Follow us on @iccchouston iccc.houston @iccchouston ItalianCultureHOU www.iccchouston.com

Volume XXV, No31

Maggio-Giugno 2017

A publication of the

Italian Cultural & Community

Center of Houston

The Voice of All Things Italian

NotizieFellini’s Eternal Rome (p. 2)

At the ICCC (p. 3)

New ICCC Board Members (p. 8)

CulturaItalian Artist Ezio Gribaudo (p. 4)

Along the Aurelian Wall (p. 5)

In CucinaIn Cucina con gli Italiani (p. 9)

Wine Spotlight (p. 9)

EventiCalendar of Events (p. 6 - 7)

We are a few weeks away from what is going to be the most exciting time of the year for the ICCC! We are get-ting ready to welcome all of you to the 41st Houston Italian Festival! The fes-tival will be held at the University of St. Thomas on Thursday, October 10th through Sunday, October 13th.

After an incredible 40th anniversa-ry, Festa Italiana is ready for another great year of festivities. If you are an Italian food lover, the Houston Italian Festival is the place to be. Between spaghetti, meatballs, eggplant Par-mesan, Italian sausage, pizza, chicken Marsala, and Italian artichoke hearts, Festa Italiana will satisfy everyone but make sure to leave room for dessert! Our cannoli, Italian donuts, Italian cookies and gelato will make you feel like you are in the middle of Italy.

After eating a delicious meal, you will get to be a part of fantastic activities! Wine tastings, movies, Italian classes, cooking classes, pasta eating contest, grape stomp… you name it. We will have activities for everyone, little ones and grown-ups. The Fab5, a Beatles tribute band, will perform music from The Beatles and the 60s. Houston’s fa-

vorite Italian dj, DJ Italia, will play ev-eryone’s most-loved Italian songs. A new addition to the line-up this year is Vince King, a multi-award winning “Elvis Tribute Artist” and don’t forget to dance along with The Tarantellas.

If you are a classic car lover, the Clas-sic Car Show comes back this year with Italian, German and English cars on display for your viewing pleasure. Along with that, the owners will be available to give information, history and specifics of their vintage automo-biles.

Other activities at the festival include bingo, bocce ball, and cooking dem-os. After many years of success, the I Madonnari High School Art Contest is coming back. High school students will have the opportunity to “street paint” on the sidewalks of the Univer-sity of St. Thomas and get rewarded with amazing cash prizes. For more information and registration, go to www.HoustonItalianFestival.com

Finally, if you are feeling lucky and would like to win a trip to Italy or other great prizes and gift certificates, you should enter our raffle for a chance to become one of our 2019 winners!

As the 2019 Festival Executive Com-mittee, we have the utmost respect for the Houston community. We try to donate as much as possible to edu-cational scholarships and community events offered by the Italian Cultural and Community Center (ICCC).

We always love to welcome new vol-unteers to help us make the Italian

Festival successful. There are bene-fits to volunteering at this festival in-cluding free admission, a free meal, community service hours, and the satisfying feeling of helping a great organization. The volunteer forms are available online at www.houstonital-ianfestival.com.

We hope to see you at the 41st Italian Festival. Bring your family and friends to celebrate this fun event! Please visit the festival's website at www.houstonitlianfestival.com for ticket information as well as the complete schedule for the fun, four day week-end.

The ICCC would like to thank festi-val Chairman Gary DeSerio, JoAnn Pinkerton, Frankie Pizzitola, Anthony Porcarello, John Marion Carrabba, Joe Puccio, Bill Brown, Livia Bornigia, Mi-chael Vaccaro, Louis Ditta, Philip Cusi-mano, Cynthia Salvaggio, Mégane Pri-mault, Griff Mercilliott, Anna Messer, Joanna Palasota Porche, Jennifer Bo-nacci, Carl Raia and Steve Galiette for their hard work in planning this year’s festival. Ciao!

XXVII 5

Settembre - Ottobre 2019

The Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston | 1101 Milford Street, Houston, Texas 77006 | 1

Celebrating 41 Years of the Houston Italian FestivalBy the ICCC Festival Committee

CulturaLa Lira (p.4)

EventiCalendar of Events (p.6 - 7)

In CucinaIn Cucina con gli Italiani (p.9)

Wine Spotlight (p.9)

NotizieBoard Nominations (p.2)

ICON (p.2)At the ICCC (p.3)

41 for 41 (p.5)2019 HIF Sponsors (p.8)

