VOL. 112 - NO. 49 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, DECEMBER 5, 2008 $.30 A COPY ZUMIX to Close on the Firehouse MUMBAI AND LONG ISLAND: Two Rampages for an Unserious America by Dan Calabrese Two events in the same long and difficult, but needed if it isn’t laying right on our week may explain the to be fought because of the doorstep. When terrorism strange asymmetry between ruthlessness and determi- briefly made an appearance the global threat of terrorism nation of an enemy set on on our shores seven years and America’s prevailing at- nothing less than the de- ago, we couldn’t help but titude toward it. struction of western society. offer up some of our short at- In Mumbai, India, more Americans, caught up in the tention span. Our enemies than 100 people are slain by moment, echoed the presi- had briefly and spectacularly radical Islamists. Although dent when he implored us: varied from the courtesy the target is overseas, the “Let’s roll.” they usually show by attack- principal targets are Ameri- Until the new season of ing our citizens and our cans, Britons and Israelis. American Idol started. Until interests overseas. President Bush sends Sec- it became OK for late-night Because the Bush Admin- retary of State Rice to India comedians to make jokes istration has ignored our to do what she can to assist again. Until Brad left Jen for whiny objections and kept us the Indians in their re- Angelina, and oh, did you see safe by wiretapping terrorists sponse while trying to prod the adorable pictures of little and aggressively interrogat- the neophyte government of Shiloh? ing detainees, Americans ZUMIX, a nonprofit youth ing project, the project will Pakistan — the presumptive Hey. Isn’t this dumb war have been allowed to return organization that teaches be a Green (Silver LEED) origin of the plot — to get se- over yet? It’s all so 2002. And to their blissful neglect of performing arts, radio, in- Development. rious about investigating hey! I was told I could flip this the reality of the threat. struments and much more ZUMIX is thrilled to an- and apprehending the perps. house inside of two years for But the threat remains, is soon expected to close on nounce that they just re- On Long Island, New York, a 50 percent profit! I’ll be con- and so does this uncomfort- their brand new facility on ceived a $200,000 challenge several thousand people tacting a real estate attorney able truth: While Al Qaeda Sumner Street, East Boston. grant from the competitive trample to death a Wal-Mart immediately to get myself out is, by all accounts, tremen- The defunct Engine Com- Kresge Foundation for the employee who had the mis- of this silly mortgage contract. dously weakened (thanks in pany 40 Firehouse will be Firehouse Campaign! Their fortune of standing between Life in this country has no small measure to the fact home to ZUMIX in the up- challenge to ZUMIX is to the mob and a selection of been so damn easy for so that we lured them to Iraq coming year. Working with raise an additional $438,402 discounted X-boxes. long, it has become almost and then slaughtered them architect Mimi Love of by September 30, 2009. With In September 2001, Presi- second nature for Ameri- there), the basic reality of Utile, Inc., Bill Glasser of such a supportive commu- dent Bush told America that cans not to take any real Landmark Structures, Inc., nity, they are confident that, the war on terror would be problem seriously, especially and Lauren Bauman of New (Continued on Page 15) Ecology, Inc., on this amaz- (Continued on Page 15) Mayor’s Column News Briefs by Thomas M. Menino, Mayor, City of Boston This week, I traveled to Cleveland, walking beats, and officers on bicycles by Sal Giarratani Ohio to take part in a lecture hosted by have helped to develop a personal rela- the National Council of Jewish Women tionship between the neighborhoods and Astronaut Loses Bag — in partnership with Citizens for Safety. their police officers, which is central to Now Lost in Space The lecture, titled “Where did the gun any successful anti-crime initiative. One of the astronauts lost her tool bag on a come from?” dealt with the important Boston is working proactively with spacewalk. As the tote bag full of tools floated but often unasked question of how ille- youth through Violence Intervention & away, we can kiss $100,000 good-bye. Hey, at gal guns fall into the hands of criminals. Prevention (VIP) teams that address least it wasn’t a handbag snatching, eh? As Mayor of Boston, this is an issue that violence as a public health issue. Neigh- has been a top priority of my adminis- borhood peace councils have worked to DiMasi Says Gas Tax Hike tration, and