Category: Features

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas celebrates Columbian Independence Day

July 30, 2026August 14, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas celebrates Columbian Independence Day Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas hosted a Colombian Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 in the Treasurer’s Office. The event was attended by Consul General Diego Alexander Angulo Martínez of the Consulate of Colombia in Chicago. The event recognized the rich history, culture, and…

Cook County, Culture, Events, Features, Festival, Maria Pappas, News, news release, NewsWire

Kids camp teaches young children basics of fire safety

June 17, 2026June 17, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Kids camp teaches young children basics of fire safety Orland Fire Protection District, IL – Several dozen young campers received training in basic fire safety and life-saving skills at the Orland Fire Protection District’s annual summer Fire and Life Safety Camp held at the district’s training center on 163rd Place in Orland Park. Children ages…

Cook County, Features, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Suburban Chicagoland

Local Author Launches Wildly Imaginative Middle-Grade Adventure

June 15, 2026June 15, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Local Author Launches Wildly Imaginative Middle-Grade Adventure “The Unbelievable Ultrafrog vs. Nutsfuratu, the Giant Alien Vampire Squirrel from Planet Schnark” Blends Humor, Heart and Out-of-This-World Chaos by Tinley Park author Jon Bigness Young readers looking for outrageous fun, unforgettable characters and nonstop adventure have a new hero to cheer for in The Unbelievable Ultrafrog vs….

Books & Films, Entertainment, Features, News, NewsWire, Tinley Park

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre announces cast and creative team for The Wizard of Oz July 8 – August 9, 2026

June 4, 2026June 4, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre announces cast and creative team for The Wizard of Oz July 8 – August 9, 2026 Audiences are Invited To Travel “Over the Rainbow” for this Timeless Journey with Familiar Characters and Oscar-Winning Music Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is…

Entertainment, Events, Features, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Theater

Orland Firefighter reflects on 29 years of service after retirement

May 3, 2026May 3, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Orland Firefighter reflects on 29 years of service after retirement Orland Park, IL – From the time he was a young child, Robert Winkelman always wanted to be a firefighter. Last week, he retired after 35 years of total fire service, including 29 years with the Orland Fire Protection District, most recently as a Battalion…

Features, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

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

Sullivan’s Steakhouse makes every night special with family and friends

December 19, 2025December 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sullivan’s Steakhouse makes every night special with family and friends Restaurant review: Sullivan’s Steakhouse features a Holiday Menu with quality care in preparing their expansive menu of fresh meats, seafood, and appetizers. The restaurant in Naperville is part of a national chain in 14 cities. The combination of food quality, presentation, freshness, and preparation, and…

Business, Editors Pick, Entertainment, Features, News, NewsWire, rayhanania, Restaurant Review, restaurants, Review, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Fire hosts annual holiday Toy Drive for needy families/children

November 14, 2025November 14, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire hosts annual holiday Toy Drive for needy families/children The Orland Fire Protection District is hosting its annual Toy Drive for needy families and children. The Toy drive collections are located at all 6 of the OFPD Fire Stations and the Fire Administration Building, where toy donations can be dropped off. The OFPD Toy…

Features, Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park

Village of Orland Park Celebrates Thanksgiving Week

November 5, 2025November 5, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Village of Orland Park Celebrates Thanksgiving Week The Village of Orland Park is celebrating Thanksgiving with a week full of turkey-themed activities, including the Kids’ Turkey Trot and Diaper Dash, Turkey Shoot Free-Throw Contest and the 37th Annual Turkey Trot. “Thanksgiving week in Orland Park is all about community, family, and tradition,” said Mayor Jim…

Events, Features, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

FIRE UPDATE: Fire District releases photos of kitten saved from Orland Park apartment fire Saturday

October 26, 2025October 26, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

FIRE UPDATE: Fire District releases photos of kitten saved from Orland Park apartment fire Saturday Orland Fire Protection District, IL – Firefighters with the Orland Fire Protection District who responded to a fire in an apartment at the 15200 block of El Camino Terrace on Saturday morning said the next day that they did find…

Features, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park

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

Wolves broadcasts return to WPWR-TV for 2025 – 26 season

September 26, 2025September 26, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves broadcasts return to WPWR-TV for 2025 – 26 season The Chicago Wolves are pleased to announce FOX Chicago Plus (WPWR-TV) will broadcast 30 Wolves regular-season home games during the 2025-26 American Hockey League season. The partnership with WPWR-TV marks the ninth consecutive full season that Wolves games have been a staple on its schedule….

Chicago, Features, News, NewsWire, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Firefighters receive awards for battling flooding during Texas deployment

September 24, 2025September 24, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Firefighters receive awards for battling flooding during Texas deployment Orland Fire Protection District, IL – Three members of the Orland Fire Protection District were honored on Tuesday (9-23-25), receiving the MABAS Humanitarian Award for serving on a state Task Force sent to help Texas residents who were the victims of major flooding last July….

Features, Fire, Flooding, National, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Suburban Chicagoland

Author Jeffrey Wolfson Publishes A Prayer Book: Reflections for a Shared, Sacred World

September 18, 2025September 18, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Author Jeffrey Wolfson Publishes A Prayer Book: Reflections for a Shared, Sacred World Ridgefield, CT — [8/26/25] — Jeffrey Wolfson announces the publication of his debut work, “A Prayer Book: Reflections for a Shared, Sacred World,” now available in paperback and Kindle editions through Amazon. Unlike traditional prayer books, Wolfson’s work is not a set…

Books & Films, Entertainment, Features, News, NewsWire, Religion

Wetzel’s Pretzels Welcomes Fall with New Apple Cinnamon Bitz

September 8, 2025September 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wetzel’s Pretzels Welcomes Fall with New Apple Cinnamon Bitz Limited-time seasonal treat available beginning Sept. 1 Wetzel’s Pretzels is embracing the season’s sweetest flavors with the debut of its new limited time offer menu item, Apple Cinnamon Bitz, an autumn-inspired twist on the brand’s beloved bite-sized pretzels. Wetzel’s is once again giving snack lovers a…

Features, food, News, NewsWire

Taste of Orland Park Draws Over 35k Attendees in Triumphant Return to Village Center

August 7, 2025August 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Taste of Orland Park Draws Over 35k Attendees in Triumphant Return to Village Center The Village of Orland Park is celebrating the resounding success of its 22nd annual Taste of Orland Park, presented by Northwestern Medicine, which welcomed more than 35,000 attendees over the course of the weekend. Returning to its original home at the…

Entertainment, Features, food, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Author Charlene Wexler Earns Apex Award for Farewell to South Shore

July 26, 2025July 26, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Author Charlene Wexler Earns Apex Award for Farewell to South Shore Author Charlene Wexler recently won a 2025 Communications Concepts Award of Excellence for her book Farewell to South Shore, published by Speaking Volumes. “Farewell to South Shore taps into and articulates a woman’s emotions related to dealing with a changing society, particularly its expectations of…

Books & Films, Chicago, Entertainment, Features, News, NewsWire

Summer Smash Festival returns this weekend June 20-22 at SeatGeek

June 18, 2025June 18, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Summer Smash Festival returns this weekend June 20-22 at SeatGeek Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash Festival announces return on June 20-22, 2025. World’s Largest Independently-Owned Hip-Hop Music Festival Returns To Chicagoland’s SeatGeek Stadium After Breaking Attendance Records of more than 120,000. Featuring 50+ performances over three days on three stages Local organizers behind Summer Smash Festival,…