Paradiso in Italia
Paradise in Italy: Umbria and Lazio
Great to meet so many of you at all the Italian Feste this month in Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Jose!!
"A vacation at any time of the year to Italy is paradise," most people say to me. What do you do when paradiso comes crumbling down, lives lost, homes gone, families suffering? You keep them close to your heart and send them good wishes for strength to carry on. After the earthquake in Accumoli, Amatrice, Arquato del Tronto, and Norcia, (watch this tourism video of the beautiful towns before they were destroyed), we learned what is really important: our loved ones, caring for others, reaching out even if they are not family, your neighbors, friends, and the simple life of being able to be together, usually around the table, talking, laughing and sharing a wonderful meal. This is the slower life.
If being in the fast pace life of Silicon Valley wears on you, come over for lunch and shopping experience during Festa Gioia, where we work to bring the slower life to you.
The National Italian American Foundation is taking donations to help survivors of the 6.2 earthquake in Italy. We try to follow the journey on our Facebook page.(You do not have to have a Facebook account, this page is public and followed by many lovers of Italy and all things Italian.) You will also find pictures of all of the Italian Festivals we have visited this month. (Picture to left is of Sicily.)
Umbria, Italy: Here you will find the Cities of Assisi, a World Heritage Site and the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi, Perugia and the chocolates, Deruta and the ceramics, Gubbio, Spoleto, Orvieto, Narni, and Castiglione, beautiful mountain towns rich in the ancient arts and artists works such as Cimabue, Giotto.
We had a wonderful stay in Le Selve, an agriturismo and olive orchard near Citta della Pieve. This wonderful agriturismo is owned by Cristina who is part of our Italian family and a beautiful architect and designer. Did you know there are many building regulations for agriturismoin Italy? Colors of homes, window shutters, roofs, These are Medieval towns. The roads wind through beautiful hillsides and landscapes. Many towns are easily accessible for day trips in Tuscany and Umbria.
Many of the ceramics we offer to you are made by three families in Deruta. We appreciate the history of the arts and designs that have been handed down from generations. We thank them for all they do to support the special orders for ceramics that our clients wish for. In reading history about this region I found there were two lakes that have been drained and water diverted, and there was a major earthquake there in the 4th century.
Lazio, Italy: the regions of Rome, Viterbo, Latina, Frosinone, and Rieti (the hardest hit in Lazio by the earthquake). Ancient Rome was also affected by a great earthquake/earthquakes. You can see signs if you visit the Domus Romana in Rome. Visit the historical Domus Romana and see the possible home of Trajan the emperor excavated under layers of civilization and topped with a Renaissance Palace, Palazzo Valentini. In antiquity, the plain was covered by a pair of shallow, interlocking lakes, the Lacus Clitorius and the Lacus Umber. They were drained by the Romans over several hundred years. An earthquake in the 4th century and the political collapse of the Roman Empire resulted in the refilling of the basin. It was drained a second time, almost a thousand years later, over a 500-year period: Benedictine monks started the process in the 13th century, and the draining was completed by an engineer from Foligno in the 18th century.(Wikipedia)
Italy is paradise to many, especially in August,Ferragosto. Many vacation by the sea, lakes, and mountains as they are not far from home. Since Italy is surrounded by the seas and they have very hot summer months, makes it paradise for many to refresh in the mountains and the sea. In honor of the region shaken, here is a Spaghetti Amatriciana recipe for you. (Picture to left is of Mt. Edna in Sicily.)
During the September Festa Gioia we will welcome many new local clients we met at all the Feste. Mark your calendars for September 24 and come over for lunch and shopping Italian Style. Fall discounts on a fully stocked shop! We will also be offering a limoncello class and a class in fashion, both taught by Valentina Cirasola of Puglia Italy. Please give us your input as to timing of these classes. Grazie
Villa Montalvo Arts Center Saratoga
Montalvo Food and Wine Classic
Date: Sept 11 (Sunday)
Time: 4:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga, CA 95070
Tickets are available now online.
http://montalvoarts.org/events/
food_wine_2016/
Make your reservations today!
http://montalvoarts.org/calendar/7/2016/
Festa Gioia Settembre
Date: September 24 (Saturday)
Time: Noon to 6 p.m.
Location: 16395 Roseleaf Court, Los Gatos
Italian Shopping Experience and Lunch at Gioia
R.S.V.P. 408-640-6628 or reply to this email
Getting Fit for Fall Become Friend with your CLOSET!
By Valentina Cirasola
Date: September 29 (Thursday)
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Gioia, 16395 Roseleaf Court, Los Gatos
Cost: $85
Click here to learn more about Valentina.
