HAPPY GRADUATION - GRANDSONS

THE PHOTO (ABOVE) WAS TAKEN AT “LA NOSTRA COSTA DAY” IN DAVENPORT LAST YEAR. THE TALL GOOD-LOOKING LAD ON THE LEFT IS ANDREW FRITTER. REMEMBER HIM IN ‘LA NOSTRA COSTA’?? “DAMN YOU MARE!! FROM THEE I SNATCH THIS INNOCENT SOUL” (Pg. 365).

ANDREW GRADUATED LAST WEEK FROM VALLEY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL IN SAN JOSE. ANDREW IS INTERESTED IN STUDYING THE STARS. A TRIP TO MARS IS NOT UNLIKELY FOR THIS INDUSTRIOUS LAD.

THE OTHER GOOD LOOKING LAD IN THE PHOTO IS MICHAEL IVANO FRITTER. AS I WRITE IN THE BOOK, FELLOW STUDENTS HAVE A PROBLEM PRONOUNCING HIS MIDDLE NAME (LNC: Pg.33). EVEN SO, AT HIS GRADUATION FROM VALLEY CHRISTIAN JR. HIGH SCHOOL YESTERDAY, IT WAS A THRILL FOR ME TO HEAR HIS NAME ANNOUNCED OVER THE LOUD SPEAKER AS HE RECEIVED HIS DIPLOMA: MICHAEL ‘EYE-VANO’ FRITTER. (DON’T WORRY MICHAEL ‘EE-VANO’, ONE OF THESE DAYS THEY WILL GET IT RIGHT.) MICHAEL WILL BE ENTERING VALLEY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL THIS COMING FALL.

THE PRETTY LADY IN THE PHOTO IS MY DAUGHTER MADELINE FRITTER. SHE IS HOLDING HER DOG ‘GRINDER’ (HE DID NOT GRADUATE.) UNFORTUNATELY, MY OTHER GRANDSON WILLIE FRITTER WAS NOT AT THE EVENT AND THUS NOT IN THE PHOTO. HE ALSO WILL BE GRADUATING IN TWO WEEKS FROM RUCKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN GILROY.

HAPPY GRADUATION, GRANDSONS. BUONA FORTUNA E SEMPRE AVANTI!! *******PAPA IVANO

REMINDER OF ALVERDA'S BOOK SIGNING IN SANTA CRUZ

ALVERDA ORLANDO WRITES TO REMIND ALL 'BLAGGATORI' OF HER BOOK SIGNING EVENT ('LIME KILN LEGACIES') IN SANTA CRUZ, SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 1PM TO 3 PM AT THE MUSEUM OF ART AND HISTORY. SHE ALSO INCLUDES A SCHEDULE OF HER UPCOMING EVENTS. (THAT'S ALVERDA WITH THE "OLD RANCERE" IN THE PHOTO TAKEN LAST YEAR AT "LA NOSTRA COSTA DAY" IN DAVENPORT.)

Hi Ivan

Here is a list of my book activities.

Thursday afternoon Bob Piwarzak and Frank Perry will be interviewed by Bruce Bratton on the UCSC radio station. (The station room is very small so no audience except me)

Saturday from 1-3 will be a book signing at the Museum of Art and History. Good speeches and light refreshments before the main event. Everybody welcome

July 2. A book talk at the RedCross. " "

Tuesday evening July 24 a book signing at the Capitola Book Cafe.

Favorable reviews have appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel and the Metro.

We are taking a leaf out of your book and going after as much publicity as possible.

Would you let the people on the Blog know of these dates so if they can't make one program maybe they can get to another.

Alverda

MORE PHOTOS OF SCCGS PRESENTATION

'CLICCA' ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

'CLICCA ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE.

PRESENTATION IN SANTA CRUZ

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

Photos Top: Norma (Dinelli) Wilson and Nunni Radicchi. Center: The 'Old Rancere' Presenting his 'Blagga'.

Bottom: "La Norma" and Lea (Grossi) Lambert holding picture of Family and Friends at a Laguna Picnic 'su per la costa'.

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

THANKS TO ALL WHO WERE PRESENT AT THE SANTA CRUZ PRESENTATION

YOUR ‘GRAN BLAGGATORE’ AND THE ‘OLD RANCERE’ WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO CAME TO THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY GENEALOGY SOCIETY’S PRESENTATION AT THE ‘LA NOSTRA COSTA PHOTO DISPLAY’.

