GEEK Goddess - Fra Noi

51 Pages·2011·27.27 MB·English

embrace your inner italiaN™
GEEK
Goddess
KALEY CUOCO
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Ageless Actor 33 Cinematic Siren 27 Folk Phenom 21 Mission: Uffizi 39
(cid:2) RAISING KIDS ITALIAN IN AMERICA
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(cid:2) THE BEST ARANCINI IN TOWN
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A
new era
Begins
by Paul Basile
Spring is a season of renewal, and Piemontese winemaker, Dolores Sen-
nowhere is that more apparent than in nebogen celebrates the cuisine of Sicily,
the pages of the new Fra Noi. Our vener- and Jim Distasio samples the area’s best
able publication now boasts a brilliant arancini and revels in the bounty of a
new design, a convenient new fledgling Italian
size, and a host of new features restaurant. spirit, and photographer Jerry Daliege
aimed at expanding our reach Our Commu- and proofreader Jean Ives continue to
and appeal. Allow me to take nity section is share their talents with us.
you on a brief guided tour. filled with items I’d like to pause to thank all of the
In Voices, Nick Orichuia about noteworthy above for working so hard to ease the
comments on the dizzy circus Italian Americans, transition from newspaper to magazine,
that is Italy, Cara Zia helps read- and in our Italian- and for making our inaugural issue so
ers tackle life’s challenges, and spectacular.
Theresa Amato shares her The lion’s share of the credit for
thoughts on raising children Ital- this miraculous transformation goes
ian in America. to Fra Noi Creative Director Mary
Reviews includes close read- Racila, who has been working tire-
ings of recent books by Fred Gar- lessly for months, and literally 24/7
daphe and Judy Testa, offbeat for the last several weeks to create
takes on Italian fashion by Mary the masterpiece you hold in your
Racila, and incisive musical analyses by language sec- hands. She has truly performed
Mary as well as Arielle Basile. tion, Nicola above and beyond the call of duty,
In People, you’ll find profiles of Orichuia and she can’t be thanked enough.
Geek goddess Kaley Cuoco by Jim Dista- shares news None of the above would have
sio and indefatigable Ernie Borgnine by and views been possible without the support of
Otto Bruno, and interviews with leg- about life in the members of the Fra Noi board,
endary bassist Nick Macri by Lou Car- Italy as well who took a huge chance over a year
lozo, Sicilian film siren Maria Grazia as profiles ago and green-lighted a groundbreak-
Cucinotta by Jeannine Guilyard, Italian from yesteryear and today. Parting Shot ing proposal based on their faith in the
pop sensation Roy Paci by Nick closes out the issue with a peek inside folks above. If you like what you see,
Orichuia, and Chicago Bulls backup for- the intriguing trulli of Alberobello. please know that, in no small measure,
ward Brian Scalabrine by Elena Ferrarin. The latest from Fra Noi columnists you have Dan Corrado, Tony Fornelli,
In Features, Judy Testa helps visitors Leonard Amari, CJ Martello, Dan Rich Gatto, Joe Gentile, Amy Mazzolin,
survive the Uffizi and introduces a Ren- Niemiec and Tina Valentino are spot- Tony Spina and Ron Turano to thank for
aissance seductress, while Lionel Bottari lighted on Page 74 and run in their full it.
and Jean Parisi follow Giufà to Heaven form on our glorious new website. (If you As proud as I am of the new Fra Noi,
and back, and Tina Valentino goes to bat haven’t had a chance to visit the new I know it will always be a work in
for Father Samuel Mazzuchelli. Lucyann www.franoi.com, please do. You won’t progress. Nothing is so great that it can’t
Murray will continue to tag team with believe your eyes!) be improved upon. But to make that hap-
Judy Testa on the history front, and Bob The work of longtime correspon- pen, I need your input. So tell me. How
Cimbalo will once again grace our pages dents Charles P. Pecoraro and the Rev. do you like the new Fra Noi? Let me
with his art in the near future. P.R. Alessandrini no longer grace the know via e-mail at [email protected].
