More Resignations Needed from Florence Commission

With the recent resignations of Henry Schiro and Marilyn Dorsa from the Florence Commission, the franchise of the Medici Masked Ball should be re-evaluated with the aim of diminishing its tone of exclusivity. Like some of the commissioners on the Florence Commission the fund-raising extravaganza has been there way too long. County government is a [...]

Redwood City Columbus Day Committee Celebrates Italian Heritage

The Columbus Day Committee of Redwood City in San Mateo County recently concluded a very successful series of events celebrating Italian American heritage. The committee celebrates the accomplishment and spirit of Christopher Columbus, explorer and discoverer of the Americas. The committee, which is made up of members of the Redwood City city council and other [...]

Florence Commission Agenda Item to “Discuss” “Inaccurate Remarks” Off the Record

It is interesting to note an agenda item that the Florence Commission of Santa Clara County wants to put up for discussion. Commissioner Gliozzo wants to discuss during a “workshop” meeting what the Florence Commission should do about “inaccurate remarks” made on the Internet about her group. What is really hypocritical is that she wants [...]

Santa Clara County Florence Commission: Time for a Change

The July meeting minutes show that the Florence Commission will hold another event at the Guglielmo Winery on August 21st. They indicate that the cost per person is $45 and will charge $50 for the event. This means that Commissioner George Guglielmo’s family business will be paid to cover its costs. We would assume that [...]

Keep No Secrets: The Art of Discrimination Against the Italian American Perception

Conversations through email and blogs have reminded me several times by now that discrimination against Italian Americans is an issue. I think there are many more people out there who feel the same way but have been reluctant to bring this up, much the way they felt about the injustice that Italian Americans faced during World [...]

Italian American Anti-Defamation Group Demands Suspension of NBC Sportscaster Johnny Miller

Press Release from Order Sons of Italy in America 
Washington, DC– June 19, 2008 The Commission for Social Justice (CSJ), the anti- defamation arm of the Order Sons of Italy in America, the nation’s biggest Italian American organization, is demanding an on-air apology and the suspension of NBC’s lead golf analyst Johnny Miller after discriminatory statements [...]

Lawrence DiStasi Interview, Part I of III

I spoke with Lawrence DiStasi in July 2004 about his book, “Una Storia Segreta: The Secret History of Italian American Evacuation and Internment during World War II.” I was simply amazed that the United States Government was so distrustful of the Italian American community during this period. It’s true that Mussolini [...]

Italian American Heritage Foundation Celebrates Italy’s 62nd Festa della Repubblica–Florence Commission Makes Appearance Along With Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors

The Italian American Heritage Foundation held a luncheon on June 5th to celebrate the Festa della Repubblica, the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the Italian Republic, which was founded on June 2, 1946. In the 62 years since Italy voted to replace the monarchy of the House of Savoy with a parliamentary republic, there [...]

The Poetry of Kim Addonizio and Susan Browne: Part I

 
 
 

Poets Kim Addonizio and Susan Browne talk with Frederick W. Marrazzo about the glory of poetry and their CD “Swearing, Smoking, Drinking and Kissing” which combines music with poetry. 
A Poem by Kim Addonizio: Generations
(From the collection “Tell Me, poems by Kim Addonizio”, BOA Editions LTD, Rochester, NY, 2000)
Somewhere a shop [...]

Thank You, Comrade McClellan! The People Are Listening to What You Need to Say

But aren’t you a little late to be blowing your whistle so long after the fact? Did you suddenly come to your senses when you popped out of the “Bush in Wonderland” world you people were living in at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? Do you think that this memoir will restore honor somewhere? Maybe it will [...]