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CIANCIA'S AUGUST NEWS
With scorching temperatures and flash thunderstorms, July has come to an end. I am already missing those unique moments of pleasure and fun that the 2010 Soccer World Cup gave us – sitting at a café with groups of fans, often rooting for some foreign nation’s team. Throughout history, there have been many memorable World Cup's and South Africa has not been an exception. From the ubiquitous buzz of the Vuvuzelas, to the intense colors of the rainbow nation; from the controversial refereeing, with yellow cards given for mere touches, to countless off-side and goal line calls, penalty shootout's and even miracles, as the official site stated, “this World Cup has been one for the ages.” Unexpected defeats took out a sequel of all-time favorites like France, Italy, England, Brazil, Ghana and Germany.
If you are a fan, I would imagine that you did not miss the final between the Netherlands and Spain. It was an emotional game, although I deem that the 3rd and 4th place final between Germany and Uruguay offered a far better spectacle. Conquering the final brings to Spain her first World Cup title, on the same year of winning the Coppa Uefa. Spain fans must be ecstatic.
For me, the tournament was a lovely parenthesis from a grueling work schedule. The weekly anticipation of a certain game, getting a first-row table, meeting friends at odd hours, the emotions and the excitement of the game, the shouting and screaming at the slightest scent of a goal, and that moment of raw, primitive instinct when the ball goes in, all in the midst of an amazement for realizing that the entire worlds is united, watching the same spectacle… that soccer certainly transcends its nature as a game.
Our last Ciancia was hosted by Gabriele Besozzi, in the lovely environment of Piola, the new pizzeria in Midtown Atlanta. We would like to thank Gabriele for a warm and generous reception, with amazing gnocchi, thin-crust pizza, wines and other delicacies continuously flowing out of the kitchen. We are planning to join Gabriele in September for our newest Ciancia initiative - a Ciancia happy hour to be held on the third Thursday of the month.
Summer is in full fledge now and our traditional Ferragosto night is ready to go. Per Ciancia’s tradition, it is held on the Saturday night prior to the official Italian date - August 15 - around the edges of a pool, from the early afternoon into the late night – as usual, a bit out of town, so that we may be able to spot some shooting stars. I hope you are getting into this spirit – so popular in Italy – to loosen up, wear something festive – swimming suit is a must! – and not mind about what comes the day after. Can you do that once a year? We will test you, or – we hope – you will surprise us. Ciancia continues o grow and to represent that joyous approach to life that all of us deserve to try once in a while. So whether you are stuck in the city, or about to set off to Europe, come and join us for this stunning summer party.
Yours truly, AGP
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. August News
2. Our Next Meeting: Ferragosto Evening
3. The High Museum a the Biennale
4. Editorial: Italy, this survivor.
5. Volunteer Opportunities
6. Hosting Ciancia
7. Looking for Leadership
8. Our cashier
OUR NEXT-MEETING: SERA DI FERRAGOSTO
For the luckiest of you, summer is synonymous of vacation and outdoor activities. The Sera di Ferragosto is an old Italian tradition. Our August meeting celebrates a famous summer-night in which those Italians with a deep connection to Mother Nature go out of the city, where the skies are dark blue, lay down on some deck or roof and watch the falling stars. ATTENTION MEMBERS: THIS CIANCIA TAKES PLACE ON A SATURDAY EVENING! The date is August 14th, not on our traditional second Tuesday of the month. This is a special night of star-gazing and lounging by the pool, and FYI, this time we are not going to be strict about speaking Italian exclusively. Feel free to bring a friend, a date or your companion. Don’t forget your swimming suit, a towel & your bug spray!
Host Mike Salvo, has been one of our strongest supporters over the years. He does not require presentation. Mike is the host “par excellence”, a master chef of Sicilian, regional cuisine, a great dancer, Michele Salvo was born in Sicily. He moved to the Atlanta area in 1996. People started calling him Mike. Mike is founder and owner of GS Construction, Inc. (Georgia-Sicilian Enterprise). The company handles utility work for state, county, and federal government. Mike is very proud of his Italian culture and heritage and is active in the Italian community. When he is not working, he loves to entertain and enjoys cooking and mastering culinary arts. He returns to his roots in Sicily annually, and enjoys visiting with family and friends. Art and music are among his passions. Mike is also one hell of a dancer and an icon of Ciancia meetings… he hardly missed one meeting! Mike just installed a bocce court in his backyard.
Expect fabulous food, late dancing, jumping in the pool and the Jacuzzi. If you have been wondering what a summer night feels like, we recommend that you don’t miss this meeting.
Co-host, Michael Peplinski – the person who is providing the pool, is half-italian from his mother’s side, born Cassaro from Canicatti’, near Palermo. Michael Peplinski was born and raised in the magnificent city of Chicago. His grandparents emigrated from Sicily to New York in 1906. His grandfather, Sam Cassaro, sponsored his 3 brothers and 4 sisters to America. His mother’s family kept up many of the Italian traditions, both cultural and culinary. Michael’s grandfather operated a restaurant in Maywood, IL near the racetrack. In 1985 Michael migrated to Atlanta via a job transfer. Michael and his wife Barbara have lived in suburban Atlanta since then, with their two children, who are now are in college.
Saturday, August 14, 2010 7:30 p.m. till morning….
MICHELE SALVO
2621 Berwich Walk
Snellville, GA 30078
678-283-5522
Directions: For those coming from South I-75 or I-85, we recommend taking 285 East, then take the exit 41 (Memorial Drive) and head outside perimeter toward Stone Mountain. Memorial Drive merges with Stone Mountain Parkway, then, if you don’t take any exit, becomes Hwy 78. Then follow directions as below.
For those coming from I-85 North, you may short cut by Pleasant Hill Road (south), drive approx 1.5 miles and enter Ronald Reagan Parkway Exit at Five Forks Trickum and make Right. The first street on the left will be Dogwood Dr. Make a left, go down to Hollybrook and make a right. Make you first left onto Bretnford Lane Make first right onto Brentford Cove Make Left onto Berwick Walk.
For those Coming from GA-400, take 285 West, pass I-85, to exit 39 A (Stone Mountain parkway), exit toward Stone Mountain, then follow directions below.
For those coming Marietta, Sandy Springs or Atlanta, it is best to make it to Ponce de Leon, Scott Boulevard and Hwy 78 West, which are the same road, then proceed outside of perimeter, following directions to Stone Mountain Parkway (ATTENTION: not to Lawrenceville Parkway). Once on Stone Mountain Parkway, avoid taking any exits (7, 8, or 9) to Stone Mountain Park and you will eventually end up into Hwy 78.
ATTENTION: You can bring food and/or wine to this event. An admission fee of $10 per person is required to those who do not bring wine or food. Please, buy an equivalent value of wine or food, or pay $10 per person at the entrance.
PARKING INSTRUCTIONS: Mike’s house is located on a long street. Parking is plentiful. Please, park sensibly, in such a manner as not to block neighboring driveways. Thank you!
THE HIGH MUSEUM AT THE BIENNALE
The High Museum of Art, along with its co-organizer 306090, Inc. has been selected in May 2010 to present the exhibition Workshopping: An American Model of Architectural Practice at the U.S. pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia, the 12th International Architecture Exhibition. La Biennale opens to the public on 29 August and is on view through 21 November 2010.
Workshopping explores the role of the trans-disciplinary collaborations in architecture, spotlighting seven architecture projects with a focus on research and social engagement. For details on the participating architectural groups, go to:
http://www.high.org/main.taf?erube_fh=erblog&erblog.submit.PostDetail=true&erblog.blogid=31&erblog.BlogPostID=1001
EDITORIAL: ITALY, THIS SURVIVOR
In thirty plus years of residence in the U.S. I have traveled numerous times to Italy, every time with different feelings and evaluations. This time, I decided to go straight to Sicily, my native island. She stunned me with flavors, amazing food, incredible sights and its unique society. This is my little traveling report from a land that holds old secrets. Click here
LOOKING FOR DOOR VOLUNTEERS
Here is a bartering proposal for you. You can GET IN FREE at Ciancia for an entire calendar year, if you serve door duties three times in a one-year period. It is a great way to get a free language education, meet your fellow Ciancia members, while you duly collect funds for our organization. Door duties are from 7:20 to 9:45. Send us a message to
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, if you are interested. We need your help!
HOSTING CIANCIA
Although we have not had a shortage of hosts lately, we still would like to hear your feedback on hosting Ciancia, for part of the fun of our club is gathering in a variety of different environments. If you have ever wondered about hosting one of our events, this is the time to act. We are currently looking for hosts for October, November and December of 2010. If you would like to become a Ciancia host, please ask for our director Beth Cope, at the event, or e-mail us at
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We will be glad to share with you the joy and pride of hosting a Ciancia meeting. If you are Interested in hosting our group but are not sure if you have what it takes to become a host, you may first want to visit our page on our website at: http://www.ciancia.org/host_meeting.html , where we have assembled a checklist of things you need to lear! n before you make this step! We hope that you make yourself and your house available to one of our fabulous gatherings.
Thank you for your support!
LOOKING FOR LEADERSHIP
We are looking for members who would like to offer their skills and leadership to the board of directors or participate on a committee. The time commitment is minimal - about 5 to 8 hours a month. We are interested in participants who can make the small time commitment and contribute their talents to help modernize Ciancia, implement our communications, and execute our monthly meetings.
OUR CASHIER
From time to time we publish the status of our cashier. We collect funds at the door to sustain our website expenses and management. With a change of engine blocks, website architecture and server, this year we supported significant expenses. They were all oriented to streamline the administration of our website, but also to cut in a half our ongoing expenses. As of July 30, 2010 our cashier residual is $215.30. We collect about $200 per event at the door. Our ongoing expenses are about $39 a month, plus an average of $100 a month in technical management, due to various changes that are necessary to expand the website and keep up with the continuous modernization of the Internet. We would like to remind you that we are a self-managed organization and that our officers do not receive any form of compensation. Our end of the year balance is devoted to our Christmas Party.
In attesa di vederci al prossimo incontro, vi inviamo un cordiale saluto da parte dell'intero direttivo:
Beth Cope, our director
Arturo Giancarlo Pirrone, still presiding
Stefano Grossi, website communications
Jennifer Giorgino, door and reception coordinator
Kristi Hutchinson, our PA representative
Kathleen Layton, event design, PR and promotion
Andrea Mazza, steering committee
Stanislava Staikova, steering committee
Ray Thatch, PR promotions
Christina Wood, our best representative
Enrico Corradi, Opera and External Activities
Julie Sanders, Editor
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