Cast of Jersey Shore Heading to Italy..???

I put a place holder on this conversation.......

I will reveal my thoughts on this topic shortly..... in the mean time.. what do you think?

Great conversations on Facebook: Come join us there and add your two cents... or more

http://www.facebook.com/ItalianAmericanGrl

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Italy's Most Recognized & Famous Butcher, Dario Cecchini Coming To New York & Boston

At a time when culinary arts are heavily watched on such mainstream shows and networks like Top Chef, and Food Network, there is one thing constant and missing from each of these shows, although the contestants are cooking and claim to be culinary experts, do they know the basics of traditional food preparation, production and growth? Famous Italian butcher, Dario Cecchini is that man who has maintained an old world tradition or shall I say an art form of a lost culinary tradition of butchery. His skills prove to be next to none and has cultivated his craft where now it must be shared with those who lack this education.

One thing I learned from my early childhood trips to Italy was the value of such traditions and arts. My aunt and uncle owned a butcher shop in our local town, and quite frankly as some things were gruesome to see the way in which you learn the food process is raw. The way an animal is fed reflects the end result of the quality of meat. Granted, I'm not so much of a meat eater, but I struggle everyday with eating meat here in the United States, because I want to know where my meat is coming from.. which is impossible to know. In Italy, you may have that privilege of knowing where your local butcher grows his livestock. I mean its a direct hit on knowing what you're eating. Unfortunately, here in America we have no education on food and where and what the process of producing food is, this is the major difference in food education.

A while ago, a friend of mine from California, Guy Arnone wrote a guest article here on IAG about his family business which happened to be the family restaurant. He was expressing his need and desire to learn more about food, the process, the organic ways of life. At one point on his blog he started documented his newly grown garden to show his passion for home grown produce. This is a further down generation of an Italian American trying to directly connect with his roots and he went full plunge. Shortly after several posts, Guy decided to leave the family business and headed to Italy to study under Dario Cecchini as an apprentice. He wanted to learn the basics, the ropes, the supreme way of a lost art. Guy spent some time in Italy learning all of it and came back to New York, where he is now working for EATALY in New York City. Guy will be appearing with Dario for these latest appearances in New York and Boston. If you want to learn from the best and get a glimpse into a lost culinary art form go to these appearances.

For more on this event:

http://m.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2011/01/italys-legendary-butcher-comes-to-new-york-and-boston/69428/

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Chapman University Announces Lineup for 14th Annual Author Festival: Focus on Italian Writers

Chapman University’s 14th Annual John Fowles Literary Series, the university’s acclaimed yearly festival of visiting, internationally recognized novelists, poets and playwrights -- will focus on world-renowned Italian writers this year, and will also include a special appearance by an Israeli-born novelist who is the university’s 2011 writer-in-residence.

The series is sponsored by Istituto Italiano di Cultura of Los Angeles, Associated Students of Chapman University, Citrus City Grille, and Chapman’s Department of English and Wilkinson College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Chapman’s John Fowles Literary Series was named in honor of the late British author of such novels as “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” and “The Magus,” who was a friend of the series’ founder, Chapman English professor Mark Axelrod, and appeared in the series’ first year.

Monday, March 7 at 7 pm

DACIA MARAINI

Dacia Maraini, daughter of a Sicilian princess and famed as the longtime companion of novelist Alberto Moravia, is a world-acclaimed author and playwright. She has won many awards for her work, including the Formentor Prize for “L'età del malessere” (“The Age of Discontent,” 1963); the Premio Fregene for “Isolina” (1985); the Premio Campiello and Book of the Year Award for “La lunga vita di Marianna Ucrìa” (“The Silent Duchess,” 1990); and the Premio Strega for “Buio” (1999). She co-founded the Teatro del Porcospino, devoted to producing new Italian works, and established Rome’s feminist experimental theatre La Maddalena. Her play “Mary Stuart” has been performed in New York and on stages around the world, and her other plays continue to be translated and widely performed.


Monday, March 21 at 7 pm

ASSAF GAVRON – 2011 Writer-in-Residence at Chapman University

The son of English immigrants to Israel, Assaf Gavron was born in a small village near Jerusalem in 1968, and currently lives in Berlin. He is this year’s Shusterman Foundation Writer-in-Residence at Chapman University. Gavron has published four novels (“Ice,” “Moving,” “Almost Dead” and “Hydromania”), a collection of short stories (“Sex in the Cemetery”), and a non-fiction collection of Jerusalem falafel-joint reviews (“Eating Standing Up”). His English translation of “Almost Dead” was published in 2010. Among the prizes he has won are the Israeli Geffen award for the novel “Hydromania,” and the prestigious DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Fellowship in Germany.


