylvania 6-5000 and Sun Valley Jump.His arrangement of Begin the Beguine forArtie Shaw put Shaw on-the-map! HarryWarren, born Salvatore Guaragna in Brook-lyn wrote “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “That’sAmore,” “I Only Have Eyes For You,” ‘You’llNever Know,” “A Love Affair to Remember.”Harry Warren wrote more hit songs then Irv-ing Berlin and George Gershwin.AMERICA IS A BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN NAME

a strange translucent liquidflowed forth in streams; andthis it is said was the originof glass as we know it.

Sand from this districtproved to be particularlysuitable for glass making andwas exported in great quan-tities to workshops in otherareas. Alexandria was an-other center for glass mak-ing with a sustained repu-tation for many centuries.

Phoenician glass has beenfound in Etruscan cemeter-ies and we are told thatdrinking cups were used toreplace those of gold andsilver. One historian saidthat glass cups sold in histime for a paltry sum of halfan “as” (a Roman copper coinhaving a value of less thanone cent).

NEXT WEEK:Vitrum continued

• Stirpe Nostra (Continued from Page 2)


— FOR YOU WHO APPRECIATE THE FINEST —

THE

Johnny ChristyOrchestra

MUSIC FOR ALLOCCASIONS 781-648-5678

The Post-Gazetteaccepts memorials

throughout the year.Please call

617-227-8929and ask for Lisa

RememberYour

Loved Ones

Many things used to hap-pen the week before Christ-mas when I was a kid. Wewould go hunting for a tree;there would be a visit to theJordan Marsh toy depart-ment and a visit to SantaClause, a stop a Santa’s Vil-lage where Dad and his triowould be playing for the kidsand a walk through BostonCommon and the Public Gar-den to watch the kids iceskating on Frog Pond.

First, between Dad, myuncles and Babbononno,there were people they knewwho sold Christmas trees invarious parts of East Boston,the North End and nearFaneuil Hall. Where ever westopped, my family would bar-gain for the trees they liked.When a price was reachedthat was equitable for bothparties, the tree would be tiedto the top of Dad’s beat-up 37Plymouth and we would headhome to get it ready for Momand Nanna to decorate.

When it was time to visitSanta, my mother wouldteam up with either GraceManfredonia, who was one ofher closest friends. Gracehad three kids around my ageand we all grew up together.If Grace wasn’t available,Mom would make arrange-ments with her favoritecousin, Louise Pepe, andalong with her three chil-dren, Lulu, Anthony andRalph, we would head to Mav-erick Station, take the trainto Scollay Square Station,head upstairs, take the trol-ley to Park Street and headout to Boston Common. Aftera quick look as to how thetrees were decorated, wewould head down WinterStreet to Washington andSummer Streets and theentrance to Jordan Marsh.

The toy department waslocated on the 5th floor andthe CEO of Jordan’s, a Mr.Mitton, had the place set upto rival both Macy’s andGimbel’s in New York. Withmy cousins Anthony andRalph by my side, we wouldhead to the electric train dis-play which was one of thelargest and most intricatein the country. With bothAmerican Flyer and Lioneltrains on active display, wesaw freight trains, passengertrains, trolleys, electric bus-ses all moving around thedisplay area on tracks. Thedecorations were realisticwith working railroad cross-ings, traffic lights, street ve-hicles, train stations, litbuildings surrounded by treesand bushes. Waterfalls werein operation that emptied

into little ponds that were ad-jacent to tunnels andspanned by bridges, etc … vi-sions that made little kidsstand in amazement whilethe operations continued.

When we tired of the trains,there were displays of dollsfor the girls and model planesfor the boys. I loved to makemodel planes, especially thefighter planes from WWII.Several would be on my listfor Santa. Strombeckermade the best and most ex-pensive planes from hardwood. If I wanted to shape thebody and wings of a plane,Guillow made several frombalsam wood and I would askfor them. From this display,we would head for the Erec-tor Set displays and look atthe things we could build withjust a screw driver and theright metal parts.

Once we had had our fill ofchecking out all of the toys,we would get in line to visitwith Santa. When I askedMom how Santa Claus couldbe in Jordan Marsh, Filenes,Raymonds, F.W. Woolworth,and W.T. Grant at the sametime, she came up with theanswer, “Santa can’t be ev-erywhere at the same time,so he pays look a-likes towork for him at those otherstores. They give the list ofnames to the real Santa (theJordan Marsh version), andlittle boys and girls get whatthey want delivered onChristmas Eve.” We boughtit and all was well.

After telling the real Santawhat we wanted, we wouldhead upstairs to Santa’sVillage and visit with Dad.He had a trio that consistedof Danny Covicchio on ac-cordion, Charlie Opper onviolin and Dad on bassviolin. They were dressedlike Tyrolean musiciansand played seasonal musicfor the kids. The display wasof the North Pole and Santa’sworkshop. Usually, standingnear by observing the bandwas Guy Ormandy, the con-tractor who booked the work.He and Dad were partners fora while, and in my mind, myfather was the king of showbusiness.

When it was time to leave,we would head to a restau-rant for lunch. While eating,we kids would discuss whatSanta was going to bring usand what we were going toleave for him to eat on Christ-mas Eve. Now, in most Ameri-can homes, kids would leavechocolate chip cookies andmilk for Santa, but we wereItalian kids, and knowinghow cold it would be riding in

an open sleigh, we would de-cide to leave Santa a glass ofred wine and our grandmoth-ers’ home-made Christmascookies.

