Category: Culture

Treasurer Maria Pappas Honors AANHPI Heritage Month by Recognizing Community Leaders with Live Music and Dance Celebration

May 21, 2026May 21, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Treasurer Maria Pappas Honors AANHPI Heritage Month by Recognizing Community Leaders with Live Music and Dance Celebration Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by recognizing community leaders, cultural advocates and business owners whose contributions strengthen Cook County and the greater Chicagoland region. The event will…

Culture, Events, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Hosted Reception Following Haitian Flag Raising at Daley Plaza

May 19, 2026May 19, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Hosted Reception Following Haitian Flag Raising at Daley Plaza Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas hosted a reception Monday afternoon for Cook County’s Haitian community following the Flag Raising Ceremony in Daley Plaza. The celebration honored Haitian Heritage Month and Haitian Flag Day, observed annually on Monday, May 18, 2026. Haitian…

Culture, Events, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire

Obama Foundation Announces Hope and Change Lobby Naming at Presidential Center in Honor of President Obama’s 2008 Campaign

May 14, 2026May 14, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Obama Foundation Announces Hope and Change Lobby Naming at Presidential Center in Honor of President Obama’s 2008 Campaign The Obama Foundation today announced the Hope and Change Lobby at the Obama Presidential Center, honoring the foundational ideas of President Obama’s 2008 campaign. The Hope and Change Lobby is made possible through the generous contribution by…

Chicago, Culture, Federal, News, NewsWire, Racism

Distributors and industry buyers of Middle Eastern and Arab foods to be featured at unique New Jersey convention

May 13, 2026May 13, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Distributors and industry buyers of Middle Eastern and Arab foods to be featured at unique New Jersey convention Chicago, IL — The Global Products Expo will host its annual Middle East food specialty expo in New Jersey from June 22 through June 24, showcasing more than 360 sponsor booths and Arabian displays. Founder Issam Abdellatif…

Business, Culture, Events, food, General Topics, National, News, NewsWire, Recipes, Restaurant Review

Illinois Senator Committee approves resolution urging Illinois K through 12 schools to offer Arabic as Foreign Language option

May 8, 2026May 8, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Senator Committee approves resolution urging Illinois K through 12 schools to offer Arabic as Foreign Language option By Ray Hanania As Consolidated High School District 230, one of the largest in Illinois, blocked the adoption of Arabic as a Foreign Language at their three High Schools, Sandburg High School, Andrew High School, and Stagg…

Culture, Education, Illinois Legislature, Mike Porfirio, News, NewsWire, Orland Park

Treasurer Maria Pappas Recognizes Cinco de Mayo with Celebration of Mexican Heritage Featuring Mariachi Music, Live Horses, and an Art Exhibit

May 7, 2026May 7, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Treasurer Maria Pappas Recognizes Cinco de Mayo with Celebration of Mexican Heritage Featuring Mariachi Music, Live Horses, and an Art Exhibit Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas marked Cinco de Mayo on May 5 with a public celebration honoring the deep cultural roots and lasting contributions of the Mexican diaspora in Chicagoland. The event featured live…

Chicago, Cook County, Culture, Events, Festival, immigrant, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Photos, Veterans

Ryan calls High School Language Requirement “burdensome” and pushes to remove it

May 7, 2026May 7, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ryan calls High School Language Requirement “burdensome” and pushes to remove it State Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, is seeking to remove the two-year foreign language requirement Illinois high school students must complete to receive a high school diploma. “Schools are facing a shortage of qualified teachers who can teach foreign languages,” Ryan said. “And…

Culture, Education, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

Village of Orland Park to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday With Year of Events

May 7, 2026May 7, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Village of Orland Park to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday With Year of Events The Village of Orland Park is proud to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday with a year full of special events and programs. The season of celebration will kick off with the Red, White & Blue BBQ Fest & Parade on Saturday,…

Civil Rights, Culture, Entertainment, Festival, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Cook County Treasurer Pappas and Alliance of Polish Clubs President Mirowska-Kopec recognize Polish population by honoring local leaders ahead of Polish Constitution Day

May 1, 2026May 1, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Pappas and Alliance of Polish Clubs President Mirowska-Kopec recognize Polish population by honoring local leaders ahead of Polish Constitution Day Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will attend the raising of the Polish Flag over Daley Plaza on Friday, May 1 at noon. Afterwards, along with Alliance of Polish Clubs USA President Lucja…

Cook County, Culture, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire

Pappas and Consul General Anton Lungu Honor Moldovan National Flag Day in Chicago at Flag Raising and Reception Honoring Civic Leaders

April 27, 2026April 27, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Pappas and Consul General Anton Lungu Honor Moldovan National Flag Day in Chicago at Flag Raising and Reception Honoring Civic Leaders Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will participate in the raising of the Moldovan tricolor over Daley Plaza at 12:00 p.m. today Monday, April 27, in downtown Chicago followed by a reception in her Clark Street office….

