Although topics of this week’s news in Italy ranged from giant mozzarella to mafia extortion (you know – the usual!), Italians were reading only about two things; wonderful archaeological discoveries, and a tragic mudslide in Sicily which has taken 25 lives or more. As our weekly spuntino of Italian news continues, feel free to get yourself up–to–date on what’s happening in Italy – and let your friends know as well.

Mozzarella Makers Near Naples Take World Record Abbondanza – September 28, 2009 From one of our favorite sites in the Italian blogosphere, those at Team Abbondanza filled us in on a group of cheesemakers from Sala Consilina – a town just south of Naples – breaking their own mozzarella record from 2007 with a braid of of 65 feet. The team of 40 completed the task in just 78 minutes as well. No word yet on if it was eaten after at the local cheese festival, but being la vera mozzarella from the region of Campania, we are sure it was tasty!

Nero’s Rotating Banquet Hall Unveiled in Rome Associated Press via Yahoo! News – September 29, 2009 Long before the rotating restaurants of “Top of the World” in Las Vegas and that of Toronto’s CN tower, there was Nero’s dining room! Roman archaeologists made a fantastic announcements this week following the discovery of a imperial dining room during a routine check–up on Rome’s historic Palatine Hill. Shame he didn’t get to enjoy it long, though. It was completed in the year 68 A.D. – just before the emperor committed suicide.

Roman Statues Found in Capri’s Blue Grotto Discovery News – September 29, 2009 Here’s something new to us – not only was the enchanted Blue Grotto of Capri once Emperor Tiberius’ personal swimming pool, swimming alongside naked boys and girls, but he also placed statues of the god Neptune and of his son Triton in the depths below to complete his aquatic experience. The statues making news this week are in addition to statues discovered in the grotto in 1964, which are now on display at a museum on the island.

Highlight of Italy’s “Wacky” Justice System Merced Sun–Star – September 29, 2009 Steve Cameron, a columnist for the Northern California Merced Sun–Star, admits that the USA’s judicial system isn’t perfect. However here he tactfully uses the circus which is the Amanda Knox trial (remember the girl who was accused of killing her roommate two years ago?) as an example to poke fun at, and shed some light on, a justice system that is a little less than “just” – at least by American standards. The inappropriate nickname the Italian media came up with for the young suspect (Foxy Noxy) isn’t the only point highlighted, but also the two–month vacation the judge took this summer and the two–day workweek to which he subjects himself now that he’s back at “work” and much, much more. A very interesting option column, to say the least!

“Modern Slave” Africans Toil in Italy’s Tomato Fields Times of Malta – September 29, 2009 Like an excerpt out of a textbook on medieval feudalism, Reuters showcases a rather sad aspect of Southern Italy’s economy – “Slave” Labor. This intriguing exposé not only highlights the illegal seasonal immigrants that come to Puglia from Africa to help with the tomato harvest – paid only 20 euros day, and often less – but also the issue as a whole in a country which tends to close an eye to the situation due to their necessity to the economy of the rural south.

What Berlusconi’s Obama “Jokes” Say About Italy Time – October 1, 2009 Oh Silvio! You’re at it again… Time published a delightfully interesting read last Thursday highlighting the quirks of not just Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, but also those of the Italian people. Ammunition was recently given to the media world after yet other Berlusconi gaffe earlier this week, yet ironically it was the same gaffe he let slip last November – chatting about US President Barrack Obama’s wonderful tan… and the tan of his wife Michelle as well. I quote; “They must go sunbathing on the beach together.” (Yes. I’m Serious.)

Massive Mudslide Strikes Sicily, 50 Feared Dead Fox News – October 3, 2009 Many Sicilians saw over 10 inches of rain during the night between Thursday and Friday, resulting in the deadliest mudslide in Italy since 1998. Rescuers are still searching for 40 people, and the death toll is feared to rise to 50 or more. Our hearts here at italyMONDO! reach out to our many friends in the region, including the family that we have discovered for clients over the years as well. Thankfully, everyone we contacted was OK – although unfortunately some won’t be able to return to their homes until an undetermined date. We’ll keep you posted on this tragic event in next week’s addition of “This Week in Italy.”

