Gala News:
LAST CHANCE TO BUY GALA TICKETS!
 With one week remaining until NIAF’s 34th Anniversary Convention and Gala Weekend on October 23-24, 2009, tickets are almost sold out. It’s not too late to plan to attend, but time is running out… Click here to reserve your seat today and be part of the nation’s premier Italian American event!
In keeping with our tradition of hosting the President of the United States at this event, President Barack Obama has been invited to attend. But most importantly, your attendance will advance NIAF’s educational programs, including scholarships and trips to Italy for young people, grants to organizations and other special initiatives to preserve and share our great heritage.
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By attending the NIAF 34th Anniversary Gala, guests will…
 …join Master of Ceremonies Jimmy Kimmel for a night of Italian food, wine and heritage. Other gala honorees and celebrity guests from the worlds of sports, politics and entertainment include:
Sports
- Vinny Cerrato, Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Washington Redskins
- Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Phoenix Suns
- Sal Paolantonio, Correspondent on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” & “Sunday NFL Countdown”
- Tony Reali, host of ESPN’s “Around the Horn”
- Mike Rizzo, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Washington Nationals
Politics
- Hon. Samuel A. Alito, Jr., U.S. Supreme Court Justice
- Jim Messina, White House Deputy Chief of Staff
- General Peter Pace, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
- 2009 NIAF Honoree Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
Entertainment & Media
- Maria Bartiromo, Anchor of CNBC’s “Closing Bell With Maria Bartiromo”
- Connie Britton, Actor next starring in “Women in Trouble”
- 2009 NIAF Honoree Carla Gugino, Actor next starring in “Women in Trouble”
Click here to read more about NIAF’s special guests…
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Harrison, Paolantonio to speak to Council Members
  ESPN reporter Sal Paolantonio will join NIAF Vice Chair Patricia de Stacy Harrison as keynote speakers for NIAF’s Annual Council Breakfast on Saturday, October 24.
Since 1995, Paolantonio has served as a correspondent on ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” primarily reporting on the NFL. Beginning in 2004, he also served as host of "NFL Match-Up," a weekly "Xs and Os" football show produced by NFL Films. He received Sports Emmy Awards in 1996, 1997 and 2005 for his contributions to “SportsCenter” and in 2001 and 2004 for his work on “Sunday NFL Countdown.”
Harrison, who is president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), plans to discuss how our core Italian values can connect and inspire us. A former entrepreneur, she is a frequent speaker and writer on the subjects of leadership, communication strategy and constituency building. In addition to many articles, she has authored two books, “A Seat At The Table: An Insider's Guide for America's New Women Leaders” and “America 's New Women Entrepreneurs.”
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New Celebrity Auction items available for online bidding!
NIAF continues to post fabulous, new auction items available for bidding on www.niaf.org/auction. Visit today for a look at this week’s offerings, including new sports memorabilia and a rare opportunity to attend ESPN Football Training Camp!
Attending the gala weekend? Then be sure to attend our Celebrity Auction on Saturday, October 24 from noon to 2 p.m. at The Hilton Washington. In the interim, online bidding ends on Monday, October 19 at 9 p.m. EST.
Other items include VIP tickets to ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, a one- year subscription to La Cucina Italiana Magazine, a one-week stay at an Italian bed and breakfast with business class tickets on Lufthansa Airlines, international and domestic travel packages, fantastic restaurant gift certificates, one-of-a-kind sports and entertainment memorabilia, designer fashion items including the Yves Saint Laurent “Roady Bag” in electric blue leather and much more!
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Plan to attend an adventure in taste
On Friday, October 23 from 2:30 to 4 p.m., NIAF and the Italian Trade Commission will host “Wines of Italy – An Endless Adventure in Taste,” a free seminar on the culture of Italian wine.
Participants will enjoy fabulous wines from all over the peninsula during this exciting, educational wine seminar. Be sure to mark it on your calendar for the gala weekend!
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Learn more about NIAF’s star honorees
NIAF’s star-studded list of gala honorees includes chef and philanthropist Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, CEO of PepsiCo Americas Beverages Massimo F. d’Amore, actor Carla Gugino and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. Additionally, comedian Jimmy Kimmel will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event.
Click here to read more about our honorees.
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Enjoy the Best of Italy at NIAF’s Piazza d’Italia
You can do more than attend the convention and gala weekend – you can also be a part of the scene by visiting our Piazza d’Italia, a popular showcase of all things Italian, for wine and food tastings, product demonstrations, book readings and more.
To sign up for an exhibit booth today, call 202-939-3113 or e-mail piazza@niaf.org.
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Other News:
NIAF launches Walk of Honor
Having hosted Ambassadors and Presidents alike, the NIAF Headquarters in Washington, D.C., has long served as a symbol of the Italian American community. Now you and your family can be a permanent part of the foundation on which we literally have built our organization.
Your purchase of a commemorative brick, to be placed directly in front of the entrance, will be a permanent symbol of your family’s support of our heritage and will help ensure the success of our endeavors for years to come.
For information on this program, please contact Tom DiStefano at
202-387-0600 or piazza@niaf.org.
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Obama issues proclamation celebrating Columbus Day
Last week President Barack Obama issued a proclamation identifying Monday, October 12, 2009 as Columbus Day and calling upon U.S. residents to observe this day “with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
In his proclamation, Obama noted the important role Genoa-born Christopher Columbus played in opening up a new land for immigrants from many European nations, including our Italian ancestors.
“Today Italian Americans continue to contribute immeasurably to the identity of our Nation, as role models, leaders, innovators, and committed public servants,” Obama noted. “From the boardroom to the classroom, they are prominent in every facet of American life.”
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NIAF e-Newsletter compiled
by Beatrice Santacroce
and edited
by Monica Soladay.
enews@niaf.org
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the latest NIAF news and in-depth details of all the Foundation
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