Cook County, Culture, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Assyrian New Year by honoring civic, business and community leaders

April 2, 2026April 2, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Assyrian New Year by honoring civic, business and community leaders Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas (middle) celebrated the Assyrian New Year of 6776 by welcoming dozens of civic, business and community leaders to her downtown office for an afternoon of traditional Assyrian song and dance. The Assyrian New Year,…

Cook County, Culture, Features, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble performs “Architecture of Memory” May 8 – 23, 2026

March 26, 2026March 26, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble performs “Architecture of Memory” May 8 – 23, 2026 CHICAGO – Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble (CDE) presents the world premiere of Architecture of Memory, May 8 – 23, at Chicago Danztheatre, 1650 W. Foster Avenue. The opening night/press performance is Friday, May 8 at 8 p.m. The performance schedule is Fridays and Saturdays…

Culture, Entertainment, News, NewsWire, Theater

Inaugural FECK Awards Honor Four Extraordinary Changemakers Championing Forgiveness, Empathy, Compassion, and Kindness

March 18, 2026March 18, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Inaugural FECK Awards Honor Four Extraordinary Changemakers Championing Forgiveness, Empathy, Compassion, and Kindness Created by entertainment industry leader and philanthropist Chaz Ebert, the 2026 winners will be recognized at the FECK Awards live event in Chicago on April 4 Chicago (March 18, 2026) – The FECK Awards, a powerful new national recognition program celebrating individuals…

Culture, Entertainment, News, NewsWire

John Harrell: Legacy of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson fuels foundation of civil rights for all

February 17, 2026February 17, 2026 News Editor No Comments

John Harrell: Legacy of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson fuels foundation of civil rights for all Chicago, IL — John Harrell, co-founder of Black Men United and Pastor of both Proviso M.B.C. in Maywood and Chicago Northside New Hope M.B.C churches, issued the following statement mourning the passing of the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson today, Tuesday,…

Civil Rights, Culture, News, Obituary, Politics

John Harrell condemns Trump racist Lion King depiction of Obamas and Democrats

February 9, 2026February 9, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

John Harrell condemns Trump racist Lion King depiction of Obamas and Democrats Chicago, IL – John Harrell Monday denounced as racist a video that portrayed former Presidenrt Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as “Apes.” The “Lion King Meme” was distributed by President Donald Trump last week on his “Truth Social” social media…

Culture, John Harrell, News, NewsWire, Racism

Author Charlene Wexler Earns International Impact Book Award for We Won’t Go Back

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Author Charlene Wexler Earns International Impact Book Award for We Won’t Go Back Author Charlene Wexler recently won a 2025 International Impact Book Award in the Contemporary Fiction category for her book We Won’t Go Back, published by Speaking Volumes. We Won’t Go Back is the story of Babs, who lived a pleasant life…

Books & Films, Chicago, Culture, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s Transition Team Launches Resume Portal for New Administration

November 6, 2025November 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s Transition Team Launches Resume Portal for New Administration Mamdani’s transition opens application process to receive applicants interested in serving in the Mamdani Administration Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team launched on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 the Transition 2025 resume portal for applicants of all experience levels to help build an administration of public…

Civil Rights, Culture, elections, Government, News, Politics

Commissioner Frank Aguilar and Cook County officials celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month

October 16, 2025October 16, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Commissioner Frank Aguilar and Cook County officials celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month Officials, accompanied by musical guests, honored notable Hispanic and Latine residents for their contributions to Cook County, and honored three individuals with awards (Cook County, IL) – On Wednesday, October 15th, Cook County Commissioners and the Office of Cook County Board President…

Chicago, Cook County, Culture, Events, Features, Festival, Government, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland