ITALIAN MASTERS DO IT BETTER will present these masters to the general public at art galleries, art fairs, museums, private and public institutions, as well as through media campaigns and publications. This unique exhibition will open at VALLI ART Gallery simultaneously with our Booth at the prestigious CONTEXT Art Fair, both in Wynwood, FL.

 

the Futurism, from which separates with a sense of lightness and humor, inventing the Aerial Machine, 1930, the first 'mobile' in art history, and the Useless Machines, 1933. In 1948, he founded MAC, the Concrete Art The Post-War era marks a period in Italian Arts and Design, when "the Italian reinvented the way of doing things." The exhibition at Valli Art Gallery presents master artists that, from the end of the 40's and the first half of the 60's, worked on the "upgrade" of the concept of the canvas, not any more conceived 

pictorial palimpsest, aimed to overcome the two-dimensional limitation of the canvas by creating a space, physical and conceptual at the same time. Bruno Munari, a most important Italian Leonardesque figure of the 20th century, dominated the 50's-60's Milanese scene in the years of the economic boom, in which was born the figure of the artist visual-operator that becomes business consultant while contributing to the Italian post-war industrial revival. Very young, Munari participated with

Movement, with Gillo Dorfles, Gianni Monnet and Atanasio Soldati. The movement was a worldwide catalyst of Italian abstract instances proposing a synthesis of the arts, able to combine traditional painting with new communication tools, to show to industrialists and artists-artists the possible convergence between art and technique. In 1947, Munari created Concave-convex, one of the first installations in art history. Lucio Fontana presented Black environment, 1949, at Galleria Naviglio in Milan.

Between December 1959 and July 1960, Enrico Castellani, Extended and bent inwards surfaces, and Piero Manzoni, Achrome, founded Galleria Azimut in Milan, followed by the journal Azimuth in collaboration with Agostino Bonalumi, Cushioned-canvases. Azimut and Azimuth had an echo and domino effect almost unimaginable, with a disruptive experimentation and a desecration of the tools of making art, offering to the spectator the new role of completing the work by an artist that conceptually, symbolically and physically, violated the canvas. In those same years, Paolo Scheggi reached similar artistic outcomes exhibiting his Intersurfaces in Florence. In 1965, Fontana involved Turi Simeti in the exhibit Zero Avantgarde at his Milanese studio, proving that the Sicilian artist wasn't indifferent to the demands of the Spatialism. The exhibit makes a synthesis of two historical Italian movements with Alberto Biasi telling about Optical Art and with Castellani, Bonalumi and Scheggi about Spatialism. The show, following Azimut's assumptions, investigates these artists, including their natural heirs, Giuseppe Amadio and Cesare Berlingeri, who dared to violate the canvas to rewrite history, building on it something unexpected and revolutionary based on the real use of space, the research on time and the analysis of the structures' rhythm. A section of the show will present Mimmo Rotella and Giosetta Fioroni that in the same years explored at Rome POP expression and realistic Nouveaux. Including Michelangelo Pistoletto, the exhibition showcases masters and their followers that made Italian painting a center of autonomous visual perceptions, where viewers also became the protagonists of the canvas interpretation.


Executive Brian Frauly Passes on, continued from home page:

I inserted an advertisement in the help wanted section of Mondo Italiano newspaper seeking a part time advertising sales professional. Brian called me up about the position and we agreed to meet at Legends sports bar in Nordeast Minneapolis. He was wearing a hunter green baseball cap the day we meet.  We had a few friends in common and get along very well immediately and he was very excited about the opportunity.  Brian could barely read and write but he was a genius and a master salesman.  He had a great sense of humor as well.  When I asked him if he would sell advertising to such and such restaurant he would jokingly reply: If they don't buy  I'll go in to the place and flip over all the tables.  Seldom did he walk out of a business without a check or cash in hand.  He helped me grow the publication from 5000 copies and 8 pages up to 12,000 copies monthly and 12 pages by landing accounts such as Lido's Cafe, Totinos, Broadway Pizza, Brian Pitera Law Firm, Angelo Rulli Real Estate and even an Arab restaurant called El Bustan.  Brian loved cultures and could talk for hours about Judaism, the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire and just about any culture stemming from the Mediterranean region.  We shared the quality of being lovers of Mediterranean culture.  I invested in a membership in the MN newspaper association and gave him and myself a press pass.  That was probably the year of his life that he was the most proud.  We got in everywhere with those press passes. Concerts, art gallery events, nightclubs and once even got let in free at the movie theatre in Mall of America.  Brian and I both loved to go by aliasas when we represented the newspaper.  I was Jimmi Santiago and he was Brian Buffetta whose last name came from his Italian ancestry. He was very loyal to his friends and would do anything for you.  Brian was too wise for this world and we are saddened to see him go but he will not be forgotten.  Everytime I return to Mancini's Char House he will be remembered, everytime I go to Nordeast Mpls he will be remembered and when I drive by the fishing charter boat on Las Olas and A1A in Ft Lauderdale he will be remembered.  We joked with the boat owner about the weight of the fish he was holding up.  The guy got so offended he chased us off with a garden hose!

