L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2014 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano 19 always does when following one's heart. Luckily the child care director from my school in Las Vegas (a dear friend) decided to come out and help start-up this school as director. Sheila Johnson has been an integral part of La Piccola Scuola nel Parco since day one. My father was raised in this country by immigrant parents, who for many reasons (and I do understand them) felt that their children needed to assimilate As I have gotten older, I have felt the need to re-connect with so many aspects of my life. In 2009, I made a decision, and that was to come home. In my heart, home has always been San Jose. After both of my parents passed away, I felt a pull toward this place of my birth. I also knew that I didn't want to just go home-I wanted my "homecoming" to have meaning. I thought about what I wanted to do, and since I have worked with children and families for over twenty years-I knew that what- ever I would do- it would have to include children and my "Italian-ness". That is how our amazing non- profit dual language Italian school was born. My cousin Angela Long called me at my home in Las Vegas, and told me of an emerging Little Italy in San Jose where century old Victorian buildings were avail- able for lease. I flew home, toured the building she found, and within just a couple of months, an Italian school was born. It took nearly a year to estab- lish the school, and a lot of hard work-and yes, even a few, "Why did I ever think I could do this?" moments (days to be honest) but it all came together, just as it La Piccola Scuola nel Parco – An Italian Cultural Experience fully in order to succeed. Being "American", meant speaking English, and only English. Many other families felt the need to do this as well, so now there are generations of Italian-Americans who don't speak a word of the most beautiful language on earth. We want to change this. Our school exists to bring the Italian experience to children in the Bay Area. We are here to provide high quality child care of course, but our main impetus, ThERESA SABATINo is to provide high quality ITAL- IAN early care and education, to people of Italian descent who want and need more "Italy" in their daily lives. This is not to say that we are open only to those with Italian surnames in their family tree. Any family with a love of Italian culture and language is welcome to join us on our daily journey. Enrolling children of other back- grounds helps us learn from them as well-the more we learn about one another's culture, her- itage, and belief system-the more we are able to be tolerant, kind and understanding human beings. Everyone is welcome here. Our new goal is to open a K through 5th grade by September 2015. It is never easy for us to have to say good-bye to children who must leave our early care environment to enter elementary school. When they go, they leave much of their "Italian" behind. This isn't acceptable, or even fair to children. After they devel- op a love for all things Italian in our early education environment, they need to continue Italian cul- tural experiences in order to reinforce what they have learned. We are currently working to obtain funding and support for a new school building and funding for educators. We will be asking for volunteers to join our devel- opment committee in order to make this dream a reality. I have no doubt that the Italian- American community will step up and help us keep our vision alive, by offering funding and support of our very Italian edu- cational project. Join us? For more information contact: Theresa Sabatino, 350 W Julian St, San Jose, CA 95110, (408) 298-4278, heart- workscares@earthlink.net. Mar. 18, Thurs.- Meet Don Gagliardi, City Council Candidate, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. An informal meet and greet event in Little Italy to talk more about his ideas for San Jose. Event is free. Bel Bacio Italian Café, 350 W. Julian St, San Jose, www.donforcitycouncil.com, 408-394-2893. Mar. 19, Wed.- La Festa Di San Giuseppe, 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. In celebration of St. Joseph's Day, the IAHF is serving a complimentary lunch. Donations welcome. 425 N. 4th St, San Jose, 408-293-7122, www.iahfsj.org. Mar. 27, Thurs.- La Divina Book Club, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Discussion: Saving Italy: The Race to Rescue a Nation's Treasures from the Nazis, author Robert M. Edsel. 425 N. 4th St, San Jose, 408-293-7122, www.iahfsj.org. Mar. 27, Thurs.- IAHF Dining Out Series: Cena Fuori, 7:00 p.m. Chiaramonte's Deli, 609 N 13th St, San Jose $30 per per- son, includes dinner, dessert tax & tip. More information www.iahfsj.org, 408-293-7122. Mar. 28, Fri.- Little Italy Arch & Cultural Center Wine Tasting Fundraiser, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. A celebration and fun- draiser with live music, food and wine. Bel Bacio Italian Café 350 West Julian, $25.00, www.littleitalysj.com, 408-394- 2893. Mar. 28, Fri.- IAHF Crab Feed Dinner, Dance & Door pri- zes, 6:00 p.m. All you can eat crab feed. $42 members / $48 non-members / $18 children under 12. 425 N. 4th St, San Jose, 408-293-7122, www.iahfsj.org. Apr. 4, Fri.- Mission Peak Chamber Singers, 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 7:00, no host bar, 8:00 performance, immediately fol- lowed by dessert reception. $15 adult, $12 IAHF members, seniors and students. 425 N. 4th St, San Jose, 408-293-7122, www.iahfsj.org. Apr. 17, Fri.- IAHF Italian Regional Lunch, Celebrating Molise, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Molise cuisine and an overview of its history and culture. $15 non-members, $12 IAHF mem- bers. 425 N. 4th St, San Jose, 408-293-7122, www.iahfsj.org. Sheila Johnson, Education Director at La Piccola Scuola nel Parco Community Highlights Meet Don Gagliardi March 18, 5:30 at Bel Bacio's in Little Italy San Jose. Gagliardi is running for the District 3 councilmember opening, being vacanted by termed out Sam Liccardo. Gagliardi has made downtown economic development a priority in his campaign. And our emerg- ing Little Italy is located in District 3. Gagliardi wants to pro- mote the arts and creative com- munity and empower neighbor- hood activists to have a voice at City Hall. Don't miss this oppor- tunity to meet Don Gagliardi and share your thoughts and ideas for District 3. Contact Don for City Council, 227 N. 1st Street San Jose, CA 95113 or www. don- forcitycouncil.com. There's a new book club in town, La Divina Book Club, host- ed by the Italian American Heritage Foundation (IAHF). On March 27, they will be discussing "Saving Italy" by Robert Easel, a New York Times bestseller about the saving of Italy's treasures from Nazi looting during World War II. Each month there is a different book and topic but all are con- nected to Italian history and cul- ture. They meet the 4th Thursday of the month at the IAHF cultural center, 425 N. 4th St, San Jose, 408-293-7122 or librarian@iahf- sj.org. History San José has announced that Frank Fiscalini will be hon- ored at the annual Valley of Heart's Delight event on June 28 at History Park. "Frank Fiscalini has contributed so much to San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley," said Alida Bray, President and CEO of History San José. "He is a true Renaissance man and deserves recognition for his many achievements and humble devo- tion to the betterment of our com- munity." Fiscalini has been an unrelenting advocate for educa- tion, the arts and the quality of life in the Santa Clara Valley. In addition to his many accomplish- ments, he was the CEO of Alexian Brother Hospital; coordi- nated the restoration of the his- toric St. Joseph's Cathedral; was elected to San Jose City Council, and eventually served as Vice- Mayor. He continues to contribute as an active board member and volunteer for many area non-prof- its, including serving as a found- ing board member for Opera San Jose 30 years ago, FACES Silicon Valley for over 40 years, Little Italy San Jose, and History San José. To purchase tickets or to secure a sponsorship, please contact Michelle Powers at 408-521-5016 or mpowers@historysanjose.org. NANCY MoRREAlE

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