L'Italo-Americano

THURS DAY,   APRIL  18,   2013  Security ramped up in Italy after Boston bombings Continued from page 1 Outgoing Italian Premier Mario Monti sent a message to United States President Barack Obama to give Rome's support to the American people. Monti described the bombings as a "cowardly act of violence that provokes scorn" and caused "suffering and horror". "In these tragic moments, we are profoundly close to the American government and the American people with feelings of fraternal solidarity," Monti said. "I especially express profound condolences to the families of the victims and our sincerest best wishes to the injured. "I'm certain that even in these painful circumstances, America will know how to respond while reaffirming its great fundamental values of civilization". Boston police sources said that there were so far no reports of any Italians being hurt in the bombings. An estimated 300 Italians were at the event, of which 227 were registered runners in the world's oldest marathon. One of them, longtime Italian marathon runner Salvatore Giansiracusa, told ANSA he thought the first explosion was part of a celebration. "Then I heard the second bang...it was terrifying. At that point I saw people fleeing and I knew what was going on," he said. The deputy mayor of an Italian town was also among the runners and witnessed the explosions up close. "What happened is terrible. It's a surreal situation in Boston now. We're trying to understand when we can come back to Italy because the airport is closed," said Stefano Valsetti, deputy mayor of Cairo Montenotte in northern Italy. "I passed the finish line exactly nine minutes before the two explosions, and I was there in the area when they went off. Up to then the mood was festive, then suddenly the city entered into panic. Now we're all in the hotel waiting to find out how to get home". Obama pledged that US authorities would track down the culprits behind the blasts. Italy's outgoing President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano expressed his "deepest solidarity and disdain". "They struck where our societies are most vulnerable, because we are engaged in the daily construction of peaceful civil cohabitation," he said in a message to Obama. "However no act of violence will prevent us from keeping faith in our values and in our trust in freedom, democracy and the rule of law," Napolitano continued. The head of state added that Italy would continue to work alongside the US in the fight against terrorism. At the Vatican, Pope Francis sent a message of condolence for the victims, saying he was "deeply pained" by the "senseless tragedy". The message was sent to Boston Archbishop Sean Patrick O'Malley. Rome annual birthday celebration – 2,766th candles on her cake Continued from page 1 The museum was started as a space to display a group of sculptures collected by Pope Julius II (1503-1513). This idea was expanded by Pope Clement XIV and Pius VI, whose PioClementine Museum is home to the world's largest collection of classical statues filling 16 rooms. Pius VI founded the Pinacoteca (picture gallery) in the late 18th century that today displays many of the paints that the Vatican hierarchy recovered from Napoleon in the early 19th century. You'll find collections from the Byzantine School and Italian primitives as well as the 18th century Dutch and French old masters. For example there's a Pieta by Lucas Cranach the Elder, several Madonna's by Fra L'Italo-Americano Filippo Lippi, Raphael's last creation the Transfiguration, Caravaggio's Entombment and St. Jerome by Leonardo da Vinci. Intrigued by astronomy, Pope Gregory XIII was behind the Galleria delle Carte Geografiche. The gallery features a Tower of the Winds and frescoed maps of each Italian region. Pope Gregory XVI founded the Etruscan museum devoted to dwellers of the ancient cities of southern Etruria. It encompasses 22 rooms of artifacts and contains Greek and Roman art along with Etruscan masterpieces including the contents of the Regolini-Glassi Tomb [c650 BC] and the Greek inspired fourth century BC Mars. The Ethnological Museum founded by Pope Pius XI in 1926 currently includes some 100,000 works and this past November opened a special exhibition entitled History, Mystery and Treasures, which provides a journey through the world cultures. There really is something to interest everyone in the Vatican Museums, including the Gallery of Tapestries, collections of 18th and 19th century ceramics, miniature mosaics and even a Carriage and Automobile Museum. One way to bypass some of the long lines is to purchase an OMNIA Vatican and