La Voce Italiana Volume XXVII, No 5 Settembre - Ottobre 2019 Notizie

2 | @iccchouston iccc.houston @iccchouston ItalianCultureHOU www.iccchouston.com

Great news happening at the Ital-ian Cultural & Community Center! Starting June 2019, we have signed a partnership agreement with ICoN (Italian Culture on the Net) to admin-ister end of semester exams for stu-dents enrolled in their bachelor’s and Master’s programs. ICoN started its mission to promote and spread the Italian language and culture through-out the world in 1999. ICoN offers a bachelor program in Lingua e Cultura italiana per stranieri (Italian language and culture for Foreigners) and a mas-ter’s degree in Italian for Foreigners. ICoN also organizes training for Ital-ian teachers abroad. These training classes are all accredited by the Italian government. ICoN is constituted by a

consortium of well-known Italian uni-versities: Bologna, Catania, Genova, Milano Statale, Napoli l’Orientale, Pa-dova, Parma, Pisa, Roma La Sapienza, Roma Tor Vergata, Roma Tre, Salerno, Torino, Venezia, and the University for Foreigners of Siena and of Pisa. In the USA there are only 23 locations that can administer end of semester ex-ams for ICoN and our Center has be-come one of them. We are very proud to be the only institution for the whole state of Texas that has been accredit-ed by ICoN to test their students.

IconBy Erika Myers

The Italian Cultural and Communi-ty Center is seeking candidates to fill five upcoming vacancies on the Board of Directors. The election will be held at the annual meeting of members on December 5, 2019. Each term lasts three years.

We welcome strategic thinkers who understand “the big picture” and who can translate ideas into actions in order to fulfill ICCC’s mission to ad-vance, celebrate, and preserve Italian culture and heritage for everyone. Candidates must have the following qualities: integrity, independence, confidence, corporate manners, cour-age, and commitment. The overarch-ing responsibilities of Board members are governance, fundraising, and pub-

lic relations. Board members do not have to be of Italian descent but must have a passion for Italian culture.

Because we are a working board, all Board members are expected to “do their share” to keep ICCC advancing.

The qualifications for Board members as listed in the ICCC by-laws are:Good standing with dues current; le-gal resident of US; no closer than third cousin to any other board member; pass a background check; no convic-tions for felony, Class A or B misde-meanor, crime of moral turpitude, or declared to be of unsound mind by order of a court.

ICCC is a multi-faceted organization that is in ascendency, growing by

leaps and bounds in scope and influ-ence. It is more critical than ever for ICCC to have leaders capable of car-rying forward our strategic plan with a vision to continue as the destination for all things Italian for all Housto-nians.

If you’ve got what it takes to become a valued member of the ICCC leader-ship team, please submit your appli-cation to: Nominating Committee, ICCC, 1101 Milford, Houston, TX, 77006. The deadline is October 1, 2019.

Download applications at: www.ic-cchouston.com

Refer questions to Ray Miller, ICCC Executive Director 713-524-4222 Ext 3.

Board NominationsBy Ray Miller

For kids and teens | 2019 - 2020Saturdays | 9:30 - 11:30 am

Session 1: September 7 - October 12, 2019

Session 2:October 19 - November 23, 2019

Session 3:December 7 - February 8, 2020

Session 4: February 15 - March 28, 2020

Fall Session:

Adults A1 Session 1 | 6:30 - 8:30 pmThursday, September 5 - October 17

Italian Business Class6:30 - 8:30

Wednesday, September 18 - October 23

Advanced Italian Conversation 6:30 - 8:30 pmThursday, October 3 - November 14

ITALIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES

Visit iccchouston.com for more information Email school@iccchouston.com or call 713-524-4222 ext 2 to register

The Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston | 1101 Milford Street, Houston, Texas 77006 | 3

Notizie Settembre - Ottobre 2019 Volume XXVII, No 5 La Voce Italiana

I hope you are enjoying these last relaxing weeks of summer. Throughout the summer months, the Milford House saw a varied lineup of exciting and interesting events, and the upcoming fall months will continue to bring the Houston community more enriching events to add to your calendar.

The autumn months are synonymous with festival season, and preparations for the 41st annual Festa Italiana are in high gear. We are still looking for volunteers to help at the Festa in all areas. You don’t need to be a member of the ICCC to volunteer, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you would like to help. Our volunteers are a big part of what makes Festa Italiana run smoothly each year and we welcome everyone who is interested in participating. Please call the ICCC and ask for Ray Miller if you would like to be added to the volunteer roster. Additionally, there are some sponsorships still available at this year’s Festa. Sponsorships can be made at the corporate or individual level and we are grateful for everyone who would like to help support the Houston Italian Festival and the ICCC through a sponsorship. For more details and information, please call the ICCC and ask for Ray Miller.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the Festa Italiana which will be held on the campus of University of Saint Thomas, October 10-13. We look forward to seeing you there to celebrate our rich Italian culture together!

