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The Arcolian Dental Arts Society will honor Dr. Joseph A. Favia as Arcolian of the Year at its Christmas party on Dec. 10 at The Elmcrest Banquets in Elmwood Park. Favia has been a member of the Arcolians since 1993, serving as the society’s president in 2014 and as its golf outing chairman for the past eight years. ArA graduate of the Loyola Unive...

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St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, better known as Mother Cabrini, was a woman who defied the odds, broke barriers, and dedicated her life to serving those most in need. Her legacy continues to shine as she returns to her homeland of Italy as a “pilgrim of hope” in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee. On the anniversary of her beatification, a statue honorin...

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There is strength in numbers, the adage goes, and nowhere is that more apparent than at Casa Italia in Stone Park, where numerous organizations will join forces to stage the Casa’s annual Christmas Village. The complimentary open house is slated for Dec. 1, 2024. The following organizations have signed on to participate at the time of publication:...

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Daniel Pizzoferrato says that the first time he heard someone play the zampogna, it felt like he was listening to the sound of his ancestry. That moment 10 years ago prompted Pizzoferrato to embark on a journey to master the ancient Italian instrument, which he now showcases at Italian-American Christmastime celebrations in the Chicago area. He als...

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Just a few weeks after we published a piece about the 23 local businesses that Chicagoans wish they could bring back from the dead, Boka Restaurant Group reached out to reveal its intentions of running a Balena pop-up—one of the very eateries mentioned in the story—from January 19, 2025 through January 26, 2025 at the Wellsley (504 N. Wells Street)...

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“The first bet I ever made was at a bookie joint when I was 11 or 12,” Frank Calabrese once told the Tribune. “I bet 50 cents and got $36 back and I was hooked.” Calabrese went on to become one of Chicago racing’s all-time greats, a thoroughbred owner who tied for the lead in winners at Arlington International Racecourse in 2000 and then won more r...

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The youngest of three children, Allan Zitella was born in Chicago to Joseph and Christina (Zipparo) Barrile. His mother died when Zitella was 3 years old and he and his siblings, Richard and JoAnn, were eventually adopted by their maternal great-aunt and -uncle, Anna and James Zitella. Zitella grew up in the neighborhood around Harlem and North ave...

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With a dinner hosted by the Ambassador of Italy to the US, Mariangela Zappia, the series of over fifty events organized by Italy’s diplomatic-consular network, the Italian Cultural Institutes, and Italian Trade Agency offices in the United States began to celebrate the ninth annual Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, themed “Mediterranean Diet an...

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The long awaited documentary about the coolest, hippest, Radio Hall of Famer – the late, great Dick Biondi – will receive a special viewing Thursday, Nov. 14. The film screening and fundraiser starts at 6 p.m. at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago. Proceeds from the screening will go toward putting the final touches on the film bef...

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If you told me Mr. Beef was Chicago’s most popular tourist attraction of 2024, I’d believe you. Having never been to the River North stand (I’m a Johnnie’s or Al’s gal), I decided to join the line of folks who had flown into town and proceeded directly, suitcases in hand, to the restaurant on which the one in The Bear is based. Despite all the ques...

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