In Cuisine, Dick Rosano introduces a pages of Fra Noi, but they are with us in Sempre avanti!
4 April 2011 FRA NOI
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have to offer. 20 MUSIC
PUBLISHERAnthony J. Fornelli BOARD OF DIRECTORS 42 History 88 Health
EDITOR Paul Basile Paul Basile, Daniel D. Corrado, VOICES 46 Folk Tales 89 Contractors Menotti mastered two worlds
Anthony Fornelli, Richard Gatto,
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Fred Gardaphe 13 Italian Circus 48 Insight 90 Gifts 25 LOU&A
Joseph Gentile, Amy Mazzolin, • Outstanding music, film and books
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mary Racila Anthony Spina, Sen. Renato Turano 14 Cara Zia Macri covers the bases
PROOFREADER Jean Ives • Sensational recipes and wines 15 Vita Bella Stories CUISINE IN ITALIANO
ATTORNEY & REGISTERED AGENT
OFFICE MANAGER Arielle Basile Anthony F. Spina • Travel tips and perfect gifts 51 Wine 93 Di Questi Tempi 31 SPORTS
ILLUSTRATOR Jean Parisi REVIEWS 53 Recipes 94 Circo Italia Scalabrine waits in the wings
REPORTER Nicola Orichuia CORRESPONDENTS • Daily news updates from Italy 17 Fashion 56 Favorites 95 Panorama
Leonard Amari, Theresa Amato, Arielle Basile, 42 HISTORY
ADDRESS: 3800 Division St. Lionel Bottari, Otto Bruno, Louis Carlozo, • Soccer stats and standings 18 Books 59 Dining 96 Personaggi
Stone Park, IL 60165(cid:0) Jim Distasio, Elena Ferrarin, Jeannine Guilyard, 20 Music 60 Food Court Renaissance seductress
PH: 708-338-0690(cid:0) Linda Grisolia, CJ Martello, Lucyann Murray, • Videos that celebrate our heritage PARTING SHOTS
51 WINE
FX: 708-338-0699 Daniel Niemiec, Dr. Dennis Pietrini, Dick Rosano, … and so much more PEOPLE COMMUNITY 98 Alberobello
TWITTER: @franoi FB: Fra Noi(cid:0) (cid:0) Dolores Sennebogen, Judith Anne Testa, Pride of the Piedmont
E-MAIL: [email protected](cid:0) Tina Valentino, Nina Albano Vidmer, David Witter 23 Newsmakers 67 Highlights
WEB:www.franoi.com(cid:0) VOLUNTEERS JCCIA West Suburban Women’s Div. Embrace your inner ItalianTM. 25 Lou&A 75 Artbeat 59 DINING
27 Cinema 76 Calendar
Periodicals & postage paid at Melrose Park, IL. Visit www.franoi.com The bounty of Ceres’ Table
29 Personaggi 76 Novenas
POSTMASTER:Send address changes to FRA NOI, 3800 Division St., Stone Park, IL 60165
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FRA NOI (ISSN 10914218) is published monthly at $19 per year by Fra Noi Inc. 3800 Di-
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vision Street, Stone Park, IL 60165. Copyright ©2011, Fra Noi, Inc. All rights reserved. The
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and a trademark for “Embrace Your Inner Italian” have been applied for by Fra Noi Inc. FRA NOI April 2011 7
STARTERS Cool Stuff
< PEDDLE PALS
(cid:4)
Renowned bike manufacturer
Colnago and legendary carmaker
Ferrari have joined forces to
produce the CF-7. This limited-
edition carbon road bike is
chocked full racy components,
including the Campagnolo Super
Record system and Ferrari-
Colnago patented carbon fiber
wheels. www.colnago.com
TESTA DURA
(cid:4)
Fusing safety and fashion, the Ferrari
Rosso Open Face Helmet is handmade
in Italy by New Max. It features a wrap-
around visor, scratch-resistant finish
and DuPont hypoallergenic fabric.
www.newmax.it
TRACK TIME (cid:4)
Accuracy and functionality
make Ferrari’s Lap Time watch
the ideal all-round, high-
performance chronograph.
http://store.ferrari.com
HOT WHEELS(cid:4)
Segway and Ferrari have
teamed up to create a limited- TOP SPEED(cid:4)
edition i2 Personal Transporter.
