DAVENPORT/COAST ROAD REUNION - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2007

"JOE BROVIA DAY" - TODAY SEPTEMBER 24.

CATHY BROVIA REMINDS US THAT TODAY HAPPENS TO BE THE 'DAVENPORT DESTROYER'S VERY OWN DAY.

(TODAY) JUST HAPPENS TO BE "JOE BROVIA DAY"... In a proclamation signed by Mike Rotkin, Mayor of City of Santa Cruz, he notes in his last paragraph:::: Now, therefore, I Mike Rotkin, Mayor of the city of Santa Cruz, do hereby proclaim september 24, 2005 as "Joe Brovia Day"in the City of Santa Cruz and encourage all citizens to join me in honoring BASEBALL'S DAVENPORT DESTROYER AND SALUTING HIM FOR HIS FEARLESSNESS AT THE PLATE, HIS JOVIAL WIT, HIS LOVE OF FAMILY, AND ESPECIALLY, HIS LOVE AND DEVOTION TO HIS MANY BASEBALL FANS.

In the mayors proclamation, he noted Joe's being inducted into the PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE HALL OF FAME.

THANKS CATHY FOR THE REMINDER. I WILL HAVE A COUPLE OF PHOTOS OF JOE AT THE 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' PHOTO DISPLAY ON SATURDAY. IF YOU LIKE BRING SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOS. I WILL HAVE ROOM TO DISPLAY.

Ray Ceragioli in Delivery Truck (c. 1930). Courtsey of Norma and Al Wilson.

A DESCRIPTION WHAT A LAGUNA PICNIC WAS ALL ABOUT (LA NOSTRA COSTA, P. 234)

"These festive events were usually well attended, as attested to by an article appearing in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, dated September 6, 1949. Beneath the caption, "ITALO-AMERICAN BARBECUE SLATED UP COAST SUNDAY", it went on to quote publicity chairman John Battistini (according to the article, Mario Lazzerini was general chairman) as saying that the event, first held in 1934, usually attracted more than 1,000 people from Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Monterey Bay cities." I guess it was just to be understood that people living in Davenport or along the Coast Road would be there, since the article made no mention of their expected attendance.

'THE OLD RANCERE", WHO APPEARS IN PHOTO ABOVE WITH LOUIS BETTIOL, ONE OF THE LAST OF THE ORIGINAL RANCERI (LNC: Pge 95), INVITES ALL "LA NOSTRA COSTA" FANS TO JOIN HIM AT THIS YEARS DAVENPORT/COAST ROAD REUNION. HE PROMISES TO BRING HIS "SHAVOLA". ALSO THE AUTHOR OF 'LA NOSTRA COSTA'; IVANO FRANCO COMELLI, WILL BE THERE AND WILL GLADLY AUTOGRAPH ANY OF HIS BOOKS YOU MIGHT HAVE.

SIMPLY COPY AND CUT OUT TICKET ORDER FORM BELOW AND MAIL WITH SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE TO "FIGLIA DELLA COSTA" TERESA DARLING, 411 ALTA VISTA DRIVE, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060. TUTTI BENVENUTI.

..Bottom photo of 'The Old Rancere' and Louis Bettiol, by Marvin Del Chiaro, was taken at the 2005, Davenport/Coast Road ReUnion. Louis has since crossed over "Il Ultimo Ponte".

..Top photo: A banged up 'Old Carrettone', with "Bronco", my father, at the wheel (c. 1948), La Nostra Costa Archives. Damaged done at a wreck on the Coast Road at the Wilder Ranch Curve.

..Photo 2nd from top: Elio 'Bebo' Rodoni on his 'Doodlebug', at the Rodoni Ranch (c.1955), courtesy Gino Campioni.

..Photo 3rd from top: Fabby Degli-Esposti and his banjo (c.1955), courtesy Gino Campioni.

..Photos 4th from the top: Davenport/Coast Road residents picnicking in Bonny-Doon, (c.1938) and 5th from top, Laguna Picnic (c.1929) from La Nostra Costa Archives.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DAVENPORT / COAST ROAD
2007 REUNION

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2007

LAGUNA STYLE BARBECUE at HARVEY WEST PARK with MUSIC, COUNTRY STORE & RAFFLE!!!

We invite you to join us for our 16th Bi-annual get-together of Davenport, Coast Road, Newtown, Swanton, and Bonny Doon residents, former residents and guests ~ all are welcome!!!