As interest in our new “This Week in Italy” segment picks up, here is your third addition of the latest news from Il Bel Paese. As always, things have been amusing this week (to say the least) - with news ranging from some ironic business techniques to the mafia resorting to crocodiles to extort money from victims.

…So, read on to get your espresso shot of Italians news – and enjoy!

“Cronyism” Pitched to Boost Italian Postal System Bloomberg – September 22, 2009 The nation’s largest employer is looking to nepotism to cut costs and get rid of expensive, older workers. (No joke!) Under the current draft plan, postal workers who want to leave early can “cede” their jobs to their children, as long as they are at least 30 years old and have a high school diploma. It’s all about who you know, right?

Italy Mourns Soldiers at State Funeral Los Angeles Times – September 22, 2009 On Monday Italy laid to rest its six soldiers which were tragically killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan last week. Held in Rome’s St. Paul’s Basilica, the entire country – in addition to the thousands in attendance – mourned the loss when a minute of silence was held throughout schools and offices.

Espresso Maker Bialetti Invents Easy Cappuccino Best of Italy – September 23, 2009 Any Italian or Italophile can attest to the fact that, in Italy, coffee is an art form. So leave it to the Italians to find a way of making Cappuccino as easy as “uno, due, tre!” Watch the video, provided by blogger Mirella Sichirollo, to see this ingenuity in action.

New Tremors Hit Abruzzo Once Again Adnkronos International – September 23, 2009 Just two days after children in L’Aquila began returning to school, a fresh tremor hit the region of Abruzzo again at 11:18pm local time. Although much smaller than the April 6 quake, the 2.9 magnitude tremor reminded relief workers and locals alike that a long road still lies ahead.

Member of Former Italian Royal Family Arrested AFP via Yahoo! News – September 23, 2009 Yet another sex scandal has erupted in Italy this week, this time involving Prince Vittorio Emanuele, son of the last king of Italy. After 56 years in exile due to his family’s support of the fascist regime and an arrest in 2006, the 72–year–old–prince is now awaiting trail in the southern city of Potenza for dealing with gambling and prostitutes.

Naples Underground Collapses The Espresso Break – September 23, 2009 …Well, at least part of it! As many Naples–lovers know, the city is older than Rome itself and the modern city is built (literally) on top of older cities. This is actually great to visit when in town, but on Wednesday morning three holes opened up in downtown Napoli – literally leaving enormous caves in the floors of buildings and churches!

George Clooney Meets Italian Girlfriend’s Mother Dolcevita – September 24, 2009 George Clooney won over thousands of Italians this week as he respected the Italian tradition of “meeting the mother” before sweeping his love Elisabetta Canalis to America. As gossip continues over Italy’s newest and favorite romance, word is speeding that wedding bells could be in the air for later this year.

Italians Mob Boss Uses Crocodile to Scare Victims Italy Magazine – September 24, 2009 One of the more interesting stories of the week, one of our favorite online magazines showed us that it seems like Italians crooks are coming up with some interesting ideas to swindle their victims. In the north, two women posing as good Catholics made off with 20,000 Euro of jewelry after convincing an elderly woman to kiss a saint’s prayer card laced with a sleeping drug. Then, in the south, Naples mafia boss Antonio Cristofaro took some reluctant businessmen to his home, only to threaten them with a (live, of course!) crocodile if they didn’t pay up! Innovative, right?

This Week in Italian “Business” Burnt by the Tuscan Sun – September 26, 2009 Another favorite post this week in the blogosphere, this one actually came from a newly discovered blog. “Burnt by the Tuscan Sun” does all the commentary for us, so just follow the link to get a good chuckle!

What a week this was! Unfortunately, the completion of major relief efforts in the Abruzzo and the selection of the winner of this year’s Miss Italy competition (a rather big deal in Italy) were overshadowed by mafia activity in the south and loss of Italian lives in Afghanistan. Nonetheless, here are this week’s top stories (and our favorite blog articles) to keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in Il Bel Paese!

