REVIEWING SOME INTERESTING ARTICLES APPEARING ON THE LA NOSTRA COSTA BLOG

SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING???

IVANO SAYS: LISTEN TO THIS!

La Nostra Costa Blog is in its Fifth year. As we enter the New Year, the 'Old Rancere' thought it would be appropriate to list some past articles that may be of interest to new readers of the "blagga" and perhaps to others, offer an opportunity to review them . To retrieve :

'CLICCA' ON THE LINK PROVIDE AT THE END OF EACH ARTICLE.


The "Blagga's" first year was 2006. (Coincidentally, "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast) was published in 2006):



August 2, 2006 - CARABINIERE - "THE GHOST WHO WALKED" - A story about one of Davenport's most legendary characters and the mystery of what might have happened to him after his death.

www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/08/ghost-who-walked.html









Aug 8, 2006 - HUGO'S LETTER- Hugo Bianchini of Monterey, gives his best review of "La Nostra Costa" and links it to his own personal experiences growing up in a different locale.
http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/08/hugos-letter.html






Sep 6,2006 - THE RANCERE's LAMENT - BY RITA (FRANCESCHINI) GIANNADREA- Rita, who grew up "su per la costa" captures the true essence of the "Rancere's Lament", as it appears in "La Nostra Costa. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/09/essence-of-ranceres-lament.html





August 10, 2006 - IL FAMOSO BAFFI - A short bio of Guglielmo 'Baffi" Campioni by his son Gino Campioni - Describes the life and times of one of the most colorful ranchers "su per la costa".
www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/08/il-famoso-baffi.html








Sep 4,2006 - A WHITE SPORTS COAT AND A PINK CARNATION - Carol (Costella) Swartz
remembers Santa Cruz and a certain fellow who went out with her sister Pat. A very charming story. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/11/white-sport-coat-and-pink-carnation.html





Oct 23, 2006 - FIGLIO DI SANTA CROCE LEN KLEMPNAUER- Len describes the efforts of his German American Family as they establish themselves in Santa Cruz. Not too surprisingly
they were very similar to those experienced by the Italian immigrants. htmlcosta.blogspot.com/2006/10/figlio-di-santa-croce-len-klempnauer.html

Nov 5, 2006 - FROM SANTA RADICCHIO TO SANTA ROSA- What starts out as a discussion of Chiogga Beets and Radicchio turns out to be a very interesting story of Italian World War II prisoners who settled in Santa Rosa. www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/11/from-santa-radicchio-to-santa-rosa.html

Nov 11, 2006 - PETE PIANAVILLA VS FORREST McDERMOTT - The story of a colorful coastal "poacher" and a zealous Game Warden who confront each other "su per la costa". www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/11/pete-pianavilla-vs-forrest-mcdermott.html

Nov 21 and 27 2006 - FIGLIA DELLA COSTA NORMA (DINELLI) WILSON PART I AND PART II - The story of a little girl growing up 'su per la costa".






www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/11/figlia-della-costa-norma-dinelli.html


Dec 4, 2006 - FIGLIO DELLA COSTA LIEUTENANT ATTILIO JOSEPH DOGLIOTTI REMEMBERED - A remembrance of one 0f the first Santa Cruzans of Italian descent to be killed in World War II. www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/12/figlio-della-costa-lieutenant-attilio.html

Dec 9, 2006 - FIGLIA DI SANTA CROCE - MARGARET GHIO-HARTMAN - Tells the story of Italian immigrant fishermen struggling in Santa Cruz under "Enemy Alien Restrictions" during World War II. www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/12/figlia-di-santa-croce-margaret-ghio.html





Dec 13, 2006 - DISASTRI DI SANTA CROCE - Robert Lemmon Jr. remembers certain disasters that befell Santa Cruz and request further info on same. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/12/disastros-di-santa-croce.htmlcosta.blogspot.com/2006/12/disastros-di-santa-croce.html

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The following articles were published in 2007 :



March 22, 2007 - GINO'S OFFICIAL ITANGLISH DICTIONARY - Gino Campioni spent a considerable amount of time composing this dictionary of "Italianized" words. One of the "Blaggas" most favorite publications. http://www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/03/ginos-official-itanglish-dictionary.htmldictionary.htmlofficial-itanglish-dictionary.html

June 23, 2007 - AMICA DELLA COSTA CATHY BROVIA - REMEMBERS - Cathy tells the story of growing up in a small town in Minnesota during hard times. www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/06/amica-della-costa-cathy-brovia.html



July 4, 2007 - PRIMO CARNERA - FIGLIO DEL FRIULI - A short Bio by Doriano Degano of
Primo Carnera, former Heavyweight Champion of the World and a fan favorite "su per la costs". www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/07/figlio-del-friuli-primo-carnera.html

