Chazz Palminteri

Winter 2006 - 2007

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JOURNAL

The Hill in St. Louis Lauren Cozza - Dancer, Choreographer and Actress Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago Therapeutic School Ground Breaking Holidays Italian-American Style Favorite Recipes of Italian American Stars

CHAZZ PALMINTERI Renowned Actor, Writer, Director CHICAGOLAND’S ITALIAN-AMERICAN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Contents Table of

Amici Journal Editorial................................................... ..1 William Jacconetti, Police Chief of Melrose Park.............1 Italian American Census....................................................1 Actor, Writer and Director Chazz Palminteri................. 2,3 Lauren Cozza - Choreographer, Dancer and Actress.......4,5 Easter Seals Therapeutic School Ground Breaking...........6 Faith, Love & Hope - Sandy and Robert Waters............ ...7 Actor and Writer Tony Lip.................................................9 Joe Salerno - Chicago-land’s It-Am Businessman.......... 10 The Hill in St. Louis, Missouri.................................. 11, 12 Christmas in Italy.............................................................13 Andy LoRusso - The Singing Chef............................14, 15 Neighborhood Focus - Village of Elmwood Park......16, 17 World War II: Before They Stormed The Beaches..........19 Giovanni Da Verrazzano - Italian Explorer..................... 20 5 Centuries of Italian American History..........................21 Taylor Street Archives Newsletter................................... 22 La Famiglia......................................................................22 Amici Journal Poet’s Corner............................................23 Historical Tours Get New High-Tech Guide................... 24 The Story of Spacca Napoli Pizzeria...............................26 Ancient Etruscans and Romanization..............................27 The History of Pasta, Handmade Pasta Recipe............... 28 Italian Christmas Recipes................................................ 29 Restaurant Review - Vince’s Restaurant..........................32 We Love Tomatoes.......................................................... 33 From The Life Of An Italian Child..................................35 Lyric 2006-07 Season Italian Operas - Part 2..................36 Berkley Publishing Group BOOKS.................................37 Learning Italian in Puzzle Form...................................... 37 Il Natale Italiano (in Italian).............................................38 Stories by Grandpa, Puzzle Answers...............................39 Sports - Patrick Ianni, Ned Colletti, Ondina Valla.....40, 41 Understand Your Health Issues........................................42 Don’t Miss Events........................................................... 43

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Copyright © 2004 AMICI JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS, INC. All Rights Reserved P.O. Box 595, River Grove, IL 60171 www.amiciorgit.net Publishers Terry N. Geraci & Salvatore Terranova Executive Editor Andrew Guzaldo Creative Designer Dana Rohacova Publishing Consultant & Production Director Joseph C. Nugara, Sr. Printed by Sutherland Companies

AMICI JOURNAL EDITORIAL

Benvenuti, Amici Journal truly welcomes all its readers. Amici Journal, like many other wonderful organizations, was founded with the simple goal to accentuate the beauty and richness of the Italian American Experience while at the same time detract from the negative stereotyping that haunts the Italian American community.

With this goal in mind, we hope that you have enjoyed “Amici Journal,” at least once, since we are sure that you will be compelled to return.

This issue’s cover is graced by the image of Lorraine Bracco. Actress, writer and businesswoman, this cover story is sure to inspire and awe you. We also update you on the latest events surrounding the Easter Seals Foundation and their Therapeutic School for Autism Research. As always, we remember the past, its reflection in the present, which can only allow us to look forward to the future. We learn from various stories of growing up in Chicago’s Little Italy, the legendary Taylor Street neighborhood. This is a neighborhood that is accredited for containing the roots of over 50% of the Italian American community, which migrated from Italy to Chicago.

The story of Taylor Street brings to life a time and a place where many became of age along with their parents, family and friends, all who call this a legendary street home.

Many groups and organizations have recently grappled with the identity crisis of honoring its past while trying to present a better image. Amici Journal believes that you can’t disregard our heritage, good or bad, it is our past nor can we disregard the tremendous donations made by the Italian Americans with this it is quite obvious that the good outweighs the bad. It is what we do with the knowledge of the past here in the present and now which will forge a better future for Italian Americans. How we conduct ourselves now will be the measuring stick for later. Every individual may have a different approach and solution. Success will come as we reach across the aisle and agree that reasonable people can disagree on the approach to a common goal. To characterize our heritage solely with a negative stigma is tantamount to a psychological genocide of people and their children who are in the process of forging their identities. This cannot possibly be the heritage of the Italian American Experience.

This is certainly not what those immigrant mothers and fathers of the many Italian Americans who lost their lives during WWII thought. Alistair Cooke in his “Letters to America” announced to the world the bravery of the contributions made by the Italian immigrants to America during WWII. ”People, when they first come to America, whether as travelers or settlers, become aware of a new and agreeable feeling: that the whole country is their oyster,” he said. “Those brave Italian Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice or survived these ordeals in some way or another suffered great loses. There is no prosthetic for such a loss as this. Yet this should not diminish their contributions.”

Amici Journal strives to showcase exceptional people that make up the world we all know. Our goal is to continue to support all wonderful organizations such as NIASHF, JCCIA, NIAF, FIERI and OSIA to name a few. We all share our common goal, to expand the interest and love of our “Italian American Experience”.

We invite you to actively collaborate in our experience by sending in your letters and comments. Also check our website, where we can interact and collaborate together. So please read and enjoy the wonderful contributions from so many exceptional individuals and share our Italian American History.

Please send all correspondence to Amici Journal Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 595 River Grove, Il 60171 or email us at amiitalia@sbcglobal.net. Please look for AMICI JOURNAL in your Local stores or order through the Internet on Amazon.com or call 773-836-1595 to receive your copy.

We look forward to our continued exchange, as we become “family” within our “Italian American Experience.”

Sincerely Andrew Guzaldo Editor Amici Journal

MAYOR RICHARD M. DALEY HAS PROCLAIMED FEB. 25, 2007 AUTISM AWARENESS DAY IN CHICAGO Whereas, autism can be a severely incapacitating developmental disability resulting in significant impairment of an individual’s ability to learn, develop healthy interactive behaviors and understand verbal, nonverbal and reciprocal communication; and Whereas, autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disabilities in the nation, affecting over one million Americans; and Whereas, autism is a complex disability that requires increased research to one day find a cure and improve treatment, and ensure that all persons are accurately diagnosed and appropriately treated throughout their lives; and Whereas, Robert and Sandy Waters have been producing the radio show “The Candy Story” as a tribute to their autistic daughter Candace and as a support for other families affected by autism; and Whereas, on February 25, 2007, Robert and Sandy Waters will be performing Cure Autism Now “An Evening with Stars” to raise funding for more autism research: NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD M. DALEY, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO, do hereby proclaim February 25, 2007 to be AUTISM AWARENESS DAY IN CHICAGO, and encourage all Chicagoans to be aware for the need for funding for autism research.

Richard M. Daley Mayor

ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS AND CHICAGO Many Italian Immigrants that came to Chicago in the early part of the 20th century were men who planned to work for a number of years before returning to Italy. Those who ended up staying formed the largest ethnic group in the Near West Side neighborhoods by the 1920s. The area around Taylor Street is Chicago’s Little Italy.

Immigrants 1,277,341 20% Poland 13% Germany 11% Italy 8% USSR 7% Ireland 41% Others

Spring 2007 AMICI 1

Chazz Palminteri Actor, Writer, Director

By John Rizzo

“I coulda been a contender,” laments Terry, played by Marlon Brando, to Charlie, played by Rod Steiger, in Elia Kazan’s 1954 film classic, On the Waterfront. In this, the most poignant moment of the drama, we might well believe that “the saddest thing in life is wasted talent.” Now where have we heard that before? This bit of wisdom, of course, comes to us in the screenplay of A Bronx Tale (1993), by Chazz Palminteri, who got it from his father, who once trained fighters, maybe some like Terry Malloy.

In a frank conversation with Amici Journal, Chazz Paliminteri reveals that it was On the Waterfront, more than any other movie, which inspired him to pursue an acting career. It certainly dramatized his father’s admonition about “wasted talent.” Chazz Palminteri definitely hasn’t wasted any talent.

A professional singer for many years, he has been a successful stage, television and screen actor, a writer and director, and in so doing he has become a household name for anyone halfway familiar with the contemporary drama scene.

A third generation Sicilian, Chazz’ grandparents emigrated to the States in the 1920s from the town of Menfi, near Agrigento. Artistically inclined at a young age Chazz (born with that ultra-Sicilian name, Calogero) “was blessed with incredible parents,” who fully supported their son’s theatrical aspirations. Making a living as a singer, he “studied acting at the same time. Sometimes,” he recalls, “I’d have to break off my studies when I had to go on the road.”

Despite studying with Lee Strasburg at the legendary Actors Studio, he was unable to get that special break in the virtually unassailable New York theater scene. So in 1980 Chazz headed to California to make his fortune – as millions who have never been heard of, did before him. There he managed to land a couple of TV roles, one in Hill Street Blues, and a few bit parts in movies, including one in Sylvester Stallone’s insipid film, Oscar. And he probably could have gone on this way, at least carving out a small slice of a life that many would die for.

But Chazz Palminteri was not satisfied. What he had inside him burned with such intensity that it could not be extinguished with a few minor roles, even if it were fairly steady work. Then what to do? How could he prove that he had what it took for the kind of recognition that all real creative artists crave? Chazz’ solution was to bare his naked soul to the scrutiny of everyone and make them see the genius that had been driving him for so long. Thus was conceived the one-man, 35-character play that was based on his early life called A Bronx Tale.

The play, starring Chazz, was successful, first in L.A. and then in New York, and it was not long before offers from big time Hollywood studios for its film rights came rolling in. But it was not enough for Chazz to simply sell the rights, even if it made him rich and he would never have to work again. A true artist is just not motivated by money alone – he needs to create over and over again. So Chazz refused to sell the rights to his play to make a film unless he could write the screenplay and star in it. Sound familiar? This is almost the same situation as with Stallone and Rocky in the 70s. As a matter of fact, Stallone, who Chazz thinks “is one of the brightest and most savvy guys around,” was very encouraging. “He told me to stick to my guns,” remembers Chazz.

But who knows what would have happened if Robert De Niro hadn’t seen the play and embraced the whole idea, especially with Chazz involved? He liked the play, he liked Chazz and he was just then looking for a suitable film to direct. “De Niro made me a better writer,” swears Chazz. “He’d make me write certain scenes over and over again until I got it just the way he wanted. Sometimes he’d go back to a version that was initially directed. He told me, ‘It takes just as much talent to pick out the right idea as it does to come up with it in the first place.’”

A Bronx Tale (1993) was a huge success, both critically and at the box office, and Chazz Palminteri was established as a screenwriter and a film star. He applied the same formula, that is writing a play and then a screenplay, with his Faithful (1996), in which he co-starred with Cher. After the huge success of A Bronx Tale, he has appeared in many films, including Analyze This (1999), Mulholland Falls (1996), and Bullets Over Broadway (1994), in which, as the unexpectedly gifted writer and hit man, Cheech, he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Interestingly, Chazz also acted in Poolhall Junkies (2002), the last film of the great Rod Steiger, who figured so prominently in Chazz’ boyhood inspiration.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 2

NOEL -Directed by Chazz Palminteri Drama about five New Yorkers coming together on Christmas Eve, seeking a miracle.

Chazz likes working in more than just films and is currently doing another original one-man play called My Life With Music, which he just might do in Chicago (a town he “really loves”) if the situation is right. For Chazz (and probably anyone else, for that matter) live stage acting is far more emotionally draining than film acting. “Your highs are higher and your lows lower” with stage acting says Chazz. But it’s clearly in his blood and we can only hope to get to see him in person.

Now there’s no doubt that many of his most successful film roles have been, shall we say, “Mafia” types. Doesn’t this hurt the image of Italian Americans like so many claim. “Not at all,” says Chazz, “the gangster film has replaced the Western as the great American morality story. Without a dark side, there is no conflict and without conflict, there is no drama. I think that James Gandolfini is great in The Sopranos. I think that Edie Falco is fantastic in The Sopranos. And in this new favorite American morality icon you have plenty of ItalianAmerican actors making good money.” With these thoughts Chazz Palminteri shows that he’s not only artistically gifted, but philosophically profound. God bless him!

A man all Italian-Americans can be proud of!

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 3

Lauren in the dancing studio Photo by Maurizio Bacci

The successful choreographer, dancer and actress Lauren Cozza is a beauty with countless talents

By Dana Rohacova

L

auren was born in Hackensack and grew up in Ridgewood (both in NJ). “Ridgewood is a wonderful town for children. Beautiful homes, great schools, and lots of restaurants.” She graduated from Ridgewood High School and then moved to Philadelphia for college.

Lauren began her passion for the arts as a member of the dance company at In the Spotlight, a North Jersey dance studio. Here she had the privilege of competing nationally for eight years under the direction of Tom Karaty, Lisa Danias, Candace Mancini, and “So You Think You Can Dance” judge Dan Karaty. Lauren earned a BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of the Arts, in Philadelphia, where she received a Promising Young Artist Grant for all four years of study. Her regional & college credits include: Sweet Charity (Charity, Merriam Theatre), West Side Story (Graziella, Arts Center Coastal Carolina), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (Tintinabula, Mill Mountain Theatre ), A Wonderful Life (Angel Ballerina, Mill Mountain Theatre), Evita (u/s Tango), Copacabana, Weird Romance, Carousel and On the Town. Lauren has also had the honor of dancing for two NBA teams: the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets. As for film and television, look for Lauren at the Yacht Club Cafe on All My Children. She also worked on Another Day and Spiderman 3 and performed at Radio City Music Hall for Neil Young’s Greendale tour.

Lauren Cozza is the Choreographer / Assistant Director for the Autumn Moon - a seductive, action-packed musical thriller that weaves a new beginning to a timeless horror classic. This was her NYC choreographic debut and she says she is honored to be working with such an amazing creative team and talented cast. She hopes that Autumn Moon begins production again in early 2007. “It’s currently being rewritten and there will be some added songs. I’d really like to stay on the creative team for it.”

She currently works on West Side Story and has many plans for the near future. “I’m excited to meet a fellow GIAA member to audition for her short film about a girl who has a mystery job. It turns out to be that she is a hit-woman. I also have plans to officially sign with a great personal management company, which I am thrilled about. I would also like to keep doing work on soap operas, auditioning for musicals, and continue my studies in acting, singing, and dancing… I never stop studying.”

Lauren’s grandfather, Angelo Cozza, came to America on a ferry from Polla, Italy in 1923. He was with his mother, sister and brother. All Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 4

of their names are on the wall at Ellis Island. He was 7 years old. He grew up in the Bronx, NY. Once he got his American citizenship, he served in the Coast Guard during WW2. “My grandfather passed away in 1999 from cancer. He was a great man! My grandmother’s parents immigrated from Bari, Italy before she was born, and they raised her in Brooklyn, NY. Her maiden name is Rose Marotta. She is now 86 and still makes the greatest meatballs in the universe!”

Lauren wants to thank her parents Nancy and Joseph Cozza, for believing in her crazy dreams and not telling her that her dreams may actually BE CRAZY! “My mom is a true Jersey Girl and my Dad spent his childhood in Brooklyn, NY before also ending up in Northern NJ. I was very lucky that my parents have always supported my dreams. Especially since my dreams began in nursery school when I sang my first solo: Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head. My dad has won awards like the “Italian Food and Wine Institute for Outstanding Achievement in the field of Food & Wine”. He is a member of the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce. And he is currently the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Cipriani USA. So, I was raised on the best Italian food.”

Lauren’s brother Michael is four years younger than her and he is currently a senior at college at Widener University. Lauren admits that her brother was forced to attend many of her plays and dance recitals… but she tried to make up for it by attending his lacrosse and hockey games. “He is truly my best friend and I travel a lot, so I miss him often.”

Apart from dancing Lauren always finds some time for her hobbies because as she says, hobbies are awesome, especially for people in her industry. “It is so important to have things going on to fill your life.

That is the only way you can bring energy into your craft. I love the beach, in-line skating, seeing rock concerts, fashion, baking chocolate sweets, shopping, doing peoples make-up, and walking for miles in the city.” She is also a huge NY Yankees fan and NY Giants fan and there is knitting among her special skills. “I knit when I am away doing a show.

I make funky scarves. I like to mix and match colors and textures or yarn… so they are usually just for me and very tacky.”

As for Lauren’s future dreams she would love to own her own performing arts academy for children someday. “When my business becomes financially successful, then I would love to branch out into producing theater pieces and independent films.”

Photo by Maurizio Bacci

Amici: Was it one of your parents who put you on the path to acting dancing/singing?

Lauren: My father worked in Times Square so I was a Broadway Baby.

I saw my first Broadway show at age 6; Me and My Girl. I did the “Lambeth Walk,” the show-stopping number from the show, for many years after. My Mother was a dancer so she made sure I was all signed up for ballet very young. I didn’t like the pink tights at first, but I stuck with it anyway. I think I was born performing, I always knew it was what I wanted to do. But their support makes it possible to actually attempt it as a career.