The summer months saw a steady stream of delicious food and wine events. Our class on Italian Brunch at the beginning of August was sold out to a very happy crowd. Our Come Wine with Us wine tasting events are continuously sold out and a huge favorite. August’s wine tasting featured a sampling of Sangiovese wines led by Philip Cusimano with food pairings catered by Amalfi Ristorante Italiano & Bar.

At the end of July, the Milford House hosted two back-to-back private cooking classes for a corporate team-

building event. Our guests enjoyed learning how to make traditional dishes from the regions of Lombardia and Toscana. Each class began with an aperitivo of Prosecco paired with fresh Italian salumi, cheeses, and traditional antipasti typical of the regions featured. Our guests capped off two days of corporate training with learning new Italian recipes and sitting down together to relax and enjoy a three-course meal completed with a house-made dessert.

In addition to hosting cooking classes to the general public, the ICCC also welcomes groups who would like to host their own private cooking class event at the Milford House. We will work with you to design the event’s menu and logistics to suit your specific needs. Private cooking classes are perfect for corporate team building, family reunions, church groups, girl’s night out, or a “just because” fun event with friends or family. Please call the ICCC and ask for Erika Myers if you would like to know more. We would love to help you host a personalized and delicious event!

new iccc members

Mrs. Andrea Alvis and Mr. Glenn Whitehead

Ms. Adriana Biagioni-Diesen

Ms. Frani Broussard Denenburg

Mr. Edward Cotham and Family

Mr. Carlo Cotrone

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Cummings

Ms. Isabel G. Denkler

Ms. Francheska Diaz-Santiago

Mr. John Dominici

Mrs. Pamela Dwyer

Mr. David Kubiak

Mr. Hal Kuehn

Mr. Jerry LaBita

Mr. Leandro Martinez

Benvenuti! The ICCC wishes to welcome the following new members and invites them to stay fully engaged with all of the wonderful programs and events that the ICCC has to offer. For more information about becoming a member and joining the ICCC family, please contact Alessandra Pistone, Business Director, at 713-524-4222 ext. 6 or at accounting@iccchouston.com.

All'ICCC (At the ICCC)

2019 ICCC Board of Directors

Peter Scalzitti

John M. Carrabba

Tracy Lalasz

Julie Mastroianni

Bernard Marino

Margret Norton

Livia Bornigia

President

1st Vice President

2nd Vice President

Treasurer

Secretary

Assistant Secretary

Past President

Board of Directors

Diane Aquila

Dolores Avioli

Raluca Dalea

Tommaso DePoi

Gary DeSerio

Monica Ercolani

Sandra Celli Harris

Mark Parenti

Officers

la voce italiana

Published six times a year (January,

March, May, July, September and

November) by the Italian Cultural &

Community Center (ICCC) of Houston.

1101 Milford Street,

Houston, Texas 77006

La Voce Italiana is a benefit to ICCC

members and is also available by

subscription for $15 per year. For

more subscription information, please

call 713-524-4222 ext. 6 or email

accounting@iccchouston.com ”

“

Dear Friends,

4 | @iccchouston iccc.houston @iccchouston ItalianCultureHOU www.iccchouston.com

RISTORANTE ITALIANO

Party Trays • Catering • Private Parties

813 Jackson Hill • Houston, TX 77007713.863.8223

St. Thomas High - Class of 1953

ControlledAirHeating and Cooling

Since 1958Messina Family

713.861.6570www.controlledairhvac.com

TACL B015848E

National Terrazzo Tile & Marble, Inc.5728 Hood Street • Houston, Texas 77023713.923.8600 • 800.926.2725Fax: 713.923.1043

Specializing in Terrazzo, Granite, Marble, Stone, and Ceramic Tile for Fabrication and Installation.

The Federation thanks National Terrazzo for donating our beautiful flooring!

Victor J. Longo, Esq.

President

Ann Caliva LongoClass of 1959Incarnate Word AcademyIncarnate Word AcademyEducational Excellence since 1873

Victor J. LongoClass of 1985St. Thomas High School

Jason KeyserClass of 1994St. Thomas High SchoolSt. Thomas High SchoolEducational Excellence since 1900

ITALIAN CULTURAL & COMMUNITY CENTER1101 Milford • Houston, Texas 77006Office: 713.524.4222 Fax: 713.524.6121

www.ICCCHouston.com

RISTORANTE ITALIANO

Party Trays • Catering • Private Parties

813 Jackson Hill • Houston, TX 77007713.863.8223

St. Thomas High - Class of 1953

ControlledAirHeating and Cooling

Since 1958Messina Family

713.861.6570www.controlledairhvac.com

TACL B015848E

National Terrazzo Tile & Marble, Inc.5728 Hood Street • Houston, Texas 77023713.923.8600 • 800.926.2725Fax: 713.923.1043

Specializing in Terrazzo, Granite, Marble, Stone, and Ceramic Tile for Fabrication and Installation.

