Need a Reason to Watch the Super Bowl?

I'm a football fan, and I'm rooting for the Steelers. I also realize that there are a lot of people who do not enjoy American football. Well, here's another reason to tune in: the commercials are often the best part of the game and this Sunday's Super Bowl will include a commercial starring Fabio, the cover boy of many a romance paperback, floating down the Grand Canal. The following story comes from contractmusic.com:

FABIO TO STAR IN SEXY SUPER BOWL AD

Heart-throb FABIO will try to woo the women watching the American football Super Bowl final on Sunday (05FEB06) with a new advertisement for an insurance company.

The 30-second commercial spoofs Fabio's romantic image with his golden locks flowing while he rows a gondola in Venice, Italy.

When Fabio hands his love interest a rose, she looks up in horror to discover Fabio has become an 85-year-old man.

The ad's cautionary slogan is, "Life comes at you fast."

Fabio says, "The (insurance) company was tired of silly commercials from the competition."

The lothario tells the New York Daily News that he had to endure four and half hours of special effects make-up to authentically age.

When asked if he thinks he'll ever actually look that way he says, "I hope not, but in life you never know."

The Super Bowl is expected to attract 90 million viewers and 30-second ads have sold for a record $2.5 million (GBP1.38 million) each.

Speaking of Carnival--Guess Which One is the Oldest?

Which carnival is the oldest? Gee, if you guessed "Venice," you'd be right. I found this on the website of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

"...Venice claims to have the oldest carnival tradition, with laws establishing the holiday dating back to the 13th century. This year, the Venice carnival -- known for elaborate masks and costumes -- takes place Feb. 17-28. Events include masked balls, music and dance performances, gondola parades, formal dinners and children's celebrations."

Too bad they don't have a theme!

Too Many Choices Today...

I couldn't decide which of these stories to post today, so I'm posting all of them.

The first is from the AP wire. It's not strictly Venice, but too weird to ignore:
From the AP newswire: "Premier Silvio Berlusconi has promised Italians he would lower taxes and raise pensions. His latest campaign pledge is rather personal: no sex until April 9 elections, an Italian newspaper reported Sunday.

"Il Giornale, a conservative Milan daily owned by Paolo Berlusconi, the premier's brother, reported that the no-sex vow was made during a campaign rally in Cagliari, Sardinia, on Saturday with a popular TV preacher on the island and his followers."

Second: What if they gave a Carnival, but didn't have a theme. Venice's famous (in-famous?) Carnival starts on Feb. 18 and runs until the 20th. Even though Carnival brings in lots of tourists (and their money), they don't have anything planned! Acording to Buongiorno Venezia, "'The fact that there is, as yet, no programme just a few days from its opening is an embarrassing fact,' Renato Morandina, the president of APT (Tourism Promotion Agency), said. 'In a normal situation, we'd be ready to programme the 2007 edition.' The last agreements with one of the sponsors are expected to conclude in a few days, just before the start of the festival."

Here's a link to the Carnival of Venice website if you want to follow the lack of progress.

A few years ago, I went to Venice to "experience" a Carnival. I was sorry I went. Too many people. Too many drunks--noisy drunks. Too many over-crowded restaurants serving mediocre food. My Venetian friends warned me not to visit during Carnival--I wish I had listened to their advice.

Finally, more on Brad Pitt and Tom Hanks starring as glassblowers. The movie is going to be called, "The Man Who Invented the Mirror" and it will be directed by an Italian director, Carlo Carlei. Filming is supposed to start in "late spring." I'll be back in Venice in March--maybe I'll be able to spot Brad Pitt!

Sinking City?

What's the most frequent comment I hear about Venice: Isn't it sinking? Find out for yourself. Visit PBS, Sinking City of Venice to find out for yourself. (Did you notice that I finally figured out how to put links into my posts? Congratulations to me!!!!)

Ice on the Canals

Venice, like the rest of Europe, is FREEZING. Check out Nan's blog, Living Venice, for some photos and description of what it's like.

Brad Pitt to Blow Glass in Film?

This may be too weird for Weird Venice, but... Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Peter O'Toole may be starring in a film about Venetian glassmakers. Here's the story from ANSA.it:

Hollywood star is among names considered for new film (ANSA) - Rome, January 25 - Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Peter O'Toole could take roles as Venetian glass craftsmen in an American movie to be filmed in the famous lagoon city at the end of the spring.

"Cruise, Pitt and O'Toole are among the actors being considered for the leading roles," said Italian actor Angelo Infanti, who already has a part in the film.

The US-produced film, called 'The Man Who Invented the Mirror', will be directed by Italy's Carlo Carlei, who is famous in his native country for a 2003 film about Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the sportscar company.