Good bye Paisan,  

Love Jimmi Santiago

Mondo Italiano Newspaper

Italian Seasoning as a Health Supplement?

8/13/2016

  When most people think of Italian seasoning they think of a simple blend of six or seven herbs commonly used to put in your gravy and or on macaroni, noodles and to season up certain dishes.  What you may never thought of is the fact that these herbs have synergistic health benefits.  For example Thyme is beneficial in lowing blood pressure slightly, to help stop coughing, an immunity booster and for mood improvement.  Its not only the flavors of the miracle herb that put a smile on your face its the biologically active oils contained within the DNA of the plant itself.  

Oregano: antibacterial, digestive aid, omega 3 for heart health, and its loaded with calcium for your bones.

Marjorum: lowers blood pressure, a sleep aid, an anaphrodisiac.  Be careful as in large quantities it can reduce sexual desire.

Basil: anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and rich in antioxidants.

Rosemary: anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, digestion, improved memory & cancer protection.

Sage: anti-inflammatory, better brain activity, helps menopause symptoms & reduce sweating.


Pompano Beach now Sister Cities with Termoli Italy

On July 22, 2016, the Greater Pompano Beach Sister Cities International held a reception at Caffe Roma on E. Atlantic Blvd. to welcome the Italian Town of Termoli, Molise, Italy into Pompano Beach Sister City program. Approximately 55 people attended the reception that included: pizza, soup, eggplant and wine from the area of Termoli, Italy.


Tony Phillips, who is also President of the local Sons of Italy, William A. Dimitri, Jr. Lodge was the force behind the idea of having a city in Italy to join the Sister City Program in Pompano Beach. The owners' of Caffe Roma, the Turdo family, are from Termoli, Italy and was of a great assistance to Tony to secure Termoli in a partnership with the City of Pompano Beach. The International Sister City Program began under U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. A quote from the President " The Sister Cities Program is an important resource to the negotiations of governments in letting people themselves give expression of their common desire for friendship, goodwill, and cooperation for a better world for all". Greater Pompano Beach Sister Cities International will be hosting several events in the near future and everyone will be welcome to attend and become a member of the Sister City Program. Membership applications are available at Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce Office 2200 E. Atlantic Blvd., Caffe Rome 1915 E. Atlantic Blvd., and Bank United at 3551 N. Powerline Rd. Pompano Beach.


Ferrari's Paolo Pininfarina Celebrates 3 Billion Dollar Deal with FL Developers

  March 23rd 2016 - Magic Development CEOs Rodrigo Cunha and Luis Claudio Sinelli, the Brazilian developers reimagining Central Florida’s residential landscape, and Paolo Pininfarina, the legend behind the most iconic designs in automotive history, unveiled their plans for Magic Place, the new $3 billion collaboration in Central Florida.


The massive mixed-use development will be the largest Pininfarina-designed residential project in the world and serves as the first step in Orlando’s transformation into one of the nation’s great global cities.

 

The intimate and celebratory dinner brought together Brazilian creativity, Italian design and Miami’s influence on a new era of development in Central Florida.


Notable Guests: Magic Development CEOs Rodrigo Cunha and Luis Claudio Sinelli; Paolo Pininfarina, Chairman, Pininfarina; Gaston Isoldi, America’s Director, Maison & Objet; Bernardo Fort-Brescia, founding principal of Arquitectonica; Matteo De Lise, Managing Director Pininfarina of America; Paolo Trevisan, Design Director Pininfarina; Alex Da Rosa, Senior Architect Pininfarina.


3/2/2016 - Italians worked hard and dug their way out of socialist trenches only to go an and prosper in America.  There exists no finer example of such success than Republican Judge Anthony Scalia. Born in New Jersey on March 11th as Antonin Gregory Scalia he was the first Sicilian-American to sit on the bench of the Supreme Court. Scalia was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 which ironically enough was also when the Acura Legend was launched.  Scalia was a "Legend"!!!  Scalia graduated from Harvard and spent time teaching in Chicago.  Scalia was a true conservative and believed in states-rights! His most controversial move was his push to strike down Roe vs. Wade which was the most fought over supreme court decision of all time.  Antonin was a fair player and voted against discrimination.  Florida businessman and real-estate mogul touted Judge Scalia as a hero and a judge who did not believe in legislating from the bench!! 


