Financial planner Jack Cannata stepped up to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at its annual installation gala. Joining him as 2018 officers are First Vice President Stuart Caravello, Second Vice President Mark Corrado, Third Vice President Michael Russotto, Secretary John Curry, Treasurer Vic Guerrieri and Sergeant-at-Arms Carmen Forte Jr. One-year directors are John Brescia, Gabe Caporale, Vito Claps, Vito D’Ambrosio and Ross Morizzo. Two-year directors are Mike Campanile, Chris Derks, Gerard Iannuzzelli, Joe Marinacci and Vince Maietta. Charitable Foundation trustees are Anthony Ambrose, Daniel A. Corrado, George DePalma (Chairman), John Ferrentino (Vice Chairman), Carmen P. Forte (Treasurer), …

Four decades after realizing his dream of starting a hall of fame to honor sports heroes, George Randazzo, President and Founder of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, celebrated the organization’s 40th Annual Induction & Awards Gala along with Board Chairman Tony Ferraro, NIASHF directors and loyal supporters this past November in Chicago. Vincent Viola was named 2017 Sportsman of the Year for his outstanding contributions to the world of sports. He is owner of the Florida Panthers hockey team and co-owner of Always Dreaming, winner of the 2017 Kentucky Derby, the first leg of horse racing’s prestigious …

For centuries, towns and villages across Italy have marked Good Friday with masses and processions that rival any other on the Catholic calendar. On March 30, this ancient rite will be re-enacted at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish & Shrine in Melrose Park. That evening, 20 patron saint societies bearing statues and banners will fill the Shrine to capacity. A 7 p.m. Mass in Italian will be followed by a dramatic candlelight procession, accompanied by the Sicilian Band of Chicago. (708-344-4140)  

More than five-dozen sailors from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center were treated to a holiday feast at the 12th anniversary Sailors for Christmas in Berwyn. The celebration ran from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 25 at Skylight Banquets and included brunch, Christmas dinner, music provided by a DJ and a pizza hour. More than a dozen awards were presented. Volunteers were drawn from the ranks of the community as well as Post 1 of the Italian American War Veterans.

With the closing of Monastero’s in November, the Sicilian American Cultural Association needed to find a new home for its monthly meetings. After weighing its options, the venerable organization has settled on Cucina Biagio in Harwood Heights. Open to the public, the meetings often feature presentations on Sicilian and Italian arts, science, music, fashion, sports, cuisine and culture. Past meetings have included wine tastings and classical concerts. The next two meetings are March 14 and April 4. Meetings start at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for members and $35 for non-members. For reservations, call Cathy Ciminello at 847-673-4660.

Onesti Entertainment opened three new food and music venues in one place at the former 27 Live building in Evanston in January. After almost two years and hundreds of thousands of dollars in renovations, Rock ’N Ravioli Italian restaurant, Bourbon ’N Brass speakeasy bar and the Evanston Rocks music hall are now in full swing. Rock ’N Ravioli serves up recipes from the family kitchen of founder and CEO Ron Onesti. The “Rock ’N Rav” menu boasts an array of homemade fillings and sauces, including braised short ribs and potato, chicken Vesuvio, lobster and asparagus, and pumpkin with a Frangelico …

Each December, Greco & Sons holds a Christmas party to thank its Chicago-area customers. As a supplier of Italian food specialties to more than 8,000 restaurants, pizzerias, beef stands, fast food operations, schools, grocery stores and country clubs across Chicagoland, the company is a leader in the foodservice industry. Founded in 1990, the company has fostered business relationships that have helped thousands of businesses grow, especially those in the Italian-American community. The event was held at the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame on Taylor Street in Chicago. It was a star-studded night, with Hollywood actor Gianni Russo unveiling …

Leonard F. Amari and John G. Locallo — partners in the Law Offices of Amari & Locallo — have been selected by their peers as Leading Lawyers in the category of Real Estate Law and Real Estate Taxes. Fellow partner Joseph F. Locallo III and associates Vesna Marusic and Vincent Oppedisano have been selected as Emerging Lawyers. The distinctions are earned by fewer than 2 percent of the nearly 89,000-plus licensed attorneys in the state of Illinois. In addition, partner Katherine Amari-O’Dell has been selected to serve as one of two vice presidents of the Harwood Heights/Norridge Chamber of Commerce. …

Louis Imburgia, DDS, a general dentist who practices in Park Ridge, has been sworn in as president of the Chicago Dental Society. Dr. Imburgia graduated from the Loyola University School of Dentistry with clinical honors in periodontics, and is a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. He also volunteers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Established in 1864, the CDS has more than 4,000 members in Cook, Lake and DuPage counties, making it the largest local society of the American Dental Association.

Società SS. Crocifisso & San Giovanni Bosco di Ciminna (Chicago) honored Antonino Napoli as Man of the Year at its dinner dance on March 3 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. A longtime luminary of the Chicago-area Italian-American community, Napoli has been a driving force among local Ciminnesi for decades. “Tony has been a pillar of our community for nearly 60 years,” says society President Frank Faraci. “We’re so proud to be able to shine the spotlight on him.” Napoli accepted the honor with trademark humility. “There are so many people who are worthier than me but they insisted, so …