NEWS FROM : EAST  

by Heather Haddon   New Jersey Italians are still likely to lose their one full-time consulate, but they are getting a reprieve from the closure of another nearby office. A proposal by the Italian government to shut its consulate in Philadelphia was averted after appeals from Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and Patrick Tiberi (R-OH), accordi...

The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera) invites the public to celebrate its 25th anniversary year with its new Bring the Family to the Opera program. To launch the program, the only grand opera company in Bergen County is offering several special ticket offers for children, senior citizens, and individuals to see the company's p...

The Director of the Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America, Dr. Mary Ann Re, is delighted to announce that, recognizing the importance of acknowledging and motivating excellence in the teaching of Italian, the Coccia family and Lawrence Inserra, Jr., have generously increased to $4,000 the monetary prize associated with the Teaching...

The South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble will present its 18th anniversary spring concert, "A Touch of Italy," 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 28 at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Galloway Township.   The concert will take the audience on a musical journey through Italy with such well known and loved pieces as, "The...

The Ho-Ho-Kus Board of Education and school administrators praised students in the Italian program, along with their teacher Rina Miraglia, at the May 6 Board of Education meeting for recent recognition of their excellence.   Three students were awarded by the Coccia Foundation — an organization that promotes and preserves the Italian langua...

Frank Sinatra's first New Jersey driver's license sold for $15,575 Thursday night. RR Auction sold the 80-year-old license, which was issued to a then unknown-19-year-old Sinatra. Of course, the state of New Jersey didn't quite spell the Chairman of the Board's name correctly.   License No. 549631 was issued to a "Francis Sintra" of 841 Gar...

The Order Sons of Italy in America, Dan DiMucci Lodge, Martinsburg/Hagerstown, recently presented a check to the St. Leo's Catholic Church food pantry. The O.S.I.A. is extremely proud to celebrate its rich Italian heritage. If you are of Italian heritage and would like to meet with fellow Italians, contact the O.S.I.A. The local lodge meets the las...

by Robert Langdom   Gallery U Boutique is pleased to host Wild Ginger, an exhibition of recent artwork—some being exhibited for the first time—by Westfield, NJ, abstract artists Francesca Azzara and Gail Winbury. An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, September 19, 2014, from 6-8 PM. All are welcome. Wild Ginger will be exhibited...

When: Saturday, September 6th 2pm to 8pmWhere: 1034 Jeanette Avenue Union NJ   Union Police Officer and IAPSNJ Member Dave Cuozzo is paralyzed from a catastrophic medical event and is in need. Tickets are priced at $25 per person and our organization will be making a presentation for a $500 donation at the event.   I hope that you can...

Two of my favorite things to do is to listen to live jazz music and anything Italian. And the best place to listen to a live jazz show is at Georgetown's iconic Blues Alley. So, CiaoDC is syced to bring you l'Italian Jazz Series, a perfect evening out on the town. The Italian Embassy has organized l'Italian Jazz Series, which will be hosted by Blue...

In 2013, the Mercer County Italian American Festival Committee donated and erected a statute of Christopher Columbus on the site of their building in Hamilton Township, a municipality comprised OF 70% Italian Americans. Shortly thereafter, irresponsible vandals defaced the statute by blackening the face. Cavaliere John Scarpati called it a despicab...

The Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day Parade Committee will host its Honoree Dinner Gala at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Nanina's in the Park in Belleville. For tickets, call Barbara Freda at 973-650-3849 or Melissa Matturro at 973- 661-9234.   The awardees being honored in this year's parade are as follows: Vincent Micco, Grand Marshal; M...