L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURS DAY,   JUNE  13,   2013  PAGE  15 Young Americans' Perceptions of Italy: Wine, Food and Fashion The poll was conducted with about 850 students in the United States, and found that nearly 50% of students who have not yet visited Italy want to see the country. Another 18% said they would live in Italy if they could. It is not a surprise, hence, that an estimated 7,000 Americans, 80 percent of whom are women, come to Florence every year through about 40 study-abroad programs. Italy is the second worldwide destination for American students after England (33 thousands students). The Bel Paese shows a better appeal than Spain (26 thousands students), France (17 thousands) and Germany (9 thousands). Far from the top destinations are other countries such as China (15 thousands), India and Japan (4 thousands) and Brasil (3 thousands). A special connection, the one between young Americans and Italy, which does not begin today. In 1966, after the destructive flood that hit the city of Florence, U.S. students were affectionately nicknamed "mud angels" after siding with many youngsters from all over the country to help remove the mud and save endangered precious works of art. "The No. 1 market in Florence is tourism and the second is the American college student," said Bari Hochwald, who lives and teaches in Florence. "They are and even the tiny medieval town of Tuscania, a couple hours outside Rome, host youngsters from the US. On the bad side, however, the survey found many stereotypes about Italy still linger - pizza and spaghetti were named as Italy's top foods. Graduation ceremony at the American University of Rome the dominant factors in the historic center of the city," he added. And Florence is not unique. Rome and Venice both have successful programs opened to young American students. Even the Sicilian town of Taormina And many of the students surveyed knew very little about European institutions: 57% were not aware of the European Commission, which is the executive body of the European Union. T h e U f f i z i i n F l o r e n c e R e c o g n i ze d a s Best World's Art Galler y "The world masterpiece can be bandied about too easily in Italy but the Uffizi is packed with them. It was here that the Medici family displayed its magnificent collections. The gallery's architect, Giorgio Vasari, said it was here that the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance would gather 'for beauty, for work and for recreation'. Now their cultural splendors adorn the courtyards and walls with a host of treasures from the serene beauties of an earlier medieval era to the exuberant dramas of the high Baroque" the British newspaper said. Italy's umpteenth recognition as top destination for art lovers paired the number released by the country's national tourism agency, Enit, according to which 1.5 billion of visas, of the 1.9 billion issued in 2012, were specifically for tourism. According to the agency, foreign tourists spent some 32 billion euros in Italy in 2012. 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 15, Sat.-The Garibaldina Society "Il Ballo Per La Festa Del Pap à (Father's Day Ball)". 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 June 10, 2013. Lady Members: $32, Guests: $37 (no admission charge to gentlemen members who have paid their 2013 dues). For more information or reservations call Chairman Marie Mor (818) 249-9363. 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. June 19, Wed.-IALA Dinner at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, L.A. 90012). Special guest speaker: Robert Davi. Cocktails 6pm, Dinner 7pm. Price: $35 with 48 hrs. reservation otherwise $40 per person, $20 students, free for sitting judges. For reservations: call (213) 891-4845 or iala07@yahoo.com June 20, 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. June 22, Sat.-Club Italia's Father's Day Dinner Dance at St. John Eudes Catholic Church (9901 Mason Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311). Live Band (Duo Domino) and Catered Food. Reservations must be made by Thursday, June 20, 2013. Call Sigrid Ravizza (661) 297-0507 or (818) 426-1489. June 23, Sun.-Feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus at St. Peter's Italian Church. Mass 11:00 am Procession follows; Dinner Dance at Casa Italiana 1:00 pm. Reservations: 562-9472819. June 24, 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. June 27, 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. June 29, Sat.-Santo Padre Pio Society celebrates the birthday of San Padre Pio with picnic at Live Oak Park (2820 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007). 10am-6pm. Wonderful lunch provided by Johnny e Vito Nicola Angiuli of Eastside Market. Games for adults and children, Raffle. Cost: Adults $25, Children $10 (ages 4-11). We invite members and friends to join us for a fun day with friends. Please RSVP to Pres. Maria Bruno before June 25, (818) 241-4672. June 30, Sun.-Festa Italiana -Giorno della Famiglia from 10 AM - 7:00 PM at the Waterloo Gun and Bocce Club.4343 North Ashley Lane. Stockton, CA 95215. For information contact Andrea Songey-Neff Executive Director, Pacific Italian Alliance 209.983.4375. July 7, 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. July 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. July 14, Sun.-Feast of of Mt. Carmel & St Peter at St. Peter's Italian Church. Mass 11:00 am; Dinner Dance at Casa Italiana 1:00 pm. Reservations: 323-225-8119, ext. 10.

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