The Federation thanks National Terrazzo for donating our beautiful flooring!

Victor J. Longo, Esq.

President

Ann Caliva LongoClass of 1959Incarnate Word AcademyIncarnate Word AcademyEducational Excellence since 1873

Victor J. LongoClass of 1985St. Thomas High School

Jason KeyserClass of 1994St. Thomas High SchoolSt. Thomas High SchoolEducational Excellence since 1900

ITALIAN CULTURAL & COMMUNITY CENTER1101 Milford • Houston, Texas 77006Office: 713.524.4222 Fax: 713.524.6121

www.ICCCHouston.com

Though Italy officially adopted the euro in 2002, the old curren-cy “la lira” still remains in the lan-guage in some idiomatic expres-sions such as “non valere una lira” or “valere due lire” (“it is worth nothing”) or “non avere più una lira” (“to be in the red”).

In fact, it was the 24th of August 1862, one year and some months after the unification of Italy, when the King of the newborn unified country, Vittorio Emanu-ele II, promulgated the law that uniformed the Italian monetary system. Before that date almost 290 different metallic coins were circulating in the Italian territo-ry such as baiocco, carantano, carlino, doppia, ducato, fiorino, franceschino, francescone, lira, lirazza, marengo, onza, paolo, pa-petto, piastra, quattrino, scudo, soldo, svanzica, tallero, testone, zecchini, just to mention a few.

According to Banca d’Italia, in 1861 paper bills accounted for just 8% of monetary circulation; most of the daily transactions were in fact done with coins.

And, if the old coins had to be pulled back, the new ones had to be forged. To do so Italy had to heavily rely upon foreign pri-vate companies. The same hap-pened with bills some years lat-er when thanks to a regulatory intervention, they started repre-senting more than 40% of mone-tary means. It was thanks to Mat-thew Boulton, business partner of James Watt, that steam power was applied to coining machin-ery, while Jacob Perkins invent-ed steel plates for bank-note en-graving. It was a revolution for money production.

Since the 24th August of 1862, the “lira” has remained the offi-cial currency of Italy for 140 years. Passing from hand to hand, “la lira” has accompanied the daily lives of generations of Italians. Together with it, stories of gods and goddesses, artists and sci-

entists, episodes of national his-tory kept circulating and helped celebrate “the most popular, most constant, most universal landmark representing the Unity of the Nation” (quoted from the report accompanying the project for the above mentioned law). As an example, Minerva, the god-dess of wisdom, but also of trade, arts, and strategy in war was rep-resented on the coin worth 100 lire probably because she was embodying Italian craftsmanship.

Today the euro represents a new supranational unity. When the coins and banknotes were launched on January 1st, 2002 in 12 EU countries, the biggest cash changeover in history took place. Today the euro is the second most-used currency worldwide, with over 341 million people using it every day.

La LiraBy Ilaria Verunelli

La Voce Italiana Volume XXVII, No 5 Settembre - Ottobre 2019 Cultura

Nicola AbateStephen AiosiMr. and Mrs. Alvin J. AlbertKathy AlbertNathalie A. AvernaDolores (Dee) and Jim AvioliNick and Margie BacileBrad and Gayla BakerRon BaklarzMargaret and John BannonBarbara BarcelonaGeralena "Gerry" BaroneMichael and Brenda BenignoMollye and Joe BlackburnGloria BorrecaTom BrandinoNancy and Will BrownMichael and Carla ButtittaAnna CaflischRonald CaldareraMinnette CarrabbaJanice, Jessica and John M. CarrabbaEugene and Barbara ChiappettaPhilip L. Cimo, MDJoyce ColesJeff Corcorran and Lise ValbertDominic Cuccerre FamilyLarry and Claire CuccinielloD'Amico PropertiesAntonette Marie DannaMike and Angela DeRosaDavid and Rosemarie De VidoHarry and Shelley DearingDavid L. DeMaggioGary W. DeSerioThe DiFilippo FamilyDiana DiMartinoVincent and Margie DiPumaLouis & Elda DittaGloria Secontino DulworthBobby and Sandy Embesi, Jr.Fatica FamilyDr. Mike and Fran FeltovichRev. Nick FerrantinoLaura FerroDavid and Elaine FontaineBarney FrancesconEdith "Ada" FrancesconJoyce and Steve GalietteEdward GentempoJudy and Ron GirottoPam and Mike GrahamSandra Celli HarrisGloria and Frank KalmanJoseph A. Kramer, Jr.Marc LongoLara Longo GainesMario and Virginia LucchesiLee and Marsha MabritoJohn L and Louise MaidaRaymond Timoth MarinoVincent and Susan MarinoBernard and Linda MarinoJohn and Julie MastroianniArthur and Giovanna McEwenDr. Sam MendicinoGriff and Donna MercilliottRay and Maureen MillerMary MilloyTony and Gloria MontalbanoCarol Jean Mulrain

