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Chicago's summer heat drives residents to indulge in ice cream, with over 100 local shops offering a variety of frozen treats. Block Club Chicago's guide includes hours and menu options, urging patrons to confirm details before visiting. The directory highlights both well-known and hidden gems across the city.
Lake Michigan's water levels have dropped nearly 4 feet since 2020, providing more space at Chicago's beaches. This decrease follows a record high in 2020 and exposes more of the shoreline, affecting local topography and beach access. Experts are studying the implications of these changes amid fluctuating precipitation levels in the region.
A hairstylist from Chicago, Zahrie Walls, drowned in Lake Michigan over the weekend amid dangerous weather conditions that contributed to multiple water rescue incidents. Walls, 27, was pronounced dead after being found near Navy Pier, while a man remains missing after a pontoon boat incident. The fire department responded to over 20 distress calls during this busy weekend.
City officials will close the Kenwood and Midway homeless shelters instead of taking them over, citing budgetary pressures. The closures will displace over 1,600 residents amid a significant rise in homelessness in Chicago.
A documentary titled “Beyond Closure,” which examines the impact of the 2013 closure of 50 Chicago Public Schools, will screen in Bronzeville and Englewood this week. Filmmaker Paola Aguirre aims to engage policymakers with the film as it highlights ongoing struggles related to the redevelopment of closed school sites. Following the Englewood screening, a panel discussion will delve into community-driven solutions for these challenges.
Chicago's water intake cribs, crucial for supplying water to five million residents, date back to the late 19th century. The structures, designed to draw water two miles offshore, were built to address public health crises linked to contaminated water. Today, only two of the original cribs remain active, continuing to serve the city.
Chicago's transportation department is enhancing Milwaukee Avenue in Avondale with new bike lanes and pedestrian safety features. The construction includes concrete bike barriers and pedestrian refuge islands, aiming to improve safety and visibility for all users. Work commenced in late May and will conclude later this summer.
Chef Arnold Shircliffe's 1926 cookbook "A Book Of Salads" transformed perceptions of salad in America, presenting it as a culinary art. The book, featuring hundreds of recipes and colorful illustrations, aimed to promote healthy eating habits among Americans. Shircliffe, who led the kitchen at the Edgewater Beach Hotel, argued for America's contribution to salad-making, claiming salads are inherently American.
Cleanup of a contaminated 30-acre lot in Little Village begins this week to prepare for the Focal Point Community Campus and a new St. Anthony Hospital. The project, which aims to serve around half a million people, will include various facilities such as outpatient clinics, affordable housing, and a vocational school. Environmental tests revealed hazardous levels of contaminants, prompting a thorough remediation effort.
A second man, Jaylin Arnold, has been charged with armed violence and firearm possession in connection with the accidental shooting death of Officer Krystal Rivera. Rivera was fatally shot by her partner during a foot chase of Arnold, who led police into an apartment building. Rivera, a mother and four-year veteran of the police force, died from a gunshot wound to the back after an officer accidentally fired their weapon.