Chicago Italians

We knew the winnner before the votes were counted. At Giordano's restaurant it was unanimous love at first taste. It's pizza was so delicious that we applauded the chef, Efren Boglio. He told us this story:

"My brother Joseph and I both own and cook for Giordano's. We were born in a small northern Italian town near Torino, where our mother was know for her exquisite dishes. Of all her repertoire, though, my family was most fond of her deep-dish, double-crusted pizza, which she made on Easter and stuffed with ricotta cheese.

I loved her pizza so much that when I came to America in 1967 I took a job at a pizza restaurant, pleased to be near my favorite food. but the pizza there was only fair-not nearly as good as Mother's. And, as time passed, I tasted pizzas at other restaurants, I was surprised to find that the very best around didn't approach the worst of those I'd eaten back home in the old country.

So I opened my own pizza restaurant. It was called Roma and was doing all right. But then my brother Joseph came to Chicago, and we decided to close Roma and open a restaurant specializing in Mothers's
pizza-one which would be called by her name, Giordano. We worked for months, trying to develop a superlative Chicago variation of Mother's pizza; then, in February 1974, we opened Giordano's.

Don't get the idea that we're satisfied, though. We're not. We alter our pizzas as time passes, as the necessity arises. Our first pizzas, for example, had just the right amount of garlic for us, but too much for most of our customers; so we cut down some of it. But besides surveying our customers constantly, Joseph and I go once a week, to different pizza restaurants, in order to taste the competition.

The thing about pizza is that like everything good, it has to have an evolution. To stay the same means to go backward. It wasn't my mother or my brother and myself who invented the pizza we serve here. The recipe probably began with our great, great, great, great, great-grandmother. You ask how long it took to develop the recipe. I'd have to say 200 to 300 years. And it's still developing."



Find a Giordano's near you




CHICAGO LOCATIONS

BELMONT
(773) 327-1200
1040 W. BELMONT AVE.


JACKSON
(312) 583-9400
223 W. JACKSON BLVD.


PULASKI
(773) 582-7676
5159 S. PULASKI ST.


LOGAN SQUARE
(773) 862-4200
2855 N. MILWAUKEE AVE.

RANDOLPH
(312) 201-1441
310 W. RANDOLPH ST.

GREEK TOWN
(312) 421-1221
815 W. VAN BUREN ST.


MIDWAY
(773) 585-6100
6314 S. CICERO

RUSH STREET
(312) 951-0747
730 N RUSH ST.

HYDE PARK
(773) 947-0200
5309 S. BLACKSTONE AVE.


MONTROSE
(773) 275-4600
2010 W. MONTROSE

SHERIDAN
(773) 262-1313
6836 N. SHERIDAN RD.

IRVING PARK
(773) 736-5553
5927 W. IRVING PARK RD.




PRUDENTIAL PLAZA
(312) 616-1200
135 E. LAKE


NORTH & NORTHWEST SUBURBS

ALGONQUIN
(847) 854-0076
1505 S. RANDALL RD.


BUFFALO GROVE
(847) 520-1600
270 N. McHENRY RD.


EVANSTON
(847) 475-5000
500 DAVIS ST.


GURNEE
(847) 856-6100
7105 GRAND AVE.

LAKE ZURICH
(847) 726-1500
455 S. RAND RD.

MORTON GROVE
(847) 966-4300
5990 W. DEMPSTER ST.


NILES
(847) 297-7300
8630 GOLF RD.

ROSEMONT
(847) 292-2600
9415 W. HIGGINS RD.

STREAMWOOD
(630) 372-8600
1556 BUTTITTA DR.



WEST SUBURBS

ADDISON
(630) 458-0044
1323 W. LAKE ST.


OAK PARK
(708) 386-2223
1115 W. CHICAGO AVE.


SOUTH ELGIN
(847) 841-8700
320 RANDALL RD.


DOWNERS GROVE
(630) 435-5999
5115 MAIN ST.

OAK BROOK TERRACE
(630) 530-7799
17 W 280 WEST 22ND ST.


ST. CHARLES
(630) 762-1600
3641 MAIN ST.


DOWNTOWN NAPERVILLE
(630) 428-2111
119 S. MAIN

OSWEGO
(630) 551-4411
2870 Route 34

SYCAMORE
(815) 899-2999
1840 DEKALB AVE.


GLEN ELLYN
(630) 790-1717
455 W. ROOSEVELT RD.

SOUTH NAPERVILLE
(630) 904-9800
3224 S. ROUTE 59 SUITE 120

WESTCHESTER
(708) 531-1122
10410 W. CERMAK


SOUTH & SOUTHWEST SUBURBS

JOLIET
(815) 254-2700
3058 W. CATON FARM RD.


ORLAND PARK
(708) 349-7500
14325 S. LA GRANGE RD.


WILLOWBROOK
(630) 325-6710
641 PLAINFIELD RD.



MINOOKA
(815) 521-1222
2075 S. RIDGE RD.

MOKENA
(815) 806-8282
11400 LINCOLN HWY.

PLAINFIELD
(815) 609-5900
2344 RT. 59

FLORIDA

BRANDON
(813) 655-2828
11310 CAUSEWAY BLVD.



LAKE BUENA VISTA
(407) 239-8900
12151 S. APOPKA VINELAND RD.