 Randazzo's Little Italy Hosts Cocktail Reception for the New Consul General of Italy

October 1st 2015 - One of the finest Italian restaurants in South Florida hosted an open bar cocktail reception for the new Consul-Generale di Italia of Miami Mrs. Gloria Marina Bellelli.  The event was held on Monday September 28th 2015.  It was a private reception by invite only. A great time was had by all.  People who showed up to pay respect to the Consul included close to 100 notables who could have been hand picked for a movie featuring influential Italian & Italian-American citizens of respect. Some notables included: Emanuele Viscuso, Al Lamberti, Marc Randazzo, some officials at other Consulates including Malta, a Miami-Dade County Judge, some famous actors from Italy, Society Columnist/News Anchor - Daisy Olivera and prominent immigration attorney Mr. Valerio Spinaci of Finizio Law! The Rigatoni was the best ever and the Chicago style calamari was cooked to perfection!!


Olive Oil Store with Italian & Mediterranean Nightclub coming to South Florida Soon... \

 South Florida has gone without a true Mediterranean Nightclub for many years now.  This should be changing soon.  Olive Oil Importer J. Iaco Shapiro is planning to launch an Olive Oil & Mediterranean Wine Importing Company which will serve as a Tapas Bar & Nightclub by Night.  The concept will include an olive oil store & distributing company which will keep its space busy during the day and by night it will transform into a full blown Mediterranean Nightclub offering theme nights, music & dance from Italy and every Mediterranean country plus Olive Oil & Wine Tasting Events!  OliVino Mediterraneo will offer: Hookahs & Cigars in the outdoor patio area, tarantella dancing, free pasta on Sundays (Italian Day) belly dancing, an Olive Oil Tasting Bar and much more...  

Two Italian Restaurants to open in Miami Design District

Moye Pugliese will open at 4029 North Miami Ave along with Campania.  Proprietors are Tony Gallo and Pietro Vardeu of the famed: Sardinia Enoteca. 

ITALIAN AMBASSADOR ANNOUNCES NEW MIAMI TRADE OFFICE 


NIAF Co-Sponsors Italian Ambassador to United States First Official Visit to Florida.
NIAF Chairman Joseph V. Del Raso, Vice Chairman Louis J. Freeh, and General Counsel Arthur J. Furia Join Ambassador Bisogniero

MIAMI – More than 200 leaders in South Florida’s business, civic, governmental and cultural communities greeted Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero in his first official visit to Florida, as he announced the upcoming opening of a new trade office and other recent initiatives.

Swire Properties sponsored the recent reception at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Miami, and Florida law firm Shutts & Bowen LLP organized it under the patronage of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and the Italian Consulate in Miami during the 2013 Year of Italian Culture in the United States. Swire, established in Hong Kong in 1972 and active in the United States real estate market since 1980, has played a major role in transforming Miami’s skyline, and is now building Brickell CityCentre, a 5.5-million-square-foot, $1.05-billion mixed-use development complex comprising shops, restaurants, three office buildings, two residential towers and a 243-room hotel.

NIAF Board Member and General Counsel Arthur J. Furia, a partner in Shutts & Bowen’s Miami office, organized and hosted the event. Those welcoming the ambassador included: Miami’s Italian Consul General and Mrs. Adolfo Barattolo; NIAF’s Chairman Joseph V. Del Raso, and former FBI Director and NIAF Vice President-International Judge Louis Freeh.

As evidence of growing connections with South Florida, Ambassador Bisogniero announced the planned September 1 opening of a full-fledged office of the Italian Trade Commission within the offices of the Italian Consulate in Miami.

The ambassador noted that trade between the United States and Italy reached an all-time record of $52 billion in 2012, with a 9 percent increase in Italian exports over 2011. Italy’s $21-billion trade surplus with the United States is the highest surplus Italy has with any country in the world.

Ambassador Bisogniero said that Italian companies are finding growing success in South Florida. Miami-Dade County recently awarded AnsaldoBreda a $300-million contract to supply a fleet of cars for the Metrorail network. A smaller Italian company, Brieda Cabins, has signed a contract with the Port of Miami to supply four high-tech cabins for operating cranes. The TREVI Group has been awarded a contract for maintenance at the Herbert Hoover Dike near Lake Okeechobee. The Ambassador emphasized that Italy and Florida have common thriving economic sectors, particularly in cruise liners, port infrastructure, design, fashion, life sciences and medical research, and agro-food.

