This issue is sponsored by
ISABELLA BRIDAL and DA MIMMO RISTORANTE. 

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22 GENNAIO
 2015
I REMEMBER WHEN ...
 

"I was born there and delivered by a midwife on October 26, 1930. I was the first born in the house (I think Mr. Matricianni owned it) next to the priest's house. The midwife (my father said she lived in Highlandtown) came to the house for two weeks after the birth to help my mother with her first child." 

~ LUCY VECERA, Marriottsville MD 

 

 
Share YOUR memory of 'growing up in Little Italy' 
in a BRIEF paragraph to info@LittleItalyMD.com. 
 
NEWS FROM ...
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photo of sign
Promotion Center for Little Italy donated this new sign for the exterior of St. Leo's Church, to replace an outdated one.
 

 

HELPING ST. LEO'S 

In addition to donating the sign above, Promotion Center for Little Italy also has donated $256 for the parish to purchase a new Paschal Candle for the altar to use during the Easter season, funerals and baptisms. 

 

 

FUN PASTA FUNDRAISER
Our 4th annual FUN PASTA fundraiser in December generated a small profit of $133. Thank you to those of you who ordered the pasta products.

 

MAKE YOUR 2015 DONATION HERE undefined 

Promotion Center for Little Italy is a 100% VOLUNTEER operated organization. General donations for this 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization are accepted at any time. Please click the 'donate' button to make your 2015 contribution to be used for general operating expenses as we promote activities and events of Saint Leo's, Pandola Learning Center, Little Italy Lodge, bocce, neighborhood businesses, and other components of The Neighborhood. Any amount helps!


THE BOOK IS ALMOST HERE! PUBLICATION DATE - FEBRUARY 23
book"BALTIMORE'S LITTLE ITALY: History and Heritage of The Neighborhood"

book cover
Before outdoor films, mouth watering cuisine and the spectacle of bocce brought thousands of visitors to its streets, Baltimore's Little Italy was a haven for generations of immigrants. With Saint Leo's Church at its heart, The Neighborhood is a place where lifelong friendships are forged and nicknames are serious business. The community still celebrates the Feast of Saint Anthony Italian Festival in tribute to the saint who was credited with saving the neighborhood from the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904. As sons went to the front during both world wars, families pulled together during the hard times. With memories of beloved local figures like Marion "Mugs" Mugavero and artist Tony DeSales, interviews with lifelong locals and a few classic recipes, author Suzanna Rosa Molino creates a spirited history of this enduring Italian community. 

  • LITTLE ITALY LODGE - Friday, February 27 (5-8 pm; Friday Night Dinner) To enter the lodge for this book signing, you do not have to purchase a dinner.) 
    A portion of the evening's book sales will be donated to the Little Italy Lodge.
  • ST. LEO'S SCHOOL HALL - Sunday, March 1 (12-6 pm; Ravioli Dinner)
    A portion of the day's book sales will be donated to Saint Leo's Church.
  • OSTERIA DA AMEDEO - Tuesday, March 3 (5:30-7:30pm) Happy Hour
This title by Suzanna Molino, director of Promotion Center for Little Italy, is now on the press at The History Press, a publisher in South Carolina. They will release the book February 23, 2015 at which time it will be available to order through History Press website and most places books are sold ($19.99; 160 pages).
 
Questions? Email suzannamolino@LittleItalyMD.com. 
 

From SAINT LEO'S ... the heart of The Neighborhood  
photo of St. Leo's
2015 MAIN EVENTS
March 1 
Ravioli & Spaghetti Dinner 
June 6-7
Feast of Saint Anthony Festival 
August 15-16
Feast of St. Gabriele Festival 
November 1
Ravioli & Spaghetti Dinner

GOAL EXCEEDED - In the 2014 Archbishop's Annual Appeal, Saint Leo the Great parish exceeded its goal by 137%, being one of only 27% percent of the parishes statewide that met and exceeded their goals. Saint Leo's receives partial money back from the Archdiocese that comes out of the Annual Appeal. For your support and generosity, a huge thanks is extended to those who donated to the campaign through Saint Leo's.  
 
