Catechism: The Trading Cards

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Move over Pokemon: an Italian priest hopes the children of his parish will be equally enthusiastic about bible-related trading cards. Father Gian Giudici got tired of confiscating Pikachu and friends during Sunday school lessons–so he came up with “Katemond” Catechism trading cards. The five-part series (the commandments, the bible, the sacraments, qualities of the Holy Spirit and the Trinity) star the “little flames of the Holy spirit.”
Local artists Gloria and Novella Morandi, who created the series, tried to give them sufficiently funny names to attract youngsters: “Confirmator” for the info on confirmation, “Eucor?sticor” for teachings on the Eucharist and “Pa-ma-amor” the section on honoring one’s parents, naturally.

Hard to say whether the idea will catch on–or lead to mixed trading on the black market. The cards, which cost about $0.50 a pack, work the way any trading cards do. Some packs have doubles while certain cards- in this case the Father, Son and Holy Spirit- are almost impossible to come by. So far Father Giudici has given out some 2,600 cards or 520 packs in the parish of San Luigi e Sant’Agnese of Corbetta. “They’re not meant to substitute the Bible,” said Father Giudici. “It’s just another way of using children’s language and toys to bring them closer. ”

Web wise: Oct. 22-29

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eurochocolate?new Italian forum?Stefano Benni book excerpt?job offer Puma

Eurochocolate Fest
Catch the goings-on at the sweetest fair in Perugia–live or with web broadcasts from the 20-28th….Our favorites are the low-cal vintage trading card exhibit "Panini e chocolate", or the chocolate-scented stamps…
Just avoid the ill-timed gimmick about the “chocolate prisoners” which involves visitors becoming hostages “of chocolate during nine days of never-ending sweetness” and a Bonnie and Clyde pair who have committtted “armed robberies” of chocolate..
www.eurochocolate.perugia.it
In Italian or English…

Saltatempo: an excerpt from Stefano’ Benni’s new book
"Jumptime" (Saltatempo), crippled son of a communist woodworker, is the kind of protagonist only wordsmith Benni ("Bar Sport," "Ballate") could feasably come up with. For an interesting trip through the smalltown Italy of the 1950s-70s–listen to the reading (realaudio) along with the text
http://www.feltrinelli.it/default.asp?url=indiretta/88-07-01602-8.html

Job Tip: International Business Manager Puma
PUMA plans to evolve the organization through the fostering of unique and shared company values, all compatible with the personality of the brand. These can be best summarized in four words: Passion, Openness, Self-belief and Entrepreneurship.s our ideal candidate, you will possess an educational degree, an excellent professional track record and strong knowledge of technology and computers. Your English and Italian skills, both written and spoken, are outstanding. A knowledge of German is highly desirable. Additionally, you have a minum of 2-4 years experience in a similar role and environment.
As part of PUMA’s new product division, The Black Station, you will be the International Business Manager, responsible for our footwear, apparel and accessory collections. The Black Station represents luxury performance concepts including our Platinum, Nuala and Rudolf Dassier Schuhfabrik lines and cooperates with outside fashion designers, personalities and companies.
You will organize our internal and external research for identifying the relevant market, product and consumer trends and will understand how to both build and merchandise collections. You will coordinate product and sales input from the sales organization. According to the business objectives, you will guarantee a balanced effort between design and development. The Product Range Manager will be provided with all product related data you collect. To achieve all necessary business objectives, our candidate will be responsible for the briefing of product strategies.
The candidate’s task will be to plan and coordinate the international sample requirements with the different markets. You will support the creation of catalogues and marketing materials, as well as assisting with photo shoot arrangements. You will be responsible for the organization of International Sales launches, including the representation of products and providing the sales team with necessary sales and product information.
If you believe the above profile is a strong fit with your back-ground and experience and you are seeking a challenging position, please submit your full application in English.
PUMA AG human-resources@puma.com
www.pumabiz.com

Giotto’s Arena Chapel: Up Close During Restoration

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Grab a hardhat, climb the scaffolding and take a once-in-a lifetime look at Giotto’s stunning fresco cycle in the Arena Chapel in Padova. As we reported in June 2000, the Cappella Scrovegni has been closed for restoration but officials have decided to let tourists witness the tail end of work. Considered a masterpiece of early Renaissance art, the frescoes relate episodes from the life of Mary. The visits, offered all day on Saturdays, go on until March 2002. Just remember, it’s not for the claustrophobic: visitors still have to spend 20 minutes in a special chamber (called the “bussola”) getting harmful dust and dirt sucked away before being let into the chapel…
The Rub:
Reservations, obligatory, can be made by phone: (041.5459709). Operators speak English, French and German. Visits can be made in the above languages for groups–specify while reserving.
Online: http://scrovegni.alata.it/index.htm

Web-wise: Oct. 15-22

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Laura Pausini? International Italian Language Week ? Saturday Night Fever ? ESL Teachers: Arezzo Siena & Perugia

Laura Pausini: New Album & US Tour
OK, you won’t find a zoomata staffer who’ll own up to owning one of her records, but after the positive response from readers for our head’s up to the new Andrea Bocelli album we couldn’t pass up La Signorina “Solitudine.” Pausini’s new record, a best of with two new tracks, sees her 20 lbs lighter and kicking off her North American tour in Miami. Now if she’d just lighten up on those the ballads & use that voice. Word has it her next album, slated for release next summer, is entirely in English.
www.laurapausini.com
Click on “Ritorno da Te” for the video for new track, shot in Los Angeles by du jour director Gabriele Muccino (L’ultimo bacio).

