Thursday, March 29, 2007

'FIGLIO DELLA COSTA' MARVIN DEL CHIARO'S HEARTRENDING LETTER

“FIGLIO DELLA COSTA” MARVIN DEL CHIARO and I go back a long way. In fact we met in the First Grade at Laurel School (1943). Also, he was my room mate at San Jose College (LNC: pgs. 326-329) and more recently he (along with Al Wilson), has been my official-unofficial “La Nostra Costa” photographer. Late last year, his four year old grandson, Cameron, slipped and fell, severally injuring one of his eyes. Marv, who along with is wife Elaine, are long time Scotts Valley residents, has given me permission to publish his very personal and heartrending letter below.



Hello to all my dear friends and relatives, Sorry for the generic nature of this message, but as most of you know, I correspond with several hundred of you fairly regularly, and I just couldn't send individual messages to all who have been praying for and asking for an update on dear little Cameron. I spoke to daughter Debbie and got this update, but first I'll recap what led up to all this for those who I may have missed in earlier emails. My apologies to anyone who's hearing about this for the first time. I recently found out even some close relatives weren't aware of Cameron's injuries.

In late December, 2006, Cameron, our four year old grandson (Debbie and Corky's oldest son) slipped and fell at home and severely injured his eye; he was carrying a small plastic toy in his hand, and in trying to break his fall and protect his face, the toy inadvertently was pushed into his eye. After rushing him to a local Urgent Care facility, he was transported by ambulance to a waiting Cal Star chopper and flown to Valley Medical's trauma unit in San Jose, where luckily a team of surgeons from Stanford were able to perform a four hour surgery and save his eye. After several days of hospitalization, he came home. At that point, he had no sight in that eye.

Elaine then began a lengthy vigil at his home, caring for him while his parents worked. After about three or four months, he finally was able to return to his pre-school, which was a landmark achievement in itself, given that the original asssessments has indicated the eye would have to be removed. Since then, he's had additional surgeries and procedures, the retina was reattached, and after weeks of waiting, we've been told that surgery is guardedly considered successful. Fast forwarding through many doctors visits, application of antibiotics to prevent infection, weeks of laying on his side or stomach practically 24/7 to allow for healing, repairs that involved entering the eye with a camera and laser to perform delicate procedures, he is now awaiting the removal of stitches and removal of a protective silicone oil that has been placed in the eye to normalize pressure. He returns to the hospital for those procedures somewhere between May and July.

NOW FOR THE BEST NEWS OF ALL, which I attribute to all the prayers; he's been meeting all the benchmarks his surgeons have set; first, he began to distinguish between darkness and light; now, he can actually see what is called "hand movement" (basically, he can detect shadow type movement); of course it doesn't mean his sight will be restored, but it's a great hurdle, given the first prognosis. We are so grateful, and it gives us all a great deal of hope. We are also so grateful to all the wonderful young eye specialists/surgeons who have embraced Cameron and his parents, like they were family; they've even given Debbie their cel phone numbers in case she has any questions or some emergency arises. Rarely do you see such dedication. He will eventually need a corneal transplant, which involves finding a donor of the same age; that give me chills just thinking about it. But I believe all the prayers and wonderful support from the community has helped his parents (and us) cope with whatever comes along.

Speaking about the community support, Debbie and Corky have been blessed with messages of support, food, gifts, and assistance of every kind. If I can indulge you for just a moment more, let me recount a recent occurrence. We took him to 5 o'clock Mass after his initial recovery, and everyone in the community showed such love and compassion; it's was so heartwarming. We've been in this parish since it's inception, in fact, even before there was a church; our first Mass was under a big oak tree, almost 40 years ago. Most of our children were baptised there, took their First Communion, Confirmation, and were even wed there.

Anyway, our new pastor, Father Derek Hughes, mentioned little Cameron by name twice during the Mass, and we was really touched. As we were filing up forCommunion, people were reaching out in the aisle to gently touch and caress my daughter Debbie's arm or back in such a loving way; boy, I could hardly choke back the tears. And there was poor little Cameron, in Debbie's arms, with a big patch over his eye, smiling at everyone; it was so touching; he got a blessing since he's too young to receive communion, but I know God's hands touched him and God's arms were around him that night, and every day, for that matter. You never realize how much you need others until you really, really need them. And then it's such great comfort to know they're there, and they really care..

