Molly DeVore

Chicago's Olivia Curry Hopes To Be The Female Middleweight Boxing Champion Of The World A professional boxer and film editor, Curry is excited to be elevating women's boxing and even more thankful to represent Chicago in her upcoming title fight.

I love when I get to write about people in our community doing impressive things, like this: A professional boxer and film editor, Olivia Curry is prepping for a big world title fight. She's excited to be elevating women’s boxing and even more thankful to represent Chicago. blockclubchi.co/46hypl3

Without A Buyer, American Science & Surplus Could Close Its Park Ridge Shop This Month The 88-year-old business, which sells craft supplies, tech gear, novelty toys and more, will close the shop at the end of the month if it doesn't find a buyer.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/08/w...

The children who live on Josephine Christopher’s quiet Schorsch Village block call her yard the fairy garden — and for good reason

The yard is home to 30 pet birds, 7 turtles, 2 tortoises, a greenhouse, a koi pond, 9 beehives and countless tropical plants

blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/28/t...

NEW: Some call it the "Death Hospital": Inside a Northwest Side medical center plagued by problems.

Patients & staff have reported filthy rooms, broken supplies & a flooded ER at Community First — despite the hospital getting tens of millions in taxpayer grants. blockclubchi.co/3JASNG4

The "Mayor of Mayfair" has been cleaning up his Northwest Side neighborhood for 26 years. blockclubchi.co/4gejTiN

Bam Bam Facing Medical Challenges After Rescue, But Donations Will Help Fund Recovery Money raised for the service dog's search will now go toward his unexpected medical expenses, a new bed and toys, and a private investigator and home security system for Angel Santiago.

A final Bam Bam update for now: The sweet pup is ready to relax and watch TV after being away from home for more than 2 months. He now faces some medical issues after his rescue, but funds raised by the community will help with his health bills. It was a joy to meet him!
blockclubchi.co/3HLy2a3

'La Placita,' A Community Plaza With Food Carts And Live Music, Is Coming To Belmont Cragin Officials broke ground Tuesday on La Placita De Belmont Cragin, which will feature public art and a walking path, with room for performances, food vendors and more.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/20/l...

Stolen Dog Bam Bam Reunited With Ecstatic Owner: 'The Entire City Has Been Searching For This Dog' Bam Bam, a service and emotional support dog to a blind man, is back home after a search that united the city. The dog was dropped off Tuesday night at a Northwest Side police station.

GOOD NEWS: Bam Bam has been found and is safely back home with Angel. He was turned into the 16th district station last night by two people who refused to answer questions by officers and quickly left. I hope to get more info soon.
blockclubchi.co/4msFbvh

Block Club's Block Party 2.0 is less than two months away!

📅 Saturday, Oct. 4.
📍 Half Acre Beer Co.
🎶 Live entertainment, local vendors + food + drinks
🤑 FREE

RSVP: blockclubchi.co/45mRlOL
Get VIP tickets here: blockclubchi.co/4muFQf3

Fire Breaks Out At North Park Homeless Encampment As Residents Prepare For Clearing Those living in Legion Park blame a few troublemakers for the recent fires. The city, which has been accused of playing "whac-a-mole" with encampments, will clear structures from the area next month.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/18/a...

Plans to bring a Trader Joe’s to Jefferson Park have been scrapped. blockclubchi.co/3UE13HI

A recent study found that nearly 80 percent of forests in and around Chicago are infested with invasive shrubs

Restoration crews and thousands of volunteers are working diligently to change things

blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/13/i...

This Edgebrook Diner Is Hosting An Upscale, 5-Course Dinner Party — And You're Invited The Edgebrook Coffee Shop and Diner's Finer Diner event will see the bustling breakfast spot transform into a white tablecloth eatery featuring dinner courses from chef Zacharias Craig of Mano a Mano.

The Edgebrook Coffee Shop and Diner is trading in its corned beef hash and ceramic coffee mugs for white tablecloths and duck confit — at least for one night.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/05/t...

Cherise Irving discovered her father, the Rev. William “Chico” Higgins Jr., on Ancestry.com earlier this year. Since then, she’s explored her deep Chicago roots. And on Thursday, Higgins, 89, and Irving, 63, met for the first time.
@mollydevore.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/25/s...

Portage Park Is Electing A Pet Mayor. Does Your Furry Friend Have What It Takes? The official pet mayor will be announced during the Sept. 21 Portage Park Farmers Market.

It’s time to start shaking paws and kissing babies: Portage Park’s first pet mayoral race is underway

blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/23/p...