US House Speaker Visits Italian Earthquake Zone Adnkronos International – September 14, 2009 Nancy Pelosi, the Italian American Speaker of the US House of Representatives, visited Italy once again on Monday - this time in support of the region of the Abruzzo, still stricken by the aftereffects of the April earthquake that displaced about 50,000 people.

Italy Quake Survivors Get New Homes Associated Press via Yahoo! News – September 15, 2009 Silvio Berlusconi handed out keys to some of the first new homes built in the Abruzzese village of Onna – one of the hardest hit in the April earthquake. Berlusconi, despite currently receiving negative press due to recent scandals, has actually been praised for his handling of the disaster. The homes presented on Tuesday were build are actually completely furnished - and include even toothpaste and a stocked refrigerator – making this a well-deserved relief for at least a few of survivors of such a terrible event.

Mafia Accused of Dumping Nuclear Waste Off Coast Adnkronos International – September 16, 2009 The Italian government responded to questions on Wednesday regarding the discovery of a sunken ship found recently of the coast of Calabria - allegedly containing nuclear waste trafficked by the dangerous Calabrese mafia, called the ‘Ndrangheta. If test results of the seabed return positive, it would mean that the region’s mafia – the most well-funded in Italy - has expanded its operations to illegal nuclear waste trafficking as well.

Pick Your Favorite Miss Italy From the 60 Finalists DolceVita – September 16, 2009 Just one!? The Italian Blogosphere is buzzing about the recent 2009 Miss Italy competition and DolceVita, one of our favorites, has found a fun way for all us to get into the mix. Check out all 60 – and see which is bella ragazza is numbero uno for you!

Court Ruling on Immunity Law May Affect PM’s Future Adnkronos International – September 17, 2009 Although it may sound absurd to many Americans, Italy had recently passed a law – dubbed the Alfano Law – which stated that government officials (including the Prime Minister) are immune to prosecution. Deemed unconstitutional by many, the Italian Constitutional Court will be making a ruling on October 6th. Should it be overturned, it could cause trouble the scandal-ridden PM, Silvio Berlusconi.

A Holiday in Venice and… Shiny Teeth? Italy Magazine – September 18, 2009 Looks like you can prendere due piccioni con una fava (kill two bird with one stone) on your next trip to Venice. A group of dentists has founded a Dental Center just outside of the famed downtown area of Venezia, offering not only quality health care - but vacation packages as well! Only in Italy, right?

Six Italians Die in Suicide Bombing in Afghanistan The Seattle Times – September 18, 2009 Six Italian lives were lost in Afghanistan on Thursday, making the attack the country’s single greatest loss in the war. As the country mourns, many in Italy’s government are now urging for a new strategy in Afghanistan – one that will bring the 3,000+ Italian soldiers who are still stationed their home.

A Secret Spot for a Great Peek at Rome Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino – September 18, 2009 We learned something new from the Blogosphere this week, when Lola from “Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino” (a fantastic food blog from a Native Italian in Rome) filled us on a special, yet not well known spot, for a special “peek” at San Peter’s Basilica. L’Hai Visto?

A Celebration of Lard Ciao Chow Linda – September 18, 2009 As nutritionists one-by-one came back over to the “Old World” side and say margarine and other hydrogenated fats are worse than butter and lard - it’s time you take a trip to Colonnata, a village in Tuscany considered the mecca of lardo! Although we won’t be able to make it, Linda from Ciao Chow Linda seems to enjoy her visits to the village!

Man Accused of Supplying Prostitutes for Berlusconi Parties is Arrested in Italy Times Online – September 19, 2009 As the Soap Opera involving Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his alleged prostitution scandal deepens, Giampaolo Tarantini - the Pugliese businessman who is under investigation along with the PM, allegedly supplying the women for his parties - was arrested at the Bari airport.

