Chicago was blessed with two Festa della Repubblica celebrations this year, with the first being held on May 31 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii. The Pompeii event has the distinction of being the only such celebration in America that involved a parade through the streets of the city. Following a Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, hundreds of participants made their way down Taylor Street for a wreath-laying ceremony at Garibaldi Park, at which World War II veteran Adelco D’ascezo was honored.

  Gina Ann Biasiello received her doctor of physical therapy degree from Marymount University in Arlington, Va., in May. She previously received her bachelor of science degree in biology from Loyola University Chicago and her master of science degree in biology from Northeastern Illinois University. She is presently finishing her clinical studies at the Woodbine Facility in Alexandria, Va. The daughter Dr. and Mrs. Michael Biasiello of Arlington Heights, Gina is pictured here with her brothers, Michael Jr. and Dominic.  

The John R. Mott Scholarship Foundation of Washington, D.C., held its annual award ceremony and reception on June 19 at the Principessa Hotel in Campara San Giovanni, Cosenza, Calabria. At the ceremony, 148 academic scholarships were awarded to students from all over the region. The foundation has awarded more than 1,500 scholarships for higher education since 2001 to the young men and women of Calabria. Criteria for the scholarship include academic achievement, financial need and a commitment to using the benefits of their education to make a contribution to the region. (www.mottscholarship.org)  

To help keep local roads safe, state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, passed legislation this week expanding the use of alcohol-detecting ignition locks ensuring that DUI offenders cannot get behind the wheel intoxicated again. “Too many innocent lives are put at risk by the reckless decisions of those who choose to drive while intoxicated,” D’Amico said. “I want to make sure that DUI offenders will be monitored and reported to the authorities should they continue to make such dangerous decisions.” D’Amico introduced Senate Bill 627 in the House, which increases the use of Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices (BAIID) for DUI …

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, recently passed legislation prohibiting counties and municipalities from charging residents for using emergency services related to their disabilities or cases of domestic violence. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes,” DeLuca said. “While crime free housing was designed to make it easier for landlords to terminate leases due to criminal activity, it should not be used as a way for cities and counties to make money in emergency situations.” There are over 100 counties and municipalities across the state that allow “crime free” or “nuisance” property ordinances. Complexes under these ordinances work with …

Samuel J. Cascio, D.D.S., received the Marshall H. Smulson D.D.S. Humanitarian Award at the Ed Kelly 41st annual Giant Awards in June. A U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II, Dr. Cascio earned his D.D.S. degree from Loyola University. He has held leadership positions in the Chicago Dental Society, the Academy of General Dentistry on the state and local level, the Arcolian Dental Arts Society, the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Loyola School of Dentistry. Dr. Cascio has been honored by St. Mary’s University, Loyola, the Illinois State Dental Society and the Knights of Columbus to …

  How good is your homemade wine? To find out, sign up for the fourth annual Battle of the Vino. Hosted by Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets, the event will be staged on Aug. 29 at the grocery chain’s new 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; www.caputomarkets.com)  

  Ballet Légere will hold auditions for its 31st annual production of “The Nutcracker” on Aug. 15 and 16 at Légere Dance Centre in River Forest. Parts are available for girls ages 4-1/2 and up with heights ranging from 45 to 61 inches; boys ages 5 to 12; gymnasts and tumblers; and male and female dancers, both teen and adult, for pointe and non-pointe roles. Callbacks will be held Aug. 22 to 30. Ballet Légere has been performing “The Nutcracker” annually under the direction of Donna Vittorio since 1985. (773-237-1874, www.balletlegere.org)  

  “We Gotta Bingo” is the latest interactive theatrical event to take Chicago by storm. Slated to open for an extended run on Aug. 3 at the new Chicago Theatre Works on Belmont Avenue, the show is set at a fundraiser for a pair of Catholic parishes — one mostly Italian, one more Irish — that are about to merge. The audience interacts throughout the evening with a cast of characters that includes local actors Jane Allyson-D’Arienzo, Mitch Conti, Jerry Marzullo and Jennifer Pompa. (wegottabingo.com)

  The view out of the Kemper Building at 1 E. Wacker Drive is magnificent, sprawling out to an eagle’s view of the Chicago River and the Loop. But when Deanna Cairo Arthur, now an associate at Goldberg Weisman & Cairo Ltd., would visit her father’s office as a child, it wasn’t the window that drew her attention. It was a desk chair. “I just remember being little and being in my dad’s office, sitting in his chair and always hoping someday it would be my chair,” she says. Her father is Louis C. “Lou” Cairo, senior partner at Illinois’ …