Fred Rotondaro had a knack for friendship across DC divides
Washington's Catholic community lost one of its great personalities this week when Fred Rotondaro died at his home after a battle with brain cancer. He was 78. Fred is survived by his wife, Kathy; his children, Cara and Vinnie (Vinnie wrote for NCR for a time); three grandchildren; his sister Mary; and several nieces and nephews. He also left behin...
MV Agusta Brutale 800 America Unveiled Just in Time for Independence Day
For being an Italian bike, the MV Agusta Brutale 800 America that was just unveiled is extremely, well, American. It features a new livery that will grace a limited run of just 50 bikes—one for each state. The bike is being officially unveiled at the World Superbike Championship at Laguna Seca next weekend. This patriotic paint job is inspired by...
New Italian Spot Opens in Greenport
Like many city dwellers, several Manhattan chefs have made their way to the East End this summer—but not for a vacation. Among them is chef Frank DeCarlo of Peasant in Nolita and Bacaro on the Lower East Side. Amidst several new eateries in Greenport’s booming restaurant scene, DeCarlo brings coastal Italian cuisine to his newest venture called Bar...
Providence, Vegas and Mayweather: The Rise of Anthony Marsella Jr
Anthony ‘A1’ Marsella fell into the sport by chance, “boxing was never part of the plan” says the 22 year old Rhode Islander. It began as a desire to be able to defend himself. He went to the gym a couple of times but wasn’t really interested. After going to a local show he was inspired to try again and agreed to enter a local tournament, “I said y...
The (Italian) Declaration of Independence
On the 4th of July, it’s important to remember that a key stone in the foundation of our country’s understanding of democracy was put in place by none other than an Italian by the name of Filippo Mazzei. Born just outside of Florence in 1730, Mazzei practiced medicine in Italy and the Middle East for several years, before moving to London to take u...
Mo' Bufala vince a New York l'Italian Food Awards
Si è conclusa da pochi giorni la “Summer Fancy Food Show”, la più grande manifestazione dedicata alle specialità alimentari e alle innovazioni del settore in Nord America. La fiera di settore si è tenuta al Javits Center di New York. Notevole la partecipazione delle realtà italiane. In rappresentanza della città federiciana grande successo per “Mò...
John P. Vourlis (Author and Director of "Breaking Balls")
Not many Italians who live in Italy know or understand how important Bocce is for the Italian American community. If the breaking news for the Italian Americans is that here in Italy this sport is much less popular among us Italians who live in the boot, the breaking news for us is the extraordinary popularity of Bocce among the Italian Americans....
Explore all things Italian at Tasty Venues
As an only child growing up in Sorrento, Italy, Cinzia Cripe recalls her parents' mandate that she grow up to be "someone important." To them that meant she needed to earn a doctoral degree. "I didn't want to do that," said Cripe, 58, a Brandon resident for the past 20 years. To honor the wishes of her mom and dad, she studied for six years in Napl...
Cristina Fontanelli and Her Fabulous Friends
July 15 (Saturday) 7:30 pm: Cristina Fontanelli and Her Fabulous Friends. In the great tradition of the last 26 years, opera and Broadway favorites will once again come to the Hamptons through the annual favorite concert Cristina Fontanelli and Her Fabulous Friends. This annual favorite includes the great arias and duets of opera and Broadway. Star...
Matera: A city of natural beauty and rich history
On July 2, the city of Matera, in Basilicata, celebrates its main annual festival: the Festa della Bruna, or the Festa della Madonna Bruna. Matera is famous for its ancient cave dwellings, known as Sassi, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is evidence that people were living in the Sassi as early as the year 7000 BC and the caves are sti...
This Queens spot is making savory cannoli and Nutella pizza
Queens is home to lots of pizzerias and red sauce joints, but one restaurant takes Italian-American classics to a whole new level of hybrid cuisine. Allora in Bayside, Queens has plenty of traditional Italian-American staples on the menu (rollatini, baked clams), but it’s the tuna tartare cannoli and s’mores pizza that draw the most attention. Chef...
Aiken sister city Orvieto, Italy to host annual July 4 concert
On July 4, a celebration of independence will be bringing a city to life, but it won't be in America. In 1996, a friendship was formed between two cities: Aiken, South Carolina, and Orvieto, Italy. The organization Partners In Friendship, also known as PIF, was the result. Former PIF president George Custodi met Italian artist Livio Orazio Valenti...