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Editorial illustration for Where to Find Your Literary Community: Four Chicago Bookstores and the Events That Define Them
Arts & Culture

Where to Find Your Literary Community: Four Chicago Bookstores and the Events That Define Them

Chicago's independent bookstores are more than just places to buy books; they are community hubs offering events like author talks, workshops, and book clubs. Discover four distinctive stores—Pilsen Community Books, Madison Street Books, Call & Response Books, and Women & Children First—and their unique roles in building literary communities.

Caitlin O'Malley·Oct 18
Keep Quotes, Jobs and Follow-Ups on Track With the CRM Agency’s Trades CRM
Business & Economy

Keep Quotes, Jobs and Follow-Ups on Track With the CRM Agency’s Trades CRM

For Australian trade and field service businesses, managing the flow from quote to completed job is a critical operational challenge. The CRM Agency provides leading CRM strategy consulting designed to solve this, offeri…

Sponsored by The CRM Agency·Oct 27
Editorial illustration for Choosing the Right Ventra Card and Pass for Chicago’s CTA
Transportation & Transit

Choosing the Right Ventra Card and Pass for Chicago’s CTA

Navigate Chicago's CTA transit system by choosing the optimal Ventra fare product. This guide helps you match Ventra cards, passes, or contactless payments to your travel needs for cost savings.

Chloe Jenkins·Oct 19
Editorial illustration for Chicago Zoning for Small Businesses: Which Districts to Target and How to Verify an Address
Business & Economy

Chicago Zoning for Small Businesses: Which Districts to Target and How to Verify an Address

Chicago zoning dictates where small businesses can legally operate, requiring owners to identify suitable districts and verify specific addresses with city resources. Understanding Chicago's Business (B), Commercial (C), and Manufacturing (M) districts and confirming zoning before signing a lease is crucial for compliance.

Rafael Mendoza·Oct 16
Editorial illustration for How to Start or Join a Community Garden in Chicago: A Practical Guide
Neighborhoods

How to Start or Join a Community Garden in Chicago: A Practical Guide

Chicago residents can start a new community garden or join an existing one by following practical steps and leveraging local support organizations. The guide outlines the process for launching a new garden and lists key groups for finding plots in established gardens.

Chloe Jenkins·Oct 16
Editorial illustration for What a Major Museum Director Actually Does: Four Jobs in One, Illustrated by the MCA Chicago
Arts & Culture

What a Major Museum Director Actually Does: Four Jobs in One, Illustrated by the MCA Chicago

A major museum director juggles four key roles: artistic vision, financial management, community engagement, and leadership, as exemplified by the MCA Chicago. This holistic approach ensures the institution's artistic mission aligns with operational sustainability and public relevance.

Caitlin O'Malley·Oct 15
Is the here2elevate Certification Worth It? A 2026 Review for Real Estate Executives
Business & Economy

Is the here2elevate Certification Worth It? A 2026 Review for Real Estate Executives

This review examines the here2elevate certification, a standardized credential for fractional executives specializing in investment real estate, addressing the growing credibility gap in on-demand leadership. It highlights how certified fractional executives differ from traditional consultants through accountability, a proprietary methodology, and a focus on execution.

Sponsored by here2elevate·Oct 29
Editorial illustration for Mamdani Administration Fast-Tracks Affordable Housing in 12 NYC Neighborhoods, Streamlining Approvals
Neighborhoods

Mamdani Administration Fast-Tracks Affordable Housing in 12 NYC Neighborhoods, Streamlining Approvals

New York City's Mamdani Administration is launching an Affordable Housing Fast Track initiative in January 2027, designating 12 neighborhoods to expedite project approvals from seven months to three months by bypassing City Council review. This measure aims to address the city's low rental vacancy rate and uneven distribution of affordable housing.

Rafael Mendoza·Oct 1
Editorial illustration for Navigating Los Angeles Art Submissions: A Guide for Emerging Artists
Arts & Culture

Navigating Los Angeles Art Submissions: A Guide for Emerging Artists

Emerging artists in Los Angeles can navigate the art submission landscape by understanding the differences between direct gallery submissions and open calls. This guide compares the processes and requirements for venues like Artplex Gallery, Artspace Warehouse, and platforms such as ArtCall.org.

Caitlin O'Malley·Sep 29
Editorial illustration for Community Land Trusts vs. Community Investment Trusts: Models for Affordable Housing and Neighborhood Control
Neighborhoods

Community Land Trusts vs. Community Investment Trusts: Models for Affordable Housing and Neighborhood Control

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) and Community Investment Trusts (CITs) offer distinct models for neighborhood development, with CLTs prioritizing affordable housing and CITs focusing on building local wealth through commercial investment.

Chloe Jenkins·Sep 28
Editorial illustration for Illinois SBDCs Offer Chicago Entrepreneurs No-Cost Advising at Every Business Stage
Local Spotlights

Illinois SBDCs Offer Chicago Entrepreneurs No-Cost Advising at Every Business Stage

Chicago entrepreneurs can access free, confidential, one-on-one business advising through the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network. These services are tailored to every stage of business, from planning and startup to growth and exit.

