Bakke Coffee Museum: a collection steeped in history
For some, the sounds might be puzzling — a clank, a hiss, a whoosh. But for coffee aficionados, there’s no mystery at all. It’s merely the hum and clatter of a delicious espresso drink being prepared. The creative design, ingenious mechanics, and attention to detail that go into espresso machines have intrigued Kent Bakke for nearly 50 years. But i...
City of Walla Walla receives statue gift from Italian sister city of Cannara
On Monday, Feb. 24, Walla Walla Mayor Tom Scribner received this statue on behalf of the City, as a gift from Mayor Fabrizio Garreggia of Cannara, Perugia, Italy. Walla Walla and Cannara have been sister cities since signing a pact of friendship in December 2015. The statue, by artist Antonio De Paoli, is titled "...Andate e riempite il cielo di ca...
A Celebration of Italian Culture, Food, and More Happens March 1 & 2
A brand-new Italian celebration is set to take over downtown Phoenix on March 1 and 2. The Galbani® Italian Heritage Festival, organized by the nonprofit Bliss Planet, will be a vibrant two-day event at Heritage Square. Attendees can immerse themselves in the flavors, traditions, and artistry of Italy, enjoying everything from mouthwatering food an...
Italian art and innovation in Salt Lake City!
On the evening of February 20, the Deputy Consul General of Italy in San Francisco, Davide Corriero, together with the Director of the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco, Alberta Lai, proudly inaugurated the "Mosaico. Italian Code of a Timeless Art" exhibition at The Leonardo Museum of Salt Lake City. This impressive showcase, hosted in su...
Christopher Columbus Park renamed to honor Tohono O’odham educator
Say goodbye to Christopher Columbus Park and hello to Danny Lopez Park. The Tucson City Council voted on the change Wednesday. The park is located on N. Silverbell road just north of the Pima Animal Care Center on the Westside. Former University of Arizona student Azul Navarrete-Valera spearheaded the renaming effort of Christopher Columbus Park be...
Babbo Italian Eatery holding baseball-themed charity event Feb. 26 to raise money for pancreatic cancer research
A Valley Italian restaurant with a location in Scottsdale is holding a charity event Feb. 26 to raise money for pancreatic cancer research. Babbo Italian Eatery will hold its fourth annual Baseball for Babbo Day of Giving event at its eight Valley locations on Feb. 26, according to a press release. During the event, each location will donate 100% o...
Italians in Utah
Italian immigration was one of the largest influxes of southern and eastern European groups into Utah. While some Protestant Waldensians from northern Italy had immigrated in the 1870s after being converted by the Mormon missionary program, the bulk of Italians came to Utah during the period from the 1890s to the 1920s in response to demands for un...
Tucson set to rename Christopher Columbus Park after celebrated Tohono O'odham elder Danny Lopez
Officials in Tucson are asking members of the public to weigh in on a proposal to rename the city’s Christopher Columbus Park. Tucsonans head to Christopher Columbus Park to bird watch and fish in Silverbell Lake. It was called Silverbell Park up until the 1990s, when it was renamed by the local Knights of Columbus chapter. Now locals want to renam...
Washington State's Complicated Christopher Columbus Relationship
Since I can remember, the recognition of Columbus Day has been been a contentious topic. It's certainly had it's fair share of debate in Washington State. Before we dive into some of the controversy let's look back at the history of celebrating the explorer who did, then didn't, discover America. The first recorded celebration of Christopher Colu...
Ninth annual Italian festival coming to Scottsdale this weekend
This weekend the ninth annual Italian Festival is coming to Old Town Scottsdale Waterfront near Scottsdale and Camelback Roads. The Italian Association of Arizona is hosting the two-day festival on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s theme is La Strada del Vino. It means “the street of wine,” according to M...
Blessed Carlo Acutis relic central to Salt Lake City apostolate
What started with the acquisition of a first-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis – three hairs from the Italian blessed’s head – has grown into a veritable triumvirate of young saints' relics in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. After recently receiving a second relic, skin from St. Maria Goretti, Father Gustavo Vidal traveled to Mexico in order to...
Basil Russo: Bridging Divides to Strengthen Italian American Heritage
In September, Angelo Cassaro, president of the Italian American Club of Southern Nevada, presented Basil Russo with a Lifetime Honoring Membership for his efforts to promote national unity among Italian Americans. Russo, president of ISDA and COPOMIAO, encouraged club members to preserve and celebrate their heritage by passing it on to younger gene...