L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano PAGE  18 Jimmy Kimmel got his star AleSSANDRA MAStRoIANNI In front of El Capitan Entertainment Centre on Hollywood Boulevard there's Actor Matt Damon "kidnapped" Kimmel and took over the show, helped by colleagues Andy Garcia and Ben Affleck, as a revenge for having been Jimmy Kimmel with the "Italian family" (left to right): Ivy Iacono, Sally Potenza Flack, Ann Potenza Smith, Jimmy Kimmel, Sal Iacono, Micki Potenza Marseglia now a news star. Jimmy Kimmel was assigned his special recognition last Friday, with a ceremony held right in front of the studio where Kimmel films his show. Emmy-nominated "Jimmy Kimmel Live" debuted in 2003 on ABC and has been running since then, hosting famous actors, musicians and artists from all over the world. Last Thursday episode in particular is still making the web laugh. "bumped" for years. A very intense week for the American comedian of Italian origins, who described the past days as "a roller coaster." "My parents took me here to Hollywood to visit the Walk of Fame when I was 10 years old," said Kimmel, "and I never imagined they would leave me here to fend for myself…" Ironic as always, but evidently moved by the enthusiasm of friends, family and fans. ELECTIONS FOR THE ITALIAN PARLIAMENT RIGHT TO VOTE ABROAD BY CORRESPONDENCE Further to Presidential Decree n. 226 of December 22, 2012, ballots will be held to elect representatives to the Chamber of Deputies and to the Senate of the Italian Republic. In Italy, elections will take place on Sunday, February 24 (from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and on Monday, February 25 (from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). Italian citizens residing within the Jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles (South California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico) are eligible for 'Absentee Ballots" and can cast a postal vote for candidates running for the "Circoscrizione Estero" (Overseas District). All eligible voters (with the exception of those who, by January 3rd 2013, have informed this Consulate of their intention to vote in Italy) will receive by mail - before February 6, 2013 - an envelope containing the following ballot papers: • an instruction sheet on the voting procedures; • the electoral certificate; • a ballot (two for voters over the age of 25, therefore eligible to vote also for the Senate); • one blank white envelope for the ballots; • a pre-paid envelope bearing the address of the Italian Consulate in Los Angeles; • the list of candidates The pre-paid envelope, containing the ballots cast as per instruction sheet, must be returned as soon as possible in order to be delivered to this Consulate General by – and no later than – 4:00 pm (local time) on February 21. The vote is personal and secret. Voting more than once or voting on someone else's behalf is considered illegal and will be prosecuted in accordingly. Voters who have not received their ballot papers by February 10, should immediately contact this Consulate General: Website: www.conslosangeles.esteri.it E-mail: anagrafe.losangeles@esteri.it Fax: (310) 820-0727 Tel. (310) 927 – 6012 (310) 927 -6021 (310) 927 - 5960 THURS DAY,   JANUARY  31,   2013 Italy through the five senses. A new travel and culinary experience for families AleSSANDRA MAStRoIANNI Beautiful landscapes, art and history, local traditions, the sound and the rhythm of nature, and delicious, healthy homemade food... Have you ever dreamed of having all this at once? Well, now you can! Two California based companies have put together their "philosophies" to create a unique experience for the family that will immerse you in the sunny,colored atmosphere of the Italian traditional life, making you "taste" the best of it. Co-founded by Tina Fanelli Moraccini and Lilian Palmieri, Piccolo Chef is an innovative school committed to teaching parents and their kids how to cook and eat in a fun and healthy way. By using seasonal fruit and vegetables and local products, children learn about the history of foods and the different world cultures. Led by Laura Bianconcini, Exclusively Italian is a one of a kind tour operator, committed to promote a new way of traveling Italy. Far from making of you one of the million tourists that every year visit the country, Exclusively Italian creates customized itineraries for individuals, couples, families and small groups designed on your interests and needs, to create a unique and authentic Italian experience. Together, they just launched the first educational and fun culinary vacation for families. Next June, they will take you to a one week tour through Italy countryside and beautiful cities, following natural rhythms, observing habits and cultures, and learning the pleasure of making your own food. "Our strongest expertise is designing tour packages based around different