Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

(L-R) Narda Zacchino, managing editor at the San Francisco Chronicle; Jeffrey Capaccio, NIAF Regional Vice President; and Carla Marinucci, political writer at the San Francisco Chronicle, at the National Italian AmericanFoundation’s (NIAF) media networking dinner in San Francisco at the Spa Bar on Tuesday, February 28.

Suddenly the styling stations rolled off the floor at San Francisco’s Spa Bar, as the staff from Ristorante Umbria expertly set up the National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF) Italian feast for journalists of Italian American heritage in the Bay Area. The lights dimmed, boutique wines from the regions of Piemonte, Campania and Veneto accompanied regional cheeses, olives, eggplant, salami, and prosciutto followed by various Umbrian specialties. Journalists who had often spoken only by telephone met their colleagues face-to-face, and the excitement filled the room as many embraced.

Frank Vega, publisher of the San Francisco Chronicle, was the evening’s host. He was represented by his colleagues, Narda Zacchino, managing editor, and Carla Marinucci, political writer, at the Chronicle. Reuters photographer Lou Dematteis shared with the guests a trailer of a documentary in progress about his father Judge Louis B. Dematteis. Judge Dematteis served asdistrict attorney and superior court judge in San MateoCounty. As district attorney, he gave retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner her first position as a lawyer when no one else would hire her because she was a woman.

Over tiramisu and prosecco wine, NIAF Vice President Jeff Capaccio gave an overview of the Foundation’s mission and highlighted its educational programs. He introduced two NIAF grant recipients:Amy Ruth Baker from La Piccola Scuola; and Angelo Del Priore from Mondo Bambini. They shared the success stories of how student enrollment has increased thanks to the NIAF grants.

Ken Go, the Spa Bar owner, donated spa coupons to everyone. Giulio Tempesta, NIAF council member and proprietor of Ristorante Umbria, and Lorenzo Scarpone, NIAF council member and owner of Villa Italia wines, supplied the Italian delicacies and specialty wines for the event.

NIAF events like these help the Foundation further its mission while promoting Italian Americans. Journalists have a wonderful opportunity to meet professionals in the communications field to share ideas and work together to ensure that all Americans receive fair and respectful treatment while preventing reinforcement of negative stereotypes in the industry.