Monday, April 4 at 7 pm

ERRI DE LUCA

Erri De Luca, recently named "writer of the decade" by the influential newspaper Corriere della Sera, was born in Naples, Italy in 1950. His first book, published in 1989, was “Non Ora, Non Qui” (“Not Now, Not Here”). Many more books have followed and have become best sellers throughout Europe and in the U.S. Self-taught in several languages, including ancient Hebrew and Yiddish, De Luca has translated several books of the Bible into Italian and explored various aspects of Judaism as a non-believer. He writes regularly for various Italian newspapers and magazines, lives in a remote cottage in the countryside outside Rome, and regularly pursues his passion for mountain climbing.

Monday, April 11 at 7 pm

PAOLO GIORDANO

Paolo Giordano, born in Turin in 1982, is a professional physicist. His first novel, “La Solitudine dei Numeri Primi” (“The Solitude of Prime Numbers”), took Italy by storm, sold more than a million copies, and won the nation’s most illustrious book award, the Premio Strega, in 2008. The book, which has been translated into English and more than 30 other languages, tells the tale of a man and woman, Mattia and Alice, both traumatized in their youth in ways which leave them unable to relate normally to the world around them. Though they are drawn to each other, timing and awkwardness keep their relationship on tenuous ground. Giordano’s spare yet beautiful prose asks whether there are those among us who, like prime numbers, are destined always to be alone and apart.

Monday, April 25 at 7 pm

GIUSEPPE CONTE

Italian poet, novelist and translator Giuseppe Conte published his debut book of poetry, “La Parola Innamorata” in 1978. His follow-up, 1988’s “La Stagione,” was awarded the Montale Prize. His other poetry books include “L’Ultimo Aprile Bianco” (“The Last White April”), “Dialogo del Poeta e del Messaggero” (“Dialogue Between the Poet and the Messenger”) and “Canti d’Oriente e d’Occidente (“Songs of the East and the West”). His novels include “Il Terzo Ufficiale” (“The Third Officer”) and “La Casa della Onde” (“The House of the Waves”). Conte has translated many English works into Italian, including those of Shelley, D.H. Lawrence, Walt Whitman and William Blake.

Monday, May 2 at 7 pm

GIORGIO PRESSBURGER

Born in Budapest in 1937, Giorgio Pressburger does not write in his native Hungarian but in his adoptive Italian, and has often reflected in his talks and writings upon this choice of language. He left Hungary after the Russian invasion in 1956, and settled in Italy, where he studied biology in Rome and worked in theater and film. His novel “The Law of White Spaces” won the Independent Foreign Fiction Award in 1992. His other works include the novel “Teeth and Spies” and the short story collection “Snow and Guilt.” His most recent novel, “Nel Regno Oscuro” (2008), inspired by Dante’s Inferno, describes a journey to hell which is also a meditation on the 20th century and Pressburger’s personal losses.

The author talks – all free and open to the public – will be held in the Henley Reading Room on the second floor of Chapman’s Leatherby Libraries. Book signings will follow all readings, and each author’s books will be available for sale.

For more information, the public can call 714-532-6026.

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Italian American Sunday Dinner: Making Meatballs

Sunday dinner and my mother makes the best meatballs in the United States.. sorry she does! Here are a few montage photos of her making them. The recipe is also secret.. maybe we'll get her to give it up and so we can share with the Italian American Girl audience. LoL. Enjoy! Tweet

Cooking Channel: Spaghetti all'Amatriciana By Chef Michael Chiarello

For the Full Recipe:
http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/spaghetti-allamatriciana-recipe/index.html Tweet

Jersey Shore Season 3 - Is it About Being Italian American? -- Who Watched?

Yes, I watched. So apparently Season 3 of Jersey Shore was the most viewed premiere for MTV ever! Over 8 million people watched! Wow! Really. Why are they watching? What's in this show that people love so much? As I watched that night, I was on Facebook following many of my friends status updates about the show; what I found was that many have such an interest in the show because A. either it reminds them of growing up at the Jersey Shore in the summers or B. They think its such a train wreck that they find it amusing to watch bad behavior.

This led me to start thinking, what part of this show or any part of this show is symbolizing Italian American? I have to say nothing! I do believe in Season one there was more of a lure from the creators or the network to use a lot or include any footage that symbolized something Italian American, such as the garage door of the house, where a largely painted door showed the Italian flag.

