Schivarelli's gift
GIVING BACK: Kudos to the legendary rock group Chicago and the band's longtime manager, Peter Schivarelli, for making it possible for four women with various disabilities to live in a brand new home in South Bend, Ind.
AT A recent ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Hannah and Friends Farm, a residential community for people with special needs and disabilities, four lucky women officially moved into a beautiful new home built by funds raised by the rock group Chicago and the band's charitable manager. The home is named after Schivarelli and the band, and the ladies became the first full-time residents of the Farm community, which was founded by Notre Dame's football coach, Charlie Weis, and his wife, Maura, in honor of their daughter, who has some challenges. Rocker Jon Bon Jovi is also donating a house for four males.
(AP)
The rock group Chicago has been donating 50 cents from each ticket sold at their concerts from around the world, and Schivarelli has also generously contributed to the building of the home. Schivarelli, who played football for Notre Dame from 1969-1971, has been an avid supporter of the university for many years.
In fact, Schivarelli got the surprise of his life when he was honored by the university's band at a home game last week during halftime. The school band played the hit "25 or 6 to 4," and the whole stadium went wild with applause.
Schivarelli told this reporter over dinner at Rosebud Steak House that the guys will be the special musical guests performing live Dec. 12 on the NBC "Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular" special, which will air New Year's Day. The band will play nine of their hit songs that will serve as the background music for the world-class skating acts. "Chicago is a band that transcends time, and their music is classic," Boitano said in an interview. The band will also appear in an episode of ABC's "The Bachelor" for the new season.
THE CHICAGO premiere of the HBO documentary "By the People: The Election of Barack Obama" is Friday at the Cadillac Palace theater. This event is co-sponsored by Comcast.
A STELLAR REMINDER: The Museum of Broadcast Communications' National Radio Hall of Fame gala is Nov. 7 at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel. The inductees are Wendy Williams, Neil Boortz, Dr. Demento, Ed Walker, Norman Pattiz and posthumously to Jose Miguel Agrelot (the first Hispanic ever to be inducted), Harry Kalas and Studs Terkel.
The celebrity presenters include the very controversial radio host Rush Limbaugh (who made a promise to Boortz that he would fly in to present to him), WIND radio host/humorist/actor Dennis Miller, NBC ''Today'' show's Willard Scott, The Loop radio's Jonathon Brandmeier, Philadelphia Phillies chairman Bill Giles and WGN-Channel 9's Ana Belaval.
NIELSEN COMPANY senior vice president Cheryl Pearson McNeil and the Chicago Defender president Mike House have joined the Museum of Broadcast Communications' board of directors. The museum is currently indexing the radio tapes of the late broadcaster John Callaway, one of which is his interview with the Rev. Martin Luther King.
SOURCES ARE saying that "The Real Housewives" franchise, besides airing at night, will begin next fall airing also in daytime syndication to replace some of the soap operas now off the air.
ABOUT TOWN: Actor Nathan ("The Producers") Lane, who will be starring in "The Addams Family" opening Nov. 13 at the Ford Center/Oriental Theatre, has become a regular at Petterino's. ... WBBM-Channel 2's Steve Baskerville and family dined at LaScarola and on a separate evening, Dutchie Caray dropped by. .. . Sweet Maple Cafe, owned by Laurene Hynson, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. ... WLS-Channel 7's Cheryl Burton will be participating in Essence mag's "Empowerment Conference" Friday at the Hyatt Regency. ... ''The Red Hot Cocktails" fund-raiser for the Primo Center for Women & Children is this evening at Hotel Felix.
THE BIRTHDAY SET: Winona Ryder, Kim Curtis and belated to author Bill Zehme. On Friday: Mesirow/Sun-Times' boss James Tyree, Merri Dee, Gavin Rossdale and John Blandino. On Saturday: Dan Rather, Alex (Rosebud) Dana, Celeste Von Dahm and anniversary wishes (61) to Merritt and Maxene Kotin. On Sunday: Jenny McCarthy, Andy Nichols and Jerry Kupcinet. On Monday: WVON's Michael Peery.
Well, that's Stella in the City!