March 2020 Colombo Club Newsletter

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President’s Message

Ciao, Ciao

It is now time to get your reservations in for the 100th anniversary dinner August 22 and August 29. Presently we are close to being sold out. If you wait much longer you will miss your chance to be at the Gala 100 Year Celebration of the Colombo Club.

March is a special month as I married an Irish gal.  St Patrick’s Day is always fun. I look forward to Joanmarie cooking her famous corned beef and cabbage. It’s incredible. Our cooks at the Club are equally as talented when cooking corned beef, cabbage and pasta pesto. The birthday and family dinners will serve this great meal this month.  They are always a member favorite.  These dinners sell out quickly, but remember if you call and it is sold out, leave your name as people always adjust their reservations, which makes more seats available.  Queste cene si esauriscono rapidamente, ma ricorda che se chiami ed è esaurito lascia il tuo nome poiché le persone modificano sempre le loro prenotazioni e diventano disponibili più posti.

We were a bit let down after the Superbowl, but I am sure we all had a great time with our friends and family coming together to laugh and cry, but I am sure we all ate very well. The Nicora family always says, if there is one thing that’s going to happen today at our house, you will not go home hungry.  La famiglia Nicora dice sempre, se c’è una cosa che accadrà oggi a casa nostra, non andrai a casa affamato.

March is also a time when we need to say Thank You to the old country Italians who were the founders of the Kingdom of Italy.  The Day of Unity is March 17th 1861.  At the Colombo Club in this our 100th year we thank and celebrate our founders, and the love that we have created and received by our family and fellow members.  Marzo è anche un momento in cui dobbiamo ringraziare gli italiani di campagna che erano i fondatori del Regno d’Italia. Il giorno dell’unità 17 marzo 1861.

Lobsters are at the Club this month.  The Lobster Feed always sells out, so get your reservations in now. Thank Cyril Bonanno, our chairman of the board,  and member Bob Tucknott for starting this tradition and all the hard work.

August is coming quickly. Make sure you keep your eyes on the newsletters and flyers for all the great events that are going to be happening that month. These will be memorable events for the entire family. There are dinners, dancing, and games for the kids so many things to do. Make sure you keep your entire month open to enjoy our entire Colombo Club family getting together.    

The first 100th anniversary shirts oare now available along with the commemorative desk clocks and wine goblets (there will also be commemorative wine glasses for adults at the anniversary dinners).    There are only 100 of each item we sell each month, when they’re gone, they will turn into collector’s items.  Have a great March and sit back and watch our beautiful Bay Area blossom into spring. Vi auguriamo una grande marzo e sedetevi e guardate la nostra bellissima Bay Area sbocciare in primavera.

Celebrare Cento Anni,
Nick Nicora, President, nnicora@comcast. net

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Colombo Club Auxiliary President’s Message

Our Valentine’s Dinner on February 20th was full of hearts and love and of course, great Italian food.  We certainly appreciate everyone for supporting our events.

The year is moving along so quickly, and beautiful Spring is just around the corner. This will bring us our celebration of St. Patrick’s Day dinner that features the traditional food of the holiday, corned beef and cabbage, salad, pasta and dessert. No-host cocktails 6 pm and dinner at 7 pm.  To make reservations for this popular event call Yvonne Evans (510) 531-2429.

Our next general meeting will be held March 18th in the Isabella Room. We will continue discussing future guest speakers and events. Please come with some interesting ideas.

Please come and join us to continue to celebrate our Italian heritage. AN ACTIVE CLUB IS A SUCCESSFUL CLUB.

Sylvia Jesuit, Colombo Club Auxiliary President

Birthday Dinner Incentive Supporters

Our appreciation to the following individuals and businesses for their support of the Club incentive program during the January Birthday dinners: Joseph Brignole – Brignole & Ghiri Insurance, Catholic Funeral Cemetary Services; Colombo Club; Grocery Outlet – Mark Rezente;  Walnut Creek Toyota – Rick Michardi; Angelo Magurno; Bryan Baptist; Dan Foster; Fred Moehl; Bob Wheeler; Jerry Jennaro; Jim Bartha; Lonnie Chase and Tim Tomei.

Our Thanks to So Many Crab Lovers!

The two Scholarship Crab feeds in January and the Colombo Club Crab Feed in February filled the Club’s dining room to capacity with more than 500 diners at each event. Our sincere thanks go to all who supported these fundraising events by attending the dinners and supporting the incentive program for the three events. 

What a Team!

Our appreciation to the Club’s team of workers, including cooks, waiters, incentive ticket sellers, dining room set-up crew, reservations and bartenders who all work together to bring these successful events to the membership – a true team effort! Our special thanks to Frances Bienati for buying and wrapping the incentive prizes for all three events!

