Buon Compleanno!

December 2014Vol. XXXIV No.12

United We Stand

Tim A. McGallianEdward Charles McLeanRichard E. MerlinoJoseph MilitelloJohn NardiPeter NutiJames E. O’DonnellJim PachecoDon S. PasquiniJeffery E. PerenonVincent A. PistelloGerald A. PittoreFrancesco PoggesiFrank Potestio, Jr.Dino John RamacciottiJohn RibovichPatrick RotellRobert G. ScaliseRichard SciacquaJohn SinibaldiJohn SquellatiJohn TandiSteve TellesEdward L. ThomasSalvatore J. Verducci Eugene ViarengoRalph H. Watkins III

Anthony L. DennisFrank DiPiazzaTony DuarteJoseph EandiJames ErvinJohn J. FerraraBernard FerreiraPeter FrancoJames T. GaiJerome GannRicardo GavelloRobert GianottiJohn GinochioLawrence GregoriGary Hale D.D.S.Paul T. HenningRichard HockingGary HofstedeDaniel HorowitzJames R. HungerfordThomas M. LanfrankiWilliam LemasMatt LuccheseScott MacIntyreMaurice ManownJames Louis Marinello

Call for ReservationsThurs., Dec. 4, 510-653-9716 x301Thurs., Dec. 11, 510-653-9716 x302Thurs., Dec. 18, 510-653-9716 x303 To cancel reservations x308 by 7 pm Monday before the dinner

January 2015 Birthday Dinners

January 8, 15, 29Menu:

Salad, Bucatini Pasta, Roast Pork, Dessert,

Wine, Coffee

Salad, Bollito Miso (braised beef) Pasta, Dessert, Wine and Coffee

Birthday Dinners in December 7:30 pm Dinner

$16 Members; $21 Guests; $10 Children 6–11 yrs

Colombo Club and Ladies Auxiliary:Children’s Christmas Party

Santa is coming to The Colombo Club!

12 Noon, Sunday, Dec. 14Special Holiday

Schedule for Birthday Dinners

Nov. & Dec.

Insalata, Pasta, Bollito Misto, Dolce, Vino, Caffé

Celebrating 94 YearsThe Colombo Club

5321 Claremont AvenueOakland, California 94618

The Isabella Room is Open to Members Monday thru Saturday, 12-3 pm

510-653-9716Cancellations: Ext 308

Prepaid Reservations: Ext 307prepaidcolomboclub@gmail.com

FAX 510-653-9053Please do not use for reservationswww.ColomboClub.org

The Colombo Club Newsletter is published monthly by the Colombo Club of Oakland, California. Suggestions wel-come. Submit ideas in the month preceding publication.Newsletter Co-Editors:Maria Falaschi (maria@

blupointmarketing.com), Carole Lucido (carole@lucidomarketing.com)

Mailing Committee Advisor: Frank BienatiAdvisory Staff: Joe Guerrero, Dave Nardi,

Ray Fratangelo, Rich Puppione, John Banda, David Urbanus, Bev Chernoff, Joe Ferrara, Tony Tedeschi, Doug Emeldi,

Niccolo DeLuca, Lynne Kessler Design: Lucido Marketing 925-947-6080

Larry AngeliAnthony AngerameVincent J. AnzilottiEdward ArriLarry S. BianchiniDavid BlakesleyKevin BohmBryan BonettiChris BradyBob BreeceMichael BressoRosario J. BuciniJoseph L. BuonannoChristopher D. CarranoAlan V. CarusoRobert CeremelloGlenn ChenJames T. ClayLouis J. Conti, Jr.Gary CoseMichael CosentinoGary M. CostanzoDavid Cutaia, Jr.Ron DallimontiGiancarlo DarrimonDavid D. DaviniNiccolo DeLuca

Featuring the

Sam Farrano & his Nob Hill

Sounds

Celebrate New Years Eveat the Club!

Wed., Dec. 31

Antipasto, Salad, Ravioli, Prime Rib, Champagne, and

Dessert

No-host cocktails 6 pm Dinner 7 pmDancing 9 pm – 1 amBalloon Drop Midnight (West Coast Time)

and Midnight Buffet!

This is a Prepaid Event. Please use the RSVP form enclosed.

President’s Message Colombo Club Auxiliary President’s MessageDear Colombo Club Members–

This is it – my final “President’s Message” for the Colombo Club newsletter. My two years are up and the Club is still functioning just fine. I do hope that the future will bring another 94 years of food, fun and friendship.

Living 130 miles from The Club (Columbia, California) did make things a bit more difficult, but I did my best to meet the challenge. I did fulfill the one promise I made to myself by not missing any Board Meetings, Assembly Meetings or the second Birthday Dinner with “my guys.”

Thanks to Doug Emeldi, Tony Tedeschi, Rich and Cindy Puppione, Cyril and Diana Bonanno, Lonnie & Mrs. Chase and John & Mrs. Mazibrook, Billy Castell, and others - the Club was able to cover the two dozen or more “outside” dinners we are invited to each year. I do not think we missed one.

In the thirty years I have been a member, I must say some things have changed – the place is so much nicer. Also, with a great deal of help and expertise from so many folks – our business office has now reached the 21st century (most of you know how difficult change is for Italian men - testa duro).

What has not changed is the commitment of so many to make this Club a wonderful “home.” I cannot begin to name those who in the past gave so much, and some of them are still around today. The great chefs, sometimes spending 16 hours a day in the kitchen. The “managers” who never let things get out of control - House, Kitchen, Reservations, Bar, Catering, and more. If I mention one, I must mention a hundred, because that is what is takes to keep the Club going. I try to make sure that, from waiters and bartenders to office personnel, I thank them personally. Please, each of you do the same.

We owe so much to so many, but I must acknowledge one who stands out in my mind. The right guy, in the right place, at the right time, when he could be elsewhere. I want to thank Cyril Bonanno for keeping it together as our current Board Chairman. I also want each of you to say a special prayer or give a warm thought for the speedy and complete recovery of his wife Diana.

Again, when you come to the Club take a moment to thank someone for the work they do - the Christmas Party, New Years Eve Ball, Newsletter Staff, Kitchen Personnel, Office Staff, House Committee, Scholarship Committee, Board Members, Officers, and the most thankless job of all, the Social Committee. Hopefully, you will be on that long list of those who can give, or gave, the time to keep this “The Greatest Italian American Club In America.”

In conclusion, I want to thank you for the extreme honor and privilege of allowing me to introduce myself for the past two years as the President of the Colombo Club. It is a very high honor indeed.

Con Affetto,

Domenicemail me at: Torchia@mlode.com

First of all, the Auxiliary wants to wish all of you a wonderful holiday time and a tremendous 2015. It is hard to believe that another year is coming to an end. The Auxiliary is looking forward to a number of great events in 2015.

The “Holiday Boutique/Luncheon” was extremely successful. We had well over 300 attending and we made some great earnings for our charities. I want to thank my co-chair Diane Proto for her assistance and to the fantastic Auxiliary members who also assisted. We received an enormous amount of compliments. We sure make a great team!

On November 19th, we had our election of Officers and Board Members for 2015. I will share the results with you in the next newsletter. I want to thank Frances Bienati, the chair of the Nominating Committee and members Marie Camara and JoAnn Bruno who were also on the committee.

Our “77th Anniversary Dinner” will be on Saturday, December 6. JoAnn Bruno and Mary Pandolfo are our chairs. They are planning a special Prime Rib dinner for $25 per adult and $12.50 for children 6 – 12 years. This event will start at 4:30 pm, with no-host cocktails and dinner at 5:30 pm. For reservations, please contact Yvonne Evans, at 510-531-2429 by Saturday, November 29.

Be sure and mark your calendar for our “Members’ Christmas Dinner” on Thursday, December 18. This will be our meeting for the month of December. We will have dinner in the Isabella Room, at the Club, at 5 pm. with no-host cocktails followed with dinner at 5:45 pm. This event is for our members only, at no cost. Since this event is on a Thursday evening, we will be parking in the DMV lot. Please contact Yvonne Evans, at 510-531-2429, for reservations, by Thursday, December 11. Also, please bring an unwrapped childrens’ gift we will donate.