When we would arrive backhome, Mom and Nanna wouldbegin to plan out the Christ-mas Eve and Christmas daymenu. None of my uncles norDad would work on Christ-mas Eve. They would haveJewish musicians cover forthem. The favor would be re-turned when Jewish holidayswere at hand. This meantthat seven types of fish wouldbe slated to be on the tablethe evening of December 24.Babbononno would take careof most of them except thelobsters that Dad would buyand prepare Diablo style withlinguini.

On Christmas Day, themusicians in my familywould work in the morning.The jobs were usually char-ity, or in Dad’s case, for themilitary. Dad for years,played on the USS Vulcan, anaircraft repair ship that wasbased in Boston. On Christ-mas morning, the ship’s cap-tain would host a party for thefamilies of his crew and I of-ten accompanied my father.Before we left for the Vulcan,I would check out what Santaleft me and then get dressedto accompany my father.

Once back home, I couldsmell the gravy that Nannahad made for Christmas. Shewould dip a piece of Italianbread in the sauce, sprinklea bit of grated cheese on topand hand it to me asking meto give her my opinion. Tome, my grandmother was thegreatest cook in the world. Iwould tell her that it was alot better than they turkeyand mashed potatoes theyserved on the ship.

As the afternoon ap-proached, I anticipated thearrival of the family and achance to play with my newtoys before it was time to eat.Soon, the entire family wasseated at the dinner tableand Babbononno would toastthe family, Christmas andthe approaching New Year.What great memories thosesimpler gentle days have leftme through the years. GODBLESS AMERICA

space and plenty of parking.Check it out, call my sister-in-law at the clubhouse formore details.

Townie Santais Coming to Town

On Christmas Day, De-cember 25, TOWNIE SANTAwill deliver Christmas giftsalong with a turkey dinnerto many elderly and needyCharlestown shut-ins. Lenda helping hand Christmasmorning helping to deliverthe goodies. It all starts at11am at the Bunker Hill Post26 American Legion Hall.

It is never too late to senda contribution. Send themto Townie Santa, c/oCharlestown Patriot Bridge,1 Thompson Square,Charlestown, MA 02129.

Still a LittleArchie Bunker in Me

I’ve grown since my collegedays back in the 60s and70s, evolving into a muchmore tolerant kind of guy.However, the other day whilevoting up at East BostonHigh School I noticed therewas still a little Archie Bun-ker hanging out inside me.I was outside on the side-walk talking to a couple ofCapuano sign holders andmentioned the electionsigns were being done in

Spanish and Vietnamese. Iasked them how many Viet-namese vote here in Pre-cinct 1. Just as I finished mysentence, a Vietnamesevoter walks out of the poll-ing place behind me. I justlaughed and thought ofArchie.

Beacon Hill AppearsAfraid of Crashing into

Elderly DriversOnce again we see the

power elderly voters have upon Beacon Hill. There isobviously a need to havesome kind of aged basedtesting for elderly driversbefore they cause anothercrash but our legislators areso afraid of them, they keepwatering down needed legis-lation until is meaningless.That is what happened dur-ing this session as it did inprevious sessions. Dimin-ished skills are a part ofgrowing older. What is wrongwith re-testing drivers overage 75 years old? Do weJUST re-test older driversafter they crash, hurt or killsomeone? We need to be pro-active not reactive. There isno age bias here. It is aboutpublic safety. It is time tostop trying to be politicallycorrect here. This isn’t agediscrimination. This is com-mon sense.

• News Briefs (Continued from Page 1)

As I pointed out during the2008 campaign when Demo-crats were lashing out atLieberman as a political op-portunist, the suggestion islaughable. Lieberman en-dorsed John McCain’s can-didacy for president in themiddle of December 2007.Was Joe convinced that byendorsing McCain he wouldbe on the fast track to somefancy cabinet post?

Not a chance.If you can’t remember

back that far, it was widelybelieved that 2008 would bea Democratic year, as itturned out to be. So for Joeto back a Republican forpresident would have beenan odd choice for a politicalopportunist. But if you werean opportunist who onlysought to increase your ownpower, backing JohnMcCain of all Republicansvying for the presidency inmid-December 2007 wouldhave been literally insane.

You see, in mid-December2007, John McCain’s elec-toral prospects were nearrock bottom. A week beforeJoe’s endorsement, a NewYork Times/CBS pollshowed the Arizona senatortied with Fred Thompson forfourth place among Republi-can challengers, behindRudy Giuliani, MikeHuckabee and Mitt Romney.That poll had McCain at-tracting just 7 percent sup-port.

The story of McCain’sphoenix-like rise to claimthe Republican nominationis now political legend, butin mid-December when JoeLieberman endorsed him itwas only slightly better thana pipe dream.

Joe Lieberman endorsedMcCain not because he wasan opportunist. JoeLieberman endorsed JohnMcCain because he believedthat his good friend was bestsuited to lead the United

• Joe Lieberman (Continued from Page 1)States of America in a timeof war.

