Dear friends, tomorrow, October 1st, marks the beginning of Italian-American Heritage Month in New Jersey. This year, more than ever, I urge you to join myself and our fellow OSIA members in celebrating our Italian-American history. In Fourteen Hundred and Ninety-Two Columbus Sailed The Ocean Blue. This is the rhyme I was taught in public school as...

It's open! Berkeley Heights finally has the Italian market it has been wishing for since the closing of Mar Juls, the go to sandwich joint of the 60's and 70's. Bella Nonna's is just what the community has been looking for -- you walk into the Italian market and there's a feeling of being in Berkeley Heights' own mini "Eataly" where guests can dine...

After running upscale restaurants in New York City, Chris Angelone thought it was time to make a career change. He wanted to stay in the food business, but without the hectic schedule and long days and nights so he would still have time to kick back a little and spend more time with his family. The end result was Carmine’s New York Bagel Co., which...

The Garwood Knights of Columbus will be having a Columbus Day Party on  Oct. 15 from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. at their council hall, 37 South Ave, Garwood. The Italian Dinner menu will be Cheese Ravioli in Pink Cream Sauce,Chicken Marsala, Eggplant Parmesan, Flounder Francaise, Salad, Apple Crisp dessert, coffee, Draft beer, wine and soda. The Knights of...

The sights, sounds and delicious smells of old-world Italy will waft through the air at the Sons of Italy’s annual Olde Time Italian Festival, to be held in Wildwood Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29 and 30.  The 13th annual event, held inside Fox Park, features an Olde World Italian Market with Italian craft and food vendors to peruse. Get an early st...

Italian music and the aroma of meatballs, pasta and red sauce will greet you at the annual Smithville Italian Festival, held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. Hosted by the Knights of Columbus Villa Marie Council # 6342 of Absecon and Galloway, the day includes performances by Jim Craine and the Atlantic City All Star Band, who will be joined b...

Nothing brings out the word-of-mouth reviews like good food. Paige and Ryan Ringer celebrated their good fortunes Saturday at the Manhattan Farmers Market by spreading the gospel of Sadie and Joe’s Sicilian Oven. “We just took the last biscotti,” Paige said. “She has the best biscotti in town.” “It’s probably the best I’ve ever had,” Ryan said. Tho...

"My Big Gay Italian Christmas" is officially set to open this holiday season on December 2nd 8pm and December 3rd, 7pm 2017, at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City and will play in The Showroom. The follow up to the Big Gay Italian Trilogy, (My Big Gay Italian Wedding, My Big Gay Italian Funeral, My Big Gay Italian Midlife Crisis) Wilkinson has crea...

Manny Alfano of Bloomfield is a man on a two-pronged mission. Through his organization, Italian American One Voice Coalition, or IAOVC, he fights the stereotyping of Italian-Americans and attacks on Christopher Columbus, whose namesake holiday will be observed next month. "We are judging a 15th century explorer by 21st century standards," said Alfa...

Twenty-four national and local entertainment acts on two stages highlight the 18th Annual Mercer County Italian American Festival Friday through Sunday at Mercer County Park in West Windsor. Performers include Ray Massa's EuroRhythms; The Brooklyn Bridge ("The Worst That Could Happen"); "Uncle" Floyd Vivino; Bee Gees tribute band Stayin' Alive; "Th...