Neighborhood News
McKinley Park Library Tops Summer Kids Events This Week
Ida y Vuelta performs on Sunday, August 4, at the McKinley Park Farmers Market.The McKinley Park branch of the Chicago Public Library remains a bedrock institution for the neighborhood, consistently hosting great programs and fun activities throughout the year. Help your kids power through the summer doldrums with this week's library events, such as the Finding Dory Film Screening on Saturday, August 3.
Young scientists can experiment at the library this week, including Brain Games with the MSI Interns, a two-part session on Tuesday, July 30, and Thursday, August 1, that brings the Museum of Science and Industry to the McKinley Park neighborhood. The sTEAM Players session on Wednesday, July 31, and LEGO at the Library on Tuesday, July 30, engage kids with science and engineering challenges and experiments.
Read more: McKinley Park Library Tops Summer Kids Events This Week
Neighborhood Teen Killed in Drive-By Shooting
Chicago Police Department and media reports state that a 19-year-old man was shot and killed during a drive-by shooting in the vicinity of West 34th Street and South Bell Avenue during the evening on Thursday, July 25. McKinley Park neighborhood resident Anthony Finley was shot from a white-colored SUV coming out of an alley between South Bell Avenue and South Leavitt Street, police said. This is near the rear of Everett Elementary School at 3419 S. Bell Ave.
Finley was shot in the abdomen while walking on the sidewalk and sent in critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The white SUV fled west on 34th street after the shooting.
McKinley Park Dog-Friendly Area on Cusp of Construction
McKinley Dog Park Advisory Council members and officers gather at their quarterly meeting on June 17 at One City Tap.
The long-awaited dog park in Chicago's McKinley Park will soon begin construction, and the McKinley Dog Park Advisory Council is getting ready to celebrate and transition to active management of this new community space, said council President Carina Trudell. With construction set to begin in August, the park should be ready for pooches this fall, she said.
"Until recent months our tone was hopeful because we just weren't sure when this would be complete," Trudell said. "Now it's gone from hopeful to confident and prepared."
Read more: McKinley Park Dog-Friendly Area on Cusp of Construction
Music, Kids Fun and More Lined Up for This Week in McKinley Park
The Holy Cross Marimba Ensemble performs on Sunday, July 28, at the McKinley Park Farmers Market.One City Tap keeps bringing more great live music to the McKinley Park neighborhood, propelled by their relationship with the punk rock brigade of Otro Ritmo. The Saturday, July 27, show No Acción! at Otro Ritmo presents the hard-hitting clase obrera punk music of ¡No Acción! alongside the bands Shots Fired! Shots Fired!, Conciencia Total and Permanent Resident, plus guest and house DJs. Only a $5 suggested donation or pay what you can is asked for admittance.
On the other end of the age spectrum for music lovers is Music to Play by with Rick Kelley on Wednesday evening, July 24, at the McKinley Park public library. Kids 3 and up love Kelley's engaging entertainment as this one-man band inspires singing, dancing, moving and laughing.
Read more: Music, Kids Fun and More Lined Up for This Week in McKinley Park
McKinley Park Neighborhood Highlighted in WGN Radio Show
Lifelong neighborhood resident Dayna Calderon shared her memories and updates about the McKinley Park Community Area on the Thursday, July 18, Extension 720 with Justin Kaufmann show from WGN Radio. During the broadcast, which also featured other Chicago topics, Calderon expounded on activities in the park and neighborhood, what the future may hold for development and gentrification, and general life in McKinley Park.
"We've got a really strong community right here," Calderon said on the show.
The McKinley Park segment begins at approximately 13 minutes, 45 seconds into Kaufmann's broadcast and runs for 15 minutes. Click here to visit the WGN Radio website and listen to the episode.
