Former USA Baseball National Team Coach Peter Caliendo recently travelled to Havana, Cuba. and Lima, Peru, to offer a high-level baseball course for fellow coaches. Caliendo has taught baseball courses in more than 25 countries for more than 30 years. His course focused on the latest technologies, strategies and training methods. He also worked with some of the national team players. “It is an honor to go to other countries to spread the word about baseball so that the game will expand internationally,” Caliendo says. “More than 120 countries are playing the game and it keeps growing.” (www.caliendosportsinternational.com)  

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca is working with local officials to reduce the number of accidents and injuries that occur at the railroad crossing on 17th Street between Halsted Street and East End Avenue. “A public safety issue like this is a priority issue for me,” DeLuca said. “From 2012-16 this one location has had over 30 accidents with six injuries.” DeLuca has requested $250,000 in emergency funding from Illinois Transportation Secretary Randall Blackthorn to immediately institute safety improvements at and around the crossing. The construction project is projected to cost $600,000, the remainder of which the City of Chicago Heights …

  State Rep. John D’Amico helped welcome members of the Loyola University basketball team to Springfield. Leading the delegation from Loyola were Coach Porter Moser and Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt, the 98-year-old team chaplain. “Countless negative stories come from the sports world,” said D’Amico. “I am so proud that a Chicago basketball team could captivate the country through great sportsmanship and teamwork.” After only three winning seasons over the past 30 years, Moser led Loyola to 32 wins, a Missouri Valley Conference title, Loyola’s first NCAA tournament appearance since 1985, and a Final Four finish.  

Ramona Elementary School in Wilmette showcases the food, music and culture of countries around the world at its annual International Festival. Representing Italy at this year’s festival was assistant principal Elena Ryan, daughter of local Joseph and Martha Monastero of Monastero’s Ristorante & Banquets fame. Ryan wore a traditional Italian folk costume, provided by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, and sang “Santa Lucia.” “With all of the conflict and challenges occurring around the world, it is important that we teach children to celebrate the differences of others,” Ryan says. “There was a wonderful connection among students and faculty …

  The Justinian Society of Lawyers recently held its 16th annual Children’s Endowment Fund dinner at Lux Bar in Chicago. More than 60 Justinians were in attendance as the 2018 CEF recipients, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Chicago and Child’s Voice each received a grant of $3,350 from Justinian President Michael F. Bonamarte of Levin & Perconti. The mission of CEF is to assist disabled or disadvantaged children in our community. Since establishing CEF in 2002 during his term as president, Romanucci & Blandin principal and partner Antonio Romanucci and his fellow Justinian members have raised crucial funds for a wide range …

After spending more than half a century nestled in Wilder Park in west suburban Elmhurst, the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Arts will be pulling up roots and moving to nearby Oak Brook. The museum purchased property at 1220 Kensington Road with plans to open in 2019. Space and access limitations and lack of ownership of the Elmhurst site prompted the decision to move. The museum was founded in 1962 by Joseph Lizzadro, an Italian immigrant who started out as a cobbler and rose to the chairmanship of Meade Electric in Chicago. An avid collector of carved gems and semi-precious stones, …

  Dr. Rosella Spadoni ascended to the presidency of the Arcolian Dental Arts Society on April 24 at RoccoVino’s in Elk Grove Village. Dr. Spadoni is a founding and principal doctor at South Barrington Dental. Joining her as Arcolian officers are President-Elect Dr. Katina Spadoni, Vice President Dr. Chuck DiFranco Jr., Secretary Dr. Paul E. DiFranco, Treasurer Dr. Derek Fornelli, and Dinner/Speaker Chair Dr. Mary Teresa Lima. Bios and profiles follow. Dr. Rosella Spadoni (President) Dr. Rosella Spadoni received her bachelor of science in 1980 from Loyola University of Chicago. She completed her graduate studies and obtained her D.D.S. degree …

Retired Cook County Circuit Court Judge Lisa Curcio has joined the panel of senior arbitrators and mediators at ADR, a Chicago-based alternative dispute resolution service provider. Curcio spent more than 15 years on the bench, 11 of which in the Chancery Division, where she presided over cases involving mechanics liens, construction contracts, and commercial and residential mortgage foreclosure. “During her judicial career, she was known for her measured and practical approach, careful management of complicated multi-party cases and understanding of the nuances involved in litigation and alternative dispute resolution,” said ADR President Marc Becker in welcoming Curcio to the company. …

  Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and County Commissioner Peter Silvestri recently presented Edward Lezza, Jr. with a resolution honoring the 113-year history of Lezza Spumoni & Desserts. The resolution reads: Whereas, the origin of Lezza’s famous spumoni is in Naples, Italy; and the recipe came to Chicago’s West Side with Salvatore Lezza in 1905; and Whereas, Salvatore Lezza handed the secret of genuine spumoni down to his son Victor; and Whereas, Lezza’s spumoni is made up of four flavors of ice cream — chocolate, strawberry, rum, and pistachio — with a whipped cream center studded with candied fruit …

  The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish & Shrine of in Melrose Park will host a weekend of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the consecration of the church. Festivities begin with an outdoor concert at 7:30 p.m. on June 8, followed by an ice cream social hosted by the parish Scout troop after the 5:30 p.m. Mass on June 9, and a Jubilee Mass at 1:30 p.m. on June 10 celebrated by Bishop John R. Manz. The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel will celebrate its 125th anniversary on July 15. (708-344-4140, www.olmcparish.org)