Author Archives: Don Raimondi

March-April 2023 Newsletter

The Mosaico March-April 2023 Newsletter is now available. Click here to view the current newsletter. For past newsletters and instructions on printing the newsletter, go to the Newsletter page.   Topics presented in Current Newsletter:

  • NBICF President George Golfieri reports on the status of the Foundation and updates the membership on the current financial situation and shares information about storm damage at the Cultural Center. He will also announce the recipients of The Sharie Sbrazza NBICF Florence Study Abroad Scholarship for the 2023 spring semester and request completion 2023 membership renewals by March 31.
  • Sundays at the Cultural Center – Doors open 1:30 pm, programs start at 2:00 pm.
    March 26 – Movie hosted by Diane McCurdy – Farinelli (1994) – 1h 56m – Drama (R)
    April 23 – Lecture, Dr. Douglas Kenning – Italy and World War I – Marching from Colonialism to Fascism. Discussing the government of the newly minted parliamentary monarchy called “Italy”
    April 30 – Movie hosted by Diane McCurdy, My Cousin Vinny (1992) – 1h 59m – Comedy/Crime (R)
  • April 28 – Friday, NBICF Dinner (doors open 5pm, dinner 6pm). Father Denis O’Sullivan Parish Center, 320 Tenth St. Santa Rosa, CA. Menu: Antipasti, Mixed Green Salad, Bread, Pasta Penne al Pesto or Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Dessert with Wine at the Table, Members $25, Guests $28, Teens $10, Children $5
    For a mail-in reservation form for April 23 Kenning talk & April 28 dinner, click here.
    Click here to reserve and pay by credit card for the April 28 dinner,
  • March 11 – Saturday 1:00-5:00 pm – Paint Italy Class at the Center offered by Susan Adler

November-December 2022 Newsletter

The Mosaico November-December 2022 Newsletter is now available. Click here to view the current newsletter. For past newsletters and instructions on printing the newsletter, go to the Newsletter page.

Topics presented in Current Newsletter:

  • NBICF President George Golfieri reports on the status of the Foundation
    George reviewed the Sonoma County Finding History event and the October 17 Appreciation Party
  • Election of the Board of Directors will be held at the November 21st Dinner Meeting
  • Sundays at the Center with Diane McCurdy  Doors open 1:30pm, screening at 2:00.
    November 27- Godfather Part III (1990) 2h 42m. Crime/Drama (R)
    December 18 – Luca (2021) 1h 35m Comedy/Fantasy (PG) – Bring the kids and grandkids 
  • Become an Instant Italian-American Olive Oil Expert – quiz by member & author/publisher Leon Radomile
  • November 19, 2022 – Saturday, 10am – 4pm: Mercatino di Natale at the NBICF Center. This event is free for all members and guests. 
  • November 21, 2022 – Monday, NBICF Dinner (doors open 5pm, dinner 6pm). Father Denis O’Sullivan Parish Center, 320 Tenth St. Santa Rosa, CA.
    Menu: Antipasti, Salad, Bread, Polenta with Stew, Dessert and Wine at the table
    To make a reservation & pay by credit card, click on this link for the Reservation page.
    Click on this link to view the mail-in reservation form and detailed information on Mercatino di Natale. 

September-October 2022 Newsletter

The Mosaico September-October 2022 Newsletter is now available. Click here to view the current newsletter. For past newsletters and instructions on printing the newsletter, go to the Newsletter page.

Topics presented in Current Newsletter:

  • NBICF President George Golfieri reports on the status of the Foundation
    Through the efforts of Board Member Ron Grassi, NBICF received property tax exemption for 2019-2022 
  • Three or four vacancies on Board of Directors – contact George at 707-843-3176 to volunteer
  • Sundays at the Cultural Center with Diane McCurdy – Opens 1:30 pm, Movie – 2 pm
    September 25 – Tea with Mussolini (1999) 1h 57m. War/Drama (PG)
    October 30 – The Sicilian Girl (2008) 2h 9m Drama/Crime (not rated)
  • Mangiamo Committee in need of help to plan future events – call the NBICF office at (707) 591-9696 to volunteer.
  • Save the dates – Monday, October 17, Welcome Back Party at St. Rose Parish Hall and
    Saturday, November 19, 2022: Mercatino di Natale at the NBICF Cultural Center.  More details to follow in September.
  • Christopher Columbus History Article

July-August Newsletter

Click here to view the current newsletter. Use File print or click on “printer icon” to print or use the download icon to save the newsletter on your device. 