For years, Ferrari has Get his pony racing
used Segways to travel with Ferrari’s signature bikini,
around their Maranello complete with the trademark
factory, and it was only prancing horse logo
matter of time before emblazoned in red below.
they put their own http://store.ferrari.com
stamp on it.
http://store.ferrari.com
BUON COMPLEANNO(cid:4)
Built to celebrate the 80th birthday
of Ferrari’s design partner, Pininfarina,
the 2011 SA Aperta purrs like a kitten
with its 661-hp, V-12 engine.
Only 80 will be built, and sorry,
all are spoken for.
www.caranddriver.com
FRA NOI April 2011 9
y
o
Italy STARTERS n j
E
(cid:4) PSYCHIC SNOOP
One of Italy’s best-loved comic
book characters will appear in film
form around the world, including
the United States. Omnilab Media NEW
will release “Dylan Dog: Dead of THE
Night” in April. Directed by Kevin
Munroe, the film is an adaptation
of the best-selling series created by
Tiziano Sclavi for Italian publish-
ing powerhouse Sergio Bonelli Edi-
FRA NOI!
tore. “Dylan
Dog” follows a
paranormal in-
vestigator as he
flees from Lon-
don to New
York to escape
his nightmare
y
world. It SPECIAL l $15.00
‘GREEN’ BLUES n
doesn’t take (cid:4) O PER
long, though, The Italian government is looking to sig-
YEAR
for the undead nificantly scale back on renewable en-
to track him ergy incentives that for years have fueled
down. the country’s drive to become more
“green.” The downshift coincides with a
renewed effort to reintroduce nuclear en-
ergy to Italy after it was voted out in
DYNAMIC DUO (cid:4) 1987 by popular referendum. The one-
two punch has environmentalists warn-
Fiat has been positioning itself in re-
ing of grave repercussions to both !
cent years as an arbiter of Italian
e
style. Now it has teamed up with employment and national credibility. i
z
fashion powerhouse Gucci for a lim- a
ited series of high-end Fiat 500s. On r
sale only from April 1 and June 30, the G
auto comes in white or black with the tradi-
tional Gucci green-and-red band running down
the flank, with double-G logos shining on the
wheel hubs. The interiors are even more heav-
ily Gucci-marked, with the brand’s stripe and
logo emblazoned across the leather seats.
BEAR DOWN
(cid:4)
The nearly extinct Marsican brown bear has
failed to increase its numbers despite legal
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protection and diminished pressure from
poachers. The latest census found that just 50
Marsican bears still exist in the wild, and are
largely confined to the National Park of … for current, gift, lapsed & new subscribers!
Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise. The number has
not budged since a 2008 census, though the
bears have managed to hang on for decades THIS IS THE FIRST OF THREE NOTICES. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
despite near-extinction levels. A 1969 census
You can renew an existing subscription for as many as 3 years at the special rate, even if you recently renewed at the regular rate.
counted 60 bears.
If your subscription is paid for by an Italian-American organization, please DO NOTtake advantage of this special offer.
10 April 2011 FRA NOI Gift recipients will be notified by mail. Please allow up to 6 weeks for the start of a new or gift subscription. EXPIRES JULY 1, 2011.