PROGRAM: 11:00 am to 12:30 pm – Check in & visit with old friends
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm – BBQ: Steak or chicken, beans, green salad,
garlic bread, coffee & dessert
Soda, wine & beer will also be available

THE COMMITTEE

Joe Aliberti Teresa Bertolli Darling, Treasurer Richard Dietz
831-438-0563 831-423-2766; email: teresandarling@aol.com 831-423-4521

Cindy Olimpio Escobar Rico Della Santina
831-423-4969; email: mscindylou2002@yahoo.com 831-426-6463

Patty Morelli Stephanie Raugust Rosa Radicchi
831-438-8789; email: msleepygal@aol.com 831-423-8566 831-460-0545; email: radicchi@aol.com



Memory Book! Do you have a favorite story or memory to share? If so, please write a one-page story, provide a picture if you like ~ and mail or email it to us sometime before the BBQ, and we’ll add it to the “Memory Book” for us, as well as future generations to enjoy! If you have difficulty writing or if you have any
questions, please call rosa at 831-460-0545; she’ll be happy to write it up for you or answer any questions!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Make checks payable to: D.C.R.R. 2005

Please enclose a STAMPED SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE for return of tickets and mail to:

TERESA DARLING, TREASURER – 411 ALTA VISTA DR. – SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
After expenses, proceeds will be donated towards projects that benefit the Davenport community.

ORDER FORM FOR TICKETS

NAME_________________________________________ADDRESS_______________________________________________

PHONE ( )____________________________ EMAIL ADDRESS ______________________________________

Ticket Price: $15.00 for steak; $12.00 for chicken Amount enclosed: $____________________
$5.00 per children under 12

Number of Reservations: __________Steaks __________ Chicken __________Children

If you are requesting tickets for others, please list names in your party:

1._________________________________________________2.___________________________________________________

3._________________________________________________4.___________________________________________________

5._________________________________________________6.___________________________________________________
(If needed, please use the back of this form for additional names.)

Sorry, I/We will not be able to attend, but enclosed is my/our donation: $________________

FLYERS BY: MARIA CUCLIS TOMARAS, ESTHER CUCLIS PAPANGELLIN, TED & KAY CUCLIS

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For further information on "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast), visit the author's website at: http://www.lanostracosta.com-a.googlepages.com/

THE EAGLES HAVE LANDED - DERRILL AND KATHY AT RAMANDOLO

SMILES ALL AROUND AS OUR KATHY AND DERRILL ARRIVE AT THE RAMANDOLO CLUB. FERRUCCIO IN HIS UNDERSHIRT (TYPICAL FURLAN) GREETS HIS NEWLY ARRIVED GUESTS. WHAT EVER IS GOING ON BEHIND KATHY'S BACK SHE SEEMS TO BE ENJOYING IT. HOPEFULLY MORE PHOTOS TO FOLLOW. SALUTI A TUTTI.

MESSAGES (edited and translated by GB) FROM RAMANDOLO/NIMIS:> Ivano: This is what I wrote yesterday before we went to Anna Maria's: We just met the horses. (Photo above) The club is brand new and perfectly restored. Ferruccio speaks English well . We are to go to dinner at Anna Maria's (my cousin). More later when I have time! Not good phone reception here. I have to walk up to the vineyard to send. Thank goodness the picture (above) came through. Monday - it is pouring rain here w/thunder & lightening! BEAUTIFUL! This is one of the most charming places we've ever been.

The dinner last nite was fabulous - much vino, salami, prosciuto, melone, melanzane, pork cutlets, figi (from Lucia's garden), grissini wrapped with prociutto, olive and excellent company. (I am in the car waiting for Derrill and lightening just struck so close and hard that the car shook! I hope it didn't knock out power at Club Ramandolo.) Lucia's (Anna Maria's daughter) husband is in mineral sciences. He and Derrill had a lot to talk about. We go, now to Anna Maria's for caffe. NOW we have driven around w/Cesare to see where Lucia & Marina were born & possibly the house that your father built the 2nd floor addition (1932). Cesere's English is good but sometimes we don't get it all. (They must make due wiith "Motto di Mani", hand signals.)

The Ramandolo Club is done perfectly. Great bed with gold sheets and cover. Bathroom with glossy, gold tile floor and white tile walls.

