Here is our fourth edition!

Well, here we are preparing ourselves for Easter and it seems like we were just talking about Christmas and the New Year!  March has been a very busy month for Italy Online™, as we just survived our very first, 'Italian Festa on Norton Street.'  We would like to thank all of our IOL™ Directory members and Casual Members to the site that stopped in to say hello to us at our stall.  It was a very successful day, despite the changing weather and we had a great time meeting all of the newcomers to Italy Online™!  We even had a visit from Australian Idol 2005 top ten finalist, Laura Gissara, who performed at the Festa. Here is Laura with IOL™’s own, Stephanie.

As always, we have so much to share with you in this edition of our e-newsletter, and so many upcoming events to tell you about.  As this month draws to a close, we are putting the final touches onto the IOL™ Shopping Cart or Il Mercato.  We are working closely with a variety of businesses and suppliers to bring you a Shopping facility that will provide the finest Italian products and services and will be convenient and fun to use! Click on this link: www.italyonline.com.au/shopping-home.html to see the shopping cart splashpage.

Our Italian Forum has been up and running for nearly a month now and there has been some lively activity and a variety of interesting discussions happening there!  By now, all of our IOL™ Members should have either received a user name and password, or for those of you who signed up as a member online, you will have chosen your own user name and password. These will allow you to post your thoughts in the Italian Forum or La Piazza and to communicate with other IOL™ Members.  If you have not already done so, please visit the Italian Forum at www.italyonline.com.au/forum-home.html, sign in at the top of the page, and post your thoughts and ideas or create your own topics and polls.  Invite your friends to do the same!

Please enjoy your latest edition of the Italy Online™ E-Newsletter and as always, please email us at info@italyonline.com.au with any suggestions for the site or for areas that you would like us to cover in future e-newsletters.  We are always open to your suggestions and ideas.  Enjoy your latest edition of the e-newsletter which is coming to you from Maroochydore (Sunshine Coast) in Queensland. Buona Pasqua a tutti!
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Italy Onlineâ„¢ and Studio De Luca Announce Cooking Courses for June 2007
Here is your chance to learn how to create two regional Sardinian fresh pastas, Malloreddos and Ravioli, and an ancient dessert, Seadas, from Gavina De Luca.  This is a rare opportunity to be taught by someone too humble in her cooking excellence.  You will see and learn true trade secrets that have been handed down from generation to generation while you make filled pasta, very small semola Gnocchetti and the famous Seadas which are then covered with honey or sugar.  Gavina has an extensive knowledge of cooking and an amazing intuition regarding the true understanding of the relationship between ingredients and food which come together in these courses to culminate an experience you will be talking about for quite some time.  Finally, your course would hardly be complete without tasting what you just learned how to make!   We are offering a variety of dates and times for these courses but you better book early as each class only has space for a maximum of six (6) persons.  Registration will commence after 5th April through the Italy Online™ Shopping Cart facility.  Full details of the courses will be available in the Events Calendar very soon!  Stay tuned to Italy Online™ for all of the details including dates and times for the courses and an upcoming interview with Gavina De Luca in next month's e-newsletter!



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Italy Onlineâ„¢ Workshop Announced for 25th May 2007
Calling all Diversional Therapists, Recreation Activity Officers, Directors of Nursing, Aged Care Managers and those who work directly with older Italians in Aged Care...we have planned a very special workshop just for you!  All of the details about the workshop can be found in the Events Calendar at www.italyonline.com.au.  Simply scroll through the list to locate the item in the calendar on 25/05/07 and click on 'More Info.' to be taken straight to the dedicated page on the website.  We would like to thank the Diversional Therapy Association of NSW and Co.As.It. who are collaborating with us on this project.  We would also like to thank the following companies that are supporting this event or participating in the event or both:  Buon Gusto Restaurant, Studio De Luca, Caffé Musetti, Scalabrini Village, Bella Roma Coffee, Belli Bar and Italo-Australian Youth Association (IAYA). www.italyonline.com.au/viewevents.html?id=47 Click on this link for more information.
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Italy Onlineâ„¢ Supports VACANZASCUOLA
*VACANZASCUOLA* is an Italian language program for children K-Yr 6, either of Italian background or with a basic comprehension of Italian.
It is a community-based initiative run by FILEF, and is aimed at language development and enrichment. It caters for children at different levels of Italian and/or Dialect. The children take part in thematically organised activities such as games, songs, rhymes, craft and drama which are all conducted in Italian. Vacanzascuola is Sydney-based, and is run at Concord in the school holidays. For further information please contact Sandra Pitronaci on 0405 171 449.  VACANZASCUOLA will take place from 10th April to 13th April 2007.  Hurry and book your spot now!!!
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Italy Onlineâ„¢ would like to welcome the following business as a Gold Listing in the IOLâ„¢ Directory:
Belli Bar - Located on Norton Street in Leichhardt, NSW, this family-run business has a unique history, from its owners to its name.  With many homemade choices on their menu, it is no wonder that it is THE spot for many locals that work and socialise in Leichhardt to go for a business lunch or a casual get-together. For more information, including photos of their famous tramezzini, simply type in 'Belli Bar' in the IOL™ Directory Quick Search Box.  If you have not had the pleasure of dining at Belli Bar, one trip there will have you coming back for more!  More of the friendliness, more of the excellent service, and of course, more of their great food!  It is also a great place to practice your Italian, too!
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Italy Onlineâ„¢ would like to welcome the following businesses as Silver Listings in the IOLâ„¢ Directory:
Gelateria De Luca - This artisan Gelateria is situated on Norton Street in Leichhardt, NSW.  This is a family-run Gelateria and is truly one of a kind, serving up tasty and refreshing treats such as Granita, Gelato and even Sorbet.  There are constantly new flavours to try that infuse Austalian flavours into recipes that encompass generations of their Italian tradition and culture.  You can learn more about this gelateria by typing in 'De Luca' in the IOL™  Directory Quick Search Box.

