I was born in Elgin, 10 minutes before my twin brother, Tim. He has since made up for his tardiness in height, towering over me today by about 1 and 1/2 feet. He and I are tied for the youngest in the family—though I like to consider myself a middle child—and have two older brothers. I grew up on one of the last standing farms in what is now the well-developed area of Prairie View. For those who do not know the town, it is a northwest suburb of Chicago sandwiched in the middle of Long Grove, Buffalo Grove and Lincolnshire. I moved to Minnesota to attend Winona State University, which is situated right on the Mississippi River. During my time there, I left for six months to study abroad in Granada, Spain, where I traveled throughout the provinces and even ran with the bulls in Pamplona. I returned to Illinois in June 2007 after graduating with a B.A. in Mass Communications: Journalism and Spanish. I wrote for The Daily Chronicle in DeKalb until June 2010. There, I covered education for about two years, crime for nearly one and during my home stretch, delved into issues centered on the governments of DeKalb County and the City of Sycamore.
One of Chicago's most touted street festivals will be returning to the streets surrounding DePaul University later this month. The musical lineup, which features several well-known rockers, was recently announced. Read on for all the details!
Bull-eh-dia’s is expanding, and that means moving to a new building on Ashland Avenue, changing its name to Bulerias Tapas Bar and offering up nearly 150 seats outdoors.
Thousands came from far and wide over the weekend to devour rib samplers at one of Chicago's most renown street festivals. Check out our photos (and Ribmania eating contest video) for a look at the action.
There's no shortage of festivals in Chicago this weekend, including the popular Ribfest in nearby Northcenter. Even closer to home is the 39th Annual Wells Street Arts Festival. Let Patch be your one-stop-shop for navigating the Old Town grounds.
The side-by-side site of a famed Lincoln Park restaurant hit the market late last week. Check out our photo gallery for a behind-the-scenes look at the real estate.
Rain or shine, we know where you and thousands of others are headed this weekend—Ribfest in nearby Northcenter. Don't worry, we've prepared a handy survival guide for you so you can find all the festival information you need in one place.
We can all look up to these local heroes. In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains.
We can all look up to these local heroes. In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains.
The Irish owner of Second Journey Resale is revamping her clothing store to more familiar merchandise—traditional American and Celtic gifts.
Chicago Police and authorities from the Federal Bureau of Investigations are on the prowl for a man who they say struck two Wicker Park banks this week—one on Tuesday and the other, Thursday.
It may not seem that way, but the Taste of Chicago will be here before you know it. City officials announced the lineup this week, which features a local favorite.
After ongoing "behind-the-scenes" efforts to negotiate, the city of Chicago has filed a lawsuit against the Burling Street property owner whose towering blue windmill statue is not up to code.
The new measure more than doubles fines for bikers who break traffic laws, as well as doubles the fine for drivers who hit cyclers when opening their car door.
Rain or shine, we know where you and thousands of other North Siders are headed this weekend—Ribfest. Don't worry, we've prepared a handy survival guide for you so you can find all the festival information you need in one place.
A two-year-old Westmont market with a rabid following is opening its second location in Lincoln Park this summer. But the Fullerton Avenue business will not be exactly like its suburban sister, sources say.
Lincoln Park will be home to a slew of new bike sharing locations as the program kicks off. Check out our map to see which ones are first to open. Just 75 locations were chosen in the city for the June launch date.
Cool temperatures and what seems like daily rain hasn't stopped Lincoln Park residents from hitting Armitage Avenue for shopping or hightailing it to Wiggly Field Dog Park. Check out our photo gallery from the neighborhood.
