John and Dawn (my brother and sister-in-law) live in Carroll Gardens, an old Italian neighborhood southwest of downtown Brooklyn. Italy’s victory in the World Head-Butt Cup last month sparked outpourings of joy ("I’m so happy!" John recalls one guy telling him. "I’m from Italy!" To which John comments: "No, you’re not — you were born in the Bronx"). Team Italy’s success also prompted the appearance of even more than the usual generous display of Italian flags in the neighborhood. The pizzeria across the street has one on the sidewalk. My favorite is one around the corner — green, white, and red bath towels hanging from a fire-escape railing.