TheReherCentergets its name from the bakery that once occupied the buildings on the corner of Spring Street and Broadway.  First opened by Frank Reher in 1908, the Reher Bakery served two generations of this Jewish immigrant’s family that lived and worked in the bakery buildings at 99-101 Broadway from 1908 until 2004.  The Reher Bakery building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure within the boundaries of the nationally designated Rondout-West Strand Historic District and the Kingston Urban Cultural Park Heritage Area.

The interior of the bakery building is little changed since it was first constructed in 1883, providing an exceptionally vivid window on the past.  Little needs to be recreated to bring to life the story of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries’ immigrant and mercantile life ofKingston.  Shortly before his passing in October 2004, Hyman Reher, the last of the Reher family bakers, deeded the bakery to the Jewish Federation of Ulster County for the purpose of establishing a cultural center to relate the immigrant experience of the Rondout district.

TheReherCenterfor Immigrant Culture and History is a project of the Jewish Federation Of Ulster County (UCJF).  The UCJF recognizes that the story of the Reher family is the story of many of the immigrant groups that established roots in the burgeoning Rondout area in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, working on the canal and in the brick yards and boat yards, and operating the many taverns, furniture and hardware stores, groceries, inns, stables, rooming houses and clothing stores that served the population.

The mission of theReherCenteris to provide an institution that works to document, embrace, and promote regional cultural history and diversity by:

• providing exhibition space and a depository for educational, historic and archival materials for research and special exhibits and programs with a focus on the nineteenth and early twentieth century immigrant and mercantile history Rondout, Kingston and the Ulster County region;

• operating a cultural center where ongoing community input by representatives of all immigrant groups that have settled in the region can assure honest and balanced programming and provide opportunities for cooperation;

• extending the historical perspective of the mission of theReherCenterto include programming that studies and interprets immigration in its contemporary context; and

• encouraging an increased appreciation of cultural diversity and community by means of its programming.

Currently, the Reher Bakery is undergoing restoration and is open by appointment only.  People interested in finding out more about our project can check out our exhibit at theDowntownHeritageAreaVisitorCenteror call the Jewish Federation office at 845-338-8131.

Geoffrey Miller

Zumba was discovered accidentally–literally.  In 1986 Columbian dance instructor and choreographer  Alberto Perez was scheduled to lead an aerobics class and he forgot his aerobic music tapes, so he  used the music tapes that he had in his car, which were primarily salsa and meringue.  The results were so positive that he incorporated Latin dance into the rest of his fitness routines.   He came to America in 2001, and brought his  infectious dance mix with him.   As it has presently evolved, Zumba combines elements of almost every Latin dance form from the chachacha and the tango through flamenco and mambo, while mixing in some hip-hop, some belly dancing, and some resistance training.   An average 150 pound person can expect to burn about 535 calories an hour dancing Zumba–and have a lot of fun doing it!   And entire fashion industry has sprung up creating clothing and accessories as lively as the music!   Kingston is a hotbed of Zumbulation, with a class in every neighborhood and for every fitness level.  Best of all, we need no dance training or talent to  step up to Zumba–once  our bodies are in motion they will tend to remain in motion!

Over at the Cornell Street Studios at 168 Cornell Street,  Cat Schoch and Alicia Bailey lead classes every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon from  5:30 to 6:30 in the afternoon.  There’s no membership to buy, but a 10-class card offers a savings.  During the month of January, Cat is offering a special!  Get to the studio early, at about 5:15 and enjoy a free 15 minute workshop with Cat offering helpful tips for everyone from newcomers through experts.  Cat has been teaching Zumba since 2007, and Alicia has been a certified instructor for over a year, and also offers Zumba for kids.

A few blocks down the railroad tracks at 15 Railroad Avenue , the Center for Creative Educations is one of the locations offering Zumba classes with Bryant  ”Drew” Andrews, Kingston’s own Zumba superstar.  Drew was the driving force behind getting hundreds of people into Kingston’s Deitz Memorial Stadium last summer to “Let’s Move Kingston” an initiative involving the Ulster County Health Department, the Kingston school district and youth organizations that is part of the national push to get the next generation of children away from their TVs and computers.   He is particularly fond of Zumba because the dance music from around the world makes it community oriented.  The focus of Zumba, he notes, is not about dance but to keep us moving, to exhibit positive energy, and to let go of our inhibitions. Drew has classes at the Center for Creative Education Tuesday  nights from 7 to 9 pm and Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30.

