Maria Cucinotta

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Mark Giangreco

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iss. VII Vol XXIV Summer 2010

Exclusive Interview With

Maria Cucinotta Actress - Director -Writer


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Story

Maria Grazia Cucinotta Pg. 2-3

Chef Marco Barilla

Mark Giangreco

John Basilone

Joseph Gannascoli

Pg. 14-15

Pg. 26

Pg. 19

Pg. 41

Editorial + Amici Journal Subscribe.................................................................1 Maria Grazia Cucinotta Cover story.............................................................2-3 NIAF Monthly News............................................................................................4 Fives Centuries of History......................................................................................5 Boys Town of Italy....................................................................................................6 It Happened in Italy................................................................................................7 Mark Giangreco story....................................................................................10-11 Opera The Verdi Singer .....................................................................................12 NIAF Grant Support ..........................................................................................13 Chef Marco Barilla story...............................................................................14-15 Joe Gannascoli Actor ...........................................................................................16 Johnny DeCarlo Cugine Corner ..............................................................18-19 Summer Recipes.............................................................................................20-21 History Puzzle ......................................................................................................22 Izabella Center Spread .................................................................................24-25 Travel Tips ...............................................................................................................27 CongressmanManzullo......................................................................................28 Peter Silvestri + Chief Fagiano..........................................................................29 History of Barletta.................................................................................................30 LaCapaninna Coffee Co....................................................................................31 Promises to Keep WW2 ..............................................................................34-35 Dr. Rosenfeld House Calls.................................................................................36 Dr Maria Montessori............................................................................................37 Womens, greatest Right ......................................................................................38 Italian Influence and Glamour ........................................................................39 Calendar of Entertainment Events.................................................................40 Pacquiao Boxing description ............................................................................41 Cesarani Designs ..................................................................................................42 Congressional Reception.....................................................................................44 John Basilone “The Pacific”...............................................................................45


Benvenuti

Editorial

Our Elected Officials Mandate! Italian influence on American history can be traced back to the navigators, Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci. America’s founding fathers, especially Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, were familiar with the Italian language, and culture and with Roman history. Jefferson was a supporter of the Italian physician and merchant Filippo Mazzei and encouraged him in the early 1770s to bring Italian wine merchants, to Virginia. Though not successful in that venture, Mazzei became actively involved in the colonists’ struggle with England. Writing in the Virginia newspapers as “Furioso” he was one of the first people to urge Americans to declare independence and form a unified constitution to govern all thirteen colonies. Some of his phraseology later found its way into Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. William Paca, an early governor of Maryland, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. However with this new administration and the government takeover of health care will go down in history as the worst piece of legislation to emerge from a Congress, ever in the history, by the American people. I am sure, that our Founding fathers, are rolling over in disgust, at this most latitudinous decision… The malformed health legislation is not the only reason Democrats is facing political extinction in November, but it is one of the most dramatic. The legislative process in this country has never been so unseemly. Arm twisting, backroom deals, special privileges and potentially criminal “government jobs for votes” agreements became a normal way of doing business. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi fixated on the mantra that the Democrats’ historic health plan is really going to work. President Obama went to Capitol Hill to give his last, push to his Democrat congress, in doing so he sai final pep talk to Democrats, where he absurdly called his socialist health care measure “one of the biggest deficit reduction measures in history.” This contradicts the chief actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who says his staff currently has no idea what the impact of the plan is “due to the complexity of the legislation.” Democrats have been hoodwinked into believing they won’t pay a political price for their actions, but they will soon discover they miscalculated. The new system will suffer, will bring a number of states, to sue the federal government over mandates, when the IRS16,500 person task force begins enforcing the aspects of the bill that voters never knew existed, when small businesses start firing employees because they cannot afford the higher costs of the new system, when new and unforeseen costs blow out the already record federal budget deficit, and when seniors begin to feel the impact of Medicare cuts. All of this is what Mr. Obama euphemistically calls “bending the curve” but which seniors will find out is better termed “denial of care.” Whether the formal “death panels” will convene before the November elections is still to be determined As one key Democrat said prior to the vote. when asked about the rulesHowever he replied “we make the rules as we go along” we, meaning their congress make the rules up as they go along. So much, for our freedom and the constitution of our founding fathers, no one, ever said that we do not need health care reform. What we don’t need is national Government Mandated insurance. Amici Journal is honored to be amongst those that will continue to preserve and promote our Italian American culture and our shared Italian American Heritage. Send all correspondence to Amici Journal Publications, Inc. P.O. Box 595, River Grove, IL 60171 or email us at amiitalia@sbcglobal.net.

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Which administration has refused to meet with the above?

“Government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem.” Ronald Reagan

Summer 2010 / 1


Exclusive interview with

Maria Grazia Cucinotta

By Andrew Guzaldo Maria Cucinotta is a very, elegant and talented actress model; she began with a modeling career in Milan, working during summer holidays. After her schooling she began to turn to an acting career. Her first introduction came, to a known local Italian television production. After her first appearance, she began to be cast in a number of productions. She was the actress to the film in “Commandos” and had roles in a handful of other motion pictures and commercials before the success of “The Postman (Il Postino)”. Although her role in that film mostly required her to look alluring and project sensuality, she succeeded admirably. She went on to appear in larger roles in films released internationally, including Alex de la Iglesia’s comedy, “The Day of the Beast “ 1995, about the coming of the Antichrist. In some of her following ventures, she continued to make a delivering studied performance as the lead in the amiable but lackluster comedy “The Graduates/I Laureati” 1996 and as pregnant women in both “Italiani/Italians” also 1996 and “The Mayor/Il Sindaco” (1997). In “Bedrooms” 1997, Cucinotta was more relaxed as the nurse girlfriend of a night watchman in a role that allowed her to display not just her physical attributes but also an unforced comic presence. Attempting to break into American films, she co-starred opposite Vincent Spano in “A Brooklyn State of Mind” as an Italian journalist who has come to America to find her father’s murderer. Critics found her charming, but hampered somewhat by the English dialogue. She’s well known in Italy as a television actress, but she earned international attention with her roles in Il Postino and the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough. She is currently working on a new film “Maternity Blues” (Il bene dal male), directed by Fabrizio Cattani, and she has the dual role, of producer and actress. It is a story of four different women, bound by a common guilt: the infanticide. Inside a judicial psychiatric hospital, they spend their time expiating a sentence, which is mainly an inner sense of, which has made their existence 2 / Summer 2010

useless in their minds. And then being forced to live with each other, they formed an inner bond, and a strong relationship between them. Where each one can read, the guilt within the other, from confessions they shared, to the lives they lived, as they begin to understand each other, they begin to alleviate the suffering they have shared. The script was created from a reflection, on maternal instinct, and as an accusation against a society, which always needs to create monsters, and to judge an anxiety that cannot be destroyed easily. It is a difficult project with a difficult subject. Knowing the past history of the infanticides, helps one understand how maternal instinct, is not obligatory factor, and how maternity is something extremely complex. Maria recently came back from The United States, where She attended the NICE Festival, New Italian Cinema, presented by the San Francisco Film Society, the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco, and New Italian Cinema Events of Florence. This is a Festival dedicated to celebrating the rich cinema graphic tradition of Italy and bringing the country’s newest directors and films to audiences in San Francisco. The film, in competition, the film that she produced “Sea Purple” (Viola di mare), directed by Donatella Maiorca, and they were awarded the NICE City of Florence Award.This was a very prestigious award ro Maria. And will help her in her cause, to direct, more exposure to the Italian cinema graphic world Maria, would love to write a book, however she very rarely has time to start on it, it has always been one of her dreams, however this dream will take, time which she has very little available lately. Her latest challenge is to show the Italian Cinema to the world, so that everyone can enjoy the Italian cinema arts. She is constantly, traveling and promoting the wonderful reality of the Italian Cinema.


There are four movie productions, Maria is working at the moment, as an actress and producer.

“L’Imbroglio nel lenzuolo”,directed by Alfonso Arau. The cinematographer reaches Southern Italy and casts fear among the common people to whom it seems have a devilish trick. They call it “u’mbrogghiu nt’o linzolu. Marianna, is an illiterate costermonger (street fruit seller) finds out to be featuring in a movie called “La casta Susanna” – “Chaste Susanna” enchanting or enraging the audience with the spectacle of her naked bathing in a lake. Unaware of what exactly is a cinematographer, she does not understand how her own image can be on the screen, and she is sure to have a “double”, a look alike, that may want to ruin her reputation among the villagers.

Hostias, directed by Diego Musiak. Bernardo is a movie producer whom, together with Samuel, a distributor, is about to fall into bankruptcy. In order to avoid their ruin, they prepare a plan: to call Juan, an international movie director, and compromise him to shoot a cheap and awful movie so they can pay their debts. The con begins with a poker game with “friends”. Bets are high. Juan, confidence in his good luck all through out the night, doubles up. It is all or nothing, now. And his luck turns into nothing, living Juan with half a million to pay. Disoriented and under debts, Juan has two options: shoot the film they propose as a payback or being killed. On his rescue, Laura, his agent’s assistant, would help him with the poor script, with his paranoid under pressure of being killed, with his crisis up fronting the possibility of loosing his prestige, always with a smile, and laughing in the end Juan’s frustration leads him to possible suicide.

And only as Actress - Flores Negras, directed by David Carreras. Michael leaves his job as a spy after failing on a mission, and takes with him Helena, the daughter of a Russian spy, who dies under suspicious circumstances. They leave their past behind and move to Barcelona, and open a small restaurant, but his former colleagues reappear with unfinished business and Michael is once again immersed in a dizzying nightmare.

“Sea Purple” (Viola di mare), directed by Donatella Maiorca. This takes place on an imaginary island off 19thcentury Sicily, as 25-year-old Angela finds herself in love with Sara and she decides to ride out the scandal of her homosexuality by disguising herself as a man. When Angela refuses to go through with an arranged marriage, her father locks her down in a cave. She is eventually saved by a scheme, her mother plans: she convinces the curate to change Angela’s name and sex on her birth certificate. And that is how Angela turns into Angelo, sporting a cap and a cigar and giving the appearance of a picture perfect family.

Summer 2010 / 3


NIAF News Monthly A monthly bulletin for Italian American organizations and media outlets, dedicated to promoting the language, culture and traditions of Italians and Italian Americans.

March - April 2010 A Celebration of Women March 8 marks La Festa Della Donna, International Women’s Day, where women receive a traditional gift of yellow mimosas. This celebration evolved from two events including a strike on March 8, 1857 by garment workers in New York that led to the formation of the first women’s union. Years later, Russian women led a strike during World War I and also during the Russian Revolution. To celebrate womanhood, the Union of Italian Women declared March 8 a holiday in 1945. The significance of the yellow mimosa is said to have originated in Rome after World War II, when men would give mimosas to friends, partners and family members. March also brings two festivals including the Marriage of Venice to the Sea and the Palio dei Somari, a donkey race held on Saint Joseph’s Feast Day on March 19, also known as Father’s Day in Italy. The Marriage of Venice to the Sea celebrates the city’s maritime identity and takes place on the first Sunday after Ascension. Each year a ring is cast into the sea by the mayor, who is accompanied by the Patriarch of Venice.

Author To Speak About The Rescue of Italian Jews

Author Elizabeth Bettina will discuss the rescue of Italian Jews during the Holcaust on Tuesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at the Italian Community Center, 631 East Chicago Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center, NIAF and the Italian Community Center will host author and Holocaust survivor Ursula Korn-Selig, who will speak about Italy and its treatment of Jews during World War II Bettina, a New York-based marketing executive, spent her childhood summers visiting her family in the Italian village of Campagna. Her book, “It Happened in Italy,” tells the story of how her discovery of a single faded photo taken in 1940 led her on a quest to research how thousands of Jews were saved throughout the Italian countryside during World War II. To attend, contact Bonnie Shafrin at 414-963-2719 or bonnies@ milwaukeejewish.org.

Mission San Juan Capistrano Debuts Audio Tour The audio tour of the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano in California has been translated into Italian. Its debut will take place at the Mission on St. Joseph’s Day on Friday, March 19 at 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. On March 20, the 52nd Annual Swallow’s Day Parade will once again include an Italian entry featuring the 22 regional flags of Italy, Miss Italia California, Roman Soldiers, pizza tossing, students from Fondazione d’Italia, Stella the Sicilian donkey and proud, flag-waving Italian Americans. For more information, call (949) 234-1300 or visit www.missionsjc.com.

Italian Astronaut to Travel on The Endeavour in July One of the seven members onboard the Endeavour Space Shuttle will include Italian Astronaut Roberto Vittori. In July, the crew will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) to install the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) for research in the field of antimatter. The mission, an agreement between the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and NASA, will deliver and utilize three logistical modules built in Italy. “This is a very advanced program in which Italy takes part with researchers from the National Institute of Nuclear Physics and from various universities,” explained Ambassador Giulio Terzi, who met Vittori at the Embassy of Italy in Washington.

New Documentary By Son in Memory Of His Father Photojournalist Louis F. Dematteis, a NIAF grant recipient, is the producer and director of the documentary “Crimebuster: A Son’s Search for His Father.”The film follows Dematteis on a journey in search of the story of his late father, Louis B. Dematteis, an influential Italian-American crime fighter and jurist. The film goes from the mountains of Italy to the fields of California and streets of San Francisco with the outline of family, justice, estrangement and healing. The hour-long documentary also tracks the history of early Italian immigration to the U.S. and the West Coast. The film was shown at the Museo ItaloAmericano in San Francisco on January 14. There will be a gala “Crimebuster” premier and reception on April 8 with two screenings at the San Mateo County History Museum; the photojournalist’s father first worked as the county’s District Attorney and Superior Court Judge. It’s also where he first hired former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor as a lawyer when no one else would because she was a woman. Contact Louis Dematteis at ldematteis@igc.org

Tour The Region of Basilicata Luisa Potenza, host of “Italia Mia,” a radio show in East Patchogue, N.Y., is hosting a tour to the undiscovered region of Basilicata, also known as Lucania (the area’s ancient name). For more information, contact Luisa Potenza at 631-5896634 or LUPOT11796@aol.com.

Search for NIAF on Facebook & Twitter for latest events! News Monthly Coordinator Natasha Borato 1860 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 Contributing Writer Gina Ghilardi and Ginan Nakshbendi, Research Carlo Piccolo, Director of Communications Elissa Ruffino, Director of Pubilcations Monica Soladay Please send your group or city’s news of Italian-American exhibits, cultural events, scholarships and special events to Elissa Ruffino at the above address or e-mail elissa@niaf.org. Events/programs noted are not necessarily endorsed or sponsored by NIAF.

4 / Summer 2010


IES OF FIVE CENTUR ITALIAN-AMERICAN

H I S T O RY

Richard Capozzola

1986

Lee A. Iacocca, “Father of Ford’s Mustang,” and later, savior of the sinking Chrysler Corporation, raises millions for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island restorations in 1986.

Leonard Riggio controls the number one bookstore company, Barnes & Noble. Robert Di Romualdo takes over the helm of Border’s, the nation’s second largest chain of bookstores.

1990 Johnny Carrabba & Damian Mandola open their first Italian restaurant in Huston, Texas. Today, there are over 100 delicious “Carrabbas” from coast-to-coast..

1989

Remo Franceschini, a hero cop in New York City, plants a “bug” in the Bergin Hunt and Fish Club in Queens, bringing down John Gotti who later dies in prison. Here’s what this courageous cop who chased mobsters for over thirty years said in his book, A MATTER OF HONOR: ‘No one in Italian American organized crime calls their organization the Mafia. No one. It’s either the Mob, the family, the crew, or “our thing,” Never the Mafia.”

1991

Joe Raposo, composer of the Sesame Street theme, “Bein’ Green” and almost all of the background music for 30 years, passes away. Noted TV correspondent, Charles Kluralt, says, “Joe Raposo taught America’s children how to sing.”

Frank Capra, Sicilian immigrant, who becomes a renowned from director, dies at age 94. Winner of several Academy Awards, Capra’s IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE becomes and American classic within his lifetime.

“Bart” Giamatti, Baseball Commissioner and former president of Yale University, bans Red’s superstar, Pete Rose, from baseball.

Marie Rossi, Army officer, at age of 32, dies in a helicopter crash during operations in Persian Gulf. Major Rossi is buried in Arlington National Cemetery; the epitaph on her tombstone reads: FIRST FEMALE COMBAT COMMANDER TO FLY INTO COMBAT OPERATION DESERT STORM.

Summer 2010 / 5


“For Every Tear you wipe, from the eye of a child, another star is lit in the sky”

Boys Town of Italy

Tony Lupo - Fundraiser, Brother Sean Moffett - Exec. Dir., Janet Sguerro - U.S. Fundraiser Coordinator, Nick Vangel - Fundraiser

By Louie Giampa The story began in 1945 with Monsignor John Patrick Abbing, the founder of “The Boys Town of Italy” the Monsignor was from the Vatican Diplomatic Services. It was then; he began a mission to help the homeless orphans of the war-torn country. It was at this time, the Monsignor “had a dream of a future Boy’s Town, a community where the innate rights, and duties and God given mission of each child in society be fostered, and that the ultimate goal in life is to help each boy, find a true place in Society, as a responsible God Fearing citizen.” Boys Town of Italy, was incorporated in 1951, it is highly recognized by the Internal Revenue Service, as an American charity service. Boys Town of Italy is located in Rome. The Monsignor was devastated by the amount of orphans that became victims, due to-World War 2. He asked the Church for assistance, in finding refuge for these children and was offered “some”. He felt that it was not enough, so he personally went out on his own and accepted donations from the people. This was the beginning of Boys Monsignor John Town. His goal was to create a healthy Patrick Abbing and safe refuge for these children, offering them a chance in life. Around the same time, Actress Linda Darnell was filming in Italy. She was also touched by the amount of homeless girls. She helped set up a small villa in Rome to house these orphans. She was told of the good works of Father John Patrick-Abbing. He in turn helped by contacting Mother Dominic from Maryland. Her response was, that her whole life she taught the daughters of the wealthy, and now it was time to dedicate her life to the poorest.

6 / Summer 2010

Which brings us to our story today, Tony Lupo, is the Director of Cumberland Chapel in Norridge, Illinois together with Nick Vangel are involved with an organization called Boys Town of Italy located in Rome. individuals that are supporting, this great cause. I was familiar with this organization in Omaha, Nebraska, but had no idea there was one in Italy. Currently, Boys’ Towns of Italy’s major emphasis has been the support of both Towns, one for boys and the other for girls. They now continue to be partners with other organizations with concerns for the developmental needs of children, particularly the homeless. The charity functions through fund raising activities, of committees throughout the USA. They are coordinated, by Janet Sguera, at the Boys Town of Italy, New York office Today, Boys Town of Italy aids all children from 18 different countries. All of these children are the products of a War. Now they have a home and a chance to do something with their lives. They now have several locations with Rome being their headquarters. They operate there own schooling, and even make their own milk, cheese, and wine. This was all made possible, because of the people who cared, they wanted to do something and make a difference.

