FIGLIO DI SANTA CROCE (SON OF SANTA CRUZ) DON BINSACCA REMEMBERED

THE FOLLOWING REMEMBRANCE OF DON BINSACCA, SANTA CRUZ HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1955, WAS SENT TO ME BY CLASSMATE BRUCE HANSEN.




Don Binsacca was born in San Francisco, to Dorothy and Sam Binsacca.
He passed away peacefully and without pain, on the morning of November 10,
2011, from complications of Alzheimer's. He spent his last months under the
loving care of his family, his friends, his caregivers, and his devoted Hospice team. He never lost his famous sense of humor, and laughter often
rang from his room.

Don grew up in Santa Cruz, and then studied at U.C. Berkeley, and S.F.
State University, marrying Meredith Ludwig in 1961, and then beginning his
career in health. He retired in 1999 after thirty-five years at the Alameda County Health
Agency, spent most notably in developing research in and evaluation of
public health issues. Don and his beloved wife Meredith fortunate enough to celebrate their
50th wedding anniversary in June of this year, with close friends and
family.

He is survived by Meredith, their devoted children, Anya (Josh) and
Anthony (Lydia), and grandchildren Finley, Satchel, and Vanessa, as well as
his loving brother, Bob Binsacca (Lynn). Don will be remembered for his
wit, his generosity and his gentle kindness.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 3, at 1:30 p.m.,
at Mountain View cemetery in Oakland, at 5000 Piedmont Avenue. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be sent to Vitas Hospice, 365 Lennon Lane, Suite 140,
Walnut Creek, CA 94598.



DON BINSACCA (ON THE LEFT) WITH FELLOW SANTA CRUZ HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES-CLASS OF 1955, JERRY MUNGAI, FLORENCE BIANCO BELL AND IVAN COMELLI. (PHOTO TAKEN AT "NOSTRA COSTA DAYS" AT THE SWANTON BERRY FARM ON THE NORTH COAST OF SANTA CRUZ -2006)






ADDIO DON, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN ACROSS "IL ULTIMO PONTE" (THE LAST BRIDGE).

BARBRA SILVA WAGNER REMEMBERS WW II - PART 2

NOVEMBER 11, 2011 - VETERANS' DAY



WE HONOR THOSE WHO HONORED OUR FLAG BY DEFENDING OUR COUNTRY

Normandy Memorial

Guido Bianconi

Mike Demos


Guiliano Quilici


TAMBELLINI BOYS

FRANCIS AND ALVIN GREGORY

Attilio Dogliotti

PHOTOS ABOVE: NORTH COAST WW II VETERANS

BARBARA REMEMBERS:

Santa Cruz was surrounded (or at least it seemed to me) by military bases during the outbreak of WWII, Phelan Park on the cliffs, Camp McQuaide in Watsonville, Fort Ord and Monterey Naval Air Station in Monterey county, The Naval Air Station in Sunnyvale, The Presidio and Fort Mason in San Francisco, Treasure Island and Oakland - Alameda Naval Air Station across the bay. If you went to San Francisco, you were sure to see the bunkers all along the coast. They looked pretty scary to a little kid.

During the day we could hear the noise from the gunnery range at Fort Ord and the roar of planes taking off. I would look up and see the planes flying low overhead. How quickly I would run to find a place to hide --sometimes it was in the fields, other times it was in my parent’s garage. I still have those reoccurring nightmares of Japanese fighter planes flying right over our house on Western Drive (Cliff Way), the Japanese pilots staring out from their cockpits and seeing me through a window in the garage or just as I was making a break and running into the open to get to the house.

The sights and sounds of war can be terrifying to a little kid --the air-raid sirens, the blackouts, the rumbling of military vehicles on the road, etc. It so happened that my Dad was an Air-Raid Warden. When there was an air raid alert, he would quickly put on a hard hat and arm band; then grab a flash light and rush to the corner where he would stand until the all clear sound was given. Sometimes it seemed like an eternity.

During the day the troops and heavy tanks would go up and down the street on maneuvers --soldiers with guns over their shoulders, big guns being pulled by jeeps, etc.. Sometimes some of the solders would come to the house and get a drink of water from our garden hose. Being so young, it was all so confusing and I really did not know what was going on. I remember just taking off with my dog and running to my Grandparents house next door. Once there, I would go down to the cellar where they kept the wine barrels, cheese and Pilot Bread Crackers. At times I would even calm my nerves with a swig or two of the wine. It was especially scary, when all of this took place at night, and you'd peer out the window at all that darkness.

One day our neighbor, Mrs. Templeman, Ted Templeman’s (Harpers Bazzar) Grandmother, came running out of her house, screaming her lungs out. Her son, Ted, had been taken prisoner of war by the Japanese. Oh that poor woman, her other son Kenneth was serving in the Army and was stationed in Germany. (That was before they passed the law that only one son could serve in the military at the same time.) Ted was in the Navy in the Pacific when all this happened. This sweet woman was never the same after this and I can truly understand why. Her son came back, but there were others that unfortunately didn't. One of those, but from a different time, was Harvey Levine -- a happy go lucky young man, so full of life and fun. It l ended all to soon for him. I can still remember the funeral procession down Pacific Avenue --how sad, heart wrenching.

