I have a Love / Hate Relationship with the Calandra Institute.

I Love it when Geoffrey Claroni publishes Holiday Activities for Kids,
and when he Monthly Publishes the IA Activities Calendar for NY. Terrific!!

I Hate it when Phil Cannistrano is on his almost exclusive campaign of "bashing " Italian Fascism, and Mussolini, and when Joe Scorria, is on his campaign to prove Italians as Racists, as being genetically close to Blacks, when he pushes his Italian Rap Music, and when he promotes Italian Superstitious and Mystical former practices, so as to paint Italians as backward and Primitive.

Both of them are focusing all their attention on Negative aspects of Italians!!!
We get enough of that from the Media, we don't need any more from them.
Why are they not focusing on the Positive aspects of our Heritage and Culture, so that we might be "lifted" up from the beaten down position that the media places us??

I have NEVER been acquainted with an Ethnic Cultural Center that spent ANY effort and energy on Anti Pride Efforts, Let alone SO MUCH !!!! [And I spent nine (9) years on the Los Angeles City Human Relations Commission, and I was familiar with them all!!]

Think about it!!!

But, on to some FUN stuff for the Kids, Grandkids, Nieces, Nephews, Neighbors!!!

"Il  Giorno  del  Ringraziamento"

    Buona Festa !  Now you can download for free and print an activity
and coloring booklet for the Thanksgiving holiday that children can use at
home or in the classroom to learn some Italian words and phrases
associated with the celebration of an Italian Thanksgiving.

    The activity and coloring booklet entitled  "Il Giorno del Ringraziamento" is available on the website of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, Queens College/CUNY at: www.qc.edu/calandra/community

    To view this information - double click here
John D. Calandra Italian American Institute: Community Affairs
http://www.qc.edu/calandra/community

(If this hyperlink does not connect you directly -
then go to the URL line and cut and paste, or type in that address) -
scroll down - double click on:   "Thanksgiving Italian Style:
Fun Activities for the Home or Classroom."
 

    Thanksgiving is a distinct American holiday.  An Italian
Thanksgiving is the American holiday celebrated in Italian style - where
American families of Italian heritage have expanded the traditional
Thanksgiving meal to accommodate numerous Italian specialties and
customs.

    The traditional menu for this distinctly American family holiday
includes turkey (il tacchino), stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry
sauce, yams, pumpkin pie and apple pie.  Italian Americans have added
antipasto, pasta, dolci, and, the most important Italian ingredient of all, l
a famiglia for a unique feast.

    A typical Italian Thanksgiving meal could include

- antipasto, salami, pepperoni, mozzarella, provolone, tomatoes, olives, mushrooms,
anchovies, stuffed peppers, roasted peppers, pane di casa, foccacia
-zuppa, minestrone
- pasta, manicotti, lasagna, stuffed shells, ravioli, baked ziti
- meatballs, sausage
- insalata, Italian vegetables, polenta
- vino, homemade wine
- dolci, cannoli, biscotti, gelato
- espresso, cappuccino
-cordials, amaretto, frangelico, sambuca, anisette, ...

    Above all, an Italian Thanksgiving is shared together as family, as
our parents and grandparents wanted.

    With this coloring and activity booklet, children will learn Italian as they:
        *    color the picture dictionaries and vocabulary word images,
        *    complete the "Sono grato per ..." activity,
        *    color the feathers of  il tacchino, and
        *  prepare an Italian Thanksgiving greeting card.

Buona  Festa !
Geoffrey Claroni
Assistant Director for Community Programs
"Il  Giorno  del  Ringraziamento"