July 12, 2007 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY FIGLIO DELLA COSTA - MARVIN DEL CHIARO - Marvin celebrates his 70th birthday with a bio of his family who lived and worked "su per la costa". www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/07/happy-birthday-figlio-della-costa.html



July 26, 2007 - SPROUZZI ALA JOUNZZI - Russ Jones a former San Jose Police Officer recalls some boyhood memories of Hwy 17 and Santa Cruz. He also sends along a recipe for one of his favorite dishes featuring Brussel Sprouts. His follow up article on January 21, 2008 - SPROUZZI ALLA JOUNZZI 2 - features his favorite recipe for Osso Buco (w/Brussel Sprouts)
and much more. Buono Appitito . www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/07/sprouzzi-ala-jounzzi.html



July 30, 2007 - COLLISION COURSE: THE DELUCCA ACCIDENT - A dissertation by Ivano Comelli as to how one of the worse traffic accidents in Davenport history happened and how it might have been avoided.
http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/07/collision-course-delucca-accident.html

August 5, 2007 - RICHARD HUERTA - FALLEN OFFICER - REMEMBERED - A remembrance by Ivano Comelli regarding his best friend, San Jose Police Officer Richard Huerta, killed in the line of duty Aug. 6, 1970. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/08/fallen-officer-richard-huerta.html







August 28, 2007 - "LA STORIA DI ADA" BY GINO CAMPIONI - Gino tells the story of his beloved mother Ada (Berti) Campioni. Ada and her husband 'Baffi' lived in Santa Cruz for many years. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/04/la-storia-di-ada-by-gino-campioni.html


Oct 1, 2007 - RAMANDOLO/NIMIS/FRIULI CON FOTOS - Prof. Derrill Kerrick and wife Kathy send us some interesting photos taken during their trip to Friuli. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/10/ramandolonimisfriuli-con-fotos.htmlcosta.blogspot.com/2007/10/ramandolonimisfriuli-con-fotos.html

Oct 5, 2007 - FIGLI DELLA COSTA - SUPREME SACRIFICE - A remembrance of Amadeo Lucchesi and Atilio Dogliotti who were killed in World War II. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/10/figlio-medeo-lucchesi-revisited.html

Oct 14, 2007 - LaNORMA: O DIO CHE TRENO LUNGO - A little girl's memories of the Old Train that used to travel to and from Santa Cruz and Davenport every day. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/10/lanorma-o-dio-che-treno-lungo.html

Nov 5, 2007 - LOU MORO: FURLAN, AMICO DELLA COSTA, AMERICAN - A remembrance of one of Santa Cruz's best loved man. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/11/lou-moro-furlan-amico-della-costa.html

Nov 17, 2007 - ITALIAN FAMILY NAMES - 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' - A list of family names associated with the 'La Nostra Costa' story compiled from memory by Gino Campioni and others. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/11/family-names-santa-cruz-la-costa.html

Dec 7, 2007 - THELMA (MICOSSI) GILL - EYEWITNESS REPORT TO THE BURNING OF THE HOTEL D'ITALIA - Thelma tells of her memories of the night in 1945 when one of the famous hotels in Davenport burned to the ground. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/12/thelma-micossi-gill-eyewitness-report.html

Dec 25, 2007 - HATCH MAP - THE 'OLD COAST ROAD - Bryan Robinson sends a copy of 1859 Hatch Map that depicts La Nostra Costa as it once was. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/12/hatch-map-old-coast-road.html





Dec 29, 2007 - DAVENPORT- A MOMENT IN TIME - A delightful story by Patty Morelli based on her memories growing up in Davenport in the 1940s -50s. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/12/davenport-moment-in-time.html







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The Following articles were published in 2008:

Jan 5, 2008 - ADDIO MI BELLA GILDA- A remembrance of Gilda Stagnaro of Gilda's Restaurant, 0ne of the best known and best loved women of Santa Cruz. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/01/addio-mi-bella-gilda.html

Jan 9, 2008 - THE 'DAVENPORT DESTROYER' HAS A BENCH- Cathy Brovia describes her successful quest in getting a BENCH in memory of her beloved husband, Hall of Famer, Joe Brovia 'The Davenport Destroyer', established in 'La Barranca Park' in Santa Cruz. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/01/davenport-destroyer-has-bench.html

Jan 29, 2008 - LA NOSTRA COSTA - THOUGHTS AND RECOLLECTIONS BY LaNORMA
LaNorma -recalls more of her memories including story's about the DMV in Santa Cruz. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/01/la-nostra-costa-thoughts-and.html