Drew will also be leading a class in “Intense Zumba” called Kick It Up A Notch, at the Kingston YMCA at the corner of Pine Grove Avenue and Broadway.  The first class is January 7, from 1 to 2:30 in the afternoon.  He holds regular Zumba classes at the Kingston YMCA every other Sunday at 10:30am. These are only a few of the many Zumba classes offered at the Kingston YMCA.  There are six classes taking place every weekday, and special  Zumba Gold for Seniors.  Memberships in the YMCA are not required, and the $10 drop-in class fee also entitles participants to use the other amenities offered by the YMCA such as the whirlpool and track.

In Historic Uptown Kingston. Signature Fitness operates a bright, friendly intimate small gym which offers, in addition to a full range of exercise equipment, two convenient Zumba Classes a week with instructor Toni Hedges, who has been a Zumba instructor for  5 years, and an exercise instructor for 20 years.   The classes are  Wednesday at 6 pm and Saturday at 9:45 a.m..  Membership is not a requirement for the classes, which are suitable for all fitness levels, and the drop-in rate is only $7.

Not only does Zumba burn those calories that were so easy to add during December, but it tones the entire body, and  encourages aerobic fitness–and its fun!    There are seven different levels of participation and one of them is right for “every body” and every age group.  In addition, the next time we have an opportunity to get out on a dance floor, we can bust some impressive moves!

Long-time Kingston residents will remember DeCicco’s Taylor Shop, run by Carmine’s father, which kept Kingston looking sharp from 1968 to 1990.   The building stood empty for twenty years, before Carmelo DeCicco noticed the spirit of optimism and innovation in Uptown and decided to open Blue 57, an upscale wine and spirits store.

Getting the store ready would have been a daunting task, if Carmelo’s brother Sal had not been a master carpenter specializing in fine cabinetry.  Together the two brothers took their dream from the blueprint to the Blue 57, which had its soft opening the first week in October.  A grand opening celebration is scheduled for November 18 with the Chamber of Commerce cutting the ribbon.

One featured wine company will be Dreaming Tree Wines, by the Dave Matthews Band and made  by Steve Reeder.  Dreaming Tree offers wines from sustainably  farmed grapes, with the cheerful philosophy, “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with collecting wine, but wouldn’t you rather drink it instead.?”  Blue 57 will also be featuring 14 Hands Wines among their many selections of wines and spirits.

On October 27, shoppers will have an opportunity to sample the above as Blue57 hosts a wine tasting from 5 to 7 pm.   It may be rather unconventional.  Dave Matthews, discussing his first taste of Crush Red Wine said, “I swallowed it before I put the glass down.  There wasn’t any opportunity to spit.”  (At traditional wine tastings, the participants do not swallow the wine, but  merely experience its flavors and bouquet.)  Since Crush Red Wine is described as having “notes of smokey berry and a pop of raspberry jam”, tradition is probably not going to be followed.

Those who want to follow Carmelo DeCicco’s investment in Kingston’s retail future can do so on Facebook, and there is an intoxicating web page in development.   In the meantime, Carmine probably agrees with Dreaming Tree that “…the best vintage is pretty much right now.”  Wine also makes the perfect holiday gift, and if one over shops, one can always sip the extras!

The Festival is an international celebration of dreams and dreamers featuring art, music, film, performance and dream telling! Deep Listening Institute’s Artistic Director Ione explains, “I am interested in fostering a Dream Community. Dreams are our deepest source of creativity and dreams are always truthful about our feelings. Since all humans and most animals dream, sharing dreams and dream creations can help dissolve the cultural and class demarcations that keep us separate from one another. Dream awareness can help us lead more authentic lives. ”

From 3 to 6 pm, the Dream Festival kicks off with the Marathon of Dreamers hosted by Ione. The marathon will feature performances, presentations and dream-tellings from the local dream community of artists and performers. Admission is a suggested $5 donation. Audience members are invited to share a dream and bring an offering to a potluck feast. Artists schedule to participate include performances by the band Mamalama, authors Rachel Koenig and Bethany Goldpaugh Brown, singer songwriter Jaclyn Heyen, musician C. Lavender, vocalist Lisa Barnard Kelley, musician David Arner and a screening of Jo Andres’ short film “Liquid Tara.” All performances will be broadcast online at Deep Listening’s website, www.deeplistening.org.

