Friends lived near and participated in Pilsen's El Paseo Community Garden in Chicago for a number…read moreof years, and we all still return to help or just to visit! This Sunday (Aug 2026) there was food and light merch for sale. We got fresh eggs! And there was a snake you could hold!

El Paseo Community Garden is one of those things that defines the greatness of Chicago. Humble…read morebeginnings of vacated land made way for the sunlight and brought neighbors together. Plants, specifically edible varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs are the focus, but there are beautiful flowers and indigenous prairie species in abundance as well. Translated to English, El Paseo means the way. The name speaks to this green spaces role as a path connecting two streets, as well as an approach to life in the city that generally speaking is the way for us all to stay sane and even happy living together in the vast urban jungle of Chicago. Growing things together.

Chicago Ideas is a unique nonprofit platform designed to inspire action through entertaining and…read moreaccessible events, grassroots initiatives and thought-provoking content. We foster connectivity that crosses industry and social boundaries to spark ideas into action. We invite you to join our mission by attending events, watching and sharing videos, getting involved in our community programs and, most importantly, acting on big ideas that light a spark within you.

The. Best. Daycare. They are so sweet to my toddler who loves each teacher at the school. He is…read morefar ahead of kids his age that we play with at gym and other. Their curriculum is so appropriate and they do such a good job teaching manners. My not even 2 year old says please and thank you for every ask, unprompted and I will give most of that credit to his teachers! Cannot talk highly enough of the staff.

Awful daycare, awful director, awful staff , wouldn't recommend to anyone! There are other places…read moreto send your kids.

Ambassador Printing & Copying Service is just terrific. They've done all the business cards and…read morewindow clings for our business, and we're about to order some mugs from them! Great quality and fast (friendly!) service for very reasonable prices. Conveniently located in the loop on Madison & LaSalle. I hope to keep them as my go to printer gurus for many years to come.

This is the best full service printing/copy company in the Loop. Taha is the man! He's a good man…read moreto know when you're in a jam or up against a deadline.

I discovered Proud To Run after searching runguides.com for running events in the Chicago and…read moreChicagoland area during the month of June. I considered it because I support anything LGBTQ, plus I imagined that it would be a fun event to participate in with it being pride month. Out of the option to run either the 5k or 10k, I selected the 5k being that it was my preference in distance at the time. As for Proud to Run as an organization, it is staffed entirely by volunteers and donates 100% of its net revenues to mission-driven LGBTQ non-profits across Chicago. For packet pick-up, we were required to pick up our bib number and Proud to Run tank top from either Fleet Feet Old Town, or Montrose Harbor Grove 16 leading up to the event depending on the date. The hours were pretty much the same each day at Fleet Feet Old Town, but I ended up picking up my bib and tank top the day of the event at Montrose Harbor Grove 16 being that it was most suitable for me. I eased into the run with the mindset of taking it easy and using it as a training run since it has been so hot as of late in Chicago. I kept my pace within a 7:10 - 7:45 minute mile pace, with the goal of finishing the 5k in no more than 25:00 minutes. This flat course started at Montrose Harbor Grove 16 and headed along the Lakefront path slightly passed Foster Avenue Beach and back to Montrose Harbor Grove 16. Always a lovely sight is the Lakefront, which I have visited many times for training runs as well as run events. Along the course each mile was marked and there was an identifiable hydration station featuring water within it. And the volunteers working at the hydration station were enthusiastic and supportive of all participants. There were affiliates of Proud To Run near the finish line within Montrose Harbor Grove 16. After finishing the run, I just wanted to grab whatever hydration and snacks were available, relax and see what other festivities followed the event. I loved hearing about the history of the event which was organized by Peg Gray of the Gay Athletic Association, along with Rob Williams and Jim White back in 1982. Along with that and hearing more about the struggles of the LGBTQ community this year with some I am familiar with, I cherished the experience even more. Now as for the swag, I anticipated picking up the Proud To Run tank top prior to the start of the event. I quickly put it on after I picked it up minutes before the event. It was maroon with the event name written on the lower half, with the words "Love right now" inside of a heart; and it fit my body frame perfectly! The cute medal given once I crossed the finish line featured a moveable heart with birds on each side and the event name on the lower half; the color of it matched the tank top. As a memory of the event, I am grateful to add the medal to my collection that goes back to 2007 when I initially started running. With my Garmin 235 GPS watch on my wrist, a sparkle in my eye underneath my sunglasses, I took on Proud To Run 5k.... and conquered it! As a supporter of LGBTQ, I would surely run Proud To Run again in time. Any event that brings individuals together of different ethnic backgrounds, gender, and age groups I am all for it! Thank you very much, Proud to Run Chicago. ~Gonna run 'til I don't jiggle. ~ Thomas G