Amici: Have you ever been to Italy?

Lauren: AHHH, no, and I want to go so badly. My parents just went in July and I was busy in the city working. They have been to Italy a few times, but I just haven’t gone along yet. I would love to get there sometime soon and I’d have a Bellini at Harry’s Bar! Amici: Will you be in Chicago anytime soon?

Lauren: I would love to visit Chicago. I have heard it’s a great city and I know that the theatre scene is amazing. I also know that there are great dance studios and dance companies there as well. If I make it there I’ll let you know!

Autumn Moon: A Rock Musical Thriller From Bottom: Scott Richard Foster, Dana Barathy (right), Jesse Easley (left), David Weitzer and Mishaela Faucher Photo by Kevin B. Johnson

Amici: Have you ever wrote a screenplay or been involved in one other than acting?

Lauren: My friend Alex is a screenwriter and I like to help him on his projects. We are currently editing a silent film about a boy who lives with his headphones on, until he meets a girl that exposes him to the real sounds of the world. It’s going to be originally scored, which is why it’s not done yet.

Amici: You are a very busy woman. Do you have time to cook and what is your favorite food?

Lauren: Lately, I have been cooking more often because I’m away from home (where my mom does the cooking) and it is so much healthier than eating out. It’s hard to cook for just myself though, I tend to make pasta (the Cipriani brand) then sauté veggies and grill chicken. I put it all into a huge bowl with parmesan, butter and oregano. And that way I have leftovers.

One day I hope to succeed at making my Grandma’s meatballs… but I’m not a master at that yet. They are my favorite food.

Amici: How do you relax and is traveling hard for you?

Lauren: I take yoga. I also love power walking. My guilty pleasure is a venti Caramel machiatto from Starbucks while sitting at a Barnes & Nobles for a few hours. Pedicures are good too.

Traveling often is hard, but I think there is nothing better than getting to live a different life for a while and then return home and see how much personal growth I’ve made.

Amici: Are you married or dating anybody?

Lauren: I’m not married yet, but I am hopeful that the day (and the ring) comes along. I have been so focused on my career throughout the past few years to get there.

Amici: What place would you like to go for a vacation if you could choose any destination?

Lauren: I’d love to go to Italy and truly see everything the country has to offer... Especially the food, espresso, and wine! I guess I’d like to have a few weeks there and get to Naples, Rome and Venice.

I’ve always wanted to check out London and Tokyo as well.

Amici: On the Autumn Moon website You can read: she dedicates her work in memory of Peter. Would you like to tell us more (who is Peter)?

Lauren: Peter was a very special person in my life. He passed away in March of 2005 in a fire. We were very close friends from eleven years old. He was an artist and had a very bright future.

His death was a shock for my family and I because he was the kind of free spirit we all expected to keep re-appearing at our doorstep for many years to come. He lit up a room with his huge smile, loud laugh and bright red hair. He is missed everyday. I have a few of his paintings and drawings which I cherish with all my heart. I know that he looks out for me from heaven which is why I dedicate all my work to him.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 5

Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago Breaks Ground for their new $28 Million Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research, 1939 W. 13th St.

E

aster Seals and the City of Chicago and those wonderful Individuals that have donated to this most wonderful cause today breaks ground on a unique $28 million school for autistic children. As indicated by Mr. Tim Muri President of Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago, the building itself will be therapeutic, designed to offset autistic students’ hypersensitivity to sights and sounds: The windows will be high off the floor. When students look out, they’ll see trees and clouds, rather than street scenes to eliminate distractions. Acoustic materials will eliminate classroom noise, low-frequency rumbles that in some autistic students can drown out conversations. “The room is calming,” said Tim Muri, president of Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago.

Indirect lighting will cut down on glare that can be especially harsh to autistic students. And there won’t be any buzzing from fluorescent lights. In the new school, fire alarms will play “Stars and Stripes forever.” Due to the fact that the conventional alarms seem to stop autistic children in there tracks, which would be a danger for them. Stephen Porges was the designer of an expert on autism and also helped in school design.

The School and Center for Autism Research will facilitate autism researchers from the nearby University of Illinois Center as well as other organizations for research development. Easter Seals will close its therapeutic school at 1950 W. Roosevelt, but continue operating another autism school in Tinley Park.

The new school will serve students age 3 to 21 from city and suburban school districts. The $151-per-day tuition will be paid by the student’s home district, and state and federal funds. It will be built in four phases. Phase 1, including classrooms for 150 students, will open in 12 to 15 months. Phase 2 will include a swimming pool and gym; phase 3 will include classrooms for another 100 students, and phase 4 will be residential living for 32 people with autism, mostly adults. Autism covers a broad range of difficulties in socializing and communication.

Mr. Tim Muri, President and CEO, Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago made introductions to each speech. Bill Nolan, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago James E. Williams, Jr., president and CEO, Easter Seals, Inc. announced significant CVS pharmacy gift to new school. Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, Mary Bonome, Department of Planning & Development, City of Chicago, Dr. Kenneth Schmidt, president, Illinois Medical District, Tim Muri recognizes additional dignitaries in attendance, Dr. Stephen Porges, director, Brain-Body Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Tim Muri recognizes clients and family, key Board Members, Architects, Designers, that were involved with new school construction Ground breaking ceremony and invocation Group gathers around “golden shovels” for photo opportunities and “first dig”.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 6

“FAITH, LOVE & HOPE!” SONG OPENS ANOTHER WAY TO RAISE AUTISM AWARENESS

A

Sandy and Robert Waters are two special individuals from Park Ridge, IL that devote their energy to fighting autism.

Their 6 year old daughter Candace, whose nickname is Candy, was diagnosed with autism 3 years ago.

The couple performs their song “Faith, Love & Hope!” that touched people around the world.

bout two years ago, after reading a brochure from an autism group that stayed “We must have faith, love and hope” the Waters were inspired and made their song just in about 20 minutes. Robert says that it was easy to come up with the words as they are actually living it, so their emotions and dreams that were building up inside of them quickly paired with the lyrics and the song was born.

Robert and Sandy dedicated the song to all children who suffer from autism and their families. They shared the song with autism organizations, politicians and parents.

The positive feedback led them to become more involved in increasing the autism awareness and in summer 2006 they started their own Internet based radio show called “The Candy Store,” broadcasts on the Autism One Radio. The show is full of “music, art, inspiration, and information to inspire, educate, and help parents guide their children on the road to recovery, while having some fun along the way. “ At the September 7 board meeting, Cook County Board President Bobbie L. Steele and Commissioners passed a resolution which seeks to heighten awareness of the devastating brain disorder known as autism.

Gorman’s resolution praised the Waters’ love of their daughter especially their writing a song, “Faith, Love and Hope,” to help educate people about autism.

The Waters’ will be performing at: • • • •

the Senate President Emil Jones Jr. Autism Community Seminar on Nov. 3rd at 8 am. the Cure Autism Now “ An Evening With The Stars” On February 25, 2007 at the Apollo Theater. the ‘The Arc of Illinois’ 57 annual convention on 4-25-2007. the Autism One Conference on May 25, 26, 27th 2007.

Candy

“Our mission/goal is to increase autism awareness and compassion.

We also want to reach out to other parents who have a child with autism to let them know that they are not alone!!! And never give up Faith, Love & Hope!”

You can contact Sandy and Robert Waters at # 847-720-4521. Listen to their radio show at www.autismone.org.

If you wish to have a copy of the song, For a copy of the song e-mail Mr. and Mrs. Waters at hotwater60@netzero.com.

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Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 7

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Frank Anthony Vallelonga Actor

Known as

TONY LIP

By John Rizzo Like others of his fellow Sopranos cast members who have made such lasting impressions on viewers, when he appears in later films it will be hard not to think of him as Carmine, so compelling was he in this role. But Tony Lip is the kind of person who takes life as it comes, and is an actor due to Fate, not to an irrepressible desire.

A second generation calabrese, Tony was born and raised in the Bronx. His immigrant father was a mechanic on trolley cars, “until there weren’t any trolley cars any more, so he worked on buses.” He went to high school until he was 16 and served in the Army during the Korean War. (Fortunately, he was based in Europe at this time.) For many years he worked in restaurants, bars and nightclubs, toiling at a number of jobs, such as bouncer, bartender and waiter. He seemed to top out Professionally when he became a maitre ’d at Manhattan’s famous Copacabana Club. After 12 years at the Copa, the hand of Fate touched Tony and his life took a radical change in direction.

O

ne of the prime ingredients in the tremendous popular appeal of HBO’s The Sopranos was such a rich diversity of character types, each with its own unique, memorable and very interesting personality. And this is what film or video drama is all about – not so much the pure appearance of an actor, but his or her visual personality, and the way it projects to the audience to make a role believable or “truthful.” For example, take the role of Carmine Lupertazzi, in the famed series. How should this role be cast? If it’s credibility that’s desired, especially in a supporting role, dashing, and charismatic type that fits the role. This character should look more like a cross between ones Uncle Sam or Uncle Lou living in some small well to do suburb, looking totally at home grilling sausage and peppers on a Sunday afternoon. Neither should he be flamboyant in speech and action, yet his reserved manner and economic use of words should exude power and authority. They certainly got it right when they cast Tony Lip in this role.

It was the early 70s now and a Hollywood production crew was filming on-location shots of The Godfather (1972) in the New York area.

At night the crew would often relax at the Copa where they got to know Tony. The production required a number of locals for extras in the film and Tony was asked if he knew of any young kids that could appear in the Wedding Scene. Tony suggested his two boys, one of which was 11 at the time and “was reading a book a week and remembered everything he read.” The idea was accepted, and when Tony drove his kids out to Staten Island for the shoot, it turned out that more people were needed for the scene. Then someone asked Tony, “What about you?” wanting to recruit him as an extra wedding guest. “I’m no actor,” said Tony, reluctant at first to get involved. But when his boys pointed out that he would have to drive them out there for each shoot anyway, he agreed to be in one of the greatest films ever made. And thus began the film career of Tony Lip. From being an extra in The Godfather to being featured as Carmine Lupertazzi in ten episodes of The Sopranos some quarter of a century later was no easy trick. It took determination and perseverance. It was a “struggle” just to get an agent to represent him. But eventually, after doing a lot of uncredited extra work, Tony Lip was cast in speaking roles

in a number of films, including The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984), Goodfellas (1990) and Donnie Brasco (1997). Unquestionably, many of the roles Tony has played are portrayals of Italian-American crime figures in what may accurately be called “gangster movies.” For those who think that these films do a disservice to the Italian-American community Tony is totally unapologetic. “They should lighten up,” he muses. “It’s entertainment. If people don’t like it they shouldn’t watch it,” is his logical advice.

Not putting his eggs in one basket for the future, Tony Lip, in partnership with co-author Steven Prigge, has created a unique Italian cookbook called Shut Up and Eat (Berkley Publishing Group, 2006).

It’s interesting how Tony got the idea for this book, which contains neat stories and recipes from a number of Sopranos cast members and other Italian-American film stars. While filming The Sopranos, one night when Tony was out having dinner alone, some kids in the booth behind him were making a huge racket. So loud were they that the manager hustled over and growled, “Shut up and eat!” On the way home Tony connected this incident with his childhood. It was more than once that Tony caught a shot to the back of his head from his mother when he talked too much at the dinner table along with her admonition, “Shut up and eat!” Tony, who has always loved to cook, thought to himself’ “If I could only get these guys [his co-workers and acquaintances] to pitch in,” he could come up with a great, different kind of Italian cookbook, and that’s just what’s happened!

By the way, Tony’s proclivity to talking a lot led to the choice of his stage name. Born Frank Anthony Vallelonga, the precocious lad was nicknamed “Tony Lip” by his uncle.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 9

JOE SALERNO Italian-American Businessman

By John Rizzo

A

t first glance, Joe is just your ordinary successful Italian-American businessman. He is married with four kids and three grandchildren, drives a nice car, lives in the suburbs and belongs to his local chamber of commerce as well as a few other organizations. There’s just one thing that’s a bit unusual – Joe Salerno is in the funeral business.

The Salerno family is not your run-of-the-mill undertaker Business either. Today we live in an age when virtually every well-known business is actually owned by some anonymous mega-corporation and this includes almost all the Chicago area funeral parlors. But the two Salerno facilities, the Galewood Chapels at 1857 N. Harlem in Chicago and the Rosedale Chapels at 450 Lake St. in Roselle, are still totally family run and owned.

A third generation Calabrese, Joe grew up with the business that was founded by his grandfather Rosario in 1908. The first Salerno funeral parlor was located at 724 De Koven Street, on the same block where Mrs. O’Leary’s cow supposedly kicked over the lantern that started the Chicago Fire in 1871.

The family’s next location was the site of the old Dante Theater at 813 Taylor Street. The business moved to 3150 Harrison and then to 6300 North Ave. before the family began operating its current facilities.

Joe remembers becoming aware of what his family did around the age of seven or eight.

He started being a part of the business by cleaning up and accompanying his father in the processions. “I liked the business”, Joe recalls.

“I used to ride with my father in the flower car, which was the lead car then, or sometimes I used to ride in the hearse.” Kid or not, fooling around was simply not tolerated. “We always had to be respectful, with no shenanigans.” He also remembers the Depression era, when many people had no money but still had to bury their loved ones. Then it was common for people to barter for service. “They would do a service for

you in return for your service.”

Most of us are pretty squeamish when it comes to death, and Joe felt the same way after graduating from St. Phillip’s High School, or at least he thought he did. “I tried getting into pharmacy and went to Pharmacy College for eight months. But then I came back to my family’s business where I somehow always knew I’d end up.” As much as he’s been around death and grief he has never come to the point where he is unaffected by it. “Although it’s [death] inevitable,” Joe points out, “it’s hard to deal with, even though you see it every day.” When he loses a loved one, as he lost his mother at the age of 86, or when a good friend dies, as happens more often as one gets older, Joe is just as stricken as anyone. Like a good physician that does not practice on those he knows well, Joe relies on others to “cover for him,” that is, to handle the funeral arrangements of family members and friends.

Obviously, any enterprise has to make a profit in order to exist and the funeral business is no different. But probably no other trade requires the level of delicacy and good taste like this one. Fortunately Joe has inherited the kind of sensitivity and realistic approach necessary to remain successful in what must be a very tricky situation. “We have a slogan here that we try to adhere to,” Joe says. ‘“Have the utmost consideration for the living in our service for the dead.”’ In this regard, customers are never pushed into services beyond their financial means or even more than what is proper. “If you didn’t love them when they were alive, don’t love them when they’re dead,” Joe advises. For the most part, Joe and his employees merely show the customer what the various plans and options are and let them choose what they want. If money is a problem for the grieving, the Salerno Chapels will accommodate them. “No Christian goes unburied,” Joe assures. If necessary, the company will work out a no-interest payment

Joe Salerno

plan, whatever the circumstances. The Salernos have even buried a number of priests, babies and stillbirths at no charge. No wonder the Salerno Chapels have prospered mainly from customer referrals.

Success in business is definitely not the be all and end all for Joe Salerno, who truly believes in giving back to the community.

A member of the Lions Club and the Civic Italian-American Charitable Organization he is very well known for his generosity.

Interestingly, however, his devotion to the cause dearest to his heart results from experience that is unique to his business. “It’s always very tough to bury a child,” asserts Joe, “but the very worst kind of loss is when a young person dies of a drug overdose.”

Accordingly Joe Salerno is very active in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) programs of a number of communities including Bloomingdale, Roselle, Carol Stream and Glendale Heights. He is now starting to work with Itasca and their DARE program.

The two greatest mysteries of existence are Life and Death. One of the only things we know for sure about these mysteries is that in religion and nature, there is a cycle of renewal that results in Life emerging from Death. In sharing as he does, Joe Salerno is a living example of this eternal ritual.

Salerno’s Rosedale Funeral Chapels 450 W. Lake Street, Roselle, IL 60172-3545

Galewood Chapels

1857 N. Harlem Avenue, Chicago, IL 60707-3716 Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 10

The Hill in St. Louis Missouri The Hill is a mostly Italian-American neighborhood within St. Louis, Missouri, located on high ground south of the River des Peres and Interstate 44. The traditional boundaries of the area are Shaw Boulevard on the north, Columbia and Southwest Avenues on the south, South Kings highway Boulevard on the east, and Hampton Avenue on the west.

Its name is due to its proximity to the highest point of the city, formerly named Saint Louis Hill, which is a few blocks south, at the intersection of Arsenal Street and Sublette Avenue. The intersection borders Sublette Park, the former site of the Social Evil Hospital built there in 1873.

I

talians immigrated and settled in the area starting in the late 19th century, attracted by jobs in nearby plants established to exploit deposits of clay discovered by immigrants in the 1830s. With the growth of Italian immigrants came the growth in the influence of the Roman Catholic Church. By the time a new structure was built for what became known as St. Ambrose in 1926, the church had already been a force in the area for over twenty years.

