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Community Corner

🌱 Where To Early Vote In Chicago + Biking Legend 'Major' Taylor

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Chicago.

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(Patch Media)

Happy Friday! I'm back with the latest headlines and happenings in Chicago:

  • ❄️ More snow is in the forecast for this weekend.
  • 🥕 The former Englewood Whole Foods will become a Save-A-Lot.
  • 🍽️ Some Chicago restaurants are still adding surcharges to your bill.

But first, did you know today marks the first time since Nov. 5, 2022 that Chicago's sunset will (finally) occur after 5 p.m.? Learn more here.

❄️ The weather:

Snow showers; winds subsiding. High: 36 Low: 21.

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📰 Top 5 stories in Chicago:

1) Want to vote early in Chicago? Here's how and where to cast your ballot before Feb. 28. Voters can now cast their ballots for mayor, alderman, city treasurer, clerk and representatives on police district councils. Residents are able to vote at any early voting location, regardless of which ward they live in. Find out where to go before election day on Feb. 28. (Chicago Tribune/paywall)

2) Another round of snow is likely this weekend. Chicago could see more than 5 inches of snow as two systems pass through the area today and Saturday. Meteorologists note that periods of heavy snowfall with low visibility are possible. Colder arctic air next week is expected to cause a noticeable drop in temperature. (WGN 9)

3) "Some restaurants are still adding surcharges of up to 20% to your bill. Should they?" The Chicago Sun-Times found 39 of the 362 restaurants participating in the 16th Annual Chicago Restaurant Week are adding surcharges—ranging from 3 to 20 percent—to checks. The fees began during the pandemic to help cover costs and are now illegal in other cities, such as New York. (Chicago Sun-Times)

4) The former Whole Foods on 63rd Street and Halsted in Englewood will now be a Save-A-Lot. Yellow Banana, the grocery company managing Save-A-Lot, hopes to open the store in February, but community leaders expressed frustration that the replacement brand is known by many for having poor quality food. (CBS Chicago)

5) The Bronzeville Trail Task Force wants to honor Black bike racing legend Marshall "Major" Taylor by dedicating a monument to him on the western end of the proposed Bronzeville Trail. Taylor was the first Black athlete to compete in non-segregated competitions, breaking seven world records. He moved to Chicago two years before his death, to sell his autobiography. (StreetsBlog Chicago)

📌 Today in Chicago:

  • Learn English/Aprende Inglés at Chicago Lawn Branch Library (10:00 AM)
  • Chicago International Puppet Theater Fest at The Dusable Museum of African American History (10:30 AM)
  • Resume and Interviewing Consultations at West Englewood Branch Library (11:00 AM)
  • Blue Man Group at Briar Street Theatre (7:00 PM)
  • Chri$tian Gate$ at Subterranean (7:00 PM)
  • Art Battle Chicago at SPIN (7:00 PM)
  • Dinner and Drag at Replay Andersonville (7:00 PM)
  • Blues Music Series: Indigo Flood at Epiphany Center for the Arts (7:30 PM)
  • "Wuthering Heights" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater (7:30 PM)
  • Head's Carolina 90s Country Night at Joe's Bar On Weed Street (8:00 PM)
  • Wynton Marsalis at Chicago Symphony Orchestra (8:00 PM)
  • Phamous Mockingband: Phish Tribute Band at Bourbon on Division (8:00 PM)
  • The Dolly Disco: The Dolly Parton Inspired Country Dance Party at House of Blues (8:00 PM)
  • The 1985 - Totally 80s Music Tribute at Impact Fuel Room (9:00 PM)
  • Chris Lorenzo: Places & Faces Tour at Concord Music Hall (10:00 PM)
  • Mike Servito B2B Hiroko Yamamura at Metro (10:00 PM)
  • Boogie T at Radius (10:00 PM)

📱 Social chatter:

  • Blizzard of '67: "The Chicago blizzard of 1967 struck northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana on January 26–27, 1967, with a record-setting 23 inches snow fall in Chicago and its suburbs before the storm abated the next morning. As of 2023, it remains the greatest snowfall in one storm in Chicago history." (Growing up in Chicago via Facebook)
  • #LionWatch: "This may be our cutest #LionWatch update yet! Zari's three cubs are progressing well and now have their eyes open to the world around them, which is another big milestone. Zari & the cubs will remain behind the scenes for several more weeks as the cubs grow in size and strength." (Lincoln Park Zoo via Twitter)
  • Oscar-nominated movies: "Chicago-area theaters to offer viewings of 10 top Oscar-nominated films for just $6." (NBC 5)
  • Journey Castillo: "2-year-old traveler visiting 48th national park in Chicago." (CBS Chicago)
  • Not your average camp: "🎭 Featuring classes in burlesque, clowning, and more, Newport Theater's 8-week performance camp kicks off Friday. Plus, why these aren't your average theater-arts classes.| ✍️ JT Newman👇" (Chicago Reader via Facebook)
  • Find out which one: "Only 1 Chicago restaurant lands on Yelp's 'Top 100 Places to Eat' list for 2023." (Yelp)
  • CPD: "The Chicago Police Department is hosting in-person entry exams Saturday. It will be held at the newly opened Public Safety Training Center, at 701 N. Kilbourn Ave." (CBS Chicago)

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  • Science, Art, and the Search for Meaning: Opening Conversation with Dario Robleto (February 4)
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— 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 find me reading to my toddler, watching tv with my husband or cuddling with our rescue dog.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Chicago Daily? Contact me at chicago_il@patch.com

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