Firenze Synagogue and Jewish Museum of Florence: splendid hidden Yiddish gems
Would you like to contemplate Synagogue and Jewish Museum of Florence and take an exciting journey looking for the roots and secrets of this fascinating thousand-year-old culture? The evocative Jewish district, nestled in this city, the cradle of the Italian Renaissance, offers many points of interest to travelers who seek an alternative to classic...
Orange County’s Newest Slice of Italy: Meet Monaco Italian Kitchen in Irvine
There’s a new restaurant in Irvine—and it’s not here to blend in. Located at the just-debuted Eighteen Main dining collective, Monaco Italian Kitchen is the fourth concept from seasoned OC restaurateur Tony Monaco. And while the name nods to his Italian roots, this place is anything but expected. With Executive Chef Karl Pfleider behind the menu an...
Spielberg, De Niro, Freeman praise Francis Ford Coppola as he accepts the AFI Life Achievement Award
Steven Spielberg proclaimed “The Godfather” the “greatest American film ever made,” Robert De Niro teasingly bemoaned being cast in the sequel and not the original and Harrison Ford fought back tears reflecting on his role in the 1974 film, “The Conversation.” At the center of it all was Francis Ford Coppola, who on Saturday received the AFI Life A...
How to Host an Italian Aperitivo Hour
The Aperol Spritz — the fizzy, bright orange cocktail hailing from Italy’s Veneto region — has taken the world by storm, but the Italian tradition of aperitivo goes far beyond the ubiquitous drink. In cities like Florence, Venice, and Rome, where I live, sidewalk cafés routinely fill up in the early evenings, but it’s also common to offer guests an...
A forgotten Italian genius: Angelo Dalle Molle's visionary legacy
Oftentimes we are happy to tell stories about an Italian genius almost unknown to the general public. Today we tell about Angelo Dalle Molle, the creator of the iconic Italian Amaro Cynar in the 1950s, who half a century ago was also building electric cars, designing car sharing and charging stations, and later dedicated himself to research in arti...
Green skills drive Italy's job market transformation
On Earth Day 2024, a report was released highlighting a shift in the Italian job market, with a growing demand for workers skilled in environmental sustainability. The message is clear: future employment opportunities are tied to the ecological transition, and to be ready, individuals need not only good intentions but also targeted skills. 2024 has...
NJ Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese to Receive Creative Communities Award
The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) announces New Jersey Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese of Cliffside Park will receive the first Creative Communities Award at the organization’s inaugural Community Changemaker Night. This special event will honor exemplary community leaders, who have made significant contributions to the betterment...
United States to close its Consulate in Florence
The United States will close its consulate in Florence. This was announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of a "comprehensive reorganization plan" of the State Department, which includes the closure of several embassies and diplomatic missions. "Tuscany has a deep history linked to the United States, which is no coincidence, as Flor...
WVIHF names 46th Regina Maria at annual Spring Gala
The West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival named the 46th Regina Maria at their annual spring gala Saturday in Clarksburg. This year the honor goes to Farmington native and singer Franchesca Rose Aloi. The ceremony began with the introduction of the minor, junior, and senior courts along with the maids of honor. Last year’s Reginia Maria passed th...
How to visit Pope Francis' tomb in Rome
Faithful and pilgrims can visit the tomb of Pope Francis in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore starting from Sunday 27 April, the day after his funeral in the Vatican. The papal basilica, also known as St Mary Major, is located in the Esquilino area of Rome near Termini train station. The church is open every day from 07.00 to 19.00, with last en...
Condemning Outrageous Behavior
Shouting "Fire!" at a crowded event is unlawful and reckless — unless, of course, the danger is real. We continue to shout against the reckless stereotyping of our ethnicity, but the effect has been alarmingly different. To those Italian Americans who remain cynical, who ignore the ramifications of bigotry or, worse, who relish the misleading narra...
US paratroopers honor 80th anniversary of WWII liberation of Montecchio Maggiore
Sgt. William Cantrell stood beside Italians dancing in Piazza Marconi to celebrate the 80th anniversary of their town being liberated. And then, he was part of it. “I was on the side and this little old lady just took my hand,” said Cantrell, a Tennessee-born paratrooper from the 173rd Brigade Support Battalion. “I couldn’t say no.” His command tea...