KISSIMMEE
(407) 397-0044
7866 W. IRLO BRONSON HWY.

PORT RICHEY
(727) 868-7600
10042 US HWY. 19


TAMPA
(813) 872-5900
401 N. DALE MABRY





OTHER LOCATIONS

ROCKFORD, IL
(815) 398-5700
333 EXECUTIVE PKWY.



COMING SOON

ALTEMONTE SPRINGS, FL


NORTH AURORA, IL







Today Show "Best Pizza in America"
Tamron Hall, WFLD-TV "Giordano's Deep Dish is by far the Best In Chicago"
"Reader's Choice" Giordano's pizza is a must when in Chicago

"The Ultimate Pizza"

"Silver Platter Award" (Every Year for the Past 10 Years)

Original Ferrara Bakery, Inc. 2210 W. Taylor St. Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 666-2200 Fax: (312) 666-2008 Email:nella@ferrarabakery.com

Salvatore Ferrara was just 16 years old when he left his home in Nola, Italy in 1900 and emigrated to the United States. He brought with him the art of Italian pastry making and confectionery, skills which would eventually lead him to open the first Italian pastry and candy shop on Taylor Street in Chicago's Little Italy. An instant success, he was recognized throughout the city and suburbs for his fine pastries, wedding cakes and confections.

He soon met and married Serafina Pagano and they labored together to provide Chicago with wonderful desserts and candies. Through hard work and commitment to the use of quality ingredients, they made a lasting name for themselves. Serafina, a dynamic business personality and philanthropist, was loved by all who knew her and was known as "The Angel of Halsted Street". She is still remembered today.




Eager to meet new challenges, Salvatore put Serafina in charge of the bakery and concentrated his efforts on expanding the candy business. With the help of his two brothers-in-law, Salvatore Buffardi and Agnello Pagano, they launched the Ferrara Pan Candy Company, now headquartered in Forest Park, Illinois. Still family owned and operated, the company, which manufactures such favorites as Lemonheads and Atomic Fireballs, distributes worldwide.
The third generation of Ferraras proudly carries on the tradition of providing its customers with a wide variety of delicious desserts of the highest quality. Ferrara's Signature Italian Cannoli Cake has become a tradition for thousands, enjoyed through the generations.

Just as Salvatore did when he began in 1908, we take extreme pride in preparing our products with only the freshest and purest ingredients. We use the finest imported spices and never any artificial flavorings or preservatives. Our products will certainly add that elegant crowning touch that sets your wedding or special event apart from the rest.


We've created thousands of wedding cakes.
Let us create a special cake for you.


Let Ferrara be a part of your special occasion. Our experienced staff can offer excellent advice whether you're planning a small intimate gathering or catering a wedding for thousands.

Using only the purest and freshest ingredients, our master bakers will design the cake of your dreams from a simple round layer cake or sheet cake to an elaborate tiered cake using design elements such as elegant columns, fountains, or stairways. You can choose one of our classic creations or create one of your own from hundreds of combinations using our delicious fresh or preserved fruit fillings, custards and icings.


Sweet Table Favorites
Exquisite morsels perfectly sized for your Sweet Table: Eclairs
Assorted Fruit Tartlets
Bowties
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Chocolate Mousse
Cannoli
Butter Cookies
Creme Puffs
Italian Cookies
Pecan Brownies
Cheesecake Bites
Chocolate Covered Almonds


A wide variety of delicious pastries, to name a few:
Full Size Pastries
Cannoli
Napoleon
Baba au Rhum
Pasticiotto
Eclair
Sfogliatella
Cassata al Forno
Funghi
Tiramisu
Cheesecake
Creme Puff
Monachine
Profiterole
Creme Horns



European Pastry Miniatures
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Pineapple Tartlets
Raspberry Tartlets
Petits Fours
Zuppette (Lemon Creme)
Napoleons (Bavarian Creme)
Monachine (cannoli filled)
Eclairs (vanilla custard)
Baba au Rhum
Baba au Rhum with custard
Cannoli
Cassata al Forno
Creme Puffs (pineapple-whip)
Chocolate Cannoli
Sfogliatella
Choux, custard filled
Choux, custard filled-frosted
Choux, cannoli filled
Choux, cannoli filled-frosted
White Jordan Almonds
Marzipan





Cookies
Italian Fancy Butter Cookies
Chocolate Chip
Butter with Peanuts
Cherry Top Sandwich
Chocolate Star
Sprinkles
Clover
Assorted Dots
Pecan Butter
Vanilla Horseshoes
Chocolate Horseshoe
Pink Hearts
Brown Sugar Chips
Powdered Crescents
Chocolate Dip Almond Bars
Chocolate Shells
Vanilla Shells

Italian Specialty Cookies
Cashew Bars
Amaretti Classico
Pignolati
Bow Ties
Pineapple Slices
Apricot Farfalla
Raspberry Farfalla
Cucidadi (fig filled)
Tetu
Gigolene
Quaresimale
Tarallo
Frosted Tarallo
Coconut Macaroons



Biscotti
Anise
Anise Almond
Chocolate Almond
Vanilla Almond Raisin
Chocolate Cherry Almond




