AROUND THE NATION...

No longer can "Little Italy" only be found in New York and Philadelphia. Communities in cities across the nation have Italian neighborhoods to enjoy the culture and cuisine of Italy. These Italian neighborhoods developed during the influx of Italian immigrants in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Immigrants relocated to various locations and created in the new homeland little pieces of Italy which continue to flourish today in the following neighborhoods:

Boston: the North End, bordered by Commercial Street and the J. F. Kennedy Highway and is home to numerous Italian cafes, restaurants and food shops. Among the traditions maintained by this community are the many religious processions held on feast days of patron saints.

New York City: Little Italy can be found just south of Houston Stree and on the border of Chinatown. This area is heavily populated by the descendents of southern Italian immigrants, specifically Calabrians, Neopolitans and Sicilians, and is home to numerous trattorias, religious shops and specialty food stores. It is common to see the owners of these shops hanging their freshly made mozzarella or rolling out the 'pasta sciutta' (dough) for their homemade pastas.

Philadelphia: South Philly is between Front, 20th, Washington and South Streets and was made famous by the movie "Rocky". Religious processions, wonderful restaurants and specialty food stores are also typical of the neighborhood. Perhaps its most distinguishing feature is the Ninth Street Italian Market where one can buy roasted chestnuts.

Providence, R.I.: Federal Hill is located on Atwells Ave., and is famous for its restaurants, cafes, pastry shops and Italian grocery stores, all of which were founded by Southern Italians who migrated together to the Hill.

St. Louis: The Hill is possibly one of the lesser known Italian neighborhoods in the U.S. With its trattorias, restaurants, and food stores, this section of the city is said to resemble Rome!

San Francisco: North Beach, bordering Chinatown, is well known for its cafes and authentic espresso bars. It is made up of both northern and southern Italians and offers unique and noteworthy  shops on upper Grant Stree which sell handmade clothing and leather coats, unusual fabric, eclectic jewelry and fun, vintage wear.
From National Italian American Foundation Monthly Bulletin.

The names of the founders are Giuseppe Brucia, one of the early pioneers of California wines; Antonio Farina, who managed the Fisherman's Protective Assn; James V. Frevola, a prominent accountant; Giulio Stradi, who operated the produce departments of Spreckles and Haels markets in San Francisco; Gugielmo Torchia, who was editor of L'Italia, an Italian newspaper published in San Francisco; Louise Dane; Milano Milani; Alfonso Napolitano; Amedeo Napolitano; Amalio Paoni; Amedeo Paoni; and Anacieto Paoni.
The first three operas, I Pagliacci, Carmen, and Faust were produced at Stanford University Stadium in June of 1922.

On February 28th, 2003, tribute was paid to the opera's founders and their descendants with a gala luncheon at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House. In attendance were many of the city's luminaries, including Mayor Willie Brown and Consul General of Italy Francesco Sciortino.
Joseph Brucia, son of founder Giuseppe Brucia, read his touching poem "Avanti." A plaque commemorating the 12 original founders and their first three operas is now on display on the ground floor of the Opera House, across from the southern stairway.
From National Sicilian American Foundation Quarterly Newsletter.