The structure is modeled after San Ambrogio Church in Milan, in an Lombard-Romanesque style of brick and terra cotta. It became the parish church for the area in 1955, after thirty years of focusing on those of Italian heritage.

That heritage remains evident today.

As of May 2003, about three-quarters of the residents are Italian-Americans, helped perhaps by the practice of rarely listing homes on the open market [2]. The neighborhood is home to a large number of locally renowned Italian restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and two bocce gardens.

Baseball greats Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola grew up on the Hill; their boyhood homes are across the street from each other on Elizabeth Avenue. Four of the five St. Louisans on the US soccer team that defeated England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup came from here, a story that is told in The Game of Their Lives, a book and 2005 docudrama. The movie’s title was “The Game of Their Lives” in theaters and

Streetlight banners celebrate the Italian Heritage of the Hill.

has been renamed “The Miracle Match” to repel the decay, neglect and suburban flight ST. LOUIS THE HILL. On a late Friday that have wracked other neighborhoods. afternoon, the old men of the Hill gather at the Of all the ethnic-immigrant settlements upscale Italia-America Bocce Club, a center of in late 19th century, and early 20th century life in what is arguably the last viable ethnic in St. Louis, including German, Irish, Czech neighborhood in St. Louis. and Polish, the Hill is the only one that Men in their 80s, most of them boyhood remains intact. “It’s the only viable ethnic friends, play cards at small tables, joke easily neighborhood left in the city and state,” said with each other, and play bocce (pronounced former Missouri Baking Co. owner Joann BOH-chee) -- an ancient sport popularized Arpiani, who was born on the Hill 85 years in modern Italy -- on sand- covered alleys. If ago. The area originally was settled by English men like 82-year-old Oreste Zoia are the Hill’s Quakers, and by German and Irish immigrants older face, the neighborhood’s future can be drawn by the discovery of clay deposits in the found down the block at Milo’s Bocce Garden, late 1830s. Later, a French socialist commune a casual beer and pizza bar. There, 38-yearsettled there for 10 years before disbanding. old Mark Garanzini plays in a weekly bocce Italians came in the 1890s to work in the clay league, a happy returnee to the neighborhood mines and smelters, and built frame shanties where he grew up. “I can go block by block and tenements to accommodate the influx of and tell you who lives in every other house, immigrants. same as when I was growing up,” said The Hill, so named because it is the Garanzini, who lived for a while in another part city’s highest point, recalls a bygone era with of St. Louis. “It’s a neighborhood. I don’t have its quiet and tidy residential streets, brick to get into a car to go to a restaurant or bakery bungalows and shotgun houses. Some homes, or grocery store.” according to Rosolino “Roland” DeGregorio, The Hill, heavily populated with Italian a local historian, are framed with free lumber immigrants and their descendants, is the that immigrants hauled in wagons from city’s premier destination for lovers of Italian disassembled 1904 World’s Fair exhibits. At food. Ask Oprah Winfrey, a recent guest of 81, DeGregorio has moved only four blocks in Giovanni’s on the Hill, which created a pasta his lifetime. His tours of the Hill include the dish -- “Pappardelle ala bella Oprah” -- for the 5400 block of Elizabeth, where baseball Hall daytime television diva. of Fame greats Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola But while the Hill abounds in Italian grew up, and later, where sports announcer restaurants, Jack Buck pizza parlors, lived. bakeries, The Hill’s delicatessens streets are and specialty almost entirely shops, food is free of litter only part of and crime. its allure. A Its homes are buoyant urban modest but community in impeccably southwest St. cared for, and Louis, the Hill recall an era has flourished that predates over the last the three-car century and garage and somehow bedroom for Saint Ambrose Roman Catholic Church is a landmark in the Hill. managed every child.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 11

Yards are lovingly embellished with small flower and herb gardens, fountains, brightly painted flower pots, strings of lights, and statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Across from Missouri Baking Co., Salvador Palmeri, an immigrant from Sicily, hoses the alley behind his home every day, because, he said, “I like to keep it clean.” His wife, Josephine, paints ceramic flower pots and animal figures for a patio menagerie.

“I love the area,” said Frank DiGregorio, 49, who arrived from Italy as an eightmonth-old baby and helps run family-owned DiGregorio’s Imported Foods. “I can walk up and down the streets and talk to Italian people. It’s a community. We’re a small town in a big city.”

Bill Holland, who married into the family that runs the 101-year-old John Volpi Co. Inc., an Italian meats company, says the Hill is St. Louis’ only 24-hour neighborhood, a fragile ecosystem that has been immune to urban blight and whose anchor is St. Ambrose Catholic Church. He said the neighborhood has a healthy balance of homes, businesses and entertainment that spins positive energy around the clock. “When the restaurants shut down at midnight, the bakers all come in at 2 a.m.,” Holland said. “We start our business at 6 a.m. There’s always something positive in the neighborhood.”

This summer, the Hill was the backdrop for “The Game of Their Lives,” a feature film about the St. Louis-dominated soccer team that scored a historic upset in the 1950 World Cup. The Hill produced four of the five St. Louisans on the team that defeated Britain.

Hill customs hark back to an earlier time: a neighborhood procession on the religious Feast of Corpus Christi, the annual Columbus Day parade, a soapbox derby and the “Giro della Montagna” Bicycle Race on Labor Day weekend.

THE HILL IS A FASCINATING PLACE FOR A GREAT NOSTALGIC VISIT. “The Italian Immigrants” is a statue in front of St. Ambrose Church commemorating the immigrant families that settled in the neighborhood the Hill.

Come experience the taste of Italy!

8313 W. LAWRENCE AVENUE NORRIDGE, IL 60706 TEL: 708.452.1545 FAX: 708.452.4475

www.the3olives.com FANTASTIC SERVICE REASONABLE PRICES CHARMING ATMOSPHERE

Buonappetito

Italian Restaurant Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 12

Christmas in ITALY By: Andrew Guzaldo

T

he Nativity Scene, one of the most beloved and enduring symbols of the Christmas Season, originated in Italy.

St. Francis of Assisi asked his friend Giovanni Vellita of the village of Greccio to create a manger scene. St. Francis performed mass in front of this Nativity Scene. The creation of the figures or pastori became an entire genre of folk art, which inspired awe and devotion in all who saw it. In Rome, cannons are fired from Castel St. Angelo of Christmas Eve to announce the beginning of the holiday season. A 24-hour fast ends with an elaborate Christmas feast. Small presents are drawn from the Urn of Fate.

The main exchange of gifts takes place on January 6, the feast of the Epiphany, the celebration in remembrance of the Magi’s visit to the Christ Child. Children anxiously await a visit from La Befana who brings gifts for the good and punishment for the bad. According to legend, La Befana was asked to accompany the wise men but declined as she was busy cleaning her home (a obsession with this old woman) and could not leave until she was finished. The wise men left without her, she promising to catch up with them when she was finished cleaning. By the time she finished, however, the wise men were long gone. She frantically began running after them with gifts for the Christ child, still carrying her broom.

Magically, she began to fly on her broom but

could not find the wise men or the Christ child. Instead she leaves gifts for other children, treats for those who are good and coal for those who are not so good, but in reality every child receives a piece of coal as well as a treat as we could all do better, right?

Buon Natale – The Rich History And Tradition Of Christmas In Italy The very roots of our modern Christmas were born in Italy. Christmas, the Feast of the Nativity, was decreed by Emperor Aurelian in A.D. 274 to take place on December 25th of each year. Although many biblical historians believe that the actually birth of Jesus took place some time in the Spring, early Roman Christian’s felt it important to create a feast day that coincided with the many pagan celebrations had always taken place during the winter solstice. The celebration of the birth of the sun soon became the celebration of the birth of the Son. The nativity scene, a popular symbol of Christmas throughout the world, also has its roots in early Italian history. Artist Giovanni Vellita in the village of Greccio created the first nativity scene, the presepio, in the year 1224.

The piece was created at the request of none other than St. Francis Of Assisi. The presepio quickly became embraced as a holy symbol of Christmas when St. Francis said mass in front of Vellita’s creation the first time.

The season of Christmas begins 8 days before Christmas on December 17th and lasts until the Epiphany (also known as “Little Christmas”) on January 6th. The eight days before Christmas are known as the Novena and

are often marked by children going door to door singing and giving recitations. Unlike the posadas common in Latin American cultures that symbolize the journey of Mary and Joseph in search of shelter, the Italian pastorals honor the journey of the shepards to the manger.

Although dietary restrictions no longer play a central role in Catholic faith, many Italians still observe a strict fast from sundown on December 23rd to sundown on December 24th,. During the twilight hours of December 24th, candles or the traditional Yule log (which must burn through New Year’s day), are lit and prayers are said around the family manger scene (the presepio) and a delicious feast is enjoyed before midnight mass.

Because the regions of Italy are so diverse, it is difficult to identify one traditional Italian Christmas feast, but certain foods remain common. Fish remains a common ingredient, as older church doctrine limited the eating of meat on certain holy days. Most Christmas sweets contain nuts and honey, said to honor the fertility of the earth and make for a sweet new year. Panettone is a sponge cake studded with candied fruit … much lighter than the dense fruitcake concoctions that common in other countries! Nougat candies (torrone) and a rich gingerbread (panforte) are also very popular.

La Befana is Italy’s answer to Santa Claus, although she arrives on the eve of the Epiphany instead of Christmas Eve. Legend has it that the Three Wise Men had stopped at La Befana’s home asking for directions to the manger where the Christ child had been born. La Befana had no idea who they were in search of, and suspiciously declined to accompany them when the offered to let her join them.

Rethinking their offer after they left, she decided to join them but became lost. She stopped every child who crossed her path and gave them treats in the possibility that one of them was the baby Jesus the three strangers had spoke of. And every year she continues her search for the Christ child she missed seeing, and she continues to leave treats for good children.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 13

SING - COOK - EAT!

Andy LoRusso THE SINGING CHEF®

A

ndy LoRusso, known as “The Singing Chef,” is one of the lucky people that enjoy their job as it is also their hobby. He has combined his true passions: music and cooking and travels the country as the Singing Chef.

Andy was born in Newark, NJ and grew up in East Orange, NJ, where he attended the grade school at St. Joseph’s. He went to High School at Vailsburg High and lived in the part of Newark called Vailsburg.

Andy’s father Andrew Nick was born in the Ironbound section of New Jersey, his father Angelo was born in a little town in the Basilicata region of Italy called Potenza. Andy’s Mother, Ida (Aida), was born in West Virginia and her mother and father, Grace and Antonio Colombrito, were born in Agira, Sicily, in the provenza of Enna. Both Andy’s parents are deceased but are still alive in Andy’s heart and sure to be in heaven above. Andy has one older brother, Ronald LoRusso, who was named after Ronald Regan and his middle name is Angelo, to keep up with the Italian heritage.

When we asked Andy to share some nice memories and experiences of growing up Italian American, and some family traditions, he mentioned that the funny and nice memories would always be around the holidays. “I would dress up as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve and hand out all the gifts. After I grew out of the Santa outfit, we got a new one and then a few of my uncles kept the tradition going.”

Some cute memories are when his Grandmother Grace would dry the pasta on the bed. “When we little bambino’s were tired, Momma Ida would clear some of the drying pasta from the bed and lay us down next to all the noodles to sleep. We would wake up with some of the pasta stuck to us and the flour all over us.”

Andy has always had an intrinsic sense of music and food. His Father cooked a lot at home and so did his Mom, however, it was his Grandmother Grace’s cooking along with his Aunt’s, that truly inspired him.

Andy with Mary Ann Esposito Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 14

Around 1966-67, he had the good fortune to be introduced to a popular songwriter John Gluck who introduced him to the popular song witting team of Linzer and Randell. “They liked my Tom Jones, Engelburt Humperdink, BJ Thomas type of soulful singing delivery so they gave me the name of Palmer Jones and had a few songs that they wanted me to sing, one of which was called The Great Magic of Love that went on to be my first recording for Epic Records.”

When he moved to California in 1991, he studied with the worldrenowned vocal coach to the stars, Giovanna d’Onofrio, who coached the great tenors and sopranos of the time. It was with d’Onofrio that Andy studied the arias and love songs of the great Italian composers and combined his and his family’s best recipes with classic, beautiful love songs that you can find in his best selling book “Sing & Cook Italian” that comes with a CD. His show starts with an upbeat song called “Tarantella.” Some of the popular songs you can hear while Andy performs are “That’s Amore” or “Volare.” Andy says: “I like to snake through the audience, followed by the wait staff, and get the energy in the room sizzling.” He sings and prepares a delicious, usually 4 course meal, that includes for example: Bruschetta with Gorgonzola, Red Roasted Peppers and Kalamata Olives; a salad of Sweet Fennel and Oranges with Toasted Walnuts in a Honey Sherry Vinegar Dressing; a choice of Chicken Scaloppini accompanied

by Fresh Baby Asparagus and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Sicilian Rolled Beef, Braciole, with Fresh Tomato sauce over Creamy Mascarpone Polenta; and for dessert my special Ricotta Cheese Cake with Fresh Berries, Raspberry Coulis and Shaved Belgian Chocolate.

The Singing Chef always gets the whole room singing along with him as he has all the words to the songs projected on the large screens hanging over the stage and throughout the room.

Andy has performed in Chicago and the surrounding areas as The Singing Chef many times. The first time was at the Taste of Chicago a few years in a row in the late 90’s, then he performed at the Sorrento Cheese Festa Pasta Vino, Italian festival. In 2004 he performed with Frankie Avalon. And when Andy is in Chicago he is a regular favorite guest on the WGN -TV network morning news show. They love him there and they all have a great time!

He is not scheduled to be in the Chicago area at this time, but that can change at any moment. Andy The Singing Chef schedule is on his website www.singingchef.com to see where and when he will be performing. As of today, he is not scheduled to be in the Chicago Andy and Host Chef Wendy Brodie area, but that can change. Andy’s favorite The Art of Food TV Show Italian restaurant in the Chicago area is any one that he is eating in at the time. His favorite food would be Lobster Fra Diavolo with homemade pasta. One thing is for sure he LOVES CHICAGO! Which now brings us to his act.

As Andy travels a lot, relaxing is an important part of his day. Besides doing yoga and meditation each day, Andy says, he always tries to get a massage and take a nice warm jacuzzi. Aside from his culinary and music hobby he rides his Italian bicycle (Colnago) the best road bicycle in the world. He rides every chance he gets, and besides eating this is one of his favorite things to do.

As far as Andy’s favorite places in Italy, he loves visiting his cousins of his father’s side in the area of Origgio, outside of Milano. “We would go to Venice and then a train ride to Bologna from Tuscany. Soon I will visit the area where my Mothers side was born in Sicily with my daughter and experience the beauty of southern Italy.”

You may recognize Andy from his appearances on the “Donny & Marie Osmond Show” on Fox TV, where he was the guest chef entertainer from 1997-98.

“When you have a vision and a goal, never let anyone or anything stand in your way.

Believe in yourself and do your homework and never stop learning.”

Andy LoRusso

Andy has been associated with the Santa Barbara Opera Company for a number of years and makes himself available for a number of fundraisers throughout the year as The Singing Chef. He is a featured performer at state and country fairs and Italian festivals and has also been teaching cooking classes all over North America.

He has been a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) for over eight years.

In Andy’s life, like in everybody else’s, there was a couple of breakthrough moments but one of the biggest ones was definitely when he after the long 30 years finally found his daughter Betty that he had never seen before. “With pride I say she is a chip off the old block: She teaches a unique program called “Yoga Hoop Dance”, and I have been doing yoga for more than 30 years. She is a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, and, like me, is a chef. Who would’ve ever guessed!”

If Andy was choosing a role model it would be people who he appreciates a lot - like Oprah Winfrey, who has created a dynasty based on not only business acumen but lots of heart, and Bill Gates, who through his enormous wealth, gives back to the world by doing whatever is needed for people to become self sufficient and teaching them to believe in themselves.

DY IS AVAILABLE FOR HIRING. GREAT FOR BIRTHDAY

Sing &Cook Italian by Andy LoRusso New for 2006 now includes CD! Book Includes: • Over 100 delicious recipes (Tantalizing fish & vegetarian dishes too) •Antipastas, Soups, Salads, Pastas and Desserts (calorie-calculated pasta dishes and mouthwatering meals in less than 30 minutes) •CD Sing Along with Andy LoRusso (Italian & English lyric to sing along with) •Tips on healthy cooking •Travel tips on Italy

To order visit www.singingchef.com Learn to sing: O Sole Mio, Santa Lucia, Arriverderci Roma, That’s Amore, Volare, Martha, Non ti Scorda di me, La Donna e Mobile, Funiculi, Funicula, Torna a Surriento and more!

Recommended shopping list included so that you can have on hand all the ingredients you’ll need for that last minute meal preparation.

