L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016 www.italoamericano.org 13 L'Italo-Americano Dear Readers, An August assortment of Italian connections: Birthday "numero 90" will be celebrated by singer Tony Bennett of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" fame on Nob Hill. Earlier this year S.F. Mayor Ed Lee and a group of cultural-civic citizens raised money to create an 8 foot tall bronze statue of Tony Bennett, to be placed on the lawn of the Fairmont Hotel in recognition of Bennett's long time rendition of "I Left My Heart In San Francisco". It will be unveiled in celebration of his 90th birthday. The sculptor of the bronze statue is Bruce Wolfe. The Fairmont Hotel sits atop a S.F. hill where the Cable Cars run half way to the stars as the song. *** The celebrated singer Tony Bennett lunched in North Beach recently. According to S.F. Chronicle columnist, Willie Brown, who was there, "Tony was his usual gracious self to the steady stream of fans who came up to his table for a word and a photo. No wonder the guy never puts on weight. With all the interruptions, he doesn't get a chance to eat. *** Antonio Dominick Benedetto, son of a New York tailor and homemaker mother, Anna, has "roots" in the Calabria region of Italy, Tony was born in Astoria, New York. The boy from Astoria, born in August 3, 1926, made it the hard way. In his teens he picked up $15 for weekend engagements singing in local nightclubs. During World War II he served for almost three years as a front-line infantryman in Germany. On his return he enrolled in the American Theatre Wing for professional training. During this time he appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, losing to vocalist Rosemary Clooney. Some months later, while auditioning at the Greenwich Village Inn, he was heard by Perl Bailey, who insisted that he be hired. Bob Hope saw him, took him on tour in 1949 and suggested he shorten his name. Tony's early smash hits include Cold, Cold Heart, Rags to Riches, Strangers in Paradise, Because of You, Boulevard of Broken Dreams and I won't Cry Anymore. *** Back in the late 1977 singer Tony Bennett dedicated the exclusive private banquet room named in his honor at the Fior d'Italia restaurant in San Francisco. He cut the ribbon to open officially the luxurious "Tony Bennett Room" which display his Gold Record of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" as well as personal memorabilia such as photographs of the singer with world figures including presidents, royalty and other celebrities. Several pastels and oils painted by Tony were also displayed. At the time the Fior d'Italia, a San Francisco tradition since 1886, was owned by five local businessmen: Charles Ramorino, Achille Pantaleoni, Sergio and Larry Nibbi and William Armanino. Years later, following a fire, the Fior d'Italia relocated to 2237 Mason St with new owners but still great food. Original Joe's at 601 Union St. still has a lovely Tony Bennett Room you can book for small parties, but Tony's original oils have been returned to his family. *** August is a good month to remind you that St. Rocco and his dog, always pictured together on religious picture cards, distributed on his feast day, August 16, was heaven's first animal rights activist, if the stories we believe, in a leap if faith, are true. St. Rocco, with his faithful canine companion Roquet by his side is venerated throughout Italy for his intercession and service to the plague-stricken in the early 1320s A.D., and celebrated in Calabria with Italian gingerbread figures called Panpepati. These represent various parts of the body, and are ex-voto for the people whose arms, legs or various organs are protected by the saint. He is often considered the patron saint of the wool carders and cooks. However, after reading this store, I am sure you'll agree that San Rocco deserves to be known as the original equal rights animal activist. St. Rocco (Roch) was born, with a birthmark shaped like a cross imprinted on his breast at Montpellier, France. As soon as he was of ahem he gave his earthly possessions to the poor, took up the life of a monk, and began to wander, accompanied by a little dog named Roquet. He served the plague stricken in Italy while on a pilgrimage of devotion himself to their cure. Finally infected with the disease himself, he withdrew, dragging himself to an isolated cave in the woods. While he lay there exhausted, his dog Roquet found his way to the castle of a nearby nobleman where he managed to snatch a loaf of bread from the table. Returning day after day to find food for his master, the dog aroused the interest of the nobleman, who followed him to the cave. The sight of Rocco, now dying, moved the nobleman to abandon his wealth and follow the path of the dying saint, who died circa 1327 A.D. St. Rocco ascended to Heaven, where he was welcomed by St. Peter, the Celestial Gatekeeper. When St. Peter refused to admit Roquet, St. Rocco insisted that the dog had saved his life. St. Peter replied that a rooster had saved his soul, but that he had never even imagined taking him align to Heaven. Refusing to abandon his faithful companion, St. Rocco sent news of this conflict and reached the ears of God the Father, who commanded that St. Rocco and Roquet be admitted to heaven together. When St. Peter complained about the neglect of his rooster and threatened to resign his post, the heavenly Father agreed that the bird should also enter. Then the other saints all made claim for the animals that head served them - St. Jerome for his lion, St. Calm for his cat, St. Agnes for her lamb, and St. Francis for all the other birds and beasts. And the Heavenly Father saw that he had no choice. He ordered St. Peter to throw open the Gates of Heaven to every creature who had served His will. And it was the doing of St. Rocco and his little dog. LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE Tony Bennett in the press room at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards. MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. 12-04-06— Photo by s_bukley

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