NIAF's virtual 45th Anniversary Gala is THE event of #ItalianAmericanHeritageMonth AND the year! So don't miss it. RSVP by October 28: bit.ly/2YSu1ah.

NOTE: This is a live event only; there will not be a recording of the Gala shared with the attendees or the public, so be sure to RSVP and tune in! ... See more

Day 24: Robert Mondavi, Greatly influenced the wine industry in America, for #ItalianAmericanHeritageMonth
Guided by his passion to integrate the values and traditions of his Italian heritage into the American wine industry, Mondavi (1913-2008) revolutionized it. After years of working in the vineyards and learning about the industry, in 1966 he opened Robert Mondavi Winery to create premium wines and established one of the most recognized vineyards in the world. He introduced old-fashioned wine making techniques to the California wine industry, and changed the production process to create a Sauvignon Blanc – Fumé Blanc – setting the standard for it in America. Mondavi produced wines using cold fermentation, aging in small barrels, and basket pressing, blending new methods with the old-world techniques, and in 1970 he was one of the first to export California wine.

[Content Credit: Author, educator, and researcher Janice Therese Mancuso established Thirty-One Days: http://thirtyonedaysofitalians.com/honorary.htm' Photo Credit: https://rmi.ucdavis.edu/robert-mondavi]

NIAF will end Italian American Heritage Month by having the biggest #ItalianAmerican celebration of the year at our 45th Anniversary Gala on October 31! Learn more: https://bit.ly/2YSu1ah.

#RobertMondavi #Wine #Californiawine #California #vineyard #mondavi ... See more

One Week To Go! Join us and Alan Alda to celebrate our Italian American heritage at NIAF's virtual 45th Anniversary Gala! Make sure to RSVP by the deadline - this Wednesday, October 28. This is a live Gala only, meaning that there won't be a recording shared with the attendees or the public, so be sure to #RSVP and attend!
RSVP now: https://bit.ly/2YSu1ah.

#NIAFGala45 #ItalianAmericanHeritageMonth #Gala #DrFauci #ItalianAmerican ... See more

Know what’s in store for NIAF’s virtual Gala by checking out our latest press release! Live and one night only – join NIAF for this unforgettable evening. NOTE: This is a live event only; there will not be a recording of the Gala shared with the attendees or the public, so be sure to RSVP!

Press Release: https://bit.ly/3ktXe48.
RSVP Deadline is October 28 – register now: https://bit.ly/2YSu1ah.

#NIAFGala45 #ItalianAmericanHeritageMonth #Gala #DrFauci #ItalianAmerican

[Photo: Christina Carlucci, actress, dancer, singer and long-time NIAF supporter, performing the U.S. National Anthem at last year’s Gala. She will perform again this year too! Credit: Andy DelGiudice] ... See more

Day 23: Sabato Rodia, creator and builder of Watts Towers, for #ItalianAmericanHeritageMonth
Also known as Sam and Simon, Rodia (1879-1965) was the creator and builder of Watts Towers, a series of spires and sculptures made from steel rods, wire, and mortar, and embellished with pieces of glass, pottery, tiles, seashells, and other materials. The towers, two reaching almost 100 feet tall, and other artwork took 33 years to complete and is considered an engineering masterpiece and one of the best examples of folk art in America.

He worked without design plans, using just hand tools, and when the spires became too tall, Rodia used a window washer’s belt to climb them. He collected his materials from along the railroad tracks, the broken pieces of tiles from his day job, and even paying the neighborhood children to bring him the objects he would place into the cement to create the mosaic designs. Rodia wanted to create something as memorable as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Rodia’s birthplace of Ribottoli (a locality in the city of Serino, province of Avellino, region of Campania) is not too far from Nola, a town that has been celebrating Festa del Gigli, honoring the safe return of their bishop, more than 2,000 years ago. The festival, a major event, is highlighted by decorative obelisks, over 80 feet high, and a boat that are paraded through the town. The obelisks are remarkably similar to Rodia’s spires and the inclusion of a boat leads many to believe that Rodia was influenced by this annual event.