LUNCH WITH THE SINGING CHEF

A BARBARA, CA! FOR MORE INFO VISIT WWW.SINGINGCHEF.COM

DISCOVER THE FUN!

S, THEME PARTIES, LUNCHEONS, FUND RAISERS, FESTIVALS AND MORE!

AN

Andy & VIP Guests having fun

Andy at Festa Italiana Milwaukee, WI 2006

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 15

® IN BEATIFUL SANT

AMICI JOURNAL NEW NEIGHBORHOOD FOCUS, TOMORROW MAY BE YOUR COMMUNITY

Village of Elmwood Park Village President Peter N. Silvestri

Introduction to the “Village with Pride” The Village of Elmwood Park is located approximately twelve miles from the Chicago Loop and 8 miles from Lake Michigan. Incorporated on April 8, 1914, the community is made up of several distinct family oriented neighborhoods developed at different periods over the last 92 years. With a population of just over 25,000, Elmwood Park is primarily a residential community of single-family homes, newer condominiums and town homes, but also boasts several business districts and a small industrial area. The METRA west train route serves the community, PACE bus service and CT A bus routes on Harlem and Belmont A venues. It is also conveniently located between the Eisenhower and Kennedy Expressways, and 6 six miles from O’Hare International Airport. Elmwood Park is also near Brookfield Zoo, the Rosemont Theatre, and the Allstate Arena, regional institutions for fun and amusement.

Elmwood Park is home to much of the Oak Park Country Club, designed by a worldrenowned architect and Evans Field of the Cook County Forest Preserve District. Although no hospital is located within its corporate boundaries, Oak Park Hospital, Westlake Hospital and Gottlieb Hospital are within a couple of miles away.

Elmwood Park is the former home of Ron Santo of the Chicago Cubs, Lee Loughnane of the band “Chicago”, Ray Nitschke of the Green Bay Packers and a member of the NFL Hall of Fame, and Rich Dozer, President of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Current residents include Jerry Korab, former Chicago Blackhawk player, and two time Olympic runner Michael K. Durkin. These individuals comprise the Elmwood Park Hall of Fame.

Elmwood Park boasts high property values, record home remodeling and new construction, a control on taxes, and low crime rates- the lowest in the area. It is a clean community, all year round, with a weekly street sweeping program, garbage toter and recycling program, leaf pickup program and snow removal program. Frosinone, Italy is the village’s sister city. The village’s official slogan is “The Village with Pride”.

The Village, its Park System and the Arts The Village of Elmwood Park is governed by a president and board of trustees that are elected at large. These include Village President Peter N. Silvestri, Village Clerk Elsie Sutter, and Trustees Alan Bennett, Sam LaBarbera, Alan Kaminski, Carmen Forte, Diane Kmiecik and Jeff Sargent. The village is in two congressional districts, represented by Representative Rahm Emanuel and Luis Gutierrez. The village is in the 77th Legislative District represented

by Representative Angelo “Skip” Saviano, the 39th Senate District represented by Senator Don Harmon, and the 9th County District represented by Commissioner Peter Silvestri. It is located in Leyden Township, which offers a variety of programs for its residents. The village operates under a village manager form of government and consists of a Finance Department, Health and Human Services Department, Police Department, Fire Department, Code Administration Department, Public Works Department and a Water and Sewers Department. The website is www.elmwoodpark.org.

The Parks and Recreation Department operates a Recreation Center, which includes a family aquatic center, three parks, three playgrounds, and a skate park.

The department offers a wide variety of programs for all age groups all year round.

Through its Youth Commission, the village also sponsors a youth football program for elementary aged children, and a variety of other youth programs. Elmwood Park Baseball and Elmwood Park AYSO Soccer are main highlights of community based independent youth programs.

Citizen committees and commissions assist in the administration of government. They include the Plan, Zoning and Development Commission, the Youth Commission, the Arts and Special Events Commission, the Traffic and Safety Commission, and the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.

The Village of Elmwood Park is committed to the arts and funds the Elmwood Park Theatre, the Elmwood Park Civic Chorus, a full summer concert series at Central Park, and three main special events- The Taste of Elmwood Park (4th of July weekend), an annual Fall Fest (September or October) and a Holiday Stroll through the Park on Thanksgiving weekend. A Garden Walk and Arts Fair are planned for 2007. Elmwood Park received an award for its interest and promotion of the arts from the Illinois Arts Council in October, 2006.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 16

The Schools and Library Elmwood Park benefits from fine public and private educational institutions in and near its borders. Elmwood Park Community Unit School District 401 serves the community, with approximately 2900 students in five school buildings. These schools include the Elmwood Park Early Learning Center (Pre-K and kindergarten), John Mills and Elmwood Elementary Schools (Grades 1-6), Elm Middle School (Grades 7-8) and Elmwood Park High School (Grades 9-12). As a unit district, one Board of Education and administration serve all public school students in the village. The schools offer a variety of curriculum and offers gifted and special education programs for children in need of these types of programs. Elmwood Park High School graduates attend a variety of private and public universities across the nation.

Elmwood Park is also served by a number of Catholic schools, including St. Celestine’s School (K-8), St. Vincent Ferrer School (K8), St. Cyprian’s School, Guerin College Prep High School(co-ed) , St. Patrick’s High School (Boys), Trinity High School (Girls) and Fenwick High School (co-ed).Triton College is the local community college for Elmwood Park and offers a variety of programs for young men and women interested in a diverse array of professions. Dominican University and Concordia University are also near to the community.

The Elmwood Park Library operates in its fourth location since its opening in 1936. The new library and cultural center was opened in March, 2003. The facility is highlighted by an extensive collection of books, videos, and other materials. Access to computers, a youth library activity center, and a historical center, adds to the value of this important community institution.

The People In the 2000 census, there were 25,405 residents in Elmwood Park.

Over 13,300 were women. The highest percentage of residents was in the 35 to 44-age category, with almost a quarter of the residents being 19 or younger. 80% of the community had achieved a high school diploma or greater, with 20% having attained greater than a bachelor’s degree from college. 15% of the residents in Elmwood Park have lived in town since 1969. The community has a variety of social organizations. To name a few, the village is home to the Kiwanis, the Lions, the Chamber of Commerce, the Civic Foundation, the Knights of Columbus, the Halo American Maroons Soccer Club, the Infant Welfare Society, the Red Hat Club, Friends of the Library, the Elmwood Park Women’s’ Club, scouting programs and school and church groups. There are eight churches geographically located in the village and residents attend these and many more in nearby communities.

Business and Industry Elmwood Park is home to many small and large commercial businesses. The latest arrival of a new Staples store on Harlem Avenue continues the economic redevelopment of the community. Other large stores in town include Circuit City, two Walgreens, and Binny’s Beverage Depot. Commercial plazas include North Tower Plaza, Elmwood Commons and Rose Plaza. Most businesses are small, with a variety of bakeries, shops, and offices highlighting the main business districts along North A venue, Grand A venue, Belmont Avenue and the Village Circle. The community is known for great food, and has a reputation for great restaurants. In fact, the community has a designated “restaurant row” on North A venue, although many fine eating establishments line all the major business routes. A very small percentage of the community is considered industrial, and this area is located on Grand Avenue, west of the railroad tracks. The unemployment rate in the village is less than 2.5%, half the national average.

The Village and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) recently completed a new concept plan for Grand A venue. This plan

provides for new businesses and condominiums near the new METRA station and bus lines on Grand and Harlem Avenues.

Homes Elmwood Park is highlighted by a variety of housing styles, built at various points in the community’s history. The first building boom occurred in the late 1920s with the development of “Westwood”- a planned community of bungalows on the northwest side of the village.

This area represents about 25% of the community. The second biggest building boom occurred in the late 1940s and the 1950s, on the far south end of the village, at the end of World War II, the Korean War, and the construction of the University of Illinois at Chicago. This area consists of a variety of housing styles and represents about 33% of the community.

Each neighborhood is also marked by remodeled and new homes. Homes in all parts of the community range in price from $285,000 to $900,000, with a few homes reaching the $1 million point.

There are approximately 10,500 housing units in Elmwood Park.

About 10% of the community consists of apartment buildings and condominiums of 20 units or more. 14% of the units are 3 or 4 unit buildings. The tallest and largest multi-unit building in the village is Cameo Tower, 7234 W. North Avenue, built in the mid-1960s. Most large apartment buildings, eight units or more, were built or have been converted to condominiums. The largest percentage of housing units in the village is single-family homes. Bungalows, ranch homes, split level homes, Georgian and English Tudor homes represent the biggest number of housing types in Elmwood Park.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 17

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Warmest thoughts and best wishes!

AMICI JOURNAL Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 18

World War II: Before They Stormed the Beaches

By Mike Ingrisano

O

peration “Eagle” on May 12, 1944, was the Para drop dress rehearsal for DDay Normandy and included some 800 aircraft from the 52nd, 50th, and 53rd Troop Carrier Wings. These Army Air Corp units were composed of Troop Carrier groups which manned and cared for the C-47s. Depending on the mission, C-47s were troop, supply and/or evacuation airships. Both the 50th, and the 53rd carried and dropped paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division. As part of the 52nd, my 316th Troop Carrier Group carried and dropped only small numbers of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division already had combat experience in Sicily and Italy.

For the 316th TCG, the night flight into the drop zone seemed quite routine and included all four of our squadrons. The prescribed course was followed; and token numbers of troopers were dropped on target. But then disaster struck. As the lead vee of three planes of our 44th Squadron had turned homeward, the lead plane suddenly saw a plane coming at it.

Despite evasive action downward, two of the Group planes collided in mid-air and all hands were lost. Included among the dead were our group commander, Lt. Col. Burton R. Fleet, and our Group Chaplain, Capt. Floyd N. Richert, and two 82nd Airborne jumpmaster-observers, Captain John D. Rice, CO, Company B, and 2nd Lt. William A. Gullick, Company G. After this tragic warning, the 316th TCG returned to its base in Cottesmore, England, and continued normal chores of flying routine in-country missions, and aircraft transitional training flights. By June 3, all personnel, including stationed 82nd Airborne units, were restricted to base for secrecy, and all hands turned out to paint the “war stripes” on every airplane. Each C-47 was painted with five alternating foot-wide stripes, three white and two black on each wing and on the fuselage between the rear door and tail section.

This bold, visual identi­fier for all Allied planes was meant to safe­guard against the possibility of any being shot down by “friendly fire” as happened to us in Sicily in July 1943.

The 316th Troop Carrier Group, less the 37th squadron, had also dropped the 82nd on those fateful missions in Sicily: “Husky 1” and “Husky 2”, 9-11 July 1943. On “Husky 2”, the 316th lost twelve aircraft destroyed by “friendly fire” from our Navy and ground fire. Some of these planes went down with full complements on board. And many of the C-47 crews that survived were to man their planes on D-Day Normandy.

When the word came down that the D-Day mission was imminent, briefings began for pilots, co-pilots, navigators, and radio

The crew that led the 37th squadron into D-Day. The picture was taken just after they returned to base in Cottesmore. --Sgt. Wilbur E. Evans, Crew Chief; --Captain Frank B. Waters, Navigator; --1st Lt. Warren D. Rayburn, Co-pilot; --Sgt. Maurice E. Smith, Radio Operator; and --Major Leonard C. Fletcher, Pilot, and Squadron Commander

operators. Crew chiefs spent their time finetuning their planes for peak performance. When the mission was confirmed, final briefings were held early in the day of June 5th.

General Eisenhower gave the final “go” for 5-6 June, after a one-day postponement due to weather. The airborne troops were already at the planes doing their pre-flight readiness when the 316th flight crews arrived at approximately 2130 hours. With Eisenhower’s “Great Crusade” leaflet in hand I folded my copy, unread, and put it in the pants leg pocket of my flight suit.

I boarded my aircraft with my gear, which I put into the flight deck compartment that was right behind the co-pilot’s position and just in front of my position. This gear consisted mainly of our clumsy seat-pack parachutes and arms, which for the enlisted men were M-l carbines.

We also carried gas masks and escape kits, and a water-filled canteen on our ammunition belts.

All personal identification, save our “dog tags,” was left in our quarters.

We were also clothed in leggings and steel helmets, and were provided with flak jackets, which I chose to place on my seat rather than to wear on my body. My reasoning was to protect myself from any incoming fire from underneath the plane.

Lift off by our lead squadron, the 44th, was at 2300 hours and my squadron, the 37th, followed.

My plane was in the fifth flight, where we flew on the right wing of our flight leader. The 45th Squadron was next, followed by the 36th. Its last plane was off the ground by 2320. Our target was Drop Zone “O” just slightly northwest of Ste Mere Eglise, behind “Utah” beach.

After forming into three ship vees and three vees to a flight, we headed for France. The flight was rather uneventful. As approached the coast of France, I was able to see out of the front windscreen. I saw a solid wall of light in which

were embedded puffs of black smoke.

Because of radio silence, my chores were quite limited (frequently including private prayer for support). When I looked down and out, I could see the vast U.S. armada sitting off the coast that would eventually land the ground troop invasion. As I looked out I saw an image of my Fiancee, and she said to me “Mike, don’t worry; you will be OK.” We continued on our flight toward Ste. Mere Eglise. From overlays I have found in my research, my pilots estimated that we dropped our stick of troopers just slightly off to the northwest of the drop zone, and most of the 82 Airborne with the 316th TCG were dropped close to their target.

After we dropped our troops, I helped the crew chief push out a 75-mm piece that we were carrying, and then helped him pull the paratrooper shroud lines into the plane to minimize drag. The flight home was somewhat routine and the 316th TCG was welcomed back to Cottesmore by our ground crews. The long awaited Normandy invasion had begun.

The next night, June 7, I wrote Bette, but censorship was still in force. I had to control my emotions, as I could not write how her vision both surprised me and calmed my fears as I made it through my first combat mission.

About the Author: Mike Ingrisano was born of Italian immigrant parents and raised in Brooklyn, NY before enlisting in World War II. He earned three Air Medals during the war, and afterward his college education through the “GI Bill.”

On June 6, 2004 he was awarded the French Legion of Honor in recognition of his service and that of his troop carrier comrades on DDay, Normandy.

Mr. Ingrisano lives in McLean, Virginia, and welcomes hearing from all those interested in Troop Carrier missions during World War II, especially that of the 316th TCG, or his books.

He can be reached by e-mail at mingnan@juno.com

Michael N. Ingrisano is the author of a book: “ VALOR WITHOUT ARMS - A History of the 316th Troop Carrier Group”

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 19

The Story of

Giovanni Da Verrazzano, an Italian explorer

By Bianca Ottone, My Italian Family, LLC. Here is a short story about a famous Italian explorer. We hope you will enjoy reading it.

Much information has been written about Christopher Columbus but we know very little about Giovanni da Verrazzano.

Who really was the man credited with the discovery of the New York Bay among others?

G

iovanni da Verrazzano (also spelled Verrazano) was born in 1485 in the family estate known as the Castle of Verrazzano located on the hilltop in the Chianti Classico area, only 10 miles from Florence. The Castle was an etruscan then a roman settlement before becoming the property of the Verrazzano family in the 7th century.

Giovanni was the son of Pier Andrea, son of Bernardo da Verrazzano (please refer to the Verrazzano Family Crest below), and while growing up in Florence he received an excellent education. He was an extremely good student in math, and became known as a master mariner. Later he moved to Dieppe in France and entered the French maritime service.

In 1523, King Francis I of France agreed to provide Verrazzano with two ships to set sail and discover the westward passage to Asia. The king was a fan of everything Italian and it is no wonder that he chose the Florentine Giovanni da Verrazzano to lead the expedition, which was also backed by wealthy Italian bankers and merchants living in Lyons. In January of 1524, Verrazzano set sail with his brother Gerolamo, also a mapmaker, his vessel being named La Dauphine (a term traditionally used to refer to the eldest son of the king - the individual immediately in line to the throne). In early March he arrived at Cape Fear in North Carolina. He then continued northward, exploring the eastern seaboard of North America as far as Nova Scotia. He made several discoveries including New York Bay, Block Island and Narragansett Bay. He was also the first European explorer to name newly discovered North American sites after persons and places in the Old World.

Nel 1528 he reached the Lesser Antilles probably the island of Guadeloupe and it is here that he died tragically. Giovanni was going ashore in a boat to greet the natives, wading the last part while the boat, with his brother, remained at sea. Unfortunately, the natives turned out to be rather unfriendly and expertly killed Giovanni eating him under the eyes of his brother Gerolamo. The ship was too far away to give gunfire support. Gerolamo sailed back to Europe and later in 1529 when he returned to Florence, he designed the map listing all the discoveries made by his brother Giovanni and told the story of this great but unlucky explorer.