themes for organizations or individuals operating in specific fields or with specific interests" explains Laura Bianconcini. "In order to create the best and most rewarding trip we devote our biggest investment to the research onsite relying on a solid network of suppliers with whom we cooperate, selecting the best locations, arranging the most peculiar activities and establishing new relations with local experts. I travel to Italy every other month to meet owners, drivers, tour guides, directors of museums, chefs. Together we get the inspiration and new ideas to propose, and this is the most enriching part of my job. The people are The city of Siena, on the Tuscan hills always the key factor for success. That's why I have embraced to partner with Piccolo Chef for this trip: because together we were able to develop something really special." Enjoy the familiar atmosphere of the agriturismo then; you will be awakened by the aroma of homemade pies and fresh products. Start the day with a guided walk of local vineyards and olive groves; the owner himself will tell you about the harvest and the Obituar y for Gaetano ("George") Laricchia 1922 - 2013 Gaetano Laricchia was called to eternal rest on Wednesday, January 23, 2013. Born to Giuseppe and Rosa Laricchia in Bari, Italy on July 9, 1922, Gaetano immigrated through Ellis Island in 1937 and moved west where he grew up in the Italian District of Los Angeles. He began working at the butcher shop in 1937 for his future father-in-law, Domenico Pontrelli. He met Domenico's daughter, Mary, and they were married on September 29, 1946, at St. Anthony's Church. Gaetano was co-founder of Pontrelli and Laricchia, makers of Maestro Brand Sausage, the oldest Italian sausage company in Los Angeles. Gaetano was in the Army during the second World War, afterwards building his home in the Silverlake district of Los Angeles and raising two daughters, Catana and Angene. After their daughters married, Gaetano and Mary moved to the Emerald Isle District of Glendale where he retired. Gaetano enjoyed singing, telling stories, the crap making of organic wines. Watch your kids having their first cooking class; what's better than having your meal made by them? Visit a traditional mill; learn of life in Italy before the industrial era and experience the magic of making your own bread and pizza. Visit a farm and let your children get familiar with the animals, guided by a special educator; a real experience is worth a way more than a book. And then visit the beautiful Perugia; after entering the Perugina chocolate factory, a Master Chef Chocolatier will teach you how to make chocolate in the capital of Baci. Discover the beautiful contrade of Siena, kissed by the Tuscan sun; a contradaiolo will guide tables, his home in Palm Springs and spending time with his family. He is survived by his daughter Angene Reisbeck, brothers Vito and Larry, sister Rose Crispi, Grandsons Jeffrey, Chad and Chris Reisbeck, Grandsons Guy and Johnny Renna and Great Grandchildren Isabella Rose and Matthew Reisbeck. Rosary will be at Callanan & Woods Mortuary, Glendale, at 6PM on February 1. Funeral mass at 10AM on February 2, St. Peters Italian Church. Luncheon to follow. you through the places of the traditionalPalio, and will host you in one of their medieval palaces, for a lunch in an ancient atmosphere, while quaint Cortona, set of Under the Tuscan Sun, will make you discover the most important Etruscan museum through an interactive path, to learn about this ancient Italian civilization that left so much richness in our history. "At Piccolo Chef" says Piccolo Chef Event Coordinator in Orange County Elisabetta Bilardi, "we believe that sophisticated yet simple recipes based on high-quality, real food will keep children and teens engaged and will teach them a life skill they will take with them forever; all this while building the selfconfidence that comes with making delicious family meals. With us they will discover the Italian culture, and they will learn the history of foods and recipes as well as proper table manners and etiquette. We will work as a team to make amazing new dishes, and we will bring the family together in a way that many of us have forgotten in the haste and stress of our do-it-all schedules.
 T he kitchen is where the hearth and the heart are… It is where we talk about our days, remember our past, dream of our future and share time with the people we cherish…now even in Italy! That is Piccolo Chef!" Walk in the countryside and along the most beautiful buildings; learn about traditions, habits, and foods. Observe, smell, taste and savor them. Forget thefast paced life and let the sunny days of June lead you through a unique experience in Italy. This just sounds like a dream vacation, doesn't it? Discover more then, by visiting www.piccolochef.com and www.exclusivelyitalian.com, or by calling(619) 564-4798.

• Cover