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5 FEBBRAIO
 2015
BLAST FROM THE PAST

Submitted by Michele Cirillo

 

"My grandmother Rose Mascari had (I think) eight siblings; they lived in a house on the corner of Fawn and High. My great grandparents had a corner store in Little Italy and my grandfather played the accordion in front of the house. I still have the accordion with my grandfather's last name in rhinestones along the side of it - it's really pretty neat looking. Does anyone have information about the store that my grandfather used to sit outside of, and play his accordion?" [email here]

 

  

Happy 5th Anniversary to us!
Promotion Center logo
The Promotion Center for Little Italy began with an idea in November 2009 and was established by January 2010, celebrating its FIFTH anniversary! With a devoted board of 13 members, this nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization has gained legs and a strong reputation in Baltimore's Italian community as it has promoted Little Italy as a neighborhood, along with its various components: bocce leagues, Italian parish, learning center, lodge, and services/businesses. Learn more about this organization under 'WHAT WE DO' on its website. Thanks to these board members who have faithfully served, and welcome to the newest board member, Vince Zaccaria.

ADVISORY BOARD, Promotion Center for Little Italy, Baltimore
Ray Alcaraz
Dean Albany
Gianni
Andracchio
Mary Ann Cricchio
Francesco Legaluppi
Rosalinda Mannetta
Lou Mazzulli
Suzanna Molino
Anthony Montcalmo
PJ O'Neill
Rosalie Ranieri
Vince Zaccaria




  1. Ray Alcaraz, president of Promotion Center for Little Italy; native of The Neighborhood
  2. Dean Albany, resident, Little Italy advocate
  3. Gianni Andracchio, co-creator of mi.o (modernitalian.org) 
  4. Mary Ann Cricchio, Da Mimmo proprietor; resident
  5. Dr. Francesco Legaluppi, Hon. Consul General of Italy
  6. Rosalinda Mannetta, Italian instructor at Pandola Learning Center; resident
  7. Lou Mazzulli, Little Italy business owner
  8. Suzanna Molino, director of Promotion Center for Little Italy; author; editor of this newsletter
  9. Anthony Montcalmo, past president Little Italy Lodge
  10. PJ O'Neill, president of Little Italy Property Owners Association (LIPOA); Italian Instructor at Pandola Learning Center; resident
  11. Dawn Puliti, Little Italy advocate (not pictured)
  12. Rosalie Ranieri, principal of Pandola Learning Center; Recording Secretary and Scholarship Chair of OSIA Grand Lodge of Maryland
  13. Vince Zaccaria, immediate past president OSIA Grand Lodge of Maryland

 

MAKE YOUR 2015 DONATION HERE!       undefined 


Promotion Center for Little Italy is a 100% volunteer-operated organization. General donations - of any amount - are accepted and will 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 ... including the Italian heritage and history.

 

From SAINT LEO'S ... the heart of The Neighborhood  


PANDOLA LEARNING CENTER ANNOUNCES SPRING SEMESTER CLASSES
Something for everyone in this culturally rich Learning Center, including for kids! Very affordable fees. LANGUAGE ... FOOD/DRINK ... CULTURAL classes. Take a look and learn! 

View full class descriptions,
fees, dates and times.

Special in-person registration 
Sunday, February 8 
after 9:30/11:30 St. Leo's Masses
Teachers and staff on hand to answer Qs.

 

 

FIRST RAVIOLI-MAKING ROUND THIS WEEKEND 
Volunteers wishing to help make ravioli Saturday, February 7, arrive by 9 am at St. Leo's School Hall, 911 Stiles Street Hall. No prior signup is necessary. A complimentary lunch is served around 1 pm. IF CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER: If Baltimore County cancels its activities for the day, then ravioli making will be cancelled and a makeup day announced later.
Second round of ravioli making = Sat, Feb. 14.
Meatball making = Sat, Feb. 28 (9am).

FACE PAINTING TEAM NEEDED FOR FESTIVALS
The festival committee for St. Leo's two summer festivals are searching for a team of face painters to offer their time and talent to paint faces in the KIDS SECTION of the festivals. This is an ideal project for students to earn service hours! Can your 'team' help? Email for more information here.

RAVIOLI DINNER HELPERS NEEDED 
Saint Leo's has the best volunteers and the best ravioli dinner in town. To volunteer for the March 1 annual St. Leo's Ravioli & Spaghetti Dinner, submit your name, email, phone number and task preference: server, bartender, cannoli maker, coffee server, busser, raffle seller, game wheel operator, tray carrier, jewelry sales, or runner (great job for kids!). Shift is 11:15am to 6pm. Email volunteer coordinator, Sue Corasaniti. This is a great opportunity for students to gain community service hours.


SAVE THE DATE - 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


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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BANALITA' (trivia)

An Italian Queen 
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Margherita Maria Teresa Giovanna of Savoy was born in Turin on November 20, 1851, daughter of Ferdinand, the first Duke of Genoa, and Elizabeth of Saxony. She was the first Italian Queen consort, a character of great charm, a woman who has profoundly influenced the choices of her husband, King Umberto I.  
source: We The Italians
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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.


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

BOOK SIGNING - 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 below. You do not need to buy a dinner to visit the book signing table.

