It is 2 a.m., Saturday April 13, 2016. Italo Americo Bove, or “Bob” to his friends, rises out of bed. He has a 4a.m. appointment with 100 other Veterans. On this morning, forty WWII veterans and sixty-one Korean War veterans will gather at Midway Airport in Chicago to board Southwest Airlines, courtesy of Honor Flight Chicago. Honor Flight Chicago was founded in February of 2008 to recognize Chicagoland’s World War II and Korean War veterans by flying them, all-expense-paid to Washington DC for a day of honor, remembrance and celebration. To date, 6355 Chicago area veterans have made this …

  Ivana Di Piero Hair Studio in Norridge recently celebrated a quarter century of making life more beautiful for customers and community alike. Born in Italy and a resident of the Chicago area since the age of 2, Di Piero was raised in Norridge since the age of 9. She graduated from John V. Leigh School and Ridgewood High School, where she took the cosmetology class that launched her career. Di Piero opened for business on Aug. 21, 1991, thanks to her husband, Frank, who came home with the lease and said, “Here’s your shop.” The couple bought the property …

  Italian pop superstar Eros Ramazzotti will bring his Perfetto World Tour to the Rosemont Theatre on Oct. 7. The show will feature selections from his multi-platinum “Perfetto” album plus hits that span more than three decades. Born in 1963 in a suburb of Rome, Ramazzotti began playing the guitar at the age of 7 and writing songs as a teenager. His career took off in 1984, when his song, “Terra promessa,” won in the Newcomers category at the Sanremo Festival and was subsequently released throughout Europe. Since then, he has released 11 studio albums, one EP, three compilation albums, …

    Prominent attorney Antonio M. Romanucci and esteemed television reporter Vince Gerasole shared the spotlight when the Justinian Society of Lawyers hosted its annual installation and awards dinner on Sept. 15 at the Palmer House Hilton. The following officers were formally installed at the event: Frank A. Sommario (president), Michael F. Bonamarte (first vice president), Vincent R. Vidmer (second vice president), Natalie M. Petric (third vice president), Judge Regina A. Scannicchio (treasurer) and Dion U. Davi (secretary).   Antonio M. Romanucci — Award of Excellence Antonio M. Romanucci is a principal and partner in the Chicago-based law firm of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, …

  Gelato artisans Angelo Lollino and Ali Caine Hung competed in the Gelato World Tour at Millennium Park in May, placing second with their flavor ‘Chicago Pothole’ to advance to the finals in Rimini, Italy, next September. Lollino and Hung vied for the title of “World’s Best Gelato” against 15 teams from all across North, South and Central America. “It was a wonderful experience to be surrounded by my peers in this industry and to be a part of such a prestigious competition,” Lollino said. “We are excited that we get the chance to go to Italy and compete on …

  State Rep. Anthony DeLuca recently hosted his second annual veterans appreciation picnic. The purpose of the picnic is to express gratitude to those who have served in the armed forces and have protected and preserved our freedoms. “Veterans made sacrifices for our safety and freedom that we must not take for granted,” DeLuca says. “They deserve our thanks every day.” Among the 80 guests in attendance was Lisa Aprati (pictured), chief of staff to Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez.  

Keith Verisario, president of All-Security Insurance Agency, has been named president of Wine Sergi Insurance in Naperville. All-Security and Wine Sergi are part of the Naperville office of Acrisure, a national group of independent agencies offering insurance, risk management and group benefits. “I’m honored to have been selected to lead Wine Sergi into this next chapter,” Verisario says. “We will continue to build on all that has been accomplished thus far. Filling the shoes of my friend, Dan Sergi, is a challenge I do not take for granted.” Verisario began his career in 1999 with All-Security, an agency started by …

  A fundraising campaign has been launched to address structural problems at the Iannelli Studios Heritage Center in Park Ridge. The property at 255-257 N. Northwest Highway in Park Ridge includes a mid-19th century house and former blacksmith shop that served as the longtime headquarters of renowned artist Alfonso Iannelli. The Kalo Foundation of Park Ridge acquired the complex in 2011 and has established a museum, library and workroom where the works of Iannelli and other local artists are available for the public to view and study. Recently discovered structural flaws to the main studio areas will require modern bracing …

  The “Da Vinci Machines Exhibition: The Titans Experience” will be on display on Level 3 of Water Tower Place through the end of the year. The exhibit displays hand-crafted models built based on da Vinci’s 500-year-old designs, bringing to life the creations of this renowned scientist, inventor and artist. Many of da Vinci’s digitally re-mastered paintings will also be on display. Inventions on display include a bicycle, spring-powered car, hang glider and the “air screw,” a precursor to the helicopter. And for the first time ever, the secrets behind da Vinci’s legendary robotic lion are revealed. The models are …

  How good is your homemade wine? To find out, sign up for the sixth annual Battle of the Vino. Hosted by Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets, the event will be staged on Aug. 27 at the grocery chain’s Carol Stream store, 520 E. North Ave. Home winemakers are invited to vie for a $250 Caputo’s gift card and other prizes; learn new tricks from Caputo’s resident wine experts; and sample wines, cheeses and deli meats as they put their own wine to the test. (630-620-4444, ext. 1034)