Feb 8, 2008 - THE FAMILY QUILICI BY NANCY (QUILICI) JACOBS - Nancy Jacobs writes a bio of her family who lived and worked on a ranch just north of Davenport. Nancy recalls some of her memories as a little girl growing up on that ranch. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/02/family-quilici-by-nancy-quilici-jacobs.htmlcosta.blogspot.com/2008/02/family-quilici-by-nancy-quilici-jacobs.html




Feb 20, 2008 - WELCOME GABRIELE CARMINE FALVO-CITRIGNO - Gabe tells us about his family who used to own the Napoli Cafe in San Jose. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome-gabriele-carmine-falvo-citrigno.html



March 15, 2008 - AMICO DELLA COSTA: LUIGI 'MORO' DEGLI ESPOSTI - Roberto Degli Esposti writes a bio on his father 'Moro' Degli Esposti and tells the story of his family's immigration from Italy to "La Costa" shortly after World War II. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/03/amico-della-costa-luigi-moro-degli.html

April 21, 2008 - DAVEPORT JAIL: PHOTOS PLEASE - Alverda Orlando announces that the "Old Davenport Jail" is open for business (for tours, I mean). She requests old photos to display. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/04/davenport-jail-photos-please.html

May 30, 2008 - LaNORMA: MORE 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' FAMILY NAMES - LaNorma submits additional Italian names to augment Gino Campioni's original list. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/05/lanorma-more-la-nostra-costa-family.html

July 2, 2008 - THE STORY OF 'BONZO' DA DEERHEAD' - Patty Morelli subits a charming story of 'Bonzo' the deerhead that hung on the wall of Charlie Bella's Ocean View Hotel in Davenport . http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/07/story-of.html

July 20, 2008 - IL CAPITANO MICOSSI AND THE FUSARI FAMILY- Jolene Fusari sends us a bio (with photos) on the Fusari Family and La Nostra Costa's Frank Micossi whose mother, Rosina, was a Fusari. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/07/il-capitano-frank-micossi-and-fusari.html

Sept 6, 2008 - MAL OCCHIO BY LAWRENCE DISTASI- A bio of Prof. Lawrence Distasi, Project Director of "Una Storia Segreta", and a review of his book, "Mal Occhio" (The Evil Eye)http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/09/mal-occhio-by-lawrence-distasi.html


Sept 19, 2008 - THE KING OF JORDON VISITS THE WHALE CITY BAKERY-DAVENPORT
LaNorma submits a true story regarding a visit by the King of Jordon as told to her by Bakery employees. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/09/king-of-jordon-visits-whale-city-bakery.html


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The following article were published in 2009:

Jan 27, 2009 - MRS. HELEN SONNEBORN'S CITIZENSHIP CLASS - 1945 - The re-production of an article appearing in the Santa Cruz Sentinel announcing the newly made US Citizens (including my mother, Valentina Comelli) of Santa Cruz County. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/01/mrs-helen-sonneborns-citizenship-class.html






April 7, 2009 - FIGHTING FURLANS OF WW II BY DORIANO DEGANO - A true story of bravery and hardships endured by Furlan and other Italian soldiers fighting for Italy during WW II. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/04/fighting-furlans-of-ww-ii-by-doriano.html

July 16, 2009 - NANNETTE MORGAN'S FAMILY STORY- Nannette writes a bio on her family including her own memories about growing up in Salinas, Ca. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/07/nannette-morgans-family-story.html

July 23, 2009 - AN OX'S TALE - ANON FURLAN - An amusing, yet true, story of a Furlan, his wife and two Oxen. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/07/oxs-tale-anon-furlana.html




Sep 2, 2009 - A 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' SOLDIERS STORY - NANCY JACOBS - A bio of Guliano Quilici (Nancy's brother) who served in the Pacific Theatre (including Iwo Jima) during WW II. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/09/la-nostra-costa-soldiers-story-nancy.html

Nov 6, 2009 - STORIES OF THE 'OLD COAST ROAD' BY LaNORMA - Once again LaNorma digs deep into her bag of memories to recall some amusing stories (some about the CHP) that occurred on the Coast Road. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/11/stories-of-old-coast-road-by-lanorma.html





Nov 16, 2009 - MICHAEL NANNA REMEMBERS SANTA CRUZ - A bio and boyhood memories of a former Santa Cruzan. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/11/michael-nanna-remembers-santa-cruz-2nd.html











Nov 28, 2009 -'PANE AMARAO' (BITTER BREAD) FOR THANKSGIVING - A synopsis and review of Gianfranco Norelli's documentary film about the struggles of early Italian immigrants upon their arrival in l'america. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/11/pane-amaro-bitter-bread-for.html






