NIAF E-News

Join us as we celebrate the 33rd Anniversary of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). NIAF’s October 18, 2008 Anniversary Gala at the Hilton Washington & Towers in Washington, D.C., promises to be the best in the history of our organization.

As you know, the NIAF Anniversary Gala is part of a two-day convention (October 17-18) in the nation’s capital featuring special receptions, entertainment and conferences. If you were with us last year, you were treated to a great show by Neil Sedaka as well as our Piazza d’Italia showcase. The Piazza d’Italia will be back again this year as well as first-class entertainment.

Your participation guarantees that NIAF will continue to help our young people with their higher education, mentor programs, youth retreats and other efforts to instill a sense of pride in their wonderful heritage. You will also be supporting our Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Voyage of Discovery student program in Italy and our Students to Leaders program helping young Italian Americans develop effective leadership skills.

Your early registration for the October NIAF Gala will ensure your attendance at one of the premier annual events in the nation. If your plans change, you may cancel your reservation up to 10 days prior to the dinner with a full refund. As an added incentive for early registration, ticket/table cost will be discounted for reservations received before July 1, 2008.

Additionally, book your room today as part of NIAF’s special room block at the Hilton Washington & Towers.

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Piazza d’Italia “Best of Italy” Exhibition Returns

NIAF will host the 3rd Annual Piazza D’Italia event October 17 and 18 at the Hilton Washington & Towers Exhibit Hall in Washington, D.C., this coming fall.

The two-day exhibition is held in conjunction with NIAF’s Annual Convention and Gala and showcases the best of Italian goods and services, featuring vendors from all over the country and Italy.

Last year’s exhibition included samples of hand-made mozzarella, a wide variety of wines, authentic gelato, and espresso. Cooking demonstrations featuring Tony Lo Bianco and Deanna Martin and a wine tasting by Luca Maroni were among the many presentations featured last year.

Piazza d’Italia also expects to feature informational booths regarding Italian language and education, fashion, humanitarian efforts, social networks, political groups, and travel agencies.

Travel to Calabria with NIAF

NIAF is proud to unveil its latest travel program, a Heritage Tour to the Region of Calabria. This nine-day, seven-night tour departs New York City to visit the cities of Altomonte, Capo Vaticano, Catanzaro, Crotone, Gerace, Locri, Paola, Pizzo Calabro, Reggio Calabria, Tropea, and Vibo Valentia.

Costs range from $1,899 to $2,449 per person, based on double occupancy and month of departure. Participants may choose from 25 departure dates ranging from September 15, 2008 through June 15, 2009.

For more information, visit www.niaf.org/travel. For a brochure and reservation form, write to Italy Travel, c/o Unitours, 3010 Westchester Avenue, Purchase, NY 10557. Call toll-free at 888-846-6423 or 914-253-9177, fax to 914-253-9001, or e-mail Marianna Pisano at mpisano@unitours.com.

“A Taste of Montelcino” Wine Tasting and Auction Benefits 16th Century Artwork

NIAF hosted a wine tasting and auction on May 21 at the Capital View Business and Conference Center in Washington, D.C., to benefit the restoration and preservation of the 16th century artwork of Bonaventura Salimbeni at the Church of San Pietro in Montlecino, Italy.

“A Taste of Montelcino” featured spectacular Brunello from Montelcino’s most famous producers accompanied by antipasti by renowned chef Luigi Diontaiuti of Ristorante Al Tiramisu.

Special guests included Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico, Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, and Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso of Wyoming. The night also included an auction of Montlecinese memorabilia, including a framed poster of a Salimbeni fresco at San Pietro.

Bonaventura Salimbeni was a Sienese painter commissioned to paint the "Glorification of the Eucharist" at the end of the 1500s at the Church of San Pietro at Montalcino.

San Diego’s Museum of Photographic Arts is featuring a free mini film festival for summer enjoyment showcasing the film genre known as “Spaghetti Westerns,” or, in Italian, “Westerns all’Italiana.”

The mini-series includes films directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood, with music by Ennio Morricone. “For a Few Dollars More” will screen Thursday July 3 and “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” will be shown Thursday August 7. Both films will screen at 7 p.m.

The event is a preview for a later film festival to be held in October. For information about both the October Film Festival and free summer mini-series please visit www.sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com.