Arch Way to Chance in Life

This brings me back to Tony Lupo. He has been involved for 30 years. He and his friend Nick Vangel host yearly Fundraisers for Boys Town of Italy. Monsignor John Carroll-Abbing, Boys Town founder, passed away in Rome, July 9, 2001. He was 88 years old and was active in the daily management of the affairs of Boys Town of Italy. He fed and clothed over 180,000 children. His mission, which lives on, was one of love, giving love and giving them a second chance in life. He leaves behind several books, all depicting the accomplishments of his life. They include; A Chance to Live, Journey to Somewhere, But for the Grace of God, and An Instrument of God’s Peace. Please contact Tony Lupo at 708-453-1653, if you wish to donate, to this great cause! “For Every Tear you wipe from the eye of a child, another star is lit in the sky”

Monsignor J.P. Carroll Abbing

We at Amici Journal will keep you informed of these fundraisers in hopes of your support, and participation. Like I said earlier, all it takes is someone who cares, to make a different, and boy, do they make a difference. Thankyou Tony and Nick http://www.boystownofitaly.org/


THE ITALIAN SCHINDLER

G

iovanni Palatucci. Italians call him “The Italian Schindler.” Oskar Schindler was the German factory owner who saved nearly twelve hundred Jews during the Holocaust by bringing them to work in his factories. The movie Schindler’s List dramatizes his story. So imagine this. It is the 1940s. An Italian police official working under Benito Mussolini (Hitler’s primary ally in Italy) acGiovanni Palatucci tively defied orders to implement Hitler’s “Final Solution” of eliminating Jews from the face of the earth. In the process, he saved thousands of Jewish people from being deported to Nazi death camps. This extraordinary man was Giovanni Palatucci, and for his heroic efforts, he was killed at Dachau. In 1990, the Yad Vashem, the famed Holocaust museum in Israel, for his ultimate sacrifice, honored Palatucci. The Yad Vashem honors as “Righteous Among the Nations” Holocaust rescuers who, at great personal risk, saved Jews during the Holocaust. In 2002, Palatucci was also recognized for his sacrifice and was beatified—a step before sainthood—by the Vatican’s Cardinal Camillo Ruini. Palatucci was born in Montella, near Avellino (Naples area), attended high school in Benevento, and was stationed in Fiume, now Rjeka, Croatia, in 1937. His role in Fiume was Questore, which can best be described as part police chief, part immigration officer, and part census officer. All foreign residents in Italy were required to register at the Questore office, and this gave Palatucci access to their documents and personal information, including their religion. As a result, he had a list of all foreign residents, many of whom were Jews who had come to Italy to escape unrest in their countries prior to the beginning of the war in 1940. Italy was also the only country that kept its borders open to Jews until the war began. Palatucci hid this list from the Nazis, because he knew that in the wrong hands, it was a map that led directly to a concentration camp and almost certain death for the Jews on the list. Giovanni Palatucci enabled people to leave Italy by supplying false documents, and if they couldn’t leave Italy, Palatucci arranged to send them to an official Italian government internment camp in Campagna, the former Convent of San Bartolomeo, where his uncle, Giuseppe

Maria Palatucci, was the bishop. With his uncle watching over the Jews, Giovanni Palatucci knew they were safe—at least for a while. Italy eventually joined the Allies and, as far as Germany was concerned, the Italians were now “the enemy.” Once the Nazis figured out what Giovanni Palatucci was doing, they sent him to Dachau, where, on February 10, 1945, he died the death from which he’d saved thousands of Jews (some estimates are as high as five thousand). Just two months later, on April 29, 1945, Dachau was liberated. Why did this man risk his life to help others? Like most Italians, Giovanni Palatucci believed in one sentence: Amare gli altri come te stesso. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Both survivors and their saviors repeatedly describe their experiences using this simple sentence. Giovanni Palatucci, along with many other Italians, could not understand why Jews were being persecuted just because they were of another religion, and he decided he would do whatever he could to help. In addition to his official role, Palatucci also had a personal interest in helping save Jews. His Jewish fiancée survived the Holocaust because he performed the selfless act of giving her his transit visa for Switzerland, even though he knew the Nazis were coming for him. She eventually made her way to Israel and died just a few years ago. In a way, Palatucci symbolizes all the other unnamed “Giovanni Palatuccis” in Italy, people who risked their lives and their families’ lives to help others simply because it was the right thing to do. As Walter Wolff said, “At least fifty people helped me, and if each one of them didn’t do what they did at the exact moment they did, I wouldn’t be here today.” In honoring Giovanni Palatucci, all of those nameless people are honored as well. The first Giovanni Palatucci Courageous Leadership Award was given in October 2007 to David Cohen, deputy commissioner of intelligence for the city of New York. In his speech Cohen said, “Giovanni Palatucci didn’t save five thousand Jews, he saved twentyfive or thirty thousand—or more. There are now four generations of what could be called ‘Palatucci Survivors,’ children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of his original protectees.” The people saved and their descendants are additional proof that Hitler failed at his “Final Solution.” I always question what makes some people risk their lives to help others. What would I have done? What would you have done?

Summer 2010 / 7


JOIN US San Diego California -- Little Italy -- May 23, 2010

Don’t Miss The

17th Annual Sicilian Festival

Contact us! Bernadette Tarantino 619 469-2206 sicilianfesta@cox.net

8 / Summer 2010

Celebrates All Things Sicilian in the heart of San Diego’s

Little Italy

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Do you know your mother’s deepest secret?

A Sicilian Odyssey

JADE Entertainment and KaplaniKid Productions present A JENNA MARIA CONSTANTINE FILM Inspired by a true love story…

An epic adventure of a young woman’s daring voyage A magical place called Sicilly A mysterious treasure A mother’s secret A curious key A surprisingly intimate portrait of Sicily and Sicilians Destiny and the discovery of a lifetime

who befriend Nikki on her odyssey, guide her to treasure that will reveal a destiny that changes her life forever. A Sicilian Odyssey Unveils an extraordinarily unique glimpse of a people and a place never before captured in such an intimate way. Wander through the “parallel universe” that is Sicily… …a place that will imprint your heart like no other place on earth.

Do you know your mother’s deepest secret? Nikki Barry is a young American writer who reluctantly travels to a place called Sicily to search for a mysterious treasure with a curious keychain she receives as a birthday gift from her mother… only to discover that it unlocks her mother’s deepest secret. The Sons and Daughters of Sicily,

Languages: English, Italian, French, Spanish, Total running time: 116 minutes, Color Contact: KaplaniKid Productions 312-399-4866 www.asicilianodyssey.com , www.kaplanikid.com info@kaplanikid.com , www.imdb.com/title/tt145068g/ Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved

Summer 2010 / 9


Giangreco Hits the Mark on Sports

By Joe Cosentino

Meeting WLS-TV (ABC 7 Chicago) sportscaster Mark Giangreco for lunch is an exercise in efficiency. Following a friendly greeting, he dashes to the buffet in the Great Street Restaurant in the Renaissance Hotel, knowing exactly what he wants. He puts together a plate of food and exhibits a joy in sharing lunch with an old friend and writer. He’s genuine and an original in an industry peppered with attitudes and egos. I first met Giangreco in 1982. He just arrived in Chicago from Louisville to be No. 2 sportscaster at WMAQ-TV (NBC 5 Chicago) backing up Chet Coppock. When Coppock ran into conflicts with the management at WMAQ in 1983, Giangreco was thrust into the top slot. He made good on the opportunity. He’s been doing sports in Chicago for 27 years – 12 years at NBC 5 and currently 15 years at ABC 7 – with a contract for four more years. In his book, “Fat Guys Shouldn’t Be Dancin’ at Halftime” (Triumph), Coppock rates Giangreco among the best sportscasters. He writes, “(Mark is) a gifted writer. A delivery beyond natural. I loved the days we hustled at Channel 5.” Giangreco is certainly unique in that he’s lasted the longest of any of the Chicago on-air sportscasters. He maintains a simple approach to his longevity. “You have to write the way you speak,” Giangreco said. “You have to act the way you act off the air. You’ve got to be real. People in a town like Chicago can see right through you.” Spending time with him is easy to see why he’s considered Giangreco has been doing sports in by many the top sports guy in ChiChicago for 27 years - 12 at NBC 5 cago. Needless to say he’s part of and 15 at ABC 7 - with a contract the news team that is rated No. 1 for for four more years. the 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. The February Nielsen ratings book reports that WLS-TV is still the No. 1 rated newscast at 10 p.m. WLS has a 9.5 rating which is up from 9.3 a year ago. The newscast was up against NBC’s coverage of the 2010 Olympics during the second half of February. WMAQ pulled a 7.6 rating for the month. A rating point equals 35,010 television households. That translates to 332,595 households in Chicago who are watching Channel 7, more than 60,000 viewers over Channel 5. 10 / Summer 2010

The oldest of five children born in Buffalo to the late Joseph and Joanne Giangreco, Mark was drawn to Chicago. He fondly remembers in his teens listening to Top-40 radio stations in Chicago during the 1960s when radio legend Dick Biondi ruled the airwaves and the talk of the day was the top recordings on “The SilMark Giangreco in front of the landmark ver Dollar Survey”. Chicago Theater marque on his way to work “I wanted to at WLS-TV. The Buffalo native was drawn to be rock and roll D.J. at Chicago in his teens while listening to the city’s a Top-40 rock station,” Top-40s radio stations. Giangreco said. “The important things in those days were cars, music, girls, and sports.” “It’s (Buffalo) a mini Chicago. The people are the same. The weather is the same. It’s the same ethnic mix and same blue-collar attitude. The greatest compliment I get is people say, ‘you’re from here, right … what parish are you from’. Buffalo and Chicago are very much alike and I’m very proud of that.” While attending the University of Dayton (Ohio), Giangreco got a job at a local radio station WING-AM radio in Dayton as a news and sports reporter. He gained valuable broadcast experience while enjoying his college days. He notes that his college roommates are still his best friends today. Giangreco’s next assignment was at WDTN-TV, in Dayton, as weekend sports anchor and reporter. He secured his first full-time job at KLKY-TV in Louisville, KY. That job was a great proving ground for him. “It was a great environment,” he said. “I learned a lot about writing and doing television.” He continued to send out tapes to advance his career. In those days, networks would comb smaller markets Giangreco working in the newsroom with looking for talent. producer Larry Snyder


In 1992, he was hired by Chicago’s NBC affiliate WMAQ-TV and his career in Chicago was underway. After 12 years with WMAQ, he moved to WLS in 1994. Giangreco notes that during his time with Channel 5, it was plagued with a Giangreco with ABC 7 sportscaster Jim Rose multitude of managerial turnovers. The move to in the WLS sports department looking over WLS provided a more the latest sports news for the day’s newscast. settled atmosphere. “It’s the best local television station in Chicago,” he said emphatically. The consumption of news has undergone many changes over the last decade. The news at 10 p.m. is no longer the primary source for news. The emergence of 24-hour news stations and incredible development in cell phone technology allows people to receive breaking news and see every highlight virtually as it happens. “I try to be creative, funny and entertaining,” Giangreco said. “You need to get the people to tune in to see what you do with the news and the information they already have.” The direction on television is to lean viewers their Web sites and utilize the social networks like Facebook and Twitter to promote the newscast and get reactions. “We’re all fighting for a much smaller piece of the pie,” Giangreco said. “We’re still No. 1, but the total number of viewers don’t compare to the 90s. You have to sell your people. I think that’s why we win. Our viewers are comfortable with the people who are on Channel 7. We have all been on the station forever.” News reporting in the Chicago market is usually consistent. The lead story on each station is generally the same. However, as Giangreco puts it, “It’s the people who are on the air that makes the difference. We have to integrate the news with the internet and social networking.” Another aspect of the news and sports industry has changed. Giangreco bristles at the celebrity status of sports broadcasters, and the tabloid-type coverage and actions of athletes. “The whole celebrity thing is a joke,” he said. “I just like having the venue to try to do my thing. My whole deal is I love making fun of myself and the people in our business. It’s a joke what we do … I mean we get paid to do this … are you kidding me!” “Sports is pure entertainment for three hours and then it’s see you later.” “Athletes are mercenaries; they go where the money is. They are not connected to a Giangreco on the Channel 7 news set. fan base or a city. I don’t eat, sleep or drink sports. I really enjoy sports and writing about it. It’s been a good career.” Nowhere in this time of an economic downturn has the effects been more evident than in the media industry. Shrinking ad revenues has caused general managers to cut salaries and, more often, jobs. Giangreco offers his counsel to those who continue to pursue a career in broadcasting.

“You have to be flexible and multi-task,” Giangreco said. “You have to edit, write and report. You have to be fluent in all media platforms. Eventually it’s all going to be Webcasts. My advice is to steer yourself that way.” Another big change industry is the influence of professional teams on what comes across the airwaves. More and more teams are controlling not only the news that comes out of the game but access to the players. The Chicago Blackhawks have hired former Chicago Tribune columnist Bob Verdi to write features for the team’s Web site and the Chicago Bulls hired its former Tribune beat writer Stan Smith to cover the team for its Web site. Additionally, as a cost-cutting measure, television outlets are sharing video tape of post game interviews with players and game highlight footage. “Teams are media savvy,” Giangreco said. “Objectivity is out the window. We’re the only station that doesn’t participate in pool reporting where stations share the video tape. Channel 7 doesn’t do that, so it’s us against everyone else.

The No. 1 rated ABC 7 news team are (from left) Mark Giangreco, Cheryl Burton, Ron Magers, Kathy Brock, and Jerry Taft. “It’s the people who are on the air that makes the difference,” Giangreco said. “It’s a challenge for a reporter. I’m thankful that I work for Channel 7. I can say and do whatever I want.” Giangreco’s hobbies include hockey, classic cars and drawing. He lives in Chicago and has three sons, Mark Jr., Christopher “Hootie”, and Matt. * * * Editor’s note: As we go to press, Mark Giangreco’s mother, Joanne (nee Downing) Giangreco passed away on Feb. 22, following a long illness. Joanne was a former teacher and librarian in Buffalo. Additionally, she played basketball and hosted a radio talk show while attending St. Joseph College, in Maryland. She graduated from the University of Buffalo. She was a remarkable woman who was highly regarded in Buffalo’s social and athletic circles. She is survived by three sons; Mark, Thomas, and Peter, two daughters; Gina Pelletier and Judith Johnson, four brothers, and two sisters. Her husband, Joseph, passed away in 2001. She was 82. “Amici Journal” extends its heartfelt sympathy to her family and many friends. (All photos courtesy of WLS-TV and Tom Habel)

Italian Hockey Hockey speedsters Zachary Pierucci, Nicholas Marselle, and Anthony Guzzardo, skate on the same line, sharing not only a proud Italian heritage but the reputation as one of the top scoring threats on their Chicago Jets Hockey Club team. The boys, who all attend St. Andrew School, in Chicago, show off their first place medals in a recent hockey Tournament in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Summer 2010 / 11


: y k s v o n a Sondra Radv The Verdi Singer By John Rizzo Opera is one of the glories of Italian culture. Invented in late 16thcentury Florence, opera was the dominant form of entertainment until the death of Puccini and the advent of talking motion pictures in the mid 1920s. Although opera has a history of over 400 years, when someone talks about “opera” today, it is almost always a reference to the four Mozart works of the late eighteenth century, the operas of the nineteenth century and those of the early twentieth century. Of all the opera composers of this “modern” period, Giuseppe Verdi is the most prominent figure, and productions of his works garner more action at the box office globally than any other dramatist except Shakespeare. Verdi is a giant in Italian history. Not only was he the dominant musician, after Beethoven, in a century that was filled with great musicians, but he was a major force in the liberation and unification of Italy. When Italy was finally an independent country, between the bel canto and the verismo, when Italian music seemed to temporarily lose its luster, Giuseppe Verdi continued to churn out masterpieces like La forza del destino, Don Carlo, Aida and Otello. Finding and promoting Puccini was the prize in the long quest to discover “the next Verdi.” Choosing a favorite between Verdi and Puccini is tough, if not impossible. Like everyone else, I cannot deny that Puccini’s music in certain moments carries one closer to ecstatic oblivion than the music of any other composer. But nobody composed more memorable, and dramatically significant, melodies than Verdi, nor did Puccini really attempt to produce the many ensembles — duets, trios, quartets, quintets, etc. — which I find so exciting and captivating. Thus I would personally give the nod to Verdi, as do millions of opera lovers worldwide. Verdi is very tough to sing. His music requires a far greater range than Puccini’s plus strong sonorities in all registers, not to mention above-average vocal agility. Verdi would no doubt characterize his music as very Italian and, going back one or two generations, there were plenty of Italian or Italian American mezzos and sopranos who did the greatest justice to his music--Giulietta Simionato, Fiorenza Cossoto, Renata Tebaldi, Renata Scotto, Anna Moffo, Mirella Freni, just to name a few. Today, however, I can think of no Italian sopranos of that vocal magnitude who are known for their singing of this most Italian of composers. But this very Italian art is carried forth brilliantly today by an American soprano, whom Verdi himself would find a most satisfactory interpreter of his music. This is the American soprano, Sondra Radvanovsky. The first time I saw and heard Sondra Radvanovsky was some years back in a performance at Lyric of Il trovatore. Perhaps because I didn’t particularly care for the production, or maybe because the piece features four equally important principals, I noted that she did an excellent job as Leonora, but I was not blown away by her performance. But last season, when I attended a performance of Ernani, I was absolutely thrilled and surprised by her performance. In truth, I can’t remember ever hearing anyone sing Verdi better than her. I simply had to find out more about her. In early 2008, when Sondra Radvanovsky made her La Scala debut as Roxane in Alfanos’s Cyrano de Bergerac, her leading man, in the title

12 / Summer 2010

role, was none other than Placido Domingo. What a strange twist of fate that was, given that, as Ms Radvanovsky recalls, “I was watching TV, when I was 11 years old, and I saw Placido Domingo singing. I decided right then that this is what I wanted to do!” Ah, how many of us have had a childhood dream of being something, but never have come close to it? As for the experience of singing in the most fabled opera house of all, Sondra has mixed feelings. “I was fascinated by the museum part of the La Scala, seeing things like the actual costume that Salvatore Maria Callas wore and stuff like that, but Licitra there was a lot of trouble with the company & Sondra then, so I wasn’t too impressed with singing there.” Radvanovsky Born in Berwyn, Ill. Sondra Radvanovsky moved at a young age to Richmond, Ind. and then to California where she grew up. She studied at the Met, at Tanglewood and the University of Cincinnati. “I got my first break from the Opera Pacifica when I played Flora in La traviata [a mezzo role!]” Since then she has performed lead roles at virtually every important opera house in the world and is focused on the interpretation of the great Verdi heroines. “Verdi must be done with thrust and heft. It’s all on the page, and demands everything,” she says. Another reason why I love her singing so much is because she makes it so exciting, just as Verdi would have wanted. “I always interpolate the high notes [pitches higher Sondra than the ones Verdi put in the score], Verdi, Radvanovsky to a great extent is bel canto.” As many Italians feel (though definitely not I), Sondra thinks Verdi is not at all like Mozart. “I find the voice part in Mozart to be just another instrument.” When I spoke with her late last year, there were a couple of roles that she had not performed that she was looking forward to: Amelia in Un ballo in maschera, Aida and Tosca. Recently she performed Tosca in Denver and she is scheduled to play Amelia at the Lyric this coming season. I’d like to be around to hear her Aida also, I’m sure it will be great! Besides the opportunity to hear the world’s best Verdi soprano at the Lyric, you might run into her in River North. “Coco Pazzo is my favorite Italian restaurant,” she smiles.


