L'Italo-Americano

THURS DAY,   AUGUS T  8,   2013  L'Italo-Americano PAGE  15 Tax evasion: A guilty verdict for Berlusconi. Is it the end of his career? Continued from page 1 Since the media magnate embarked on a political career two decades ago, he was implicated in over two dozen of legal proceedings. However, of the four years, three of the sentence are not effective because of the 2006 amnesty. Moreover, because Berlusconi is over 70, he will have to discount the remaining year in house arrest or he will be given social works. The supreme court also suspended the five-year ban on Berlusconi holding public office, committed by the previous grade of judgement, by sending this part of the punishment back to the Milan appeals court for review. State prosecutors have already requested to reduce it to three years. The decision was announced after six hours consultations over the case. The three-time Italian premier has been found guilty of masterminding a system of inflated film-rights purchases and dodge taxes on around 7 million euros in 2002 and 2003 through Mediaset, his tv empire, and foreign companies. In a video message just after the sentence he said it was "an irresponsible part of the judiciary system that had permanently conditioned Italy's political life". Now, while his party is planning a meeting with the President of the Republic Napolitano to ask the grace for their leader and somebody even evokes civil war litical election but is fragile and needs the support of Berlusconi's party to go on) collapsed after the supreme court sentence. "The stability of the government is fundamental, including at the international level, as it's one of the main factors to attract foreign investment" said Letta and politi- Premier Letta said: it would be a crime to let the government collapse (labelled as something "irresponsible" by Napolitano), premier Letta said that it would be a "crime" if his left-right government (that took power in April to end two months of political deadlock after February's inconclusive po- cal instability is the last thing Italy needs in this period of deep crisis and unemployment. The spread, a key indicator of investor confidence, dropped to 263 points, the lowest level since early June, after the sentence. Culture will save Italy economy: now the government bets on Pompeii Continued from page 1 But Pompeii is only one significant part of the cultural decree. Eight million euros will revamp the marvellous Uffizi Gallery in Florence and 4 million will be granted to the Holocaust Museum of Ferrara. Lyric opera and symphony foundations will access a special 75 million euro fund. The government also decides to give work to 5 hundred university graduates under the age Pompeii draws more than 2.5 million visitors every year of 35 for one year: they will digitalize and catalogue the cultural assets of the country. The first 100 hires will be drawn from Southern Italian regions: Puglia, Campania, Calabria and Sicily. Moreover the ''Cultural Value'' decree designates 90 million euros of tax credits to the movie industry and 5 million in tax credits to promote young music composers and performers. "Culture - said the prime minister Enrico Letta - is the heart of our country and the opportunity to attract investment is one of our priorities. We want to invest in culture and create a link between young people and culture". And minister Bray: "We believe that culture can start to create growth and jobs, give a future to the country and believe in the new generations. It is a very clear political choice". Aug.12, 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. Aug. 12, Mon.-The Garibaldina Society Council Meeting- 7:00pm. All members are welcome to attend the monthly Council Meeting. Coffee and Donuts will be served. For information, call (323) 2235005. Aug. 15, 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. Aug. 17, Sat.-The Garibaldina Society "Italo-Hawaiian Luau Dinner Dance"- The "Mai Tai" Hour 6:00pm, Gourmet Italian Dinner 7:00pm. Dancing to The Summerwind Band. Dress: Hawaiian-Casual (no shorts). Adults only please! Reservations are required and must be received by August 12, 2013. Members: $32, Guests: $37. For more information call Reservations Chairman Marie Mor (818) 249-9363. Aug. 17, Sat.-Ferragosto. Presented by L'Italo-Americano with Patrons of Italian Culture. A Summer Evening Event to benefit L'Italo-Americano at Villa Barbera (745 Sierra Madre Blvd., San Marino, CA 91108). 5pm-9pm. Featuring 5-star comedy show, exquisite Italian dinner buffet, Premium drinks and cocktails by Ventura Limoncello, Coffee and Cappuccino by Pasquini. Cost: $50 p/p. Reserve early by August 9. For information call (626) 359-7715 or email info@italoamericano.com Aug. 17, 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. Aug. 18, Sun.-Associazione Pugliese Del Sud California 11th Anniversary Dinner Dance. 3pm – 7pm at Elks Lodge (1373 E. Las Tunas Dr., San Gabriel CA 91776). No Host Cocktail. Includes Scholarship Award Presentation to Natasha Lina Ioviero. Buffet Dinner. Music for Dancing. Donation $40.00 p.p., Children under 12 years of age $20.00. For information and reservations, contact Joe Deligio (626) 966-3959 or Maria Bruno (818) 2414672. Aug. 18, Sun.-Italian Cultural Arts Council Presents Cinema Italiano 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. Film: Seduced and Abandoned – Sedotta e abbandonata (Pietro Germi – 1964). Starring: Stefania Sandrelli, Saro Urzi, Directed by: Pietro Germi. Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes, In Italian with English Subtitles. For additional information contact (714) 567-3600. Aug. 22, 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. Aug. 25, Sun.-Families of Italian Lineage Post Ferragosto Picnicheld at Regional Park, Laguna Niguel. Antipasto salad, barbecued chicken, baked potato, dessert, fruit. Private Bocce field, other games. Members: $20.00, Non-members: $25.00. For information: (949) 363-5348. Aug. 25, Sun.-La Fameja Veneta Ferragosto Champagne Brunch and 1 Hour Harbor Cruise. Brunch at Ports of Call Restaurant (1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor, Berth 76, San Pedro, tel. 310833-3553) from 10am to noon. Followed by 1 hour Harbor Cruise 12pm-1pm. Price: Brunch and Cruise $35/Adult and Children 3-12 half price. After 1pm we can take a walk or trolley to Promenade to see the beautiful fountains. Must reserve by August 14. For reservations, call Maria Varlotta (424) 772-1592 or for further information call Franca Scardenzan (424) 237-2770 or Bepi Sugar (714) 894-0251. Aug. 25, Sun.-The Garibaldina Society Special Event Fundraiser Dinner Dance. Please support your club! Enjoy a wonderful dinner and dancing to The Summerwind Band! Time: 2-6pm. Exciting White Elephant Sale. Cost $25 per person. For more information and reservations: Merle Corradi (626) 284-3567.

• Cover