The Castle of Verrazzano after having undergone changing fortunes over the centuries has now rediscovered its ancient splendor. It is here that the first grape growing and wine producing area in the world was determined by an official proclamation, made by the grand Duke Cosimo III de’ Medici Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge - joining in 1716. There is a great tradition of winemaking here. The “vineyards situated in Verrazzano� are Brooklyn and Staten Island, mentioned in a manuscript which dates back to 1170 and is preserved at the abbey of Passignano. named by the explorer.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 20

Richard Capozola’s

1857

1861

Enrico Cecchetti, age 5, appears with the Ronzani Troupe at New York’s Broadway Theater. Little Enrico tours the country but returns to Italy after the troupe fails financially. Cecchetti returns to America 56 years later and becomes the leading ballet master of the world.

Italian freedom fighter, Giuseppe Garibaldi, is offered a comand in the Union Army by President Lincoln but respectfully declines. Later, Garibaldi writes to Lincoln, “If war should by evil chance continue in your country, I will overcome all obstacles which hold me back, and will hasten to come to the defence of that people which is so dear to me.

1857 Sixteen-year-old opera singer Adelina Patti is a sensation in her debut at the Academy of Music in New York. Adelina sang for Queen Victoria for over 25 years. She also sang for most other heads of state and world leaders.

The French named a rose coloured flower after her, calling the Mediterranean plant “Camellia Japonica Adelina Patti”. “The reign of Patti” lasts 46 years until her death in 1906.

1865 General Luigi Palma di Cesnola, Civil War hero and winner of the Medal of Honor, is appointed by President Abraham Lincoln as Ambassador to Cyprus. In addition to his duties as consul, Cesnola digs up some 35,000 Cypriotte artifacts over several years. When New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art opens in 1880, Cesnola is named the first director and serves for 25 years. The first major attraction is the general’s collection from Cyprus which may still be seen today.

1861

1865

The “Garibaldi Guard,” consisting of 830 men, including some 50 Italians wearing ALpine plumed hats, blue trousers with red stripes and white leggings, are the most picturesque group in the entire Union Army.

Officially known as the 39th New York Infantry, “The Garibaldi Guard” fights with distinction on numerous battles from the first Bull Run to Appomattox.

A. P. Giannini (is born in Dan Jose, California, where his parents run a small hotel. In 1904 Giannini opens his one room Bank of Italy with three full-time employees and serves as an unpaid director. In 1928 the Bank of Italy adopted a new name, Bank of America. When Giannini dies in 1949, his Bank of America is the largest privately owned bank in the world.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 21

Taylor Street Archives Newsletter Update 2006

www.taylorstreetarchives.com

By Vince Romano

If we do not act now, the following shall be our epitaph: “…and it came to pass that, for those who followed us, it was as if we never were here.”

Purpose and brief history of the Archives. The Taylor Street Archives (TSA) is our historic scrapbook which is designed to preserve the memories of those emigrants (and the offspring of those emigrants) who found their way to the legendary Taylor Street’s “Little Italy” from their Italian origins. Your contributions, whether they simply add to the demographics by submitting your names, or expand upon the theme of “Growing Up in Taylor Street’s “Little Italy” by submitting your stories, will add to the richness of a time and a people.

Neighborhood/Groups. Recently received are: 1) 1948 Holy Guardian Angel Church parishioners list; 2) Lists from the Cecilia Boosters, Morgan Fads, TayHals, and Fosco S.A.C.s; 3) Hull House Debs, Bowen Country Club and the Near West Reunion Group.

Media --The media continues to support the Archives by publishing it stories.

Recently added to the media stable is The Chicago Flame Student Newspaper.

Public Service Television (WTTW) and NBC5 will air the documentary, And They Came to Chicago: The Italian American Legacy. Joe Montegna had agreed to come on board as the narrator of the documentary. The importance of Taylor Street and the Italian American’s crucial role in nurturing the neighborhood and its institutions will, apparently, receive their full attention in the film.

Writers, thesis, etc. Historians, novelists, script writers, and post graduate students writing their doctoral thesis have all sought permission to quote or reference the Archives, and/or to amplify upon the concepts espoused in the writings contained in the Archives. The most recent request came from a writer commissioned to write the history of Chicago’s legendary Taylor Street.

Shrine Fest—Most of that multitude received applications for the Taylor Street Archives with a proportionate number of potential scholarship recipients (their offspring) becoming aware of the $1,000 annual scholarship. Although Rev Fragomeni felt strongly that the Archives was consistent with and promoted the mission statement of the Shrine, the operations staff still retains its veto over the Shrine’s worshipers having access to any information concerning the Archives.

UIC’s Hull House Museum A new administrator, Lisa Lee, has been assigned to the Hull House Museum. She is sensitive to our needs and has a keen interest in the Taylor Street Archives, “…an amazing resource that should be a part of any story we need to tell about the history of this place and its continuing relevance for issues today.” A welcome response, after a two year silence by the previous administrators/guardians of the Hull House and Bowen Country Club web sites which, by both omission and commission, were redefining “The Hull House Neighborhood” and its history.

Danny Solis, ward alderman, stopped to convey his concern about the Italian

La Famiglia Written By Maureen Terranova

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 22

American community’s efforts to recapture its heritage and rightful place in the history of Taylor Street and its institutions.

Anthony Fornelli is a long time acquaintance going back some decades when we were both politically and socially active with the JCCIA—he, as a Justinian and JCCIA force, and I as President of the Gregorian Society of Educators. His personal odyssey, as a first generation offspring of one of the many emigrants who had found their way to Chicago’s legendary Taylor Street, produced a leader of the Italian American community during its Camelot days of the 1970s. Other notable figures, such as U.S. Congressman Frank Annunzio, Chicago Alderman Vito Marzullo, Illinois Congressman Victor Arrigo, and the likes of Anthony Sorrentino were included in that roundtable of those Camelot days. Tony related the following story which I share with you. His two daughters came to Taylor Street to enjoy some Italian lemonade. They engaged in conversation with members of one of the Old Neighborhood Italian Clubs that still exist, “Our father, Anthony Fornelli, was born somewhere in this neighborhood.” “Yeah!

That was Midge and Jerry. Right across the street there is where they lived--in the Briatta barber shop building.”

George Randazzo and I go back to the very origins of the NIASHF when George held the first NIASHF award dinner (boxers only at that time) on River Road.

At that same time, the Gregorians, just a few hotels away on River Road, were hosting their annual Scholarship dinner. We were honoring either Congressman Frank Annunzio, Alderman Vito Marzullo, or Jerry Sbarbaro that evening, as our “Man of the Year.”

Ralph DiBartolo,, President of the Italian American Police Association (IAPA), invited me as a guest speaker to their monthly dinner affair. A number of IAPA members, including Ralph, have their origins in Taylor Street’s Little Italy. Bill Jaconetti, one of Chicago’s most highly decorated police officers, whose roots also trace back to Taylor Street, was recently featured in Amici Journal.

Frank Peccia agreed that the history of the Near West Side Reunion, with a significant number of its members having roots in Taylor Street, should be documented in the Archives.

Dominic DiFazio, of the Old Neighborhood Italian American Club, recognized the value of the Archives and agreed to a future meeting with their members— many of whom have Taylor Street roots.

Ray “Shorty Ray” DiJulio’s daughter, Diane Fata, recently submitted his profile for inclusion in the Archives. Her note acknowledged his being mentioned in the Archive’s story about the Bowen Country Club (BCC) and reminded us that he had his honeymoon at the BCC. God has tied us together thru family even if we don’t want the ties.

This is a gift. We need family and friends to care about us, this is human nature. I have been blessed with a special family who is there for me thru “good and bad” times. I wish all of you the gift of family. There are many things I could continue to write about family and love however I would like to share a short poem I thought Amici readers might enjoy entitled: “LA FAMIGLIA” Warm embraces smiles on faces laughter and love being together.

Fragrances of food being prepared for the day awakening your senses in a jovial way. Emotions are flying football season is alive.

Eating and talking making time for walking. What a comforting feeling knowing family is there showing how much they care.

Parents and grandparents started our life show love and respect no matter what the strife. Family or friends being loyal is what matters setting priorities whatever time of the day rescuing, knowing the right things to say. Arguments may fester then forgiveness should take place remembering only the goodness shining all over their face. Deep within our hearts family bonds exist so why resist?

Special characteristics you may see or swear to your children you will never be. The blessing of “FAMIGLIA” we need to sustain believe with your heart there is much to gain……

Amici Journal Poet’s Corner - Poems From Our Readers REMEMBER WHEN A Walk Down Memory Lane

Those That Mean The World To You

By Provedence Chiappetta Huebener

By Andrew Guzaldo

Remember when we walked to the grocery store.

The butcher shop and the bakery were not far.

Remember the many sounds of our neighborhood.

The rags-a-line man, the watermelon man and the ice man all carried a different tune as they came down the alley.

Remember when a large card with “Ice” printed in it was placed in your back window for the ice man to see.

Remember when Ma hung the clothes on the line with clothes pins. The sun and summer wind would dry them.

Remember when we left our doors and windows open all day long.

Remember when everyone would sit on the porch eating pumpkin seeds and lupini.

Remember when we played “redrover“ and “kick the can” on our street, we always had enough kids to play.

Remember the victory garden everyone had with tomatoes, onions, peppers, herbs and the beautiful fig tree in the yard.

Remember when Pa made wine in the basement and you helped mash the grapes.

Remember the big pot of gravy cooking on the stove.

We all dipped our bread into the gravy for a taste.

It was surprising that we had enough for the pasta and meatballs.

Remember when we met downtown under the Marshall Fields clock on State Street.

Remember when we gathered at the corner on a summer night.

We laughed and sang songs.

Remember the guys in the neighborhood playing baseball on the corner vacant lot.

Remember when we walked to midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The whole block was going to church.

Sparkling snow covered the streets and sidewalks, decorated trees glittered in every window.

You could feel Christmas and love in the air.

Remember when we walked to the neighborhood show on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

It was very long ago that our neighborhood was young, when people smiled, said hello and Italian songs were sung.

Thank You for walking with me, lets meet under the clock someday.

Times as we all know change, and we all have certainly seen our share of it all.

Lucky for those who have had their friends and family by their sides in that constant change one undertakes, a steady support of friendship, and laughter, through all the undertaking of life’s changes.

So tell those that make this ever-changing life how much they mean to you.

As we hope that every stage of those we love life brings happiness and the laughter releases ones satisfaction.

In being that strong support for your family and those that look up to you, and keep you tall above all the confusion in this world.

That the things that truly matter such as faith, integrity, and loyalty always brings fulfillment that you can take pride in, friends that are worthy of your loyalty, and the past nostalgia that is shared by them.

And most of all may the joy of giving make your heart larger in health and understanding those in need.

And being the one with love and pride in what you do in life.

To those that mean the World to you, may you be the Rock upon which a Family and friends rely on.

Reflections

By Thomas A. Lopresti Here’s a little line of poetry. Written by me, and no one but me, My friends you see. People don’t know it But I’m a little bit of a poet. I’m a guy who has a rhyme All the time. Every night I go home And write a poem.

When I walk down the street I always greet, And say hello to everyone I meet. I’m not playing a part, I’ve really got the love Of Jesus in my heart.

When my day is done I always say a prayer for everyone.

Good and bad, Happy and sad.

When my day is concluded No one is excluded.

Not only me but there are many, Many beautiful people In the world. Don’t you see? One thing I feel is true, You pray for me, folks And I’ll pray for you.

I’ll close on this happy note, folks I hope you will enjoy this little poetry that I wrote, folks.

When you become detached mentally from yourself And concentrate on helping people with their difficulties, You will be more able to cope with your own more effectively. Somehow the art of self-giving is a personal power releasing factor.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 23

Historical Tours Get New High-Tech Guide

By Heather Whipps Special to LiveScience Reprinted with permission

W

ithout a good sign next to it, an ancient ruin is little more than a pile of rocks. Anyone who has visited even the major archaeological sites in Europe has experienced the common frustration. Monuments there often lack good historical explanations or offer information that is out of date.

Now, a new technology born in Italy—one of the countries that could use a lot of help in this area—could quell a bit of this aggravation by offering tourists the chance to download to their mobile phones information and graphics about the sites they visit.

How it works Agamemnon, named for a Mycenaen king who led the Greeks during the Trojan War, was developed by Milan-based firm TXT e-solutions. More than providing just a standard tour for each location, the technology can adapt to the user’s individual interests, researchers say.

Visitors start by dialing in to a special number over existing telephone networks. “At the beginning, a simple online questionnaire asks for specific interests,” explained Matteo Villa, project leader with TXT e-solutions. “The system can cross-check visitor’s preferences with content available with time available and provide an initial schedule.”

The schedule isn’t fixed, however, Villa said. A number of features make Agamemnon even more adaptable than the traditional audio guides available at most sites.

“During the [tour], visitors can ask the system to visit monuments not included in the list. Agamemnon will ‘observe’ such requests and it will be able to update visitor’s profiles,” Villa told LiveScience. The system can even recognize pictures taken with a cell phones onboard camera, “and provide relevant information on the monument identified.”

An added benefit of the project is that pictures taken by visitors can be collected by site managers and used to enhance security.

Despite their cultural importance, few outdoor sites have fixed security cameras in place, according to Villa.

Bye-bye tour guides?

Agamemnon has just recently finished an initial testing phase at locations in Italy and Greece. It worked well with most newer model phones, Villa said. Even if Agamemnon is introduced as a permanent feature at some archaeological sites, however, tourism officials are certain that human tour guides won’t go the way of the dodo.

“We always stress the importance of information provided by personal guides over audio/video technology,” said Riccardo Strano, director of the Italian Government Tourist Board in North America.

The technology is designed more to complement a site’s staff, Villa agreed. “Agamemnon is not supposed to replace tour guides, but rather to complete them,” he said. “In fact the information it provides, like 3D reconstructions and videos, could not be supplied by any human guides. On the other hand human guides could drive visitors in the correct use of Agamemnon, and combine it with their traditional tour.”

Saving money Another thing parties involved in the Agamemnon project agree on is its potential to cut costs.

Museums and outdoor sites could profit financially by sharing revenue earned by customer use, say Agamemnon’s designers. They estimate it will cost from two to four euro to access the service, slightly less than the average cost of renting the classic audio guides currently available at sites like the Forum in Rome. But Agamemnon also eliminates the upkeep costs of those audio guides, Villa said, something that is especially beneficial for minor sites with smaller budgets.

Though Strano denied ever hearing complaints from tourists about the lack of information available at Italy’s most popular attractions, he still felt Agamemnon could be a good addition to their repertoire of services.

“We welcome any technological novelty that can increase and facilitate the enjoyment of tourists who need historical or cultural background information related to tourist sites,” Strano said.

MORE INFORMATION:

AGAMEMNON aims at providing a visitor to a site of historical interest with a personalized, information enriched experience through 3G cell. phones and at the same time contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage.

The project is co-funded by the European Union.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 24

V&C

LEGION AUTO, INC. AUTO DEALER USED CARS & VANS RETAIL SERVICE REPAIRS 1728 S. State Street Lockport, IL 60441

ASK FOR MICKEY! Tell him you saw his Ad in Amici Journal.

Phone (815) 838-1333 Fax (815) 838-7415

BAKERY & CAFFE

Come and try some of our specialty items

Homemade Italian style pizza • Panzerotti Arancini (rice balls) • Focaccia bread sandwiches Tiramisu • Dessert lobster tails

NEW LOCATION! FREE CAPPUCCINO With any $10 dollar purchase

8535 W. Grand Ave. River Grove, IL 60171 Phone: 708.453.3020 Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 25

Vincent J. Romano Romano Group Senior Vice President 70 W. Madison St. Ste. 7450 Chicago, IL 60602 312-443-6240

To see how a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor can help you plan a more stress-free retirement, call today.

Tax laws are complex and subject to change. This information is based upon current federal tax rules in effect at the time this was written. Morgan Stanley and its Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving IRAs or other tax-advantaged investments.

Investments and services ate offered through Morgan Stanley DW Inc., member SIPC. © 2006 Morgan Stanley

Welcome to Spacca Napoli Pizzeria in Chicago

T

he creation of Spacca Napoli came out of Jon Goldsmith’s profound love for Italy, a cherished place that he, partner Ginny Sykes and daughter Sarah have considered a second home for many years.

Open Daily for Lunch (Wed.– Sat.), and dinner (Wed. Sun.) Lunch: 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, Wed. - Sat. Dinner: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Wed. - Thurs.

5:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Fri. - Sat. 12:00 Noon - 9:00 pm, Sunday 1769 W. Sunnyside Chicago, Il 60640 Tel: 773-878-2420 Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 26

One could say the dream was always there, waiting for the right moment to be born. From Florence to the Gargano to Naples, creating the pizzeria came naturally, bringing together Jon’s passions for cooking and hospitality and melding them with his appreciation of all things Italian.

