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NEWS FROM : EAST  

Fast-casual is dominating the dining landscape today. We see this style of restaurant becoming more popular each year—from 2022 to 2023, the fast-casual market more than doubled in value, according to a report released by Allied Market Research late last year. Whether it is because diners increasingly want faster, more casual service, or if it’s a...

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Organizers of a downtown Butler event are responding to issues raised by City officials by canceling the event. Last week, Mayor Bob Dandoy addressed Council about discussions he had with organizers for the Italian Festival scheduled for August 23rd, 24th, and 25th. The main issue was allowing set-up on Thursday which removes parking and negatively...

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Southern Italian restaurant Cicala at the Divine Lorraine has a new sibling in Sorellina, a Neapolitan pizzeria and spritz bar located across the lobby of the historic hotel on North Broad Street and Fairmount Avenue. The expansion is the combined effort of chef-owner couple Joe Cicala and Angela Ranalli-Cicala. They chose the name, which translate...

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In the upcoming months, Nutley native Joe Lodato is ready to take on the stage once again. Renowned for his vocal prowess and captivating stage presence, the Italian-American baritone is emerging as one of the foremost interpreters of the Verdi baritone repertoire. Lodato’s voice has been praised for its “stunningly beautiful timbre, Italianate sna...

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The New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) announced Tuesday its 18 inductees for 2024 and Ocean City’s Gay Talese is one of them. According to a news release, Talese, 92, an author and journalist, was selected in the category of “Arts & Letters.” Inductees are chosen for their accomplishments in six categories, including Education & Science and Enterpris...

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We honor Italian Labor Sacrifice Day Worldwide to remember the sacrifices of Italian workers abroad, who left their homecountry to embark on perilous travels, and faced rough living and working conditions to build a future for their loved ones. August 8th commemorates the Marcinelle Disaster of 1956 in Belgium, where 262 miners, including 136 Itali...

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There’s something about finding the perfect cafe, reminding you of a distant trip to Europe or the shop you used to venture to for an espresso and pastry in New York City. Dolce Marie, located at 464 Bloomfield Avenue in Verona, fills that void. Nearby Verona Park, Dolce Marie serves coffee, breakfast, lunch, and, most notably, baked goods made in-...

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Join us at the Nutley Public Library on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., for a free screening and discussion on the fictional film Our Return to Italy with award-winning filmmakers Marylou and Jerome Bongiorno. The Nutley Public Library is pleased to welcome back prior ECLAP-funded artists, Emmy-nominated, award-winning, husband and wife fil...

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Mark your calendars! La Festa Italiana, Jersey City’s biggest Italian festival hosted by Holy Rosary Church returns in August with live bands, great food, and games & rides for the kids!  La Festa Italiana begins Wed, Aug 7th, and runs through Sun, Aug 11th, from 5-to-11 pm each day. Located on 6th & Brunswick Streets, in the neighborhood surroundi...

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Our nation’s first Italian American First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, spoke at ISDA’s annual banquet in downtown Pittsburgh on July 13, 2024, to share her ancestors’ story. The event was part of ISDA’s ongoing mission to celebrate women in leadership while offering a platform to major figures on both sides of the aisle who seek to promote and honor the I...

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Abby Kaelin, raised on a fruit and vegetable farm in Butler, always has been passionate about specialty crops. As an agribusiness management major in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Kaelin eagerly enrolled in a course on the science and business of winemaking, which included a two-week excursion to Italy. “My family doesn’t grow grap...

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Facenda Spirits, a new handcrafted limoncello distillery, is set to bring the Amalfi Coast to downtown Doylestown, writes Michele Haddon for the Bucks County Courier Times. Owned by Chalfont couple Richard and Stacy Facenda, the distillery will offer a locally made version of the traditional Italian liqueur.  Richard Facenda has spent the last two...

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