Westporter Al DiGuido Named Publisher of “America Domani” ahead of the Italian-American News Site’s Launch
North Sixth Group Press Release:North Sixth Group announced today it has purchased the exclusive global licensing rights to the leading Italian American newspaper America Oggi and invested in the revival of the historic Il Progresso Italo Americano (“Il Progresso”). Both will be integrated into a newly created digital community launching this summer called America Domani (“Tomorrow”).
America Domani will be launched in summer 2022 as the leading digital media community for the 17 million Americans of Italian heritage and millions more who have a love and affinity for Italian culture. Staying true to the “Domani” name, which means “Tomorrow” in Italian, America Domani will showcase an array of engaging content from top Italian American influencers and personalities, including news, food and wine, culture, travel, comedy, language, sports and entertainment, and more.
Both America Oggi and Il Progresso will be integrated into America Domani as special sections. America Oggi will be published as a daily news and current events section with the latest updates from Italy. The Il Progresso section will feature historical content, vintage footage, interviews and interactive media chronicling the Italian American journey over the past centuries.
America Oggi was founded in 1988 and has grown to become the most popular daily Italian language newspaper in the world outside of Italy. Il Progresso was founded in 1880 and for generations of Italian Americans, served as the most trusted and highly circulated daily newspaper, engaging millions of readers and leading advertisers from across the world.
“Beginning in the 19th century, Il Progresso and America Oggi became indelible parts of the Italian American experience,” said Massimo Basile, renowned journalist for La Repubblica and other leading Italian publications. “North Sixth Group’s vision for America Domani will pave the way for current and future generations and the restoration of these historical titles within the community will be a critical link to the heritage of brands that are as synonymous with the Italian American experience as any others in the world.”
Media industry veteran Al DiGuido has been appointed CEO & Publisher of America Domani. DiGuido’s career is highlighted by serving as Publisher of Ziff Davis’ Computer Shopper, which was the world’s largest PC magazine. He then founded Bigfoot Interactive, subsequently becoming CEO of Epsilon Interactive following its acquisition of Bigfoot for $120 million.
“As a proud Italian American, it is an honor to bring together Americans of all backgrounds who share a passion and love for Italy,” said Al DiGuido, CEO & Publisher of America Domani. “The history of Italy and the stories of the millions of Italians who have sacrificed to achieve the American Dream have been told through the pages of America Oggi and Il Progresso. We will carry this legacy forward proudly as we marry them with America Domani to create the leading digital platform for future generations.”
“Regardless of blood lines, every American is proudly Italian in some way. Despite the mass influence and affinity for Italian culture, there is a longstanding void in serving this community through digital content,” said Matt Rizzetta, Chairman of North Sixth Group. “Our investment in America Domani is one of the most significant in the history of Italian American media as it will bring to life the beauty, authenticity and richness of Italian culture through two of the most historic brands that have been cherished by generations of Italians living abroad.”
To sign-up for notifications ahead of America Domani’s launch this summer, visit www.americadomani.com. For advertising inquiries, visit www.americadomani.com/advertise.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Rain, mainly before noon. High near 61. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 54. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 3 to 8 mph.
Town of Westport Public Meeting Schedule
Commission on People with Disabilities: 9:00 AM
Non-Union Supervisory Pension Board: 11:30 AM
Aspetuck Health District Board of Directors Special Meeting: 4:00 PM
Tree Board: 4:30 PM
District 5 Neighborhood Traffic & Safety Meeting: 7:00 PM
Youth Commission: 7:15 PM
PJ Romano Field House on Planning and Zoning Commission Docket; 50 Year Lease Explored
Westport Planning & Zoning Department:Planning and Zoning Director Mary Young announced that on May 23, 2022, at 7:00 PM, the Planning and Zoning Commission will be reviewing a lease between the Town of Westport and the Westport Police Athletic League (PAL), for the PJ Romano Field House at the Doubleday Field Complex located at the Saugatuck Elementary School, together with the lawns, driveway and walkways surrounding the Field House at 170 Riverside Ave. All application materials may be viewed on the Town’s website here.