Nadolney Enterprises/Real EstateConnie NagleJosie and Fred NevillDiane Nizza and Federico Zegarra-BallonClint and Joanna PorcheCarolyn PanebiancoMarty and Angelo ParrishJudge David and Donna PatronellaCarmine Petrillo IIIJoAnn Pinkerton and FamilyFrank PizzitolaFranco PosaPaul PustizziSusan Randazzo- CurrieS.A. RooneyEmilia and Michael RumoreMr. and Mrs. Ross SalvaggioMary Ann Carrabba SamaniegoSchenk FamilyScott ThompsonSandy TimteStephen and Claudia SimsMichael Stein

Toby's Wholesale IceLen TrombettaDon and Diana VanDeLinderRoy and Dominique Varner

The Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston | 1101 Milford Street, Houston, Texas 77006 | 5

Notizie Settembre - Ottobre 2019 Volume XXVII, No 5 La Voce Italiana

"41 for 41"Campaign 2019

The Houston Italian Festival's 41 for 41 Fund-raising Campaign was kicked off in March with a letter to all members and friends of the ICCC. As of August 1, 2019, we have re-ceived $7,983 from 98 members and friends, totaling 195 units of $41, for an average of al-most $81 per donation. Please join with the current supporters and help us reach our goal of $10,000. We thank all of our donors listed below and look forward to receiving your donation soon. List of donors current as of date of printing.

"41 for 41" DONATION FORMName as it is to appear in La Voce:

Address:

City:

State: Zip:

Enclosed is my check for (Circle One):

$41 $82 $123 $164 $205 $246 $287 $328

Make checks payable to: Italian Cultural & Community Center

Mail to: 41st Houston Italian Festival - 1101 Milford Street, Houston, TX 7006

SEPTEMBER 2019

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

Labor Day

3 4 5 6 7

La Piccola Cucina 11:30 a.m.

8

Mass - 10:30 a.m.

Pasta Lunch - 11:30 a.m.

9 10 11

DOIH

12

IIAA

13 14

Rental

15 16 17

Board Meeting

18

Film 7:00 p.m.

19 20 21

22

Festival Blackout Begins

23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

6 | @iccchouston iccc.houston @iccchouston ItalianCultureHOU www.iccchouston.com

September 7 - La Piccola Cucina: Let's make Biscotti Cuor di Mela!La Piccola Cucina is a hands-on cultural culinary experience for children aged 3-10 years old. Children will wear chef aprons and toques and learn basic Italian language, the metric system and culture while preparing authentic Italian cuisine.

Our little chefs will be preparing Biscotti cuor di mela, delicious cookies filled with apples and cinnamon!

• Time: 11:30 a.m. | Price: $30 for Members and $45 for Non-Members Place: ICCC Houston

September 8 - Italian Mass and Pasta LunchJoin us every second Sunday of the month at 10:30 am for a Roman Catholic Mass which is said in both Italian and English. If you decide to stay after Mass, a delicious home-cooked pasta lunch is served for only $5 a plate (children 10 and under are free). Experience Mass, or just come for lunch, in a personal setting with family and friends.

• Time: Mass starts at 10:30 a.m., Lunch starts at 11:30 a.m. ($5 pasta lunch) | Place: ICCC Houston

September 18 - 2019 Contemporary Italian Film SeriesJoin us for the screening of Il tuttofare (The Handyman) directed by Valerio Attanasio. Plot: Antonio is a trainee lawyer who dreams of joining his mentor’s prestigious firm. But Salvatore “Toti” Bellastella, the Prince of the Forum, is also an exploitative tyrant! He asks Antonio for any kind of task: from being his assistant to driver, from paralegal to personal cook! When Antonio brilliantly passes the bar, he gets the offer of becoming a partner in the firm, but there is still one condition: he must marry Isabel, Toti’s lover, an Argentinian girl who needs her Italian citizenship. It looks like just another little “favor” for his boss. So Antonio accepts... and he’s really in a sea of trouble. • Time: 7:00 p.m. | Price: $10 for Members and $15 for Non-Members | Place: ICCC Houston

La Voce Italiana Volume XXVII, No 5 Settembre - Ottobre 2019 Eventi

September 7 $30 ICCC Members$45 Non-Members

The Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston | 1101 Milford Street, Houston, Texas 77006 | 7

OCTOBER 2019Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10

41st Houston

Italian Festival(5-10 p.m.)

