L'Italo-Americano

THURS DAY,   FEBRUARY  7,   2013  L'Italo-Americano PAGE  15 Carnival craze is back again. A look at Italy's seasonal fun Continued from page 1 From the world-famous Viareggio and Acireale parades to Ivrea Battle of the Oranges to the Venice masked balls to more modest village celebrations, Italy's carnival festivities have a lot to offer. Adults and children alike are able to enjoy the upcoming bonanza of celebrations, which cater to a range of requirements and expectations. The 140th Viareggio Carnival promises to be one of the most exciting yet. There will be five masked parades through the seaside town, each with its own set of papier-mâché floats. These floats, some as high as six stories tall, will support giant sculptures and satirical caricatures of politicians and other celebrities, towering comically above the crowds as they move down the streets. The winner of the 'best float' award will be announced at the end of the last parade, on March 3. Few days before Viareggio the lights will all be on Venice, probably the most prestigious carnival of all throughout the whole of Italy. With its masked balls, street revels, water parades, juggling, Ivrea Carnival - Battle of the Oranges historic re-enactments, and dozens, hundreds of elegant candid white masks wrapped in rich velvets, silks and feathers, this year Carnival in Venice is dedicated to the colors because "the colors are an expression of subjectiveness, and they share with the spirit of Venice Carnival the numbers of disguises, each one corresponding to our endless different attitudes" said the Carnival council. One of the most spectacular events to be held during the Carnival season will be, as usual, the Battle of the Oranges, during which people pelt oranges at the feudal lord's army, who in turn throw oranges from horse-drawn carts. A re-enactment of the city's liberation from tyranny in medieval times. Other unique events will take stage in Acireale (Sicily), Cento (Emilia-Romagna), Tricarico (Basilicata), Aosta, Putignano (Apulia) and Rome. All with their allegorical floats, people wearing traditional costumes and masks, dancing, food and wine. 'Vanishing' heritage is always an issue Italian wine and food are in Italy President Continued from page 1 De Caro did not even tried to Shocked by another bad move Obama's choises deny to taking books, but said it was done to pay for the cultural upkeep of the library. Now, ten months after, prosecutors say to have finally filled a list of names that could have taken part, with different degrees, in the scandal, and two more people have been arrested for what they called a "premeditated, organized and brutal" sacking of the city's 16th century Girolamini library. Estimates of how many books were stolen vary because a large proportion of volumes in the prestigious collection were not catalogued. But investigators have spoken of a total that could exceed 4,000, including works by Galileo Galilei. Gianni Melillo, deputy prosecutor, said the library – which opened in 1586 – would "no longer exist" as it once was. "The damage is irreparable," he added. against national heritage, the director of the Vatican Museums has warned that Italy's cultural heritage is "vanishing". Antonio Paolucci said he was "saddened but not surprised" by the devastating losses of the historic institution in Naples, where thousands of rare and antique books were last year found to have disappeared. The alleged plundering, which prosecutors have been investigating for the past months, was symptomatic of a country whose rich cultural heritage was at risk from various factors including theft and neglect, he said. "In the Italy of a thousand museums and libraries, our immense national heritage is vanishing … and the cultural fabric of the country is coming apart," Paolucci, a former culture minister, told the Italian daily La Stampa. He said a lack of protection for the country's treasures was having "disastrous effects" and was particularly harmful for small institutions that did not have the same level of security or prestige as, for instance, the Uffizi gallery in Florence. Urging the state to take better care of its heritage, he added: "Every looted painting or plundered library is a wound to civilization which cannot be healed – a disaster for Italy and humanity as a whole." Not only did the Obamas choose an Italian restaurant, Cafè Milano in Washington, to celebrate Michelle's 49th birthday, but they also chose a Tuscan wine to accompany the meal. The newly reelected president and his wife ordered a prestigious DOP awarded white wine from Bolgheri, called Costa di Giulia, which is produced by Michele Satta from Varese. Their choice of wine is 'important for an area which is gaining increasing recognition internationally,' said Satta. 