L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 www.italoamericano.com 15 Sardinia swept by deadly cyclone Continued from page 1 snow in the mountain areas. Olbia, a town of 50,000 people, was among the worst hit by the storm, together with the areas around Nuoro, Oristano, Orasta and Gallura. Over 2,000 people had to evacuate their homes following the rains. Nobody has seen a situation as extreme as this for decades, especially because it has affected the whole island. Never has so much water fallen in the area since record keeping began 150 years ago. The Italian government immediately declared a state of emergency, and premier Letta spoke of a "national tragedy". The government also approved an amendment to the 2014 draft budget, currently going through the Senate, to allocate 103 million euros for cyclone-torn areas. Letta announced that 20 million euros ($ 27 m) would be allocated immediately to emergency relief efforts, and soldiers will be deployed to the region. The ultimate cost of the damage has yet to be made clear. Damage is widespread in the countryside, where raging waters made whole herds disappear, tore away barn roofs, fences, and tractors, and flooded fields and orchards. Damage to farms and roads is also a true calamity for sheep in a zone that raises more than 40% of Italy's total. Italy's civil protection chief 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. Over 2,000 people had to evacuate their homes after extreme rainfall Franco Gabrielli slammed local authorities for allowing the disastrous cyclone to catch them unprepared. Responding to accusations that the agency failed to give Sardinia adequate notice, Gabrielli stressed the agency put out a weather alert on Sunday, 12 hours prior to the rain, warning prefectures and the regional government, who were then responsible for informing municipalities. The reason for the level of devastation, apart from the fury of nature, is of course human. Many homes in the areas reporting extensive damage have been built illegally along riverbanks, and entire neighborhoods were reportedly constructed without submitting urban planning documents for approval by local governments. The torrential rains flooded streets, swept cars away, and caused rivers to burst their banks and bridges to collapse. Of course it cannot be simply nature's fault: local authorities allowed the disastrous cyclone to catch them unprepared. At risk as well are areas beyond Sardinia. More than 6 million Italians face potential damage from flooding, particularly in coastal areas where reckless building has taken place. For the Year of Faith 8,5 million pilgrims from all over the world visited Rome Continued from page 1 of the remains, displayed on an ivory bed within a bronze chest on a pedestal in St. Peter's Square. The chest, given to Pope Paul VI in 1971 and usually kept in the chapel of the papal apartments, was decorated with a carving of Peter casting his nets into the sea: he was a fisherman before becoming the Church's first Pope. At the start of the solemn ceremony, Francis prayed before the chest, bordered by white and yellow roses, before blessing the bones with incense. The bones have long been the object of great controversy between historians and archaeologists: they were first discovered in a 1940 dig next to an ancient monument honouring Saint Peter, but ended up gathering dust in a storage box. It was not until archaeologist Margherita Guarducci discovered graffiti near the excavated tomb reading "Petros eni", which Pope Francis with the chest cointaining St. Peter's bones could mean "Peter is here", that she requested tests on the fragments. She found they belonged to a robust man who died aged between 60 and 70 and had been buried in a purple, gold-threaded cloth. No Pope has ever definitively declared the fragments to belong to the Apostle Peter, but Pope Paul VI in 1968 said fragments found in the necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica, were "identified in a way that we can consider convincing". Dec. 1, Sun. - Mother Cabrini Annual Mass, Pilgrimage and Luncheon. Mother Cabrini Mass (12:30pm) followed by Pilgrimage to Chapel and Lunch in the Parish Hall. Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library 3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA. For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 372-7812. Dec. 1, Sun.-San Trifone Annual Christmas Party at Casa Italiana. Mass at 11am. Christmas Dinner and Party following Mass. Santa & Mrs. Claus, Entertainment and Dancing. Cost: Adults and Teenagers, $35.00; Children 12 and under, Free. Children must be 12 and under to receive a gift. Please bring a wrapped gift for children in your party of non-members. Reservations deadline is Nov. 26 (no gifts for children after the deadline). For information call (323) 257-0302. Dec. 4, Wed.-Italian American Lawyers Association, The State of California Supreme Court Night. At Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012). Chase & carry cocktails 6pm, Dinner 7pm. Enjoy an authentic Italian dinner. $35 for members and affiliates, $40 non-members, $20 students. For reservations and meal selection: IALA07@yahoo.com or call (213) 891-4845. Dec. 5, Thurs.-VOLCANIC WINES-Join us for an evening of simple geology and wine tasting, as we do a quick flight across the enological products of man, nature and fire. Led by Diego Meraviglia. 6:00 to 8:30 PM. Italian Cultural Institute (1023 Hilgard Avenue - LA 90024). Fees: $40 ($35 for IIC & NASA members) To register please call 310-824-7408 or email classes.iicla@esteri.it Dec. 7, Sat.-The Italian Woman's Club of Los Angeles, Annual Christmas Luncheon at The Castway Restaurant (1250 Harvard Rd., Burbank, CA), 12 noon, $35 p.p. For reservations and additional information please call Eva Masciotra at (818) 848-1862. Dec. 8, 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. Dec. 8, Sun.-The Patrons of Italian Culture Annual 'Family Christmas Gala' luncheon at the Historic San Antonio Winery from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. The Patrons have arranged for, with the help of the IIC, a dramatic Cinema presentation of all the Italian provinces! This presentation is complete with philharmonic accompaniment, allowing members and guests to have a "birds eye" view of their ancestral homeland. A live performance by noted baritone, Pat Bell will highlight the gala event. Mr. Bell, also known as the "Opera-Kadabra" man will be performing magic tricks for 'young and old', while singing the best of Italian favorites. Tickets are $ 50/p.p. Children under 12 years: $20.00 For reservations and information call: Jo Barbera, 626-584-1174 no later than Nov. 29. Dec. 11, Wed.-Abruzzesi e Molisani di California Christmas Dinner Party for members and guests at Villa Scalabrini Meeting Hall. 6pm, Dinner will be served at 6:30pm. Call for reservations by Dec. 8: Adelio Di Gregorio (818) 985-0951 or Sam Petrilli (818)768-1956. Dec. 8, Sun.-St. Anthony Society Christmas Celebration at Casa Italiana. Mass: 11:00 am St. Peter's Italian Church, Banquet & Santa 1:00 pm. Reservations: 323-225-8119, ext. 10 Dec. 15, Sun.-The Trentino Club of Southern California Christmas Gathering at Portofino Italian Restaurant (651 W. Whittier Blvd., La Habra CA 90631). Cost is $25 p.p. Reservations required by Dec. 9. For information call Ann DePierro (714) 7756003. Dec. 15, Sun.-Families of Italian Lineage Christmas Gala Dinner Dance at Mission Viejo Country Club. It will feature a filet mignon dinner plus antipasto etc. Members $45, Non-members $55. For information call Venus at (949) 363-5348. Dec. 15. Sun.- Feast of Santa Lucia at St. Peter's Italian Church. Mass 11:00 am; Dinner Dance at Casa Italiana 1:00 pm. Reservations: 323-257-2182 Dec. 25, Wed.-Christmas Day at St. Peter's Italian Church. Midnight Mass, 9:30 am (English); 11:00 am (Italian). NO EVENING MASS Dec. 31, Tues.-New Year's Eve Gala Dinner Dance at Casa Italiana. 6:30 pm Join us as we bring in the New Year. Reservations: 323-225-8119, ext. 10

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