11

41st Houston

Italan Festival(11 a.m. - 10 p.m.)

12

41st Houston

Italian Festival(11 a.m. - 10 p.m.)

13

41st Houston

Italian Festival(11 a.m. - 6 p.m.)

14 15 16 17 18 19

20

Festival Blackout Ends

21 22

Board Meeting

23

Settimana Della Lingua - Film

7 p.m.

24 25 26

Rental

27 28 29 30 31

Rental

October 10-13 - 41st Houston Italian Festival Join us at the University of St. Thomas for our 41st annual Festa Italiana, a celebration of all things Italian in the heart of Houston! The festival will feature live music, performances, authentic Italian food, wine and beer tastings, contests and activities for all ages, film screenings, and more! Visit www.houstonitalianfestival.com for the full schedule of events.

Mass will be held on the Festival grounds at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 13 instead of at the Milford House / ICCC.

Tickets are on sale online starting at $6. Free admission on Thursday and before 4 p.m. on Friday.

October 23 - Settimana della Lingua Italiana Come celebrate Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo (The Week of Italian Language in the World) with us! We will be showing Il Deserto Dei Tartari and we will talk about the Magic Realism in Dino Buzzati’s

works. The movie and lecture are part of the Week of Italian Language in the World. Plot of Il Deserto Dei Tartari: As his first assignment, lieutenant Drogo is sent to an isolated fortress on the borders of a desert and of a range of high mountains. The mission of the garrison is to prevent a possible incursion by the fearsome Tartars, coming from beyond the desert. Some fellow officers are eagerly awaiting an attack; some no longer want to believe in it; others take advantage of the vague threat to further their career. All of them are sacrificing everything -- health, youth, friends, family -- for a distant military ideal: leading the defense against the onslaught of the enemy. But in the vast emptiness surrounding the fortress, nobody has ever sighted the Tartars...

• Time: 7:00 p.m. | Price: Free event | Place: ICCC Houston

Eventi Settembre - Ottobre 2019 Volume XXVII, No 5 La Voce Italiana

houstonitalianfestival.com

8 | @iccchouston iccc.houston @iccchouston ItalianCultureHOU www.iccchouston.com

La Voce Italiana Volume XXVII, No 5 Settembre - Ottobre 2019 Notizie

2019 Sponsors of the Houston Italian FestivalOro ($2,500 to 4,999)

ABC 13FirriatoH-E-B

Houston PressIHeart Media

KHOU 11KPRC Houston LifeLeonetti Graphics

Max MoversPeroni Italy

Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer FoodsSysco Foods Inc.

Argento ($1,500 to 2,499)

Community Impact NewspaperCrowne Plaza Hotel River Oaks

Cusimano ArchitectDiPuma Printing and Promotional

Products Co.EV Houston Newspaper

Frost BankHouston Communications Inc.Hughes Watters Askanase, LLP

The Leader NewspaperLeonetti Graphics

Nick's Diesel ServiceProsperity Bank - Medical Center

Stefano Farina Imports LCC

Bronzo ($500 to 1,499)

2019 ICCC Board of Directors and Executive Director

365 Things to Do in HoustonAd Pages

Bernard Marino, Realtor SP – Keller Williams Memorial

Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services

Brenda and Michael BenignoClint and Joanna Porche

Controlled Air Services, Inc.D’Amico’s Italian Market Café

D’Amico PropertiesDaughters of Italian HeritageDavid and Rosemarie DeVido

Dettling Funeral HomeDitta Meat Food Service Company

Earthman Funeral DirectorsFurlan and Echeverria Families

Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral DirectorsHouston on the Cheap

Italy in America AssociationJohn and Julie Mastroianni

Joseph D’Addesio, M.D.Livia Bornigia and Carl Scott

Louis Ditta Family in Memory of Carl DittaMargie and Vincent DiPumaMarita and Angelo Parrish

Mauree and Nicholas MartinoNancy and Bill Brown

Paul and Linda Coselli FamilyPelletizer Knives, Inc.