VOICES Italian Circus
Musical chair
masters
by Nicola Orichuia
Despite all the chit-chat, rumors and backs. There were — and still are — ru- find one comfortable enough. The
actual facts swirling around Prime Minis- mors of legislators being paid to mayor of Rome between 1993
ter Silvio Berlusconi’s reportedly red-hot switch sides. Domenico Scilipoti and 2001, Rutelli started off his
parties with underage girls, it seems the was one of the most talked-about political career with the Italian
more he gets into trouble, the stronger deputies last December, when the Radical party when he was 23,
his grip on the role of prime minister be- government was facing a crucial and gradually made his way up
comes. confidence vote that to the Chamber of Deputies in
It’s somewhat of an Italian tradition: could have ended the 1983. Six years later, he shifted
politicians clinging tenaciously to the legislature. Seized by gears and helped start the environ-
post in a perpetual game of musical a sense of national re- mentalist Verdi movement. After
chairs. Some, like Berlusconi, are better sponsibility, or so he his mayoral stint, Rutelli ran
than others, having been in the game for said, Scilipoti de- against Berlusconi in 2001, but
much longer. But even fledgling legisla- cided to bounce from lost. That defeat took him through
tors seem to know their way around left to right, leaving be- nine long years with the cen-
when it comes to holding on to a parlia- hind the anti-Berlus- ter-left, and in 2006 he co-
mentary seat, which many of them feel coni Italia dei Valori founded the Partito
they occupy by divine party and creating a new group allied Democratico, which is still
mandate. And who can with the Berlusconi coalition: The Re- today the largest opposition force in
blame them for cling- sponsibles. The switch on Scilipoti’s Parliament. But his notorious inability to
ing? They’re the website took a little more time, and stay in one place for too long got the bet-
proud owners of a some Internet users were quick to har- ter of him in late 2009, when he aban-
prestigious title, and vest screenshots of the website be- doned the PD to start a small centrist
the money isn’t bad fore and after: A Berlusconi movement called Alleanza per l’Italia
either: 11,200 euro per demonizer in the first, a crusader alongside several other “political fugi-
month (about $14,500, against his ex-party Italia dei Valori in tives.”
of which only half is the second. Perhaps the most tenacious of seat
taxed) plus a 4,000 euro Another recent clingers is Cosimo Mele. In July 2007, the
bonus for time spent in defection was that Unione di Centro representative from
Rome and another 4,700 of Gianfranco Fini Puglia was caught in a downtown Rome
euro to pay various from Berlusconi’s hotel with a prostitute who was hospi-
assistants. Taken in Partito della Libertà, talized for overdosing on cocaine. Al-
combination with a few which Fini co- though it remains unclear whether
extra budgetary perks, a founded before the 2008 elec- Mele used drugs, his life
senator or deputy in Italy can pull down tions. Unhappy with the was certainly in ruins. The
up to 258,000 euro annually (over direction the government was UdC dumped him, and his
$330,000). No small wonder it’s a job no- taking, Fini — who is president wife, who at the time of
body wants to leave. Hence, the game of of the Chamber of Deputies — the scandal was in a hospi-
musical chairs whenever someone senses decided after the summer tal giving birth to their sec-
they’re about to be dumped by their of 2010 to walk away ond daughter, divorced him
party. from his previous political three years later. Mele had
The current Berlusconi government base, holding on tightly to his the strength to hold on to his parliamen-
has been in power for three years, during Chamber presidency in the process. tary position nevertheless, remaining in
which it has experienced numerous de- Another master of musical chairs is the chamber for 10 months until the end
fections, additions, betrayals and come- Francesco Rutelli, who can never seem to of the legislative session.
FRA NOI April 2011 13
Cara Zia VOICES VOICES Vita Bella Stories
Put a Passing
STOP
the
torch
TO IT!