Again, my apologies for the length of this message. I do want to say one more time how much we all appreciate your thoughts and prayers for Cameron; I have to really say it's what has helped us through the tough times; when I think back to seeing his tiny little body being wheeled into surgery that first day, something I will never forget as long as I live, to now seeing him romping around, there's not a doubt in my mind that all the prayers are what has made such a great difference. Once more, our love and thanks to you all. > Ciao for now. Marv

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

FIGLIA DELLA COSTA NORMA IS IMPRESSED


I was so impressed with Gino Campioni’s Italo-American Dictionary
Or Italglish Dictionary. (Just like the movie Spanglish). I want to
Thank Gino and compliment him on his work – beautiful and done with
Love and it brings back so many wonderful memories of all our dear ones
Trying to speaka da Inglish!! Hope to re-meet Gino someday soon.
I do want to thank him immensely and again thanks to Ivano for doing the
Book and getting all this going – it would not have happened if it wasn’t for
The book.
We could probably add more to the Dictionary – one more that comes to
Mind is: flet taia / flat tire.
Thanks again Ivano and Gino. All done in loving memory of our dear ones
And our heritage – lets not let it ever stop.
Ciao per ora & mille grazie – Norma Dinelli Wilson


LNC: Thanks Norma. I am sure that Gino "D'Baffi" will appreciate your message very much. In the "La Nostra Costa" story. I mentioned the old radio program "Life With Luigi" (P.224) starring J.Carroll Naish who played Luigi. Like the "Italiani su per la costa" Luigi would misunderstand and mispronounce many English words making for a fun filled half hour. Valentina, my mother, would always say that the program made fun of the Italians. However, as I mentioned in the book,
she always laughed along with us as we listen in. I may be going out on a limb here;however, I think that you know that you have made it in America whan you can laugh at your own imperfections. And as Norma says, for the sons and daughters of those Italian Immigrants, it is an endearing reminder of our history. ivn0



Thursday, March 22, 2007

GINO'S OFFICIAL ITANGLISH DICTIONARY


IN LA NOSTRA COSTA, I MADE AN ATTEMPT TO DESCRIBE TO THE READER
HOW THE ITALIANI DELLA COSTA PRONOUNCED CERTAIN 'ITALIANIZED ' WORDS (LNC: P. 65). I DIDN'T KNOW AT THE TIME THAT AN ITANGLISH DICTIONARY ACTUALLY EXISTED. GINO "D'BAFFI" HAS GIVEN ME HIS GRACIOUS PERMISSION TO PUBLISH IT HERE. SO FROM 'GILLAROY' TO 'HAFFA MOOM BAY', HERE IS GINO'S OFFICAL ITANGLISH DICTIONARY.
The Itanglish Dictionary GINO

A brief course in deciphering the pronunciation of English words by Italian immigrants.
The fist column contains the Italian pronunciation with Italian spelling. The second indicates the American pronunciation. The third column gives the English meaning. The last column gives the actual Italian word. Syllables listed in all capitals are the stressed syllables.

