L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012 L'Italo-Americano PAGE 17 Nel Vecchio Vicinato NICKOLAS MARINELLI Northern California Editor Patrizi and L'Italia, and that it was taken almost 100 years ago. In addition, it was revealed that the entire collection of L'Italia-related photographs, taken by photographer R. J. Waters, are currently on exhibit at the oldest Italian business in San Francisco, A. Cavalli & Company. Last week's mystery photograph was a bit of a "trick question." The clue was that it was related to Ettore Our culture among tradi- tion and globalization Continued from page 1 Italian artists live and work in ly the same as last week. The photograph was taken at the headquarters of L'Italia at 118 Columbus Avenue, but this photograph was taken behind the building where delivery opera- tions were conducted. The answer to the question this week is actual- century standards. Visitors entered the premises through the front door, and were dazzled by the pro- fessionally-appointed offices. Most business would be conducted over the counter with advertisers, sub- scribers, and the general public. L'Italia's offices were spacious by early twentieth- the United States, Italian film- makers write their screenplays in English or French and shoot their movies all around the world. The challenge, then, is to accept glob- alization but emphasize, cherish and communicate the Italian aspect of it. Take education, for instance: internal functions. Continuing through the back areas of L'Italia were the offices of Luigi Liata, the editor and right-hand-man of the icon of the Italian community who occupied the executive office, publisher Ettore Patrizi. Beyond the swinging gates were the offices that controlled circulation, advertising, accounting and other for me it is not only a simple question of offering Italian class- es at the Institute or one of the schools of the Bay Area, but more importantly an issue of pro- moting original values (as for instance the "Reggio Children approach") and, by encouraging children and young adults to experience Italian culture, create potential future customers. As to the Institute itself, that Behind the suite of business offices were the production facilities of L'Italia, where the typesetting was done on linotype machines, the newspapers were printed on large presses. 2013 will be a year to remember is something we all believe in. The series of initiatives that are being fashioned under the umbrella of "The Year of Italian Culture in the United States" promises to be much more than a mere catalog of local events. From the historical support of Italian cinema to the celebrations of Giuseppe Verdi's 200th birth- day to the collaborations with the many Universities of Northern California, our aim is to rehearse and improve a mode of organiz- ing cultural life that is based on a prolific relationship with local institutions. With its enviably central posi- tion in downtown San Francisco, the Italian Cultural Institute is certainly at the forefront of this ideal plan, which – like the "Ideal City" of our beloved Renaissance – takes its inspira- tion from both tradition and innovation. For the coming year, together with the Consulate General, the Italian American community and all the Bay Area groups that look at Italian culture with passion, the Institute will endeavor to strengthen and develop Italy's ties with the fab- ric of American society and cul- ture. And accept this challenge from a City and Region that are ever hungry for culture, especial- ly for those things – often Italian -- that have not always been easy to come by. delivered by the boys in the photograph at the top of this story. The rest went to outlying locations throughout San Francisco and beyond by horse-drawn truck. The remaining copies were put on L'Italia's own airplane and sent down to the pueblo of Los Angeles, where that little town had no other way of receiving Italian news other than a small start-up newspaper called L'Italo-Americano. The newspapers were then hand folded and bundled for distribution. The majority of newspapers were you can visit A. Cavalli & Co., located at 1441 Stockton Street in North Beach. While you're enjoying these rare photographs, you might also want to enjoy a cappuccino and a classic Italian dessert such as panna cotta, tiramisù, or Sicilian-style cannoli. They're all lovingly made by proprietor Santolo Esposito, using local, organic ingredients that are prepared fresh daily. Santolo didn't pay me to say that; he's just an Italian proprietor of a true, old-world café who is single-handedly carrying on a 132-year San Francisco tradition. I encourage you stop in and sample his creations; you won't be disappointed. Nickolas Marinelli serves as the Director of Community Relations at the Italian Cemetery in Colma. Nickolas can be contacted by e-mail at: Nickolas@ItaloAmericano.com If you'd like to see larger versions of these and other L'Italia related photographs, from my collection,

• Cover