August 2008 - Irish American News

August • 2008The City of Chicago and present Celtic Fest Chicago …Page 3New Ross Honors JFK …Page 5

4 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 2008(ISSN #1085-4053)USPS #013454August 2008 Vol. XXxII # 8PERIODICALFounderBob BurnsPublisherCliff CarlsonArt DirectorWalt KennedyEditorial AssistantsElizabeth KellyJoyce EdwardsContributing EditorSusan VictoriaAdvertising SalesElizabeth KellyColumns and ReviewsBooks - Frank WestTheatre - Sean CallanTrad Music - Bill MargesonTinker’s Dam Fr. Kevin ShanleyHealy Law - Martin HealyMick - Mike MorleyGaelic News - Pat HennessyA Word With Fr. Michael BolandIrish Musings Fr. Michael LeonardHooliganism: Mike HoulihanIrish Diaspora: Charles BradyFor The Republic - Chris FogartySports - Sean O’CeallachainSwimming Upstream - Charles BradySharing A Pint - Scott PowersCareers - James Fitzgerald, CPARaised On Songs & StoriesShay ClarkeBoyle The Kettle - Tom BoyleHoroscopes by TheresaIrish Rover by Jim McClureCeltic Scribes by Ray CavanaughCeltic Kitchen - Juli FinneyBurke’s Law - Brian BurkeIrish News, Inc. is publishedmonthly on the 1st of month.First class deliveryFirst Class Mail ¨ 1 year $30 ¨ 2years $55 ¨ 3 years $75Regular delivery¨1 year $25 or ¨ 2 years $45 ¨ 3years $65¨Canada 1 yr $35 or ¨ 2 yrs $60¨International: 1 yr $85by Irish News Inc., 7115 W.North Ave. #327, Oak Park IL60302.(Periodicals Postage Paid atPalatine, IL and additionalmailing offices.)Postmaster:Send address changes toIrish News, Inc.7115 W North Ave #327Oak Park, il 60302708-445-0700 fax 708-445-2003e-mail to:editor@irishamericannews.comPUBLISHERS STATEMENTThe opinions and statementsexpressed in this newspaper areentirely those of the authors, and donot reflect in any way the opinionsof Irish American News.Distribution25,000Freedom of SpeechAs some of you know, we nowhave two newspapers in the Midwest.Chicagolands’ Irish American Newscovering Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsinand Michigan news,(IAN) andIANOhio which covers the entirestate of Ohio, parts of Pennsylvania,and Kentucky. I don’t often agreewith Chris Fogarty, our “no holdsbarred” columnist in Chicagoland.He has been having his say for manyyears in these pages, but when hesent me a link to a column by BillMoyers, I thought I would share theinfo with our readers. Rather thango through the lengthy process ofasking permission to reprint, hereis the link to the story online: www.truthout.org/article/is-fourth-estatea-fifth-column.The article is titled;Corporate media colludes with democracy’sdemise. Thanks for thisinformation Chris.Our newspapers, and otherswith limited resources can’t do alot to rise above the label of infotainment.What we can do withinthese pages is provide you withvaried, uncensored, popular andunpopular opinions that stir youremotions and give you cause tothink. My thanks to all the 20 pluscolumnists who have their say eachmonth within these pages.This year’s IAHC festival drewlarge crowds right up to closingtime Sunday night. Congratulationsto everyone involved. Theamount of clean up and planningis unimaginable.MichiganThe Saline Celtic Festival run byPat Little was the same weekendin the Ann Arbor, Michigan area.Columnist Frank West and myselfdrove up and back on Saturday. Wewere drumming up business for thepapers new section featuring Irish/Celtic Michigan news. Look forthe pages with bold black lettersMICHIG IAN. This festival waschosen to host The 2008 MastersChampionship of the HighlandHeavy Athletic Games. EileenIvers and The Kreelers closed theWalsh & Company, P.C.Certified Public Accountants• Fi n a n c i a l St ate m e nt s• Business Valuatiions• Fr a u d Au d i ts• Co n s t r u c t i o n Ac c o u n t i n g• S Co r p o r a t i o nsshow. This two day fest sufferedfrom bad weather forecasts thatdidn’t come true, and from earlyrain on Saturday. For more infoon the fest, check out the blog ofAnn (MacLennan) Curtiss at http://a2brouhaha.blogspot.com/ andwww.salineceltic.org.Great LakesIrish Music FestivalSaturday, July 19th, the weathergods were not good to this oneday festival in Grand Rapids,Michigan with intermittent rainsthroughout the day. HeadlinersStephen’s Green, George Casey,The David Munnelly Band andCathie Ryan entertained the faithfulwho braved the weather. Festorganizer, Mary Anne Reagan,expects to be back next year.OhioThanks to the hard work of JohnO’Brien Jr., and the support of theOhio Irish American community,IANOhio has now published successfullyfor twenty consecutive months.We are striving to give you the paperyou want, and appreciate your input.Let’s make it twenty years!cliff@iannews.com.• LLC’s• Par tnerships• In d iv i d u a l Ta x e s• Business Ta x e s• Fiduciary Ta x e s7804 College Dr. - Suite 1SE • Palos Heights, IL 60463Ph. (708) 671-0644 Fax (708) 671-0655www.walshcocpas.com25yearsexperience

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 5John F. Kennedy Honored in HometownAs reported in the New Ross StandardOne of the most important milestonesin New Ross' history was createdon Sunday with the unveiling of amagnificent commemorative statue tomark the 45th anniversary of PresidentKennedy's visit to the town in 1963.Up to one thousand people gatheredon the quayside on Sunday afternoonto witness the late President'ssister, Jean Kennedy Smith, unveila life-sized statue dedicated to thememory and legacy of her brother.Master of Ceremonies, Gay Byrne,who covered President Kennedy'sNew Ross address as a young reporter,welcomed the throngs of people bysharing his fond memories of JFK'svisit to New Ross in 1963.President Kennedy told us that'this trip has taken 6,000 miles, threegenerations and 115 years. Today onbehalf of New Ross Town Council Ican say that this piece of sculpturehas taken 45 years, nine terms of NewRoss Town Council and 495 TownCouncil meetings...This Counciland my fellow Councillors can beproud that this project has come tofruition in our term of office,' said theCathaoirleach, Ray Lawlor.In one hundred years from nowwhen the citizens of New Ross, ourchildren's children gather to celebratethe centenary of the unveiling of thissculpture let them celebrate and rememberthe people of New Ross forour foresight and courage in embracingchange with the ability to moveforward together for the future,' headded, before the Minister for Finance,Brain Lenihan addressed the crowd.I cannot image how it must feelfor Ambassador Kennedy Smith tobe standing here today 45 years aftershe stood on these quays beside herbrother, the then President of theUnited States for what has happenedin the life of her family since then itmust be quite overwhelming,' saidthe Minister for Finance.Ann Meldon Hugh, who said shewas absolutely thrilled' to have wonthe statue commission, spent the pastyear working on this sculpture.I wanted to commemorate theday. The visit to New Ross for John(L-R) Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge #7 President, Mark Donahue presentsDistinguished Service Awards to Officers Daniel Conway, Patrick Mulkerrin andJeffrey Edwards. While on patrol, the officers pursued a fugitive of an armed robberywho pointed his gun at them, and wounded and captured the offender.2008 One-Page Play Contest WinnersBy Sean CallanSix one page plays were staged asthe finalists at Irish Fest 2008. Theseincluded Mr. Burgess, a play aboutthe facts of life, Irish style, by localplaywright Theresa Chotsky. “I wroteit in an authentic Carlow dialect” shesaid. Evan Armacost was excellent inthe role of Joe and he was ably supportedby Barney Farrelly. Proverbs, byDonna Latham of St. Charles, IL wasanother finalist. All of the lines in Proverbsconsist of proverbs constructed totell a tale of marital break up and makeup in an Irish village pub. The audienceenjoyed the pithy word play.The overall best play award wentto The Hannigans of Beverly by JohnWilliam Tuohy, McLean, VA. Theplay, directed by Brad Armacost,depicted five generations of a ChicagoIrish immigrant family comingfull circle. Each character spoke inan engaging monologue. JosephineCraven was excellent in the dual rolesof Biddy and Prof. Pat Hannigan.Runner-up in the contest was FiveAct Tragedy by John J. Conley, Baltimore,MD. The play, directed by RobertAyers, was a comedy of a play within aplay. A narrator described a successionof scenes and Gen Pepsnik and TimO’Sullivan displayed great vim andvigor in playing out each scene.Third place went to Knockin’ byRobin Pond, Toronto, Canada. The play,directed by Josephine Craven, was acomedic case of mistaken identity toldin rhyme. The scintillating comics wereVera Kelly and Kevin Cassidy.Other actors who performed inthe Fest were Kate McNally andChris Keaveney.Fitzgerald Kennedy was a personal anda emotional visit for him and that iswhat I wanted to convey...I just decidedI'd try and conjure the whole emotionand feeling of the visit and to expresshis enthusiasm and friendliness....butalso to put behind him memories andrepresentations of that day,' said Ann.A recorded address by an TaoiseachBrian Cowen, in which he spokeof his disappointment of not beingthere, was played to the assembledcrowd, before the Guest of Honouraddressed the delighted crowd.Thank you so much for cominghere today it brings back wonderfulmemories for me,' said the formerAmbassador to Ireland, who recalledher brother's visit to New Ross.It was a remarkable trip in so manyways...it was the first time a sittingAmerican President visited Irelandand it was the first time that I travelledwith my brother to our ancestral home.I felt I knew the people of New Rossbefore I ever arrived...It is a time Ihave cherished ever since and I knowmy brother felt the same way. Heenjoyed his trip to Ireland more thanany other of his Presidency...This wasthe best trip he ever had - there is nodoubt in any of our minds just howmuch of an impact that visit had onhim,' said Jean Kennedy Smith, whowas presented with a limited editionstatue of her late brother by CathaoirleachRay Lawlor for the KennedyPresidential Library in Boston.Katharine Sullivan (1918-2008)We are saddened to receive the news that Katharine Sullivan, the grandmotherof Terry and Kevin Moran, passed away on July 13th. She alwayshad a great personality and a nice thing to say about everyone. Terry namedhis tune, “Katharine’s Dance,” in her honor. Please pray for the Sullivan/Murphy/Moran family.Ireland 2007/2008See Athlone & DistrictTourist Guidewebsite - www.athlone.ie

6 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 2008Bishop Paprocki To Lead Pilgrimage to IrelandBishop Thomas J. Paprocki andGeorge Jackson III will be runningthe Dublin Marathon on October27, 2008 to raise funds for theChicago Legal Clinic, Inc. GeorgeJackson will also be running theChicago Marathon on October12th and hopes to run a thirdmarathon, all within 30 days. TheDublin Marathon will be BishopPaprocki’s 15th marathon to generatefunds for charity, raising morethan $232,000.00.As part of the Marathon Fundraiser,the Clinic will be raffling offa Trip for Two to Classic Ireland ona Pilgrimage hosted by the Bishopfrom October 20 - October 28, 2008.Other raffle prizes are a Toshiba 19”HD LCD TV and Two Tickets to seeMeet Me In St. Louis at the DruryLane Water Tower. The raffle ticketsare $25.00 each, or five for $100.00.All proceeds will benefit the ChicagoLegal Clinic, Inc.Highlights of the pilgrimage toIreland include the majestic Cliffs ofMoher, romantic ruins of castles &abbeys, OL Knock Shrine & DublinMarathon. The trip is available to thepublic through Best Catholic Pilgrimages.If a person who has paidfor the pilgrimage wins the raffle forthe First Prize trip for two to Ireland,monies paid for the pilgrimage willbe refunded.Bishop Paprocki and Mr. Jacksonhave been running for years as ahobby. But through their participationwith the Chicago Legal Clinic,have converted (no pun intended)their running into access to justicefor Chicagoans in need. Theyoften train together and are quitecompetitive. No matter who hasthe best time this year, the winnersare people who need legal services,but cannot afford a private attorney.The Clinic will serve over 13,000people in the coming year on mattersranging from domestic violence toforeclosure defense.CLC's mission is to identify legalneeds and provide communitybasedquality legal services andeducation to the underserved anddisadvantaged in the Chicago area,thereby promoting justice throughgreater access to the legal system.The clinic’s co-founders remainactive in the organization today.Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki, AuxiliaryBishop of Chicago, servesas president of CLC and EdwardGrossman continues to serve as theagency’s executive director. GeorgeJackson III is a member of CLC’sBoard of Directors and serves on itsExecutive Committee.To request information on thepilgrimage to Ireland or to purchaseraffle tickets, call Lisa Paulsen at773–731–1762 or e-mail specialevents@clclaw.org.All raffle pledgesmust be received by September 2,2008. The drawing will be held onSeptember 3, 2008.IAN Publisher Cliff Carlson had the pleasure of meeting PadraigHarrington in Glenview, IL during a golf clinic sponsored by WilsonStaff. Congratulations to Padraig on his second consecutive BritishOpen championship (story on page 31.)Elgin Children’s Chorus AuditionsThe Elgin Children’s Chorus willhold auditions on Monday, August11th from 5-7pm and Monday, August18th from 4-6pm for the 2008-2009season at the Arts Center at ElginCommunity College, 1700 SpartanDr. in Elgin. Membership is opento all area children with unchangedvoices, ages 7 through 16. Chorusmembers come from over 55 differentschools within 18 school districts.The audition is designed to be asimple process that will place singersat ease. The ability to read music isnot required. The essential choristerattitude is one that desires to work hardlearning great music. To prepare forthe audition, you may want to brushup on “My Country ‘tis of Thee,” andthe round “Are You Sleeping?” Toschedule an audition, please visit www.elginchch.org or call 847-931-7464.

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 9Time is Running Backward!Irish Books andPlays in ReviewImagination.How central thisis to Irish literature!Imaginationof a different realityis a theme thatoccurs repeatedlyin Irish literature.If we believe insomething, doesit become real?If we believe ina reality differentfrom our own, does it become real? What ishuman imagination? Where does it come from?Is it part of being a human being? How canimagination be developed and enriched? Thebook’s press release says: “… a powerful icepeople are trying again to run time backwards,erasing the very existence of mankind.”Eoin McNamee wrote this book of fantasyfor children (ages 9+14) and hopes it will “… bepart of the enfolding of a child’s imagination.”It is the second novel in the trilogy abouttime. I reviewed his first book in this series,The Navigator, in the spring of 2007.McNamee has written award-winning novelsfor adults, and now writes science fictionfor children. He lives in Sligo with his wife andtwo children. Time for us flows from the pastto the present, to the future. But what if it weremade to flow backwards? Eventually would benothingness, just emptiness.In this fantasy thriller, powerful enemiesof our humanity and jealous of human society,plot to reverse time “so that all that is left isemptiness, nothingness.”These fantastical evil-doers scheme to havethe earth run out of time. For us time is eternaland unchangeable. But what if it is finite, likeStalking Irish MadnessBy Patrick TraceyIn this powerful, sometimes harrowing,deeply felt story, Patrick Tracey journeysto Ireland to track the origin and solve themystery of his Irish-American family’s multigenerationalstruggle with schizophrenia.As long as Tracey could remember, schizophreniaran on his mother’s side, seldomspoken of outright but impossible to ignore.Devastated by the emotional toll the diseasehad already taken on his family, terrified ofpassing it on to any children he might have,and inspired by the recent discovery of the firstgenetic link to schizophrenia, Tracey followedhis genealogical trail from Boston to Ireland’scounty Roscommon, home of his oldestknownschizophrenic ancestor. In a renovatedcamper, Tracey crossed the Emerald Isle to investigatethe country that, until the 1960s, hadthe world’s highest rate of institutionalizationFrank Westthe sun’s energy?The characters in the book become aware ofthis attempt to change time. “the fabric of spaceand time is loosening… as it does so, gravityis… getting stronger. The earth is starting topull the moon closer.”“Gravity keeps the moon in orbit aroundthe earth…”“Soon gravity will bring the moon to withina few hundred miles of earth, and then…”“When the moon is so close it will cause havoc—massivetides, tsunamis, …earthquakes.”Owen, the Irish boy who is the hero of thesenovels, realizes that the cause is the reversal oftime. He realizes that this “was another attempt toplunge his world into darkness and emptiness.”“…This is a fantastical world, complete withbrand new page-turning action, ingenious inventionsand extraordinary characters…” saysthe press release.Although written for children, I found Cityof Time strongly held my attention. The writingis suspenseful, colorful and uses words ofa high order.As a former teacher, I recommend City of Timeas a wonderful way to encourage children to learnnew vocabulary and to use vivid phrases.Teenagers and adults will enjoy this mindexpandingbook.City of Time by Eoin McNamee. RandomHouse–Wendy Lamb Books, New York, 2008. 336pages; $19.99. www.randomhouse.com/kids.News of Irish Plays?We have a rich tradition of Irish theater: agolden sense of imagination and uncompromisingtruthfulness. I love to see those plays andto write about them.Please send news of upcoming productionsof plays written by Irish or Irish Americanplaywrights to me at IAN’s mail address oremail me at: fwest@iannews.com.for mental illness,following cluesand separatingfact from fictionin the legendaryrelationship theIrish have hadwith madness.Filled withhistory, science,and lore, StalkingIrish Madness isan unforgettablechronicle of one man’s attempt to make senseof his family’s past and to find hope for thefuture of schizophrenic patients.Stalking Irish Madness: Searching for theRoots of My Family’s Schizophrenia by PatrickTracey. Bantam Dell Publishing Group, NewYork, 2008. Hardcover; 288 pages; $24.00.www.randomhouse.com.Something forEvery Irish AmericanFindingYour ChicagoIrish is a wonderfulbook!I’ve put offwriting this reviewbecause Iwant to do thisexciting bookjustice, andtell ChicagoIrish Americanshow helpfuland informativeit is.The book’s 192 pages are packed withinformation about all kinds of events thatIrish American would enjoy. The authorput in an enormous amount of time andeffort to compile the data. Much of itwas gathered first hand when she went tothese events and interviewed the peopleinvolved.There is information here about IrishAmerican sports events, restaurants, music,radio,, film, even shopping! To put itsimply, there is something in this book foreveryone.Included in Finding Your Chicago Irishare addresses, phone numbers and oftenwebsites for all these places and events.The author, Sharon Shea Bossard, andher husband, live in the Chicago area. Shesa member of several organizations, includingthe Illinois Women’s Press Associationad the Writers’ Workshop of Barrington. Tolearn more about her, got to her website:www.findingmyirish.com.Her first book, Finding Your Irish, receivedexcellent reviews (including one inthis column). And it “…has been featuredon numerous radio and television talkshows in Ireland and the united States.”I especially enjoyed the section abouttheater, I have seen, and liked, severalproductions by the Seanachai TheatreCompany, the Shapeshifters Theatre Companyad the Gaelic Park Players.Each of these ensembles provide “compellingproductions and programs thatfocus the energy of artists on the commongoal of exceptional storytelling.”I was personally interested in Bossard’sdiscussion of the Irish American News.This outstanding newspaper serves theIrish American community. Pardon me forfavoring it, but we keep you “…up-to-dateon all things Irish in Chicago and throughoutthe world.” The author sums up withthis comment about the newspaper: “thisentertaining, informative newspaper willbecome a household fixture.”The book is well written; uses a livelywriting style; is carefully researched; anda joy to peruse. And fun to use.Finding Your Chicago Irish by SharonShea Bossard. Lake Claremont Press,Chicago, 2008. 192 pages; $16.95. www.lakeclaremont.com.