A. AisCRIme Ice-CREE-meh Ice Cream Gelato
AisCULle Ice-COOL-leh High School Scuola Media
AIsse-BOcchise EYE-seh-BO-key-seh Ice Box
AitTON Eye-TONE High Tone (firsta classe)
AlluINi All-oo-EE-nee Halloween
arCHEche Are-KEH-keh Hot Cakes
ArMONica Ar-MON-ee-ka Accordion ( Squizabocchise)
AUsse OW-seh House Casa
B. BaiSIcolo By-SEE-colo Bicycle Bicicletta
BAraTENda BAH-rah-TEN-dah Bartender Barista
BECcheRIa BECK-eh-REE-ah Bakery Panetteria
BIcci BEE-chee Beach Spiaggia
BILlo BEEL-low Bill Conto
BITte BEET-teh Beets Barbabietola
BLEcchi BEri BLEK-ee-BEH-ree Blackberries More
BOCchise BAW-kee-seh Box Cassa
BOIla BOY-la Boiler (water heater)
BOTti BOH-tee Boots Stivali
BOTto BOH-toe Boat Barca
BRIcchi BREE-key Bricks Mattoni
BROscia BRAW-sha Brush Pennello,
Spazzola
BROscia BRAW-sha Underbrush Sottobosco
BULdoghe BOOL-dog-ghe Bulldog Molosso
C. CaraPIla Cara-PEE-la Caterpillar Trattore
CaoBOi Cow-BO-ee Cowboy Bovaro
CARro CAR-row Automobile Automobile
CECco CHECK-oh Check Assegno
CESteFIo CHESS-teh-FEE-oh Chesterfield Sofà
CESteNOzze CHESS-teh-NOH-tzeh Chestnuts Castagne
CHEcca KEH-cah Cake Dolce
CHENdo KEN-doe Garbage Can
CIMINEa CHEE-ME-NAY-ah Chimney Camino
CiRIFfo Chee-REEF-foh Sheriff
Ciu MEca Chew-MEH-ca Shoe Maker Calzolaio
CiUN GOmma CHEWN-GO-ma Chewing Gum
CREPolo CREPE-olo Cripple Storpio
CRICche CREE-keh Creek Fiumicino
CRIsimas CREE-zee-moss Christmas Natale
CucCAUsse Coo-COW-seh Cookhouse Cucina
D. DAno DOcchise DON-oh-DAW-key-seh Donald Duck Paperino
DevenPORto Deven-POUR-toe Davenport
DIccio DEE-cho Ditch Sorco
Donazzi DOH-not-see Doughnuts Frittelle
DRAIa DRY-ah Drier Asciugatrice
DRAiVAre Dry-VAR-eh To Drive Guidare
DRAIvuE DRY-voo-WEH Driveway Vialetto
Dreppi DRAY-pee Drapes Drappeggi
DROghiSTOro DRAW-ghee-STORE-ro Drug Store Farmacia
E. eLETtrico eh-LET-tricko Electricity Elettricità
EpiBORdei eh-pee-BORE-day Happy Birthday Felice
Compleanno
F. FAIacrecche FI-ah-creck-keh Firecrackers
FAiamenne FI-ya-men-neh Firemen Pompieri
FAItte FIGHT-teh Fight Lotta
FarMOLe far-Maw-leh Farmall
FIUsa FEW-za Fuse Fusibile
FonoGRAFo Phone-oh-GRAF-oh Phonograph Giradischi
FORte GiuLAI FOR-teh Jew-LIE Fourth of July 4 Luglio
FRENci BREDde FREN-chee-BRED-deh French Bread Pane Francese
FREscioLAI FRESH-oh-LYE Flashlight Lampadina
FrigiDEa Free-gee-DAY-ah Frigidaire Frigorifero
FRIsa FREE-zah Freezer Congelatore
FUTteBALlo FOO-teh-BOLL-o Football Calcio
G. GaRAge Ga-RAH-je Garage Autorimessa
GHEIme UAden Gay-meh-WA-den Game Warden
GASsoLIno GOS-so-LEE-no Gasoline Gasolio
GiNAtri Gee-NAH-tree Gene Autrie
GHIrol GHEE-role Girl Ragazza
GOLdiLOcchise GOAL-dee-LOCK-kee-se Goldilocks Biondina
GOmitri GO-me-tree Eucalyptus (gum tree)
GROSserIA GROSS-sir-REE-ya Grocery Mercato
GUAfo GWA-foe Wharf Molo
GurMOni Goor-MOW-knee Good Morning Buon Giorno
GunNAI Goon-NIGH Good Night Buona Notte
H. (there are no Itanglish words beginning in H)
I. ImPLOma Eem-PLO-ma Employment Office
InDIAni In-DYA-knee Indians
INge EEN-jeh Engine Motore
ISte EASE-teh Easter Pasqua
J. (the letter J is not included in the original Italian alphabet)
K. (neither is the letter K)
L. L’ARINga La-REEN-gah The Lone Ranger
LeborDeh Leh-Bore-Day Labor Day Festa di Lavoro
LiNOIo Lee-NOY-oh Linoleum
LONdri LONE-dree Laundry Lavanderia
M. MaCIna ma-CHEE-na Machine Macchina
MAPpo MA-poe Mop Strofinaccio
MEcci MEH-chee Matches Fiammiferi
MICchi MAUsse ME-key-MA-oo-seh Mickey Mouse
MErigoRAU MEH-ree-go-ROW Merry Go Round Giostra
miSTECca mi-STEAK-cah Mistake Sbaglio
MoroSAIco Moro-SIGH-co Motorcycle Motocicletta
MOSceRUMmi MOH-sheh-ROOM-me Mushrooms Funghi
MOSci Melo MO-she-MEL-oh Muskmelon Popone
MUM PIccia MOOM-PEE-cha Moving pictures Cinema
N. NUSepepa NEW-se-pepa Newspaper Giornale
NU IEze NOO YAY-zeh New Year’s Capo d’anno
O. otTELlo o-TELL-o Hotel Albergo
OmBRELlo ohm-BREL-low Umbrella Paracqua
P. PENsolo PEN-solo Pencil Matita
PIcce PEE-che Peaches Pesche
PICcoppe PEEK-op-peh Pickup Furgoncino
piNOzze Pee-NO-tzeh Peanuts Arachidi
PuLISSeMENne Poo-LEASE-eh-MEN-neh Policeman Polizziotto
PostOFFice Post-OFF-ee-che Post Office Ufficio Postale
Q. QUIcche QUEEK-keh Quick Svelto
R. RAdio RAH-dyo Radio
RanCEre Ron-CHAIR-eh Rancher Agricoltore
REDdeVUDde REH-deh-VOO-deh Redwood
RENcotto WREN-cut-toe Raincoat Impermiabile
RIve REE-veh River Fiume
RObenzo RO-ben-tso Robin Pettirosso
ROCchin Cea ROCK-in CHE-ah Rocking chair Sedia dondolo
RIfolo REEF-oh-low Rifle Fucile
S. Santa CROce Santa-CROW-che Santa Cruz
SAN GiuSE SAHN-jew-ZEH San Jose
SanGUIccio Song-WE-cho Sandwich Panino ripieno
SANiCLOSi SAHN-ee-CLAWS-ee Santa Claus Babbo Natale
SciaROPpe Shah-ROP-peh Shut Up! Sta Zitto!
SCIAvola SHAH-vole-ah Shovel Pala
SciO SHAW Show (movies) Cinema
SCHI-ni SKI-knee Skinny Magro
SCIUse SHOO-zeh Shoes Scarpe
SCIUsciaine SHOO-shine-eh Shoe Shine Lustrascarpe
SEveNOPpe SEH-veh-NOP-peh 7-Up
SIgoli SEE-goal-ee Sea Gulls Gabbiani
ScruDRAIva Screw-DRY-vah Screwdriver Cacciaviti
SLAIda SLY-dah Slide Frana

