The Center for Italian & Italian-American Culture will hold its annual awards gala on Saturday, November 7th, 2009. The theme of this year’s event is “ Celebrating Success & Promoting Heritage”. The event will be held at The Villa at Mountain Lakes, located at 90 Rt. 46 East. Traditionally, The Center selects three outstanding individuals of Italian descent who have contributed not only in their individual fields, but who are dedicated to promoting and preserving the Italian culture.
This year’s honorees are: Mario Casabona as “Man of the Year,” Alicia Vitarelli as “Woman of the Year,” and the Zazzali family as “Family of the Year.”
Mario Casabona, Italian born, is the founder of Casabona Ventures, providing management services, strategic business planning and private financing to early stage technology-driven companies. He is a serial entrepreneur, serves on the Boards of both public and private organizations, holds 12 patents, and continues to enjoy his appointment as a Commissioner on the NJ Commission on Science and Technology. Mario and his wife, Norma have two children, Daniel and Jennifer, and are expecting their second grandchild in November. They are long time residents of Cedar Grove, NJ. Casabona is also a longtime trustee of The Center for Italian & Italian-American Culture.
Alicia Vitarelli is the morning anchor for News 12 New Jersey and the host of “Buck Wild,” a weekly bargain-hunting segment that airs on Wednesdays. Alicia joined News 12 New Jersey in 2008. Prior to this, she had been employed by NY1 News in Manhattan for six years as an anchor and reporter.
The Zazzali family is comprised of George and Marlene Zazzali and their five sons.
They are Peter Zazzali, MD, George Zazzali, MD, Albert Zazzali, MD., Edward Zazzali and John Zazzali. Sons Peter, George and Albert are in private practice at Integrated Healthcare Associates in Nutley, NJ. Edward Zazzali is owner, manager and head chef of the Diamond Spring Beach Club and the Diamond Spring Italian Restaurant and bar, located in Nutley, NJ. The youngest son, John, is the owner of CZ Contracting in Nutley, NJ and also the co-owner of Once Upon a Party in Caldwell, NJ.
The Center for Italian & Italian-American Culture, established in 1990, is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the rich culture of Italy. We currently have approximately 500 members nationally, offering a wide array of educational and cultural activities, such as Italian language classes and conversation groups, regional gourmet dinners, wine tastings, concerts, film and lecture series and an annual women’s program.
For more information about The Center and its programs or to purchase tickets for the awards gala, visit www.ciiacofnj.org or call 973.571.1995.
The Center for Italian & Italian-American Culture, Inc.
411 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
Tel. 973.571.1995 * Fax: 973.571.0199 * e-mail: info@ciiacofnj.org
Contact: Angela Meola 973.571.1995