This year, IC Catholic Prep held its first ever induction ceremony for its Italian Honors Society. La Società Onoraria Italica (Italian Honor Society) is a national organization, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Italian, whose purpose is to recognize outstanding and highly motivated students of Italian language and culture. Its mission is to help honorary members deepen their knowledge of Italian language and culture. Six upperclassmen were inducted into IC Catholic chapter this year including Seniors Vincenzo Cerasuolo, Joshua De La Cruz, Anna Gendusa, Casey Kristie, and Juniors Demitri Davlantes, and Payton James. The inductees lit their …

  Italian cuisine was on the menu for the first episode of Dishalicious, a new Chicago-based food series that airs on WTTW at 8:30 p.m. on Fridays. Hosted by Sarah Grueneberg, the award-winning owner of Monteverde and Pastificio, the show spotlights three notable local chefs each week who collaborate on a three-course meal featuring specific cuisines. Her guests for the April 6 episode were Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia and Bar Toma, Giuseppe Tentori of GT Fish and Oyster and GT Prime, and Leigh Omilinsky of Nico Osteria.  

The Onesti Entertainment Corporation was awarded the contract to produce the Taylor Street Festa Italiana in 2018. The event will take place this year from Aug. 16 to 19. The news comes from the awarding body, The Little Italy Chicago Neighborhood Association. “We couldn’t be more excited,” says LICNA president Joseph Esposito. “Ron Onesti knows this neighborhood as well as anyone, and we truly believe his heart is in the right place. His goals align with ours and his reputation is stellar.” Onesti currently produces Festa Pasta Vino on Oakley Avenue and Little Italy Fest-West in Addison. He previously produced …

Jazz singer Paul Marinaro collapsed at Winter’s Jazz Club in December 2017 with a case of diverticulitis so severe it burst his intestines and brought him to the brink of death. Lacking health insurance, Marinaro would have been buried in medical bills were it not for the Chicago jazz community, which rallied support through a GoFundMe campaign and benefits at local clubs. Fellow performers have launched individual campaigns and cared for the singer at his Evanston apartment. Marinaro is on the mend, but requires an additional surgery. To lend a hand, click here for the gofundme page.

The Italian American Theatre of Chicago presented “Vispetta” in the Community Center at Casa Italia in March. Adapted by Colleen Mraz from traditional 16th-century commedia dell’arte, the farce followed the misadventures of two star-crossed lovers, their clueless parents and their wily servant, Vispetta. True to its commedia roots, the principal actors wore masks and the humor was “slapstick,” a term that refers to a prop used in carnevale revels in Renaissance Venice. A medley of Italian songs performed by Joyce Marcheschi Westphal and Leonard Palombi greeted guests as they enjoyed wine and stuzzichini before a pizza dinner. The performance was …

The Vince Chiarelli Band continues to redefine traditional Italian music with the release of its self-titled third album. Featuring Vince Chiarelli on vocals and guitar, Frank Calvagna on guitar, and Tony Chiarelli on bass, the band has made a name for itself by infusing Italian and Italian-American favorites with bossa nova and flamenco rhythms. Among the dozen tracks on their latest CD are “Quando Quando Quando,” “Bella Notte,” “Spanish Eyes” and “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me.” The Rockford-based band upholds the legacy of Chiarelli’s grandfather and namesake, Vince, a Sicilian-born songwriter and musician. (vincechiarelliband.com)

Fra Noi advertiser Spacca Napoli ranks among the top Italian restaurants in Chicago, according to Gambero Rosso. “(Owner) Jonathan Goldsmith trained under Enzo Coccia and other great pizza masters,” the Italian food and wine magazine notes. “In this way he managed to raise the palate of the Windy City to a higher level.” The magazine credits the restaurant with the best pizza margherita in the city. Also hailed are Pelago Ristorante, Osteria Langhe, Forno Rosso, Cocco Pazzo, Due Lire Vino & Cucina, Riccardo Trattoria and Tocco.

Up against 39 other contestants, Lenny Rago of Panino’s Pizza took home the $5,000 grand prize at the Pizza Pizzazz Culinary Competition with his “Hog Heaven” pizza. Held during the Mid-America Restaurant Expo in Columbus, Ohio, the contest invites 40 pizzeria operators to battle it out in a blind taste test. Second place went to Kyle Rosch of Brenz Pizza in Chapel Hill, N.C., and third place was taken home by Craig Allenbaugh of Sauced Wood Fired Pizza in Fairview Park, Ohio.

Legislation spearheaded by State Rep. Anthony DeLuca will hold state agencies and their finances more accountable. The law went into effect on Jan. 1. DeLuca’s Debt Transparency Act requires state agencies to disclose the bills they are holding monthly so that taxpayers will know the true extent of the state’s debt, as well as an estimate of the penalties paid on late bills. “Since 2014, the backlog of unpaid bills has increased to over $15 billion,” DeLuca notes. “When agencies fail to report their past due bills, it results in unnecessary late fees and penalties that hard-working families are responsible …

The Order Sons of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin, headed north for its 17th annual Leonardo da Vinci Awards of Excellence Gala, hosting the event on May 6 at the Roma Lodge in Racine. The event featured a buffet luncheon at noon and an awards ceremony. Profiles of the honorees follow: Peter Barca Representative Peter Barca is a lifelong citizen of Kenosha and Somers. He currently serves as State Representative from the 64th Assembly District, which includes much of the City of Kenosha and portions of the City of Racine, Town of Somers, Village of Mount …