If you watched and listened carefully to this week's show, you'll hear less of any Italian American reference. I guess all the backlash from the Italian American community really made an impact on the use or reference of stereotyping of Italian Americans.

Again, we have to be aware that even though many parts of the show are blown up or exaggerated, you have to realize that people like Snookie, Mike "Situation" and Pauly D. are real and many people who happen to be Italian American do flock to the Jersey Shore and do the whole shore thing. It's definitely a culture on its own in New Jersey, but we know its not 100% Italian American.

I read a recent New York Post article where they interviewed James Gandolfini and asked him what he thought about the Jersey Shore show and the kids in it..he had an interesting response.. go here to read more. http://t.co/h1ZyPfo

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Italian American Girl Team Wishes You A Happy New Year - Buon Anno!

Happy New Year to all the readers of the Italian American Girl site. Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year! Here's to 2011! A great year on the horizon.

Baci!~~

Margaret

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Italian Canadian Singer MARCO CALLIARI RETURNS TO NYC FOR APAP 2011 CONFERENCE APPEARANCES

A Canadian singer-songwriter whose music is a personal exploration of the Italian diaspora and its folklore, Montreal’s Marco Calliari rings in 2011 with a New York City return at The Living Room on Friday, January 7, 2011 at 8:00pm.

The concert doubles as a special open-to-the-public APAP Conference Showcase for the Quebec-based artist. Following 2009 Gotham sets at Joe’s Pub and (Le) Poisson Rouge, Calliari will serve up a US preview of his new album of original compositions “Al Faro Est” (At the Eastern Lighthouse), which was released in Canada in the Fall of 2010.

During the Summer of 2010 a remix of an earlier Calliari track “L’Americano” by Montreal DJ MC Mario became the surprise international dance sensation “We No Speak Americano”, racking up over 1 Million YouTube views and debuting in the Top 40 of the UK Pop Charts. A polished performer on the live circuit in North America and Europe, Calliari has shared the stage with top flight Italian artists such as Zucchero, Carmen Consoli, Vinicio Capossela and Peppe Voltarelli.

Fri. 1/7/11 The Living Room
154 Ludlow Street (between Stanton & Rivington)
Concert @ 8:00 PM
Tickets: FREE
Info.: http://www.livingroomny.com/artist/marco-calliari
or (212) 533-7237

Saturday 1/8, 8:30 pm at Zebulon in Williamsburg :http://zebuloncafeconcert.com/?p=899

Marco Calliari will make 2 further appearances open to APAP badge holders at the NY Hilton Hotel’s Sutton Room on Friday 1/7/11 at Midnight and Sunday 1/9/11 at 9:30pm.

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Italian American Girl: Photo of The Day : Life Size Nativity

This photo was actually taken outside of a church here in New Jersey.. it was just so beautiful I had to share. Buon Natale. Tweet

Italian American Girl : Photo of the Day - Fontana Di Trevi - Rome, Italy

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Rick Steves' European Christmas: Italy

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Making Italian Knot Cookies -

It's been a family affair here lately at Italian American Girl. Last week my mother made Italian Stuffoli, this week I took the opportunity to film my sister, Maria and niece making Italian knot cookies. We only do these projects once a year and I wanted to share the process with you.

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How To Make Italian Christmas Struffoli

Here is a video of my mother making Italian Struffoli, she's very camera shy so I couldn't really feature too much of her. LOL. As you will notice we married the shots and video together just to give you an idea of the process. I will post the recipe as well.

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A Tribute To The Greatest Italian American Singer & Entertainer - FRANK SINATRA

In honor of Frank Sinatra's 95th birthday today December 12th --we honor him as one of the greatest Italian American singers/performers that ever lived.


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Italian Cooking- Cookies & Sweets-- Traditional Recipe Talk This Sunday - December 12 at 8:00 pm

Join me this Sunday -- December 12th for a hosted chat in the Italian American Girl group on Facebook, where we will be talking about traditional recipes for dinner and desserts. What are you making for Christmas Eve? The traditional seven fishes. Did your grandmother pass down the recipe for making zepole?

These traditions are slowly get lost in our Italian American community, let's work together for a little chat this Sunday at 8:00 pm and talk traditional Italian recipes.

Everyone is invited including all Italian American aficionados in the culinary arts, I encourage you to join the discussion so you can share you expertise.