SPRAusi SPRAW-zi Sprouts Cavolini di
Bruscelle
STECco STECK-ko Stick Bastone
STEggio STAY-joe Stage Autobus
STIma STEE-ma Steam Vapore
STOMpo STOHM-poe Stump Ceppo
STOPpa Saine STUP-pa-SIGH-neh Stop Sign Fermata
STOro STOW-row Store Negozio
STRITteCARro STREET-teh-CARro Streetcar Tram
STROberi STRAW-beh-ree Strawberries Fragole
SUIccio SWEE-cho Switch Interuttore
SUpeMENne SOUP-eh-MEN-neh Superman
T. TEleVIgio TEle-VEE-joe Television Televisione
TENchisGHIVi TEN-keys-GHEE-vee Thanksgiving
TEneRIa TEN-err-REE-ah Tannery Conciatoio
ToMAte Toe-MA-teh Tomatos Pomodori
TraiSIcolo Try-SEEK-oh-low Tricycle Tricicletta
TRETte TRET-teh Tractor Trattore
TroBOlo Tro-BO- lo Trouble problemi, difficolta
TROCco TROCK-ko Truck Autocarro
TURco TOUR-co Turkey Tacchino
U. UarraMElo Wah-rah-MEL-oh Watermelon Anguria
UASci maCIna Washy ma-SHE-na Washing Machine Lavatrice
UIni da PU WEE-knee dah POO Winnie the Pooh
V. VISchi VEE-ski Whiskey Uischi
W, X, Y not in the Italian alphabet
Z. ZUppa MItte TSU-pa-MEET-teh Soup Meat Bollito

AVVISO

YOUA MAKA DA REPUBLICA WITTOUTA MYA OK, I BREAKA YOUA LEGGA.
IFA YOUA NO'NO WATCHA DOIN'A, "CLICCA" COMMENTI A BASSO ANDA I GIVA YOUA MOA 'COME SI DICE."