10 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 20086th Annual Long Grove Irish DaysLong Grove Irish Days festivalruns August 30 and 31, September1, 2008 (Labor Day weekend)from 11am to 7pm each day.This celebration of all thingsIrish is three fun-filled days ofmusic, dance, food and fun inhistoric downtown Long Grove.Live performances throughoutthe event feature well knownPLASTERINGWilliam McNulty& SonsPlastering Co.InsuredAll Work GuaranteedPLASTERINGSTUCCODRYVIT708-386-2951Irish musicians, as well as Irishstep dancing from the area’s finestdancing schools.Performances include GavinCoyle, Baal Tinne, Katie SullivanBand, Three Men in Kilts,the Jeff Ward Band, and Donnybrook.The Shannon RoversBagpipe Band will appear allthree days. (See www.Long-GroveOnline.com for a completemusic schedule).Kevin Horton, two-time worldIrish dance medalist will be onhand to perform. Kevin, originallyfrom Mundelein, is in his6th year with Riverdance, therenowned Irish Dance troupe.Also performing will be AnamMor’s Tyler Schwarz, the AllIreland dance champion.Highlights of the three-dayfestival also include:• “Best Legs in a Kilt Contest”– 6:20pm each evening. Winnerswill take home a trophy and braggingrights. Bring your own kiltor borrow one from Paddy’s onthe Square that day.• Irish Dog Contest – every dogis Irish this weekend. Registrationfor dog prince, princess, king,and queen are ongoing from 11to 3 pm daily at the Dog House,located at 405 Robert ParkerCoffin Road in downtown LongGrove. (Phone 847-634-3060).• Enjoy plenty of Irish foodand drink, provided by Winston’s.Long Grove restaurants, bakeriesand specialty food shops willalso have assorted Irish goodies,as well as their regular menus.• Visit cultural tents, includingan Irish travel tent, a genealogytent, Gaelic tent and the IrishAmerican Heritage Center ofChicago tent.• The Wee Ones Activity Center offerscrafts, games and storytelling.• A town-wide “Saving O’ theGreen” summer clearance sale.• Pint glass give-away – savereceipts from Long Grove Shopsfor a total $150 or more, and receivea FREE Long Grove IrishDays pint glass.• Free admission, free parkingand free live entertainment.Long Grove Irish Days is sponsoredby Paddy’s on the Square and TheIrish Boutique.Located near Routes 53 and83, just north of Lake Cook Road,Long Grove Historic Village is apicturesque and historic villagewith buildings that date back toits early beginnings in the 1800s.These charming buildings ofyesteryear now house an exceptionalvariety of contemporaryshops, galleries, and restaurantsfor today’s lifestyles. www.Long-GroveOnline.com or call theVisitor’s Information Center at847-634-0888.Long Grove Music ScheduleSaturday, August 30 — Fountain Square11am – noon Academy of Irish Music12:20 - 12:50 McNulty Irish Dancers1:10 – 1:40 Shannon Rovers Bagpipe Band2:00 – 3:00 Gavin Coyle3:20 – 3:50 Irish Dog Contest Awards4:10 – 4:50 Kevin Horton & Friends Irish Dancers5:00 – 6:00 Baal Tinne6:20 – 6:50 Best Looking Men’s Legs in a Kilt CompetitionSunday, August 31 — Fountain Square10:00 – 10:45am Mass celebrated by Father Ryan, St. Francis de Sales11:00 – noon Irish Music School of Chicago12:20 – 12:50 Trinity Academy of Irish Dance1:10 – 1:40 Shannon Rovers Bagpipe Band2:00 – 3:00 Katie Sullivan Band3:20 – 3:50 Irish Dog Contest Awards4:10 – 4:40 Anam Mor Irish Dancers5:00 – 6:00 Three Men in Kilts6:20 – 6:50 Best Looking Men’s Legs in a Kilt CompetitionMonday, September 1 — Fountain Square11am – noon Cu Roi12:20 – 12:50 Sheila Tully Academy of Irish Dance1:10 – 1:40 Shannon Rovers Bagpipe Band2:00 – 3:00 Jeff Ward Band3:20 – 3:50 Irish Dog Contest Awards4:10 – 4:40 O’Hare School Champion Irish Dancers5:00 – 6:00 Donnybrook6:20 – 6:50 Best Looking Men’s Legs in a Kilt Contest

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 11

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 13Mayo Peace Park - Garden of RemembranceBy Michael Feeney, Chairman Mayo Peace Park CommitteeCounty Mayo on the west coast ofIreland was the initial departure pointfor thousands of Irish emigrants, whomade their way to Kingstown Harbourin Cork, to catch the big ocean linersheading to America. They went off tomake a new life for themselves; mostof them never returned to the land oftheir birth. America, Canada, Australiaand Great Britain were the countrieswhere the Irish emigrated to in thosedays; rarely mainland Europe.In 1876, a total of 128 Irishmenserved with the seventh Cavalry, it isrecorded that three Mayo men were atthe battle of the Little Big Horn. Theywere: Pvt. Thomas Hughes, CompanyH, who was severely wounded in a hilltopfight but survived the wars; diedAug. 12th, 1911, in Nashville, TN; Pvt.Patrick Kelly, Company E, who diedwith General Custer’s column; andMrs. Tess Rainey, RIPThe Mayo Peace Parkcommittee in CastlebarCounty Mayo, Ireland,have expressed a vote ofsympathy to the family ofthe late Mrs. Tess Raineyof Chicago, who wasPresident of the ChicagoMayo Association anda friend and supporterof this project. She wasintending to attend theofficial opening thisOctober, but God in hiswisdom called her home,May she Rest in Peace.Taoiseach signals new campaign on illegalsDeaglan De Bréadun, Political Correspondent in New YorkThe Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, yesterdaysignalled that the Governmentwould be launching a new drive to resolvethe issue of the undocumentedIrish in the US.The plight of undocumented Irishpeople has been an issue for successiveIrish governments over many decades.The liberal quota traditionally allocatedto Ireland by the US was severely curtailedin 1965 but the Irish governmentof the day chose not to lobby againstthe American decision at the time.More recently, joint legislativeproposals from Senators Ted Kennedyand John McCain offered hopethat a resolution could be found.Relations between immigrationactivists, notably the Irish Lobby forImmigration Reform (ILIR), and theadministration led by former taoiseachBertie Ahern finished on a sour notewith allegations that the then governmentwas not lobbying with sufficientvigour for a bilateral arrangementbetween the two countries.However, after an hour-long meetingPvt. Francis O’Toole,who enlisted on the Dec.2nd, 1875, and who diedsometime later in theWild West.The American CivilWar saw three Mayo mengain very high rank; BrevetMajor General WilliamSewell Joyce, NJ,Brigadier General JosephWalter Burke, OH,and Brigadier GeneralRobert Horatio GeorgeMinty. I wondered howmany other Mayo menserved in those wars, ifthose three men made itto the top.While researching the war dead ofCo. Mayo from WW I, I found thata large number of Mayo men foughtand died with the American Forces,many more died in WW II, and laterI discovered five died in the KoreanWar, and three in Vietnam. Once againI wondered how many Mayo men actuallyserved and how many were injuredin those wars—questions whichwill probably never be answered.Having met many relatives of thosemen from World War I & II, Koreaand Vietnam, I can tell you the griefand anguish is still with them.In 2008 I was proud to help organisethe erection of U.S. Militaryheadstones on the graves of U.S. ArmyChaplin Fr. P.J. Gallagher from Errew,Castlebar, Co. Mayo and U.S. MarineMartin Cooney from Achill Island, Co.with Mr Cowen, ILIR spokesman CiaranStaunton expressed confidence thata new era in relations with Dublin hadbegun. "There is no comparison," hesaid. "Brian Cowen fully understandsthe issues." He recalled that Mr Cowenas minister for foreign affairs wasresponsible for setting up a task forceon the diaspora and had subsequentlyestablished the Irish Abroad unit in thedepartment, charged with looking afterthe welfare of Irish citizens overseas.Speaking to a gathering of severalhundred at the Irish Consulate onNew York's Park Avenue, Mr Cowensaid Irish immigration to the US was"an issue that will be a priority for me"in the coming months and years. Healso referred to the need for a strategicreview of this entire area.Speaking to reporters yesterday, MrCowen said that although the numberof undocumented Irish in the US wassmaller than other ethnic groups, "wealways have to remember that behindthose statistics there's a human storyin each individual case".Mayo. Their bodies were repatriatedto Ireland but their families never hadthe money to install a grave for them,remaining in unmarked graves for 85years. Now with the assistance of PatrickGorman from Dixon, who helpedus from the American side, we have developedthe graves and installed properU.S. Military headstones, so that theirbravery will not be forgotten. We aregrateful to the U.S Military for theirassistance in providing and shippingthe headstones, and to Pat Gorman formaking the arrangements. The pride inthe eyes of the family relatives whenthe work was completed made it all thehard physical work worth while.We are now finalising the developmentof the Mayo Peace Park, Gardenof Remembrance, in Castlebar, thecounty town of County Mayo, whichAs a constituency TD he was particularyaware of "some very difficult situationsthat people find themselves in".Minister for Foreign Affairs MichaelMartin would be in the US inSeptember, he said, adding: "He'll belobbying on the Hill (Capitol Hill) onthis issue. It's a priority for our administrationto try and sort this out."The relationship between Ireland andAmerica should be sufficiently strong toaccommodate a solution here. What Iam aware of is that in an election yearthis is an area of policy that everyone'ssteering clear of at the moment."We have a responsibility to continueto lobby and do so as effectivelyas we possibly can. . . "He said the the Government wasprepared to look at a "reciprocal" visaarrangement with the US. "We canperhaps be more proactive on our sidein making sure that more Americans,particularly young people who want tocome and visit and work in Ireland, thatthey get the chance to do so as well."This article appears in the printedition of the Irish Times.is to honour and commemorate 1,053Mayo Soldiers who fought and diedwith the American, Australian, Canadianand British forces in World War I.It will also honour and commemorateall who served and died in World WarII, Spain, Korea, and Vietnam and inrecent times those who died with theIrish Army on U.N. Peacekeepingoperations in Lebanon.It may seem strange to an outsiderbut these brave people were neverPHOTOS - taken at the installationof military headstones for thegraves of U.S. Army Chaplin Fr. P.J.Gallagher and U.S. Marine MartinCooney in May.commemorated in their own hometownsbefore now, mainly for reasonsrooted in the past. This project is thefirst of its kind in rural Ireland, andis gaining international focus as perhapsone of the most important commemorationevents in the whole ofEurope to mark the 90th Anniversaryof the ending of World War I.President of Ireland Mary McAleesewill officially open the memorialgarden on Oct. 7, 2008; many ambassadors,government ministers andmilitary representatives will attendfrom a number of countries. Thereare people returning home from allparts of the world to join in the commemorationcelebrations in honour oftheir loved ones who laid down theirlives for world peace in their time.The Irish Army Band of the WesternBrigade and the British Army Bandof Pipes and Drums from the IrishGuards Regiment from London willFiona McEntee Joins CIIS BoardFiona McEntee is the most recentBoard Member of Chicago Irish ImmigrantSupport. She was born andraised in Knocklyon, Dublin. Duringher undergraduate studies, Bachelorof Civil Law, International in UniversityCollege Dublin (UCD), Fionaembarked on an exchange program.That resulted in a year of law school atDePaul College of Law. After an excitingyear in Chicago, Fiona returnedto Ireland to finish her undergraduatedegree. With Chicago always loomingon her mind, she set about a permanentmove back to the States.Fiona has been back full-time in14th Annual Catskills Irish Arts WeekJuly 13-19 will see another sensationalweek in the historic Irish Americanhamlet of East Durham in upstateNY for the 14th Annual Catskills IrishArts Week hosted by the M.J. QuillIrish Cultural and Sports Centre. Theyhave assembled another terrific lineupof entertainers who will continue tomake the CIAW the place to be forserious fans of Irish traditional musicprovide musical entertainment for theoccasion. A Remembrance concertand a special dinner will mark thisunique occasion. Anyone with amilitary interest is welcome.The Mayo Peace Park Committeeis a volunteer community group dedicatedto honouring their war dead. Itis dependant on benevolent contributionsand is registered as a charity inIreland in order to raise the fundsnecessary to complete the €500.000project. They were fortunate to havethe site donated in recognition oftheir work and commitment and havebeen given very generous contributionsby ordinary people, at home andabroad. This support has brought theproject to its present stage of development;another €100,000 is all that isrequired to finish the project.Anyone interested in donating or findingout more about the group should visitwww.mayomemorialpeacepark.org orwww.mayopeacepark.co.Chicago since August 2005 and shereceived her Juris Doctor (JD) fromChicago-Kent, College of Law. Followinggraduation from law school,Fiona began working as an immigrationattorney with VISANOW, aLoop law firm that specializes in theprovision of immigration servicesand advice to major corporations andindividuals alike. Fiona is extremelyexcited about the opportunity toserve on the board of the ChicagoIrish Immigrant Support and shelooks forward to providing pro bonolegal advice to the Irish immigrantsin the Chicago community.and dance. For one week every July,the town of East Durham, New Yorkis alive with the sounds and sights oftraditional Irish music, dance, craftsand culture. This week only gets betterwith age as they uphold the veryvibrant New York tradition of keepingthe music and dance alive and well inthe Catskill Mountains. www.eastdurham.org/irishartsweek.

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 19Gaelic Park August EventsMonthly Musical LuncheonThe Monthly Musical Luncheonwill be held on Wednesday, Aug.6th, 2008 beginning at noon. It’s anexciting way to break up the weekwith an afternoon of wonderfulfood, dancing and music by JoeCullen. Tickets are $13 and includeall entertainment. Reservations arerequired so please call Gaelic Parkat (708) 687-9323 to reserve seatsor for more information.The Feast ofOur Lady of KnockChicago Gaelic Park will commemoratethe Feast of Our Ladyof Knock on Monday, Aug. 18th,2008 at 7:30pm.The miracle of Our Lady ofKnock began on a rainy evening inAug. 1879. Fifteen witnesses sawa bright light shine over the KnockParish Church in an Apparition thatincluded the Blessed Virgin Maryalong with Saints Joseph and John.The faithful watched and recited theRosary in the presence of this apparitionfor over two hours. Miraclesbegan only days after. Pilgrimages toKnock, Co. Mayo began in 1880 andover the years, visitors have grown toover half a million with exceptionalhealings such as that of the terminallyill. The personal pilgrimage of PopeJohn Paul II in 1979 to commemoratethe centenary of the apparition andrecognize Vatican approval and validationinspired even more devotionto the Shrine.Gaelic Park honors this astonishingevent with Benediction, Rosaryand Procession to the beautifulGrotto. Refreshments hosted by theLadies Auxiliary will be availableafter the ceremony.Heritage & Harvest DayThe annual Heritage & HarvestDay will take place on Sunday, September21, 2008.Old time farm implements suchas the threshing machine will beon hand for viewing along with anexhibition on preparation of milkfor churning, piking the straw andmaking sugar. There will also bea Connemara pony exhibition, ahomemade apple pie contest, youthfootball and hurling games, and atraditional Irish music session withSean Cleland and the students fromIrish Music School of Chicago.Games will be offered for bothkids and adults. Kids games includea three-legged race, water balloontoss, obstacle course, pillow fight,and more. Adult games testingstrength and stamina will be played,as including barrel races, a waterballoon toss and Skittles.Irish photographer, James Fraher,will give a lecture on photographingin Ireland in the Tara Room. Fraher’sphotographs have appeared in morethan 150 music recording covers andother publications. His photographsare part of the permanent collectionsat the Smithsonian Institution, theChicago Blues Archive at the HaroldWashington Library and the Universityof Mississippi Blues Archive.There will also be a set dancingperformance and a barbeque on theBernie Glim & Country Roadsoutdoor patio complete with ribs,hot dogs, ice cream and a variety ofbeverages.Carraig Pub Hosts MusiciansGaelic Park is also home to theCarraig Pub, the place for a greatnight out with music and great,mouth-watering food. The Carraigserves favorites such as corned beefsandwiches, shepherd’s pie, fish &chips, ribs, chicken and many otherentrees and appetizers.Music is also big at the Carraigwith free entertainment everyFriday and Saturday night with thebest local performers. This month’sentertainment includes: Saturday,Aug. 2nd, Rico Quinn; Friday, Aug.8th, Bernie Glim & Country Roads;Saturday, Aug. 9th, Pat Guinee;Friday, Aug. 15th, Kieran Conway;Friday, Aug. 22nd, Jerry Eadie;Saturday, Aug. 23rd, Joe McShane;Friday, Aug. 29th, Johnny & Coax;Saturday, Aug. 30th, Mulligan Stew.Entertainment for Friday, Aug. 1stand Saturday, Aug. 16th will beannounced at a later date.Thursday evenings the Carraighosts a traditional Irish music sessiongiven by Pat Finnegan, SeanCleland and the students of theIrish Music School of Chicagobeginning at 7:30pm. Everyone iswelcome to participate.Gaelic Park also telecasts GaelicGames, rugby and soccer matches.Please call for upcoming gamesand times.Please visit Gaelic Park’s websiteat www.chicagogaelicpark.orgfor a full calendar of upcomingevents at the Carraig as well as acomplete menu and drink specials,information on special performances,banquets, Gaelic Park culturalactivities, and much more or callGaelic Park at (708) 687-9323.GAA GamesHeld at Gaelic ParkThe Gaelic Athletic Associationhosts Gaelic games of footballand hurling each weekend atChicago Gaelic Park.Gaelic football is a fantastic sport,resembling some elements of basketball,rugby and soccer with the rulesof the game intentionally designed tokeep the game moving quickly. Thefirst record of Gaelic Football comesfrom the Statute of Galway in 1527.Hurling, the fastest field game inthe world, is played by the ancientIrish rules, with very skilled players, a“hurley” stick made of ashwood, and avery hard ball called a “siothar” (pronouncedslitar). The object of Hurlingis for players to put the siothar betweenthe opponents goalposts eitherover the crossbar for one point, orunder the crossbar into a guarded goal,for three points. Body checks, side–to-side shouldering and shirt pullingare common as well as slashing at thesiothar. No protective padding is wornand helmets are optional.Admission to the games is $6.00.Refreshments such as sausages andchips, chicken sandwiches, hot dogshamburgers and ice cream are availableat all games for a small price.Please call Gaelic Park at (708)987-9323 for more information andalso visit Gaelic Park’s website atwww.chicagogaelicpark.org for afull calendar of upcoming events,special performances, informationon Gaelic Park’s cultural activities,and much more.

