L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013 www.italoamericano.com 15 Silvio Berlusconi Ousted From Italian Parliament Continued from page 1 The event generated more hits, headlines and posts than when the supreme Cassation Court sentenced him in August, which enacted the vote for his Senate ouster. The 77-year-old politician was sentenced to four years in jail for the tax-fraud sentence (he was convicted in October 2012 over deals his firm Mediaset made to purchase tv rights to U.S. films), commuted to a year because of an amnesty. He has requested to serve the year by doing community service rather than under house arrest. He is expected to begin serving his sentence next year for the tax fraud conviction, which related to a complex system of illegally inflated invoices at his Mediaset television empire. But this will not be the end of his legal woes. Among other matters, he has been ordered to stand trial on charges of bribing a senator in an attempt to bring down Romano Prodi's government, a one-year sentence for involvement in the publication of an illegally obtained wiretap and is appealing against a seven-year sentence, that is a first-grade conviction handed down in June, for having sex with an underage girl and abusing his office to cover it up. The media magnate, who is too old to actually go to jail under 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. Berlusconi expulsion from Parliament was the most followed political event in Italy of all time, on social networks and on world media Italian law, denies the allegations in all cases. However, he could now face arrest over other criminal cases as he has lost his immunity from prosecution. Berlusconi was not present for the Senate vote. Meanwhile he was suffering the heaviest blow of his 20 years political career, outside his residence in central Rome (where the previuos day he met Russian president Putin), he gave a defiant address to his supporters declaring a "day of mourning for democracy" and promising that he would remain on the political scene, even if out of Parliament. After having dominated politics for 20 years, he wants to continue to lead his Forza Italia party in a "fight for the good of Italy". Even if, just during the days before the vote, his party divided in two groups and his dolphin, Angelino Alfano who is the vice premier in the government coalition guided by premier Enrico Letta's centre-left Democratic Party, became the leader of the opposite movement. Alfano, however, still said he loved Berlusconi and opposed his expulsion: "It is an ugly day for Parliament and for Italy. Parliament has expelled a man millions had voted for" Alfano said. Turin's heart of chocolate: the sweetest way to discover Italy's first Capital Continued from page 1 was plenty of other kinds of chocolate available: dark, milk, white, hot chocolate, chocolate liqueur and chocolate gelato. Not to forget the location and the period of the Turin festival: "CioccolaTò 2013" invited visitors into the "living room" of Turin to taste the cocoa creations when the season makes them more sweet. The melancholy of autumn was blown away by the load of serotonin that chocolate gives in every bite. CioccolaTò was also an opportunity to discover the monuments of the city of Turin, starting from the taste buds and to let be charmed by the many variations of the cocoa bean and the many different creations from all over the world. The chocolate most associated with Turin is gianduia (it was invented because of high cacao prices and problems with supply. In order to extend their supply of cacao, chocolatiers added hazelnuts that were, and still are, CioccolaTò Festival: Turin becomes the international temple of chocolate in abundance from the local Langhe area). However, long before pastry chefs started putting hazelnuts in chocolate, Turin was a major player in the world of European chocolate. The chocolate and gianduia "stubs" came out in 1852. At first its name was "givu" local dialect for cigarette butt. Then in 1865, the big chocolate company Caffarel gave to the Turin's Carnival character Gianduia, these givu to hand out during festivities. From then, the stubs were known as Gianduia or 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. Cost is $15 per person. 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. - Saddleback Vally Lodge #2566 - Christmas Dinner Mission Viejo Country Club. 5PM - Dinner to include Primo e Secondo Piatti, Insalata, Dolce plus soft drink and coffee. Price $45.00. Reservations please call: Teresa at (949-830-0351. 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. 21 – Sat.- OCAIW Meeting - Mission Viejo Country Club (26200 Country Club Dr, Mission Viejo 92691) $35.00 Entertainment Alexandra Rupp accompanied by the Pazarro Brothers. Call: Lucy Gallo 949-472-8218 or Arline 949-786-7845 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 Jan. 13, Mon.-Santo Padre Pio Society Dinner Meeting. 6:30 pm, Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, 90012). Vi prego di partecipare per una serata piacevole per stare con amici. Cost: $15 per person. For reservations and information please call the president Maria (818) 241-4672. Jan. 18 – Sat.- OCAIW Meeting - Marie Callenders (15363 Culver Dr, Irvine 92604) $25.00 White Elephant. Call: Lucy Gallo 949472-8218 or Arline 949-786-7845 Jan. 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.

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