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 …

When COVID-19 hit Italy hard in the early spring, Hardcore Italians founder Mike Carioscia Sr. knew he had to do something. “Having deep roots in Italy, our first thought was to help our people,” Carioscia says. The Italian pride products manufacturer sprang into action, rallying his staff to create the Italy Strong Charity Tee. “Warehouse manager Santo Munizzi recruited his sister BriElle to join our design team and bring our Italy Strong T-shirt alive,” Carioscia says. “Our event coordinator, Clare Bongiovanni, reached out to hospitals in Milan, Italian-American organizations and our business affiliates” in search of worthy beneficiaries. The company …

When a group of 20 Italian immigrants formed the Alpine Gun Club at English Lake, Indiana, in 1892, they had no way of knowing the legacy they were creating. Five generations later, the Alpine Country Club is celebrating its 92nd year as a peaceful, family friendly getaway in Round Lake, Illinois. “In our fast-paced society, we offer a place for families that is unparalleled: a special lakeside retreat with dining services, sleeping accommodations, and tremendous recreational and social opportunities in a secure, supportive environment,” club President Michael Auriemma says. The private, member-owned nonprofit boasts a 20,000-square-foot clubhouse and five cottages …

Carla Simonini, the Paul and Ann Rubino endowed associate professor of the Italian American Studies Program at Loyola University Chicago, has announced that three classes will be offered in the fall semester. Simonini will lead a comparative literature class titled “Italian and Italian-American Women Writers,” Pietro Lorenzini will offer a history class titled “Italian Americans in Popular Culture,” and Robert Lombardo will teach an online criminal justice course titled “Organized Crime.” (simonini@LUC.edu.)  

The law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard has announced that Chairman and Managing Equity Partner Patrick A. Salvi and Chicago Managing Partner Patrick A. Salvi II have been selected to the 2020 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America for the fourth straight year. Each year, Lawdragon selects a list of 500 Leading Lawyers in America through a process that includes research by Lawdragon staff, submissions from law firms, and an online nomination form that allows visitors to recommend and comment on their favorite attorneys. Patrick A. Salvi founded Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard in Waukegan in 1982. The firm concentrates on personal injury, mass tort, medical …