Guests at the May 9 reception included Senator Gwen Margolis, who presented the ambassador with a proclamation from the State of Florida; Miami-Dade Deputy Mayor Russell Benford, who awarded the ambassador a Distinguished Visitor Certificate; U.S. Attorney Robert E. O’Neill of the Middle District of Florida; Shutts & Bowen partners Bowman Brown, Chair of the firm’s Executive Committee, Peggy Rolando, John Mariani, Maxine Long and Francois Henriquez; Consul General of Brazil Hélio Vitor Ramos Filho; federal and state district court judges; St. Thomas University President Msgr. Franklyn Casale; Miami Museum of Science President Gillian Thomas; Dr. Carol Damian, director of the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum at Florida International University, and Dr. Camillo Ricordi, Professor of Medicine at the University of Miami and a leading authority in cellular transplantation.

As part of the evening’s entertainment, Italian-American tenor Roberto Iarussi performed the national anthems of Italy and the United States for the guests. Mr. Iarussi, who is regarded by many as the most important Italian-American tenor since Mario Lanza, also sang “I Believe,” from his new album of the same name, recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra and produced by Grammy-award winner, Jorge Calandrelli.

The 2013 Year of Italian Culture in the U.S. showcases Italy’s cultural tradition exemplified not only by artists such as Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Caravaggio, and composers such as Rossini, Verdi and Puccini, but by the nation’s design, research, technology, food, wine and fashion – in a word, the Italian lifestyle. The year-long celebration involves 200 events in 50 cities.

Ambassador Bisogniero presented his credentials to the president of the United States and assumed the functions of Ambassador of Italy to the United States on January 18, 2012. Prior to being named ambassador, he was NATO Deputy Secretary General, responsible for a variety of security and strategic issues. Learn more at www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it.

About the National Italian American Foundation: The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit www.niaf.org.

About Shutts & Bowen LLP: Founded in 1910, Shutts & Bowen LLP is a full-service Florida law firm with 240 lawyers representing individuals and business entities nationally and internationally. It has six offices throughout the state of Florida. See more at www.shutts.com.



Female Italian Astronaut is Enjoying Time in Space!

Alyssa Newcomb

Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti was greeted with hugs in zero G today when she and fellow crew members arrived at the International Space Station to begin a long-term mission.

Cristoforetti, who is Italy's first female astronaut, has graciously shared moments on social media from the years she spent training for the mission -- and said she hopes to stay connected to her 143,000 Twitter followers during her scheduled five-month stay in space.  While Cristoforetti, 37, has yet to tweet about her new home, a video posted by the European Space Agency shows a beaming Cristoforetti and her fellow crew members being welcomed to their new home in low Earth orbit.

Among the other guests aboard the ISS are twenty rodents, which arrived in September aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule. The animals have been living in NASA's Rodent Research Facility where researchers are studying the long-term impact of weightlessness on their bodies. Also on board the ISS is the first 3-D printer launched into space. It could potentially crank out spare parts that will allow astronauts to one day fix their vessel on the spot. Living in space may be a dream for the Italian astronaut, but she'll have to do without a few earthly pleasures. Before launch, she tweeted on Sunday that she had "what was probably my longest shower ever."

Cristoforetti also enjoyed a final feast on Earth before she has to switch over to space cuisine. One other thing she'll have to do without, for now: A cup of genuine Italian espresso. ISSpresso, an espresso machine designed by engineering company Argotec and coffee roaster Lavazza in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency, is one of the many items headed to space in April 2015, which comes toward the end of Cristoforetti's visit.

 

Boca Raton Resident Honored by Italy for WWII Courage

By CHRIS CAROLA

The Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. — 

Nearly 70 years after they died when their crippled bomber slammed into a northern Italian mountain, the two Americans at the controls of the ill-fated warplane are being honored by residents of a village near the crash site.

The B-25 Mitchell dubbed "Maybe" was damaged during a bombing run near Trento during World War II. Pilot Earl Remmel of Hooker, Oklahoma, and co-pilot Leslie Speer of Jeffersontown, Kentucky, kept the plane steady long enough for the other five crew members to bail out. The plane crashed into a mountain moments later.

"There's no question that Remmel and Speer were heroes," said Silas Barrett of Norfolk, Massachusetts, who was a 19-year-old gunner when he safely parachuted to the ground along with the other crewmen on Feb. 6, 1945. All five were captured by the Italian police and handed over to the Germans.

In the alpine village of Ronzo di Chienis, the two pilots are remembered as heroes for another reason. With their airplane severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire before it could complete its bombing run over a rail yard, Remmel and Speer apparently decided not to jettison their bombs as they flew over the nearby village during a desperate effort to gain altitude so the crew could bail out.

"From reports I've heard from the town, they consider my dad a hero also because it saved the town," said Barbara Nash, Remmel's daughter, who was only 1½ when her father died.

