Fra Noi

Fra Noi has been the newspaper of record for the Chicago area Italian-American community for more than four decades. Each month, we provide our readers with all the information they need to keep in touch with each other, their community and their heritage. Fra Noi fosters a sense of awareness, identity, unity and pride among Italian Americans, spotlighting their accomplishments and defending their reputation against defamation and sterotyping. My family has been recieving this paper for as long as I can remeber and I just turned 50, And have seen it at all friends house, Life in the Chicago Italian Community is well versed by the integrity of such a fine newspaper.

Chicago Excitement to Arizona

Transplanted Chicagoans were downright giddy Tuesday at the news that Portillo’s Hot Dogs is looking to expand its restaurant chain to the Phoenix area.

Portillo’s is an icon in Chicagoland, loved and remembered by the tens of thousands of local residents who moved out of Illinois over the years to make Arizona their home.

You can include me in that bunch. I grew up eating the scrumptious Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches at the local Portillo’s just a few minutes away from where my parents still live in Naperville, Ill. And yes, I went to Portillo’s for lunch when I was back to visit for Christmas. That’s just what you do when you “go back.”

Portillo’s is looking to build new restaurants at Tempe Marketplace, Chandler Fashion Center and other locations in Phoenix or Scottsdale.

When word spread of the news yesterday, I received a handful of emails and Facebook messages about the news. Al Maag, chief communications officer at Phoenix-based Avnet Inc.    , is a Chicago native. He said one of the reasons he loves the Phoenix area is because there are so many Chicagoans here.

“I feel it’s the western suburbs of Chicago without the snow and traffic congestion,” he said.
Maag said there are thousands of hot dog stands in Chicago, but Portillo’s stands out.

“When I travel back to Chicago my first stop is Portillo’s for a beef sandwich and hot dog,” he said. “Heck, my family and I have it shipped here four times a year for special parties. I remember when In-N-Out came here the lines were pretty long. When Portillo’s comes it will be a happening of a higher magnitude. My guess is the last car will be in Tucson.”

Stephanie Lough, an account coordinator at HMA Public Relations    in Phoenix, didn’t grow up in the Chicago area, but she’s been bitten by the Portillo’s bug.

Almost Time For Mario's

Neighborhood:
Little Italy/
University Village 1068 W. Taylor St.
Chicago, IL 60607

Mario's Italian lemonade has the consistency of a Slurpee and is like store-bought Italian ices, ''only better,'' promises Dorothy DiPaolo, the current owner's mother. Mario's ices consist of chilled slushlike lemonade, fruit and syrups in various flavors including fruit cocktail, pina colada, chocolate and banana. Lemon is the No. 1 flavor. DiPaolo opened the business in the '50s with her late husband, Mario. The wooden stand is Italian green, white and red, sprouting from the front of a brick rowhouse next door to Jamoch's Caffe. DiPaolo says that when she and her husband opened their stand, there were many stands and pushcarts in the neighborhood. Over the years, most have disappeared. She says customers from many years ago who went to nearby St. Ignatius come back and bring their children. Mario's also sells snacks including snowballs, seeds and nuts, lupini beans, dried chickpeas and candy.

Happy New Years

New Year’s Reflections

Looking back on the months gone by,
As a new year starts and an old one ends,
We contemplate what brought us joy,And we think of our loved ones and our friends.

Recalling all the happy times,
Remembering how they enriched our lives,
We reflect upon who really counts,As the fresh and bright new year arrives.

And when I/we ponder those who do,I/we immediately think of you.

Thanks for being one of the reasons I'll/We'll have a Happy New Year!

MISS Foundation Helps The Bereaved

EXTRA EXTRA!

Coping with Grief During the Holidays

MISS Foundation Hosting National Children’s Memorial Day Service

        The holidays are especially difficult for the bereaved.  If you or someone you know is mourning the death of a child of any age, please consider attending the National Children’s Memorial Day Service at the Temple Chai at 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix, AZ 85032 on Sunday, December 11 at 6:30 pm.  Free refreshments served following the memorial service. Temple Chai is west of Tatum Blvd, approximately ½ mile north of Thunderbird Road.

National Children’s Memorial Day began in 1997, and is held annually on the second Sunday in December. At 7:00 p.m. candles are lit around the world, creating a virtual wave of light in which countless families and friends commemorate and honor the memory of children in a way that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious, and political boundaries.  Such candle lighting events are held both formally and informally, from hundreds of people gathered together, to small family gatherings.

The MISS Foundation hosts National Children’s Memorial Day in the form of a non-denominational memorial service.  Everyone in attendance lights a candle in honor of the beloved child who has died. The MISS Foundation also invites families and loved ones to bring a photo and/or memento to display in the sanctuary during the service.

The MISS Foundation, a Phoenix based nonprofit organization, serves families after the death of a child at any age, from any cause.  The support services that the MISS Foundation provides are multi-faceted and include crisis outreach, support groups, one on one counseling, online support forums, family grief conferences, research and advocacy.  National Children’s Memorial Day is one of the MISS Foundation’s annual events in support of those families who have lost a child.

MISS Foundation founder, Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, speaks to the importance of the National Children’s Memorial Day Service, “Rituals are a crucial part of healthy bereavement.  NCMD is a way for families to proactively remember and honor their child who died too soon, and reminds us all to cherish every moment we have with our children.  It's a lesson from which every parent on Earth can benefit.”

MISS Foundation

Some Info from Webmaster
Hello for those that know me,, you are aware of the MISS Foundation for those of you who do not.


The MISS Foundation is a 501 (c) 3, volunteer based organization committed to providing crisis support and long term aid to families after the death of a child from any cause. MISS also participates in legislative and advocacy issues, community engagement and volunteerism, and culturally competent, multidisciplinary, education opportunities
http://missfoundation.org/

Many of you know them by their Random Acts of Kindness Program












I have been working with the MISS Foundation for 8 years since the loss of my daughter Dawn Marie and am a Mentor for other families that have experienced this tragedy  I also have  just asked to become a Facilitator for their support program, This November 6th I will be attending Dawns 10 year Memorial service in Chicago, I am also the 2nd largest fundraiser in Phoenix for MISS Memorial Causes, So if you feel generous please donate to this wonderful organization




HOPE Mentor Profile,Michael Sansone, Phoenix, AZ

I am the Father of 5 children, Ages: (In Heaven Dawn 33), Kristen-30, Nicole-29, Michael Jr.-27, and Michelene- 19.

After the loss of my daughter Dawn in 2001 to a hit and run driver, I was fortunate to learn about the MISS Foundation which has helped reshape my life. I am hoping that this tragic event in my life and the things I have learned along the way have suited me to help other parents cope with this unthinkable loss we share.

CLICK FOR MY PROFILE    ....http://missfoundation.org/bios/msansone.html

On November 6th 2001 My Daughter Dawn Marie was struck and  killed by a Hit & Run Driver here in Phoenix She was 23 yrs old with a smile none can ever forget Born 1/2/1978     Passed 11/6/2001 To donate please click link below http://wishes.causes.com/wishes/390540?bws=fb_stream_wish Thank You To Donors this week Michael raised $20 from Anonymous Donor for MISS Foundation about 1 hour ago Michael raised $25 from Anonymous Donor for MISS Foundation about 2 hours ago Michael raised $25 from Remona Onesti for MISS Foundation 1 day ago Michael raised 50 from Augie Sansonefor MISS Foundation 1 day ago Michael raised $50 from Shawn Roberts Soumilas for MISS Foundation 3 days ago  Michael donated $25 to Michael's Wish Michael raised $25 from Susan Pack  3days ago