L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano PAGE  18 THURS DAY,   FEBRUARY  7,   2013 Abruzzesi & Molisani di California Celebrated their 23rd Anniversary TONY GHEZZO On Sunday, January 27, 2013 approximately 70 members and relatives of the Abruzzesi & Molisani di California gathered in the beautiful Verdugo hall of the elegant Castaway Restaurant in Burbank to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the club. the people who enjoy fine music and selected harmonies. During a brief intermission the club's president Saverio Ficocelli presented member Angelo Palazzo with the special "Distintivo d'Oro", the Golden Pin, that is a very prestigious Italian award bestowed by La Regione Abruzzi on the most meritorious members of the The Board of the Abruzzesi & Molisani The event was organized extremely well by a few key members that are also original founders of the association. The entertainment was provided by the Sicilian Band of Tony Ciammaritano who is gifted with a powerful tenor voice. During the five hour dinnerdance, maestro Ciammaritano was supported occasionally by Daniele Olivo, a well-known baritone of Southern California. Both performers splendidly sang several Italian tunes and melodies that filled everybody with enthusiasm and nostalgia, truly touching the hearts of all club. Even though such members presently live several thousands of miles away from the land of their ancestors, they consistently prove their loyalty and dedication to the country that welcomed them and gave them an opportunity to develop their talent. It is a fact that through their devotion and hard work they keep bringing glory and prestige to their new homeland, even though they never cease loving the country where their roots originated. La Regione Abruzzi is proud of their children that, although scattered in every country of the world, con- 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 tinue to bring glory and prestige to Italy and to their beloved regions Abruzzi & Molise. Warmest congratulations to Angelo Palazzo who is not only one of the original founders of the Association but also an honorable and sincere person admired and respected by the whole Italian community. When Angelo returned to his table from the podium where president Ficocelli, Adelio Di Gregorio and Sabatino Petrilli awarded him with the "Golden Pin", all the Italians present in the hall felt proud of him for deserving such an honor, but at the same time felt proud of their Italian heritage. The anniversary celebration is definitely one of the most sentimental events for all Abruzzesi and Molisani: the sincere love for one another showed in the eyes of each of them and their visual expression proved how much they truly care for one another. Angelo Palazzo, recipient of the "Golden Pin" award Everybody thoroughly enjoyed this intimate gathering. The food provided by the chefs of the Castaway was particularly well prepared while the atmosphere in the Verdugo hall was one of the most pleasant ever experienced. Even the waiters seemed to enjoy pampering the customers at each table showing extra care and attention; they clearly demonstrated their willingness to please, bringing extra desserts or additional bottles of wine. At the tables the friendliness among the guests was so evident that most people felt like at home surrounded by intimate members of their own family. In the hall everybody genuinely enjoyed themselves and had good time either conversing with one another or dancing. The music and the popular Italian tunes filled everybody's heart with nostalgia and memories of the past. What a pleasant way of celebrating the club's anniversary. It's easy to understand why the Abruzzesi and Molisani Club is always admired by other Italian clubs and associations of the Los Angeles area. The J. Paul Getty Museum announces the return of a head of Hades from about 400-300 B.C. The J. Paul Getty Museum recently announced plans to voluntarily return to Sicily a terracotta head representing the god Hades and dating to about 400–300 B.C. The Museum acquired the sculpture in 1985. Joint research with colleagues in Sicily over the past two years has yielded previously unknown information on the likely provenance of the sculpture, suggesting that it was appropriate to return the object. In keeping with the principle of repatriating works when compelling evidence warrants it, the decision to transfer this head is based on the discovery of four terracotta fragments found near Morgantina in Sicily, similar in style and medium to the Getty head. Getty Museum curators initiated discussions with Sicilian colleagues on the possible relationship between the head and the fragments in 2011, and then worked with the director of the Morgantina Archaeological Park to corroborate the identification. These fragments indicate that the original location of the head was the site of a sanctuary of Demeter, which was clandestinely excavated in the late 1970s. 
 A ccording to Enrico Caruso, director of the Parco Archeologico di Morgantina, "Close collaboration with the Getty's curators and conservators on the examination of the head has allowed us to give a name to the sanctuary shrine, where several fragments of its curls of hair were found in 1978, as well as a name to the Getty's anonymous sculpture. It is Hades, god of the Underworld, the terracotta body which is in the course of an extensive restoration in the Archaeological Museum in Aidone." The head will be transferred to the Museo Archeologico in Aidone after it goes on display in the Getty-organized traveling exhibition Sicily: Art and Invention between Greece and Rome. The exhibition will be on view at the Getty Villa from April 3 to August 19, 2013, at the Cleveland Museum of Art from September 30, 2013 to January 5, 2014, and will end at the Palazzo Ajutamicristo in Palermo from February to June 2014. The head is currently on view at the Getty Villa as part of the special installation The Sanctuaries of Demeter and Persephone at Morgantina until January 21, 2013.

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