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The new Martinelli's Market in downtown Champaign is an Italian-inspired deli, a bakery, a restaurant and a retail shop all rolled into one. And if you ask co-owner Lauren Brokish what some of the signature sandwiches are, the first three she names are the turkey, pastrami and corned-beef rubens. These sandwiches are "massive" and large enough to s...

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Vic Guerrieri will ascend to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at a black tie installation dinner on Jan. 28 at Medinah Country Club. For reservations, call Carmen Forte at 708-473-1591. Guerrieri signed on as a member in 2011. “I joined to support the Italian-American traditions that the club stands for,” he says. “I admire their foc...

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WGN Radio’s David Hochberg, in for Bob Sirott, is joined by Ron Onesti, President & CEO at Onesti Entertainment, Arcada Theatre, and The Des Plaines Theatre. Listen in while Onesti talks about his Italian-Chicago roots and how growing up on Taylor Street has made him into the successful businessman he is today. Onesti also shares some fun Onesti En...

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Frank Galati, an actor, director, teacher and adapter who was a pivotal figure in Chicago's theater community and a two-time Tony Award winner, died Monday. He was 79. Galati won twin Tonys in 1990 — best play and best director — for his adaptation and staging of Steppenwolf’s production of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” starring Gary Sini...

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“I would say that we are classic American-Italian comfort food,” Cannell said and then she added, “and pizza. That’s comfort food, too.” Customers would say that Cannell is right on all accounts. Pizza is comfort food, the atmosphere at the restaurant located just south of the Jackson County Courthouse is welcoming and the pasta is pure comfort. Sh...

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There is a cup of hot cocoa in front of a crackling fire in the fall. There is peacefully floating on a raft on a small river in Tennessee. And there is sundown in the mountains of Colorado. As soothing, comforting and embracing as those things are, just as special is the voice of radio legend Dick Biondi. Which is ironic, since he is referred to a...

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One of four children, Leonardo Aiello was born in Bagheria, Sicily, to Angelo and Angela Buttitta Aiello. He grew up near grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides of the family. Among his favorite meals were two Sicilian specialties his grandmother prepared. Cuccia, a “soupy dish” of ceci beans and whole wheat kernels, was served on th...

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Italia team member Ben DeLuzio has signed a minor league deal with the Cubs and will compete for a big league roster spot. DeLuzio, an outfielder on the Mission Classic journey to Italy with IABF and FIBS, is on the Italia WBC roster.He spent most of the 2022 season in Triple-A with the Cardinals and was a late season call-up, playing in 65 big lea...

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You've likely seen the Cimino name before. It's on pizza-place signs around the Rock River Valley, in Loves Park, Durand, Winnebago and Pecatonica. Vince Cimino opened the first Cimino’s Pizza in Loves Park in the mid 1970s. Now, his son, Nino, 42, continues to make the Cimino name known in Hollywood. Nino Cimino's film "American Western" is stream...

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International Short Film Day: Short films available from December 21 at 1pm CT to December 23 at 12am CT. Organized by IIC Chicago, online, free. Registration here. During the shortest day of the year the ICC of Chicago celebrates the International Short Film Day in collaboration with the Italian Short Film Center. The credentials to watch the shor...

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