We gear up for Consulate Canepari’s Ciao Philadelphia!

By Barbara Ann Zippi

Joe Pelligrino

August is already here and it’s an exciting time to witness who is going to be working with our world leaders come November. Brava to the new groundbreaking Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi and to Prime Minister of England, Theresa May. Making headline news in the Italian American community from South Philly is “Project Runway” winner Dom Streater. Rumor has it she has some Italian heritage in her gene pool.

Add fashionistas to my South Philly and Italian family tree. I’m proud to write that my cousin Gracie’s daughter, Devon Pezzano, Aunt Dolly and Uncle Tony Palidora’s granddaughter has graduated this spring from the Art Institute of Philadelphia with honors! Receiving two awards for her senior portfolio and outstanding achievement, Devon was selected to go to New York Fashion Week to show her senior collection this fall. Look out, New York,
the Pezzanos are coming.

I’m hearing great things about a movie set in South Philly. Ciao Bella friend Sicilian-American actress, chef and biscotti maker Natalie Stone has a part in a new comedy called “Turkey’s Done.” With Cheri Ann Oteri as “Peaches Bracco,” “Saturday Night Live” alumna and Upper Darby native starring and overseeing production, keep your ears open for more news. According to Jennifer Tini, “Turkey’s Done” is a short comedic film revolving around a South Philly housewife, who is waiting for her cheating husband to come home for a Thanksgiving he’ll never forget!”

Bravo to Monseigneur John Marine of St. Bede the Venerable Church located in Southampton, Pa., for producing the first yearly Padre Pio Festival this past June. He spread the news through this newspaper and Ciao Bella Living Italian Style is looking forward to bringing the television cameras to the festivities for 2017.

Start planning your calendar for this fall’s busy Italian-themed events. Here’s a perfect way to share your Italian culture with family and friends. Italian Consulate Andrea Canepari wants you to do just that. Once again he is hosting Ciao Philadelphia! In addition to tours and lectures, one of the features is set for Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. The Monday Blues Jazz Orchestra with 18 pieces features renowned tenor Greg Farnese at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Levittown. For tickets call (800) 838-3006 and choose Event #2541800 or e-mail comspirit1@aol.com.
In celebrating the Italian culture this Fall, Ciao Bella Living Italian Style will be featuring shows on Radnor Studio airing in September on Ciao Philadelphia activities including Walking Tours by the National Park Service. Daily events are expected throughout Delaware Valley in October.

Ciao Bella will present Italian Classic Cinema on Friday nights Oct. 14 and Nov. 11 at Vinyl Revival next to the Lansdowne Theater. The evening starts with Limoncello and Italian treats while meeting Italian authors, artists and entertainers before sitting down to a movie entirely shot in Italy. Who knows what Italian-American celebrities will
stop by? Maybe we can entice Joe Pellegrino, former WCAU and Action News & Sports Director, to serenade us with a few songs. 

Summer TV Ciao Bella studio guests included Pam Mariani, co-owner of Edgmont Golf Club with the news of its 50th year celebration and closing. She shares stories on the Radnor Studio Channel then YouTube honoring her father Nazz Mariani, her new passion for her artistic direction in ceramics, her credentials as an author, her story on adoption and the Birth Mom & Mom Phil-Hanna Scholarship for Nursing at Delaware County Community College.

Also stopping by Ciao Bella and sharing stories and memories are Dr. Rosalie and Anthony Mirenda. Rosalie’s mother and father were from Graniola, Bagni di Lucca and Tony’s family Diego (Dick) Mirenda, was born in Piraino in the Provence of Messina, Italy. Always representing Neumann University as President Rosalie and Ambassador Tony, they share their love of Italy and family. Tony shares a photo of his Dad in his American Army uniform. After having been drafted into the Italian army and serving in Africa, he accompanied his widowed mother and two older sisters to the U.S. where he entered the U.S. Army. He was discharged from on April 19, 1919, after having served in the Verdun Sector and then took part in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive until the war ended in 1918.

Keeping families growing, bravo to Scaramuzza’s Pasta Family for their long service and bringing their cultures and traditions through their product to an even bigger customer base.

Bad news is that on May 26, 2016, Scaramuzza Pasta closed their Clifton Heights store forever but the good news according to Peg De Grassa with Delco News Network, “The 53-year-old company Scaramuzza Pasta products can be purchased at over 200 locations, including Colonial Village, Roy Tweedy’s, ShopRite, Shop N Bag, DiBruno Bros., Giant, Acme, Wegmans and a variety of other stores.”

The Jubilee Year of Mercy, commenced when Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Italy on Dec. 8, is coming to an end. Once the doors close, they will open next in 2025, 2050, 2075, etc. Tradition is they open every 25 years in the Cathedrals of Rome. Go soon or join us for an escorted Holy Door & Shrine Tour on Saturday,
Oct. 29, 2016. Tour bus pickup area designated near the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Last but not least, start gearing up to protect Columbus Day. If you would like to pass out printed copies of June’s Culture Commentary featured in this publication titled “Columbus being pushed out of the picture in America?” with or without a speaker, contact CiaoBellaLivingItalianStyle@gmail.com

Until Next month—Ciao Bella !