Are you Drooling yet?? If not you are Morte

Original Ferrara Bakery, Inc. 2210 W. Taylor St. Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 666-2200 Fax: (312) 666-2008 Email:nella@ferrarabakery.com

1. The "living room" was called the "front room."
2. You don't pronounce the "s" at the end of Illinois. You become irate at people who do.
3. You measure distance in minutes (especially "from the city"). And you swear everything is pretty much 1/2 hour away.
4. You have no problem spelling or pronouncing "Des Plaines."
5. You go to visit friends or family down south and laugh when they complain about the traffic.
6. You understand that no person from Chicago can be a Cub fan AND a White Sox fan.
7. It's "kitty corner" not "katty corner".
8. You know the difference between"The Loop"and "Downtown."
9. You eat your pizza in squares, not triangles, and you never refer to it as "pie"
10. You own celery salt.
11. You understand that the primary is the official local election.
12. You know what a garache-key is!
13. Stores don't have sacks, they have bags.
14. You end your sentences with an unnecessary preposition. Example: "Where's my coat at?" or "Can I go with?"
15. Your idea of a great tenderloin is when the meat is twice as big as the bun, "everything" is on it and a slice of dill pickle is on the side.
16. You carry jumper cables in your car.
17. You drink "pop."
18. You understand that I-290, I-90, I-94, and I-294 are all different roads.
19. You know the names of the interstates: Stevenson, Kennedy, Eisenhower, Dan Ryan, and the Eden's.
20. But you call the interstates "expressways."
21. You refer to anything South of I-80 as "Southern or Central Illinois."
22. You refer to Lake Michigan as "The Lake."
23. You refer to Chicago as "The City."
24. "The Super Bowl" refers to one specific game in January, 1986.
25. You have two favorite football teams: The Bears, and anyone who beats the Packers.
26. You buy "The Trib" and not the Tribune.
27. You know that despite being on the lake, there is no such place as the Waterfront.
28. You think 45 degrees is great weather to wash your car.
29. You picnic or ride your bike in the "fore st preserve."
30. You cried when Bozo was canceled on WGN.
31. You know what goes on a Chicago-style hot dog.
32. You know what Chicago Style Pizza REALLY is.
33. You know why they call Chicago "The Windy City."
34. You understand what "lake-effect" means.
35. You know the difference between Amtrak and Metra, and know at which station they end up.
37. You have ridden the "L."
38. You think your next-door neighbor is a cousin to Tony Soprano.
39. You can distinguish between the following area codes: 847, 630, 773, 708, 312, & 815.
40. You have at some time in your life used your furniture or a friend's body to guard your parking spot in winter.
41. You respond to the question "Where are you from?" with a "side." Example: "West Side," "South Side" or "North Side."
42. You know the phone number for Empire Carpet!

Lida Allegrini
Mother of Robert Allegrini, Regional Director of Communications for Hilton Hotels, Allegrini came to Chicago at 7-years old and settled among Toscani at 24th & Oakley. She discusses Balbo’s flight in 1933 during the Century of Progress, her journey to Chicago via Ellis Island, and reuniting with her father after three years of separation.

Leonard Amari, Esq.
Founder of the Italian American Political Coalition, Amari shares his thoughts on the Italian American political landscape, the controversy over redistricting, the new generation of Italian American politicians, and celebrated Chicago leaders like Frank Annunzio, Alderman Vito Marzullo and Illinois congressman Victor Arrigo.

Rosemarie Andolino
Executive Director of the O’Hare Modernization Program, and a second-generation Italian-American of Sicilian descent, Andolino discusses growing up in a bilingual household, how her ethnic identity informed her personal and professional life, and memories of her family’s traditions

Paul Basile
Currently Editor of Fra Noi, Chicagoland’s monthly Italian American newspaper, Basile discusses the paper’s history and its charismatic founder Father Pierini, Villa Scalabrini, Casa Italia, Senator Ron Turano, the media image of Italian Americans, Italian Americans in politics, and the Italian American community’s shift away from the city to the suburbs.

Mike Bacarella
An actor, author, and founder of the Italian American Actors Guild in Chicago, Bacarella discusses Italian Americans in the Civil War who settled in Chicago, and the plight of Italian American actors in TV and film.

Ed Bernardi
The son of immigrant parents, Bernardi grew up in Highwood among a large Northern Italian community. He reminisces about working at the exclusive North Shore Club as a caddy, and moving up the corporate ladder to found a successful financial management company and become president of the Union League Club.

Emilio Bertolini
Born in a mountain village near Lucca, Bertolini recounts his experiences as a young boy during WWII, how his father aided the Allies during the final months of the war, how his father was nearly killed by Nazi soldiers, and coming to America and the challenges of learning English.

Tom Brindisi
The Senior Associate Executive Director of the Chicago Area Project and son of Dan “Moose” Brindisi, one of the founders of the Project created to assist inner-city youth. Brindisi grew up in multi-ethnic neighborhood near Grand/Ogden and discusses his mixed heritage, and the positive influence that his father had on Italian American youth and young immigrants.

Dominic Candeloro, Ph.D.
An historian and author, Dr. Candeloro’s topics addresses early immigration and patterns of settlement, the formation of Little Italys and their demise, Chicago Heights History, labor history, the role of the Church, and Italian American politics.

