COLUMBUS AWARD: Last October, the JCCIA introduced the Christopher Columbus International Achievement Award. This incredible honor was presented to first-ever recipients Sophia Loren, Frankie Valli and Paul Anka. Joining this legacy are members of IL VOLO: Gianluca Ginoble, Piero Barone, and Ignazio Boschetto! Read more about IL VOLO in Fra Noi's article: "Popera superstars Il Volo"

JCCIA MEETING: The next JCCIA Meeting will be on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at the Des Plaines Theatre. This will be our St. Joseph's Meeting and Dinner with with special guests from the Polish community and a special menu with a mix of traditional Italian and Polish delicacies!

ITALIAN CAUCUS: Save The Date! The Third Annual JCCIA Italian Caucus Tour of Italy Reception in Springfield will be on Tuesday, May 13, 2025! CLICK HERE for more information!

DANTE AWARDS: The 2025 Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans Annual Dante and DiFrisco Awards Luncheon will be on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at Galleria Marchetti.

SAL DA VINCI CONCERT: Platinum Selling Superstar from Italy! March 26, 2025 come to the Des Plaines Theatre to share your Italian Pride & support Italian musicians! All JCCIA members and Affiliate Organization members will receive a discounted price of $40/ticket! To reserve your ticket contact jcc@jccia.com.

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OPEN: Applications for the Women's Division Scholarship and JCCIA John Fischetti Scholarship are available!

MODA 2025: The Women's Division Scholarship Benefit Dinner and Fashion Show has been scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2025! Visit jccia.com/moda-2025 to learn more or purchase tickets!

ITALICO INFO: Have Italian American Community updates or information you would like to see in the next edition of ITALICO? Submit your request to the JCCIA Office at jcc@jccia.com!

UNICO AWARDS: On March 8, UNICO National held their Presidential Awards Banquet, where they honored Dr. Carl D. Marci with the Guglielmo Marconi Science Award, and attorney Jack P. Cerone with the Special Achievement Award. Congratulations to the honorees and UNICO National for a successful Awards Ceremony! "UNICO National Celebrates Italian American Community at Mid-Year Meeting in Chicago Metropolitan and Prepares for Upcoming 102nd Annual Convention" by ACCESS Newswire.

ARCOLIAN LEADERSHIP: Congratulations to Dr. Lauren Allegretti, the Arcolian Dental Arts Society new President! "Allegretti steps up to Arcolian presidency" by Doug Graham

NIAF GALA: Exciting news from the National Italian American Foundation! Maestro Andrea Bocelli will be among the honorees at the NIAF’s 50th Anniversary Gala on Oct. 18. "Maestro Andrea Bocelli among honorees at upcoming NIAF gala" by The Italian-American Herald.

ST. JOSEPH'S TABLE: There are a variety of St. Joseph's tables that are occurring this month! For a full list of celebrations, view "Viva San Giuseppe!" by Fra Noi.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark your calendars! Exciting events are just around the corner, brought to you by the JCCIA’s Affiliate Organizations!

March 19 | Annual St. Joseph's Table

Columbian Club of Chicago (MORE INFO or Contact: events@columbianclub.org)

March 19 | St. Joseph's Table & Blessing

Calabresi in America Organization (Contact: ciao@calabresiinamerica.org)

March 20 | JCCIA General Meeting & St. Joseph's Celebration

Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (Contact: jcc@jccia.com)

March 23 | St. Joseph's Table

Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii (Contact: 312-421-3757)

March 26 | Sal Da Vinci Concert with Arisa

JCCIA Members and Affiliate Organizations receive discounted tickets! (jcc@jccia.com)

March 29 | Lenten Pilgrimage: Pilgrims of Mercy

Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii (Contact: 312-421-3757)

March 29 | St. Joseph's Table

Society Burgio for Women (Contact: 847-902-1976 or societyburgioforwomen@gmail.com)

April 5 | Stravaganza Internationale di Danza Fashion Show

Italian American Executives of Transportation (MORE INFO)

April 9 | Sacrament of Reconciliation

Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Contact: 708-212-1051)

April 10 | NIAF New York Gala

National Italian American Foundation (MORE INFO)

April 10 | JSOL Nomination of Officers Dinner

Justinian Society of Lawyers (MORE INFO)

April 12 | Annual Spring Dance

Lucchesi Nel Mondo (Contact: 630-443-8722 or 773-908-1004)

April 12 | Amici Club Wine Tasting

Amici Naperville Area Italian American Club (Contact: 630-745-1085)

April 20 | Easter Brunch

Villa Cesare (Contact: 219-322-3011)

April 20 | Easter Dinner

Mazzini Verdi Club (Contact: 847-671-0055)

CLICK HERE for the full calendar of events! Have an event you would like to be added to the calendar? Submit your request to jcc@jccia.com! 

SAVE THE UIC ITALIAN PROGRAM: Students at the University of Illinois at Chicago are fighting to preserve the Italian and Italian American Studies department amid recent budget cuts. Sign a petition and help protect the Italian and Italian American Studies Program at UIC.

TRANSFORMING TEACHING: Ida Fiore’s 32-year teaching journey is just the beginning. As co-founder of SaLT, she’s shaping tomorrow’s leaders through service-learning and hands-on projects. Read more about her passion for education, Italian heritage, and community impact - "Fiore believes in the power of learning through service" by Elena Ferrarin.

