You could be forgiven for not remembering the George Kottaras Era in Royals history. Kottaras, a catcher, appeared in a mere 46 games for the Royals during the 2013 season, but at one point he had a Greek flag at his locker. His stall was next to Mike Moustakas, so it was the Greek spot in the Royals clubhouse. Fast forward a dozen years and, whil...
On the 175th anniversary of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini's birth July 15, the sisters of the order she founded continue on with her tireless work of service to those in need, especially immigrants. The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus have a presence in 15 countries. Though they are only a few hundred around the world according to the...
Join us as we journey through the vibrant world of Italian-American feast traditions, focusing on the rich history and cultural significance of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This episode spotlights the oldest celebration of the feast in the US, held in Hammonton, NJ. Louis Pantalone shares captivating stories about the Italian immigrant ex...
Little Italy, that lively blend of past events, ways of life, and super eats, welcomes people hoping for an inside look at how things are. Kind of sitting comfortably in quite major spots in certain cities, these separate areas hand you a glimpse into the everyday of earlier Italian folks moving to another place and, very, the long-lasting mark the...
A shirtless sailor in a roughed up inflatable dinghy approached as we sat in the cockpit at anchor. Along with two friends, my wife Roxy and I had just arrived in Marsala, a working fishing port known for its fortified wine, on the western point of Sicily. “I just came to warn you to be extra careful! Some people tried to steal my dinghy outboard t...
With summer in Hudson County comes several Italian festivals — from The St. Ann’s Feast to the Hoboken Italian Festival. Over in Jersey City, locals look forward to La Festa Italiana each year. The five-day festival, taking place from Wednesday, August 13th through Sunday, August 17th, is complete with Italian fare, drinks, family-friendly activiti...
Italy has long been a tourist attraction, and with good reason. Its timeless appeal, differing culture, and enticing meals appeal to millions of visitors each year. While major urban areas like Rome, Florence, and Venice have long dictated Italian travel, small, unknown urban areas are increasingly being touted as hidden gems to explore. Among thes...
The Italian American League of Alameda (IAL) hosted a special dinner on June 21 to honor the four winners of its 2025 scholarships. The winners were chosen by a committee of four IAL members—Lynn Perata, Amy Ratto, Deanie Donato, and Ray Milani—who evaluated applications submitted by families of IAL members. The winners were chosen on criteria incl...
The phrase “Made in Italy” conjures images of steaming bowls of pasta, enormous wheels of Parmigiano-Reggiano, paper-thin slices of prosciutto and sleek Ferraris. Everyone knows what Italy is famous for, but far fewer realize that many of these icons come from a single region: Emilia-Romagna. Stretching from Piacenza in the west to Rimini on the Ad...
As Sal Paolantonio approaches his 30-year anniversary at ESPN, it appears that the longtime NFL reporter is signing up for at least two more years. According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Paolantonio has signed a new two-year contract extension with the Worldwide Leader. Per Florio, the extension carries through through May 2027, at which poi...
Swimming along the river Tiber could become the newest way to experience the Eternal City, and cool off in the summer, under plans launched by Rome's mayor. Roberto Gualtieri - who will be seeking a second five-year term in office once his current mandate ends next year - has tasked a working group with assessing the Tiber's suitability for swimmin...
The June 2025 Donna Distinta Award goes to Pamela Dorazio Dean, a historian, archivist and director of the Italian American Museum of Cleveland (IAMCLE), in recognition of her preservation and celebration of Italian American history and culture. A dedicated leader whose work bridges scholarship, community, and personal legacy, Pamela stands as a po...