Sept.-Oct. 2013 issue

Page 1

THE

ITALIAN TIMES Published by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com VOL. 35, NO. 3 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013

NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID MILWAUKEE, WI Permit No. 5716

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President Gina Spang reports on a successful Festa and what lays ahead for the ICC Hello members of the ICC. I am happy to report that we had a successful Festa Italiana 2013! We received very positive feedback on our new logo, the mobile app, the layout of the grounds as well as the switch from a four-day to a threeday festival. We are in the process of evaluating all aspects of the festival so if you have any comments on this year’s Festa or ideas that you would like us to consider for next year, please submit your comments via the website or at the office of the Italian Community Center. We are working on two very exciting activities this fall. One is a design charette with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the City of Milwaukee Department of City Development.

We plan to bring together a group of stakeholders to discuss the development of our land as part of the larger development of the Historic Third Ward and the improved access to the Third Ward that will result from the reconfiguration of the freeway ramps. The second item is the creation of a strategic plan for the ICC. The details of the strategic plan are still being finalized. We will keep you posted on both of these initiatives. You may notice that the candidate information that is provided in this edition of The Italian Times is a little different than what you have seen in the past. This is a change that I requested of the Election Committee. While it is important to know what individuals have done, I felt it was more

important to understand what they will do if they are elected to the ICC Board, therefore the candidates were asked to describe in 50 words or less what they will do if they are elected to the board. As you know, our organization has a lot of work to do and I think it is important for you to understand what they will do if elected. As your president, I have three primary goals for this upcoming year: improve our financial position, complete a strategic plan, and increase community outreach. I encourage you to attend the general membership meetings which are held on the first Thursday of the month (see the events calendar for specific dates and times). These meetings are a nice way to visit with other members of the organi-

zation as well as receive an update on issues that the board and committees are working on. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your president. Thank you for your continued support. – Gina M. Spang ICC President

ICC election features races for directors’ seats; incumbent officers are unopposed By Thomas Hemman Times Editor The slate of officers and directors-at-large that was finalized at the Aug. 1 general meeting for the 35th annual Italian Community Center election results in races for directors’ seats. Seven candidates are vying for four open positions. The Election Committee presented these nominees for officer positions: Gina Spang for President; Giuseppe “Joe” Vella for Vice President; Sam Purpero for Treasurer; Rose Anne CerasoFritchie for Secretary and Joanne

(Sanfilippo) Czubek for SergeantAt-Arms. Although they are permitted to do so, members offered no additional nominees for any of the offices. The committee then nominated the following individuals for directors-at-large: incumbents Tony Piacentini and Elizabeth Ceraso along with Susan (DeSanctis) Christiansen and Joseph Jannazzo. Members added the nominations of Paul Iannelli, Pietro Tarantino and Bruno Giacomantonio. The Election Committee has confirmed that all the individuals

Drum troupe from Aspra (Sicily), Italy performs at Festa

The Sicilian Tamburinari of Aspra, Sicily performed throughout the weekend of Festa Italiana. Here the drum troupe is seen in the parade late Saturday afternoon. The appearance of the drummers was sponsored by the Santa Rosalia Society. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

nominated meet the eligibility requirements set forth in Article V, Section 1 of the organization’s bylaws. This section spells out all the requirements and conditions for candidates and the holding of the annual election.

Voting procedures Under the procedures in Article V, ballots must be mailed to all members in good standing within eight days following the September general meeting. (That meeting Please turn to page 10

Festival di Danza e Cultura coming to ICC on Oct. 15 By Gina Jorgensen ICC Culture Committee Member Italian Heritage Month is fast approaching and we have exciting news! What a unique and exciting way to celebrate with an infusion of culture! The Italian Community Center’s Culture Committee is hosting a multi-cultural evening where several local dance groups will perform in collaboration with a visiting group from Japan on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner available starting at 6 p.m. and the program beginning 6:30 p.m. The ICC will offer a pasta and meatball dinner in addition to the performances for an admission fee of $15 for adults and $9 for children under 12. The meal will include pasta, meatballs, bread, salad, simple beverages and dessert. Guests can attend for a $ a $5 admission fee without pur-

chasing a meal. Please make your reservations by calling the ICC office at 414/223-2180 (have your credit card handy) or use the form accompanying this article. The evening performances will include: • Guests from Japan-Yabanakai from Narita, Chiba Japan, • Nefertari Dancers -Africans who will also include a gospel song, • Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt’s- Pomeranians, • Iberian Spanish Dancers, • Keba Diabate-Drummer from Senegal in West Africa, • Tradizione Vivente – The Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee. Members of Tradizione Vivente have been invited to visit and perform in Japan in 2014. This fall our Japanese sister state host group will be visiting Milwaukee for a week. We will be hosting the Please turn to page 12


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