Ray and Maureen Miller in honor of Josephine Colangelo

Stephen and Claudia SimsTerri and Greg Ebel

Texas Worldwide Insurance AgencyThe Dental StudioThe Epoch TimesThe Greco Family

Toby’s Wholesale Ice and Ronnie Cal-darera Family

Troiani Law FirmUnite Club

Wayne Duddlesten Foundation in Honor of Margie DiPuma

Patrons ($100 to 499)

Amalfi Ristorante Italiano and BarAntica Osteria

Bollo Woodfired PizzaCampioni’s RestaurantCarrabba’s (Champion)

Divino Restaurant and Wine BarGiacomo Cibo e Vino

Hasta La Pasta (Katy, Texas)Piola Midtown

Prego Italian RestaurantPrima Pasta Italian Restaurant

Roma, an Italian Eatery

List complete as of date of printing

For sponsorship information:Contact Ray Miller, Executive Director

(713) 524-4222 ext. 3 or emailinfo@iccchouston.com

orAlessandra Pistone, Business Director

The following organizations and individuals have committed to the success of the 41st Houston Italian Festival:

Stella ($25,000+)

Diamante ($10,000 to 24,999)

Platino ($5,000 to 9,999)

The Houston Italian Festival is funded in part by the City of Houston through the

Houston Arts Alliance.

Rosso Conero (or simply Conero) is one of the 12 DOC zones in the southern part of the Marche region, in central Italy. The wine must be made from at least 85 percent Montepulciano. Up to 15 percent Sangiovese may be added, though this option is rarely taken.

It is a powerful and full-bodied red, characterized by its concentrated color and firm tannins. It provides intense aromas and flavors of black cherries and Mediterranean herbs. To achieve its full potential it generally requires a little ageing.

Awarded its DOC classification in 1967, this production zone covers a small area on the slopes of Mount Conero, south-west of Ancona between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines. Its vineyards sit on mineral-rich chalky and clay soils which, combined with a continental climate, provides an ideal terroir for the cultivation of vines.

Located in the Ancona province, it is promoted as a coastal red wine appellation. However very few vineyards face eastwards to the sea. Instead they face other points of the compass on slopes which shelter the vines from maritime climate influences.

The Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston | 1101 Milford Street, Houston, Texas 77006 | 9

Beef Tagliata - Tagliata di ManzoDomenica Cooks - http://www.domenicacooks.com/recipes/tagliata-di-manzo-beef-tagliata/

In cucina con gli italiani

Pair it with: Rosso Conero Wine

Directions

1. Remove the meat from the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking to bring it to room temperature.

2. Bash the rosemary with the palm of your hand on the chopping board to release the essential oil, and drop it in a small jug or bowl with the olive oil to infuse for 1 hour.

3. Heat a grill pan to maximum heat (see NOTE). Season the meat with salt and brush over some of the rosemary-infused oil. When the pan begins to smoke, turn down the heat just a little and place the steak in the pan.

4. Cook for 4 minutes on each side, turning every 2 minutes, then cook for a further 2 minutes (on the bone side if using a bone-in cut), holding the steak upright with a pair of tongs. Transfer the meat to a plate, pour over the rest of the rosemary-infused oil and cover with aluminum foil to rest for 4-6 minutes.

5. Slice the meat into 1.5 cm- (1/2 inch-) thick pieces, season with freshly ground pepper and salt flakes and serve topped with fresh arugula, shaved parmigiano, and the juices left over from resting the meat.

Ingredients• 800 g (1 lb. 12 oz) sirloin

or rib-eye steak, about 4 cm (1 1/2 in) thick

• 1 rosemary sprig

• 125 ml (1/2 cup) extra-virgin olive oil, preferably Tuscan

• Freshly ground black pepper and flaky sea salt to taste

• 1 handful arugula, to serve

• Shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano, to serve

Think of this as a less daunting version of bistecca alla fiorentina, that classic, gargantuan grilled and sliced Tuscan steak. Emiko Davies, author of "Florentine," suggests sirloin or rib-eye as a suitable cut. Be sure all your ingredients, especially the meat, are top quality; this simple preparation really makes them shine. Emiko suggests good crusty bread as an accompaniment.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-rosso+conero

In Cucina Settembre - Ottobre 2019 Volume XXVII, No 5 La Voce Italiana

Vineyards, coast and Monte Conero, ©Tenuta Moroder

During the weekend of July 19th-21st, eight of us enjoyed the Heritage Italian Festa in Baton Rouge, LA. What a fun-filled weekend with a meet and greet on Friday night. The local weatherman stomped grapes while providing his weather forecast live on TV. On Saturday morning we had a bocce ball tournament and Bob and I made it into the quarter finals beating Fr. Russo (a ringer) and his teammate. After Mass at the cathedral in the afternoon, we attended the dinner show featuring Lena Prima, Louie’s daughter, and her band. What a fabulous night! She sang many of her dad's tunes and four of the Baton Rouge Italians got up to sing back up and dance to, “I’m Just A Gigolo”! Sunday brought a full day of the Baton Rouge Heritage Italian Festa at the Marriott which was free to the public. Lena and her band performed again throughout the day. What a great weekend!

