🌱 Chicago's Great Colombian Festival + Body Pulled From Chicago River

Hello, friends! I'm here with your fresh copy of the Chicago Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the things you need to know about what's going on locally.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny, a stray t-storm. High: 81 Low: 68.

Here are the top three stories in Chicago today:

1. Chicago's highly anticipated Great Colombian Festival began yesterday at Northeastern Illinois University, showcasing the vibrant culture and traditions of Colombia. The three-day event, running through Sunday, promises an array of enriching experiences, including live music, dance performances, authentic cuisine, crafts, and family-friendly activities. Visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rhythms of cumbia and salsa while exploring the offerings of over 20 local businesses, featuring arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and restaurants. (NBC Chicago)
2. The lifeless body of a 63-year-old man, identified only as John Doe, was recovered from the Chicago River near the Salt Shed music venue, marking the second such incident in the past month. Police responded to the scene on Thursday evening after receiving reports of a body found in the river. The cause of death and circumstances surrounding the man's presence in the river remain unknown, and authorities have not provided details on any potential foul play or suspects involved in the case. (Chicago Patch)
3. Severe storms and tornadoes wreaked havoc in the Chicago area and northeast Illinois, prompting National Weather Service teams to survey the extensive damage. At least seven low-grade tornadoes were confirmed, with one touching down near O'Hare International Airport. Although hundreds of flights were disrupted and numerous buildings suffered roof damage, no injuries were reported. (AP News)

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Today in Chicago:

Saturday, July 15

• Bluegrass Brunch At Beat Kitchen (11:00 AM)
• Enervate At Subterranean (3:00 PM)
• Windy Comedy Open Mic At Annoyance Theatre & Bar (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Chicago Craft Beer Fest is in town now through Sunday. Hit up Jonquil Park for the chance to choose from 35 craft beers from over 20 breweries. (Chicago Food Magazine)
• Congratulations to PAWS Chicago! This weekend marked the 80,000th adoption since opening! (PAWS Chicago via Instagram)
• Guess what? Chicago was ranked No. 5 on Travel + Leisure's readers’ list of favorite U.S. cities! (Chicago Architecture Center via Instagram)

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• "710 Super Sale" lasts all month long! (July 15)
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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— Kaytlyn Smith

About me: Kaytlyn Smith is a managing editor 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.