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In Memoriam

Bob Caya

Member since 2002

Anthony Ferreira

Member since 1970

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Sunshine Corner

Our condolences to the family of long-time member Anthony Ferreira for his passing. Anthony would have celebrated his 50th year as a Club member this year. Bob Caya, who passed away in February, will be missed. 

If you know of a member who is ill or passed away, please let Gordon Bowman, Sunshine Chair know. Call him at (925) 449-5549.  

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SAVE THE DATE! Italian Heritage Night at the A’s

Saturday, August 1, 2020. Oakland A’s v. the Texas Rangers 1:07 pm. $30/ticket. Please call (510) 653-9716 ext. 353 to reserve tickets. 

Welcome to New Members!

The Club brought in ten new members at the February 6th meeting. Please give these gents a hearty Colombo Club welcome when you see them:

Thomas Adair, Bryan Baptist, Patrick J. Fracisco, Father Jayson Landeza, Anthony Martinelli, Richard Moore III, Jacob Perata, Steven Randall, Julio Rivas, and David Thornly. 

Don’t Forget! 2020 Dues are Due by March 30

Our thanks to the members who have already paid their 2020 dues! For those who have not paid, the 2020 dues are:

Standard Members:

$180 if the Club receives your payment by 2/29/20
$205 if received (postmarked) after 3/1/2020 and before 3/31/20

Minimum Dues Members:

(75 years old by 2020 with 20 years of membership)

$90 if the Club receives your payment by 2/29/20

$115 if received (postmarked) after 3/1/2020 and before 3/31/20      

Please send payments to: Colombo Club, 5321 Claremont Ave., Oakland, CA  94618. *For more info please email colomboclubcorrsecretary@gmail.com, or call the Club’s Dues & Member Records line (510) 653-9716, Ext. 354.

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Last Chance! Scholarship Applications are Due March 15, 2020

Colombo Club/ Colombo Club Auxiliary 2020 Scholarship 

Applicant Requirements: :

• Must be the child or grandchild of a current member of the Colombo Club or Colombo Club Auxiliary.
• Must provide all the attachments indicated herein on or before March 15, 2020.
• Must be a high school senior who is graduating from a high school accredited by the  Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Scholarship applications are available at the Colombo Club bar in the Club Room. Any questions, contact Rich Puppione at richpupp46@gmail.com.

Download the Lobster Feed Reservation form here.

Our Cultural Heritage and Our Club Today

by Rich Puppione, Colombo Club Co-Historian

The Month of March in Colombo Club History

On March 9, 1937, the club passed a resolution to form the first house committee made up of DeBenedetti, Luis Galletti and Pietro Puppione. One of their duties was to make all of the wine for the dinners.

On March 21, 1937 the board approved an annual father and son Bocce tournament. The winner got two free boxes of cigars and a free dinner at the club.

In March 1954, the board approved holding a Founders Night Dinner honoring the 17 living charter members of the club.

In March 2003, Mike Pandolfo was appointed Head Waiter for the club, replacing a Colombo Club legend, Norm Deming.

In March, 2004, the club held an Elk Feed. The cooks had planned on making stew, but instead the meat was ground, so they made meatballs.

For the first time in March, 2010 Cioppino Night, because of declining attendance in the event, was changed to Cioppino and Crab Night.

In March 2016, Chairman of the Board, Cyril Bonanno organized something new by holding a Lobster Fest dinner. Member Bob Tucknott had the live lobsters flown in from Maine for the event. This turned out to be a very successful event that had the attendees asking that it become a yearly Colombo Club event. Each person received two lobsters a piece for dinner along with the salad, pasta and dessert.

At the end of March 2017, Carnivale was celebrated at the family dinner and drew the largest crowd for any event in recent history. Over 500 attendees enjoyed a dinner of salad, meatballs, salsiccia with pasta and dessert. There was a costume party and there was dancing to the George Campi Band. A highlight of the evening after dinner for the many of the children was the smashing of two pignattas filled with candy.

YOU WILL WANT TO BE IN THE ROOM WHEN THESE TWO EVENTS HAPPEN!

August 22:

100 Year Gala Members’ Anniversary Dinner and Dance
Tickets on sale now for $50/person first-come first-served.
Limit: two tickets per member

August 29:

100 Year Gala “Members & Invited Guests” Anniversary Dinner/Dance
Tickets on sale now – $50/members and $60/guests first come, first served. 

Use the reservation form here to reserve your spot today!  Both events are limited to the first 500 reservations.

Download the 100th Anniversary Events flyer here.

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