Dec 12, 2009 - COAST ROAD BLOG - The 'blagga' finds Anneliese Agren's new Coast Road Blog on the net: http://www.coastroad.wordpress.com/










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The following articles were published in 2010:

March 3, 2010 - THE GREAT POLENTA CONTROVERSY - A re-print of Santa Cruz Sentinel columnist Donna Maurillo's article on 'quick and easy polenta'. This article caused great controversy among the 'traditional slow-cook' polenta lovers. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2010/03/great-polenta-controversy.html





July 18, 2010 - FIGHTING FURLANS (CONT'D) - BY RENO DI CISTERNIA - An incredible but true story of hardships faced by Italian soldiers fighting on the Russian Front during WW II. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2010/07/fighting-furlans-ii-by-reno-di.html






Aug 28, 2010 - LA NOSTRA COSTA DAYS REVIVAL - SPECIAL GUEST - LIDO CANATARUTTI - A bio on Figlio della Costa, and Director of the Italian Film Festival of Marin ( http://www.italianfilm.com/ ) who braved the rain all the way from San Raphael to be our very special guest at LNCD Revival II. Thanks again, Lido. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2010/08/la-nostra-costa-days-revival-speical.html









Sep 20, 2010 - AN AMERICAN STORY BY GINO CAMPIONI - A story of hardships faced by the Okamoto Family of Portland, Oregon under 'Enemy Alien' restrictions during WW II. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2010/09/american-story-by-gino-campioni.html




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IVANO SAYS (CONT'D): There are many others of course. To view all articles in the LNostra Costa archives, simply click on the year (right hand side of the blog page),
then scroll down the retrieved page. (You may have to click on "Older" at the bottom of the page to continue.) I want to thank everyone for submitting their aritcles - without a doubt -the reason for the 'blagga's" success. Sempre Avanti and Happy New Year.

BTW: You can also retrieve many articles pertaining to "La Nostra Costa" by "googling": la nostra costa blog

A CHRISTMAS STORY BY LaNORMA

LaNORMA WITH SANTA IN SANTA CRUZ, CA. (circa 1946)

How many of you Italo-Americans remember your first time seeing Sani Closi (Santa Claus).
I remember so well: I was 6 years old and had just started First Grade at Laurel School. I did not speak English very well. I think I knew about 10 words. As the photo above shows I had just gotten glasses (for a crossed eye) when I first met Santa at Woolworth's on Pacific Avenue (next to JJ Newberrys.)

I sat on his lap and then he asked me what I wanted for Christmas – I was so excited.

I said, “Voglio un caretino rosso” (I want a little red wagon).

Santa said, “A what?”

According to my Mom, (Diana Dinelli), my face got as red as Santa's suit. I remember thinking, “Horrors – Santa Claus doesn’t speak Italian or understand it either!"

I did not know how to say "a red wagon" in English…..so I blurted out one of the few words I knew – “ dolly”. Of course that is not what I really wanted – I so wanted that wagon!


In reminiscing about Christmas years past with Ivano, we recalled how different it was years ago from today. At least we thought so. Still it was a magical time and I remember going to sleep after we had bought a Christmas tree. About 10 o’clock that night my parents woke me up and said, “Come see -Santa Claus was here and he helped us put up the tree”?

With a look of disbelief on my face I asked, "You could understand him?"

They said, "Oh yes. He was a nice Santa and he spoke Italian very well . In fact he told us to tell you to be a good little girl."

"Where is he now?" I asked.

"Oh", my mother answered, "he had to get going so he could help some other people put up their trees".


I was disappointed of course, but I could understand that. Besides the room was awesome with the lights on the tree in the dark and the Nativity scene under the tree.

"Well", I thought, "even if he didn't understand me when I saw him, it certainly was nice of him to come by and help my parents put up the tree. And he learned Italian so fast."

That was the magic of Christmas for a small child.

Still, I was disappointed that he didn't wake me up and I never did get the red wagon. But, I did get a "Dolly". All in all it was a good Christmas and I forgave Santa for not understanding my Italian.

Other memories of Christmas Past:

Christmas Eve was spent at the Neri’s on DuFour St (in Santa Cruz), with my Aunt and Uncle and Cousin.

Christmas Day was spent with a huge dinner in the cookhouse at the Pietro Bargiacchi’s. So many of us were there and we had turkey and so many wonderful things to eat including ( you guessed it) home made ravioli made by Ida Bargiacchi with some help from Zia Elvira and Emma Bargiacchi.

Everyone – BUON NATALE and Buon Anno Novo – many blessings for the New Yea 2011!

