L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 D ear Readers, we h a v e r e a c h e d the final issue o f w h a t h a s been an intense year and, in many respects, a d e e p l y c h a l l e n g i n g o n e , marked, among other things, by a devastating wildfire sea- son that has left a lasting mark on the lives and memories of many Angelenos. Throughout these months, we have tried, as we always do, to stay closely connected to the present, keeping pace with the everyday life of the dynamic Italian American community of the West Coast. In doing so, we have remained faithful to the mission envisioned by the founders of L'Italo Americano: to give this community a voice, to show that it is vibrant and growing, and to highlight the people who bring it to life. Through ini- tiatives, artistic expression, and professional expertise, they are shaping this community through personal stories and shared achievements, carrying it into the future with pride in their cultural roots and their enduring bond with Italy. In 2026, your newspaper will celebrate its 118th anniver- Happy Holidays! L'Italo Americano will be back with you in 2026 From the Editor sary, and it is certainly remarkable to reflect on the history, changes, events, and challenges that L'Italo Americano has witnessed and endured over more than a century. Seen from today's perspective, that journey tells the story of our roots and of an identity suspended between two worlds, within a kaleidoscope of experiences that have accompanied genera- tions of readers. Perhaps even more exciting, however, is the opportunity to be part of this story today, to take an active role in it, first and foremost as readers. You are at the center of everything we do. You are the audience we think of when we plan each issue and choose the topics to explore; the people we respond to by email; the ones from whom we receive warmth, encour- agement, and thoughtful feedback. For this, we thank you deeply, not only for your support, but also for your sugges- tions and constructive criticism, which help the newspaper grow. Every subscription is vital to L'Italo Americano: a per- sonal choice that allows this light, shining on a fundamental part of American society for over a century, to remain lit. Every participation in our raffles helps us meet the very real costs of printing and mailing the paper. Our commitment, in return, remains unwavering. We will continue to seek out new stories that reflect how we live here along the Pacific Coast, how we face today's challenges as a community, and how we are evolving. At the same time, we will keep telling the story of Italy: far away, yet never truly distant. Our contributors who live there offer a clear and faithful picture of how the homeland of many of us, or of our ancestors, is changing year after year. Our decision to high- light Italy's landscapes, culture, and cuisine, now recognized as part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage, stems from the desire to offer you an authentic, firsthand view of reality, through the voices of those who experience it daily. For the same reason, our raffles are tied to "journeys of the heart:" beautiful places across Italy that we hope many of you will one day visit. In this same spirit, the space we dedicate to the many pro- tagonists of the Italian and Italian American world, whose stories we collect interview after interview, along with our coverage of events supported by the consular network, allows us to show the many faces that shape our times. These stories highlight the contributions of individuals who, through their Italian and Italian American identity, express talent, vision, initiative, and new perspectives. And while our website, digital editions, and social media allow us to stay in constant touch with you, wherever you are, maintaining the print edition – despite the costs involved – is a deliberate choice rooted in tradition: some things, after all, deserve continuity. As the year comes to a close, we are already laying the groundwork for 2026, hoping you will forgive the occasional imperfection that naturally arises in work created by people – not artificial intelligence – who, like you, are immersed in daily challenges. Something may slip through from time to time. What has never gone unnoticed, however, are your messages of appreciation and support, your words of grati- tude and closeness, the small and large donations you have made to L'Italo Americano "because it has been your faithful companion for decades," and the solidarity you showed dur- ing the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, which affected us personally as well. For all of this, thank you, once again, from the heart. You are truly special. Dear Readers, Merry Christmas, and best wishes for the holiday season. May the year ahead be far better than the one we are leaving behind, together. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS P.O.BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 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 © 2025 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114

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