by Zia Maria by Theresa Amato
Cara Zia, Dear Baffled, My mother’s favorite curse when I tures who lived somewhere in the base- vanni passed away first, when I was 13,
After a recent surgery, my There was a time when good was young and “cattiva” was: “May you ment. She was serene and patient. but I have outsized memories of him be-
doctor advised me that I have to manners were the norm, but it have a daughter as awful as you!” Nonno Achilles was a tailor. When cause of his gusto for life and practical
quit smoking or risk dire medical seems that those days are gone. Three decades later, I am delighted he would come home from the factory, jokes: He would encourage me when I
consequences. My husband I and When an invitation indicates a to report I have two. he would always tell me that he learned was small to wander around the card
are lifelong smokers and though deadline to RSVP, there is no ex- Isabella Rosina (Bella) and Vittoria more in the third grade in Italy than I table and report to him the hands his
I’ve asked him to support me, he cuse for guests to disregard the ated on dating losers. These guys have Teresina (Vita) are a total joy and I am friends held. He would wake everyone
continues to smoke in our home. host’s wishes or impose on their no real skills, hang out in bowling alleys so fortunate to have them. Single until up at the crack of dawn to make bread or
I’m thinking of a separation but hospitality. “Domandare è and bars, and adorn their bodies with 37 and devoted to my work, I wasn’t baba au rhum on the excuse that it was
don’t want to give him an ultima- lecito, rispondere è cortesia.” tattoos and metal. Her friends don’t have sure that motherhood awaited — even the poodle’s birthday.
tum. (Asking is permissible, answer- the same values as our family and she is though I had two wonderful Italian Nonna Teresa was “sempre nervosa.”
— Smokeless in Streamwood ing is good manners.) In the fu- transforming herself into a different per- grandmothers who were so keen for me She would worry about her son, a car-
ture, consider calling those who son. I don’t like the person she has be- to get married and have children. diac surgeon, and her two grandchildren.
Dear Smokeless, don’t respond to ensure they come but fear that if I don’t accept her These women shaped my character, When I was in Montessori, she worried
An ultimatum is don’t arrive without warning. new friends I will lose her. spending abundant time after school about how I should wear my hair. She
most certainly in Uninvited friends of friends — Displeased in Darien and on weekends with me and my worried about my dolls, making sure
order. If your hus- should be greeted brother John because both of our par- they (and I) wore the finest, hand-
band chooses ciga- warmly. (It’s not their Dear Displeased, ents worked. My maternal grandmother, stitched Italian outfits. She worried I
rettes over your health, fault that the mutual You don’t have to accept your daugh- Lucia, was the mother of four children, would meet “badda boys” and not
then it may be time to take a breather. friend is a cafone.) But ter’s poor choices. Insist that she do bet- with my mother, Rosina, being her only finish school. After I graduated
Both of you have to make a choice: If he there’s no harm in whisper- ter and stand firm. Ask her why she daughter. My paternal grandmother, had at any age. By way of proof, he law school and established my
remains insensitive to your medical con- ing to the offending friend as you join the thinks so little of herself that she would Teresa, was the mother of one child, my would ask me how much I had paid for career, she worried that I would
dition, you may very well have to move party, “I’ll just go add more water to the settle for someone who is so clearly un- dad, Giuseppe. He was born in Italy, but my blouse. No matter what I said, he never get married and have chil-
forward without him. “Morte tua, vita sugo.” Maybe he or she will get the hint. worthy of her. Keeping an open door for they both came here before World War II, would inspect the defects in the stitch- dren, adamantly declaring, “I
mia.” (It’s either you or me). If you re- — Zia Maria your daughter doesn’t mean that you remaining separated for nine years from ing and exclaim he could have made figli sono la gioia della vita.”
main with your smoking husband have to accept anyone who runs my paternal grandfather, Giovanni. 10, and better, for that price! Years in advance, she would
you could jeopardize your health, so counter to your family values. In grade school, my brother and I On the weekends, we would al- make baby dresses for the
your decision seems obvious. “Dimmi con chi vai, chi ti diro chi would go to Nonna Lucia’s house after most always visit my dad’s parents, for granddaughters she thought she
— Zia Maria sei.” (Show me the company you school and before my mom, an elemen- whom we were named. Nonna Teresa, an would never see! (How did she know
keep and I’ll tell you who you are.) tary school teacher, came home. We may outstanding seamstress, had run a dress they’d be girls?)
