Robert DiGiacomo

For Marty Acavedo, participating in the Michael J. Fox Foundation's landmark study of Parkinson's Disease is personal – the Southern California resident has been living with the neurodegenerative disease for the past two decades.
The 66-year-old retired dietician and health care professional is enrolled in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), a global study now in its 15th year whose findings are helping to accelerate the development of treatments and — hopefully, one day — ...

For my first dinner in the Italian region of Puglia, I wanted a killer pasta experience, so spaghetti all’assassina was the obvious choice. At Urban L’Assassineria Urbana in Bari, Puglia’s capital city, Chef Celso Laforgia follows the traditional recipe of cooking dry pasta in a skillet with tomato sauce, garlic, chili pepper and extra virgin olive oil—no boiling water required. Featured on CNN’s Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, the dish showcases the deep flavors that can be mined from a ...

These sub shops may put cheesesteaks in second place.
Philadelphia’s iconic cheesesteak may grab most of the sandwich headlines, but when I want a real taste of Philly in a roll, I go for a hoagie. This local version of a sub is most famous for its classic Italian preparation: a salt-fat-acid-heat combo of cured Italian meats and cheese, hot or sweet peppers, chopped onion, oregano, and oil, all piled on a chewy roll. Tracing its roots to the early 20th century, when Italian-American laborers...

If you've finally reached the stage in life when you can travel when you want and where but don't know how to get started, or just want to up your travel game, Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy website, can help.
In his new book, "How to Win at Travel," Kelly offers his best tips and tricks for everything from finding the most affordable flights and managing airline, hotel and credit card loyalty programs, to overcoming travel anxiety and handling jet lag. The book also addresses topics ...

The sounds of a drum circle beating its staccato rhythms confirmed my arrival in the heart of Woodstock, New York, the Catskill Mountains resort town forever linked to the iconic 1969 music festival. (The actual event took place 90 minutes away, due to a last-minute change).

While Woodstock still trades on its hippie image, it offers much more than a nostalgia trip. Set amid the rolling landscape of the Hudson Valley, the area offers plenty to fill a long spring or summer weekend, from days s...

As businesses transition to a net-zero world, it's become increasingly clear that partnerships within and across all industries are key to addressing the global climate challenge. The manufacturing industry, which generates 30 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and consumes almost 40 percent of the world's energy, has begun taking critical steps to create joint solutions to meet its electrification and decarbonization goals.1
"Some manufacturers are forming external partnerships and j...

Curate your own Philly cheesesteak tour next time you visit the City of Brotherly Love.
A major chapter in Philadelphia’s food story might have turned out differently if a vendor named Pat Olivieri had stuck to hot dogs. The story goes that in 1930 Olivieri opted to mix things up one day by making himself a chopped steak sandwich on an Italian roll for lunch. He later added cheese and established Pat’s King of Steaks as the standard bearer for the cheesesteak as we know it today.
Whether Oliv...

The LGBTQIA+ community faces unique challenges when planning for retirement.

More than 50% of middle-income LGBTQIA+ people say they aren't confident they will sock away sufficient funds for a comfortable retirement, compared to 29% of their straight counterparts, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute's retirement confidence survey.1 There's also a retirement savings gap between straight Americans and LGBTQIA+ people, who are less apt to have saved $250,000 or more for retireme...

Chefs Greg Vernick and Drew Parassio source seafood with flexibility and a minimum waste philosophy.

For many dog owners, it’s not a vacation if they leave their canine companions at home. Fortunately, the options to include them keep increasing. Today, nearly three in four hotels in the US offer dog-friendly rooms, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Here are some tips to help make your hotel stay with your doggie seem like a walk in the park.
1. MAKE SURE YOUR DOG ISN’T ALL BARK OR BITE
Before booking a vacation with your pup, think about whether they are a good candidat...

Tips + Trends
Sunbathe, swim, repeat. When you’re considering LGBTQ vacation ideas, there’s nothing quite like a beach destination to relax and recharge. Whether you’re looking to chill all day or party all night –– or some combo of the two –– these seven LGBTQ-friendly beach towns across the United States will roll out the welcome mat and help you feel right at home.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Miami Beach, Florida
It’s easy to feel the LGBT...

Insurance can play a key role in promoting and maintaining financial wellness. Namely, it offers a defense against the uncertainties that can catch people by surprise at every stage of their lives. Whether you're concerned about paying your mortgage, covering unexpected medical bills or providing for loved ones if you die or become incapacitated, you can look to insurance as a tool that promotes wealth protection, reduces risk and may even offer tax benefits.1
Here's an overview of some of th...

HOW AND WHERE TO ENJOY THE VERY BRITISH TRADITION OF TEA TIME IN LONDON
By Robert DiGiacomo | May 12, 2023 | 5 min read
The Wolseley, a grand café in London’s Mayfair section, checks all the right boxes for the nearly 200-year-old British tradition of afternoon tea. A handsome space with vaulted ceilings and marble floors. Servers in bespoke uniforms gliding around the room. Tea served in individual silver pots. And the centerpiece of this classic experience: a three-tiered silver caddy loade...

Over the past five years, I've become all too familiar with hospitals, nursing homes, rehab facilities and doctors' offices, as my parents, husband and other family members have faced life-threatening diagnoses and needed both acute and long-term care.
As a result, I've had to learn how to navigate the health care system and advocate for my loved ones. I've also found comfort in knowing I'm far from alone in this challenging life stage.
Putting on my "Hospital Rob" hat hasn't always been acce...

Weekend Getaways
Whether for a city adventure or a beach escape, finding a great hotel is the key to making the most of a weekend getaway. These hotels around the U.S. provide all the comforts and convenience you crave, plus that extra something to make your experience even more memorable.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
W South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida
A stay at W South Beach offers a luxe headquarters amid buzzy Miami Beach. The oceanfront...