Things To Do

Tim Collins, left, and Marc Riordan sample each other's beer during the Ravenswood On Tap craft beer and music fest Saturday, July 18, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Ninth annual Ravenswood On Tap celebrate best of ‘Malt Row’

Nine years running, Ravenswood On Tap is a small street festival that ties together music, malts, and mini golf. The weekend-long event, featuring all eight Malt Row breweries, is free for the community to attend and runs from through Sunday.

Soldier beetles, often seen on flowers, are among the many beneficial insect predators that help limit populations of insects that are harmful to plants. (Sharon Yiesla/The Morton Arboretum)

Bug-eating insects are allies in the garden

Go slowly and think hard before spraying any insecticides in the garden.

Buildings in Chicago are obscured by haze from the Canadian wildfires on July 17, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Wildfire smoke in Illinois also affects animals and their caretakers

Elevated pollution levels Thursday and Friday affected dogs, bees and zoo animals breathing the same...

Arts

Artist Mitch Markowitz sits near his work during a display and discussion of his art at the Pines Village Retirement Community in Valparaiso. Markowitz, 75, died Tuesday. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post Tribune)

Artist Mitch Markovitz, who shaped region’s artistic identity, dies at 75

Mitch Markovitz, a former South Shore train conductor who became a prolific artist, died at age 75 on Tuesday at his home in Knox.

Books

"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger was first published in 1951. (Little, Brown)

Biblioracle: Rereading J.D. Salinger’s ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ for its 75th anniversary

J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” still sells an estimated 250,000 copies a year, and Holden Caulfield remains a cultural touchstone as an avatar for disaffected youth in America.

Fashion

A worker unloads portable air-conditioning units outside of Madison Square Garden ahead of a reported wedding between singer Taylor Swift and National Football League player Travis Kelce on Thursday, July 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce marry in front of famous friends at Madison Square Garden

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce married Friday night at Madison Square Garden, where actor Adam Sandler was the surprising officiant at a star-packed ceremony.

Home and Garden

Children interact with bug puppets from The Puppet Zoo during Insect Fest on Thursday, July 16, at Cummings Square in River Forest. The event ended an hour early because of air quality concerns. (Cam'ron Hardy/Pioneer Press)

Not bugged by air quality, hundreds show up for Insect Fest in River Forest

The Forest Preserves of Cook County annual Insect Fest in River Forest ended an hour early because of air quality concerns.

Movies

FILE – Sam Neill arrives at the premiere of “Apples Never Fall” on March 12, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

‘Jurassic Park’ actor Sam Neill died from pneumonia, agent says

Actor Sam Neill died from pneumonia and will be honored at a private family memorial at his New Zealand farm later, his agent told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Museums

Examples of ways to treat windows to avoid bird collisions are displayed as visitors tour "Flyway City: Architecture for a Flourishing Ecosystem," a show by Studio Gang, on June 9, 2026, during a preview of two new exhibits on wildlife conservation initiatives opening at the Chicago Architecture Center. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Architecture Center new exhibits highlight region’s natural and built wonders

“Chicago's Living Habitat” and “Flyway City” examine the region’s ecosystems, migratory birds, and intersection of nature and architecture across the Chicago area.

Music and Concerts

Guitarist Alex Lifeson, left, and bassist Geddy Lee perform during a Rush concert at the United Center in Chicago on Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Review: With a new drummer and a tribute to Peart, a resurgent Rush gets back to work

Rush’s first direct tribute to late drummer Neil Peart arrived before the second song on Thursday night at a packed United Center, where the band is playing a series of four concerts through next Wednesday. Peart was the Canadian group’s...

Theater

Paul Dzien, center left, poses for pictures in front of the marquee before "The Lovable Reunion Live" at the Chicago Theatre on July 16, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: ‘The Lovable Reunion Live’ at the Chicago Theatre

Photos from "The Lovable Reunion Live" on July 16, 2026, at the Chicago Theatre.

TV and Streaming

‘Today’ show intruder seeking Al Roker lunged at Craig Melvin, shouting slurs

An intruder has been arrested for sneaking into the “Today” show, where he tried to attack Craig Melvin and shouted racist slurs after failing to track down Al Roker.

Restaurants, Food and Drink

Magnolia Bakery, shown July 16, 2026, was shut down this week for failing its health inspection due to cockroaches and flies. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/)

Magnolia Bakery and Stella’s Diner closed down after inspections find cockroaches and flies

While a Tribune analysis of health inspection data found that more than a dozen local restaurants were cited for pest issues over the past month, the CDPH’s food safety inspection team said the findings are relatively routine.

Travel

A Saturday Mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Kaskaskia, Illinois, on May 23, 2026. The parish was founded by Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette in 1675. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

In Kaskaskia, first capital of Illinois, all that’s left is a church and the congregation keeping it alive

Believers persevere to honor Kaskaskia's role as explorer outpost, Revolution battleground, state capital and Mississippi River flooding victim.

Things To Do

Despite the smoky air, crowds gather Friday along the railroad tracks in downtown Lemont to wait for a glimpse of the Union Pacific Big Boy Number 4014 steam engine. (Brett Johnson/Daily Southtown)

Patient Lemont rail fans rewarded with view of Big Boy locomotive

Dennis Motyka, of Lemont, remembers growing up and putting together his own American Flyer train setup on his family’s dining room table. “It was not very elaborate,” Motyka said. “Back in those days, we had trestles and a few houses....

Entertainment

Guests attend the 2026 James Beard Awards after-party at Union Station on June 15, 2026, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

James Beard Awards start search for new host city

The James Beard Foundation is searching for a new host city for its prestigious culinary awards after a decade-long run in Chicago, but local officials say they will compete to keep the awards in town.

Things To Do

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