The plan began to take shape on a flight to Italy in July 2004, following a casual suggestion to Jon from a fellow traveller who was from Naples that he ought to open a pizzeria in Chicago. On that trip, Jon began to talk about the pizzeria idea to his many Italian friends in Rodi Garganico (Rodiani). He was encouraged to go west for “true” pizza, to Naples — said to be the birthplace of pizza. As that summer drew to a close, Jon was determined to bring the essence of the Italian markets, the street life, and the abundance of Italy right back to Jonathan Goldsmith & Chicago.

Nella Grassano, pizzaiuola

Ancient Etruscans and Romanization

By Andrew Guzaldo

T

he ancient Romans took much from their precursors the Etruscans who preceded them by some 400 years (apogee during 7th century to 4th century BC). Both populated central Italy: the Etruscans in Etruria whilst the Romans in Latium. Etruria was just to the north of Latium. In spite of these neighbors being opponents for a long time there is frequent reference within Roman literature to the Etruscans written with tone of respect. From the Etruscans, the Romans learned many of the notions of civilization, religion and civil affairs if not their loose socio-political structure.

Myth would have it that Rome was founded in 753BC but it wasn’t until the fourth century that their presence began to be felt on an international level. (At this time the Greek civilization was in full swing and wonders such as the Parthenon for example were just being built.) However, in spite of this, it is aid by some that the consolidated spread of Greek culture was in fact owed to the extent of ancient Rome’s dominion. Ancient Rome admired and assimilated what the Greeks had to teach them in terms of philosophy, literature, politics and art.

Etruscan Tomb near Castellina in Chianti

Where the ancient Romans were most successful was in managing to establish the homogeneous social and political structure which the ancient Etruscans had never achieved leading to a much needed concentration of objectives, resources and strength. The real miracle was in their ability to assimilate the ways and cultures of those they conquered and perhaps more meaningfully of reshaping their structure of government, from Kings and Kingdom through to Republic, Empire and so on.

The ancient Roman miracle has never ceased to provoke fascination and even today it is difficult not to look to it as something which can hardly be repeated - stability, continuity and unity over such a vast geographical area such that it is said that a Roman citizen could walk across the empire without so much as being bothered by brigands.

Along the way they shaped much of the western civilization we know of today. They were not great scientists and mathematicians but rather very practical engineers capable of dominating and using the surroundings and leaving behind order and structure, roads, villas, farms and cities. An extreme example of this is to be seen in what was before and after the Roman invasion of Britain and how the aftermath of Romanisation was in fact a regression to barbarism as those who were left behind were incapable of running the social structure and machinery they had inherited.

The ancient Roman empire is considered to have ended in the fifth century ad (it was so large it couldn’t suddenly collapse but rather fold in on itself slowly). What it did achieve was to break itself into two halves: Emperor Constantine in the fourth century ad not only created a new Rome of the east (Constantinople - now known as Istanbul) but also made Christianity the corner stone of the Empire. In spite of the collapse of the Western Empire, the Empire of the East, called Byzantium, lasted through to the early Renaissance at which point Constantinople was taken by both Turks and Venetians (Fifteenth century).

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 27

HOMEMADE PASTA RECIPE Ingredients: 2 large eggs pinch of salt 2 c. sifted flour

THE HISTORY OF PASTA

By Christopher Guzaldo

I

n 400 b.c., noodles were found in an Etruscan tomb. An archeologist found this tomb and took pictures. Chinese used to eat noodles fresh before things were industrialized. The Chinese said it was bad luck to eat noodles or pasta out of the bowl before serving. Thomas Jefferson was the first person to make a macaroni machine, which is how we make macaroni today.

The history of pasta and where it originally came from is quite interesting. Those from Italy claim that pasta came from China and was brought to Italy by Marco Polo. People say that it is quite possible that China did have a part in making pasta, however there is no evidence to support this claim. Pasta in its originality did come from Italy and was exported to outlying areas and countries.

Pasta is a type of food made from flour, water, and sometimes eggs, which is mixed and formed into various shapes.

While the name pasta comes from Italy, Pasta is very popular in the world market.

Pasta is a primary dish in Italy and can be cooked Pasta drying - Atrani, Italy many different - a little town situated near Amalfi ways ravioli, shells which is stuffed with cheese and meat, lasagna, and spaghetti. Pasta has different ingredients like pepper, cheese, and tomato sauce. Pasta has been carried down for generations and will always be a good recipe and will be carried down for many more generations.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 28

Directions: Sift flour onto a clean, preferably wooden surface. Make a well and drop 2 eggs into the well. Add the salt. With hands, work the flour and egg mixture into a dough, similar to bread dough.

Clean surface, dust lightly with flour and knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes until the surface is smooth and elastic.

Cut dough into 4 sections. Roll each section one at a time on a flour surface with a floured rolling pin until thin (similar to pie crust.) At this point, use your imagination, cut the pasta into any shapes you desire. The easiest shape for the first time is to cut similar to egg noodles.

Place pasta on a clean surface. (My grandmother would put a clean sheet over the bedspread and layer the pasta onto this sheet for drying.) Pasta will dry in a very short time.

Cooking homemade pasta would take less time, however; it is always important to taste your pasta while cooking, Just remove 1 or 2 strands from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and taste.

This is where the term al dente comes from; as dente means tooth.

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS RECIPES PANETTONE RIPIENO DI GELATO - Panettone Stuffed with Ice Cream Panettone is a typical Lombard sweet bread, which in the old days was made in the shape of a dome.

Today looks more like a wide, inflated tower. In Milan panettoni are often stuffed with ice cream. As panettone is a difficult cake to make, you can buy one and stuff it with this home made ice cream.

Ingredients: 4 egg yolks, 1/2 cup (4 oz/125 g) sugar, grated rind of 1/2 orange, 2 cups (16 fl oz/500 ml) cream, 1/4 cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) Grand Marnier, 1 egg white, 1 (1Ib/500 g) panettone Beat the egg yolk, sugar and orange rind in the top of a double boiler until thick and lemon colored.

Stir in the cream. Place over gently simmering water and cook until the mixture is thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and add the Grand Marnier. Beat the egg white until stiff and fold into the custard. Transfer to an ice cream maker and churn until frozen. (If you are not using the ice cream right away, store in the freezer until shortly before serving time.) Cut a “cap” from the top of the panettone and scoop out most of the inside. Fill with the ice cream. Put the cap back on the top and serve at once. Makes 6 servings.

SAUTEED BROCCOLI RABE Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 to 3 cloves garlic - minced, 1 tablespoon margarine, 2 tablespoons dry white wine, 1 ½ pounds broccoli rabe or broccoli, trimmed and cut into large bite-sized pieces, salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Heat the oil in an extra-large skillet or a wok. Add the garlic and sautee over moderate heat for 1 minute, or until golden. Add the margarine and wine. Stir the broccoli rabe or broccoli in quickly.

Sautee, covered, lifting the lid to stir frequently, until bright green and tender but still firm. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Makes 8 servings.

GARLIC ROAST BEEF WITH HERBS Ingredients: beef roast (The roast must be a cut that is normally cooked uncovered in the oven. Either boneless rump, eye of round, boneless rib, standing rib, beef or pork), nutmeg, garlic powder (not salt), black pepper, ground oregano, basil Place roast in pan, on rack, and season so that excess seasoning stays in pan to flavor gravy. Season with nutmeg, garlic powder, black pepper, ground oregano and basil. Do not skimp on the seasonings. Season liberally and pat seasoning into meat. The nutmeg is the secret ingredient here so use plenty. It gives the meat a delicious flavor plus aids in the browning process.

Place roast beef with the fat side up so the fat will baste roast as it cooks. If there is no fat on the roast, spray the roast with Pam cooking spray. Place seasoned roast in 500° oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes reduce oven temperature to 350° and continue cooking for remainder of time (see below). Do not open oven during first half hour of cooking.

Timing the roast: 35 minutes per pound for a beef roast. 45 minutes per pound for pork at 325°. The first 20 minutes at 500° is included and is part of the total cooking time.

We Wish You a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!

K

ick off the Holidays with an evening of wine and jewelry! Enjoy complimentary wine tasting while selecting fashionable silver jewelry from Silpada.

At August Hill finding the perfect gift is an art, whether you are showing gratitude for a job well done, celebrating your company’s success, or conveying the spirit of the season to clients, colleagues, and friends, we are your resource for creative business gifts. Stop by our Tasting Room on Saturday, Nov. 11th and Sunday, Nov. 12th to preview our Holiday Business Gift Assortment. You can also shop online at www.augusthillwinery.com.

Celebrate the French tradition of Nouveau, the tradition evolved so that, at one minute past midnight on the third Thursday of each November, from little villages and towns all over France, over a million cases of Beaujolais Nouveau begin their journey for immediate shipment to all parts of the world.

Banners proclaim the good news: Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé! “The New Beaujolais has arrived!”

One of the most frivolous and animated rituals in the wine world has begun.

The celebration has spread to include not only the first red wine from Beaujolais, but also the first wines from wineries all over the world. The wine is festive and made to be gulped rather than sipped and enjoyed in high spirits rather than critiqued. Part of the fun of the celebration is knowing that, on the same night, in homes, cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and bistros around the world, the same celebration is taking place.

Don’t miss the inaugural Utica Noveau Wine Festival that begins at 6 pm on Friday, Nov. 17th, with the spectacular arrival of the first bottle of August Hill Winery’s Noveau on Main Street in downtown Utica. The festivities continue on Saturday, with live entertainment from 1-5 pm in August Hill Winery’s Tasting Room. The event concludes with a drawing at 5 pm on Sunday for the skydiver-delivered bottle, which is an oversized magnum bottle adorned with special artwork.

Finish up your Holiday shopping, by spending the weekend of Friday, Dec. 1st - Sunday, Dec. 3rd at the Utica Christmas Walk. Visit our Tasting Room to choose from an inspired assortment of gifts in all price ranges. From hand turned wood bottle stoppers to mouth blown Venetian decanters, August Hill makes gift giving easy. If you are in a hurry, choose from our exquisite selection of pre-wrapped gifts and gourmet baskets.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 31

VINCE’S Italian Restaurant Restaurant Review By John Rizzo

V

ince’s Italian Restaurant is not only a place to eat, it is a place to enjoy yourself! Nestled in a strip mall at Harlem and Lawrence in Harwood Heights, Vince’s is kind of a throwback to an earlier time, the “good old days,” when people went out to a neighborhood joint just to have a good time. Not only can you get good Italian food, or have a couple of drinks at the lively bar, but on the weekends you can hear some good live music, and even dance!

Sometimes a business takes on some of the attributes of the personality of its owner, and this is the case with Vince’s. Nucc’ D’Argento, whom everybody seems to know, is a very likeable laid back fellow who is nonetheless very serious when it comes to the quality of his fare and his entertainment. You can tell what kind of guy he is based on the very low turnover in his employees, a rare thing indeed in the restaurant business. And the customers knowing the servers is very important to maintaining a high level of repeat business, which a restaurant definitely needs to succeed. If you go to Vince’s regularly, you’ll see many loyal customers over and over again, almost like a private club.

More than likely the first time someone goes to Vince’s is for Italian food and in this regard, Vince’s does not disappoint. In general, I would describe the cuisine at Vince’s as “Chicago Italian” (with a definite southern Italian accent). In its pizza and pasta, and all the variations thereof, this is the kind of Italian food that Chicagoans have grown up with. Especially in the red sauce, there is this certain taste that is peculiar to Chicago, one that is very familiar and that makes the mouth water just to think of it. You’ll find no surprises here, no “award winning” gourmet dishes, just regular Chicago-style Italian food.

Before you order, you’ll get some fresh, tasty bruschetta and a big basket of bread, filled several kinds including some stick-to-the-ribs focaccia. A large selection of appetizers features perfectly cooked fried calamari among a number of seafood goodies, but you can also opt for prosciutto e melone or the increasingly popular chicken tenders (perfect for kids). After your appetizer, have some of Vince’s excellent soup – either a fine minestrone, a hearty pasta e fagiole or the soup of the day (consistently a good choice).

My wife and I have dined at Vince’s so many times that we didn’t have to go on a special night to write about the place. It’s easy to remember what this nifty restaurant has to offer. Vince’s has 26 pasta dishes, so it’s not a small matter to choose one quickly. My suggestion is to

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 32

stick to the red sauce dishes and try a different one or two every time you go there. Having said that, I can report that I have had outstanding pasta with pesto, carbonara and vodka sauce. You certainly can’t go wrong with the stuffed shells, lasagna, ravioli, eggplant parmigiana, canneloni or good old spaghetti and meatballs.

The entrées are organized into several sections on Vince’s extensive dinner menu – Veal, Steaks, Ribs & Chops, Seafood, Seafood Specialties and Poultry. If you’ve got that special hankering for Italian veal, try Vince’s Veal Parmigian’ and you’ll be happy. The meat is lightly breaded and very tender, as veal is supposed to be. There’s just the right thickness of melted mozzarella atop the juicy cutlet and the red sauce is nice and spicy. Unless you are absolutely starving to death, you should have plenty to bag up for a late night snack or even a neat breakfast, the portions are so generous.

If you feel like something more American, have the BBQ Rib & Chicken Combo. The ribs are meaty and juicy and the chicken is cooked just right. The BBQ sauce is delightful, but I’ve been known to dip these goodies in marinara, too. Again, you’ll be pleased with the ample portions dished out.

Vince’s isn’t really a seafood joint, but if seafood is what you crave, you can order the moutainous zuppa di pesc’ with confidence. Get an order for two and you’ll be digging into this traditional Sicilian specialty all night long. Also excellent here is the baccala and the linguine con vongole. Note that Vince’s almost always has a fresh seafood special to consider. The Italian chicken dishes are also very good at Vince’s. Again, it’s the parmigian’ style that I like best. But try the Chicken alla Nuccio some time. This comes with a delicious champagne sauce.

Vince’s has a number of things going for it besides the food. The service is absolutely outstanding. As I mentioned the same people have been working there for years, so you actually get to know them, which just enhances your experience. There is definitely an international air about the place. Besides Italians, folks from several Eastern European counties can be found among the customers and the staff. All of this makes Vince’s the kind of place that is ideal to host a private party and there are several rooms of different sizes to accommodate any event.

The entertainment at Vince’s on the weekends is a real draw. Over the years I have heard really delightful music here, from the very serious jazz of Bobby Perna to the swingin’, slammin’ tunes of Chicago’s own venerable Milt Trenier, a regular at Vince’s. Give this place a shot for whatever you’re in the mood for. If you don’t like it, you can probably tell me in person because I’m there a lot!

Vince’s, 4747 N. Harlem, is open for lunch. For reservations call 708-867-7770.

Complete dine-in, carryout/delivery, catering and private party menus online at www.vincesonharlem.com

of tomatoes for juice, soup, or ketchup) in more than 100 cases of diarrhea in the American Journal of Digestive Diseases. He reported that diarrhea from simple, or non-organic cause can be stopped within 4 hours by the tomato treatment. Tomato pomace can also relieve other gastric disturbances as heartburn, nausea, vomiting and belching.

To relieve bloodshot eyes, Chinese doctors suggest eating 1 or 2 fresh tomatoes first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Scientists believe that the Vitamin C and flavonoids in the tomatoes strengthen the blood vessels.

Tomatoes are useful detoxifiers because of the presence of chlorine and sulphur, and that helps promote the health and well-being of liver.

You can find numerous skin tips benefiting from tomato. It is excellent for cleaning and rejuvenating the skin (tomato face masks and peels) as well as for healing sunburn. Just try this. Soak peeled tomato slices in buttermilk and apply them directly on the skin affected. It will close up the pores and relieve the pain.

WE LOVE TOMATOES!

A

lthough Thomas Jefferson ate tomatoes for dinner, and people in New Orleans enjoyed tomatoes as early as 1802, it was not until the 1820’s that tomatoes were consumed in any great amount in the U.S. But with the advent of canning, tomato consumption steadily increased in the late 1800’s. And thanks to the enterprising Joseph Campbell and his soup, tomato production started to soar in the 1920’s.

There’s nothing better than eat garden-fresh tomatoes. And if you have some in your garden you know what we are talking about. The fresh smell and sweet taste. Mmmmmm ... let’s get some!

The symbol of Italian cuisine is packed with health benefits.

According to Dr. Giovannucci of Harvard Medical School who has done extensive studies on the beneficial effects of tomatoes, “with the consistently lower risk of a variety of cancers that is associated with higher consumption of tomatoes and tomato-based products adds further credence to the current dietary recommendations to increase fruit and vegetable consumption for people with cancer or as a preventive mechanism.”

According to the National Institutes of Health, tomatoes are rich in lycopene, one of the most potent natural fighters against chronic disease, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant, one of the strongest available. Lycopene is found in tomatoes and processed tomato products. The amount of lycopene levels in human tissue and serum has been found to affect a body’s resistance to breast, prostate, lung, and stomach cancer. There is some evidence that people who consume a lot of tomatoes may also have a lower risk of pancreatic, colorectal, esophageal, oral, and cervical cancers.

