Opera composer Giacomo Puccini was a talented, tall, dark and handsome Italian man with a flair for fashion. The ladies loved him. His fans adored him. But under that smart top-hat was a mind full of misgivings.   "You hear this stunning music and you think, this man must have been the most confident person in the world. And yet, h...

Labor shortages drew Italian immigrants to Birmingham's coal and steel industries. These new Americans quickly became farmers, grocers and merchants, and the next generation became doctors, bankers and lawyers. Their collective history helped shape the culture of the growing city, which was enriched by their contributions to religion, sports, art,...

A new-to-Alabama Italian restaurant will take over Huntsville's Bridge Street Town Centre this year on the shopping center's south side near DSW in the Belk expansion area.   Columbus, Ohio-based BRAVO! Cucina Italiana, a 6,700-square-foot, full-service eatery with Roman-ruin décor and an outdoor dining patio, will open this fall at Bridge S...

When I first moved to Birmingham in 1980, I was asked by several people if I were Italian. I would say "no, why?" ...and the person asking would say something like, "well, you have such dark eyes and dark hair."   I had no idea at the time that there was a large Italian community in Birmingham and that this community has been present since t...

Please remember that our monthly meeting will start at 1:00 PM thisSunday for our Christmas party. This year the IAHS Board has designated as our 2013 Charity Projectclub assistance for 6 year-old Gracie Poole.   Since its founding, the IAHS has selected each year a worthy cause orindividuals struggling in some way to provide assistance and...

by Eric Reinhardt The Fingerlakes Mall on Wednesday announced that an Auburn Italian restaurant will open a second location in the mall, but under a different name.   Sal Musumeci, who operates GJP Italian Eatery on Grant Avenue in Auburn, will open a second restaurant under the name Brooklyn Slice Italian Eatery, Fingerlakes Mall said in a...

The Alabama home football season kicked off on Saturday, and so did AL.com's Tailgate of the Week series. We begin with Bama's Italian Tailgaters, a group of Birmingham families whose children attended and recently graduated from the University of Alabama. The tent, which features a large colorful sign reading "Bama's Italian Tailgaters s...

The luxury Italian sports car brand Alfa Romeo is coming to Huntsville. "It's an exciting time here at Fiat and Alfa Romeo of Huntsville," said Frank Williams, the President/Operating Partner at Dodge Chrysler Jeep Fiat Ram in Huntsville. "We have the all-new Alfa 4C coming in October of this year.   This vehicle is a true masterpiece w...

by Judy Bergeron   They're going regional. After a challenge three years ago from Mayor Kip Holden, the Greater Baton Rouge American Italian Association is working to expand its annual Italian Heritage Festa beyond the community. "He (Holden) said, 'We would like this to be bigger than Baton Rouge,'" festa co-chairman Frank Arrigo says....

The Feast of Saint Mark Italian Food Festival, an annual event celebrating traditional Italian culture, will take place at Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in the Brook Highland area Saturday, April 30, at 3 p.m.   The festival, in its fifth year, will begin with a Catholic Mass, followed by food, dancing, live Italian music and you...