NOW (1:47) we are in Cividale (ancient city nearby) having lunch in an osteria antica. The rain has stopped but clouds are still here. Alle cinque (at five) we go with "Il Ferruccio" t0 see Sandro & maybe Aldo (two of my cousins).
Kathy ( Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T)

Caro Ivano
Ieri sera siamo andati a cena da Annamaria e Cesare Comelli c’erano anche Lucia suo marito ed il figlio Iacopo
Ti salutano tutti e ti aspettano per il prossima anno
Derrill ti manderà le foto della serata
Mandi
Ferruccio

Dear Ivan0:

Last night we had dinner at Annamaria and Cesare Comelli's and also with Lucia and her husband and son Iacopo.
Everyone sends their greetings and they await your arrival (possibly) next year. Derrill will send you photos of the evening. See you later;
"Il Ferruccio" http://www.ramandoloclub.it/

BENVENUTI A RAMANDOLO/NIMIS: Kathy and Derrill

KATHY AND DERRILL WILL BE ARRIVING SHORTLY AT THE RAMANDOLO CLUB WHICH IS LOCATED A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE LITTLE TOWN OF NIMIS. NIMIS IS THE FRIULIAN VILLAGE WHERE MY PARENTS WERE BORN. THE RAMANDOLO CLUB IS A BED AN BREAKFAST OWNED AND MANAGED BY MY COUSIN FERRUCCIO DRI. THE PHOTOS ABOVE (COURTESY OF DORIANO DEGANO AND FERRUCCIO) SHOW SOME OF THE SIGHTS THAT KATHY AND DERRILL WILL BE SEEING ON THEIR VISIT. FERRUCCIO ALSO EXTENDS A SPECIAL INVITATION (BELOW) TO LNOSTRA-COSTA BLAGGA FANS IF THEY HURRY.

La Chiesa di Nimis (Second from bottom)


The SS. Gervasio and Protasio’s parish church is one of the most ancient Friuli’s worship buildings, as recent excavations have proved.
It was at the beginning a small basilica at the ancient “castrum” of Nemas which was built in the VIII century; it was then rebuilt until it became, after the year 1000, a church with nave and two aisles which are divided by a massive pillar that bears two round arches and which end with three semicircular apses. A wide eye was opened on the modified façade. There were modifications also in the following periods and the façade was different after the restoration works in 1898 and in 1934. the earthquake in 1976 undermined this building’s stability which has been recuperated during thorough restoration works, that affected the inner frescos too.
The most ancient frescos date back to the XIV century: on the triumphal arch there are three superimposed levels which picture Annunciation, Resurrection and Visitation, Madonna with the infant Jesus, the SS. Andrew and Leonard; in the intrados there are twelve half-length pictures that show the Saints; the walls near the triumphal arch picture, on the left, Creation of Eve, Madonna on the throne with the baby Jesus and two Saints, Archangel Michael who knocks down the demon and, on the right, Announcement to Joseph.
·Webdesign & Realization - Tunkie.net / Itaca Informatica
·Hosted by Megalabs.net

Chiesa di Ramandolo, next to this Church is a bar located where we had a the famous Ramandolo Wine. (Third Photo from Top))


This beautiful votive church is preceded by a wide portico like many other religious structures in the upper Friuli and Carnia. To its side there is a massive belfry made with visible stones. The inner part is roofed with a groined vault and decorated with two frescoes by Gian Paolo Thanner and a wooden altarpiece, a humble work by Vincenzo da San Vito, realised in 1516.

The Road Sign of Ramandolo (Bottom Photo): note in small letters below indicating Ramandolo is part of Nimis...

Discovering Ramandolo DOCG (Top Photos)

Colli Orientali del Friuli - Nimis (UD) An old villa which has recently been restored, surrounded by vines, near the little church of Ramandolo. A delightful weekend immersed in the flavours of the past. Prices per person: € 75.00 per person per night (for a minimum of 2 persons) Program Saturday: - Arrival and check-in in the room reserved - Welcome tasting of Ramandolo DOCG wine in the period cellar of the villa, accompanied by traditional local products - Free time - Dinner in a rustic farmhouse setting with the traditional cuisine of Friuli (drinks not included) - Overnight stay Sunday: - Breakfast at RamandoloClub - Guided tour of a cellar with tastings of Ramandolo wine and visits to the vineyards - Departure The price includes: - 1 night’s stay in a family suite with breakfast at the Ramandolo Club - a welcome tasting of Ramandolo DOCG wine in the period cellar of the villa, accompanied by traditional local products - 1 dinner in a rustic farmhouse setting with the traditional cuisine of Friuli (drinks not included) - guided tour of a cellar with tastings of Ramandolo wine and visits to the vineyards The price does not include: - a single room supplement of € 15.00 per person per night - all other items not mentioned in the ‘price includes’ section - registration fee of € 15.00 per person Reductions: Reduction for a 3rd/4th bed for children aged 2-6: 50% Reduction for a 3rd/4th bed for children aged 6-13: 30% Reduction for a 3rd adult’s bed: 20% Period of validity: from 13 of April to 30 September 2007