As for the best way to ingest the tomato, Italian food lovers have reason to celebrate. Cooking the tomatoes reduces the water content, increasing the nutrients. Adding a little olive oil makes the lycopene easier for our bodies to absorb.

Unfortunately, simply eating tomatoes can’t prevent cancer. But it can’t hurt. And with all of the medical advice we get these days, the summer-time tomato is a tasty preventive-measure to swallow.

Tomatoes help to dissolve animal fat in foods such as in butter, cheese, eggs, pork, beef, and many deep-fried foods, thereby preventing hardening of the arteries. Tomato is also useful in reducing high blood pressure, a major risk factor for coronary heart diseases and stroke.

In 1946, Dr. Lester M. Morrison of the Philadelphia General Hospital, described the successful use of tomato pomace (- dried mixture of tomato skins, pulp and crushed seeds that remain after the processing

Prepared by Dana Rohacova and Andrew Guzaldo

La ricetta salva-prostata e pomodoro Per prevenire i problemi alla ghiandola maschile contano gli esami e i controlli periodici, ma anche una dieta ricca di fibre e pomodoro.

D

opo i 50-60 anni per gli uomini la prostata spesso diventa un problema. Nella maggior parte dei casi si tratta di fastidi e difficoltà ad urinare causati da un aumeno di volume benigno della ghiandola. Talvolta però può trattarsi di un tumore.

Il professor Michele Gallucci, esperto dell’Istituto Regina Elena, di Roma, spiega in un’intervista video che oggi, però, anche in questo caso, si può fare molto. Prima di tutto per prevenirlo, con una dieta ricca di vegetali (soprattutto quelli ricchi di fibre e di pomodori) e poi per diagnosticarlo precocemente. Il riconoscimento tempestivo della malattia, infatti, permette di utlizzare moderne tecniche chirurgiche e radioterapiche che evitano, o comunque riducono al mnimo, disturbi che fino a qualche anno fa erano pressochè inevitabili dopo il trattamento, come per esempio la disfunzione erettile.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 33

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE “GIOACCHINO’S RISTORANTE” JACK & NELLA CURATOLO

By Andrew Guzaldo

I

f you have ever eaten at Gioacchino’s Restaurant in Bellwood, you, know what good Italian cooking, is like when made from scratch. In fact, “Made from Scratch” is the title of Nella Curatolo’s first book consisting of recipes and the story of her life and her family’s in Italy and in the United States.

The simplest dish at Gioacchino’s is always good, even if it is fresh-baked bread from the kitchen, topped with butter. The salads are always crisp and tasty, one of the reasons why the salads, the vegetables and fruits are so good, is that Jack Curatolo, the Gioacchino after whom the restaurant is named, grows many of the vegetables, fruits, and herbs that are served in the restaurant. Also, Nella and the staff create the lasagna, gnocchi and other pasta specialties right in the kitchen.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Jack, Nella & Bianca

It is a treat to visit Jack’s garden in Addison. He only has a “little acre,” really about a halfacre surrounding his house, but what a garden he has there! Among the vegetables he grows are cucumbers, four different kinds of tomatoes-beefsteak, cherry, plum mid heart-as well as regular eggplants, green beans, sweet peppers, Melrose peppers, cayenne peppers, hot finger peppers, sweet and hot banana peppers, plus chicory, escarole, arugula, orecchio, and Romaine lettuce for the salads. As you stroll through his garden, you also see basil plants with enormous leaves, sage, oregano, mint, garlic, both red and white onions, plus, if you look carefully, rosemary where careless gardeners would have weeds. Naturally, you don’t see any weeds; lack is a perfectionist.

Jack’s father was a farmer and a butcher in Calabria, You can taste that tradition at the restaurant, not only in the fresh fruit and vegetable items but, on occasion, on such off-menu items as Calabrese sausage and capocollo. Pat Bruno, the “Chicago Sun- Times” food critic, praised Gioacchino’s spaghetti sauce as the best in the suburbs in 2002 and 2003, plus praising the panzarotti and pan pizza in 2002 and the calamari in 2003 Currently, Gioachino’s is doing everything well Their catering business is booming, and the Curatolos are selling baked hams and baked turkeys from 10 to 32 pounds-for family parties or Thanksgiving.

Give Gioacchino’s a call a week in advance for large catered dinners.) The stuffing for, the turkeys include the following options: rice, spinach and breadcrumbs; onion dressing; and peas with Italian breadcrumbs. Gioacchino’s will deliver your order the day before the event, or you can arrange to pick it up.

Among the restaurant’s remarkably diverse menu items are orange roughly, grilled salmon, grilled octopus, stuffed chicken breast with fresh eggplant and bocconcini cheese, and filet a rustico. By all means, try Gioacchino’s tirarnisti; it is flavored with Galliano. And if you come by in the summer, feel free to sample Gioacchino’s garden in a tomato salad with fresh basil, oregano and garlic ...

Gioacchino’s Restaurant, 5201 St. Charles Road in Bellwood can be reached by calling 708-544-0380 or by faxing 708-544-3362 It is open Tuesday and Thursday 10:30 a.m. - midnight Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Sunday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 34

FROM THE LIFE OF AN ITALIAN CHILD WHAT MOST OF ITALIAN AMERICANS HAVE EXPERIENCED

By Sal Terranova 

You have at least one relative who came over on the boat.

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You have at least six male relatives named Tony, Frank, Joe or Louie.

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You have relatives who aren’t really your relatives.

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You have relatives you don’t speak to. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

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You thought that talking loud was normal.

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You can understand Italian but you can’t speak it.

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You drank wine before you were a teenager.

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You thought nylons were supposed to be worn rolled to the ankles.

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You couldn’t date a boy without getting approval from your father. (Oh, and he had to be Italian)

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Our network of professional genealogists located throughout Italy, will research your family tree and take you to your village of origin.

We will also help you with dual citizenship applications.

www.myitalianfamily.com E-mail: ask@myitalianfamily.com Telephone: 1-888-472-0171

You spent your entire childhood thinking what you ate for lunch was pronounced “sangwich.”

Lo-Lo’s

Pizza & Sub Shop Now Serving Square Pizza!

Submarine Sandwiches (Try Our Home Made Meatball Sub!) - Grilled Panini - Italian Beef Italian Sausage - Pasta - Soups - Salads - Sweets - Italian Ice Home of the Square Pizza - “We don’t cut corners”

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We Offer Catering for ALL your Occasions at the Office or Home Mon ~ Thurs 11:00 am ~ 11:00 pm Fri & Sat 11:00 am ~ Midnight

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Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 35

ENTERTAINMEN

Lyric 2006-07 Season Italian Operas

By John Rizzo

O

Part 2 - Il Trovatorre

pera is the most uniquely Italian art there is. Its popularity and the universal appeal of its forms have led to its successful adoption by other cultures, but as with anything else, it is most enduring and appealing in its original, that is Italian, style. The most successful opera companies therefore always include the best of the Italian repertoire as staples of each season. This year the Lyric Opera of Chicago has scheduled three Italian works. All of these are masterpieces and each represents a kind of benchmark in the evolution of opera.

Verdi’s Il trovatore reminds me of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. Like Beethoven, Verdi came on the scene when one musical era was ending, and it was up to him to establish a style that would dominate a new musical period. With Beethoven, it was the “Classical” period that was ending, a stylistic era that valued the handling of universally recognized forms over an individual composer’s unique artistic identity.

His 5th Symphony is the apotheosis of classicism, in that the “form” entailed in each movement embodies the adherence to traditional musical forms. At the same time, an unmistakable emphasis is placed on a purely rhythmical, or highly abstract, motif (the famous four-note theme that corresponds to the Morse code for “V”) that glues the entire piece together, unlike any previous multi-movement symphony.

Verdi presided over the end of the “Bel Canto” period of opera, the works of which were characterized by highly formulaic musical units or “numbers” that were intended to be technical showpieces for the singers and were clearly distinct from each other. Although he never completely scrapped the various Bel Canto formulas, after Il trovatore and La traviata, which were premiered less than a month from each other in early 1853, Verdi opera (and for that matter, Italian opera in general) never sounded the same.

Il trovatore is formally a very conservative Bel Canto opera that, as one critic put it, “could only have been composed by someone who saw far beyond” the Bel Canto era. Typically, although not exclusively, the dramatic and musical units of a Bel Canto opera, whether a solo, duet or larger ensemble, were made up of four distinct movements. The first was an

Walter Fraccaro as Manrico and Sondra Radvanovsky as Leonora in David McVicar’s production of Il trovatore for Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2006-07 season.

Photo by Dan Rest/Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 36

introductory recitativo (a kind of musical speech in free rhythm) that would unfold the plot or set the dramatic situation. The second was the aria proper, often called the cavatina, which usually was a slow piece that revealed the deepest emotions of a character or characters in response to the situation. The third movement was an interlude, which could be represented by any one of a number of musical devices (more recitative by the soloist or a messenger, a chorus or an instrumental passage, etc.), anything that would change the mood and lead to the final movement, the cabaletta. The word, derived from caballo – the horse – is appropriately suggestive of this movement’s upbeat or “galloping” rhythmic feel. The conventional Bel Canto cabaletta would express a contrasting emotion to that of the cavatina and featured coloratura, or highly ornamented, passages that were intended to display the singer’s virtuosity.

Verdi uses the traditional Bel Canto formula in almost all of the many memorable pieces in Il trovatore. Yet the dramatic impact of this work is far more powerful than that of the typical Bel Canto opera. This is because Verdi consciously strove to elevate the dramatic element of opera to the same level of importance as the musical aspect. As one can see in Rigoletto (1851), Verdi observed the Bel Canto conventions, but he made the transitions between the individual movements as subtle as possible and actually used the arias to move the dramatic action along, not just to express emotions.

In Il trovatore, Verdi introduced an even more dramatic dimension, in the character of Azucena. This additional prima donna, a contralto, sings no coloratura, but has some of the most beautiful music in the score and attracts more than her fair share of the dramatic interest.

This is one opera that is filled from beginning to end with fast moving action and beautiful music - from the stirring “Anvil Chorus” to the “cabaletta to end all cabalettas,” “Di quella pira.” This is virtually the last of the Bel Canto operas, because after this Verdi masterpiece, there was simply nothing more that could be created in this genre.

For more info, call 312.332.2244 or visit www.lyricopera.org

Dolora Zajick as Azucena in David McVicar’s production of Il trovatore for Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2006-07 season. Photo

by Dan Rest/Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Walter Fraccaro as Manrico, Mark Delavan as Count di Luna and Sondra Radvanovsky as Leonora star in David McVicar’s production of Il trovatore for Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2006-07 season. Photo by Robert Kusel/Lyric Opera of Chicago.

BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

B

erkley Books is a paperback imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Berkley Books began as an independent company in 1955, that was established by Charles Byrne and Frederic Klein, who were working for Avon and formed “Chic News Company”.

They renamed it Berkley Publishing Co. They soon found a niche in science fiction works.

The company performed quietly but profitably for ten years, and in 1965 was bought by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, which in turn was bought by MCA ten years later.

In 1979 Victor Temkin left Brantam Books to be the company’s first president. He hired Rena Wolner, then Associate Publisher of Bantam, to be Publisher, and David Shanks, then wholesale national distributor for Bantam, to be sales director for the combined Berkley/ Jove list. That same year, Bill Gross was hired to be Publisher of Jove Books, which Putnam had bought from Harcourt Brace, and which at the time was run as a separate company.

In 1982, Putnam bought Grosset & Dunlap and Playboy Press, and the Ace and Playboy paperback lists were added to Berkley. The Playboy list was eventually absorbed into Berkley, while the Jove and Ace lists have continued as distinct imprints.

Today, under the leadership of President and Publisher Leslie Gelbman, the company publishes more than five hundred titles a year under the Berkley, Jove, and Ace imprints, in mass-market paperback, trade paperback, and hardcover formats. Berkley is proud to publish in paperback some of the country’s most significant bestselling authors, including Tom Clancy, Robin Cook, Patricia Cornwell, Catherine Coulter, and Nora Roberts.

Among the latest books published by Berkley you can find: The Makers Duet (Jordan Rubin), Morrigan’s Cross (Nora Roberts), Danse Macabre (Laurell K. Hamilton), Definitely Dead (Charlaine Harris), Beyond Band of Brothers (Major Dick Winters), Jungle

Rules (Charles Henderson), Zodiac Unmasked (Robert Graysmith) and Shut Up and Eat! (Tony Lip, Steven Prigge, and Danny Aiello).

Berkley Books is a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc..

Penguin Group (USA) Inc. was formed in 1996 and is the U.S. affiliate of the internationally renowned Penguin Group, the second-largest English-language trade book publisher in the world.

Penguin Group (USA) Inc. publishes under a wide range of prominent imprints and trademarks, among them Berkley Books, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, New American Library, Penguin, Philomel, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Riverhead Books, Viking and Frederick Warne. The company possesses perhaps the world’s most prestigious list of best-selling authors and a back-list of unparalleled breadth, depth, and quality. Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is a global leader also in children’s publishing, through its Books for Young Readers.

Learning Italian in Puzzle Form Write the answers in Italian

Across 4. Seasoning 7. Cafeteria 8. Sixteen plus one 11. Entrance 12. Part of the body 16. Lobster 17. Number 19. School subject 20. Type of movie 24. Walnut 25. Religion

8

3

17

Down 1. Member of the family 2. Exit 3. Fruit 5. Hairdresser 6. Twelve month period 7. Physician 9. Spanish 10. Uncle 13. Yesterday 14. Vegetable 15. Stepmother 16. Hip 18. Pink 20. Couple 21. Cab 22. Laughter 23. Number Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 37

IL NATALE ITALIANO ITALIAN HOLIDAY CELEBRATION L’inverno è tradizionalmente considerato la stagione delle feste in tutto il mondo: Hanukah, Natale, Kwanzaa, Capodanno, per nominarne alcune. Le varie estrazioni etniche celebrano le feste in modi diversi, ma in tutti i casi, quando ci si incontra per celebrare, ci si incontra anche per mangiare.

Per la maggior parte del mondo cristiano, il culmine della festività natalizia è il cenone di Natale. È il momento in cui le famiglie si riuniscono per festeggiare la vigilia di Natale che normalmente si celebra dopo la Messa di mezzanotte.

In Francia questo pasto viene chiamato “le reveillon”. Il cenone natalizio varia secondo le tradizioni culinarie, il menu consiste in anatra, paste fatte con farina di grano saraceno con panna acida, tacchino con castagne, mentre per i parigini, ostriche e Foie Gras. Una torta che porta il nome di “La Bouche de Noel” con la forma di un tronco d’albero viene consumata durante la reveillon. Lo Champagne, il vino frizzante prodotto nelle regione denominata Champagne, viene bevuto per celebrare entrambe le festività di Natale e di Capodanno.

La vigilia di Natale in Germania viene simpaticamente chiamata Stomaco Grasso che deriva da un antico detto dove coloro che non mangiano bene verranno perseguitati da demoni per tutta la notte. In questo modo i tedeschi si saziano di carne di giovane maiale, insalata di maccheroni, salsicce bianche e altre specialità regionali. Marzapane, tavolette aromatizzate e una specie di pane pesante e umido contenente della frutta viene servito per dessert.

In Italia molte famiglie alla vigilia di Natale cenano con anguilla o altro tipo di pesce, salsicce di maiale coperte di lenticchie oppure tacchino ripieno con castagne. Il panettone (una specie di torta con frutta candita), torrone, e panforte fanno parte del dolce servito durante il cenone natalizio. È tradizione che i dolci natalizi contengano noci e mandorle poichè le noci sono simbolo di fertilità della terra e contribuiscono ad incrementare la famiglia e il bestiame.

Anche i russi festeggiano il Natale con grandi pasti. Normalmente, la carne non viene utilizzata ma viene sostituita da una specie di zuppa chiamato kutya. Questa specialità è composta da frumento o altro grano e sta a simbolizzare speranza e lunga vita, mentre miele e semi di papavero assicurano felicità, successo e sereno riposo. La festa di Capodanno viene anch’essa celebrata in famiglia e con amici con un brindisi di champagne.

CHRISTMAS PRAYER Two little boys went to their grandparents’ place for Christmas. At bedtime, the youngest one began to pray at the top of his lungs.

“I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE...

I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE...

I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE...”

The older brother exclaimed, “Why are you shouting? Do you think God is deaf.” The little one promptly replied, “Nope! But Grandma certainly is!”

CHRISTMAS QUOTES When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things -- not the great occasions -- give off the greatest glow of happiness. ~ Bob Hope The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~ Burton Hillis Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine; Love was born at Christmas; Star and angels gave the sign. ~Christina Rossetti Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 38

The know-how, know-why for all little kids.

By Fred Cicetti

ichael wasn’t a bad boy. He just liked to have fun. The problem was that, a lot of times, the fun got him into trouble. When he tried to climb to the ceiling on his mother’s new curtains, he didn’t think they’d rip and he’d fall onto a lamp. He was so surprised and very sorry, too, especially when his father came home.