We think that a fun time was had by all. We especially want to thank Al and Norma Wilson who were there to take pictures of the event and Roger 'Ruggero' Princevalle who handled 'special' logistics. (The photos above are courtesy of Al and Norma.) Also a special thanks to those who brought along guests to see the presentation. New faces are always welcomed. And of course thanks to Maxine McNamara and Marion Pokriots for all there hard work in setting up the event for SCCGS. Marion says that she plans to keep the 'Display' through the month of June. So, your 'Gran Blaggatore' and the 'Old Rancere' may not be there, but the photos will.

Oh yes. Thanks to Wayne Thalls the 'Duty Officer of the Day' for patiently putting up with all our antics. ivn0

GUEST APPEARANCE AT THE SANTA CRUZ LIBRARY

********************* IVANO AND GRANDSONS



MAXINE MCNAMARA AND MARION POKRIOTS OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY GENEALOGY SOCIETY ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT IVANO FRANCO COMELLI, AUTHOR OF THE BOOK, ‘LA NOSTRA COSTA’ HAS AGREED TO A GUEST APPEARANCE AT THE SANTA CRUZ LIBRARY, ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 16 AT 1:00 PM.

IVANO WILL BE GREETING GUESTS AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS AT THE ‘LA NOSTRA COSTA’ PHOTO DISPLAY LOCATED IN THE GENEALOGY SECTION OF THE LIBRARY. HE WILL ALSO GIVE A SHORT PRESENTATION ON HIS BOOK AND COMMENT ON THE PHOTOS CURRENTLY ON DISPLAY.


WHERE: GENEALOGY SECTION OF THE SANTA CRUZ LIBRARY
224 CHURCH STREET
DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ


DATE: WEDNESDAY, MAY 16

TIME: 1:00 PM

ADMISSION: FREE

Web: www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com

A VIEW OF THE PAST AT THE SANTA CRUZ LIBRARY

"Clicca" on Photo to Enlarge

THIS IS A REMINDER TO ALL 'BLAGGATORI' OF THE 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' PHOTO DISPLAY AT THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY IN SANTA CRUZ. THE DISPLAY RUNS THROUGH THE MONTH OF MAY.

I REALIZE THAT MANY 'BLAGGA FANS' CAN NOT TRAVEL TO SANTA CRUZ TO VIEW THE DISPLAY. AS THE PHOTO ABOVE (SUBMITTED BY AL AND NORMA WILSON)SHOWS, MARION POKRIOTS , OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY GENEALOGY SOCIETY HAS DONE AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB. THE PHOTOS FROM THE 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' ARCHIVES TELL OF A PAST LIFE 'SU PER LA COSTA' AND BEYOND. AN ADDED NOTE, THE 'OLD RANCERE' IS PLANNING TO MAKE A GUEST APPEARANCE SOMETIME IN MAY TO ADD MORE 'COLOR' TO THE MOSTLY BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS. THE 'BLAGGA' WILL NOTIFY ALL OF DATE AND TIME . IVNO

LA NOSTRA COSTA PHOTO DISPLAY

MARION POKRIOTS OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY GENEALOGY SOCIETY IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE "LA NOSTRA COSTA" PHOTO DISPLAY.

PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE BOOK AS WELL AS NUMEROUS OTHERS FROM THE AUTHOR'S COLLECTION WILL BE ON DISPLAY

THE DISPLAY IS LOCATED IN THE GENEALOGY SECTION OF THE SANTA CRUZ CITY LIBRARY AND WILL BE SHOWN THROUGH THE MONTH OF APRIL AND POSSIBLY MAY.


THE LIBRARY IS LOCATED AT 224 CHURCH STREET, IN DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ. ADMISSION IS FREE AND ALL ARE WELCOME.

INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION PRESENTATION A SUCCESS

I WANT TO THANK ROGER ‘RUGGERO’ PRINCEVALLE AND THE OFFICERS OF THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION (IPA) FOR INVITING THE ‘OLD RANCERE’ TO THEIR MEETING IN SAN JOSE LAST SUNDAY. THE ‘RANCERE’ WAS A BIT APPREHENSIVE ABOUT GIVING HIS PRESENTATION BEFORE A GROUP OF PEACE OFFICERS WHO MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE HAD ANY TIES TO ‘LA COSTA’ OR THE ITALIANS WHO SETTLED THERE. I HAVE FOUND THAT PEACE OFFICERS ARE SOME OF THE MOST DISCERNING PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

I am happy to inform “La Nostra Costa” fans that the ‘Old Rancere” was warmly received. As he looked out onto the audience he could both see and feel the group’s attentiveness. They were definitely interested in the “La Nostra Costa” story.