Cara Zia, Perhaps she’s acting out because she have been “latchkey kids,” but this drill shop in Bracigliano, Italy, before she My loving, sacrificing grandpar-
I’m frustrated with my disre- likes to push your button? She for us was an excellent adventure. It’s worked for years in the International ents would have relished the
spectful friends. I recently threw a needs to know that she has an obli- why my spouse and I, as working par- Ladies' Garment Workers’ Union at Hart chance to
party and sent invitations requesting gation to maintain her family name ents, make sure our daughters spend as Schaffner Marx. Nonno Giovanni, a spend
an RSVP so that I could prepare ac- and keeping good company is para- much time as possible while they grow mechanic, had owned a time
cordingly. I was extremely disap- mount. up with their grandparents. bus line connecting with
pointed by those friends who said — Zia Maria Nonna Lucia had 17 grandchildren. mountain towns be- their
they were coming then blew off the John and I were but two. She would al- tween Naples and great-
evening, and by those who didn’t RSVP Cara Zia, This column is written by Nina Albano ways have a meatball in some divine Salerno. Nearly granddaughters.
but showed up anyway, and others who I’m very concerned about my daugh- Vidmer. To submit questions for publi- sauce awaiting our return from grade every Sunday was So I write this column about raising chil-
showed up at the door with uninvited ter’s poor choices for male companion- cations, please send to Cara Zia, c/o school, and a treat in her omnipresent an adventure in dren “Italian in America” in memory of
guests! Are these people living on an- ship. She is a beautiful, kind and Fra Noi, 3800 Division Street, Stone apron. Nonna masqueraded her advice as their small Cicero them — for all the time they spent with
other planet? career-minded high schooler with so Park, IL 60165 or e-mail me at morality tales about Moustafa and Zan- apartment. us to make sure we had, and could pass
— Baffled in Barrington Hills much to offer, but somehow seems fix- [email protected]. zaza, the mysterious and naughty crea- Nonno Gio- on, an Italian-American upbringing.
14 April 2011 FRA NOI FRA NOI April 2011 15
REVIEWS Fashion
WAKE UP
As we bid addio to our dreary black-and-
white newspaper and welcome our vibrant
new magazine, it’s only fitting that we bring
back our fashion feature and showcase this
season’s sensational shades. Beauty captures
your attention, and so will these eye-popping
andLIVE!
spring colors. Brilliant blues, canary yellows
and outrageous oranges are the order of the
day. Some will instantly connect while others
may shy away. I admit it’s a big step for any-
one stuck in a grayscale rut. So my challenge
to you is this: Ignite your own inner flair for
by Mary Racila the fabulous!
(cid:4)BLUES IN ALL HUES
It’s official, we have a Code Blue! Miu Miu flashes
her baby blues like lightning in an electric dress
that pays homage to the Orient. Rippling like a
river, Enrico Coveri’s layered gown puddles into a
perfect pastel pool. Definitely not a blue-light spe-
cial, Giorgio Armani’s mesmerizing indigo gown is
accessorized with a matching silk head wrap,
evening bag and strappy stilettos. Ermanno
Scervino happily sings the blues in this powder-
blue strapless mini-dress. Sharp edges and a fitted
bodice, accentuated with two rows of reversed ac-
cordion trim breathe life into an old standby.
(cid:4)CRUSHING ON ORANGE
Welcome to Orange County! While this shade
might be too juicy for some, Frank Sinatra said it
best: “Orange is the happiest color.” Blumarine is
a citric sensation in an all-out orange ensemble.
The complete package includes matching shoes,
bag, wrist wrap, jacket and miniskirt in leather and
silk. Looks can be deceiving, because BCBG’s or-
ange dress isn’t peeling. The free-form sheer silk
mini features flared open sleeves that gracefully
capture your every movement. Luca Luca is look-
ing lovely in a simple V-neck silk dress belted with
a thin decorative ribbon. Agent Orange reporting for
duty! Max Mara is sticking to business in a fitted
silk suit.
(cid:4)NOT-SO-MELLOW YELLOW
Catch the fever! With the popularity of yellow dia-
monds, marshmallow peeps, rubber duckies and
the Simpsons, you have to admit yellow is the way
to go. Gaetano Navarra earned his listing in the
Yellow Pages when he designed this casual yellow
tank dress. As good as gold, Max Mara struts her
stuff in a high-sheen A-line dress that gives off a
soft golden glow. Nina Ricci is one chic chick in
this spaghetti strap mini with matching Choos.