Kathy Catrambone
An award-winning journalist and second-generation Italian American, traces her roots to the West Side and Taylor Street starting in the early 1900s, where she continues to live. She recently co-authored with Ellen Shubart Taylor Street: Chicago's Little Italy.

Sam Ciambrone
The former mayor of Chicago Heights, Ciambrone talks about life growing up in Chicago Heights, the fight to save San Rocco church; the Anthony Scariano’s long legacy, an Appellate Court justice and an Illinois legislator, and the predominance of Italian/Americans in municipal politics.

Father Gino Dalpiaz
C.S. Fathers of St. Charles, Chicago and former director of the Italian Cultural Center, Stone Park, Father Dalpiaz, a second-generation Northern Italian, discusses the mission of the Scalabrian Fathers, the establishment of parishes, Mother Francis Cabrini, Taylor Street, the construction of the U of I, Chicago campus the Sacred Heart Seminary and Villa Scalabrini and memories of growing up in Melrose Park.

Donna DeRosa
Granddaughter of controversial labor leader James Petrillo, President of the American Musicians Union, DeRosa discusses her grandfather and the fight to retain his name on Grant Park bandshell bearing his name

Dennis Farina
A popular film and television actor; Farina grew up in Little Sicily/Little Hell and shares his memories of growing up in hard-working family, his college-educated father, World War Two, the Great Depression, street processions, his thoughts on playing stereotypical roles and on the challenges that Italian Americans face in the industry.

Don Fiore
A musician of traditional Italian music and an historian of Italo Balbo, Fiore discusses Balbo’s flight, the Italian neighborhoods of Chicago, prejudice, personal experiences growing up; and the role of popular music in the community.

Fred Gardaphé, Ph.D.
Currently Director of Italian American Studies at SUNY Stony Brook; Dr. Gardaphe skillfully dissects the topic of media images of Italian Americans; growing up in Melrose Park, race relations, and a number of authors who have written about Chicago’s Italian American experience.

Theodore Grippo, Esq.
Chairman of the American Italian Defense Association, Grippo discusses AIDA’s lawsuit against Time-Warner, which distributes HBO’s long-running series “The Sopranos,” the Sacco and Vanzetti case and its impact on the local Italian-American community, the media image Italian Americans, and his own experiences with prejudice.

Bill Jaconetti
Melrose Park Police Chief Jaconetti, one of the most highly decorated law enforcement officers in the nation, talks about the legacy of Anthony Buongiorno and his fight against crime, the Italian work ethic, World War Two, Italian Americans in law enforcement, and public image.

Luciana Mordini
A first-generation Italian-American, Mordini gives a moving eyewitness account of the Our Lady of Angels fire and the subsequent demise of her predominantly Italian neighborhood, and talks about adjusting to Chicago life as a newly arrived immigrant.

Gloria Nardini, Ph.D.
An author, teacher and cultural commentator, Dr. Nardini discusses the role of women in the Italian American community, the challenges and benefits of living bi-culturally, Chicago’s Lucchese community, the role of social clubs, and the concept of bella figura.

Dominic Pacyga, Ph.D.
A Professor of History and the Acting Dean of Liberal Arts at Columbia College, Dr. Pacyga is a national authority on Chicago history. Dr. Pacyga comments on ethnic communities in Chicago; labor; living conditions; and social relations among immigrant communities. Dr. Pacyga was also featured in the three-part American Experience Series "Chicago: City of the Century."

Ceasar Pasquesi
WWII veteran from the Highland Park/Highwood Italian community, where many immigrants from the area around Modena had settled, Pasquesi shares his memories of WWII, including how his brother liberated their parents’ hometown, and the remarkable correspondence between his Italian-born father and sons throughout the war.

James Purgatorio
A second-generation Southern Italian, Purgatorio grew up in housing projects on Taylor Street. He gives commentary on neighborhood life, the eventual demise of his neighborhood, and Florence Scala’s fight to save it.

Senator Renato Turano
President of Turano Bakery and currently the first Italian-American to represent Italians abroad, Italian-born Senator Turano discusses how his family turned a small business into a multi-million dollar company, his memories of coming to America from Calabria at 15, family traditions, and his identity

Josephine Raciti Forsberg
Founder of the Second City Workshops, Forsberg is the daughter of a Tuscan father and mother of Sicilian descent. Forsberg addresses growing up in Oak Park, the discrimination she experienced during WWII and highlights from her career.

Judith Santacaterina
Granddaughter of Amabile Santacaterina, one of the most popular Italian-language broadccasters in Chicagoland, Santacaterina highlights moments from her grandmother’s career, including her contributions to the war effort.

Joseph Stella
A third-generation Italian-American and former president of FIERI-Chicago, Stella discusses his family’s connection to the Taylor Street neighborhood, his budding awareness of his ethnic identity, perceptions of Italian Americans in the media, and his vision for younger Italians Americans in the future.

Michael Serritella
Serritella discusses growing up in a well-to-do family in Oak Park, his family’s relationship with the Cuneo family, the role of religion among Chicago’s wealthy Italian Catholics, and his grandfather’s role as founder of the White Hand Society, an organization composed of businessmen and community leaders to fight Black Hand extortion.

