What Board members are Italian? I am - Napolitan, second generation.

My maternal great grandmother, great uncle, and their other siblings all came over from Sicily directly. My great uncle worked here and eventually earned enough money to bring the rest of the family over. Messina, specifically.

My family is from the opposite end of the island as DJ's. My grandparents came from Partinico, Sicily, the home of the Pentangeli brothers.

I am Sicilian, with grandparents (on both sides) from Sicily, as well as my father who was born in Trapani and came to America as a child).

My one regret is that I never learned Italian,other than a few words. If I heard a conversation I might be able to pick up what is was about, but don't understand it. With parents, grandparents that spoke it constantly, I could kick myself for not attempting to learn it.

TIS

So many Sicilians. I bet ya'll know each other too.

Any "Guidos" in your families?

No Guido's, but I have a cousin Enzo. However, he is not a baker.

TIS, I never knew that your family was from Trapani! Trapani is not too far from Partinico and very famous for its production of sea salt. When we were in Sicily in 1999, we went to Erice for the day, which is this very cool old town with narrow older cobblestone streets. Anyway, there's a castle at the top of the mountain with beautiful views down to the sea, and you could see Trapani and the salt production. Very cool stuff.

My grandmother(mothers side) was born in a place called Bronte near Mount Etna and my grandfather (from my fathers side)was born in Malta.

100% Italiano I'm Calabrese(spell?)

Ooooh! Calabrese? Che infamita!

Good they came out of that 2 mule town, just kidding

I'm the odd one here. Not a drop of Italian blood. I'm a WASP from the rural Midwest, so there are only a few around here. But I must say some of the most bellisimo women in the world are Italian, and if any of you are reading this, you have my admiration.

Well, it's not often, but every once in awhile, usually on a friday night, after I've gotten pretty drunk, I take off my pants and put on something pretty and alot of rouge and go out. So, for those nights, I accept your compliment!

Don't feel bad you aren't the only one. Being adopted I have no idea what's in my blood

Would any one of you Italians make me an honorary one please?

Whatever it is (thats in your blood) it pumps through a great heart.

My grandma's from Pescara.

And Mig, I dub thee Italian.

I'm happy to make you an honorary Sicilian, Mig. Come join us, Mignon....

Mig,

You can be my cousin Migini from Ohio!!!


TIS

Aww thanks guys. All I have to do now is learn the language. Would anybody like to give me lessons? I promise to be a good student

What do you want to know?

OK, some things to remember, Mig: Ciao is easy, because it's both hello and goodbye. You must kiss everyone on both cheeks, and that kiss is for hello AND goodbye!! See, you can already enter and exit a room.

Thank you Mrs. Babe. Heres an for the teacher.

I have to tell you I so impressed when I heard you talking Italian to Frankie at LaVeranda.

Ok on to next lesson

Gee, Mig, thanks.

OK, Once you're in the room, agree to a cup of espresso. Whenever you go to an Italian's house, they want to make you "una tazza di cafe", a cup of coffee. When I first took Mr. Babe and I first went to Sicily to see my family back in 1989, my cousin took us to visit the homes of different relatives. At each house, we had to have a cup of coffee. Finally, after the 5th house in a row, Mr. Babe said he thought that his heart was going to come out of his chest.

"una tazza di cafe" I try that with Col. Slade tonight. Thanks again Mrs. Babe. Can you PM me some Italian words? That way this Summer we can have an Italian conversation. I just love that language. And could you put some cuss words in there to so I can cuss at Col. Slade when he ticks me off?

If I had to drink that many cups off coffee I'd be spending the rest of the night in the little girls room

I'd be happy to, my friend.

Grazie SB. Kiss Kiss Hug Hug

Un bacione (which means Big Kiss).

Sorry. Like Gattone, no Italian blood in me although my wife is mostly Italian - northern Italian. Her maiden name even sounds kind of French.

Although she's the Italian one, she has no interest in the Godfather movies.

No interest, huh? Faux Italian.

I'm 100% honorary Italian

I don't know how anyone can stand not being Italian.