20Th INTERNATIONAL FINAL - 2010

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The First Pageant Dedicated to the Most Beautiful Women of Italian Descent

Sunday - April 25th, 2010

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Christina Marraccini Miss Italia USA 2009

Italy June

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Time 4:00 PM - Show $20.00, $30.00, $40.00 6:00 PM - VIP Cocktail party Where Palace Theatre 61 Atlantic Avenue, Stamford (CT) e - m a i l : fucsia@missitaliausa.com w e b s i t e : www.missitaliausa.com Ticket available by phone at 203.325.4466 or www.scalive.org,

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NIAF SUPPORTS AP ITALIAN with $500,000 CHALLENGE GRANT WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 26, 2010 The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is proud to announce that we will support the Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Culture Program in Italian for high school students across the nation with a $500,000 matching grant. ”The study of the Italian language and its culture is at the core of NIAF’s mission to preserve and expand our rich heritage,” NIAF Secretary John F. Calvelli, said. “NIAF’s Board of Directors are determined to give students the opportunity to obtain college credit for their work and voted unanimously to fund this project during its board meeting.” “NIAF’s decision, demonstrating a commitment for which I am thankful, confirms the importance of the partnership established by the Italian Government and the principal Italian American organizations for the purpose of reinstating Italian in the AP Program. Hon. Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, Ambassador of Italy to the United States, said. This establishes an important example that, I am certain, will be followed by other organizations.” Ambassador Terzi secured a commitment from the Italian government for $1.5 million over a three-year period toward the program. The Embassy of Italy and NIAF join a coalition organized by The Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations, of which NIAF is an active member, in launching a nationwide campaign to raise the funds necessary for the remaining $1 million needed by the College Board. Other members include OSIA, UNICO, the Columbus Citizens Foundation and the American Society of the Italian Legions of Merit. In 2005, the College Board began offering AP Italian but announced three years later that it would cancel the program after the 2008-2009 academic year, citing lack of interest, unless outside funds totaling $3 million became available. Despite extensive work within the Italian American community, the AP Italian program ended in 2009. Although some high schools continue to teach the Italian language, even at the AP level, AP Italian exams are no longer offered. As a result, students of Italian can not obtain college credit for their work, deterring some from studying the language and prompting them to instead study French, Spanish, German or even Japanese – all languages for which AP exams are offered. To support the NIAF AP Italian Matching Fund, and for more information, contact Serena Cantoni, NIAF director of education and culture, at 202-939-3111 or ser-

ena@niaf.org.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage and culture of American of Italian decent. Visit www.niaf.org

Summer 2010 / 13


Celebrity Chef

Marco Barrila and Insatiable Eats

By Andrew Guzaldo

Celebrity Chef Marco Barilla, is very knowledgeable, when it comes to his culinary cuisine. Marco is a product of Italy, born and raised in the beautiful town Messina, Sicily. Sicilian cuisine is quite different to that of other regions of Italy. It’s both delicious and distinctive. Everyone from the Greeks colonized the island’s varied history, from Romans to the Arabs, and the Normans reflects, in its dishes. The Greeks are said to have brought grapes and olives, and the Romans fava beans and lentils. At the age young age of 24 Marco Barilla, came to America, where he planned on bring the Sicilian ecstasy, of cuisine, he was always interested in the aspect of culinary, cuisine. So it was with this, that he was going to make his future become, the vast range of foods disguised with delicate creativity, impressed Marco. He became prepped at how to feed the fever of his culinary addiction he wanted to share. He longed to explore the amazing world of gastronomy, and he would do so, upon arriving in America. He is a natural, when it comes to creativity, and very talented in his passion of foods. Chef Marco says, “I was hired fresh off the plane to work at Sfuzzi serving the richly fed and highly demanding. I also had two other jobs, one at the “Paramount Hotel” and the other at “Carmines” this was before, I finally settled at the “Fiorello’s Lincoln Center”. Fiorellos is a high volume restaurant, with a high profile clientele.” It was at Fiorellos Marco to embrace, various creations in the culinary industry, and with such, his name became known, in the restaurateur industry. One of his marks, are the famous antipasti bar, at Fiorellos Restaurant. Sought after for exclusive New York City events, Chef Marco was nominated as one of New York City’s Top 40 Chefs. It is hard to tell how much the craft of food or charm figures into Chef Marco’s success. They both served him well when he opened his own Italian bistro “NOI” on Bleeker Street. Chef Marco dished up, fresh pasta plates with live cooking performances, which earned him numerous achievement awards, including a New York Times Travel Guide review of five stars. Launched from New York City, Chef Marco set sail for a holiday trip to the Hamptons. Similar to Sicily, he immediately fell in love with the landscape, and knew that this is where he wanted to alter the ritual change of seasons. Chef Marco, opened his first season at ”HRH Resorts & Hospitality”, catering to the Hamptons’ elite and covering countless multimedia events. The next season he was recruited as Robbins Wolffe’ star chef, where Chef Marco hosted food for twenty four carat gold events for celebrities, including the VIP Boxes at the Hampton Classic, and at the Ross School Concert Series. Chef Marco knew there was still a deep passion within, and in 2008 he opened the successful “Insatiable Eats” he needed to be free to 14 / Summer 2010

reveal and share, with the world, the culinary arts, implanted in his soul. “Insatiable Eats” serves up food, for a variety of events, and gives a distinct and creation to each event, depending on the particular event, in an atmosphere that the attendees will relate to. Chef Marco will be sharing his great dishes with the Hampton’s, elite where “Insatiable Eats” could become an addiction. Recently seeing a need in New York’s East end of Long Island, Chef Marco started a charitable organization in 2009 called “Frugal Food Project”. This organization began when Chef Marco noticed, the enormous amount of food that was wasted, with the elite and celebrity events. He was aware that if just ten to thirteen percent of the amount of food being wasted at these celebrity events, or the funds used to purchase 13 % of the food could be donated, to help feed single moms and their families, in New York’s East end of Long Island. This truly, would make a difference, in their lives. This has made Chef Marco, and his “Frugal Food Project” organization, realize they are really doing something for the community, they so love. The Frugal Food Project works together with Citizens 4 Humanity to deliver prepared meals to single mothers during the holiday season. In 2008 , they were able to deliver a small number of meals to families, in need. However that has grown from a small number, to now 160 families. And they expect to continue to do much more, especially with the economic downfall, which has occurred these last two years. With many of the areas food pantries overtaxed, Chef Marco was concerned that many of the moms and their children were not getting adequate nutritional needs met. He hopes to help in that area as much as he can by preparing delicious, healthy meals none of which come from a can or a box. Rallying together a group of volunteers and chef friends, who generously have donated the use of their kitchens, and working together with donations, from local stores and farms the organization is off to a good start. A typical holiday meal with all of the trimmings for a mother and three children usually costs, on average twenty dollars. The names those in need of help, are selected by word of mouth, or through neighborhood contacts. It is Chef Marco’s desire to be able to provide a savory meal, for a family who might not typically even invite, friends or family over during the holidays. They do not have the luxury, as do many to allow them the possibility to have enough food to share with family members, on a day that is especially meaningful for family togetherness. This year 2010 Chef Marco and Citizens 4 Humanity hope to extend the Frugal Food Project throughout the year, but they need your help to be able to supply healthy, nutritious meals to families in need.


Charitable Events, which Chef Barilla hosted.

Barilla Achievement Awards

2002 Collaboration with Cipriani at Rainbow Room/ Vanessa William’s Birthday Event 2003 Prepared 5 Course Lunch, Diner/ Italian Marine Dinner/ Columbus Day Parade 2004 Chef Supervisor for Lombardi Event with Lamborghini, Grand Marshall Mario Andretti 2004 & 2005 Taste of Greenwich House of Music/ Benefit Event 2006 Meet The Chef/ Sponsored by Greenwich Village 2007-2008 Southampton Hospital, Southampton Library, Heather on Earth, Christopher Reeves Foundation 2009-2010 Citizens 4 Humanity/ Frugal Food Project

1999 Top 40 Chef NYC; 2000 Chefs 2000 Award San Francisco Tasting Institute; 2002 Prestigious Tasting Institute America’s; 2002 NY Times/ Dining Out Awarded 5 Stars for Travel Guide; 2003 New York City Guide Editorial Rated 9.8; 2004 Menu Pages/ 4.5 Stars, AOL City Guide/ 5 Stars, Time Out/ Hot Spot 2006 Ross School Food Chair 2007 Social Ross Concert Series 2008 MTV Last Episode Paris Hilton 2009 Hampton Classic Equestrian Event We here at Amici Journal will be donating, to this very worthy cause, and we applaud, Chef Marco, and his Frugal Food Project. We need to see more of this happen, in our society. As Chef Marco replies “we need to give back, to the community, of that we have, graciously received.” God bless, Chef Marco and his organization! To make a donation to the Frugal Food Project and Citizens 4 Humanity Visit, their website at: http://www.citizens4humanityny.org/

English

Chef Barrila Recipes

Italiano

CARPACCIO SEA BASS

CARPACCIO DI BRANZINO

Ingredients 1.5 lbs fillet of sea bass thinly sliced 2 fresh onions basil, coriander juice of 1 / 2 lemon juice of 1 / 2 orange juice 1 clove of garlic add salt and pepper

INGREDIENTI 600 g di Filetto di Spigola Affettato Sottilmente 2 Cipolle Basilico, Coriandolo ½ Succo di Limone 1 / 2 Succo D’arancia 1 Spicchio D’aglio Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva, Sale, Pepe

Required Time: 20 minutes Serves 4

Preparation Clean and slice the onions, mix the garlic , basil leaves, lemon juice, orange juice, and a tablespoon of ex virgin oil. Arrange the slices of sea bass in 4 plates, salt, pepper with prepared sauce and top with basil and chopped coriander.

Tempo Richiesto (in minuti): 20 PORZIONI 4

PREPARAZIONE Pulite i cipollotti e affettateli. Passate al mixer l’aglio con le foglie di basilico, il succo di limone, il succo d’arancia, e qualche cucchiaio d’olio. Disponete le fette di branzino in 4 piatti, salatelo, pepatelo e irroratelo con la salsina preparata e cospargetelo con basilico e coriandolo tritati.

FRIED SALT COD IN BATTER

BACCALA IN PASTELLA

Ingredients Serves 4 1 ½ lb of dried cod soaked, ½ lb of flour, 150 ml of beer, 1 egg white, salt

Ingredienti (per 4 persone): 600 gr di baccalà ammollato, 100 gr di farina, 150 ml di birra, 1 albume, sale, olio di arachide per friggere

Preparation: Wash the salt cod under running water to remove any, residual salt. Remove any bones and skin, using a sharp knife. Drain the salt cod well with a cloth or paper towel, and cut into pieces. Prepare the batter: Mix the flour with the beer, until mixture is smooth and not too liquid. Whip egg white and incorporate the batter. Heat amount of oil in a pan.Flour the pieces of cod (prior to frying them, not before) and pass into the batter, then place them in boiling oil, browning the pieces of cod, then let them drain on paper towels. Serve piping hot, fried cod.

Preparazione: Lavate il baccalà con acqua corrente per eliminare eventuali residui di sale. Eliminate eventuali lische e la pelle aiutandovi con un coltello affilato. Asciugate molto bene il baccalà con un panno o della carta da cucina e tagliatelo a pezzetti. Preparate la pastella: amalgamate la farina con la birra fino ad ottenere un composto omogeneo e non troppo liquido. Montate a neve un albume e incorporatelo alla pastella. Scaldate in un tegame abbondante olio. Infarinate i pezzetti di baccalà (al momento di friggerli, non prima) e passateli nella pastella, poi metteteli nell’olio bollente. Fate dorare i pezzetti di baccalà, poi fateli sgocciolare su fogli di carta da cucina. Servite il baccalà fritto ben caldo.

Required time (in minutes): 120

Tempo Richiesto (in minuti): 30

Summer 2010 / 15


Joe Gannascoli Actor Entrepreneur By John Rizzo It must have been a gay old time in the headquarters of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). Once more the organization had shaken down a thriving American corporation, in this case HBO, and put an end to the budding entrepreneurial activities of an American citizen, actor Joe Gannascoli. And here, not so long ago, GLAAD had praised Gannascoli for his performance as a bi-sexual capo in the hit Sopranos series. He was even tapped by the gay community of Atlanta to be the Grand Marshal in the city’s 2007 Gay Pride Parade. But Joe had subsequently angered gay organizations by marketing a specially made pool cue called “A Cue to Die For,” the name a takeoff of his 2006 cookbook, A Meal to Die For, and a not-so-camouflaged allusion to the death of his Sopranos character, Vito Spatafore. Actually, although not really a principal character in The Sopranos, Vito Spatafore is nonetheless memorable to millions precisely because of his unlikely (for the Cosa Nostra) sexual orientation. Gannascoli himself came up with the idea for portraying the overweight wiseguy as bi-sexual, inspired by a character in the Gene Mustain 1993 book about the Gambino crime family, Murder Machine. “I suggested they make him a gay guy back in Series 3,” claims Gannascoli, who is definitely not gay. The reason for the suggestion was simple -- to get more appearances than originally planned. The character’s gayness is established in Season 5, and Vito’s outing and exile become the series’ central dramatic focus in the initial episodes of Season 6. In the show, ultimately Vito is brutally beaten to death and sodomized by pool cues. Hence Gannascoli’s idea to cash in on the popularity of the story by selling pool cues. For the most part, the role of Vito Spatafore is treated sympathetically in The Sopranos. The portrayal included some very suggestive homo-erotic scenes and a positively presented relationship between two men. As a result, the series and Gannascoli were praised by all kinds of gay groups for exhibiting homosexual escapades on prime time TV -- they especially liked the killing of Vito because, as GLAAD put it, the scene “exposed the bigotry” of many of the show’s characters. As for playing an openly gay man, “I thought it might open some doors for me,” Gannascoli admits. But no big roles came his way, so he decided to try to make some money by selling his “Cue to Die For.” Now the various gay groups turned on Joe vehemently. “It’s very inappropriate to use a symbol of hateful violence...as a gimmick to sell a product,” railed GLAAD. When publicly denouncing Joe and his manufacturer, Rockwell Billiards, had no effect, the flustered gays pressured HBO, who quickly caved. “HBO made me quit,” Gannascoli laments. It’s really a shame, but a reality in our contem-

16 / Summer 2010

porary world, that there always seem to be a handful of loudmouths ready to pounce on someone for the slightest un-politically correct move, even if no offense whatsoever is meant. Joe Gannascoli certainly didn’t mean to slur gay people by selling a pool cue. He was just trying to capitalize on a potentially profitable situation at the right time. Like many of us who have not worked at a single occupation since high school, but have repeatedly made the best of the circumstances as they have come, Joe has worked at a number of professions. A third generation Italian of Abruzzese and Sicilian heritage, he was born in Brooklyn and grew up in the New York area. As a kid, he had no inkling that he would ever get into any kind of show business. Rather, “I always thought I’d make it in sports.” As a young man he began moving towards the restaurant business. “I worked in a meat packing company, bounced around and landed a chef’s job for a while. Then a waiter suggested that I try out for a play he was in. I auditioned for it and got a part.” But it was still the restaurant business where he made his living. As a matter of fact, Joe actually ran his own place for a while, but he gambled it away and high-tailed it to California. Out west he got the acting bug again, but found it tough to succeed without a dedicated agent. Joe finally found one, but this guy liked to sleep late rather than work hard. So the resourceful Gannascoli routinely raided the agent’s mail box, copying the various treatments, then putting them back in the box before the sleepy agent got up. Joe would then contact various studios representing himself as an agent who had a great property -- Joe Gannascoli. Joe landed a few gigs, but he did not hit it big. He did, however, become friends with veteran character actor Benecio Del Toro, who introduced him to the casting director of The Sopranos. This turned out to be a great experience for Gannascoli. Not only did he expand his role by using his wits, but he shrunk his waistline considerably, taking off over 100 pounds with the help of some lap band surgery. Today Joe is still acting occasionally but is seriously marketing his Cugine Cigars and a new brand of imported olive oil (“To Die For”). He is scheduled to make a number of Chicago appearances in 2010, and you might run into him at his favorite restaurant there, Carmine’s on Rush Street. His various activities can be followed at www.josephrgannascoli.com