Virtually nothing is known about the film's plot, although 66-year-old Infanti, who had small roles in the Godfather films, said it told a "fascinating story".

Venice has been famous for centuries for its glass craftsmen and, in particular, its glassblowers, who have traditionally had workshops on the island of Murano. This meant it was harder for artisans from elsewhere to steal their secrets and techniques.

During the 15th century Venetian craftsman invented the first clear glass, called 'cristallo'.

Delta is Trying to Make It Easier to Get to Venice From the South

Delta has decided to make it easier for southens to get to Venice. Sometime in the spring or summer, Delta will start non-stop service to Venice (subject to "foreign government approval"). That's really good news! When I go to Venice, I take Delta's non-stop flight from JFK to Venice. I'm sure those near Atlanta will appreciate this new flight.

From its largest hub and gateway to the world, Atlanta, Delta will boost its trans-Atlantic growth this spring and summer with new non-stop service to Athens, Greece; Copenhagen, Denmark; Dusseldorf, Germany; Edinburgh, Scotland; Nice, France; Tel Aviv, Israel; and Venice, Italy (subject to foreign government approvals).

Webcams Are Back!

On December 17, 2005 hackers attacked the official website of the commune of Venice and the site shut down--taking away five great webcams! When I checked this morning, I was happy to see that some of them are back in action. You can find the webcams at:
http://www.comune.venezia.it/webcam/.

Photo of the Olympic Flame on the Grand Canal

Thanks to RaleighRob for sending this link to a NY Times photo of the torch on the Grand Canal. It's at: http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/01/18/sports/18olympics.650.jpg. Sorry for not making the link work--one of these days I'll figure out how to do it!

Olympic Flame Floats Through Venice

From the Associated Press:

VENICE, Italy - A ride in a gondola up the famed Grand Canal helped torchbearers of the Turin Olympics avoid protesters Tuesday.

A small group protesting a plan to save the sinking city from high tides was held back by police as the flame entered Venice.

Twelve gondolas were provided for 12 torchbearers, including track athlete Manuela Levorato and 1960 Olympic heavyweight boxing champion Francesco De Piccoli.

Cousins Igor and Rudi Vignotto, perennial winners of the city's historic gondola races, received the biggest cheers from the thousands of spectators lining the Grand Canal. Chinese figure skater Chen Lu, a bronze medalist at the 1994 Lillehammer and 1998 Nagano Games, was among the torchbearers on the streets.

The day's relay ended with the lighting of a cauldron in Piazza San Marco.

Alex Zanardi, the former Formula One driver and two-time CART champion, carried the torch earlier in the day in Padua. Zanardi lost both legs in a collision during a CART race in 2001 and has two prosthetic legs.

Zanardi walked with a crutch under one arm while holding the torch aloft with his other arm.

The flame is to arrive in Turin on Feb. 10 for the opening ceremony.
====

I wish I'd been able to see the flame go by. Do we have any eyewitnesses out there? Send us your photos!

Tourists Terrozied by Motorcyclist

this is too weird.... From ANSA.it news:

Venice shaken by 'mad biker'
Tourists flee as motocross rider jumps bridges (ANSA) - Venice, January 10 -

Police on Tuesday nabbed what at first appeared to be a crazed motorcyclist who had been terrorising residents and tourists by racing through the lagoon city's historic center.

The switchboard operator at police headquarters reportedly thought she was the target of a prank when calls came in complaining about a man racing his hot new motocross bike down Venice's narrow streets, across its picturesque bridges and along the canals, past slow-moving gondolas.

The wild ride finally came to an end near the university when police arrested the rider of a Yamaha 250cc with an American flag flying from its back mudguard.

The rider was later identified as 47-year-old E.D. from Santa Maria La Longa, near Udine. He reportedly told police that he bought the bike the day before.

Although the rider gave no impression of being unstable or dangerous, police are said to be making calls to see whether he is under treatment at any mental facility in the area.

Several months ago two French tourists were arrested for joy-riding their motorbikes through Venice.


© Copyright ANSA. All rights reserved

Did he have to be flying an American flag from the rear bumper? It's going to start a series of "ugly American" tourist stories!

Honeymoon Happenings

From Liz Smith's column in the NY Post: "THE VENETIAN honeymoon of Elton John and David Furnish has been blissfully extended. They are enjoying the romantic canals and gondolas and staying at the Hotel Danieli. (Newlyweds love the sexy mystery of Venice!) It is reported the happy couple were spotted at Harry's Bar with their dog, Arthur. A waiter tied a napkin around Arthur's neck, and he was allowed to eat at the table."

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. If all the presents are open and you're looking for something to do this Christmas, why not go see Casanova?

