L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 www.italoamericano.com 6 Italians Welcome Italian Consulate to Orange County in Grand Italian Style On January 20, 2015, at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, over 200 members of the Italian Community, families and orga- nizations joined together to greet the new Italian Cons ulate General in Los Angeles Antonio Verde, as he begins his four year term of service to the communi- ty. Th is w as his firs t vis it to O range County and to the Bowers Museum, which is a pre- miere world class cultural and education facility for Southern California. The G ala Reception w as organized by Commendatore Frank DeSantis, president of the Italian Cultural Arts Council, volunteers of the local Italian American organizations as well as local businesses, who partici- pated by enthusiastically donat- ing all the food, beverages and décor to provide an impressive welcome for Consul General Antonio Verde. "Orange County is home of an Italian community strongly tied to its traditions and roots. At the same time, this group is try- ing to include the young genera- tions in its inheritance, and this represents its most important s trength. P rograms like the Programma AP are a crucial fac- tor in this s cenario, and w e shouldn't forget the role of Expo Milan 2015 in promoting the image of Italy worldwide," said Consul General. M os t s pectacular w as the opening ceremony of a parade of Italian Regional flags, conducted by Vicky Carabini, with accom- panying music by our famous Sicilian Band Leader Antonio Ciaramitaro, and the attendees clapped for their favorite region as it was announced. "Our local community has been supportive and enthusiastic about coming here to meet the new es t repres entative of the Italian government, which indi- cates a deep pride of our com- mon heritage," Frank DeSantis said in his welcoming comments, while attendees dined on a sump- tuous Italian buffet spread. On hand to greet and wel- come Consul Verde was Peter Keller, President of the Bowers Museum and Anne Shih, Chair of the Board of Directors for the museum. In addition were mem- bers of the Italian Cultural Arts Council, which was formed in 1992 upon affiliation with the Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation. F rank D eS antis extended acknowledgements to the many other Italian community organi- zations and leaders in atten- dance, including members of the Renaissance Lodge #2259 Order Sons of Italy in America; the O range Cou nty Law yers Association, The Anaheim OSIA Lodge, The San Juan Capistrano Sister Cities Ambassador Vicky Carabini. Also participating were members of the Orange County Italian Meet Up Group; Nadia Pettinger of Fondazione Italia and L'Italo Americano staff w riter N icola Bus ca. Distinguished guests recognized w ere S ebas tian P aul M us co, President, Gemini Industries; STAFF Vince Ferragamo, former Rams F ootball G reat; V illa P ark M ayor D iana F as cinelli; Commendatore J os eph La Banca, P as t S tate P res ident Grand Lodge (California) Order S ons of Italy; Chapman U nivers ity D ean Charlene Baldwin; Professor Federico P acchione, H ead of Italian Studies at Chapman University, Cavaliere D avid P ris co, President, Renaissance Lodge OSIA, Joseph Ferrucci, Esq. and Joseph D'Antony, Esq of the Orange County Italian Lawyers. A special guest also newly arrived to Los A ngeles w as Valeria Rumori, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute. She was warmly welcomed along with the Consul General, and remarked how our community and cultural Center may partici- pate in future programs. The food and beverage were generously donated by 17 local s pons ors : A naheim White House; Antonello Ristorante; Cerenzia Foods; Citrus City Grille; Claros Italian Markets; D ' A quino Imports ; F rancoli Gourmet Italian, IL Fornaio; Ingardia Brothers P roduce; Heritage Foods; Italian Magic Olives and Gourmet Foods, LA Italian Kitchen; Mastroianni Enterprises Jay's Catering; Tutto Fresco, Roma D'Italia, Zov's and Joseph Ferrucci. We owe thanks to our com- mittee members, who assisted at the event to make it so success- ful: D avid P ris co, K athy DeSantis, Chris DeSantis, Frank DeSantis Jr., Steven Tomeo, Michele Lowinger, John Russo, M aryJ ane Cambria, M ario Guardi, Angel Bernardo, Vicky Carabini, Tony Coco, Joseph Ferrucci, Guy Floridia and Pat Dito. The Bow ers M us eum has become the O range County Italian Cultural Center, which was established in 1992 by the Renaissance Foundation in con- junction with the remodeling of the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. For more information about joining the Italian Cultural Arts Council and the Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation, please call Frank DeSantis at (714) 550-9155. Sebastian Paul Musco, Consul General Antonio Verde and Frank DeSantis. Photo by Steve Tomeo Feb .21, Sat.- OCAIW Luncheon, 11am - 2pm, celebrating Chinese New Year at Al's China Palace (13444 Newport Ave, Tustin, CA, 714-544-7167). There will be A White Elephant Sale. All money going to our charity. For reservations call Lucy Gallo 949-472-8218. Feb. 23, Mon. - Dacia Maraini, Sacred, Mystical and Profane; Italian Women Writers Through the Ages. 5:00pm. Dacia will draw from her new book Chiara of Assisi; In praise of Women to discuss the trajectory of Italian women writers. Anatol Center, Cal State University Long Beach. For information : (562) 985-4111 Feb. 26, Thurs. - La Vita è Bella Film screening (Argyros Forum, 119A). Thursday, February 26th, 7pm. Organized by the Italian Club. For more information please contact Dr. Federico Pacchioni pacchion@chapman.edu. Parking is available after 4:00 p.m. in the Fred L. Barrera Parking Structure on Sycamore and the Lastinger Parking Structure on Walnut Avenue. The cost is $2 for 2 hours and $3 for 4 hours. For more parking information visit www.chapman.edu/publicsafety/parking/default.asp Mar. 19, Thurs. – St. Joseph's Day at Historic Mission San Juan Capistrano 10:00am – 2:00pm. This annual celebration includes: -St. Joseph's Table - Ringing of the historic bells -Live mariachi music -Community presentations -Special Guest Lecture On Cliff Swallows -Mission Basilica School performances -San Juan Elementary performances -History of St. Joseph's Day and Swallows Legend . For more information visit missionsjc.com. To volunteer to work the St. Joseph Day table, email vcarabini@cox.net. Mar. 21, Sat. – 57th Annual Swallow's Day Parade – Mark your calendar to be a part of the Italian entry. There is no better way to show your Italian pride than by marching along a parade route lined with over 30,000 spectators, filmed on TV and broadcast live on several radio stations. To be a part of the Italian entry and the post parade party at Zoomar's contact Vicky at vcarabini@cox.net. Mar. 28, Sat.-OCAIW Luncheon Meeting, will be our fund raiser and a FASHION SHOW from 10:30am - 3:30pm. Music will be provided throughout the event. There will also be a silent auction with paintings and other beautiful baskets which have been dona- ted. There will also be champagne served to celebrate our 30 year anniversary. Everyone is invited. It will be held at the Mission Viejo Country Club (26200 Country Club Dr., Mission Viejo, CA 92691). For more information call Lucy Gallo 949-472-8218 Italian Regional flag ceremony conducted by Vicki Carabini. Photo by Steve Tomeo

• Cover