Columns

In some of my recent columns, I have discussed some lesser-used resources, mostly because A) I have discussed the “most-often-used” resources a lot more, and B) I am finding out how useful these lesser-used resources can be. A recent example was the atti diversi, the records of stillbirths and orphans, with occasional deaths of adults in other towns that you might never have found otherwise. Today’s column concerns something very simple but very necessary sometimes. It is called the “indici decennali.” These are indexes for each town that cover a ten-year period. As we have gone over before, in every …

It’s been more than three decades since I last saw Aunt Achilla and Uncle Tony’s second-floor, three-room apartment on Hoffman Street, but its image often surges into my mind. Their building was on the corner of 187th Street, in the heart of the Arthur Avenue (or Belmont) section of the Bronx, a neighborhood often called “The Real Little Italy of New York City.” For the longest time, they didn’t have a phone, so we showed up unannounced, though they more or less expected us on Saturday nights or Sunday afternoons. Besides visiting my mother’s aunt, however, our frequent visits had …

This year, Easter comes relatively late in the season, giving me more time than usual to savor memories of the holiday. I recall it was always a major event in our household. The reason for this is that my brother Augie and I got to go to Robert Hall to get brand-new suits. The salesmen at Robert Hall really liked the fact that Catholics celebrated Easter by dressing up. They were very eager to see us come in for our annual visit. My dad worked hard to make his money as a house painter and so we often had to …

The Italian Verb Avere The Italian verb avere means to have, and, of course, is an essential Italian verb to know. Avere serves an important function alone and also as an “assistant,” or auxiliary verb, for  compound verbs. (A compound verb is created from two or more verbs.) In our last blog, we focused on the present tense of avere and gave the full present tense conjugation, noting that all forms are irregular except for the voi form. The present tense conjugation is listed again below.  The irregular forms are brown and the regular voi form is green.  The accented syllables …

The Italian Verb Avere The Italian verb avere means to have and, given this definition, is an essential Italian verb to know. Avere serves an important function alone and also as an “assistant,” or auxiliary verb, for compound verbs (created from two or more verbs). For now, we will focus on the present tense of avere. “I have, you have, he/she has,” will be used often when conversing in Italian, and all present tense forms of this verb should be memorized and readily available for use. Avere is an irregular verb in all present tense conjugations, except for the voi form; …

The title is of this column is what March is all about, as we head into spring always looking forward to what’s to come now that we are entering into a new season. “Sempre avanti!” is a catch phrase that is used to spur people into action despite the odds. It is a simple way of saying “Don’t let anything stand in your way! Move forward!” I could go on and on about the new things coming up in Roseland and Pullman, but we’re waiting for these projects to move forward. The Red Line Extension is going to have its …

Chosen as Italy’s Official Selection for the 2025 Academy Awards, Maura Delpero’s “Vermiglio” is a heartfelt story of one family’s experience during the final days of World War II. Awarded the Silver Lion at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, the film is set in the picturesque mountain village of Vermiglio during the final days of World War II. The film follows a large family as they navigate a series of impactful events following the arrival of a reserved Sicilian soldier (Giuseppe De Domenico) who has deserted the army and is seeking refuge in the town. As the soldier forms a …

When I was off from school and my mother had to go to John’s Grocery down the block in our South Bronx neighborhood, she often left me with Jenny, who lived two flights beneath us on the fourth floor and became my surrogate Italian grandmother. Childless old Jenny had an unflagging delight in children, and I became the solace of her identical days. She always begged to let me stay even after the shopping was done, so my mother would retreat upstairs, while I spent a few hours preening myself in the mirror of Jenny’s love. Besides teaching me how …

Italy’s new Road Traffic Code, approved in late 2024, introduces substantial changes for drivers nationwide. Effective Dec. 14, 2024, the updated rules aim to enhance road safety, regulate emerging transportation modes like e-scooters, and implement stricter penalties for common violations. Here’s what drivers — both residents and visitors — should know about this reform. Stricter Penalties for Dangerous Behavior — One of the most significant updates is the increased penalties for using mobile phones while driving. Drivers caught texting or calling without a hands-free system face fines ranging from €250 to €1,000. Additionally, license suspension for at least one week …

There are many ways to say, “I love you” in Italian, and there are special Italian phrases for friends, family members, and one’s true love. These important phrases were discussed  in our blog from  2020, Italian Phrases for Dating, a section of which is reprinted below. The most important ways to say, “I love you” in Italian: “Ti voglio bene” is an old Italian expression that is still in use today for both platonic and romantic love. The meaning of this phrase is not easily translated into English, but it is used often in Italy to express one’s feeling of …