L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURS DAY,   MAY  2,   2013  PAGE  15 A week after its re-elected President, Italy has finally found its new Government Continued from page 1 "I will put all I have...with great determination," to help restore faith in politics, he vowed. He won plaudits from both parts of his broad left-right coalition with his maiden speech to at age of 32, the youngest ever to hold such a post in the country's history. Once described as a "rising star" in the industry portfolio, Letta first served as minister for European Union Letta hails strong cabinet with 'record' women presence. Top left to right: B. Lorenzin, N. De Girolamo, M. Carrozza. Bottom left to right: A. Cancellieri, E. Bonino, J. Idem, C. Kyenge parliament. "I'd like to highlight the difference between politics, as in a dialectic, and policies, as in concrete solutions to concrete problems," Letta told the House. "If we concentrate on politics, the differences will immobilize us. If we concentrate on policies, we will do a service to the country by improving citizens' lives". Despite his age, the new Prime Minister also brings experience Letta became a cabinet minister affairs, and - holding an advanced degree in European legal studies - is said to be staunchly proEurope. He has also been a member of the European Parliament and reportedly speaks fluent English, like Napolitano, an invaluable asset in handling international affairs. Letta went to school in Strasbourg before getting a degree in international law from Pisa University. He has lectured occasionally at the Libera Università Cattaneo near Milan, Pisa University and the Haute Ecolé de Commerce in Paris. He has been deputy president of the ASPEN Institute Italia since 2004. Letta is a fan of the cult Dylan Dog horror comics series featuring a paranormal investigator. He supports Serie A giant and seven-time European champions AC Milan, which is owned by Berlusconi. He is also a big fan of British rock band Dire Straits and has written several books, including "Building a Cathedral: Why Italy Should Go Back to Thinking Big" and "Is Europe Over?", reflections on the problems faced by his homeland and the European Union. Italy's new cabinet was given a largely warm reception after the premier designate announced the names of the ministers for his broad coalition government. The new government will be a relatively young cabinet, featuring seven women, including Italy's first black minister. Cecile Kyenge, a doctor who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has become Italy's first black minister after being named integration minister. Josefa Idem, another PD MP, will be the first Olympian to be part of an Italian cabinet. Ban lifted on Italian salami imports to US. A game changer for the export of Italian products Continued from page 1 The department's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services explained the move saying that an in-country assessment has determined that four regions of Italy are free of swine vesicular disease, a dangerous communicable ailment that infects pigs. Due to that "the importation of pork or pork products from these areas presents no risks for American consumers." Specifically the mentioned regions are Lombardia, EmiliaRomagna, Veneto and Piemonte, as well as the provinces of Trento and Bolzano. Without any doubt those are areas that produce some of the best salami in the world. Since the introduction ban, in the 1960s, some pork products, such as Prosciutto di Parma or San Daniele, have still been imported from Italy under a specific certification. But only certain producers could afford the expense of trying to receive that aforementioned certification. From now on the inspection and certification process won't rely anymore on the same strict standards even if, as of today, it is not disclosed yet which requirements will need to be met by the many producers in Italy tion Coldiretti. Coldiretti estimates that the ban costs the industry more than 250 million euros ($325 million) per But whatever the certification and standards of quality will be, the relaxation of the ban will permit more artisanal salami to be imported in the US and at the same time will help the entire market to provide better products for conscious consumers. "Until now Americans have been forced to buy low-quality imitations of Italian cured meats," said farmers' organiza- year in lost exports. Generally speaking, the importation of fresh, dried or canned meats or meat products is generally not allowed from most foreign countries into the United States. This includes products that have been prepared with meat. In very few cases swine and swine products can enter the United States. May 4, 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. May 5, 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. May 8, Wed.-St. Anthony Dinner Meeting 6:30 pm at Casa Italiana. Reservations: Johnny: 213-250-2464. May 10, Fri.-San Trifone Society 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. May 16, 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. May 17, Fri.- Santa Lucia Society Dinner Meeting 6:30 pm at Casa Italiana. Mass 6:00 pm St. Peter's Italian Church; Reservations: 323-257-2182. May 18, Sat.- OCAIW Meeting-11:00am Zito Grill (17320 17th Street, Tustin) $25.00 Program to be determined. Call Linda 714.812.4410. May 18, Sat.-Club Italia's Mother's Day Dinner Dance- Club Italia is celebrating Mother's Day at St. John Eudes Church in Chatsworth (corner of Lassen & Mason). We will be singing and dancing to the sounds of "The Sicilian Band". The fun starts at 6:30pm. Be sure to call Sigrid Ravizza (661) 2970507 or (818) 426-1489. May 18, 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. May 18, Sat.-Italian Woman's Club- We will be celebrating our 90th Anniversary at the Castaway (1250 E. Harvard Rd., Burbank, CA, 818-848-6691) at 11:00 a.m. For information, please contact Rosa Di Masi Stevens (310) 339-9799. May 20, Mon.- ICF Branch #67 Dinner Meeting 6pm at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, 90012). $15.00 per person. For reservations 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. May 22, 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. June 1, 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. June 2, 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. June 9, Sun.- Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library Open House (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). 9 am to 1 pm hosted by San Gabriel District. For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 372-7812. June 9, Sun. - ICF Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library Committee Meeting at 1 pm. (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 3727812. June 9, Sun.-Feast of St. Anthony of Padua at St. Peter's Italian Church. Mass 11:00 am; Procession follows; Dinner Dance at Casa Italiana 1:00 pm. Reservations: 323-2258119, ext 10. June 15, 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. June 15, Sat.- OCAIW Meeting- 11:00am Roma D' Italia (611 El Camino Real, Tustin) $25.00 Introduction of new Board members. Call Linda 714.812.4410 June 17, 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.

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