PAL has leased the Field House from the Board of Education (BOE) for over 50 years for use with its athletic programs. The lease expired in Nov. 2021. The BOE on March 21, 2022, relinquished control of the Field House back to the Town effective July 1, 2022. As the BOE is not using it for educational purposes, they extended the lease to PAL to that date. The proposed lease is twenty-years (20 years) in duration starting July 1, 2022, and ending June 31, 2042, with two (2) five (5) year options to renew.
Mary Young described, “The Planning and Zoning Commission recently revised their Municipal Improvement Procedures, to expand notification by mail as evidenced by a certificate of mailing to residents located within a 250’ radius of the subject property, to also require a Press Release be prepared prior to any meeting involving acquisition, sale, lease, or substantial improvements to Town-owned property, to expand notice to all residents of the opportunity to participate at an upcoming public meeting involving Town-owned property”
The May 23, 2022, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting will be held virtually via Zoom, will be live streamed on the Town’s website at www.westportct.gov, and accessible on Optimum Government Access Channel 79 and Frontier Channel 6020. Comments can be sent prior to the meeting at PandZ@westportct.gov and interested parties may join the meeting virtually or call in to offer testimony during the meeting. To access the Planning and Zoning Commission’s meeting use this Zoom link.
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 17; State Positivity Rate 13.76%, Hospitalizations Up 4
The State Department of Public Health reported 17 more cases in Westport over the past day. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 13.76% while hospitalizations were up 4 patients, with 365 patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 throughout the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 4,827 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 36 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 13.76% [up from 13.41%]
State Hospitalizations: 365 patients [+4]
Beautiful, Busy Sunday At Compo Beach
Beautiful weather on Sunday drew many visitors to enjoy a warm spring day at Compo Beach
The weather Sunday got off to a gloomy start however beautiful, sunny skies and warm temps took over and drew many Westporters to Compo Beach. From joggers, to kids enjoying their boogie board, to folks wading into the low tide waters, to a vigorous game of volleyball, the beach was a very active scene. A seagull which was lucky enough to catch a delicious crab had to watch his back while trying to find a place to enjoy his dinner. Even the nesting oyster catchers which have again selected their favorite south beach location to begin another family had a lot going on.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Oystercatchers Were Busy Too!
The Male Oystercatcher keeps an eye out for trouble.
For the last several years a pair of Oystercatchers have called South Beach at Compo home where there are few natural predators and have nested and attempted to raise their families. Chicks have hatched in years past but it is not well known what their success rate is as to their survival. Named Oyster catchers in 1731 by english naturalist Mark Catesby their diet includes different shellfish species indulging mussels, clams and crabs. The Amrican Oystercatcher is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the state erects "fencing" wire and signs warning viewers and beachgoers to keep their distance to allow for successful breeding.
On Sunday the pair had their hands full. As the photos here show the female was sitting on her nest when a seagull came to close for the male's comfort. He instinctively approached the seagull and then lured him away from the nest. If that was not enough of a disturbance, a third Oystercacther approached the pair and both male and female chased off the unwelcome bird returning to the nest a short while later.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph
Tonight
A slight chance of showers between 9pm and 3am, then rain after 3am. Low around 54. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow
Rain before 9am, then a chance of showers between 9am and 3pm. High near 71. South wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Robert Darefsky, 61, Died; Westporter
Robert J. Darefsky, 61, of Westport, CT, husband of Amy (nee Brown) and father of Jordan and Carlie, passed away at home on May 11, 2022.
Rob grew up in West Hartford where he attended Hall High School. He went on to graduate from the University of Vermont and later received his MBA from the University of Chicago. Rob was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers' Business Recovery Services practice before becoming a senior managing director at FTI Consulting.
Rob is survived by his wife, children, mother Rosalyn Darefsky of West Hartford, sisters Marla (Mark) Severance of Stamford and Elyse Darefsky of Bloomfield, and niece Kayla (Josh) Jarnagin of Phoenix, Arizona. He was pre-deceased by his father, Leon Darefsky and nephew, Jared Bergman. Graveside funeral services were held on May 12, 2022 at The Emanuel Synagogue Cemetery in Wethersfield, CT.
The family is observing a private mourning period. Contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of your choice or the Jared Bergman Scholarship (New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence, 265 Clove Road, New Rochelle, NY 10801).