We’re kicking off Season 2 with a trip to the most Italian American Borough in New York City, the often-overlooked and overwhelmingly Italian land of Staten Island, NY! Join John, Rossella and Pat as they visit their friend Gina Biancardi, the founder of Casa Belvedere: The Italian Cultural Foundation for a day spent exploring an island so Italian...
READ MOREIt’s unfortunate that this year’s Columbus Day Parade was canceled because of the pandemic. But it’s even more unfortunate that in recent years, an anti-Columbus movement has risen up attempting to eradicate history. Columbus Day is not a day to honor an individual, but rather a day to remember a courageous voyage, the catalyst that initiated over...
READ MORESituated on Howard Avenue, across from Notre Dame Academy, with a compelling view of the Lower Bay, New York Harbor, Manhattan, and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is the beautiful Casa Belvedere. The 1908 mansion was the home of the Roebling-Stirn family and was designated a New York City Landmark Building in 2001. It is listed on the New York State...
READ MORESince October has been designated Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month, Casa Belvedere, the Italian Cultural Foundation, hosted a Columbus Day Dinner & Casa Cavalieri and Dame Designation Ceremony that saw some 125 revelers come out to support the Grymes Hill cultural. The evening, staged in the mansion that once served as home to the Roebli...
READ MORECasa Belvedere, the Italian cultural center on Grymes Hill, formerly known as the Stirn mansion, is connected to several trailblazer women who made invaluable contributions that helped shape Staten Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the United States. And now the historic site that’s being restored is one of 20 finalists competing in a prestigious Na...
READ MOREFor her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts, Gina Biancardi, the founder of Casa Belvedere, was invested as Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I, during an Investiture ceremony Friday evening at the Italian Cultural Center on Grymes Hill. The Royal Order of Francis I is an Order of Chivalry established in the former Kingdom of the T...
READ MOREThose with a penchant for all things Italian won't want to miss the "Anthony D'Andrea Festa & Motori D'Italia" at Casa Belvedere: The Italian Cultural Foundation on Grymes Hill. The annual event returns Saturday, Sept. 22, and Sunday, Sept. 23. "It is a great honor that Casa Belvedere continues to recognize my father, Anthony D'Andrea, a great Ital...
READ MORERight about now, the Advance spotlight is shining on the Staten Island social scene sizzling with all types of soirees, shindigs and charity balls, the proceeds of which contribute to making our borough a better place to live. Over at LiGreci's Staaten in West Brighton Thursday night, more than 250 revelers gathered to support the Italian Club of S...
READ MOREThe gorgeous Casa Belvedere Italian Cultural Institute was the setting on a perfect autumn evening for New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo to meet his supporters and talk about the issues most important to borough residents. Over 100 well-heeled Staten Islanders gathered Wednesday at the Grymes Hill mansion for the Gov. Cuomo meet and greet, hosted by...
READ MOREStaten Island: I am a collector of Arturo Di Modica’s beautiful work and a family friend of many years. The message he’s trying to convey is far more compelling than the media suggests, and I believe it needs to be articulated. Let’s be clear: In this day and age, we all believe in equality and women’s rights. We can all chastise not only Wall Stre...
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