Community Corner
🌱 152 Ukrainian Flags + Lego-Themed Popup Bar + K-9 Units Returning
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Chicago.
Morning, friends. It's Nicole Cvetnic, your host of the Chicago Daily — here to tell you everything that's fit to print about what's happening in our community today. First, did you know two Chicagoans will represent the U.S. this weekend in the World Dodgeball Championships?! To learn more, check this out.
- 🐕 CTA signs $30 million contract to bring K-9 units back to rail system
- 🧱 A Lego-themed 'Brick Bar' to pop up in Chicago
- 🇺🇦 152 Ukrainian flags fly along State Street in honor of Independence Day
First, the weather:
A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 82 Low: 69.
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Top 5 stories in Chicago today:
1) The Grafton is closing after almost 20 years in Lincoln Square. The Grafton Pub and Grill, located at 4530 N. Lincoln Ave., will close Sunday after nearly 20 years in the neighborhood, the owners announced in social media posts. The Irish bar is known for its fish and chips, burgers, perfect pour of Guinness and live music. "We are very proud with what we have accomplished over the past 20 years," the bar leaders wrote. "As new chapters unfold for our family and our staff we hold on to the great memories we have all shared at The Grafton." The owners asked supporters to stop in for a drink and farewell.
2) CTA signs $30 million contract to bring K-9 units back to rail system. Under a new contract, unarmed security teams working with dogs will help patrol Chicago Transit Authority property in an effort to deter crime. CTA officials said they signed an 18-month contract with security service Action K-9 worth more than $30 million that will provide 100 unarmed guards and 50 canines per day for patrols. The figure also includes the costs of supervision and supporting equipment. CTA officials announced their intention to bring back canine patrols earlier this month after a series of fatal Red Line shootings and stabbings sparked outrage and concern.
3) 152 Ukrainian flags fly along State Street in honor of Independence Day. The Chicago Loop Alliance put up 152 Ukrainian flags on State Street in honor of Ukrainian Independence Day yesterday. Flags can be found from Ida B. Wells to Wacker Drive. The flags are also the city's way of welcoming the Kyiv City Ballet of Ukraine—the company left Ukraine just before the Russian invasion. They will make their first-ever appearance in Chicago at the Auditorium Theatre on September 24 and 25.
4) A Lego-themed 'Brick Bar' to pop up in Chicago. "The Brick Bar: Chicago" will piece the art of craft and drinks together across two days in the city's Ravenswood neighborhood next month. The pop-up bar consisting of over one million building blocks in the form of sculptures will let guests forge their own creations, according to the website. Organizers said the event will also be shaped by building competitions, table tennis and photo opportunities. Located at 1801 W. Foster Ave. at Empirical Brewery, the Lego-inspired event will run Sept. 9-10. Tickets for reserved 90-minute time slots are available now for $22.
5) Pritzker, Bailey address energy, Chicago, jobs at forum. The Illinois Farm Bureau invited Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Sen. Darren Bailey—two candidates for Illinois governor—to a farm near Lexington yesterday to speak on various topics. When asked about bringing Chicago and downstate Illinois together, Pritzker said he treats the entire state equally. Bailey, who has made headlines for calling Chicago a "hellhole" because of rampant crime, said the way to unite Chicago with the rest of the state is to focus on the things we have in common: crime, taxes and schools.
Today in Chicago:
- Lip Sync Happy Hour and Drag Show at Remedy (9:00 AM)
- Adult Book Discussion: Mysteries/Thrillers Month at Mount Greenwood Branch Library (1:00 PM)
- Movie Showing: "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" at Rooftop Cinema Club Fulton Market (4:00 PM)
- Jorja Smith at the Salt Shed (7:00 PM)
- Joywave and Inkhow at The Riv (7:00 PM)
- Umphrey's McGee at The Vic (7:30 PM)
- Eric Roberson at City Winery (8:00 PM)
- Movies in the Parks at Cole: "Space Jam: A New Legacy" (8:00 PM)
- Black Girl Magic Industry Mixer at Bourbon On Division (9:00 PM)
Chatter:
- Big night for Pat Foley "What a night for Pat ⚾️❤️" (Chicago Blackhawks via Facebook)
- Chicago Sky win: "Alexa, play "On to The Next One" by Jay-Z. #skytown ReCrownSkytown" (Chicago Sky via Instagram)
- Sushi is having a moment in Chicago: "Sushi is having more than a moment in Chicago. Meet the chefs and discover the menus that are rising to the top. Link in bio. 📸 @jeff_marini #chicago #sushi #dining #sushichef #omakase #otoro" (Chicago magazine via Instagram)
- Chicago Bears hot takes: "Is it hot out here or is it just these takes? 🔥" (Chicago Bears via Facebook)
- Calling all Chicago architecture lovers: "Do you ❤️ Chicago? Do you enjoy learning the history 📖 of the city? Are you looking for cool ✅ facts to share at 🍷 cocktail 🍹 parties?? Then YOU 🫵might be perfect as a CAC Docent!" (Chicago Architecture Center via Instagram)
- Cultura Ccafe: "Cultura Ccafe's empanadas even lured pop-punk band Green Day away from Downtown Chicago" (Eater Chicago via Facebook)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! See you all tomorrow morning for another update.
— Nicole Cvetnic
About me: I'm a Midwesterner and very happy to call Chicagoland home. I love the outdoors—especially hiking, performing arts, photography, good food, travel and gardening. You can often find me reading to my two-year-old daughter, watching a tv series with my husband or cuddling with our special needs dog.
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Chicago Daily? Contact me at chicago_il@patch.com