Celebrating Italian Language Week: Film Fests & Theatrical Workshops
For the first time, Italian language & cultural institutes worldwide have decided to hold an international language week. The result: a lot of the usual Dante readings & dictionary unveilings but also a chance to see recent Italian films (L’Ultimo Bacio, La Stanza del Figlio) and recent books.
Some of the more interesting ideas: A happening with folk legend singer/songwriter Francesco Guccini (Montreal), a theatrical workshop on gestures and body language for Italian students (Melbourne) and the language seen from a more recent evolution–Italian for cell phones (Chambery).
Find what’s on near you with thethe schedule

Saturday Night Fever: Musical Hits Italian Stage
Ah ha ha ha, stayin’ alive: the long list of American musicals to hit Italian stages of late are credited with reviving a lagging interest in theatergoing. Grease, Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar, Fame and Tommy have all been recent successes. This time Italian American Tony Manero comes back to Italy, played by Sebastien Torka (raised in London by a Calabrian dad). Songs in English, dialogue in Italian…
www.lafebbredelsabatosera.it
Fun site (in Flash) that takes visitors through the set (with pop-ups on the history of discotheques) and backstage to meet the actors, all to a vintage 70s soundtrack….

Seeking English Teachers: Arezzo Siena & Perugia
Cepu is an Italian outfit dedicated to getting those 30-year university students that all-important piece of paper through tutoring…Here’s what they’re looking for:

Efl Teachers for Arezzo, Siena Perugia learning centres.
An ideal position for a native–speaker, young, communicative and energetic teacher who is ready to take on teaching as well as tuition management responsibilities.
University degree required. One year teaching experience essential.
Trinity TESOL/CELTA certifications or equivalent preferred.
Very interesting job prospects.
Basic computer skills required.
Contact: Mr A.Bistarelli
Tel.: 0575-736681
Fax: 0575-736331
Email: cepuglo@cepu.it
— Reference: SP-EFL TEACHER —

Italy by Numbers:Immigrant Business Boom

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8,247 businesses run by foreigners, 2000
20% increase from 1999
17.3% increase in foreigners 1999-2000
16.1% of businesses are in real estate, service and computers

"Ours is becoming a multiethnic region," commented Carlo Sangalli, president of Milan’s Chamber of Commerce. "Finally business is starting to reflect that." Over 60% of businesses run by foreigners were founded in Lombardy over the last 10 years, and in the last twelve months the increase in new businesses has kept pace with the increase of immigrants to the area. The fastest-growing groups: Chinese (1,471 businesses), Egyptian (1,379 businesses) and Moroccan (497 businesses). Despite the rapid increase, foreigners run only five percent of businesses in Lombardy. The boom also included foreign workers employed in Italian companies–temporary contracts increased a whopping +264.2%, while permanent and full-time contracts grew by 28.7%.

Italy by Numbers: Forgetful Patriotism

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73% proud to be Italian
42% can’t get the flag colors right
19% ability to "get by"*best quality of Italians
10% intelligence best quality of Italians
A poll of 600 Italians conducted by SWG revealed an unexpected patriotism, albeit a bit fuzzy on the particulars. Never a populace to flag-wave, some 23% even confused Mexico’s flag for the Tricolore.
What are Italians today most proud of? Art (28%) followed by the three F’s: food (22%) fashion (17%) and Ferrari (13%). Only five percent consider Bel Paese contributions to science a point of pride, but Noble-prize winner Rita Levi Montalcini beat out Sophia Loren and Luciano Pavarotti–42% to 13% and 5% respectively–for the Italian to best represent the country abroad. Actress Loren defended her fellow Italians from the lazy label, "We’re creative because many of us grew up in poverty," Loren said. "We’re anything but lazy–we couldn’t allow ourselves to be."