Starting at 6:30 pm, the doors of Stella May Gallery Theatre will reopen for the Dream Festival gala reception featuring La Leona Arts’ project 100 Artists/100 Dreams with an exhibit called “Dreamers” showcasing art from some of the project’s participants and the premiere of 100 Artists/ 100 Dreams The Film. The Film screens at 8pm. Tickets at the door are $10 general admission and $8 for students and seniors. Advance discounted tickets are available online at www.deeplistening.org. Each ticket includes a glass of special “Dream Cocktail” created by mixologist Kyle Kelley.The exhibit “Dreamers” is on view October 1 – 27 at the Stella May Gallery. Visit their website www.stellamayproductions.com or call 845-331-7955 for an appointment.

100 Artists/ 100 Dreams is a dream exploration project, curated by Sadee Brathwaite, that features local and international artists and explores the concept of artists as visionaries and keepers of the creative fires. The project consists of a film, an exhibition (scheduled to open 2012) and an installation. Local participating artists include Matthew Maley – New Paltz, Patti Gibbons – Kingston, Lindsey Graham – Pine Bush, Faheem Haider – Montgomery, Lisa Barnard Kelley – Kingston, Moya Marcelino – Kingston, Suzanne V. Paddock – Kingston, Shirley Parker-Benjamin – Poughkeepsie, Joe Pimental & Melissa Toth – Newburgh and more.

Afterparty will be held at MINT, 1 West Strand, Kingston with “Dream Specials” by chef Graziano. For directions to Stella May Gallery Theatre call 331-7955. For more information and calendar of Dream Festival events visit www.deeplistening.org or call 845-338-5984.

SUNY Ulster SUNY Ulster Community College, The Children’s Annex, Ulster County Executive Office, and  Shadowland Theatre.

This year’s recipient, Rosendale Theatre Collective will use their gift to categorize, archive and frame a selection of 30 years of original movie posters.  The posters will hang in their lobby and on the interior walls of the theatre.

Additionally, the funds from this years event will benefit Federation causes as well as Family of Woodstock, Angel Food East, Queens’ Galley, People’s Place and other social service agencies.  Sharing the commitment and responsibility to “repair the world” through Tikkun Olam is Federation’s mission.  

Carole Shiber

This year’s annual art show, sale and cocktail reception  will feature 28 Hudson Valley artists: Paolo Bari, Mixed Media; Harriet Forman Barrett /Jewelry; Sara & Michael Beames / Fused Glass; Deborah Blau / Oil; Barbara Bravo / Ceramics; Sherri Cohen / Mixed Media / Fine Art; Steve Fabrico / Ceramics; Stacie Flint / Oil; Lynne Friedman / Oil; Melanie Hall / Mixed Media / giclee; Oliver Kita / Chocolates; Barbara Klar / Jewelry; Stephanie La Rose / Photography; Julia Lefkovits / Mixed Media; Louise Lefkovits / Mixed Media; Joel Mandelbaum / Photography; Barbara Masterson / Oil; Rick Pantell / Graphic Art / Oil; Ellen Perantoni / Oil; Susan Phillips / Photography; Judy Polinsky / Jewelry; Sally Rothchild / Ceramics; Elisa Shaw / Photography; Kaete Brittin Shaw / Ceramics; Carole Shiber / Fiber; M’Lou Sorrin / Pastel / Acrylic/Oil; Karen Whitman / Graphic Art; Joel Zaretsky / Metal.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artists, learn about their particular medium and purchase if they like. In addition R & F Handmade Paints Inc. will award two $250 gift certificates to artists for overall excellence. Vindora Wixom, Executive Director of Arts Society of Kingston will select the awards.

There are 3 components of fall for Art’s success: Artists without whom there would be no show.  Some have been with fall for Art since its inception and some will be showing for the 1^st time. Their work is varied and beautiful and their personal statements in the booklet reflect their passion for their work. The investment of the sponsors who the Jewish Federation encourages to support during the year, and the attendees whose support of the artwork purchased enables the artist to succeed and continue to create.  Go to http://www.fallforart.org/ for more information

They say business has been a bit slow of late but they love their restaurant and their loyal customers. They wouldn’t think of doing anything else. Next time you’re driving down Broadway stop in.

I bet you didn’t know:

1-They’ve been in business for 21 years at the same location

2-The building has been a food establishment for over 70 years

3-They decorate the entire restaurant for every season and every holiday

4-They serve grits

5-Sophia’s is named after their daughter

6-Elizabeth was born and raised in Kingston. James was born in Cyprus

7-You can eat in or take out

8-They’re open 7 days a week

9-Breakfast is served all day long and they have great specials (You can get 3 French Toast or 2 Pancakes with 2 scrambled eggs and beef sausage for $5.95).