Photo Courtesy of “Tic Tac alla Menta” at Flickr

On Saturday, September 12th, thousands of mourners filled Milan’s Duomo for a state funeral. Didn’t hear about it? Then it might surprise you even more to learn that the nation’s highest burial honors were in celebration of the life of an Italian American!

It’s true. His name was Mike Bongiorno, and although he was born in America he was nothing short of an Italian icon to generations of Italians.

Don’t worry if you don’t know who he was, though. I didn’t either. I had just came back from running some errands in Napoli along with my fidanzata when we heard the news. Seeing her mother on the couch almost in tears, Fil turned to the TV and gasped, “Mike Bongiorno è morto!?!”

…Who?

We immediately began to watch the news together – and as soon as I saw his face it hit me. He’s the “game show guy!” I tried to think of people reacting like this if Alex Trebek had died, but no luck. So what gives? Was this just Italians being emotional, or was there something more to the man?

It turns out there was much, much more to him. After chatting more with Fil and doing a little research myself, I discovered that not only was he a mainstay of Italian television, having appeared on RAI on the first day of television transmission in Italy in 1953; he has since been a part of their lives ever since, with dozens of game shows, talk shows and even as host of the San Remo Festival for 11 years.

However his notoriety is much broader than just being a game show host for over 50 years. He was an icon in every sense of the word. Some even credit him with the linguistic unification of Italy! Each region in Italy had its own dialect – and three (including Neapolitan and Sicilian) are so interlaced with their respective cultures and histories that they are actually considered languages, having written forms in addition to spoken. Although most Italians now know both dialetto and italiano, until recently this wasn’t the case. Many Italians, particularly in the rural south, only spoke their native dialect! But with the birth of television and the massive popularity of Bongiorno, many say that Italians forced themselves to learn Italian – not only to be able to understand what was being said, but to be able to participate as contestants as well!

Learning his life’s story, it’s no wonder he captured the hearts of millions of Italians. After moving to his mother’s hometown of Torino from his birthplace in America, he became active in the Italian resistance during World War II and actually spent time in a German concentration camp before being released in a prisoner exchange program – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

What is most amazing is that almost all the things he did in his life, he did as an American citizen. Bongiorno did not become an Italian citizen until 2003. But, as it is in Italy, once they love you – they love you for life, no matter where you’re from!

Mike Bongiorno lived a captivating life, and I’m sorry I didn’t learn about – and appreciate – him more while he was still alive. I can honestly say that he has one more fan now – and a fellow Italian American at that!

Welcome to “This Week in Italy” – italyMONDO!’s Newest Weekly Blog Category!

Here you’ll be able to keep up-to-date with what’s happening in Italy, in our Italian community and even in the ever-changing, always interesting Italian Blogosphere with links (and even a little commentary) to sites, pages and articles of interest.

Have an idea, article or suggestion? Feel free to send it to us through our Contact Page.

So enjoy – and see you next Sunday!

In Italy, An Offended Berlusconi Goes on the Offensive Time - September 6, 2009 As things start to cool down in Silvio Berlusconi’s sex scandal, the Italian Prime Minister goes on the offensive - taking on the Italian Media. Should be interesting, considering he owns most of it, but if it wasn’t interesting it wouldn’t be Italian politics!

Dream of Italy Seeks Travel Writing Intern(s) Dream of Italy - September 6, 2009 This is a great opportunity for a young, passionate traveler just coming out of journalism or communications school. Dream of Italy has an award-winning blog and newsletter, with what we view as some of the highest quality Italy-based content in the Blogosphere.  italyMONDO! highly recommends Dream of Italy to any Italian of origin or Italophile - and can assume the internship(s) that were just made available will mirror their quality blog.

Italy’s PM Moves to Make Nice with Pope Boston Herald - September 7, 2009 The Italian premier is quite popular in America this week! Just one day after the story of Silvio Berlusconi going on the offensive against the few parts of the media that he doesn’t own, in Boston they are talking about him “playing nice” (or at least attempting to) with the Catholic Church, with whom Silvio is have “issues” as well.

