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Des Moines knows how to put on a quality festival. Look no further than the successful Des Moines Arts Festival, 80/35 Music Festival and the Iowa State Fair, among others. Last year, Des Moines was recognized for its achievement by earning the World Festival & Event City Award, given by the International Festivals and Events Association. The ninth...

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Live music, Italian food and a traditional horse parade are among the highlights when the 22nd annual Italian Feast of SS. Crocifisso takes place this weekend on the grounds of Maryville Academy in Des Plaines. Kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with Vespers at Marian Chapel, the event runs Saturday night and Sunday at 1150 N. River Road, Des Plaine...

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Bill and Pam Valentino have moved their Italian restaurant, Billy Vee’s, from Panora to West Des Moines. The couple opened Dec. 8 in an old house on Fifth Street in Valley Junction that formerly housed Tres Amigos Mexican Restaurant. Billy Vee’s seats about 60 in five dining rooms on the main floor of the house, said Pam Valentino. The menu include...

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The Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa will be continuing their annual fundraising dinner with An Evening in Sicily to be held at the Embassy Club downtown Des Moines on November 9, 2017. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and is divided into nine provinces. The region of Sicily, which has even earned the nickname “God’s Ki...

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The Italian American Heritage Festival of Iowa is focusing on the regions of Veneto and Sicily this year. For the last eight years, the cultural hall at the festival educates people on different regions by foods, clothing, and crafts. A few chefs will be cooking up foods from both Veneto and Sicily, so people can experience the different tastes. Ex...

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Marco’s Pizza, recently recognized as America’s favorite pizza company, is targeting the greater Des Moines area for growth. The company has announced plans to introduce 15 locations through strategic franchise partnerships. To drive development efforts in the market, Marco’s Pizza’s leadership team is hosting a town hall at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, J...

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Representatives from Italian business and government joined state leaders in marking the beginning of operations for the Story County Wind Farm Wednesday. The farm is primarily run by Building Energy, a renewable power company based in Milan, Italy, in cooperation with Des Moines-based energy firm Optimum Renewables. The $58 million project include...

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A & A Pagliai's Pizza in Iowa City was named as having the best pizza in the state of Iowa by USA TODAY College. The article, written by Lauren Kruchten of North Carolina State University, first appeared in Spoon University, an online food publication that curates its content from student food journalists. An Iowa City tradition, A & A Pagliai's pi...

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On Des Moines’ south side, peppers grow as freely as turf grass. Italian-Americans here eat them like candy. They can and freeze them. They put them in sauce, on pizza or in eggs, fry them up with olive oil and potatoes, or even spread them on bread as an alternative to peanut butter. Among all the pepper love, a really good one stands out. An immi...

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While many restaurants try to entice customers with the next new thing, I have to respect the timeless allure of Noah's Ark, an old school Italian-American eatery that's been slinging classic pasta and pizza for nearly 70 years.   The restaurant was started in 1946 by Noah Lacona, a man who wanted to introduce pizza to Des Moines. His busine...

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