20 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 2008Boyle the KettleWe’ll Have A Sup Of TeaTom Boyleboylethekettle@irishamericannews.comJesseJesse blew it again! Rememberhis “hymietown” remark in 1984?Senator Obama’s speech scoldingabsentee fathers obviously upsetJesse Jackson. Following an interviewon Fox News, not realizing themike was still live, Jesse said hewanted to cut Senator Obama’s nutsoff for talking down to his people.The crux of the matter being, SenatorObama’s remarks on “parentalresponsibility” — is that not openfor discussion? Maybe Jesse has ataste for Rocky Mountain Oysters,the culinary name for buffalo, boaror bull testicles. Peeled, dipped inflour, then seasoned with salt andpepper; often pounded flat anddeep fried. They are called “PrairieOysters” in Canada, in Mexico,Huevos del Toro “bull’s eggs,”or “Cowboy Caviar” in Montana,“tendergroins” or “swinging beef.”That remark could tighten up yourscrotum. Of course, the perfunctoryapology followed.Jesse Jackson, Sr., will be in linefor an ambassadorship to Zimbabwe.Jesse Jackson, Jr., reprimanded hisfather for his remarks as he is SenatorObama’s National CampaignManager and desperately wantsto be appointed to his Senate seat,which is probably the only wayhe’ll ever get to the Senate. Thenhis wife, Sandi, can take his seatin the House of Representatives!Whatever happened to the JacksonFive? Why not treat to yourself tosome bridge mix?IAHC ElectionsThe IAHC has elected new officers:Bob McNamara, President;Alan Duggan, Vice President; ClarkCallan, M.D., Treasurer; and KathyMahoney, Secretary.Bob McNamara had this tosay: “I am looking forward to anexciting year for the Center. TheIrish American Heritage Centeris a real gem for the city of Chicago.Our founding members andlong-time volunteers have builtan outstanding organization. Weneed to celebrate their successesand begin to bring that same senseof community and home to othergenerations and to the wider Irishcommunity in Chicago.”“Our focus for the next year willbe to expand our programming andincrease the quality and quantity ofevents, to strengthen the administrativeand financial structure ofthe organization, and to widen ouraudience. All the pieces are in placefor success—we have an excellentBoard of Directors, outstandingvolunteers and a new CEO, ColinMoore. Look for bigger and betterthings from the Center real soon.”Trip the SodA number of Irish film shortswere shown during the IAHCannual festival. There was oneAmerican contribution. Trip theSod: A Portrait of a Young IrishStep Dancer, is an 8-minute biographicaldocumentary aboutDierdre, a 9-year old girl who’s acompetitive Irish Step Dancer inChicago. Through Dierdre’s story,the film celebrates Irish heritageand demonstrates how engagingyour ancestral culture fosters asense of identity of a person duringtheir formative years. Directedand produced by Dierdre Lee, MFACandidate, Film & Video, ColumbiaCollege Chicago. The filmwas a pure delight. The star of thefilm is Dierdre Kozici, daughter ofChris and Siobhan Kozici.Big OilCommodities traders are gettingrich and the price at the pump keepson climbing. There are many factorsthat contribute to this dilemma.James B. Sloan, a prominent antitrustattorney, has filed a suit againstOPEC for price fixing.The major oil producers and refinersare lining up in opposition tothis law suit, including the UnitedStates Chamber of Commerce whohas filed an amicus brief in oppositionto the “refined petroleumproducts anti-trust litigation”Their argument centers on “TheAct of State” and “Political QuestionDoctrines” claiming constitutionalunderpinnings and the separationof powers between the threebranches of government, Executive,Judicial, and Legislative. On thispremise, they seek to dismiss thecase which was filed in the U.S.District for the Southern Districtof Texas, Houston Division.I do not claim to fully understandthe complexities of this issue, however,the argument is that the anti-trustlitigation interferes with the Executivebranch of government, conductof diplomacy, in other words, foreignpolicy. It seems to me our foreignpolicy over the last 7-1/2 years hasbeen totally dysfunctional.Foreign countries, like Saudi Arabia,have an enormous presence inour markets. They own 50% of ShellOil, Venezuela owns Citgo, Russiaowns Getty Oil (Lukoil), etc.Now, at long last, new refinerycapacity is coming online in 2010at Port Arthur, TX, Motiva Enterprises,owned by Shell Oil and SaudiRefining. We desperately neededadditional refining capacity but it’snot exactly a free market enterprise.These are integrated companies thatcontrol the oil from the well head tothe gas pump.Even the Supreme Court ruled infavor of Exxon Mobil, reducing thepunitive damages for the disastrousExxon Valdez super tanker oil spillin 1989. A jury originally awarded$5 billion in punitive damages in1989 against Exxon Mobil. In 2006the Federal Appeals Court cut theaward in half. Now the SupremeCourt has ruled 5-3 to cut the punitivedamages to $507.5 million, anaverage of $15,000 per victim. “BigOil” wins again! Exxon Mobil’sprofit for 2007 was $40.6 billion.Time to start shopping for a goodhorse, or in the case of we Irish, and“ass and cart.” We can produce methanegas from the manure.I contacted the Media RelationsDept. of United Airlines to find outwhether or not they were a memberif the US Chamber of Commerceas the CEO of United Airlines andthe CEO’s of most major airlinessent out an email to all the frequentflyers asking them to contact theircongressman and ask them to reestablishmore stringent controls onenergy resources and conservation.Subsequently I contacted the AirTransport Association who hasput out a five-point plan, of whichwe will list only the titles here.Full info can be obtained at www.stopoilspeculationnow.com/site/page/the_solution.1. Re-establish strict position limitson energy commodities.2. Close the London Loophole.3. Regulate “swap trades.”4. Fully close the “Enron loophole.”5. Bring transparency to all energytrading.Where?This came to me via email froma good friend in Pensacola, FL. Theunstated comparison of the floodsin Iowa and Hurricane Katrina inNew Orleans. Draw your own conclusions.“Where are all of the Hollywoodcelebrities holding telethons askingfor help in restoring Iowa andhelping the folks affected by thefloods?Where is all the media asking thetough questions about why the federalgovernment hasn’t solved the problem?Asking where the FEMA trucks(and trailers) are?Why isn’t the Federal Governmentrelocating Iowa people to free hotelsin Chicago?When will Spike Lee say the FederalGovernment blew up the leveesthat failed in Des Moines?Where are Sean Penn and theDixie Chicks?Where are all the looters stealinghigh-end tennis shoes and big screentelevision sets?When will we hear GovernorChet Culver say he wants to rebuilda “vanilla” Iowa, because that’s theway God wants it?Where are the people declaringthat George Bush hates white, ruralpeople?How come in two weeks, you maynot hear about the Iowa floodingever again?”Irish FestShamrock StarsFormerly known as the IrishIdol Contest, this year’s winnerswere: in the 13-18 yr. old group,Ashley Davy, who sang “TheLast Rose of Summer.” Winnerin the 4-12 yr. old group wasMikala Walsh, who sang “Carrickfergus.”

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 21Celtic Kitchen-Pure and SimpleBy Julianna LeberAlfresco in the KitchenFoodies all over the world arebeginning to come out of their ownkitchens and head into local venuesfor the newest culinary trend arrangedaround a social setting—thefood festival. These events are agreat way to sample the signaturedishes and desserts of the local chefswhich they freshly prepare on sitein outdoor booths. Vendors, suchas champagne and wine vineyards,chocolatiers and bakeries, and otherfood artisans are scattered amongthe rows of restaurant tents. Thesepeople—chefs and merchants alike—are always happy to discuss theirlatest nouveau ingredient with anyinterested listener. The festivals areinitiated by local restaurateurs, majorfood channels and many townsand cities. London 2004 was the firstyear in trying the idea of a grandscale food festival. In June 2006,The Taste of Dublin was launched.A year later, Edinburgh and fourother cities held their festivals. Thispast June, Cork City held their firstTaste of Cork. The successes of thesefestivals not only help with localrestaurant business, but will encouragetourists to search out the newestepicenter of culinary experiences.The food festival idea began backin London with a modest number oflocal restaurants, chefs, and foodand beverage distributors. Wordgot out about the enticing foodand talents displayed. This, in turn,attracted some of the more wellknownchefs who were searchingfor the next big thing, in new namesand creative dishes. Professionalculinary and secular crowds alikegathered to sample the offerings atthe individual tents and booths. Atthe end of that day, there was anunderstanding that people are interestedin developing their repertoireof new foods, finding new chefs andtalents, and wanting to try the latestrestaurant without investing timeand money into the unknown.In Ireland, The Taste of DublinJune 2008 was held in the IveaghGardens, a grand, gothic spread ofland just south of St. Stephen’s Greenin the middle of Dublin City. Thisyear’s event was a wealth of culinaryexhibits and food, not to mention thebrilliant chefs and talent. After payinga nominal entrance fee, patronsbought coupons, or food ‘florins’,to buy samples of the restaurants’offerings. The event had many sponsorsincluding wine and beveragecompanies, fine hotels, and nationalnewspapers. Individual stages andtents had their own sponsors whereguest chefs from L’Ecrivian, a famousDublin restaurant, King Sitric,a seafood eatery just north of Dublinin gorgeous seaside Howth, and theBallymaloe House and BallymaloeCookery School held court. At TheL’Ecrivian, chef Derry Clarke serveda four course meal in the corporatetent. His menu is an elegant mélangeof Irish/French classic cuisine, whilealways aware of the best seasonalproduce. The King Sitric restaurant,named after Irish King Brian Boru’sson-in-law, boasts a grand seafoodmenu and yet is simple in presentation,allowing the honest flavors ofthe ingredients to shine. With BallymaloeHouse and School, ownerDarina Allen and instructors RachelAllen and Rory O’Connell guided asmall student audience for an hourthrough several recipes made legendaryby the school’s widespreadreputation.Though there are many morerestaurants at the Dublin show,the vendors also attract attention.The list started with the AGA, ortraditional Irish stove company. Itis a skill to cook in/on the AGA,but when mastered can producegreat food. Moving along the list,chocolate shops, cheese makers,home made ice creams and Italianspecialty treats stood out. Furtherdown the alphabetical list, Celticwhiskeys and wines were also of interest.By the time a person finishedwandering the grounds, what startedas hunger pangs became satisfaction,since many of the vendors’samples are free.These major food events arebecoming more popular worldwide. With famous chefs becomingsuperstars and 24-hour TV food stations,it’s easier to educate oneselfin the art of haute cuisine. All onehas to do to meet their food hero iswatch the local papers (NE Ohio,November 14-16) or book a flightto Ireland. So go back to the motherland,find your cousins, and takethem to the next food event. Food’sjust another thing you will have incommon. Bon Appetit!The following recipe is an adaptationof a dish from the Howth restaurant,King Sitric. It has simple, freshingredients and can be used with anyvariety of meaty or flaky fish.For more about the Ireland foodfestivals, go to www.tastefestivals.ieSalmon with Tomato and Pepper Relish3 roma tomatoes, diced1 red pepper1 orange or yellow pepper1/2 red onion, chopped1 clove garlic, finely chopped1 c dry white wine4 basil leaves, chopped1 T. olive oil2 salmon (though any fish willwork)Baby spinachPlace peppers under the broilerand carefully char. Place in paperbag for five minutes then peel andchop, discarding seeds. In skillet,warm oil. Gently cook onion andgarlic on medium, careful not tobrown. Add rest of ingredientsand cook until ingredients aresoft. Can be refrigerated at thispoint, or kept warm to serve.

22 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 2008Full IrishBreakfastby Maureen CallahanMystified at Lakeview’s Mystic Celttory includes the fierce and mightyCelts. We often forget that this is apeople which shaped and coloredthe landscape of all of WesternEurope during the Iron Age (750BCE to 43 CE), spanning almostliterally, the whole continent. TheCelts we think of today mainly livein the area of present-day Ireland,Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man,Cornwall and Brittany, France.Leave it to the Vaughan familyto operate a pub in Lakeview inhonor of our lively ancestors.If you’re lucky enough to catchmanager Les Fitzgerald at work,you’ll not only get a traditionalIrish welcome, but also some greatstories about late nights working inDublin’s Temple Bar district whenU2 would randomly stop in.This pub has some of the bestfare around, for traditional grubwith a classier flare. The baconwrappedmeatloaf in sweet chilisauce with mash is the best inany pub, anywhere. The Guinnesssteak pot pie is another fine choiceto keep the cold away this winter.Comfort choices abound in shepherd’spie, bangers and mash anda great version of mac and cheese,the first I’ve ever seen to includechicken, if you wish. There are alsoa few chicken creations, a NewYork strip or salmon to pick from.The salad choices are also ratherexpansive. The Mystic Cobb, thehouse version of an everything salad,features eggs, bacon, avocado,olives, apple and turkey. The goatcheese and chicken offer a breakfrom the usual salad menu, as doesFrom the ancient castles surroundedby folkloric tales to windingcobblestone roads giving wayto the tall, majestic Cliffs of Moher,Ireland is a country whose traditionis steeped rich in mystic tales.But it is not all myth and fantasy.An important segment of Irish histhesouthwest salad, topped withcheddar, black beans, avocado,corn and tortilla.Vegetarians are often left outof any choice on the Irish pubscene, but the Celt offers the bestchoice of meatless options I haveseen in awhile. From the margaritapizza to the hummus and veggieappetizers, to French onion soupor chili, also offered in a meatlessoption, to the grilled vegetablewrap to the mac and cheese, thosewho don’t care for meat won’tleave hungry.There is also a lighter, but notless filling menu offering wrapsand sandwiches. Traditional favoritesfrom burgers to barbecuedchicken to salmon to a tasty clubmake another great alternative toaccompany the excellent draughtGuinness.Stop by on the weekend andgrab a plate in the buffet brunchline between 9 and 3. At $9.95,it’s one of the neighborhood’sbest values. Wash it down with $4Bloody Mary’s to help chase awaythose hangovers. If you’re hungrylate, this is also a great option,offering a full menu until closeevery night, while you watch allsoccer, rugby and football gameson the flatscreens. $4 burger andfry Tuesdays, or half-price appetizersand bottle-of-wine Mondaysare just a few of the reasonsto come by.While you’re here, give thestaff your email to be included onthe monthly email list for an invitationto a free party sponsoredby various liquor distributors.Or throw your own for up to 80people in the spacious back roomof the bar.For a great Irish pub with a realneighborhoody feel, stop by TheMystic Celt at 3443 N. Southportin Chicago’s Lakeview district.773.529.8550 www.vaughanhospitality.comMaureen Callahan is a Chicagofreelance writer and columnist;missmaureencallahan@yahoo.com.

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 23

24 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 2008TraditionIn ReviewBill MargesonNext month is going to be arecord-setting CD Slam with a ton ofgreat new stuff that has backed up inthe “to review corner”. As usual, onlythe best. You know, or should, that wedon’t write negative reviews, as weonly review what we like.Being published once a monthleaves us no time for some of thesnippy, cute comments favored insecondary Irish markets, such asNew York. This is Chicago, baby.Keep reading. This will get interestingas we take a break from theusual review process to fill you in, asusual, on Milwaukee’s Irish Fest, thethird weekend in August, and then tofinally get a load off our chests.Milwaukee. The Big Kahuna.With co-founder Chuck Ward recoveringfrom a bout with cancer (hewill kick its butt, be sure) you mighthave worried about this year’s Fest.No need. Another winner.First, go. To those few of you whowimp out every year, and we knowwho you are, just go. You can visit noprettier setting, family-friendly, andthe biggest music bargain on the planet.Don’t mow the lawn, get tired and say,“we’ll do it next year.” Bull. Just go.What to see? Mark this well. Visitthe Galway area, and catch Trad onthe Prom and the Kane sisters. Also,check for Furry Village. The BarraMacNeils from Nova Scotia. Monto.The Omagh Choir.The Maimin Cajun Band fromGalway looks good! Fun. The FuchsiaBand—FAB. And, find the Jeff WardBand. One of our favs. We know thatis too much for one day. Go for two orthree. Now, just go. There is nothinglike it anywhere in the world.Time to unload! Here they are—observations of the current scene. Ifyou disagree, keep it to yourself.1. Welcome to the new director ofthe Irish American Heritage Centerin Chicago, Colin Moore. We really,really hope he corrects the almostartistically criminal record of theCenter-post John Daly’s exit. Thereis NO excuse for the long-standingand continued ignoring of Irish musicperformance. There is a lovely auditoriumthat sits and sits and sits vacantfor decades, as it is rarely used. TheSalon Series started by John Daly hasbeen abandoned for almost a year. Wepersonally know of people who havevolunteered after being requested tovolunteer, to help in this area. Then totallyignored. The Center needs, afterall these years, to finally get seriousabout Irish music, and fully earn thetitle of “Heritage” Center. The newguy has the background to do it andwe wish him well. We’ll see if he cannegotiate the political thickets.2. The continued downslide of Irishmusic is continuing at virtually everymajor festival this summer. Irish rock.Irish rock. Irish rock. Regardless ofwhat my musically autistic PublicRadio partner, Shay Clarke feels,there IS no such thing as Irish rock.Rock groups not good enough to gethired as rock groups bang on thedrums and electric guitars, insert theword “Ireland” every few bars and gethired all summer. Most Irish “music”festivals are now little more than rockfestivals. Demographics rule as theycontinue to chase the 23-year-old beerswiller out to find women—or men. Adrunken Irish pickup festival is morelike it. Slowly, but surely, as we havetold you, this rock nonsense is drivingIrish festivals under, as they seem tohave lost all sense of balance whilechasing the rock dollar. Milwaukee,Cleveland and Columbus excludedhere, though we DO worry aboutColumbus and Cleveland, a little.3. American tourism to Irelandkeeps falling. Economic worries, $4gas, and the incredibly weak dollarare all major parts. But, the biggestreason is Paddy’s greed. Most everythingin Ireland is overpriced andunder-serviced. Ireland is hurtingand does not know or care. Go toDublin and let us know how long itis nowadays before you even HEARan Irish accent, as foreign workersare packing every restaurant andhotel. The Irish have adopted, in largemeasure, the worst of the Americantourism industry. Little value or carefor their customers. The Celtic Tigerthinks it will roar forever. It won’t.It is already dying. The best way toavoid this is to be on a tour, wherevalue and fun still reign, or be verycareful with whom you choose toshare your $6-$7.50 pints.4. One of the most troublingaspects of having friends in Irelandbuilt over 25 years, is that the currentanti-President Bush sentiment thatis virtually unanimous through theIsland, has metastasized into a quiet,but deeply felt anti-Americanism.That will be denied and denied, andit is true. If the Irish affection forAmerica rests on who is President,then they are not a real friend in thefirst place, as they become more andmore “Europeized”. We have growntired of people in other countrieswho think they know what is goingon in America by watching CNN,and then—as in Ireland—having theenormous discourtesy to confronttheir guests about it all.5. Most traditional musicians hateplaying ceili music. Most will denythis when you ask them about it. It istrue. There ARE exceptions, but not allthat many. They are right, that majority.As Ireland’s greatest composer, SeanO’Riada was reported to have saidwhen asked to describe ceili music, “Itis neither music, nor Irish.” We’ll leavethe dancers out of this for now!6. When will Gaelic Park getaround to fixing its dreadful soundproblem at the annual Festival on MemorialDay weekend? There is NOcontrol put on the “Irish” rock groupsthat come in booming their volumelevels. This year, as in the past, we satthrough the rare trad offering fromLiz Carroll and John Williams andwere treated to the BOOM BOOMBOOM coming from the rock tentthroughout Liz and John’s set. Itaurally dominates everything, and itis reprehensible. Gaelic Park—fix it.It has been a problem for years. Thereare lots of ways. First, tell the damnedbands to turn it down. That is ONEcure. There are others.We’re tired of observing. That’lldo—for now. See you in Milwaukee.Ta!

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 25FINANCIAL PLANNINGCorrigan Financial Services, Inc.Money Concepts Financial Planning CentreEstablished 1980Raised on Songsand StoriesShay ClarkeThe Festival season is in high gear as weweary Celtic road warriors traverse the countryon the Irish Festival circuit.Recently it’s been Pennsylvania, Oklahoma,Colorado, and in Chicagoland, the HighlandGames and the Irish American Heritage Center’sIrish festival. Now it’s time for the trio inOhio, where we have Cleveland, Dayton andDublin in a row.It was great to see Gaelic Storm at theCeltic Fling in PA, especially since the releaseof their new album, What’s the Rumpus? Theywere just back from their Australian tour andin top form. The new album only took days toreach number one in the world music categorycharts—no surprise to me.Barleyjuice rocked at the Celtic Fling inLancaster, touring to support their new album,Bonnie Prince Barley. Great sets from Enter theHaggis, The Tartan Terrors and Scythian, also.According to my daughter Saoirse, and manyof her friends, Scythian are the best lookingguys on the circuit, nice guys too, and burstingwith talent. All four of these major Celtic Rockbands are just getting better.The Oklahoma Celtic Festival was also a funevent. Boru’s Ghost and Arabesque are greatentertainers—I wish they would travel more.Festival organizers take note.The Illinois St. Andrew Society put on agreat show at the Polo Grounds in Oakbrook,IL—the classiest Highland Games I’ve everattended. Searson were the headliners. Greatorganization and great people.Traci, the missus, went to Denver for theColorado Irish Festival. She tells me that it wasalso a fun event with music provided by GaelicStorm, The Elders, Cathie Ryan and Solas,among others. Great fun always in Denver.The IAHC hosted Irish Fest in Chicago andit was a blast. Super turnout for an incredibleline-up. The Makem and Spain Brothers, Solas,our own Larkin and Moran brothers, just backfrom their Irish tour, were brilliant. There wasa contingent from Kansas City, my friend PeteMaher of the Midwest Irish Focus was therealong with a bevy of beauties from the KansasCity Irish festival. Gan Bua were there withoutRetirement Planning SpecialistforIndividuals - Families - BusinessInvestment - Tax - Estate PlanningCallMike & Chuck Corrigan(708)482-3800Member International Association for Financial Planningthe Gan, and theDooley’s played agreat set. The entertainmentjustwent on and on,but Gaelic Stormstole the show onSunday evening.It was a huge welcome back to Chicago forJessie and the lads and they were on fire as theythrilled the capacity crowd with favorites andsome tunes from the new album.History of Irish Rock —Ward Irish Music ArchivesThe Ward Irish Music Archives was establishedin 1992 and is now the largest public collection ofIrish music in America, located in Milwaukee at1523 Wauwatosa Ave. and open to the public, butyou can visit on-line. It encompasses over 40,000Irish recordings and music memorabilia fromsongbooks to sheet music and concert posters toinstruments. Make this pilgrimage when next inMilwaukee—it’s worth it.The Ward Irish Music Archives is MilwaukeeIrish Fest’s educational arm and recentlydeveloped traveling exhibits that can be seenby a wider audience as they tour festivals andevents. Having seen many of these exhibits, Ican tell you they are educational, entertaining,and a huge addition to the cultural value ofany Irish Festival.There are exhibits on The Great Irish Tenor,John McCormack, Bing Crosby, and legendaryIrish-American composer George M. Cohan.There is even an exhibit on 75 Years of RTE(Ireland’s National Radio and Television Station).But the one I can’t get enough of is TheHistory of Irish Rock. It’s brilliant!It’s been touring for a few years and I’veseen it in many places, but each time I findsomething new that chronicles, through displaysand artifacts, the development of rockmusic in Ireland. It includes 40 biography’s,video presentations, and is visually enticingand historically accurate.This, for me, is pure nostalgia. These are thetimes I’ve lived and observed at close quarters asI grew up in Dublin and spent so much time withfamily in Kells Co. Meath. I saw it all—the CeiliBands became Showbands, Showbands morphedinto R&B Bands, then into Rock. It all started inthe 50’s and is still going on today. I had minorpart’s in this menagerie myself, so you can imaginehow much it means to me personally.Van Morrison and Rory Gallagher were bothin Showbands. Eamonn Carr, drummer fromHorslips was the son of a Ceili Band drummerand band leader. Thin Lizzy and Skid Rowwere bands we saw twice or more each weekand Ian Whitcomb and Bluesville were a localband. These were magic times for a frustratedmusician turned D.J., but it was my well spent/misspent youth and I wouldn’t trade it for allthe Guinness in St. James’s Gate.Enough already. Suffice to say, this exhibitis great.Barry Stapleton is the Director of the IrishMusic Archives and likely one of the foremostexperts on Irish Music in its broader sense.Barry, a trained baritone, used to sing opera.Music drew him to Milwaukee’s Irish Festwhere he volunteered until becoming Directorof the Archives in 1999. He now doubles asmusic coordinator for the fest, along with Wardbrothers, Chuck and Ed.The History of Irish Rock exhibit was at theGaelic Park Irish Festival in Chicago in May;the Celtic Fling in Pennsylvania in June; willfeature at LaCrosse Irish Fest next month inWisconsin and, later this year, the Irish Festivalin Baltimore, MD.This month their new exhibit, The History ofIrish Traditional Music, makes its debut at theDublin, OH festival; will be at Milwaukee IrishFest and later at Kansas City Irish Fest.This exhibit explores the journey of our greatlegacy of Traditional music from O’Carolan tothe present day. It highlights the Great Era ofO’Neill, The Golden Age of Recorded IrishMusic with Michael Coleman and Tom Ennis,then into the present day with the Chieftains,Liz Carroll and Mike Moloney and many more.Plenty of audio in this exhibit.“It’s all about creating awareness,” Barrysays, “of opening up and expanding what ChiefO’Neill did. What O’Neill did in his time, weat the Irish Music Archives are doing in ourtime, preserving the legacy of Irish music forgenerations to come.”Barry tells me they are digitizing theexhibits and they’ll be online soon at www.irishmusicarchive.com.Van The ManVan Morrison was at the Rosemont Theatrelast month to promote his new album Keep itSimple. Traci went along to see Van, as she’sbeen a lifelong fan and according to her, themagic is still there. The new album lives upto expectations as Van in his inimitable way,cruises through 11 beautiful songs that rangefrom blues to ballads. Another great album.HeathersYoung Dublin twins, Ellie and Louise Mc-Namara, have been touring America recentlybringing along their own brand of acousticmusic. They are 18 years old and just finishedhigh school in June. They call themselvesHeathers—check them out on myspace.com/heatherswhatsyourdamage. Great kids with animpressive musical pedigree.DANCE LESSONSM c NultyIrish DancersAdult & Children Classes(3 years and older)10 Suburban Locationsfor more information Contact:Barbara McNulty HeneghanT.C.R.G. 847-698-4434fax 847-518-0863email: irshdancr@aol.comwww.mcnultyirishdancers.com

26 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 2008Swimming UpstreamBy Charles BradyA Little Bit of Anger Does You Good!I’ve been looking over some articles that appearedin this column over the last few years. I’mpleasantly surprised to see that I got some of itright, at least. Perhaps I over-egged the puddingwith anger too much of the time, but then againa lot of the injustices in this world lead one inthat direction. I’m not someone that believes thatanger achieves nothing. It can be productive. Angercan be very productive. A pity that we’re not(as of writing) sending some of it in the directionof that prize swine, Robert Mugabe. Pity therewasn’t oil there. The place would be overrunby now. Still, Britain’s Gordon Brown—whilesmiling that rictus grin that has been known tosend small children and grown men into fits ofunadulterated fear—has just wagged his fingerat him and told him he’s been very bad but let’snot bring sanctions into it just yet. And very feweven batted an eye last month when the arrogantand bloody bastard stayed in five star luxury atthe U.N. Conference on Food and Agriculture!Tell me the truth; if this were a novel wouldanyone believe it? Never mind, Queen Elizabethhas taken back the knighthood she gave him sohe can’t call himself ‘Sir’ anymore. And it onlytook fifteen years. Do something about Mugabe?The last Ice Age arrived faster.*So yes, let’s have a bit more constructive anger.Just look at the amount of people who spend theirwhole lives in a coma, or feel that they’ve ‘donetheir bit’ if they stick a couple of coins into the tinof every gobdaw who accosts them in the street.Do you remember ‘give a penny for the poor blackbabies in Africa?’ Or saving up tinfoil (as kids weused to call it silver paper) to take to school inorder to help the poor people abroad? Tin foil?What was that about? I don’t think we ever questionedit. It just let us know we were helping the‘poor unfortunates’ in other countries.It’s a pity that we hadn’t gotten angry orlistened more closely to what people like Dr.Noel Browne were even then hinting at. A pitywe hadn’t been taking a closer bloody look atwhat was going on in the Magdalen Laundriesand some of the Industrial Schools. A pity wehadn’t been razing the citadel of ArchbishopJohn Charles McQuaid and demanding to knowwhy the hell he was living in greater opulencethan the Pope when there was genuine povertyin this country. And just why were the politiciansthat were supposed to be working for us living interror of this cut-price bogyman? Why weren’twe storming the Dail and the churches and DE-MANDING to know why deviant priests werebeing quietly sent to other parishes to continuetheir ghastly crimes? I’m fed up with hearing thatnobody knew. SOMEBODY ALWAYS KNOWS.Of course, it was in the same manner that no oneknew the goings-on of the phoney squire andcrook Charles Haughey; no one knew of themistress that the taxpayer was keeping; no oneknew where his ill-gotten wealth came from (hewas a shrewd investor, apparently, har-de-har);and if one member of the media had spilled thebeans that person would have been signing on forunemployment benefit pretty damned quickly.The Celtic Tiger economy was here yearsbefore it was recognised. We never saw any ofthe money of course because Haughey and hisfellow crooks—the Golden Circle who left thetax-payments to the little people and kept theiraccounts in the Cayman Islands—had set up analternative economy where they got richer whilepeople died on hospital trolleys. And now thatthe boom is over; now that building has stoppedand house prices are plummeting; now that themoney is spent we still have people dying onthose same (probably literally) hospital trolleys.In 2002 we were given the usual empty promisesfrom the liars of Fianna Fail. There wouldbe hardly anybody on waiting lists, completerevolutionizing of the health system and on andendlessly on. Yet as of now Health Minister MaryHarney presides over a system where 21,300patients have gone without treatment and languishedon the waiting list for more than threemonths. And as to germs, well, if you want to getsick, go into hospital. It’s like playing Russianroulette with only one empty barrel.I read last week of an Irishman who hadbeen attacked by an alligator in Mexico. He wasoverjoyed that he was being treated in a Mexicanhospital and not an Irish one. No wonder the Irishjournalist Terry McGeehan simply refers to theHealth Minister as Morticia Harney.Some years ago I wrote here of my loathingfor that smug term, ’The Celtic Tiger.’ For a startit was NEVER everybody who benefited fromit, no matter what you hear. And it led with afrightening ease to a society that didn’t give adamn about anything except property, five sunholidays a year and making shed loads of loot.I remember writing that I looked forward tothe day when some of these chancers were onthe street with a cup in their hand, even if I wassitting next to them. Well, it ‘s happening fasterthan I expected and it might just be good for us.At least we won’t have to listen to the Usual Suspectstalking about the helicopter that they’vehired to get to the horse-racing or how muchthey spent on champagne last week. Best of all,we might see a few less programmes hostedby that dreaded spawn of a society given toomuch money too fast—the ‘celebrity chef.’ Irishactor Brendan Gleeson (who recently starredwith Colin Farrell in the gloriously politicallyincorrect “In Bruges”) put it: “Everybody haseaten the cake. We have stuffed ourselves atthe party and now we have cake sickness… Ithink that the baby has been thrown out with thebathwater. The sense of community is gone. Sopeople need to ask questions.”And there’s something that always draws meup short. In other days the church, for all its manyfaults, served as a centre of community and insome rural areas it still does. It’s not for me, butI do see that the disappearance of trust in theChurch has left a huge void in society. I don’thave any answers, but it does need to be replacedby something. At least the keen interest in sporthere is a start, but that leaves a lot of people out.On a personal level, though, I’m delighted to seepeople realise that they were led up the gardenpath by a corrupt institution that was headed bysupposedly celibate men who handed out adviceon marriage and female problems while backedby an insanely wealthy city-state straight out ofmediaeval times. Then again, it’s no harm to seethe company they keep being exposed for thegraspers they are either—the politicians and thesolicitors, for example. I’ve heard the expression‘turning away from the Church and back to God’on more than one occasion since the start of ourrecession and that’s no bad thing.To return to the beginning of this article: Ithink it is far better to pick a couple of charitiesthat you respect and trust. Concentrate on them.You can’t look after everybody, not withoutdriving yourself into an early grave you can’t;but you can always do just a little bit. And whilewe’re on the subject, kudos to Angelina Jolie andBrad Pitt, who donated so generously to Iraq. Ihaven’t always been crazy about Jolie—didn’ttrust her motives, I suppose—but in this caseit’s a pleasure to be wrong. And I always haveadmired the quiet and unfussy way that SandraBullock donates money. She’s a remarkablewoman and is probably representative of themany caring celebrities that we don’t hear about.God knows there’s plenty of the other kind, whocan’t have one of their maids make out the grocerylist without telling the world and its camerashow bloody great they are.And finally, the Lisbon Treaty once more. Nodoubt you’re bored to tears by it at this stage, soI’ll be brief.I found another reason that I’m so glad I voted“NO.” Why? Because yesterday Bono announcedthat he voted “YES.” According to the GreatOne, we plebs don’t understand the concept ofEurope—and not just us. The Europeans don’tunderstand the concept of Europe either. Butwait! Help is at hand! Bono DOES UNDER-STAND IT and The Majestic One will be thereto guide we morons through it for “Lisbon 2: TheCorrect Answer,” appearing next year, courtesyof a corrupt politician near you.Praise the Lord!* Wouldn’t you know it? As I send this (July 1)Mugabe is being greeted warmly by the AfricanUnion. He’s being hugged and congratulated andthere’s a lot of Loooove in the air after his landslidevictory as the only candidate in Zimbabwe’selections. You can bet good money that almost allAfrican governments will refuse to say a singleword against him. That would be too much likebacking the West. Taking Western money is allright; hosting well-meaning Western celebrities isall right; just don’t ask us speak out against RobertMugabe. After all, he is one of our own.IBBONSFUNERAL HOMES5917 W Irving Park Rd Chicago(773) 777-3944134 South York Road Elmhurst(630) 832-0018The Oaks Funeral Home1201 E Irving Park Road Itasca(630) 250-8588Gibbons/Elliston Funeral Home60 South Grant Hinsdale(630) 323-0275www.gibbonsfuneralhomes.net“Family Owned and OperatedFor Over 65 Years”Blake-LambFuneral Homes4727 W. 103rd StreetOak Lawn IL 60453All phones: 708-636-1193Owned by SCI Illinois Services, Inc.

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 27By Scott PowersForget books. Forget movies. Forget plays.Whenever I need some culture from nowon, I’m going to swing over and pick up fellowIAN columnist Frank West for the day.He doesn’t take hours and hours to read. Heisn’t preceded by 15 minutes of previews. There’sScott Powers and Frank WestSharing a Pintno $25 admission fee for his balcony seats.My only complaint is he doesn’t have intermissioncocktails or that great movie-theatrebuttered popcorn. Otherwise, he’s the perfectentertainment package. I may just share a pintwith him every month from here on out.He and I have crossed paths a few times overthe past few years and have had the occasionalconversation. But it wasn’t until the Irish Fest atthe Heritage Center this past month that I had myfirst real chance to talk to him. Later that week,we got together again, attended a literary event atthe Center and discussed books, plays and moreat further length throughout the morning.Well, mostly he talked, and mostly I listened.It was perfect for me. Aside from not being amorning person—anything between 4am and11am constitutes my morning—West is simplymore interesting than me.After picking him up at his home, which I wasjealous was only a few blocks away from WrigleyField, I discovered a simple formula to enjoymyself for the day. I would ask him a questionabout a book, a movie or a play, watch the roadand listen. With 67 years of life and 32 years asthe Irish AmericanNews’ bookreviewer, he hadsaved up plenty tokeep me interestedfor this particularmorning, the followingmorningand for a few thousandmore ahead.With West, it’s not just his knowledge of greatIrish playwrights ranging from the old school’sGeorge Bernard Shaw to the new school’s ConorMcPherson or that authors can’t write Irish-relatedbooks quick enough to keep up with his readinghabits, it’s that he’s so passionate and animatedabout these works as well.As I maneuvered through traffic, I findmyself watching him as much as the othercars. He punctuated sentences with “Oh,man” or “Wow” and often he describedsomeone’s work with his body movementsas much as he did with his words. I hadwished the drive to the Heritage Centerlasted as long as one to a far-away staterather than the actual 20 minutes it did.I guess I should also be lucky he wasthere in the car. As it often does with him,a book nearly overtook his night.“I was reading and reading last night,” hesaid. “I thought, ‘No, I got to go to sleep. I gotto get up this morning and meet Scott.’”Thanks, Frank, for doing so.In what I viewed as a moving history lessonon Lawrence Ave., John Millington Synge, Shaw,McPherson, Martin McDonagh, the McCourts,Declan Hughes, Shirley Jackson, Eugene O’Neill,Thomas Lynch, Oscar Wilde and Brian O’Nolanwere among the names West worked through, andGIFT SHOPBelleek • foodIrish Papers“Saving the Green”5138 W. 95th St. • Oak Lawn708-424-7055“Your complete Irish import storein the south suburbs.”there were certainly others I missed.It’s these writers who touch West the mostbecause their words are full of humanity, humor,important questions and they possess enthusiasmfor life. And unlike when he first started,there are certainly more of these types of booksin circulation than ever before.“I just hope my health holds up a while,” saidWest, who is a retired social studies teacher. “Iwant to be writing for a long time. It’s such agreat period for Irish literature.”Among the period is Anne O’Farrell, aDublin-born writer, who we were seeing speakthat morning at the Heritage Center. West hadwritten a review of her newest book Michael inlast month’s IAN and was in attendance to giveher a brief introduction and show his support.His review had been, of course, positive.Only three times in 32 years of reviewingbooks—you do the math because I can’t—he’sgiven a thumb’s down. One he could rememberdespising was a book about Michael Collins. Amajor reason for his success is he doesn’t reviewevery book that falls through his mailbox.About one out of every five gets the affirmativenod. His formula is simple, but proven.“If I’m interested in reading the book, thereader will be too,” he said.Before I began writing in this space, I hadbeen a reader of the IAN and West’s for sometime. His column was one I always lookedforward to because 1) it wasn’t a political rantabout Chicago, Ireland or who knows what, 2)he always had a great book to recommend.Now with personal access to West—he’llprobably decide to change his cell phone numberand e-mail after this—I told him I neededsome new book suggestions while we were atthe Irish Fest. When he stepped into my car laterthat week, he had a bag with him that includedtwo books for me.That’s Frank West.Now if only he’d read them to me, so I couldreally forget books, movies and plays.Email sharingapint@yahoo.com to sharecomments or column suggestions.

28 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 2008Piping It InJack BakerRESTAURANT/pubOWNERS:FERDYNAND & ANNA HEBALInvite you to enjoyThe RedApple Buffet!Czerwone JabtuszkoRESTAURANT & DELI’S3121-23 N. MILWAUKEE AVE.PH 773-588-5781FAX 773-588-39756474 N. MILWAUKEE AVE.PH 773-763-3407 FAX 773-763-3406I’m sitting here trying to type this columnthe day after the Irish American HeritageCenter Festival and I’m still in shock, not tomention completely bushed. What a greatweekend! I honestly think that this was thebest festival they’ve ever had there. Theweather was far better that predicted, thecrowds came out and the bands, for themost part, were in tune. There was suchgreat music this year. I didn’t get to see theperformances inside the building because I was busy inour booth but I did make a point of watching “Dyed in theWool.” They are one of my favorite local bands and ourgood friend Kim Bigler sat in with them on bodhran thisyear and also danced to one piece of music. She’s a verytalented ballet dancer and certainly showed off her talentthis weekend. It was great to see and hear and I hope theband keeps her in the lineup.A couple other bands definitely deserve mention. TheMakem and Spain Brothers never fail to deliver with greatsongs sung in perfect harmony and their performance thisyear was no exception. The Dooley Brothers performeda couple of great sets of old favorites and many off theirnew CD Black Sunshine, a definite must have. I missedseeing and hearing Gavin Coyle perform but I knew whenhe was finished because people streamed out to the boothand bought every CD of his that we had in stock.The real heroes of the festival were all the volunteerswho worked like beavers getting everything ready, manningthe gates, selling the tickets, working the bars and cleaningup the mess afterward. My hat’s off to you all. Without thearmy of workers the festival wouldn’t exist.Soap Box TimeEnough about festivals and fun, it’s time for me todrag out the old soap box, mount up and proceed topreach. One problem we get at festivals is folks havingway more to drink than is prudent and then trying todrive home. It’s never good and always dangerous. Somefestivals have instituted designated driver programs withbuttons identifying the designated driver which entitlethat person to free soda and water. A nice idea. Saturdaynight I nearly got clipped by a big swerving SUV thatran a red light. Thank God for good brakes. I could carryon like this but a dear friend went thru the experienceof being hit by a drunk driver, wrote an essay on herexperience and gave me permission to use it.Due to space constraints, her essay is posted on theIAN website, (www.iannews.com) and I encourage youto read it for the profound impact it will make on yourview of drinking and driving.I hope you can all make it to the festivals this summer,have wonderful times and get home happy andhealthy. Slainte!Finding me is never difficult. Weekdays I’m usually in mystore gazing at my new ceiling, (another story, anothertime) so stop by and say Hi at 47 S. Villa Avenue in VillaPark or call at 630-834-8108 – weekends I’ll be under tentbehind a pile of CDs.

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 29Burke’sLawBrian Burke, Senior PartnerLaws to Regulate Auto Body Shops:Automotive Collision Repair ActIf you bring your car into an auto body shop for repairs,you are protected by the Illinois “Automotive Collision RepairAct.” Actually, you are not “protected” by the Act, but the autobody shops operating in Illinois are regulated by the Act, whichmeans nothing unless they (1) know the requirements of theAct; (2) abide by the requirements of the Act; or (3) violatea consumer’s rights under the Act and the consumer retainsknowledgeable legal counsel.The purpose of the Automotive Collision Repair Act was to“improve communication and accounting between collision repairbusinesses and motor vehicle owners.” 815 ILCS 308/5.The Act regulates businesses that engage in cosmetic repair,structural repair, or refinishing of motor vehicles with defectsrelated to accident or collision. 815 ILCS 308/10.The Act requires auto body shops to do the following:1. Obtain specific authorization from the consumer beforecommencing work in excess of $100.2. Disclose the following before obtaining authorization tocommence work:a. a written estimated price for labor and parts for a specificrepair and the final cost cannot exceed 10% of the written estimatedprice for labor and parts without oral or written consentfrom the consumer; ORb. a written price limit (maximum) for each specific repairwhich shall not exceed that limit without oral or written consentof the consumer. 815 ILCS 308/15.The Act requires that if you need to have the car towed inthe auto body shop cannot undertake a diagnosis or repair forcompensation unless:a. the auto body shop has prepared a written estimate or afirm price quote of the price for parts and labor;b. the consumer has approved the written estimate orfirm price quote, by phone or otherwise, after being given allpertinent information from the written estimate or firm pricequote;c. the consumer has given his or her oral or written consentto the diagnosis or repair.If the consumer’s consent is oral, the auto body shop mustnote the name of the person authorizing the repair, the date, thetime, and the telephone number called. 815 ILCS 308/35.Traditional Irish Pub & RestaurantFu l l Me n u-Irish Br e a k f a s t All Da y-Ev e r y d a y!Lu n c h 11- 4pm • Di n n e r 4-11pmLa t e n ig h t Chipper Me n u 11pm-1a mPl e n t y o f Pa r k in g in Ou r Lo t!3374 N Clark St Chicago(Clark & Roscoe) 773-248-3600www.johnnyohagans.comDaily 11am-2 am Saturday 9 am-3amSunday 9 am- 2 am•Call ForMUSIC SCHEDULE• Murphy’s Snug Bar downstairsavailable for Private PartiesAfter authorization from the consumer andafter the repairs have been performed, the Actrequires certain disclosures in the final invoice.The include:1. An accurate record of the following:a. description of all repair work done by theauto body shop;b. identification of each major part supplied;c. total price charged for all charges includingparts, labor, sales tax, and any additional charges (ex., storagecharges or administrative charges);These are just some of the requirements of the AutomotiveCollision Repair Act, 815 ILCS 308. But keep in mind thatwhen these auto body repair shops claim a lien of your carfor non-payment, any violation of the Act is a bar to the lienasserted by the auto body repair shop. 815 ILCS 308/65. So,if you think you are being swindled, but an auto body repairshop is threatening you with detention of your car based on amechanic’s lien, suit, auction, etc., be aware that an violationof the Automotive Collision Repair Act, bars any purportedlien of the auto body repair shop. 815 ILCS 308/65.Pursuant to the Illinois Consumer Fraud and DeceptiveBusiness Practices Act, 815 ILCS 505/2Z, any violation ofthe “Automotive Collision Repair Act” is an unlawful practicewithin the meaning of the Consumer Fraud Act. Therefore,a consumer, upon prevailing either by settlement or verdict,can sue for his attorney fees and court costs pursuant to 815ILCS 505/10c.For those of you who have found this article informative, Ihope you will consult an able consumer fraud attorney if youPr iv a t e Ro o m s Av a i l ab l e3511 N ClarkChicago773.935.6669Open 11 am to 2 amSat 11 am to 3 amLunch/DinnerIrish Brkfst all day!Voted BEST Irish Bar 2004 & 2005 citisearch.comWINNER! Best Comfort Food AwardAOL City Guide 2005 & 2006WINNER! Silver Platter Award 2004, ’05, ‘06 & ’07presented by Food Industry NewsZagot Guide Recommended 2004, ‘05, ‘06 & ‘07With or Without Great Buffet!ever feel you’ve been lied to or cheated.Next month, I plan to write about the “Home Repair an RemodelingAct” and the “Home Repair Fraud Act.” Since mostof us usually rely on Irish contractors and sub-contractors forhome-repairs, my next proposed column will probably not behelpful to most. The words “shyster” and “Irishman” are, inmy experience, oxymorons. But I hope that this column about“shyster” body shops will help you vindicate any rights youfeel have been violated.McNamara’sFood & Drinks4328 W Irving Park Rd • ChicagoFull Service Dining,Outdoor Garden Area,and the only Wood Burning Grill inChicagoland!Available for Private PartiesIRISHBREAKFASTSAT & SUNtil 2pmLUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS DAILY!AUTHENTIC IRISH PUBServing Domestics and Importsand Guinness of Course!Mo n - Sa t 11 a m to 2 a mSu n d a y 10 a m to 2 a m(773) 725-1800 Bar(773) 736-1690 Fax“Chicago’s Best Kept Secret!”

30 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 2008A Word With Father BolandThe Voice of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of ChicagoReverend Michael M. BolandHealth FairsCatholic Charities Health Fairs are greatplaces to “take the pulse” of a parish or neighborhood.And every summer, that’s just whatwe do at four parishes in Chicago and the southand west suburbs.Moms and dads and their infants, toddlers,pre-schoolers and school children of all ages –and even grandparents – take advantage of thefree health services at the Saturday fairs.On August 23, Catholic Charities will holdour fourth and final Health Fair of the summerat St. Frances of Rome School, 1401 S. AustinAdministrator, Prersident and CEO CatholicCharities of the Archdiocese of Chicagoin Cicero, right across the street from CatholicCharities’ West Suburban regional office. Registrationfor all adults, children and seniors takesplace between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m; and medicalcare continues until all are cared for.In their seventh year, the Health Fairs arejust one of the many community services offeredby Catholic Charities to and for parishes.Other parishes benefiting earlier this springand summer were Our Lady of Tepeyac andImmaculate Heart of Mary/Holy Cross inChicago, and St. Anne in Hazelcrest. CatholicCharities works in cooperation with manyparishes, and we are especially grateful to thepastors, pastoral staff and parish volunteerswho have so generously welcomed the HealthFairs to their areas.Open to the public and staffed by volunteernurses, doctors and dentists from numeroushospitals throughout the area, the Health Fairsoffer free medical and dental exams to adults,children and the elderly, and immunizationsfor children. Optometrists and podiatrists areavailable to provide eye and foot examinations;Aran Islands Hotel, A Relaxing GetawayThe HotelOstán Oileain Árainn is the Gaelic name forthe Aran Islands Hotel. It is located on one ofEurope’s most picturesque and unspoiled environmentsand offers a luxurious hotel experiencein a traditional and sympathetic style, makingthe Aran Islands Hotel, situated on Inis Mór, inthe mouth of Galway Bay, rather unique!Additionally, this 22 en-suite bedroom hotelis family-run by the O’Flahertys, whose longhistory and affection for the island was theinspiration for the hotel’s development.Aran Islands Hotel RestaurantSpectacular views from the restaurant aremarried with the best of fresh local produce,showcasing the extraordinary quality andvariety of the area’s seafood and organicallygrown vegetables with a varied menu andVacationGalena RentalsExperience the scenic beautyof Ireland in Galena, ILfor a vacation in Resort Homeswithout Resort Prices773-631-5253Toll free 866-GalenaRentalse-mailGalenaRentals@ameritech.netand medical screenings for blood pressure,cholesterol and diabetes are conducted.An enormous amount of information and agreat variety of services are available at eachHealth Fair. Families or individuals needingemergency food, clothing or shelter; maternityservices; substance abuse or HIV information;nutrition programs for children or the elderly;obesity education, smoking cessation, mentalhealth information or family counseling; orother social services, can speak to a CatholicCharities representative or one of our servicepartners in their community to receive help.Medical or social service referrals are providedon the spot to Health Fair participantswho need immediate or additional care. Forfamilies in need of assistance, the HealthFairs provide a “one-stop shop” approach toneeded health care.Believe it or not, there are still many peoplein the Chicagoland area who receive no medicalcare, because there are not a lot of options forpeople who don’t have health insurance. Everyday throughout Cook and Lake counties, thousandsof low-income “working poor,” hungryand homeless families and individuals cometo Catholic Charities because they do not haveenough food, money, work or health insurance.Almost all have unmet medical needs. Theseare the uninsured or underinsured people whoneed our Health Fairs.One of Catholic Charities’ generous youngHealth Fair volunteer organizers summed upher convictions and experience this way: “I reallyenjoy working on the Health Fair, becauseI believe that promoting good health can makesuch a difference in people’s lives. Being ingood health is so basic to having a good qualityof life, and everybody deserves access to goodhealth and a good life.“For various reasons, the people CatholicCharities serves often have less access thanthe general population to the resources neededfor good health. The Health Fairs give CatholicCharities the opportunity to reach out to thepeople they serve about their health and wellbeing,and to educate them about health, prevention,and the resources that are available tothem in their community to keep them in goodhealth. One of the best features of the day is theway the whole community comes together andworks together to provide services and connectpeople to ongoing care.”The need for health care, like the need forfood, is a basic human need; and, like food, itis a human right. I am deeply grateful to all thegenerous doctors, nurses, dentists, medical andsocial service professionals and volunteers whodonate their time and services to help their brothersand sisters who are in need of health care.For more than 90 years, Catholic Charities hasbeen responding to “the cry of the poor.” Pleasejoin us in prayer and in these works of charity astogether, we meet the basic human needs for ourneighbors in Cook and Lake counties.For further information about the August23 Health Fair, call Catholic Charities WestSuburban Regional Office at (708) 222-1491.well-appointed wine list.Aran Islands HotelWedding Reception SettingsMake your wedding day extra memorable byplanning the perfect reception at the uniquelysituated Óstán Oileain Árainn. Their weddingpackage offers a wide variety of menus tochoose from, all to aid in the enjoyment ofyou and your guests.The wedding package includes the following:(1) Complimentary B&B for the Bride andGroom (2) Preferential rate on accommodationfor wedding guests (3) Inis Mor also offers severalself-guided walking tours around the island: bothlong hikes and short leisurely sunset strolls.Please call or view the web site for moredetails: www.aranislandshotel.com; 011-353-99-61104.Visitwww.GalenaRentals.comIrish owned & operated

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 31Sporting LogSean Og. O CeallachainThe Government grants scheme toGAA players is in jeopardy at presentfollowing the cutbacks forced on theGovernment because of the currentstate of the economy. The GAA andthe GPA have been warned by therelevant Ministers that a whole rangeof programmes are threatened in varioussections. Earlier this year the GAAand the Gaelic Players Associationwere told by the Government that theywould pay the grants this season, butwhether they identify them as an areawhere savings can be made in 2009and beyond, remains the problem. Therelevant department of Arts, Sports andTourism have not made any commenton the matter. But with all Ministersunder instructions to curb spending,the grants scheme which was finallyput together earlier this year could wellcome a cropper under severe pressure.Under the scheme, more than 1900inter-county players will receive grantsranging from 1,500 euro to 2,500 europer head depending on how long ateam survives in the championship.New Coach atGordon TechGordon Tech High School recentlyappointed Shay Boyle their new VarsityBoys’ Basketball Coach. A 1999cum laude graduate of the Universityof Notre Dame, Boyle earned a BA inbusiness administration with a doublemajor of marketing and computer applications.He is also a 1995 graduateof Weber High School in Chicagowhere he was a 4-yr member and teamcaptain of the basketball team, and anall-conference baseball player.From 2005-2008, coach Boyleserved as assistant coach at LoyolaUniversity Chicago under head coachJim Whitesell. From 2002-04, heserved as assistant coach at LewisUniversity under coach Whitesell,where he helped guide the Flyers toan impressive 47-15 (.758) overallrecord, a 29-2 home mark and a pairof NCAA Tournament appearances.During the 2003-04 campaign,Boyle helped direct the Flyers toa 24-7 record and their first GreatLakes Valley Conference Championshipin 16 years. Lewis earned the #1seed in the NCAA Tournament forthe first time in school history.In 2007, Boyle helped Loyola toits first 20-win season since 1984-85. His work on defense paid off asthe Ramblers surrendered only 64.8points per game, the lowest mark bya Loyola team since 1950-51.The scheme is operated by the IrishSports Council and is linked to variousexpenses incurred by the players intheir pursuit of excellence. The 3.5mcommitment was given for 2008 but theagreement also noted that the amountrequired for the scheme in subsequentyears will be determined by the Government.That leaves it up to new MinisterMartin Cullen to decide if he will continueto provide funding from 2009 on.As all Ministers have an obligation tomake cuts in their budgets it would bean easy decision for Minister Cullento use the sports grants as a victim ofthe all-round cutbacks. The GAA havestressed all along that if the grantsscheme falls by the wayside becauseof cuts in budgets, the GAA will notpick up the pieces and fund the schemeout of their own resources. The GPAwho played a big part in getting thegrants will be at war with the Association.We must wait and see. Ironically,a situation has already blown up inCounty Laois over these grants. Laoishurlers who stayed away from trainingsessions recently are facing a shock,when they apply for funds under thenew Government grant scheme. Thoseinvolved could have their grants cut byhalf or refused if they are deemed tohave broken the terms of the agreementthat had been worked out between theGAA and the GPA and the Government.Sadly, Damian Fox, the Laois hurlingmanager, who was very good at his“Score an Audition” for the GALS LeagueThere will be Tryouts for Womenover 50, who want to play a fun, modifiedgame of basketball with otherswho desire an organized form of exercisewith a little competitive spirit.Agile women (with and withoutbasketball backgrounds) are invitedto attend the special GALS (GrandAllstar Leagues for Seniors) tryoutson Sunday, August 24th, at the HomanSquare Park District Gym from1–4pm, 3559 West Arthington, inChicago (5 blocks south of the EisenhowerExpressway.)Judges will be the Captains andmembers of the teams formed inJanuary of this year along with representativesof the Chicago Sky andChicago Bulls. GALS players willalso demonstrate the Rules for thismost genteel and enjoyable game.To register, call or e-mail in advance– 773-296-6200 or info@grandallstarleagues.com.job, resigned, and few could blamehim. Only 10 players out of a panel of26 turned out for training. Even thenseven of them were late turning upfor the start of the session. There weregenuine reasons because some playershad picked up injuries but more thanhalf didn’t bother turning up. It will beinteresting to see what steps the IrishSports Council will take in this particularcase, the first of its kind.Harrington Repeats as British Open ChampionPadraig Harrington edged out IanPoulter and overtook Greg Normanrecently to capture The 137th OpenChampionship title at Royal BirkdaleGolf Club in Southport, England. It isHarrington’s second consecutive winat the Open and gives him back-tobackwins coming off his victory atthe Irish PGA Championship.The win is even more impressivegiven the status of Harrington’s wristearlier this week, having sprained itin the practice rounds.On his way to bringing the ClaretJug back home to Ireland for a secondtime and becoming only the fifthback-to-back Open winner in thelast 50 years, Harrington overcamenot only injury but less than perfectweather conditions, with wind, rainand cool weather throughout the tournament,as well as the added pressureof defending his championship. Thewin makes him the first Irishman towin two major tournaments as wellas the first European to win backto-backOpen Championships sinceJames Braid, who did so in 1906.Starting off the final round, Harringtonhad lost his lead with toughholes on the 6th, 7th and 8th, butcharged back with birdies at 13 and15 to give him a two-shot lead. Followinga precise approach shot withhis Wilson Staff FYbrid 5-wood,Harrington sunk a five-foot putt foreagle on 17 to stretch his lead to fourshots. He closed strong at the 18th holeby striking a solid tee shot to make parand clinch the victory, finishing with afinal-round 1-under 69 and 3-over-par283 for the tournament.This championship is the latest inwhat has been a stellar year thus far4701 West 63r d Street Ch i c a g o773.767.43537959 West 159t h Street Ti n l e y Pa r k708.633.7500Ma d e Fresh Da i l y:Ir i s h Sa u s a g eBl a c k Pu d d i n gWh i t e Pu d d i n gSo d a Br e a dBa c o nCo r n BeefSm o k e Bu t t sWinstonsFu l l Li n e o fIm p o r t e d Fo o d s*****************Product Availableat Fine Irish ShopsAll Over ChicagolandWE SHIP UPSanywhere in the U.S.Ma k i n g Fi n e Ir i s h Sa u s a g e f o r o v e r 40 Ye a r s!Fo r Th e Finest in Di n i n g Tr yAshford HouseRestaurantFo r t h e Ver y Best in Ir i s h CuisineKieran McGeeney, All-Ireland winningArmagh football captain, who tookon the job of Kildare football teammanager, had an unhappy start to hisreign, when the team lost to Wicklow inthe Leinster senior championship over amonth ago. There were strong rumoursthat he was stepping down from thepost. He told me he has no intention ofgiving up after one outing and is therefor the start of the National League.for Harrington, who has recorded fourtop-10 finishes, including a fifth-placefinish at The Masters. Harrington, aWilson Staff professional since 1998,is instrumental in the developmentof the new Wilson Staff irons, driverand wedges. For information on theseor any other Wilson Golf equipment,visit www.wilsonstaff.com.St e a k s • Ch o p s • Pa s t a7959 West 159t h Street Ti n l e y Pa r k708.633.7600w w w.winstonsmar ket.c o m

32 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 2008Irish StewEducating Brigid - Part IIBy Frank J. MahonPart 1 can be viewed at www.iannews.com Under columniststab go to frank mahon - july 2008Born in County Longford,Brigid Duffy and her familymoved to Chicago when she wasa little girl. Her parents both livedin Chicago for a time before theyknew each other, but both of themreturned to Ireland during theGreat Depression. Annette andJames eventually met, were married,and had four daughters. SinceIreland was not exactly the land ofopportunity for young women inthose days, Annette Duffy decidedthat the family should move toAmerica, so her daughters wouldhave a better chance for a goodlife and a good education.Brigid, their eldest daughter, hashad both, as it turns out. Her motherwould have been very pleased toknow that her foresight paid off.And through Brigid’s careers ineducation and in the theatre, shehas always found ways to “pay itforward.” And ingeniously, she hasfound ways for one profession toinform the other.Brigid, who studied acting at theGoodman Theatre School of Drama, at that level, it was already toofirst got her Equity Card at CandlelightTheatre in the late 60s, playing the iceberg. Brigid believes thatlate. Irish Rep had already struckin The Boyfriend for director Bill Chicago still needs an Irish theater,Pullinsi, whom she knew from and Irish Rep could have made itthe Goodman. But after the show with the right leadership. “Thereclosed, Christmas was approaching, were very serious financial problems,”she says. Most theatres haveand Brigid needed extra money.Since she had a degree in education, financial problems. But Irish RepBrigid took a temporary job teachinggrade school. She found that she Brigid feels that it failed becausehad FINANCIAL PROBLEMS.loved teaching and her “temporary” of poor business management andjob lasted 34 years—teaching first poor play selection. “One personand third grades. Of course, the tried to do everything, and thereclasses put on lots of plays. weren’t enough bodies to do all theShe kept acting herself until her jobs.” But still, she says being partown children came along, and after of it was something that made herthat, performed only occasionally.She and her husband, actor notices… It was heartbreaking.”very proud. “We always got goodCharles Gerace, wanted the normalcyof a “traditional life,” so she the atmosphere of what some callBrigid Duffy loves working inwas semi-retired from professional “The Chicago School” of acting.theatre in those years. The kids are “There’s something so real aboutall grown now. Their son Sean is working with Chicago actors. Everythingis so authentic—there’s noa writer and their daughter Erin isa teacher. But as for their mother, fakery. They are really concernedonce the acting bug bites… with delivering the playwright’sIn 1991, Brigid won a Golden content in the most authenticApple Award for excellence in way—no histrionics.”teaching. Along with it went a Brigid also thinks having taken asabbatical and free tuition to Northwestern.Not surprisingly, Brigid to be valuable as well. “It’s goodlong sabbatical from acting provedtook a lot of drama classes. Also in a way to be away from it, tonot surprisingly, she decided to go be studying other people, and toback into acting professionally. She be carrying on with your life—was cast in John Hughes’s film Baby’sDay Out, Unsolved Mysteries, craft. And when you go back, thebecause you learn a lot about theand Hedda Gabler at Steppenwolf, more avenues of your life that youto name just a few roles. Then Irish bring together, it’s more interestingRepertory of Chicago came along than being totally immersed allin the late 1990s, and Brigid was the time. Most of the actors thatcast often. She and her husband I admire have real lives—becauseCharles worked together in Well of (the theatre) gets so insular.”the Saints by J.M. Synge.Besides acting, another wayBoth Brigid and Charles served Brigid has gotten back into theatreon the board of Irish Rep, and tried has been to offer her services as ato help keep Irish Rep afloat, but dialect coach for theatres such asby the time they became involved the Goodman, Northlight, and IrishRepertory. She has learned, however,that sometimes a dialect coach cando too good a job. An authenticregional Irish dialect can be so authentic,that it can be almost unintelligibleto American audiences.So what makes Irish drama sodistinctive? Brigid thinks it’s thelanguage. “That grasp of languageis so the center of an Irish play. Thebiting humor. The new writers, likeMartin McDonough and ConorMcPherson are coming out of sucha rich history of language, and humor,and compassion… The newercrop of Irish playwrights are clever,but for a play that’s beautiful, that’sreally moving, that’s really humorous,that just breaks your heart—there’s no one like Brian Friel.”Other favorite Irish playwrightsof Brigid are Sean O’Casey andEugene O’Neill. She considersO’Neill an Irish playwright byvirtue of the hugeness of hisdrama. Like O’Casey, the “Irishness”is in his language and hischaracter development. “It’s hisIrish bones in there.”And Sean O’Casey? “His comicsense in the middle of chaos, in themiddle of tragedy—he’s able tohave you crying one minute, killingyourself laughing the next.”Brigid feels that Hugh Leonard isunderappreciated and bemoans thefact that John B. Keane, “an importantwriter,” is practically unknownin this country. Other than O’Neill,Beckett and Wilde, why are Irishplays not as well known by Americanactors? Brigid thinks that there is amindset among actors that Irish playsare difficult to do. She doesn’t thinkthey are, but that’s the perception.But then again, actresses likeBrigid Duffy always make itlook easy.

