L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012 L'Italo-Americano PAGE 15 From the director The beginning of a new chapter: ItaloAmericano.com Cari Lettori, I am very pleased to announce the official launch of L'Italo-Ame- ricano's new website! Beginning December 1, 2012 our mission to promote Italian culture and pre- serve the Italian heritage will be taken to the next level as we con- nect globally with our readers th- rough an extensive and innova- tive website that has been painstakingly developed over the past year. Everything we do at L'Italo- Americano newspaper is directly related to our mission and in that same respect, all features and aspects of our website will also aid us in achieving that mission. With a new generation of readers that rely upon websites, social media and technology for their information and news, L'Italo-Americano website is a media form that reaches out on a glo- bal scale and has a modern appeal that will keep a larger audience en- gaged and interested in Italian culture, heritage and language. One of the most exciting features of this website allows readers to make real time comments and engage in conversation with others on content covered either on the website. Additionally, the website allows easy online access for submitting pictures, articles, and calendar events for publishing consideration. As some of you may already know our facebook and twitter followers are growing, and as of this publication we have over 50,000 friends. Considering how quickly we were able to generate interest in our uni- que content to this audience via social media, we anticipate our new website to be even more popular. This is an exciting endeavor for our foundation because it paves the way for our newspaper to expand, pro- sper and most importantly, ensure the longevity of L'Italo-Americano and its mission. All this being said, our website will truly be a success only if it meets the needs of our community. That is exactly what we had in mind when we were exploring the possibilities and developing its many features. It is user friendly as well as innovative so I invite you to visit it, explore it and give us your feedback. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this much anticipated launch. I look forward to hearing about your experience while visiting L'Ita- lio-Americano's new website at www.italoamericano.com! Con affetto, Italian economy turns digital. Record annual growth expected Internet could increase employment by 0.44 percent for adult workers and 1.47 percent for youths in the workforce. A universe, the latter, that as of today is in desperate need to find its way through the job market. small and medium-sized businesses that are active on the Internet have recorded an average growth of 1.2 percent in revenues, compa- red to a decline of 4.5 percent in revenue of those businesses that continue to operate "offline." The study also showed that a 10 percent increase in the use of the businesses that take actions to foster their online presence improve their production, by making it easier for potential customers to inte- ract with the business itself and making it easier to measure products quality. Going to numbers, in the last three years, according to the report, be worth almost 60 billion euro, doubling the 31 million the sector generated last year. Particularly, the study shows with no doubt that small to medium economy will record an annual growth of 13 to 18 percent, reaching a total of 3 to 4 percent of the country's GDP. Putting it in another way, by 2015, the digital economy in Italy will Continued from page 1 According to the research, in a span of three years, Italy's Internet where the money will come from. The government promised to help but it will be tough to col- lect the money without private sponsorship from banks and cor- porations. Entities that these days are strapped for cash. "It was not the best time to have and Europeans, struggle to make ends meet, the fate of damaged artworks is not considered to be a priority. Therefore, it is still to be seen an earthquake", says fireman Cuttitta. And the race against the peak of the winter season needs desperately to be a win. Emilia's architectural and artistic heritage summed up to $3 bil- lion. The European Union has just offered $850 million to help rebuild Italy's latest earthquake zone. The Italian government has given another few millions. But to reach the amount needed to restore the region's damaged cul- tural heritage there is still a long way to go. At a time when many Italians, to the Baroque Palazzo Ducale at Sassuolo, south of Modena, to be cleaned and patched up by some of the country's top conservation experts. Luckily, Italy leads the world in this kind of work. The projected costs for fixing rub. The rescued artworks are taken Quake Aftermath: The Race to Save Italian Treasures Continued from page 1 ded in the area, the aim is still about recovering treasures from Mirandola's damaged civic museum - everything from a complete medieval tomb to tiny fragments of a shattered wooden baby, probably an angel or a che- of items to collect from churches, castles and other buildings. It's a case of deciding what's most vul- nerable, most in need of protec- tion," fire fighter Antonio Cuttitta says. Months after the team was lan- team of experts and specially- trained fire fighters who have been cataloguing in minute detail every building that needs atten- tion, every statue, painting or crucifix that needs protection or restoration. Assessing priorities, then focusing on protecting and saving what's most at risk. "We've been given a huge list Actors of this race has been a Nov. 30, Fri.-Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy San Francisco Committee hosts 50th Annual Benefit Fashion Show & Luncheon, featuring the Couture Collection of Lily Blue Designs, at the Fairmont Hotel (950 Mason St. S.F.), to begin at 11am with a reception in The Terrace Room followed by luncheon and fashion show at 12pm. Ticket prices begin at $100.00. For more details or to purchase tickets, please call (415) 665-4483 or email office@bgti.org Dec. 2, Sun.- Santo Padre Pio Society - Rosario a San Padre Pio at St. Peter's Italian Church, 11:00a.m. For information, please call President Maria Bruno at 818-241-4672. Dec. 2, Sun. - Mother Cabrini Mass, Pilgrimage and Luncheon at the Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Church located at 3801 Scott Rd, Burbank Ca, starting with Mass to Mother Cabrini at 12:30 pm followed by the Pilgrimage to the Chapel and Mother Cabrini Hall for lunch. For more information, call 626 372-7812. Dec. 2, Sun.-Trentino Club of Southern California Christmas Gathering. Sunday Brunch at Portofino Italian Restaurant (651 W. Whittier Blvd., La Habra, CA 90631). Time: 11:30am- 2:30pm. Cost: $25.00 (includes meal, tax and tip). For infor- mation and reservations call Ann DePierro (714) 775-6003 or (714) 588-5135. Please make your reservations by November 28. Dec. 4, Tues.-The Garibaldina Society Dinner Buffet & General Meeting- Please join us at the monthly general mee- ting and enjoy a great dinner. Our delicious menu will be Enchiladas, Refried Beans, Rice, Salad and Glass of Wine, $8.00 per person. Buffet dinner served promptly at 5:00pm. Meeting starts at 6:30pm. Reservations are required- Call Marie Mor (818) 249-9363 Dec. 6, Thurs.-The Garibaldina Society La Famiglia Christmas Party- Please join us for Dinner, Dancing, Raffle Prizes! Come join the fun! Pasta, Roast Chicken, Vegetable Salad, Wine, Dessert & Coffee. Dinner will be served promptly at 5pm. Dancing 6-8pm. $12/members, $14/guests. Dress Casual. Reservations are required- Call Marie Mor (818) 249-9363 Dec. 9, Sun.-Saddleback Valley Lodge #2566 - Holiday Dinner - 5 PM - The Vintage Steak House, San Juan Capistrano. Dinner to include antipasto, tortellini carbonara, choice of prime hangar steak, chicken rollatini or grilled salmon. Plus dessert, soft drink and coffee. $45. No host bar. Also it would be appreciated if diners could bring an unwrapped gift for the pre-teens and teens at the Fairview Developmental Center. For further info please call: Teresa at (949) 830-0351. Dec. 8, Sat.-Families of Italian Lineage Festa di Natale at The Mission Viejo Country Club. Black Tie Optional. Appetizers, Gourmet Dinner. Music by Tony Ciaramitaro. Cost: Members $45.00, Non Members $55.00. For information call (949) 363-5348. Dec. 9, Sun.- PATRONS OF ITALIAN CULTURE "ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION"-at the 'Zagat' Rated SAPO- RI RESTAURANT on the Main Harbor Channel (Fisherman's Village on Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, CA.). Ample parking w/ 2 Hr. Free. Reception & Social Hour: 4:00 p.m.; Sumptuous Dinner w/ Wines : 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. Music & Door Prizes. Reserve Early by Dec. 3 (Limited Seating for 60). $ 50.00/per person. Make Checks Payable to: PATRONS OF ITALIAN CULTURE (745 Sierra Madre Blvd., San Marino, CA 91108). For Reservations & Information contact: Jo Barbera (626) 584-1174 Dec. 9, Sun.- The Garibaldina Society Election Day. Voting: 10:00am-3:00pm. Hot Beef Sandwiches & Hot Dogs for sale 11:30am-2:00pm. Free Chestnuts & Wine to Members who register and vote at the Hall on Election Day. Scottish Rite Concert Band (featuring Garibaldini members Andre' Giacomelli & Tony DiGiovanni) will be performing holiday songs from 2pm to 3pm. For information, call (323) 223-5005 Dec. 9, Sun.- Award-winning singer/PBS Host Cristina Fontanelli's 2nd-annual "Christmas in Italy®" show (also running 9 years in New York City). Time: 3 p.m. Place: University of San Diego, Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (5998 Allcala Park, San Diego CA 92110). Tickets: 1- 800-838-3006/event 259581 or www.brownpapertickets. com/event/259581. More info: www.cristinafontanelli/ ChristmasinItaly.htm Dec. 9. Sun.-Feast of Santa Lucia at St. Peter's Italian Catholic Church. Mass at 11am. Dinner Dance at 1:00pm. For information, please call (323) 257-2182.

• Cover