The New York Times says, "Imagine my surprise, then, when 'Casanova' turned out to be not a bewigged and brocaded white elephant, but rather a lively, sly and altogether charming farce. Dispensing with the suffocating conventions of the historical biopic, Mr. Hallstrom and the screenwriters, Jeffrey Hatcher and Kimberly Simi (assisted, it has been reported, by an uncredited Tom Stoppard), make liberal and intelligent use of the literary styles and attitudes of the 18th century, when their story takes place. While it takes a few cues from Casanova's notoriously untrustworthy memoirs, 'Casanova' seems more directly inspired by the lighthearted, madcap comedies of near contemporaries like Pierre Marivaux and Casanova's fellow Venetian, Carlo Goldoni."

To read the commplete review, go to http://movies2.nytimes.com/2005/12/23/movies/23casa.html

San Marco Basilica Restoration Finally Finished

Clean-up of outside of St Mark's began almost 25 years ago (ANSA) - Venice, December 16

Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice, one of the lagoon city's most famous landmarks, is finally to emerge from a clean-up job which has lasted almost a quarter of a century.

The restored north facade of the basilica - the last to be tackled - will be inaugurated on Wednesday with a ceremony that will close a marathon project which began in November 1981.

Once grey and covered in centuries of dust, the green and pink of the columns and marble panels adorning the 1,000-square-metre north wall are now clearly visible again, along with the carvings of saints and the Madonna.

Over the last 24 years the restorers' scaffolding has gradually moved around and all over the Basilica, cleaning away grime from a total area of 5,000 square metres.

The Procuratoria of San Marco, the panel of experts and clerics which look after the building's upkeep, has been renewed three times since the monumental job began.

The money for the work has come partly from central and regional government and partly from private sponsors.

With its extravagant decoration in gold, marble, glass and mosaics, the basilica is a major draw for tourists and everyday long queues form outside to visit it.

The first church named after Venice's patron saint on the site was built in the 9th century as a shrine for St Mark's bones.

But it was destroyed by fire in 967. Byzantine architects played a large part in its reconstruction around 1070, helping give it its distinctively eastern look.

From the 12th century its splendour gradually grew thanks to alterations and elaborate adornments designed to make it reflect Venice's status as the dominant trading power in the region.

Incorporating materials taken from temples and Eastern ruins, it is shaped like a cross with a dome over the centre and one over each arm of the cross. The facade is incrusted with marble slabs and mosaics. Among the most famous features are the famous Four Horses of St Mark's, in gilded bronze, which stand on a gallery over the main entrance. They were cleaned during the 1990s.

From ANSA news. 

Guggenheim Expands to Ca' Dario

From BUONGIORNO VENEZIA:

"Ca' Dario, a jewel of Venetian Renaissance architecture, will be the "second" home of the Guggenheim Collection whose historic original location is the nearby palazzo Ca' Venier dei Leoni, where exhibitions by the American foundation currently take place. An agreement was reached between the Guggenheim Foundation and the present owner Elisabetta Gardini Ferruzzi who has had the palazzo up for sale for some time. The Guggenheim will not actually buy the palazzo. Instead, it will have a franchise on it at very favourable terms. In return, the name of the Gardini family will be associated with any shows that are held in the new location. This acquisition completes the Guggenheim's expansion project, which became a necessity due to the continuous increase in the number of visitors."

Ca' Dario may be a haunted palazzo. According to numerous guides and guidebooks, Ca' Dario's owners frequently meet untimely deaths. It started in the 15rh century when the builder's daughter died. The deaths continued to modern times: in 1993, Raoul Gardini, owner of famous racing sailboat "Moro di Venezia," committed suicide. Then the manager of "The Who" bought the place--and soon committed suicide. Legend also says that Woody Allen wanted to buy Ca' Dario, but backed out of the deal when he learned the palazzo's history.  

Casino di Venezia Sold to an Internet Gambling Company

I just read that Sportalnet, an online “betting” company has purchased Venice’s casino and its trademark, “Casinò di Venezia.” Here’s the article, which can be found on www.casinos.ch/newsflashartikel.cfm?art=news&key=13023. (Note that this article says “Venice is one of the most clicked words on the internet.”)

==
Sportalnet, a Maltese registered on-line betting company, will be the new owners of the Casinò di Venezia. Sportalnet is effectively owned by International Trust, a company whose shareholders include former Nationalist MP George Hyzler, Rodney Lee Berger and lawyer Simon Tortell.

Tortell is already a shareholder in the Vittoriosa Gamings which holds the concession to operate the Casinò di Venezia. Until now the only other shareholer in this company was the municipality of Venice. Despite the sale of shares, the concession will remain in the hands of Vittoriosa Gamings as the sale will only involve a transfer of shares from the Venetians to Sportalnet.

