Carnival in Italy: origins, traditions, typical sweets and the most famous masks
Carnival in Italy and some curiosities concerning its origins. There are various attributions regarding the etymology of the word 'Carnival'. The most common and accredited one would make it derive from the Latin 'carnem levare', meaning to abolish meat from the diet, popularly translated as 'carne-vale'. It stood for the last meat banquet held the...
Massimo Bottura of Netflix’s ‘Chef’s Table’ Is Opening a Restaurant in Downtown Miami
One of the world’s most celebrated chefs, Massimo Bottura, is bringing his popular Italian restaurant Torno Subito to Downtown Miami later this year. It will be located on the rooftop of Julia & Henry’s, a seven-story entertainment and culinary space that is slated to debut this spring. The restaurant, which Michelin recently recognized with one st...
Madonna's Parents: From Losing Her Mom When She Was 5 to Rocky Relationship with Dad
Born and raised in Michigan, Madonna was one of seven children in a big Italian family named after her French-Canadian mother, Madonna Louise Ciccone, who died at 30 from breast cancer. The loss changed the Material girl's life forever. As her mother's death drew near, Madonna noticed the difference in her but was too young to understand what was h...
‘Don Camillo’ stories still offer wisdom for our political divisions
C.S. Lewis once said, “No book is worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally — and often far more — worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.” Lewis’ observation rang true for me while revisiting the Don Camillo books of Italian writer Giavannino Guareschi. I first read them at 13, but this rereading left me wondering what I got from...
Beer, Bocce & Beloved Memories at Nuova Aurora Club
Erie is a town with a long history of social clubs. Some clubs have lost membership over the years. Some have faded away. Others continue to thrive. One popular club, on the west side, has been around for 115 years. It’s the Nuova Aurora Club in the section of town called ‘Little Italy.’ As with many social clubs in Erie, the Nuova Aurora repr...
Joseph Panetta remembered as a “buon uomo” by his brother
Joseph Robert Panetta, 89, of Pebble Beach, died Dec. 19, 2022, and will be remembered as “a buon uomo, a good man,” according to his brother Leon Panetta. Joseph Panetta was born Aug. 2, 1933, in Sheridan, Wyoming to Carmelo and Carmelina Panetta. The family would move to Monterey, then Carmel Valley. Joseph Panetta attended San Carlos Elementary...
Tradition of the month: the cult of Sant'Antonio Abate
On the 17th of January, Italians celebrate Sant’Antonio Abate, known in English as Saint Anthony of Egypt or Saint Anthony the Great. Anthony is a saint of the early Church and he is considered the first saint hermit, as well as one of the fathers of monasticism. In Italy, he is traditionally considered a santo contadino, that is, a saint connected...
Takeout restaurant Johnny Pomodoro opens in Charlestown
Chef Johnny Burke recently opened Johnny Pomodoro, a takeaway homestyle Italian spot in Charlestown. The restaurant takes over the former New Speedy Chen’s location at 297 Main St. Burke also owns and operates Johnny Burke Catering & Events, which used to run Johnny’s Takeaway in West Roxbury. The homestyle menu includes comfort foods like tray piz...
NIASHF to honor Harris, Salvi
The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame will host its 44th annual gala and induction ceremony on Feb. 17 at Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove Village. This year’s inductees will be LPGA champion Missie Bereotti, Pro Football Hall of Famer Alan Faneca, Henry Repeating Arms Founder and CEO Anthony Imperato, White Sox legend Paul Konerko and W...
This Cliffside Hotel on the Amalfi Coast Offers Some of Italy’s Best Views
Hotel Miramalfi is a hotel situated in the beautiful town of Positano, Italy. It offers guests an unforgettable experience with stunning views of the Amalfi Coast and Tyrrhenian Sea. The hotel itself has been around since 1987, when it was established by local families who wanted to share their passion for hospitality and the beautiful Italian cult...
Wine producer Cantina Goccia develops filling machine for paper bottles
Italian wine producer Cantina Goccia has developed what it claims is the “world’s first” purpose-built filling machine for paper bottles. The facility, which is based at its Umbria winery, will initially fill 1,000 paper bottles per hour, with the opportunity to double capacity in the future. Since Cantina Goccia launched its own paper-packaged wi...
Nutley UNICO Holds its January Meeting at Mamma Vittoria
Nutley UNICO, a Chapter of UNICO National, held its monthly meeting Thursday, January 5th welcoming several new members: Sharon Balsamo, William Cutillo, Daniel Ervolino and Joseph Trentacost. The Mille Grazie Award was given to Maurice Ferraro for his service to Nutley UNICO and the highlight of the evening, besides the outstanding menu, was Phil ...