The North Bay Italian Cultural Foundation is the coming together of people of all ancestries who are interested in sharing and enjoying things Italian. NBICF  was founded in 1985, as a 501C Non-Profit Corporation, to celebrate Italian Culture and provide the large Italian community of Sonoma County a focal point for common interests.

CURRENT AND FUTURE EVENTS

The Board of Directors sends its best wishes to all. The last five three years have been challenging for the Foundation as fundraisers and events were postponed or canceled.  See the newsletter for information on all planned activities.

The March-April 2025 Newsletter includes information about activities and events. Click here to review the current newsletter. The following is a summary of articles and activities described in the newsletter.

NOTE the April 11 Dinner Event catered by Caneveri’s Deli described below. Reserve online by visiting the Reservation page. 

• President George Golfieri reviewed the 2024 Foundation Financial results and discussed the need for members to renew their membership for 2025. The majority of the income to support ongoing expenses comes from the January-March Annual Membership Drive. Visit the Membership page to renew your membership or become an NBICF member. Renewal is required by March 31.
  
• George also announced the recipients of The Sharie Sbrazza NBICF Florence Study Abroad Scholarship for the 2025 spring semester. Each recipient receives a $1,500 scholarship. He also reviewed the Marianne Pedroncelli Scholarship and the Bill and Jeanette Mitchell Scholarship. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded over $136,500 in scholarships for Italian studies at SRJC.
• Article on International Women’s Day on March 8th when Italy celebrates La Festa della Donna, Italy first celebrated Women’s Day in 1922. 
  
• Article on La Festa di San Giuseppe – celebrated on March 19th in Italy. This holiday is celebrated with elaborate feasts and donations of food to the less fortunate. 
• Sundays at the Center w/Diane McCurdy – Doors open 1:30pm, screening at 2:00pm.
  March 30, 2025 – Made in Italy (2020) 1h 34m. Comedy/Romance (R)
  April 27, 2025 –  Gladiator (2000) 2h 35m Action/Adventure (R
  
• Article about Quaresima (Lent) corresponds to the 40 days of fasting. It is celebrated in special ways, especially with food. The article describes the traditional foods in the various regions on Italy. 
• Italian cultural experience for children this spring break, including culinary arts, bocce ball, Italian story time, arts and crafts, music and dancing, and more. Includes a snack and gelato each day. April 7th-10th, 10am-2pm each day. Ages 5-11. Limited to 24 children. Details and Registration at  https://www.dargenziowinery.com/kids-spring-break-italian-camp
• April Meeting and Dinner – Friday, April 11, 2025 – Sonoma County Veterans Memorial Hall  – Doors open at 5, Dinner at 6 pm. Dinner Catered by Canevari’s Deli. The menu includes Antipasti, Polenta with choice of Bolognese or Marinara sauce, Mixed Salad,  Focaccia and Dessert with Wine at the Table. Visit the Reservation page to reserve online. For a mail-in reservation form click here. 
• Business Member D’Argenzio Winery is starting a Bocce League. They are inviting
  NBICF members and their family and friends to sign up to play. Detailed information and application is available at: www.dargenziowinery.com/bocce-league
• May 18, 2025 – Save the date – Lecture by Dr. Douglas Kenning on the
  80th anniversary of World War II in Italy at the NBICF Center.
• La Festa Italiana di Santa Rosa returns in 2025 at D’Argenzio Winery, Sunday, September 28, 2025.

Festa Italiana di Santa Rosa was held at the D’Argenzio Winery on October 20. 2024.

It was a festive day with music, great Italian food, twelve vendors selling their wares, dancing, a large silent auction, children getting their face painted and playing games in the Children’s corner. It was estimated that over 800 people attended La Festa, attracting people not only from Sonoma County but also from the South Bay and other parts of the state. For a gallery of photos from the day, click here. 

With the loss of revenue the past several years and the building repairs in 2023 & 2024, the Board is focused on minimizing expenditures and encouraging members to take advantage of local merchant Oliver’s Market program for donating a portion of eligible purchases to NBICF. The application required for making this donation is included in the current newsletter or click here for a printable form. 

   Italian Citizenship Assistance Customer (ICA) is a Business Member of NBICF. ICA is one of the largest Italian-American firms that provides assistance to individuals of Italian descent who are interested in obtaining dual citizenship. For information on ICA, visit their website by clicking here.

For a list of all upcoming events, visit the News & Events page. 

Click here for Membership Renewal or New Membership Application

For a master calendar of all planned activities, click here. 

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NBICF has about 250 active members and offers a variety of programs including monthly dinners for members and guests, fall festival, choral group, travel study tours, language classes, college scholarships, and much more. For important announcements about activities and events, see the News & Events page.

The panel on the right lists several News & Events Categories, e.g. Monthly Dinners. By clicking on the Category of interest, you will see all the posts in that Category. For information on membership, visit the Membership page. 

NBICF’s College Scholarship Program for students studying Italian Language is the focal point for fund raising activities such as Festa Italiana, Wine Maker Dinners where local Italian Cuisine is paired with the fine wines of Sonoma County, special holiday dinner programs, and frequent Cultural Events featuring guest speakers, Italian Movies and Operas, etc. For more information on the Scholarship Program, click here. 

In 2000, a building in downtown Santa Rosa was purchased and serves as NBICF’s permanent home, the Italian Cultural Center, providing office space, classrooms, meeting rooms and a research library. For a summary of the NBICF activities, visit the About Us page.  

To contact us via email, visit the Contact page by clicking here.

The Foundation is managed a group of volunteers elected by the membership. For information on the Board of Directors, click here. 

To view a video from a past event : the 2013 Festa Italiana, click here. 

Our Newsletter, Mosaico Culturale, is published 6 times annually. Click here to view the Mosaico. 

To support NBICF’s goal of fostering Italian Culture in the community, consider making a tax deductible donation. Donations may be made optionally to a specific fund, e.g. General Fund, Scholarship Fund, Building Fund, or In Memoriam.
Click here make a Tax Deductible Donation to NBICF.

Any offering described in this website should not be read as an endorsement or warranty by NBICF.
See NBICF.org Policies and Guidelines