Seeking the Humanity of Al Capone
By Nathan Smith Al Capone is much more myth than man in the popular imagination. While the notorious gangster of 1920s Prohibition-era Chicago still lingers in our cultural consciousness, this image is one riddled with contradictions: of a mobster and a do-gooder; a man who sprayed silver bullets into the air from his car and helped feed the city'...
People think I've had plastic surgery: Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito on his 'transformative' 41lb weight loss
by Sadie Whitelocks Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito has told how he managed to lose 41lbs by ditching his unhealthy lifestyle, which saw him eat up to ten entrees during tasting sessions and drink 'too much alcohol'. The 47-year-old revealed to People magazine that his 6ft 1in frame used to tip the scales at 226lbs, causing his cholest...
American Academy in Rome announces Rome Prize winners
The American Academy in Rome is pleased to present the winners of the 118th annual Rome Prize Competition. The names were announced at the Arthur & Janet C. Ross Rome Prize Ceremony held at the Harmonie Club in New York City on 10 April. Recipients of the 2014-2015 Rome Prizes are provided with a fellowship that includes a stipend, a s...
Anche l'America festeggia i cento anni della Maserati
In un periodo di profonda crisi come quello attuale, se si dovesse compilare una lista delle cose positive per le quali l'Italia è conosciuta nel mondo la sua industria automobilistica occuperebbe i primissimi posti. Nomi come Maserati, Ferrari, Lamborghini e Alfa Romeo hanno fatto la storia dell'automobile e, in particolare, del suo settore sporti...
Sylvester Stallone: Know the man behind the muscle
You know him as Rocky and Rambo. But put aside Sylvester Stallone's signature characters, how well do you know the man behind the muscle? On his 69th birthday today, we bring you 10 interesting facts about the Hollywood action star that you might not have known 1. Sylvester Stallone's trademark droopy eyes and slurred speech are the result of para...
Italian family traditions learned at grandma's knee
by Cookie Curci In recent years family structure has changed. For example, the all important nightly dinner table, which was ritual to my generation, has begun to fade from the family scene. Fewer and fewer family members continue to uphold the nightly dinner table gatherings. They say the two best things you can give your child are r...
An Italian American Christmas Dinner
Christmas was always a special time. As a child growing up in an Italian American family, it also meant that our family followed the same traditions year after year. What I remember of those years was that, after church on Christmas morning, my father would take us to visit the relatives where he would pick up all kinds of goodies from his sisters...
Starbucks Is Adding This Italian-Inspired Frappuccino to its Menu
by Michal Addady Starbucks SBUX -0.69% is adding a new summer drink to its menu. Starting on Thursday, locations in the U.S. and Canada will serve Affogato-style Frappuccinos. The new beverage is inspired by the Italian dessert, affogato—a scoop of ice cream drowned in a shot of espresso. This new Starbucks version will feature one of...
The Early Years – 1930s
The year was 1931, the country was in the worst economic depression of its 155 years. The great immigration was over, but many Italians still struggled and strove to make the lives of their families better. Those that had jobs worked hard for little pay and, if they felt fortune if they were able to work long hours. Italian Americans – often first...
Review: Not My Mother’s Kitchen, a cookbook by Rob Chirico
By Kristin Palpini In the world of food, there is nothing more contentious than "traditional" Italian cooking — everyone with an ounce of olive oil in their veins thinks their family recipes are Old World classics. This is, in part, because Italian nonni rarely write down how to prepare their dishes — as if it is assumed Italians are born with an...
The Italian Treasures in the US are now available via ItalyinUS, the culture portal of Italian diplomacy in the United States
Leonardo, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Modigliani, Stradivari and Canova: these are but a few of the many great Italian artists who have found a home in American museums. However there is also another way to explore the great depth and breadth of beauty that Italy has to offer: www.ItalyinUS.org now carries "Italian Treasures in the US", an onlin...
Sicily's Granita is America's New Fascination
As a kid, I spent an inordinate amount of time in airports. I'd make a fortress out of my family's suitcases, curl up on the floor, and take a nap. We were making our bi-annual trip from the U.S. abroad to visit my maternal family in Sicily, and I was completely unappreciative of what a privilege that was. We'd bounce from city to city on...