Italian American group to meet

The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will host a general meeting on Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Brioso Restaurant, Route 9, Marlboro, to mark the beginning of the organization's second year.

The meeting will include a dinner buffet and wine from The Wine School of Manalapan for a fee of $30. The meeting is open to men and women 21 years of age or older who would like to attend and learn more about the IAA or who may be interested in becoming a member. The guest speaker will be Judge Anthony Paradiso.

The association held many events over the past year and plans to continue to do so. Upcoming activities include cooking classes for adults, Italian lessons for children and adults, "A Taste of Italy" food sampling at the October meeting, participation in charity events, a Christmas dinner party, Breakfast with La Befana in January, and Carnevale in February.

The association was started in January 2005 and has 200 members and counting. Annual membership dues are $30.

"It's nice to see people who did not know each other before joining the association become such good friends," IAA President Rob DeSalvatore said.

For more information about the Italian American Association of Monmouth County contact Rob DeSalvatore at (201) 679-8535 or visit the organization's Internet Web site at http://iaamonmouthcounty.tripod.com.