DECADE OF DELICIOUS: Labriola restaurant on Michigan Ave. is celebrating their 10th Anniversary this year! Celebrate with some Labriola pasta & pizza classics! "Labriola celebrates 10th anniversary" by Fra Noi.

FLYING FLAVORS: Pronto Sandwiches has just landed at O'Hare! Founded by Peter and Dana Burdi, this local favorite brings bold bites and a taste of Italy to the terminal. Read more about Pronto and the other additions to ORD! "O’Hare International Airport Welcomes Five New Concessions In Terminal Core" by CDA Media Relations.

HERITAGE HUNT: One woman’s decades-long journey to uncover her Italian roots - "Woman tracks down birth mom, continues hunt" by Elena Ferrarin.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES: From opera to art, read about what Italian cultural experiences are coming up in Chicago, "A preview of music, film, theater, dance and more" by Fra Noi.

GAELIC & GARLIC: St. Patrick’s Day in San Pedro is all about Irish cheer and Italian charm—Read more about this festival fusion, where Gaelic meets Garlic in perfect harmony! "St. Patrick goes “Viva!” Italian in San Pedro’s culturally diverse waterfront town" by Donna Littlejohn

VA LA VINEYARDS: Discover how Anthony Vietri turned his family farm into one of America's most unique vineyards, producing rare Northern Italian wines you won’t find anywhere else! "From family farm of old to winery of today, the land has always provided" by Ken Mammarella.

DA VINCI MUSEUM: Pueblo, Colorado is about to become home to North America’s first-ever Leonardo da Vinci Museum! Get ready for interactive exhibits, life-sized replicas, and a deep dive into the genius of da Vinci! "North America’s First and Only Leonardo da Vinci Museum is Slated to Open in Colorado" by Francesca Aton.

ITALY TO LA: We the Italians interviewer Umberto Mucci sits down with Marianna Gatto. Director of the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, Gatto shares her family’s story, the city’s overlooked Italian legacy, and how IAMLA is preserving it all. Read the full interview: "Italy in Los Angeles: Marianna Gatto, welcome back to We the Italians".

RESTAURANT REOPENING: After eight months of silence, South Minneapolis’ beloved Italian Eatery is back! Reopened as “ie – Italian Eatery by Travail,” the spot is serving up its classic dishes with a fresh new twist. "First look: Italian Eatery gets a subtle makeover by new owners" by Sharyn Jackson.

LENTEN FISH FRY: The Leetonia Italian-American Club is reeling in big crowds with their legendary fish fries this Lenten season! A 50-year tradition, the club serves up delicious Italian flavors, including pasta fagioli, cod, shrimp, and clams - all while raising funds for their club. "Leetonia ITAM keeping fish fry tradition alive" by Stephanie Ujhelyi.

KICKOFF PARTNERSHIPS: The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast, in partnership with Lega Serie A , will host the first official Serie A event in Miami, "The International Reach of Italian Soccer and its Impact in the U.S. Sports Culture" by We The Italians.

TALENTED TUCCI: From award-winning films to Emmy-winning culinary adventures, Stanley Tucci's legacy as an entertainer and advocate for Italian culture has earned him the prestigious Renaissance Award. Read more with "Film studio honors Stanley Tucci with 2025 Renaissance Award" by The Italian-American Herald.

MUSIC STARS: The Buckinghams didn’t just ride the waves of the ’60s pop explosion—they helped create them. Today, they continue to rock crowds, all while keeping their Italian-American roots at the forefront. Read more with "The Buckinghams’ dynamic Italian-American duo" by Ron Onesti.

WINE GOLDMINE: New vineyard maps are a game-changer—putting Abruzzo’s winemaking potential on the global stage like never before! "Turning point for Abruzzo wines: a vineyard map defines the territory’s suitability" from Gambero Rosso.

RAVIOLI RECIPE: Bring the taste of Italy to your table with Michelin Executive Chef Giovanni Luca di Pirro's Ravioli Recipe! "Worth every minute: Homemade ravioli and meatballs for your Easter feast" by Murray Schulman.

EUROPEAN ESCAPE: From Malibu to Italy - tech tycoon Linda Bernardi reveals her reasoning behind leaving California and starting a new life in Italy - "Tycoon says she's leaving Malibu for ITALY as Golden State loses more of its prized millionaires" by Samantha Rutt.

WORLD WONDERS: From Roman roads to roaring Ferraris, dazzling mosaics to world-famous cuisine, Emilia Romagna is where Italy’s past and present collide - and thanks to UNESCO, this region is more vibrant than ever! "Celebrate The 80th Anniversary Of UNESCO In Emilia Romagna" by Irene S. Levine.

FLORENTINE FLAGS: Florence’s Bandierai degli Uffizi turn flag-throwing into an art form, captivating audiences worldwide! "The Flag Bearers of the Uffizi: the Florentine tradition that enchants the world" by Gian-Luca Pasquini.

BUILDING BRIDGES: Palermo students team up with inmates for a volunteer project fostering connection and creativity. "In Sicily, school students work with inmates and learn together" by We The Italians Editorial Staff.

ROYAL VISITORS: King Charles III and Queen Camilla are planning a visit to Italy and the Vatican, including a meeting with Pope Francis. "King's Vatican visit still on despite Pope's illness" by Sean Coughlan.

CLIMATE CONTROL: Learn how Italy is committing to the "Race Against Climate Change" with We The Italians Article, "Italy reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but not all regions are moving at the same pace".