August 2011

Welcome… to the “Italian Issue” of ALIVE, as this month our lead story chronicles the history and influence of Italian Americans in the East Bay. Our feature article (page 16), appropriately penned by Anita Venezia, was motivated in large part by author Rick Malaspina’s terrific book, Images ofAmerica—Italian Oakland. The photographs that give Anita’s story much of its flavor were provided to us, courtesy of Mr. Malaspina and the book’s publisher, Arcadia Publishing. Thank you Rick and Arcadia!

Certainly, the influence of Italians is apparent on many levels throughout much of the world. After all, would Friday nights in America be the same without pizza? Would Starbucks be the dominant force in the coffee universe if not for Cappuccino and Espresso? In terms of culture—art, food, science and more — the Italians have always been leaders.

As is true elsewhere, you need not venture far into the history of our region to encounter significant contributions made by Italian immigrants. And while North Beach in San Francisco is well known as an Italian cultural hub, many readers may be surprised to learn of the far reaching influence that Italian Americans have had in the East Bay.

One of the grand institutions of the East Bay’s Italian community is the Colombo Club in Oakland. While it boasts a colorful and influential history that includes names like DiMaggio and Marciano, it continues to be a place where life-loving Italian Americans gather to revel and enjoy each others company, maintaining a vibrant expression of their rich traditions.

When Anita and I first discussed the idea for this story, I was excited. Being half Italian on my mother’s side, much of my childhood was spent in the company of my Nonno and Nonni. I grew up learning to speak the Genovese dialect, and have fond memories of helping in the garden and kitchen—harvesting Fava beans, grating hard Parmesan cheese and filling wine bottles from Nonno’s wooden barrel under the front porch.

I was also well acquainted with the Colombo Club, as my grandparents and parents attended numerous events there. In fact, some thirty-six or so years ago, part of my wife’s introduction into my family’s cultural ways came by way of the Colombo Club, as we attended an event there when we were first dating. She won a door prize at that event that I suspect was what won her over and convinced her that I was “the one” — it was a box of fresh produce!

To be sure, the Italian American heritage in the East Bay is something to celebrate, but even more, and in keeping with the rich traditions of these great people, it is something to enjoy.

Spero che ti piace questa rivista!

During the last few years, mortgage rates have been so attractive, it is unusual to find someone who has not refinanced their home or rental property. Many lenders are not willing to finance a property that is held by a Living Trust, resulting in the homeowner agreeing to remove the property from the Living Trust in order to get the loan. Commonly, the Title Company handling the escrow for the refinance will create and record a Deed to remove the property from the Living Trust. The refinance of the mortgage loan is completed, and all is well.

Or is it? Now the property is out of the Living Trust, and has lost the protections that the homeowner intended when he or she spent the time and money to set up a Living Trust. Many times the homeowner is unaware that the property is out of the Living Trust, or has been reassured that the property would be put back into the Living Trust at the conclusion of the refinance process, and occasionally that is true. However, I have seen many times that the transfer back into the Living Trust has never occurred.

There are a number of problems this can create. Depending on what the Deed taking the property out of the Living Trust says, if it is a joint Living Trust, and one of the spouses passes away, a Probate can be required to put the deceased spouse’s share back into the Living Trust. The goal of setting up a Living Trust is to make things easier, but having to do an unexpected Probate is frustrating and expensive.

I tell all of my clients to call me if they refinance, so that we can ensure that this does not happen to them. Want an easy way to check on whether your home is in your Living Trust? Take a look at your current property tax bill. If you have refinanced, and the letters “TR” are not after your name, you should investigate. Better to find out now than later!