Local students propose day honoring Native Americans
The City of Akron may be getting a new holiday, but City Council wants a little more time to think about it. Seventh- and eighth-graders and faculty from The Lippman School in West Akron turned out Jan. 22 to present a proposal to put First People’s Day on the calendar. They, along with representatives of the Northern Cheyenne Nation in Montana an...
A Matter of Perspective: Constructing Space in Italian Art, Uncertainty
The third of a series of lectures at the Institute by Professor Giovanni Aloi (School of the Art Institute of Chicago). This series of three lectures looks at the history of representation in Italian art from the unrealistic organizations of space in medieval painting and the recovery of classical perspective that shaped the Renaissance to the frag...
Warren resident, 90, stays sharp by celebrating Italian heritage, little things in life
Gelindo Sandre has a lot of great stories, precious memories and many things he still does to keep fit and happy. He fondly remembers his parents, his own journey to North America and the jobs he did during his career. He’ll gladly share the secrets to growing the robust Italian tomatoes he uses to make sauce, or to making the wine he still enjoys....
Tragedy 'Rigoletto' returns to the Valentine stage
After a 10-year hiatus, one of the greatest operas in the repertoire returns to the stage of the Valentine Theatre next weekend as the Toledo Opera Association brings Giuseppe Verdi’s masterwork Rigoletto to life. Considered by many to be Verdi’s finest work, Rigoletto is a story of lust, betrayal, and la maledizione — “the curse.” The opera, firs...
Il Carnevale di Viareggio a Chicago e New York
Promozione internazionale per il Carnevale di Viareggio che arriva nel cuore degli Stati Uniti d’America: New York e Chicago. Due importanti tappe a pochi giorni dall’inizio della manifestazione per promuovere le date dei Corsi Mascherati 2019 e 2020. Grazie alla collaborazione tra Fondazione Carnevale, Regione Toscana e Toscana Promozione Turistic...
Giangrande throws party to celebrate parade’s success
Sergio Giangrande sure knows how to run a parade … AND throw a party. Thanks to the enthusiastic leadership of the 2017 chairman, float, sponsorship and TV ad sales were through the roof. When all was said and done, five major sponsors had signed on in support of the festivities, and another dozen benefactors purchased 30-second introductory “vigne...
From altar to grave
Last month we looked at birth certificates and what you can learn from them. This month, we follow with marriage licenses and death certificates. Why do we cram two types of documents into one column? Well, frankly, the Cook County marriage license has so little data that it would be the world’s shortest column! The fact is that Cook County created...
Mungo’s heartfelt fundraiser turns 25
Southwest suburban businessman Frank Mungo Jr. has been battling blood cancer in his own heartfelt way for a quarter of a century. His Valentine’s Day Dance benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Feb. 10 at the Drake Hotel in Oak Brook. When Mungo launched the event, blood cancer treatments were just begi...
JCCIA pulls out all the stops for 2017 parade
The 2017 Columbus Day Parade was among the best in recent memory. The sun shone brightly and the weather was glorious, attracting a record crowd. And thanks to the enthusiastic leadership of our parade chairman, Sergio Giangrande, we maxed out the capacity of our float company and enjoyed tremendous support from sponsors and television advertisers...
Meet Bill Cellini Jr.
Something to know about him: Cellini grew up in Springfield but currently lives and works as a documentary writer (for Cinema Verite, Ltd.) and Italian genealogical researcher in Los Angeles and Chicago. He researches Italian genealogy for a fee and holds seminars on the topic. Cellini will discuss the history of Italians and Italian immigration in...
Why I’m Running
I never considered running for office. In fact, over the past 10 years or so when friends would suggest it, and I would jokingly respond, “I wouldn’t pass the vetting process!” My doubt wasn’t in my background, and it certainly wasn’t in my desire to serve people. But having never run for political office, I questioned my patience to actually parti...
Carnevale Roaring 20's Masquerade Ball
The Italian Social Club of Chicago started with a conversation over dinner. The concept was simple: find a way to foster all things Italian - including food and wine - with others who have an affinity for the Italian culture. In the process this would allow its members to create new and lasting memories and friendships. Celebrating over food has a...