He makes pizza. She’s the first lady. But they have something ‘extraordinary’ in common
It’s not Renato Viola alone who claims his pizza is extraordinary. It’s not just his wife, who came up with the name for his Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza. And it’s not even the 200 customers a day who make reservations for one of 18 seats inside his South Beach pizzeria, tucked inside a gray office building where there’s not even a sign out front....
Exhibition, book launch for Italian painter kicks off SC Humanities Festival at USCA
Orvieto, Italy painter Livio Valentini made work in Aiken that was "transformative and unique," said Dr. Jeremy Culler, assistant professor of art history at USC Aiken. Culler is among many in the university and local community anticipating celebrating Valentini's work and relationship with Aiken, when the South Carolina Humanities Festival kicks o...
Thanks to 'America's Got Talent,' Sal Valentinetti made singing his day job - which he loves
Back by popular demand, "America’s Got Talent" golden buzzer winner Sal Valentinetti returns to the King Center on Saturday, March 10. The Italian-American crooner who came to be known as “Sal the Voice” after his successful run on the 11th season of the hit NBC show, is touring in support of his debut EP “The Voice.” I spoke with Valentinetti abou...
John J. Brunetti Sr., Owner of Hialeah Park, Dies
John J. Brunetti Sr., the colorful and sometime controversial owner of Hialeah Park and three Florida-based Thoroughbred racing and breeding farms, died peacefully at his Boca Raton home on March 2. Brunetti, 87, had been in tenuous health since undergoing the removal of a cancerous lung last year. The Bronx-born son of an Italian immigrant who ins...
Peacock Maserati & Alfa Romeo Grand Opening Celebration Set for March 22
A “Viva Italia” grand opening celebration for the new Peacock Maserati & Alfa Romeo outlet will be held from 5:30–7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, at Peacock Auto Mall. Area dignitaries have been invited to join Peacock executives for the ribbon cutting and party to officially welcome the area’s first and only signature brand Maserati luxurious car...
Sale e Pepe earns 14th Consecutive AAA Four Diamond Designation
For the 14th consecutive year, Sale e Pepe, the gourmet Italian restaurant overlooking the Gulf of Mexico at Marco Beach Ocean Resort, has earned the AAA Four Diamond restaurant designation. Sale e Pepe was the only restaurant on Marco Island receiving the prestigious rating and one of just two restaurants in Southwest Florida included in the trave...
Rouses Brings Italian Products to Gulf Coast Consumers
Rouses Markets is partnering with the Italian Trade Agency to add Italian imports to Rouses stores throughout the Gulf Coast, including cheese, cured meats, preserves and wine. “This partnership expands exponentially the Italian imports we have on our shelves for our customers,” said Donny Rouse, CEO of the Thibodaux, La.-based grocery chain. “We’v...
Hattiesburg's St. Thomas Aquinas Church to hold annual Irish-Italian Festival on March 17
Great food, music, fellowship and more will be on the menu for St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church's 17th annual Irish-Italian Festival on March 17. The festival will feature games for children, a silent auction and an art show featuring local artists. The menu for the festival includes Irish stew, spaghetti and meatballs, sausage dogs, pizza, cott...
Bocce players having a ball at Cape Coral's Veterans Park
A highly social, fun, outdoor recreational institution in the Cape for 30-plus years is more popular than ever. The most dedicated and expert bocce players at Veterans Park belong to men’s and women’s associations, Italian-American and Goodfellas leagues that compete on six courts nearly every day and evening during busy season. Players are also we...
Master Italian Architect, Piero Lissoni Puts His Signature on the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Miami Beach
Curved along the light-filled banks of a large ocean inlet in the private side of Mid-Beach, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach is an exclusive community and the first full-scale residential architectural project designed by Master Italian architect Piero Lissoni. The expansive, seven-and-half-acre property extends itself with elegant design,...
Old World Italian Meets Hip Modern Eatery In Taste Of The Town
Chef Louie Bossi is the man behind his namesake popular restaurant off Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. It is part old world Italian, part hip modern eatery. The 10-thousand square foot restaurant with seating inside and out has become a neighborhood hotspot. In the piazza, dining al fresco, CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo spoke to Chef Louie. “My goal...
Public Montessori schools on the rise across South Carolina
South Carolina's public school system has become a national leader in Montessori education, apparently because it embraced such schools early on. The Palmetto State has more public Montessori programs than any state except California, according to a new report from the Riley Institute at Furman University. As of 2016, South Carolina had 7,402 stude...