As Ivano always says "Sempre Avanti."
'La Norma'
Norma Dinelli Wilson





AND LEN SAYS:


Hi, Ivan,
I just read Norma's Christmas story and thought you might be interested in reading about the day I learned that Santa Claus is not a real person.
It's a piece I wrote three years ago for a web site called The Columnists. The Columnists site, as I may have informed you previously, is made up mostly of retired newspaper people. Ron Miller, a 1956 Santa Cruz High grad and a Pulitzer Prize nominee when he worked for the San Jose Mercury, was one of the site's founders and administers it. Another columnist you probably know is Chuck McFadden, from your SCHS Class of 1955 and a former reporter for the Associated Press. All three of us were on the SCHS Trident student newspaper.
My 2007 piece, titled "Learning The Awful Truth About Santa Claus," is at:


http://www.thecolumnists.com/klempnauer/klemp32.html




Ron and Chuck also have numerous Christmas stories on the web site.


-- Len Klempnauer - SCHS Class of '54


P.S. The Columnists annual Christmas edition this year will be on the web on Dec. 20.



AND IVANO SAYS: THANKS LaNORMA AND LEN. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY AND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR.



LaNorma and the "Old Rancere"

LA NOSTRA COSTA (OUR COAST) - NOW IN E-BOOK FORMAT

IVANO SAYS: IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR BOOK "LA NOSTRA COSTA" (OUR COAST) IS NOW AVAILABLE IN E-BOOK FORMAT.

IT IS AVAILABLE ON LINE AT AMAZON'S KINDLE BOOKSTORE:

http://www.amazon.com/kindle

AND ALSO AT BARNES AND NOBEL'S NOOKBOOKS

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/NOOK

AND ALSO AT:

http://www.scribd.com/

www.ebookstore.sony.com/google-ebooks

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY

SEMPRE AVANTI

AND HERE IS A SPECIAL THANKSGIVING MESSAGE FROM CATHY BROVIA (BELOW ON THE RIGHT) AT JOE BROVIA'S INDUCTION TO THE PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE HALL OF FAME.

Happy Thanksgiving Ivano and family....

I was watching Channel 25, and watching a Japanese fellow from Watsonville (professor or something).. He was talking about living in Watsonville at the time of the war with Japan.... how they were treated etc., and forced to move to the camps... was sooooo interesting and heart breaking at the same time for me. I can not remember his name, but he spoke of so many people like Norman Mineta, Harry Truman, and so many politicians etc.....

Then...... all of a sudden, BOOM!!!! Davenport Historical moments came on, and there YOU WERE!!!!!!!!!! I think it was 2010 reunion at the berry farm. I got interrupted with a call from my firefighter grandson Nick... He is Joe's grandson, and is with the California Firefighters. He lives in Carmel Highlands, and wanted me to go down to his home for Thanksgiving... I am just not up to it this year... Guess that is why I did not attend the Berry farm reunion.... was in the hospital twice in july, and am still feeling crappy.

Just wanted you to know I really enjoyed the video, and you are handsome as ever. Hope you got to sell a few books.

It looked to me like there was a picture of Joe in front of what I thought was you in uniform.... Like I say, I got interrupted, and I heard you mention his name. I am so happy he is always remembered...

Anyway, thanks for the Costa Nostra News... i so enjoy reading it...

Happy Thanksgiving, and like the old saying goes.... YOU OUTTA BE IN PICTURES!!!!! Singing those old songs.

I am sorry I just could not make it this year... But I REALLY, ENJOYED WATCHING THE WHOLE TV PROGRAM especially all the beautiful Italian songs!!!! I remember listing to Joe's dad sing those beautiful Italian songs at holidays, and I always had tears in my eyes. He had such a beautiful voice.... I miss him so much along with Maria, and of course my dear husband.

Keep up the good work,

Sempre Avanti,,,,, Cathy

IVANO SAYS: Sempre Avanti Cathy. And yes, I did have a photo of Joe (Brovia) on the Photo Display Table. I never go to an event without at least one photo of Joe. I'm always asked the question, "Who is the baseball player", which gives me the opportunity to tell the story of the famous "Davenport Destroyer".

MORE PHOTOS - LA NOSTRA COSTA REVIVAL II

Nov 22, 2010 - "Il Vecchio Professore Buffo" has sent me another photo that should be included in the group photos. Again we have Zia Lina and Nunni Radicchi at the front. This time Stan Prolo, seated at the right, has his face to the camera. On the left hand side seated behind Nunni we can see Florence Bell SCHS Class of '55 and member of the Bianco Clan "su per la costa". Seated on her right is her husband Earl Bell. If someone can ID the two pretty "gals" seated on the left , please let me know. Thanks "Buffo". Keep them coming. ivno

Above: Standing at the counter: Derrill Kerrick, brother of "Il Professore Buffo" and my partner in "Turbulent Quest" movie venture; his wife Kathy Kerrick-blond seated at right, Anna (Petroni)Orsini seated at front. Below The 'Old Rancere" and Sister-in Law Shirley. Shirley, who is not in the best of health, drove herself and husband Tony from Morgan Hill, over Hector Pass (in the all that rain and slick road) To come see the "Old Rancere" do his 'stuff''. Thanks Shirley. You are a marvel.
Standing in blue dress at the right (same photo), Patty Morelli, Davenport Native and LNCDR Committe member.

