In this issue...

• Table of Contents
  
  
• From the NIAF Chairman
  After a particularly brutal winter, spring ushered in a renewed sense of activity and purpose to the National Italian American Foundation in this our 35 th year…
  
  
• Lettere
  Readers respond to previous issue, NIAF’s work…
  


• Grants – Ciao Italia
  For 20 years, former NIAF grant recipient Mary Ann Esposito has hosted “Ciao Italia,” the longest-running cooking show on public television…
  


• The Italian Job
  Proof that knowledge of the Italian language can help you get ahead…
  
  
• Foundation Focus – NIAF launches challenge grant to bring back AP Italian
  
  
• Foundation Focus - L’Aquila one year later
  Italian Americans sprang to action after last April’s earthquake in Abruzzo. Here’s a look at why NIAF’s response was particularly unique…
  
  
• In Italy – Lending a helping hand
  When New Jersey businessman Joe Leone heard about last year’s L’Aquila earthquake, he sprang into action. The results surprised even him…
  
  
• Our Athletic Heritage
  Whether on the field, coaching from the sidelines, in the front office or reporting on camera, Italian Americans have had a long history in sports…
  
  
• Celebrating the “Return of the Gold”
  In a new book, author Dan Bickley examines Jerry Colangelo’s work as head of USA Basketball…
  
  
• From the boardroom to the locker room
  NIAF board member and TD Ameritrade Chairman Joe Moglia seeks a return to his roots as a football coach.

• NIAF News
  
  
• Leaving Brooklyn for the Big Leagues
  NIAF Board Member Ken Aspromonte may be known for his work with fellow Italian Americans, but he got his start in Major League Baseball…
  


• On Air
  For ESPN’s Tony Reali, the road to success is paved with equal parts hard work and good timing…
  
  
• On Sports
  From the slopes to the ice to the broadcast booth, the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver witnessed Italian American success on all levels – sometimes by athletes with names one might never associate with Italian heritage…
  
  
• On Film – In “City Island,” it’s all in the family
  Writer/director Raymond De Felitta imagines an Italian American family that never fled the boroughs for suburbia…
  
  
• In search of the perfect pastiera
  A New York City writer tries to recreate the grain pies of her childhood…
  
  
• Crossword Puzzle