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Summer 2010 / 17


Food brings Americans together, Especially those of Italian Ancestry... “CUGINE CORNER” By: Johnny DeCarlo When my paisan and I greet each other with our usual “Ciao,” the next thing we discuss is what (and where) we’re going to chow. Is that double entendre that automatically segue us from our hello-to-mangia gameplan in two seconds time, just blaobvious to us Johnny fast at work tantly alone? Madonne, I’m getting hungry for a dozen clams-on-the-half shells from my favorite fish stand in the Bronx. Let me say this though, it aint just those ice cold fresh shucked littlenecks that draw me over the GWB from my neck of the woods in the great Garden State—it’s the draw of Arthur Avenue—that pride and passion emitting from THE PEOPLE. There’s a certain vibe that these “Little Italies” have—whether we’re talking about New York or the 9TH Street section of Philly or Boston’s North End, or anywhere else. I certainly got that vibe of zest off everyone I met in Italy when I traveled there in ‘07. The bottom line is, food brings Americans together, especially those of Italian ancestry. I’ve experienced this phenomenon time and again. No matter what part of Italy your relatives originally hail from, and regardless of where in the U.S. your family calls home, the one thing that links us all together, is food! We don’t need a special occasion either, anytime we congregate, it’s special. The cuisine itself, and the style in which it’s cooked, is different from region to region—both in Italia and amongst us here in America—where we all have varying interpretations on a dish or a recipe, and our own views (and debates) on what should be considered the most “authentic.” There are also those variances, with how we pronounce certain words from dialect to dialect, and the tweaks on how our families integrate and carry on certain religious and ethnic traditions and practices of the old country. It’s the various subcultures that make up what is Italian-Americana, that I personally think makes our nationality as a whole, the most interesting and unique of all. But amongst all of these factors, I think the culinary aspect is the strongest—as it is something that fuels the most excitement, more than any dazzling Versace gown, shiny Ferrari or piece of artwork! I met some unbelievable individuals through food. We all have our similarities, but we indeed also have those differences I spoke of. At the end of the day, being fluent in linguine is the primo bond. The 18 / Summer 2010

meal is the unifying quality that makes us put aside any of our “beefs” (pun certainly intended), and simply break bread as cugini. Is it “gravy” or “sauce”? I’m sure you’ve heard that discussion (argument) before. That East Coast quarrel is as prominent as the old-timers and the young bacciagaloops fighting over which New York catcher is better: Yogi Berra or Mike Piazza. (For the record, it’s obviously Berra.) Speaking of sports, a week before this past Thanksgiving, Lorraine Ranalli, the author of “Gravy Wars – South Philly Foods, Feuds & Attytudes” and I first met when my family traveled down the Turnpike to The City of Brotherly Love. I was there to collect on a friendly bet (a cheesesteak from famous Geno’s) after my beloved Yankees beat Lorraine’s Phillies in the World Series. We also had our first meatball and Sunday gravy (or sauce) cook-off and demonstration in Philadelphia’s Italian market, which was ultimately called a draw. But more importantly, I felt right at home as Lorraine treated me and my family like we were part of her own. Then, in honor (or defiance) of St. Patrick’s Weekend we met again, this time at Chef Central locations in Paramus and Hartsdale, where we turned both places into our own Little Italy’s for the day. Sure it was a “battle” for the best, but it was all in good fun. These events are less about competing for bragging rights, and more about celebrating our backgrounds—even though they aren’t exactly identical. Her hilariously relatable book talks about many such dinnertime squabbles, regarding the fodder itself and other regional discrepancies—“cucina chatter” as she calls it. Oofah, does it really matter what the red stuff that goes on spaghetti is referred to, as long as it’s prepared with passion? Lorraine and I shared tales of our childhood with the crowd, and had a wonderful day. If we had a little vino and some music it would have been a real party! See, story telling, cooking, eating, friends and family gathered together, that’s just the Italian way no matter where you are. It’s more than just what goes from the stove to the plate and into our mouths, it’s what these gatherings represent. As someone who loves to cook (as a hobby and profession), I try my best to duplicate the classic dishes that I grew up eating—that’s very important to me in this age of fast food and drive-thrus. The “Sunday dinner” experience, which was an all-day affair when I was a kid—with relatives who came Lorraine, Bonnie & Clyde from miles away—is something I also try with our gravy (or sauce) to recreate, both in my own home, and for all of those I service as a caterer. It all starts with finding the best possible ingredients and putting love and care into the meal, and into the day itself. That devotion was appreciated so much by another fellow Italian-American, Alicia Vitarelli, that I was featured on


Chef Guy Fieri & Johnny DeCarlo her News 12 New Jersey broadcast last week, in a shopping segment at Corrado’s Family Affair in Clifton—an Italian supermarket that’s been around since 1950—passed down through the generations, and run by people who also know all about the importance of continuing the Sunday dinner celebration. I would love to someday share all this with millions of people just as rock ‘n’ roll Californ-Italian celebrity chef, Guy “Guido” Fieri of The Food Network does. I met the tattooed, spiky haired star when he was filming a New Jersey edition of “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” a few years ago. From the moment he stepped out of his ’67 Camaro, gold chain sparkling in the sun, he was super cool and treated me like we knew each other forever—and what brought us together was our love for the longstanding White Manna landmark in Hackensack. I also met Gordon Ramsay when he was filming an episode of his show at my friend Chef Johnny & Alicia Vitarelli Joe Cerniglia’s at Corrado’s Market Hawthorne restaurant, Campania. He too, was extremely down to earth, despite his intimidating tough British TV persona. Perhaps he was softened by the warmth that Chef Joe and his Italian family extended, welcoming him as an honorary paisan—and with Gordon’s expertise, Campania was elevated to one of the most successful restaurants around—with folks lining up to dine on Joe’s award-winning “best meatballs in New Jersey” (as proudly declared by the customarily critical Mr. Ramsay.)

It meant a lot to me that Chef Joe came out to support me in my own “meatball throw down” at Chef Central, as well as my pal Anthony “Tony Mangia” Scillia, who is probably someone that shares more of a zeal for food than anyone I know. Tony hosted an Italian-American radio show for several years that had an audience which bridged together all ages and genres. Besides playing music from Sinatra, Bon Jovi, Pavarotti, Angelo Venuto and everything in between, his show featured a buffet of celebrities, celebrity chefs, authors, and all Italians and Italian-Americans who have extreme pride in their heritage. His show was all about positivity, and these simple things I’ve been talking about that link us together. See, our reality is NOT about Tony Soprano, or about how many times one can “hook-up” or win a bar fight at Seaside Heights. Just as I said at the Calandra Institute colloquium, when I auditioned for “Jersey Shore,” it was with a hope to be the resident cook of the house. Because even though my style and “look” may be like one of those guidos, I’m the real deal. And every day, I try to learn something and carry myself with class and with respect for my background, and where I came from. I know that wherever I go, whether if it’s as a famous writer or as a Food Network star, I’m going to follow those basic principles. Life is about making peoJohnny in Venice, Italy ple happy, which in turn should provide one’s own inner happiness. And I get happier with each new person I meet that has that same old-school mentality—whether that’s a regular Joe from down the street or someone famous in the entertainment industry. It could be a coincidence that all the great aforementioned individuals I’ve encountered have roots from the boot. Their hearts of gold are matched by olive oil in their veins. Hey, it could be all about the meatballs, but as I said, I feel it’s so much more. Enjoy yourself and live life to the fullest. And as the old goomba saying goes…life is too short, eat the salad last! Ciao for now. To read Johnny DeCarlo’s weekly food and entertainment blog, CUGINE CORNER, check him out at www.i-Italy.org.

Summer 2010 / 19


Summer Recipes Asparagus-and-Ricotta Toasts

Recipe by Gerard Craft

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling and brushing • 8 slices packaged thin white bread • 3/4 pound pencil-thin asparagus, cut into 2-inch lengths • Salt and freshly ground pepper • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice • 1/4 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest • 1/2 cup fresh ricotta (5 ounces)

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350° and lightly brush a baking sheet with olive oil. Using a 2-inch round biscuit cutter, stamp 4 rounds out of each slice of bread and transfer to the baking sheet. Lightly brush the rounds with oil and toast for about 15 minutes, until lightly golden and slightly crisp. • Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the asparagus, season with salt and pepper and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and let cool slightly. • In a small bowl, stir the lemon zest into the ricotta and season with salt and pepper. Spread the lemon ricotta on the toasts and top with the asparagus. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt. Serve right away.

Roasted Herb Chicken with Morels and Watercress Salad Recipe by Kevin Oconner

Ingredients

• One 3 1/2-pound chicken • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • Salt and freshly ground pepper • 1/2 cup chopped mixed herbs, such as thyme, rosemary,oregano and parsley • 2 heads of garlic, separated into unpeeled cloves • 1 cup dry white wine • 1 1/2 ounces dried morel mushrooms (see Note) • 1 cup boiling water • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar • 1/2 pound watercress, thick stems discarded

chicken and roast for about 40 minutes longer, until an instantread thermometer inserted in the bird’s inner thigh registers 165°. • Meanwhile, in a heatproof bowl, soak the dried morel mushrooms in the boiling water until softened, about 10 minutes. Drain the morels and rinse well; reserve the soaking liquid. • In a large skillet, melt the butter in the remaining 1-tablespoon of olive oil. Add the drained morels and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over moderate heat until glazed, about 3 minutes. Carefully pour in the reserved soaking liquid, stopping before you reach the grit at the bottom. Boil until the liquid is reduced to 2 tablespoons and stir in the 1-tablespoon of remaining herbs. Cover the morels and set aside. • Tilt the chicken to drain the cavity juices into the roasting pan and transfer the chicken to a large carving board. Peel the roasted garlic cloves and transfer to a small plate. Pour the juices from the roasting pan into a small saucepan and skim off the fat. Transfer 1/4 cup of the juices to a large bowl. Stir in the sherry vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Add the watercress and toss well. Add the remaining juices and the roasted garlic to the sautéed morels, reheat and season with salt and pepper. • Carve the chicken and serve with the watercress salad and morels.

Spring Vegetable Soup with Tarragon

Recipe by Stephane Vivier

Ingredients

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 450°. Rub the chicken all over with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Season the chicken inside and out with salt and pepper and set it in a roasting pan, breast side up. Rub all but 1 tablespoon of the herbs over the chicken, covering it well. Scatter the garlic cloves in the pan and roast for 15 minutes. • Reduce the oven temperature to 350°. Slowly pour 1/2 cup of the white wine over the top of the chicken, being careful not to disturb the herb crust and roast for 15 minutes longer. Reduce the oven temperature to 300° and roast for 30 minutes. Pour the remaining 1/2 cup of white wine over the 20 / Summer 2010

Directions

• 7 cups water • 10 small red potatoes, quartered • 2 medium carrots, sliced 1/4 inch thick • 2 celery ribs, sliced 1/4 inch thick • 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped • 1 large leek, sliced 1/4 inch thick • 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt • 1 pound green beans, cut into 1 inch lengths, or frozen peas • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley • 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon • Freshly ground pepper

• In a large pot, combine the water with the red potatoes, carrots, celery, onion and leek. Bring to a boil. Add the salt and simmer over moderately low heat for 30 minutes. • Add the green beans and simmer until tender, 3 minutes. Stir in the parsley and tarragon. Season with pepper and serve.

Notes

One Serving 163 cal, 0.5 gm fat, 0 gm sat fat, 36 gm carb, 6.8 gm fiber.


Recipes Beet and Cheddar Risotto

INGREDIENTS: 1. 1 medium beet, peeled and quartered 2. 2 cups loosely packed beet greens, stems trimmed 3. 2 cups water 4. 2 cups vegetable broth 5. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 6. 1 medium onion, minced 7. 1 cup arborio rice 8. 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups) 9. Salt and freshly ground pepper 10. Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving

DIRECTIONS: 1. Place the beet in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the beet greens and pulse until finely chopped. 2. In a medium saucepan, bring the water and vegetable broth to a simmer. Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until softened, 3 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in the beets and beet greens and cook for 1 minute. Add the broth to the large saucepan, 1 cup at a time, and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until the liquid is nearly absorbed between additions, 20 minutes. Add the cheddar; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring until the risotto is creamy and thick, 3 minutes longer. Serve in deep bowls, passing the Parmigiano-Reggiano on the side.

Cannoli DIRECTIONS: 1. To make shells, mix flour, sugar and salt in a bowl. 2. Cut in butter. 3. Add egg yolks; stir with a fork. 4. Stir in wine, 1 tablespooon at a time, with a fork until dough clings together. 5. Form a ball with the dough and let stand for 30 minutes. 6. Roll dough almost paper thin, on a well-floured surface. 7. Using the rim of a margarita glass (about 3-4 inches across), make circle imprints into rolled dough. 8. Using a paring knife, make sure circles are cut all the way through. 9. Roll each circle of dough around a metal cannoli tube, overlaping the ends and press to seal, flaring out the edges slightly. 10. Fry one or two at a time in hot melted shortening (about 360°F) for approximately 1 minute, turning to brown all sides. 11. Remove from hot grease and drain on paper towels, seam side down. 12. Let cool a minute or two before trying to remove metal tube. 13.To remove the tube hold cannoli shell down on the paper towel and carefully slide the tube out one end. 14. Leave cannoli shells on paper towel, seam side down to cool completely. 15. ~NOTE~ Shells can be stored in airtight containers and made several days prior to filling. 16. For filling, drain ricotta cheese over cheesecloth if ricotta is watery. 17. Combine ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until combined. 18. Squeeze Maraschino cherries with paper towels to remove all liquid. (If you don’t squeeze them good, you will have a pink water filling!). 19. Stir in cherries and chocolate chips into the ricotta mixture, being careful not to over mix. 20. For a lighter filling, you may whip 1 cup of heavy whipping cream to form stiff peaks, and fold into filling mixture at this step. 21. Chill filling for about 30 minutes before piping into cooled cannoli shells. 22. You may garnish the cannoli by sprinkling powdered sugar on top. 23. Whipped cream, a cherry, and shaved chocolate can also be used to garnish the top. 24. Keep refrigerated until time of serving.

INGREDIENTS: Shells: 4 cups sifted all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons butter, softened 2 egg yolks 3/4 cup white wine shortening, for frying Filling: 4 cups whole milk ricotta cheese 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/3 cup finely chopped maraschino cherry 1/4 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips 1 cup heavy whipping cream, optional

Summer 2010 / 21


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22 / Summer 2010

DOWN 1. A great Italian investigator that was known as Italy’s Sherlock Holmes? 2. Arturo Giovannitti was born to an upper class family near Campobasso, Italy. He migrated to Canada, was known as a fore most poet of what? 5. Gregory La Cava was a pioneer, who trained others who became legendary in the field, of what specialty? 6. Mario Pei, was born in Rome, and migrated to America. He became a philosopher of what subject? 7. Joseph Petrosino 1860-1909 stands out as an exemplary figure in the annals of law enforcement against what type of crime? 10. In 1899 Piccirilli Brothers, stone carvers for generations. One of their most important works was what memorial? 11. What state was the lynching of 11 Italians in 1891. That was the largest mass lynching in American history?


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“Travel Tips for 2010” VENUS TRAVEL By John Conenna What does it mean to be a travel agent in 2010? Well this is often asked of me, and it is a very interesting question, I even wonder myself, at times, with this economy? However here is the million-dollar answer, for such a question. The airlines basically control your travel arrangements, as well as your trip convenience, and pleasure. It is not only a ticket purchase, but also a baggage cost, food, a simple pillow and blanket, would be a courteous gesture to you since you paid top dollar for the ticket to fly, on their airline. And lets not forget, the possibility of cost, when it comes to using the lavatory on that flight you are about to take, on that overseas trip? You may think that your air travel agent is, knowledgeable when it comes to these, very important issues. Take for example, the individual person who went on-line one day and booked his family trip. Filled with emotion, he tells his family, don’t worry about a thing; I just booked us on a great flight, leave the worries to me. Next they are off to the airport, and that is when, the nightmare begins. Let use this family of four, as a perfect example? They would start with their baggage check in, and then they find out the average price per person, would be $25.00 per bag. However, that price does not include overweight cost, on that baggage, and wait until that hits your credit card. Then the screening begins, your shoes, need to be removed, as well as cell phone, belt, all purses and wallets into a container. This takes extra time of course, however this is something we do not mind doing, given the climate, of terrorist action being threatened to our country, so alright we are on the way. Of course we must hurry to the gate, because they called the flight a few minutes before you put your shoes back on. At the gate, the airline attendant says, the plane will be boarding soon, please have your ticket ready upon boarding Now you’re at the gate waiting, and you need to get that quick cup of coffee, and lets not forget the children, we need to get them a hot dog, or a

McDonald’s hamburger prior to boarding. Well you better keep your cash or credit card handy, after boarding you would like a blanket for the trip, attendant replies, no problem Sir, $7.00 dollars please, and when you ask for that pillow, be ready for another charge. Well, little Joey, would like a a bag of potato chips, or Pringle’s, that will be another $6.00, by the time they reach their destination, there is no telling how much these extras will take out of your pocket. So, the next time you’re at your computer, preparing to book your flight by Internett to Your Destination. You should inquire, about all the details entailed, in the small fine print, from the original, discounted price, by the time you are finished booking, you would have spent another $200.00 that really, should have not been added. That is why your travel agent of the 2010 era is most important for your economical well being, where as your Travel agent is up to date with all the constant changes, from every airline out there. A good travel agent is knowledgeable, in all facets of your trip. And there are more changes coming, everyday, the airlines are always looking for that extra dollar, when you use their airlines you can fly. When I first started Venus travel started in 70,s everything that is mentioned in this article, was free due to your purchase with the airline, for your traveling convenience. Maybe the airlines should think about how they can get their clients back, and offer them better service, for the money they spend on a flight. Lets face it, when things are purchased in large quantities, as the airline purchases, they are more then able to offer those perks to the traveler. So the next time your sitting at your computer ready to make those traveling arrangements, remember this article, and look for that professional travel agent that will give you the best for your money! John F.Conenna is the President of Venus Travel Inc in Chicago you may contact John at

773-637-1110 or email at John@Venustravel.com

Summer 2010 / 27


Manzullo: 3 Million More Americans Out of Work on 1st Anniversary of Failed $862 Billion Stimulus Bill

[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today said the $862 billion stimulus bill he opposed a year ago has failed miserably in its primary objective – to create jobs for Americans. Instead, Congress and the President should focus on helping the private sector put Americans back to work. When the stimulus bill was enacted one year ago today, the Administration claimed it would create 3.5 to 4 million jobs. In reality, another 3 million Americans lost their jobs since then. In addition, America’s unemployment rate rose from 7.6 to 9.7 percent since that time. The big problem is that less than 5 percent of the bill was for job-creating infrastructure spending. The vast majority was spent on expanding and creating new social programs that are not heavy private sector job creators. And

because of the record spending, the budget deficit has surged past $1.4 trillion and our national debt is beyond $12 trillion. In fact, the fastest growing part of the President’s just-released budget is interest on the national debt, which is estimated to be more than $800 billion annually by 2020. Instead of continuing the out-of-control government spending that doesn’t create jobs, Manzullo has offered a plan to help the private sector expand and put Americans back to work. If more Americans work in the private sector, they would pay the taxes necessary to sustain public sector jobs. Manzullo’s American Jobs Agenda focuses on helping employers cut costs, become more competitive, and create jobs through tax incentives, lower health care and energy costs, leveling the international playing field, and helping employers export more overseas and sell more to the government. “From the beginning, we knew the $862 billion stimulus would fail its primary purpose to put Americans back to work because so little of it was focused on private sector job-creation. In fact, we have lost 3 million more jobs since it was enacted a year ago,” Manzullo said. “Government can’t create self-sustaining jobs. We need to focus on helping the private sector become more competitive so they can expand and put Americans back to work. One answer is my American Jobs Agenda, which gives our employers tax incentives, cuts health care and energy costs, levels the international playing field, and helps our employers export more and sell more to the government.”

Export More Products Overseas, Create American Jobs WASHINGTON – Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today testified before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and shared his plan to help increase small business exports and put Americans back to work. Manzullo, Chairman of the House Small Business Committee from 2001-2007, spoke this morning during an ITC hearing entitled, “Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: U.S. and EU Export Activities, and Barriers and Opportunities Experienced by U.S. Firms.” During his testimony, Manzullo offered four action items Congress and the Administration can take to help small employers sell more of their products overseas. They include: • Make American products more cost competitive by requiring foreign governments – especially China – to stop misaligning their currencies to the benefit of foreign manufacturers. • Support aggressive export promotion programs that help small and medium enterprises identify exporting opportunities overseas and secure trade financing. • Pursue export control reforms consistent with national security objectives.