Related resources:
www.videoclipart.com/italian_pride.htm
A hypnotic animated kind of "pride"–at least the flag colors are in the right order…

*the untranslatable "arte di arrangiarsi"

Pop Singer Accused of Mafia Ties

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Gigi D’Alessio, credited with single-handedly reviving romantic Neapolitan ballads for an international audience, is now under investigation for ties with another local export, the Camorra.
Prosecutors in Brescia are looking into the relationship between the pop singer, 34, and the local Mafia. D’Alessio’s home in Naples was searched as part of “Operation Vesuvius,” which led to 29 arrests for drug trafficking, usury, extortion and money laundering. Over 40 billion lire in goods were confiscated.
"They don’t understand how things work in Naples," D’Alessio told newspapers. "I played so many weddings when I started out that practically everyone within 100 kilometers of the city has a photo of me with the bride in my arms. I never asked what these people did for a living."
Investigators claim D’Alessio used these contacts to get his first record deal and was then "under obligation" to help recycle funds and false documents. It comes at a time when the crooner’s popularity as poster boy for sweet melodies seems boundless. His latest album "Il cammino dell’età" ("The Walk of Age,") sold over 300,000 copies in Italy and a worldwide tour, including 24 European cities and Australia, was slated for October.
D’Alessio, a grassroots phenomenon, was defended by thousands of fans. The guestbook on his official site was flooded with messages like this one: "I love your music so much and hope that none of the terrible things they say are true…Don’t let me down," wrote Paola from Milan.
Among the more critical messages was a piece of advice: "I’d like to remind you of the proverb "Who trawls these waters, catches this sort of fish" (Chi va per questi mari, questi pesci piglia). Now that you’ve become an acclaimed artist, try to stay away from questionable people. For yourself, but also for the reputation of your city."?1999-2004 zoomata.com

Zoomata is the brainchild of a bilingualjournalist based in Italy who thinks out of the box. This brain is for hire.

Related resources
www.click2music.it/pop.asp?url=minisiti/dalessio/index.html
Listen to "What do you know about it?" (Tu che ne sai) since the official site (www.gigidalessio.com) isn’t giving any news

Italy by Numbers: Fall Resolutions

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57% consider fall time for a new start
68% want to spend more time with family
69% resolve to tighten budget
22% plan to sign up for a gym
10% resolve to stay faithful to partner

It’s not news that Italians consider fall the real "new year," some 21 percent of the 1,085 between the ages of 20 and 55 polled would go so far as to change the calendar. And so, after the long summer holidays come new resolutions for getting back to school or work: watching less television, spending less money eating out, going to the gym, getting better grades and so on. They would appear to have different ideas, however, about emotional ties–among those good intentions, staying true to one’s husband or wife isn’t one of them. Too unrealistic, maybe?

http://www.dr-seduction.net
meet the inventor of a high-tech chastity belt–capable of telling suspicious partners just how long the beloved’s underwear has been taken off…

The Nose Parade: Phoey on Italy’s Beauty Obsession

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A small town near Parma thumbs some magnificent noses at Italy’s beauty obsession by holding a “King Nose” contest. “Do you have a nice nose? Do strangers stare at it? Do you have an excellent sense of smell?” recites the application form for this contest held the first Sunday in September.For the unsure, the city of Soragna tells aspiring contestants how to see if their noses measure up:
*widest point, from nostril to nostril
*depth, from tip to top of mouth
*any other distinguishing characteristics
The idea started 20 years ago as part of celebrations for the Befana during Epiphany, but organizers began to take it seriously when they realized that Italy is second only to Brazil in terms of the number of folks who get plastic surgery. Needless to say, of the 100,000 nips and tucks done each year, slimming down the old schnozzola is very popular. The contest turned into a proper feast day every fall, in celebration of "important" noses. An equal opportunity for the nasally-endowed, a contest for Queen Nose was added two years ago. The "crowned noses" win about $2,500 to be spent in local shops.

Related resources

http://giostradeinasi.freeweb.supereva.it

Throwing self-consciousness to the wind…

Ghost Town Kept Alive by Retirees

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Ceregate is a tiny town in the Val Staffara, suspended between the borders of Lombardy, Liguria and Piedmont, with five stone houses surrounded by wild cherry trees and a small church. It has no residents, no electricity or running water. A symbol of innumerable ghost towns in the area, where industrialization has led young people away for work, it stays alive thanks to efforts of elderly residents in the surrounding areas. Ceregate, part of the hamlet of Cegni (a whopping 75 inhabitants) hit its all-time population density with 25 residents.

“The last one died in 1996,” said Giuseppe Zanocco, 90, prior of the Ceregate sanctuary. “His name was Carlo Buscaglia. He sold coal, lived by candlelight and got by using water from the river. Once a week he went to Cegni for groceries, an hour on foot and a quick chat with the people he met along the road.”

So the residents of Cegni, most of whom get by with the minimum state pension and wood-burning stoves for heat, took it upon themselves to keep the town "alive." Twice a year they repopulate the sanctuary, Easter Monday and the first Sunday in September. The recently-restored church opens doors for Mass, a picnic is held and an auction of local foodstuffs provides maintenance for the sanctuary—this year’s raised about $1,500.

The parish priest, who looks after a total of 500 souls in four towns, commented: "This isn’t a ghost town, but a town that’s slumbering in history. We’re happy and proud to wake it up every once in awhile."