L'Italo-Americano

THURS DAY,   MARCH  14,   2013  L'Italo-Americano PAGE  15 Home of Parmigiano cheese aims for recognition as a World Heritage Site Continued from page 1 The Emilia region's landscape is home to numerous cheese factories scattered along the main streets where the PDo Parmesan cheese is produced and sold. The Parmesan is one of the most ancient cheeses and is still produced as eight centuries ago, imitation dairy product are the strict production regulations, the close link with its land of origin, the use of raw milk and the wealth of natural ingredients. At 12 months, the consorzio Parmigiano-Reggiano inspects each and every cheese. The Reggio Emilia - San Prospero Church with the same ingredients, the same technique and the same traditional care. It is a completely natural cheese, the only one able to stand such a long maturing (24 months are needed to develop its best taste) and also is the only one that, participating in space missions, still conserve all its organoleptic and nutritional features: energy, taste, high digestibility. The key features that distinguish this cheese from any other cheese is tested by a master grader whose only instruments are a hammer and his ear. Those are all the factors that helped the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese to gain the European Union's Protected Designation of origin (DoP) status, which the consortium has fought to defend in European courts. But Emilia's treasures list is not fulfilled just with the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. The world-wide famous balsa- mic vinegar actually originated in Reggio, the main city in Emilia, which is where you'll still find a miniature distillery in almost every family's attic or basement. Besides arts and natural landscape, UnESco does take food and its origins into consideration for its intangible cultural heritage list. In 2010, UnESco inscribed the Mediterranean diet on its intangible cultural heritage list at the request of Italy, Greece, Spain, and Morocco. Ultimately, Reggio is also home to many lovely churches, cathedrals, towers and other ancient unique treasures and the very proud birthplace of the Italian flag. If the request will be accepted Emilia will gain an even deeper level of protection for its treasures and Italy will add another recognition from UnESco to the many the Bel Paese has already got in the past. Just the Emilia Romagna region is home to three sites, which for their value and diversity have been placed among the international cultural and natural excellences of the world. We are referring to the cities of Art of Modena, Ravenna, and Ferrara along with its Po river Delta. Smoke better than texting to announce new pope 'Suspense part of beauty of event' says Lombardi Continued from page 1 Father Lombardi, a spokesman for Benedict XVI since 2006, has over the past few weeks been helping the international media to understand the church and its bi-millennial tradition, the mechanisms to elect the pope, which are technical yet enveloped in the fascination of secrecy. The voting mechanism to elect a pontiff follows certain steps, Lombardi explained. First cardinal-electors - who are all under 80 as cardinals over that age are not eligible to vote - cast their first ballot according to their priorities and expectations. A number of names usually emerge from the first vote or round of votes. However, cardinals understand fairly quickly which candidates are gathering more consensus and choose one from this first selection. At this point, votes start converging on a name. This process can reportedly be rather fast. Such a process looses part of its mystery when the procedure is explained. never before has the public opinion followed this closely - through the Internet, Twitter and Facebook - the selection of the next pope since Benedict XVI's shock announcement on February 11 that he would step down. Thanks to modern technologies, Vatican watchers can follow the conclave, have their word on the quality of cardinal-electors and question the state of health of the catholic church worldwide. According to German theologian Peter Huenermann, this could be ''the most difficult conclave as it takes place under the eye of so many interlocutors''. Ever since the beginning on Monday last week of the general congregations, Father Lombardi warned journalists against reporting a ''conclave of the media'' which has very little to do with the real conclave. The general congregations are daily meetings which enable the cardinals to get to know each other better and share ideas about what characteristics the next leader of the catholic church should have. over the past centuries, leading powers influenced the selection of a pontiff. could the power of the media exercise a similar influence? The Vatican has the role of shedding light on secrecy, of explaining how it works by making naturally reserved procedures transparent. The media on the other hand must try and understand so they can tell the story. Looking at the color of smoke drifting out the Sistine chapel's chimney is quite an experience. A pilgrim, an intellectual, a reporter, an agnostic, an onlooker or a tourist can live the experience in total freedom, feel the emotions and store the memories. It's a matter of smoke against a text message, reality against a virtual world. Mar. 15, Fri.