Lamborghini Gallardo for Italian State Police

Things are moving up for Italian Police who have upgraded their vehicles to the new 2009 model Lamborghini Gallardo. Not only does it move fast, but I understand the car has a specialized system for transporting donor organs. I'll be looking in my rear view mirror in September.

Click on the Title bar and see how Lamborghini's are made. What a car!

Ciao e a presto,

No Wining for Teenagers in Milan

Breaking news...For the first time in Italy's history, Milan city council has banned serving and selling alcohol to persons under the age of 16. The law goes into effect on Monday. Prior to this new regulation, Italy had no laws prohibiting the drinking age. Fines for serving teens under the age of 16 range from 500 euros to 750 euros. The fine also applies to catching under age teens drinking.

Ciao e a presto,

Italian Eyewear

Looking for the lastest Italian eyewear from Prada, Valentino, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgo Armani,and more? Try US framemaker Frames Direct. At Frames Direct, you can custom order prescription or fashionable sun glasses and actually try them on through their virtual upload - imagine that!! If you buy through Frames Direct, there is free shipping within the U.S. Now that's what I call Happy Eyes.

Ciao e a presto,

Driving In Italy

There is nothing more fearful than driving in Italy. No matter how prepared you think you are, I guarantee you, you will need a change of underwear especially if you decide to drive along the Amalfi Coast. While there is no scenery more beautiful, prepare yourself for the ride of your life. The narrow winding roads will leave you breathless.

Did you know that in the first week of August, ten million italians take their vacation. That's right, ten million italians on the road. If that doesn't scare you then you need to start jumping out of planes. I recommend you get off the road between the hours of 11:45 and 12:30 p.m. and go have pranzo (lunch). This leaves the road wide open for those Italians speeding to get home, have lunch, nap, and get back to work with as little car damage as possible.

Seriously, driving is the best way to see as much of Italy as you can. In addition to renting a good car, pay for the extra insurance, and invest in a good road map. Happy Driving

Ciao e a presto,

Giorgio Armani Apartments

News break.

Giorgio Armani is building 63 luxury apartments in Rome which will be called "Cavour 220". The apartments are being built in a former 19th century convent not far from the Coliseum. The interior will be of modern luxury design and include Gaggenhau appliances, limestone bathrooms, and italian fabric decor throughout. The building includes a spa, garden, and underground parking. Prices start at $1 million euros. Completion is expected by January 2010.

Ciao e a presto,

Fiat 500 Comes to US

After a two-year debut in Europe, the Fiat 500 car lineup will be coming to the US, as part of Fiat's partnership with Chrysler Group LLC. Fiat, homebased in Turin, has a 20% stake in Chrysler. Four 500 models will be sold in the US market. Watch the birthday celebration by clicking on the title bar.

Ciao e a presto,

You Can Live In Italy For Under $50,000

Why spend thousands of dollars to buy and maintain a second home in Italy when you'll only use it for a month or two? Fractional ownership is a great way to own and live in Italy for a fraction of the cost of full ownership. The cost of the property and the maintenance are shared by all owners. No more chores and repairs, just immerse yourself in the Italian lifestyle with family and friends. Share this post and video.

Ciao e a presto,

Italian Shoes

Looking to buy a pair of 100% authentic "Made In Italy" shoes. Visit GiGi Cetta at http://www.italiandesignershoes.com/ for superb prices. GiGi has a New York warehouse stocked with good inventory of men's and women's Italian leather dress and casual shoes. This family has been in the shoe making business for more than three generations. Treat yourself to Italian made shoes. Ciao e a presto,

Scuba Diving In Italy

The white sandy beaches of Sardinia and abundance of sea life is a divers dream. Water temperatures in Sardinia vary from 15 degrees centigrade to nearly 25 degrees in summer and fall. Visibility is 50-100 feet where you will see octopus, coral, sponges and more. See for yourself why divers choose Sardinia...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoAaTVHt6gs


Costa Smeralda with its unspoiled pink sandy pristine beaches is perfect for swimming. Sardinia's coast is truly captivating and whether you are a novice or an expert diver there are dive sites for both levels. The coral reefs, scorpion fish, barracuda, and diving for wrecks make this an unforgettable Italian experience.

Visit some interesting websites about the Island of Sardinia http://www.sardi.it Some good diver sites include http://www.discover-sardinia.com and http://www.divesardinia.com

Ciao e a presto,

Michael Jackson

Arrivederla

Michele

La Traviata

Do you remember the suitcases in the movie "Once Upon A Time In America"? Or the helmets in Ben Hur? What about the jewels Violetta pawns in the opera "La Traviata"? Behind each cinema, opera, theatre, and television production lie the hidden talent of a great company making and providing the props used for each production. And there is no greater stage work than that of Italian company, E.Rancati. Started in 1864 by the Sormani Family, the company employs a handful of craftsman and designers who craft accessories, jewels, furniture and other historical period props for productions made around the world. Rancati warehouses are located in Milano and Roma. If you are an opera or cinema buff, take a moment to visit their website and see the fabulous props and accessories used in various productions. Visit Rancati at http://www.erancati.com/

Opera buffs and lovers of Verdi's La Traviata, must go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYZngjS04SI for the performance of Sempre Libera - La Traviata - sung by Sumi Jo. Her voice will send chills up and down your spine. Enjoy!

