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Angel Santiago, a legally blind man, searches for his stolen service dog, Bam Bam, in Logan Square. Since the dog’s abduction on June 5, Santiago has stood outside Tony’s Fresh Market, distributing flyers and seeking help, while a GoFundMe campaign has raised over $2,000 to support his efforts. PETA has also offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to Bam Bam's return.
Friends in Pilsen are crowdfunding $50,000 to launch Tesseract Cinema, an independent movie theater and café. The micro-cinema aims to foster community engagement through film screenings and local events, with a target opening by spring 2026.
A viral social media prank claims a man is trapped inside Chicago's Cloud Gate sculpture, known as The Bean. Alderman Brendan Reilly confirmed no one has been trapped for 21 years, but the hoax has sparked significant public curiosity and confusion. The Man in Bean Coalition, behind the prank, has gained a following while some view the stunt as a commentary on journalism.
The Chicago Park District will close pools citywide starting Sunday, with 15 pools shutting down immediately and another 42 closing on August 17. However, 19 neighborhood pools will remain open through Labor Day to accommodate swimmers amid ongoing heat waves. The decision marks the shortest swimming season since 2022.
Chicago theaters offer a variety of live performances this August, including “44 – The Musical,” which satirizes Barack Obama’s rise to the presidency. Other highlights include a whimsical adaptation of “Amélie” and a standup show by “Saturday Night Live” cast member James Austin Johnson. These productions aim to engage audiences just ahead of the bustling fall theater season.
Dave Matthews Band's tour bus infamously dumped 800 pounds of feces into the Chicago River on August 8, 2004, splattering passengers on a sightseeing boat below. The incident, which led to legal consequences for the band’s bus driver, remains a notable event in Chicago's music culture. Recent commemorations, however, have sparked mixed reactions among locals.
President Trump’s housing department dropped two significant civil rights cases linked to environmental justice and affordable housing in Chicago. The cases, which activists viewed as crucial for addressing systemic racism in city policies, were previously supported by the Biden administration but will no longer be investigated. Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration aims to continue reform efforts independently, despite the federal withdrawal.
The Chicago Cubs invited 72-year-old Cesario Moya, a lifelong fan with terminal brain cancer, to Wrigley Field after his granddaughters shared their family's touching story in a viral video. Moya, who immigrated from Mexico in the 1970s, bonded with his family through their shared love for the team. The invitation from Cubs players followed an outpouring of support from fans across the nation.
The Chicago Department of Transportation will create a nearly 3-mile greenway on Grace Street, connecting the Chicago River to Lake Michigan. The project aims to provide a safer biking and walking route, reducing the speed limit to 20 mph and adding advisory bike lanes and speed bumps to enhance safety. Construction is expected to start this summer.
Bocadillo Market reopened in West Town, offering coffee and lunch, with plans for a dinner series starting September 5. Chef James Martin aims to sustain his restaurant by sharing space with Gemma Foods, while Aya Pastry closes after facing ownership changes and bankruptcy. A new tasting menu restaurant, Atsumeru, will open in the former Temporis space, featuring seafood-forward dishes.