Ciao,Bev Chernoff, abchernoff@comcast.net

Sunshine CornerPlease contact Sunshine Committee Chair Gordon Bowman if you know of a member who is ill or has passed away. Contact Gordon at home: 925-449-5499 or the Club: 510-653-9716, x 351.

Colombo Club Auxiliary President’s Message

October Incentive DonorsThank you to the following donors to our Incentive Program: Berry Bros Towing and Transport, Joseph Brignole Jr. of Brignole & Ghiri Insurance & Real Estate, Colombo Club, Crown Wine and Spirits, John Porras, Garré Winery, Massimo’s, Lou Mascola of Molinari and Sons, Royal Auto Repair, Dan Foster, Jerry Jennaro, Mark Razenti, Michael Mittlebusher, Peter Scalise and Tim Tomei.

Men’s Lunch, Monday Jan 19Surprise Menu, $12 Men or $6 Boys 6–11 Reservations required 510-653-9716 Ext. 306

News & NotesA Note from the BoardOakland has spoken and voters have agreed to an increase in minimum wage to $12/hour (previously $8/hour). This will impact the cost of our Club’s dinners and the Board will be meeting in January to discuss the matter in further detail. Stay tuned for further announcements, until then, dinner prices remain the same. Members $16, Guests $21, Children aged 6-11 $10. 2015 Member Dues IncreaseAt the November meeting the Board of Directors voted to increase the 2015 annual dues by $10 as follows:Standard Members: $150 if paid on or before 2/28/15 $175 if paid after 2/28/15 and before 3/31/15Minimum Dues Members (75 years old by 2015 with 20 years membership) $80 if paid on or before 2/28/15 $105 if paid after 2/28/15 and before 3/31/15Per the By-Laws, the Club will pay the dues for members who are currently on active duty in the armed forces. Dues billings will be mailed to all members in early December 2014.

February Crab Feed Change of DateWe’ve rescheduled the February Crab Feed to February 21, 2015. Please take note. The price will be $50.

Wanted: A Few Good MenThe Club needs your help with events! In case you haven’t noticed each event accommodates approximately 300-500 guests. The people who work these events make it look easy because they are very organized and in most cases have been doing these jobs for many years. The goal is to have enough members to share the work so that the impact will be minimal on all of us. Training will be provided. Areas that are needed:1. Selling wardrobe items before and after Birthday dinners2. Assisting with the chair-lift before and after Birthday and

Family dinners3. Helping with reservations (selling tickets) before Birthday

and Family dinners4. Helping with selling tickets during the incentive programs.

Take responsibility to run the incentive program for one dinner.

All these positions are critical to the functioning of the Club.The Colombo Club cannot function without your help. Please contact Cyril Bonanno, Chairman of the Board, cyrilb1@comcast.net, phone 925 202-9576, to sign up and do your part!

Spend News Years Eve at The ClubJoin your friends at the Club on New Years. The Nob Hill Sounds will play from 9 pm to 1 am and will bring us into 2015 when the ball drops at midnight California time. See the enclosed prepaid flyer for full details.

Save the Dates in the New YearSunday, 9/13/15 for the annual Italian Clubs Picnic. The Club’s Social Chair, Tony Tedeschi, has reserved the same great location we had this year at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds for the 2015 event!

Sunday, 9/27/15 for the Giants @ A’s Baseball– Past president, Billy Castell has secured for the Club, at a special price, a block of tickets for this “across the Bay” afternoon.

Buon Natalefrom the Colombo Club

Scholarship ApplicationsScholarship applications are now available at the Club Bar. Deadline for return is March 1, 2015.

New Schedule for Family DinnersStarting in 2015, the Family Dinners will have a new schedule. Cocktail hour will begin at 5 pm and Dinner at 6 pm. All other Family Dinners will follow this same schedule until New Years. Please Note: In January, there will not be a Family Dinner.