 
ON THE CALENDAR
  • Annual Oyster/Bull Roast, Sunday, February 22, 1-5p. Good food, good company, good laughs! $40. Contact Bob Taylor 410-803-9190.
  • BINGO February 15. Doors open at noon, full game package $10. Food, fun, friends!
  • Friday Night Dinners:
    • February 6 - Manicotti with meat sauce
    • February 13 - Tortellini Primavera
    • February 20 - Calamari with pasta
    • February 27 - Gnocchi with meatless sauce
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 RESTAURANT WEEK  February 15-28 ... $15 Lunches | $20 & $30 Dinners. Enjoy three-course, fixed-price dinner menus for $20/$30 and two-course lunch or brunch menus for $15 at participating restaurants and these Little Italy restaurants:light-wine-pour.jpg
      • Chiapparelli's
      • Da Mimmo
      • Germano's Piattini
      • Heavy Seas Alehouse
      • La Tavola
      • Ozra (Persian)
      • Sabatino's
  • LIPOA REPORT
    • Business partners Charlie Verapapa and Marty Maron presented a development plan for 219 S. High Street to Little Italy Property Owners Association (LIPOA), proposing a first and second floor gourmet shop and third floor studio apartment. The design of the building would match how the neighborhood looked in the late 19th century. This is a work in progress and affects the building between Da Mimmo and Isabella's Brick Oven Pizza.
    • LIPOA seeks volunteers to help maintain the neighborhood trees in the spring. If interested, email LIPOA here. 
  • 16-STORY APARTMENT TOWER - First look at proposed building at former Della Notte site in Little Italy. View online story and photo here.
  • AMEDEO's monthly Wine Tasting - Tuesday, February 10 (7-9p). A selection of five great Italian wines, homemade food,cheeses and olives! $30. Contact Amedeo  at 410.727.8191 or littleitalyamedeo@gmail.com. Seating is limited - book now!
  • CIAO BELLA - Epic productions Inc. presents at Ciao Bella February 5-15: "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" staring John Dellaporta. Originally produced in New York City, directed by David C. Jennings. Reserve tickets ($25) through epicproductionsinc.org (dinner not included).
  • CASA DI PASTA - Step into this delightfully decorated Italian store for fresh cheese ravioli, marinara sauce, meat lasagna and much more ... ready for the taking!
  • DA MIMMO hosts Italian Conversation & Italian Music in their Celebrity Cocktail Lounge. Thursdays starting February 5th (7-9p) with Aldo Locco, a native of Calabria Italy, on piano playing your favorite tunes. Italian instructor Celeste Riccio will lead an Italian 101 conversation as you enjoy aperitivo and complimentary Italian hors d'oeuvres. Complimentary parking.
  • CABARET at GERMANO'S: A lineup of Burlesque, Honkytonk, Bluegrass and Sinatra!
    • Thurs, Feb 5: Cris Jacobs & Patrick McAvinue, bluegrass, $20
    • Sat. Feb 7: Kings of Crownsville, rock band with New Orleans flavor, $15
    • Sun, Feb 8: An Evening with Gary Rubin & Brent Hardesty. Hum along with these nostalgic and contemporary classics, $10
    • Thurs, Feb 12: Redwine Jazz Band celebrates Mardi Gras, traditional jazz, $20
    • MANY MORE shows/events! Visit Germano's events page. 
  • 1840s CARROLLTON INN - Planning a wedding? Click for details on their 1840s Plaza Winter Bridal Open House February 21!
  • LA TAVOLA - Valentine's Day is the next big holiday at La Tavola who is offering a 3-course Prix Fixe menu. La Tavola continues to create dishes with the freshest seasonal products they can find!

  • TOSCANA MEDISPA is offering specials for Valentine's Day. In fact, they celebrate LOVE all throughout February! The following services include red or white wine or chocolate strawberries:
    • Couples Massage $199
    • Champagne or Rose Mani/Pedi $99
    • Valentine's Espresso Service - 30 minute massage + mani/pedi + facial $159
  
Little Italy is the place to be!
 Click here for a full listing of restaurants, bakeries, bars and carryouts.
Click here to view SERVICES FOR VISITORS and other businesses in Little Italy.
book "BALTIMORE'S LITTLE ITALY: History and Heritage of The Neighborhood" RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 23 
 
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. 
Written by Suzanna Molino, director of Promotion Center for Little Italy, this book is being published by The History Press, S.C. It will be available to order February 23 through History Press website and where most books are sold. ($19.99; 160 pages)

BOOK SIGNINGS in BALTIMORE 
(more TBA) 
  • LITTLE ITALY LODGE: Friday, February 27 (5-8 pm) during 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, 905 E. Pratt Street.
  • ST. LEO'S SCHOOL HALL: Sunday, March 1 (12-6 pm) during St. Leo's Ravioli & Spaghetti Dinner. A portion of the day's book sales will be donated to Saint Leo's Church. 911 Stiles St.
  • OSTERIA DA AMEDEO: Tuesday, March 3 (5:30-7:30pm). Join us for Happy Hour at the Wine Bar! 301 S. Exeter Street, Little Italy.
  • PASQUETTA: Easter Monday, April 6. More TBA. 10a-4p. A portion of book sales during this event will be donated to Promotion Center for Little Italy.
Questions? Email suzannamolino@LittleItalyMD.com. 
 
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Your email is welcome with comments on this newsletter or about Little Italy in general. info@LittleItalyMD.com

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



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