L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 www.italoamericano.com 15 Raising the Concordia: The Greatest Marine Salvage Operation in History Continued from page 1 Italian salvage company Micoperi, said: "In the beginning, the hull resumed its original shape, then it started to detach from the seabed where it had been lying for so long. We are carrying out all due inspections as we continue to lift the 6,000-ton load, which will decrease once the ship is placed on the artificial steel seabed." The so-called "parbuckling" operation, aimed at rotating the wrecked liner towards an upright position, involves lifting the Concordia off the rock shelf it has been lying on since it capsized in January 2012 causing 32 victims. By now, the semi-submerged cruise ship has almost become an attraction for tourists, and it will take a few more months to remove it. Once upright, the Costa Concordia will be stabilized and towed away to be broken up for scrap, although this final step of the unprecedented recovery is not expected to be Attention Clubs and Organizations! your Calendar item submissions are welcome. Items are due no later than three weeks prior to the date of the event. They may be emailed to linda@italoamericano . All submissions must include: Event, date, time and address of the event, brief description, as well as a phone number or website for additional information. Subject to editor's review and space availability. Not all items submitted will be published. Concordia shipwreck ed in front of Giglio Insland in the night of January 2012. In the sink ing 32 people died carried out until early 2014. The total cost of the salvage and removal, around 600 million Euros, will be paid by the company Costa Cruises, the largest European cruise operator and owner of the Costa Concordia. "This is an extraordinary operation that has never been performed before", said Franco Porcellacchia, project manager at Costa Cruises. The cruise ship was carrying about 4,000 people when it sunk, and its wreckage weighs around 114,500 tons which also represents a serious risk in terms of pollution. Therefore, it is essential to lift it and to minimize the environmental damage to Giglio Island. After that, the sea bottom will be cleaned and marine flora replanted. At the same time, new measures will be implemented to boost tourism and economic growth in the area. Newly appointed US Ambassador to Italy arrives in Rome: "I am happy to return to my ancestors' home country" Continued from page 1 in Italy as well as on YouTube, Phillips expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to return to his ancestors' native country as the successor to Ambassador David Thorne after his four-year term of office. "Over the past four decades, my wife Linda Douglass and I have been to Italy many, many times. We have come back again and again, not just because of the beauty of your land or its extraordinary history. We have also been drawn here by the welcoming nature of the Italian people who have always made us, and so many other Americans, feel very much at home." In 2001, Phillips purchased and rebuilt a small, completely abandoned XIV century village near Siena, Tuscany, where now there is a boutique hotel named after his grandparents, "Phillips". The Ambassador fondly remembered his Italian family in his keynote address: "I am sure that my grandparents, Angelo Filippi and Lucy Colussi, who immigrated to America from Italy over 100 years ago, would be proud to know that their grandson has returned as the United States Ambassador to the great nation where they were born." With regards to his new office he also added: "Italia and America are true allies and have together enjoyed a close and enduring relationship over many years. Both countries share the values of freedom and commitment to human rights throughout the world. We have been steadfast partners on some of the most difficult challenges we have faced in recent years. I am honored to represent the American people and President Barack Obama as we work to build upon the special and important relationship that exists between our two countries. [...] I am ready to begin what I hope and trust will be a very productive working relationship over the coming years." Sept. 19, 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. Sept. 21, 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. Sept. 23, Mon.- ICF branch #67 Polenta Dinner 6:30pm at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, 90012). For information and 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) 4929658. Sept. 24, Tues.-Italian Woman's Club meeting at The Castaway. For information: contact Rosa Stevens 310-374-4583 Sept. 25, 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. Sept. 27, 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. Sept. 27-29, Fri.-Sun.-The 12th Annual Galbani Cheese Italian Feast of San Gennaro Los Angeles. Enter Feast from either entrance: 1651 N. Highland Ave. (between Hollywood Blvd. & Sunset Blvd.) or 1651 N. Orange Ave. (between Hollywood Blvd. & Sunset Blvd.) Hours: Friday-Sun (11am – 11pm). Cost: $5.00 – Adult General Admission, Free – Kids under 12 yrs old. For information: please email info@feastofla.org or call (818)508-0082. Oct. 4, 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. Oct. 5 & 6, Sat. & Sun- La Dolce Vita Italian Festival in Laguna Niguel (24000 Avila Rd, Laguna Niguel 92677; On El Lazo Rd between Alicia Parkway and La Paz). FREE PARKING is in the Chet Holifield Building parking area. Hours: Sat, Oct. 5: 10am10pm. Sun., Oct. 6: 12pm-8pm. Admission: $3/day or $5/both days. Children under 12 and Active Military are FREE. For information (949) 340-5770 or www.ladolcevitafestival.com Oct. 5, 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. Oct. 6, 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. Oct. 6, Sun.-bowers Museum and the Italian Cultural Arts Council are proud to announce the Italian Family Festival & Columbus Celebration with Honoree Vince Ferragamo. Bowers Musuem in Santa Ana (2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA). In an effort to sustain Italian heritage and culture, the Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation is dedicated to preserving the heritage of all American Italians in Orange County and annually conducts a Columbus Celebration at the Bowers Museum. The Columbus Celebration will be held in conjunction with the Italian and Mediterranean Family Festival on Target Free First Sunday, October 6, 2013. This year, the Italian Cultural Arts Council invites you to celebrate Italian Heritage Month with Honoree Vince Ferragamo. The Columbus Celebration event will begin at 10 a.m. featuring color guard, anthems, wreath ceremony at the Christopher Columbus Monument, special Italian treats and guest speakers, including representatives from the Italian Consulate and community dignitaries. Tony Ciaramitaro and The Sicilian Band will perform romantic and uplifting traditional songs from Italy and modern tunes from around the world. Dance and sing along in the historic mission-style Key Courtyard beginning at noon.

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