GINO "D'BAFFI" CAMPIONI LINGUINI'STA

Sunday, March 18, 2007

QUEL MAZZOLIN DI FIORI


THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE READ “LA NOSTRA COSTA” OR ATTENDED ONE OF MY PRESENTATIONS KNOW THAT ‘THE ITALIANI SU PER LA COSTA’ LOVED TO SING. ONE OF THEIR ALL TIME FAVORITE SONGS WAS “QUEL MAZZOLIN DI FIORI” WHICH TELLS THE STORY OF A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS PICKED FROM THE MOUNTAINS. ACTUALLY, THIS SONG IS ABOUT A GIRL WHO DESIRES TO PRESENT THIS BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET TO HER SWEATHEART WHEN HE ARRIVES THAT (SATURDAY) EVENING. HOWEVER, AS SHE IS ABOUT TO FIND OUT HER SWEETHEART FAILS TO SHOW. HE APPARENTLY WENT VISITING ANOTHER GIRLFRIEND (ROSINA) LEAVING OUR POOR HEROINE ALONE --SIGHING AND CRYING.

I HAVE REPRINTED THE WORDS BELOW. IF YOU WANT TO HEAR THE SONG AS I REMEMBER IT BEING SUNG IN THE ‘COOKAHOUSAS” OR AT THE PICNICS ‘SU PER LA COSTA’ TRY THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES:
www.istrianet.org and/or www.italiasempre.com .

Quel mazzolin di fiori ........ (che vien dalla montagna)
...quel mazzolin di fiori ...... (che vien dalla montagna)
E bada ben che non si bagna, che lo voglio regalar
....e bada ben che non si bagna, che lo voglio regalar
Lo voglio regalare ............. (perche' l'e' un bel mazzetto)
...lo voglio regalare .......... (perche' l'e' un bel mazzetto)
Lo voglio dare al mio moretto, questa sera quando vien
...lo voglio dare al mio moretto, questa sera quando vien
Stasera quando viene ..... (sara' una brutta sera)
....stasera quando viene ....... (sara' una brutta sera)
E perche' sabato di sera, lu nun e' venu' da me
...e perche' sabato di sera, lu nun e' venu' da me
Non e' venu' da me ............. (l'e' anda' dalla rosina)
....non e' venu' da me ......... (l'e' anda' dalla rosina)
E perche' mi son poverina, mi fa pianger sospirar
...e perche' mi son poverina, mi fa pianger sospirar


LNC: Hopefully, those of you who will be attending my future presentations will now know the words and will be able to sing-along with the 'Old Rancere'. " No falo pianger sospirar" ivnO

Thursday, March 15, 2007

BRONCO'S BIRTHDAY


TODAY IS MARCH 15. IN NIMIS A SMALL VILLAGE IN NORTHEASTERN ITALY ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN YEARS AGO, GERVASIO COMELLI WAS BORN. AS READERS OF “LA NOSTRA COSTA” WILL KNOW, GERVASIO IMMIGRATED TO ‘LA COSTA’ IN 1923, WHERE HE WAS GIVEN THE NICK-NAME “BRONCO”. THE NICK-NAME STAY WITH HIM FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.

SINCE THAT TIME MANY THINGS HAVE HAPPENED TO THE COMELLI - BRESSANI FAMILY IN AMERICA. NONE OF WHICH WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, IF ‘BRONCO’ HAD CHOSEN NOT TO IMMIGRATE TO AMERICA. IN FACT, THE STORY OF ‘LA NOSTRA COSTA’, WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN-- AT LEAST NOT BY ME.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PA-PA. IVANO

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

A 'FIGLIO DELLA COSTA' SENDS THE 'BIG ONE'

I DO NOT WRITE ABOUT THIS IN "LA NOSTRA COSTA", HOWEVER; AT TIMES THE RANCERI, TO RELIEVE THEMSELVES OF BOREDOM OR OTHER NEEDS, ENGAGED IN SCOREGGIA CONTESTS TO DETERMINE WHO AMONGST THEM WAS THE CHAMPION SCOREGGIONE. 'FIGLIO DELLA COSTA', JIM CERAGIOLI SENDS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION REGARDING THE 'BIG ONE'. THEN 'AMICO DELLA COSTA' JERRILL (THE OLD PROFESSOR) KERRICK, HAS THE AUDACITY TO "OUT" JIM IN HIS COMMENTS BELOW. ALL IN GOOD FUN. ENJOY.


Now gang, I am sure you will all enjoy this one. Be sure the sound is on and your ears are clear. Listen to the tune and words. You Santa Cruz Crowd, remember our history.

Subject: Fw: The Big One This is a great country song. You have to listen carefully. It's about "Daddy cutting the big one!" I found it quite humorous - but that's because I'm weird. I hope you enjoy!

