Welcome to the Fourth Annual Italian-American Heritage Festival of Iowa!
After months of preparation, the Italian-American community of Iowa is thrilled to welcome all of you to the fourth annual Italian American Heritage Festival of Iowa! Every year our festival gets bigger and better. This year, we return to the Western Gateway Park in downtown Des Moines. With more space than ever before, we have added addit...
Professor Righi Publishes 'Italian Reactionary Thought'
Andrea Righi, assistant professor in the French, Italian, and Arabic Department, has published a new book, titled "Italian Reactionary Thought and Critical Theory: An Inquiry into Savage Modernities." The book cover features a photograph titled "Infinity Room" by Scott Johnson, associate professor of art. In the last decade or so, a wave o...
Il gemellaggio Abetone-Aspen è finalmente una realtà
E alla fine gemellaggio fu: Abetone e Aspen sono finalmente «sister cities». La cerimonia di firma si è tenuta oggi in un'affollatissima sala consiliare alla presenza dei due primi cittadini, Giampiero Danti e Steve Skadron, dei presidenti dei rispettivi comitati per il gemellaggio, Rolando Galli e Don Sheeley e della coordinatrice statunitense del...
New Melograno Dinnerware Collection Added for Stylish Home Decor
Eco Stylish Home, LLC (ESH), announced today their newest collection of high quality ceramics. The Melograno ceramic Italian handpainted dinnerware and pottery is now available for purchase. Termed the Melograno Umbria Collection, the items are sure to dazzle and captivate. Located in central Italy, Umbria is a renowned region for hand crafted cer...
Kelly: Local Sons of Italy elect 1st daughter as president
By Michael Kelly More than 90 years after its founding, the Sons of Italy club in Omaha has elected as president its first "daughter." Sarita L. "Sarah" Ruma, a mental health therapist at Children's Hospital & Medical Center, will be sworn in Dec. 14 as the first woman to lead the local Cristoforo Colombo Lodge. Read more &n...
Dave Passanise is honored by the Italian Club of St. Louis with The Italian Heritage Award
On October 19, Dave Passanise, owner of Maestro Screen Printing, accepted the Italian Heritage Award in a gracious speech to family, friends and club members at Favazza's Banquet Center. His inspirational words gave everyone insight into Dave's philosophy on life, and the principles that guide him. In Dave's words: "Now, why am I here...
Lidia Bastianich says Kansas City needed her restaurant
When Lidia's Kansas City opened in the Crossroads 15 years ago, there had never been a restaurant in the former railroad freight house (there are now three), and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich (the proprietor of Felidia, Becco, Esca and Del Posto restaurants in New York City) had never opened a location outside New York (she now has two). "...
Aspen mayor, officials to visit Abetone
City leaders will visit Italy later this month to see if a ski village there is a good fit for the Aspen Sister Cities program, and they also plan to visit multiple bike-racing towns to gather ideas for the USA Pro Challenge. Aspen Mayor Steve Skadron will join three other city officials Sept. 28 to Oct. 4 on the trip to Abetone, an Italia...
Nina and Pinta sail up the Mississippi for tours in Grafton this weekend
by Joe Millitzer Replicas of the Nina and the Pinta will be in Grafton this weekend. The ships could be seen passing by the arch in St. Louis Thursday morning. They were travelling from a Kimmswick, MO. The ships are on an educational mission. They travel all over the United States to show people what kind of vessels were used dur...
Loan for rare MU-Italy art project covers shipping, insurance costs
In September, MU and the Italian government announced an agreement for a loan of 249 vessels of previously unstudied black-gloss pottery from the Capitoline Museums in Rome to be examined by MU students and scholars. It was the launch of an extremely rare project, as Italy had done only temporary international art loans in the past. ...
Harpsichord sounds from 1500s' Italy now playing in US
A harpsichord that entertained the elites of Italy in the mid-1500s has been restored by a South Dakota museum and will soon bring its sound to 21st-century ears. The National Music Museum in Vermilion, which acquired the instrument in 2009, worked with Chilean-born musician Catalina Vicens, who specializes in historical keyboards and percussi...
Merlinos' Belvedere expands offerings
By Carie Canterbury For more than 65 years, Merlinos' Belvedere has served the community and visitors from across Colorado and neighboring states its fine Italian cuisine, famous "Belvedere" salad and gourmet homemade desserts. The restaurant continues to offer the same fine steaks, seafood and entrees, but owners Mike and Cathie Merlino are shak...