Website: http://www.ramandoloclub.it/

LA NOSTRA COSTA (OUR COAST) - WEBSITE

LA NOSTRA COSTA (OUR COAST) HAS A NEW WEBSITE. 'CLICCA' : http://www.lanostracosta.com-a.googlepages.com/ OR ON ANY OF THE LINKS LISTED BELOW AUTHOR'S NAME AND TITLE.

IVANO FRANCO COMELLI
LA NOSTRA COSTA
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
IN ITALIANO
A RANCERE'S LAMENT
ORDER - PURCHASE
PRESENTATIONS/BOOKSIGNINGS



A FAMILY'S JOURNEY TO AND FROM THE NORTH COAST OF SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
They called him Bronco. That, of course, wasn’t his real name. It was the name given him by the Italian ranchers who worked on the rugged north coast of Santa Cruz County. The ranches were known as rancios and the ranchers identified as ranceri. The coast was called la costa.

Bronco worked on the rancios from 1924 to 1931. Having saved $5,000, he decided to return to his native Italy. There, he met Valentina, a beautiful 17-year old maiden. After a whirlwind romance, Bronco and Valentina married.

Having stayed in Italy for almost a year, Bronco ran out of money.
Leaving his young bride behind, he returned to la costa to replenish his “stash”. In a year’s time he made enough money to buy passage for his young wife. Valentina immigrated to la costa in 1933. While living on the coast their two sons, Giovanni Primo and Ivano Franco were born.

The family’s journey on the coast takes them through the Depression and World War II when Bronco and Valentina were declared to be enemy aliens. The author attempts to explain why Bronco was not allowed to work on his rancio because it happened to be on the wrong side of highway and why his father was almost arrested for being a suspected spy. During this same period, the author takes us back to Italy and describes what it was like for Bronco and Valentina’s relatives to live under Nazi occupation. The author recounts the story of Valentina’s youngest sister and how she survived the war only to be wrongfully labeled a collaborator by Italian partisans, and how Valentina devised a plan to bring her to la costa.

The author in some detail and with numerous photographs describes how the people of la costa lived, worked and played; he also writes about their mannerisms, the way they talked, sang songs, swore, argued and made deals. He even narrates how some of the cookhouse meals were prepared for the ranceri. He further describes how certain events occurring on the coast influence him to become a police officer, changing his life drastically thereafter.

In writing this book, the author was fully aware that non-Italian families also lived on the coast. However, because of the many events and interactions that took place between his family and the other Italian families during this time period, he, as a boy growing up, came to believe that this was indeed an Italian coast. Thus ─La Nostra Costa (Our Coast).

WRITTEN BY IVANO FRANCO COMELLI - PUBLISHED BY AUTHORHOUSE - AVAILABLE ON LINE AT: http://www.authorhouse.com/
OR ORDER THROUGH YOUR FAVORITE BOOKSTORE.

RICHARD HUERTA - FALLEN OFFICER - REMEMBERED

A YEAR AGO I PUBLISHED THE ARTICLE BELOW REGARDING MY DEAR FRIEND AND CAMPANION RICHARD HUERTA. I FELT IT APPROPRIATE TO REPUBLISH IT AS A REMEMBRANCE ON THE 37TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH. I ALSO HAVE ADDED RECENT INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM ONE OF THE INVESTIGATORS ON THE SCENE.

************

Fallen Officer-Richard Eugene Huerta

Sunday, August 6 is the thirty sixth anniversity of the killing of San Jose Police Officer Richard Eugene Huerta. In everyone's life there is at least one adverse incident that stands above all others. Tragically, for me, Richard's death was that incident. What follows below is and excerpt from my book "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast) .

