MARCH 2020 DANTE’S

Celebrate INFERNOCommittee in style on a proposes trip to the changes to club bylaws homeland Ron Fiorica and his bylaws By Michael Micciche An inviting restaurant on the isle of Capri offers al fresco dining. committee members have been busy reviewing current Dante o you have a special birthday, anniversary or wedding coming up in Club bylaws that, in some 2020? Why not celebrate it in Italy? You’ll never forget it. cases, go back to the club’s To help you consider a trip to Italy this year, I thought I’d share an inception in 1936. D article by writer Lisa Miller that was published Dec. 28, 2013, in The To bring our bylaws Huffington Post. Miller points out some very good reasons for visiting Italy kicking and screaming into the ⏤ beyond the food, wine and history. 21st century, these changes Here’s the article, reprinted with Miller’s and The Post’s permission: have been proposed and will be “If you’ve spent time in Italy, you know that life in Italy and life in presented to members at an America are very different. While both cultures have their pros and cons, we upcoming meeting: think Americans can learn a lot from the way Italians live. See ITALY, Page 5 Nonsubstantive, semi-technical • changing the word “shall” to “may” Bocce training heats up this month • renumbering certain agenda Spring training participated in league The bocce items camp for bocce will play, and we hope the committee will work • combining the position titles open Saturday, March interest continues, as with men’s and of financial secretary and 14. If Mother Nature bocce is a great way to women’s groups to treasurer to treasurer/financial allows us on the courts, meet our countrymen. provide information on secretary we’ll kick off the season In addition, this year rules and league play. Substantive with open play starting we’ve had high interest We’re also • combining advisory and at 9:30 a.m. We’ll begin in bocce from our considering the idea of finance committees and their by discussing rules, Ladies Auxiliary. We’ll creating a mixed-team duties play, teams and league hold meetings to league for play during • combining membership and schedules. encourage members of the week. investigating committees and Last season more the auxiliary to come So let’s all get our their duties than 40 members out and use the courts. bocce mojo on! See BYLAWS, Page 5

916-925-8230 ❖ [email protected] ❖ www.danteclub.com PAGE 1 MARCH 2020 DANTE’S INFERNO NEWS, NOTES AND OTHERWISE wine, soaps, lotions, barbecue tools, a crystal cake dish, and UPCOMING EVENTS , which board members will Reserve and pay online at: use to get creative in designing the http://www.danteclub.com/calendar.php baskets. Also during the February meeting, March 16 members discussed developing a Meeting Night Dinner women’s bocce league. At the March Time: 6 p.m. cocktails, 7 meeting, the auxiliary will announce p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. the chairmen of the league and will meeting share information about when the Menu: Radicchio and Ladies Auxiliary bocce courts will be open for practice. citrus salad with burrata, The Ladies Auxiliary had the pork shoulder with Members are encouraged to form distinct pleasure of having the ragu, turnip greens with teams or even join the league solo. Balliamo Dancers perform at its Feb. Parmesan, orecchiette with The Ladies Auxiliary has greens and sausage, 10 meeting. welcomed 20 new members over the grilled peaches with vanilla The group from the local Italian ice cream past six months, including seven new Cultural Society consists of five lovely Cost: $13 by deadline, $18 members this year: Julie Whelan, Judy Italian women wearing costumes that after deadline Kaminski, Gina Morandi Gray, Alyse Reserve by 10 a.m. Friday, each represent a different region of Covey De Fazio, Adrienne DeFazio, March 13. Italy. Roseann Jamison and Susan Kasmatis. The Balliamo Dancers performed March 22 Anyone interested in joining may three dances onstage, then surprised call president Debra Cattuzzo at Fizz Brunch the audience by encouraging members 916-442-2266 or email her at Time: 11 a.m. fizzes, noon to join in a dance. About 40 members brunch [email protected]. obliged, with much laughter as they Menu: Fruit salad, pastries, tried to keep up with the steps while potatoes, bacon, Newsletter ads welcomed still trying to breathe. and gravy, scrambled eggs We continue to appreciate the with cheese and scallions, A big thank you to auxiliary vice- seven businesses participating in our orange and cranberry president Heidi Veneman for hiring effort to make this newsletter a more juices, , iced tea these fantastic dancers. Cost: $25 adults, $13 interactive marketing vehicle for Dante children ages 5 to 10 The auxiliary also enjoyed another Club and Ladies Auxiliary members. incredible meal prepared by Dante Reserve by 10 a.m. Club members Johnny “The Wednesday, March 18 Club chef Jessi Moreno: pork Barber” Waldron, Tom “Mixed Bag” marbella, polenta, roasted cauliflower, Novi, Jim Relles of Relles Florist and April 7 salad, and ice cream with Mark Pedroncelli of Pedroncelli Tuesday Night Dinner sauce. Chiropractic, as well as Ladies Time: 6 p.m. cocktails, 7 Members won various prizes, Auxiliary board member Helen p.m. dinner including valentine-themed wine Manfredi of Medic Ambulance, have Menu: Prosciutto, melon, spring greens glasses, a set of heart dishes, jewelry all made annual advertising and Godiva chocolates. soup, pappardelle with commitments for their businesses. prawns, marinated radicchio, Members donated many items for Dante’s Inferno advertisers also lemon panna cotta the silent-auction baskets the auxiliary include the Italian Cemetery of Colma Cost: $25 adults, $13 children ages 5 to 10 will contribute to the Dante Club’s and Realtor Pat Vogeli. Reserve by 10 a.m. Friday, annual Cioppino Feed on March 7. Any members with businesses Among donations were bottles of April 3. See NEWS, NOTES AND OTHERWISE, Page 4