-Fameja Veneta Festa di Primavera at Top of the Market Restaurant (1190 nagoya Way, San Pedro). Members $38 non members $42. For further information: Maria (424) 772-1592, Bepi: (714) 894-0251, Jeanne (323) 721-6950. Mar. 16, Sat.-The Garibaldina Society The Women's Extension Ball. cocktail Hour 6:00pm, Gourmet Italian Dinner 7:00pm. Dancing to The Time Machine Band. Dress Formal: Gentlemen: Black Tie optional, Ladies: "Party" Attire. Adults only please! Reservations are required and must be received no later than March 11, 2013. Members: $32, Guests: $37. For more information call Reservations chairman Marie Mor (818) 249-9363. Mar. 16, Sat.: Grandsons of Italy in America Meeting at Victorio's Ristorante, 10901 Victory Blvd., north Hollywood, 11:30 a.m. For info call (805) 529-9726. March 16, Sat.- OCAIW-Fashion Show- 11:00am oak creek Golf club (one Golf club Drive, Irvine) $25.00. call Linda 714.812.4410. Mar. 16-17, 2013, Sat. & Sun.-Italian Catholic Federation, Branch 111, Feast of St. Joseph Table- Sat. 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m and Sun. from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Italian catholic Federation , Branch 111 will be commemorating their 16h annual Feast of St. Joseph Table , at St. Benedict church. Parish Hall (1022 W. cleveland Avenue, in the city of Montebello). Blessing of the Table will be held on Saturday, March 16th at noon. Free pasta meal to everyone on both days. Everyone welcome. For information call Franco Salomone at (323) 888-2074. Mar. 17, Sun.-Italian Cultural Arts Council Presents cinema Italiano! Film: Il Bidone (A Fellini Film, in Italian with English subtitles) at Bowers Museum (2002 n. Main St., Santa Ana, cA 92706) in the norma Kershaw Auditorium. cost: Adults $10, Students $5 (no need to RSVP). Schedule: Arrival 1:30-2pm, Reception/Refreshments. Seating in Auditorium: 1:45. Program Begins: 2pm. For information call (714) 567-3600. Mar. 17, Sun.-Saddleback Valley Lodge - cooking Demonstration at St. Timonthy's catholic church, Laguna niguel, 2 - 4 PM. Demonstrations include: 1) Making Rustic Italian Bread; 2) classic Italian Meatballs; 3) Delicious cream Puffs. All attendees will be able to taste the food prepared to include salad and beverage. Price: $10 for members; $15 for non-members. For reservations or further information, please call: Teresa at (949) 830-0351 or mail your check payable to Saddleback Vally Lodge #2566, PoB 7295, capistrano Beach 92624. Mar. 17-18-19, Sun/Mon/Tues- Feast of St. Joseph at St. Peter's Italian Church. Mass 11:00 am each day; Blessing of the St. Joseph Table at noon at casa Italiana. Mar. 17, Sun.-Saint Joseph's Table at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church (870 W. 8th St., San Pedro, cA). The Mary Star parish groups and all other attendees will assemble in the parish auditorium at 11:15 a.m. The statue of St Joseph will be taken in procession with chants of "Viva San Giuseppe!" Following the 12pm Mass, the procession will move to the auditorium for a "Poor Man's Meal." The attendees will be greeted by the "Holy Family." The meal will be blessed and the statue of St. Joseph will be visible to everyone. The event is free to the public. Bring your family and friends! Freewill donations toward scholarship programs will be accepted. For information, call (310) 833-3541 complimentary spaghetti served each day noon to 8:00 pm. Mar. 19, Tues. - St. Joseph's Day - Mission San Juan capistrano - 10am – 2pm. This annual celebration includes: ringing of the historic bells, live mariachi music, flamenco performances, community presentations, Mission Basilica School performances, San Juan Elementary performances, history of St. Josephs Day and Swallows Legend, local food vendors and special Guest Lecture on cliff Swallows by Dr. charles Brown. For more information visit www.missionsjc.com or call (949)234-1315. Mar. 21, Thurs.-Federated Italo-Americans of Southern california General Meeting at casa Italiana (1051 n. Broadway, Los Angeles, cA 90012). 7:00pm Dinner ($15 pp), 8:00pm Meeting. Please RSVP by Monday before meeting to: Maria Borgese (818) 846-5764, Palmie crispie (818) 246-5749 or annpotenza@aol.com.

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