Gulf Shore Life article, Naples, Florida

Time Travel with Brian Ungar

Thursday July 10, 2015 8:00 PM EDT
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/destinations/florida/miami/os-travel-channel-al-capone-miami-20150708-story.html

My uncle Al Capone helped black entertainers.

Dear Deirdre,

   I just ordered your book and I'm so excited to get it. I have been fascinated with your Uncle's story for years now. He was good friends with Cab Calloway. Cab's grandson Christopher (he runs the Cab Calloway Orchestra) is a very dear friend of mine and Chris often tells me how wonderful your uncle was to the black community and treated black entertainers with courtesy, respect and paid them what white performers were getting paid. I think perhaps the reason your uncle was considered an enemy of the state was because he was for helping the every day man. I live in NYC right now. They have recently begun tearing down your Uncle's old haunt in Gowanus to make luxury apts. That seems to be the way NYC is going right now. But I have always enjoyed the stories from the old vets talking about the good ol days when respect was in and Capone lived down the block. These guys have to be in their mid to late 90's now. This must have been right before he went to Chicago.

Needless to say I want to thank you for writing the book. I can't wait to read it and get insight from people who knew him personally and not on a glamorized Hollywood level. I've always loved that he set up the first soup kitchen in Chicago.

Anyway I hope to meet you one day and once again I am so excited to read your book.  Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend.

Katelan