GRANDSONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA

Minutes of May 3, 2008 Meeting

Sgt.-at-Arms Greg Holzer called the meeting to order and Pres. Vinny Raso led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance and in prayer. He then led the group in a moment of silence for our deceased brothers, those that are ill, and our servicemen.

Michael An’gileo motioned to accept the Apr. 19th minutes. Al Miller seconded it. The motion passed. The club’s web site is www.goiia.com (case sensitive, all lower case). Sec. Bill Poleri reminded the membership that there will be no meeting on May 17 because the Man-of-the-Year dinner is on May 18 and also May has five Saturdays so the next meeting wont be until June 7, five weeks from now.

Treas. Tony di Milo read the financial report for the Apr. 19th meeting. Members attending the luncheon were 28; Vitello’s Luncheon Tab, $392. Income was 50/50, $37; Dues, $17; Pin, $5; Cooking/Cussing DVD, $200, and MOTY Dinner, $1215. Expense was Postage/Printing, $173, and Donation, St. Charles Service Center, $500. The balance is $5443.56. The treasurer explained that the $500 donation to St. Charles entitles the club to have a wall plaque at the center where we hold our senior luncheons.

OLD BUSINESS: di Milo reminded the members to get their reservations in for the Man-of-the-Year to be held at Maggiano’s Restaurant on Sunday, May 18, from 5 to 9 p.m. The cost per member and one guest is $30 each. For all other guests it will be $35. Miller asked if the club has enough reservations for the dinner. Treas. di Milo reported that 54 were paid for, 17 requested but not paid for and 6 possibilities. Committee member Murgo reported that we needed 60 reservations and not 70 as was previously reported at the last meeting.

Murgo added that he thought about having a 20th anniversary dinner for the club next year but seeing how poorly the membership doesn’t stand behind us, he deep-sixed the idea.

Joe Turcillo asked about making a $50 or $100 charitable donation to the Mexican Convent here in Los Angeles since we should be an international group. He made this request before but was tabled because the convent didn’t have an Italian/American connection, accordingly to Sec. Poleri. This request brought about a big debate. Treas. di Milo said that the membership has to vote on it. Murgo disagreed. He argued that the board should decide the issue. He asked: “Why did we elect a board. Let them decide.” Leo Matranga agreed with Murgo. Vito Giovannelli suggested that the board decide whether it was valid enough to bring it before the membership for vote. Miller felt that the board should study an issue and then has the membership vote on it. Vice Pres. Vinnie Corbo said we can’t have all decisions made by all the members. He suggested naming a committee for charity and have it decide. Sec. Poleri checked the by-laws and reported that there isn’t any thing specified about it. Miller asked if there is any financial limit on donations. Sec. Poleri explained that we do have a $500 limit on assistance to any member. The board grants financial loans to members. When a couple of members reneged on their loans, the board put on a $500 limit. The secretary added that this donation to the convent can be decided by the board since it is under $500. He asked the president to table the issue until the board meets.

SPEAKER: Brother Dr. Joe Turcillo lectured about the connection between having your teeth cleaned and the heart by telling a story. The conclusion was that by having your teeth cleaned at least twice a year the bacteria around the gums and teeth would be reduced. Bacteria can go to the heart valve and cause health problems.

Pres Raso adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be June 21th at Vitello’s Restaurant at 11:30 a.m. followed by the July 19th meeting. There will be no meeting on July 5th due to the Fourth of July holiday.

Following the meeting the board met and approved a $100 donation to the Mexican Convent.

Submitted by Secretary Bill Poleri.

Directory addition: Michael Costantino Birthday – July 9

929 Pamorama Dr. Wife - Valerie (Jan. 26)

Arcadia CA 9100 Everything

(626) 574-7149 Neapolitan

(over)

THE BASEMENT

A New Play by Darrell Fusaro

Directed by Peter Budevski

The funny, tragic and touching true story of a

Italian-American family coming apart after the murder of its patriarch.

SHERMAN OAKS, CA, at the Whitefire Theatre on Saturday nights at 8pm, Darrell Fusaro will break the code of silence surrounding the unsolved murder of his grandfather, Union Official James Fusaro. In his new play THE BASEMENT, the actor-playwright resurrects his Italian American family with humor and irony, as his character, an Artist is confronted by a Model who pressures him into making the choice to face the past or continue to use it as an excuse to justify his failure in life. Under the masterful Direction of Peter Budevski, Fusaro draws on his personal experience and his critically acclaimed acting talent to create a compelling evening in theatre.

The title, THE BASEMENT, refers to the Italian-American east coast tradition, where Italian family houses had 2 kitchens, one for show that was always clean (obviously the one on the main floor) and the one in the basement where the "serious" cooking went on. This is also where Fusaro’s fondest and tragic family memories take place.

“A thoroughly remarkable play I can recommend to any organization wanting to produce a cultural event focused on Italian-American Culture and history”

-Giorgio Visetti, Consul General of Italy in Vancouver

“An honest compassionate glance to the everyday life, the culture and the habits of a family of Italian immigrants in the first half of the twentieth century, later to be shattered by a horrible murder perhaps in connection with early American labor conflicts, The Basement, belongs to the best tradition in American drama, from O’Neill to Miller and Williams, and Darrell performs it admirably, with great courage and rich emotion.”

-Dr. Guido Fink, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute

WHEN: Saturdays, June 14th – July 26th, 2008

(There will be NO performance July 5th).

TIME: 8:00 PM

WHERE: WHITEFIRE THEATRE

13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

TICKETS: $20.00

BOX OFFICE: (310) 892-4490

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