"August 6, 1970, is a date forever ingrained in the annals of the San Jose Police Department. On that date, my best friend and one-time roommate Officer Richard Eugene Huerta, was assassinated by a lone gunman. He was only thirty-six years old. The incident occurred during that turbulent period of our history when it was common for radicals advocating : "black power" to extol the vitues of killing a "pig". Apparently (although no one will know for certain) one black male, Emile Thompson, then in his early twenties, took that message literally.

As Richard sat in his vehicle, writing a citation to a third party (not involved in the crime), the lone assassin crept up from behind the car, and suddnly shot the unsuspecting officer in back of the head. This brutal and cowardly act killed Richard almost instantly.

Still in the early morning hours, I was awakened from a sound sleep by a telephone call. On the other end of the line was Officer Jim Emmons, a friend, who also happened to be a former roommate of Richard's. Jim, who was on duty at the time of the shooting delivered the message that haunts me to this day. "Richard has been shot". Still half asleep, I asked Jim if Richard was all right. Jim responded in an unemotional and very controlled manner, which is very typical of a professional police officer under stress. "No, I think he is dead. I thought you'd like to know."

In a state of shocked amazement, I quickly put on some civilian clothes, grabbed my off duty revolver, and drove myself (I was living in Scotts Valley at the time) to the San Jose Police Station. Once there and still in off-duty clothes, I hooked up with on-duty Sg. Phil Norton. Together we joined the search for the assassin. It wasn't long before Norton received a radio call informing him that the killer had been found hiding in a back yard in the 500 block of North Thirteen. Sgt. Norton quickly responded to the scene and both he and I were present when the assassin was dragged from his hiding place and placed in handcuffs.

I guess you might say that I, as well as Sgt. Norton and the officers who actually made the arrest, acted professionally in not shooting Thompson in the head. This thought certainly crossed my mind and, at the time, I actually had my finger on the trigger of my snub-nose "38". Not committing the act certainly didn't make me feel any better or more professional. (Probably the only one who wasn't restrained by "police professional behavior" was the police dog on the scene. Without asking permission, he promptly took a bite out of the killer.)

The murderer is now in his fifties, serving out his life sentence. I doubt if he spends much of his time thinking about the consequences of his act. Richard's death left two young children without a father. Marie Huerta was left alone to raise Leanne and Richard Jr.*

*From "La Nostra Costa" (OUR Coast), published by Authorhouse (2006).

RECENT INFORMATION JUST RECEIVED FROM DAVE BRICKELL, INVESTIGATOR ON THE SCENE:

Thanks Ivan for reminding us of Richard’s death. I remember the incident well. I was working nights in the Detective Bureau and had just returned home after my shift. I had just got in bed when I received a telephone call from Bart Collins informing me that Richard had been shot and to return to the Bureau. I met Larry Stuefloten later and we proceeded to Valley Medical Center. Stu rode in the ambulance with Emil Thompson and I followed behind. At the hospital we obtained a confession from Emile and stayed with him until he was released early in the morning. We booked him into the County jail later in the morning. I remember very clearly what Emile’s attitude was at that time. He was smiling from time to time and acted as if the whole thing was no big deal.

One of the things that really stands out in my mind is an incident at the County jail a few days after Emile had been arrested. Every time Emile would get a visitor the SO would let us know and we would send someone to the jail to listen in on the conversation and record it. On this occasion Emile’s brother, a jailer for Oakland PD, came to visit Emile. During the course of their conversation the brother asked Emile why he didn’t also shoot the passenger in Richard’s patrol car as he was a witness. Emile started sobbing and said, “ I didn’t have any more bullets left.”

Stu and I later retraced Emile’s steps before he shot Richard that night. He started the evening by getting into a fight with a girl friend or sorts and getting kicked out of her apartment. Apparently this girl did not care that much for Emile and didn’t want anything to do with him. Several male friends of hers who were present forced Emile to leave and made it clear to him he wasn’t welcome there. Emile left and drove to an Orange Winzet (sp) place on Santa Clara where he bought an orange drink. He quickly drank it and asked for a free refill. The girl who served him said that didn’t have free refills and he would have to pay for the refill. Emile argued with her briefly and then threw the drink cup, that now contained only ice, in her face. He then left and drove off. Shortly afterwards he spotted Richard driving in the college area and started following him.

The rest you pretty much know. Richard was a great guy.

Dave Brickell

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON "LA NOSTRA COSTA" (OUR COAST) VISIT THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE AT: http://www.lanostracosta.com-a.googlepages.com/