NEWS FROM : MIDWEST  

Laura Norris has worked for Kansas City nonprofits for years but always dreamed of running her own Italian deli. In 2013, she raised money from friends and family to finally open her business, but she kept getting turned down by banks for the last piece of financing to make it work.   Then she learned about Kansas City's micro-loan program t...

Each night at the medals ceremony in Vail Village, some of the best ski racers in the world clutch artwork created by Italian artist Carlo Trost as they stand atop the podium, grinning.   Trost created 100 of the trophies, which are red, white and blue ski bibs, each sculpted in resin. They are given to the top podium finishers of each 2015...

This year marks the Lodge's 17th Annual Scholarship & Citizen of the Year Gala. March 5th, proved to be no disappointment for those in attendance. MC's, Gino Carleo and Al Spinuzzi, hosted started off the evening in a "Let's Make a Deal" style and gave away free tickets for the 50\50 drawing. A dinner consisting of a family style serving of; an...

By David Gerhold Bringing the true flair of Italy to the citizens of Ames — that is the goal that owner Alessandro Andreoni has for his new Italian restaurant called Plus39 that opened Saturday, Nov. 30, on Stange Road in Somerset in Ames. "Everything we offer here is 100 percent Italian. Nothing is Americanized or pre-cooked," Andreoni said. "We...

The Santa Lucia Italian Festival begins its 90th festival on June 5th with the return of the Triumphal Arch.   The Arch, which has been absent from the festival for nearly 10 years, was designed decades ago by early Italian immigrants and is still considered a proud engineering feat.   Read more   Source: http://www.wowt.c...

Marco's Coal-Fired Pizza, the Denver-based award-winning pizzeria restaurant with locations in the Ballpark District and Inverness, announced today it is changing its name to Racca's Pizzeria Napoletana. The name change, and new brand identity, come as a result of the restaurant's desire to further embrace its authentic Italian pizza-making methods...

by Peter Passi   Bellisio Foods, the nation's third-largest manufacturer of frozen entrees, is about to get bigger. The company, which frozen food magnate Jeno Paulucci launched as Michelina's in 1990, unveiled its plans last week to purchase Overhill Farms, a company with manufacturing facilities in the Los Angeles area, for about $80....

di Domenico Logozzo   Un campano con l'Abruzzo nel cuore fa amare la terra di Silone e Celestino V agli universitari americani. "L'interesse per l'Abruzzo al Colorado College è stato ideato da me, che ne sono innamorato. Qui è nato ed abbiamo battezzato il mio unico figlio, Giancarlo".   Il prof. Salvatore Bizzarro, docente di spagnol...

by Hillary Dixler   The future really is upscale chains, and the next chef stepping into the ring is Gerard Craft, the beloved St. Louis chef/owner of Niche, Pastaria, Brasserie by Niche, and Taste. One of the most anticipated fast-casual concepts of the season, Craft's Porano Pasta offers up customizable bowls of pasta, farro, rice, or sala...

by Chris McGaw   Cugino's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria is the quintessential place to be for happy hour, lunch or dinner with a clear view of Howelsen Hill and the Yampa River flowing nearby. Located at the corner of Eighth and Yampa streets, the rustic establishment is known as one of the most welcoming and energetic restaurants in town....

by Lionel Bottari   There's a considerable number of Italian-themed festivals that occur during the warmer months, and I've been to quite a few. But none of them have quite the feel of Italy like the one held deep in the cornfields of southern Iowa every June.   There is a flavor in the small town Italian "feste" that is provided by t...

They share the same dream but for each Lexington Legends player, a journey they hope ends at the Major Leagues begins far away from a big league ballpark. For Legends' shortstop Marten Gasparini, that's especially true. "I feel like I was born for it, you know?" Gasparini told WKYT. "It just sticks to me and it feels natural for me to play it."&nb...