L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURS DAY,   APRIL  4,   2013  Bel Paese No. 1 on Americans' travel wish list Continued from page 1 For the study sake, travelers were asked to name the most desirable country to visit in 2013 if money and time were not an issue. The majority of those surveyed replied that they would travel to Italy. Australia came a close second. The two countries are joined in the top five by New Zealand, the United Kingdom and France. Despite almost half of Americans choosing a country in Europe, Italy was the clear standout of any of the European countries, with twice as many respondents indicating that they wished to travel there over the United Kingdom and France combined. At a regional level, a preference for travel to countries within Europe and Oceania resulted in the two regions accounting for nearly 60% of all responses. The Fly.com survey questioned 875 American travelers about which countries they would most like to visit within North America, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania/Antarctic if money and time were not objects. The same opinion is shared by ASTA, the Association of Travel Agents, according to which: "Italy with a capital I, that's where the action is". Italians vowed to keep costs low on Easter weekend Continued from page 1 There was 5% less meat served, specifically 10% less lamb, consumer group Fiesa said on Friday. For some, like animal rights group Nemesi Animale, that is good news. Another tradition that lands on tables for Easter is a national favorite, the Colomba - a golden cake made with almond and vanilla, with crackling sugar baked on top and shaped like a dove. However, Colomba purchases have also dropped - 7% according to Fiesa. The consumer group laments that even wine will flow a little slower, with Italian families consuming an estimated 3% less. Even the beloved chocolate eggs that show up in children's bags and baskets were fewer and farther between. According to Coldiretti, 12% fewer kids and adults munched down on their milk or dark chocolate treats compared to last year. Global wine consumption rises with U.S. and China leading. Italy is still world's largest exporter of wine Italian leading the way on wine exports but numbers show some concern ROME - Global wine consumption rose in 2012 by 0.6% to 245.2 million hectoliters compared to the previous year, lifted by demand in the United States and China, according to the latest data released by the "Office International Du Vin". China last year boosted wine consumption by 9% in 2012, while the US sales gained 2% in the year. European consumption meanwhile remained stable. Despite the slight increase "2012 goes to confirm the negative situation of consumption as a result of the financial crisis, as the sector has yet to return to the growth levels it was enjoying in terms of global demand that exi- sted prior to the crisis", the ODV said. Good news is that Italy continues to be the worldwide leader as wine exporter although numbers showed how European wine makers lost out to southern hemisphere and US rivals last year as low harvests, caused primarily by bad weather, hit exports from the EU, new figures have shown. The top five EU exporters Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Portugal - saw their share of world trade in volume terms in 2012 drop to 62.3% from 64.5% in 2011, the International Organization for Vine & Wine (OIV) said late last week. The US' share jumped 2.5 percentage points to 28.2% while South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Chile and Argentina also benefited, OIV said. The figures confirmed OIV estimates in October that said the global wine harvest will be the lowest in 37 years, reaching 250.9m hectoliters. Exports were at about 101.4 million hectoliters, with Italy making up the largest portion with 21.5 million hectoliters and Spain and France following closely with 19.1 million hectoliters and 15 million hectoliters respectively. Also General Director of Vinitaly Mr. Giovanni Mantovani showed his appreciation towards the stats, "Export of Italian wine has increased in 2012, which is a very positive sign and reflects the appreciation of the quality of Italian wine". But numbers also showed some areas of concern, "We had a difficult 2012, mainly because of a sharp drop in production, but trade flows mostly held stable," added OIV General Director, Federico Castellucci, to reporters, referring to total