February 2, 2018 Vol. 122 No. 5
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VOL. 122 - NO. 5 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 $.35 A COPY “A NEW AMERICAN MOMENT” by Sal Giarratani President Donald Trump declared “a new American moment” in his State of the Union address, touting the recently passed tax reform legislation that he signed into law and the booming U.S. economy. He also vowed to work across the aisle to fi x our broken immigration system and to begin dealing with the crumbling infrastructure of our highways, tunnels and bridges. As Trump stated, “Tonight, I call upon all of us to set aside our differences, to seek of who is giving it, has become of deregulation, he talked about our common ground, and to a symbolic exercise with an a strong national defense and FRIDAY, summon the unity we need to illusion of importance. a need for both parties to work FEBRUARY 2, deliver for the people.” President Trump presented together to give us the safe, Sadly, the annual State of the a sense of optimism in a fast, reliable, and modern 2018 Union address has been losing deeply divided nation and infrastructure our economy its luster in our era of gridlock offered a vision of the future needs to continue growing. and, as one reporter called it, “a and what kind of nation we His bottom line was clear: “All political version of the NFL Pro wish to become. He spoke of us, together, as one team, Bowl,” a meaningless game to of immigration reform, he one people, and one American watch. This address, regardless talked about trade, he talked family can do anything.” In Loving Memory of Freeway News Briefs It is with tremendous not only by educating by Sal Giarratani sadness that we report us humans with his pet the peaceful passing of our care column, but also dear colleague Freeway with his annual Pet Food Harassing Pastor Gets Hill Pass? Simboli on Wednesday, Drive at Thanksgiving. This doesn’t surprise me one bit. Seems back January 31, 2018. Freeway, He had a huge heart and when she was running for president in 2008, Hillary the faithful companion of appreciated what a great Clinton insisted on keeping her “faith advisor” aboard our friend Marie Simboli, life he had. He wanted to her campaign despite accusations that the good rev- was eighteen years old. make sure less fortunate erend wasn’t so good toward one woman who worked A fixture in the Post- pooches and kitti es were with him. Her then campaign manager thought the guy Gazette office for many taken care of. should get booted from the campaign, but she opted to years, Freeway offered a The lives of his fellow just slap him on the wrist by giving him an unpaid leave lot of sage advice on how Gazett e workers will never of absence and some counseling sessions according to to care for all our four- be quite the same. When the NY Times last week. footed friends. But, more you came into the offi ce, Rev. Burns Strider was co-founder of American than that, he gave us his you didn’t always know Values Network and sent scripture readings to her daily friendship and companionship. that he was here. But you always felt warmer during the campaign. The woman was given another job Freeway arrived at the Post-Gazett e one day as when you spott ed him sleeping on his chair. Other after getting creeped out by him. He got hired for her he was taking his daily walk with his human, Marie ti mes, he made his presence felt even before you 2016 campaign by a group called Correct the Record, Simboli. Our good friend Coach Dom Campochiaro came through the door, barking his commentary but months later was canned for more accusations. was sitti ng on the stoop as he usually did in the on his lunch, his need to “step outside,” or just Revere Republican Committee aft ernoon and introduced us to Freeway. This was for help getti ng up or down from his chair in Delegate Meeting the beginning of a long relati onship, including later years. He was famous for being able to Freeway becoming one of the Gazett e’s most smell chicken, no matt er how carefully wrapped Save this date: Thursday, February 8th. Delegates popular columnists with “Freeway Says.” – he parti cularly like the chicken wings from the to the upcoming State GOP convention will be elected Freeway enjoyed long walks, fi ne dining, and Chinese place on the corner -- and hearing his that night at 6:30 pm at the American Legion Hall on the community he loved his enti re life. He was the “mom,” Marie, arrive aft er her shift at the Union Broadway. For more