The Santa Lucia Festival is celebrating 100 years in Omaha this year. The cultural event that highlights Italian-American history and heritage begins Aug. 1. This year, the festival committee is leading an effort to gather 500 new pairs of athletic shoes for children whose families might not be able to afford such an expense. Boxes of new sneakers...
READ MORESpaghetti and Meatballs. Mostaccioli and Meatballs. Pasta with Italian Sausage. Consider it a veritable plethora of pasta—all yours to enjoy by the heaping forkful at the Sons & Daughters of Italy Lodge. Located on S 10th Street, the community dinners served at this old-fashioned food hall pay homage to Omahans with Italian heritage. But you don’t...
READ MOREA taste of Italia right here in Omaha! The Carlentini Omaha Association and walking tour group the Nebraska Trailblazers hosted a Little Italy Walking Tour where neighbors learned about the areas rich histroy and enjoyed few good bites. Sheri Kanger hosted the walking tour, her family has lived in Little Italy for generations and says she worked wi...
READ MORELittle Italy has a rich history. It’s where Anna Venditte Diederich’s family settled. It’s home to the Santa Lucia Festival, which is celebrating its 100th year.“To be here knowing that our ancestors and my grandma was here at the beginning is such … can’t describe it,” said Diederich. This identity is a part of what makes Little Italy a candidate...
READ MOREApril 3 this year marks 100 years since Marlon Brando was born in Omaha, Nebraska. His charisma on the screen and eccentric personality, soon made him famous in the 1950s, when he soon became one of Hollywood’s hottest stars. With a resume full of legendary films, much has been written about Brando’s acting, his activism and his eccentric, outspoke...
READ MORENamed after the northeastern Italian mountain range, Dolomiti Pizzeria & Enoteca (1105 N 13th St.) is located in the heart of Omaha's historic Millwork Commons neighborhood."We're really happy to be part of the Millwork neighborhood; it's really developing quickly," said Tim Maides, Dolomiti co-owner. "The tenants here are all very similar, they we...
READ MOREWhen Sam Di Mauro describes a random day at Andy’s Shoe Repair, it sounds like the setup of a joke. A nun walks into the store. Next comes a Hells Angels biker. And finally a priest. On any given day, Di Mauro never knows who will need him to fix their shoes next. It could be Taylor Swift with a pair of boots before a concert in Omaha in 2011. Or t...
READ MORENot often will the church organist play “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” But it was fitting Saturday, when a light snow fell as the baseball community said goodbye to its friend John Stella. The 88-year-old died Dec. 1 of complications from leukemia. Known for his devotion to the sport at Omaha South and the American Legion, Stella's funeral at St. F...
READ MOREIf there was a mayor of South Omaha, John Stella was it. The friendly guy with the bushy mustache who seemingly knew everyone died Friday of complications from leukemia. He was 88. Stella’s long life revolved around the sport of baseball, a love affair that lasted almost nine decades. He was most devoted to the sport through the American Legion, a...
READ MOREMarco’s Pizza, the fastest-growing authentic Italian pizza brand, was busy this weekend readying its newest location in La Vista, which opened Monday, Oct. 2. Located at 8124 S. 84th St., the community can expect to indulge in authentically prepared Italian pizza at an affordable price. Marco’s Pizza promises a delightful and convenient location. O...
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