wine exports which were stable at 101 million hLs after a long-term upward trend. Given the low harvests and economic crisis, the world wine business was broadly positive in 2012, he added. The EU policy of digging up vines to end years of surpluses had led to a reduction of 269,000 hectares of surface area between 2008 and 2011, well above the targeted 175,000 hectares, contributing to a recent rise in prices, Castellucci said, adding that rising consumption also helped push prices up. The wine market, however, continues to suffer the impact of the decline in production, especially in Europe. In 2012, the area of the vineyards in European countries has steadily decreased to 4212 million hAs, a drop of 0.8% between 2011 and 2012. This decrease is however less important than that of the previous fiscal year due at the end of the European reduction of vineyards. Outside Europe the vineyard surface recorded a slight increase to 3363 million hAs (+ 0.3%). PAGE  15 Apr. 4, Thurs.-The Garibaldina Society La Famiglia Afternoon Dinner Dance- Dinner 5:00pm, Dancing 6:008:00pm. Pasta, Roast Chicken, Vegetable, Salad, Wine, Dessert & Coffee. Dinner will be served promptly at 5:00pm. $12 Members, $14 Guests. Dress Casual. Reservations are required. Call Marie Mor (818) 249-9363. Apr. 6, Sat.-POINT (Pursuing Our Italian Names Together genealogy group) Chapter #3 of Northern California. Lunch at San Rafael Joe's in San Rafael CA. Jeanne Torre will be speaking on "Finding My Roots in Italy." Jeanne has travelled to Italy many times pursuing her family history and has received dual citizenship. Social hour 11 a.m. Please contact Dot Denko at 415-382-8090 for lunch reservations. Apr. 6, 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. Apr. 7, Sun.-Trentino Club of Southern California Spring gathering at Portofino Italian Restaurant (651 W. Whittier Blvd, La Habra, CA 90631). Sunday lunch 11:30am-2:30pm. Cost is $25. For information and reservations, call or email Ann: (714) 775-6003 or (714) 588-5135, anndepierro@hotmail.com Apr. 7, Sun.- Feast of Madonna Della Stella at St. Peter's Italian Church. Mass 11:00 am; Procession follows; Dinner Dance at Casa Italiana 1:00 pm. Reservations: 818246-5749 April. 8, Mon.-Associazione Pugliese del Sud California Dinner Meeting. 6pm mass followed by dinner and meeting at Casa Italiana. Dinner is $15 per person. For information call Mike Foschetti (323) 257-0302. Apr. 10, Wed.- St. Anthony Dinner Meeting 6:30 pm at Casa Italiana. Reservations: Johnny: 213-250-2464. Apr. 13, Sat.-Families of Italian Lineage Bus Trip to L.A. Museum to see the SHUTTLE, ENDEAVOR + IMAX. This is an historic event to see the Endeavor. Cost of Bus is $15.00/Members, $20.00/Non-Members. Entrance fee is $5.25. For information contact Venus at (949) 363-5348. Apr. 14, Sun.-Santo Padre Pio Society- Rosario a San Padre Pio at St. Peter's Italian Church (1039 N. Broadway, Los Angeles), 10:30 a.m. For information please call President Maria Bruno at (818) 241-4672. Apr. 14, Sun. – Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). Open House, 9 am to 1 pm hosted by the San Fernando District. For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 372-7812. Apr. 14, Sun. - ICF Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library Committee Meeting at 1 pm. (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 3727812. Apr. 15, 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. Apr. 15, Mon.- San Padre Pio Society Dinner Mtg. 6:30 pm, Casa Italiana. Una serata piacevole per stare con amici. Cost: $15.00 per person. For Reservations and information please call the president Maria: 818-241-4672. Apr. 18, 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. Apr. 20, Sat.-Club Italia's "Primavera" Dinner Dance at St. John Eudes Catholic Church (9901 Mason Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311). Live Band (The Sicilian Band) and catered food. For information and reservations call Sigrid Ravizza (661) 297-0507 or (818) 426-1490 Apr. 20, Sat.-The Garibaldina Society Annual Spring Dance. Cocktail Hour 6:00pm, Gourmet Italian Dinner 7:00pm. Dancing to The Summerwind Band. Dress Semi-Formal: Gentlemen: Coat & Tie, Ladies: "Party" Attire. Adults only please! Reservations are required and must be received no later than April 15, 2013. Members: $32, Guests: $37. For more information call Reservations Chairman Marie Mor (818) 249-9363.

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