Andrew Biggio, Veteran and Founder of Annual Wounded Vet Ride, Pens First Book
Adrew Biggio’s basement has been converted into a museum-of-sorts with display cases of war memorabilia, artifacts and other keepsakes that he has collected since serving his tours of duty as a US Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan. Biggio, who founded the Boston Wounded Vet Ride that would roar through East Boston and Revere every year to raise money...
Southington's Italian Festival Returns In July
Southington's Italian Festival will be returning to Center Street this July. The festival, which was canceled last year due to covid-19, will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. on July 24 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 25, opening that Sunday with a traditional Italian Mass and procession. Center Street will be closed to traffic for the duration of the festi...
Concorso Ferrari & Friends returns to Farmington
After taking a year off due to the pandemic, the Concorso Ferrari & Friends event returns to the Farmington Polo Grounds on Sunday, June 20. The event which is a fundraiser for the Connecticut Children's Medical Center Foundation has been around since 2001. Considered one of the premiere automotive events in Southern New England, will feature the w...
Holyoke drops Christopher Columbus for Indigenous Peoples Day
Holyoke has become the latest local community to ditch Christopher Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous Peoples Day. In a 10 to 3 vote Tuesday night, the City Council voted in favor of the change, which communities across the country are making in recognition of Columbus’ role in the genocide and enslavement of Indigenous people in the Americas. In...
Nardelli’s Expands to Norwalk
Nardelli’s, Connecticut’s 100-year-old Italian Grinder Shoppe announced expansion of its newest franchised restaurant in Norwalk, marking the company’s 16th location in the state. Located at 345 Main Avenue, the Shoppe will open in fall 2021. Partnering with franchise owner, Matthew Youngs, four additional locations will open in Lower Fairfield Co...
Longtime legislator John Zampieri dies at 80
John Zampieri didn’t care how long it took. In the weeks after his January birthday, the former buildings commissioner and legislator was in his Ryegate home writing letters by hand. They were thank-yous for nearly 200 notes he had received — solicited by his daughters in a local paper — wishing him well and reflecting on how he’d inspired them. “H...
Webinar focuses on 100th anniversary of Sacco and Vanzetti trial
On May 21, 1921, the infamous trial of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti commenced at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham. The two were accused of murdering a payroll clerk and his guard the previous year; on July 14, 1921, both men were convicted and in August of 1927 were executed. They were Italian immigrants and avowed anarchists. The trial...
Holyoke City Council mulls changing Columbus Day to Indigenous People Day
Ward 4 Councilor Libby Hernandez proposed the City of Holyoke replaces Columbus Day in October with Indigenous People Day. Hernandez presented the order at Wednesday’s Public Service Committee chaired by Councilor At-Large James Leahy. The order stated that “The City of Holyoke consists of more than 50% of its population being Latinos, predominantl...
Rhode Island veteran marks 100th birthday on D-Day anniversary
Sunday marked the 77th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France in World War II. June 6 is also the birthday of a Rhode Island veteran who was among those landing on the beaches of Normandy. Rocco Marcoccio turned 100 years old on Sunday and celebrated in style with a parade in North Kingstown. Marcoccio also shared the secrets to...
Del Posto Alum Mark Ladner Will Come Home to Open an Italian Restaurant in Cambridge
A hotel restaurant space that has previously been home to two well-regarded Italian restaurants will welcome another: A restaurant tentatively called Bar Enza is set to open at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge’s Harvard Square in September, taking over the former Benedetto and Rialto space. At the helm is acclaimed chef Mark Ladner, a name that may b...
The Oldest Italian Restaurant In Massachusetts Is Jeveli’s And It’s Delicious
There’s nothing like authentic Italian cuisine, and Jeveli’s Restaurant in Boston is just the place to get it. This spot has been catering to locals and visitors for nearly 100 years, and it’s easy to see why they have such a cult following. Here’s why you should make time to pull up a chair at Jeveli’s. Jeveli’s is an old-fashioned Italian eatery...
I AM Books: New beginnings
I believe in stories. More precisely, I believe in stories of people who overcome great obstacles to reach a goal, defend an ideal, uplift the spirit. I believe in well-written fiction, because it holds all the truths and emotions of reality and life. I AM Books, our little bookstore, has its own story. Not a long one compared to other businesses,...