When Rodia was finished, he deeded the property to a neighbor and walked away. Watts Towers is 17 pieces of art – three tall spires, two close to 100 feet tall, six smaller spires, a boat, a gazebo, and other objects – interconnected with bands of concrete-reinforced and decorated steel.

It has been recognized as the largest piece of artwork created by one person, as the longest slender reinforced concrete column in the world, and as a unique work of vernacular architecture. It is a National Historic Landmark and a State of California Historic Park and Historic Cultural Monument. The Towers are also the site of the annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival, established in 1976; and in 1981, the Day of the Drum Festival was added to the annual event. In the DVD “I Build the Tower,” the story of the towers and Rodia, R. Buckminster Fuller said “Sam will rank, not just in our century, but rank with sculptors in all history.”

[Credit: Author, educator, and researcher Janice Therese Mancuso established Thirty-One Days: http://thirtyonedaysofitalians.com/honorary.htm] ... See more

Day 22: The Jacuzzi Family (1900s-present) for #ItalianAmericanHeritageMonth
After migrating with their family to California from Italy in the early 1900s, the seven Jacuzzi brothers, mechanics by trade, produced aircraft equipment and created the first closed cabin monoplane. An airplane accident changed the direction of the company, and some of the brothers began making hydraulic pumps for irrigation; another started a vineyard. In 1947, Candido Jacuzzi developed a hydrotherapy pump – placed into the tub to circulate the water – to aid his son’s treatment for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (learn more about the family and the birth of the Jacuzzi tub and hydromassage: https://en.jacuzzi.eu/jacuzzi-world/history). In 1966, he enclosed the pump, making the first whirlpool tub. The family sold the whirlpool business in 1979.

Jacuzzi Inc. today is the world's largest manufacturer of whirlpool baths, with which its name has become synonymous.

[Credit: Author, educator, and researcher Janice Therese Mancuso established Thirty-One Days: http://thirtyonedaysofitalians.com/honorary.htm] ... See more

Last year, NIAF had the honor of having the late Ambassador Peter F. Secchia attend its 44th Anniversary Gala to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Voyage of Discovery program, which the Ambassador established with the Foundation in 1999.

During the Gala, we shared this touching video about Ambassador Secchia’s life and contributions to the Foundation, along with heartfelt testimonials from the program’s alumni.

The Voyage of Discovery program is an all-expenses paid, first-time trip to Italy for young Italian Americans. The purpose is to strengthen the Italian American identity by bonding young Italian Americans to the country, culture, and heritage of Italy; to help them gain an understanding of their heritage and a pride in preserving that heritage for the next generation; and to understand the historical significance of Italy and the current contribution Italy is making to the US and the world.

After watching this video last year at the Gala, Ambassador Secchia said, “You heard some of [the alumni’s] conversations about how they fell in love with their ancient civilization… The letters I get and the tears I see when people talk, it makes it all worthwhile. It makes it feel good to give.”

http://bit.ly/2KQHM2a ... See more

The Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Voyage of Discovery Program is sponsored by the National Italian American Foundation. This all-expenses paid trip for Italian...

NIAF mourns and sends its deepest condolences to the family of former U.S. Ambassador Peter F. Secchia who passed away today. Ambassador Secchia was a dear friend and generous benefactor of the Foundation, who established NIAF’s signature Voyage of Discovery program.

“Ambassador Peter Secchia served this country with honor and never forgot his Italian heritage. Through his commitment and funding of the Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Voyage of Discovery grants through NIAF, he changed the lives of hundreds of young people enabling them to connect in meaningful ways to their heritage,” said NIAF Chairman Patricia de Stacy Harrison. “His legacy will live on benefitting current and future generations. We extend our prayers and condolences to his family.”

NIAF will forever be deeply grateful to Ambassador Secchia for his commitment to the future generations of the Italian American community.

Read NIAF's press release: https://bit.ly/2HpxBTo. ... See more

Spend a virtual evening with NIAF celebrating Italians, Italian Americans and Italophiles. Read Washington Life Magazine's coverage here: https://bit.ly/3dLbfrs.

#NIAFGala45 #WashingtonLife #DrFauci #Gala #ItalianAmericanHeritageMonth #ItalianAmerican #NIAF ... See more