Culture, Wine, Food and Music in the Italian countryside - May 20, 2017

May is turning out to be a great month for CCR activities! We have another day trip organized for members and guests and it will touch on everything that we love about Italy. 

First, culture. The day begins with a guided tour of the beautiful medieval frescoes in the crypt of the Romanesque cathedral of Santa Maria (1072-1104) in the medieval hill town of Anagni, located about 50 km south of Rome. The walls and vaults of the crypt are completely covered with brightly coloured frescoes considered some of the best works of Romanesque/Byzantine art in Italy. Painted in 1237, they form one of the most extensive and best-preserved medieval pictorial cycles in Europe.

Next, wine. From Anagni we drive to the nearby Azienda Agricola Coletti Conti for a tasting of Cesanese wines. The owner Anton Maria Coletti Conti is widely considered to be one of the greatest producers of Cesanese del Piglio, the only DOCG wine in Lazio. Cesanese, with is bright fruit characters and earthy overtones, is considered by many to be one of Lazio's most interesting grape varieties -- and, for the most part, not yet well-known beyond circles of wine enthusiasts.

And then, food and music. We will be treated to a home cooked ‘pranzo al fresco’ hosted by members Evelyn Beller and Blando Palmieri on the terrace of their country cottage in their small vineyard in the countryside outside of Paliano. A time to relax, chat, eat and at the end of the meal enjoy traditional accordion music by a young local musician.

A very special thanks to our friends and CCR members Evelyn Beller and Blando Palmieri who generously organized this outing. In addition Evelyn and Blando are cooking the meal and offering their wine (vino di casa) on behalf of our charity Project Rome.

When: Saturday, May 20, 2017
Transportation, Meeting Point and Time: 9.30 a.m. in Piazza Papa Innocenzo III, Anagni FR. We will meet at ‘Bar del Duomo’ in the piazza for coffee. The guided tour of the crypt in the Santa Maria Cathedral starts promptly at 10.00 a.m. Instructions on where to park will be sent to participants.
Car Pooling: Please let us know if you can offer a ride in your car. We will help organize car pools so that those without vehicles can enjoy this day outing
Cost: €10 for the guided tour of the crypt (members and non-members). The price may vary slightly (higher or lower) depending on the number of participants. We are also asking members to donate on a voluntary basis to Project Rome, CCR’s 2016-17 charity. Non-members may only participate in this exceptional outing and meal with a donation of at least €15, which we will collect on the day of our outing. CCR supports Project Rome's efforts to provide fresh, hot meals to those most in need as well as clothes, shoes, bags and bedding to Rome's poor and disadvantage.
NB: Book early as space is limited and remember that you are financially responsible for your participation.
RSVP to canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Linda by Thu. May 18.

Thinking Outside the Box: Aperitif & Food Drive - February 15, 2017

CCR is delighted to do another combined event with Free Exchange to benefit our charity Project Rome. This fun-filled aperitif will allow all members and friends to participate in aiding Project Rome by preparing boxes with extremely needed personal items for the homeless and less fortunate people in Rome.

All we ask is that you help to fill shoe boxes with items that CCR will provide (if you have some, you could bring an empty shoe box or two but we'll have some for those who can't find any at home!). Your good spirit and caring nature will do the rest. But if you happen to have some extras of the following items, your contribution is welcome since there is an ongoing need: pasta, rice, legumes (pulses), canned tomatoes (passata), potatoes, olive oil, plastic plates, cups, spoons and serviettes – as well as non-food items such as candles for those living in the dark.

Our effort aims to assist Project Rome and also to promote Canada 150 (the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation) in conjunction with the Canadian Embassy in Rome, and so we hope to collect more than 150 items such as those above!

When: Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Time: 6:30-9 p.m.
Where: Enoteca Q'4RT inside Hotel Oxford, Via Boncompagni 87 (Via Veneto area)
Cost: €10 first drink and aperitif finger foods, €5 for each drink after that.
RSVP: by noon Feb. 15, 2017

CCR CHARITY FOR 2016-2017: Project Rome - Tiburtina Tuesdays

Started in early 2015 by British expat Mary Stuart-Miller after an initial volunteer experience with a local Roman charity left her feeling she could do a lot more for the homeless and refugees by taking action more directly, “Tiburtina Tuesdays” became a weekly opportunity to bring fresh, hot meals to those most in need. Along with chef and formerly homeless fellow expat Steven Barnes, Mary has since expanded it into a larger “Project Rome” charity to also provide clothes, shoes, bags and bedding to Rome's poor and disadvantaged  -- not to mention the comfort of a friendly face and warm embrace.

This year the CCR has chosen this local, multi-national initiative to support as its 2016-2017 Season charity. We’ll be heading out on a “Tiburtina Tuesday” to lend a hand, we’re going to collect food, clothing and other supplies, and we hope to raise plenty of funds for this wonderful project. Have you always wanted to help more directly and give back to the Roman community? Here’s the perfect opportunity.