Businesses everywhere have been hit hard by the pandemic, with owners scrambling for creative ways to roll with the fiscal punches COVID-19 has thrown at them. Louis Imbrogno of Louis for Men has tackled the challenge head-on, keeping people stylishly safe while celebrating his heritage and paying a few bills. The Downers Grove men’s clothing store and tailor now includes handmade masks among its sartorial offerings. Suitable for both men and women, they come in white, black or Azzurri, all with red, white and green piping. (louisformen.com)  

Thirty-One Days of Italians has released its 2021 listing. The list provides a person of Italian heritage to learn about and celebrate for each day in October, Italian American Heritage Month. Thirty-One Days of Italians was established in 2006 by educator and researcher Janice Mancuso to promote the significant contributions that those of Italian heritage have made to America. The website features 74 names in total, with some appearing on the annual list each year and others rotating in and out. The first day in October honors the Italian immigrant and the last day is set aside to honor someone …

Local comic Nick Smeriglio completed the improv program at The Second City Training Center in March, right before the lockdown. When stay-at-home orders were issued, he and his younger brother and sister returned to their parents’ home in Arlington Heights, where they started experimenting with the app Tik Tok. “My sister was all about the Tik Tok dances, which the app is known for, but I noticed that there were a lot of comedians and impressionists doing their own thing as well,” Smeriglio says. “My family eventually convinced me to start posting impressions and skits similar to what we did at Second …

Ever since the pandemic set in, professionals around the world have given their time and talents to the ongoing battle against the coronavirus. For Peter Argondizzo, president of Argo Translations Inc., words are the weapon of choice. “We’ve translated a series of COVID-19-related safety posters, and we’ve made them available for free on the internet,” Argondizzo explains. “We’ve posted the CDC guidelines and related information on our website in 14 languages. Just choose a language, and we’ll ship you a PDF. Italian is one of the languages, of course!” (argotrans.com/covid-19)  

Local artist Cosima Aryee has had a busy summer, with works on display at no fewer than four locations across the Chicago area. Her oil-on-canvas paintings can be viewed through September as part of a group exhibit at the Elmhurst Art Museum Guild Gallery and at a solo show at Overland Gallery in Harvard. A solo exhibit at Prairie Title in Oak Park and a nationally juried show at the Old Court House Arts Center in Woodstock wrapped up in August. Born in Taranto, Italy, Aryee moved to Chicago when she was 12 years old. She served in the U.S. …

If adversity breeds innovation, no industry has had to be as adaptive as the performing arts this year. In the wake of the unexpected and worldwide shutdown, New York City-based opera coaches Rachelle Jonck and Derrick Goff reacted quickly to the closure of opera houses and schools, creating an online practice diary exploring the basics of vocal technique according to the well-known lesson book of Italian composer Nicola Vaccai. With the swift international success of “The Vaccai Project,” Jonck and Goff realized that they had discovered a method of delivering content that was not merely a quarantine-era substitute, but rather …

Attorneys Leonard Amari and John Locallo have been voted among the top 10 real estate tax lawyers in Illinois by Leading Lawyer magazine. Amari is the founder and co-managing partner of Amari & Locallo, and Locallo is a partner in the firm. Amari was ranked No. 3 and Locallo No. 9 based on peer recommendation and approval by the Leading Lawyer advisory board. With offices in Cook and DuPage counties, Amari & Locallo has dedicated its practice exclusively to reducing real estate taxes and related matters. Both Amari and Locallo have served as president of the Justinian Society of Lawyers …

Judge Regina A. Scannicchio has ascended to the presidency of the Justinian Society of Lawyers. Under normal circumstances, she would officially take the helm at the organization’s installation and awards gala in September, but the event has been postponed until further notice due to the coronavirus. Joining Scannicchio as officers are First Vice President Dion U. Davi, Second Vice President Bruno R. Marasso, Third Vice President Michael D. Pisano, Treasurer Brian T. Monico and Secretary Catherine (Caifano) Locallo. Their profiles follow. Hon. Regina A. Scannicchio — President Judge Regina A. Scannicchio currently sits in the Cook County Court Domestic Relations …

Loyola University Chicago has named Sam Marzo, M.D., dean of its Stritch School of Medicine. “We are confident that Dr. Marzo will continue to shape and grow the Stritch School of Medicine,” says Norberto Grzywacz, Ph.D., Loyola University Chicago provost and chief academic officer. “With Jesuit values as part of his moral foundation, Dr. Marzo will be a steward of the relationship between Loyola and our academic medical center partner and will be a leader when facing the challenges and embracing the opportunities that we must approach together.” A Stritch alumnus and professor, Marzo has served as interim dean since …

During a typical summer, Carlo Vaniglia attends patron saint celebrations almost every weekend. With most of them cancelled due to the coronavirus, Vaniglia has hatched a groundbreaking way to spend his newfound free time. “I thought, ‘Why not gather in front of the Columbus statue in Arrigo Park to show our support for our monuments and answer questions people might have?’” Vaniglia explains. And so, Coffee With Columbus was born. Vaniglia has attracted groups of between 20 and 60 people each Sunday morning simply through word of mouth, and the feedback from passersby has been largely positive. “We’re not there …