Violet Valiani Chisholm
Valiani Chisholm discusses the 24th & Oakley community where she grew up, her parents’ involvement in labor strikes in the garment factories, attending university and marrying a non-Italian.

Rudolph Vecoli, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, and former Director of the Immigrant Research Center, Dr. Vecoli is a nationally renowned expert on Italian immigration, and discusses patterns of migration, the formation of Italian colonies in Chicago, labor, and the padrone system.

Frances Varner (Amella) & Joseph Amella
Siblings Varner and Amella recall touching memories of growing up in Bridgeport, one of Chicago’s “hidden” Little Italys on the South Side, that contained a tightly-knit community of Southern Italian and Sicilians, relations between Italians and other ethnic groups in the neighborhood, religious processions and the closeness between childhood friends that still endures.

The son of a Chicago restauranteur, American comic actor John Belushi played drums in a high school band and excelled in football. But acting was his first love, a love requited by college productions and summer stock. He and several old pals auditioned for Chicago's Second City comedy troupe, but only Belushi was selected, and he became the youngest-ever performer to appear in Second City's "main stage" productions. His improvisational style sometimes had a nasty, dangerous, "politically incorrect" edge, but such traits were prized rather than discouraged during the early '70s. Belushi's guerrilla comic techniques were reportedly inspired by the 1968 Democratic Convention riots in Chicago, and he was among the few performers who could successfully exploit violence and social upheaval as a source of humor. Belushi was hired in 1973 for the off-Broadway +National Lampoon's Lemmings, and subsequently participated in future National Lampoon projects, including its syndicated "Radio Hour." In 1975, he was one of several Second City alumni cast in NBC's new satirical revue program Saturday Night Live. And though frustrated by the media's concentration on co-star Chevy Chase during the show's maiden season, Belushi fully came into his own once Chase left in 1976. Among Belushi's celebrated comic creations were the fish-out-of-water Samurai warrior; the "cheeseburger cheeseburger" short-order cook; and -- with close friend Dan Aykroyd -- the ultra-hip Blues Brothers.



Belushi's first film appearance was a disappointingly small role in the Jack Nicholson Western Goin' South (1978), but he truly hit his stride with his next movie later that year. As Bluto, the beer-besotted fraternity goof in National Lampoon's Animal House, Belushi was grossly uproarious, almost single-handedly launching a nationwide collegiate craze for toga parties. The actor suddenly found himself a full-fledged movie star, but audiences were generally permitted to see only the Bluto side of him. Belushi fought for better and more varied film roles, sometimes succeeding (1982's The Blues Brothers), but often failing (1981's Continental Divide). Never an advocate of "moderation in everything," Belushi tended to emulate the Bluto character in real life with his excessive eating and drinking. His drug intake, already formidable in his +Lemmings days, increased as his star ascended, terrifying even those friends who were, themselves, cocaine users. On March 5, 1982, comedian Robin Williams and writer Nelson Ryan came to visit Belushi in his temporary living quarters at West Hollywood's Chateau Marmont Hotel; they were the last of his friends to see him alive. Belushi was dead before the day was over, the victim of a cocaine and heroin overdose. With him at the time was erstwhile singer Cathy Smith, who would later be charged with involuntary manslaughter for her alleged role in administering the fatal drug jolt.



The meteoric rise and fall of Belushi was the stuff of which legends are made, overshadowing his brilliant comic gifts in favor of the sordid details. Two books have been written about him: Bob Woodward's -Wired, and his widow Jackie's "answer" to Woodward, -Samurai Widow.

Lida Allegrini
Mother of Robert Allegrini, Regional Director of Communications for Hilton Hotels, Allegrini came to Chicago at 7-years old and settled among Toscani at 24th & Oakley. She discusses Balbo’s flight in 1933 during the Century of Progress, her journey to Chicago via Ellis Island, and reuniting with her father after three years of separation.

Leonard Amari, Esq.
Founder of the Italian American Political Coalition, Amari shares his thoughts on the Italian American political landscape, the controversy over redistricting, the new generation of Italian American politicians, and celebrated Chicago leaders like Frank Annunzio, Alderman Vito Marzullo and Illinois congressman Victor Arrigo.

Rosemarie Andolino
Executive Director of the O’Hare Modernization Program, and a second-generation Italian-American of Sicilian descent, Andolino discusses growing up in a bilingual household, how her ethnic identity informed her personal and professional life, and memories of her family’s traditions

Paul Basile
Currently Editor of Fra Noi, Chicagoland’s monthly Italian American newspaper, Basile discusses the paper’s history and its charismatic founder Father Pierini, Villa Scalabrini, Casa Italia, Senator Ron Turano, the media image of Italian Americans, Italian Americans in politics, and the Italian American community’s shift away from the city to the suburbs.

Mike Bacarella
An actor, author, and founder of the Italian American Actors Guild in Chicago, Bacarella discusses Italian Americans in the Civil War who settled in Chicago, and the plight of Italian American actors in TV and film.

Ed Bernardi
The son of immigrant parents, Bernardi grew up in Highwood among a large Northern Italian community. He reminisces about working at the exclusive North Shore Club as a caddy, and moving up the corporate ladder to found a successful financial management company and become president of the Union League Club.