Topics presented in Current Newsletter:

May-June 2022 Newsletter

Click here to view  May-June 2022 Newsletter.  For past newsletters and instructions on printing the newsletter, go to the Newsletter page. Topics presented in Current Newsletter:

  • NBICF President George Golfieri reports on the status of the Foundation
  • Board of Directors elected 2022-2024 officers at the March Board meeting:
    George Golfieri (President), Les Villanyi (Vice President), Linda Apel (Treasurer) and Cindy Hume (Secretary). 
  • May 28 ToGo Dinner by Randy Apel – Click here for a Menu and Reservation form
    Menu: Rib, Focaccia, Pasta Salad, Green Salad & Cookies
  • Sharie Sbrazza NBICF Florence Study Abroad Scholarship Award Winners Announced
  • Italian Summer Camp for Youth will be held June 20-July 1. This 2-week camp is a language immersion experience for youths 6 to 12 years old. Dr. Joli Love will return as the instructor.  For a flyer describing the details of the summer camp, click here.
  • Sundays at the Center with Diane McCurdy is back on May 22 with the showing of The Secret of Santa Vittoria
  • Member Highlight – Lar Landa – Information on his paintings & sculpture. 
  • Update on NBICF Scholarship Program: 402 scholarships to Santa Rosa Junior College students totaling over $124,000 since 1988.  

To make an online reservation for the May 28 dinner visit the Reservation page by clicking here. 

March-April 2022 Newsletter

Click here to view  March-April 2022 Newsletter. Use File print or click on “printer icon”. If you have a problem with this link, visit the website www.nbicf.org. The home page has links to the current Newsletter.

Topics presented in the Current Newsletter:

  • NBICF President George Golfieri reports on the status of the Foundation
  • Italy Travel Abroad Scholarship renamed The Sharie Sbrazza Florence Study Abroad Scholarship
  • March 19 and April 30, 2022: ToGo Dinners by Randy Apel – Menus and Reservation forms
  • Italiano Due: Conversing with gli Italiani – SRJC Community Education Course by Dave Henderson
  • Seulo, South of Sardinia – one of five blue zones worldwide with a record number of centenarians 
  • Festa della Donna, or International Women’s Day on March 8
  • Festa di San Giuseppe – the Feast of Saint Joseph on March 19
  • La Pasquetta, the Monday after Easter Sunday (Little Easter) is also a public holiday in Italy

Go to the Reservation page to make reservations for the To-Go Dinners by clicking here. 

January-February 2022 Newsletter

The Mosaico January-February 2022 Newsletter is available. Click here to view the current newsletter. For past newsletters and instructions on printing the newsletter, go to the Newsletter page.  Topics presented in Current Newsletter:

  • NBICF President George Golfieri reports on the status of the Foundation
  • Results of 2022 Board Election Process
  • Save the date – March 19, 2022: Tavola di San Giuseppe dinner for Saturday at St. Rose/Father Denis O’Sullivan Parish Center.
  • A song sent in by member Roger G. Nacouzi with music and lyrics by Marie Pavlovsky. 
  • Information on the tradition of Carnevale di Venezia (Carnival in Venice)
  • Interesting article by Susan Adler about the Towers Of Simon Rodia, the WattsTowers

November-December 2021 Newsletter

The Mosaico November-December 2021 Newsletter is available. Click here to view the current newsletter. For past newsletters and instructions on printing the newsletter, go to the Newsletter page.  Topics presented in Current Newsletter:

  • NBICF President George Golfieri reports on the status of the Foundation
  • Information on 2022 Board Election Process
  • Information on 2021 Italian Film Festival at Dominican University
  • Interesting article about how technology  is changing the world of sculpture.
  • November 20 – Piccolo Mercatino di Natale at NBICF Center – 10 am – 4 pm
    Christmas Traditions in Italy – Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo
    Click here for a flyer about this event with a list of items available for sale

September-October 2021 Newsletter

The Mosaico September-October 2021 Newsletter is available. Click here to view the current newsletter. For past newsletters and instructions on printing the newsletter, go to the Newsletter page.  Topics presented in Current Newsletter:

  • NBICF President George Golfieri reports on the status of the Foundation
  • Reservation information for October 23 To-Go Dinner 
    Menu: Homemade Italian Sausage, Pasta al Pesto, Focaccia, Salad & Dessert.
    Price – $15 –     Curbside Pickup – 5-6 pm at NBICF Italian Cultural Center
  • Save-the-date November 20 – Piccolo Mercatino di Natale at NBICF Center
  • Interesting account from NBICF member’s recent trip to Italy
  • Summary of the new Italian family friendly movie Luca by Disney & Pixar
  • Tribute to recent NBICF Scholarship Awards to SRJC Students
  • Information on SRJC Community Education Conversational Italian Class 

Click here for a flyer and reservation form for October 23 To-Go Dinner  or

Reserve & pay by credit card by clicking here.

July-August 2021 Newsletter

The Mosaico July-August 2021 Newsletter is available. Click here to view the current newsletter. For past newsletters and instructions on printing the newsletter, go to the Newsletter page.  Topics presented in Current Newsletter:

  • NBICF President George Golfieri reports on the status of the Foundation
  • Reservation information for July 24 To-Go Dinner 
    Menu: Chicken Cacciatore, Risotto, Salad, Roll, and Dessert. Price – $15 
    Curbside Pickup – 5-6 pm at NBICF Italian Cultural Center
  • Paint Italy Class – July 10 at NBICF Cultural Center 
  • Information on Celebrities with Italian Heritage
  • Interesting areas of Italy
  • Reprint of poem by Gerado Perrotta

Click here for a flyer and reservation form for July 24 event  or

Reserve & pay by credit card by clicking here.