Upcoming Event s
Join Us for Lunch at IL CANALE PIZZERIA to Meet UNICO President Brian Guarco & Celebrate Italian-American Heritage Month
Sunday, October 18th, 1 pm
Join us SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18th AT 1 PM at il Canale Pizzeria Napoletana for a lunch with UNICO National President , Brian Guarco. We’ll discuss UNICO’s Italian-American cultural and philanthropic activities, while enjoying authentic Neapolitan pizza, antipasti and primi at one of the BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY!! This is a pay-your-own-way lunch. Please RSVP at this Eventbrite link , or through the calendar invite that you will receive if you are on email list, so that we can save a seat for you!
MONTHLY BOCCE: Saturday, October 24, 3 pm in Arlington
This month’s bocce gathering will take us back to Glebe & Randolph Park Bocce Courts , 615 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA. We had a very good show of people last time we played there. No experience is necessary to join us; feel free to come alone or bring friends and family. We’re setting the time at 3 pm, so that afterwards we can decide if we’d like to go together to one of the several good Italian restaurants in Ballston. Bocce ball won’t wear you out physically, but will build up your appetite for good Italian food! Let us know if you are coming by registering at this Eventbrite link or responding to the calendar invite you receive if you are on our mailing list.
See Our Past Events We played bocce in September at Pinstripes in Georgetown. It’s a great alternative to outside venues during cold, rainy days, or if we want to make an evening of it. Several of us participated in the Tunnels to Towers Fundraiser at Makers Union in Arlington to raise funds for 9/11 First Responders and families. July 2026: Our inagural bocce outing was a success! JUNE 2026: BYOB of Wine Tasting: We had 15 participants who enjoyed a fun afternoon of Italian antipasti and wine. April 2026: Dinner at A Modo Mio, Arlington, VA March 2026 Lunch at Stellina’s in Tysons, VA February 2026: Italian Culinary Class Fundraiser January 2026 dinner at A Modo Mio. Half of the attendees (because we forgot to take photos earlier!!!) December 2025: Italian Brunch and Chat at Ama Restaurant DC Fundraiser on behalf of the Italian American One Voice Coalition, Portofino Restaurant, Arlington, VA,October 2025 March Meeting at Ristorante Bonaroti, Vienna, VA, March 2025 UNICO DMV Bocce Outing, July 2026 News & Updates UNICO DMV Members attend Tunnel to Towers Fundraiser in September for 9/11 First Responders We had a number of UNICO DMV members stop by Makers Union Arlington, on September 23rd in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Makers Union donated 20% of UNICO DMV food receipts to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation , which honors the legacy of 9/11 by supporting our first responders, wounded military veterans and their families.
“IL PRESIDENTE” attended UNICO National’s Annual C UNICO DMV President, Tony Andreoli attended UNICO National’s annual convention in Orlando, Florida this past July. Delegates from more than 100 nation-wide local UNICO chapters attended. The national annual convention provides an opportunity to learn more about the mission of the UNICO organization, meet great people with common background and interests, and exchange ideas on how to grow the UNICO community.
July BOCCE BALL FOR BEGINNERS was a SUCCESS!!! We had a great turnout for our first-ever low-stakes Bocce Ball Outing on Sunday, July 12, with 10 participants enjoying friendly competition on two courts at Randolph & Glebe Park in Ballston. Tony and Deanna D. introduced the basic rules and techniques of the game to those new to the game on Court #1, while on Court #2, Joe D. taught “New Jersey-style” bocce to players with some prior experience. Everyone enjoyed about an hour of play before a passing rain shower brought the games to an early close. Afterward, we reconvened at a nearby pub for beverages, snacks, and a lively discussion with Chapter President Tony A. about future UNICO DMV activities. By all accounts, the outing was a success, and we’re considering making bocce a regular UNICO DMV event .
If you’d be interested in joining us for future bocce outings—weekly? biweekly? monthly?—please sign up for our no-obligation interest list
UNICO National Confirms “Honorary Membership” Eligibility for Individuals of ANY Ethnicity March 29, 2026
UNICO’s DMV Chapter President, Tony Andreoli, attended UNICO National’s Mid-Year Board Meeting in Atlantic City, March 22-23rd . During the meeting, he confirmed with national leadership that individuals that wish to join UNICO–but are NOT of Italian Heritage–are eligible for “HONORARY MEMBERSHIPS”. Honorary Members enjoy all the benefits of regular UNICO members, except that they cannot vote for National officers. However, Honorary Members can assume Chapter leadership/officer positions and roles such as committee heads, etc. Key benefits of UNICO membership are to:
Experience, celebrate and preserve Italian culture by attending UNICO DMV-sponsored events. MEMBERS PAY DISCOUNTED PRICES ON ASSOCIATED TICKETS & FEES
Support national charitable causes, including Alzheimer’s research, mental health, and cancer prevention.
Connect and network other UNICO members.
Receive Member Resources, such as a subscription to the ComUNICO magazine and exclusive member materials;
Access the UNICO Foundation scholarship program for high school seniors and college students; and
Attend UNICO national meetings such as the annual national convention.
UNICO DMV CULINARY CLASS RAISES $1K FOR ST. JUDES February 22, 2026
A group of ten participants in the February UNICO DMV-sponsored Italian Culinary Class and Lunch “Cucina e Mangia con Cuore” raised $1,000 for our chosen charity for this event, St. Judes Research Hospital. The participants learned to make several toppings for crostini and bruschette antipasti, hand-made gnocchi, two delicous sauces, and home-made Sicilian blood orange sorbetto. After the teaching session, the group sat down and ate lunch Italian family-style. It was a wonderful morning and afternoon of celebrating our Italian culture while contributing to a good cause. UNICO DMV will be offering future cooking classes, including making hand-made ravioli, home-made foccaccia, brick oven pizza, and home-made gelato. Check back for future announcements!
Get to Know Our Local Sponsors & Partners Want to become a supporting Sponsor or Partner of UNICO DMV? E-Mail us for the details at dmvfundraising@unicodmv.org .
