Located just north of Downtown Las Vegas, and not far from glittery Freemont Street, is the Neon Museum. This collection of classic bright lights is a vault of history from old Vegas. The displays are free standing outdoors on the…
Writing Update: Book 2
Hello readers! Many of you have been wondering how my new book is coming along and will you ever see it? Well, it’s taking me a while to write it because, as many of you know, I do this in…
Reading List: Winter 2020
This season, I am suggesting books that focus on self reflection. Sometimes reading a good story in which a character is experiencing moments of analyzing his/her own life helps us to do the same. We all tend to find ourselves…
Lessons in Roman Cooking
[From 2011 Rome Archives] – I was invited to take a cooking lesson at Trust.Ever.Tastes – located in the building in which i was living at the time. The small company is dedicated to teaching real Italian home cooking. The name Trust.Ever.Tastes…
Cocktail for La Befana
The day of La Befana, or the Epiphany, January 6, marks the last of the twelve days of Christmas. On Jan. 5th – the eve of the Epiphany – Italy’s children eagerly anticipate a visit from the fabled old witch with a…
Holiday Struffoli
Need an Italian dessert idea for Christmas dinner? Try the traditional struffoli – small balls of fried dough smothered in honey and dotted with colorful sprinkles. Fun Fact: The name struffoli is derived from the Greek word strongulos – meaning…
A José Andrés Culinary Experience
Inspired by my history in public television, when I first learned about and became awed by Spanish Chef José Andrés and his series Made In Spain. When I scheduled my trip to Las Vegas, I sought out to have this…
Cinecittá: Italy’s Hollywood
Escape into classic Italian cinema with a timeless tour of Cinecittá Studios. Built in the late 30’s, Cinecittá houses the sets and costumes for Italy’s classic and popular films and TV shows. Some of the world’s greatest films were created…
In Search of Death’s Cookie
November in Italy is known as il Mese dei Morti (The Month of the Dead) – not just to honor the dead, but to officially mark the true start of the autumn season. The gloomy month begins with a celebration…
Il Leone Stregato
The Witches of Benevento Benevento is a historical city located about 70km northeast of Naples, in Italy’s Campania region. Known for its Roman ruins, Catholic church, and my mother’s childhood home, the city is also remembered for its eerie legends…
Park of Monsters in the Sacred Woods
I once trekked (literally) to the medieval town of Bomarzo located near Viterbo, north of Rome; to visit the eerie Park of Monsters, also known as the Sacred Woods. As I mentioned, it was a damn trek and a half……
Restaurant: Locanda della Luna
Local Chef Honors Traditional Flavors Through Modern Cuisine [Autumn 2011] – Every time I find myself visiting friends and relatives in southern Italy (Campagna), it has become a tradition to enjoy a delicious meal at La Locanda della Luna in San Giorgio…