Puppets, a winter market, Disney on Ice and special menus usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Stories by kristen thometz
12 Things to Do This Weekend: Jan. 13-16
Jan 12, 2023 | Kristen Thometz
Fancy footwork, Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations, professional bull riders and mocktails usher in the holiday weekend. Here are a dozen things to do in and around Chicago.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Jan. 6-8
Jan 5, 2023 | Kristen Thometz
Winter flower shows, fitness classes, hot coffees and teas and thousands of holiday lights usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.
10 Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Chicago
Dec 29, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Fireworks, cruises, competitive games and comedy shows usher in the new year. We’ve got 10 ideas for your big night out.
10 Things To Do This Weekend: Dec. 23-25
Dec 22, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Global Christmas traditions, a risqué “Nutcracker” and drive-thru light displays usher in the holiday weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Dec. 16-18
Dec 15, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
German-inspired outdoor markets, festive trains and buses, carols and Latino dishes usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Dec. 9-11
Dec 8, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Tons of toys, holiday markets, seasonal concerts and a photography exhibit usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
2022 Chicago Festival Guide
Nov 11, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Get ready for fun with this guide to neighborhood street fests, art shows, outdoor concerts and cultural celebrations of all sizes across Chicago and the suburbs.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Aug. 4-7
Aug 3, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Costumes, bugs, barbecued meats and Italian fare usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
How Should You Talk to Kids About Traumatic Events? ‘The Imagine Neighborhood’ Podcast Aims to Grow Social-Emotional Skills
Jul 28, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Developed by the Committee for Children, a nonprofit dedicated to the well-being of children, the podcast uses stories, music and activities to help children and adults talk about their feelings and solve problems together. And it doesn’t shy away from topics like racism, prejudice and equity.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: July 28-31
Jul 27, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
A massive music festival, cultural celebrations, vintage goods and a book fair usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.
As Chicago Surpasses 300 Monkeypox Cases, Officials Urge Testing
Jul 27, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
In Chicago, 326 people have tested positive for monkeypox, according to city officials who are urging residents to educate themselves about the virus and to get tested if they have symptoms.
Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership Awarded $24M to Lead Community Health Response Team
Jul 27, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
City officials announced Wednesday that they have awarded $24 million to the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership to serve as the lead organization for a new initiative to promote overall health and wellness.
Report Finds COVID-19 Vaccines May Impact Menstrual Cycles But Findings Narrow in Scope
Jul 21, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
After noticing changes in their menstrual cycles after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, a pair of researchers surveyed others about their experiences. A new analysis of over 35,000 responses finds many experienced changes to their periods, including unexpected bleeding.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: July 21-24
Jul 21, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Neighborhood street fests, dinosaurs and dragons, pizza pies and cat videos usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.
Chicago Ranked 10th Fittest City in America
Jul 16, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
The City of Broad Shoulders flexed its muscles in terms of fitness. In a newly released list of the 100 fittest cities in America, Chicago came in at No. 10.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: July 14-17
Jul 13, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Music festivals, beefy burgers, colorful creatures and tasty tacos usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Study: Chicago Youth Development Program May Interrupt Cycle of Intergenerational Poverty
Jul 13, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
More than 30 years ago, a group of Northwestern University medical students started a youth development program with the goal of improving the lives of children living in poverty. New research finds one such program that provided youth with long-term support is associated with reduced poverty in early adult life.
Dr. Sameer Vohra Tapped to Lead Illinois Department of Public Health
Jul 12, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Tuesday that he has appointed pediatrician Dr. Sameer Vohra to lead the state health department starting Aug. 1.
105 Cases of Monkeypox Confirmed in Chicago, Health Officials Announce
Jul 11, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
The risk to Chicagoans from monkeypox remains low, according to Chicago Department of Public Health officials, who encouraged anyone who has developed a new or unexplained rash to see a health care provider.
After Highland Park Mass Shooting, ‘People are Feeling Lots of Different Things.’ Help Is Available, Clinicians Say
Jul 6, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Highland Park’s Fourth of July Parade turned into a tragedy Monday. That sudden shift from a celebratory mood to one of imminent danger can make it difficult for people to process in the aftermath, according to clinicians.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: July 7-10
Jul 6, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Bite-sized dishes, music fests, neighborhood gardens and art fairs usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Ravinia Festival Cancels Events through Sunday in Wake of Highland Park Mass Shooting
City of Highland Park cancels events through July 16
Jul 6, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
Concerts and events at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park have been canceled through Sunday “out of a deep respect” for the community, according to a statement on Ravinia’s website.
Illinois Advocates Call for Universal Child Care, Say Current System is ‘Unaffordable, Unavailable’
Jun 30, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
The Illinois Child Care for All Coalition is calling for publicly-funded universal child care, saying it is unavailable and unaffordable for many in the Prairie State.
12 Things to Do This Weekend: June 30-July 4
Jun 29, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
A pop-up street art festival, summer workouts, circus acts and the sounds of nature usher in the holiday weekend. Here are a dozen things to do in and around Chicago.
Advocates Say Lightfoot is Failing to Address Homelessness in Chicago While Pushing for Permanent Funding Source
Jun 22, 2022 | Kristen Thometz
The Bring Chicago Home Coalition is calling on Mayor Lori Lightfoot to set up a dedicated revenue source to address homelessness in the city after giving the mayor failing grades in a report card issued Wednesday assessing her progress on addressing the issue during her first three years in office.