This was most important to me, because one of my goals for 2007 is to take the ‘story’ away from “La Costa” (although I can never really do that) and expose other people in different areas to the rich history of the Italians ‘su per la costa’. Quite frankly, I am quite surprise that people from non-Italian backgrounds have such an interest. And I sometimes get the impression that some (certainly not all), descendants of the “rancere” and “amici della costa”, do not have that same interest. It seems to me that they take the historical significance of what the “Italiani su per la Costa” achieved, much too much for granted. Perhaps they were too close to the action to see its significance.

Now back to Santa Cruz. “The Old Rancere” will be giving a presentation at the Santa Cruz County Red Cross Office 2960 Soquel Ave., at noon this coming Monday, March 5. Seating is limited. For more information call Donna Rodoni at 831-462-2881, Ext. 23.
Ivn0

A MESSAGE FROM RACHEL "VOCE D'ORO" GOODMAN

Norma (Dinelli) Wilson, Rachel Goodman (head-phones and mike) and Ivano in his guise as the
'Old Rancere" on the Rodoni Ranch on the North Coast of Santa Cruz, California.

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

LAST YEAR, SHORTLY AFTER I PUBLISHED "LA NOSTRA COSTA", NORMA (DINELLI) WILSON, BILLY RODONI AND 'THE OLD RANCERE' MET WITH RACHEL GOODMAN OF KUSP PUBLIC RADIO (88.9 FM) ON THE RODONI RANCH 'SU PER LA COSTA'. I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT WE CONTRIBUTED TO THE MAKING OF HER PROGRAM "PASTURES OF PLENTY: A HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA FARMWORKERS". THE PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED BELOW IN HER MESSAGE. CLICK ON THE LINKS TO GET A PREVIEW. BUONA FORTUNA RACHEL. IVNO



Dear Friends and colleagues;

As you may know, I've been hard at work for the past year of "Pastures of Plenty: A History of California Farmworkers", a four-part documentary series, coming to public radio this spring.

Please visit our new web site, complete with a nifty flash slide show. http://www.coastridge.org/pastures/index.html OR listen to a preview at: http://www.coastridge.org/pastures/radio.html The project is a compilation of oral histories of immigrant and migrant farmworkers and their descendants, telling stories about coming to California to work the fields. It goes from statehood through the present. Luis Valdez, (Zoot Suit, La Bamba, El Teatro Campesino) is the host. There are many old music recordings, archival audio, letters, and other rich historic material, as well as voices of historians, writers, and poets. Our friends Janet Dows, Laurie Rivin, John Hamstra, and Paul Rangell contributed the theme music. If you'd like to have your local public radio station broadcast the series, e-mail them this link or call and ask them to air it.

I am planning a history talk/slide-show/celebration sometime in April in Watsonville, with historian, Sandy Lydon. If you'd like to come, drop me a line. My deepest thanks to all of you who have helped this project along.

Rachel Anne Goodman Coastridge Productions 415 Emerald Forest Lane Bonny Doon, CA 95060 (831)457-8098

"California is the Ellis Island of the West. It's about your grandfather, and my grandmother and everybody's grandfather. We all came in through the furrows." Historian, Sandy Lydon

JANET'S ELOQUENCE

AT MY BOOK SIGNING AT THE CAPITOLA CAFE BOOK STORE ON JANUARY 17, I WAS VERY FORTUNE TO HAVE JANET LEIMEISTER, THE EVENTS COORDINATOR FOR THE STORE, INTRODUCE ME TO THE AUDIENCE. FOR THOSE WHO WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND AND ALSO FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO REMEMBER THAT SPECIAL NIGHT, I NOW PUBLISH JANET'S ELOQUENT INTRODUCTION BELOW.


Capitola Book Café
Janet Leimeister

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Introduction:
IVANO COMELLI, author of

LA NOSTRA COSTA: OUR COAST—A FAMILY’S JOURNEY TO AND FROM THE NORTH COAST OF SANTA CRUZ CALIFORNIA (1923-1983)

Family stories—and thus entire cultural and personal histories—can be lost so easily, connections to the past slipping away while we look steadily towards our future. Ivano Comelli has saved a story, captured a history, and recreated both a time and a place just a bit removed from us here tonight.

In his memoir La Nostra Costa, he tells the tales of his family, beginning with their immigration to our own Central Coast from Italy in the early 1900s.

From armies of Mussolini in the homeland to brussel sprouts in America, the change was a dramatic one. The Comelli’s were hardworking farmhands in their new home along Santa Cruz’s rugged coast line, but they were also fathers, mothers, potential enemy aliens, school children, lovers, mourners, and always Italians at heart.

The Comelli family had joys and fears all their own, but when brought together and written down, their lives become another thread of local history that is woven into our community fabric.