This year was my second year running Proud to Run. Last year I ran the 5k, and this year I ran the…read more10k. I'm already planning to run the race again next year, because it is one of my favorite things about Chicago's Pride celebration. Proud to Run is awesome for a lot of reasons. It has been part of Chicago's Pride activities since 1982, and everyone is invited to come out to run and celebrate, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. In addition to celebrating pride, the race raises funds for local LGBT organizations. This year's beneficiaries were Affinity Community Services, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, and Chicago House. With race entries getting more expensive every year regardless of distance, I'm always more willing to hand over my money when I know the money is going to a good cause. And, in order to keep as much of the money as possible going to the chosen charities every year, Proud to Run is organized by an all volunteer, community based board of directors. How great is that? Even with it being all volunteer led, the race is extremely well organized. Online registration is quick and simple, and there is always plenty of information about the race available at the website and email reminders sent leading up to race day. There are also plenty of packet pick up opportunities, with five different advance packet pick up dates offered this year, in addition to race day packet pick up. The course is pretty standard, starting at Montrose Harbor and winding through the park, utilizing the Lake Front Trail. The course this year was well marked and easy to follow, with volunteers stationed at any turns to make sure that racers went in the right direction. All of the volunteers, from packet pick up, to water stations, to those just making sure folks know where to turn on the course, were lovely. These were some of the best and happiest race volunteers I've ever seen! As I mentioned, I ran the 5k last year and the 10k this year. I love that there are two distances to choose from, giving more people an opportunity to participate. I have friends who aren't interested in a 10k, but they will run a 5k, so we can all run our chosen distance and then meet back up after the race. The 10k starts about 10 minutes before the 5k, allowing a little extra time for 10k runners and keeping the course a little less crowded for everyone. Every runner gets a medal once you cross the finish line (sorry, but I love some race bling!) and various post race goodies (bagels, fruit, water, Gatorade, chocolate milk, etc.). There are prizes for the top finishers for each distance, as well as a pretty sweet raffle after the race with prizes from various local business, including Universal Sole. Just be aware that you must be present to win raffle prizes, so if your bib number is called and you are not there, then a new winner is selected. So stick around for the post race entertainment!

Excellent addition to the Chicago Food Scrap Drop-off Program!…read more​I recently visited the new drop-off location that opened on October 15th, 2025. This is one of the 13 great new locations added to the Chicago Food Scrap Drop-off Program. The process was quick and easy, and it's fantastic that all Chicago residents can use this resource for free. Composting is a simple, effective way to help the the city meet its climate action goals, reduce landfill waste, and enrich our soil. Thank you, Chicago, for making this resource so accessible!

Great customer service! I have used ZippyShell two times. I was referred originally by my realtor…read morewho has had great luck referring them in the past.She said you can move with them or just store stuff for a limited amount of time. The first time, I used them for just a week because I was having my garage floor sealed and the garage had to be empty. It was dropped of when they said, asked if it was in a good place in my drive, and picked up a week later. Both times I did not have to be home. This year,I am in the midst of an addition and had reserved another trailer to be delivered in a couple of weeks. Recently, I got a call from my hysterical son that the workers just busted through his wall into his bedroom (that wasn't supposed to happen for 2 more weeks -although, I wasn't complaining that the construction was going faster than scheduled) and that he needed to move out. I called Zippy Shell to see if I could move up the trailer delivery and Dan said that he was really sorry but they were fully booked for the at least a week. I said ok but that I had an issue because my son could now tell me the weather and I didn't mean by looking out the window. Dan was awesome and said since that was the situation, he would deliver one in two days even if it meant he would drive the trailer over himself. The staff always is personable and friendly on the phone. Try them, you won't regret it!

Just a follow up to my review. We received a response - faster than ANY response from your company…read more It is sad that it was a canned response showing no REAL empathy or engagement. This is much like the canned response to some sort of compensation or reconciliation. I was, and AM, hoping for a more genuine, impactful response.

I had an excellent experience at The Chicago Lighthouse's Forsythe Center for Comprehensive Vision…read moreCare on Roosevelt Road. From the moment I arrived, the optical and clinical staff treated me with genuine kindness, patience, professionalism, and respect. They took the time to listen, explain things clearly, and make me feel comfortable throughout my visit. I also want to recognize Dr. Koffee--hopefully I am spelling his name correctly. He and his amazing team were knowledgeable, thorough, compassionate, and made sure I understood my vision-care options. It is clear that this caring team deeply values its patients and the quality of service it provides. Thank you to the entire staff for making what could have been a stressful appointment feel organized, supportive, and positive. I truly appreciate the care I received and would gladly recommend this clinic to others. Reginald E.

I had been referred as a disabled person who couldn't find work because of my physical limitations…read more They did absolutely nothing to help me beyond completing the initial intake. They then dragged their feet, never actually helping. When I expressed my frustration and extreme depression after waiting over a month, actually closer to two months, they said, "Oh, we understand if you have to leave." Then, within that same day, they called me back and said they had someone to work with me, but after that it was radio silence again, as if they were not playing with people's lives and well-being.