Emilio Bertolini
Born in a mountain village near Lucca, Bertolini recounts his experiences as a young boy during WWII, how his father aided the Allies during the final months of the war, how his father was nearly killed by Nazi soldiers, and coming to America and the challenges of learning English.

Tom Brindisi
The Senior Associate Executive Director of the Chicago Area Project and son of Dan “Moose” Brindisi, one of the founders of the Project created to assist inner-city youth. Brindisi grew up in multi-ethnic neighborhood near Grand/Ogden and discusses his mixed heritage, and the positive influence that his father had on Italian American youth and young immigrants.

Dominic Candeloro, Ph.D.
An historian and author, Dr. Candeloro’s topics addresses early immigration and patterns of settlement, the formation of Little Italys and their demise, Chicago Heights History, labor history, the role of the Church, and Italian American politics.

Kathy Catrambone
An award-winning journalist and second-generation Italian American, traces her roots to the West Side and Taylor Street starting in the early 1900s, where she continues to live. She recently co-authored with Ellen Shubart Taylor Street: Chicago's Little Italy.

Sam Ciambrone
The former mayor of Chicago Heights, Ciambrone talks about life growing up in Chicago Heights, the fight to save San Rocco church; the Anthony Scariano’s long legacy, an Appellate Court justice and an Illinois legislator, and the predominance of Italian/Americans in municipal politics.

Father Gino Dalpiaz
C.S. Fathers of St. Charles, Chicago and former director of the Italian Cultural Center, Stone Park, Father Dalpiaz, a second-generation Northern Italian, discusses the mission of the Scalabrian Fathers, the establishment of parishes, Mother Francis Cabrini, Taylor Street, the construction of the U of I, Chicago campus the Sacred Heart Seminary and Villa Scalabrini and memories of growing up in Melrose Park.

Donna DeRosa
Granddaughter of controversial labor leader James Petrillo, President of the American Musicians Union, DeRosa discusses her grandfather and the fight to retain his name on Grant Park bandshell bearing his name

Dennis Farina
A popular film and television actor; Farina grew up in Little Sicily/Little Hell and shares his memories of growing up in hard-working family, his college-educated father, World War Two, the Great Depression, street processions, his thoughts on playing stereotypical roles and on the challenges that Italian Americans face in the industry.

Don Fiore
A musician of traditional Italian music and an historian of Italo Balbo, Fiore discusses Balbo’s flight, the Italian neighborhoods of Chicago, prejudice, personal experiences growing up; and the role of popular music in the community.

Fred Gardaphé, Ph.D.
Currently Director of Italian American Studies at SUNY Stony Brook; Dr. Gardaphe skillfully dissects the topic of media images of Italian Americans; growing up in Melrose Park, race relations, and a number of authors who have written about Chicago’s Italian American experience.

Theodore Grippo, Esq.
Chairman of the American Italian Defense Association, Grippo discusses AIDA’s lawsuit against Time-Warner, which distributes HBO’s long-running series “The Sopranos,” the Sacco and Vanzetti case and its impact on the local Italian-American community, the media image Italian Americans, and his own experiences with prejudice.

Bill Jaconetti
Melrose Park Police Chief Jaconetti, one of the most highly decorated law enforcement officers in the nation, talks about the legacy of Anthony Buongiorno and his fight against crime, the Italian work ethic, World War Two, Italian Americans in law enforcement, and public image.

Luciana Mordini
A first-generation Italian-American, Mordini gives a moving eyewitness account of the Our Lady of Angels fire and the subsequent demise of her predominantly Italian neighborhood, and talks about adjusting to Chicago life as a newly arrived immigrant.

Gloria Nardini, Ph.D.
An author, teacher and cultural commentator, Dr. Nardini discusses the role of women in the Italian American community, the challenges and benefits of living bi-culturally, Chicago’s Lucchese community, the role of social clubs, and the concept of bella figura.

Dominic Pacyga, Ph.D.
A Professor of History and the Acting Dean of Liberal Arts at Columbia College, Dr. Pacyga is a national authority on Chicago history. Dr. Pacyga comments on ethnic communities in Chicago; labor; living conditions; and social relations among immigrant communities. Dr. Pacyga was also featured in the three-part American Experience Series "Chicago: City of the Century."

Ceasar Pasquesi
WWII veteran from the Highland Park/Highwood Italian community, where many immigrants from the area around Modena had settled, Pasquesi shares his memories of WWII, including how his brother liberated their parents’ hometown, and the remarkable correspondence between his Italian-born father and sons throughout the war.

James Purgatorio
A second-generation Southern Italian, Purgatorio grew up in housing projects on Taylor Street. He gives commentary on neighborhood life, the eventual demise of his neighborhood, and Florence Scala’s fight to save it.

Senator Renato Turano
President of Turano Bakery and currently the first Italian-American to represent Italians abroad, Italian-born Senator Turano discusses how his family turned a small business into a multi-million dollar company, his memories of coming to America from Calabria at 15, family traditions, and his identity

Josephine Raciti Forsberg
Founder of the Second City Workshops, Forsberg is the daughter of a Tuscan father and mother of Sicilian descent. Forsberg addresses growing up in Oak Park, the discrimination she experienced during WWII and highlights from her career.

