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Principal Celebrates 50 Years, Halloween Events, We're Leaving Meta, and more McKinley Park neighborhood news and events

Principal Celebrates 50 Years, Halloween Events, We're Leaving Meta, and more McKinley Park neighborhood news and events

McKinley Park News

News & Events for Chicago's‍ McKinley Park Neighborhood

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Vol. 9, Issue 38
Oct. 26, 2026

Neighborhood Update

A wrap-up of recent news and a look ahead to upcoming events‍

Latest News

Evergreen Principal Celebrates 50 Years in Education

Principal Marian Strok has led Evergreen Academy Middle School, a National Forum School to Watch and STEAM Demonstration School, in a career that includes 31 years at Chicago Public Schools.

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Halloween in McKinley Park

Letters from the Editor

Our Local News Is Leaving Facebook, Instagram and Meta

Because of exploitative changes in Meta's upcoming terms of service, which grants the right to steal everything from our local news website, the McKinley Park News is deleting our presence on their services.

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Namaste Charter School

Stellar Performance

Horizon Science Academy

Updates From Our Sponsors

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The Best of McKinley Park

Vote for The Best of McKinley Park

Weekly Leaderboard

Updated weekly and ordered by total votes received. Voting ends November 26, 2026. Below results are from 10 p.m. on Oct. 25, 2026. Click a category for live results.

Best Pizza	Trino's Pizza
Best Baked Goods	Cadinho Bakery and Cafe
Best Hangout Spot	Lagoon & Natural Area at McKinley Park
Best Coffee	Cadinho Bakery and Cafe
Best Community Organization	Aquinas Literacy Center and Trash People of McKinley Park (tie)
Best Sit-Down Restaurant	Chile Toreado
Best Spot for a Drink	Marz Community Brewing Co.
Best Latin Cuisine	Chile Toreado
Best Take-Out Restaurant	Nicky's Carry Outs
Best Fast Food Chain Restaurant	Chipotle Mexican Grill
Best Beer, Wine and Spirits	Marz Community Brewing Co.
Best Local Elected Official	Julia Ramirez, 12th Ward Alderwoman
Best Pharmacy	Jewel-Osco Pharmacy
Best Clothing and Apparel	Consume Vintage
Best Groceries	Jewel-Osco
Best Convenience Store	Walgreens
Best Gas Station	Shell (3501 S. Damen Ave.)
Best Home Goods	Treasures Depot
Best Pet Store	Pet Supplies Plus
Best Hair & Beauty Services	Empire Cutz
Best Garden and Landscaping	JC Licht Ace Hardware
Best Flowers	Fasan Florist
Best Auto Parts	AutoZone Auto Parts
Best Dental Care	Ganger Family Dentistry
Best Bank	Byline Bank and Marquette Bank (tie)
Best Auto Mechanic	Monte Jalisco Auto Repair and Rojas Auto Service (tie)
Best Phones & Mobile	T-Mobile
Best Auto Body Repair	Cambray's Auto Rebuilders
Best Medical Care	Miami Optical
Best Child Care	Montessori Foundations of Chicago
Best Home Contractor	JJA Roofing & Contracting, Marty Mar Construction and Silva Construction and Restoration (tie)
Best Insurance Agent	Elvia Solis — State Farm Insurance, Rodriguez Agency — American Family Insurance and Sigma Associates — Travelers Insurance (tie)

This Week's Featured Events

Halloween

Beats from Beyond

7 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 31, at Studio 55

Sugar Skull Decorating

10 a.m. to noon on Fri., Oct. 30, at Tu Casa Guanajuato en Chicago

4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 29, at Namaste Charter School

5 p.m. to midnight on Sat., Oct. 31, at Marz Community Brewing Co.

Scenes & Screams Movie Trivia

9 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 29, at One City Tap

Day of the Dead Puppet Show and Altars Exhibition

5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 1, at Tu Casa Guanajuato en Chicago

3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 30, at Nathanael Greene Elementary School

Performances

Orange Line Comedy Open Mic

9 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 28, at One City Tap

Public Safety

9th District Police Council Meeting

6:30 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 28, at the McKinley Park Field House

Civics

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., Oct. 26-30, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 31 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 1, at the McKinley Park Public Library

5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 26, at the 12th Ward Office

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 26, at the 11th Ward Office

Entertainment

7 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 26, at Marz Community Brewing Co.

Queen of Hearts Raffle

8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 30, at William McKinley American Legion Post 231

7 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 27, at Marz Community Brewing Co.

7 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 28, at Marz Community Brewing Co.

7 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 29, at Marz Community Brewing Co.

Art

ALMA Open Gallery Hours

Noon to 5 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 1, at Alma Gallery

Healthcare

Diabetes Management Workshop

10 a.m. to noon on Wed., Oct. 28, at Tu Casa Guanajuato en Chicago

Environment

South Side River Ranger Social

6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 28, at Marz Community Brewing Co.

Education

Namaste Charter School Tour

8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 28, and Thurs., Oct. 29, at Namaste Charter School

Kids, Youth & Teens

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 26, and Wed., Oct. 28 at the McKinley Park Field House

Youth Soccer for Success

3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 26, at the McKinley Park Field House

5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 26 and Fri., Oct. 30, at the McKinley Park Field House

Kids Soccer for Success

4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 26, at the McKinley Park Field House

Brick Builders Club

11 a.m. to noon on Sat., Oct. 31, at the McKinley Park Field House

Sports & Recreation Apprenticeship

5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 27, Wed., Oct. 28, and Thurs., Oct. 29, at McKinley Park

Junior Brick Builders

5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 27, at the McKinley Park Field House

Literacy

Stories That Connect Us

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 26, at Aquinas Literacy Center

Digital Literacy Lab

9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Thurs., Oct. 29, at Aquinas Literacy Center

English Language Studio

Noon to 1 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 27, at Aquinas Literacy Center

Conversation Cafe

10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thurs., Oct. 29, at Aquinas Literacy Center

Seniors

Senior Chair Exercises

12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tues., Oct.. 27, at the McKinley Park Field House

Senior Drawing and Painting

1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 29, at the McKinley Park Field House

Senior Circuit Training

Noon to 1 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 30, at the McKinley Park Field House

Fitness

Strength & Mobility Group Fitness

6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 29, at Blink Fitness

6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 26, and Fri., Oct. 30, and 9 a.m to noon on Sat., Oct. 31, at the McKinley Park Field House

Mustangs Run Club

7 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 29, at Marz Community Brewing Co.

Veterans

Veterans Archery

10 a.m. to noon on Mon., Oct. 26 and Thurs., Oct. 29, at the McKinley Park Field House

Veterans Seasonal Sports

10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 26 and Thurs., Oct. 29, at the McKinley Park Field House

Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 29, at McKinley Park Field House

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