Many have dubbed America to be a melting pot of cultures that has coagulated into something unique. Other scholars argue that the country is more of a tapestry, where some cultures are maintained and others are transformed. For Francesca Ciancimino Howell, this tapestry metaphor seems more relevant–as an Irish-Italian-American, her unique heritage greatly inspired her academic studies.

These studies, in turn, inspired her 2018 academic work "Food, Festival and Religion", which will be discussed in more detail at an Inkberry event. The event, which will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25, will include an author chat, a PowerPoint presentation, and more. Inkberry Books, Cottonwood Shopping Center, 7960 Niwot Road, Suite B-3, Niwot, CO 80503.