L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano 3 Italian Republic Day Grand Celebrations Armed Forces through the streets of the city center, in the presence of the Prime Minister, govern- ment officials, high officers, and foreign dignitaries. The parade has been a tradition since 1948, and another tradition – suspend- ed in 2013 due to austerity mea- sures – was restored this year: the spectacular performance of the Italian Air Force aerobatic demonstration team "Frecce Tricolori". On this side of the Atlantic, 2014 festivities were no less impressive. In particular, the Italian American community of Los Angeles held an extraordi- nary, double celebration of the Republic's 68th anniversary on the weekend of May 31-June 1. On Saturday, the Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California hosted a luncheon at Michael's Restaurant in San Pedro, with the participation of about 100 guests. Among them were Hon. Giuseppe Perrone, Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles, Commercial Attaché Elena Marinelli, and many lead- ers of Federated's Italian American organizations, includ- ing Mike and Marianna Gatto, Marisa Antonini, Robert and Josephine Barbera, just to name a few. All the participating leaders, Federated's Executive Board, and Federated'sWoman and Man of the Year Mrs. Irene Guadagno and Mr. Vincenzo Rotella were honored with medals in recogni- tion of their role within the local community and their contribu- tion to promote Italian cultural heritage. The prestigious award was bestowed on them by Consul General Giuseppe Perrone, Federated's President Ann Potenza, and Carmela Funiciello, Vice President Republic Day. "It was a pleasant and joyous event," commented Federated's Vice President Administration Margherita Underhill. Carmela Funiciello added that "We man- aged to organize it with few resources but plenty of enthusi- asm and commitment, and I think we did a very good job." This was confirmed by Federated's President Ann Potenza: "The result was amazing," she said. "This festivity represents an important occasion to celebrate Italy, and we were very pleased to see attendees enjoying it, also thanks to the delicious food and the music entertainment by Tony Ciaramitaro and the Sicilian Band," continued Maria Bruno, Assistant Vice President Republic Day, who also read a brief poem in Italian entitled "Il mio Paese" (My Native Country) in front of the moved audience. On Sunday, the celebrations went on at the Italian Cultural Institute, where a special screen- ing of 2014 Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Picture The Great Beauty was held, followed by the reception. The IIC patio –elegantly set up by lighting designer Andrea Speroni – was filled with repre- sentatives of the Italian American community from dif- ferent organizations, including ENIT, IACCW, ITA, NIAF, ISSNAF, IAMLA, ICHF, and many more. Special guest was Councilmember Joe Buscaino. Everybody enjoyed the multi- media show by Alessandro Marianantoni, dedicated to Italy's "great beauty", as well as the exquisite food provided by generous sponsors such as Il Fornaio, Drago, Ferrarini USA, Pasquini Espresso, Ventura Limoncello, Ferrarelle, and oth- ers. The speech given by Consul General Giuseppe Perrone - who also bid farewell to the commu- nity prior to his return to Italy in Fall at the end of his mandate– was preceded by the National Anthems sung by Elisabetta Russo and Gino Gaudio. Hon. Giuseppe Perrone thanked his collaborators (some of them like Elena Marinelli, Irene Buongiorno, IIC Acting Director Massimo Sarti, and Michela Magrì will leave LA soon as well), the local Institutions and Italian American associations for working with him to promote the Italian cul- ture and language in Southern California, and highlighted the importance of Republic Day in this moment of crucial transfor- mation for Italy. He also introduced Edoardo Alzetta, representative of Expo Milano 2015, invited to partici- pate in this incredible project, and bestowed the prestigious "Ordine della Stella" awarded by the President of the Republic on Marisa Antonini, a cornerstone of the community. In turn, Consul General Perrone was presented a recogni- tion by the Chief of Protocol of Mayor Eric Garcetti, who con- firmed the Mayor's appreciation for the Italian contribution to the business and cultural develop- ment of the city. Special thanks were also extended by the Deputy Chief of Protocol of LA County. The cutting of the Italian flag themed cake, offered by Ugo Mamolo, marked the end of a celebration full of emotions, food, and friends. Continued from page 1 Sometimes speed really makes the difference - like if you are a police officer chasing criminals on the Italian highways -, and this must be the assumption upon which the long-standing relationship between Lamborghini and Italy's State Police is based. Since 2004, in fact, the Italian brand and manufacturer of luxu- ry sports cars owned by Volkswagen Group through its Audi division has been provid- ing the national police force with 5 different top-class models. The last one of them, the Lamborghini Gallardo intro- duced in 2008, will be replaced by the end of this year by the brand-new Huracán (the Spanish word for hurricane) LP610-4. Recently presented on the occasion of a formal ceremony in Rome in the presence of Alessandro Pansa, Chief of the Italian Police, and Lamborghini's President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann, the Huracán is not only fast (205 mph and 3 seconds 0-60 time est.) but also reliable and definitely captivating – we could even say threatening, to enhance the deterrent effect on bad guys - thanks to the aggressive look inspired by a 1879 Spanish fighting bull known for its courage and strong sense of attack. It will be dressed up with the traditional police blue-and-white uniform and, besides the stan- dard equipment, it will be fitted with an aerodynamic flashing light and the high-tech ProViDa (Proof Video Data) System, capable of determining the speed of pursued vehicles and transfer- ring their real-time image to the police station. In addition, the new supercar will be also carry- ing a first-aid kit, a defibrillator, and a cooling portable container for organ transportation in case of emergency. As underlined by Alessandro Pansa and Stephan Winkelmann in a joint statement, this last example of Italian excellence in supercar manufacturing – the civilian model of which is scheduled to be released in the second quarter of 2014 at a price of about $300,000 – reaffirms the fruitful collaboration between Lamborghini and Italy's State Police, and it is meant to ensure greater security on the Country's roads by pre- venting crime and car accidents due to delinquent behaviors. silVia siMoNetti A Huracán for the Italian State Police Hon. Giuseppe Perrone giving his speech at the IIC LA

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