“Michael,” his father asked, “Where do you get these ideas? You’re making your mother and me crazy. You’re five years old and you better start behaving soon or I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”

Michael knew that “what I’m going to do” could mean a lot of things that were not going to be fun. He couldn’t blame his father for being angry. Michael had done so many bad things.

Once, Michael made a mess of the VCR by trying to see if it would play a piece of pizza on the TV. Then there was the time that Michael flushed a ball of string down the toilet to see how far it would go, but he let go of the end of the string. The toilet clogged and spilled water all over the place. On a rainy day, Michael was sure he could play T-ball indoors without breaking anything. He hit a home run from the living room into the dining room. The ball bounced around and broke a vase, several dishes and one window.

After a while, Michael became very sad. He started to think there was something wrong him. He didn’t want to get into trouble anymore.

He promised himself that he wouldn’t do anything bad ever again.

One day, after school, Michael went up to the attic in his house to play with some of his old toys that his mother had stored there. He sat on the floor with some big wooden cars, trucks and locomotives. Then he decided to look around some of the cardboard boxes and chests. Michael was very curious about one black chest because it looked like it came from a pirate ship and might have gold coins in it. He was always afraid to go near the chest, but he decided he had to know, once and for all, whether his parents had a treasure in their attic.

He knelt down in front of the chest and grabbed a big metal latch that held it closed. He was surprised to learn that the latch opened easily without a key. He raised the lid of the chest and looked inside.

It was packed mostly with old clothes. On top of the clothing was a brown leather jacket. It looked like something a boy would wear. He picked it up and put it on. He felt around in the outside pockets. There was nothing in them. Then he reached inside, where there was another pocket. Inside he felt something hard. He pulled it out. It was a round mirror with a handle.

Michael looked into the mirror and saw his face. Then, to his amazement, his face began to change until it looked like another boy.

The boy became smaller and then he seemed like he was in a movie that was being shown on the mirror. Michael watched the boy throw a rock and break a window in a house. Then the boy was all dressed up and tore his pants climbing over a fence to play baseball with friends. Then he got caught stealing a candy bar in a store. Then he put a big firecracker in a glass bottle and watched the glass explode. Suddenly, Michael heard a voice coming out of the mirror. It was a woman’s voice. He thought he had heard the voice before. It was calling, “Bobby! Bobby, you better come home right now.” The boy in the mirror ran and ran until he came to a large white house. It was Michael’s grandparents’ house. Then the boy ran up the front steps onto the porch. Michael’s grandmother came out of the house with a broom and began chasing the boy and scolding him. Then the movie in the mirror stopped and Michael could see his face again. “That was my Dad in the mirror!!!” Michael yelled at no one else in the attic. “And he got into a lot of trouble.” Michael put the mirror back into the pocket of the jacket. Then he put the jacket back into the chest. He never told anyone about what he saw because he was afraid the magic in the mirror would go away.

As he got older, Michael returned to the attic often to look in the mirror. Each time, he learned something new about his father’s life. It always made Michael feel better about himself.

Puzzle answers from page 36

Amici Journal and Amici d’ Italia invite you to visit the ultimate website of Italian-American interests

www.amiciorgit.net

Traveling - Entertainment - News - Sports - History Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 39

Sports AMICI SPORTING NEWS CENTRAL

PATRICK IANNI

Italian Roots make him a Competitive player

I

TALIAN IANNI: U.S. defender Patrick Ianni has a 75 percent Italian background. His grandparents are from Milan and Turin and he grew up an Italian soccer fan, cheering for AC Milan. “When he found out they were playing Italy he thought it was interesting because of his background. It will be interesting, but the truth is it doesn’t really matter who we play really at this point. We just want to win.” Says Ianni.

With his Italian roots, Patrick Ianni’s hero has always been AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini.

High School -- Member of the U.S. Under-18 National Team ...NSCAA High School and Youth All-American ... Two-time Parade All-American ...2002-03 McDonald’s All-American ...Four-year letterman at Lodi HS under coach Don Rootimoly ... All-SJAA selection who led his team to the Section Finals ...Team captain for Lodi HS ...Captained the San Juan Soccer Club to the U-17 Nor-Cal State Championship and to the regional semifinals.

Brother Tayt Ianni was a member of UCLA’s NCAA Championship team in 1990 and a two-time NSCAA All-Far West selection and UCLA Defensive MVP ... Tayt also played professionally with the San Jose Clash...Described his greatest athletic thrill so far as being selected as part of the U-14, U-16 and U-18 National Teams ...Career aspiration is to be a preacher ...Full name is Patrick Edward Joseph Ianni ... Born April 15, 1985 in Lodi, CA ...

Sociology major.

All-American and first-team All-Far West ... Also named to the All-America teams for Soccer Times (second team) and College Soccer News (third team) and to the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Year (third team) ... Earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors ... Scored his first collegiate goal on a penalty kick on Sept. 11 at Loyola Marymount ... Scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win at Washington on Oct. 7 ... Assisted on the game-winning goal against third-ranked Cal on Sept. 30 and in overtime against Stanford on Nov. 4. Pre-season AllAmerican by Soccer America and College Soccer News ... Starter on U.S. Under-20 National Team at the World Youth Championships ... Key member of defensive unit that shut out all three opponents in group play ... Scored his first international goal in a 2-0 friendly win over China.

COLLETTI’S A WINNER Commentary by Terry Geraci

A

Ned Colletti Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 40

Graduate of East Leyden H.S. & Northern Illinois University, Ned Colletti is currently employed as the General Manager of one of Major League Baseball’s storied franchises. Colletti is a former sports writer who covered the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey club in the 1970’s. The Flyers won two Stanley cups in the 1970’s.

Colletti then returned to Chicago his local roots when Dallas Green, who was the General Manager of the Chicago Cubs hired him to work for the Cubs Organization.

Colletti was part of Dallas Green’s program, which changed the entire culture around Wrigley Field in the Early 1980’s. Colletti worked 12 years for the Chicago Cubs in the media relations and baseball operations departments. There he learned valuable experience in conducting negotiations, and he helped prepare salary arbitration cases and assisted in player acquisitions. Colletti got the reputation of being a shrewd negotiator.

After leaving the Cubs Organization Colletti became the Asst. General Manager of the San Francisco giants for 11 years and honed his skills. This past off-season, Colletti was hired by the Dodgers organization to replace controversial and now former Dodger General Manager, Paul DePodesta. Colletti has become the 10th General Manager in Dodgers history. Congratulations and the best of Luck to Chicago’s own Ned Colletti. ( P. S. except for when the Dodgers play the Cubs)

Addio Ondina!

Ondina Valla, first Italian woman to winan Olympic gold medal Commentary by Andrew Guzaldo

Trebisonda Valla, also known as Ondina Valla (born 20 May, 1916) is an Italian female former athlete. She was the first Italian woman to win an Olympic gold medal. She won it in the 80 m hurdles event at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, after establishing the new world record during the semi-final.

Born in Bologna, she was named Trebisonda - a very unusual name for the country - after the Turkish town of Trabzon (Trebisonda in Italian), which her father considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. She was the little girl of the family, born after four brothers, and was mostly called by her nickname “Ondina” (meaning “little wave”).

Ondina Valla stood out for her personality

and her sports talent even as a young girl. She rivalled with Claudia Testoni at the school championships in their hometown - they would remain opponents for the rest of their careers.

Aged 13, Ondina Valla was already considered one of Italy’s top athletes. The following year she became national champion and was capped for the national team.

She was a versatile athlete, capable of excellent results in sprint events, hurdles races and jumps. She soon became a favorite with Italian sports fans. For the fascist government she was the ideal icon of the healthy, strong national youth. Media defined her “the sun in a smile”.

Her most important achievement was the gold medal of 80 m hurdles race at the 1936 national youth. Media defined her “the sun in a smile”.

Her most important achievement was the gold medal of 80 m hurdles race at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. On 5 August she

won the semi-final in 11.6, a new world record.

On the following day she ran the final. It was a tight race, with four athletes rushing together at the finish line. No doubts about Valla’s victory, but a photofinish picture was needed to award the silver and bronze medals. Valla’s life-long rival, Claudia Testoni, finished fourth, without a medal.

After those Olympic Games Ondina Valla was forced to limit her competitions because of back problems. However, she still continued to compete until the early 1940s.

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 41

By: Fred Cicetti This column is devoted to all of us who are wondering what is going on with these bodies of ours. It is written by Fred Cicetti, a first-class geezer over 60 who’s been writing about health issues for more years than he wants to talk about. Write us with your questions at amiitalia@ sbcglobal.net, please put your name and state and we will forward your question to Mr. Cicetti.

Q. Do grandparents get more colds than seniors without grandchildren?

CHARLES VALLONE

!

Broker Associate Call

A: I was unable to find any specific data on grandparents and colds. for your special However, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reports that, in families with children in school, the number of colds COMMISSION DISCOUNT per child can be as high as 12 a year. NIAID also reports that all people older than 60 average fewer than one cold a year.

Put those over-60s in those homes with school children and it LIST WITH doesn’t take a mathematician to figure out that the number of colds in grandparents will jump significantly.

TROY REALTY LTD. Any grandparent will tell you that being around their little treasures has made them sick. My five pre-school grandchildren are generous with all the viruses they get from their friends at day-care and play. My AND START PACKING personal physician, also a grandfather, says that one of the problems is that these walking petri dishes come up with new germs older people haven’t developed antibodies for.

What are you supposed to do when one of the darlings comes up to you with a runny nose and asks for a hug? Well, if you understand the hazards, perhaps you can formulate a plan that works for you around the treasured children of your children. Obviously the best course of action is to stay away from grandchildren when they have colds, but any grandparent knows that’s next to impossible.

There are two ways you can catch a cold: 1. Inhaling drops of mucus full of cold germs from the air.

2. Touching a surface that has cold germs and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

So, avoid close facial contact with your ailing grandchildren. Use some restraint. If the child needs comfort, limit yourself to hugs that don’t put you in the position of inhaling their germs.

Washing your hands thoroughly and often is important. Washing with soap and water doesn’t kill the cold virus, but removes it. The scrubbing is more important than the soap.

Also, if you can, try to avoid touching your face after you have been around a child with a cold.

Rhinoviruses can live up to three hours on your skin, and on objects such as telephones and stair railings. Cleaning environmental surfaces with a virus-killing disinfectant might help prevent spread of infection.

Where are these viruses found most often? No, not in the bathroom.

The worst room in the house for germs is the kitchen. And the greatest concentration is found in sponges and dishcloths.

Laundering a dishcloth doesn’t eliminate germs. And putting a sponge through the dishwasher makes it look clean but doesn’t remove the infection. Instead, moisten the sponge or dishcloth and microwave it for two minutes. Then you’ll have safe, germ-free tools to use.

These tips will help, but the reality is that you’re going to catch some colds. They’re the price of being a caregiver. It’s the price you paid as a parent. Now you’re having a second chance for all that love...and all those germs.

!

Office: 773-792-3000 ext. 240 Cell: 773-936-6000 Fax: 773-792-8872

5420 N. Harlem Ave Chicago, IL 60656

All Rights Reserved © 2006 by Fred Cicetti

Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 42

The Story of Pittsburgh Brewing Company

T

he history of Pittsburgh Brewing Company predates the City of Pittsburgh’s association with steel making. Founded at the time of the American Civil War, Pittsburgh Brewing Company began its brewery operations in 1861 even

before steel rail production began 14 years later. The brewery’s operations also predate the addition of the letter “h” as the official spelling of Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Brewing Company celebrated its 145th anniversary with an event appropriately held at the Senator John Heinz Regional History Center early this fall.

The Octoberfest-themed event celebrates the brewery’s long history. Renowned artist, Andrew Vernon, was commissioned to create a large mural depicting the history of the company and the City of Pittsburgh. The mural, measuring 5 x 10 feet, will be on permanent display at the History Center.

The mural follows the city and company’s timeline through the Civil War, the introduction of steel making, the development of the rivers and the Golden Triangle and the City of Champion titles for the Penguins, Pirates and Steelers. Famous and influential Pittsburghers are featured throughout the mural including Andrew Carnegie, Henry Frick, Andy Warhol, Franco Harris, among many others.

To further promote the 145th anniversary celebration and to share the graphic history with consumers, Pittsburgh Brewing Company introduced a series of six collectible bottles series featuring individualized scenes captured in the mural.

Events

Don’t miss

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light Exhibit

Mayor Daley’s 6th Annual Holiday Sports Festival

November 17, 2006 - January 7, 2007 This multicultural display features holiday traditions that celebrate light or enlightenment Location: Museum of Science and Industry, 57th St. and Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60637-2093 Cost: included in general admission More info: (773) 684-1414, www.msichicago.org

December 28-30, 2006 10 am - 4 pm Location: McCormick Place, Halls A+B (2301 S. Martin Luther King Dr.) Cost: free More info: www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents

Christmas Concert

By Andrea Silvestrelli

December 7, 2006 7:00 pm On the occasion of Chicago Lyric Opera’s 2006-2007 season, renowned Italian bass-baritone Andrea Silvestrelli will give a recital organized by the Consul General of Italy in Chicago, Eugenio Sgro’, for the Christmas festivities.

Location: Triton College Performing Arts Center - 2000 Fifth Avenue River Grove, IL 60171 More info: www.iicchicago.it - Italian Cultural Institute in Chicago (708) 456-0300 - Triton College Performing Arts Center

2007 Chicago Auto Show

February 9 - 18, 2007 10 am - 10 pm The Chicago Auto Show is the world’s third largest auto show and the largest on a single level. The 2007 edition will measure 1.3 million sq.ft.

Location: McCormick Place North and South halls Cost: $10.00; seniors over the age of 62 & children age 7-12: $5.00 More info: www.chicagoautoshow.com

Ancient Sicily Tour - Trip To Italy

May 23 - June 3, 2007 Make reservations by January 10, 2007 English guided tour, cities: Palermo/Monreale, Termini Imerese, Cefalù, Erice, Ragusa, Taormina (Mt. Etna), Syracusa and Agrigento.

Cost: $1,275.00 (airfare not included, call (847) 392-6320 for airfare) More info: Elk Grove Village Italian Sister Cities, 1100 Landmeier Rd. (847) 734-9800, questions - (847) 895-5842, info@gullo.com Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 43

INDEX OF

ADVERTISERS

3 olives RESTAURANT..................................................... 12

BEST HOLIDAY WISHES

action pawn.............................................. inside back cover

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all investigations LTD. ..................... inside back cover ALITALIA AIRLINES...............................................................3

COMMITEEMAN

AMICI D’ ITALIA.....................................................................8 Amici radio hour............................................................15

RALPH CAPPARELLI

ANDY LORUSSO THE SINGING CHEF...............................15 arezzo jewElers...............................................................8 august hill WINERY..................................................30, 31 caponies TRATTORIA.......................................................25 DANIEL L. JACONETTI D.D.S..............................................18 FLOWER FANTASY.................................................................

41 G&A Ltd ACES INT. ............................................................ 44 gioaCchino’s RISTORANTE...........................................34 james P. Nally Atty. At Law................ inside back cover LEGION AUTO, INC. .............................................................25 lO-lO’S SUB SHOP & PIZZERIA....................................... 35 MIDWAYS’ INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION..................

20 morgan stanley FINANCIAL...................................... 26 mori milk..............................................................................7 MY ITALIAN FAMILY, LLC. ..................................................9 PASTA FRESH.........................................................................18 PETER N. SILVESTRI.............................................................18 PITTSBURGH BREWING COMPANY............. 43, back cover RALPH CAPPARELLI.............................................................44 TONY SPAVONE’S RISTORANTE.......................................31 troy realty.......................................................................42 universal transmission.............................................26 V&C BAKERY & CAFFE.......................................................25

PHOTOGRAPHERS’ CREDITS Page 6 Easter Seals Therapeutic School Ground Breaking - Photos by Joe Cosentino, Page 20 Chicago Night Skyline - Photo by Dana Rohacova, Page 33 Tomatoes picture on the top - Dreamstime Images, Back Cover - Chicago Skyline at Night - Photo by Frank van Gool /all rights reserved www.FABdp.com 2006

G&A Amusements & Aces Int’l 7545 W. Addison St. Chicago, Illinois 60634

www.gaacemuz.net

Tel - 773.622.2767 Fax - 773.622.2766 Florida - 888.771.0014

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Proud Member of: I.C.M.O.A, I.A.O.A, A.M.O.A. Winter 2006/2007 AMICI 44

L AW OoFf F I C E S

JAMES P. NALLY PC ATTORNEY AT LAW

Civil Litigation Appeals - Probate 8 S. MICHIGAN AVE. SUITE 3500 CHICAGO, IL 60603

312.422.5560 Fax: 312.346.7999

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For Emergency 630-333-8066 HOURS: M-F 8AM TIL MIDNIGHT, SAT 12-5PM, CLOSED SUNDAY