TIME TO MAKE THE RAVIOLI! 
February 7 and February 14. Volunteers do not have to know how to make ravioli - you will be taught. Just be prepared to have FUN! No signup is necessary - just show up around 9 am in Saint Leo's School Hall, 911 Stiles Street. Usually the process is finished around 1 pm, then a complimentary lunch is served. IF INCLEMENT WEATHER: If Baltimore County cancels its activities for the day, the ravioli making will be cancelled and a makeup day will be announced.   

TIME TO ROLL THE MEATBALLS! 
Saturday February 28 at 9am. Same info above including a complimentary lunch. 

CAN YOU SERVE AT THE RAVIOLI DINNER? 
Saint Leo's has the best volunteers and the best ravioli dinner in town. Let's connect the two! Now taking contact information for volunteer waitresses, bartenders, cannoli makers, coffee servers, busers, raffle sellers, game wheel operators, tray carriers, jewelry sellers, and runners (great for kids!). Shift is 11:15am to 6pm for the Sunday, March 1 Ravioli & Spaghetti Dinner (12noon-6pm). Email volunteer coordinator, Sue Corasaniti, with your contact information and your serving preference. This is a great opportunity for students to gain community service hours. This event is one of St. Leo's largest fundraisers that assists the parish with its daily operating expenses. The November dinner netted $22,000!

VISIT ST. LEO'S
WEBSITE

saintleorcc.com 
JOIN ST. LEO'S
EMAIL LIST

info@LittleItalyMD.com  

(SUBJECT LINE: St. Leo's)

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ST. LEO'S Like us on Facebook

BANALITA' (trivia)
 artist's rendition St. Leo's Church
When was the first Mass
at St. Leo's? 

The first Mass celebrated at St. Leo the Great in Little Italy was on January 23, 1881 even before the church was fully constructed. The parishioners were so excited to finally have their own Italian parish, they begged their pastor, Reverend Joseph Leo Andreis, to say a Mass in the basement of the church since that part was already constructed. The first altar boys to serve the parish (during this same Mass) were Eugene Pessagno and Frank Valentini.
BLAST FROM THE PAST

 
Submitted by Ray Alcaraz, Baltimore

sitting L-R: Lucy Pompa, Angie D'Amico, Molly Verdeccia, Ida Nini, Ronnie Sapia
standing: Mary Hock, Mary Flamini, Vince Pompa, Eleanor Apicella, Maryann Boggio-Alcaraz, man with mustache unidentified, Rosie Savalino, Edna Sapia, Josie Costello. 

vintage photo  
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UPCOMING ELECTIONS

At the FEBRUARY 17 general membership meeting, the Lodge will hold elections for all council positions. Please consider serving one of the positions. Members, please attend and cast your ballot. To vote, you must have paid your 2015 membership dues.


FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS (5-8pm - $11)   

  • JAN 23  linguine w/ broccoli
  • JAN 30  chicken cacciatore/pasta

GET YOUR COPY OF THE BOOK ON THE HISTORY OF LITTLE ITALY 

Friday, February 27, 5-8pm during the Friday Night Dinner. A portion of the evening's book sales will be donated to the Little Italy Lodge. See details above. You do not need to buy a dinner to visit the book signing table. 

 

SAVE THE DATE! Little Italy Lodge annual Oyster/Bull Roast, Sunday, February 22, 1-5 p.m. 
 
HAVE YOU PAID YOUR 2015 MEMBERSHIP DUES?  
$40 for renewals; $65 new members (with completed application). Payable and mailed to: 
LITTLE ITALY LODGE #2286 
905 E. Pratt Street 
Little Italy, MD 21202 
Attn: Nancy Barbieri Wolfe 

 
RESTAURANT ROW & business blurbs 

Baltimore developer Workshop Development LLC has the shuttered Della Notte restaurant in Little Italy under contract with plans to demolish it and build a 14-story building in its place.

