Serratore, Falcons hockey in fine form
The Air Force hockey team enters this weekend with a bye and coach Frank Serratore dropped a bombshell during his weekly press conference. He has never lost to Bye. "I look at our schedule and I see Bye listed there," he said. "I am calling it right now. We will destroy Bye. Bye has no chance against us. I have never lost to them. You...
A mystery worthy of Sherlock Holmes
Thanks to this column, and my "check-ins" on Facebook when I am out researching somewhere, my friends know to contact me if they have a question about their Chicago or Italian heritage. I received a call from the sister of one of those friends last week. She has been bitten by the genealogy bug, and despite her best efforts, she was unable...
Cleveland’s Italian Community
by Joyce Mariani Like a giant that awakens from a deep slumber, Cleveland's Italian community is in the midst of a vibrant cultural rebirth, a "risorgimento culturale," born from a desire to fully embrace the great mosaic of Italy's rich cultural heritage. Ohio has one of the largest populations of Italian Americans, numbering approximate...
Wyandotte: ‘A Taste of Italy’ provides financial boost to Penrickton Center for Blind Children
by Jim Kasuba Fundraisers always seem better when good food is involved. If that's the case, it's hard to beat a fundraiser like "A Taste of Italy," which is centered around the sampling of genuine Italian food, as well as Italian and California wines. Last month's event at the Downriver Italian-American Hall continued a decadelo...
Rosati's Pizza Traces Rich History Back to an Italian Immigrant
by Michael Sewall Although the Bolingbrook Rosati's Pizza is an offshoot of the company celebrating 50 years in business, it still shares in the history that goes back about a century—all thanks to Ferdinand Rosati, who ditched New York in the early 1900s for the more favorable pizza haven in Chicago. Ferdinand, an Italian immigra...
Italian Festival gets cooking this weekend
The Sons of Italy will serve up their usual assortment of food, games and music this weekend at the annual Summer Italian Festival. Organized by the Order Sons of Italy in America Geneva Lodge 2397, the festival runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with bands and bar service through midnight. "There's going to be lots of food, band...
After 31 years, Spavone's still a hit in Bloomingdale
by Ann Piccininni The clientele at Tony Spavone's Ristorante in Bloomingdale is a devoted group. "We have people who have been coming since I opened up," said Spavone, who unveiled the 260-seat restaurant at 266 W. Lake St. 31 years ago. He said he's seen more than a few customers start out in high chairs, move up to wedding rehearsal...
Patterson produces pasta and pancakes in Oxford
By Matthew Rigali Paesano's Pasta House owner Mike Patterson said the restaurant business has been in his blood since age 14. But it wasn't always his life's work. "I did a lot of radio," Patterson said. "I was in radio for 12 years." A job opportunity with a large communications company brought Patterson from New Jersey to Oxford. B...
5 of the best sfogliatelle at Chicagoland bakeries
The recent flurry of Italian restaurant openings (Nico Osteria, Eataly, Cicchetti, Azzurra) has us thinking about some of our favorite classic Italian foods. Namely, sfogliatelle. A successful sfogliatella—the clamshell-shaped, baked ricotta–filled pastry associated with Naples—is a creature borne of patience and balance. Producing its cru...
Fun at the Festa
by Ceasar Maragni Another Herrin Festa Italiana is in the books and thanks to great weather, hundreds of hard working volunteers and thousands of southern Illinoisans who know a good time when they see one, it was another successful festival. The five-day fair concluded Monday evening with the final of five straight nights of power packed...
With jokes and a song, personalities shine at Little Miss and Mister Italian Fest Pageant
The newly crowned Little Mister Italian Fest said there's one change he would like to make to his title. "Leave out the 'little' thing," he said. "I'm 8 years old, come on." Andrew Hilmes, 8, was the oldest contestant in this year's Little Miss and Mister Italian Fest pageant, held Saturday. Gabriella Hill, 7, won the title of Little Miss Ital...
The Art of Designing Everything: The Life and Work of Massimo Vignelli
MONDAY, DEC. 1, 2014, 5:30 P.M.Cleveland Institute of Art, Russell B. Aitken Auditorium "The Art of Designing Everything: The Life and Work of Massimo Vignelli" A lecture on the work of iconic graphic designer Massimo Vignelli. Special guest speakers Professor R. Roger Remington, Vignelli Distinguished Professor of Design at the Rochester...