Ciao e a presto,

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Thermal Spas of Italy

When we hear the word "spa" in America, we conjure up images of massages, facials, and beauty treatments.

In Italy the word "spa" equates with "wellness" and used by Italians for treating conditions and illnesses such as cardiovascular problems, respiratory illnesses, and digestive disorders.

The water of thermal baths contain a high amount of minerals, calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate, all said to have healing effects.

Spas are professionally staffed by physicians who assess your health and well being and recommend specific treatments and therapies. Some of the finest spas and thermal baths in Tuscany include


http://www.termediventurina.it/

http://termemontecatini.it/

http://www.termemontepulciano.it/


All can be booked online and plan to spend a full day of rest, relaxation and wellness.


Ciao e a presto,

Oh The Italian Life

Don't you want to spend more than one minute and 23 seconds living the Italian Life? To view video, click on start button on the left.

Ciao e a presto,

Paolo Soleri

Buon compleanno (Happy Birthday) Signore Soleri. On June 21, Paolo Soleri, an author, architect, artist and eco-friendly pioneer of Arcosanti, will be celebrating this 90th birthday right here at home in the Paradise Valley/Scottsdale area. Signore Soleri was born in Torino (Turin) Italy in 1919 where he studied and became an architect completing his Ph.D. in 1946.

He came to the U.S. at the age of 28 where he worked in a fellowship with world reknown Arizona architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Later on he fulfilled his dream of creating a nonprofit to study and develop urban sustainable communities. Signore Soleri launched his urban project which maximizes natural resources in concert with our natural environment. The prototype town is called "Arcosanti" http://www.arcosanti.org/ and located near Cordes Junction, Arizona.

And if you have never heard of a "Soleri" Bell than you must come to Arizona to see his studio located in Paradise Valley. You can tour the studio and watch the artistic craftsmanship and workmanship of authentic italian crafted "Soleri Bells". To read and order your Soleri Bell visit http://www.cosanti.com/. The Earth Cause Bell is my favorite, yes I own one, and is truly an exquisite work of art.

Come celebrate with us (a free event!) on Thursday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m. in downtown Scottsdale when the Paradise Valley Town Council will honor Signore Soleri with a proclamation. There will be artists renderings of the Soleri Pedestrain Bridge showing how the supsension bridge will connect the Scottsdale Waterfront with the retail shops on the south side of the Arizona Canal. The bridge is the first to be constructed by Signore Soleri and slated to open by Spring 2010. Truly an example of All Things Italian.

Ciao e a presto,

How to Buy Authentic Italian Products

Not all "Made in Italy" Italian products are made equal. How many times have you purchased a product supposedly made in Italy and you could not believe how cheap it was? Be careful. Just because a tag or label says "Made in Italy" does not mean it is an authentic Italian product.

Consumers, wholesalers and retailers should always check for authenticity before buying because there are illegal products on the market and unless you know how to check for authenticity, you may be buying illegal goods or counterfeit goods. There are some manufacturers who are engaging in child labor and running sweat shops. I saw many back door shops in Milan and Roma so be careful when you shop in Italy or buy in the U.S.

Genuine Italian Products come with a special True Italy service tag and have an authenticity code and serial number printed on the label. The label bears the logo that appears in this post. To check for authenticity, you go to http://www.trueitaly.com/, enter the authenticity code and click on the Check it now button. If you find that the product is not authentic, you should return it immediately and demand a refund. There are many unscrupulous vendors out there waiting for your dollar or euro. Don't become a victim.

If you are a wholesaler and looking to buy authentic products, please consider http://www.italianmoda.com/. They are a highly reputable and respected company with various authentic Italian brands. In 2008, Italy was the 12th largest trading partner with the U.S. with exports to Italy of $15.5 billion and imports from Italy of $36.1 billion. While prices of authentic Italian products are higher than a similar product, you are buying the real thing and Italian quality will last you a lifetime, not 90 days.

I hope this authoritative information is helpful for any consumer, buyer or seller of All Things Italian.

Ciao e a presto,

World Air Games

Jason Stephens, from our home town of Gilbert, Arizona is the only American glider scheduled to compete in the World Air Games on June 13, 2009 in Torino, Italy. Stephens is a three time national championship holder and co-owns a flying school with his brother.

Some of the worlds' top glider racers will be competing at a height of 1,000 - 3,000 meters.

Follow this race and visit the website www.wag209.com/eng/ for information about the World Air Games Gliding, Parachuting, Ballooning and many other air games.