Nash, of Troup, Texas, will be in Ronzo di Chienis on Sunday for the dedication of the memorial to her father and Speer. Her husband, their three daughters, a son-in-law and a granddaughter also are making the trip, which includes a visit to Remmel's grave in the American military cemetery in Florence.

Nash said she's overwhelmed by the tribute the Italians are paying to the two pilots. "It's a great honor," she said.

Also planning on attending are the two daughters of Bronx native Isidore Ifshin, the only other of the five crew members still living. Health problems are keeping the 90-year-old retired postmaster at home in Boca Raton, Florida.

Remmel was on his 70th mission when his plane was shot down, according to Ben Appleby, an organizer of Sunday's memorial ceremony and co-author of a book on the Maybe's last flight. For Ifshin, the plane's engineer and top turret gunner, it was his 60th and final mission.

"I got away with it 60 times. They got me in the end," Ifshin said. "Sooner or later, something's gotta give. That's the way it is."

The ceremony includes the unveiling of a memorial plaque bearing the pilots' names and placing it near the crash site, speeches by local officials, and the opening of an exhibit on the Maybe and the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division, which fought the Germans in northern Italy at the end of the war. Organizers said a representative from the U.S. Air Force and soldiers from the Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade based in Aviano, Italy, also are expected to attend.

Copyright The Associated Press

Local Sicilian Nominated for the FREC Star Award!

Famous Italian artist Emanuele Viscuso has been nominated and selected to receive this year’s FREC Star Award. The Film, Recording and Entertainment Council's "Star Gala" honors dynamic industry leaders and talent who share a commitment to professional excellence and making a difference in the South Florida community. The honorees are people shaping the future of the industry in South Florida and in the global market. Selected by an independent panel of judges, the winners are recognized as a select group of people who have achieved notable success and demonstrated strong leadership and success in the industry. Emanuele Viscuso will be honored with the award for best Promoter of Cultural Arts in South Florida at the FREC Star Gala on Saturday November 15th, 2014 at the Magic City Casino in Miami. 
More info on www.stargala.org and www.frecouncil.org 
Facebook www.facebook.com/frecouncil 
www.viscuso.com

How to Avoid Mistakes with Italian Dating Sites!

Now-a-days everyone is looking for love in or either on all the wrong places. Can you discover true love, or your soul mate on a italian dating site? Some people actually have found their soul mates on internet italian dating sites and the less fortunate women like me, have found stalkers. Numerous italian dating sites offer the love sick and lonely the opportunity of true love, or something near it.

The most severe italian dating experiences I ever had were with women I met the "old-fashioned way", or fix ups and the absolute worst two were women I met at singles teams at church. You might have heard all of the stereotypes I'm sure, Internet italian dating is if you can't have a date another way, wallflowers, etc. and I just find that absurd. Yes, both sexes have been burned. Exactly like any other way of meeting. That's the point. Every way people can possibly meet has drawbacks and horror stories, but we do not judge those other ways as harshly as Internet italian dating gone wrong. Precautions ought to be taken, obviously, that's just common sense. Meet in a public place, arrive in your own vehicle, don't tell them where you live. Just about all italian dating sites have those same tips basically, where people run into issues, especially women, is when they don't follow the rules!

Signing up for and turning into a paid member comes with benefits like the freedom to e-mail the other members at their vdate and distinctive chatting applications, and adding a lot more photos to your profile. If you're not a paid member, you do have the choice of sending the required profiler a subtle, but flirty mail or nudge, and hope your profile, fact sheet, and picture is alluring enough to capture the attention of the specified person. It's also possible to hope that a subtle wink causes love at first sight, and urges one you enjoy to send along their biography, and personal contact information, just like phone number, and private e-mail address with a detailed message, stating the amount they want getting to be familiar with you.



Paesano Italian Steakhouse Opens in Lantana, FL

March 2015

For the sake of Fiorenzo Trunzo we can only hope not. Trunzo, you see, is the chef-owner of Paesano (561/547-0266) a retro, 1950s-style Italian restaurant-slash-steakhouse that has taken over the gorgeous, semi-open and perpetually star-crossed spot formerly home to Tapas 210 and before that the very good and very odd Apicius.

Harking back to an era when, “Life was easy and fun. Amore was plentiful, worries less and the food was always bellisimo,” Paesano offers both traditional and more contemporary dishes, from eggplant Parmigiana, fettucine Bolognese and veal Milanese to tuna tartar tower with avocado and seaweed, spaghetti with bottarga in a spicy garlic sauce and a Kobe-style beef burger with brandy cocktail sauce and taleggio cheese. There’s also pizza and a roster of Black Angus steaks.

Keep your fingers crossed Paesano sticks around. A setting this pretty deserves a good restaurant.  

