L'Italo-Americano

THURS DAY,   JANUARY  3,   2013  L'Italo-Americano PAGE  15 Rita Levi-Montalcini: an inspiring example for Italy and the world Continued from page 1 after specialising in neurology and psychiatry she began to work as a university assistant but, in 1938, was forced by Fascist persecution laws to leave her job. however, she continued her research from her home, creating a makeshift lab in her bedroom where she studied the development of chicken embryos. With eggs becoming a rarity due to the war, the young scientist biked around the countryside to buy them from farmers. "She worked in primitive conditions. She is really someone to be admired," Italian astrophysicist margherita hack said. She spent more than 20 years in the U.S., working primarily at Washington University in St. Louis, missouri, which she called "the happiest and most productive" of her life. She held dual Italian-U.S. citizenship. a petite and frail woman with upswept white hair and an incredible mind, she never stopped working, carrying out important researches into her final years. Rita Levi-Montalcini "at 100, I have a mind that is superior - thanks to experience than when I was 20," she said in 2009. She would sleep no more than two or three hours a night because "I have no time to lose". "She went out like a beacon extinguishes", Piera Levimontalcini, niece and a Turin city councilwoman said. her niece told Turin daily La Stampa, that the ever-dedicated biologist "kept up her research studies several hours a day right up until the end". In 2001 Levi-montalcini was made a senator for life, one of A look back at 2012, one of Italy's most challenging years Continued from page 1 On January 13th, a disaster unfolded off the coast of Giglio, Tuscany. The Italian Cruise liner the Costa Concordia had reportedly "run aground" approximately 400 metres from the coast line, and as the ship began to take on water at an alarming rate, the order was given to abandon ship. The Concordia had more than 4100 passengers on-board. 30 people died in the worst naval disaster in Italy. Then, between the 20th and the 29th of may, Northern Italy was hit by two consecutive earthquakes of magnitude 6. The quakes caused the loss of 27 lives and massive damage particularly in the Emilia-Romagna region. a huge number of historical buildings were severely damaged or completely brought down by the strong shakes. The castle of Finale Emilia, the cathedral and the dome of San Francis in mirandola, the old theatre of Cento, the tower of San Felice, the churches of Poggio Renatico fully collapsed. But the quake also hit one of the most productive area of the country, affecting, among others, by over 10 per cent the total production of Parmigiano Reggiano and its cousin Grana Padano. But as often showed, bad things push Italy to do that extra step to find a way out. and so the country has kept its faith and made huge progress to overcome the difficulties. although not all expectations have been fulfilled, enough was done to restore confidence and credibility. Tough decisions await ahead but Italy knows it can lean on treasures others do not have, particularly made in Italy products and heritage. although the economic crisis many sectors of the so-called made in Italy have rised considerably gaining a bigger market share all over the world. When it comes to exports and market share, Italy is in one of the top three spots regarding roughly a thousand of different products. The "made in Italy" label has strenghtened its position anywhere, U.S., Germany, France, Japan just to name some, and found fertile land in the new market opportunities offered by Eastern European and asian countries in particular. a leadership that was made possible by high quality, passion and knowledge. That is the Italy we hope to see even more in 2013. the country's highest honors. She then became very active in Parliament advocating for the conditions of young researchers. montalcini received a prize for promoting Italy's entrepreneurial spirit abroad in 2010 and as a staunch advocate of stopping the country's brain drain, founded the EBRI research lab. "In life you should never give up your hope, never surrender to mediocrity. Get off that grey zone in which everything is resignation and routine and have the courage to rise up and feed your hopes," she wrote in one of her books. Funds to restore Venice's Rialto Bridge finally found VENICE - Public works officials in Venice said that restoration of the Rialto Bridge that crosses the city's Grand Canal will be carried out by Otb, a company headed by Renzo Rosso, founder and owner of the Diesel clothing brand. Rosso, whose company is based in the Veneto region, has long been rumored as an