🌱 Patch AM: Planning Labor Day? See what’s happening at Taste of Polonia.

Hello Chicago! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Planning Labor Day? See what's happening at Taste of Polonia.
• Why this Old Irving Park farmhouse now has two landmark plaques
• What police say happened before the fatal DuSable Lake Shore crash

Also on today's calendar: Central Street Evanston's 5th Annual Summer Evening Takeout Picnic and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the longest word in the dictionary? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 81 and low of 64 degrees.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 75, low: 62.
• Monday: Nice with partial sunshine, with a high of 77 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Taste of Polonia Returns to Chicago for Four Days of Music, Polish Culture, Food and Family Fun (nadignewspapers.com) — Chicago's long-running Taste of Polonia festival returns Labor Day weekend to the Copernicus Center in Jefferson Park, offering four days of Polish food, live music and family activities. Residents can expect major performers from Poland, Chicago-themed programming, kids' movies and scavenger hunts, plus free shuttle parking from the Irish American Heritage Center and cashless food and drink purchases.
   

2. Old Irving Park residents obtain landmark status for their home, where two plaques tell its history (nadignewspapers.com) — Old Irving Park neighbors just secured Chicago Landmark status for the Phebe and John Gray House, the neighborhood's oldest residence, and installed two plaques to explain its history. The home's owners worked with local preservationists and the city to protect the 1850s farmhouse, highlight its antislavery connections, and ensure the large, garden-filled property remains a community touchstone instead of a redevelopment site.
   

3. Miracle Hall charged with DUI in Chicago crash that killed Mehnoosh Hatam, riding motorcycle on DuSable Lake Shore Drive in Loop (abc7chicago.com) — A 25-year-old driver has been charged, including felony DUI causing death, after a crash on DuSable Lake Shore Drive in the Loop killed 49-year-old motorcyclist Mehnoosh Hatam, a leader in Chicago's riding community. Police say Hatam was heading home from work when her motorcycle was struck Wednesday night, and the driver, Miracle Hall, is due in court Saturday.
   

4. Report: Illinois tops nation in debt ratio (bigcountrynewsconnection.com) — A new Reason Foundation report warns Chicago is among the nation's most financially stressed cities, with heavy city, county, school and state debts stacked on residents. Analysts say Chicago's government has far more liabilities than assets, continues to outspend revenues, and could eventually face insolvency risks if long-term budget gaps aren't closed.
   

5. Chicago Public Schools families preparing to go back to school on Monday (cbsnews.com) — More than 300,000 Chicago Public Schools students return to classrooms Monday, capping a busy weekend of back-to-school prep across the city. In Englewood, families picked up free backpacks, supplies and haircuts, while in Pilsen, a coalition of Catholic parishes gathered to pray for safer streets, stronger community ties and a successful school year for Chicago kids.
   

📸 Around Chicago

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Chicago

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★ Featured events ★

Tuesday August 25
• Central Street Evanston's 5th Annual Summer Evening Takeout Picnic →
  Independence Park, 2627 Stewart Ave, Evanston
  6:00 pm
Thursday August 27
• Voices of Hope Community Chorus — Fall Invitation →
  St Lukes Lutheran Church, 205 N Prospect Ave, Park Ridge
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday August 22
• Supertri Chicago Returns This August Following Record-Breaking 2025 →
  Lake Michigan, Chicago
  5:30 am
• 3 MONTHS LEFT! Chicago Violin Competition - REGISTRATION OPEN →
  60 55th St, Clarendon Hills
  9:00 am
• West Loop Art Fest →
  , Chicago
  9:00 am
• West Loop Art Fest →
  , Chicago
  10:00 am
• West Loop Art Fest →
  West Fulton Market, W Fulton Market, Chicago
  10:00 am
• Back-to-School Health Fair at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry →
  Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago
  10:00 am
• 13th Annual Lakeview Taco Fest →
  3500 N Southport Ave, Chicago
  11:00 am
• Clear The Shelters: Homecoming For Every Animal →
  Anti-Cruelty
  11:00 am
Sunday August 23
• Community Repair with Bevel & Kerf Woodworking
  Portage-Cragin Branch Library 5108 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60641
  1:00 pm
Monday August 24
• First Day of School K-8
  Falconer Chicago, IL 60641

📣 Chicago Shout Outs!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Customers Embrace Bitter & Sweet Cocktail Boutique, Founders Eye Expansion As 2-Year Anniversary Nears —Jenny Kustra-Quinn Read on Patch
• Fox Rothschild's Chicago Office Helps Kick Off a New School Year at Eli Whitney Elementary —Lauren Klippel Read on Patch
• Remy Bumppo Hosts "Exploring The In-Between: A Conversation about Mid-Sized Theaters in Chicago" in Lakeview —SHOUTChicago.com Read on Patch
• How Co-Parents Can Reduce Conflict After Separation —Julian Burke Read on Patch
• "Crossing Division Street" Explores Chicago, Family History and the Complexities of Identity —Robert Monroe Read on Patch

• BLock Party on Friday August 21!
  You may have seen a different flyer, but wanted to mention this again, with a flyer by another member of the block club. Please join us during the… (Nextdoor Bronzeville)
• Update !
  He's been found!!! Thanks to some awesome neighbors LOST CAT near kimball/diversey/milwaukee Black and white tuxedo cat. Older, about 8 lbs,… (Nextdoor Southwest Avondale)

• Guidepost Montessori posted a job opening for Substitute Teacher in Chicago. Apply here.
• Marriott posted a job opening for Spa Attendant in Chicago. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Chicago here.

Ok Chicago! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Smiles, because it has a mile between "s". (Thank you Sharon M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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