Lieberman acted like astatesman then. There wasnothing in it for him. It wasa long shot that McCainwould win the Republicannomination, much less thepresidency at the timeLieberman endorsed him.Lieberman must have un-derstood that his endorse-ment of McCain had a veryhigh chance of hurting hisalready-tenuous political po-sition in the Democraticcontrolled Senate.

Now, Barack Obama andHarry Reid treatedLieberman more nicely thansome may have expected bybacking him to keep hischairmanship of the SenateHomeland Security Commit-tee. They may have hadtheir reasons. But this storydemonstrates beyond ashadow of a doubt thatLieberman is no opportunistor corporate dupe as his hy-perbolic critics suggest. Heis his own man acting inwhat he believes is in thebest interest of the country.

Joe Lieberman and I mayor may not agree on whathealthcare bill should pass.He may end up supporting abill that many conservativesthink is disastrous. Buttheir should be no questionthat if he does so he is doingit because he thinks it is theright thing to do, just as heis currently opposing cur-rent Senate health care leg-islation because he feels itwould be harmful forAmerica.

It isn’t difficult to under-stand why liberals would beupset with Lieberman’s op-position to a proposal they soardently want to pass. It doesnot justify, however, the vi-cious and personal slandersbeing leveled against thisgood and decent man.

Reprinted from TheNorthstar National


The BilingualCorner

by O ra z i o Bu t t a f uocoby O ra z i o Bu t t a f uocoby O ra z i o Bu t t a f uocoby O ra z i o Bu t t a f uocoby O ra z i o Bu t t a f uoco

The time has come, the walrus said,

TO TALK OF MANY THINGSof shoes and ships and sealing wax of cabbages and kings

by Sal Giarratani

NON-RELIGIOUSCHRISTMAS CELEBRATION?

Recently, White House social secretaryDesiree Jones announced at a meeting thatthe White House was planning a non-reli-gious Christmas celebration. No referencesto Christmas and no manger scene. The NYTimes was even shocked and when they con-tacted the White House with the report, theWhite House confirmed the idea they wereconsidering doing such. Shortly, after theNY Times left, the whole non-religious ideawas canned and the manger scene set up.If you don’t believe me, check out the NYTimes for confirmation.

HARSHBARGER REPORTCLEARS ACORN

I am SHOCKED, no not really. An internalinvestigation by former Bay State A.G. ScottHarshbarger of ACORN which hired him forthe duty has cleared ACORN of any crimi-nal conduct even after America viewed thatundercover video of two ACORN employeesseemingly telling two folks how to appar-ently falsify lending documents. ACORNspeaking of the results of the quote investi-gation stated, the report was “part vindica-tion, part constructive criticism and com-plete road map for the future.”

I have to agree with US RepresentativeDarrell Issa, D-California who reacted, “Howsurprising is it that a report paid for byACORN exonerates them.” How do you spellW-H-I-T-E-W-A-S-H?

EMINENT DOMAINWINS IN NY CASE

Talk eminent domain in Boston and youare sure to hear the tale of the destructionof the West End. Bostonians don’t like it be-cause eminent domain feels like a cancercaused by government forgetting who thegovernment really is. In this New York case,the New York State Court of Appeals ruled6-1 to allow the $4.9 billion, 22-acre Atlan-tic Yards project in Brooklyn to proceed. Thedevelopers are talking apartments, officetowers and a new arena to attract the NewJersey Nets.

However, in order to get all this, New Yorktook peoples’ property by eminent domain.The decision is a blow to private propertyowners who now say they are defenselessin protecting their private property rightsonce a government deems their land nec-essary for the public good. Private develop-

ers were the big winners and We, the peoplein New York are the losers.

This decision is very much like the USdecision in 2005 when the court said it wasconstitutional for a New London, Connecti-cut Economic Development Corporation toseize private homes and businesses to builda research campus for Pfizer Inc. The ap-peals court ruled in this latest case that theNew York State Urban Development Corp.apparently had the right to seize Brooklynland to improve blighted conditions. How-ever, opponents said their neighborhood wasstable and not blighted. The court did rulethat the job to define blight belonged to thelegislature, not the courts.

ANYBODY CRYING YET?The Washington Post has decided to close

its remaining news bureaus in New York,Los Angeles and Chicago to seemingly savemoney ... Bank of Montreal is buying DinersCard from Citigroup ... The ACORN Housinggroup is in big trouble ... Beijing will be build-ing malls across China ... The Red Sox mightactually lose Jason Bay but not to fret westill have Jason Varitek, right?

AND THE GOOD NEWSI’ve been reading two great newspapers

lately and telling my friends about both ofthem. If you haven’t been reading either theWall Street Journal or the Investor’s BusinessDaily, you’re missing some of the best po-litical commentary-out there. Yeah, I stillread the Boston Globe and NY Times becauseI like reading the other side too.

AARP DEFENDS MEDICARE CUTS?I belong to AARP as do most folks age 50

and over but recently looks like one of thoseother liberal groups pushing to $2 TrillionObamaCare Plan. It is even supporting cutsto Medicare certainly not in the best inter-ests of its membership As John McCainsays, “Shame on AARP.”

HARRY REID LOOKS FOOLISHWhat ever happened to just disagreeing

with someone and keeping things civil?Senator Harry Reid, the heads of the USSenate recently compared opponents ofObamaCare no different than opponents ofslavery back in the 19th century. How dumbdoes Reid think we are? There are two sidesin this debate over the health care over-haul. According to Reid there’s the right sidethat he’s on and the other side that’s plainwrong.

