Since I can remember, the recognition of Columbus Day has been been a contentious topic.  It's certainly had it's fair share of debate in Washington State.  Before we dive into some of the controversy let's look back at the history of celebrating the explorer who did, then didn't, discover America. The first recorded celebration of Christopher Colu...

Folks from Washington go hard for the Walla Walla sweet onion. In fact, it became the state's official vegetable in 2007. But the beginnings of this particular allium go far beyond the Pacific Northwest -- across an ocean or two, in fact. The seed for the onion that would eventually become the Walla Walla sweet came from Corsica, an island in the M...

In 1902, 22-year-old Pietro Nelli, like so many immigrants before him, boarded a ship and left Italy to seek a better future in America. At that age, he could have never imagined what lay before him. It’s possible he saw himself as a loving father and husband — which he was. And perhaps even a successful businessman — ditto. But it’s unlikely he wo...

January 2024 Let's find out about the Italians in the Pacific Northwest

September 6 to 8: mark your calendars for the BEST Italian Street Fair in Seattle! Always the weekend AFTER Labor Day on 1225 S. Angelo Street in Georgetown, Seattle, WA. We are looking forward to seeing you all there! Friday September 6th: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm; Saturday September 7th: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm; Sunday September 8th: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. AD...

September is going to be the month to celebrate Italian heritage and culture in Seattle. Festa Italiana is back and taking over the Seattle Center with its 37th annual festival for a full weekend, and here’s what to expect! The Italian festival takes place on Saturday, September 28th, and Sunday, September 29th. It’s a celebration of Italians and I...

This year, the 2024 Windermere Cup Regatta, a popular Seattle tradition, brought together two rowing powerhouses – the University of Washington and the Italian National Team – to battle it out in a contest with historic roots. In 1936, during the Olympic Games in Berlin, the junior 8-man rowing team from the University of Washington vied against co...

The Smeraldo family has had a busy summer. Not only did the owners of the Seattle institution Il Terrazzo Carmine recently open a bar called Bar Sosta right next door to their Pioneer Square Italian restaurant, but on Thursday, July 11, they announced that they were going to open a new restaurant next year in the U.S. Bank Center (USBC) skyscraper,...

At first glance, elephants and Seattle seem an unlikely pairing. Why would the world’s largest land mammal, found in Asia and Africa, have so intrigued residents of the Pacific Northwest? Yet two Seattle companies have used this massive animal for decades to advertise their businesses. The more recognizable was the rotating hot-pink elephant with i...

Casa Italiana is gearing up for its annual Italian Car Show on Saturday, July 27, 2024, and is calling all Italian car enthusiasts to showcase their prized vehicles. The free event promises a “bellissimo” day of automotive splendor, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Car aficionados can expect to see an impressive lineup of Lamborghinis, Maseratis, Ferraris, La...