10-James is running for Kingston City school board

The Wall Street Jazz Festival, scheduled September 2 and 3, is unique in that founders Peggy Stern and John Bilotti wanted to all the band leaders to be women, having noticed a dearth of female leaders at other jazz festivals. Friday evening’s concert, located at the BEAhive, starts at 8 pm and features a pair of duos, resulting in some very adventuresome improvisations. Vocalist Judi Silvano plays with pianist Marilyn Crispell, and vocalist Teri Roiger plays with bassist John Mengon. Admission is $12.

Saturday’s free concert, held on Wall Street from 6 to 10 pm, features Peggy Stern on piano and “Sweet” Sue Terry on saxophone; the Amy Shook Quartet (Amy Shook on acoustic bass, accompanied by Pat Shook on tenor saxophone, Frank Russo on drums and Tim Young on piano; and the Francesca Tanksley Trio (Tanksley on piano, Otto Gardner on bass, and Jeff Siegel on drums). At 9 pm dancing starts in the street when Estrella Salsam, featuring Sue Terry, Freddie Jacobs, Claire Daly, Amy Shook, Peggy Stern, Tomas Martin Lopez on timbales, and Renato on conga, take the stage. For more info visit www.wallstreetjazzfestival.com

The Hooley on the Hudson, Ulster County’s only Irish festival, is held at Gallo Park on the Kingston waterfront the next day, Sunday, September 4, from 11:30 am to 9 pm. Now in its ninth year, the festival is hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Three stages will be set up, two featuring music and the third dedicated to the spoken word. The line-up is too extensive to list in its entirety here, so here’s a brief sampling: the NY Showband with Tommy Flynn, the Ulster County AOH Division 1 Pipe, Drum and Honor Guard, the Andy Cooney Band, Vince Fisher and Tommy Kiernan, and spoken word artists Kate Dudding and Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi. Also taking the stage will be Irish dancers, from the Celtic Heels School of Irish Dance and the Michael Farrell School of Irish Dance. All concerts are free, and there will be food and craft vendors and children’s entertainment. For more info go to www.ulsteraoh.com

Two weekends later, on Saturday, September 17 (rain date September 18), the second Drum Boogie comes to Cornell Park, after a year’s hiatus. Executive producer Garry Kvistad, founder and owner of Woodstock Percussion, Inc., said the event is not  your usual rock drummers’ get-together. “It’s a very multicultural event, with men and woman of all cultures playing Caribbean, tap, ragtime, African, contemporary modern, and rock and roll,” he said. The headliners are Jerry Marrotta, whose group includes the lead guitar player from the David Letterman Show; Nexus, whose drummer played for Peter Gabriel and Orleans, among other top acts; Jack Dejohnette, “the biggest name in jazz”; Liam Teague, “arguably the best steel pan player in the world,” who will also perform with the NYU Steel Band; local percussionists extraordinaire POOK; and Native American Singers and Drummers.

Kvistad said the park, which is shaped like an amphitheater facing the Hudson River, has ideal natural acoustics. People should bring a blanket or chair; food vendors will be at the site. A portion of the proceeds raised from the numerous local businesses that support the event will be donated to Family of Woodstock’s cancer treatment program, in memory of the late Kathy Janeczek, Kingston’s beloved former town clerk. To make a donation, visit www.drumboogiefestival.com.

October kicks off with  a two month long Dream Festival.  The Dream Festival is an international celebration of dreams and dreamers curated by Kingston based author and dream facilitator Ione.  Going on its 16th year, this global community event includes artwork, performances and workshops by world-class artists, everyday dreamers and inspired beings.

Then the Italian Festival happens on Sunday, October 2.  Lower Broadway and the Strand will be festooned with colorful, light-strewn arches, in an echo of New York’s famous San Gennaro festival. Instead of the usual fried dough and cotton candy, however, the booths will be manned by staff from local restaurants, complementing the neighborhood eateries, offering a healthy and delicious “taste of the mid Hudson Valley,” according to Denis White, marketing director of the newly formed nonprofit organization, Kingston’s Waterfront Marketing Inc., which is hosting the event.

