Craving a Chicago-style dog or a slice of deep dish? A new online pop-up serves artful representations of the city’s most popular eats — and these dishes double as holiday gifts and ornaments that won’t get your fingers greasy.
Stories by ariel parrella-aureli
Chicago Food Favorites Reimagined as Holiday Ornaments, Decor for Pop-Up Shop
Dec 20, 2020 | Ariel Parrella-Aureli
Helping Those in Need a Family Affair This Holiday Season
Dec 19, 2020 | Ariel Parrella-Aureli
About two dozen volunteers of all ages took to the streets Saturday to distribute 120 care pages to people experiencing homelessness in Chicago. Meet the founders of The heARTS Project, the new nonprofit behind the effort.
Brookfield Zoo Loses 7 Years of ‘Magic’ After Bottlenose Dolphin Dies From Longtime Respiratory Illness
Dec 19, 2020 | Ariel Parrella-Aureli
The Chicago Zoological Society said it was devastated by the loss of the dolphin, Magic, who was born and hand-reared at Brookfield Zoo. Others who had visited the dolphin expressed their sadness on social media.
New Sculptures in Wicker Park and Bucktown Encourage Neighborhood Exploration
Dec 6, 2020 | Ariel Parrella-Aureli
Six new works on display as part of the Chicago Sculpture Exhibit aim to get community members outside to explore the area and support local businesses as winter sets in amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Volunteers Light Up King Drive to Spread Holiday Cheer During Somber Times
Dec 6, 2020 | Ariel Parrella-Aureli
More than 500 volunteers participated in the kickoff event for My Block My Hood My City’s third annual Be Part of the Light event, which aims to decorate a 12-mile stretch of King Drive on the city’s South Side.
Chicago Yoga Community Remembers Teacher, Therapist and Trauma Expert Catherine Ashton
Nov 22, 2020 | Ariel Parrella-Aureli
Friends, family members and former students gathered virtually on Sunday to remember longtime Chicago yoga teacher and therapist Catherine Ashton, who died Nov. 14 as a result of pancreatic cancer.
West Town Nonprofit Brings Community Together for Donation of 700 Thanksgiving Meals
Nov 21, 2020 | Ariel Parrella-Aureli
“Feeding hunger is also feeding the spirit, that’s what events like this do,” said Ron Manderschied, president of Northwestern Settlement. “It provides the food for sustenance but also feeds the soul.”
Nearly a Year After Drive-By Shooting, Family of Frank Aguilar Still Looking For Answers
Nov 2, 2020 | Ariel Parrella-Aureli
The family of Frank Aguilar, a 32-year-old nurse who was gunned down in November 2019, gathered in Little Village on Sunday to commemorate his life and to continue to push for justice in finding his killer.
‘Good Trouble’ Highlights Voices From the Front Lines of Social Justice Movements
Nov 1, 2020 | Ariel Parrella-Aureli
Chicago takes part in a nationwide listening party for a new audio play that uses the words of protesters, activists, immigrants and survivors to explore recent social and protest movements. We go for a listen.
Local Artist Encourages People to ‘Remember in November’ With T-Shirt Designed to Spread Voter Awareness
Oct 18, 2020 | Ariel Parrella-Aureli
A father-son duo takes inspiration from major news events of 2020 to remind people how important it is to make their voices heard in the upcoming election.
Pilsen’s Feed the Crib Initiative Helps Struggling Families Access Fresh Produce
Oct 18, 2020 | Ariel Parrella-Aureli
Meet Elizabeth Morales, a 29-year-old teacher and community service organizer who is working to support local families and individuals struggling with food and housing insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic.
Annual Logan Square Zine Fest Zinemercado Highlights Resiliency of DIY Art Community
Oct 4, 2020 | Ariel Parrella-Aureli
It looked a little different this year due to the coronavirus, but an independent zine fest brought a steady stream of customers, vendors and artists together Sunday to experience art in person, some for the first time since March.
New Campaign Aims to Raise Awareness of Restorative Justice
Sep 7, 2020 | Ariel Parrella-Aureli
The coronavirus pandemic is highlighting systemic racism that Black and Brown communities have faced for decades, including systemic racism in the prison and criminal justice system.
10 Colorful Fridges and Counting: Fighting Food Insecurity One Fridge at a Time
Sep 7, 2020 | Ariel Parrella-Aureli
Painted fridges stocked with free, fresh food and drinks have been popping up across Chicago for the past two months. Find out how the Love Fridge project is helping those in need during the pandemic.