We hope Jim Capaldi, director of the state Department of Transportation, doesn’t faint when he reads the following sentence. The DOT did an absolutely exemplary job of imploding the old Jamestown Bridge, on time and without a fault. Phillipe & Jorge have been critics of many DOT projects, but this one was, well, pardon our French, a pisser.
P&J were located at West Ferry in Jamestown when the charges went off, and it was an amazing treat. The shore was mobbed, and when the bridge blew and the main span dropped straight down into Narragansett Bay, it was breathtaking. The sound of the explosives, arriving after about a two-second delay, drew gasps from the assembled, and then a round of spontaneous applause. Your superior correspondents’ reporter in Newport, the lovely Aunt B., who was unable to be on-site, reported hearing the concussion on Aquidneck Island.
Not to be disrespectful, but a blind man standing near us seemed as intrigued as anyone else — a true tribute to this historical event. Any showcase that can give a rush to an unsighted person falls into a special category. And the range of ages on hand guarantees a fitting fond remembrance, both for those who nearly had panic attacks driving across the old bridge and the kids who will remember it as one of the best pyrotechnic shows ever.
Cue Demolition Man, please.
Special delivery
Your superior correspondents were quite surprised to receive a voicemail message from Carl Sheeler, Democratic candidate for US Senate, wishing Phillipe a happy birthday on April 17, and pointing out that P. shares that date with Jack Nicholson and William Shakespeare (which he didn’t know), as well as Nikita Khruschev and Jayne Mansfield, who were both close personal friends of P. prior to their respective demise.
How Sheeler came up with this information (unless it was from the police blotter or ACI records), we don’t know, but it was a savvy bit of public relations. P., however, was quite disappointed not to receive a card or present in the mail to celebrate this special occasion. Phillipe was hoping for at least a gift certificate to a tanning salon, but these politicians are so self-centered. (Sheeler, by the way, has put out a statement claiming that he, with $200,000 on hand, compared with a smaller amount for Matt Brown, is the only viable Democrat still in the race against Sherbert Whitebread.)
At any rate, thanks Carl.
Julie Pell: a very special person
A dear friend, a Casa Diablo regular and truly inspiring individual, passed away from her battle with lung cancer this week, and words can’t really express what she meant to so many. Julie Pell was a powerful voice for civil rights, and peace and justice. Julie was courageous, steadfast, articulate, and passionate, and she used her talents to make life better for all of us in the Biggest Little.
She was in the vanguard of out-lesbian women 25 years ago, a time when superior behaviorists were being denied work opportunities, getting fired and bounced from apartments merely because of their sexual orientation. Julie spoke out, took leadership roles in LGBT affairs, and in doing so, inspired others to come out and fight. This, in itself, made Julie a hero to so many of us and especially gave heart to gay and questioning youth.