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Lo sapevate che …Il passeggero che dovesse subire un’odissea da un

aeroporto ad un’altro, per ritardi o cancellezioni di voli, esenza che ci sia una causa di forza maggiore e che comein questi casi non venisse adeguatamente assistito dallacompagnia aerea, ha diritto ad una compensazionepecuniaria e ad un risarcimento. Lo ha stabilito un giudicedi Pace di Catania che ha accolto la domanda dirisarcimento di un passeggero che doveva tornare a Cataniacon i voli Pisa-Roma, e Roma-Catania; ma giuntoall’aeroporto di Pisa aveva appreso che il volo era statocancellato. La notizia viene data dalla ‘Confconsumatorispiegando che si tratta di una delle primissime sentenzein Italia che riconoscono il diritto del passeggero di avercorrisposto la cosidetta ‘compensazione pecuniaria’ el’ulteriore risarcimento dei danni subiti, cosi’ come previstodal regolamento Comunitario N. 261/2004, entrato in vig-ore nel febbraio del 2005. Il consumatore aveva vissuto unavera e propria odissea in quanto, dopo circa tre ore di attesa,senza informazioni e assistenza, era stato portato a Romaa bordo di un pulman arivando a Fiumicino all’una di notte.Alle tre di notte, e dopo aver atteso oltre un’ora, era ststotrasportato in un albergo per essere successivamentetrasportato, dopo poche ore, a Fiumicino con successivoimbarco sul volo Roma-Catania delle ore 8:55. La compagniaaerea aveva affermato che la cancellazione del volo eraavvenuta per motive tecnici, causa non imputabile checomporta l’esclusione della compensazione pecuniaria. Mail Giudice ha ribadito che in base alla documentazione agliatti, anche altri voli, con la stessa avaria, non erano staticancellati, per cui la causa di forza maggiore non esiste enemmeno l’assistenza al passeggero. Il Giudice hacondannato la compagnia aerea a 250 euro (compensazionepecuniaria), e a 550 euro come risarcimento per quantosofferto.

Did you know that …A passenger who may suffer an odyssey through airports

due to delays and ‘cancellation of flights without justifiablecause and that wouldn’t adequately be assisted by the air-line, has the right to a pecuniary compensation and to arefund. This was the ruling of a Justice of Peace in Cataniarelative to the flights of Pisa-Rome and Rome-Catania. Whenthe passenger reached Pisa airport he learned that the flighthad been cancelled. The disclosure comes from the Con-sumer Federation, describing that the sentence is one ofthe very first in Italy, which recognizes the passenger’srights to a monetary compensation, and furthermore, therefund for damages suffered, as by the Regulation of theEuropean Community N. 261/2004, enacted in February2005. The consumer had gone through a true odyssey, forafter three hours of wait, without information and assis-tance, he had been transferred to Rome by bus, arriving atFiumicino, at 1:00 AM.

At 3:00 AM, after waiting for more than an hour, he wasbused to a hotel, and subsequently brought back, after afew hours, to Fiumicino followed by embarkation on theflight Rome-Catania, of 8:55 AM. The airline had insistedthat the cancellation of the flight had been due to techni-cal reasons, which is not punishable which exempts theairline from pecuniary compensation. But the Judge hadreiterated that based upon evidence on record, other flightswith the same technical problems, had not been cancelled.Therefore, the reason for cancellation was not overwhelm-ing, nor there was any assistance to the passenger (by theairline). The Judge found the airline guilty, and charged it250 euro ($370.00) as a pecuniary compensation, and 550euro ($490.00) as a refund for suffering and discomfort.


I would like to send a one year Gift-Subscription to the Boston Post-Gazetteto the following person(s). I have enclosed $30 per subscription.

Fill out coupon below and mail with payment to: Post-Gazette, PO Box 130135, Boston, MA 02113.

Leave the Delivery to Us!With a Gift Subscription to the

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BOSTON POST-GAZETTE, DECEMBER 18, 2009

EXTRA InningsInningsInningsInningsInningsby Sal Giarratani

ST. JUDE AND ST. ANTHONY NOVENAMay the Sacred Heart of Jesus beadored, glorified, loved and preservedthroughout the world now and for-ever. Sacred Heart of Jesus pray forus. St. Jude, worker of miracles, prayfor us. St. Jude, help of the hopeless,pray for us. St. Anthony, most lovingprotector and wonder worker, prayfor us. Say this prayer 9 times a dayand by the 8th day your prayer will beanswered. It has never been known tofail. Publication must be promised.My prayers have been answered.Favor received. P.G.A.L.

Another Great YankeeLeaves the Stadium

Tommy Henrich, 96, was an outstandingAll-Star outfielder for the NY Yankees nick-named “Old Reliable.” He could aleways de-liver a clutch hit when needed. A 5-time AllStar who joined the Yankees in 1937 andfinished in 1950. He was on four WorldSeries Championship teams. He missedthree seasons during WWII in the CoastGuard. He actually hit the first game-end-ing home run in World Series history in thebottom of the ninth with a hit off DonNewcombe beating Brooklyn 1-0 in 1949.Asa former teammate Bobby Brown said, “If wewere ahead 10-1 or 10-2, he was just aver-age. If we were behind 10-1 or 10-2, samething. But get him in a big game and hewas terrific. We didn’t call him Old Reliable.We just knew he was Old Reliable.”