Ivano Comelli has given his family a great gift with the publishing of La Nostra Costa. He has also delivered to all of us an important connection to the greater history of our beloved hometown.

Capitola Book Cafe
1475 41st Ave, Capitola CA
831-462-4415 www.capitolabookcafe.com

CAPITOLA BOOK CAFE BOOK SIGNING EVENT A GREAT SUCCESS

THE CAPITOLA BOOK CAFE SIGNING EVENT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. THE 'OLD RANCERE' WANTS TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO ATTENDED AND/OR SUPPORTED THE EVENT. I AM TOLD THAT THE CAPITOLA CAFE BOOK STORE IS GOING TO TRY AND MATCH OUR ATTENDANCE BY BRINGING IN JERRY RICE THIS WEEK. THE 'OLD RANCERE' THINKS THAT IT MIGHT PROVE TO BE A BIT DIFFICULT FOR JERRY. HE KNOWS THAT JERRY CAN DANCE, BUT CAN HE SING?

AND THIS JUST IN FROM JANET LEIMEISTER, EVENTS CORDINATOR FOR THE BOOK STORE:


Dear Ivano,

I wanted to thank you for really coming through on your promises to assist Book Café in promoting your Author Event in specific and your book in general. I wish all our local authors were as dedicated to making their events such a success. It makes Book Café an eager partner.

Good luck with whatever comes next—be it in the literary world or not.

Sincerely,
Janet







WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2007 AT 7:30 PM

CAPITOLA BOOK CAFE
1475 41ST AVE
CAPITOLA, CA 95010

A BOOK SIGNING EVENT BY IVANO FRANCO COMELLI
LOCAL AUTHOR OF “LA NOSTRA COSTA” (OUR COAST)
A FAMILY’S JOURNEY TO AND FROM THE NORTH COAST
OF SANTA CRUZ (1923 – 1983)

Featuring his colorful tales of ‘Old’ Santa Cruz, Davenport and
The North Coast



WEBSITE: www.capitolabookcafe.com

TEL: 831-462-4415

Directions; Take 41st Ave (off of Hwy I) West towards the Ocean; go pass the Capitola Shopping Mall and across Capitola Road. The Capitola Cafe Book Store is located in the middle of the shopping center on your immediate right.

BOOK SIGNING A GREAT SUCCESS IN DAVENPORT

THE BOOK SIGNING EVENT AT THE SWANTON BERRY FARM IN DAVENPORT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. I WANT TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE WHO JOINED ME IN THE FESTIVITIES. THE EVENT WAS TAPED BY PETER McGETTIGINE OF SANTA CRUZ COMMUNITY TV FOR AIRING LATER THIS YEAR OR EARLY NEXT. I HAVE POSTED BELOW A FEW OF THE E-MAILS I RECEIVED REGARDING THE BOOK AND THE EVENT:

Hi Ivan:

What a great success! It warmed my heart to see so many wonderful people re-connecting with their history. Your work has borne great fruit and many warm feelings for the history of the Italian families of the coast. Thanks again, to you and all.
Jim (Cochran) Swanton Berry Farm


Note from Mr. Larry Arnerich - San Jose:
Dear Ivano,

The highlight of my 92nd birthday was receiving your excellent book Thanks.

It was most descriptive and reflected your sincerity and love towards your family, friends and the Santa Cruz community. I hope others will treasure this rare book and that it will receive a much deserved exposure.
You are to be highly commended for your time and work. Best wishes, love, Larry Arnerich

Gioavanni Biondi said...
Ivano: You did a great job on the book.(It) should be a must read for all Italians in Santa Cruz.

IVANO FRANCO COMELLI: Can't tell you how great everything was. To begin with the place you chose to have the signing ,(where your DAD had worked at one time) was a great choice. Thepeople who came were all very SPECIAL people in your life. It must have made it extra special . Again congratulations on a great event . RENO (Cantarutti)

LNC: Reno, Having you there with your wife Franca and son Gary made it very special. And then your sister Norma and her family show up. What a surprise to have you all there at one time. I hope Gary got to see the location of that wind-blown "shack" that "hung near the edge of that cliff", were it all began for the Cantarutti Family.