Teal Toes Contest for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Bleeding Espresso - September 7, 2009 One of the top Italian Blogs on the web is generating support for a great cause, spreading the word about September being Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. How can you show your support? Paint your toenails teal! Bleeding Espresso is even offering free nail polish for five lucky readers to help in the cause, so show your support for for this great cause and go teal!

No More Kisses for San Gennaro ITALY Magazine - September 8, 2009 Looks like Swine Flu has the Catholic Church worried. As Neapolitans prepare for their city’s September 19th festival for their patron saint San Gennaro – a day when his relic, a vessel said to contain the Saint’s blood, liquefies – they will have to remember that they won’t be able to give it a kiss this year. Although the ban has existed for some time, thanks to the H1N1 virus scare the church leaders are putting their foot down this year. Niente baci!

Top Ten Italian Wines of 2008 Blog from Italy - September 8, 2009 In the blogosphere we came across a list of the top 10 Italian wines, as selected by Wine Spectator – and che sorpresa! Six of the ten are under $30 a bottle – and three are under $20!

George Clooney & Elisabetta Canalis Go Public In Venice Access Hollywood via Yahoo! News – September 9, 2009 Italy’s favorite adopted son George Clooney went public with his new Italian love, MTV presenter Elisabetta Canalis, at the Venice Film Festival this past week. Italian papers are calling them the “new Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie” – and they are reported to have been inseparable these past two weeks, spending plenty of time at his villa in Lake Como.

Italy: Elton John Figurine to Appear in Nativity Scene Adnkronos International - September 10, 2009 We hear that in Italy this is even better than getting a Grammy!

Police: American Says Baby Left in Florence is His Houston Chronicle - September 10, 2009 When a Texas man’s pregnant girlfriend returned home from Italy not pregnant, he began to think something was up! Looks like she left the baby at a church in Florence a la 1800s, where a nun found the baby and alerted authorities. On a serious note, thank God the baby was alright - and after some Italian media drama let’s pray they find him or her a good home.

bikerkix on Flickr

In a recent blog post, I talked about discovering pizza con gli sfizzoli in the mercato in L’Aquila several weeks ago. I spent a memorable lunchtime moment chatting with Silvio, the owner of the panino shop, while soaking up the enchanting, snow capped mountains of the Gran Sasso National Park. I then strolled down a few of the tiny vicoletti of the centro storico while munching on my new-found snack.

It wasn’t my first time in L’Aquila, and God willing it won’t be my last. The work we do at italyMONDO! takes me all over the region of Abruzzo – known as “The Enchanted Region” for it marvelous landscapes, castles and culture – and its capital city L’Aquila is always a favorite stop. The State Archives, which I’ve personally visited for various clients, have been partially destroyed, as have many of the marvelous monuments, churches and other architectural and historic jewels that the region offers.

But I have a personal connection, too. My family’s ancestral village of Guardiaregia is only 50 miles away from the area. Also, my close friend Susanna is a student at the University of L’Aquila – the same university that saw their dormitory collapse in the midnight hours on April 6th. Miraculously, she was unharmed as she decided to spend the weekend home with family, 15 miles away in the village of Castelli.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the earthquake – and we at italyMONDO! are dedicated to helping out any way we can.”

And so it was with a heavy heart that I read the details and saw the pictures coming in from the area – pictures of places I’ve both personally frequented and admired. For those of us who have walked those same streets, who know the people and love the aria of the city, it is simply painful watch.

As of this writing, over 200 are dead and over 25,000 people have been displaced from their homes. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the earthquake – and we at italyMONDO! are dedicated to helping out any way we can. That’s why I have decided to donate 5% of all sales for the next month to the NIAF Abruzzo Relief Fund.

Please find it in your heart to help those in need – either by donating through italyMONDO!, or by visiting the Relief Fund site directly. After Easter, I plan to visit L’Aquila to visit with friends, assess the damage and to see what else we can do. I’ll be sure to keep you updated – and thank you for your support.