Community News

The Italian American Labor Council will honor International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers lynchpin Robert W. Pierson at its 2013 Man of the Year Gala on Oct. 5 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. Robert W. Pierson has served as Business Manager of IBEW Local 9 since July 1997 and as Chairman of the International Executive Council of the IBEW since Nov. 1, 2005. Bob was initiated into Local 9 on Dec. 1, 1966. As a direct result of his dedication and loyalty to Local 9, to the Brotherhood and for the betterment of the IBEW, Bob was appointed a business …

The Italian American Police Association is proud to celebrate its 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance by honoring James J. Morici Jr., Founder and Managing Partner of Morici, Figlioli & Associates as its 2013 Man of the Year. The event will take place on Nov. 2 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. Tickets are $75 per person. To make reservations, contact IAPA President Phil Tenerelli at 708-268-1495. It’s fitting that the IAPA has chosen to honor Jim. As an Assistant State’s Attorney, he earned a reputation as a hard-nosed First Chair Prosecutor at 26th and California. Working with Chicago and suburban police …

An open letter from the new president of the IAPC Hello to all Italian Americans: My name is Dominic M. Sergi, and I am the new president of the Italian American Political Coalition. For those of you who do not know why we exist, I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with a short history of our organization. The IAPC was established in 1994 after two Italian-American congressmen were redistricted out of office. Community leaders like Leonard Amari, Anthony Fornelli, Fred Serpe, Len DeFranco and Jack LaBrasca, to name a few, have led the crusade to ensure …

The Italian American Veterans Museum marked the 70th anniversary of D-Day with a stirring commemoration on June 6. Nearly two-dozen veterans attended the event, including three who participated in the D-Day invasion. The commemoration drew a capacity crowd and attracted the attention of CBS News. CBS reporter Mike Parker and cameraman Chris McKnight arrived two hours before the presentation to film the museum and interview veterans. Their coverage appeared on the 10 p.m. news. Click here to view the coverage: http://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/10243698-d-day-vets-honored-in-stone-park/ All the veterans in attendance were acknowledge by name at the start of the commemoration, after which they led …

On Nov. 10, the Italian-American Veterans Museum hosted an opening night event for a new temporary exhibit titled “Sacrifice, Courage and Art Unite Generations of Veterans.” Curated by Joe Fornelli, an acclaimed artist and Vietnam veteran, the show is a collaboration of works on loan from the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago. Featuring the works of 10 artists who are veterans of Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, the exhibit is free and open to the public through the holidays. Artist Ronald Mann served in Vietnam as a door gunner from 1966 to 1967. His four original works on display are …

by Jennifer Saverino The ‘Tis the Season to be Jazzy Fashion Show was a huge success, with a turnout of more than 675 guests at Drury Lane in Oak Brook on November 4, 2011, to support the Italian American Women’s Organization annual fundraiser. The tremendous support of our wonderful community of members, advertisers and guests once again benefited One Step At A Time, a camp operated by Children’s Oncology Services and dedicated to children facing cancer. The evening fundraising event is a culmination not only of our members’ ideas and talents, but the perseverance of our small group of women …

by Aurora Pensa The Italian Catholic Federation, St. Francis Borgia Branch 392, will present Vince and Anna Raimondi with its Mother Cabrini Award on Nov. 10. A 3 p.m. Mass at St. Francis Borgia Church in Chicago will be followed by a dinner dance at Porretta’s Banquets in Chicago. Tickets are $60 for adults and $30 for children under 12. For details, call Teresa Helfand at 773-763-0507, Aurora Pensa at 773-589-9734, Teresa Romeo at 773-622-6532 or Maria Perna at 708-307-7180. Vince and Anna Raimondi are a couple known for their hard work and dedication to family, church and community. This …

by Aurora Pensa The Italian Catholic Federation was founded in 1924 in San Francisco by a group of Italian immigrants wishing to strengthen the Catholic religion in their community. The ICF has since developed into a nonprofit organization with many branches nationwide, embracing Catholics of all cultures. Its primary mission is to support local parishes and communities, provide financial assistance to various charities, encourage young seminarians with a scholarship fund and promote the preservation of a vibrant Italian heritage. The Italian Catholic Federation of St. Francis Borgia Branch 392 was established about 25 years ago, and is committed to the …

Branch 392 of the Italian Catholic Federation will bestow its Mother Cabrini Award upon Filippo and Benedetta “Bettina” Brascia at its annual dinner dance. The event will take place on Nov. 11, with Mass at St. Francis Borgia Church in Chicago followed by the dinner dance at PorrettaÕs Banquets. (773-589-9734) The beautiful and picturesque Puglia region of southern Italy, known for its friendly people, olive groves, vineyards, beaches, and mouthwatering “cucina paesana”, gave birth to two wonderful individuals, Filippo and Benedetta “Bettina” Brascia. Filippo and Bettina are hard working individuals dedicated to family and community. Filippo Brascia was born in …

The Italian Catholic Federation Branch #439 of Our Lady Mother of the Church will honor Dr. Jeff Cantor at its second annual dinner dance. The event will take place on Oct. 6 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. (847-341-1847) Dr. Jeffrey S. Cantor, D.D.S, graduated from Bowdoin College in 1968 and Columbia University School of Dental Medicine in New York City in 1972. He received his specialty training in pediatric dentistry from the George Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, N.Y., in 1974. Dr. Cantor has taught at Case Western Reserve, Loyola, Illinois Masonic, Michael Reese Hospital, and Children’s Memorial Hospital …