To join the group you must be on Facebook:
ItalianAmericanGirl@groups.facebook.com Tweet

New Italian American Museum Proposed for New York City

I recently just read in the New York Times about third generation Italian American Joseph Grano Jr., who recently began raising capital with investors for a new Italian American Museum in New York. Now, as you know there's an Italian American Museum already located in Little Italy, New York. The existing museum is definitely low key with no modern day amenities but a wonderful contribution and landmark to our Italian American community in New York City.

The proposed idea for the new museum would include an amphitheater, private rooms, exhibit galleries and much more-- the location would be a 124-year-old Victorian pier in Lower Manhattan.

I love the idea and hopefully the reality of a new cultural landmark celebrating Italian Americans in New York. This is a great example of someone in the right position utilizing his social and monetary capital to memorialize and educate younger Italian American generations.

Once the museum is built and at full capacity, I would like to see the museum being integrated into Italian education programs throughout the country. Now a days, "build it and they will come" isn't enough. We have to be sure just because it looks good on paper that Italian Americans are really getting the education and a use for the museum. It can't be a billion dollar boys club where private parties and Italian American cliques are the only people involved with it, there needs to be a sense of community. The Italian American community at times can be very divided here in the tri-state area. Being or knowing particular people always seem to get you in the right doors and such-- but to be honest its such a turn off and really takes away from learning the traditions and history of Italian Americans. I witness this constantly within the online social media circles, as Italian Americans we need to be more united and deliver consistent messaging, whether via a blog post or building a million dollar museum.

For more on the New York Times Article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/08/nyregion/08about.html


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In Loving Memory of My Italian American Dog - Gigi

It's with great sadness that I share the news of my beloved dog Gigi passing today. I'm absolutely heart broken. She was the best dog anyone could ask for and just an amazing animal. She literally was a member of the family and understood both Italian and English. To her credit she was bilingual. There is something to be said about my dog, she was loyal, there for me whenever I needed her and just the best companion. I'm going to miss her. Sharing this with everyone some how makes me feel better to let you all know what an amazing dog Gigi was and how a pet can really improve your life. I love you GIGI. Tweet

Claudio Baglioni -E tu

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The Italian American Thanksgiving

I will start off by saying, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thanksgiving a true American holiday and one of those holidays that were never quite 100% the traditional Americana. Growing up in my house as a first generation Italian American child, we definitely struggled with adopting American traditions, because my parents just weren't versed in the traditions as we know them today.

I remember being in elementary school and learning about the true story of the pilgrims and why Americans celebrated with a day off and a big turkey feast. My mother learned from our neighbors that you were supposed to buy a turkey and make all sorts of things like yams, cranberry, stuffing.. all things that are not really Italian. So, to assimilate and take on the American holiday, my mother cooked the turkey, made the stuffing and presented the cranberry. This was really foreign to my parents. Our Italian American Thanksgiving would consist of stuffed mushrooms, lasagna, pasta, olives and more a la Italiana menu.

Make no mistake we are all Americans, celebrating a great tradition but at the same time Thanksgiving became a combined holiday of traditions just so we as Italian Americans could relate to it as well. I would imagine other ethnic cultures have experienced this as well when originating parents or grandparents did not grow up in America; therefore having to learn the traditions of the American holidays. As I write this or sit at the table and prepare for the holiday meals, I often wonder do other Italian Americans feel this way..? Or is harder from a first generation perspective because we literally learn, assimilate and practice as we go? Food for thought? I'd love to hear your opinions and or thoughts. Tweet

Tuscany, Italy: Rustic Slow Food

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Italian American, Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta Receives Medal of Honor

A proud moment for the Italian American community and any American. Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta is the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. Giunta served in Afghanistan.

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Social Media & Being Italian American

I was invited to speak about social media and the Italian American Girl site at Rider University in New Jersey, which happens to be my alma mater. Being invited to speak at a university for a communications class about two of my favorite topics (social media & the Italian American Girl site) is a huge honor.

This all began on Twitter. I was on Twitter about a month ago and noticed a wonderful Tweet by a fellow Italian American @kathymagrino who was Tweeting about social media and interacting with her communications class through Twitter. This got my attention and I immediately sent Professor Magrino a Tweet back saying I was a Rider alumni and that her students should pay attention to everything she's teaching because everything I learned at Rider University paid off in every aspect during and presently in my career in communications. This began our online "conversation" and from here Professor Magrino discovered my site where I display my love for writing and communications.

