Great Wine Escape Weekend- Monterey, California.

For true wine aficionados, here is the event that most wine lovers don't miss. The 12th Annual Great Wine Escape Weekend in Monterey, California, which runs from November 7 to the 9, 2008. This event includes tastings, food integration, wine country tours, seminars, wine education and cooking. This is truly the action packed weekend of wine knowledge from professionals in wine country. As an Italian American, I love to learn about the extensive details involved with wine making and if you're like me...you would love this weekend. Check the details on this event and schedules, this is definitely worth a trip. http://www.montereywines.org/wine_events_the_great_wine_escape_weekend.php Tweet

What To Do When Your Italian Relatives Come To Visit..??

OK, so I have become the unspoken social director for my family when it comes to entertaining my relatives, who are visiting from Italy. I have a few friends of mine who call or ask me what they should do with their cousins while their in town, because they have no clue what the Italians want to do or expect.

Well, let me start by saying that most Italians, expect a lot. They have no clue about our work hours or how long we stay out of the house in the course of a day. They do expect lunch, not McDonald's (maybe sometimes) and a good dinner too. They want to hit as many sights as possible (if you have younger relatives in) and for as little money as possible.

Now, my cousins have been here a few times and each time they come its awesome, but I have to prepare myself that I will be extending myself more than usual. The American lifestyle compared to the Italian is completely different, so when the relatives are here..it might be disappointing to them if you're not available to entertain them.

At one point, I let my Italian guilt get to me and was overwhelmed because my work schedule was tough. So, I decided to give them an itinerary and time schedule and it seemed to work. A good thing was, I was working in NYC, so I had them commute in with me in the morning, brought them to the office (which I made headquarters), gave them a list of locations, landmarks and streets, and sent them on their way. I obviously gave them my cell phone too, just in case.

But you know, cutting the chord and giving them a list of things to see, really worked. Even if you live in the suburbs, you can easily put the Italians on a bus or train and just give them specifics. You also have to remember, Italians are so much more versed in public transportation than we are..I needed to give them more credit. I guess I just thought they would need more help getting around.

Well, here is a list of top things to do for your relatives when visiting:

1. Visit the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island. http://www.nps.gov/stli/


2. Take An Apple Bus Tour--(Best way to see NYC.) http://www.newyorksightseeing.com/


3. Go To Hard Rock Cafe In NYC- http://www.hardrock.com/


4. Take A Road Trip to Atlantic City- http://www.atlanticcitynj.com/


5. Take a Small Weekend To Miami- (JetBlue has great specials) Italians love Miami http://www.jetblue.com/


6. Bus Trip to Montreal, Ottawa or Washington D.C- http://www.greyhound.com/
   

So, here is the list, but believe me New York takes days to cover and there is so much to do and see. So, sometimes its best to just let your relatives figure out their own schedule and time frame. Also, I always make sure my relatives fly into Newark and not JFK. Newark is so much more accessible from this end, but if you're a New Yorker the NY airports might be better. So, always make sure you find out where they are flying into and out or talk with them before they book it and make sure its to the right airport. But when you finally get to see your family its amazing and you should savor it, I do. Good Luck and if you want more tips and info there is so much, so just email me for details. Ciao!

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Maria Bartiromo- Italian American News Anchor Scoring Top Interviews on CNBC.

With the financial markets in such turmoil lately, we are getting to see more of our fellow Italian American financial market anchor on a daily basis. Just yesterday Maria had an exclusive interview with Senator John McCain and Sarah Palin. Her interview was directed with the economy as the number one topic for discussion. As the home stretch for the election is upon us, hard questions and much needed answers are sought, so who better to get the answers in an eloquent manner but Maria. She did a great job interviewing the duo, even though she may not have gotten straight answers.

Take a look at the clip:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/27418473 Tweet

Italian Language & Education Curriculum Finding Its Way Into American Schools.

With the great efforts of the NIAF and the New Jersey Italian and Italian American Heritage Commissions, the Italian language and education curriculum are successfully making way into our school systems here in the US. Many schools across the country are implementing the Italian language and education curriculum into their classrooms where they're teaching students all about the Italian culture and contributions to the world. Its great to see that the efforts of positive education about Italians is really coming to fruition. Congratulations to all the commissions and educators!

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/education/20081013_Italian_culture_class_finds_amore_in_N_J_.html Tweet

Giada De Laurentiis- Attending the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show In Washington D.C.

If you love Giada De Laurentiis and her fabulous show on the Food Network, then you should attend the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Washington D.C on November 8, 2008 at 9:00 am . Giada will be attendance presenting. For more information on the MCES and what its all about, then click on the link below:

http://www.metrocooking.com/2008DC/details/whatisMCES.html

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Condolences to The Family of Dr. Kenneth Ciongoli, President of National Italian American Foundation.

With deepest sympathy for the family of Dr. Kenneth Ciongoli, President of the National Italian American Foundation. I would like to express my heart felt condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Ciongoli.

Official statement from the NIAF.

http://niaf.org/news/index.asp?id=620 Tweet

One Week Left Till the Presidential Election Vote For 2008.

We have one week left till the election on November 4, 2008. A voter surge is expected in many states and has occurred even with absentee ballots and early voting. With America in the current situation that it stands in, we must contribute our vote in the hope that the outcome will help us. I understand many young voters are uninspired and just think their vote doesn't count or really have no clue about the candidates or what they stand for. I say, get educated, if you love the Internet, Google search the candidates, find out what they represent and what they hope to accomplish. Start here, start somewhere, being an absentee citizen who is uninspired just isn't going to fly.

Get out and vote -NOVEMBER 4, 2008.

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