Getting back to WW II, I can recall gas rationing --you either had an ‘A’ sticker (normal driving –3 gallons per week) or a ‘B’ sticker (factory workers, traveling salesmen –8 gallons per week). And those OPA books of stamps that allowed you to buy 2 pair of shoes a year. Nylon was used for the war effort, so ladies wore silk stockings. If you got a run in them, you took them to the second floor of Leasks Department Store on Pacific Avenue to be mended. Or you just used leg make-up to draw a line down the back of your legs to look like seams, (Check it out girls. Make sure the line is straight.) Butter was rationed, so your Mom bought Oleomargarine with a little orange capsule that you mixed into the white gunk – phooey, I didn't like that. I was used to home made butter, but my Mom figured if everyone else had to do this we had to do it.

My sister learned to roll bandages at Laurel School. Then she would come home and teach me, so she could double her quota. I finally figured out that she was using me. All this for the war effort, of course.

There were good times and bad times, but the one thing that I remember most and learned from all this, was the camaraderie of the neighbors and people in general, All joined in, helping each other, sharing happiness, grief, sadness, food clothing or what ever was needed --what's mine is yours -- good feelings for bad times.

-Barbara Silva Wagner-


IVANO SAYS: Thanks Barbara. Many of your memories of WW II coincide with mine as recorded in my book “La Nostra Costa” (Our Coast), Chapter 3, “La Costa E La Guerra” (The Coast ant The War). It’s kind of ironic that your father was an Air Raid Warden. On pages 30-31, I write about my father, being almost arrested by an Air Raid Warden, during a Blackout. He was using a flashlight while feeding the rabbits in our backyard. That was a "no-no". Thanks again Barbara. As our parents did in WW II --Sempre Avanti.

TO VIEW PART I OF BARBARA'S MEMORIES "CLICCA": http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2011/09/barbara-silva-wagner-remembers.html

AMICO DI SANTA CROCE (FRIEND OF SANTA CRUZ) - WAYNE SHAFFER WINS AWARD

IVANO SAYS: I received the following message and news release from Rosa Radicchi in regards to Wayne's award:


Wow, Congratulations Waye!!! Check out the News Release below about Wayne Shaffer and the Good Neighbor Award. Also please check the link below to the article that was written in the "Realtor Magazine" publication. Thanks again to those who voted for Wayne!

http://realtormag.realtor.org/good-neighbor-awards/article/2011/11/good-neighbor-wayne-j-shaffer-love-your-neighbor



As some of you know, Wayne was also the recipient of the ICF Pope John the XXIII Award for 2011.

Lots of blessings,
rosa


PUBLIC AFFAIRS

RealtorÒ from Santa Cruz, Calif., Wins National Volunteer Award for Helping the Less Fortunate

WASHINGTON (November 2, 2011) – RealtorÒ Wayne J. Shaffer, a broker with Shaffer and Associates in Santa Cruz, Calif., is one of five winners chosen by the National Association of RealtorsÒ as REALTORÒ Magazine’s 2011 Good Neighbor Award winners. Shaffer was selected for his work with the poor and homeless through three different organizations that he helped establish.

“The Good Neighbor Awards program acknowledges RealtorsÒ who are dedicated to strengthening communities through volunteer work and helping those in need,” said NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. “As a past Good Neighbor Award recipient, I know of the tremendous effort and time these winners devote to each of their causes. Wayne has been a tremendous leader within his community, working tirelessly to help those less fortunate.”

For more than three decades, Shaffer has devoted himself to helping the poor and homeless in Santa Cruz, Calif. In 1982 he cofounded the St. Francis Catholic Kitchen, a local soup kitchen which serves hot lunch to 190 people per day. Shaffer is now president of the board of directors and a frequent visitor. From there he went on to also cofound the Jesus Mary Joseph Home, a shelter for women and children.

In 1999 Shaffer met a pregnant woman who was living out of her car. He was inspired to help her and within a year he had founded the Siena House Maternity Home, an emergency shelter that provides care for women experiencing a crisis pregnancy. As cofounder and president, Shaffer has helped provide more than 350 women with pre- and post-natal care, counseling, baby care and lessons on nutrition, parenting and life skills.

“Women need a safe place to deal with their pregnancies,” said Shaffer. “They need a place that encourages a lifestyle that will be an improvement for their babies and themselves.” The shelter is housed in a former convent that accommodates up to 10 women during their pregnancies and for up to three months after delivery.

One of the women Shaffer has helped, Asmara Gebre, credits Siena House for putting her on a better path. She is currently attending the University of San Francisco’s nursing program and has earned a high school diploma and three associate’s degrees after giving birth to her daughter, now five. “The discipline I developed at Siena House, combined with the family atmosphere helped me learn what it meant to love and respect myself,” said Gebre. “It was the first time I was in an environment where people believed in me and encouraged me to pursue an education. Wayne is the father figure I never had. He didn’t know me but was willing to help.”