I appreciate very much you saying those emotional words about my mother Valentina. At times, with all the "hoopla" surrounding the 'Old Rancere' he forgets to mention her enough. You are correct, she was often at the forefront and often lead the way for my father and others 'su per la costa' . Ivano

Hello, Ivano....
I really enjoyed the get together at the "Big Ranch". It was wonderful! Also, your family is beautiful.......they clearly love their Papa.
Norma and I kick ourselves that we didn't say more when you called us up front. She loves to tell the story about our living next door to one another in New Town, and how she tried to shut me up as a crying infant by stuffing a banana in my mouth.......If she's told that story once, she's told it 40 times.....then we get up in front of a fresh crowd and she clams up! Mah! We're quite a pair.......both pretty tongue-tied, too.
Thanks again for a good time. I am sending the book off to my Auntie this week. Next week I go to Italy and Greece for 2 weeks. Lucky, huh?
Ciao for niao.
Patty (Morelli)


Ivano:
That was a nice picture, and thank you for putting Joe [Brovia] right up front with you and your grand son. Someone must have taken that with the wide view, as the second time I looked at it, I kept moving the screen over and saw the whole front of the cookhouse. very nice picture.... a nice action picture of you....

I just loved that food, especially the brocolli salad....just wonder what kind of dressing the person used.... would sure love to have her receipe... All the food was excellant, and please pass along my thanks to those good cooks...

Thanks for inviting me to the book signing.... My son in Thailand, said to say he was sorry he could not make it...(I always forward stuff to him, he was wondering who the young boy was.) Cathy Brovia
[Cathy: The young boy was Kristian my grandson. He is quite a baseball player himself. ivn0]

Ivano,> Your day was superb. You have a wonderful ability to make people feel good. There was a feeling of joy throughout the room. I enjoyed it a lot. Thanks for including me.> Donaldo (Binsacca)


Caro Ivano:

Che bella festa che era Sabato. Tutto molto bello!!
It truly was a beautiful gathering Saturday. Everyone
Had such a wonderful time. It was so good of you to
Acknowledge so many people.

The food was delicious and we ended up buying quite a
Few things as well. We will definitely go up there more
Often.

Thanks for signing the book for my cousin Laura – am
Sending it out today. Need to buy a few more of your
Books – have been giving them as gifts and everyone really
Enjoying them.

Again thanks for a beautiful day – so good to see you and your
Family and so many old dear friends.

Forwarding some fotos taken – also have the video – the fotos are
Untouched – just so you can see them – if you want touched up
Ones or more let us know.

Grazie per ora – tu amici Norma (Dinelli-Wilson) and Al

Ivan,We're so glad that you had a great turn out!! it was so nice for Bob to see many people that he'd not seen for many,many years. For me it was fun visiting with Patty Morelli and catching up on what Mac is doing and of course visit with dear Norma. Glad also to see your brother, even for just a few minutes that he was there.Hope that your happy in how things went on Saturday, the food looked great,but like Bob told you, we'd had a big lunch down on the wharf.Guess that's it for this time,again, Bob's happy that we did come down.Deanna & Roberto (Degli-Esposti)


Ivano:
It was most appropriate for you to have the book signing at "Il Rancho Grande". Your writings in the book described the ranches and cookhouses and cooks and so this was certainly appropriate. I thought you had a wonderful turnout and had the feeling everyone enjoyed themselves so much. To see some of the old timers was great. I can't help think how pleased you must be to have such an outpouring of appreciation and approval.

As it turned out, and I think I mentioned it to you, my husband went to school with Roger Princevalle's brother and had a wonderful visit with him. John had a close friendship with Bob Princevalle while at Cal Poly and after graduation he lost track of him.

Thank you again, Ivano, for such a great time on Saturday. Where is the next book signing going to be, maybe the Davenport Cash Store?

Did Theresa Darling tell you that the next Davenport Reunion is going to be Sept. 29, 2007.

Con un bacin d'Amor.
Thelma (Micossi-Gill)

Ivano,Felicitazioni! Congratulations again on your book and thank you for a great afternoon.Thank you for letting me tell my little story and doing the same for the others.I enjoyed seeing Jerry and Don and meeting many other now "famous" people from your book.I like the singing too. My grandmother used to sing "Quel mazzolin' di fiori" all the time.Un abbraccio, Florence (Bianco-Bell)

Norma: It was so nice to see you again. And your daughter and grand-daughter were the greatest. All a product of "La Costa" so long ago. I am so glad you and your family came. And Reno and Franca and Gary too. That was more than I expected, but oh so great to see them there. (Gary had certain facial expressions that reminded me of Guido, your father.) BTW: The presentation which you missed was video taped for Santa Cruz Community TV. It probably will be broadcast later this year or early next.
You can't miss Reno and I singing "Faccetta Nera" and "Cara Virginia" . (Unless they edit it out.)

As for the Cauliflower dish, I didn't get a chance to taste the food, however, I heard that it was delicious.
If you call the Farm at 831-425-8919, and talk to Lisa, I bet she can get it for you. They are very friendly and helpful people. Ivano

Original Message -----

Ivano,
I am wondering if by chance you would know how to get the recipe for the cauliflower dish served in the very large bowl.
My daughter would LOVE the recipe.

norma (Cantarutti) reiter

P.S. We so enjoyed the GATHERING!!!

