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 …

The Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization honored Remo Turano as Humanitarian of the Year at its Honor & Hope Gala on April 28 at the Medinah Shrine Center in Addison. More than a dozen scholarships were presented at the event, along with donations to a wounded veteran and other worthy causes. A profile of Turano follows: Remo Turano As a boy, Remo Turano helped out in his family’s bakery business. As a young adult, he instilled knowledge as a classroom teacher. As a young husband, he circled back to the family business, branching out into sweets and pastries. He has …

William Blair financial advisor John Salvino was named to the 2018 Top 40 Advisors Under 40 list by On Wall Street magazine. This is the second time Salvino made the list. Salvino, a partner with the firm, joined William Blair in 2002. He serves as chairman of the University of Chicago Booth Alumni Finance Roundtable and 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 team has been recognized by Barron’s, Research Magazine, Registered Rep and Institutional Investor.

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society recently made a pair of donations to the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. Arcolians Dr. Frank Maggio and Dr. Stephen Esposito (pictured, left and right) presented Dean Clark Stanford with a check for $1,000 to support the college’s scholarship funds. The donation was requested by Dr. Maggio, a clinical associate professor at the college and the 2017 Arcolian of the Year. The society also presented a $2,000 scholarship to third-year dental student Andrew Bertagna.