If you don't know it already, you may not know Lucia Galizia  is the Matriarch of Portland ("La Matriarche di Portland") of the Italian community. She is the driving force behind the scenes of our local events like Festa Italiana, Columbus Day celebration and much more,  she is selling tables at the Festa, courting new talent or organizing restaurants, and when organizers of other events need help they call on her to utilize her unique influential skills to draw in more attendance. Whether she is doing all I have stated or whether you see her on stage as a disc jockey with her wonderful husband who supports her every move while she stirring the crowds to dance like none other, you may ask why she continues...  its a little thing, which is not so little with her called, "passione" (passion) which comes out in her every move for music and the Italian culture.

When you see her, or if you ever get the pleasure of meeting her, don't forget to say "grazie" (thank you) for all she has done for us in making Portland a little more Italian.

Lucia, salutiamo e grazie mille per che cosa avete fatto per noi! (We salute you and thank you for all you have done for us!)

con affetto, Gianna