 

DELLA NOTTE SITE IN LITTLE ITALY SLATED FOR 15-STORY APARTMENT TOWER: A Baltimore developer is planning to replace the shuttered Della Notte restaurant at Eastern Avenue and President Street with a 15-story apartment tower in the next two years. The tower will include retail on the first floor and developers have told the Little Italy Community Organization that the building will have between 150 and 240 apartment units. Click to read full story online>>>

 

  • LA SCALA (#1), LA TAVOLA (#7) and DALESIO'S OF LITTLE ITALY (#5) made the list of the top seven Best Italian Restaurants in Baltimore in the Sun Times! View list here>>>
  • AMEDEO's next monthly Wine Tasting - Tuesday, February 10 from 7 to 9. Contact Amedeo light-wine-pour.jpg for more information and/or tickets: 410.727.8191 or littleitalyamedeo@gmail.com. 
  • AMICCIS - Have you taken advantage of their 24th Anniversary Special? Come to Amiccis, say "Happy 24th Anniversary Amiccis!" when entering, and receive 24% off your check. Lunch or dinner, eat in or carry out, and catering orders. Celebrate Amiccis' 24 years of serving great food to great people! 410-528-1096
  • CIAO BELLA offers half price appetizers ... $4 house wines ... $2.50 domestic beer ... $4 imports until 7pm. Ciao Bella invites you to consider hosting your charity fundraiser event at their restaurant. Experience good food and good people supporting a good cause. Call Tony Gambino at 410-685-7733 or email ciaobellarestaurant@verizon.net.

 

  • MUGS - Tired of the frigid weather? Stop in for a hot beverage and a delicious meal!
  • CAFE GIA will be a featured restaurant in the upcoming 'City Paper Eats' magazine as well as 'Discover Baltimore' promoting alfresco dining.
  • DA MIMMO's hosts a true Venetian dining experience Fri, Feb 6! Masquerade promo Murder at the Masquerade Ball! 7:30 pm. Everyone get out your masks! Includes four-course Italian food Venetian Style, $75 pp.For reservations call 410.727.6876 or email maryann@damimmo.com. Hurry and make your reservation today ... people will be dying to attend this event and someone will die to get out!!!
  • CABARET at GERMANO'S celebrates Edgar Allan Poe's birthday, hosting Baltimore School for the Arts Principal Acting Instructor, Tony Tsendeas, in "The Poe Show." Friday, January 23 followed by Trio Caliente on Saturday, January 24.
  • HEAVY SEAS ALEHOUSE is hosting a January 27th chocolate beer tasting with Heavy Seas Beer founder, Hugh Sisson. For this awesome beer tasting, they will be teaming up with DuClaw Beers for six beer samples of a variety of chocolate styles that will be perfectly paired with three small plates. Click for tickets ($35).
  • 1840s CARROLLTON INN - Click for details on their 1840s Plaza Winter Bridal Open House February 21! If you are planning a wedding, join in this event featuring a taste of fine cuisine by their selected caterers, elegant decor and design for your wedding inspiration, live entertainment and a variety of event professionals to help you plan your big day!
  • LA TAVOLA - The weather outside isn't quite "frightful" yet. Happy Hour is here to stay in our bar area all winter long featuring a little warmth with an "ITALIAN TODDY." By popular demand we expanded our Happy "Hours" 4 to 6:30 pm Monday thru Friday and ALL DAY Sunday!

  

Little Italy is the place to MANGIA!
 Click here for a full listing of restaurants, bakeries, bars and carryouts.

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Your email is welcome with comments on this newsletter or about Little Italy in general. info@LittleItalyMD.com

"I enjoyed the video on the fall social."
~ Steve Kline, Promotion Center for LI volunteer

"I flat out love getting this newsletter in my mailbox! You are doing such a great job!"
~ Melody M.

HELP OUR DISTRIBUTION GROW! PASS ON THIS NEWSLETTER
to the Italians in your life, and everyone else who adores Little Italy.



KEEP YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS UPDATED
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Editorial Advisor: Ray Alcaraz

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The mission of the Promotion Center for Little Italy, Baltimore, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity organization, is to act as a voice for Little Italy as an ethnic neighborhood through consistent communications and promotions; to conduct fundraising activities to support its charitable and educational organizations; and to help preserve the neighborhood's culture, beautification and history.