information, email revererepubli- best dressed dog in the North End and he loved Oyster House to pick him up. Frances remembers [email protected]. sitti ng in the middle of the sidewalk in front of the how he used to sit right in the middle of her desk, Super Bowl Sunday Kick-Off Breakfast Post-Gazett e offi ce in the summerti me, showing preventing her from doing any work. Joanne The Committee for Speaker Bob DeLeo will be off his outf it of the day while all the tourists always liked to have him sit up front with her. holding a Super Bowl Sunday Campaign Kick-Off on walked around him and took his photo. Jeanne knew she had been accepted when he Sunday, February 4th, starting at 10:00 am at the Freeway has touched many people over allowed her to give him a scratch under the chin. Winthrop Elks. For more information or tickets, call the years, whether the Mayor of Boston (Tom Joan was always in charge of “stepping outside” 781-686-9199. Menino), someone recuperati ng in the North with him, no one else would ever do (except his An Unwrapped Straw? Oooooh!!! End Nursing Home, or a stranger on the street. Of “mom”). Pam’s nurturing side was brought out The way things are going, better off you’re illegal. course, no one was a stranger for long. Freeway most when trying to get him to eat anything In San Francisco, if a waitress hands a customer made many, many friends in his lifeti me. besides chicken and meatballs. (Continued on Page 4) In addition to his human friends, Freeway He was the life of all our parti es (and gave really always looked out for his fellow furry friends, nice gift s!) He will be sorely missed. THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE HAS MOVED TO 343 CHELSEA ST., DAY SQUARE, EAST BOSTON This offi ce is open on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, for the convenience of our East Boston and North Shore clients and contributors Call 617-227-8929 for more information PAGE 2 POST-GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 February 2018 Programs North End Branch Boston Public Library 25 Parmenter St. Boston, MA (617) 227-8135 EVENTS FOR ADULTS Pirandello Society Italian Film – Saturday, February 3rd at AURELIUS THE EMPEROR 10:00 am — Anna Rocca, Associate Professor of French & Ital- time in history that two adopted ian at Salem State University, will introduce the 2012 fi lm Il Sole brothers sat in joint rule of the Dentro (The Sun Inside) at this year’s annual Pirandello Society’s Roman Empire. Italian fi lm screening. The fi lm, directed by Paolo Bianchini, Having taken care of all pre- is the story of two journeys — one true, the other imagined — liminary matters with the Sen- and both extraordinary. Coffee and biscotti will be served at 10:15 ate, the two rulers set out for am and the fi lm will begin at 10:30 am (2012/100 minutes, in the Praetorian Camp, where Italian with English subtitles.) they promised 20,000 sesterces FRIDAY FILMS: apiece (about $1,000) to the Films Set in Boston Friday, February 2nd, 2:00 pm — The Verdict common soldiers and a propor- th tionately larger amount to the Friday February 9 , 2:00 pm pm — Next Stop Wonderland Friday February 16th, 2:00 pm — Starting Over offi cers. The joint rulers acted rd in such democratic fashion that Friday February 23 , 2:00 pm — The Boston Strangler even the lenient manner of Pius COMPUTER INSTRUCTION FOR ADULTS was not missed. Marcus pur- BY APPOINTMENT — sued his philosophical interests ONGOING BY APPOINTMENT while at the same time cultivat- Receive one-on-one, basic computer instruction for PC comput- ing the goodwill of the people. ing, laptops, iPads, or tablets. Mother Nature always has Call 617-227-8135 or stop by to make an appointment with been able to fi nd some way to Branch Librarian, Jennifer. Use the library’s computers or bring disrupt any form of national your own. tranquility; the time of Marcus MAH JOHNGG CLUB — Thursdays, 11:00 am- and Verus was no exception. A 2:00 pm — Come and play the American-style variant of this tile- fl ood of the Tiber River, prob- based game that originated in China and requires skill, strategy, Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius in the Capitoline ably the most severe of their and calculation. Beginners are welcome. Please note that beginner Museum, Rome time, ruined houses, drowned instruction begins at 11:00 am. No sign-up is required. animals, and caused wide- GENTLE YOGA — Tuesdays in February from 12:30-1:30 After he was adopted into and friends around him and spread famine.