in 2006, New York’s Mayor understand the concerns and priorities Fairer than Toll hikes Bloomberg and I founded the Mayors of residents, and this past summer, the House Speaker Sal DiMasi says raising the Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) coalition City partnered with Citizens for Safety state’s gas tax is a fairer way of spreading the to bring this issue to the forefront to bring “Traffick Jam” workshops to four costs rather than doubling tolls on the Pike or nationally. The Cleveland lecture was neighborhoods. These community work- in the tunnels. an opportunity to share ideas for shops educated over 200 residents by Wilkerson Resigns combating illegal gun trafficking with a illustrating how police track guns, Two words: Thank God! host of other local civic and community where crime guns come from, and im- U.S. Airways Sends Mom leaders. mediate actions that citizens can take Local government is on the front lines to curb illegal gun trafficking in their to San Juan of this battle, and Boston’s effort to neighborhood. An 85 year old woman who boarded a plane address this problem is helping other We want to use these principles to in New York was actually shuttled onto a flight cities and towns across the country. strengthen national action against to San Juan, PR rather than her destination Cleveland has experienced a 56% rise illegal guns. In Cleveland, I welcomed in Tampa. They should at least give her fre- in homicides between 2004 and 2007 23 new Ohio mayors to the bipartisan quent flier miles for the admitted mistake. and is now replicating some of Boston’s MAIG coalition, which has grown from Romney Flip-flops Again initiatives, including community polic- 15 mayors in 2006 to over 350 mayors, on Auto Bailout ing and a gun buyback program. In currently representing 55 million When he was running in the GOP primaries Boston, we have used the principle of Americans. At the lecture, I spoke of the against John McCain, our own Mitt Romney community policing to build trusting importance of the coalition’s four point said the Feds weren’t doing enough to save relationships between members of the agenda to fix the broken background police department and members of the (Continued on Page 15) community. Safe street teams, more (Continued on Page 15) THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTON This office will be open on Mondays and Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 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, DECEMBER 5, 2008 October Italian American Heritage Month Stirpe by Prof. Edmund Turiello Opening Ceremonies at the State House 2008 Nostra A weekly column highlighting some of the more interesting aspects of our ancestry...our lineage...our roots. DEMETER AND CERES The Greek goddess of in Rome. When completed, agriculture was named services in the temple were Demeter. Her position in the dedicated to Ceres, and pantheon of deities was performed in the Greek equal to that of Poseidon, language by Italian women Hades, and Hestia. Her brief of Greek extraction. The union with Zeus produced temple was placed under the a beautiful daughter named protection of plebian guards Persephone. One day Hades who controlled the corn came upon the fair Perse- market and resided near phone as she was picking the structure. An annual flowers and for him it was festival celebrated the love at first sight. The reunion of Ceres with Frank Privitera (center) with Italian Consul General of Italy, Liborio Stellino at the maiden was abducted by Prosperina (mother Demeter commencement festivities for The October Italian American Heritage Month held at that god who attempted to and daughter Persephone). the Massachusetts State House, at the stairway beneath the Golden Dome. Privitera carry her to his underworld Women who participated in and the Consul General exchanged greetings and salutations with Privitera pledging kingdom. The rivers refused the festival fasted for nine his full and complete support to help ensure the success of the October Italian American to let him pass through to days, and then offered the Heritage Month. Left to Right: Carlo Cipollone, Educational Director of the Italian the lower world, but the first fruits of the harvest to Consulate of Boston; Philip Privitera, President of the Privitera Family Charitable earth opened yielding to his Ceres. During this service Foundation; Frank Privitera; Italian Consul General of Italy, Liborio Stellino and Lino demand. they wore pure white gar- Rullo, President Emeritus of the Dante Alighieri Society and President Emeritus for Mother Demeter roamed ments and a crown of ripe the Italian American Heritage Month Committee.