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayD

ecember 2

014

Officers & Board of Directors Meeting 6 pm

Our Cultural Heritage and Our Club Today by Carlo Tamburrino, viacarlo@aol.com, 510-520-6732, cell

Tradizioni di Natale (Christmas Traditions)

Birthday Dinner7:30 pm $16 Members $21 Guests

Birthday Dinner7:30 pm $16 Members $21 Guests

New Year’s Eveat the Club!7 pmPrepaid Event

Mark Your Calendar

Jan 17 Scholarship Crab Feed . . . . . . . . . M&GJan 19 Men’s Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M&GJan 24 Scholarship Crab Feed . . . . . . . . . M&GFeb . 8 Children’s Pinata/ Old Fashioned Family Dinner . . . . M&GM - Members Only, M&G - Members and GuestsM&R - Members and Relatives Only Please

With Christmas just a few weeks away, need I mention how busy we all get? So be it, but as Italians, it would be unheard of not to plan for holiday feasting with fabulous foods of our heritage. Traditional dishes are as important as the holiday itself. Recognize any of these?

Christmas Eve (La Vigilia): Fish and seafood are the order of the day especially eel and dried baccala’ or stockfish (che puzza!). The inland regions of Italy relied upon the dried fish to honor the traditional giorno di magro, or day of abstinence. Coastal locations and here in the Bay Area, dried fish was used along with fresh caught. Popular dishes for the day might include seafood salad; pasta with clams, shrimp, or lobster; or fritto misto.

Christmas Day (Natale): Christmas menus are famously rich, cost is no object. The Christmas feast may feature tortellini in brodo, lasagna (said to bring good luck), and stuffed capon or turkey.

Beloved desserts include struffoli (from Naples) – crisp, honey-coated rounds of deep-fried egg dough. Panettone

Birthday Dinner7:30 pm $16 Members $21 Guests

(literally, big bread), originating from Milano during the 11th century is a large, dome-shaped cake-like bread sweetened with raisins, fruits, and nuts. Another famous cake is Pandoro – Verona’s frustum-shaped, sweet “golden bread” sprinkled with vanilla sugar. Torrone, with roots as far back as Ancient Rome and Cremona, 15th century, is a nougat enriched with honey, toasted almonds and candied fruit.

New Year’s Eve (Il Cenone di Capodanno or La Notte di San Silvestro): Celebrated both as the last night of the year and the feast day of St. Silvestro (Pope Sylvester I). Tradition calls for lentils to symbolize coins = wealth for the coming year. One popular version is lenticchie e cotecchino - lentils served with pork sausage. Other dishes with small-sized ingredients that represent money and luck may be substituted, including chickpeas, grapes, or beans. Don’t forget the bottle of Spumante or Prosecco popped at mezzanotte (midnight)!

Bambini Ciao10:30 am - Noon

Auxiliary Polenta Dinner, $18 Members; $20 Guests . Reservations 510-531-2429

Do any of these bring back memories or are part of your family’s traditions? My ma would always prepare a beautiful fish stew on Xmas Eve since “La carne non si mangia!” (No meat). Struffoli and Bugie (fried, knotted, egg dough strips) come to my taste buds’ memories for Xmas desserts. Enjoy your own traditions and take the time to revive any that may have dropped off over the years. Whatever you have, “Salute’!” and “Auguri di Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo.” Oh, and with all to eat, “Buon Appetito!” and don’t worry, “C’e sempre Brioschi!”

Ladies Auxiliary 77th Anniversary Dinner Dance5:30 pm

Bambini Ciao10:30 am - Noon

Merry Christmas!

Children’s Christmas Party Noon

Auxiliary Christmas Dinner, 5:45 pm

Antipasto, Salad, Ravioli, Prime Rib, Champagne, and Dessert

Featuring the

Sam Farrano & his Nob Hill

SoundsIf you have questions or wish to check on your prepaid New Year’s reservations , call the Club (510) 653-9716 ext. 307, or

TicketsMembers: Couple @ $75 = $ Singles @ $40 = $ Children @$20 = $

Guests: Couple @ $95 = $ Singles @ $50 = $ Children @ $20=$

TOTAL Enclosed

New Years Eve: Prebook and Prepay Reservation FormName: Phone:

Address:

City: If Possible, I would like to be seated with:

Prepaid Reservations Required for this event. Mail this form and your check, payable to: The Colombo Club,

5321 Claremont Ave., Oakland 94618 Attn: New YearsChecks and reservation forms must arrive at the Club

by December 23, 2014. In the event of a sell out, reservations will be recorded by the postmark date.

