The 31st Annual IAHF Family Festa: What a Party!

And hard to believe, more to come! First of all, on behalf of the IAHF, I want to congratulate the so many people that help make this celebration possible, from those in leadership post ions to those in attendance and supporting our booths and vendors. Without all of you this living statement of our heritage would not have been possible.

On a personal note a special thanks to Cathy De Maria for making the opening ceremonies run so smooth, there is so much behind the scene work and hours spent to the critical opening ceremony, to Judy Verona Joseph of Primo Public Relations for really getting the word out (over 25,000 visitors) and to our Festa Director Joe Rizzi, who was running in so many directions....a true "orchestra conductor"! "Bravi" our 31st annual IAHF Family Festa, truly displayed the vibrancy and excitement of our Italian American Community.

We were particularly appreciative of the visit to the Festa for the first time by the Consul general of Italy in San Francisco, Fabrizio Marcelli. Likewise the Festa took on added significance as the celebrations acknowledged the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy.

And of course it was important that our setting was in the historic part of San Jose, being revitalized as the emerging “Little Italy” neighborhood, in the heart of downtown San Jose. The proverbial pictures that speak a 1000 words are included in this edition of the paper. It would be nice to rest on this incredible experience but this is a year round organization and while we are also evaluating the Festa, how to improve it, deal with glitches, and all, we also have an exciting series of events that we are entering in on for autumn and winter (Yes volunteers are needed at those events too!).

As previously noted on Sunday, oct.23, 2011 we are having a very special program honoring one of our own local musical legends, SHORTY JOE QUARTUCCIO. Shorty Joe will be receiving a life time achievement award from the Italian American heritage Foundation for his contributions to the South Bay Musical scene, in Country and Western Music. Joining us in this tribute will be nephew and opera san Jose Conductor Anthony Quartuccio, from La the voice of Monreale Sicily, Joe D'angelo, steel guitarist Bobby Black along with Richard Shon and the saddle Cats.

Shorty Joe, aka Giuseppi Quartuccio was born in Monreale, Sicily, and raised in San Jose, his tale as an immigrant child, listening to the music of the times on his radio, and then learning to play the music, and then performing with the greats of Country/Western is the stuff of musical fables, and is as american as apple pie and pizza! there is a separated flyer that highlights this event but it underscores the vitality of our immigrant family roots and legacy. And to borrow from an observation made by former assemblyman Dominic Cortese, during the unveiling of the banners in Little italy last month..."the Italian American experience did not end with the migration from Italy to America it just began"...and Shorty Joe's life time achievements reaffirms that observation.

And for those with a more classical bent, there will be a chamber music group from Venice visiting San Jose in November and we hope to have some group seating made available. In a separate article "the splendors of Venice in the Bay area will be explored". this too is a must see series of events for those interested in the art, and culture of the region known as " Veneto". I also want to put in a plug for your support of the IAHF Board and consider joining the board and participate in the running of the organization. The IAHF is very happy to note the re-birth of our Young Italian organization called “Ciao San Jose”.

We are actively recruiting new members to take "ownership of that group" and outreach to that vital part of our extended family. In the Fall will be the resumption of Italian classes, movies, lectures and this year we’ll host the visit of the Patrons of Italian Culture from Los Angeles too. It is exciting to work with all this positive energy, and potentials so you volunteers know you are making a difference, grazie tante!

Ken Borelli
IAHF President