Leona’s Pizzeria Opens In Old Irving Park, Bluebird's Portage Cafe Closes Other recent additions to the Far Northwest Side dining scene include MooDeng Cafe and Sushi Bar in the former Bonboiak Chocolatier storefront and artisan sandwich shop Cured and Crafted.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/22/f...

O'Hare Beehives Have Given Former Inmates 2nd Chance For More Than A Decade In 2011, O'Hare became the first American airport with beehives. The apiaries, which are maintained through a partnership with the North Lawndale Employment Network, are about much more than honey.

Boeing 737s and Airbus A350s aren’t the only things taking flight at O’Hare Airport.

A quiet patch of green space at O’Hare has been home to a collection of beehives for almost 15 years.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/18/o...

6 Far Northwest Side groups will get a $70,000 donation to help fund a garden, mural and park projects. blockclubchi.co/46ILJ3A

This Business Incubator program has been working to reverse Belmont Cragin’s shop closures: blockclubchi.co/46M1oiL

Whether it’s an extravagant Cubano packed with pork belly and smoked ham or a simple grilled cheese, Mike Barboza is convinced that nothing beats a good sandwich

That’s why the Gladstone Park resident is opening Cured and Crafted, an artisan sandwich shop

blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/02/c...

Chicago Breakfast Restaurant, Edgebrook’s newest spot, serves more than your morning meal. blockclubchi.co/3GfRvPC

Adult Spelling Bee Brings Hundreds To Wicker Park To Relive Their Childhood Glory Three local teachers organized Wednesday’s event, promoting it in a TikTok post that went viral. They're already thinking up more community events to host this summer.

Yes, I went to the "Free Adult Spelling Bee" in Wicker Park last night. It was a blast

blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/26/a...

Mosaic House, A New Coworking And Childcare Center, Wants To Help NW Side Moms Build Community Mosaic House, opening July 14 in Dunning, also will host events ranging from resume-building sessions to wellness workshops.

At Mosaic House, parents will be able to catch up on work, chat with friends and receive professional development, all while their children are being cared for in the next room.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/25/m...

South Side Community Gardens Need Water Access From The City — But Getting It Is A Struggle With the growing season already underway, some neighborhood gardens and farms have been forced to get creative when it comes to watering their crops. Stewards are calling on the city to make hydrant u...

blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/25/s...

The Chicago Gay Hockey Association plays the Mighty Drunks at Johnny’s Icehouse East, 1350 W. Madison St., in West Loop on June 4, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

The Chicago Gay Hockey Association plays the Mighty Drunks at Johnny’s Icehouse East, 1350 W. Madison St., in West Loop on June 4, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Henry Streib puts his helmet on before the Chicago Gay Hockey Association plays the Mighty Drunks at Johnny’s Icehouse East, 1350 W. Madison St., in West Loop on June 4, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Andrew Sobotka, Paige Murray and Chris Hall pose for a photo before the Chicago Gay Hockey Association plays the Mighty Drunks at Johnny’s Icehouse East, 1350 W. Madison St., in West Loop on June 4, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Pride On The Ice: Longtime President Of Chicago Gay Hockey Association Recognized By NHL

A great story to have documented alongside @mollydevore.bsky.social / @blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/18/p...

Ald. Jim Gardiner Cleared Of Ethics Violation And $20K Fine: 'We Went To War With The City' The Far Northwest Side alderman will no longer have pay a $20,000 fine after he was cleared of charges he violated the city's ethics ordinance when he allegedly instructed a city employee to ticket on...

blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/18/a...

Illuminated Brewery Spreads The 'Gay Agenda' On The Northwest Side The occult-themed brewery has brewed its Pride Month Gay Agenda beer since 2017. It has created a safe space where all the "fun, weird and wonderful people in the area can come and feel accepted," one...

Every June, a quiet residential neighborhood on the edge of the city becomes ground zero for the Gay Agenda — served up one pint or four-pack of tallboy cans at a time.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/18/i...

The failed Crosstown Expressway could become a bike trail connecting Bucktown to the Botanic Gardens. blockclubchi.co/449qoi4

Neighbors Call For More Security After Latest Shooting Outside Belmont Cragin Nightclub Multiple fights and shootings have occurred outside the Seven Nightclub in Belmont Cragin. Community leaders say the area needs more security and that the nightclub needs to take more responsibility.

“It’s not enough for their bouncers to shove their problem people on the sidewalk and say their job is done,” the head of the local chamber said.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/12/n...

Could Alderpeople Soon Have The Power To Ban Short-Term Rentals? City Council To Decide Next Week A proposed ordinance would allow alderpeople to ban Airbnb and other rentals on a precinct-by-precinct basis. Opponents say the ban could infringe on property owners' rights.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/12/c...