28 / Summer 2010

•Negotiate trade facilitation agreements that eliminate tariffs and trade barriers. Manzullo has continually encouraged his constituent small business owners to consider exporting as a way to expand business and create jobs. Manzullo has hosted exporting workshops for small employers in northern Illinois and maintains a close relationship with the U.S. Dept. of Commerce Export Assistance Center in Rockford, IL. The Rockford region exported $739 million worth of goods for the first six months of 2008, more than the region exported in all of 1993. Manzullo was pleased that President Obama during his State of the Union address announced his National Export Initiative to help farmers and small employers increase their exports. The goal is to double our nation’s exports over the next 5 years and create 2 million jobs, the President said. “More than 96 percent of the world’s consumers, controlling 70 percent of global purchasing power, live outside of the United States and offer significant growth opportunities for America’s small employers,” Manzullo said. “I was encouraged by the President’s call to double our exports and create 2 million American jobs over the next 5 years, and I look forward to working with the Administration on this initiative. More than anything, Americans need jobs right now. And encouraging our small employers to export will certainly expand U.S. production and put more Americans back to work.”


Peter N.Sivestri

Cook County Commissioner 9th District

L-R: Mario Tadei - President of Maroons,Peter N Silvestri - Village President of Elmwood Pk, Il;Cook County Commissioner 9th District, JoAnn Serpico, Father Robert Lombardo

By Andrew Guzaldo

Peter N. Silvestri, is Village President of Elmwood Pk, Illinois and Cook County Commissioner of the 9th District. Silvestri has supported conservative, spending and controlled tax policies, and actions. He has done an amazing job as Village President, and achieved otstanding accomplishments as Cook County Commissioner. Silvestri has consistently opposed new taxes, stressing a need to reform practices before additional taxation. Silvestri supports greater access to public health, expansion of forest preserves, especially in the Chicago and nearby suburbs, and greater cooperation between local and county governments. Silvestri has been recognized by the Cook County Police Memorial Foundation for his work towards building a monument to fallen police officers from throughout the county. One thing is for sure, is that Peter Silvestri, always has time for his constituents, as demonstrated in the photo, at a St. Joseph table celebration, on March 19th. Silvestri also serves as Chairman of the Zoning and Building

Committee and Litigation Subcommittee. He serves as vice-chairman of more committees than any other commissioner, serving on the Contract Compliance, Environmental Control, Provident Hospital, Stroger Hospital, Human Relations, Law Enforcement, Legislation and Intergovernmental Affairs, Building and Forest Preserve Real Estate Committees. He is a member of the Construction, Finance, Public Health, Health and Hospitals, Family Court, Roads and Bridges, Rules, Land Management, Forest Preserve Annexation and Brookfield Zoo Committees. Silvestri with the ninth district, includes the far northwest side of the City of Chicago, the City of Park Ridge, the Villages of River Forest, Elmwood Park, River Grove, Rosemont, Norridge, Harwood Heights, and portions of Oak Park, Melrose Park, Niles, Morton Grove, Schiller Park and unincorporated Norwood Park and Maine Townships. Peter N. Silvestri is President of the Village of Elmwood Park, serving since May 1, 1989. During his terms, Silvestri has stressed a progressive agenda with a conservative spending and tax policy. Other past service include being a former village trustee, member and president of the Elmwood Park Board of Education, Elmwood Park Zoning Board, Elmwood Park Civic Foundation, Norwood Park Senior Home Board of Directors, chairman of the St. Vincent Ferrer Religious Education Advisory Board, and past president of the West Central Municipal Conference and Leyden Norwood Park Municipal League. He currently serves as a member of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, an association of 128 communities. A graduate of De Paul University and its Law School, Silvestri is a licensed attorney. Silvestri states that his most rewarding role is that of father to his son Christian. The Silvestri family, are members of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish located in River Forest, Illinois “Job Plans for Illinois” “There is a visionary plan, in Illinois that will relieve traffic congestion, and decrease delays for the traveling public. Construction of these roads is also vital to the long-term economic development of all of Northeastern Illinois. I am offering a resolution at the Cook County Board in support of this project and its expedited construction. I will also advocate strongly with our elected officials in the Illinois General Assembly and in Washington to see that Western Access is funded and built.” Peter Silvestri, Commissioner, Cook County Board and Elmwood

Park Village President

Elmwood Park Deputy Chief Frank Fagiano By John Rizzo

What is the key to an organization’s excellence and efficiency? “It all starts at the top,” claims Elmwood park Deputy Chief of Police, Frank Fagiano. In this case, the “top” is Village President Peter N. Silvestri, who obviously is held in very high esteem by Village residents as he has held that elected position since 1989. “It’s the Village administration that gets us the latest tools, the state-of-the-art equipment, so we can enforce the law to our utmost ability,” says Frank, holding out a pair of the newest generation of compact breathalyzer devices as examples. “With these, we can quickly determine if someone’s driving drunk.” Interestingly, it was also 1989 that Fagiano became a member of Elmwood Park’s auxiliary police force. It was the beginning of a professional career that he had been aiming for. “Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a police officer,” maintains Frank. “My dad was a member of the Chicago Police Dept. and this is the kind of job where every day is different, it’s never stagnant.” Of course the job has more than its share of potential danger. “Every time you go on a call, you never know what’s going to happen.. Most police officers are injured in some way when they are called upon to break up a domestic disturbance. Fortunately for me, I’ve never been shot, nor have I had to discharge my weapon.

What does this Deputy Chief of Police think about whether citizens should be armed? “I believe every citizen should have the right to possess a gun to protect their home and family,” asserts Fagiano. “Do I think it would be good for everyone to go around carrying guns in their back pockets? No. It would be a lot tougher for officers to approach someone not knowing whether or not they had a gun.” And what’s the Number One crime problem in Elmwood Park these days? “Theft,” says Frank. “Not breaking and entering, or burglary. But shoplifting and stealing things from backyards and garages. It goes with the weak economy.” How about drugs? “Do some kids go to some bad neighborhoods, score some drugs and bring them back to Elmwood Park to use?” asks Frank rhetorically. “Yes. But we have found no stash houses in the Village.” What about graffiti? “There are two types of graffiti,” explains Frank. “One is done by a ‘writer,’ someone who just likes to decorate a wall while the other is a splash of gang symbols, indicating that this area is the private turf of one gang or another. In either case we have the resident remove the graffiti immediately to prevent any further trouble.” Although Frank’s family, of Barese and Sicilian origin, was from Chicago, “I lived in Elmwood Park since third grade. I went to Holy Cross High School, Triton College and got a certificate from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety. I was promoted to Detective in 1995 and Sergeant in 1999. My position as Deputy Chief is an appointment, so I serve at the pleasure of the elected administration.” Given the Village’s very stable situation, we should count on this Elmwood Park native, who married a girl also from Elmwood Park, being around for some time protecting his community. Summer 2010 / 29


The Hisory of Barletta, in the Region of Puglia

By Andrew Guzaldo

The sea presents an extra special experience. The sight of it, the sound of it and the smell of it totally engrosses every bit of you whenever you encounter it. There is much to see in the natural world that leaves you totally overwhelmed, but somehow the sea captivates you even more. Couple that image with the fact that you are in Italy and it magnifies the experience exponentially. That is why; whenever you get the chance, take in a seaside city when you are in this beautiful country. Barletta is one such city. Barletta is located in the northern Puglia region, right on the Adriatic coast. Puglia is in southern Italy. The 93,000 inhabitants occupy a city that just began as the govStatue of Barletta ernment seat of the new Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani. Situated between Foggia and Bari, the busy port locale offers both old and new to any visitor. Many travelling in the Puglia region use Barletta as not only a place to stay but also as a central point to explore the region. This area is dominated by the coastal, traditional Mediterranean climate, with moderate temperatures and rain primarily only seen in the late fall and winter. So, many come to enjoy both the coast and the many attractions of old world Barletta. But, do not let the coastline pull you in entirely. The fertile plain of Tavoliere begins in and around Barletta and provides wonderful landscapes to explore further inland the middle ages, as with a few other coastal Italian cities, this port city was a starting point for many crusaders. The Angevines kings of Naples provided the city with, perhaps, its greatest shining period of glory. Later on, in the 16th century, during the war between the French and the Spanish, the city was the site of a historical victory of a small group of Italian knights over the French challengers, in what became known as the disfida di Barletta (“challenge of Barletta”). The city has always been held in great importance, illustrated by the fact that it was the capital of its district from 1806 to 1927 and is also now capital of the new province now. Later it served as a fortress for the Spanish rulers of southern Italy. As with most of the region of the Mezzogiorno, this area was very poor for much of the19th and early 20th centuries. The term Mezzogiorno, which literally means “midday”, is commonly used when referring to the southern part of the country along with Sicily. Loosely, it would entail the present day regions of Balicata, Calabria, Campania, Puglia, Molise and sometimes Abruzzo, as well as Ancient door entrance 30 / Summer 2010

to Barletta

Sicily and Sardinia. With the poor conditions that prevailed during this time, the city and area were besieged by various bouts of disease. Tuberculosis, pneumonia, small pox malaria and the like were prevalent during this period. Cholera outbreaks were common as well, taking place at various time during the 1800’s and early 1900’s. The worst of these incidents occurred in 1910, when bacillus killed tens of thousands in southern Italy. However, as time went on, but especially after World War II, the city began to capitalize on its history, its coastline and its wonderful heritage. Speaking of World War II, the city won the Gold Medal of Military Valor and of Civil Merit as being one of the first areas of German resistance within the country The historic center of town provides one with many glimpses into its past. One of Barletta’s most famous pieces of historic art is the Colossus of Barletta. It is a huge Bronze statue of an unknown figure. Some say it is of Roman Emperor Theodosius II, but it is not certain. It’s presence dominates the town and the Cathedral next to it. There is also some lore and legend as to how it got to its present location. Some say it was excavated during the work commissioned by Frederick II in the 1200’s. Others say that it was washed ashore during a shipwreck where only the head and torso survived only to be made whole by local artisans. Still other stories claim that at some point the local Dominicans in the 14th century used the arms and legs to cast bells, and the statue was formed whole again in the 16th century. Whatever the most accurate story is, it still presents an imposing figure on the city. The area of Barletta also is the site of the Canne della Battaglia, which is the location of the famous battle, led by Hannibal, between the Romans and Carthaginians. The outnumbered Carthaginians gave the vastly superior Roman army an embarrassing defeat in 216 B.C. during the Punic Wars. There are Duomo of Barletta still remains here of the ancient Roman town. The Hohenstaufen Castle is also an important architectural structure linking Barletta to its place in history. It dates back to the 10th century and was a staging point for soldiers leaving for the Holy Land during part of the Crusades. Frederick II enlarged it in the 1200’s. Charles enlarged it again in the 1500’s. It was completely restored in 1996. Now it is the home, to the Civic Museum, which includes a library and a statue of Frederick II.


La Capannina Coffe Co! Espresso Italian Caffe and, their Products By Andrew Guzaldo La Capannina Coffee was started in 1975 on Grand and Neva in Chicago Illinois by Dino & Rosalba Cataldo. It was originally designed as a European Cafe for the Italian Community. Espresso, pasteries, & ice cream were among the many things served. Soon after opening we purchased our first coffee roaster. Our first roaster was an infrared roaster capable of roasting 7 -10 Ibs of coffee at a time. We had officially become one of the first hybrid Cafe/Coffee Roasteries in Chicago. During that time La Capannina Coffee began expanding into other Imported European Products, such as Perugina Chocolate Easter Eggs, Italian Candies, Cookies, etc. In his travels, Dino tried his best to keep up with current trends and share his findings at the Cafe. In 1981 La Capannina Coffee upgraded to a 30-kilo Industrial Coffee Roaster that was built in Italy. During this period they had also designed their Original Espresso and Decaf Espresso Bags and were ready to sell on a larger scale. As the company grew, Dino and Rosalba came to the decision to sell the Cafe/Restaurant side of the business to expand into the wholesale coffee market. A few years later Dino and Rosalba opened a fish market next door to the Cafe. The fish market, named “The Sea Port” was to bring fresh fish from around the world. The goal for the Sea Port at that given time was to import not only quality fish, but also unique fish, that could not be found in other parts of the city. In the early 90’s La Capannina expanded into the Cafe Business once again with “Cafe Valentino.” A few miles away from the roasterie, Valentino was positioned strategically in what was known as “Little Italy.” A few days prior to opening, and arson fire occurred. To this day, it is unknown who committed the act of arson. Dino decided to rebuild regardless of various individuals recommending otherwise. Designating time among 3 businesses became a burden and the constant traveling and transporting of various products, Dino decided to focus strictly on La Capannina Coffee. A few years after opening Valentino, the Sea Port was closed. A year later Valentino was sold and focus was brought back to La Capannina Coffee. Some time later La Capannina Coffee moved from its original location to 7547 West Addison in Chicago Illinois, its current location. In March 2008, Dino Cataldo lost his battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Having unofficially been retired, Dino had trained 2 of his sons Rocco, and Alex to continue the business. Today, La Capannina Coffee is still family owned and operated, with Rosalba Cataldo, as the current owner, and Alex as the Second Generation Roast Master. Current Plans include opening a retail storefront with the Coffee Roasterie in the back room warehouse. They have also expanded from Espresso and Decaf blends to a Breakfast Blend and Monsooned Coffee Blend. They also plan to offer gourmet origin coffee’s from around the world to the public. Other Gourmet items will be available once they fully open their storefront to the public. They can only hope for the best as they try to revitalize and expand into other markets. Alex is quoted as stating “Many Corporate Coffee houses have been running rampant since we first opened our doors. I think now more than ever we need to show people what quality, locally roasted coffee is and what people are missing out on. Roasted coffee that is imported from other countries can never compete with its locally roasted counterparts. It’s all about freshness. Imported Coffee’s usually take over a month, if not longer to get into the hands of the consumer. You’ve already passed the optimal brewing period for that coffee. Coffee should be brewed and drank within a month from when it was

roasted. After that given point, the coffee’s flavor oils will begin to degenerate and weaken. The worst part is Imported Coffee’s are commanding prices that should be reserved for Artisan and Gourmet Coffee’s. At the 15 to 30 dollar per pound range, you should be getting some of the most exquisite coffees on the planet. “ Alex also goes on to mention that people should learn not to look at face value of coffee. “At 5.50 a pound, an espresso comes out to roughly 9 cents per shot, and it’s even cheaper if it’s brewed in an American drip brewer. So by example, if you buy a pound of gourmet coffee at 22 dollars per pound, that would equate to roughly a 36 cent per shot espresso, and even cheap regular cup of coffee. That’s 1/14th the price of a Latte at your local corporate coffee chain and roughly 1/7th, the cost of an espresso. People want to save money? Buy higher priced locally roasted coffee and make your drinks at home. If you buy a 10 oz latte at your local coffee chain, it’s going to run you usually 5 bucks. On average the volume per person is 1-2 cups, sometimes 3 per day. 52 weeks times 5 working days is 260 days a year. That’s 1300 cips in one year, and 2600 at 2 cups, and 3900 at 3 cups. In 5 years time, at 2 cups, you could have been able, to purchase a 13.000 Commercial Super Automatic Machine, or even better, a new automobile!

Italian Coffee Vocabulary List

* caffè (espresso)—a small cup of very strong coffee, i.e., espresso * caffè Americano—American-style coffee, but stronger; weaker than espresso and served in a large cup * caffè corretto—coffee “corrected” with a shot of grappa, cognac, or other spirit * caffè doppio—double espresso * caffè freddo—iced coffee * caffè Hag—decaffeinated coffee * caffè latte—hot milk mixed with coffee and served in a glass for breakfast * caffè marocchino—espresso with a dash of hot milk and cacao powder * caffè stretto—espresso with less water; rocket fuel! * cappuccino—espresso infused with steamed milk and drunk in the morning, but never after lunch or dinner * granita di caffè con panna—frozen, iced beverage (similar to a slush, but ice shavings make it authentic) and topped with whipped cream.

CALL: 773-745-6755 FAX: 773-745-8678

Please call the number indicated, or visit their website, if you have any questions? or looking for superb coffee products, at an economical cost! La Capannina coffee company www.Lacapanninacoffee.com

ESPRESSO COFFEE EQUIPMENT SALES SERVICE & SUPPLIES

Summer 2010 / 31


2010 - 2011 national italian restaurant guide Email us for info on

CHICAGO AND SUBURBS, IL

3 Olives Restaurant / Twist Lounge 8318 W. Lawrence Ave. Norridge, IL 60706 Phone: (708) 452-1545 Agostino’s Ristorante 2817 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL agostinogustofino.com (773) 745-6464 Amalfi Ristorante 298 Glen Ellyn Rd. Bloomingdale, IL 630-893-9222 Capri Ristorante Italiano, Inc. 1238 W. Ogden Ave. Naperville, IL 60563 Phone: (630) 778-7373 Custom House 500 S. Dearborn St. Chicago, IL 60605 Phone: (312) 523-0200 Gioacchino’s Ristorante & Pizzeria 5201 St. Charles Rd. Bellwood, IL 60104 Phone: (708) 544-0380 La Piazza 410 Circle Ave., Forest Park, IL Phone: (708) 366-4010 www.piazzacafe.com Osteria via Stato 620 N. State St. Chicago, IL 60610 Phone: (312) 642-8450 Porretta Ristorante & Pizzeria 3656 N Central Ave Chicago, IL 60641 Phone: 773-736-1429

Spacca Napoli Pizzeria 1769 W. Sunnyside Ave. Chicago, IL 60640 Phone: (773) 878-2420 Venuti’s Ristorante & Banquets 2251 W. Lake St. Addison, IL 60101 Phone: (630) 376-1500 Via Carducci 1419 W. Fullerton Chicago, IL 60614 773-665-1981 Vince’s Italian Restaurant 4747 N. Harlem Ave. Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: (708) 867-7770 Cafe Zalute & Bar 9501 W. Devon Rosemont, Il Phone: (847) 685-0206 BOSTON, MA Bacco Ristorante & Bar 107 Salem St. Boston, MA 02113 Phone: (617) 624-0454 Fiorella’s

Stars Restaurant Review Rating!

