Difference MakersThe Advertising spot above is reserved for companies,people and organizations that are making a difference in the Italian and Italian American communities. It's a free spot and changes periodically. Are you making a difference? Contact me. | I wanted to mention a few things that landed in Italyville’s inbox recently. - Judy from Hawaii is heading to Italy in September and staying in apartments and B&Bs…she’s looking for ideas for a thank you gift to bring for her hosts. Anyone? - Two great events coming up this summer that you [...] It’s sometimes difficult to keep on top of your Italian language skills when you’re away from Italy,your family and others that speak Italian. I find that listening to music and reading are a big help…especially if you enjoy it. Here’s a song from Alex Britti called “Piove”that I like. Hope you [...] I had the good fortune of dinning at Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles the other day with a friend. The restaurant is a joint venture by Mario Batali,Nancy Silverton and Joseph Bastianich and boasts a beautiful menu,great atmosphere and wonderful service. The reservation process is very “LA”in that [...] A few pictures from our big day. The ceremony location The Favors (Olive Oil from our family grove in Calabria) Centerpieces &table names The Venue [...] Summer is beginning to make a graceful exit here in New England with some cooler temps and sunny days (which we have been lacking for most of the summer.) I’ve been away from Italyville for a while for several reasons that have kept me busy,busy,busy! I’ll let you choose the best reason: [...] Italians like crusty bread and the end piece of a good loaf of bread. There is always a battle for the end piece (la tozza) in my house. I used to laugh when I would hear “PB and J with the crust cut off”…cut the crust off? why would you do that? [...] On a clear day as the sun sets into the Tyrrhenian Sea on the west coast of Calabria…. you get a truly beautiful sunset and a great look at the volcano –Stromboli. Stromboli is still very active and had it’s last major eruption August 2,2008 (according to wikipedia) but is said to [...] Here’s a great photo of my friend Paul’s family. He has a wonderful tribute to his father (pictured center) at his blog,Remembering Paul Valvo. Hope you are all remembering your mothers today as well! Happy Mothers day! Click on the photo to enlarge [...] In March I was in Calabria visiting my family and did a little wild asparagus hunting with my cousin…if you’ve read some of my posts,you know I like to forage for “wild things”so yesterday when E and I were out on a hike with Dexter (our Italian Labrador…. you mean you [...] These last few days have been in the 90s (30 C) here in New England…and it’s only April. So since there has been a summer feeling around here,we’ve been cooking summer-like. Fennel salad is refreshing and one of my favorite summer treats with a nice glass of Pinot Grigio or [...] | Heading to Calabria? Need a travel consultant,place to stay or some great ideas for what to do? Contact Bella Vita Travel Consulting in Catanzaro. | Joe Maruca welcomes you to Italyville where he writes and rants about growing up Italian in Massachusetts,his experiences living and working in Bologna,visits to the family's Olive farm in Calabria and everything along the way. In America we're considered Italian,in Italy we've become Americani... but we're always at home in Italyville. Italyville.com All Content,graphics and photos on Italyville.com are property of Italyville.com unless otherwise noted and can not be used without permission. All rights reserved. |