eager donor to restore the 400-year-old landmark. The complete restoration will cost five million euros and is expected to take 18 months. Rosso's Otb was the only bidder for the works needed to preserve the World heritage Site. an estimated 20 million tourists trample Venice's ancient pavement every year, inevitably taking a toll on the Rialto Bridge, a city icon that for centuries was the only foot passage from one side of the Grand Canal to the other. Last year a column on the bridge's railing collapsed, and some of the marble steps have begun to crack, one of which was dislodged last summer, closing down part of the bridge. Calls for donors have become increasingly common as city budgets have been cut amid Italy's economic crisis. Last year Diego Della Valle, the founder of the luxury leather goods brand Tod's, announced he was investing over 25 million euros in the three-year restoration of Rome's Colosseum, enlisting further help from the Italian business community to bankroll restoration and conservation plans elsewhere in the country in the absence of government support. Other fashion labels restoring sites in Venice include Bulgari, Replay and Palazzetti, in addition to Prada and Benetton who have recently bought palaces on the Grand Canal. Jan. 8, Tues.-The Garibaldina Society Dinner Buffet & General meeting- Please join us at our very special January 2013 buffet for the installation of our 2013 Board of Directors and Council members. Buffet dinner will be Polenta, Sausage & meatball, Salad and Glass of Wine, $8.00 per person. Buffet dinner served promptly at 5:00pm. meeting and Installation starts at 6:30pm. Reservations are required- Call marie mor (818) 249-9363. Jan. 12. Sat.-AP Italian Exam Workshop at UCLa (1301 Rolfe hall, Los angeles, Ca 90095). 2:00-4:00 pm. high school students who are proficient in Italian are encouraged to consider taking the aP Italian Language and Culture Exam in may 2013 and to attend this FREE informational workshop. The workshop is organized by Fondazione Italia under the auspices of the Consulate General of Italy in Los angeles, in collaboration with the UCLa Department of Italian, UCLa Center for World Languages and the Italian Cultural Institute. Call (310) 739-9350 to register. Jan. 12. Sat.-Fondazione Italia Spring 2013 Italian language session in Burbank, hermosa Beach, Orange County and West La begins on Saturday, January 12. Classes available for toddlers, elementary, middle and high school students and adults! To request more information and an enrollment form call (310) 739-9350. Jan. 12, Sat.-School of Italian Language and Culture of South San Francisco Spring Semester of Italian Classes Begin. Classes are held Saturday mornings from 10am to 12:30pm thru april 27, 2013. For more information and registration forms, visit www.italianclasses.com or contact Leo Pagani or Christine at (650) 574-3089. Jan. 13, Sun.– Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, Ca) Open house, 9 am to 1 pm hosted by Villa Cabrini alumni. For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 372-7812. Jan. 14, Mon.-The Garibaldina Society Council meeting7:00pm. all members are welcome to attend the monthly Council meeting. Coffee and Dessert will be served. For information, call (323) 223-5005. Jan. 19, Sat.-AP ITALIAN PREP CLASSES. Registration has begun for Pre-aP and aP Italian Preparation classes at the Italian Cultural Institute in Los angeles and at UCLa. Classes at the IIC and at UCLa begin on Saturday, January 19, 2013. To request an enrollment form call (310) 739-9350. Jan. 19, Sat.-The Garibaldina Society annual Snowflake Ball. Cocktail hour 6:00pm, Traditional Italian Dinner 7:00pm. Dancing to The Dennis Le Pron Band. Evening Dress: men: Coat & Tie, Ladies: "Party" attire. adults only please! Reservations are required and must be received by Jan. 14, 2013. members: $32, Guests: $37. For more information call Reservations Chairman marie mor (818) 249-9363. Jan. 20, Sun.-Italian Cultural Arts Council ~ Presents ~Cinema Italiano! Film: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (1963). at the Bowers museum 2002 N. main Street, Santa ana, Ca 92706 (in the state-of-the art, ultra deluxe Norma Kershaw auditorium). COST: adults $10, Students: $5 (no need to RSVP). Parking INFO: The north and south lots cost $6. Disabled parking is free. There is free parking in a public lot on main and Buffalo Street (a short walk across from North Lot with easy access back to museum by traffic signal) Street parking is free. SChEDULE: arrival: 1:30- 2:00 pm, Reception/Refreshments. Seating in auditorium: 1:45 pm, Program Begins: 2:00 pm. For information call (714) 5673600.

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