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 33Intro of Retirement Villages to IrelandThere is a growing emphasisin Ireland on promoting independencefor older people, by offeringchoices and improving the qualityof life. Retirement villages, essentiallya community for seniors,do just that.However, the name is somewhatinappropriate, as one doesn’t necessarilyhave to be retired at all tolive in retirement villages.Entry is generally restricted topeople who have reached fifty-fiveyears of age or have retired frompermanent employment.Retirement villages offer purposelydesigned barrier free homeswith a range of facilities and activitiesthat generate opportunities forsocial activity, alongside a range ofcare and support services that canrespond quickly and flexibly to arange of care needs.Published data on retirementvillages throughout the world reflectthe following. Older peopleview retirement villages as a positivechoice. They are particularlyattracted by the combination ofindependence and security, as wellas opportunities for social engagementand an active life. Independenceis associated with havingyour own private living accommodationand choices about howyou spend your time. Concepts ofsecurity are complex, covering arange of concerns including care,security, freedom from crime etc.Retirement villages are seen byresidents as places to live as opposedto “care settings”.The size of retirement villages(i.e. more than 100 homes) allowsthe development of facilities andcare services that may not be viablein smaller developments. Amenitiessuch as restaurant/bar, healthspa, fitness suite, etc. provide opportunitiesfor leisure, educationand social encounters.Retirement villages play animportant role in promoting healthand well-being among older people.Flexible on-site care services,sometimes provided by on sitenursing homes, can assist residentsas their care needs change,and may promote early hospitaldischarge and reduce the need forhospital admission.Retirement villages can helpaddress the current shortage ofhomes suitable for later life, byproviding housing that is specificallydesigned to meet residents’needs. And they provide employmentopportunities for the widercommunity, alas increasing theviability of local services andfacilities.The true meaning of the termretirement village, specificallyone which offers more than 100homes, is a relatively new conceptin Ireland. There are relatively fewexamples, apart from GlendaleEstate in Tullow, County Carlow.Internationally, retirement villagesoffer high levels of service,care and support within environmentsthat maintain and promoteindependence. Also, they havethe additional benefits of offeringa rather wide range of social andleisure activities. They truly havemore in common with resort hotelsthan care facilities.Finally, the concept also appearsto be attractive to people from arange of different socio-economicbackgrounds. All indicators showthat there is great potential inIreland for retirement villagesto expand the choices of livingarrangements for older people.Retirement villages offer the opportunityfor not just well designedage-appropriate housing, but alsofor enhancing older people’s qualityof life, health status and sense ofsocial well-being and security.Glendale Estate retirementcommunity, Tullowphelim, Tullow,County Carlow, Ireland. Phone:011-353-59-151184. Website:www.glendale.ie.Saw Doctors Get Lifetime Achievement AwardLegendary Irish Supergroup TheSaw Doctors were presented with aLifetime Achievement Award at the2008 Meteor Ireland Music Awardsin celebration of their illustrious careerin the Irish music industry.The Saw Doctors are this yearcelebrating over 20 years in the musicbusiness, having achieved internationalacclaim across the globe withclassic hits such as ‘N17’ and ‘I UsetaLove Her’, which holds the record forIreland’s biggest selling single of alltime and the number one chart positionfor nine consecutive weeks.Local summer tour dates includeSat., Aug. 16 and Sun., Aug. 17 atMilwaukee Irish Fest, and Cleveland’sHouse of Blues on Fri., Aug. 22.www.sawdoctors.com.L-R: Eimhin Cradock (Drums), Kevin Duffy (Keyboards), Leo Moran (Guitar), DavyCarton (Vocals), and Anthony Thistlethwaite (Drums). Photo by Kyran O’Brien.

34 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 2008TheIrish RoverBy James McClureIrish Eye and Ear on Chicago NewsOne of the legendary keys of successin the broadcast news businessis never sounding like you left theChicago area, supposedly the bestnon-accent for news.It comes somewhat easily forWBBM Newsradio’s Mary FrancesBragiel, a native of the northwest suburbansuburb of Arlington Heightswho has worked in television inColorado, Virginia and Chicago as ageneral assignment reporter. You canoften hear her reports on weeknightsand weekends on Newsradio 780AM, and from time to time she stillappears on television, giving livereports on breaking crime stories tothe likes of Nancy Grace on CNN andGreta Van Susteren on FOX News.“You never know what each daywill bring in the news business, that’swhat I love about it.” Rubbing elbowswith legal commentators comesnaturally to the former paralegal whogrew up leaning on the advice of herfather, a corporate lawyer in Chicago.Ultimately the law wasn’t for her, TheGeorge Washington University gradreturned to Chicago from WashingtonD.C. at the age of 30 with the yen tostart a new career in broadcast journalism,an age when most journalistsare hanging up their spikes.They Say ThirtyIs the New TwentyAnd so eight years after graduationand stints in law and public relationsin D.C., Bragiel found herself back inChicago under a familiar roof.“I did the whole bit some collegekids do when they get out of college,only this time as an adult living at homewith my parents, getting a part time jobwaiting for my big break in television.”Bragiel got a paying internship behindthe scenes at WGN Radio workingwith one of Chicago’s most famousradio newspeople, Lyle Dean.“Lyle would let me do some voicetracks from time to time and I’mglad my Dad got to hear me beforehe passed away.” A fatal heart attacktook him away but in two weeks heranswer to prayer from a HeavenlyFather came. Her first full time onairjob as a television reporter in tinyGrand Junction, Colorado. She wentwithout looking back.“I’m a practicing Catholic and faithis important to me. It has given me astrength of knowing that things happenfor a reason and God is behindit if you trust him.”Ski resort Grand Junction is a longway from the bright lights and big storiesof Chicago. “I think I can do withoutthat much snow for the rest of mylife,” laughs Bragiel, who would laterjump some 130 markets from the Rockiesto the Blue Ridge at the NBC stationin Roanoke, Virginia. Less snow, morepotential for the impossible dream ofgetting back home to Chicago.The usual route once you make itto a medium-sized television newsmarket is to step to a larger andnearer city…say an Indianapolis orMinneapolis…then make the needlein a haystack leap to Chicago.Blue Ridgeto Big ShouldersBragiel went back on faith to tryand make it happen, returning homeand working part-time in customer serviceat Tiffany’s on Michigan Avenueas live news trucks rolled by and shewondered if she would have one lastcrack at TV in her mid 30s. “That wasa long…nine months,” she says with anamiable sigh. 2001 wasn’t the best year,or economy, for risky career moves.“I did want to be back near myfamily if I could, I’m close to mymom and four sisters,” says Bragiel,whose roots are close to much of19th century Chicago, half Polish andhalf Irish. “My Dad was Polish, mymom’s maiden name was Finn fromkin in County Mayo and grandmotheron my mother’s side was namedO’Connell from County Wexford.One Grandfather was a policemanworking the beat at 11th and State.”Mary Frances, who went to highschool at Woodlands Academy of theSacred Heart in Lake Forest, has fondmemories of her mother making her St.Patrick’s Day lunches of Corned Beefand Cabbage and Root Beer beforeheading downtown to join Mr. Bragielfor the parade. “St. Patrick’s was alwaysa big day in our household,” she sayswith a somewhat whimsical smile. Perhapsbecause she’s not the only MaryBragiel from Arlington Heights.Mary Frances’ sisters include“Mary Katherine, Mary Ellen, MaryClare, Mary Colleen,” she notes witha bemused grin. “Mom is Mary Irene,my aunt is Mary Ann, Mom nameda rabbit Mary Doe and a horse MaryMary.” As if growing up a tall redheadwasn’t enough of an indicator.“Yes, we’re a bit Irish Catholic.” Themany Marys Bragiel even nicknamedtheir father “Mary Fred.”Many “Mary”Happy ReturnsShe attributes getting back homemore to faith than the luck of the Irish.Bragiel ended up reporting on televisionfrom Chicago for CLTV…theChicagoland television 24 hour cablestation found on most television cablesystems in the suburban area and a fewwithin the city as well. During her timethere she would also have stories of anational nature appear on CNN.Three years ago she made thejump to radio to the city’s top newsstation, where careers are measuredin decades rather than years. “I likethe stability I see there and the peopleare just wonderful. I’ve been fortunateto make and keep friends in allthe places I’ve worked.”Getting up at 3 a.m. some days,working late into the evening on others,Bragiel often sees the unfriendlyside of life with a Chicago filledwith backstabbing political storiesand crime filled streets and suburbs.Bragiel has received most nationalexposure for her continuing reportingon the story of missing Stacy Petersonwho vanished from the south suburbslast year, the second of former BolingbrookPolice Sgt. Drew Peterson’swives to meet an uncertain end.The notorious case has brought areturn to television, and national attentionfor Bragiel. Whenever there’s abreak or a twist in the case she usuallyends up on TV commenting nationwideon MSNBC, CNN or FOX in heroff-radio hours, a six-foot tall veteranback on the small screen. “They liketo turn to radio reporters,” she explains.“The television reporters are usuallytied up with their own broadcasts.”The Honking DrewPeterson’s cat and mouse gamewith reporters and lawyers was mostlikely the reason Bragiel had a verynoisy addition to her live nationaltelevision report for Fox News’ GretaVan Susteren on May 21st.BRAGIEL: Oh, apparently -- apparently,that is Drew’s car, I’m toldby neighbors. So obviously, Drewmay be watching this program rightnow and we’re talking about him andtalking about today’s events, so...VAN SUSTEREN: My moneyis on it that Drew has hit the -- hashit the key and sounded the alarm.That’s a riot.BRAGIEL: You think so? Youthink -- he is a funny guy, accordingto him, and this is how he handlesthe stress.“Yeah he set the car alarm off onpurpose,” says Bragiel, who thinksStacy may never be found but ifPeterson is ultimately charged withmurder, it will be for the mysteriousbathtub death of his third wife. “Theevidence is gathered and analyzed,now it’s up to the grand jury.”Bragiel, like so many reportersthat have juggled in the Petersonmedia circus, has had some interestingencounters with Peterson on andoff camera. “Usually I talk to himby phone when I’m working a story.You can see how he could be verycharming and witty, especially to ayounger woman. One time it got alittle creepy when he first wanted toknow what I was wearing.”Clothed inMercy and GraceThe reporter wears many hatswhen not on the airwaves. She is especiallyactive in volunteering throughher near north Catholic parish and itsoutreach to the homeless, as well asbaking for the Misericordia Heart ofMercy Home for the developmentallydisabled in Chicago while servingas a member of the Misericordia’sWoman’s Auxiliary Board.“I work with, meet and servesome truly wonderful people volunteering.I think single people withno children should make the time toreach out for others.”After 12 years in the rough andtough news business, Braigiel seemsto have softened a bit the past fewyears. She keeps a competitive edgerunning and training for an upcominghalf-marathon, but the dog-eat-dogworld of news seems far away whenshe talks animatedly about the peopleand purpose in her life of late.A matter of faith? “It’s a matter ofrealizing how blessed I have been, andknowing that with a slight change incircumstances I too could have endedup in a tough spot. We all can.”In a fast-paced, high profile careerMary Frances Bragiel beams when shetalks about where her life’s journey hastaken her. Much more joyful in personthan her often sober and staid on-airdemeanor, it’s clear she’s excited aboutlife back home in Chicago and perhapsyet another Mary down the road.

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 35IAHC August News and EventsHizzoner: Daley The First Returns to IAHCThe critically-acclaimedproduction of Hizzoner: Daleythe First returns to the IAHCas part of its Summer and Fall2008 tour. Hizzoner played to8 sold out audiences when itwas performed at the IAHCin May 2007.Mayor Richard J. Daley(1902 – 1976), authoritarianpolitician, family man anddynasty builder, whose life wasinextricably bound to Chicago,the city he loved, is explored in Hizzoner. Writtenand starring Neil Giuntoli, the show openedMarch 2, 2006 at Prop Thtr. Hizzoner callsforth from history of the 60’s and 70’s whilefeaturing a theatrically intimate look at the manatop Chicago’s political machine.Giuntoli has a rich history with Chicagobeginning with his great uncle, former ChicagoIAHC Offers Irish School Classes This FallThe fall semester of Irish School at theChildren’s Center for Cultural Studiesreturns this fall at the IAHC.Kids ages 6-16 can take lessons in Irishheritage, culture, customs, language, artand music, through drama, storytelling,crafts and games. Classes include IrishLanguage studies, the Teen Theatre Workshopand Celtic Mythology and Art.The fall semester runs from Oct. 4-Dec.6 and classes are on Saturday morningsMayor Anton Cermak. This is thefourth play Giuntoli has pennedfor Prop Thtr. Giuntoli’s additionalcredits include movie and televisionroles in “Shawshank Redemption,”“Memphis Belle” and“Waterworld” among others. Hisnotable TV guest appearances include“The Jeff Foxworthy Show,”“CSI: NY,” “CSI,” Monk,” “NYPDBlue,” “Ally McBeal,” “ChicagoHope,” “Seinfeld” and “ER.”Performances at the IAHC are:Friday Oct. 24 at 8pm, Saturday, October25 at 8pm, Friday, October 31at 8pm, Saturday,November 1at 8pm, Sunday, November2 at 2pm, Saturday, November 8 at 8pm andSunday November 9 at 2pm.Tickets are $30 for seniors and $35 for thegeneral public. To purchase tickets, call theIAHC at 773-282-7035, ext 10.from 9am-Noon. Fees are $40 per class forIAHC members and $60 for non-members.Discounts for families apply.To register children for classes, justshow up at the first class and be ready foryour children to have a great time whilelearning about all things Irish!For more information on all children’seducational programs at the IAHC, contactDirector Frank Crowley at 773-612-6584.Study the Beauty of the KellsThe IAHC School of Celtic Art continuesits Traditional Celtic Art Class this fall.This beginner and intermediate class forteens and adults teaches students easy-tomastertechniques for knot work, interlacing,spirals and color. The semester runs fromSept. 16-Nov. 18 from 7-9pm on Tuesdaynights. The price is $125. To register, callFrank Crowley at 773-773-612-6584.Irish Fest Raffle WinnersThe 2008 Irish Fest Raffle drawing was heldon July 13 at the 23rd annual Irish Fest at the IrishAmerican Heritage Center. The winners are:Grand Prize-Round Trip Tickets to Irelandon American Airlines; Eugene BradyFirst Prize-4 Tickets to a White Sox game;Maureen MalinowskiSecond Prize-2 tickets to a Cubs game;Mark MoranThird Prize-One night stay the Irish Cottagein Galena; Angela BirtFourth Prize-Overnight Stay at the WestinNorth Shore; Sean WalshFifth Prize-4 lawn tickets to Tony Bennettat Ravinia; MW DooleySham-ROCK Stars!Winners AnnouncedTwo talented children won top prizesin the 2008 Sham-ROCK Stars! Contest,held at the Irish American Heritage Center’sIrish Fest in July.The two-day singing contest began Saturdaywith a round of preliminary auditions.Each contestant was required to perform amodern or traditional Irish song. The topfour finalists in the two age groups took partin a “sing-off” on Sunday. Winners werechosen based on the scores from a panel ofjudges and the audience response.Mikayla Walsh, 12, of Lemont was thewinner in the younger division and AshleenDavey, 15, of Lake Barrington, won in theolder division.Prizes include a round trip limo ride, downtownrestaurant package and a chance to recorda public service announcement for the IAHCthat will air on Radio Disney, AM 1300.The annual festival, held each July at theIAHC, also featured a Mashed Potato EatingContest, live music, food, cultural programsand a Hooley Happy Hour for singles.

