IA Literati 2019 — Casa Italia’s 15th annual celebration of local Italian-American authors — ran from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on June 1 in the Florentine Room of the Italian Cultural Center in Stone Park. The event began with a meet-and-greet with the authors at 9:30, followed by presentations at 10. Additional activities included book sales, book signings, raffles and a light lunch at intermission. Several new authors, including Adam Kessel, Alanna Crisci, Maria Rosaria D’Alfonso and Peter Belmonte, took part in the event along with veteran literati Lou Corsino, Kathy DeNicolo, CJ Martello, Kathryn Occhipinti and Tony Romano. …

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca recently brought together local religious leaders for a non-denominational, interfaith breakfast at Governor State University. Attendees discussed ways the state can work with local faith communities to improve the quality of life in the southern suburbs. “Faith leaders and places of worship do more than just nourish a person’s soul. They are places that in good and bad times become the focal points of a community,” DeLuca said. “They are at the center of these community occurrences, bring people together and provide additional services to the less fortunate.”

The Rockford Italian Sister Cities Alliance held its annual fundraiser, A Taste of Italy IV, on Nov. 4 at the Venetian Club. Several local restaurateurs provided samples for tasting, including Antonina Laudicina from Napoli’s Pizza in Loves Park (pictured). Other participants included the Venetian Club, Bravo, Cucina DiRosa, DiTullio’s, Franchesco’s, Gerry’s, Roma Bakery and the St. Ambrogio Club, which founded the alliance. Nearly 200 people attended the event. Proceeds support student and professional exchanges between Rockford and Ferentino, with plans underway for an academic exchange from Ferentino to Rockford this year. (ourrisca.org)

ABC news anchor and reporter Alan Krashesky and social justice luminary Rabbi Abraham Cooper were honored at the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans’ annual media luncheon on May 16. Krashesky received the Dante Award, which is bestowed on a member of the media who lives up to Dante Alighieri’s call to be no timid friend to truth. Cooper will be given the Mazzei Award, which is presented to a person who shows extraordinary skills in the world of communications. Each year, the JCCIA Human Relations Committee recognizes a member of the news media who has answered Dante Alighieri’s call …

For decades, Joseph Salerno served as a source of comfort for thousands of families and friends throughout the suburbs. In March, those family, friends and peers remembered and celebrated the 78-year-old funeral director who served as CEO of Salerno’s Rosedale in Roselle and Galewood Chapels in Chicago. In the early 1960s, Salerno entered the family business — which was founded more than a century ago by his grandfather Rosario D. Salerno — and became president of the operation in 1995. Under his stewardship, the family in 1994 opened their Roselle facility. George entered the family business at that time after …

The Rev. Richard LaPata was praised for 20 years of service to the Columbian Club of Chicago at the organization’s installation gala in January. First Vice President Mark Corrado delivered the following remarks before calling Fr. LaPata to the podium to accept an award: “Fr. LaPata came to know the Dominicans as a student at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois. Little did he know on his first day at Fenwick he would soon enter the Order of Preachers. Following graduation in 1950, young Dick LaPata joined dozens of classmates at the University of Notre Dame. After two years …

The Pav YMCA in Berwyn presented Carl Reina with the 2019 Robert W. Teeter Award on May 3 at Skylite West Banquets in Berwyn. The award is presented in memory of legendary community leader Robert W. Teeter. Reina was a founding member of the Italian American Civic Organization of Berwyn, using his home as collateral when the organization purchased its clubhouse. Reina served as feast committee chairman for the Maria SS. Lauretana Society for 44 years, when the feast was held in Cermak Plaza Shopping Center in Berwyn. He also played an active role in the Houby Day Parade and …

The Chicago-based law firm Romanucci & Blandin LLC recently welcomed Highland Park-based Baizer Kolar Neiman P.C. to its ranks. BKN specializes in cases of wrongful death, medical malpractice, automobile accidents and traumatic brain injuries. BKN founder Bob Baizer and partners Joe Kolar and David Neiman bring with them a track record that includes a $29.8 million verdict in a birth injury case and a $25 million medical negligence verdict. “We are extremely confident that the team at Baizer Kolar Neiman will be incredible assets for our growing firm,” said R&B Law founding partner Antonio Romanucci. “Each of them brings a unique …

William Blair financial advisor Tom Salvino was named to Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list and Barron’s Top State Advisors list for 2019. He has been included in the Forbes list since 2018 and the Barron’s list since 2015. Salvino joined William Blair in 1993 and became a partner in 1999. A graduate with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and an M.B.A. in finance from Loyola University Chicago, he is a member of the Salvino Wealth Management Team. John, along with his brother, Tom, and father, Al, manage customized investment portfolios for individuals, families, trusts and foundations. …

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society presented second-year University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry student Jordan Franklin with a $2,500 scholarship at its annual Christmas Party at the Park Ridge Country Club on Dec. 11. Dr. Rosella Spadoni-French, a 1984 Loyola School of Dentistry alumna, conferred the check to Franklin. “I have felt so extremely welcomed by all the members, all of whom readily share their knowledge and support with me whenever they can,” Franklin said. “This scholarship means so much more than the money to me. It means building a closer relationship with an organization that so kindly …