In 1949, on the final game of the seasonagainst the Boston Red Sox with both teamsvying for first place, he stepped to the moundin the 8th inning with the Yanks up 1-0. Hesealed the victory with a homer. Lifetimehe batted .282 with a 183 homeruns and795 RBIs. He led the AL in triples two times

and in 1948 he scored 138 runs. Heplayred in the World Series in 1938, 1941,1947 and 1949 and hit a home run in eachseries. In his career he was a teammateof Lou Gehig, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra,Whitey Ford and Allie Reynolds.

Like We Need to Makethe Season Longer

Major League ballplayers want to seethe first round of playoffs expanded to thebest of seven. Pretty soon we’ll be playingChristmas baseball. This past season Iwas hoping for the Rockies to win just toshow how foolish baseball looks in the cold.Reggie Jackson was Mr. October. A-Rodis Mr. November. Who wll be crownedMr. December, because you know Decem-ber play is always possible.

You Oughta KnowBack in the 40s, columnist Ed Shallow

was Eddie Shallow playing the out-field for the Back Bay Bombers, asemi-professional tean over near B.U.somewhere. He’s promising to loan me aphoto of himself in uniform for this col-umn. I’m waiting, Eddie.

• East Boston Chamber (Continued from Page 7)

square and took notes. Sev-eral issues were identifiedby the Chamber: these is-sues have been already, orare in the process of, beingaddressed by BTD. Includedin this list were: a problem-atic, dangerous intersectionat the corner of Bremen andMaverick Streets, which hadno stop signs, unclear park-ing signage, and potentialfor increased customer park-ing; a lack of two-hour visi-tor limits along MeridianStreet, to turn over parkingfor merchants’ customers;faded commercial signagein Day Square; and needfor increased parking en-forcement in sections of

Central Square and OrientHeights.

“The Chamber would liketo thank CommissionerTinlin and Councilor LaMat-tina for their time and con-cern for our business com-munity. They are helping uscreate a setting that willmake it easier for our mem-bers and other businesses tooperate and satisfy custom-ers,” said Chamber Presi-dent Angelo Vigliotta, Jr.“We will continue to workclosely with them movingforward,” he added.

For more information,please call 617-569-5000 orvisit their website atwww.EastBostonChamber.com.

The membership wouldlike to thank the followingfor their support of the pro-gram, Councilor LaMattina,Senator Petruccelli, theKnights of Columbus, NorthEnd Against Drugs, GreenCross Pharmacy, VFW Post144 North End, Dr. AnthonyBova, Al Dente’s, MangiaMangia, Monica’s Restau-rant, Rodman Insurance,George’s Auto Body, Bianco’sSausage Company, Millin-ium Cleaners, Balloons overBoston, Mikes Pastry,Umberto’s Pizzeria, theNorth End Fire Station, Hill-side Press, the BostonCeltics, the Post-Gazette andPatte Papa of the Mayors of-

fice of special events.The membership of St.

Agrippina’s Society is veryproud of the Christmas Pro-gram for North End children.Our membership would liketo wish everyone a safe andhappy holiday. We thankeveryone for their participa-tion and we look forwardto seeing everyone at our96th annual feast July 30th,31st and August 1st.

Viva St. Agrippina!!!!!!!!!

• St. Agrippina (Continued from Page 5)

stranger to heated battlesbetween rivals. Instead ofthe Red Sox and Yankees,the Terriers and Eagles willtake the ice in a game thatwill highlight Boston’s repu-tation as college town.

Prior to the BU-BC match-up, the Northeastern Uni-versity Huskies and Univer-sity of New Hampshire Wild-cats women teams will com-pete in the first women’scollege hockey game to beplayed outdoors.

• Mayor’s Column (Continued from Page 1)

The Winter Classic andfree skates will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience forour city, and thousands ofchildren and families willskate on the same rink asthe world’s best hockey play-ers. Kids dream of doing thisall the time — and nowthey’ll be able to fulfill thatdream in baseball’s mostcherished park.

Our city will also be on dis-play for visitors and viewersfrom across the country and

throughout the world. Begin-ning with our traditionalFirst Night events and con-tinuing with the Inaugura-tion at Faneuil Hall andthrough the final lap aroundthe Fenway ice on January10th, Boston’s culture, pas-sion, and values will be onproud display. In a fewweeks, thousands of visitorsand spectators will learnwhat we already know —that Boston is a world-classcity.