36 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 2008MickMike MorleyPatriot GamesTaig (or Teague): an even blackerethnic aspersion than that used toname this space each month. SaysWikipedia: Rarely heard outsideIreland and Scotland, taig is themost vitriolic slur word in use againstIrish Catholics and has been usedby loyalists in Northern Ireland inslogans like: “If guns are made forshooting, then skulls are made tocrack. You’ve never seen a betterTaig than one with a bullet in hisback” (It doesn’t roll from the tonguelike poetry; but then they’re billyboys,not Irish lads.) With a bit more literaryeffort they did manage to coin:“Don’t be vague, kill a Taig”.That brand of bigotry, thoughrarely reported in the US, and despite“the peace process”, remainsprevalent. When a new housingdevelopment in Boveedy. Co. Derrywas smeared recently with the notice:“no Taig buyers”, Sinn Feincouncillor, Billy Leonard remarked:“To experience this type of graffitiin 2008 is truly disgraceful”. Well,Billy, who ya gonna call?I was surprised though to runacross the T-word while looking for abit of inspiring Irish-American historyto include in a July 4 greeting. WhatI found would more appropriately beadded to a July 12 greeting.Most Americans will rememberthat the Boston Massacre of 1770involved British soldiers firing intoa mob of Boston citizens. Some mayrecall from their Catholic or publicschool books the name Crispus Attucks,the first person hit. Few willremember that five citizens werekilled, nor the names of any of theother 4 dead.Attucks, a seaman, believed tohave been born of an African fatherand Natick Indian mother, was knownaround the Boston docks as “a hardman and a drifter”. Like many Bostoncitizens, especially sailors, he resentedthe two regiments of British troopssent to the city 18 months earlier tokeep order and assure collection ofcustoms duties. Seamen were oftenforcibly impressed into the Britishnavy, and as laborers ashore, had tocompete with troops taking the king’swages and working off-duty for lowerpay. There had been confrontationsthat week with the soldiers, and thisnight several groups wandered thestreets “looking for trouble”.One group began harassing aguard at the Customs House and adetachment of soldiers came to hisrescue. Attucks, at the front of amob of about 60 people, some ofwhom were throwing rocks, ice andsticks, grabbed a soldier’s rifle andreportedly struck him to the groundwith a club. The soldiers fired, andAttucks was killed, struck twice inthe chest. Two others also died at thescene. The last of the five to die wasPatrick Carr; an Irishman apprenticedto a local tailor, who lingered on ninedays until his death on March 14—asad but fortunate fact for the soldierswho killed him.John Adams, recently the subject ofa popular biography followed by a TVseries, and who would later becomesecond President of the US, decidedto defend the soldiers. Considering themood of the city, it was an unpopularchoice at the time, But whether Adamswas hedging his bets in the growingcolonial struggle, we cannot know.In arguing for the defense, Adamscharacterized the mob as:“a motley rabble of saucy boys,Negroes, and mulattos, Irish teaguesand outlandish jack tars… shoutingand hazing and threatening life…whistling, screaming, and rendingan Indian yell… throwing everyspecies of rubbish they could pickup in the street.”He also reminded the court thatthe leaders of that mob were notupstanding citizens of the good cityof Boston: “And it is in this manner,this town has been often treated, aCarr from Ireland, and an Attucksfrom Framingham, happening tobe here, shall sally out upon theirthoughtless enterprises,… and…there are not wanting persons toascribe all their doings to the goodpeople of the town.”That Adams was defending thesoldiers in a capital trial might be seento excuse his use of such incendiaryslurs to describe certain non-white,non-Protestant citizens of Boston. Buteven so, the fact that no objection wasrecorded is revealing. The prosecutioncounsel, John’s firebrand cousinSamuel Adams, didn’t call him to taskon the issue. Nor is there evidence thatany of the angry Americans packingthe courtroom took exception thatJohn Adams (soon to be enshrinedamong “The Founders”)* was usingwords oozing with such obvious religious,racial and class prejudice. Itappears that despite their objectionsto paying taxes, the colonists’ ideasof who belonged in the liberty andequality fraternity, and who wouldbe blackballed, pretty much matchedthose of their estranged relations backhome in England.John Adams won the trial, but it wasnot his eloquence or legal prowess thatultimately saved the British soldiers.Adams did not find it too ignoble to useas the knockout punch for the defensethe alleged testimony of “the IrishTaig”, Patrick Carr, six months dead,in the first recorded use of the “dyingdeclaration” exception to the rule thatexcludes hearsay evidence.Dr. John Jeffries, one of the physicianswho attended Carr, was calledto the stand. Jeffries claimed he had along conversation with the dying Carrwho told him he felt the soldiers firedin self-defense.Q. Were you Patrick Carr’ssurgeon?A. I was…Q. Was he [Carr] apprehensiveof his danger?A. He told me… he was a native ofIreland, that he had frequently seenmobs, and soldiers called upon toquell them: whenever he mentionedthat, he always called himself a fool,that he might have known better,that he had seen soldiers often fireon the people in Ireland, but hadnever seen them bear half so muchbefore they fired in his life…Q. When had you the last conversationwith him?A. About four o’clock in the afternoon,preceding the night on whichhe died, and he then particularlysaid, he forgave the man whoeverhe was that shot him, he was satisfiedhe had no malice, but fired todefend himself.Now, whether or not Carr actuallyspoke as Jeffries testified, the wordswould be believable to a colonialjury. Carr, though a “Taig”, was aChristian, inclined to express forgivenessas death approached. AndCarr’s statement that British soldiershad no inhibitions whatever againstshooting people in Ireland would, unlikenow, have been no news to thoseAmericans, British exiles, packingthe courtroom.The fact that Jeffries was a Loyalistmust have been known by boththe prosecution and defense. Whenthe Revolution finally began, Dr. Jeffriessent his family to England, thenleft with the British military and wascommissioned Surgeon-General of theBritish forces in North America.Cousin Sam Adams acid commentto discredit Jeffries’ crucial testimonywas simply that the word of RomanCatholic Carr carried little weight inProtestant Boston.*(You may have noticed that “TheFounding Fathers” is no longer inpolite usage—in deference I supposeto “The Founding Mothers.”)Perhaps we’ll discuss other patriotsnext month.E-mail: IrishTV@ameritech.netWatch: IRISH JOURNALTELEVISIONChicago cable- CAN-TV, Channel 19:Monday 7PM, Tuesday 2PMComcast-(Skokie system) 24 Northsuburbs – Ch. 19 (or 35): Tuesday,6PM Comcast- (Elmhurst system) 41West suburbs– Channel 19: Tuesday7:30 PM© Mike Morley 2008

Page 38August 2008High Kings in GrandRapids on Sept. 17The High Kings will perform atthe Devos Performance Hall in GrandRapids, MI on Wednesday, September17th at 8pm. Ticket prices rangefrom $35.50 to $60.50 and can bepurchased at 616.456.333 or www.ticketmaster.com.The balladeers of the High Kings,Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, MartinFurey, and Darren Holden, all havenames and musical pedigrees thatresonate with Irish music lovers. Producedby the same folks that broughtus Celtic Women, the High Kingshave a new U.S. tour this September,which is expected to sell out in all theirvenues. The Grand Rapids performanceis their only stop in Michiganon this tour, and their only Chicagodate is Sunday, September 21, at ParkWest. After September they return fora much anticipated tour of Ireland.Kalamazoo Irish Fest September 28-29By Neil MullallyThe Irish American Club of Kalamazoo,Michigan, has scheduled thatcommunity’s annual Irish Fest for2008 on Friday and Saturday, September28 - 29. The Fest hours on Fridayare from 4:30 pm until midnight, andon Saturday from 10:30 am until midnight.Admission is $7.00 per adult,and children 12 or under accompaniedby an adult are admitted free. On Saturdaycollege students with school IDcan buy their tickets at half price. TheFest’s venue is Kalamazoo’s permanentdowntown festival park, ArcadiaCreek Festival Place.On Friday evening the mainstageperformers will include Embarr,Whiskey Before Breakfast, HarvestHome, and the popular regional bandFonn Mor.On Saturday, the full entertainmentline-up will showcase The Irish DanceCompany of Lansing, the QuinnSchool of Irish Dance, the KalamazooPipe Band, String Cheese, Freshwater,Rare Combination, Kennedy’s Kitchen,Donnybrook, and Belfast Gin.Freshwater hails from MountPleasant in northern Michigan, andRare Combination finds its talentedmembers in the Battle Creek/Kalamazooarea. One of Rare Combination’slead musicians is Father PatrickMurphy. Chicago and northernIndiana Irish music fans should beno strangers to Kennedy’s Kitchenand Donnybrook, because both bandsappear regularly in Chicagoland,Merrillville, and South Bend. BelfastGin is a celtic rock group fromKalamazoo, and a past winner of the“Battle of the Celtic Bands” there.At the Session Tent musicians arewelcome to drop by to create theirfoot-stomping, hand-clapping musicwith others who love to entertain theappreciative fest patrons.The Heritage Village is popularwith everyone attending the Fest. TheIrish American Club sponsors theIrish Tea Room, where tea, coffee andscones are served. Genealogy researchguidance is provided by experts fromthe Kalamazoo Valley Genealogy Society.The Pendragons Guild’s skilledcalligraphers demonstrate the fine artof medieval lettering, illumination,and drawing of Celtic designs andknots. Members of the KalamazooWeavers’ Guild take observers backin time as they spin wool into thread,and weave the thread into cloth, withseveral of their creations also on display.Even a palm reader and Celtichealing shaman are on hand.The Irish Marketplace has a fullarray of purveyors of Irish goods andfood choices.Families with young children mustvisit Ti na nOg (Land of the Young)Children’s Center. Special activitiessuch as handcrafts, games, and facepainting await the wee ones there.Kalamazoo is located east of Chicagoon I-94, and is a pleasant, allexpressway drive of 145 miles, with adriving time of between 2 - 2.5 hours.For more information and to get updates,go to www.kalamazooirish.org.Irish in MichiganBook Review by Frank WestThis is an outstanding book. In itsbrief length of 63 pages of text (92with index, etc.) it tells the amazingstory of the Irish in America. Ourancestors came here to find workand the freedom to improve life fortheir families.From the time the first Irish settledin Michigan, in the early 1800’s, theybuilt the railroads, worked on farms,in factories and saw mills, for thelumber and fishing industries, etc.The thing common to all of this is thatthey were to work hard—very hard.About this the authors, Seamus andEileen Metress, say “They deepenedand smoothed harbors. They alsoworked on the docks and the boats onthe lakes. They drained the swamps,tilled the fields, and cleared the land.They excavated and built the early ca-… continued on next page

August 2008 Page 39nals and roads with sheer muscle powerand later constructed the railroadgradesa n dtracks inthe samemanner.Later theybecamekey operativesin thegrowingmanufacturingsector where they were involved inunion organizations as well as localcommunity development.”I’m astonished how similar thereasons for coming to Michigan areto those of my own ancestors comingto Illinois.When my grandfather came fromIreland, he could only find work inBoston as a laborer’s helper. He cameto Chicago and worked for severalyears on the railroad docks unloadingbox cars.After several years of that, he wasaccepted by the Chicago Police Department.My grandmother workedas a domestic servant in a mansionon his beat. They married and begana family.Why Irish people came to America,and where they traveled to find workis a fascinating story. And that storyis told in this jewel of a book.Irish in Michigan by Seamus andEileen Metress. Michigan State UniversityPress, East Jausing, 2006. 93pages; $8.95. www.mspress.msu.ed.The future for our Irish Americanheritage is bright. More and moreAmericans are declaring themselvesas of Irish descent in the 1990 and2000 censuses. There are more booksand plays published each year byIrish and Irish American writers. Andthere is an increasing awareness andpromotion of our literary, cultural,and musical heritages.I’ll close this review with a quotefrom this wonderful book. Greaterawareness among young Irish Americansof their heritage may have twoeffects: “Pride in their own ethnicbackground may allow them tofeel more comfortable with themselves…”,and “It may also enrichtheir lives with a sense of identity andbelonging in a society that seems togrow more rootless.”Michigan’sFamine MemorialBy Neil MullallyMichigan’s An Gorta Mor Memorialis located in the Irish Hills district ofLenawee County in southeastern Michigan,near the city of Adrian. After yearsMichigan Irish Music Festival Set for September 12-14By Neil MullallyThe best ever! That’s the insideword from Festival Director ChrisZahrt on the 2008 Michigan IrishMusic Festival, to be held on theweekend of September 12-14, inMuskegon, Michigan. Now in its 9thyear at its unique concert venue onthe shores of Muskegon Lake, thefestival’s reputation as a first classevent draws an audience from theMidwest and beyond.Headlining the 2008 festival willbe Gaelic Storm, Scythian, Teada,The Barra MacNeils, and Millish. Returningfavorites include Switchback,Seamus Kennedy, Lawrence Nugent,Blackthorn, Fonn Mor, Kennedy’sKitchen, Peg & Collette, and The MuskegonPolice and Pipe & Drum Corps.Festival Entertainment DirectorTom Schaub considers this year’sline-up to be one of the strongest hehas booked in the festival’s history.He is especially enthusiastic about introducingMillish to a wider audiencein the band’s home state of Michigan.Schaub comments, “Last year whenI visited the festivals in Dublin andMilwaukee, I asked several of the performerswhom they think is the hottestup- and- coming band on the scene,and they answered Millish. Millish isbreaking into the main festival circuit,and we are glad to have them with usthis year.” For more information onthe Ann Arbor based Millish, whosemembers include a champion fiddlerand a champion uilleann pipe player,go to www.millish.com.With the performers using threestages, the entertainment is non-stopduring the festival. And in the PubTent there is more entertainment,of fundraising by the Ancient Order ofHibernians, St. Patrick’s Division #1, ofthe City of Adrian, the Memorial wascompleted and dedicated in 2004.The Memorial is located on thegrounds of St. Joseph’s Shrine (yes,there is a statue of St. Patrick at theshrine, too), and is an imposing portalScythian (shown here at the 2000 festival) will be returning this yearto the Michigan Irish Music Festival.along with a fine Irish Food Courtwhere there is no problem for festivalgoersto find their favorite sustenanceand libations. When added to all thatare the Dance Stage, the Session Tent,and the exhibits in the Cultural Tent,and the Limerick Contest, no one canavoid having a great time!Many vendors travel to Muskegonto join the festival’s Irish Marketplace,where they make available thebest in Irish jewelry, clothing, crafts,recorded music, and more. IAN’sown Shay Clarke is a frequent participantin the Irish Marketplace.Because the festival is truly a familyevent for patrons of all ages, thefestival provides an extensive “WeeOnes” area near the County KerryStage. There parents will find a varietyof activities for children fromtoddlers to teens.On Saturday the Michigan IrishMusic Festival also sponsors itsFeis, which attracts some 700 dancersfrom Michigan and other states.The Feis is held at the nearby L.C.structure. The platform of the Memorialconsists of thirty-two black stones,each representing an Irish county. Theflagstone center of the base and the twocolumns are made of stone quarried inCounty Donegal. The Memorial’s focalpoint is the lintel (cross-beam), whichis an actual stone step from PenroseQuay in Cork, where many famineships left Ireland. In the center of thebase is a large, empty bowl symbolizingthe Great Hunger. Along thebackground of the Memorial ground isa low stone wall, as found throughoutIreland. The Memorial is moving in itsstark simplicity.The Irish Hills area is also the homeof the Michigan International Speedwayfor Formula 1 racing. The Memorial islocated on U.S. Highway 12 in the IrishHills. For more information and traveldirections, go to www.visitlenawee.com and click on Irish Hills.Walker Arena. At the conclusion ofthe Feis, the dancers form a “Paradeof Champions” and perform at thefestival’s Dance Tent for the rest ofthe weekend—a great opportunity fordancing before public audiences.At 9am Sunday morning a CatholicMass is celebrated at the MainStage, with Chicago’s own Switchbackproviding the worship music.If you think you know Switchback’smusic and talent, you have not heardanything until you experience Martyand Brian’s performance here.On Friday evening from 5-6pm,admission to the festival is free. Afterthen adult admission on Friday is$6.00. Adult admission on Saturdayis $12.00, and on Sunday $10.00.Three day passes are available for$20.00. Admission for children ages6-12 is $2.00 each day, and childrenunder 5 are free. Special lodging ratesare listed on the festival’s website.Those low admission prices arepossible thanks to the festival’s majorsponsors, which include MercyHealth Partners, Guinness, Budweiser,Verizon, Huntington Bank,Shape Corporation, Pro-PhoneCommunications, Independent Bank,Muskegon Community College, andPioneer Resources.Muskegon, Michigan, is located180 miles north of Chicago on theeastern shore of Lake Michigan.Driving time from Chicago is aboutthree hours. Some Northside travelersfind it convenient to take the highspeed Lake Express Ferry, whichoperates between Milwaukee andMuskegon. To purchase tickets andfor details about the Michigan IrishMusic Festival, go to the festival’swebsite www.michiganirish.org.You can also sign up there for emailupdates about the festival.

40 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 2008AnImmigrant’s MusingsFr. Michael LeonardFollowing a number of enquiriesfor information on Immigrationthrough investment, I am supplyingthe basic overview as provided byU.S.C.I.S.Immigration through InvestmentOverviewUnder section 203(b)(5) of theImmigration and Nationality Act(INA), 8 U.S.C. § 1153(b)(5), 10,000immigrant visas per year are availableto qualified individuals seekingpermanent resident status on thebasis of their engagement in a newcommercial enterprise.Of the 10,000 investor visas (i.e.,EB-5 visas) available annually, 5,000are set aside for those who applyunder a pilot program involving aCIS-designated “Regional Center.”A “Regional Center:”• Is an entity, organization oragency that has been approved assuch by the Service;• Focuses on a specific geographicarea within the United States; and ,• Seeks to promote economicgrowth through increased exportsales, improved regional productivity,creation of new jobs, and increaseddomestic capital investment.“Alien investors” must:• Demonstrate that a “qualified investment”(see below) is being madein a new commercial enterpriselocated within an approved RegionalCenter; and,• Show, using reasonable methodologies,that 10 or more jobs areactually created either directly orindirectly by the new commercial enterprisethrough revenues generatedfrom increased exports, improvedregional productivity, job creation,or increased domestic capital investmentresulting from the pilotprogram.EligibilityPermanent resident status basedon EB-5 eligibility is available toinvestors, either alone or comingwith their spouse and unmarriedchildren. Eligible aliens are thosewho have invested—or are activelyin the process of investing—therequired amount of capital into anew commercial enterprise that theyhave established. They must furtherdemonstrate that this investment willbenefit the United States economyand create the requisite number offull-time jobs for qualified personswithin the United States.In general, “eligible individuals”include those:1. Who establish a new commercialenterprise by:· creating an original business;· purchasing an existing businessand simultaneously or subsequentlyrestructuring or reorganizing thebusiness such that a new commercialenterprise results; or· expanding an existing businessby 140 percent of the pre-investmentnumber of jobs or net worth, or retainingall existing jobs in a troubledbusiness that has lost 20 percent ofits net worth over the past 12 to 24AppearancesCuts Foil HighlightsColor WaxingPerms Gifts/Jewelrymonths; and2. Who have invested—or who areactively in the process of investing—in a new commercial enterprise:· at least $1,000,000, or· at least $500,000 where the investmentis being made in a “targetedemployment area,” which is an areathat has experienced unemploymentof at least 150 per cent of the nationalaverage rate or a rural area as designatedby OMB; and3. Whose engagement in a newcommercial enterprise will benefitthe United States economy and:· create full-time employment fornot fewer than 10 qualified individuals;or· maintain the number of existingemployees at no less than thepre-investment level for a period ofat least two years, where the capitalinvestment is being made in a“troubled business,” which is a businessthat has been in existence for atleast two years and that has lost 20percent of its net worth over the past12 to 24 months.As always, should you need anyfurther information please contactthe office.New Board MemberChicago Irish Immigrant Supportis happy to announce the additionof a new board member. She is Ms.Fiona McEntee and hails from Dublin.Fiona is an immigration attorneyand will in future be available to ouroffice, providing help and assistanceon a pro bono basis. We are delightedthat Fiona has joined our center andvery grateful to her for providingadvise on a wide range of issues.Wait For the BrickA young and successful executivewas traveling down a neighborhoodstreet, going a bit too fast in his newJaguar. He was watching for kidsdarting out from between parked carsand slowed down when he thought hesaw something. As his car passed, nochildren appeared. Instead, a brick229 N Northwest Highway, Park RidgeCall Mary Today!847-825-7615smashed into the Jag’s side door! Heslammed on the brakes and drovethe Jag back to the spot where thebrick had been thrown. The angrydriver then jumped out of the car,grabbed the nearest kid and pushedhim up against a parked car, shouting,“What was that all about andwho are you?Just what the heck are you doing?That’s a new car and that brickyou threw is going to cost a lot ofmoney.Why did you do it?”The young boy was apologetic.“Please mister …please, I’m sorry…I didn’t know what else to do,” hepleaded.“I threw the brick because no oneelse would stop…”With tears dripping down his faceand off his chin, the youth pointed toa spot just around a parked car.“It’s my brother,” he said.“He rolled off the curb and fellout of his wheelchair and I can’t lifthim up.”Now sobbing, the boy asked thestunned executive, “Would youplease help me get him back intohis wheelchair? He’s hurt and he’stoo heavy for me.”Moved beyond words, the drivertried to swallow the rapidly swellinglump in his throat. He hurriedlylifted the handicapped boy back intothe wheelchair, then took out hisfancy handkerchief and dabbed atthe fresh scrapes and cuts. A quicklook told him everything was goingto be okay.“Thank you and May God blessyou,” the grateful child told thestranger.Too shook up for words, the mansimply watched the little boy pushhis wheelchair-bound brother downthe sidewalk toward their home. Itwas a long, slow walk back to theJaguar. The damage was very noticeable,but the driver never botheredto repair the dented side door. Hekept the dent there to remind him ofthis message: Don’t go through lifeso fast that someone has to throw abrick at you to get your attention!Should you have any comments,questions or suggestions, please feelfree to contact me @ sliabhanoir@yahoo.com. Or 312-337-8445.LOTS FOR SALEWith Plans & PermitsTo Build Three UnitBuilding For $130,000Southeast AndSouthwest SidesCall Bud312-287-5813We Get LettersJuly 5, 2008Dear Editor,In reference to John Fitzgerald’sLetter to the Editor concerning theChristian Brothers in July’s paper, Ifeel compelled to add my voice andshare my own experiences as a ChristianBrother pupil of 11 years duration(1960-71). My Primary and Secondaryeducation at Marino and Fairview,Dublin respectively, afford me a longtermperspective and adequate basis forfair reflection of my experiences.They are most overwhelmingly positivein so many different ways. Over theyears I have learned of some horribledepartures from my own experience andthis letter is not intended to diminishor mitigate any of these crimes againstchildren, but hopefully to show that thegreater number of Irish Christian Brotherswere exactly as John Fitzgerald andI remember them. Selfless, dedicatedand uncompromising in the pursuitof what was for them a vocation asopposed to an avocation. I can recallcountless hours of instruction and revisionin preparation for exams, hoursafter school coaching us in Football andHurling and so on. These “extras” wereprovided above and beyond what mighthave been expected of lay teachers. Layteachers, laden with family responsibilitieswere, through no fault of their own,limited in their capacities to deliver verymuch outside “school hours”.Certainly one was expected to be ontime, have homework completed, payattention in class, be respectful etc. andthere were penalties for any shortcomingson our part. However for the mostpart, and keep in mind that 11 yearsis a decent length of time, I have nomemory of a punishment undeservedor extreme in any way.Finally, having come to America(University of Pittsburgh) on a scholarship,the preparation provided by thesemen allowed me to complete a 4 yearUndergraduate program (BA Magnacum Laude) in 2 years, at night, whileworking a minimum of 20 hours aweek as allowed under my visa provisions.I can assure your readers thatthis was NOT so much a function ofmy own academic capabilities as itwas the countless hours of guidanceand encouragement of the Brotherswho endowed me with the ability tochallenge 36 College credits successfullyin the basic degree requirementsoutside my elected major. With no disrespectintended to my erstwhile classmates, the Brothers had fortified mefar beyond what I had even realised atthe time. I was grateful then and continueto feel a responsibility to raise myvoice in support of these men.Yours Sincerely,Sean McCloreyPittsburgh, PA