Judith Santacaterina
Granddaughter of Amabile Santacaterina, one of the most popular Italian-language broadccasters in Chicagoland, Santacaterina highlights moments from her grandmother’s career, including her contributions to the war effort.

Joseph Stella
A third-generation Italian-American and former president of FIERI-Chicago, Stella discusses his family’s connection to the Taylor Street neighborhood, his budding awareness of his ethnic identity, perceptions of Italian Americans in the media, and his vision for younger Italians Americans in the future.

Michael Serritella
Serritella discusses growing up in a well-to-do family in Oak Park, his family’s relationship with the Cuneo family, the role of religion among Chicago’s wealthy Italian Catholics, and his grandfather’s role as founder of the White Hand Society, an organization composed of businessmen and community leaders to fight Black Hand extortion.

Violet Valiani Chisholm
Valiani Chisholm discusses the 24th & Oakley community where she grew up, her parents’ involvement in labor strikes in the garment factories, attending university and marrying a non-Italian.

Rudolph Vecoli, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, and former Director of the Immigrant Research Center, Dr. Vecoli is a nationally renowned expert on Italian immigration, and discusses patterns of migration, the formation of Italian colonies in Chicago, labor, and the padrone system.

Frances Varner (Amella) & Joseph Amella
Siblings Varner and Amella recall touching memories of growing up in Bridgeport, one of Chicago’s “hidden” Little Italys on the South Side, that

Name : James Belushi

Date of birth : 15 June 1954

Place of birth : Chicago, Illinois, USA

Height : 5' 11

JIM BELUSHI stars in the hit ABC comedy series According to Jim, playing a family man trying to find the ideal picket-fence life. His other television credits include Saturday Night Live, Royce, Parallel Lives, Wild Palms and Sahara. On the big screen, he made his debut starring with Rob Lowe and Demi Moore in About Last Night and went on to diverse roles in Oliver Stone's Salvador, Homer and Eddie with Whoopie Goldberg, Red Heat with Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Principal, K-9, Curly Sue, Taking Care of Business, Once Upon a Crime, Mr. Destiny, Only the Lonely, Thief, The Man with One Red Shoe, Real Men, Jumpin' Jack Flash, Jingle All the Way, Retroactive and Gang Related. His recent roles include Return to Me with David Duchovny and Minnie Driver and Joe Somebody with Tim Allen. Belushi has a musical side as well and plays in the band Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts, the official house band of the House of Blues clubs.

Joe Mantegna earned a Tony Award for his performance as Richard Roma in David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Glengarry Glen Ross. His additional Broadway credits include the role of Bobby Gould in Mamet's Speed-the-Plow and a role in the musical Working, in which he made his Broadway debut. In his hometown of Chicago, Mantegna also starred in the Mamet plays A Life in the Theatre and The Disappearance of the Jews, both at the Goodman Theatre. He directed Mamet's Lakeboat in Los Angeles and later made his feature film directorial debut with Lakeboat, based on Mamet's screenplay. Mantegna also conceived and co-authored the Off Broadway play Bleacher Bums, which was subsequently produced for television and earned him an Emmy Award.

Mantegna made his feature film debut in Compromising Positions and has since starred in the David Mamet films House of Games, Things Change and Homicide, in roles that Mamet specifically created for him, as well as in Alice, Celebrity, The Godfather III, Bugsy, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Liberty Heights, Forget Paris, Suspect, Up Close and Personal, The Money Pit, Weeds, Baby's Day Out, Airheads, Queens Logic, Wait Until Spring, Bandini, Uncle Nino and An Eye for an Eye. He also has starring roles in the upcoming films The Kid & I, Nine Lives and Lagoon.

His television credits include the cable films The Rat Pack, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Dean Martin, State of Emergency, A Call to Remember, My Little Assassin, The Water Engine, Boy Meets Girl, Jerry and Tom and a series of films based on Robert Parker's Spenser novels, including Small Vices, Thin Air and Walking Shadow. He earned an Emmy Award nomination for his role in the mini-series The Last Don, based on Mario Puzo's best-selling novel, and starred in its sequel, The Last Don II, both on CBS. He starred in the CBS series First Monday, and will star in the upcoming CBS movie Say When. His voice can be heard in his recurring role as Fat Tony in The Simpsons, and he starred as the voice of the boatman in the animated feature The Trumpet of the Swan.

Mantegna was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago and lives in Los Angeles. His birth date is November 13.

Name : Dennis Farina

Date of birth : 29 February 1944

Birthplace : Chicago, Illinois, USA

Height : 6' 1½

Profession : Actor
Dennis Farina Detailed Biography


Lovable tough guy character actor Dennis Farina was already well into his first career as a Chicago cop before he was able to turn his occasional acting gigs into a prodigious new line of work.

Raised in Chicago by Italian immigrant parents, Farina joined his hometown's police force in the mid-'60s, settling into a life of law enforcement. When he was hired to be a local consultant on Michael Mann's film Thief (1981), however, Farina wound up with a bit part as the villain's heavy. Farina continued to moonlight as an actor for several years, appearing in local theater and occasional movies, including Final Jeopardy (1985) and the Chuck Norris vehicle Code of Silence (1985). Though Dennis Farina never took an acting class, Farina was a natural; after Michael Mann offered him the lead in the series Crime Story in 1986, Farina left the police force to play a TV cop. During his 1986-1988 stint on the series, Farina also played FBI agent Jack Crawford (Scott Glen's part in Silence of the Lambs [1991]) in Mann's stylish thriller Manhunter (1986), was the Birdman of Alcatraz in the TV movie Six Against the Rock (1987), and a cop in TV movie mystery Through Naked Eyes (1987).

