The Italian American Political Coalition presented Judge Lisa Marino with its Public Service Leadership Award, Melrose Park Mayor Ronald Serpico with its William Paca Award and Patrick Santoro with its Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual Heritage Celebration on March 6 at The Elmcrest Banquets in Elmwood Park. The following bios were provided by the organization. Patrick Santoro Lifetime Achievement Award Patrick L. Santoro is a seasoned public adjuster with an impressive career spanning over four decades. He began his journey in the industry in 1972 and has since become a prominent figure in the field. His dedication and expertise …

More than 300 people gathered in Mishawaka, Indiana, on Oct. 14 to celebrate Columbus Day and Italian Heritage Month. A 1 p.m. ceremony at the Columbus statue in the city’s Central Park featured presentations by Mayor Dave Wood and Elkhart County Judge Chris Spataro, as well as representatives of local clubs from St. Joseph and Elkhart counties. Sam Jermano gave a tribute to many of the local Italian Americans who served in the military. Festivities continued with an Italian buffet luncheon at the DeAmicis Club, with food provided by local restaurants. The event was sponsored by the DiLoreto Society, DeAmicis …

On a recent trip to Italy with a group from Esperienza Italia, Chicagoan Tom Bulgrin and his partner, Kerry, traveled a long and winding road to meet Ciuma and Cinzia Del Vecchio for a delightful home-cooked meal in their remote hilltop home. After dinner, Ciuma and his teenage daughter, Adele, performed an intimate concert for the group. The heartfelt musical expression of father and daughter sparked joy, and even a few tears. As a retired band director and professional musician, Tom Bulgrin couldn’t help but notice that the quality of Adele’s violin was no match for her talent. “I was …

Since its inception in 1952, there have been only two three-term presidents of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans: Dominic DiFrisco and JoAnn Serpico. Ron Onesti became the third member of that elite group at the JCCIA’s Christmas party on Dec. 9 at Venuti’s in Addison. Joining Onesti as officers for the next two years will be First Vice President Christopher DeSanto, Second Vice President Pat Capriati, Third Vice President Laura Orrico, Secretary Sam Cannizzaro and Treasurer Mario Cinardi. Phyllis Schoene was appointed executive director and Rose Mary Ranallo and Pasquale Gianni will reprise their roles as presidents of …

The fourth-generation owners of Italian Village Restaurants, a nearly century-old mainstay in downtown Chicago, launched their new dining concept, Sotto, in the basement of the restaurant at 71 W. Monroe St. The eatery has an “elevated menu and relaxed vibe that owners hope will attract a younger crowd,” Block Club Chicago reported. Started by immigrant Alfredo Capitanini in 1927, Italian Village has become a Chicago staple, serving classics such as chicken piccata, cannelloni, lasagna and more. It is now run by siblings Jonathan and Giovanna Capitanini, both in their 20s, who led the renovations of the basement that used to …

  Known for its flagship location in Chicago’s “Restaurant Row” on Randolph Street, Bar Siena unveiled its third location “without much fanfare” about a year ago at O’Hare International Airport, Eater Chicago reported. Located by Gate M34 in Terminal 5, the O’Hare eatery is open daily 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and until 8 p.m. Sundays. Travelers can order breakfast or dinner off a menu of crowd-pleasing pastas, pizzas and salads. “Boasting a menu that features an expansive Italian street food and pizza bar component, along with small plates constructed to share, Bar Siena literally raises the bar for culinary …

According to the restaurant recommendation website The Infatuation, Monteverde is the best Italian restaurant in Chicago, with hit items such as cacio whey pepe (Mancini bucatini, pecorino Medoro, lemon ricotta whey and a four-peppercorn blend, with the optional fresh burgundy truffle at an extra charge) and ragu alla Napoletana (tomato-braised pork osso bucco, soppressata meatballs, Italian sausage, fusilli, wilted escarole and wild oregano). It is also one of the hardest places to score a reservation. The Infatuation suggests opting for lunch Tuesday through Sunday, or coming solo for a first-come, first-served spot at the bar. For more, click here.

Ferraro Foods, a leading distributor of specialty Italian foods and supplies to pizzerias and Italian restaurants, launched an app in partnership with the e-commerce platform Pepper, which provides AI-driven solutions for the food distribution industry. The Pepper app is designed to enhance and simplify how Ferraro Foods interacts with its extensive network of over 8,000 customers across 26 states. “At Ferraro Foods, we pride ourselves on truly understanding our customers through highly personalized service, and the Pepper app will help us play to that strength by providing a faster and more straightforward ordering process,” Ferraro Foods CEO Dan Hill said. …

The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame celebrated its 45th annual gala on Nov. 15 at Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove Village. More than 700 attendees witnessed the induction of NBA star Chris Corchiani, ESPN national correspondent Sal Paolantonio, NFL pioneer Bruno Banducci, wrestling great Lou Albano, baseball pioneer Philomena Gianfrancisco and boxing referee Johnny LoBianco. NBA legend and television personality Mike Fratello received the Mario Andretti Lifetime Achievement Award, Teamster official Joe Martucci was the Sportsman of the Year and Roberto Clemente High School baseball coach Richard Tomoleoni was a regional inductee. Paralympic champion and past NIASHF inductee Linda …

On Nov. 10, Com.It.Es (Comitato degli italiani all’estero) organized a pilgrimage to the town of Cherry, Illinois, on the 115th anniversary of the 1909 mine disaster that took the lives of 250 souls, 73 of whom were Italian immigrants. A group of 28 in the company of Italian Consul General Mario Bartoli traveled by bus to the tiny town 100 miles southwest of Chicago. The pilgrimage included a visit to the mine site, the Cherry Mine Disaster Museum and Library, and the cemetery, where Bartoli laid a wreath at the monument honoring those who had perished. The disaster remains largely unknown within the …