Looking like a walking bouquet of delightful daf-
fodils, Giambattista Valli works it in this sheer yel-
low mini-dress.
FRA NOI April 2011 17
E
Books REVIEWS merging Our REVIEWS Books
baseball
from s greats ers
w
e
hadows Br
the ee
k
u
a
w
Mil
e
by Fred L. Gardaphe by Judith Anne Testa h
of t
One of the best-kept secrets of Ital- skills with them to America, and drew If you’re an Italian American and a Although many Italian Americans y
es
ian-American culture is the power that from their experiences to create bases of baseball fan, this book is for you — a vol- over age 70 can recall personal encoun- urt
o
women have created and continue to power through which they supported ume that delivers what it promises: com- ters with anti-Italian prejudice, and every c
o
wield in their families and communities. each other as they contributed to the sur- prehensive coverage of Italian-American reader of this newspaper is well aware of ot
h
With her study “Living the Revolution: vival of their families. Enhancing tradi- ballplayers from the first one ever the stubborn endurance of negative Ital- P
Italian Women’s Resistance and Radical- tional sources through a lively use of oral recorded — named Ed Abbaticchio — ian stereotypes, Baldassaro’s book shows
ism in New York City, 1880-1945,” Smith histories, Guglielmo draws distinctions right up to the present. As the title im- how much more pronounced those prob-
College assistant professor Jennifer in the ways Argentina, Brazil and New plies, it goes WAY beyond (and before) lems were in the past. Ballplayers with
Guglielmo offers a commanding correc- York attempted to assimilate these work- DiMaggio, acquainting the reader with Italian names sometimes changed them
(cid:4)FROM THE AUTHOR tive to earlier images of immigrant ers, and how they in turn responded. dozens of lesser-known Italian-American to more American-sounding ones, partly (cid:4)FROM THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Guglielmo women as weak pawns in the larger In “The Racialization of Southern players, and covering the careers of fa- so sportswriters and announcers Lawrence Baldassaro
scheme of immigration. Written for stu- Italian Women,” she shows how immi- mous players of Italian origin other than wouldn’t stumble over spelling and pro-
“As in their homelands, Italian dents, scholars and the grant women were more the Yankee Clipper. Be- nunciation, but more “Just as their parents or grandpar-
immigrant women’s forms of general reader, “Living likely to be seen as help- yond that, the author often to conceal their ents had embarked on a difficult
protest and resistance were inde- the Revolution” is not less victims of circum- describes the social and ethnic identity and thus journey to the New World, the
pendent of formal organization women’s history so stances beyond their economic forces at escape being stereo- ballplayers … undertook their own
but embedded in their own neigh- much as it is more control. Guglielmo of- work in each of the pe- typed. Up through the difficult journey, one that took
borhood and kinship networks. fully developed Ameri- fers a great deal of evi- riods he covers, which 1940s, ethnic slurs di- them away from the Old World
Because most found jobs through can history. dence to show how makes the book a major rected at players with ways of their forebears to the un-
family and friends and worked in “Women’s Cul- these women countered contribution to both Italian names were part known territory of mainstream
factories located within or near tures of Resistance in such stereotypes, ob- sports history and cul- of the common cur- American life … They played be-
their neighborhoods, the work Southern Italy” opens taining the privileges of tural history. rency of sports writing, cause they loved the game and it
place was an important place the study, and shows “whiteness.” But this is by no and they reflected the was a way to make a living in a so-
where women built a sense of how migration chal- Her chapter “Sur- means an “academic” widespread anti-Italian ciety that for a long time did not
community. Women’s conversa- lenged traditional so- viving the Shock of Ar- book. Baldassaro’s writ- attitudes harbored by provide them with a wide range of
tions, songs, joke, complaints, and cial structures and rival and Everyday ing is a pleasure to Americans in general. opportunities. … It was baseball
shared dreams of a life without forced women to fill Resistance” sheds light read: crisp, economical, In addition to the that permitted them to enter the
backbreaking work and never- the voids created by on the way that Italian free of jargon, and en- author’s vivid writing public consciousness as something
ending struggle reinforced their the men who left first immigrant women livened by flashes of style, the organization other than organ grinders, un-
sense of collective identity.” in great numbers. “translated daily acts of humor. The author did of the book contributes skilled laborers, or mustachioed
Guglielmo finds acts of resistance and survival plenty of digging in the to its narrative momen- Mafiosi.”