Sportalnet will be paying US$ 7.8 million to buy 60 per cent of the Vittoriosa Gaming in the next two years. It will be buying the remaining 40 per cent in the next ten years. Meanwhile, the Venice local council has also reached an agreement with the Maltese group De Rohan Investments on the building of the hotel next to the casino.

Debono was formely one of the directors of the Port Cottonera, a consortium of
entrepreneurs who were responsible for the renovation of Scamps Palace back in 2001. In return for taking up this obligation, the municipality of Venice has committed itself to guarantee a supply of clients for the new hotel equivalent to $590,000US a year for the next ten years.

Sportalnet will not only be buying the historical Scamps Palace but also the
trademark “Casinò di Venezia” which will be used to lure more people into betting their money on line. The word "Venice" is one of the most clicked words on the internet. According to reports in the Italian media, the use of this trademark for on-line gambling is the main attraction for the new aquirants.

Malta's liberal laws which permit online gambling have created a budding sector which has become even more lucrative than actual physical casinos. Online gambling is only permitted in a few European countries like Malta and the UK and is still banned in countries like Italy. This has lured a number of Italian companies to operate from Malta.

Olympic Torch to Visit Venice

On January 17th, the Olympic Torch will arrive in Venice. The torch, which will travel through all of Italy’s provinces, will arrive in Turin on Feb. 7, 2006 for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. The torch starts its Venetian journey at the Piazzale Roma. Torch-bearers will carry it to the Rialto Bridge where it will board a gondola and go down the Grand Canal to the Royal Gardens near St. Mark’s Square. If you are in Venice on the 17th, please take some photos and send them in!

Venice Flooded

ROME (Reuters) - Bad weather battered much of Italy on Saturday, bringing heavy snows to the north, torrential rain to the centre and widespread flooding to Venice.

Hundreds of cars and lorries were snowed in on roads across northwestern Italy, while the tram system in Italy's financial capital Milan was knocked out for most of the day thanks to the winter storm.

In Venice, water covered 70 percent of the historic centre as heavy rains combined with a high tide to inundate the lagoon city. In parts, the water was so high it covered the raised walkways set up to overcome any eventual flooding.

In the northern region of Liguria, a cargo ship sank when strong winds drove it into a breakwater outside the port of La Spezia. All 13 crew were saved but authorities fear 14,000 litres of oil will leak from the ship's tanks, causing a possible environmental disaster.

The storm also hit Rome, drenching the Italian capital and flooding one of the main roads into the city.


© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.

Microwave Your Books-Innovative Restoration Methods on Display in Venice

From ANSA.it news:

Restoration gets far-out in Venice
Fair showcases technology's applications for culture world (ANSA) - Venice, December 3 - The more innovative and unusual side of the art restoration world is being showcased this weekend at Venice's annual culture trade fair.

The Salone dei Beni Culturali is an opportunity to compare notes for a wide range of institutions and professionals engaged in protecting and promoting Italy's cultural heritage.

Heaps of inventive new developments have already been presented at the ninth edition of the show, which kicked off Thursday at the port's 'Terminal Passeggeri' and runs until Sunday.

Among the most eye-catching was one that involves the use of microwave ovens to conserve historic books and documents.

A group of experts from the Italian State Archive said they discovered that most of the tiny insects and microbes which attack paper cannot stand temperatures above 51 degrees centigrade.

So to kill them off, they just pop the documents in a special microwave for a few minutes and the job is done without any need for chemicals, which can be damaging. The main thing to have emerged from the event is how the world of culture is quickly tailoring new techniques and technological developments designed for other fields to meet its needs.

Progress made by engineers with lasers, for example, is being exploited by restorers to clean up metal objects, while new infrared technologies are making it possible to find out about ancient ceramics without having to interfere with them in any way.

This year the fair is also placing great stress on ways to help local authorities and museums promote cultural tourism - both to finance conservation and boost the local economies - with a series of presentations and workshops.

The event, organized by the Culture Ministry, has also provided a platform to show off a range of conservation programmes in Italy and abroad.

One of the most significant is Irpp/Saah, a Council of Europe project that aims to promote cultural cooperation for the conservation of 160 historic sites in the Balkan region. It involves seven countries - Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia - several of which were recently at war with each other. "The work started in 2003 and entails cooperation between specialists and authorities from the countries taking part and international experts," explained Council of Europe Director General Gabriella Battaini Dragoni.

"In this sense it aims to make a tangible contribution to the development of democratic societies, with citizens participating regardless of ethnic or religious distinctions."