This is why I LOVE country music... whether it's crying in the beer, cheatin' hearts or re-uniting love...as well as this one.... ...it's all about life! This is one you will enjoy!

http://denimandlace.50megs.com/1bigone.html


Attention Blagga Fans:

(This) Reminds me of the time my brother and I had to roll all the car windows
down (electric windows would have been nice back then) to clear out (Jim's) scoreggia! An otherwise healthy person would have been in danger of developing emphysema if they had to ride with (him) every day. I recall that (he) blamed it on that plate of sprouts (grown on the Comelli ranch) that (he'd) eaten the night before.

Jerry Kerrick

Monday, March 12, 2007

SOME OBSERVATIONS BY A "FIGLIO DELLA COSTA"

NON-ITALIAN READERS OF 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' OFTEN MAKE THE FOLLOWING COMMENT AND OBSERVATION: "IT SURE IS A WONDER THAT ALL THOSE ITALIANS AND THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTERS, LIVING AND WORKING ON THE NORTH COAST OF SANTA CRUZ DURING THE '30s AND 40s, MADE IT IN THE US WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF WELFARE, FREE MEDICAL CARE, AND WITHOUT ITALIAN AS A SECOND LANGUAGE IN THE SCHOOLS. 'FIGLIO DELLA COSTA' JERRY MUNGAI SUBMITS A POIGNANT ARTICLE FROM THE 'NATIONAL REVIEW'. JERRY INVITES YOUR COMMENTS. 'CLICCA' ON COMMENTS AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.




We continue to hear and read these days about how diversity is our great national strength and how we are all immigrants. As many of us are either children or grandchildren of legal immigrants, I thought the observations below are interesting as they pertain to today's immigrants. The comments are by Theodore Dalrymple in an article published in a recent issue of the National Review about Muslims in Britain. I believe the observations are as valid for the U.S. today as they are about Britain. I'd be interested in your thoughts on these issues. Here are the observations:

"Multiculturalism starts out with the premise that it is for the hostcountry to understand and accommodate its immigrants, and not for immigrants to understand the host country and, within a preexisting framework of rights and duties, accommodate themselves to it. And the theory of race relations suggests that the only possible reason for different outcomes (in m\such measures as income and educational level)of the many ethnic groups that make up a cosmopolitan society such asBritain's is racial prejudice and discrimination. The reason these two orthodoxies have been so eagerly accepted in Britain-by both the government and a significant and important, though perhaps not numerous,part of the educated population-is that they provide the opportunity for bureaucratic employment. This helps to reduce unemployment, at least inthe short term, and to create a focus of political patronage andloyalty. The expectation that immigrants should learn English, forexample, would reduce the opportunity for translators."

Comments?
Jerry


Friday, March 09, 2007

IMPORTANT MESSAGE RE: YOUR TELEPHONE

DON’T PRESS 90#

I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL FROM LOYE (BENTLEY) COCHRON, A SCHS GRAD, RE: A WARNING ABOUT OUR TELEPHONES.

Loye: Thanks for the heads up. Your message below is very serious business. I will make sure that my family will not press 90#. I pay enough for long distant telephone calls as it is.

Your message did remind me of a very funny story that occurred at the San Jose Police Department some years ago.

A secretary in the Detective Division received a call from a so called rep of the telephone company. He told her that they were experiencing some troubles with the telephone lines on the third floor of the Police Building (where the Detective Division was located). In order for them to "clear the clogged lines" they needed to "blow out the lines". This would necessitate for someone on the third floor to "lift off the receivers" in every office on the floor. Believing that the caller was genuine, the secretary went to every office on the third floor advising them to take their phones off the "hook". When asked "what for", she responded that the telephone company needed this to be done so that they could "blow out the lines". She was quite convincing as many did exactly that. When she got back to her own office, she found everyone there in an uproar, laughing their heads off. One of the Detectives had actually placed the "blow out the lines" call.

No the secretary was not a blond, but she was Italian. This may have had something to do with her 'diligence to duty' in this affair.


Loye’s Warning:

I dialed '0' and asked the operator who confirmed that this was correct so please pass it on... (l also checked out Snopes.com..this is true, and also applies to cell phones!)

PASS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW

I received a telephone call last evening from an individual identifying himself as an AT&T Service Technician (could also be Telus) who was conducting a test on the telephone lines. He stated that to complete the test I should touch nine(9), zero(0), the pound sign (#), and then hang up. Luckily, I was suspicious and refused.