Hi Ivan

Just want to tell you what a great time I had yesterday. It was truly the social event of the season. Again, thanks for such a great afternoon.
Alverda (Orlando)

INFORMATION - "LA NOSTR-COSTA DAY'

Those of you seeking more information re: "La Nostra Costa Day", on Saturday Oct 14, between 1-4pm, at the Swanton Berry Farm, on Highway 1 at Swanton Road, (2 miles north of Davenport) the successive three articles posted below, will give you a pretty good idea what it is all about. The first article is a Santa Cruz Sentinel News article by Tom Ragan who vividly discribes what I am trying to accomplish, the second article gives you information on the Davenport Roadhouse at the Cash Store and the third article gives you a brief history of Davenport and a self-tour. So scroll down the BLOG and become informed. IVN0



October 9, 2006

WATSONVILLE
Son of Italian immigrants farms background for bookBy TOM RAGANSENTINEL STAFF WRITER

With shovel in hand and old-country hat on head, Ivano Comelli re-enacted a scene of what it was like to be an Italian farmer in Santa Cruz County at the start of the Depression in the late 1920s.
His theatrical performance was delivered before Agri-Culture's Focus Ag class, which had gathered Friday at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds to listen to Comelli.
Comelli, the son of Italian immigrants, grew up on a farm three miles north of Santa Cruz. He's written a book based on his experiences.
The book is called "La Nostra Costa," or "Our Coast."
Of course, the title is a play on the phrase, "La Cosa Nostra," made famous by the Sicilian mafia and which means "Our Business" and don't meddle in it if you know what's good for you.
With about a dozen black and white photographs and nearly 400 pages, Comelli's up close and personal account of what it means to be Italian is refreshing in that it paints a different portrait of Santa Cruz's Italian community — one of farmers instead of more well-known fishermen.
"It's basically the story of my mother and father and our family — as told to me by them and as seen with my very own eyes," said the 69-year-old Comelli, a retired San Jose police officer who now lives in Morgan Hill but whose youth was spent among Italian immigrants near Davenport.
Comelli said he still remembers how his father, with nothing but a shovel and bare hands, would section off ditches as the water came in, making sure it flowed properly to the Brussels sprouts and artichokes.
"It was hard work," said Comelli. "But he'd sing a lot of Italian songs as he did it — usually World War I military songs."
Comelli, a graduate of San Jose State University, describes the hard times that all Italian immigrants faced living in Santa Cruz County shortly after World War I.
In one passage, Comelli writes of his father, "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 were identified as "ranceri."
So what we've got in Comelli's book, which took him four years to write, is a vivid historical biography of the Italian community, both in Santa Cruz County and in Nimis, the town in the northeastern Italy, where many of the Italian farmers came from.
Comelli walks us through his family's journey to the United States and what it was like for family members who stayed in Italy to live under Nazi occupation during World War II.
Contact Tom Ragan at tragan@santacruzsentinel
book Signing
WHAT: Ivano Comelli's book, 'La Nostra Costa.'
WHEN: 1-4 p.m. Oct 14.
WHERE: Swanton Berry Ranch cook house, at the Highway 1 and Swanton Road, two miles north of Davenport.
Price: $18 for soft cover; $23 for hard cover.
Information:

DAVENPORT ROAD HOUSE AT THE CASH STORE

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY BE ARRIVING EARLY OR STAYING LATE FOR THE "LA NOSTRA COSTA DAY"BOOK SIGNING EVENT AT THE SWANTON BERRY FARM ON SATURDAY,OCTOBER 14 BETWEEN 1 AND 4 PM, please be informed that the "Davenport Roadhouse at the Cash Store", is open for business and does serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. And for this Event, it is serving a "La Nostra Costa" special. Please check the note below from Aria Marinelli:

La Nostra Costa Special:
Pork & Pumpkin Stew with Cannelloni Beans
Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesano Reggiano & Roasted Elephant Garlic Vinaigrette
Homemade Rosemary Foccacia

This will be offered to locals and your supporters on Saturday for the special price of $11.00 per person. The special will run from lunch into dinner. Even though our main dining room is closed from 3:00 – 5:00 this special will be available all day and during that time.

I’m looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.

Ciao!

Aria Marinelli
Aria Marinelli
Assistant Manager - Inn, Retail, Events
The Davenport Roadhouse


WHERE: 31 Davenport Ave. Menu: Breakfast, $5-$9; lunch, $6-$13; lounge menu, $4-$6; dinner, $12-$15. Full bar.Retail store: www.davenportroadhouse.com; 426-8801; (800) 870-1817; info@davenportroadhouse.com.