Rafael Mendoza·Oct 17
A Miami Beauty Salon’s First Impression Starts at the Door With Paula Ambrosio Interiors
Real Estate & Development

A Miami Beauty Salon’s First Impression Starts at the Door With Paula Ambrosio Interiors

For a Miami beauty salon, the client experience begins long before any service is rendered. It starts at the threshold, where the interior design sets the tone for luxury, relaxation, and brand identity. Paula Ambrosio I…

Sponsored by Paula Ambrosio·Oct 26
Editorial illustration for Atlanta's Best Commuter Pass: A Cost Comparison of MARTA, CobbLinc, and Xpress
Transportation & Transit

Atlanta's Best Commuter Pass: A Cost Comparison of MARTA, CobbLinc, and Xpress

Choosing the right Atlanta commuter pass involves comparing monthly costs and coverage from MARTA, CobbLinc, and GRTA Xpress. The most economical choice depends on your specific routes and travel patterns within the metro area.

Chloe Jenkins·Oct 12
Editorial illustration for A Practical Guide to Building Child-Friendly Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods

A Practical Guide to Building Child-Friendly Neighborhoods

Rebuilding the "missing village" by creating child-friendly neighborhoods is essential for fostering healthy child development. This involves integrating safety, abundant play opportunities, and supportive community connections into the local environment.

Rafael Mendoza·Oct 9
Editorial illustration for How to Start a Neighborhood Watch Program in 5 Steps
Neighborhoods

How to Start a Neighborhood Watch Program in 5 Steps

A Neighborhood Watch program is a structured partnership between residents and local law enforcement designed to enhance community safety and communication. This guide outlines a 5-step plan to establish and sustain such a program, fostering a more secure environment through community engagement.

Chloe Jenkins·Oct 5
A lively evening street view of new, modern Denver restaurants with patrons entering, symbolizing the city's evolving and locally-focused food scene in 2026.
Food & Drink

Top New Restaurants Opening in Denver in 2026

By 2026, nearly 60% of new Denver restaurants will feature menus with at least 75% locally-sourced ingredients, a dramatic shift from a decade ago.

Caitlin O'Malley·Sep 16
Commercial Solar and Backup Power in Alaska: Planning for Operational Resilience
Real Estate & Development

Commercial Solar and Backup Power in Alaska: Planning for Operational Resilience

Energy planning for businesses, public institutions, and industrial facilities in Alaska is crucial for operational resilience and managing costs. Solar generation, battery storage, and backup generators can form a robust energy strategy to prevent disruptions from power interruptions.

Sponsored by GENSOLAR·Oct 26
A dimly lit YORK Food + Drink establishment in Ann Arbor on a rainy evening, with a few people gathered outside in a moment of quiet mourning.
Food & Drink

Ann Arbor mourns Tommy York, impacting YORK Food + Drink's future

Tommy York, the visionary behind Ann Arbor's YORK Food + Drink, consistently dedicated ninety hours a week to his enterprise, building a local institution that now employs 40 people and has been repea

Caitlin O'Malley·Sep 8
Holographic AI map showing neighborhood data and revitalization insights, with diverse community leaders collaborating in the background.
Neighborhoods

Maryland Governor Expands AI Compass for Neighborhood Revitalization

Maryland's new AI-powered Community Compass platform has already guided nearly $14 million in state funding.

Chloe Jenkins·Sep 3
Editorial illustration for How Community Land Trusts Create Lasting Affordable Housing in Chicago
Business & Economy

How Community Land Trusts Create Lasting Affordable Housing in Chicago

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) create lasting affordable housing in Chicago by separating land ownership from home ownership, ensuring homes remain affordable across generations. The city features two main CLT approaches: a citywide municipal trust and neighborhood-based organizations, each addressing affordability at different scales.

Rafael Mendoza·Oct 15
Editorial illustration for Planning and Executing a Neighborhood Beautification Project
Neighborhoods

Planning and Executing a Neighborhood Beautification Project

This guide outlines the essential phases for planning and executing a successful neighborhood beautification project, from initial community engagement and funding acquisition to project execution and long-term maintenance. It highlights the importance of volunteer coordination and leveraging local resources for lasting impact.

Chloe Jenkins·Oct 2
Can You Upgrade Ugly Concrete? How Madison Coatings Company Transforms Patios in 2026
Real Estate & Development

Can You Upgrade Ugly Concrete? How Madison Coatings Company Transforms Patios in 2026

Madison Coatings Company offers professional concrete patio resurfacing and protective coatings as a superior alternative to replacing worn-out concrete. Their advanced polyaspartic systems improve aesthetics and provide durable, UV-stable protection against damage.

Sponsored by Madison Coatings Company·Oct 26
Diverse crowds enjoying a vibrant fall arts and culture festival in a city park with light installations and autumn foliage.
Arts & Culture

Top 7 Fall Arts & Culture Festivals to Experience in 2026

In fall 2026, New York City's Battery Park alone will host four months of free events, including a light-art festival and Broadway stars, showcasing an unprecedented urban cultural boom.

Caitlin O'Malley·Sep 9
Glen Burnie Bancorp board members in a modern boardroom discussing strategy with a city skyline view.
Real Estate & Development

Glen Burnie Bancorp Appoints John Stamato to Board, Effective 2026

John Stamato, founder and President of Millersville-based Ribera Development, LLC, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Glen Burnie Bancorp, effective 2026.

Rafael Mendoza·Sep 1