I’ve known Tony Amontesince his BU days, so my goalon his special night was toget a photo with him. Mis-sion Accomplished! He wasthe first person I walked into.The Westin Hotel on theWaterfront, not the one inCopley Square, which I also‘toured’, was the place to beon Tuesday, December 1st.Five Hundred plus were inattendance to ‘Salute the USCollege Hockey of FameClass of 2009 at the 39th

Award Cermony and Dinnerbeing held in Boston for thevery first time. NHL ‘Versus’TV announcer Mike ‘Doc’Emrick, and NHL Commis-sioner Gary Bettman notedthe significance of Boston,where here on December 1,1924 the Boston Bruinsdefeated the Montreal Mar-oons, now the Montreal Can-adiens, in the very first NHLgame to be played in the

Tony Amonte Inducted into US Hockey Hall of Fameby Bob DeCristoforo

United States at BostonArena, now MatthewsArena, a building that willcelebrate its 100th Anniver-sary come April. Here whereon January 1st, 2010 theNHL Winter Classic pittingthe Bruins and the Philadel-phia Flyers will take place athistoric Fenway Park, andjust about a week later onJan 8 a College Hockey EastDoubleheader will have theNortheastern Women Teamplaying the UNH Women’sTeam, and the Boston Col-lege Men’s Team will play theBoston University Men’sTeam also at Fenway. InFebruary the 1960 ‘Forgot-ten Miracle’ Gold MedalOlympic Team will be cel-ebrating its 50th Anniver-sary, and it was significantthat they were honored thisnight. Members of theTeam, headed by the Clearybrothers, were introduced to

a well deserved standing ova-tion. Yes, Boston was theright place. We ‘Salute theClass of 2009’, and as eachInductee was introduced youunderstood why I always saythe hockey community isa special group of people,because they often, veryemotionally thanked’ allthose, who got them here.Congratulations to TonyAmonte, a five time NHLAll Star, and two time Olym-pian, who starred both in theNHL and on the Interna-tional stage during his 16year Professional career, toTom Barrasso, who led thePittsburgh Penguins to backto back Stanley Cups, andwho is the only goaltenderto ever play in the NHLdirectly from High School, toJohn LeClair, who was amember of the Philadelphia‘Legion of Doom’ and the firstU.S. born player to everrecord 50 goals in three con-secutive seasons in the NHL,to the late Frank Zamboni,who invented and patentedhis famous ice making ma-chine. His Award was ac-cepted by his son Richard,and last, but far from least,the 1998 US first everWomen Gold Medal OlympicTeam, who opened the doorfor women’s hockey in theUnited States. Accepting theAward on behalf of the Team,many of whom were pres-ent, was Coach Ben Smith,and Captain (A) Karya Bye.Yes, it was a special night inBoston, and a very specialplace to get a photo.

Bob D and Tony Amonte

To the above named Defendant:A Complaint has been presented to this

Court by the Plaintiff, SUELI REGINADeSOUZA DeARAGAO, seeking aCOMPLAINT FOR MODIFICATION.

You are required to serve upon SueliRegina DeSouza DeAragao - Plaintiff -whose address is 10 Dell Street, Malden,MA, 02148 your answer on or beforeFebruary 5, 2010. If you fail to do so, thecourt will proceed to the hearing andadjudication of this action. You are alsorequired to file a copy of your answer in theoffice of this the Register of this Court atCAMBRIDGE.

Witness, HON. PETER C. DiGANGI,Esquire, First Justice of said Court atCAMBRIDGE, this 16, day of December,2009.Tara E. DeCristofaro, Register of Probate

Run date: 12/18/09

Commonwealth of MassachusettsThe Trial Court

Middlesex Probate and Family Court208 Cambridge StreetCambridge, MA 02141

Docket No. MI09D1648JPSUMMONS

BY PUBLICATIONSUELI REGINA DeSOUZA DeARAGAO

Plaintiffvs.

RAMON SIMOES DeARAGAO,Defendant

LEGAL NOTICE


Court by the Plaintiff, ROSE NAMANDEAKA ROSE SIMPSON, seeking aDIVORCE.

An automatic Restraining Order has beenentered in this matter preventing you fromtaking any action which would negativelyimpact the current financial status of eitherparty. Please refer to the Supplemental Pro-bate Court Rule 411 for more information.

You are required to serve upon TimothyJ. Nutter, Esq., - Attorney for Plaintiff - whoseaddress is 27 School Street, Suite 400,Boston, MA 02108 your answer on or beforeJanuary 6, 2010. If you fail to do so, the Courtwill proceed to the hearing and theadjudication of this action. You are alsorequired to file a copy of your answer in theOffice of this Court at CAMBRIDGE.

Witness, HON. PETER C. DiGANGI,Esquire, First Justice of said Court atCAMBRIDGE, this 18, day of November,2009.Tara E. DeCristofaro, Register of Probate

Run date: 12/18/09



Docket No. 08D3001DV1DIVORCE SUMMONS

BY PUBLICATIONROSE NAMANDE

AKA ROSE SIMPSON,Plaintiff

vs.SHAWN SIMPSON,

Defendant

LEGAL NOTICE

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Court by the Plaintiff, FEKADE BEKELEGENZEBU, seeking a DIVORCE.

An automatic Restraining Order has beenentered in this matter preventing you fromtaking any action which would negativelyimpact the current financial status of eitherparty. Please refer to the Supplemental Pro-bate Court Rule 411 for more information.

You are required to serve upon DeregeB. Demissie, Esq., - Attorney for Plaintiff -whose address is Demissie & Church, 929Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 01,Cambridge, MA 02139 your answer on orbefore January 29, 2010. If you fail to do so,the Court will proceed to the hearing andthe adjudication of this action. You are alsorequired to file a copy of your answer in theOffice of this Court at CAMBRIDGE.