Rome Card. It lets you see the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Prison, St John's in the Lateran and Cloister and either St. Peter's Basilica with fast track entry and audio guide included or the Vatican Gardens Tour. If you can fit in one more museum tour the Castel Sant' Angelo Museum is a choice near by. This landmark, which has been used as a fortified shelter for Popes, features interesting weapons collections and art. The Apollo room has frescoes by P. del Vaga's school; Leo X's chapel features Renaissance sculptures; Clemente VII's rooms has works by Signorelli and others; and Giulio II's loggia is by Bramante. If your time in Rome is short and want to concentrate on the Vatican it makes sense to stay in the Borgo area which borders Saint Peter's Square to the west and the Tiber to the east. This area near the Vatican welcomes tourist with a wide selection of hotels and restaurants. There are quite a few in the area with prices ranging from under $100 per night to over $400 and within a quarter mile to one-half mile from Vatican City. Among these are the B&B Francesca at $96/per night, A Casa de Serena a San Pietro for $136/night and the Relais Vatican View at $467/per night. For more info on Vatican museums visit mv.Vatican.va, which also provides a virtual tour. PAGE  15 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. 18, Thurs.-Pacific Italian Alliance 18th Luke Award Dinner honoring David Canclini at 6:00 PM at the Italian Athletic Club (3541 Cherry Land Lane, Stockton CA). Tickets are $40 for members and $45 for the General Public. Tickets are available at www.pacificitalianalliance.com/ events.html. For more information call 209.983.4375 or email us at info@pacificitalianalliance.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. Apr. 20, Sat.-Knights of Columbus 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance (CMDR. John J. Shea Assembly 0081) at Mary Star of the Sea Auditorium (870 West 8th Street , San Pedro). Social Hour 6:00pm, Dinner served 7:00pm. Italian Dinner: Catered by Chef Danny Maricich. Dancing by DUO DOMINO. DONATION: $ 25.00 a person Reservations Required. Chairman: SK Tony De Girolamo 310- 519-8885 / antoniodg@sbcglobal.net. For Tickets and Reservation Call PGK / DD Nick Vilicich at 310 833- 4537 Apr. 20, Sat.-Comboni Missionaries "10th Annual Music for the Missions" to benefit blind children and young people at the Togoville Center/St. Lucy's School for the blind in Lome, Togo, West Africa. Reception and Social Hour at 6pm with Raffle and Silent Auction. Concert begins at 7:30pm at St. Louise of Marillac Church (1720 E. Covina Blvd, Covina, CA 91723). For information: (626) 339-1914. Apr. 20, 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. April 20, Sat.-OCAIW Meeting -11:00am Lone Star (1222 East Irvine Blvd. Tustin) $25.00 Country Western Singer. Call Linda 714.812.4410. Apr. 21, Sun.-Italian Cultural Arts Council~ Presents ~Cinema Italiano! Film: L'Innocente (1976) directed by Luchino Visconti. At Bowers Museum (2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706) in the state-of-the art, ultra deluxe Norma Kershaw Auditorium. COST: Adults $10, Students: $5 (no need to RSVP). SCHEDULE-Arrival: 1:30- 2:00 pm, Reception/Refreshments; Seating in Auditorium: 1:45 pm, Program Begins: 2:00 pm. For information (including parking information), call (714) 567-3600. Apr. 22, Mon.- ICF Branch #67 Polenta Dinner 6:30pm at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, 90012). Music by Ross Creations. Dinner $25.00 per person. Reservations are required. contact: Nick M. D'Egidio (President) (562) 947-2819, Guy Masciotra (Life Member Emeritus, Past President) (818) 848-1862, or Pat Mages (Recording Secretary) (805) 492-9658. Apr. 24, Wed.-Abruzzesi & Molisani di California Dinner Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Villa Scalabrini. The cost of the dinner is $15.00. For reservations, please call Adelio Di Gregorio at (818) 985-0951 or Sam Petrilli at (818) 768-1956. Apr. 25, Thurs.-The Garibaldina Society Pasta Platter Dinner Dance. The Garibaldina Society Women's Extension cordially invites you to the Pasta Platter Dinner Dance. Cocktails 4pm, Dinner 5pm sharp!, Dancing 6-8pm. Pasta dinner includes Salad, Pasta, Sausage, Glass of Wine & Dessert. Dancing. Dress Casual. $10 Members- $12 Guests. For reservations: Jean Giacomelli (626) 281-6639. Apr. 27, Sat.- Scalabrini Discernment House Seminary Fund Raiser Banquet at Casa Italiana. Mass 5:00 pm; St. Peter's Italian Church, Banquet 6:00 pm. Reservations: 323-2258119, ext 10.

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