 Apology to Italian-Americans from Garwood, NJ Councilman

April 25th 2015

  Thanks to the efforts of the Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition, (IAOVC), its defenders, and members of UNICO, Garwood Councilman Jim Mathieu has issued a letter in which he apologizes for recent disparaging remarks made about Italian Americans.

In the letter Councilman Mathieu states to the local newspaper The Westfield Leader, “I wish to reiterate my apology to Americans of Italian descent for any offense they may have taken to my April 2, 2015 editorial in your newspaper. In no way did I mean to offend anyone, but nevertheless, I did so and I take full responsibility. My intention was to illustrate, through satire, the actual expenses and promises of future revenue from the new Garwood Recreation Complex.

IAOVC President Manny Alfano and Anthony Bengivenga, President of the Westfield Chapter of UNICO, commended Councilman Mathieu’s apology at the last town council meeting. At that time he also also agreed to write a piece about the incident and apologize in the The Westfield Leader - which he has now done.

The Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition is the nation’s only Italian American organization whose sole mandate is to fight stereotypes and bias against Italian Americans.

ONE VOICE also has created the first-ever nationwide “rapid response” network of defenders who quickly respond to bias and stereotyping through email, letters, and phone calls, through its Facebook page, Twitter account, posts and website (www.IAOVC.org). 

Several Italian-American's are Running for Office in Florida

Annette Taddeo, Pam Bondi,  Maria Sachs, Carl Domino, and Tim Rossano and just some of the names of Italians running for office.  Mondo Italiano hopes that you vote either Republican or Libertarian but that you will also vote yes on #2.  Florida needs legalized pot!!!

12th Annual Feast of Little Italy Coming Soon

South Florida Italian Fest Slated for Nov 7-9, 2014

Jupiter, FL -

Arrigo Fiat is proud to present the 2014 Feast of Little Italy at Abacoa Town Center in Jupiter, FL.  This years Festa will delight the senses with much more than previous years.  Be prepared to embark on a Cultural Journey Filled With Authentic Italian Food, Music, Art and Tradition®. 

Entertainers at this years festa will include: Ray Massa Band, Lisa Dellarosa, Phil Harari, Mathew Romeo, Lou Villano, Franco Corso and Sal Richards.  This year's activities will include: World Record Cannoli Contest, Cheese Building for Charity, Art Demonstrations, Bocce Ball Contest, Cooking Demos, Wine Pairing Seminars and a Pizza Eating Contest.

The main sponsors for this years Festa include: Arrigo Fiat, Joseph's Classic Market, BB&T Bank, Galbani Cheese & Stella Artois Beer.

The event will only cost $7.00 per day and will take place from 3-10pm on Friday and Saturday and till 8pm on Sunday. ffi visit the festival website at: 

www.feastoflittleitaly.com


Exploring Certaldo Italia

Ideal base for exploring major Tuscan attractions like nearby San Gimignano and the Chianti area, Certaldo, entirely built of red bricks and in part still surrounded by walls, shares the beauty of its most famous neighbors, but not the crowds, making it an off-the-beaten-track destination. Positioned at the top of a hill overlooking the lush valley below, Certaldo can be reached either on foot, climbing up the steep ancient Costa Alberti or Costa Vecchia streets, or by taking the funicular, which connects Certaldo Bassa, the modern town that has developed at the foot of the hill, to Certaldo Alta, in just a couple of minutes. 

In medieval villages, the heart of town, where the main authorities of the time - political, judiciary, economic and religious - were represented, was the piazza; but because Certaldo rests on a hill with an irregular shape, no central square could be built there, so the main road traversing the village, now called Via Boccaccio in honor of the little town’s most illustrious son, served the function of the piazza. In fact, along Via Boccaccio are some of Certaldo’s most significant buildings, including Palazzo Pretorio, the Church of Saints Jacopo and Filippo, the Logge del Mercato (marketplace buildings) and Boccaccio’s House, as well as several ancient noble houses, like the 14th century Palazzo Stiozzi Ridolfi, Palazzo Giannozzi and the casa-torre (house in the shape of a tower) Palazzo Machiavelli. Due to its strategic position along the Via Francigena, Certaldo soon became an important trade route and was home to several families of notable merchants, like those of the Machiavelli and Arena, besides Boccaccio’s own family. Considered one of the most significant figures in Italian literature, Boccaccio was born in Certaldo in 1313, the son of a Florentine merchant, Messer Boccaccio di Chellino, and a French noblewoman, most likely out of wedlock – or so the legend goes: the details of his birth are uncertain.