Witness, HON. PETER C. DiGANGI,Esquire, First Justice of said Court atCAMBRIDGE, this 9, day of December, 2009.Tara E. DeCristofaro, Register of Probate

Run date: 12/18/09



Docket No. MI09D4185DRDIVORCE SUMMONS

BY PUBLICATIONFEKADE BEKELE GENZEBU,

Plaintiffvs.

MISRAK AMBAW MEKENNEN,Defendant

LEGAL NOTICE

BOSTON POST-GAZETTE, DECEMBER 18, 2009

by Richard Preiss

HOOPS and HOCKEY in the HUBCORNER TALK by Reinaldo Oliveira, Jr.

He’s back. HeavyweightChris Arreola 28-1, 25 KO’sof California is back. Hebattled and beat a valiantBrian Minto of Pennsylva-nia, by way of a fourth roundTKO. In this fight, Commen-tators Max Kellerman,Larry Merchant, JimLampley, Harold Lederman,Emanuel Stewart, M.C.Jimmy Lennon Jr., and Ref-eree Eddie Cotton, all didjustice for this fight. BrianMinto is a tough fighter, whocame in weighting 218 lbs.to the 263 lbs. of ChrisArreola. Chris Arreola wasjust too strong, as all couldobserve. Brian Minto foughtvery well, and lost to a bet-ter fighter this night. Thetough Chris Arreola, wonover a talented opponent inBrian Minto. Then, twosouthpaws. The six foot threeinch Junior MiddleweightPaul “The Punisher” Will-iams 38-1, 27 KO’s of theUSA and Sergio GabrielMartinez 44-2-2, 24 KO’sof Argentina, fought an ac-tion fight. Referee RandyNewman, did a fine job. Bothgot knocked down, in thefirst round. The winner af-ter twelve rounds is Paul“The Punisher” Williams.When asked about gettingknocked down in the firstround, Paul Williams says.“That’s part of my business.”The decision given, was con-troversial. Not on who won.The controversy was on thescore given by Judge PierreBenoist. Many rounds wereclose. I thought Williamswon. Martinez did fight agood fight and kept it close.Judges Julie Lederman hadit 114-114, and LynneCarter called it 115-113 Wil-liams. There are no prob-lems, with the close scoresgiven. The problem is, withthe decision given by PierreBenoist. He scored the fight119-110 for Paul Williams.

What fight, was he watch-ing? I am glad MaxKellerman called it a dis-graceful Scorecard, in re-gards to 119-110. If the de-cision was given to either ofthe fighters by a close score.No problem. The problem is?How could a judge see thisfight 119-110? Listenjudges? Don’t make mySport, look bad. Fightersfight honestly, and give theirall. Judge fights, as they are.As I’ve always said? If theWorld were full of Boxers, Itwould be a better World. Imany times, get amused atthese injustices. People areplaced in positions of author-ity with no, or limited cre-dentials. Then these“wannabes” screw things up,and go about there businesslike nothing happened.They mess other people’slives up. Fighters fight, to dothe best they can. Let’s getreal. Let’s stop puttingsquare pegs, into roundholes. We wonder why,things get screwed up, asthey do. So you think, Box-ers are Punchy? “Ding!”Look around.

There are some good fight-ers, in this era. I observedLucian Bute 25-0-1, 20 KO’sof Romania defeat LibradoAndrade 28-3, 21 KO’s ofMexico, by way of a fourround Stoppage. This Super-middleweight Title fight waswon by Lucian Bute, whoimpressively defeatedLibrado Andrade. LucianBute is a very talentedfighter. He has a nice as-sortment of punches, andhits well. He previously de-feated Librado Andrade bydecision, and improved onthe outcome the secondtime around, they fought.Congratulations.

We are here at the MezzaLuna Restaurant in Buz-zards Bay, Iron MikePusateri, Matt Lambert,

Sucra Ray Oliveira, Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt and#16 in the World Chad Dawson.

Matt Lambert. The son ofPaul Lambert.

Grandfather to Nicky Rossi,Francesco “Kid” Fratalia.

and myself. I am readinghere, that Matt’s father PaulLambert of Biddeford Mainewas quite the Fighter. PaulLambert was Born in Boston(22 years before the dateof this article April 29,1949), and fought under thename of Paul Drew. He wasmanaged by his uncle TedDrew, a former professionalboxer himself. This articleon Paul Lambert is in theBiddeford Daily Journal,dated 4-29-1949. Middle-weight Paul Drew, had a veryimpressive11-1-0 Boxingrecord. His TKO loss, wasfrom an cut eye. Threefights later he avenged thislone loss and defeated thesame fellow, in a returnmatch. I appreciated thisarticle. It’s nice when state-ments, are backed up bydocumented dated verifyingstatements. Such as pastarticles in newspapers,magazines, and/or booksthat verify information.Thank you.

There’s a good article inThe January 2010 RingMagazine. This article istitled “The Ring 100.” “Rank-ing the Best Fighters, In theWorld.” by William Dettloff.#1 is Manny Pacquiao, and#2 is Floyd Mayweather.What a Super-fight this willbe? The only New EnglanderI see in the Ring 100, is#16, Chad Dawson of Con-necticut. Boxer Familymember Nicky Rossi, is tobe congratulated. He is theson to Francesca FrataliaRossi, and Tom Rossi. NickyRossi, is also the grandsonof RIP Francesco “Kid”Fratalia. Nicky Rossi madefirst team All American atOffensive Guard and Defen-sive Tackle. He received theScholar Athlete and LeagueMVP Award, as the Outstand-ing Lineman of the Year.He is a standout FootballPlayer in Pittsburgh Penn-sylvania, where they wonthe League Championship,congratulations, on yourachievements.