Prepaid Reservations Required for this event. Mail this form and your check, payable to The Colombo Club, 5321 Claremont Ave., Oakland 94618. Attn: Scholarship Crab Feed. Checks & Reservation Forms must arrive at the Club by January 3, 2015. In the event of a sell out, reservations will be recorded by the postmark date. Dress code: Business casual; No tank tops and no shorts.This event is sponsored by the Colombo Club and Colombo Club Ladies Auxiliary.

Scholarship Crab Feed

Win a Great Prize in Our

Drawing!

Please complete the following reservation forms for these upcoming prepaid events and return to the Club as soon as possible. Sorry, telephone reservations cannot be accepted for these events. 5321 Claremont Avenue, Oakland, California 94618.

Colombo Club Prepaid Events

The Club accepts Charge Cards for Prepaid Reservations!CHARGE CARD AUTHORIZATION I acknowledge that the information below is true and correct. My signature authorizes the release of the information below for a charge amount of $____________________ to the referenced card. Signature:____________________________________________________ Date: _______________________

The Colombo Club accepts the following Cards: VISA / MASTERCARD / DISCOVER(Note: for security reasons, we will NOT keep a record of your card on file. This portion of your reservation will be shredded after the charge is completed.)

Name on Card: __________________________________________________ Type: (circle one)

Address on Card: ________________________________________________ Zip Code:_______________________Card Number: ___________________________________________________ Expiration Date:__________________Security Code: __________ (3 digits usually on back of card)

No-host cocktails 6 pm, Dinner 7 pmDancing 9 pm – 1 amBalloon Drop Midnight (West Coast Time)and Midnight Buffet!

Celebrate New Years Eveat the Club!

Wed., Dec. 31

email us at prepaidcolomboclub@gmail.com.

Crab Feed 2015 Prebook and Prepay Reservation Form

I am enclosing $ _____ for _____ tickets @ $50 each on Saturday, January 17 and / or $ _____ for _____ tickets @ $50 each on Saturday, January 24

Name: Phone:

Address:

City: If Possible, I would like to be seated with:

No Host Cocktails at 6 pmDinner at 7 pmMenu: Salad, Linguine with white clam sauce, All-You-Can-Eat Cracked Crab, Dessert, Wine and Coffee*If you have questions or wish to check on your pre-paid Scholarship Crab Feed reservations, call Diane Proto at 510-748-6423.

Turn this over for more great Colombo Club events.

Please complete the following reservation forms for these upcoming prepaid events and return to the Club as soon as possible. Sorry, telephone reservations cannot be accepted for these events. 5321 Claremont Avenue, Oakland, California 94618.

Colombo Club Prepaid Events

The Club accepts Charge Cards for Prepaid Reservations!CHARGE CARD AUTHORIZATION I acknowledge that the information below is true and correct. My signature authorizes the release of the information below for a charge amount of $____________________ to the referenced card. Signature:____________________________________________________ Date: _______________________

The Colombo Club accepts the following Cards: VISA / MASTERCARD / DISCOVER(Note: for security reasons, we will NOT keep a record of your card on file. This portion of your reservation will be shredded after the charge is completed.)

Name on Card: __________________________________________________ Type: (circle one)

Address on Card: ________________________________________________ Zip Code:_______________________Card Number: ___________________________________________________ Expiration Date:__________________Security Code: __________ (3 digits usually on back of card)

Turn this over for more great Colombo Club events.

8th Annual Colombo Club Crab FeedSaturday, Feb. 21, 2015

I am enclosing $ _____ for _____ tickets @ $50 each on Sat., Feb. 21

Name: Phone:

Address: City:

Prepaid Reservations Required for this event. Mail this form and your check, payable to The Colombo Club, 5321 Claremont Ave., Oakland 94618. Attn: COLOMBO CLUB Crab Feed. Payments & Reservation Forms must arrive at the Club by February 12, 2015. In the event of a sell out, reservations will be recorded by the postmark date. To check on your reservations, (510) 653-9716 x 307.

Make your reservations now!No-Host Cocktails at 6:00Dinner 7:00 pmMenu: Salad, Linguine with white Clam Sauce, All-You-Can-Eat Cracked Crab, Dessert, Wine and Coffee

If Possible, I would like to be seated with: