This is our primary and most significant fund raiser for 2012. To make this a successful fund raising event, all members will participate to support our Italian American High School Scholars and the significant charities we support both locally and Nationally (i.e. The Jimmy “V” Valvano foundation’ for Cancer Research, Coolie’s Anemia, Catholic Charities, etc.)

There are many many ways for you to show your support this year:
Bring Sponsors for cash donations – Money can help in so many ways from the golf costs and raffle prizes, to the bottom line of the fund raiser.
Bring Players – We have 144 player slots to fill. So bring your family and friends. All are welcome and the more players the more great raffle items.
Donate raffle items – Please go to your favorite restaurant’s and businesses and get gift certificates for dinner for two or four or for their products, hotel rooms, car repair and products, golf products, wine, movies, goody baskets, and really anything and everything.

All donations are tax deductible. UNICO 501 (c) 3 The UNICO Fund IRS Employer Identification Number (Federal ID #) is: 33-0912760

Thank you for your support and participation!!

Sincerely,

Jim DeSpenza – Golf Chair
(858) 722-3610 – jddespe@pacbell.net

I was born and raised in the area of Columbia and Kalmia St in Little Italy’s community. It was saturated with Sicilian fishing families which lived within a zone from Beech to Laurel Streets. This was the “meat” of the neighborhood and everyone worked and knew each other in San Diego’s thriving fishing industry. The area was solid with fishermen which were primarily from Sicily. From Sicilian towns like Aspara, Mazzara, Castellammare, Porticello and Trapani came the families that brought their expertise that developed the fishing waterfront area along Harbor Dr. The majority of this influx and development occurred between the 1920’s to 1980 when the demise of the tuna industry took the small boat community along with it.

My story begins with my fascination with the life at sea from stories as told by my older brother, Dominick and my father, Mario. I would often go to the embarcadero with them and listen to the sea tales from the men on the boats.

As I grew older (13yrs) I finally got to go fishing with my uncle Leo D’Angelo on his small 40 foot market boat, the Girolamo D.. It was equipped to fish for Albacore, Sea Bass, Halibut and Barracuda. At that time, in 1953,the Grape St piers (there were three of them) were the home for the market boat fleet. The market boats were an assortment of unique vessels from 30 to 50 feet in length that provided fresh fish for local fish markets including restaurants.

The fleet was operated by the Sicilian families that lived a few blocks away in Little Italy. A short walk to the piers was all it took to be at your boat.

It was an exciting place to be. Nets were on the docks being repaired and there was a familiar Sicilian dialect that could be heard from one pier to the other. Discussions of when and where the next fish run would occur and the techniques used was always absorbed by my young ears. One could get quite an education in “Fishing 101.”

Our boat was equipped like many of the others to carry a live bait tank for Albacore and then to convert to net fishing when the Albacore season closed. The piers were buzzing with activity as providers of ice, and provisions would bring their trucks down to the boats to unload orders. Next to the piers was the fuel dock. Everything was conveniently positioned to take care of our needs.
The smells of diesel, tar pitch from the piers, and at times a Petri “stogie” as it was puffed by a fisherman mending his nets was all in the air. Of course, the Sicilian chatter made one feel he was in the “old country”.

Uncle Leo’s boat would stay out approximately 2 weeks and visit places like San Martin Is, Guadelupe and several Baja California coastal bays. They were pristine and remote and captured my fascination. I couldn’t wait till the next trip.

Now , whenever I visit the piers, I still see the magnificent fleet of boats, men mending nets and hear their chatter. I can only imagine the smells now as the area is almost abandoned and closed off.
The appendix lists some of the boats and families that the piers were once home to. Included are some photos that were generously shared by Capt. Mike Mc Korcle of Santa Barbara who has an incredible knowledge of the history of the boats. In fact, he even helped me trace the whereabouts of my uncle Leo’s boat. It is now sitting in Berkley Marina converted to a yacht.
Appendix 1 lists some of the boats and families followed by some photos of typical vessels that populated the piers.

I am working on a followup of the history of some of the vessels; how they were lost, where they may be today and even their radio call letters. Since VHF was not the adopted mode short wave AM radio was widely used to communicate especially on the popular frequencies of 2638 KHZ and 2738 KHZ. 2182 was the Coast Guard Frequency.

Appendix 1 The Boats of Little Italy
The Families and Their Little Boats

Vessel Owner Rmks
Balboa Zollezzi Small Tuna Boat
Joann Marie Petrino “Cottone” Sanfillippo
Galaleo Cresci Known as the “Old Men’s Boat”
Amelia Corraro
Roma Leo D’Angelo/Mario Di Bona 1940
Louis Paulo Giacalone
Rose Tano Sardina
Nina Pete Piranio
Nina Ann Frank Navarra
Cape Zeffarano Frank Crivello
Lu Anna Bompensario
Vincenzo Mario Tarantino Red Boat
Giusapina D’Aquisto (related to Bomp)
Maria Joanna Frank Cordeleone Albacore
Maria Josette Nick Cordeleone Albacore
Girolamo D Leo and Jerry D’Angelo
Lococo Bros Frank Lococo
Lococo Sons Pasquale, Frank, Pete and “Uzzo” Giovanni
Unione #1 Busalacci
Unione #2 Tony Giacalone
Angelina Tony and Joe Giacalone
Carmella Joe Tarantino
Dante Frank Sanfillipo
Virginia Rose Leonard Ingrande
Example De Maria pre 1940
White Star De Maria ½ Ring
Grace L Jasper Frontero
Leonardo M Orlando—Canepa Sister to Dante
Rosalia Madre John Bompensario
Clara Marie John Mangiapane Small Tuna Boat
Alpino Matt Bompensario
Today—————-
Patty Joe Carlo and Vito Sanfillipo G st Marina

The finger piers at the foot Grape St were hosts to the fleet of proud little vessels of San Diego’s Little Italy Community. The docks were daily hangouts for the fishermen who roamed the seas from Mexico to the coastal So Cal waters off of San Diego.

There would be nets piled on the docks with men mending damaged nets from the prior trip. Many of the boats would be engaged in gill netting for Halibut, Sea Bass, and Barracuda,. During the Summer months the rush was on for the prized Albacore. Usually July 4 th would signal the start of the fishery within our region which extended from Guadalupe Is to as far north as Monterrey. Only the brave ones would venture past Pt Conception and the often rough weather to chase the Albacore.

Now fishing in Santa Barbara
Capt Mike McKorkle’s Pie Face
Boat ran aground and was lost
The Dante at the Grape St Pier
Presently at G st Fish Harbor
The Roma- Owned by my father Mario and Uncle Leo D’Angelo 1940
The St Rita and Joanne Marie at the Grape St Pier -1950
My Uncle Leo’s Girolamo D stern end at the Grape St pier area

It is the hit of the town with extremely fresh handmade (pastas) and delicious fare from the Milan based owners/chefs.

** RSVP EARLY to Jim DeSpenza, jddespe@pacbell.net as seats are filling and we want to accommodate all.

We have sent save the dates and flyers out, its our normal third Tuesday UNICO general membership meeting and luncheon.

Please bring a guest as a potential new member this is a nice event to introduce them to UNICO.

$25 per person for Salad, Entree, dessert, glass of wine, or soda, coffee and maybe a small dessert we’ll see.

Tuesday September 20th 11:30 am, check in early

Bencotto Italian Kitchen www.lovebencotto.com
750 W Fir St, San Diego Ca – Little Italy

(India and Fir, across the street and down 1/2 block from Basilone Piazza)

Come all, Please let me know: jddespe@pacbell.net

THE BEST UNICO EVENT OF THE YEAR…

DO YOU SEE YOUR NAME ON THE RSVP GUEST LIST?

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO OUR 2011 BRIAN PICCOLO AND ANTHONY FURLANO AWARDS DINNER!

UNICO SAN DIEGO ANNOUNCES THEIR 2011 BRIAN PICCOLO & ANTHONY FURLANO AWARDS DINNER AND CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE HYATT AVENTINE, LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA, ON SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2011 WITH MASTER OF CEREMONIES, MR. DENNIS MORGIGNO AND SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER.

Dinner menu of Insalata, Dual Entrée of Petite Filet of Beef & Salmon and Chocolate Reflection Cake Dessert.  RSVP to James Pieri, Jr. – Awards Dinner Chair and President

The San Diego Chapter of UNICO is proud to announce our search for outstanding San Diego area high school graduating seniors to be the recipients of our Anthony Furlano Academic Scholarship Award and our Brian Piccolo Memorial Award.  UNICO National is the largest Italian-American service organization in the United States.

The Anthony Furlano Academic Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding high school senior of Italian Heritage for academic achievement and community service.  The Brian Piccolo Memorial Award is given to a graduating senior of Italian Heritage, involved in athletics.

Attached are the Brian Piccolo and Anthony Furlano award posters for your review.  DEADLINE APRIL 21, 2011.  Please contact Joseph Russo, Awards Committee Chair with any questions you should have at (619) 285-0852 during normal business hours or email; jrussosd@aol.com

GUEST LIST BELOW.  RSVP TODAY!!!

07_10_07_UNICO_Photos_v5

Have you added us on Facebook?  Log into your Facebook account and click on the following link, http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Unico-San-Diego/101181679943858.  Add us by clicking ‘LIKE’ this page.

Grazie,

James Pieri, Jr.

President – San Diego Chapter

james.pieri@unicosandiego.org

www.unicosandiego.org

(619) 565.2400

UNICO San Diego Luncheon meeting and social event is scheduled for the third Tuesday of every month.  Today’s lunch details below;

When:          Tuesday March 15th, 2011

Time:            11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Where:          Po Pazzo in Little Italy

                     1917 INDIA STREET – SAN DIEGO, CA 92101 – TEL: 619 238 1917

Web Site:     www.popazzo.com

* Please contact and RSVP Jim DeSpenza at jddespe@pacbell.net.

Please email your reservation today! This location is extremely popular and seating is limited.  Mille grazie…

Attendees:

Jim DeSpenza

Matt Risi

James Pieri Jr

Pasquale Iole

Anita Laing

Steve Codraro

Grace and Emilio Piraino

Joe Pieri

Jeanne Obenchain

Valeri Orsini

Joe Russo

Angela Deanne

Barry Masci

Sam Adrignola

Thomas Ventimiglia

Tommy and Rose

Sara Cavataio and Guest

PHOTO – SAN DIEGO CHAPTER PRESIDENT JAMES PIERI JR. AND UNICO MEMBER JOE HOISESCU AT FEEDING AMERICA 2009.

Are you interested in giving your time for our UNICO community service day in partnership with Feeding America? Please join us today!

Please join us at 9:00am, Saturday, November 20, 2010. In partnership with Feeding America we will volunteer our time and effort to assemble boxes of food for the less fortunate this Holiday season.  This is truly a wonderful and worthwhile community service day. Feeding America as an organization is amazing with the work they do for our community and the communities across America.  UNICAN’S had a fun and rewarding time last year at our service day and in three short hours we boxed nearly 35,000 lbs of food that help alleviate hungry children, family, seniors, homeless and the most vulnerable in San Diego County.

When you come to volunteer, a donation of cash and/or food in addition to your time is greatly appreciated; just bring it along with the completed application.  Because of Feeding America’s purchasing power they can turn $1.00 into 8 healthy meals.

For more information please contact; Jim DeSpenza – jddespe@pacbell.net

Address: 9151 Rehco Road, Suite B, San Diego, CA 92121.  For additional directions please see the attached Feeding America flier.

If you are able to join us and give back to our community just three hours of your time on Saturday, please let contact us today.  We would like to have a great turnout so that Feeding America knows that UNICO San Diego and out Italian community truly cares about out community.

Thank you UNICO Family! now let’s get to work for our wonderful community and America’s finest city…

Mille grazie…

Ciao!

James Pieri, Jr.
President – San Diego Chapter
james.pieri@unicosandiego.org

2010 ITALIAN FESTA AND OCTOBER UNICO LUNCH @ TRATTORIA FANTASTICA IN LITTLE ITALY SAN DIEGO – Join us and celebrate your Italian Heritage…

JOIN US AND CELEBRATE YOUR ITALIAN HERITAGE… For more information on how to join our organization or to host an event, please contact; info@unicosandiego.org, www.unicosandiego.org