Carini’s La Conca D’oro 3468 N. Oakland Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53211

Dolce` 241 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19106

John Mineo’s Italian 13490 Clayton Rd. St. Louis, MO 63131

Phone: (414) 963-9623

Phone: (215) 238-9983

Phone: (314) 434-5244

Mama Yolanda’s

Modesto Tapas Bar

Italian Restaurant 746 S. 8TH St. Philadelphia, PA 19147

& Restaurant 5257 Shaw Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110

Phone: (215) 592-0195

Phone: (314) 772-8272

Mio Sogno Italian Restaurant 2650 S. 15TH St. Philadelphia, PA 19145

Tony’s Restaurant 410 Market St. St. Louis, MO 63102 Phone: (314) 231-7007

NAPLES, FL Trattoria Milano Italian 336 Tamiami Trail N Naples, FL 34102 Phone: (239) 645-2030 Bellagio of Naples 492 Bayfront Pl. Naples, FL 34102 Phone: (239) 430-7020 Trattoria Milano Italian 336 9TH St. N Naples, FL 34102 Phone: (239) 643-2030

Phone: (215) 467-3317

NEW YORK, NY

Kuleto’s 221 Powell St. San Francisco, CA 94102

Locanda Verde 377 Greenwich St (corner of N.Moore and Greenwich) New York, NY 10013 Phone: (212) 925-3797 Tarry Lodge 18 Mills St. Port Chester, NY 10573 Phone: (914) 939-3111

Newton, MA 02460 Phone: (617) 969-9990

Carmine’s 2450 Broadway New York, NY 10024 Phone: (212) 362-2200

Sorento’s Italian Gourmet 86 Peterborough St. Boston, Ma, 02215 Phone: (617) 424-7070

Massimo al Ponte Vecchio 206 Thompson St. New York, NY 10012

187 North St.

MILWAUKEE, WI

Phone: (212) 228-7701

Alioto’s 3041 N. Mayfair Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53222 Phone: (414) 476-6900

PHILADELPHIA, PA

Buca di Beppo 1233 N. Van Buren St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone: (414) 224-8672

Phone: (215) 922-9501

Dante & Luigi’s 762 S. 10th St. Philadelphia, PA 19147

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Phone: (415) 397-7720

Concetta’s Italian Restaurant 600 S. 5th St. St. Charles, MO 63301 Phone: (636) 946-2468 Ricardo’s Italian Cafe 1931 Park Ave. St. Louis, MO 63104 Phone: (314) 421-4833

Mescolanza 2221 Clement St. San Francisco, CA 94121 Carrabba’s Italian Grill 10923 Olive Blvd. Phone: (415) 668-2221 Creve Coeur, MO 63141 Phone: (314) 872-3241 Puccini & Pinetti 129 Ellis St. San Francisco, CA 94102 The Old Spaghetti Factory Phone: (415) 392-5500 727 N. First St. St. Louis, MO 63102 Ristorante Umbria Phone: (314) 621-0276 198 2nd St. San Francisco, CA 94105 MILAN, ITALY Phone: (415) 546-6985 ST. LOUIS, MO Favazza’s 5201 Southwest Ave. St. Louis, MO 63139 Phone: (314) 772-4454

Al Dollaro Via Paolo Cannobio, 11 Galleria Cafe Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II, 75 Ristorante Pizzeria Dogana Via Dogana, 3 Phone & Fax: 02 8056766

CONTACT US FOR RATES TO BE LISTED IN OUR NATIONAL RESTAURANT GUIDE

32 / Summer 2010


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Custom installation extra. Handling and delivery fee $19.95. Price includes $21XTRA™ bill credit for 12 or mos. after rebate, plusWith an add’l $5 when you submit rebate online,orregister valid emailfor & consent to email alerts.^ With activation of CHOICE package higher. activation of CHOICE XTRA™ package higher.**acct. on directv.com Leasewith fee of $5/mo. 2nd & each additional receiver. Offers end 2/8/10 and are based on approved credit; credit card required. New customers only (lease required, must maintain programming, DVR and/or HD Access). Hardware available separately. Price includes $21 bill credit for 12 mos. after rebate, plus an add’l $5 when you submit rebate online, register acct. on directv.com with valid email & consent to email alerts.^ Offers end 2/8/10 and are based on approved credit; credit card required. New customers only (lease required, must maintain programming, DVR and/or HD Access). Hardware available separately.

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Credit card not required in MA and PA. †Eligibility for local channels based on service address. °DVR Scheduler requires Internet access via computer or mobile phone and directv.com login. Remote connections may vary. In rare instances, scheduled recording(s) may not be recognized. Only available on certain receivers. Visit directv.com/dvrscheduler for details. ^BILL CREDIT/PROGRAMMING OFFER: Free SHOWTIME for 3 months, a value of $38.97. Free Starz and SHOWTIME for 3 months, a value of $72. LIMIT ONE PROGRAMMING OFFER PER ACCOUNT. Featured package names and prices: CHOICE $55.99/mo.; CHOICE XTRA $60.99/mo. Innot order to receive fullMA $26†Eligibility credit,PA. customer submit rebateonchannels form online and register accountaddress. on directv.com to rebate redemption. Requires validandemail and must agreeconnections to phone receive Credit card required and † Eligibility orbased local based on service DVRprior Scheduler requires access viaaddress computer or mobile Credit card not required in MA in and PA. for localmust channels service address. °DVR Scheduler requires Internet access via computer or Internet mobile phone directv.com login. Remote and directv.com login. Remote connections In rare instances, recording(s) may be recognized. Only available Visit directv. emails. System activation, customer receive rebate instructions (included in customer’s firstnot DIRECTV bill,fora details. separate mailing or, inon thecertain state ofreceivers. New York,Free fromSHOWTIME retailer) may vary.Upon In rareDIRECTV instances, scheduled recording(s) maymay notwill bevary. recognized. Only available onscheduled certain receivers. Visit directv.com/dvrscheduler ^BILL CREDIT/PROGRAMMING OFFER: com/scheduler for ^BILL CREDIT/PROGRAMMING SHOWTIME for 3 months, value for of $38.97. Free Starz Account and SHOWTIME forstanding,” 3 months, and3 months, must comply with the terms the instructions. Rebate begins 6–8 weeks afterFree receipt of online redemption, 8-12aweeks mail-in must$55.99/mo.; be in “good as for a value ofdetails. $38.97. Free on Starz and SHOWTIME for 3 months, a value ofOFFER: $72. LIMIT ONE PROGRAMMING OFFER PER or ACCOUNT. Featured packageredemption. names and prices: CHOICE CHOICE XTRA adetermined value of by $75. LIIMIT ONE PROGRAMMING OFFER PER ACCOUNT. Featured package names and prices: CHOICE $55.99/mo.; CHOICE $60.99 mo. In DIRECTV in its sole discretion, tocustomer remain eligible. DIRECTV not responsible forandlate, lost, illegible, mutilated, incomplete, or postage-due mail. THEaddress END OFXTRA THEmust PROMOTIONAL PRICE $60.99/mo. In order to receive full $26 credit, must submit rebate form online register accountaccount on directv.com prior tomisdirected rebateprior redemption. Requires validIF BY email and agree toaddress receive order to receive fullDOES $ 26NOT credit, customer submit rebate form online and on directv.com to rebate redemption. Requires valid FEE email PERIOD(S) CUSTOMER CONTACT DIRECTV must TO CHANGE SERVICE THEN ALL SERVICES WILLregister AUTOMATICALLY CONTINUE AT THE THEN-PREVAILING RATES, INCLUDING THE $5/MO. LEASE FOR THE 2ND emails. Uponagree DIRECTV System activation, customer will receive rebateactivation, instructionscustomer (included inwill customer’s DIRECTV bill, a separate mailinginor,customer’s in the state of NewDIRECTV York, from retailer) and to receive DIRECTV System receivefirst rebate instructions (included bill, ANDmust EACH ADDITIONAL RECEIVER.emails. In certainUpon markets, programming/pricing may vary. Package pricing at directv.com/packages. DIRECTV System has a feature that restricts accessfirst to channels. LIMIT ONE BILLa and must with the onDVR the Rebate begins 6–8 weeks after receipt of online redemption, or 8-12 weeks($60.99/mo.) for mail-in redemption. beorinreceipt “goodJadeworld; standing,” as separate mailing or, in terms the**HD state of instructions. New York, fromAdvanced retailer) and must comply with the termsofonthethe instructions. Rebate begins 6-8Account weeks after or online CREDIT PERcomply DIRECTV ACCOUNT. INSTANT REBATE: equipment instant rebate requires activation CHOICE XTRA package or above; MÁS must ULTRA above; or determined by DIRECTV in its sole discretion, to remain not responsible for lost,standing,” illegible, incomplete, misdirected postage-due IF BYforTHE END OF THE LIMIT PROMOTIONAL PRICE redemption, or 8-12 weeks for mail-in-redemption. Account must beprogramming inlate, “good determined DIRECTV in($10/mo.) its solemail. discretion, remain eligible. DIRECany qualifying international service bundle, which shalleligible. include DIRECTV the PREFERRED CHOICE package.mutilated, DVRasservice ($6/mo.)by and HD Accessor fee required HDto DVR lease. ONE ADVANCED PERIOD(S) CUSTOMER DOES NOT CONTACT DIRECTV TO CHANGE SERVICE THEN ALL SERVICES WILL AUTOMATICALLY CONTINUE AT THE THEN-PREVAILING RATES, INCLUDING THE $5/MO. LEASE FEE FOR THE 2ND TV not responsible for late, lost, illegible, mutilated, incomplete, misdirected or postage-due mail. IF BY THE END OF PROMOTIONAL PRICE PERIOD (S) CUSEQUIPMENT REBATE PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT. SYSTEM LEASE: Purchase 24 months for advanced receivers of any DIRECTV base programming package ($29.99/mo. or above) or qualifying international services AND EACH ADDITIONAL RECEIVER. In certain may vary. Package pricing directv.com/packages. DIRECTV System has a feature that restricts channels. LIMITRECEIVER ONE BILL TOMER DOES NOT CONTACT DIRECTV TO CHANGE THEN ALLatSERVICES AUTOMATICALLY CONTINUE THEtoTHEN-PREVAILING bundle required. FAILURE TO ACTIVATE ALLmarkets, OF THEprogramming/pricing DIRECTV SYSTEM SERVICE EQUIPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WILL EQUIPMENT LEASE ADDENDUM MAY RESULT INAT Aaccess CHARGE OF $150 PER RATES, THE LEASE FEE Advanced FOR THE 2NDMAY AND EACH ADDITIONAL RECEIVER. InARE certain markets, programming/pricing may vary. CREDIT PERINCLUDING DIRECTVIFACCOUNT. **HD DVR INSTANT equipment instant rebate activation CHOICE XTRA ($60.99/mo.) package or above; MÁS ULTRA or above;AND Jadeworld; or NOT ACTIVATED. YOU FAIL TO $5/MO. MAINTAIN YOURREBATE: PROGRAMMING, DIRECTV CHARGE Arequires PRORATED FEEofOFthe$480. RECEIVERS AT ALL TIMES PROPERTY OF DIRECTV MUST BE Package pricing at directv.com/packages. DIRECTV System has a VISIT feature that restricts access to ($6/mo.) channels. BILL CREDIT PER ACCOUNT. any qualifying international service bundle, which shall include the PREFERRED CHOICE programming package. DVR service and HD AccessONE fee ($10/mo.) required HD DVR lease. LIMITsubject ONE ADVANCED RETURNED UPON CANCELLATION OF SERVICE, OR ADDITIONAL FEES APPLY. directv.com OR CALL 1-800-DIRECTV FORLIMIT DETAILS. Programming, pricing,for terms andDIRECTV conditions to change **HD DVR INSTANT REBATE: Advanced equipment instant requires of thebase CHOICE XTRA ($60.99mo.) package or above; MAS or EQUIPMENT REBATE PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT. SYSTEMReceipt LEASE: monthsrebate for isadvanced receivers of anyCustomer DIRECTV programming package or above) international at any time. Pricing residential. Taxes not included. ofPurchase DIRECTV24programming subject to theactivation DIRECTV Agreement; copy provided at($29.99/mo. directv.com/legal andor in qualifying your first bill. StarzULTRA andservices related above, Jadeworld; or any qualifying service whichINand shall include the PREFERED CHOICE programming package, service ($6/mo.) and HD bundle required. FAILURE TOareACTIVATE ALLofinternational OF THEEntertainment DIRECTV SYSTEM EQUIPMENT ACCORDANCE THE EQUIPMENT LEASE ADDENDUM MAY RESULT INDVR A CHARGE OF DIRECTV, $150 PERInc. RECEIVER channels and service marks the property Starz Groupbundle, LLC. Showtime related marksWITH are registered trademarks of Showtime Networks Inc., a CBS Company. ©2009 DIRECTV Access fee ($10/mo.) required for HD DVR PROGRAMMING, lease. LIMITof ONE ADVANCED EQUIPMENT DIRECTV ACCOUNT. SYSTEM Purchase 24 NOT ACTIVATED. IF YOU FAIL TO MAINTAIN YOUR DIRECTV MAY A PRORATED FEEREBATE OF $480. RECEIVERS ALL TIMES PROPERTY OF LEASE. DIRECTV AND MUST BE and the Cyclone Design logo, CHOICE XTRA and CHOICE are trademarks DIRECTV, Inc. AllCHARGE other trademarks and service marks are PER the property ofARE theirATrespective owners. months forUPON advanced receiversOF ofSERVICE, any DIRECTV base programming package ($29.99/mo. above) or qualifying international services TO RETURNED CANCELLATION OR ADDITIONAL FEES APPLY. VISIT directv.com OR CALLor1-800-DIRECTV FOR DETAILS. Programming, pricing,bundle terms andrequired. conditionsFAILURE subject to change ACTIVATE ALL OF THE DIRECTV SYSTEM EQUIPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH EQUIMPENT LEASE ADDENUM MAY RESULT IN CHARGE at any time. Pricing residential. Taxes not included. Receipt of DIRECTV programming is subject to the DIRECTV Customer Agreement; copy provided at directv.com/legal and in your first bill. Starz and related OF $150 PER RECEIVER NOT ACTIVATED. IF YOU FAIL TO MAINTAIN YOUR PROGRAMMING, DIRECTV MAY CHARGE A PRORATED FEE channels and service marks are the property of Starz Entertainment Group LLC. Showtime and related marks are registered trademarks of Showtime Networks Inc., a CBS Company. ©2009 DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV OF $480. RECEIVERS ARE ALL TIMES PROPERTY OF DIRECTV, AND MUST BE RETURNED UPON CANCELATION OF DIRECTV SERVICE, OR and the Cyclone Design logo, APPLY. CHOICE XTRA and CHOICE are trademarks DIRECTV,1-800-DIRECTV Inc. All other trademarks andDETAILS. service marks Programming, are the property ofpricing, their respective ADDITIONAL FEES VISIT directv.com OR of CALL FOR termsowners. and conditions subject to change at any time. Pricing residential taxes not included. Receipt of DIRECTV is subject to DIRECTV Customer Agreement; copy provided at directv.com/legal and in your first bill. Starz and related channels and service marks are property of Starz Entertainment Group LLC. Showtime and related marks are registered trademarks of Showtime Networks Inc., a CBS Company. ©2009 DIRECTV, Inc. 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By Thomas F. Dwyer “He said that as soon as he can make arrangements, he is going to bring me to a convent in Frosinone. I believe he means it.” “What can we do to stop him?” “Tell him the truth, I guess.” “Tell him what truth?” asked the puzzled Domenico. “That we are going to have a child!” They were married in Pico, at the Church of Sant’ Antonio in October 1913. With a bride in hand and a child soon to come, Domenico became painfully aware that although his family responsibilities had increased dramatically, his economic prospects had not. For the next few months, he continued to struggle with the land. It only reinforced his belief that if he remained in Pico, in all likelihood, he would die exactly as he came into this world: a poor dirt farmer. The choice was simple; he would return to America as soon as possible. His plan, like many Italian husbands of the day, was to cash in on any opportunity that presented itself and return with whatever he could save. During his earlier trip to Beverly, he learned of a city at the other end of the state called Pittsfield. It was the home of General Electric, a large electrical manufacturing firm, which employed over ten thousand people. Better yet, it was said to be home to a large number of Italian immigrants, some of whom even came from Pico. Buoyed by this new promise, he decided that America had not seen the last of him. There was little time to waste. On March 7, 1914, twenty-threeyear-old Domenico Forte once again set sail for the United States, this time aboard the aptly named 5.5. America. Three days after he sailed, Maria Civita gave birth to their first son, Angelo. Domenico’s situation in Pittsfield proved to be far more rewarding than his earlier experience in Beverly. Life among the Italian immigrants on the east side of town was perfect, given his circumstances. Hampered by a serious language barrier, many Italians new to the country tended to congregate in small communities. They spoke primarily Italian, attended ethnic churches, shopped in Italian-speaking stores, and read EI Progresso. This was true in most of the factory towns that dotted the northeast, but because of their second day of battle, it became clear that they would be unable to hold their position any longer. All around Domenico, men began cursing and slamming their weapons to the ground as they watched the captain walk toward the enemy lines with a large white cloth dangling from the end of his sword. As Domenico and his comrades were being herded, hands on heads, toward captivity, he glanced down into the ditch that ran along the road that at one time led to headquarters. There, in a contorted lump, lay Patsy’s body, riddled by shrapnel. For the rest of his life, Domenico would sob uncontrollably at the mere mention of his friend’s name. The war was now over for the both of them, and he would spend the remainder of the conflict in a prisoner-of war camp. Every other day for the last two years, Maria Civita had walked the two kilometers to the post office in Pico and was usually rewarded by a letter from her husband. Suddenly, something had gone terribly wrong; the letters stopped coming. It soon became clear that there would be no more. In desperation, she trekked several miles to a well-known shrine atop Mount Civita. Once there, she knelt silently on the first of a long series of stone steps leading up toward the sanctuary. “Life,” she mused, “has been a series of shattered dreams.” She had married against her family’s wishes and spent the last four years doing penance for it. To make matters worse, two of those years had been without her husband. Now it seemed she might even lose him. Half blinded by tears, she looked up at the steps, slid off her foot cov34 / Summer 2010

erings, and began the slow, painful climb on her knees. At each new landing, she lifted her bulky skirt, exposing her knees to abrasive pebbles and grit. At last, upon reaching the top, she rose and reflexively flattened her skirt against her legs and saw that it was covered with blood. She then raised the skirt slightly so as to uncover her knees. The refuse on the steps had torn away the skin from both kneecaps. Blood flowed freely from the open wounds. Numb and void of thought, she then slipped silently into the sanctuary. She had never been taught how to read. She turned and shoved the newspaper into her husband’s hand. “Here! Perhaps you should read it first.” Domenico unfolded the paper. The large, bold headlines proclaimed, “King Victor Emanuel out. Mussolini in.” “So what does this mean?” asked Domenico. “It means,” snapped the man, “that maybe now we can get veteran’s benefits and find work.” “How do you know that?” “Because this Mussolini says he will make things happen.” Domenico looked at his wife and shrugged. “I already have plenty of work, for what good it’s doing me.” While such matters may have been of great importance to the men who played cards, drank wine, and argued at the bistro tables in the village, they were of little consequence to the apolitical Fortes. If a school opened or a new road was built, then the Fascists must be doing a good job. By early 1923, as Domenico watched life on the farm become even more of an economic disaster, he decided to give the United States yet another try. Numbed by the prospect of seemingly endless poverty, Maria Civita quietly surrendered to yet another period of loneliness. During this next stay in America, some subtle but critical changes occurred that would increase his value in the workplace. He now began to speak passable English and could read well enough to struggle through a newspaper. These skills resulted in better pay, more social flexibility, and broader interaction outside of the ItalianAmerican community. He could now shop, read signs, and, above all, better understand his new culture. Although he was now consistently able to find work, his visa was about to expire, and he was once more forced to return to the farm. By this time, he had completely rethought his family’s life plan. Bolstered by the amount of money that he was able to save in one short year, Domenico resolved that rather than go to America for work alone, on his next trip, he would prepare for his family’s emigration and the better life it would mean for them. Back in the United States, events were unfolding that would hamper these new plans. During the decade that preceded 1920, over two million Italian immigrants had entered the United States. Now, along with others from Central and Eastern Europe, they were competing with American citizens for a scarcity of jobs and found themselves no longer welcome. In 1921, therefore, President Warren G. Harding signed the Immigration Act into law. It set up a new quota system severely restricting further im


migration from these countries. Entry into the United States was now limited to the privileged, the professionals, and the politically connected. Domenico Forte, the dirt farmer from Pico, was none of these. Because of his track record of acquired job skills, however, he was again able to return to the United States in May of 1925. Purpose of this trip was stated in the manifest of the 5.5. Conte Verde, was for him to remain permanently, and for the next four years, he continued to find steady work and sent whatever savings he could accumulate back to Maria Civita. True to his new life plan, Domenico Forte visited Superior Court in Berkshire County on July 18, 1928, and filed a Declaration of Intent to become a citizen of the United States of America. From 1790 to 1951, an individual intending to become naturalized first filed such a notice (it became voluntary 1952). This meant that after five years, he would be able to petition the court to become naturalized. By late October 1929, his grand vision tumbled down around him as the stock market crashed and the country fell headlong into the Great Depression. Within a year, along with six million other people, he found himself out of work. With his prospects now in shambles, he returned once again to Pico. Things were no better there. The European economy was soon caught in the ripple effect of the larger economic crisis that infected the rest of the world, and although Mussolini’s new policies had, in fact, helped improve the lot of many industrial workers in northern Italy, the poor farm families to the south simply became poorer. Fortunately, Maria Civita had handled money matters prudently and was able to hang onto most of what Domenico had sent to her during the past three years. Still locked into his dream of citizenship, he once again sailed westward across the Atlantic in the summer of 1931. Alone on the farm, with the world in economic and political collapse around her, Maria Civita Forte gave birth to their fourth child, a son, Attilio, in October. Work in America was hard to come by, and Domenico would need to show self sufficiency as well as literacy when he eventually petitioned the court. Determined to reestablish his employment record, he crisscrossed the country in search of jobs. He worked for a while as a gandy dancer, repairing railroad tracks throughout the country, and even spent some time in a copper mine in the upper peninsula of Michigan. It was hard, dirty, and dangerous work, but it bought him time and some savings. Finally, on December 27, 1933, Domenico Forte returned to Superior Court in Massachusetts, raised his right hand, and took the oath of citizenship. By this time, Mussolini was dueling with world powers over what he felt were unreasonable disarmament terms forced upon his new ally, Germany, at the end of World War I. The League of Nations promptly rejected his overtures, and his emerging alliance with Nazi Germany was suddenly causing great concern to the rest of the world. Clearly, Domenico’s wandering lifestyle had isolated him from the family. He had not been there for his daughter Concetta’s recent wedding, not to mention Angelo or Attlio’s entry into the world. His inevitable epiphany would come, however, when he returned to Pico that day in 1935. As he carried his luggage up the narrow dirt roadway leading to the house, he spotted a little boy idly tossing pebbles into a can. After putting his suitcase down, he squatted beside the youngster and asked, “Tell me, little one, what’s your name?” “Forte, signore/’ he answered, looking up. “Attilio Forte.” “And, how old are you?” “Four!” “And what’s your papa’s name?” “Domenico.” Stunned, he picked up the child, held him close, and through quivering lips, announced, “I want you to meet your papa!” The collective guilt of all those lost years suddenly crashed through his thoughts. He must act quickly; after all, he was now a citizen and had, once again, found work in America. Domenico made a private vow that they would spend the rest of their lives together. However well intentioned it may have been, the vow would be short lived. Global events were still unfolding, and the strict immigration laws that were then in place limited those who Domenico could sponsor to immediate family only, meaning only one’s spouse and any unmarried children. With his eldest daughter, Concetta, now married and Angelo of military age, the situation was dramatically altered. To make matters worse, Domenico, never a sticklerfor detail, had neglected to bring the proper certification that he was gainfully employed in the United States. The

dream was fast slipping away, and by the summer of 1935, he once more found himself sailing westward alone, in yet another attempt to salvage his affairs. On January 2, 1936, again without her husband by her side, Maria Civita would have their fifth and last child, a daughter, Maria. While Domenico was still at sea, Benito Mussolini refused to diplomatically reconcile differences and ordered the Italian army which now inCluded Domenico’s son, Angelo, to invade Ethiopia. This action triggered a long series of diplomatic crises, and by late October 1936, the United States was firmly embarked on an isolationist path; they wanted no part of war. This resulted in the passage of the Neutrality Act, which essentially forbade the sale of any arms to countries involved in war. This infuriated Mussolini, and brought U.S. and Italian relations to a near breaking point. Mussolini’s bad temper, however, was of little concern to Domenico. Ever since he was born, there had been some sort of military crisis in Ethiopia, and this problem would surely go away. His stars still seemed to be reasonably well aligned; after all, the family was in no apparent danger, and he had work. Life, as he saw it, was still salvageable. Shortly after Domenico’s return to the United States, his family also changed dramatically. His daughter, Concetta, no longer at home, provided him with his first grandson, while Angelo would return from the Ethiopian War and marry a young woman from nearby Pontecorvo, Vittoria Raimondi. He was twenty-three and she was twenty-six, and, as was the custom, they took up residence on the Forte farm. During the next couple of years, Concetta had a second son while Vittoria gave birth to their first son, Domenico. This latest addition would be nicknamed Mimino or Little Domenico. The clouds of war were beginning to gather, however, as newspapers in Rome reported that soldiers were once again marshaling in the Eternal City for deployment to the ongoing conflict in North Africa. All of these changes meant that more living space would be needed, so, using the savings that Domenico had left for their passage, the family set about building a new house. The overall task fell to Rosario and Angelo, along with Domenico’s sister, Menica, who proved she could mix mortar and carry cement blocks as well as any man. With the house nearly completed, Rosario carefully chiseled the name “F. D. (Forte Domenico) 1937” into the keystone atop the front door in recognition of its absentee owner. Meanwhile, global events continued to crimp Domenico’s new emigration plan. By late 1939, the Italian government, under Mussolini, had formed a military alliance with Germany, called the Pact of Steel, and in September of that same year, Hitler promptly invaded Poland, setting off World War II. To further complicate matters, Angelo was immediately recalled into the Italian army and once again shipped off to North Africa. Rosario was likewise drafted into the Italian air force and stationed in Bari on the southeastern corner of the Italian peninsula. Domenico’s sister, Menica; their elderly parents; Maria Civita; eight-year-old Attilio; three-yearold Maria; Angelo’s wife, Vittoria; and their infant son, Mimino, were now all who were left to tend to the farm. A year later, Concetta had a third son. It would be the last good thing to happen within the Forte family for a long time. In 1940, at Mussolini’s order, Italy officially entered World War II and, shortly thereafter, marched into southern Greece. During the four years that an unsuspecting Domenico had spent arranging for the emigration of his family to America, Europe had spun into a black hole. Finally, in May of 1941, the United States suspended diplomatic relations with the Axis powers, and Italy proceeded to overrun the Balkans. Then the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Global events, coupled with Domenico’s procrastination, had finally put an end to his dreams, and the Forte family would eventually find itself in grave danger as the scourge of war slowly but surely began grinding its path toward the sleepy, medieval town of Pico.

Summer 2010 / 35


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Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld The term arthritis is not a specific diagnosis. It simply means that one or more of your joints are inflamed, for which there are more than 100 different possible causes. For example, you may have been injured (traumatic arthritis), or you may have gout (gouty arthritis), or one of your joints may have been infected by any one of a number of agents, including gonorrhea. The two most common forms of arthritis, however, are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the result of long-standing wear and tear on the joints that develops usually as we grow older. It involves a loss of cartilage and a change in bone constitution. Rheumatoid arthritis is totally different and results from inflammation of the joints that have been attacked because of a faulty immune system. It affects more than 2.1 million Americans, of whom 1.5 million are women. It’s progressive, chronic, and often crippling. It usually starts in middle age but may occur in children and young adults. Unlike osteoarthritis, which is confined to the joints, rheumatoid arthritis usually also involves internal organs such as the heart and lungs. There are several ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis, but the first goal is to reduce symptoms -- joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. This can be done with drugs such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), and corticosteroids. Exercise, heat, cold, and physiotherapy also play an important role. In addition, a category of medications, referred to as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS) can affect the underlying disease process in addition to reducing pain. For the past 20 years, the DMARD of choice has been methotrexate (Rheumatrex),

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Dr. Maria Montessori Her family and her endeavors M

aria Montessori was born in Chiaravalle (located in the province of Ancona region of Marche) to Alessandro Montessori and Renilde Stoppani when the unification of the Italian territory was about to become a reality. On Sept 20, 1870 the Italian army known as Bersaglieri entered the city of Rome through Porta Pia and on October 2nd Rome officially became part of the nation of Italy. Chiaravalle was mainly a farming town where the tobacco industry was slowly gaining an important economic role; Alessandro Montessori was relocated to Chiaravalle at the age of 33 yrs old in 1865 by the Ministry of Finance to manage the “Manifattura Tabacchi” i.e. the tobacco manufacturing facility in Chiaravalle. In 1866 he married the 32-year old Renilde Stoppani, with whom he shared the same devotion to liberation and unity of Italy and strong Christian values. She was the niece of the late abbot Antonio Stoppani, geologist, patriot and author of the book called “Il Bel Paese”. Their only child Maria was born on Aug. 31, 1870 in the house located in Piazza Mazzini number 10 in Chiaravalle. Her father, a traditionbound army officer, was determined and very disciplined; he discouraged Maria’s interest in a professional career because to his eyes the primary role of a woman was to raise her family. It was with the encouragement and support of her mother Renilde Stoppani , she prepared herself for her later career. When Maria was 12, the family moved to Rome to take advantage of the better educational facilities. Ahead of her time, against the wishes of her father but with the support of her mother, she began to attend a boys’ technical school. After seven years an interest in biology led to her decision to study medicine. This choice required some courage and tenacity, as it was in defiance of the customs of a society, which excluded women from such endeavors. She was the first woman to graduate on July 10, 1896 from the University of Rome La Sapienza Medical School becoming the first female doctor in Italy. In her work at the University of Rome psychiatric clinic Dr. Montessori developed an interest in the treat-

ment of special needs children and, for several years, she worked, wrote, and spoke on their behalf. In 1907, the Italian government put Dr. Montessori in charge of a state-supported slum school in the San Lorenzo quarter of Rome, which had 60 children, aged 3 to 6 from poor families. The news of the unprecedented success of her work in this Casa dei Bambini “House of Children” soon spread around the world, people coming from abroad to see the children for themselves. Invited to the USA by Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, and others, Dr. Montessori spoke at Carnegie Hall in 1915. She was invited to set up a classroom at the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco, where spectators watched twenty-one children, all new to this Montessori Method, behind a glass wall for four months. The only two gold medals awarded for education went to this class, and the education of young children was altered forever. In Rome Dr. Montessori developed the Montessori program for the elementary years for the child from 6-12. She began, as elementary classes do today, with the required curriculum of Italy of her time. She adapted the traditional teacher-taught subjects in the arts and science so that the children could use materials to guide their open-ended research and to follow their individual interests, working to a much higher level than was previously thought possible for children of this age. Dr. Montessori lived in many European countries before returning to Italy at the end of World War II. She died on May 6, 1952 in Noordwijk, Holland. Over 7,000 schools around the world have been named after her and continue her legacy. In the 1990s before the launch of the euro, the Italian government replaced Marco Polo in the Mille Lire (1,000) paper currency note putting the picture of Dr. Maria Montessori. Learning about our origins can be an important legacy to our children, after all memories are not used to remember the lost time, but to start again, knowing that losing our roots inevitably leads to a loss in our identity as people who live, think and love. If you are interested in authorizing a research project in your Ancestral town, go to: http://www.myitalianfamily.com/research/home_research.htm or call us direct at 1-888-472-0171. If you are interested in traveling to your Ancestral town, go to: http://www.myitalianfamily.com/trips/ or call us direct at 1-888-472-0171.

Summer 2010 / 37


Womens, greatest Right We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of “starting a family.” “We’re taking a survey,” she says half-joking. “Do you think I should have a baby?” “It will change your life,” I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. “I know,” she says, “no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations.” But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, “What if that had been MY child?” That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die. I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of “Mom!” will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation. I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby’s sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right. I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be

routine. That a five year old boy’s desire to go to the men’s room rather than the women’s at McDonald’s will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter’s relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic. I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts. My daughter’s quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. “You’ll never regret it,” I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter’s hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble, their way into this most wonderful of callings. Please share this with a Mom that you know or all of your girlfriends, or daughters, who may someday be Moms. May you always have in your arms the one who is in your heart

“Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother” Lin Yutang

Please Donate to Pink Ribbon Organization www.pinkribbon.com

The Appreciation of Life There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you want to pick them from your dreams and hug them. Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do. May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy. Always put yourself in others’ shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too. The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. Happiness lives for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can’t go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you’re the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying and smiling. Send this message on: to those people who mean something to you, to those who have touched your life in one way or another, to those who make you smile when you really need it, to those that make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down and to those you want to tell how much their friendship and love is appreciated!!! 38 / Summer 2010


Italian influences once affected America’s taste for glamour

By Cookie Curci

During the 1950s and ‘60s, what America wore, what its citizens drove, and how they looked, was, in a large part, dictated by Italy’s trendsetters, which included fashion designers, film directors and automakers. If it originated in Italy, and the designer’s name ended in a vowel, the American public was buying it. Even our First Lady, Jackie Kennedy, was enamoured with Oleg Casinni fashions. She set America’s style pace in suits and jackets designed by Casinni. The film industry was, to a large degree, responsible for the public’s newfound interest in the European way of life. With films such as Federico Fellini’s, La Dolce Vita and La Strata, Italian moviemakers had stirred a lust in America’s heart that hitherto had not been touched. Italy’s “leave it till tomorrow” lifestyle and carefree attitude appealed to the American moviegoer, who quickly began to emulate the “dolce” lifestyle. Living the sweet life soon became the priority of the day. People not only wanted to live well, but better, a passion that sent Americans on a search for the “good life.” Songs such as Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore,” Al Martino’s “Al di la” and Mario Lanza’s “Arrivederci Roma” were high on America’s hit parade. Even Walt Disney got in on the act when he had the Italian tune “Bella Notte”composed especially for his animated hit, Lady and the Tramp. While Peggy Lee’s voice sings the romantic ballad, the canine stars of the film, Lady and Tramp, dine alfresco on a platter of meatballs and spaghetti. The song and the scene were the hit of the film. Films featuring Italy were sure to draw people to the box office. Movies such as Three Coins in the Fountain, Summertime in Venice, and The Rose Tattoo, helped feed the frenzy for anything Italian. Wildly famous Italian fashion designers, Cassini, Pucci, Gucci, Givinchy, and Simonetta were hotly in demand, as were these fast cars made by Italian auto makers: Lamborghini, Masereradi, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. But more than cars and more than clothes, Italy’s most profound import was the movie icon, the Italian cinema’s sexy, earthy women and demonstrative, romantic Italian men. They came to us in a variety of sizes, shapes and heights, those voluptuous Italian actresses and sensuous men from across the sea. Whatever their size, shape or style, few moviegoers were exempt from the spell cast by these magnetic stars. The first of these Italian imports to make an impact on our post-war styles and trends was Gina Lolobrigida. Born Luigina Lolobrigida in Subraco, Italy, Gina was the first international actress to bring the short saucy Italian haircut to American beauty salons. Its official name was “the artichoke cut,” but anyone who wanted it just asked her beautician for the “Lolobrigida look.” Sophia Loren Lolobrigida had starred in a number of earthy Italian films before coming to America. But it wasn’t until in 1957 when she starred in Trapeze, with Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis, that America took an undivided interest in her. Even the popular I Love Lucy Show got in on the Italian craze. In one of Lucy’s most beloved episodes, Ricky and Lucy travel to Italy, where Lucy tries to get a part in an earthy Italian film but ends up stomping grapes. The public was enthralled with Italian imports; women’s fads reflected these styles: short dark hair, hoop earrings, and low cut blouses. But

more than styles, it was an attitude we were trying to adopt. About this time, Sophia Loren came along and made her American film debut in Pride and the Passion with the leader of the pack, Frank Sinatra. She was an instant success and she starred in a string of films with Hollywood’s top leading men, including Houseboat with Cary Grant, It Started in Naples with Clark Gable, and Black Orchid with Anthony Quinn. But, like all things Italian, there was more to this glamour queen than met the eye. Despite her volupMarlon Brando tuous measurements, which, at the time, inspired an all-time high in sales of padded and “push-up” bras, this import could act. Film Director Vitorio de Sica sensed this about her and took a big chance. He starred the sexy siren in an unglamorous roll in the film drama Two Women. His instincts proved correct and Sophia Loren was the first actress in a foreign film to receive the Academy Award. After seeing Italian actress Ann Magnani in several Italian-made films, playwright Tennessee Williams wrote the Rose Tattoo especially with her in mind. This film made an impact on the public like no other. It cemented the image of earthy Italian women forever in our minds. For her exquisite performance in the film Magnani received the Academy Award and the New York Film Critic’s award. She was nominated again for her roles in Wild Is the Wind (1957) and The Fugitive Kind with Marlon Brando. But she would be forever stereotyped as the raw, sensual Italian woman. While Italy’s actresses were wearing designer gowns and setting fashion trends, Italy’s actors, such as Marcello Mastroiani and Rosano Brazzi, were creating a new look for the American male. They inspired the trend of Italian silk suits, dark glasses, silk shirts, and scarves, monogrammed leather, sporty hats, fast cars and above all else--an attitude--laid back, carefree, “let tomorrow take care of itself.” Though this esthetic lifestyle may not have been very practical, it was fun while it lasted. And for a time, the movie-going public couldn’t get enough of the Mastroiani and Brazzi Italian accents, or Loren and Lolobrigida’s curvaceous figures. Mastroiani’s hit film La Dolce Vita had solidified him as the jet-setters’ icon. In real life the actor’s lifestyle wasn’t too dissimilar from the characters he portrayed, which made him even more adored by women and envied by men all over the world. Rosano Brazzi was, in real-life, a happily married man, but Hollywood Marcello Mastroianni encouraged his playboy image. He starred in a series of popular romantic films: Three Coins in the Fountain, Summertime in Venice and Rome Adventure. Even the Italian accent was marketable. Comedian Pat Herrington Jr. built a career around it. In 1959, he caused a small sensation when he appeared on Jack Parr’s Tonight Show, claiming to be Italian-born Guido Panzzini. The public was crazy about the supposed Italian-born comic, until it was revealed that he was actually Harrington, an American-born Irishman. The Italian lifestyle, its movie stars and sporty cars were an enviable way of life to a generation just beginning to enjoy a prosperous economy; a lifestyle that may not have been as practical as it was enviable. Today, music, styles and trends come and go as quickly as yesterday’s news. Fashion isn’t very exciting, not like it was in decades past. Autos are driven now for their practicality and not the image they create, and as for hairstyles-well there really aren’t any around to copy. And I can’t remember the last time I heard an actor with an Italian accent. At a recent Golden Globe Awards, amidst a bevy of young movie starlets, Kelsey Grammer was asked if he had seen anyone there who impressed him. He replied, “I saw only one person here who totally awed me with her beauty-- Sophia Loren.” It seems this Italian star’s beauty comes from deep within and remains timeless. Summer 2010 / 39


Calendar of Entertainment Events Chieli Minucci

The new Chieli Minucci & Special EFX Double CD ‘Without You’ is now available for pre-orders! Here’s how to pre-order:

info@chielimusic.com UPCOMING SHOWS JULY 17 Hartford, CT TIZER Lao Tizer, Karen Briggs, Chieli Minucci

Appearing at the annual Hartford Jazz Festival

....Hope to see you at the show! Chieli

ChieliMusic.com

Pasquale Esposito

PASQUALE ESPOSITO, Tenor UPCOMING SUMMER www.pasqualeesposito.com CONCERT Management Notable, Inc. JULY 24, 2010 Label Notable Records LA NOTTE CANwww.notable-inc.om TA - A Tribute to For booking or inquiries, call 408-528-6308, Andrea Bocel- Email: info@italianmusicman.com liSaturday, Sutter Creek, CA CONCORSO ITALIANO 2010 Laguna Seca Golf Ranch Pasquale Esposito and His Band re- Monterey, CA turn to The Park at Hanford Courte in August 13, 2010 Sutter Creek, CA for special tribute concert to ANDREA BOCELLI. The Pasquale Esposito returns to the evening’s program will consist of many Concorso Italiano this year for a of Bocelli’s pop-opera songs as well as live performance. Experience an Pasquale’s original compositions. To international collection of exotic purchase your tickets to this evening cars featured at the world renown concert under the stars, call (209) 267- Laguna Seca Golf Ranch situated in Monterey, CA. 1750.

Greetings & Ciao!

The Italian Chicks

You can always check the our facebook fan page to see new shows added.

http://www.myspace.com/ theitalianchicks MAY 8th Belleville,NJ City Lights Grill 9PM show, Tickets: $20.00 Please call for reservations : 973-450-4700

40 / Summer 2010

MAY 21st & 22nd The ledgendary Catch a Rising Star in Princeton, NJ What are we doing? We have all been very busy collectively and individually. Here is some of what we are working on. Gina Scarda has a reoccurring role in the webisode of “There’s something about Ryan”. Carolann Valentino is bi-coastal previewing her one woman show: “Burnt At The Steak!” Mary Dimino has landed a lead role in a feature film. With co-star Ernest Borgnine !! Maryann Boom Boom Maisano has just finished writing her one woman show tilted: The Agita Monologues. Look forward to a fall preview of this show... Hope to see ya soon !!! Grazie & Baci

The top Five, Italian Romantic movies! 1. Le fate ignoranti (2001), directed by Ferzan Ozpetek, Margherita Buy and Stefano Accorsi starring.A car kills AIDS doctor Antonia’s husband. She gets depressed until she learns he had been cheating on her with a man. Following her newly born curiosity for life, she goes to see her husband’s lover, Michele, and finds a huge apartment that he shares with gay and transgendered friends, including a Turkish immigrant and a prostitute. Antonia is reluctant to tell these people of her relationship to the dead man, but needs prompting to move on to a new phase of her life. 2. Pane, amore e fantasia (1953), directed by Luigi Comincini, Vittorio DeSica and Gina Lollobrigida starring. Marshall Antonio Carotenuto is sent to Sagliena, an imaginary little village in the center of Italy in the 50s, to assume his new mandate. In the village he knows Mariella (Frisky) AKAS ‘la Bersagliera’ secretly fallen in love for a policeman (Carabiniere) reporting to Antonio. But also Paolina, the village’s priest nephew, loves him. Things become more complicated when Annarella, the midwife, start demonstrating his love to Antonio. She is hiding a secret and the Marshall soon will be in a restless situation. 3. Pane e tulipani (2000), directed by Silvio Soldini. Rosalba is a housewife in Pescara with teenage sons, married since 21 to a plumbing supplier whose mistress is her sister in law. When the tour bus leaves her, and her husband calls to tell her to stay put, she rebels slightly and hitchhikes toward home, deciding on a whim to continue to Venice. She lucks into a room in the flat of Fernando, a diffident, formal Icelander; befriends Grazia, a holistic masseuse; and, gets a job at the flower shop of Fermo, a cranky anarchist. Her husband sends a portly plumber to find her. Will duty and maternal instinct win out, or will Alba stay in Venice, combining Rome’s rationality with Greece’s imagination to find her true Italian self? 4. Il postino (1994), directed by Michael Radford, Massimo Troisi and Mariagrazia Cucinotta starring. The life of the fisherman Mario changes dramatically when the famous Chilean writer Pablo Neruda settles on his little Italian island. Living in exile becuase of his political beliefs, Neruda needs a postman to deliver the huge quantities of mail sent to him by his admirers and Mario takes the job since he hates fishing anyway. The two become friends and Neruda helps the shy and clumsy Mario to win the heart of Beatrice, the beautiful waitress at the village’s inn, by showing him the beauty and power of poetry. 5. Ricordati di me (2006), directed by Gabriele Muccino. In the dysfunctional Italian middle-class family Ristuccia, the middle-aged executive Carlo has a stalled life without passion, bored in his work and having a monotonous life with his wife Giulia. Giulia is a frustrated and hysterical woman because she gave up of being an actress in her youth to dedicate to the family. Their needy son Paolo feels lost and rejected, trying to find who he is and flirting with a schoolmate. Their seventeen years old daughter Valentina is decided to work in a television show, and is fighting to have an audition. When Carlo meets his former sweetheart Alessia in a class reunion, they confess to each other that their marriages are in crisis and both feel passion arising again. Meanwhile Giulia is invited to an audition in a stage production and to participate of a play. Paolo tries to make friends using marijuana in his birthday party, and Valentina has sex with different guys trying to be a dancer of the famous TV show ‘Ali Babbi’. Their relationships change when Carlo has an accident.


y n n a M

o a i u Pacq

Beat s Jos hua C Head s Dow lottey n! Whats Next?

By Andrew Guzaldo

ARLINGTON, Texas, the famous Cowboy stadium, was the location where Pacquio and Clottey would battle, the welterweight IBF division championship. With over 50,000 fans watching the bout, one could no longer doubt what a champion, Manny Pacquiao is. He is not only a world famous boxer; he is a world-renowned superior athlete. Pacquiao dominated, what seemed to be a somewhat afraid, and passive Joshua Clottey. Saturday night March 13, 2010, from the first round, Clottey was going to retain his welterweight title, or at least attempt to do so. As Pacquiao whom, is a seven-division champion, one can only assume, that his stamina, may interfere with a win. However this was not the case in this fight. As they entered the ring, it was obvious to many that Clottey was there for a show, and a payday. As he danced around to his country music, one could see he was not focused on the upcoming event. And opposite of that, was when Pacquiao was entering, it was complete focus, on his part, he is usually quite serious when

he goes up against any contender, since a true champion never knows what could happen. First round both fighters, came out in good shape, however Clottey, definitely look the stronger of the two. But he never seemed to begin the fight aggressively enough. They came, out where Pacquio as usual starts strong, and ends strong as well. Clottey started by covering his face, it almost seemed as if he was afraid to get hit. This round ended, as did most of the others. Clottey caught Pacquiao a couple of times with some good strong upper cuts, but Pacquiao kept coming on. It seemed, that Clottey, would have made a better sparring partner instead of a contender. In essence, the crowds as well as the viewers were bored over the encounter. In the end, all three Judges ruled 358 to 326, unanimously, in favor of Pacquiao. The Punch stats were punches thrown by Pacquiao 1,231 to 399 thrown by Clottey. Leaving 246 connected to 108 connected by Clottey. After the fight when asked about the fight, Pacquiao replied “Clottey was a very tough opponent,” Pacquiao said. “He was looking for a big shot.”Pacquiao was supposed to have been fighting Floyd Mayweather, instead of Clottey, but the fight was disputed over Mayweather blood testing. He wanted to take Clottey out quickly to relieve the frustrating, feeling from not fighting Mayweather, which would have been the biggest fight of his career. I think, he wanted to end it with Mayweather, since it seems he may be going onto another path in his life. It is said that Pacquiao will be going into politics in the Philippines. Maybe that would be a good move for him, for his record would be quite hard to compare with. Leaving as a seven-division champion is quite an accomplishment. And no doubt, he would make remarkable progress in his country as a politician.

Summer 2010 / 41


World Renowned Cesarani Design’s

By Andrew Guzaldo

Salvatore J. Cesarani was born on Sept 25, 1939 in New York City to Vincenzo and Carmela Cesarani. Sal married Nancy Staluppi on Sept 29, 1962 and has two children, Lisa and Christopher. Cesarani’s mother was a seamstress and from a very young age his parents taught him to appreciate “le cose belle” - the beautiful things in the world. As a young boy, he gravitated toward the creative arts. He dreamed of becoming an artist with a positive impact. On his own website he relates how, as a young boy growing up in New York, he “... sketched the world around him.” and was further encouraged in his teen years when, “at the age of 15, his teacher encouraged him to enter an art contest and he won.” Cesarani attended the NYC Public High School of Fashion Design (at that time is was known as the School of Thread and Needle Trade). He graduated and served honorably in the U.S.Military, Third Armored Division (“Hell on Wheels”). Cesarani also completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Empire State College. Cesarani began his career in fashion by working for the women’s sportswear company Bobbie Brooks. He also was the window dresser for the New York City men’s haberdashery Paul Stuart. He worked, as the Assistant to Ralph Lauren and then in 1974, he launched his own collection which was called, Country Britches. He then began to license his name and created his own label, CESARANI, Salvatore J. Cesarani is among the first American fashion designers of the late 1970s and 1980s that gave American design, the idealism that it has today. His classic American sense of color combined with his appreciation for fine European tailoring has created collections of clothes for both men and women that endure the test of time. Salvatore, is also known as “New York’s Dean of Good Taste”, is exactly what he, has dedicated his career to all things relating to the quality of men’s dress, Sal is also known for his women’s wear designs. Salvatore continues his work today as a men’s wear designer in the U.S.A and Asia. He is a professor at Parsons The New School for Design and at the New School, he continues an Education Program, and through his online retail store (http://www.cesarani.com), which also offers shoppers styling tips and other information about proper attire. Cesarani also designed the uniforms for the torchbearers and ceremonial officials of the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. His designs have been worn by actors Farrah Fawcett (Charlie’s Angels), Mickey Rourke (Yearof the Dragon), Ben Cross (Chariots of Fire), Sam Waterston, and others.Sal has an avid interest in acting and has appeared in several commercials (Lipton Tea) and short films.He is a member of FIDO (Fellowship in the Interest of Dogs and Their Owners, Brooklyn Chapter) and volunteered at Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York.Creative Fashion Presentations, Polly Guerin.

http://www.cesarani.com

CESARANI

42 / Summer 2010


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Congressional Reception Welcomes Italian Ambassador

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A mici d’ italia italian american association

Background : In October 2009 Giulio Terzi assumed his duties in Washington , D.C. as Ambassador of Italy to the United States . A career diplomat, prior to Washington, Ambassador Terzi served as Italian Ambassador to Israel (2002-2004) and Permanent Representative to the UN (2008-2009), heading the Italian Delegation to the Security Council. He also served in the Foreign Ministry in Rome as Deputy Secretary General, Director General for Multilateral Political Affairs and Human Rights, and Political Director from 2004-2008. During those years, his responsibilities included major international security and political issues.

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Hon. Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, Ambassador of Italy to the United States , was the guest of honor at a Congressional Reception welcoming him to Washington , D.C. , March 16, 2010. The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) under the auspices of the Frank J. Guarini Public Policy Forum and the Italian American Congressional Delegation (IACD) hosted this special event, held at The U.S. Capitol. delraso_harrison_terzi U.S. Representatives Pat Tiberi and Bill Pascrell, co-chairmen of the Italian American Congressional Delegation of the 111th United States Congress, were joined by Representatives Robert Aderholt, John Boccieri, Marcy Kaptur, John Mica, Steve Scalise, and former Representative Mike Ferguson at the reception. Speaking at the event, NIAF President Joseph V. Del Raso, Esq., welcomed NIAF’s leadership including Robert E. Carlucci, Paul Chiapparone, Joseph Della Ratta, Hon. Louis J. Freeh, Patricia de Stacy Harrison, Dr. John Rosa . Del Raso thanked Hon. Frank J. Guarini , NIAF chairman emeritus, for his friendship and generosity over the past three decades and for endowing the Foundation’s Public Policy Forum, which bears his name. Frank Guarini introduced the evening’s guest of honor, Ambassador Terzi. At the podium Reps. Tiberi and Pascrell discussed the impor-

tance of our two great nations and asked the group to lean on the Italian American Congressional Delegation. The Ambassador spoke about Italy as a privileged partner of the United States and Italian Americans as a fundamental part of U.S. culture, economics, and political life. He singled out the work of Fiorello La Guardia, Mario Cuomo, Geraldine Ferraro, Rudy Giuliani and Honorable Nancy Pelosi, the first Italian American to serve as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. He also outlined how our economies are linked by a close interdependence and noted that many Italian companies have successfully settled in the U.S. According to the Ambassador, the Italian language should be considered a vital component of our legacy. He congratulated NIAF’s leadership for its financial commitment in support of the Advanced Placement Exam in Italian as well as the Foundation’s determination and confidence in this project. He closed with the announcement of the upcoming 150th anniversary of Italian Unification in 2011. “The year 1861 marked a long struggle toward independence and would be best celebrated by bringing our two nations together,” Amb. Terzi remarked.

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“A Country is not a mere territory; the particular territory is only its foundation. The Country is the idea which rises upon that foundation; it is the sentiment of love, the sense of fellowship which binds together all the sons of that territory.” Quote: Giuseppe Mazzini

44 / Summer 2010


John Basilone,

Resurrected in Miniseries “The Pacific” The Italian American Veterans Museum & Library (IAVML) recently sponsored a presentation covering John Basilone and his heroic deeds during the pivotal battle for Guadalcanal. The recent released miniseries released March 14) “The Pacific,” produced by Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks, resurrects the long buried and forgotten story of John Basilone. John Basilone, son of immigrant parents, was the only enlisted man in World War II to win both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross… medals awarded only for valor in battle. Guadalcanal (1942) was the turning point in the war in the Pacific. It was the first victory by the Americans over the Japanese. John Basilone’s heroics turned defeat into victory for the outnumbered marines left stranded on the island. Only 2 men from his 14 man crew were alive after the furious banzai attacks had been repelled, leaving virtually an entire regiment of Japanese bodies piled one upon the other. America’s first bona fide WWII hero was killed on the beaches of Iwo Jima in 1945, just months before the war’s end. On the night of October 24, 1942, the weapons man of the hour was”Manila John” Basilone, the platoon sergeant of the heavy .30-caliber machine-gun platoon attached to Co. C, 7th Marines, and 1stMarDiv. Basilone was everywhere at once, clearing jams, calming nervous gunners, replacing parts, and repositioning guns. John Basilone inspired all who saw him that night: he became the glue that bound Co. C together, and for that he earned the Medal of Honor After receiving the Medal of Honor he returned to the United States and participated in a His arrival was highly anticipated and publicized and his hometown held a parade in his honor when he returned. The homecoming parade occurred on Sunday, September 19, 1943 and drew a huge crowd with thousands of people, including politicians, celebrities, and the national press. The parade made national news in. After the parade he toured the country raising money for the war effort and achieved celebrity status. He appreciated the admiration but felt out of place and wanted to return to life as a Marine so he requested to go back to the war. The Marine Corps denied his request and he was told he was needed more on the home front. He was offered a commission, but he turned it down and later offered an assignment as an instructor but refused it as well. He requested again to return to the war and this time the request was approved. He left for for training on December 27, 1943. While stationed at Camp Pendleton he met his future wife Lena Mae Riggi, a Sergeant in They were married in 1944. The IAVML, founded just a few years ago, resurrects the long buried and forgotten story of those Italian American warriors (between 400,000 and 500,000 is an estimate of those who served in WWII) who, in helping to defeat America’s enemies, preserved those freedoms we continue to enjoy. One example that was bought and paid for with lives that were lost, legs that were torn off and arms that were ripped out was the freedom of speech. Ironically, that freedom included CBS-TV’s right to announce, in a nationally televised documentary, that, “Representative of the contributions made to America by the Italian American immigrant was Alfonse Capone.” The IAVML exists to refute the Alistaire Cookes of the media world. The story of the Italian American immigrant and their offspring would remain tainted without the efforts of The Italian American Veterans’ Museum & Library (IAVML) in Stone Park, IL has recently been added to the Morgan Stanley Direct, to Charity approved list. You will now be able to submit your Direct to Charity (DTC) application, or your One-Time or Recurring Payroll Deduction to the Italian American Veterans’ Museum and Library. (IAVML) Please consider directing a charitable donation, to the The Italian American Veterans’ Museum in Stone Park, Illinois

Medal of Honor

Summer 2010 / 45


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3 Olives Italian Restaurant . ..................................................................17 A Sicilian Odyssey Movie ....................................................................... 9 ADT Home Security...............................................................................43 Amici d’ Italia Membership ..................................................................44 Amici Journal subscribe ........................................................................... 1 Calendar of Events .................................................................................40 Cesarani Fashions ....................................................................................42 Cumberland Chapels ..............................................................................46 Daniel Jaconetti DDS ............................................................................36 Direct TV .................................................................................................33 Finish Rich Plan.......................................................................................43 Flower Fantasy .........................................................................................46 Indemnicare ..............................................................................................26 Italian Superior Bakery............................................................................33 La Capannina ...........................................................................................31 Law Offices Joel Gould + LifeLock Theft.........................................26 Miss Italia June 2010 .............................................................................13 NIAF News .............................................................................................. 4 Olive Oil of The World . .......................................................................28 Omaha Steaks .........................................................................................23 Pro Flowers .............................................................................................26 Restaurant Guide ....................................................................................32 Sears ...........................................................................................................33 Sicilian Festival San Diego Calif ..................................................... 8 Spacca Napoli Restaurant .....................................................................23 Simplicity Sofas + Total Gym..............................................................47 Troy Realty ...............................................................................................37 Venus Travel ........................................................................................27 Chicago International Forwarders + Elegant Pasta ......................BIC Via Mare Fish market ..........................................................................BIC


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