The Santa Barbara Street Painting Festival recieved a letter from Cesare Spezie, the wonderful man responsible for the International Madonnari Competition in Mantova, Italy. I met him several years ago when I first participated in Italy. He was just adorable - despite the fact that he didn't speak a word of English and I spoke almost no Italian - we still had the warmest, most welcoming conversation. He is always so kind to the artists, especially the few American they welcome.