Carina Florist - Situated in Ashfield, NSW, this florist provides only the freshest, Australia-grown flowers in their arrangements and you can be assured of the highest quality when you select Carina Florist for all of your floral needs.  You can get more details in their listing by using the IOL™ Directory Quick Search Box and simply typing in either, 'Florist,' or 'Carina' and you will be taken straight to the listing.

Vince's Continental Hairstylist -  As a shaving specialist, Vince knows exactly the kind of skin and beard on each of his regular customers that come into his shop.  To watch him perform his craft on his clientele is truly like watching an artist create a masterpiece!  To find out more, navigate to the Directory, select NSW, click on Sydney-Inner, Hairdressers and Barbers and click SEARCH or Simply type in Vince in the IOL™ Quick Search Directory box and you will find the listing.  Sydney's Autentico Barbiere di Sicilia!

Viscardi's by the Bay - This restaurant is guaranteed to impress.  As you arrive, you will be charmed by the glistening waters edge of Iron Cove Bay. Morning, noon or night, it feels like you have been swept into another world.  It is what owners, John and Sal Navarra, have been seeking, not just a place to eat; a place that tastes culture, one that shows off culinary adoration and is passionately driven by the surrounding atmosphere.  For 10 years now, lots of experimenting in the kitchen has been engaged, taking the ‘home-made’ approach to a new dimension, satisfying even the strong willed.  Fresh seafood and produce are a highlight at Viscardi’s.  “It’s all in the ingredients, freshness gelled together in the kitchen, and you cannot go wrong. We love ‘al minuto’ cooking at Viscardi’s, piping hot steam from the plate, just makes you want to close your eyes and breathe in all that natural flavour. (John Navarra) This experience of course is matched by the collection of wines both new and old world, local and abroad.  Whatever you are planning, choose to dine on the outdoor terrace lined by flamed torches or within the interior decorated indoors.  The choice is yours.  Get acquainted at Viscardi’s; Brunch, Lunch & Dinner.  To find their listing details just type in 'Viscardi' in the IOL™ Directory Quick Search box at the top of the page and click 'Go'.

LAURETANA Water - 'The Lightest Water of Europe' -   With a variety of health benefits as well as just tasting terrific and refreshing, its no wonder this water has become so popular.  You can read more about LAURETANA by simply typing in LAURETANA or Mineral Water in the IOL™ Directory Quick Search box.    Please visit their listing to find our more about their mineral water and contact details. “Lauretana & Pininfarina�, international quality and prestige. Stay tuned for the bottle designed by the master designer, Pininfarina.
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Italy Onlineâ„¢ would like to welcome the following non-profit organisations to our IOLâ„¢ Directory:
IAYA - This organisation is based in Leichhardt in Sydney's Inner West and promotes the Italian culture and lifestyle amongst young, Italo-Australians.  This group was founded in 1998 and is a continuously developing not-for-profit association with the purpose of maintaining and promoting the Italian culture among second and third generation Italians in Australia.  Check out their Gold Premium Listing in the IOL™ Directory for more details on how you can get involved in this organisation.  Simply type in IAYA in the IOL™ Directory Quick Search Box and click GO.  You can also view the Events Calendar under the What's New title bar to view their upcoming activities. 

Italian Forum Cultural Centre - This not-for-profit organisation has a commitment to serving the Italian Community by promoting Italian Culture within an Australian context but also welcomes, and actively seeks, the participation of cultural, community and business groups in the wider community. The Italian Forum Cultural Center is located in Norton Street Leichhardt, NSW.  To find their listing fast, just type in 'Italian Forum' in the IOL™ Directory Quick Search Box at the top of the page and hit 'Go'.

Italian Australian Golf (Sydney) Inc. - The Italian Golf Association (Sydney) Inc. was formed in 1996 to promote and enhance the game of golf in the Italian community.  To learn more about the Italian Golf Association (Sydney) Inc., or to find out how to become a member, simply type in 'IGA' in the IOL™ Directory Quick Search Box to go straight to their listing.  Further contact details are also available as well.
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Coming Soon to the IOLâ„¢ Directory:
Studio De Luca
Scalabrini Village
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The Italian Song Festival - 'E` Nata Una Stella'
The festival was held on March 25th at the Italo-Australian Sporting Club in Sunshine, VIC. It was held under the patronage of the Italian Consulate General and the Italian Institute of Culture of Melbourne.
The winner of the festival was Mirella Renell from Perth (song written by Nunzio Mondia and Abramo Pietropaolo - title: Riflesso Il Tuo Mondo) - 2nd runner up: Rennie Ozzimo from Melbourne - (song written by Pasquale Petrossi and Amerio Pace from Milano Italy - title: Sono Tante Le Parole) - 3rd runner up - Fausto Ambrosini from Melbourne also composer of the song - title: Ricordati.
The event organiser, Mr. Claudio Parente was very happy that there were 700 people in the audience. It was a truly great evening. Massive sound system - great lighting show - super screens on both sides of the stage and live projection of the action on stage. Rai International will broadcast an edited portion of the show. Alessandro Bertellotti (Rai International correspondent for Australia and South Pacific) was to be in attendance on the night, but could not be there filming, as he was one of the survivors of the plane crash in Indonesia two weeks ago when 21 people lost their lives. Fortunately Alessandro is well and fully recovered from the terrible experience.
This was the 5th year for The Italian Song Festival 'E` Nata Una Stella'. Next year the festival will be spread over 5 big nights!! One in each and every Australian state and the wrap up will be in Melbourne in a final night. Watch for this wonderful cultural event next year!



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Carnevale Di Venezia event at Burwood RSL
The Italy Online™ team had the absolute pleasure of attending this event which was held in February.  With about 300 guests in attendance on the night, a cast of 46 and the age range of attendees being from 20 years to 70 years old, it was, without a doubt a very successful evening!  There was delicious food, lots to drink, dancing, wonderful entertainment, a parade of costumes and masks and of course, prizes, too!  The Five Dock Learning Centre team included musicians, artists, actors and many people behind the scenes that worked very hard to transform the room into a beautiful, romantic evening in Venice.  Joe Di Giacomo and his staff work very hard for about three to four months to prepare for the event.  He said that they have a lot of fun doing it and that next year, they would love to have more of the younger people joining them for the night.  They are already looking for sponsors for the event for next year's Carnevale Di Venezia and anyone interested can contact Joe directly on 61 2 9712 5260 or via email at fdlc@bigpond.com.au  If you missed this year's event, be sure to make it to next year's Carnevale Di Venezia.  It is a night to remember!
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Giffoni - EU Film Festival Australia
Italy Online™ was present for the Opening Ceremony of the Giffoni Australia on Monday 26th March at Paris Hoyts Cinemas at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park.  The Opening Ceremony also marked the Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.  The morning began with speeches from The Italian Undersecretary for Transport, Mr. Andrea Annunziata, The President of Giffoni Australia, Mr. Antonio Bamonte, OAM and other special guests as well.  More details on Giffoni Australia can be found by visiting their website at www.giffoni.com.au
Giffoni Australia officially closes on Friday 30th March.



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IOLâ„¢ Desktop Photos
And finally, don’t forget to download the desktop images. They are found in IOL™ Desktops under the What’s New heading. Also remember to please email us your photos so that we can create more beautiful desktops to share.




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Upcoming Events to Watch For... 
Italy Online™ wants you to know that our Events Calendar is growing and growing.  Check out the Events Calendar very soon for details on Italian Camp (27th-29th April), a Fiat Club NSW event (28th April) and for Sarda Day Lunch (1st July).  We continue to keep Connecting you to La Dolce Vita!™
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Notice to Italy Online™ E-Newsletter Recipients: You are receiving this email because you have done business with, are a Member of or are an associate of Italy Online™. If you do not want to receive this information then please accept our apologies. We respect your online time and privacy and promise not to abuse this medium. Our database is protected and not shown or sold to any third parties. If you prefer not to receive further emails of this type, please forward this mail with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line to info@italyonline.com.au  The stories and articles in this newsletter are protected by copyright and remain the intellectual property of Italy Online™ and the author. They are not to be reproduced or replicated in any way without the written permission of the management of Italy Online™ and the author.