Category: News

At the age of 101, Lawrence Ferlinghetti—founder of City Lights Bookstore, poet, author, publisher, artist, activist, leader of the Beat Generation, and San Francisco’s first Poet Laureate – left us.  His most recent novel, Little Boy, was published in 2019, on the eve of his 100th birthday.
In 2019 our Society recognized him with the prestigious Leonardo Award for all his work and accomplishments. In that occasion his son Lorenzo was with us to take the award and talk about his father’s past and future dreams.

We will all miss him. Here is a nice article from The Guardian

From the Changing Light Poem

The changing light at San Francisco

is none of your East Coast light

none of your

pearly light of Paris

The light of San Francisco

is a sea light

an island light

[…]

But the wind comes at four o’clock

sweeping the hills

And then the veil of early evening

And then another scrim

when the new night

floats in

And in that vale of light

the city drifts

anchorless upon the ocean.

It’s a sad moment for all our community,  Anna Maria Pierini left us.

Anna Maria always felt her most fulfilling blessing was to be an Italian born in America.  She was born in 1949, in Reno Nevada form a family natives of Lucca, who kept the Italian language and cultures strong in the home. At age 4, she flew on Pan Am airlines for her first trip to Italy.

After graduating from Dominican College, she began her first career of 19 years with Irwin Memorial Blood Banks in Marin and San Francisco, and the Alameda Contra Costa Medical Association (ACCMA) in the East Bay.  In 1996 she became the tenth Executive Director of the Italian Community Services (ICS), dedicated to the Italian Community since 1916. It was to this position that she brought her organizational skills, management style, and Italian heritage. She felt deep pride in her work there.  Under Anna Maria’s leadership, ICS became a national model for Italian non-profits.

Among all her recognition for an ourstanding career, Maria was recognized as Citizen of the Year by UNICO (the largest Italian American Services Agency in the USA),  awarded, in Lucca with the Medaglia d’Oro (Gold Medal)  for being an Italian who has distinguished herself abroad.  In 2014, she was awarded a Certificate of Honor by the City and County of San Francisco, recognizing her dedication and commitment to serving the older populations and those with disabilities.  Additionally, Il Cenacolo,  recognized her as the 2017 Woman of the Year.

She participated on many boards over the years including the California Blood Bank Society, On Lok, and the Advisory Council to the San Francisco Department of Aging and Adult Services where she served two terms as Council President. She was a polished media spokesperson, well-known and beloved in her San Francisco Italian communities.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic no services are planned.  Donations may be made to: Dominican University  dominican.edu/makeagift   or to The Santa Venetia Marsh Preserve at  http://www.marincountyparks.org/about-us/donations

#ItalyStayStrong

The Embassy of Italy has launched in partnership with the Italian Scientist and Scholars in North America Foundation (ISSNAF) a fund raising campaign for the Covid-19.

Italy and the United States are facing an unprecedented challenge. Italy was one of the first countries hit by the coronavirus outbreak and has been severely affected. Italians have responded with courage, from doctors and nurses on the front line to law enforcement officers, from the many volunteers to businesses, to all the citizens who every day make great sacrifices.

In light of this difficult moment, the Embassy of Italy and ISSNAF have launched the #ItalyStayStrong fund raising campaign through GoFundMe to assist Italy and its people. The funds will be devolved to three Italian medical and research institutes that have been at the forefront of the outbreak and continue to relentlessly fight the pandemic:

– the Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases in Rome
– the Luigi Sacco Hospital in Milan
– the Cotugno Hospital in Naples

Throughout the emergency, the United States – the Administration, the private sector, no-profit organizations and our American friends – have shown closeness, unity and provided support to Italy and the Italian people.

“We are grateful to the United States and to all American citizens who in these dramatic hours have decided to show their solidarity towards Italy. A gesture of friendship that will remain impressed in our memory, a testament to the strength of the bond that unites our democracies” said Ambassador Varricchio. “We are pleased to partner with ISSNAF, which works daily to support the Italian research community in the US and to create synergies with their American counterparts.”

“As members of the Italian community, our thoughts of encouragement and solidarity are with everyone who is struggling with the outbreak of covid-19 in Italy, as well as in the US. Now more than ever our network can play a critical role in broadcasting this call and supporting it generously.” says Cinzia Zuffada, ISSNAF President.

The Leonardo da Vinci Society is fully supporting this initiative. We believe that we can all make a difference and showcase our love, brotherhood and solidarity. We ask our members and community to help promote #ItalyStayStrong and support this program. Every donation, big or small, will help  make a difference!

To make your donation, please visit directly GoFundMe  

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Dear Friends,

We are all watching what is happening with the new corona virus as it unfolds here in the Bay Area, in Italy (bella italia!) and around the world.  Unfortunately, there is so much uncertainty and with an abundance of caution, we have decided to suspend all Leonardo da Vinci Society events until further notice.

I am so sorry for everyone involved in preparing these wonderful events.  And I’m sorry I won’t be able to see you there!

As soon as possible, we will reschedule and restore the great events we have planned.

Personally, I am optimistic that we will soon get back to normal.  Life is always full of surprises! For now stay safe.

Sabrina Longega Wilson, President

Here a few basic information about COVID-19

On Friday October 19th, at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, met with the Italian Community. A few Board members of the Leonardo da Vinci Society proudly attended the event. It was an honor and a memorable moment for all the Italian and Italian-American communities of San Francisco and the Bay Area.

“…sono lietissimo di potervi salutare, di manifestare cosi a tuuti voi l’apprezzamento piu grande di tutta l’Italia per la vostra presenza cosi operosa in questa straordinaria citta e in questo stato cosi bello e importante della California…” (I’m delighted to be able to greet you, to express to you all the deepest appreciation on behalf of all of Italy, for your active involvement in this extraordinary city and in this state so beautiful and important as California)

The event started with the children of La Scuola Internazionale di San Francisco playing the Italian and American national anthems. After that, the President of Italy, the Consul General of Italy Lorenzo Ortona, the Mayor of San Francisco London Breed, and the Ambassador of Italy Armando Varricchio, addressed the attendees, leaving them full of enthusiasm, pride and happiness.

Quirinale did a wonderful video of the entire event, and also you can see the beautiful pictures taken by our Board Member, Enrica Cavalli.

Please watch the event and take take a look at the beautiful pictures taken by our Board Member, Enrica Cavalli.

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Our September/December Calendar of events is ready for your review.

Please click here to download a PDF copy. We hope to see you soon at one of our events!

Dear All,

As new President of The Leonardo da Vinci Society, I want to personally welcome you to a new chapter for our organization. It is with honor and enthusiasm that I take this role after four wonderful years on the Board helping our past president, Amelia Antonucci,  accomplish so many important programs.

As always happens, a change in leadership brings some excitement and news and I want to share with you my goals and dreams. 
First of all, I want to maintain our mission and our values to promote appreciation of the Italian contribution to art, literature, science, and culture. We continue to offer wonderful cultural programs and networking opportunities.

I want to increase membership and see our society become a vibrant vehicle for creating new relationships and alliances among our San Francisco Bay Area communities.
Last, but most important, I want to Be Present and Go Beyond! I want to focus on you, get to know you better and work with you in shaping the future for the next generations of Italo enthusiasts. 
I’m confident that this year we can all Be Present and Go Beyond. I will take the liberty to call you soon to chat about your expectations, interests and ideas.

Our fall programs are ready to go. Download our Fall Newsletter here and visit our website to register for our events.

I look forward to talking to you soon.

All my best,
Sabrina

Sabrina Longega Wilson, President
slongega@gmail.com
Leonardo da Vinci Society