The days, as they say, arecoming down to a precious few— the ones remaining beforethe much heralded NHLWinter Classic takes place onNew Year’s Day at FenwayPark. By the time you readthis there’s a good chance thecountdown will have reachedsingle digits and be thatmuch closer to the muchhyped big day.

Yet in the frenzy to coverthe Fenway contest, therewas a much overlooked pre-liminary game that took placejust a little more than twoweeks before all eyes shift toYawkey Way.

That would be the meetingof the teams — the Bruinsand the Philadelphia flyers —that took place at the Gardenon December 14 — effectivelyserving as a dress rehearsalfor what might be in store asthe New Year is welcomed ina rather unique fashion at thehistoric baseball venue.

The Bruins on that Decem-ber night were in secondplace behind Buffalo in theNortheast Division while theFlyers occupied last place inthe Atlantic Division. Despitethat fact the Flyers came inas the last Eastern Confer-ence team to defeat the Bru-ins in an overtime shootoutthis season, a 4-3 victory inPhiladelphia on October 22.

They also came in with anew head coach — PeterLaviolette — the former Caro-lina Hurricanes coach whowas hired on December 4.The Franklin, Massachusettsnative, who replaced JohnStevens behind the bench,most recently had served asthe head coach of the 2006Stanley Cup Champion Caro-lina Hurricanes. Earlier inhis career he was behind thebench with Islanders.

Closer to the Hub, he’sknown to Bruins fans as aformer B’s assistant who alsocoached the team’s minorleague affiliate — the Provi-dence Bruins — for two sea-sons (1998-1999 and 1999-2000). In his first year atProvidence his team compileda 56-16-4-4 regular seasonrecord and then racedthrough the playoffs with anexcellent 15-4 mark to claimthe Calder Cup Champion-ship. For his efforts Laviolettewas named the AHL Coach ofthe Year.

The Flyers have neverswept the Bruins in a seasonseries. They currently hold a2-0 series lead and can takethe third step towards a fourgame sweep if they manageto win the Winter Classic.

But in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately NHL thosehistorical statistics don’tmean much once one ishired. They might get thecoach the job but currentpositive results are what al-low coaches to keep their po-sitions.

To that end Laviolette ar-rived at the Garden not quitehaving begun to right theFlyers’ foundering ship. Stillin last place in their division,the Flyers came off the teambus on Causeway Street own-ing a 1-4-0 record since their

new coach had taken hisplace behind the bench.

Still, as the game began, theFlyers could say they had wonthree of their last four meet-ings with the Bruins and wereundefeated in their last fivegames at the Garden (4-0-1).In addition, they were 6-1-1in their last eight contests inthe Hub.

From the Bruins point ofview the game was a spiritedaffair for the first two periods,with the B’s taking a 1-0 leadinto the final stanza. In thosedecisive final 20 minutesthey had the stats on theirside but little else.

The Black and Gold were11-1-0 in games where theyhad taken a 1-0 lead and werea sterling 9-0-0 in gameswhere they were leading af-ter two periods. Conversely,the Flyers had not won a gamethis season when trailingafter 40 minutes (0-10-0).

All that was about to changeas the teams hit the ice forthe third period. First Jamesvan Riemsdyk found therange early and knotted thecount at 1-1 less than threeminutes in. Then midwaythrough the period Flyersdefenseman Kimmo Tim-onen struck from the blueline to give the visitors a 2-1lead. He later scored an emptynetter in the closing secondsby shooting the puck thelength of the rink to make ita 3-1 final.

It marked another disap-pointing night for B’s net-minder Tim Thomas, votedthe top goalie in the leaguelast year, but one who saw hisseason log lowered to 7-8-4with a .914 save percentageand a 2.48 goals againstaverage.

B’s coach Claude Julienwould later call that third pe-riod “a meltdown” and stressthat many things have to beimproved. But from a fan’sview, it certainly was an in-teresting game — one thateasily could have capturedthe attention of a nationaltelevision audience if it hadbeen played on New Year’sDay.

But, of course, it wasn’t.The two points earned didwonders for the Flyers — pro-pelling them upwards in thetight Eastern Conferencestandings — still out of play-off range to be sure — but stilleasily within striking dis-tance with more than half theregular season left to go.

It probably also did won-ders for their confidence —knowing they could nowcome from behind and win agame on the road against atough team. Motivationally, itwas probably all a coach whogrew up in Eastern Massa-chusetts needed to get him-self ready for Fenway.

Thus, the dress rehearsalwasn’t bad. Like all rehears-als there’s still some thingsthat have to be worked out.But somehow, when the BigDay arrives, we have a feel-ing that Laviolette and his lowranked Flyers will be ready.After all, what Eastern Mas-sachusetts native wouldn’twant to win at Fenway?

VOL. 113 - NO. 51 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, DECEMBER 18, 2009 ... · News Briefs by Sal Giarratani...

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Transcript of VOL. 113 - NO. 51 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, DECEMBER 18, 2009 ... · News Briefs by Sal Giarratani...