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2020 Committees and Assignments (revised 2.13.20) 2020 DANTE CLUB COMMITTEES BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADVISORY AND OPERATIONS Ron Cristoni, chairman; Michael Micciche, vice chairman OFFICERS Members: Tom Novi, Frank Calcagno, Richard Battistessa, Mark Pedroncelli •Ronnie Pane, president: [email protected] BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS Ernie Tomassilli, chairman; Joe Porata, vice chairman •Ron Cristoni, first vice president: Members: Ron Pane, Bob Gudiera, vacancy [email protected] BYLAWS •Tom Novi, second first president: Ron Fiorica, chairman; Tom Novi, vice chairman Members: Michael Micciche, Richard Battistessa, Ralph DiLibero [email protected] FINANCE •Ron Fiorica, secretary: Tom Novi, chairman; Pat Orelli, vice chairman Members: Tom Mezzanares, Ralph DiLibero, Dan Calcagno rbfi[email protected] INVESTIGATION •Tom Mezzanares, treasurer: Ron Pane, chairman; Bob Guidera, vice chairman [email protected] Members: Pat Orelli, Ernie Tomassilli, Frank Calcagno MEMBERSHIP BOARD MEMBERS Dan Calcagno, chairman; Bob Guidera, vice chairman Members: Pat Orelli, Ernie Tomassilli, Frank Calcagno •Richard Battistessa: [email protected] PUBLICITY •Dan Calcagno: [email protected] John Caselli, chairman; Tom Mezzanares, vice chairman Member: Mark Pedroncelli •Frank Calcagno: [email protected] SCHOLARSHIP •John Caselli: [email protected] Rich Battistessa, chairman; Jim Dimino, vice chairman Members: Joe Porata, Mike Battistessa, two Ladies Auxiliary representatives •Ron Cristoni: [email protected] •Ralph DiLibero: [email protected] SOCIAL Michael Micciche, chairman; Joe Porata, vice chairman •Jim Dimino: [email protected] Members: Pat Orelli, Mark Pedroncelli, Colin Orelli, vacancy, two Ladies Auxiliary representatives •Ron Fiorica: rbfi[email protected] •Bob Guidera: [email protected] PERFORMANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY (special committee) Tom Novi, chairman; Ralph DiLibero, vice chairman •Tom Mezzanares: [email protected] Members: Jim Dimino, Rich Battistessa, Pat Orelli •Michael Micciche: [email protected] VOLUNTEERS (special committee to recruit members to assist with painting, plumbing, •Tom Novi: [email protected] electrical, landscaping, social activities, internet, website and other club needs) Ron Cristoni, chairman; Ron Fiorica, vice chairman •Patrick Orelli: [email protected] Members: Michael Micciche, Frank Calcagno, Jim Dimino •Ron Pane: [email protected] ASSIGNMENTS •Mark Pedroncelli: [email protected] Bocce: Rich Battistessa and Ladies Auxiliary Dante Club apparel: Mark Pedroncelli •Joe Porata: [email protected] General membership meetings: John Caselli, Joe Porata, Ron Bacher •Ernie Tomassilli: [email protected] Sergeant-at-arms: John Fiorica, general meeting Ladies Auxiliary liaison: Richard Battistessa