Upon contacting the telephone company, I was informed that by pushing 90#, you give the requesting individual full access to your telephone line, which enables them to place long distance calls billed to your home phone number.

I was further informed that this scam has been originating from many local jails/prisons

DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE.

The GTE Security Department requested that I share this information with EVERYONE I KNOW.

After checking with Verizon they also said it was true, so do not dial 90# for anyone !!!!! PLEASE HIT THAT FORWARD BUTTON AND PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!!


Wednesday, March 07, 2007

THEODORE L. GARGIULO, CONDUCTOR, COMPOSER, MUSICOLOGIST, 'AMICO DELLA COSTA'

IN REGARDS TO MY PREVIOUS ARTICLE ON "TED' GARGIULO, SOME OF YOU HAVE ASKED FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MAESTRO. WHAT FOLLOWS BELOW IS AND EXCERPT FROM AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE MONTEREY HERALD. (Words appearing in italics have been added by Ivano.)



Born in New York City (December 19, 1915), Taddeo Luigi Gargiulo was the son of immigrant parents, Salvatore Gargiulo, a baker from Sorrento and Erminia Mascia from Castellamare di Stabia, Italy.


Amid the hardships of the Great Depression, Theodore discovered his passion for the piano and found a way to begin his studies. His talent and pursuit was rewarded with a scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music. Theory and harmony took its root and he was asked to join the National Youth Administration Symphony under the direction of Leopold Stokowski where he expanded his knowledge of orchestra and composition.

Twenty years later, in 1935, he received another scholarship from the New York Philharmonic Symphony Society and studied as a pupil of Rimsky-Korsakoff.

Teachers’ College of Columbia University was another stomping ground as he added vocal art to his accomplishments. Maestro Fritz Stiedry of the Metropolitan Opera embraced Theodore as his protégé. Here his passion grew deeper in the world of opera.

Subsequent years found Maestro Gargiulo performing as Music Director, Assistant Conductor and Conductor with opera companies such as The Miami Opera Guild, Wagner Opera Company’s National Tour, New York Opera Festival in Washington, DC, Cafarelli Opera in Cleveland, Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Columbus Symphony Orchestra in Columbus, Georgia, Connecticut Opera Association, Philadelphia Opera and the Cincinnati Summer Opera.

Theodore’s last international conducting tour included the the symphony orchestra of Ottawa, Vancouver and other cities in Canada. These orchestras provided accompaniment to the four hour silent film epic of the restoration of Abel Gance’s 1927 Classic “Napoleon” produced by Francis Ford Coppola.

He was chief music critic, reviewer and feature writer for the Columbus Leger/Enquirer newspapers for seven years and his article appeared in many publications.

The Gargiulo family came to Monterey in 1972. He organized the Peninsula Clarinet Quartet for the Monterey Museum of Art and established the chamber concert series, “Music in the Museum”

Theodore organized the Pan Cultural Orchestra of the Defense Language Institute (DLI). With Specialist Bill Zornes, Theodore wrote a pageant to celebrate the Army’s 208th Birthday Ball, “Music – the Great Motivator.”

In November 2001 Maestro Gargiulo received a lifetime achievement award at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. The award was presented by The Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation.

Maestro Gargiulo was a prolific composer with a collection of art songs in various genres, symphonic works, chamber music, a wedding mass, and two operas. His opera Tryillias was accepted for consideration for a Pulitzer Prize in music in 2004.

On August 30th, 2006, Maestro Gargiulo wrote his last 101 measures – a musical setting of the Catholic Profession of Faith. “We believe in God the Father, The Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen……..”


"Our Father was a very rare, gentle soul who walked the earth. His spirit soars with love and passion which is expressed in the legacy of his music. and performances.. But, his greatest opus is the love of life he instilled in his family." -- The Gargiulo Family

Friday, March 02, 2007

MAESTRO TADDEO LUIGI GARGIULO E 'LA NOSTRA COSTA'

MAESTRO TADDEO LUIGI GARGIULO , BETTER KNOWN TO MUSCIANS AND FRIENDS AS THEODORE “TED” GARGIULO, WAS OUR NEIGHBOR. ALONG WITH HIS WIFE GLORIA, HE LIVED NEXT DOOR TO US ON LAS BRISAS DRIVE AT PASADERA (OFF HWY 68 IN MONTEREY). TED WAS A RENOWNED COMPOSER AND MUSCIAN. OFTEN WE WOULD HEAR HIM PLAY HIS PIANO AS HE WAS COMPOSING NEW SONGS IN HIS LIVING ROOM. MY WIFE, MILDRED AND I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC THAT WOULD BE CREATED BY THIS WONDERFUL MAN. TED PASSED AWAY IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR.