The musical performers include Bell’Accordio, a four-piece band playing traditional Italian music.  Local artists and craftspeople will display their work along the creekside walkway as well as submit a work of art inspired by Leonardo DaVinci’s Mona Lisa. A stage hosting a rally for the Queens Galley, broadcast on radio station WBPM, will be set up along Broadway. Activities for kids and adults include a pizza making lesson, spaghetti eating contest, and games of bocci. A Vespa scooter will be raffled off to a lucky winner.

On Columbus Day weekend, October 7,8 and 9, the second annual O+ Festival will transform Uptown Kingston into an arts extravaganza, with 30 bands, including Mike & Ruthy’s Folk City, Willy Mason, and TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb, performing at various venues, a photographic exhibition, large-scale wheat pastes by various artists (it’ll be fun finding out exactly what those are), a seven-hour performance piece by Linda Montano, various installations (including historical plaques by Norm Magnusson, a 30-foot high interactive red jute wall by Lisa Lozano, and hand-knitted cigarettes by Melissa Halvorson), and a screening of Marwencol, a documentary about the amazing tiny World War II town and scenes created and photographed by an artist with disabilities on the grounds of his home in Eddyville. In exchange for their offering of art, the participating musicians and artists can use the services of a mobile clinic, where 40 doctors, dentists and other specialists will donate their services. Suggested price for a wristband providing access to all the events is $25.

Janice Ambrose, chair of the club’s Academy Green Committee and a Kingston resident for 45 years, said keeping Kingston green isn’t just a matter of aesthetics, but also helps purify the air, an essential, healthful counterpoint to all that car and truck exhaust. Before moving to the city upon marrying her husband, a native Kingstonian, Ambrose, who was born and raised in Kansas, said she loved visiting because of the lushness of the tree-lined streets—a quality that’s been somewhat diminished in recent years, she noted. A model of what Kingston could be, in terms of aesthetics, is Cooperstown. “Everything’s maintained beautifully and you want to visit,” she said, noting that there’s no reason Kingston couldn’t have the same appeal, and more, considering its vastly more interesting history. “If it’s pretty, they’ll visit.”

Fortunately the city has a Tree Commission that has continued to remain active despite the cutting of its annual budget from $7,500 three years to $5,000. The Tree Commission and the Ulster Garden Club, through its Memorial Tree Fund, work together; for example, the garden club paid for the planting of the city’s annual Arbor Day tree planting (this year, on the Kingston High School lawn). Tree Commission member Mark DeDea, who is caretaker of the Forsyth Nature Center, said the commission plants about 10 trees a year. Recent plantings have included Liberty elms on the Broadway corridor and a mix of species on Gage Street.

Trees planted on Broadway in particular take a beating, due to pollution from traffic exhaust, runoff from rock salt during the winter, vandals, snowplows, and the occasional colliding car. DeDea said business owners would be doing the city a great service by maintaining the trees in front of their properties, including watering on dry days and notifying the city’s Department of Public Works if a branch is broken (the DPW does tree pruning and removal of dead trees). They can also help by planting a tree, and thanks to matching funds from the Memorial Tree Fund, they get a discount: the $350 cost of planting a tree approximately 10 feet high would be half that, thanks to the match. The fund will subsidize the planting of five trees a year in the city.

Meanwhile, the trees along Wall Street, part of the Canopy rebuilding, had to be removed. The trees had become a problem, their roots invading the underlying infrastructure. New trees are planned which will be smaller and planted in containers—expect plants like redbuds and crab apples. The return of some greenery will be much welcome.  —-Lynn Woods

Graziano in the Outside Garden dining area

Before there was Mint, there was the Downtown Café, whose owner and chef, Graziano Tecchio, earned a following for his culinary talents (as well as a high rating from Zagat). The closing of the Downtown Café three years ago was lamented by Graziano’s legion of neighborhood fans. His sister, Alessandro, who owns Dolce Café, brought the corner space back to life last summer as the wine bar Mint. But now Graziano is back, reopening Mint two weeks ago as a full-scale restaurant specializing in fresh, homemade northern Italian food with low prices (the bar remains, and quality wines will continue to be served).

Open Wednesday through Sunday from 4 to 10 pm, Mint offers a full menu of Italian classics, specializing in homemade pasta. They include  pappardelle, a wide ribbon pasta served with fresh tomato and basil; agnolotti, a large ravioli pasta made with spinach and stuffed with goat cheese or vegetables; and malsatti, a spinach dumpling. Entrees, including a salad and garlic bread, are priced from $7 to $16—incredibly reasonable, considering everything is fresh and made on the spot.

