"Buon Giorno!" Welcome to the only newsletter that will propose "Bocce" playing for the upcoming Athens Olympic games, "Only In Italy!"

Here's a curious question that comes from an Sicilian-American in Chicago, USA:

"Are Sicilians really superstitious?"

Yes, Sicilians are very superstitious people, almost more than being devout Catholics. Here are some great superstitions you can have fun with the next time you visit Sicily:

1.) Never put a new pair of shoes on the kitchen table.
2.) When entering someone's home, always leave through the same door you came in from, otherwise its bad luck.
3.) The 'horns' is kind of similar to "I'm rubber, you're glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you", so if you wish someone harm who wears this pagan jewelry symbol, it will return to you to haunt you.
4.) Bury a small plastic statuette of St. Joseph upside down on the front lawn if you want your house to sell.
5.) Never give pearls as a present; they are to be inherited only.
6.) Put brand new shiny coins on the windowsill before midnight on New Year's Eve for good luck. Place them heads up!
7.) When in need of prayers for the sick, dead or dying go to church and light a candle.

Enjoy the issue, keep writing and Grazie!

Tanti Saluti,              
"Only In Italy" Staff       

Rome - May 20, 2004 - Age is no obstacle to running for elective office, least of all to 99-year-old Innocenza Cabri of Berceto, Italy.

Nicknamed "Centa", she dreams of celebrating her 100th birthday as a member of Parma's provincial council, while admitting to fears of falling asleep if her colleagues' speeches are too long-winded.

Partial elections to the council will be held June 12-13 to coincide with EU-wide elections to the European Parliament, and Centa is the oldest candidate in the 25-nation bloc, according to her web site.

Centa, who lives in a retirement home in Berceto that she helped create, has joined the New PSI, a splinter of the Italian Socialist Party (PSI) and her first political affiliation, despite her longstanding socialist leanings.

Her party admits on the web site that fielding Centa is a "provocation" but says it is not "using" her. "One has to realize to what point she has always been available to others," the New PSI says.

Centa's slogan? "The future has a past."

"Porca Miseria!" Here's our slogan to Centa:

"People who are very old should stop for a moment, pull up their pants, put on something warm and go rest somewhere."

What could possibly be her political power if elected? Trying to walk up a flight of stairs without losing her breath?

But, then again, we're in Italy; a country that allows senior citizens who have seen Haley's Comet enough times to run for political office.

Palermo - May 29, 2004 - Thousands of fans poured into the streets of the Sicilian capital Saturday after Palermo beat Triestina 3-1 and clinched promotion to Italy's top soccer league for the first time in 32 years.

Fans exploded firecrackers and played horns and trumpets after the win. Luca Toni scored twice, increasing his total to 28, which leads the second division with two games left.

"Auguri, Auguri!" As fellow Sicilians, we give our congratulations to the Palermo soccer team and for their hard earned promotion to the "Serie A" division.

And to prove our thankfulness, our entire news team took off to Palermo and celebrated by eating the traditional Palermitano "milza" and "pannelle" hero sandwiches and drinking homemade wine.

Ahhhh! Nothing like a good cow spleen (milza) and cornmeal (pannelle) hero to help celebrate the victory of your favorite soccer team.

Frosinone - May 28, 2004 - An ear, nose and throat specialist working at the hospital in Frosinone, was surprised by state inspectors for sanitary hygiene yesterday morning, smoking one of many cigarettes in the operating room, with tranquility.

The specialist was fined and had to pay 250 euros. The case caused a stir, above all, because of the fact that there should be maximum respect in the operating room for those who entrust their lives in the hands of doctors.

"Complimenti, testa di minghia!" Isn't this fantastic?

It has been scientifically proved that smoking and second-hand smoke can kill you. Now, Italians have to worry about their bodies being used as potential ashtrays.

"My stitches smell like tobacco smoke. Why is that?"

"Disgraziati!" These doctors who put themselves through medical school by chasing chickens don’t realize they are supposed to be role models for Italian society. They should be wearing gloves, masks...and hairnets at all times!

While we’re at it, we'll throw in a few French maid outfits just to teach them a lesson!