Joe Pepitone, popular New York Yankees player and three-time All-Star, dies at age 82
Joe Pepitone, a three-time All-Star playing for the New York Yankees between 1962 and 1969 who was also known for his off-field lifestyle, has died at age 82, according to an announcement from the team. “The Yankees are deeply saddened by the passing of former Yankee Joe Pepitone, whose playful and charismatic personality and on-field contributions...
The Russo Brothers are the producers for this year's best picture winner at the Oscars
Joe and Anthony Russo, along with Mike Larocca, founded the film company, AGBO, in 2017, in Los Angeles. A number of independent feature films, popular among critics and audiences, alike, have been produced by the company, most notably "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once." The science fiction drama to depict a Chinese immigrant's travels through m...
Prato Bakery: Authentic Italian Breads + Biscotti
From Jersey City to Hoboken, there’s Italian influence everywhere. Of course, beyond the savory foods, there is something seriously special about Italian baked goods. Cannoli, cookies, bread — you name it, we love it. Prato Bakery first opened in Jersey City in 2018 , but they have since expanded to three additional storefronts across Hoboken + Jer...
A Race Against Time
As a kid in Gravesend, Brooklyn, I wore my Italianess everywhere in my neighborhood. You could spot it in my walk, my speech, and in my attitude. I guess it was like Tony Manero’s walk in the opening scene of the iconic film Saturday Night Fever. But to survive, I had to keep my identity in check as I stepped between two different lives: the one I...
Easter in Italy: What To Expect
Travelers to Italy, especially families, often find themselves spending Easter in Italy. That’s because the holiday always coincides with school calendars when children and teens are off from school for spring break. Easter Day This year, Easter Sunday (La Pasqua) falls on April 9, 2023, the same date as it does in the U.S. It is a public holiday w...
Best Songs to Learn Italian: 1980s Edition
These are some of the best songs to learn Italian. I picked songs I liked also for the melody since if you really want to learn the words, you will have to play them over and over. Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Songs? Really? Isn’t that just for kids?” But trust me, learning Italian through music is not only for kids, it’s for everyone....
Family-owned Italian market gets new life at Tanger Outlets
Russo’s Italian Market & Wine Bar is set for a comeback. The family-owned Russo’s Italian Market & Wine Bar will open this spring at Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids, joining a growing stable of dining options, including 5 Lakes Brew Pub and Rise Pies Handcrafted Pizza. The 7,000-square-foot store will feature a restaurant, deli, wine bar and market, al...
Italian Olive Oil: everything you need to know to recognize it
Mediterranean: it is with this adjective - from the Latin "mediterraneus" - that we call the sea that bathes the lands of southern Europe. Mediterranean is that characteristic climate - characterized by dry summers and mild winters - which embraces our lands. Mediterranean is also a healthy and ecological, tasty and pleasant way of eating. It is in...
How one rural town became Louisiana's 'Little Italy': 'It was just a big part of life'
Louisiana’s cultural heritage is often characterized by its French roots, with its common family names like “Thibodeaux" and “Hebert,” etc. And parts of the state are known for their Creole, African or even Spanish influences, like architecture in the French Quarter. But what’s less well known is the prominent Italian population residing in Southea...
Pavia: A Renaissance Marvel in Northern Italy
When it comes to exploring Italy, most people think of Rome, Florence, Venice, or the Amalfi Coast. However, there are many other beautiful and fascinating destinations that often go unnoticed by travelers. One of them is Pavia, a charming town located in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy, just 30 km south of Milan. Pavia has a long and rich hi...
All the legends of the “Mountain of Mountains,” Mount Etna
Mount Etna is one of the symbols of Sicily and of the Mediterranean. Since the beginning of time, it kept watch on its lands and its sea, witnessing and keeping track of history. Silent, protective, and peaceful, but also roaring and threatening when it decides so, Mount Etna is like an all-powerful but beloved parent to all Sicilians, who call it...
Chapman Receives $1.5M Gift for Italian Studies Institute
Orange-based Chapman University received a $1.5 million gift from the Ferrucci family to establish the Ferrucci Institute for Italian Experience and Research in the university’s Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science. The institute provides students the opportunity to fly to Italy and participate at a film festival in Bologna, stu...