On July 25, 2019, IIAA held a Happy Hour at Maggiano’s Restaurant on Post Oak Boulevard. It was a pleasure to come together to share summer stories.

On August 7th, IIAA held its annual Ferragosto dinner at Mandola’s Deli on Leland St. We had the restaurant to ourselves and had a wonderful time with great and plentiful food and prices. Our social meetings reconvene at the ICCC at 7pm on September 12th. We will have Louis Aulbach and Linda Gorski discuss the Emperor Constantine’s Construction Projects in Rome. We will start with Italian food and drink, then the program will allow time for socializing prior and post. Come join us and see how much fun you will have. We always welcome new members and if you are interested, membership is only $50 for single and $75 for a family membership for the year. This is a bargain as we don’t charge for our meetings once you are a member.

There will be no meeting in October as we enjoy supporting and volunteering at the Festa Italiana. Contact Betty at bettyrelaw@gmail.com for more information. Membership forms can be downloaded on the ICCC website under IIAA. CIAO!

Unite is now gearing up for Festa Italiana in October. If anyone is interested in working the Sausage Booth please

contact me. We need all the help we can get. Gerry (713) 526-4239.

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ICCC clubs and organizations

Italy in America Association (IIAA)By Betty Donellan, president

Amiketos club members are enjoying the summer with travel and high school and college graduations.

Blake Romero, grandson of Marlene Romero, graduated as valedictorian from Tompkins HS, Katy, May 2019. He received a scholarship to attend the University of Texas majoring in computer science, robotics, and artificial intelligence. All the Best. Blake!

Carolyn and Jerome D’Anna’s grandson Gerald is currently in North Carolina after a month of training in California. He will have another month of training before deployment to the Middle East. This will be his second deployment. Please keep Gerald and his squad in your prayers.

Congratulations to Joe and Marylyn Colonnette’s grandson Cameron Devers upon receiving his master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Cameron is residing in Dallas, Texas. Minnette Carrabba and her family traveled to Annapolis, Maryland for the graduation of her grandson Lucian Rombado from the US Naval Academy. His major is Cyber Warfare and he will be stationed in Augusta, Georgia.

Please keep the following in your prayers: Bonita Doss and Bernadine Orlando as they are both recuperating from surgery. Joe Colonnetta is recovering from a cornea graft.

AmiketosBy Minnette Carrabba | Rosalie Brandino, president

UniteBy Gerry Barone, president

La Voce Italiana Volume XXVII, No 5 Settembre - Ottobre 2019 ICCC Clubs

Wednesday, September 18 - October 23

$202.50 ICCC Members $225 Non members

Italian business Class Are you looking to learn Italian for business purposes? Then this class is for you! Whether you need to speak to a client in his/

her mother tongue or you simply would like to learn basic business words, this 6-week class will give you all the help you need to be

more effective in your communication skills.To register email School@houstonitaliancenter.com or call

713.524.4222 ext. 2

The Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston | 1101 Milford Street, Houston, Texas 77006 | 11

Ads Settembre - Ottobre 2019 Volume XXVII, No 5 La Voce Italiana

ICCC Staff Directory

Ray Miller Executive Director 713-524-4222 ext. 3

info@iccchouston.com

Erika Myers Programs and Event Director

713-524-4222 ext. 7 programevents@iccchouston.com

Alessandra Pistone Business Director

713-524-4222 ext. 6 accounting@iccchouston.com

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713-524-4222 ext. 4 marketing@iccchouston.com

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A delicious afternoon of Food, Fun and Festivities for the entire family!

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ENJOY Book Signing, Premium Wines, Delicious

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la voce italiana

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La Voce Italiana Team

The Italian Cultural & Community Center is funded in part by the City of Houston

through the Houston Arts Alliance.

Contributors

Ilaria Verunelli

Erika Myers

Gerry Barone

Minnette Carrabba

Ray Miller

Betty Donellan

Peter Scalzitti

Mégane Primault

La Voce Italiana Volume XXVII, No 5 Settembre - Ottobre 2019 Sponsorships

Support the ICCC by enrolling in Amazon-Smile. Amazon-Smile is a simple way for you to support the center every time you shop and at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to your favorite charitable organization. Whether you currently have an Amazon account or not, visit Amazon-Smile, follow the directions, and please, make sure to select the Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston as your designated charity.