L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 A n unprecedented disaster, a collec- tive mourning, a warzone in peace- time. Los Angeles wakes up traumatized by the devastation of wildfires. Even those who watched the inferno from a distance—safe but not u n t o u c h e d — w i l l c a r r y t h e image of towering flames on the horizon, columns of smoke darkening the sky, ash blan- keting everything like snow, and the acrid smell that even the ocean cannot wash away. For many, reckoning with the aftermath of this historic and costly disaster will not be a simple task. The firenadoes that consumed everything in their path tell a harrowing tale. They reveal years of neglect, inefficiencies, environmental mismanagement, and the consequences of speculative policies. Yet beyond these failures lies the deeper emotional toll, an intimate devastation that thousands must now face. Los Angeles, like San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake From the Editor L'Italo Americano is not immune to the chal- lenges, especially given the destruction in Altadena, the primary location of its business. These are difficult times and the newspaper's operations have been partially disrupted. We ask our readers for patience: some delays or disrup- tions may occur despite our commitment to fulfilling all sub- scription deliveries. Like so many others, we are adjusting to a new normal. L'Italo Americano is committed to publishing all 26 editions scheduled for release in 2025. WE INVITE YOU TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT L'ITA- LO-AMERICANO BY SUBSCRIBING, OR DONATING. You can support us by mail at this address L'Italo- Americano P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 or by subscribing and/or donating directly here https://italoamer- icano.org/ donate/ and here https://italoamericano.org/ membership/ Every contribution we receive from readers like you, big or small, goes directly into funding our mis- sion. Walking the streets, now reduced to ashes, is emotionally exhausting. Every morning, we meet people who have lost everything—families searching for a new home among thou- sands of others with the same urgency. Volunteers selflessly dedicating their time, and individuals forced to confront the unimaginable loss of their belongings and stability. Many must carry on as if nothing has changed—returning to school, university, or work to preserve their education, jobs, or a thread of normalcy in this chaotic chapter of history. Reorganizing, rethinking, starting over. Finding a way for- ward is anything but easy. No one knows for sure where to go, how to rise again, or how to reinvent themselves—espe- cially when all they've managed to save is a car or two hastily packed suitcases. The firestorm that swept through Los Angeles, consuming vast areas, has left devastation on an unimaginable scale. Flames engulfed homes, shopping centers, landmarks, and beloved spaces—places of connection, work, and leisure— leaving behind not just ashes but an enduring sense of fear. It's a shadow that will linger in our minds, reshaping our pri- orities and reminding us of vulnerability. For many, this image will be impossible to erase, fading only with time—or in the face of an even greater calamity. It brings to mind the devastating earthquake of 1906 that reduced San Francisco to rubble. Fires ravaged the city, three thousand people died, and entire lives were upended. Yet, out of the ashes, the city found its footing, and the Ital- ian-American community, through determination and hard work, slowly rebuilt their lives. The pivotal role of Amedeo P. Giannini, a visionary banker and future founder of Bank of America, is often cited in this recovery. But today, we must also focus on curbing opportunistic speculation and envi- sioning a long-term, mutualistic approach to rebuilding. L'Italo Americano stands in solidarity with the Italian- American community and all the residents of Los Angeles. We are with you, holding you in our hearts as you face this shocking, traumatic, and unimaginable experience that has stripped away pieces of our history, our city, our neighbor- hoods, and our daily lives. We stand by those who have lost their homes and everything "home" represents. We are here for those dealing with uncertainty and the fear of not making it through these anguished hours, offering support and encouragement. Together, we will face this tragedy and rebuild. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2024 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 Selling Homes Throughout The Bay Area Adele Della Santina "The Right Realtor makes all the di昀erence." 650.400.4747 Adele.DellaSantina@compass.com www.AdeleDS.com DRE# 00911740 Expert in preparation, promotion, and negotiation!

• Cover