May 30th Calcio Cibo Chiacchiere!
“Calcio Cibo Chiacchere” has to be one of the best names ever given to an event! Translated from Italian to English as “Soccer, Food and Lively Conversation”, this exciting occasion acts as a prelude to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. And there’s no better way to debate or discuss your favourite player or team strategy than over some great wine and delicious Italian cuisine! Hosted by radio broadcaster Paolo Canciani, this culinary extravaganza featured aromatic vintages by Zenato Wines and J. Cipelli Wines and Spirits. Let’s not forget all the fabulous dishes made by some of the city's best chefs and eateries. Kudos to my chef friends Gianni Ceschia and Antonio Pirrone including Pagonelli's Ristorante and Sicilian Ice Cream. Bravi!!
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| Vincenzo Piacente & Antonio Pirrone (Posticino Ristorante - The Queensway) |
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| Gianni Ceschia (Culinary Studio - Woodbridge) |
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| Paganelli's Ristorante |
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| Karen Gilmour, Val Piccolo, Maria Piccolo, Sandra Piccolo |
May 29th Ordine al Merito & Youth Achievements Awards Gala
On May 29th members of the Italian Canadian community came together for the 26th Annual Ordine al Merito and Youth Achievements Awards Gala. Presented by the National Congress of Italian Canadians (NCIC) - Toronto Chapter, the awards ceremony recognizes and honours lifetime achievements made by Italian Canadian individuals. Past recipients include Johnny Lombardi, Father Gianni Carparelli, Vic De Zen and Fred De Gasperis. Congratulations to 2014 recipients Mary Mauti, Michael Tibollo as well as Maddalena and Anthony Vani.
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| Maddalena Vani, Mary Mauti, Michael Tibollo and Anthony Vani |
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| Lenny Lombardi (CHIN Radio), Tony Di Battista (Clearway Group) |
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| Frank Trevisan (MICBA), Laura Tonelli (Caritas), Michael Tibollo (Tibollo & Associates), Bruna Ronaghi (MICBA), Carmela Liporati (MICBA), Mississauga Mayoral Candidate Bonnie Crombie, Jason Polsinelli (Scotia McLeod) |
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| Mario Pilleggi (NCIC) and Tony Monaco |
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| Maurizio Magnifico (ICFF), Melina Zeppieri (NCIC), Cristiano de Florentiis (ICFF) |
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| NCIC President Fabio Gesufatto with NCIC Board |
May 23rd - Carassauga Festival
It's always a pleasure supporting our friends in Mississauga at the annual Carassauga Festival!! Congratulations to the Mississauga Italian Canadian Benevolent Association (MICBA) for organizing the Italian Pavilion. Sensational food, wine, musical performances, soccer....and Hazel McCallion, of course!
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| Mayor Hazel pays a visit! |
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| The Russos pay a visit! |
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| Team MICBA |
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| Mayor Hazel McCallion, Frank Trevisan (MICBA) and emcee Tony Monaco (Z103,5 FM) |
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| Aliolo Ristorante |
May 21st - Celebrating Premier Wynne's Birthday
I didn't arrive in time for the amazing Chinese meal but was still there early enough to celebrate Premier Kathleen Wynne's birthday.Thanks for the invite, Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco Riding of Thornhill - Legend Chinese Restaurant.
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| Provincial Liberal Candidate Sandra Yeung Racco at the bus! |
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| Mario and Ginesia Cortellucci |
May 13th - Italian Contemporary Film Festival Press Conference @ Ritz-Carlton
Only in its 3rd edition, the Italian Contemporary
Film Festival (ICFF) has fast become one of the hottest cultural attractions
around! On May 13th at the
Ritz Carlton Toronto festival organizers presented trailers of multi-genre films,
documentaries and shorts that will headline this year’s event. This exciting celebration of Italian cinema
will take place between June 12th - 20th with screenings scheduled
at selected theatres in Toronto, Vaughan, Hamilton, Montreal and Quebec City. Other than feature films and parties
at Toronto’s Casa Loma and Ritz Carlton, other ICFF highlights include
guest appearances by director Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso) and actor/directors
Carlo Verdone and Enrico Brignano. In
partnership with TIFF, the festival program is designed to foster relations and
strengthen consciousness within the Italian community. It also aims to educate
moviegoers on historical and cultural matters as well as encourage and support
independent filmmakers who wish to explore issues related to Italian heritage.
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| Hanging with Italian child star Matteo Marchel |
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| Actor Matteo Marchel (The Last Snow) & ICFF Co-founder Maurizio Magnifico |
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| ICFF Co-Founders Paul Golini and Cristiano de Florentiis |
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| Taking notes! |
May 10th Liona Boyd
May 7th - McHappy Day
As residents of Toronto/GTA we’re pretty lucky to have several globally-renowned hospitals right here at home. My little cousin was born with a severe liver defect and spent his first 3 years of life at Sick Kids. For his parents who are from this area family, home and emotional support were just a heartbeat away. Clearly, not everyone is as fortunate. That’s where Ronald McDonald House Charities and McHappy Day come in. As a facility, Ronald McDonald House offers comfort and refuge to displaced families who travel to Toronto for their child's medical treatments. It also provides a support system including a large number of programs. During McHappy Day $1 from every Big Mac, Happy Meal and hot McCafe beverage was donated to Ronald McDonald Houses and other local children’s charities. Special thanks to McDonald’s proprietor Larry Garber for my very cool Italianista apron!
(May 7th - MCDonald’s @ Hwy 27 and 7)
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| Earlita and Latisha |
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| Councillor Michael Di Biase, Tony Monaco |
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| Tony Monaco and Sam Romantzas |
May 6th - Vaughan MPP Steven Del Duca's Nomination/Campaign Office Grand Opening
I had the chance to stop by Steven Del Duca's nomination and campaign office grand opening. Tony Monaco also had Vaughan's MPP on-air a couple of days later at McHappy Day in Woodbridge. Besides charming Z103.5 listeners Steven’s “service with a smile” was also a huge hit with McDonald’s customers!
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| MPP Steven Del Duca |
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| Anna Venturo and Almerinda Casciato |
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| Vaughan Firefighters |
