L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 www.italoamericano.org 12 L'Italo-Americano House of Italy Makes Much Ado about Homecoming A fter having been dispos- sessed from its original housing in Balboa Park's Hall of Nations, then being shuf- fled around park buildings, and lastly, housing activities in the meeting hall of Our Lady of the Rosary church, the House of Italy (HOI) will finally be retur- ning to Balboa Park. To celebra- te this long awaited and anxiou- sly anticipated move, House of Italy will be holding a festive Homecoming activity. According to its September newsletter, the "joyous event will offer its guests and members a huge buffet dinner to be served at the Casa Del Prado, across from the Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA) and in conjunction with the San Diego Italian Film Festival (SDIFF), the movie, The Fighting Paisanos will be shown as part of the festivities." The movie highlights the stories of four Italian-Americans who fou- ght in Italy during WWII and will be shown at MoPA's theater after the dinner. Don Santamaria, its editor wrote, "We will regain our pos- session of our territory. The HOI will be more welcoming and warmly frescoed than ever and even the naked little Putto [a figure in a work of art] on the Sistine Chapel ceiling would seem happily smiling from above. We can say again, 'Venite, venite a Casa Nostra, La Casa Italia!'" Although HOI members and executive board members are excited about the move and recent renovations, it is anticipa- ted that it will not be until its October meeting that the new facility will be ready. Italy is but one of 33 nations housed within the House of Pacific Relations at Balboa Park, and its representati- ve house has not been accessible due to renovations. This work was being done to comply with Americans with Disabilities requirements when it was found that the house contained structu- ral damage that would require additional money and time to complete. "The city needed to do major works at the Hall of Nations to preserve the safety and security of the premises and bring the structure to code," said the President of HOI, Roberto Ruocco in his September new- sletter. "However, the city did not tell us how long these works would last," he added. "First four months, then sic, and then both city and contractor would not agree on the terms and conditions to complete the job, etc. It looked like an Italian government story." According to Bill Harris, then spokesman for the project, it was uncertain how long the repairs would take. The building, having been built sometime in 1935, needed major foundation repairs. "It's a big project," said Harris who was a spokesman for the city's Parks and Recreation Department. He added that the building had been "basically untouched since 1935. He stated that the park and recreation department moved fast to get the funding. "I know it's killing them (HOI) but there's no mali- ROBERT GALLO cious intent." Moving past the interrupting hiatus, Santamaria said "I would like all of you members to be present for the Grand reopening: it is a great occasion for the two great Italian organizations of San Diego to celebrate together this very important moment for the little house built in 1935, and start another great season," said an excited editor of September's newsletter referring to HOI and SDIFF. "I'm very excited that we've gained possession of our premi- ses after one year of vagrancy. We need to thank Father Joseph Tabigue of Our Lady of the Rosary for graciously hosting us for many months" said Roberto Ruocco, President of HOI. "The year 2016 is a big year for the House of Pacific Relations and HOI President Roberto Ruocco in front of OLR Church House of Italy; the year of the Balboa Park Centennial. Hosting our events in a renewed hall will give us better visibility and will invite more Italians to join. Also, our speakers will have a better place to present their ideas and presentations." In thinking ahead, Ruocco disclosed, "We are planning a lecture on Italian singers Andrea Bocelli and Luciano Pavarotti to celebrate the magic of Italian music and song." The president added, "For the beginning of the year we are planning a lecture on General Balboa and one on the cultivation under the seawater project from an Italian inventor. The president indicated that he and the HOI board of directors and members are joyfully antici- pating moving to their renovated facility. House of Italy cottage

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