🌱 Chicago Recognized As Top 10 Food City + National Take Back Day

Welcome back, Chicago. I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy, a shower; windy. High: 48 Low: 36.

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Here are the top three stories in Chicago today:

1. The Windy City was acknowledged by Food & Wine Magazine as one of the Top 10 Food Cities in the U.S. Although no individual restaurant made the top list in the city, the city's dining scene was recognized for its inviting feel for the Midwest and its cuisine, earning it the sixth top spot. The Violet Hour was also named the Most Creative Bar in the U.S. (NBC Chicago)
2. This Saturday, Apr. 22, the DEA will be hosting National Take Back Day for Illinois residents to dispose of their unused or expired prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Take Back Day is used to combat addiction and drug misuse as well as bring more awareness to the opioid epidemic that is going on in the country today. A list of Illinois drop-off locations can be viewed in the article, including a Drug Take Back Field Day at Uplift High School in Chicago the following Saturday, Apr. 29. (Prevention.org)
3. Wrestling is making its way back to Chicago! The AEW Dynamite is set to hit Wintrust Arena on Jun. 21 for a live episode of Dynamite and a taping of Rampage. It is currently planned for CM Punk to make his television return back here in Chicago for the wrestling world to enjoy. Tickets are currently on sale starting at $29 prior to extra fees; you can purchase these tickets at Ticketmaster or at AEWTix.com. More stops on the wrestling tour can be found at the link if you cannot attend the Chicago showing. (Yardbarker)

Today in Chicago:

• 7th Annual West Loop Spirits, Cocktails & Wine Festival - Stephen M. Bailey Auditorium in Plumbers Hall (11:00 AM)
• Blue Man Group - Briar Street Theatre (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Take a look at a preview of the May edition of the Chicago Magazine, featuring 17 delicious destinations you can get to easily from Chicago. The May edition will be officially released next week. (Chicago magazine via Instagram)
• PAWS Chicago wants to celebrate its incredible foster network as part of National Volunteer Week and all they do taking care of these pets. Over 3,500 pets were placed in foster homes in 2022 to recover from illnesses and build their confidence back and without these volunteers, many of these pets would not have made it. (PAWS Chicago via Facebook)
• With the 2022-2023 season wrapped up for the year, where do the Chicago Bulls go from here? Whether building through free agency or the draft, the Bulls are looking for answers to build on their average season that go them just short of making the postseason. (Chicago Bulls via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Improovy Painters Chicago — (Visit website)

Featured events:

• 7th Annual West Loop Spirits, Cocktails & Wine Festival with Artisan Delicacies, April 22nd & 23rd (April 22)
• Chicago's 23rd Annual Diversity Employment Day Career Fair (April 25)
• Paralegal Studies Information Session (April 25)
• Splinter: A Romantic Comedy (April 29)
• Project Management Essentials (May 1)
• Maker’s Market • May 7, 2023 (May 7)

Alrighty, you're all good for today! See you all later for another update.

— Kaytlyn Mroz

About me: Kaytlyn Mroz is a copywriter at Lightning Media Partners – a content creation agency. She is a Rowan University graduate where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in writing. Outside of work, Kaytlyn is a dog mom to a boglen terrier named Finn and a golden retriever named Willow.