Message From Your State President
Mark Vaona
The year continues to be busy and we’re only entering March, which is popular for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, the start of spring, March Madness, along with the beginning of Daylight-Saving Time. Many enjoy celebrating St. Patrick’s Day even though it’s not a native Italian holiday. Here are some specific ways St. Patrick’s Day intersects with Italian culture:
- Culinary Fusion: Instead of traditional corned beef, many Italians celebrate with “green” food, such as pasta with pesto, pistachio gelato, or Guinness-infused risotto.
- Monuments in Green: Major Italian landmarks, including the Colosseum in Rome and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, have participated in the “Global Greening” initiative, lighting up in green for the holiday.
- Proximity to St. Joseph’s Day: St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) falls just before La Festa di San Giuseppe (St. Joseph’s Day, March 19), which is a much larger, traditional, and food-focused holiday in Italy, particularly in the south.
And speaking of celebrations, we continue to plan for our next convention. I met with our convention coordinators Lynn Lawrence Murphy, Lori Rossi, Mark Rossi, Dan Marinelli and the hotel to finalize plans. So far we are on track to deliver another engaging and informative event.
That same week I was invited to an Italian caucus at the San Francisco Italian Consulate along with our Western Foundation Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Maria Fassio Pignati. Spending time with Maria is always an adventure; she knows everyone and ensures you meet everyone. I was introduced to the San Francisco Italian Consul General Massimo Carnelos, the Los Angeles Consul General Raffaella Valentini, and Christian Di Sanzo, a member of the Italian Parliament representing Italians residing in North and Central America. I also had the pleasure of meeting the heads of a number of Italian organizations in California as well. We enjoyed speeches and a presentation showcasing all of the attending organizations which provided a brief overview of their upcoming events. We were then treated to a delicious meal, featuring a selection of cold cuts, sandwiches, meatballs, and tortellini.
My goal is to attend the Reno and Sparks lodge’s meeting and share the results with you all next month. Our March Grand Council meeting will be held at the Centinela Valley Lodge in Torrance on March 21, 2026; (1744 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90501). We look forward to seeing you there as all are welcome to attend.