Concert to honor local rock legend Norman Nardini
As Pittsburgh’s Mayor Bill Peduto declared Saturday “Norman Nardini Day,” honoring its native son’s 50 years as a musician, some might ask themselves, “Why?” Especially since Nardini grew up near Springdale. The self-described local “uncrowned king of rock ‘n’ roll” has proven to be an inexhaustible songwriter and performer whose music and comedic...
Our Lady of Grace feast & festival promises epicurean delights
“Mangia, mangia!” That’s the invitation, of sorts, Rev. Peter J. Gower issued during a special luncheon inside Fioretti Hall in Johnston. Father Gower almost insisted that a dozen plus Our Lady of Grace parishioners, who were working feverishly slicing green peppers that will be used for sausage and pepper sandwiches during this weekend’s annual It...
Bugatti owners gather for an upstate drive
When Italian-born Ettore Bugatti would go to work as a car manufacturer, he would do so on horseback. The maker of high-performance cars would incorporate his love of horses right in front of the car he would make. The grill is still shaped like a horseshoe. "Horses, horsepower seemed to be a winning combination," said Alan Rosenblum, who owns two...
Santa Barbara Considers Switch to Indigenous Peoples Day
An organized effort is afoot to petition the City of Santa Barbara to recognize the second Monday of October — traditionally celebrated as Columbus Day — as Indigenous Peoples Day instead. The Tribal Trust Foundation, a Santa Barbara–based organization that supports and preserves indigenous cultures all over the world, is working with the Barbareño...
West Haven Italian Festival Returns Sept. 8 and 9
Food, fun and music will take over the West Haven Italian American Club on Saturday, Sept. 8 and Sunday, Sept. 9, as the Italian Festival returns for it’s second year. A variety of food options will be available as well as a full bar and beer on tap. Saturday will feature a Bocce and Horseshoe tournament, starting at 3 p.m. Participants must sign u...
Madonnari Festival Takes Over The Streets of Little Italy Sept. 7-9
Over 50 artists from around the world have set up camp on the streets of Little Italy and have begun creating works of art with chalk this weekend. The Madonnari Festival is food, of course, music, and magnificent works of art in chalk. The festival runs beginning Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The artists are here to create and compe...
The oldest operating Catholic church in New England is in Maine
Think of Catholicism in New England and Boston’s churches probably come to mind. Indeed, St. Leonard, one of the oldest Catholic churches in the US, was built in 1873 by Italian immigrants at the corner of Hanover and Prince Streets in Boston’s North End. But the oldest continuously operating Catholic church in the area is actually found in Newcast...
Idyllic Lipari: legends, labor and love amid the azure waters
Even in a country like Italy blessed with immense beauty, the Aeolian Islands are a standout destination. The Aeolian archipelago – a group of seven islands and five islets afloat in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Sicily – was named after the Greek god Aeolus, “the keeper of the winds,” by Greek settlers. Today, it still offers impressive crys...
Calandra’s Provides Fresh From The Hearth Baked Solutions For Foodservice Industry
One of New Jersey’s most iconic retail bakeries has been sitting on a secret of sorts. Calandra’s Bakery is now offering a full line of breads and baked goods to the Metro New York food service professional. Since its launch in 1962, the family owned, and operated business has grown to a team of some 800 people. The Calandra story is truly one of t...
Making memories of a lifetime on experiential learning trip in Italy
It was around this time last year that my parents began nagging me to get information about the Italy Experiential Learning Seminar. At that point, they were more interested in me getting to experience Italy than I was. My maternal grandfather, or nonno, was initially from Italy, so I was not completely clueless about Italian culture. That being sa...
Mondays with Authors: A conversation with Terri-Lynne DeFino about Bar Harbor and more
New Jersey-born-and-raised Terri-Lynne DeFino doesn’t remember a time in her life when she wasn’t writing. “I love words, I’ve always loved words,” she said. “I spoke four different languages. I can read Italian, and at Ramapo High School they let me take French, Spanish and German all at the same time. I’ve always known. It was always there.” DeFi...
Ten photos you might not guess were taken in Italy
Think Italy is all Roman ruins, winding coast and Renaissance architecture? Think again. When your country extends from the Alps to the Mediterranean and has centuries of diverse history, it's sure to hide some unexpected sights. Here are ten photos that you might be surprised to learn were taken in Italy.