Siena House has an annual budget of $200,000. Women pay a house fee of $150 per month, and all other funding comes from donations and an annual dinner auction. Shaffer personally donates $10,000 per year.

Once admitted to the home, the women must follow a strict set of rules. They must remain sober and have no addictions. They must do household chores and take turns preparing meals for up to 15 people. In addition to attending counseling sessions and house meetings, they learn computer skills and are referred to other agencies for educational and vocational training.

“There are no strings attached to Wayne’s giving. He is a man who means what he says and does what he means,” said Siena House Director Sharron Rudell.

Meanwhile, the soup kitchen keeps going strong, serving 45,000 nutritious, free meals per year and spreading the word that positive change is possible. “When you help people get off the streets and into a safe place with a meal, this is where it all begins,” said Shaffer. “Someone will come up to you and thank you for something you did then years before and it makes you feel good to know you made a difference in that person’s life.”

Shaffer and the other four Good Neighbor Award winners will each receive a $10,000 grant for their charity and a $2,000 Lowe’s gift card, and will be profiled in the November-December issue of REALTORÒ Magazine. The recipients will receive their awards on Saturday, November 12, at the 2011 REALTORSÒ Conference & Expo in Anaheim, California.

“The Good Neighbor Awards honor Realtors® who are leaders in their community,” said Frank Sibley, REALTOR® Magazine publisher. “This year’s winners have literally saved lives, and inspire those around them to make positive changes in the world. We hope this award and the grant money will allow these Realtors® to expand their reach and help even more people.”

Celebrating its 12th year, the Good Neighbor Awards has been awarded annually since 2000 and is presented by NAR’s REALTORÒ Magazine. The Good Neighbor Awards is sponsored by Lowe’s and HouseLogic.

Nominees were judged on their personal contribution of time, as well as financial and material contributions to their cause. To be eligible, nominees had to be NAR members in good standing. More information about the Good Neighbor Awards winners is available at www.realtor.org/realtormag.



IVANO SAYS (CONT'D): Congratulations Wayne. I first met Wayne at his wife and Esther Frizza Wilson's bookstore in Santa Cruz (Agnus Dei). It was there that I had my first book signing event for "La Nostra Costa (Our Coast). Wayne was extremely supported of the event. Since that time, I have learned that he has done many other things, including giving support to my brother's family when needed. All of this has been done without and publicity and/or noteriaty. Thanks Wayne for all your good works. Sempre Avanti.

(BTW: I saw Wayne wondering thru the crowd at the Davenport-North Coast Reunon 2011. I didn't get a chance to say hello. Thanks for being there, Wayne. ivn0)

AMICO DELLA COSTA - FUMIE 'JIM' SPINETTI REMEMBERED

Fumie Spinetti (1920 - 2011)
Fumie "Jim" SpinettiJuly 22, 1920 - Oct. 29, 2011Resident of Santa CruzFumie Spinetti passed away at Dominican Hospital on Saturday, October 29. Fumie was born on July 22, 1920 in Santa Cruz, California. He was the son of Antonio Spinetti and Adelle Zoccoli. In his early years the family moved to the Springfield District near Moss Landing where his father farmed. Fumie attended elementary school in Springfield and later graduated from Watsonville High School in 1939. Shortly after graduation he went to work for Farmer's Mercantile and worked there for nineteen years. During this time he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Force and became an aviation machinist mate serving in the Western Theatre. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy he married Betty Jordan of Livermore, California and moved to Watsonville, California. From this marriage they had three children: James, Thomas and Claudia. He later went to work for the Granite Construction Company as a heavy equipment mechanic retiring 25 years later as the Master Mechanic. He recently received his fifty-year membership gold watch from the Operating Engineers Union.In 1980 he married Dorothy Asmussen who was his high school classmate. Fumie was very active in the Italian Catholic Federation having served as the first president of the Watsonville branch for five and a half years. He was then elected to the Italian Catholic Federation's Central Council governing board and subsequently became a Member Emeritus. Fumie leaves his wife Dorothy and his three children: Jim and Tom Spinetti of Hollister and Claudia La Rue of Watsonville. He also leaves his stepson Chris Asmussen and his wife Linda, a sister Grace Hill, six grandchildren, six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Our Lady Help of Christians Valley Catholic Church, 2401 East Lake Ave., Watsonville, CA on Thursday November 3 at 10:00 am. A vigil and recital of the holy Rosary will be held at Benito Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz on Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm. A visitation will be held at Pacific Gardens Chapel on Wednesday from 3:00 pm until service time. Interment will be in Valley Catholic Cemetery immediately following the funeral mass.Contributions in his memory can be made to the Santa Cruz Italian Catholic Federation, Branch #21, 125 Toledo Street, Santa Cruz, California, 95060 or you can make a donation to the charity of choice.
Published in Santa Cruz Sentinel on November 1, 2011

IVANO SAYS: ADDIO JIM, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN ACROSS 'IL ULTIMO PONTE.