L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021 www.italoamericano.org 14 L'Italo-Americano LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE D ear Readers, let me begin by wishing y o u a very Healthy Ne w Year, so that a Happy New Year can follow. "Grazie" to my godson, "little Anthony," who was little when I held him over the Baptismal font many years ago, I can share this bit of good advice I received via email with you: A n t h o n y a s k e d a f r i e n d who had crossed 70 and was heading towards 80 what sort of changes he is feeling in himself and his friend sent him the following: 1. After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now s t a r t e d l o v i n g myself. 2. I have realized that I am not Atlas. The world does not rest on my shoulders. 3. I have stopped bargain- ing with vegetable and fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter's school fees. 4. I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am. 5 . I s t o p p e d t e l l i n g t h e elderly that they've already n a r r a t e d t h a t s t o r y m a n y times. The story makes them walk down memory lane and relive their past. 6. I have learned not to cor- rect people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more pre- cious than perfection. 7. I give compliments freely and generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never NEVER turn it down, just say "Thank You." 8. I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appear- ances. 9. I walk away from people w h o d o n ' t v a l u e m e . T h e y might not know my worth, but I do. 1 0 . I r e m a i n c o o l w h e n someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat and neither am I in any rat race. 11. I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It's my emotions that make me human. 12. I have learned that it's better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone. 13. I have learned to live each day as if it's the last. After all, it might be the last. 14. I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it t o m y s e l f . H a p p i n e s s i s a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be! *** Why do we have to wait to be 60 or 70 or 80, why can't we practice this at any stage and age?" As Popeye used to s a y , " I a m w h a t I a m a n d t h a t ' s a l l w h a t I a m . I ' m Popeye the sailor man." It is very healthy. Be yourself, as long as your family appreci- ates you that is all you need. You cannot please everyone. *** M o r e I t a l i a n Connections: L e m o n s c a m e f i r s t t o L o u i s i a n a t h e n c a m e t h e Sicilians. It is estimated that o v e r 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 r e s i d e n t s o f Louisiana are a descendant of a n a n c e s t o r f r o m S i c i l y o r I t a l y . I n t h e l a t e 1 7 0 0 s , t h e S i c i l i a n l e m o n w a s i n demand for sailors as a pre- ventative to scurvy. Since it a g e d w e l l , l e m o n s w e r e shipped from Palermo to New O r l e a n s . B y t h e 1 8 3 0 s , Sicilians were migrating to New Orleans. A c o m b i n a t i o n o f t h e Italian War of Unification, the American Civil War, and the Transcontinental Railroad led t o a p p r o x i m a t e l y 6 0 , 0 0 0 S i c i l i a n s m i g r a t i n g t o Louisiana from 1884-1920. *** Agnelli, Giovanni "Giann i" the symbol of almost a cen- tury of Italian industrial histo- r y d i e d i n J a n u a r y 2 0 0 3 . Giovanni Agnelli was born in Advancing our Legacy: Italian Community Services CASA FUGAZI If you know of any senior of Italian descent in San Francisco needing assistance, please contact: ItalianCS.org | (415) 362-6423 | info@italiancs.com Italian Community Services continues to assist Bay Area Italian-American seniors and their families navigate and manage the resources needed to live healthy, independent and productive lives. Since Shelter-in-Place began in San Francisco, Italian Community Services has delivered over 240 meals, over 900 care packages and made over 2000 phone wellness checks for our seniors. Torino, March 12, 1921. His father died tragically in an air- plane accident in 1935. He married Marella Caracciolo di Castagnetto in 1953 and took over as director of FIAT in 1966, when he was 45 years of age. Befana is the name of the Italian witch who, according to the legend, on the night of January 6th (twelfth night of Eve of the Epiphany Little Christmas) leaves presents in c h i l d r e n ' s s t o c k i n g s h u n g u p o n t h e h e a r t h o r s h o e s placed at the door. In many towns there is great anticipa- tion of the day Befana is due. Befana fills up stockings with nuts and fruit and brings pre- sents for all the good children, and a lump of coal for the not- s o - g o o d c h i l d r e n . I n I t a l y some candy shops sell carbo- ne or black rock candy that actually looks like pieces of coal. After her arrival, many parties take place, and people move around from house to house visiting friends and rel- atives. The Feast of the Epiphany is the Christian celebration in remembrance of the Magi's visit to the Christ-child. There is also the legend that Befana was invited by the Magi or Wise Men to accompany them in their quest for the baby Jesus. But she refused as she was so busy with household tasks. ITALIAN TELEVISION KSCI CANALE 18. Presentano: Maria Cristina Heller e Franco Brescia Teleitalia in onda tutte le Domeniche alle ore 13 o 1:00pm Siamo collegati con i satelliti DISHNET e DIRECTV, SPECTRUM E TUTTI I CAVI DEL SUD CALIFORNIA Per Informazioni e Pubblicita` telefonate a (818) 260-9318 Cell: (818) 288-2518

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