Also: Please click on "comments"below for some heart-warming,
heart-wrenching comments by Silvia (Gianninni) Dunn re: the DeLucca Accident in Davenport (1947).


IVANO FRANCO COMELLI IS THE AUTHOR OF "LA NOSTRA COSTA" (OUR COAST) A FAMILY'S JOURNEY TO AND FROM THE NORTH COAST (1923-1983). ORDER ON LINE AT : www.authorhouse.com , or by telephone 1-888-280-7715

10:21 AM

BOOK SIGNING - DAVENPORT SELF-TOUR

SOME OF YOU COMING TO THE “LA NOSTRA COSTA DAY’ BOOK SIGNING AT THE SWANTON BERRY FARM ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, may not be all that familiar with the Davenport area. Therefore, posted below is a historical mini-self tour of the local “Cement Capitol of the World”. This, of course, is not all inclusive of the sites, however; it will give you a start and you will not even have to leave Hwy 1. (LNC: Chapter 10 – “Davenport”, pgs. 105 - 115 has pictures and covers most of what is described below. Also, a member of “La Nostra Costa” gang is working on a map which will designate other places of interest su per la costa. It may be ready for the book signing date.)

Davenport is located approximately 10 miles north of Santa Cruz on Hwy 1. (Those of you coming from the San Jose Area, take Hwy 17 to Santa Cruz and then Hwy 1 to Half Moon Bay.Those who may be coming from the Bay Area, take Hwy 1 south towards Santa Cruz.) The little town was founded in the mid-1800s by John Pope Davenport, who sailed around the “Horn”, and built himself a 450 foot long pier at El Jarro Point, now known as Davenport Landing. The pier was used to export lumber, fuel and lime. The “Landing” also became one the most important whaling stations on the West Coast. In the 1900s, the Portland Cement Company started excavating limestone (the main ingredient for cement) from the hills just east of Davenport. About one mile south of the “Landing”, the Company built the Hotel D’Italia and later, the Ocean View Hotel to accommodate its workers. A “Cash Store” was also built next to the Ocean View Hotel to supply domestic goods and services.(This area was to become the little town of Davenport.) Just north of the newly established Cement Plant, the Company built a subdivision known as “New Town”, to house management personnel and other “upper-end” workers. In the 1920s and 1930s, “New Town” became the home of many Italian Immigrants who worked at the Cement Plant or on the coastal ranches.

Thus being duly informed of the local history, let us begin our tour.

