Jason Grant noticed an older, distinguished-looking man having dinner at a restaurant in Il Borro, Italy. Grant asked the maître d’ to pass along a message that he wanted to say hello to the man — Ferruccio Ferragamo of the luxury Italian footwear brand family. A few minutes later, Grant and Ferragamo met. The next day, Ferragamo gave Grant a priva...

Whether they know of his name or not, many Pitt students are familiar with the work of the late artist Virgil Cantini. His art adorns many buildings around campus, ranging from the sculpture in front of Lawrence Hall to the murals in Posvar Hall and the Chevron Science Center.  Cantini was even behind the hanging metal sculpture in Posvar, “Skyscap...

From humble beginnings in the former Century III Mall, Italian Village Pizza recently sold it’s 100 millionth slice. It took nearly 44 years and many locations, but the Pittsburgh long-time pizza tradition got it done. It all started with Frank Veltri Sr., who came from Italy to New York City at the age of 12 in 1967. Fast forward to 1980. Veltri h...

Sunday, February 25, 2024, noon - 2 p.m. 5th floor Mueller Center - Heinz History Center - 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA. Register here. Join the Italian American Program to celebrate the reinstallation of Virgil Cantini’s mosaic mural in Downtown Pittsburgh. This panel discussion with experts in art, architecture, and historic preservation...

Many times we have described the historical and cultural reasons why attacks on Columbus are based on falsehoods, unacceptable and wrong. The Italian American comity is defending itself and the symbol it has chosen, in different ways. One of these ways is the legal way. Those who removed the Columbus statues and cancelled Columbus Day, not only obe...

ISDA Financial Life total member assets have eclipsed $381M, with millions more on the way from the fourth quarter of 2023. ISDA National President Basil M. Russo, National Controller Joann Blackwell, Sales Manager Jim Laick and ISDA Investment Manager Nick DePersis (along with Nick’s father, Ed) have elevated ISDA to a world-class organization, wh...

Michael Rosella, a member of the St. Jude Lodge of the ISDA, published a monograph of his photographic works entitled Pittsburgh Streets 1950s. The book was released in November with a book signing event at the Heinz History Center, which is part of the Smithsonian. The center’s Italian American Program sponsored the event as an evening in conversa...

La dolce vita has arrived in St. Pete. 9th Street Coffee & Bar is now open at 2930 Dr. MLK Jr. Street North, offering “Italian style” coffee, wine, pasta and more. The cozy cafe made its debut last week, open daily for both morning and evening service. We’ve yet to visit 9th Street Coffee & Bar ourselves, but the establishment promises a wide range...

In February, family-owned Vento's Pizza in East Liberty made its last pie after its owner, Al Vento Jr., called it quits after some 67 years in business. Vento's was a community staple not just for food. Starting in the 1970s, it became a hub for "Franco's Italian Army" after the fan club was started by Al Vento Sr. and other members of the Italian...

This large-model Nativity set is most commonly found in churches, not homes. The donor’s father, Joseph Marchetti, worked as an artist for the Joseph Poli Company. Established in 1890 in Pittsburgh's Lower Hill District, the company specialized in decor for churches such as statuary, altars, railings, fonts, and sacramental robes. This Nativity set...