City Cast Chicago

Listener Andie Linker grew up in Lincoln Park and loves the expansive green spaces throughout the area. Her parents have been residents for decades and are known for throwing one of the best neighborhood block parties. Andie reached out to City Cast Chicago because she says while she loves her community, she believes it’s important to acknowledge and repair the long history of gentrification, displacement, and erasure. Host Jacoby Cochran visits Oz Park in Lincoln Park with Andie to learn more about her personal history, love for the neighborhood, and her favorite things to see, do, and eat in Lincoln Park and Old Town.Spots Andie recommends:Annette’s Italian IcePasta PalazzoCedar PalaceBatter & BerriesPequod’sLincoln Park ConservatoryLincoln Park ZooThe Second ChildSecond CityZanies Comedy ClubA little bit of news: Catch up on what City Council did on Wednesday.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

With organized groups around Chicagoland pushing to remove books like “Gender Queer” and others from schools, this year’s Banned Books Week feels more pressing than ever. Now in its 40th year, Banned Books Week is a time to celebrate the freedom to read and fight against censorship. Kelly Jensen is an editor at Book Riot, and she tracks book bans. She tells host Jacoby Cochran about efforts to ban books here and explains what we can do about it.PEN America’s report on the rise of book challenges in schoolsGuide to fighting censorshipFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

When the conversation about Chicago classic movies begins, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” will most likely be on the list. Writer Leigh Giangreco grew up in Buffalo loving the film, and now living in Chicago, Giangreco wondered if you could recreate Ferris, Cameron, and Sloane’s day off and get it all done before the parents get home. Leigh documented her day for the Washington Post, and tells host Jacoby Cochran the details of how it all went down.Some good news: Latin Restaurant weekFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Anyone who grew up around Chicago, or outside Chicago and watched WGN or listened to WGCI, knows we have some classic and catchy commercials and jingles for local businesses. Think about it: the sultry sound of Adriana Furs, the enthusiasm of Moo and Oink, and the memorable phone numbers from our favorite carpet sellers. Even if you haven’t seen or heard them in years, you know them. Writer Chasity Cooper compiled some of her favorites recently for The Triibe and she joins host Jacoby Cochran to talk about those jingles and some stories behind them.Some Good News:Reeling: The 40th Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film FestivalFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Between a political ad featuring a video of an attack in Chicago and misleading social media posts circulating about Illinois’ SAFE-T act, there have been a lot of misinformation and misrepresentations to fight this week. Luckily, we have Jill Hopkins and Pat Whalen to help host Jacoby Cochran break it down. The trio also talk about problems at CTA, a longtime exhibit leaving the Museum of Science and Industry, and some gooooood newwwws.Good News:Pat Whalen's "Best Evening Ever"The Rink is back!Michael "Chef Mike" Airhart feeds migrantsFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

For author, professor, and South Side connoisseur Arionne Nettles, Pullman and Roseland are her home base. Host Jacoby Cochran meets Arionne at the Pullman National Monument to reminisce on childhood memories, talk neighborhood history, and she shares some of her favorite things to do, see, and eat on the Far South Side. Spots Arionne recommends:Palmer ParkPullman National MonumentA. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter MuseumLexington Betty SmokehouseOld Fashioned DonutsOriginal A.P. DeliFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Every fall, monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles south to Mexico, flying from and passing through Chicago. It’s a long journey, but at a sanctuary garden in Pilsen the butterflies can feed and re-fuel. Claudia Galeno-Sanchez started her garden of native plants to help pollinators, but it also reminds her of her own journey from Mexico 20 years ago. Galeno-Sanchez says the garden brings the community together and helps the ecosystem. Host Jacoby Cochran takes a tour. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

The sinkhole that swallows up Millennium Park in “Mount Chicago” only takes up a fraction of the new novel. Among other characters, the story follows Solomon Gladman, a writer and comedian who lost his family in the disaster, and a fictional mayor attempting to create a Daley-like legacy in the sinkhole’s wake. Producer Simone Alicea talks with author Adam Levin about grief, loss, and the role of Chicago in the novel.A little bit of news: Learn more about running for a seat on newly-created police District Councils.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

On the evening of Aug. 31, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted that a bus of migrants had arrived in Chicago. The asylum-seekers, largely from Venezuela, had been sent to the city with little information, and the organizations and city officials receiving them at Union Station didn’t have many more answers. Since then, two more buses of migrants have arrived. Chicago Tribune’s Laura Rodriguez Presa has been talking with the new arrivals and shares some of their stories.You can find places to donate or sign up to volunteer to help arriving asylum-seekers through the city. Some news:Get your state income and property tax rebatesChicago Fire Facility Moving to Site of Former ABLA HomesAfter School Matters applications openThe Destinos international Latino Theater Festival begins this weekFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246

Host Jacoby Cochran, Crain’s reporter Corli Jay, and Block Club Southeast Side reporter Maxwell Evans rewind some stories from the week, including the Bears’ ongoing threat to move to suburban Arlington Heights, new small businesses in Woodlawn, and some good news, including the welcoming community of South Shore and the return of a street fest in Gresham.Other stories discussed:Studying climate change in Chicago26th Street Mexican Independence Day ParadeFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmCall or Text Us: (773) 780-0246