Drawing on his no-nonsense charm as well as his eclectic life experience, Farina continued to shine in roles on both sides of the law, such as serial killer Angelo Buono in The Case of the Hillside Stranglers (1989) and the lead prosecutor in the TV docudrama Blind Faith (1990). As nimble with comedy, Farina went up against Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin as a mobster in the popular buddy yarn Midnight Run (1988). Dennis Farina's versatility firmly established by the 1990s, Farina's early '90s work ranged from playing a billionaire in People Like Us (1990), to Banquo in a New York gangland version of Macbeth, Men of Honor (1991), as well as supporting roles in the comedy Another Stakeout (1993), Bruce Willis actioner Striking Distance (1993), John Turturro's Italian-American family drama Mac (1993), and vicious neo-noir Romeo Is Bleeding (1994).

Farina's appearance as John Travolta's nemesis, hilariously bumbling tough guy Ray "Bones" Barboni, in Barry Sonnenfeld's adaptation of Elmore Leonard's Get Shorty (1995), led to his most notable hit since Midnight Run. His career hitting a new high, Farina co-starred with Bette Midler as reunited exes in Carl Reiner's That Old Feeling (1997), and starred as a Sicilian bigwig in the high-profile TV miniseries Bella Mafia (1997). Though his Marshall Sisco made only a brief appearance in Steven Soderbergh's esteemed Elmore Leonard adaptation Out of Sight (1998), Farina was pitch-perfect as Jennifer Lopez's protective dad. After joining the superb corps in Steven Spielberg's award-winning Saving Private Ryan (1998), Farina returned to series TV, playing smooth detective Buddy Faro (1998); the series, however, lasted only one season.

Returning to films, Farina followed his role as the police captain who recruits The Mod Squad (1999) with another comic turn as a New York gangster who sets the diamond larceny plot in motion in Snatch (2000), adding a dash of Hollywood celebrity (along with Brad Pitt and Benicio del Toro) to British lad director Guy Ritchie's sophomore effort. The releases of two of Farina's next films, Barry Sonnenfeld's caper Big Trouble (2001) and Edward Burns' romantic comedy Sidewalks of New York (2001), were delayed after the terrorist attack on New York on September 11, 2001. Sidewalks of New York surfaced later in 2001, but the romantic comedy failed to charm a large audience. Big Trouble finally made it into theaters in the first half of 2002, but despite the big name cast, Sonnenfeld's farce joined such high profile fare as Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle Collateral Damage (2002) and the espionage actioner Bad Company (2002) on the list of 9/11-delayed flops. Farina's next film, the broad, witless comedy Stealing Harvard (2002), also failed at the box office. Farina returned to television during the fall 2002 season with a lead role as a comically monstrous Meet the Parents-esque father-in-law on the sitcom The In-Laws (2002). Despite initially withering reviews, The In-Laws managed to show signs of ratings life.

Legendary entertainer Vic Damone, actors Dennis Farina and Joe Mantegna, and a host of notables braved a mid-April snowstorm to attend the National Italian American Foundation’s Ambassador’s Gala at the Hilton Chicago.

Mayor Richard M. Daley opened the evening by welcoming the event’s more than 750 guests. The evening’s host, Italy’s Ambassador to the United States Giovanni Castellaneta, gave special recognition to famed actress Gina Lollobrigida and Academy Award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine. Borgnine’s impassioned speech about his parent’s immigration from Italy to America brought gala guests to their feet, while Lollobrigida received overwhelming applause when the ambassador referred to her as “a legend for all of us.”

During the awards ceremony, NIAF President Salvatore J. Zizza presented Damone with a NIAF Lifetime Achievement Award in Music. Mantegna received a NIAF Special Achievement Award in Entertainment, which was presented by his colleague, actor/director Chazz Palminteri. Actor and Chicago-native Larry Manetti also presented Farina with the Foundation’s Special Achievement Award in Entertainment. Robert A. Mariano, chairman, president, and CEO of Roundy’s Inc., received a NIAF Special Achievement Award in Business; Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court Robert R. Thomas received a NIAF Special Achievement Award in Public Service, which was presented to him by his former Chicago Bears teammate Doug Buffone; and Senator of the Italian Republic Renato Turano received a NIAF Special Achievement Award in Public Service.

Highlights of the awards presentation included Mantegna’s reminiscence of his Italian childhood and early career in Chicago, and Farina’s memories of a cultural clash between his Sicilian father and Tuscan mother.

CBS 2 reporter Vince Gerasole served as master of ceremonies, welcoming guests both in English and Italian. Robert V. Allegrini, NIAF regional vice president of the Midwest and regional director of communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation; Jerry Colangelo, chairman of the Phoenix Suns and NIAF vice chairman; and George Randazzo, president and founder of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame were on hand to celebrate the achievements of these distinguished Italian Americans. The evening also honored the region of Sicily and the Sicily-USA Partnership Project.