Click her for the class flyer.
JOIN US FOR A FUN EVENING
Followed by Dinner Italian Style and
CAbi Party at 6:30pm
With Denise Delladora
R.S.V.P. in advance 408.640.6628 or reply to this email
OCTOBER
Little Italy San Jose Italian Street Festival
Date: October 2 (Sunday)
Time: 11 a.m. to 8 pm
Location: Little Italy San Jose and Piazza Piccola ,
For More Information:
www.littleitalysj.com
Tell us you’ll be there:
https://www.facebook.com/events/284710401878099/
Festa Gioia and Limoncello Making
Get Limoncello Arancello Ready for the Holidays
Date: Oct 15, 16 (Saturday, Sunday)
Click here for flyer
RSVP 408.640.6628 or return email
SAVE THE DATE!
40th Year Celebration of the IAHF
Dinner, Music, Dance
A Benefit for the Organization
Celebrating our Past. Bridging our Future.
Date: Nov. 5, (Saturday)
Members and Non Members: $80.
http://www.iahfsj.org/events
PASQUALE ESPOSITO IN CONCERT TO BENEFIT LITTLE ITALY SAN JOSE
Date: December 17 (Saturday)
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Bayside Performing Arts Center, San Mateo, California
Buy Tickets Now:
https://www.ticketriver.com/event/19521
ATTENTION: LOS GATOS
NUMU NEW MUSEUMS OF LOS GATOS, has an interesting exhibit that began in June and ends Oct. 2, called:
Et In Arcadia Ego, contemporary re-interpretation of the mythological theme of Arcadia. Arcadia refers to an ancient civilization of peace, harmony, and caring for nature. Arcadia was a Greek province associated with natural splendor, a peaceful place in the wilderness, and a natural garden during a golden age.
Read More:
http://www.numulosgatos.org/exhibitions-2/2016/6/2/et-in-arcadia-ego
Italian American Heritage Foundation hosts many Italian Cultural Events each month
Such as cooking classes, regional luncheons, c
ena fuori (dinner out at local Italian restaurants), language classes and the upcoming festival. Please join in and check out their website!
For more information:
http://www.iahfsj.org/#!events/cfvg
(Picture to left is Sorrento Almalfi Coast)
GIOIA ITALIAN ART AND PRODUCTS always opened by appointment in Los Gatos. Call Kathy 408.640.6628 or Contact kathywinkelman@gioiacompany.com
And always at your disposal online at
www.gioiacompany.com.
CAMPANIA
Thinking of staying in the Vietri sul Mare region? Here is a B & B owned by one of our friends in Italy, check it out.
CASA IDA Historic House Rental & B&B Italy
Campania, near Vietri sul Mari,
Cava Dei Tirreni, Campania, Italy
508-982-5622
Or on
Facebook
SORRENTO
Sorrento Emotions and Dreams
Italian Specialist and Local Residents
Luxury, tailor made vacations
Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Isle of Capri and all of Italy
Enjoy holidays, short breaks, weddings, honeymoon, dining, cooking, shopping, scuba diving, water activities, coastal excursions with personal crew.
Contact Signore Tonino Pepe, pepetonino@hotmail.it, and tell him Gioia Co. sent you.
PUGLIA
Puglia, Italy with Valentina
May 2017. (She takes groups at this time each year.)
Travel through the Puglia region
A step into real Puglia with Valentina, author, designer, artist and native
valentinadesigns@comcast.net
TUSCANY FOR THANKSGIVING
Sacramento Italian Cultural Society
Nov. 20-28, 2016
Florence, Siena, Lucca, Chainti Wine Region, Pisa, San Gimignano, Vinci and Volterra
Contact: italy@italiancenter.net, 916-482-5900
Click here for more info.
UMBRIA/TUSCANY-- Right on the border
Vacation at
Le Selve, an Agriturismo! Contact
info@gioiacompany.com or 408.640.6628 for a special introduction to the owner. Sleeps six or 12. Two stories. Separate units. Beautiful view. Organic olive grove. Walking trails. Full kitchen. Swimming pool.
ITALY TOURS WITH ITALIAN CULTURAL SOCIETY SACRAMENTO
Travel with those that live there and learn about the culture.
Italy the Beautiful Tour September 1 -11, 2016.
Thanksgiving Tuscany Tour November 20 – 28, 2016.
Contact:
italy@italiancenter.net, 916-482-5900
See you soon...
GIOIA ITALIAN ART AND PRODUCTS