The author and poet returned and lived in Certaldo several times during his lifetime; halfway through Via Boccaccio is the house where he resided (and died in 1375). It is a faithful reconstruction of the original, which was destroyed by a bomb during World War II. The house, which today is a museum, hosts a library dedicated to the life and works of Boccaccio. The interesting museum develops on several levels: of particular interest is “la stanza del Poeta” (room of the poet), with objects and furniture from the 17th century, a display of rare 14th century shoes found during restoration following the bombing, and a large 1826 painting by Pietro Benvenuti, portraying Boccaccio at his desk. Walking all the way up to the rooftop terrace will reward you with a 360° view of the red-brick borgo and the verdant Valdelsa. - See more at: http://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/discover-certaldo-hometown-messer-boccaccio?utm_source=ITALY+Magazine+Newsletter&utm_campaign=7ea9b42caf-ITALY+Newsletter+-+October+10th+2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_7e828ebed3-7ea9b42caf-423121#sthash.4FqjuJJZ.dpuf

Fort Lauderdale Strikers Benefit from Fabrice's Four Years in Sardinia, Italy

Miami Herald - Michelle Kaufman

 Fabrice “Fafa’’ Picault is back home, living with his parents in Cutler Bay, and leading the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in scoring after a four-year Italian journey that sharpened his game and thickened his skin.

When the phone call came seven years ago, inviting then-16-year-old Picault to move to the Italian island of Sardinia to play soccer for Cagliari Calcio’s reserve team, the teenager was elated. Picault’s maternal grandfather, Max Antoine, played for the Haitian national team. His father, Leslie, played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He was proud to carry on the family tradition.

Picault was a junior at Miami Killian High at the time. He thought he was ready for the overseas challenge.

He had devoted most of his childhood to soccer, bouncing between youth clubs in West Kendall, Coral Springs and Weston, and finally with an academy team that was jointly run by Cagliari and local club, Strike Force. His practice schedule was so demanding that Picault, an honor student, dropped out of the International Baccalaureate program at Coral Reef High and transferred to Killian, where he maintained a heavy but more manageable workload.

“My family was very academically-oriented, both parents are teachers, and I was always a good student, in the gifted program at Coral Reef Elementary and Southwood Middle, took honors classes in high school, even got some recruiting letters from Ivy League schools, but there came a point where I had to decide between soccer and school,” Picault said.

“My brain will never fatigue, so I can go to college later, but my body will only be young once. If I was going to pursue soccer, it had to be in my youth.”

His father wholeheartedly supported his decision. His mother, Lucerne, took some convincing but eventually came around. Picault vowed to finish high school online, which he did, and he marched in the Killian 2009 graduation ceremony.

“Education is the sure way to go, but we took a chance because Fafa was very mature for his age, had a very special talent, and if he didn’t do soccer now, when would he do it?’’ said Leslie Picault, a teacher at Richmond Heights Middle School.

Picault, a forward and midfielder, packed up after his junior year, and moved to Sardinia, where he lived with other young prospects. He learned very quickly that despite his slick soccer moves, he wasn’t fully accepted.

Spending the first eight years of his life in New York, and the next eight in Miami, he was unprepared for the racism he encountered.

“Being the only black player there, I faced a lot of problems,” Picault said. “I could probably write a book. My second week, a teammate spat in my face. Other guys called me a black piece of this or that. There were lots of racial slurs. Even one of my coaches voiced his opinion of blacks openly, saying stuff to me like, ‘This is not the jungle of Africa.’ It was rough because I was trying to break in, and those guys made it harder for me.”

Picault admits he got into “quite a few” fights, and shed some tears. He leaned on his parents during the tough times, often spending four hours a day talking with them on Skype. After nearly four years, he had had enough, and decided to come back to the United States.

“It was very hard on our family, having to parent him from so far away,” said Picault’s father. “We told him to try his best, and prove he belongs. But it got really, really rough on him, so we said, ‘Son, we have soccer in the States. Come back home.’ ”

Picault, who had been selected for some Under-20 U.S. national team camps, thought he would land with Major League Soccer. It didn’t happen. So he attended the NASL Combine, where he shined. Although he is small — 5-9 and barely 150 pounds — he impressed with his speed, elusiveness and knack for scoring. He signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and this year joined the Strikers.

He is tied for second in the league with nine goals, and last Saturday scored in the 28th second, the fastest goal in recent Strikers history.

Among those watching Picault’s success with interest is Thomas Rongen, who coached the young player on the U.S. under-20 team.

“Fafa always had a unique ability to put the ball in the net, and he can accelerate with the ball to get away from defenders,” Rongen said. “His first few steps are quite remarkable. He didn’t make our final roster because we were loaded at his position, but I always knew he had tremendous upside. He’s very mature, has a great sense of humor, is a gentleman and consummate pro.

“He also had the courage to hone his skills overseas at a young age. Not too many American players do that.”

Despite the hardships, Picault doesn’t regret his decision to play in Italy.

