L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 F all is approaching, e v e n t h o u g h t h e high temperatures don't always make it feel like the new sea- son is here. Still, the calendar is clear: the equinox on Septem- b e r 2 2 i s n e a r , a n d w i t h i t comes the gradual shortening of the days—on average, we'll lose 4 minutes of daylight each day until the winter solstice on December 21. Nature, despite t h e c h a l l e n g e s o f c l i m a t e change, follows its course toward dormancy, entering a phase of rest during which the landscape's colors begin to shift. The sky fades from blue to gray, and the bright green of summer leaves slowly gives way to a palette of yellows, oranges, reds, and browns on the trees. As city dwellers, we don't always notice these natural signs— the earth's moisture, its smells, and heaviness. We no longer have tired arms from the harvest or prepare for the grape har- vest. Nowadays, seasonal rituals and transitions often take the form of park walks to admire the foliage, capturing photos of extraordinary shades of mustard, saffron, vermilion, rust, and violet to post on social media. In the past, these moments were marked by village festivals, a time of community and sharing. Today, it's more likely to be an evening out with friends or, in The colors of the fall in landscape and art: a season of change to rediscover From the Editor Italy, a local festival paired with some regional delicacy. Wine tastings are now led by sommeliers in high-tech wineries, where gastronomy offers pairings to enhance flavors and aro- mas. Switching out the wardrobe has become an opportunity to refresh our clothes and go shopping, perhaps also thinking about making our homes cozier and more inviting, with muted, shabby-chic tones. For many, September feels a bit like New Year's—the list of good intentions begins to take shape as we pick up the thread of life and start noting down commitments and appointments in our planners. With the start of school and the end of August holidays, Italy says goodbye to a scorching summer marked by violent storms and extreme weather, melting Alpine glaciers, and increasingly warm seas, now inhabited by alien species attracted by nearly tropical temperatures. On the West Coast, thoughts turn to Halloween, with large orange pumpkins already appearing, along with the morning fogs on the Pacific coastline. Maybe, as they say in Italy, non ci sono più le mezze sta- gioni, "there are no more in-between seasons," and the heat will drag on before suddenly disappearing after months of unbearable mugginess. But this moment of transition shouldn't be overlooked. We need to observe the changes in the landscape—not just to grab a sweater if the air turns crisp, but to realize how urgent it is to take care of the environment, to make personal commitments to reduce our ecological footprint, and to adopt more sustainable daily habits. We should reconnect with the constant relationship with nature that our ancestors had, both in Italy and beyond. That small garden behind the house was once a reminder of where many of our ancestors came from, but today it could also be a way to recognize the effort and ded- ication needed before harvesting carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, or potatoes—and to buy only what we need at the supermarket, avoiding food waste. It would also be a precious opportunity to admire the colors of the landscape, the changing shapes of the season, and the phases of transition that many artists have captured in works that have become timeless classics or even aesthetic standards. Caravaggio's depiction of autumn can be seen in his Bacchus at the Uffizi. Arcimboldo, at the end of the 16th century, created a unique figure out of seasonal fruits and vegetables: chestnut husks for lips, a pomegranate for a chin, an apple for a cheek, a pear for a nose, and a mushroom as an ear from which a fig hangs. His hair is made of grape clusters and vines, with a pumpkin emerging from it. Many artists have dedicated mem- orable works to fall, with strong seasonal references to the months that close out the year. Moving into the 19th century, the Macchiaiolo painter Telemaco Signorini, immortalized the season in an oil painting that portrays a leaden sky heavy with rain over the Tuscan countryside, as two women with baskets on their heads appear to be heading home, lashed by the wind. Observing the colors of nature lets us see how art has inter- preted them, rediscovering a part of our culture. And if we really can't say goodbye to summer as a time for escape and relaxation, let's not forget we still have a few hours left to take advantage of the great opportunity L'Italo-Amer- icano is offering its readers: a vacation in Italy—8 days, including round-trip travel and a stay in a trullo, the ancient stone construction that has made Alberobello a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Buy the last remaining tickets for your Dream of Puglia Sweepstake. Winning (and for just $12!) would be a perfect way to enjoy the mild fall temperatures of southern Italy and extend your vacation, perhaps reconnecting with the places where some of your Italian ancestors came from. Check the link https://italoamericano.rallyup.com/ puglia/Campaign/Details and good luck! Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2024 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano PO Box 6528 Altadena, CA 91003 Selling Homes Throughout The Bay Area Adele Della Santina "The Right Realtor makes all the di昀erence." 650.400.4747 Adele.DellaSantina@compass.com www.AdeleDS.com DRE# 00911740 Expert in preparation, promotion, and negotiation!

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