THE LARGEST ITALIAN-AMERICAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES

I l Bol l e t t ino

D’UNICO Santa Barbara

February 2016

Thursday, February 18th, 2016

6:15 pm - $40.00 per person (no corkage for wine so bring your favorite!)

@ The Coral Casino 1281 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

President Jim Barbabella Vice President Frank Umanzio Secretary Patrice Serrani Treasurer Jeff Vitucci Past Presidents Joe Campanelli 2012-2014 Laurie Sorenson 2010-2012 Walter Orso 2008-2010 Chris Pagliaro 2006-2008 Jesse Segreto 2005-2006 Mark Dispenza 2003-2005 Vince Falcone 2002-2003 John Calandro 2001-2002 Sam Romano 1998-2001 Jeff D. Vitucci 1996-1998 Walter Orso 1995-1996 Anthony Furnari 1993-1995 Anthony D’Amico 1991-1993 Paul Fichera 1989-1991 James Marino 1988-1989 James DiSanto 1985-1987 (Founding President)

Our February featured speaker is Katie Grassini of Grassini Family Vineyards. Katie’s great-grandfather Articondo Grassini and his wife Afiora Tinucci, immigrated from Pisa, Italy to America in the early 1900s. Articondo was more like to be found in his garden than church on Sunday mornings - preparing big Sunday family meals from homegrown ingredients. This passion for the produce of the earth was passed on to her grandfather and following generations. As a family they started the Grassini Family Vineyards - located in bucolic Happy Canyon on the east end of the Santa Ynez Valley. There, chickens roam the vines that surround the lake, in homage to Articondo, sustainably fertilizing the vineyard. The Santa Barbara Chamber - awarding them the small business of the year award, honored Grassini Family Vineyards this month! Join us on Thursday evening to hear about Aticondo’s journey to America and how his decision eventually led to the bottle of wine that bears his name.

THE LARGEST ITALIAN-AMERICAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Also – in February from Alpha School - Portraits of Patriots at Slingshot Featured artist Marc Sucher recently embarked on a new endeavor of creating portraits. Marc began drawing portraits specifically focused on iconic Americans after a conversation about images on coins peaked his historical interest. At the beginning of this election year Alpha

Circle of Life Fundraiser at Earl Warren Showground, March 25th from 11:45 – 1:00pm “Circle of Life” is Alpha Resource Center’s annual fundraising luncheon benefiting children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families in Santa Barbara County. UNICO members attend every year and if you are interested in participating please contact table captain Mary McMahon at (805) 451-8075.

Invites you to reflect on our American roots and values with a bit of humor and good cheer.

Slingshot 220 West Canon

Perdido

February 25th 5:30-7:30 PM

http:// http://www.grassinifamilyvineyards.com/

THE LARGEST ITALIAN-AMERICAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Our January Meeting….

Out featured speaker in January was chef & cookbook author Leonardo Curti, owner of Trattoria Grappolo in Santa Ynez. Leonardo shared his fascinating journey from Italy to America, and how his focus on food started at very early age. We were treated to a special dinner provided by Chef Alessandro Cartumini of the Biltmore Hotel – a burrata and arugala salad followed by cioppino brimming with clams and mussels. A tasty spumoni dessert topped off our amazing dinner!

Above left – Chef Leonardo Curti Above – Cioppino! Below left – John Palminteri and Katie Grassini Below left – Biltmore Chef Alessandro Cartumini

THE LARGEST ITALIAN-AMERICAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Left: Eileen Prinslow, Lee Prinslow and Dick Prado Left Center: UNICO Secretary Patrice Serrani and Leslie Westbrook Below: Spumoni! Bottom left: Chef Leonardo Curti and UNICO President Jim Barbabella

THE LARGEST ITALIAN-AMERICAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES

   

ADVERTISE  YOUR  

BUSINESS!  If  you  would  like  your  business  card  included  in  UNICO’s  Newsletter  each  month  (that’s  11  issues  annually)  just  mail  a  check  for  $50.00  to:    

Jeff  Vitucci  321  East  Padre  Street,  Santa  Barbara,  CA  93105  

 Let  Jeff  know  that  it  is  for  having  your  card  included  in  the  newsletter.    Then  send  a  scan  of  your  card  to  Laurie  at:      

msnimue@yahoo.com    (or  give  the  card  to  her  in  person).      For  other  advertising  needs  and  rates  contact  Laurie  at  the  above  email  address.  

La vita è buona

THE LARGEST ITALIAN-AMERICAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Contact your UNICO board members:

President Jim Barbabella 805-969-6731 jim.barbabella@gmail.com Vice President Frank Umanzio 805-969-1933 mailto:franksboat2@cox.net Secretary Patrice Serrani 805-637-5112 mailto:patrice@patriceserrani.com Treasurer Jeff Vitucci 805-403-9339 jeff@rdniehaus.com

Club Calendar February 18th, 2016 – Dinner Meeting @ The Coral Casino – Katie Grasinni- Grassini Family Vineyard - Speaker March 17th, 2016 - Dinner Meeting @ The Coral Casino- Victoria DeMaio - speaker April 21st, 2016- Dinner Meeting @ The Coral Casino May 19th, 2016– Scholarship Awards Dinner May 28th, 29th, & 30th, 2016– I Madonnari June 16th, 2016 – Pizza Party! July 21st, 2016 – Officer Installation August 2016 – No Dinner Meeting September 15th – 2016 – Dinner Meeting October 20th 2016 – Dinner Meeting November 17th 2016 – Dinner Meeting December 2016 – Festa di Natale – to be scheduled

UNICO Santa Barbara Privacy Policy To everyone receiving the UNICO Santa Barbara Newsletter. UNICO Santa Barbara will never share your information and you will never receive any email from other entities or members regarding anything but UNICO Santa Barbara related business, this includes advertising or soliciting from other groups or members. All emails will be approved by the UNICO Executive Board and/or President before sending. UNICO Santa Barbara respects your privacy and will never share your personal information with anyone. If other clubs or members have information they wish to disseminate to the general membership and newsletter recipient list they can request inclusion of their event or article in the newsletter by sending the information to anyone on the board or msnimue@yahoo.com. If you would like to send a special separate announcement please contact a board member with the particulars, and keep in mind the purpose of our newsletter list is not to spam our members but to keep them informed. If you are interested in placing an advertisement in the newsletter please contact mailto:msnimue@yahoo.com for rates.