Below: The "Old Rancere" and daughter Suzanne (looking somewhat bewildered).

Below: LaNorma, she of the Dinelli- Neri clan and Jim Ceragioli , he of the Ceragioli-Fistolera clan "su per la costa". Next photo: Zia Lina (singing?) with her friend Nunni Raddichi (left) and Davenport Historian Alverda Orlando on the right. Muriel and Stan Prolo (she of SCHS Class of "55 fame; he of Eugene Prolo Chevrolet Co. in Santa Cruz fame) are seated directly behind Alverda. Then Nunni and Zia Lina (not singing?). Muriel Prolo can be seen seated directly behind them.

Below Al Fehn of SCHS Class of '55 football fame. Then David Harra (facing camera) SCHS Class of '55 with fellow classmate Jim Ceragioli . David has just revealed that he was a closet Italian in High School. He now admits being part Italian (on his mother side of the family).

IVANO SAYS: ABOVE PHOTOS TAKEN AT THE 'LA NOSTRA COSTA DAYS REVIVAL II:

COURTESY OF JERRILL 'VECCHIO PROFESSORE BUFFO' KERRICK. IFA YOUA NO LIKA DA FOTOS, BLAMA HIMA. E plezza speaka uppa if youa seea yourself. Nome plezza. O -youa

canna clicca on foto to maka bigga.

AGAIN, A BIG THANKS TO EVERYBODY FOR BEING THERE. IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THE SAME WITHOUT YOU. SEMPRE AVANTI. IVNO

LA NOSTRA COSTA'S "OLD RANCERE" HARD AT WORK

THE OLD RANCERE AT 'LA NOSTRA COSTA DAYS REVIVAL II - OCT. 17, 2010
(GRANDSON MICHAEL IVANO ASSISTING WITH TECHNICALITIES)

THE OLD RANCERE AND GRANDSON KRISTIAN AT GUGLIELMO WINERY IN MORGAN HILL - "CORK EQUITY FESTIVAL" -NOV 6, 2010

LEFT- PLAYING THE s "SHAVOLA" - SAME EVENT

HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL DISPEL ANY NOTIONS THAT THE "OLD RANCERE" IS RESTING ON HIS "LAURELS. SEMPRE AVANTI. IVANO

FIGLIO DI SANTA CROCE - JOSEPH ARMANINI ON HISTORY CHANNEL - NOV 10, 2010

IVANO SAYS: LEN KLEMPNAUER FORMER SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL REPORTER AND SCHS CLASS OF '54 GRADUATE ADVISED ME OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE BY NADIA DRAKE APPEARING IN THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL: www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_16509428

SANTA CRUZ -- During World War II, Santa Cruz native Joseph Armanini frequented the skies over Europe, a member of the 8th Air Force's famous "Bloody 100th" bomb group.

"Big Joe" Armanini was lead bombardier for the squad. Their task? Destroy the German Luftwaffe. Armanini flew more than 25 missions, was one of the few members of the Bloody 100th to complete a tour and returned home a decorated war hero.

On Nov. 10, the History Channel will air "World War II in HD: The Air War," a two-hour special narrated by Rob Lowe that features Armanini and three others during the battles leading up to D-Day. Young Armanini will be voiced by Casey Affleck. The show is a follow-up to the highly rated 10-part "World War II in HD" series broadcast last year.

"Joe dominates the show," said producer Liz Reph.

Reph said she decided to focus on Armanini, one of the original members of the Bloody 100th, after speaking with a historian from the group. Of the people in the 100th bomb group, "Joe is one of the rare individuals that made it through," Reph said. "Only 25 percent of the people who set out to fly 25 missions succeeded. The other 75 percent were killed, captured, wounded or suffered mental breakdowns."

Armanini, 94, was born and raised in Santa Cruz. He graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1934, then went on to San Mateo Junior College, where he played football and was student body president. He then attended Dartmouth, where he majored in romance languages and graduated with honors in 1940.

On Jan. 25, 1941, Armanini joined the Air Force.

"I loved the idea of flying," Armanini said. But he didn't complete pilot training, and instead became a bombardier. "Everyone wanted to be a pilot or navigator. Not a bombardier. It wasn't as romantic."