'The choice of Mrs. Obama fills me with satisfaction and a wish to continue producing excellent [wines]. It is a team victory and a great personal recognition.' Cafè Milano, run by Naplesborn Franco Nuschese, is a wellknown restaurant in Washington and has been visited in the past by Bill Clinton, Arianna Huffington and Pope Benedict XVI. Feb 7, Thurs.-The Garibaldina Society La Famiglia Afternoon Dinner Dance- Dinner served promptly at 5:00pm. Dancing (6-8pm) to Johnny Fata's Band. $12 Members, $14 Guests. Dress Casual. Reservations are required- Call Marie Mor (818) 249-9363. Feb. 9, Sat.-A Tribute to the Venetian Festival Carnevale presented by The Orange County Medical Association with the Italian-American Community. Place: the OCMA Conference Center (17322 Murphy Ave., Irvine, 92614) from 6:30pm10:30pm. An Italian evening L E D of cocktails, dinner, and dancing with live entertainment. Cost is $80.00 per person. CE Carnevale to benefitA N C rebuilding La Lucciola, a facility for handicapped children in Emilia Romagna. Tickets can be purchased at http://venetianfestival.eventbrite.com. For information call (949) 398-8100. Feb. 9, Sat.-Little Italy Carnevale, San Diego. This familyfriendly event, reminiscent of Carnevale in Venice, Italy, includes various vignettes of entertainment, live music, dancing, food, arts and crafts, and people dressed in traditional Venetian masks and costumes. For information call (619) 233-3898 or visit www.littleitalysd.com. Feb. 9, Sat.-Club Italia's Sweetheart Dinner Dance at St. John Eudes Catholic Church (9901 Mason Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311). Live Band (The Sicilian Band) and catered food. For informaiton, call Sigrid Ravizza at (661) 297-0507 or (818) 426-1490. Feb. 9, Sat.- St Peter's Italian Church Casa Italiana Valentine Dinner Dance And Crowning of the Parish Queen. 5:00 pm Mass; Crowning of Parish Queen at 6:00 pm. Dinner Dance follows; Reservations 323-225-8119, ext. 10 Feb. 10, Sun.-Councilman Joe Buscaino Fundraiser Lunch at Frankie's on Melrose (7228 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles). Time: 1:00-3:00pm. For information or to rsvp please contact Megan Egoscue (562) 508-3006 or megan@austinegoscue.com Feb. 10, Sun.-Families of Italian Lineage Cuori e Fiori, Valentine Party at Mission Viejo Country Club. Gourmet dinner, appetizers, etc. Dancing to the music of Tony Ciaramitaro. Members $45.00, Non-Members $55.00. For information call (949) 363-5348. Feb. 10, Sun. – Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library Open House (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). 9 am to 1 pm hosted by Los Angeles District. For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 372-7812 Feb. 10, Sun. - ICF Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library Committee Meeting at 1 pm. (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 3727812. Feb. 11, 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. Feb. 13, Wed.-St. Anthony Dinner Meeting 6:30 pm at Casa Italiana. Reservations: Johnny: 213-250-2464. Feb. 16, Sat.- OCAIW -11:00 am Buca di Beppo (13390 Jamboree Road, Irvine) $25.00 card Bingo. Call Linda 714.812.4410 Feb. 16, Sat.: Grandsons of Italy in America Meeting at Victorio's Restaurant, 4349 Tujunga Ave., Studio City, 11:30 a.m. For info call (805) 529-9726. Feb. 16, Sat.-The Garibaldina Society's Annual Inaugural Ball. Cocktail Hour 6:00pm, Traditional Italian Dinner 7:00pm. Dancing to The Summerwind Band. Dress Formal: Gentlemen: Black Tie Optional, Ladies: "Party" Attire. Adults only please! Reservations are required and must be received by Feb. 11, 2013. Members: $32, Guests: $37. For more information call Reservations Chairman Marie Mor (818) 249-9363.

• Cover