power in the world of as they adapted to new newspaper files and sports periodicals of tum. Beginning with “The Pioneers,” we
Beyond DiMaggio:
mysticism and spirituality through settings.” Whether they were defying set- each era he covers, but he also uses the can follow the ascent of Italian-American
Living the Revolution
which women “created a counter-ideol- tlement house guidelines or reacting to extensive personal interviews he con- players from the early years of the 20th Italian Americans in Baseball
by Jennifer Guglielmo
ogy, an alternative way of understanding the conditions their children endured in ducted with Italian American ballplayers century into the 1930s — the era of the by Lawrence Baldassaro
(cid:2) Cost: $39.95 the world that permitted their own ex- U.S. social institutions, they were not and former ballplayers, as well as with first Italian-American stars, including with foreword by Dom DiMaggio
(cid:2) Pages: 404 pression, power and self-determination.” passive acceptors of forces beyond their others of Italian background connected to Chicago’s Phil Cavaretta. Then it’s on to (cid:2) Cost: $34.95
(cid:2) ISBN: 978-0-8078-3356-8 authOorn u tnhceo nveearrs sai driec hof h tihseto Arytl aonf tciocl, ltehce- cfoorn ntreowl. wSuacyhs oacf trse ssiesrtvaendc ea sa nfodu fnodr abtuioinlds- wbaesreeb caolln. dTuhcet efadc ot vthear ts tehvee rianlt edrevciaedwess tthhee Iptoalsita-wn-afirl leerda, lwinheeunp Joofe t DheiM Naegwgi Yo oarnkd (cid:2) Pages: 214
(cid:2) Visit: www.uncpress.unc.edu tive action taken by women through ing social and political networks that suggests that this is a long-nurtured proj- Yankees dominated baseball, and finally (cid:2) ISBN: 978-0-8032-1705-8
labor unions, cooperatives, anarchism served their needs in the new country. ect, a labor of love that’s at last come to into the modern era when the ethnic ori- (cid:2) Visit: www.nebraskapress.unl.edu
(cid:4) ALSO AVAILABLE (cid:4) and brigandage, proving that the “white Focusing on such ignored heroines fruition. Many of those interviewed have gin of players with Italian surnames
widows” of migrant men were anything as Maria Roda, Ernestina Carvallo, Ninfa since died, so the record of their words ceased to be an issue. (cid:4) ALSO AVAILABLE (cid:4)
but passive in their adjustment to life Baronio, and Angela and Maria Bambace, now has even greater value. The way the Through the stories of Italian-Ameri-
Are Italians White? Ted Williams:
without male supervision. Guglielmo offers compelling counter-sto- author interweaves the larger historical can baseball players — some famous,
How Race is Made in America Reflections on a Splendid Life
In “La Sartrina (The Seamstress) Be- ries to previous work that left the contri- picture with the lives and specific, vivid some modestly successful and some for-
Co-edited with Salvatore Salerno
comes a Transnational Labor Migration,” butions of these and many more women personalities of Italian-American gotten — Baldassaro brings to life what Ed Abbaticchio:
Guglielmo shows how young women, ed- in the darkness of American historical ballplayers is a particular strength of the Italian Americans have endured and, just Italian Baseball Pioneer
ucated by their elders, brought their registers. book. as important, what they’ve achieved.
Want more reviews? Visit www.franoi.com Want more reviews? Visit www.franoi.com
18 April 2011 FRA NOI FRA NOI April 2011 19