A sampling of some of the other entrees includes risotto sautéed with scallops, steak, trout, red snapper and rabbit. Downtown Café was also famous for desserts, and Graziano isn’t letting anyone down this time around: right now he’s serving tiramisu and a chocolate truffle, which are $6. Graziano said he was inspired to reopen his own place after working as a chef at various restaurants in a 60-mile radius, many of which were disappointing. Although he has lived in the U.S. since he was 20 years old, he’s solidly grounded in the traditional cuisine of his native Venice, where he was born and raised, beginning to cook in restaurants at age 13.

Keeping his prices low “takes more work”—for example, an extra day in the kitchen to make the pasta himself, Graziano explained. He’s also sourcing his ingredients from local farms, which means more running around. But the extra effort is essential to establishing his first priority, which is quality–the best way to attract a following, he said. “They’re coming, slowly,” he said of his first two weeks in business. “The incentive of having cheaper prices on the menu is they invite people in. If they get a pleasant surprise, it’s great”—and as he builds his clientele, invariably prices will get higher. So head to Mint now to sample the products of a talented chef at some very affordable prices. -–Lynn Woods

Mint is located at 1 West Strand, Kingston, NY
Tel. 845.338.2006 Facebook

Don Vito’s Pizzeria

Zito knows pizza, having grown up in the pizzeria his father, a native of Sicily, ran for 33 years in Marlborough. It was after his father, Dominic, had retired that Vito decided to go out on his own. Dominic hasn’t retired entirely: on a recent afternoon, he was in the store helping out, folding a stack of cardboard boxes. (There’s also an employee who makes deliveries.) Vito has taken to heart Dominic’s two tips for success—“good price and good material”: a slice costs only $1.85, and a medium pizza, measuring 14 inches in diameter, is $9.75, while a large, 18-inch pie is $11.75 and an individual pizza $6.75.

The pizza is delicious, with a thin, crispy crust topped by a rich marinara sauce with just the right amount of melted, slightly toasted mozzarella. “We stick with a quality product,” Zito said, noting he uses a secret family recipe, straight from Sicily. He also serves sandwiches, pasta dishes, salads, calzones and strombolis, and wings—the basics. Although word of mouth has so far proved effective, Zito has mailed out flyers and bought airtime on WKNY. Customers can also fill out a ticket for a free pizza, with a drawing in September.

Zito said he’s been pleasantly surprised at the accessibility of the neighborhood. “I thought I’d get a lot of attitude, but people have been really friendly. It’s really nice,” he said. He added that keeping the streets clean is vital to business. “When you start seeing cigarette butts on the corner and paper stuck to the sidewalk, that’s the start of the neighborhood’s downfall. People won’t want to come back. The way it looks now, it’s beautiful.”

Don Vito’s Pizzeria is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm
and Sunday from 11 to 8. Their phone number is 845-802-5056

Down the hill, a second pizzeria opened just two weeks ago, at 32 Broadway. While its sister eatery across the street, Savona’s Trattoria, is a full-service, sit-down restaurant, owner Stephen Savona said Savona’s Pizzeria focuses on pizza and sandwiches. He said he jumped on the storefront space when it became available, having identified a demand for fast food in the area, especially with the arrival of the boaters at the city docks. With its two-toned cappuccino-colored walls, bistro-style minimalist lights, and 1920s framed Italian posters, with dramatic, surrealistic graphics, the pizzeria is unusually elegant (thanks to the design sense of Stephen’s wife, Mayte).

The new location, which is in effect an expansion of Savona’s restaurant, which opened four years ago, is a tribute to the family’s success in the neighborhood. “We’re blessed,” said Savona. “So far it’s been great. We haven’t done any advertising yet, although we plan to start marketing the pizzeria soon.”

The crust of Savona’s pizza is also wonderfully thin and crusty, with lots of cheese on top, for a milder flavor. A slice is $2.15, while a 14-inch Neapolitan pizza is $11 and an 18-incher $13. The special toppings will please gourmands: the Rustica features roasted red peppers, Italian sausage, red onion and spinach, the Meatlover is a carnivore’s dream with pepperoni, sausage, Genoa salami and homemade meatballs, and the Vegetarian is similarly extravagant, with eggplant, mushroom, artichoke, spinach and red onions.

Savona’s also serves calzones and strombolis, heroes, salads, and sumptuous desserts    (cannoli, New York cheesecake, tiramisu).

Savona’s Pizzeria is open seven days a week, from 10 to 10 on weekdays and from 10 to 11 on weekends.    –Lynn Woods