Lynette Smith 
We Chicagoans don’t just love our music clubs; we feel ownership of them. Mere venues of entertainment? No, these are secondary homes where we create cherished, indelible memories. We know the best spots to sit and stand, have deep associations with the smells, can navigate the bathrooms with our eyes closed, and, best of all, … Read more
Admit it: When chirpy holiday melodies permeate your earbuds and you see Santa and his reindeer cruising toward you on a decked-out CTA train, you become just as giddy as the toddler standing next to you. What began as a small-scale operation 30 years ago — when the CTA modestly decorated an out-of-service train car and used … Read more
When I first moved to Chicago and looked out over Lake Michigan, I had the same thought as many people: What are those big round buildings out there in the water? Oddly located grain silos? Drums for a giant? They are the water intake cribs supplying Chicago with clean water. Back before the Chicago River … Read more
Housed in a century-old pork processing facility that once stood sentry at the southwest corner of the Union Stock Yards, The Plant is a collaborative community of small eco-minded food businesses. While that doesn’t sound exciting, hot damn if it isn’t a trip to walk through a building where overhead carcass tracks meet kombucha, hydroponic … Read more
In other major cities, catching your favorite team or band or dance troupe requires months of planning, alerts on your smartphone for the moment when the presale begins, brownnosing industry friends. Not so in our town. With more than 225 live-performance venues, at least six world-class sports teams, and a slew of spaces where national … Read more
I was what we call a cub reporter when I showed up at City Hall in June 1999 to interview people who were marching and shouting outside the mayor’s office. The crowd had a right to be mad. Earlier that month, a Chicago police officer shot and killed LaTanya Haggerty during a traffic stop. She … Read more
Whether you’re observing dry January or just looking for some non-alcoholic options, replacing booze doesn’t have to be dull.
A national monument is bringing new life to the Far South Side neighborhood.
This West Town Thai spot has us rediscovering our familiar favorites.
The singer-songwriter found sanctuary — and his new album — in a Northwest Side house of worship.