Armanini was assigned to the 349th squadron, 100th bomb group -- the Bloody 100th -- and based in Thorpe Abbotts, England. He dropped bombs from B-17s, the four-engined "Flying Fortresses" that carried a crew of 10. The Bloody 100th became the basis for 1949's "Twelve O'Clock High," starring Gregory Peck, and the movie's screenwriter, Col. Bernie Lay, flew with them.

The squadron was tasked with daylight bombing raids before fighter escorts could accompany them to targets. As such, few flight crews survived to complete the required 25 missions before they could return home. According to Armanini, the graphic moniker is appropriate.

"We sustained such tremendous losses. We had a more than 80 percent casualty rate," he said.

Armanini, who now lives in El Cerrito, said mission days often started at 4 a.m. -- with the noise of engines warming up. Breakfast was at 6 a.m., followed by a meeting in the war room explaining the mission.

"There would be a big map of Germany and a pin maybe 600 miles in. The longer the mission, the more dangerous," Armanini said. "You're flying for 12 hours, and you're under attack from the time you leave the British Isles."

Armanini's first mission was to Bremen, Germany, on June 25, 1943, aboard a plane named El Pisstofo. The Bloody 100th lost seven planes that day.

On Aug. 17, 1943, the squadron sent 19 planes to Regensburg, where the target was an aircraft factory. The Bloody 100th flew in the unenviable position of "tale end Charlie" during that mission, or the bottom-most part of a flight formation. They lost nine planes out of 20, and Armanini's plane arrived in Libya minus an engine and plus 200 bullet holes.

"But nobody was injured," he said. They returned to England by way of Marrakesh, in a different plane, similarly unsuited for battle. "The whole Plexiglass nose had been shot off, and was covered in plastic," Armanini said.

By this time, Armanini was part of Sammy Barr's crew, aboard Torchy -- a plane named after navigator Jim Brown's "good-looking wife. She was a redhead," Armanini said.

Armanini flew in the lead plane on at least five missions, an especially precarious position.

"They always wanted to knock down the lead plane," Armanini said. "It was the only one dropping bombs on the target."

And while some missions, like the one targeting Bremen, were significant for the squadron, others are etched in Armanini's memory for a different reason, like one targeting Leipzig, where they only lost one plane. In that plane was Armanini's friend William Griffith, a classmate of his from bombardier school.

"We had more fun together than you could shake a stick at," Armanini said. He didn't find out what happened to Griffith until he was back in the United States after the war was over, when he learned that Griffith drowned when his plane was shot down.

When he came home, Armanini worked for several years at Bank of America.

"After all that exhilaration, the bank was kind of tame. You didn't know what the hell to do with yourself half the time," Armanini said.

He then worked as an executive at British Motor Cars and for Maserati Imports until 1985, when he retired at age 69.

Armanini returned from the war with a Bronze Star, two Flying Crosses, the French Croix de Guerre and numerous Victory and Air Medals. Despite the decorations, he doesn't think his role in the war was any more significant than anyone else's.

"It was just a matter of luck that you finished," Armanini said. "If you ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. ... You had to be lucky."

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IVANO SAYS (CONT'D): Although I would not begin to compare anything that I did as a Police Officer, with what Joe had to go through, I did write the following regarding police survival tips in my book "La Nostra Costa"(pgs. 335 - 336):

"Experienced police officers worth their salt will have their own personal short list (held in their minds, at least) to augment survival techniques taught during their training. Having said all this I still must admit I truly believe the ultimate determiner of survival is just plain luck. In retrospect, I was very lucky, regretably, Richard was not." *

* San Jose Police Officer Richard Huerta was killed in the line of duty, August 6, 1970. For articles on Richard and the circumstances surrounding his death, type his name in the search block at the top left hand corner of this page and click on the spy glass.

LA NOSTRA COSTA DAYS REVIVAL II - A GREAT SUCCESS

Thanks To: Everybody for showing up despite the rain. A special thanks to those who brought a side dish and/or wine to share. It complimented the exquisite cuisine prepared ‘Bear’ and his Swanton Berry Farm Staff. And thanks to all who made generous donations to off-set our costs.

As you can see from the photos, our plans to have an outdoor ‘picanica’ were dashed by la pioggia (the rain). We took it inside and had an old fashion ‘cookahousa’festa. It reminded me of the times we went to the Rodoni Ranch (La Nostra Costa,page 201) ‘cookahousa’ on one or more of the holidays, and Andreina Rodoni cooked a fabulous meal for the ranceri
and invited family friends. We, kids and all. crowded around the tables to gorge ourselves with the delicious food. Then we would entice Bronco, my father, to sing some Italian songs. Unfortunately, the “Old Rancere” doesn't possess Bronco’s great singing voice; however, with the aid of an “Italian Sing-Along” record he attempted to sing and emulate Bronco’s gestures, etc. Hopefully, he was able to entertain you all and give you a sense how it was inside the ‘old cookahousa' su per la costa.