Ciao e a presto,

Technorati Profile

FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO SANTANDER D'ITALIA 2009

Don't miss the September 13, 2009 Formula One Race in Monza, Italy.

Number of Laps: 53

Circuit Length: 5.793 km

Race Distance: 306.720 km

Lap Record: 1:21.046 - R Barrichello (2004)

To obtain ticket information or see the track, teams, records, etc, visit the website at http://www.formula1.com/races/in_detail/italy_818/circuit_diagram.html
Ciao e a presto,

Calcio: Italian Soccer

To appreciate All Things Italian, you must learn to love the game of soccer (calcio). It is by far, a game of speed and intensity loved by both men and women. Italy comes to a standstill when a soccer match is scheduled.

If you are serious about soccer, and keeping up with the game, scores, matches, players, the most comprehensive website is http://www.italian-calcio.blogspot.com/

More to follow on this blog about the best places to go four wheel driving, Italian touring clubs, race car driving, diving and more.

Ciao e a presto

Italian Companies Seek USA Partnership with Biotech Companies

The Italian Trade Commission (http://www.italtrade.com) and the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade (I.C.E.) are seeking USA partners for their biotech companies in Italy. To read more, go to the Trade Commission website, click on the business events link on the left sidebar and look for the news headlines on the right sidebar "Italian Biotech Takes Its Capacity For Innovation to BIO 2009".

For those of us who live in the southwest, biotech is our strength. As a member of the Italy-Chamber of Commerce West, I am anxious to get this message out to American businesses.

Unfortunately, we missed the biotech convention that took place two weeks ago in Atlanta, Georgia, but don't let that stop us from passing on this jewel of information.

If you are looking to start a new business, or expand an existing business, and want to develop a partnership with an Italian company, the Trade Commission is a great source of information. On their website you can access the business directory of Italian companies across a wide range of industries. You can also submit your own business proposal.

So, please pass this post onto individuals and businesses interested in All Things Italian and upcoming business opportunities with Italian companies.

Grazie e a presto,

Bello Giardino

Just about every Italian I know, and certainly every good cook, grows and harvests their own herbs. Creating your own small organic Italian herb garden is relatively easy and rewarding.

Six herbs most widely used in Italian cuisine are basilico (basil), origano (oregano), Rosmarino (rosemary), prezzemolo (flat Italian parsley), salvia (sage), and menta piperita (peppermint).

If you have a backyard, you can dedicate a small area of 4'x 6' to a garden. If not, herbs do just as well in pots. An east facing direction is ideal for a small garden or potted herbs.

To prepare your garden plot, you will need to build a border 2 feet in depth using wood, bricks or stone to hold in your soil. Once you have your border, add bags and bags of garden or vegetable soil and leave 5 inches from the top of your border. You can also use compost if you decide to add vegetables like carrots, garlic, and yellow peppers - veggies need good compost to flourish. If you use compost, make sure to turn the compost over numerous times. Then rake the compost until it has a nice even look and leave it undisturbed for two weeks.

After two weeks have passed, and the weather is somewhat mild (best time to plant is Spring when the frost is gone and the ground has warmed) you are ready to plant. My personal preference is to plant from already rooted plants and not from seed. I buy my herb plants from Home Depot or Lowe's and prefer ones that come from Monrovia California home to some of the country's best nurseries. I like Monrovia herbs because you can plant the entire container.

Dig a hole large hole and make sure its deep enough to allow for plant growth (width and height). Place the entire container in the hole, fill with soil, and give it a good watering.

Every few weeks, I feed my herbs and vegetables with organic vegetable food by sprinkling a few tablespoons around the base of the plants, and give them a good hand watering.

My garden is hooked up to an automatic timer which I have set to come on around 5:00 a.m. in summer, and run for a minimum of 3 hours. This is in addition to interim hand watering. If you live in a very hot climate, you will need to protect your herb garden during those hot summer days, and can do this inexpensively. Just measure your garden area and buy some tan shade screen netting or tarp, and place it over your garden. You can also buy, at a local hardware store, some plastic poles with notches and attach your tarp or netting to the poles. This not only protects your garden from the blazing sun, but provides enough filtered light to keep your herbs and veggies happy and green.

Treat your garden and all living things with love and care, and you will have many days of fresh aromatic seasonings for years to come.

Saliva (sage) is wonderful on Turkey, Pork, and Chicken. It's also the main ingredient in Tuscany White Bean Soup. Basilico (basil) and menta piperita (peppermint) are fabulous in salads and tossed with pasta and fresh tomato sauce. Both these herbs make great pesto. Try some fresh Rosmarino (rosemary) with lamb, and some prezzemolo (flat Italian parsely) on roasted potatoes. What would pizza be without fresh orgiano (oregano)!

One final note, as your herbs grow wide and full, cut them and dry them on a paper towel and make an aromatic container of herb d' Italia for those wonderful winter dishes.

Buon appetito!

Ciao e a presto,