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News, Notes and Otherwise To order items, email Mark • Reale — John Lancara, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 Pedroncelli at [email protected]. Societa Piemonte Reale, 3621 E. who wish to participate can email Please note that Mark replaces Lincoln Ave, Sacramento, CA 95818 John Caselli at [email protected]. Ron Cristoni, who has stepped down • Romulus Club — John L. Boze, from selling club apparel. Romulus Club, 400 Capitol Mall, San Francisco outing Nine years ago, Ron took over Ladies Auxiliary member Gloria from Tom Matranga and Al Lovotti Suite 1850, Sacramento, CA 95814 Tomei is planning a San Francisco when they were selling only jackets. Annual dues overdue outing Sunday, Aug. 9, to see My He added polo shirts, sweatshirts, Fair Lady at the Golden Gate Yearly $100 membership dues aprons and the tagline “Est. 1926.” were due Jan. 31. Members who Theatre. The Lincoln Center Theater Ron sold more than 200 items touring production is a revival of the missed the deadline can pay online during his tenure and wants to thank at https://www.danteclub.com/ 1956 Lerner and Loewe musical all his former customers. classic. members.php or by cash, check or Participants will meet at 10 a.m. card at the club. Mail checks to: Save pull tabs at the Target parking lot on Dante Club of Sacramento Members are asked to continue Attn. Tom Mezzanares, treasurer Broadway and continue to the Dante collecting their aluminum can pull Club parking lot. They’ll arrive in 2330 Fair Oaks Blvd. tabs for donation to the Adopt-A- Sacramento, CA 95825 San Francisco at 1 p.m., see the Family Program. show from 2 to 5 p.m. and have The program subsidizes lodging New members dinner at 6 p.m. at Alioto’s restaurant costs at the Ronald McDonald House We inducted Chris Troughton, on Fisherman’s Wharf. near UC Davis Medical Center in sponsored by his dad, Doug Dinner will feature tomato Sacramento. Parents traveling from Troughton, on Feb. 17. We also bruschetta, mixed green salad with outside the area so their children can interviewed and hope to vote soon shrimp, rigatoni with sauce, a receive medical care can stay at the on Paul Jacobs, sponsored by James choice of pan-fried petrale sole or house at low cost. Leonard, and Andy Donovaro, chicken with sauteed mushrooms, As of December, according to sponsored by Don Agostinelli. and cheesecake. board member Ron Cristoni, the At the March members meeting, Cost is $195 per person. Dante Club has delivered 1,025 new president Ron Pane will present Reservations and payments must be pounds of pull tabs since we started outgoing president Robert Guidera received by June 25. donating. Lodging costs $20 per with a plaque for his dedicated To sign up, mail a check to night for parents who can afford it. service. th Gloria Tomei, 2785 14 St., That means that if the program Improvements underway Sacramento, CA 95818. Provide receives $1 per pound of pull tabs, guest name, address, phone number, Ernie Tomassilli’s building and Dante Club members have donated grounds committee is transforming choice of dinner entree and whether 51 nights of lodging. pickup at Target is needed. our building. Here are highlights: Questions? Call Gloria at • Burned-out torchiere lights in the Everything Italian 916-447-5559 or email her at Venetian Room have been replaced [email protected]. We like to think the Dante Club with LEDs to save energy. All lights is the best Italian social club in will be replaced with LEDs in the Club apparel Sacramento, but several other groups coming months. Members can purchase Dante may interest our members: • The building’s security system is Club-branded clothing, including • Arberesh — arbereshofsacramento.org now working except for one area on aprons and four styles of sweatshirts the east side. Worn cables on the • Italian Cultural Society — and polo shirts in sizes for men, roof are being replaced. italianculturalsociety.com women and children. See NEWS, NOTES AND OTHERWISE, Page 5