Again thanks to one and all for being there. Your presence help make “La Nostra Costa Days Revival II” a great success. Hopefully, we will have better weather for LNCD Revival III. Then we can have that ‘picanica’.

Sempre Avanti con la historia della Nostra Costa (Our Coast). ivno



BTW: Peter McGettigine was there to video tape the Event for Santa Cruz Community TV. Those of you who do not live in the Santa Cruz Community TV area, might want to entice some friends who do live in the area to video tape it for you when it airs.

THE 'OLD RANCERE' AND AL WILSON - ONE LAST REMINDER- "LA NOSTRA COSTA DAYS REVIVAL" SUNDAY, OCT 17, 2010

AL WILSON (LaNORMA'S HUSBAND AND LNCDR OFFICIAL VIDIO CAMERAMAN) WITH THE OLD RANCERE GIVING US ONE LAST REMINDER THAT THE "LA NOSTRA COSTA DAYS REVIVAL" EVENT WILL BE HELD THIS NEXT SUNDAY, OCT 17, 2010

WHERE: JIM COCHRON'S SWANTON BERRY FARM

( http://www.swantonberryfarm.com/ )

TWO MILES NORTH OF DAVENPORT, CA.

TIME: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

WHAT: FOOD, SONGS AND NORTH COAST TALES OF OLD

FEE: DONATIONS ONLY

WHO:

IVANO FRANCO COMELLI IN HIS GUISE AS THE 'OLD RANCERE'

CAVALIERE LIDO CANTARUTTI, DIRECTOR OF THE MARIN COUNTY ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL (http://www.italianfilm.com/)

PLUS LOCAL AUTHORS with their books:

Robert W. Piwarzyk & Alverda Orlando, authors of Davenport Cement Centennial, Limekiln Legacies, and Valley of Redwoods.

Nancy Lynn Jarvis, author of 3 mystery books set in Santa Cruz County: Buying Murder, Backyard Bones, and The Death Contingency. Website: http://www.bonny-doon.info/
.
Joe Aliberti, author of Joey, the autobiography of a Davenport Native describing life on the North Coast of Santa Cruz during the 1930's, 40's, 50's........ Website: http://www.authorhouse.com/

Ivano Franco Comelli, author of La Nostra Costa (Our Coast) A Family's Journey to and From the North Coast of Santa Cruz : http://www.lanostracosta.com-a.googlepages.com/

DIRECTIONS TO THE FARM:

TAKE COAST HWY 1 TO DAVENPORT (ABOUT 10 MILES NORTH OF SANTA CRUZ). PROCEED NORTH FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES (PAST THE CEMEX CEMENT PLANT ON YOUR RIGHT)TO THE THE COAST HWY 1 AND SWANTON ROAD INTERSECTION. STAY ON HWY 1 AND GO ANOTHER 500 FEET NORTH THEN TURN RIGHT AT THE FIRST DRIVEWAY. YOU ARE THERE. LARGE ORGANIC FARM SIGNS ON HWY 1, WILL ALERT YOU TO YOUR APPROACH TO THE FARM. BUONA FORTUNA AND SEMPRE AVANTI. AND REMEMBER: DIRVE SAFELY.

IVANO SAYS: ALSO CHECK OUT DONNA MURILLO'S

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT" IN THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL FOR WEDS. OCT 13

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_16323703

or: www.santacruzsentinel.com

LA NOSTRA COSTA (OUR COAST) DAYS REVIVAL II - SUNDAY, OCT. 17 - JUST AROUND THE CORNER

My Grandson, Kristian (photo above) reminds us that that LA NOSTRA COSTA (OUR COAST) DAYS REVIVAL II is just around the corner - Sunday, October 17, from 1-4PM, at Jim Cochron's Swanton Berry Farm: http://www.swantonberryfarm.com/

Remember that this historic setting is a working ranch, so wear your best rancher's clothes (hats and 'shavolas' are optional'). Food will be served; however, if you wish you can bring your own 'picnicka' basket with your favorite wine. Also if you have a favorite dish you want to share, please do so. So, come along and enjoy a fun day, of food, music and stories as told by his friend the "Old Rancere". And don't forget that Lido Cantarutti, Director of the Italian Film Festival http://www.italianfilm.com/ will be our special guest. In the meantime enjoy some of the photos taken at "La Nostra Costa Days Revival I. For further info and photos scroll down this "Blagga" Page ( http://www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/ )