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 41CareersWould These Five“Rules” Work For You?By James F. Fitzgerald, CPAOne of the really nice parts aboutwriting a newspaper column is thatyou get mail from your readers. Fortunatelymost of the emails I havegotten over the last several yearshave been positive. But they tend tobe “atta boy” type comments. I don’tget a great number of specific suggestionsor comments about futurecolumns. However, in response tomy May column, I did get such aspecific recommendation.A dear friend, Maureen KaneWade, who has been a teacher andcareer guidance counselor for a lotof years, said she made it a point totell “her” kids that there were five“things” they needed to do to keeptheir jobs. As the kids say, damnstraight stuff:1. Show up every day2. Be on time.3. Follow directions4. Get along with your co-workers5. Be able to be trusted.Show Up Every DayIf you are fortunate, the majorityof your (fellow) employees show upat their work place most days. Whatif they don’t? You lose the ability tointeract with them. You don’t haveaccess to their best thinking. Youdon’t have the continuity of action/reactions that is present when youreview yesterday’s decisions/deliberationswith your fellows.The absence of an employeeupsets the cohesiveness of the team;the absentee needs to be brought upto speed when s/he returns to work.At some level, that is a waste of valuabletime. Had the person been atwork the previous day, you wouldn’thave to dedicate your time to playing“court reporter”. Think about any setof circumstances when a key playeris missing; the team simply doesn’toperate the same.Should attendance be a hiring criterionwhen people are being interviewed?Don’t you think you shouldbe exploring the interviewee’s workethic? Even if a person is a greatperformer isn’t his/her contributionto the team significantly lessenedif you don’t know if they cannot berelied upon to be there.Is the employee ‘PRESENT’when they are physically present in ameeting? Shouldn’t you at the supervisorexpect them to be fully investedin the immediate conversation?Be On TimeTimeliness has been a fetish ofmine for as long as I can remember.It fascinates me how lovely;thoughtful people can be obliviousto other people’s time. Obviouslyone interpretation of a person’s latearrival is their disdain for the otherperson’s time; my time is clearlymore important than yours. I hada client who was “always” late forstaff meetings. His team saw it as alack of respect problem rather than atime management problem. The bosswas “dissing” his staff. Even whenhe did in fact have something moreimportant to do, he was not forgivenfor his tardiness. The presumptionwas that he is always late anyway,why should I believe that he wasreally more gainfully occupied withsome other matter this time?Once you get past the lack of respectbeing evidenced, you have thepractical considerations. If a personis late by 15 minutes, it might meanthat you now have 15 less minutesto handle the scheduled agendaitems. Alternatively, the tardy personhas put the squeeze on the otherperson(s) in attendance.Commonly people will say, s/heis always late, plan for it. Soundsnice, but it is the rationalization ofan enabler. A friend of mine has a15 minute rule; if the other personis late by more than 15 minutes, heleaves the rendezvous point. Hesays he refuses to be held hostageby another’s insensitivity. What’syour experience, do you think a 15minute rule would be helpful in yourdealings with others?Follow DirectionsAgain, an issue that seems soobvious, how could it be a problem?Well, it is for many people. To startwith, giving understandable directionsis a challenge. We may betelling someone to do somethingthat we know backward and forward,how could the listener not know whatis meant? Try to describe to anotherintelligent person how to changea baby’s diaper. Many of us whohave changed hundreds of diapersnormally don’t think about how it isdone; we just know. But obviouslyif you have to explain it to someoneelse, they don’t know. So you need towork on your ability to either give oraccept understandable directions.If the direction giver is not clearin his/her expectations, ask forclarity at the front end. Don’t waituntil both of you are frustrated bythe explanation. If you don’t agreewith the directions, respectfully askfor clarification, it will minimize thechance of misunderstanding. Betterto annoy the direction giver at thebeginning of the process, than lateron, when a lot of time has elapsed,at which time you are also fightinga significant time problem.Get Along WithYour Co WorkersOne of the biggest problems withpeople being properly integrated intoa new job situation is their inability toget along with their fellow employees.To a very large extent, it can be facilitatedby your decision to get along.Not to roll over, but to get along.Frequently new hires don’t establishalliances with their fellow workers.They haven’t acquired the supportof their fellows. Instead they believethat the deciding factor of their successwill be the product of their workor their industry knowledge.Think of the people who havebeen successful in your own organization.When the boss asked howthe “new person” was doing, s/hereceived positive feedback becausethe new employee had acquired support,not because s/he had sold thebiggest order in the firm’s history. Onthe other hand, if the response to theboss’ question is timid and reserved,that probably will be perceived negativelyby the boss.To acquire the support of one’sfellow co workers does not requireyou to be a panderer or unusuallysolicitous, but rather you need to betrue to yourself. I heard someone say,“I don’t know what it will take foryou to be successful, but I do knowwhat it takes to fail; trying to pleaseeveryone”.Need To Be TrustworthySome people are defined by theirtrustworthiness; even their enemiesknow that you can “go to the bank”with their word.Examples of trustworthiness haveto be “demonstrated” not just stated.Many of us want to see evidence.Will these people do what they saythey will do? Are you seen as a trustworthyperson? If a fellow employeetells you something in confidencecan they be comfortable in believingthat you will hold this matter in thestrictest of confidence?Well, what do you think of Maureen’sadmonitions to her students?How do they apply to you and youremployees? Maureen’s commentscould be useful for individuals atany level in an organization, but thethrust of them seems to be directedtowards the new employee, perhaps arecent high school or college graduatejust entering the work force.Two other friends have offeredto provide other perspectives. Inmy upcoming column in September,Bob Ward, a very accomplishedexecutive search consultant, withhis own firm headquartered in Naperville,will provide a view of whatclients tell him they want in theirnew employees. In my Novembercolumn, Tim Corry, Vice President-Human Resources for Jewel FoodStores, will provide his perspectiveas an employer of a large number ofpeople at all levels.In addition to the five rules MaureenKane Wade has suggested to herstudents, I would add one more. Asprofessor and author, Jeffrey A. Timmons,says, “ALWAYS DO WHATYOU SAY YOU ARE GOING TODO. It is the glue and fiber thatbinds successful relationships.” Itseems to me that this rule could bethe synopsis of all the above five.Carpe Diem.James F. Fitzgerald, president ofJames F. Fitzgerald & Associates,Inc., an Oak Brook, IL-basedsenior executive coaching andsenior executive career transitionfirm. Phone: 630-684-2204. Email:jamesffitz@sbcglobal.netIrish Home PicturesGet personal pictures of yourold Irish home, photographedby our professional team ofphotographers.www.irishhomepictures.com

42 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 2008For The RepublicChris FogartyWHAT HAPPENED to oureconomy; to gas and food prices,to so many mortgages now“upside-down”? How did the corporationsmanage to again quashorganized labor? How did CEOsget to usurp the wealth createdby corporate workforces? Nearlyall of the pain and injury is dueto gov’t policies. Bush’s $10 billionper month criminal war onIraq would, by itself, eventuallybankrupt our nation (unless heactually pulls off his robbery ofits oil). While Bush is responsiblefor his Iraq war and thesub-prime mortgage scam, partof other damages is due to earlieradministrations.OUR MILITARY in Iraq andAfghanistan are grossly underpaid.As enlistments drop, so dostandards. Convicts and mentalincompetents are now recruited.Meanwhile, our 130,000 force ofmercenaries are carefully vetted;not for technical competence butfor political orientation. Entre tothat $1,600 per day and all foundlife of leisure and criminal impunityis granted only, or mostly, toRepublicans. Their constructioncompetence is such that, so far,thirteen of our serving armedforces have been electrocuted byfaulty wiring in showers. Fourteenhospitals for which US contractorshave been paid to builddon’t actually exist. The moneywas paid to contractors who nevereven began construction.BUSH’S WARS and his otherdecisions have all proven to betreasury-looting opportunities forhis corporate cronies. Ditto Katrina:the money ostensibly spentfor its victims was given directlyto corporations, $3 billion for100,000 trailers that proved to beformaldehyde-contaminated andcontinue to cost us $130 millionannually to store. Bush contractorsoperate on a pay-to-play basis– whoever pays the biggest bribesgets the contracts.IT WAS ABOUT OIL afterall! Bush/Cheney’s “StrategicFramework Agreement” (SFA)proves it. Under its terms Iraq’s1958 nationalization of its ownoil resources is undone. It restoresthe self-same four oil giants that,as set up by the Brits in 1930,had looted Iraq’s oil until 1958.The four wrote the new oil exploitation“contracts” which theymerely handed to Iraq’s Nourial-Maliki as mandates. The SFAmakes Iraq a permanent vassalstate coerced by 52 new US basesmanned by troops immune toIraqi laws. Thus the 1.3 milliondead Iraqis are nonentities. Dittothe untold hundreds of thousandsinjured. The five million refugeeswe have created cannot returndue to ongoing violence. Wepump their oil as if it’s ours, afterreducing their cities and townsto rubble. And despite the propagandists’“patriotic” blather, our4,120 troops’ deaths comprisepart of Bush’s Supreme Crime.THE SUB-PRIME SCAM;the largest swindle ever, is nowroiling international markets. Itsperpetrators still strut the corridorsof Bush power, unprosecuted.A bio: As senator, Phil Grammwas successfully $lobbied byEnron which had constant accessto his office. Gramm’s wifeWendy was appointed to Enron’sboard of directors. Enron ChiefKen Lay co-chaired Gramm’s1992 presidential campaign. Afterdefrauding $billions with gov’tcomplicity, Enron collapsedand a few of its officers wereconvicted, but not its enablersin gov’t. In 2000 Sen. Grammsurreptitiously introduced “TheCommodity Futures ModernizationAct.” The Republicancontrolled congress enacted it to”reduce red tape” and to “free upour futures markets.” That was thelaw that “legalized” the sub-primeswindle that has now wreckedthe international financial systemand our once-almighty dollar.In addition to the current waveof foreclosures and corruptionof the world’s retirement fundsGramm’s Commodity FuturesModernization Act has createdskyrocketing prices at the gaspump and food stores. Accordingto The Nation magazine, priorto his entry into political officeGramm was a producer of softcorepornography movies. Havingbeen so instrumental in creatingthe sub-prime scam and its consequentwave of foreclosures, Sen.Gramm now $advises the UnionBank of Switzerland on how toescape its effect. He is also chiefeconomic and financial advisorto Sen. McCain, and last weekreferred to his scam’s victims as“a nation of whiners.” This is noplug for Obama whose toadyingto AIPAC’s genocidists (alongwith Hillary and McCain) speaksfor itself. American patriots havenever been more challenged; ourgov’t systematically violates nineof our Constitution’s first tenamendments. It is very doubtfulwhether our Constitution will everbe restored.THE “MISERY INDEX,” thesum of US unemployment andinflation rates, is now the highestsince January, 1993.CAPITALISM TRIUMPHS!Good old Free Enterprise wins!That is how financial TV is “reporting”yesterday’s $100 billiongiveaway to the main sub-primepredators. They hadn’t completedpalming off on pension funds allof their fraudulent “AAA-Rated”paper and had thus bankruptedthemselves. Why such gov’t largesseto those bankrupts? They,the mortgage companies, alongwith medical insurance companies,are massive political contributors,including to Obama’s andMcCain’s campaigns. Fannie Maeand Freddie Mac alone had spent$200 million to buy freedom fromthe regulations prohibiting thevery crimes that had now ruinedthem. They own or guaranteesome $6 trillion in mortgages,some of it fictitious. Sen. PhilGramm was their main man. AsMcCain’s financial guru his trailof wreckage will continue.TORTURE. Bush’s Britishcollaborators are backingaway. According to The Guardian(7/11/08) Britain’s DefenseMinistry will pay a total of $5.6millions to ten Iraqi families includingthat of Baha Mousa. Britsoldiers tortured the ten, localhotel workers, beating Mr. Mousato death, inflicting 91 separateinjuries before dumping him intoa latrine. Mousa’s children willshare in the compensation. Anearlier court martial had clearedall soldiers of the crimes exceptingone who, earlier, had admittedhis participation. Meanwhile,Physicians for Human Rightshas just published a report detailingthe medical evidence ofdetainee torture at the hands ofUS personnel in Iraq, Afghanistanand Guantánamo. US Maj.Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret.)wrote the report’s preface thataccuses the Bush administrationof war crimes. He wrote: “Theprofiles of these eleven formerdetainees, none of whom wereever charged with a crime ortold why they were detained,are tragic and brutal rebuttalsto those who claim that tortureis ever justified. Through theexperiences of these men in Iraq,Afghanistan, and GuantánamoBay, we can see the full scope ofthe damage this illegal and unsoundpolicy has inflicted – bothon American institutions and ournation’s founding values, whichthe military, intelligence services,and our justice system are dutyboundto defend.“In order for these individualsto suffer the wanton crueltyto which they were subjected, agovernment policy was promulgatedto the field whereby theGeneva Conventions and theUniform Code of Military Justicewere disregarded. The UNConvention Against Torture wasindiscriminately ignored. AndHoroscopesBy Theresa CastroARIES: The total solar eclipse ofAugust 2008 will fall in your sectorof creativity. If you don’t believe youhave any creative talents, those latentor denied gifts could come roaring tothe forefront for the world to observe.Also you could have a possible additionto your family. “Oops!”TAURUS: Someone creative mayenter your private world. You will begiven a possible chance at profoundhappiness that is all your own thatyou will keep very private and outof the limelight. This suits you justfine because you tend to be a privateperson anyway.GEMINI: The whole gang is withyou this month. The flurry of activitycan be mind boggling. You may be upfor some serious comings and goingsand a lot of errand running for a possiblemove or new job, or both.CANCER: Suddenly you have alot of financial dealings for better orworse depending on the aspects inyour individual chart. If you wereborn in the first half of July the financialsituation is a bit rosier thanif you were born in the second partof the month.LEO: The spotlight is on you thismonth as a rare total eclipse of thesun puts you at center stage. Newground can be broken in areas thatwill promote you in the best possiblelight. Use this time to further yourpersonal projects.VIRGO: There is a lot going onthat you are blissfully unaware of.Someone in the background is reelingin awe of you from a distance. Or,someone is championing your causeanonymously. There is also a chancethat some sort of shenanigans goingon behind your back.the healing professions, includingphysicians and psychologists,became complicit in the willfulinfliction of harm against thosethe Hippocratic Oath demandsthey protect.“After years of disclosures bygovernmental investigations, mediaaccounts, and human rights reports,there remains no doubt thatthe current administration hascommitted war crimes. The onlyquestion remaining is whetherthose who ordered the torturewill be prosecuted.” Where areAmerica’s patriots; those swornto defend its Constitution?WHO ARE THE TERROR-ISTS re Occupied Ireland? Seeterrorismireland.org.WHICH BRIT REG’Tstarved your relatives? See irishholocaust.org.Contact me at 312664 7651 or fogartyc@att.net.LIBRA: You are in the process ofshifting your world around. Finances,job, and even personal relationshipsare undergoing far reaching changesthat will make your life a happierand more complete one. Don’t beafraid to open new doors while closingothers.SCORPIO: Your tenth sector ofcareer and public image will be verymuch in the foreground. Do or saynothing that will come back to hauntyou. If you are beginning a personalrelationship with someone you wantto last, use patience and caution. Alleyes are on you so watch it.SAGITTARIUS: The new mooneclipse is helping your cause so donot squander this opportunity. Youare about to meet new people fromsome other culture or have a possiblechance to travel. You will be greatlyenlightened by new and unusualexperiences.CAPRICORN: Your health coulduse some serious attention. This doesnot mean that you have major issuesrelated to this area but it could indicatea need for some revisions in thearea of diet and exercise. Try to getenough rest.AQUARIUS: Your significantother could be giving you fits. Thetotal eclipse in Leo, the sign directlyopposite yours, representseverything and everyone outside ofyourself. Also you will be the recipientof a lot of attention and it wouldbe to your advantage to behave withdignity and restraint.PISCES: This is no time forfence sitting. You have a tendency towaffle on important issues and thistime decisive action is called for. Usethis time to prove your mettle and putyour best foot forward in your mostcherished plan.

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 43Visit Nine Irish Brothersin West LaFayette, IndianaThe founding of Jameson’s Dublin Distilleryin 1780 established a tradition for qualityand success. On Monday, August 11, from7:30-9pm, O’Bryan’s Nine Irish Brothers(119 Howard Ave. in West Lafayette, IN)Publisher Cliff Carlson at Nine Irish Brotherswith owners Jerry and Jan O'Bryanwill host an informal tasting, led by WhiskeyExpert Andrew Featherstone, exploring theJameson product line. Registration is limitedto 40 people. Accompanied by appetizers, thetasting will last approximately one hour andwill be followed by an informal question-andanswersession. The price of $20 includesappetizers and tastings for one person. Thefull amount must be paid upon registration.If you would like to register, call (765) 746-4782. O’Bryan’s Nine Irish BrothersWe Get Letters07/03/08Browsing the IANI have just finished browsing my July editionof IAN and would like to mention a few thingsregarding some of the columns this month.1. Sporting Log. Sean Og, definitely needto change the name of this column to “TheGAA Log.”2. Sharing a Pint. Scott Powers, Scottsays, got married on April 25th in SpiddalIreland, she’s American but her family is halfIrish/half British roots, so I say half of meloves her and half of me hates her, even injoking, why would half of you hate her becauseher family has half British roots? Scott,do you really know what you are insinuating,I was born in Wales which makes me British,“Do you hate me”?3. For the Republic. Chris Fogarty, anotherdepressing column this month from Chris,after reading page for page and feeling quitehappy, you then get to the last one and depressionsets in, Brit bashing, Bush bashing, TheBush gang, Which Brit Reg’t starved yourrelatives, Who are the Terrorists, The Irishholocaust, he is surely a bundle of laughs everymonth, Is Chris going to Ireland once and forall to sort out the British single handed, letme know in the August edition of the grandIrishAmericanNews.Tony (Chesterton, IN)