NIAF is pleased to announce there are still opportunities available to purchase a plaque on the Italian American Wall of Honor.

As a part of the grand entry at NIAF’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Italian American Wall of Honor serves as the only designated tribute in the nation's capital to Italian Americans.

You can participate by recognizing parents, grandparents, loved ones, or simply your family name. Each Wall of Honor contributor will receive an engraved brass plate on the Wall, an official certificate recognizing your contribution, and acknowledgment in the NIAF 33rd Anniversary Gala Journal, which will be published in October 2008.

Your contribution is tax-deductible and all proceeds benefit NIAF education and scholarship funds as well as other important programs.

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NIAF offers Italian Golf Escape with Yogi Berra

Imagine playing golf at the three best courses in idyllic Italy with baseball legend Yogi Berra and other celebrity guests.

Now stop imagining! NIAF is offering an exclusive Italian Golf Escape with Yogi Berra on September 22, 23 and 24, 2008. Register today to be one of the limited numbers of privileged guests to participate in this trip.

Once in Italy, after a long day on the links, you and possibly your spouse will join Yogi, his wife Carmen, and other business leaders for great wines and incredible feasts among the country’s vineyards and castles.

The three-day, four-night extravaganza will cost the golfer $5,000 and will include accommodations, all green fees, transportation to golf and special events, meals including three gala dinners and much more. Including a guest or spouse in the package will be an extra $1,500 fee, which includes meals, special events and a unique program being planned for those who do not golf.

For more information, contact Kristi Pappalardo at 202-939-3109 or kristina@niaf.org.

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NIAF Hosts Additional East Coast Golf Tournaments

In addition to the Yogi Berra Golf Escape, NIAF is pleased to host two additional golf tournaments in the coming months. The 4th Annual NIAF Golf Tournament will take place on August 11 at the Rockland Country Club in Sparkill, N.Y. For more information regarding the 4th Annual NIAF Tournament contact Kristi Pappalardo at 202-939-3109 or kristina@niaf.org.

On October 13, NIAF will also host the 6th Annual Sarazen Memorial Cup at the Hopkinton Country Club in Hopkinton, Mass., featuring cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a post-tournament buffet. Proceeds benefit the NIAF Gene Sarazen Scholarship and the Italian Home for Children in Boston, Mass. For more information regarding the 6th Annual Sarazen Memorial Cup contact Suzanne Delaney at sdelaney@rmd-inc.net.

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NIAF launches Bequest Recognition Society

NIAF is pleased to introduce a program tailored especially for our constituents interested in estate planning. Among our many philanthropic giving opportunities, the NIAF Gift for Tomorrow Bequest Recognition Society provides our supporters with the opportunity to be among a select group who wish to recognize NIAF in their estate, while giving NIAF the opportunity to recognize their generosity.

There is no cost to become a member and no minimum pledge required. Your Bequest Recognition Society membership will remain completely confidential if you prefer and is non-binding should your estate plans change. All we ask is that you complete an application to inform NIAF of your estate intentions.

In return, NIAF will provide you with recognition, invite you and a guest to private society events and receptions, and provide honorable mention listing you as a society member in our gala journal, newsletters and publications.

For more information about the NIAF Bequest Recognition Society, contact Michael J. Sanzi at 202-939-3105 or michael@niaf.org.

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Voyage of Discovery Challenge Grant Drive

During NIAF’s 32nd Anniversary Gala in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Peter F. Secchia announced a “Challenge Grant” – a two-to-one matching drive in cooperation with NIAF Board Member Perpetuus Lee Rizzuto – to raise money for the Foundation’s Voyage of Discovery Program.

The program, which is named in Secchia’s honor, provides college students with the rare opportunity to strengthen their Italian American identity through immersion in Italy’s culture and countryside. This all-expenses-paid program includes round-trip airfare between the United States and Italy in addition to 10 days of educational programs.

NIAF’s Challenge Grant Drive will ensure that the Voyage of Discovery Program continues in perpetuity. We ask for your support.

For more information, contact Michael J. Sanzi at 202-939-3105 or michael@niaf.org.

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NIAF e-Newsletter compiled by Christine Conforti
and edited by Monica Soladay.
enews@niaf.org

For the latest NIAF news and in-depth details of all the Foundation offers, be sure to visit our Web site: www.niaf.org