Community

by Dominic DiFrisco Forty years ago, the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans launched the Dante Award. It was an idea that was born from the frustration and anger of our community as we faced a torrent of lies, slander and innuendo. I approached our then president, Tony Fornelli, with a proposal to honor a media person who best exemplified Dante’s credo. Tony enthusiastically approved, and as they say, “the rest is history,” on going and exhilarating. Why Stella Foster? Read her column every Tuesday and Thursday in the Sun- Times. Sure, she tells who ate at Gene and Georgetti, …

by Joseph F. Locallo Jr. The Farace Brothers — Sam, Joe and Anthony Jr. — learned to skate before they learned to walk, or so the saying goes. And though they have all pursued professional careers, their interest in the bare-knuckle sport of hockey has never waned, leading them to a remarkable opportunity this fall. Sam is a supply chain architect for B/E Aerospace, Joe is a national sales manager for Imation Corp., and Anthony Jr. is an attorney for the law firm of Amari and Locallo. But the trio gladly traded suits and laptops for sticks and pads to …

by Robin Iori On September 12, the 2012 installation and awards dinner for the Justinian Society of Chicago honored several highly regarded, dedicated professionals who have given selflessly of their time and talent to the Italian American community here. Held at the Chicago Renaissance Hotel for the first time, Antonio M. Romanucci, of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, served as emcee and chair for the dinner at which Gregg A. Garofalo, managing attorney of Garofalo Law Group, was sworn in as president of the 2012-2013 year. Honorees included Franco A. Coladipietro, a partner with Amari-Locallo and an Illinois State Representative from …

Italian Senatore Renato Turano will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award and Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez will receive the Award of Excellence when the the Justinian Society of Lawyers hosts its annual installation and awards dinner. The following officers will be formally installed at the event: Judge Robert W. Bertucci (president), Anita M. DeCarlo (first vice president), Jessica DePinto (second vice president), Frank A. Sommario (third vice president), Michael Bonamarte (treasurer) and Vincent Vidmer (secretary). The event will take place on Sept. 11 at the Palmer House in Chicago. Tickets are $150 per person for the black-tie-optional event. For …

by Enrico Doggett The Marchegiana Society of Chicago Heights stepped outside its normal holiday routine to share the tidings of the season with hospitalized children at the Comer Children’s Hospital at the University of Chicago. Usually, the annual Christmas party produces donations to assist needy families during the holiday season. Each year, the families that have been identified as candidates for assistance receive an unrestricted check to allow them to pursue the holiday as they are accustomed to and purchase those items they feel are necessary for their enjoyment. This practice has been carried out for the last 20 years. …

by Pat Capriati The Mola Foundation is proud to announce that Giovanni “John” Nitti will accept the foundation’s coveted Arcangelo Award at a gala celebration on March 24 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. A lifelong passion for Italian food has inspired John to become the president and driving force behind Isola Imports Inc., a leading U.S. importer and distributor of specialty food and gourmet products from the land of his birth. To truly understand Giovanni “John” Nitti and begin to appreciate the wonderful accomplishments of this most caring individual, we need to go back to his birthplace in his …

The Mola Foundation’s 2013 Arcangelo Award Dinner and Fundraiser will long be remembered, with more than 800 guests gathering at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison to support a variety of causes and honor a true pillar of the community, Mr. Domenico Gambino, co-owner of Tony’s Finer Foods. Honored guests included State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, Secretary of State Jesse White, Italian Vice Consul General Marco Graziosi, Italian Senatore Renato Turano and the presidents of many Italian and Italian-American organizations. In his welcoming speech, President Tony Copertino reminded the participants of the guiding principles of the Mola Foundation of Chicago, “to …

The Mola Foundation of Chicago will present Senatore Renato Turano with its Arcangelo Award at a gala dinner on April 26 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison (630-595-2207). One of Italian America’s true luminaries, business and community leader Turano does triple duty as the senatore representing North and Central America in the Italian Parliament. He was elected to the Italian Senate in February 2013, having previously occupied the post from 2006 to 2008. Born in Calabria in 1942, Turano moved with his family to America when he was 15. In 1962, the Turano family bought a small bakery in Chicago …

The Mola Foundation is truly honored to present the 2013 Arcangelo Award to Tony’s Finer Foods vice president and co-owner Domenico Gambino. “We give the Arcangelo Award to people who make a difference in the community, and that describes Domenic perfectly,” Mola Foundation President Tony Copertino explains. “Anytime the community needs help, he’s there to lend a hand. He’s always involved and always giving.” The youngest of eight children of Francesco and Maria Gambino, Domenico was born and raised in Ciminna, Sicily, along with siblings Maria, Andrea, Giuseppe, Salvatore, Domenica, Anna and Antonino. Scratching out a meager existence as farmers …

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), the premier national organization for Italian Americans, celebrated the rich culture and heritage of Italian Americans during the Foundation’s 37th Anniversary. Dinner Chairman, John Scarpa welcomed thousands of guests from across the United States and Italy to the annual black-tie dinner at the Washington Hilton on October 13, 2012. As the evening’s emcee, Mike Piazza, 12-time MLB All-Star, opened the gala awards ceremony in Italian “Buona Serata” and introduced NIAF President Joseph V. Del Raso, Esq., and the Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer John M. Viola. Together at the podium, they reinforced NIAF’s mission to …