Nearing Davenport from Santa Cruz (about 9 miles up), you will see that Hwy 1 takes a noticeable dip. As you are descending the grade, look to your right (east side of the Hwy) you will notice a rather large “clump” of trees mixed in with other green shrubbery. This was the location of the famous Hotel D’Italia, which burned down in 1945. “Carabiniere”, the gentle giant on the front cover of “La Nostra Costa” and my God-Mother Pina Micossi with her husband Frank Micossi, owned and managed the hotel. The Italians who worked on the rancios or at the Portland Cement Plant, used to gather her to socialize and play bocce ball.
As you approach the top of the grade at the intersection of Hwy 1 and Davenport Ave., you will see the “New Cash Store”. (It has just re-opened as "The Roadhouse at the Cash Store". Please see comment#6 for further info.) This was the location of the “Old Cash Store” which burned down in 1954. This is where my father, “Bronco” would drive my brother and me in the “Old Carrettone” (1934 Lafayette Auto) every Saturday afternoon to pick up our groceries.Right next to the “New Cash Store” (still on the east side of Hwy 1) you will see a parking lot. This was the site of the “Ocean View Hotel” which burned down circa 1962. (According to Davenport Historian Alverda Orlando, this hotel and the Hotel D’Italia were never re-built because of insufficient fire insurance coverage.) The Ocean View Hotel was own by Charlie and Carmelina Bella, and was famous for its “Wild Game Feasts” involving the local cacciatore (hunters.) The Poletti Packing and Shipping sheds (no longer there) used to be located directly across the street on the ocean side of the highway. Artichokes, Brussel Sprouts, Broccoli , and other vegetable grown su per la costa were shipped to the East Coast from this location.
Continuing on to the intersection of Hwy.1 and Ocean Avenue, you will see the Whale City Bakery Bar and Grill on the south-east corner and the Arros Restaurant (now changing its name to “La Costa”) on the north-east corner. The Whale City Bakery used to be the Miramar Café and Gas Station (where my God-Mother, Pina Micossi used to work after the Hotel D’Italia burned down), and Arros (La Costa) used to be Gregory’s Market and Gas Station. (There is a small building directly behind the market, but it is unknown if this is the same building where my boyhood friend, Reno Cantarutti , then age 4, says he was offered an ice cream cone if he would only “give the Fascist Salute”.)
Proceeding north on Hwy 1, you can not miss the CEMEX Cement Plant, which is quite noticeable on the east side of the road. This used to be called the Portland Cement Plant and it was the point of origin of all those cement trucks that went up and down the Coast Road. In the old days this plant used to spew copious amounts of cement dust from its smoke stacks, painting the buildings (and also the lungs of the inhabitants) in Davenport ‘snow white’ and enabling coastal swallows to build their ‘custom cement harden’ mud nests. Almost directly across from the Plant, (Ocean side of Hwy 1) you will see a cement block building. This was the Cement Plant Hospital (not in use now) where many injured plant workers were taken (at least initially).
Up the road from the Cement Plant (on your right), you will see what appears to be a subdivision of older houses. This is “New Town” which can be accessed by taking the frontage road directly from the Cement Plant. Joe “Pino” Brovia, the future Pacific Coast League Baseball Hall of Famer (LNC: Chapter 11), used to perplex his father Pietro, by constantly playing baseball on First Street. It was also here on First Street where the “famous” author of the book “La Nostra Costa”, Ivano Franco Comelli , lived with his family during the first six months of his life.
Continuing north on Hwy 1, you will come to the intersection of Davenport Landing Road and Hwy 1 (Ocean side of the highway). Davenport Landing Road will take you to Davenport Landing, where it all began. John Davenport’s pier is no longer there, however, you may still view a very nice beach where (perhaps) rancher-whale hunters ran across the sands, harpoons in hand, yelling “Ecco la sofiatta va” (“Thars she blows”.)
The next intersection you will come to on Hwy 1 is the Swanton Road T-intersection (east-side of Hwy 1). This is probably the most infamous intersection in Davenport History. It is here (1947) that the DeLucca family vehicle (A 1941 black Buick) collided with a Department of Forestry Fire Truck. Five passengers in the DeLucca vehicle, including a 4 year old girl and a 9 year old boy, were killed.
Just north of that intersection on Hwy 1, (still on the east side) you will see the Swanton Berry Farm Sign. You have arrived at the “Bigga Ranch” where my father used to work in the 1920s. Drive to the “cookahousa” and partake in the festivities, --- “Soups On”. Ivn0

Ivano Franco Comelli, is the author of "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast) published by Authorhouse. Order on line at: www.authorhouse.com or by telephone 1-888-280-7715 .

BOOK SIGNING-DAVENPORT/SWANTON

LNOSTRA COSTA 'BLAGGA' FANS:

I have arranged for a 'La Nostra Costa" book signing event with Jim Cochron (owner-manger) at the Swanton Berry Farm, at Swanton Rd and Hwy 1 (just north of Davenport). The date is Saturday, October 14 from 1pm to ???.

In the old days the Berry Farm used to be known as 'Il Rancho Grande' (the 'Bigga Ranch'). My father, "Bronco" worked there when he first came over from Italy. A picture of "Bronco "with a group of 'Amici della Costa" hangs on the wall of what used to be the 'Bigga Ranch' cookahousa.

Jim and I want this to me more than just a book signing event. We would like it to be more in the tradition of the old gatherings favored by the Ranceri and Amici della Costa. Jim and his staff plan to serve food. Maybe even some recipes favored by the rancere at the old 'cookahouse (LNC: Chapter 8, "La Cuoca" [The Cook]). However if you wish to bring a picnic basket, feel free to do so.

This should be a great day (maybe even 'paradisaical') filled with family fun and good old fashion nostalgia. With some encouragement the "Old Rancere" (he says he is going to be there)may even sing a chorus or two of "Quel Mazzolin di Fiori" . What a way to relive those memories of yesteryear ',-----walking the fields on a real rancio su per la costa.

Again, the date is Saturday, October 14, from 1 pm to ??. Please put this on your calendar. I will post a reminder as we get closer to the date. Website for the farm is: www.swantonberry.com .

Added note: I have just learned that Cathy Brovia, the widow of Joe "Pino" Brovia, Pacific Coast Baseball League Hall of Famer (LNC: Chapter 11) and famous "figlio della costa" has had by-pass surgery. She is now at the Convalescence Hospital on Fredrick Street in Santa Cruz. Get well soon Cathy. I need you to be at "La Nostra Costa Day" on the
"Bigga Ranch"

'Con un Bacin d'mor', Ivano della Costa