Ted and I would often pass the time of day discussing world events, philosophy and religion. He would even discuss with me, a complete novice, how he composed his music. During his last year, he would say to me, “I get up in the morning and my mind is filled with music. I can not wait to get to my piano to write it down. This has never happened to me before. It is simply amazing.”

One of the things that used to bother Ted a great deal was all the violence and inhumanity that existed in the World. Ted was a deeply religious man, however; he was also an intellectual. He was not afraid to question things that really were not quite clear. He often posed the following question to me. “Ivan, how can there be a God with all this violence, famine and inhumanity in world? A just and benevolent God would never allow it to exist.”

I would always answer, “Ted, we will find the answer to those questions when we cross over to the hereafter.” Ted would then retort, “How can you be sure that there is a hereafter.”

Of course Ted believed in God. But he was searching for answers to those questions we often ask ourselves in order to gain some reassurance of our own religious beliefs.

As I was nearing the completion of “La Nostra Costa”, I often thought of these conversations with Ted. My mind began to create the scenario in the book where the overburdened “Young Rancere” questions the very existence of a Deity. In ‘A Rancere’s Lament’, at the beginning of the book, he challenges his God by posing the following question: “O God, if you are up there, why don’t you wave your hand, and make things better for me?” In return, he gets a rather superficial answer – because he (the Rancere) lives “su per la costa –not heaven?”

Having finished “A Rancere’s Lament”, I realized that I needed an ending to the book that would be in sync with the “Rancere’s Lament”. I kept thinking of my discussions with Ted. I then started to put down my thoughts (and hopes) of what the hereafter might be like. Thus; in “Il Ultimo Ponte”, we find the Rancere; now very old, standing before a wooden bridge. The bridge, of course, symbolizes the very “crossing-over” that I had discussed with Ted. Once across the bridge, the Rancere, realizes that his life was really worth while.

I remember thinking, “Boy, won’t Ted be surprised when he reads this?”

Soon after publishing “La Nostra Costa” I presented Ted and Gloria with a copy of the book. I remember telling Ted, “Make sure that you read ‘Il Ultimo Ponte’ at the end. I wrote it with you in mind.” It took him a while, but on one of my visits he informed me that he had just read it. The following is his comments as best I can remember them..

“Ivan it is beautiful. The whole episode is simply beautiful. You created something wonderful. You should be proud of what you wrote.” Then smiling at me with his wonderful smile and looking me straight in the eye, he added, “I hope you are right.”

Adio Maestro “Ted”. I am looking forward to hearing you once again, create beautiful music across “Il Ultimo Ponte.” Ivano




LNC: THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL WAS SENT BY FRANCA GARGIULO, TED’S DAUGHTER.


----- Original Message -----
From: Franca Gargiulo
To: 'ivan comelli'
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2007 6:46 PM
Subject: FW: Dad Gargiulo's August 15 recording session for Tehama


Dear Friends:

I thought you all might enjoy the short music video of my Father’s last conducting session and composition that was written for Tehama, Clint Eastwood’s new golf and home development in Monterey. This ad footage will appear on their website. Terrence (LNC: Ted’s son) is singing and Daddy appears at the very end. This recording session (you really don’t see the full orchestra) took place on August 15.

As I look at all these tools so easily at our disposal, I have to chuckle over the fact that when my father first started his musical career, all they had was the old Victor phonograph!

Let us know what you think and please don’t be shy about giving it a rating!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhjDdo2OfJE

Franca


Video results for '"tehama monterra"'


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Tehama Monterra Music Video04:45
Music video of original song written, scored, and conducted by the late Maestro Theodore Gargiulo, lyrics and vocals by Terrence Gargiulo, The video showcases the natural beauty of Monterey, California and features shots of Tehama/Monterra Music video of original song written, scored, and conducted by the late Maestro Theodore Gargiulo, lyrics and vocals by Terrence Gargiulo, The video showcases the natural beauty of Monterey, California and features shots of Tehama/Monterra - more information on can be found on www.makingstories.net (more) (less)
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music musicvideo beautiful song Monterey ClintEastwood Gargiulo beach ocean orchestra vocals
Added: 1 day ago in Category: MusicFrom: WendliteViews: 2