The age-old idiom “it’s a small world” takes on profound meaning in the dance world. What might seem a like niche profession has a global reach, finding its way into even the smallest corners of a dance studio. A young, sensitive boy growing up in France, a British girl fascinated with storytelling, a Ukrainian-born ballet […]

January 7, 2025, altered the lives of Angelenos — both human and animal — forever. While homes and buildings can be rebuilt, lives lost to the flames cannot. First responders worked tirelessly to evacuate residents and their pets, but many domestic and wild animals weren’t as fortunate. At Pasadena Humane, which has been serving the […]

Avian flu is decimating poultry farms, driving up egg prices, and spreading beyond birds to unexpected species. Since 2022, more than 148 million farm birds — including chickens and turkeys — have been euthanized to contain outbreaks, sending ripple effects through the food supply. The virus isn’t just a problem for farmers—consumers are paying the […]

A 10-year-old aspiring fashion designer who is battling cancer got the incredible opportunity to design her own dress with the help of Make-A-Wish and some Disney pros. Inspired by the iconic ball gowns in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Cinderella, Rita wished to step into the world of costume design at Disney.  As part of her […]

Over the past two Sundays, Alicia Keys at in her GRAMMY acceptance speech for the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award and Kendrick Lamar through his Super Bowl halftime performance delivered powerful messages about the power of art to inspire future generations and advance social justice. What do the two artists have in common? They’ve both […]

The road to the Harris Theater began in the 1980s, when the performing arts were feverishly alive in Chicago. Dozens of new music, dance, and theater companies emerged while stalwart organizations experienced exciting growth. What the city lacked, however, was adequate space for its mid-size companies — those that had outgrown the storefront venues but […]

This post was submitted as part of our “You Said It” program.” Your voice, ideas, and engagement are important to help us accomplish our mission. We encourage you to share your ideas and efforts to make the world a better place by submitting a “You Said It.” Noam Chomsky once said, “The more privilege you have, […]

February in Chicago may be chilly, but the city and its suburbs offer plenty of ways to warm up with vibrant cultural celebrations, romantic outings, and winter fun. From honoring Black History Month with museum exhibits and performances to planning the perfect Valentine’s Day, this month is packed with reasons to get out and make […]

Homelessness is a glaring epidemic in Chicago. As of January 2024, there were 18,836 individuals in Chicago experiencing homelessness. The homeless population has nearly tripled since 2023, with projections of it only continuing to increase in the upcoming years.  Many factors contribute to homelessness, and A Safe Haven Foundation is on a mission to restore […]

When disaster strikes, Americans respond. Our instinct to help, our “Can Do” spirit, and our deep love of community propel us to extraordinary acts of kindness, generosity, and ingenuity. The recent catastrophic fires in Los Angeles were no exception. From heartbreaking scenes of destruction to inspiring stories of resilience, the fires drew out the best of humanity. […]

If a friend sends you a bouquet, says Emiliana R. Simon-Thomas, the science director at the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, don’t just say “Thank you.” Instead, expand it to something like, “Thank you so much for sending me tuberoses; you know that those are my favorite. I felt so […]

In October, we shared the story of the Carleo family, whose bank accounts were cleaned out to the tune of $130,000 after a mysterious phone call. The Carleos got their money back only after a little media attention. Thefts like what happened to them continue to proliferate — so it’s time to take extra precautions […]