Day of, I traveled back to Rider University here in New Jersey and met with Professor Magrino's communications class. Wow! What an experience.. first of all to be back on campus was sort of surreal and comforting at the same time. Everything looked smaller though.. lol --- It's funny when you're in college how everything seems magnified and larger.

I was so impressed with the technology and level of media knowledge the students had, to compare when I was in college where and when the Internet just came out.. ugh.. sign of my age. Before I went into the communications class I visited with one of my professors, who I have to say was totally surprised to see me. It was great catching up and this time I was sitting in his office telling him of all my career advancements and accomplishments and not begging him for an extension on a project. LOL...those were the days.

After my visit with my former professor; I went back to the class and began my presentation with the communications students. I started off with my introduction, but what I wanted the students to understand was that my connection to Rider and what I was about to present to them meant a lot to me. This is my real life. I went on to talk about the process of social media, communications, video production and content, where I could see many of the students were completely focused. At one point, I had one student take pictures and another do video using a FLIP video camera.

What became an important talking point was "passion." Without passion you're really never 100% into what you're doing, whether its career or in your personal life. Being back at Rider brought me back to why I chose the communications route and how much I really love my career.

I left the students with this element as my closing -- you have to be prepared, you have to love what you do and you have to have goals. Now, these might not work for everyone, but its proved to be top three elements, which I work on everyday and help me contribute to my success. This ties into my upbringing and how my Italian parents instilled many great values, which translate to my everyday life.

I can't thank Professor Magrino enough for her invitation to speak at Rider University and I was totally honored the students were so focused and engaged on this presentation about social media and the Italian American Girl site. I look forward to returning to Rider!

Grazie Kathy!

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Why It's Hot To Be Italian American Right Now..

Is it just me or is every other word on TV, Internet or paper talking about being Italian American? The Internet is blowing up with new Facebook pages of people wanting to create some type of Italian American presence.

I think to be Italian American is a life time thing, its your life, its your identity.. its not something you jump on the bandwagon for because you see a show that makes you think this is Italian. Is this why it's hot to be Italian American right now?

To each his own, I suppose... but I am getting increasingly disgusted with the amount of garbage out here in cyberspace and in the media. Who is being genuine? NO-ONE!!! It's all about the payout, who attends the most events, sign on for reality shows and then those who opposed the negativity are now in alliance with those who stand for negative stereotyping.

I don't want to harp on this but the real Italian Americans are not being heard and the phony people are standing up at the front of the press line.

What are your thoughts?
If you're interested in discussing live: Visit the Italian American Girl group on Facebook: Tweet

Happy Veterans Day - To All and All Italian Americans Who Served

I'd like to wish all service men and women past and present a Happy Veterans Day. We must take the time to thank those who provide the freedom, which allows us to voice our opinions and live as we wish. My sincerest gratitude to you all. Grazie!

Thank you,
Margaret Tweet

Italian Americans, Mainstream Media, TV, and Italian American Groups / Organizations

Great debates happening on Facebook yesterday and today regarding the recent discussions on new reality shows and the negative depictions on Italian Americans. My stance is this, I believe many people have the right to be what they want, act the way the want and do what they want. Now, I'm not saying I condone or love that the free world now thinks all Italian Americans are the same..they're not--and that's OK. But that is the real "REALITY." If you have half a brain then you know this fact.

A really good point brought up by one of the Facebook-ers was-- where were the Italian American organizations when positive material, shows, content were being produced...? Not one press release blast went out or any 5 minute segment was covered on any local station. The same amount of energy that goes into the 15 minutes of fame for crying/complaining and saying people are racists should go into promoting the positive work we're all creating for the Italian American community.

I question the motives of others for getting on the press bandwagon and riding it all the way to the top by saying you're protecting the image of the Italian Americans, to me it sounds like you're condemning people for being who they really are.

If anyone, I mean anyone meaning myself, you can't get any more Italian American than me.. I am a first generation Italian American, my father came here on a ship over 50 years ago. My mother followed soon after. He struggled, he had nothing, he worked his ass off, he too was stereotyped.

Not once did my parents look for fame, fortune or any 15 minutes of a news segment, they're true revenge on the finger pointers was getting their family to be successful. The success of our family is what truly makes our story. So, forget about all the press, the TV, the un-reality of being Italian American, cause really if you haven't lived it or experienced it..you shouldn't be adding your two cents. Sorry. I direct this to those who think they're protecting the Italian American image.

I say, take the same resources, money, staff whatever else is available and use it to promote --not talk about the same negative BS on and on. Tweet