VOL. 115 - NO. 2 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, JANUARY 14, 2011 $.30 A COPY FESTA DI TRI-COLORE KICKS OFF Anniversary of the CELEBRATIONS FOR THE Boston Molasses Disaster ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIFICATION OF ITALY The Boston Molasses Di- The Purity Distilling Com- titled “Boston Molasses saster, also known as the pany, which was located on Flood,” reads: On January Great Molasses Flood and Commercial Street is where 15, 1919, a molasses tank the Great Boston Molasses the disaster occurred. Local at 529 Commercial Street Tragedy, occurred on Janu- author Stephen Puleo wrote exploded under pressure, ary 15, 1919, in the North the book Dark Tide: The killing 21 people. A 40-foot End neighborhood of Boston, Great Boston Molasses Flood wave of molasses buckled Massachusetts. According to of 1919, which is an excel- the elevated railroad tracks, internet sources a large lent source to learn more crushed buildings and in- molasses storage tank burst about this historical tragedy. undated the neighborhood. and a wave of molasses A plaque at the entrance Structural defects in the rushed through the streets of Puopolo Park, placed by the tank combined with unsea- at an estimated 35 mph, kill- Boston Society commemorates sonably warm temperatures ing 21 and injuring 150. the disaster. The plaque, en- contributed to the disaster. On Saturday, January 8, 2011 Consul General of Italy, Malcolm Rogers, Director of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Giuseppe Pastorelli and COMITES held an event at Venezia’s Restaurant. Many people attended, which, to Receive Foundation for Italian Art & Culture Excellency Award served as an introduction to the many events planned for 2011 in celebration of the Unification of Italy. The official Malcolm Rogers, Ann and Monteverde’s Young Christo- 150th Anniversary logo was unveiled. An official ceremony Graham Gund Director of pher Columbus (1871). It was will be held in March at the Massachusetts State House. the Museum of Fine Arts, purchased in Rome in 1871 For more information about upcoming events log onto Boston (MFA), has been ac- directly from the sculptor by www.consboston.esteri.it. corded the 2010 Foundation Augustus Porter Chamber- for Italian Art & Culture lain, a donor to the MFA, who (FIAC) Excellency Award dur- bought the sculpture to cel- ing a dinner reception at the ebrate the incorporation of Racquet Club in New York. the MFA in 1870. The follow- Also honored at the cer- ing year, it was given to the News Briefs emony will be Roberto MFA’s collection prior to the by Sal Giarratani Cecchi, Director and Secre- Museum opening its doors tary General of the Italian (in Copley Square) in 1876. Ministry of Culture. The Museum’s rich collec- Rememberimng Rogers has made many tion of art from Italy spans Italian America’s Roots contributions to the interna- the centuries, from the Ro- Someone recently passed me a clipping from tional cultural community. the knowledge of the Italian man empire to the present, the NY Times dated December 8 concerning a He was chosen by the FIAC cultural and artistic tradi- and in media ranging from proposal to create a museum in New York City awards committee for his tions from the classical pe- paintings, decorative arts, and honoring Italian heritage in America. In the “commitment and resolve to riod to the contemporary pe- drawings, to musical instru- news story, we see that Joseph J. Grano Jr., a enhance the relationship riod in the United States. ments, illustrated books, and third generation Italian-American is looking to between Italian and Ameri- FIAC works closely with the textiles. honor the heritage and struggles of Italian can culture.” The award and Italian Ministry of Cultural The MFA has also pre- Americans. He wants to create a $25 million ceremony, funded by the Affairs and major Italian cul- sented numerous exhibi- museum devoted to all things Italian. He sees Alexander Bodini Founda- tural institutions in order to tions featuring Italian art- his idea being built on a 124-year-old pier now tion, began in 2005 to ac- expand the appreciation of ists, such as Italian Etch- under renovation in Lower Manhattan. knowledge and reward lead- Italian art in the United ers of the Renaissance & Grano told the NY Times reporter, “Almost ing figures both in the States. Baroque (1989), Leonardo every ethnic group has museums. It’s about United States and Italy who The Museum has had a da Vinci: The Anatomy of time that Italian Americans memorialize that excel in activities relating to long history with Italy and Man (1992), The Lure of culture so that succeeding generations can all aspects of Italian culture. its great works of art. The Italy: American Artists and understand their contributions to society.” He The Foundation for Italian MFA’s first European sculp- the Italian Experience, acknowledges that there is already an Italian Art (FIAC) is a not-for profit ture — which also was the 1760–1914 (1992), Piranesi (Continued on Page 10) organization established in first work of contemporary and Architectural Fantasy New York City in 2003. Its art to enter the Museum’s main purpose is to promote collection — was Giulio (Continued on Page 15) THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTON This office is open on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PMPM, for the convenience of our East Boston and North Shore clients and contributors Call 617-227-8929 for more information Page 2 POST-GAZETTE, JANUARY 14, 2011 Res Publica by David Trumbull Republican State Committee Re-Elects Nassour Massachusetts Republican • Electing Republicans: THE BRUTAL AUGUSTUS Party Chairman Jennifer A. Assist with re-election of Augustus lost his mother specific permissin from the legs of hs secretary for Nassour won re-election by Republican incumbents and in 43 B.C., and his sister Augustus, and he never re- accepting a bribe to reveal more than a 3-to-1 margin recruit more challengers to Octavia in 9 B.C. He mar- ferred to them except as his the contents of a letter. at last week’s meeting of state legislative and con- ried Claudia in 43 B.C. but two boils and his two ulcers. When his son’s tutors com- the Massachusetts Republi- gressional districts. divorced her before they Whenever anyone pleaded mitted acts of arrogance can State Committee. • Fundraising: Continue started living together. for reconciliation with his and greed he had them Nassour ran for her second the robust and strategic Three years later (40 B.C.) two Julias he openly called thrown into a river with term as party chairman on fundraising efforts that ben- he married, Scribonia, who upon the gods to curse the heavy weights around their a platform of continuing to efit all GOP candidates had been married twice pleader with like wives and necks. build the party’s grassroots • Get Out The Vote Pro- before. He divorced her be- daughters. He vented his anger on and strengthening get-out- gram: Change the GOP cul- cause she had a shrewish Augustus was never con- even the most distinguished the-vote programs. ture of campaign-driven dispostion. He then took the sidered to be a legacy-hunter of his captives, and did not “I am honored the Massa- GOTV efforts to a coordi- married and pregnant Livia and whenever he was left an even spare them insulting chusetts Republican State nated, statewide GOTV. away from her husband inheritance by friends, he language. One condemmed Committee has expressed Build the infrastructure and Tiberius and kept her for the either turned it over to that man who begged humbly for its strong support for the recruit the expertise to rest of his life. persons’ sons at once or if a decent burial was told that progress we have made in implement. He was particularly fond they were minors he waited the birds would settle his my first two years as chair- • Grassroots Building: of his two grandsons and until they became of age and problems. A father and son man and for my continued Hosting the first-ever became very protective of then gave them the money who begged for their lives leadership as we endeavor MassGOP grassroots confer- them. He suffered great plus interest. were told to cast lots or to to further rebuild and ence to train activists and heartache when his daugh- There were times when he play mora to decide which strengthen this Grand Ole candidates on February 5. ter Julia, and granddaughter was gracious and merciful would live. He then looked Party,” Nassour said after Continue to add new town also named Julia was found towards those who made on while the father was winning by a vote of 50-16 at committees and empower to be guilty of every form of mistakes without evil in- executed because he offered the meeting in Newton. both new and existing to be- vice and banished them to tent. At other times (not very to die for his son, and there- “For the first time in a long come more active in recruit- an island for about five often) he became quite bru- upon the son took his own time, our party entered the ing members and raising years. He denied them the tal. He forced a friend to com- life. November elections with a visibility. use of wine and every form mit suicide because he was strong slate of candidates, • Coordination of GOP of luxury. No male was per- convicted of adultery with NEXT ISSUE: and when all was said and Ticket: Promote greater mitted near them without Roman matrons.