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The Villa Rosa dei Bylaws Venti is an estate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 in the municipal district of Cortona • shortening the bylaws in Tuscany. It amendment process from offers lodging for three to two months by travelers in a scenic vineyard voting in the second month setting. • reducing the bylaws amendment vote requirement from two-thirds of those present to a majority of those present • increasing terms of the Italy 4. Stop hurrying, start relaxing. board of directors from one to CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Life is less hurried in Italy. People two years But the beautiful life doesn’t mean don’t rush around with to-go cups of • having club officers the luxurious life. It means a relaxed, coffee but rather sip their at assume their duties at the family-centric lifestyle. the bar (aka coffee shop). Meals tend time of election Check out seven lessons Americans to linger at restaurants or at home. • adding duties to the role of can learn from Italians: Pedestrians tend to meander. Many recording secretary 1. Eat slowly, locally and with Italians take a break during the day • changing the term “club others. There’s really no such thing as from 1 to 3 p.m. to eat lunch and relax. Italian fast food. (There is street food, 5. Families in Italy tend to stay in room” to “Dante Club facility” which is excellent.) Italy is all about the same area rather than moving • changing the membership ‘slow food.’ Dinners are unhurried around. Grandparents often care for of certain committees and eaten around a table with their grandchildren, siblings remain For questions or family. Food is natural, authentic and close, and extended families are huge concerns, call Ron Pane at sourced locally. and welcoming. Having family nearby 916-798-0111 or email him 2. Drink a bit but not too much. is deeply valued in Italy. Having nonna at [email protected]. Italians love their vino, but they don’t (grandma), aunts, uncles and cousins overdo it. Here in America, there’s a drop by for dinner during the week or News, Notes and Otherwise culture of binge drinking. In Italy, a having a weekly extended family meal CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 bottle of wine is shared among friends every Sunday is common. • The club’s nerve center, the or around the dinner table. Italians like 6. Gather and spend time outdoors. bar, is undergoing a minor to drink, but they know how to keep Part of the great communal feel of Italy facelift. The cool box under it classy. comes from the fact that people tend to the taps has been refreshed, 3. You should indulge a little every congregate outdoors. Friends will meet and push-button dispensers, now and then. There are so many at a piazza and hang out there rather wells and sinks will soon be delicious treats in Italy ⏤ rich , than in a home. Piazzas are vibrant replaced. Doors, mirrors and mouth-watering pastries, decadent hubs where people assemble, children wiring behind the bar have chocolates. Much like the philosophy play and tourists roam, creating a been removed for a less on drinking, Italian culture has a lively atmosphere. Similarly, many cluttered look. ‘perché no?’ take on treats. ‘Perché Italians do most of their shopping at a Members who are good no?’ translates to ‘why not?’ The idea mercato, or outdoor market, where with a hammer and nail can is to treat yourself by having a little bit vendors sell everything from food and volunteer by emailing Ernie of something tasty, because ... why not? wine to clothing and leather goods. at [email protected]. See ITALY, Page 7

916-925-8230 ❖ [email protected] ❖ www.danteclub.com PAGE 5 MARCH 2020 DANTE’S INFERNO Please patronize our paesanos

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Italy slower and less stressful way CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 to get around. There’s nothing like wandering For instance, you could fly a mercato to sample the fare and interact with the locals. into Rome and take a train to 7. Maintain a ‘bella figura,’ your hotel from the airport. which literally translates to Then take a train to Florence, ‘beautiful figure,’ but it’s more where the station is in the idiomatic than that. It’s the idea heart of the city, and walk or of maintaining a good public taxi to your hotel. Then take image. Italians don’t get drunk an express train to Venice, in public, eat while they walk Bologna or Milan. Then fly or wear pajamas to the dinner home from Milan or take a table, because it would have a train back to Rome or Florence. negative impact on their image. In all of these destinations, Bella figura is more than just cars and guides can be looking good. It’s a way of life arranged for day or overnight that emphasizes aesthetics and trips to the countryside for good behavior.” wine tasting, museums, I might add a No. 8: Italy’s historical ruins and special train service is an easier, events. The Sistine Chapel is in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City State.

Member volunteers To volunteer, contact club president Ron Pane or social chairman Michael Micciche to offer your services. You can reach Ron at 916-798-0111 or [email protected]. You can contact Michael at 916-550-1122 or DANTE’S [email protected]. Donations Donate to our scholarship or building funds in memory of a loved one or a REMINDERS friend to keep their legacy going. And buy raffle tickets! Donations can be made easily online at http://www.danteclub.com/donation.html.

Dante Club apparel If you’d like to purchase club shirts or other specialty clothing items, contact Mark Pedroncelli at 916-812-6729 or [email protected] or speak to him at a members meeting. You must present cash or a check to place an order.

Newsletter photos and news Submit photos and news items for Dante’s Inferno to John Caselli at [email protected]. Items must be received by the 20th of each month to be considered for the following month’s newsletter. Publication depends on available space and is not guaranteed. To post news and photos on Facebook, log in to your Facebook account and search for “Dante Club.”

Contact information Have you recently changed your address or phone number? Please alert our club treasurer, Tom Mezzanares, at 916-467-7483 or [email protected].

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