“I got more mentally tough over there, learned to play well under tough circumstances, and I grew thicker skin,” he said. “Tactically, I learned so much, especially on defense. I stepped out of my comfort zone, and I’m a better player and person from it. I hope the Strikers is a steppingstone to going back to Europe and trying again.”

He also picked up a fifth language, Italian, to go along with English, Creole, French and Spanish.

His long-term dream is to play for the U.S. national team. If that doesn’t work out, the Haitian federation has shown interest, inviting him to camp prior to the recent Haiti vs. Chile match at Lockhart Stadium. Fafa was expecting to play, but injured his abs and had to sit out.

“I’d like to catch the eye of Jurgen Klinsmann,” Picault said of the U.S. World Cup coach. “I once was a U.S. prospect. I was on their radar. I want to get back there.”


Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/article2246710.html#storylink=cpy

Eufemia Balasco on Italian Food

Italian foods are very well regarded and well loved everywhere in the world. It is always possible to discover Italian food in some form on any continent. The foods are packed with flavor and exude an aroma that only serves to enhance the flavors. The flavors arise partly due to the use of specific ingredients like various cheeses, tomatoes and olive oil are always used in their recipes. Staples like wheat and semolina flour are used in the pastas and bread. A few of the more renowned Italian dishes include pizza and pasta dishes. They are so well loved that families and eateries in the United States and Europe have taken the recipes and tailored them to their own culture.

Italian food may be traced dating back to the Roman Empire almost 2000 years ago. After the fall of the Roman Empire the acceptance of the food heightened tremendously and was split into various types of regional sub cuisines later on. It was categorized in the three parts outlined below:

Northern Italian Recipes, which consist of various kinds of dishes made using ingredients such as pork, fish, rice and corn. This area also creates a a few different types of cheese and sausage preparations.

The Central Italian Food, which includes the delectable Lasagna, Tortellini and Ham, and also a wide selection of pasta recipes, served in conjunction with delicious sauces.

Southern Italian Recipes, which consists of dishes made using various types of ingredients such as fish, cheese, tomatoes and olives. Southern Italian Food, consisting of dishes made using capers, artichokes, sardines, tuna and olive oil. Olive oil is widely used in preparing various types of salad and pasta recipes.

Other ingredients which are utilized in the preparation of Italian dishes include different fruits and vegetables to rich cheese, cream and other milk products together with poultry, pork, seafood and fish. In the rest of the world the pastas, pizzas and Italian breads are well recognized but few people know that the Italians are proficient in the preparation of soups, salads and sausage in addition to fine wine.

Made using wheat flour or durum wheat semolina, pasta recipes are a main part of the Italian and also global cuisine. Italian pasta recipes can be made using hundreds of different types of pasta that's made in Italy, such as Linguini, Penne, Fetucini, Spaghetti and Ravioli.

For rich and delicious coffees you might want to try Cappucino, Espresso and Caffe Corretto. The deserts like Spumoni, Cannoli and Granitas are an ideal complement and excellent way to top off your delicious Italian menu.


Vacation in Valcamonica by Enrico Massetti

Valcamonica is an originally area and is in the lower Alpine regions of Lombardy. It is home to the greatest complex of rock drawings in Sub-Alpine Italy and there are approximately 250,000 petro-glyphs drawn on hundreds of exposed rocks show scenes depicting agriculture, navigation, war and magic.

The best-known and most significant rock carvings in Valcamonica were first discovered in 1909 by Walter Laeng, a Brescian geographer. He announced his finding of two carvings on two boulders on the Pian del Greppe near Cemmo.

The area where the rock carvings were most plentiful was in the lowest section of the valley between the Concarena and Pizzo Badile Camuno peaks. All the figures had been carved on a solid rock complex and were mainly Permian period sandstone.
Four different great periods of carving can be identified that correspond to the evolution of Cammunic society.

- Upper Palaeolithic (about 8000 B C.) showing scenes depicting hunting and early civilization.

- Neolithic (4000-3000 BC) towards the end of the glaciation period, the first depictions of a religious nature appear. The human figure became fundamental to the carvings along with depictions of daily life. This period was the high point in Cammunic art.

Valcamonica Rock engravings

- Eneolithic (3000-2000 BC) the quality of the drawings improved and they almost became a narrative with highly detailed hunting and rural life scenes. A very important element is the appearance scenes depicting female initiation rituals.

- After 1000 BC the isolation of the Cammuni ended and they began to meet new people, often while defending their territory. Battle scenes are carved into the rocks as well as drawings showing huts, wagons, harvests and weapons. This was when Cammunic art was at its highest point and from then on it began to wane.

Where to eat:

Darfo - Ristorante Gabossi, recommended by Slow Food