Fun and Games – Page 17

Duke Mallard, the Oak Lawn Park District's mascot, interacts with families Oct. 17 at the Park District's Howl-O-Ween festival at Wolfe Wildlife Park. (Janice Neumann/Daily Southtown)

Duke Mallard ‘boogies down’ as Oak Lawn Park District mascot

By Janice Neumann

October 30, 2026 at 5:03 a.m.

Duke Mallard, the official mascot of the Oak Lawn Park District after taking over for...

Riders aboard the Raging Bull roller coaster scream as they head into a dip on May 26, 2016, at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee. (Anthony Souffle/baiduhai)

Six Flags roller coasters getting seat belts in wake of fatal accident: ‘Trust is earned through actions’

By Joseph States

October 27, 2026 at 2:19 p.m.

All Six Flags parks and rides will also undergo a review of safety procedures, the...

An Aztec dance group will be among the highlights of the Dia de los Muertos Festival on Nov. 1 in Oak Park. “I think the community is ready to celebrate again," said organizer Alma Martinez. "The community is asking to get together to honor our ancestors.” (Daveed Holmes, Aperture Photography)

Oak Park Dia de los Muertos Festival returns a year after being canceled by immigration enforcement fears

By Myrna Petlicki

October 26, 2026 at 2:07 p.m.

Public ofrendas are returning to Oak Park for a Dia de los Muertos Festival that...

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson greets Boston Mayor Michelle Wu before speaking alongside other mayors from across the country in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on March 5, 2025, in Washington. At left is Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

The Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz for March 8

By Grace Miserocchi

March 13, 2025 at 2:23 p.m.

Think you know what went on in the world of Chicago politics, sports and pop...

Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks during a ribbon-cutting event for the Edith Spurlock Sampson Apartments in Lincoln Park on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

The Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz for March 1

By Claire Malon

March 1, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Think you know what went on in the world of Chicago politics, sports and pop...

A sign announces a project to add parking spaces at the Oak Brook Park District Family Recreation Center in 2015. A new plan to upgrade playgrounds at the facility has been put on hold after the Park District failed to win state grant funding. (Chuck Fieldman/Pioneer Press)

Oak Brook to put off tennis, pickleball, playground improvements after grant rejection

By Chuck Fieldman

February 24, 2025 at 4:08 p.m.

A plan to upgrade tennis, pickleball and playground facilities in Oak Brook is being shelved...

Ed Stevenson, executive advisor and director of golf for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, has been named the 2024 PGA Executive of the Year by the Illinois PGA. His career in golf started 40 years ago when he was a caddy. (Steve Metsch/Pioneer Press)

DuPage Forest Preserves’ director of golf lauded as PGA Executive of the Year

By Steve Metsch

February 22, 2025 at 5:07 a.m.

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County director of golf Ed Stevenson's goal is to keep...

Gov. JB Pritzker delivers his annual budget address in front of House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, left, and Senate President Don Harmon on Feb. 19, 2025, in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

The Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz for Feb. 22

By Grace Miserocchi

February 22, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Think you know what went on in the world of Chicago politics, sports and pop...

Qing Li gets ready to swim at Burnham Park Promontory Point at sunrise in Chicago on Feb. 16, 2025. The water was 32 degrees Fahrenheit, according to year-round swimmer Bill Stamets, who accompanies Li and measures the temperature every morning. (Audrey Richardson/baiduhai)

Just chillin’: Chicago’s frigid temps this week make Lake Michigan just right for competitive ice swimmer Qing Li

By Carolyn Stein

February 21, 2025 at 12:39 p.m.

Li, who lives in downtown Chicago, is one of nearly a hundred American athletes competing...

The cover of the new comic "Godzilla Vs. Chicago," which imagines the 70-year old monster in the Midwest. It arrives in comic book stores Feb. 26. (IDW Publishing)

Oh, no! There goes Chicago! Godzilla finally gets to the Midwest in new comic book

By Christopher Borrelli

February 20, 2025 at 5:45 a.m.

As if Chicago didn’t have enough problems. Here comes Godzilla, as in Gojira, the Big...

Former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, flanked by daughters Nicole, left, and Tiffany, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after jurors found him guilty on 10 counts in his racketeering case, Feb. 12, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

The Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz for Feb. 15

By Claire Malon

February 15, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Think you know what went on in the world of Chicago politics, sports and pop...

President Donald Trump meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP)

The Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz for Feb. 8

By Grace Miserocchi

February 8, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Think you know what went on in the world of Chicago politics, sports and pop...

Matthew Culjak releases a young great northern pike he caught Jan. 26 at Wolf Lake on Chicago’s Southeast Side. (Susan DeGrane/Daily Southtown)

‘Winters are getting shorter,’ but Wolf Lake still a solid place for ice fishing

By Susan DeGrane

February 8, 2025 at 12:28 p.m.

The Southeast Sportsmen's Club in Hegewisch moved its ice fishing tournament to January, attracting some...