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A community townhall reaffirms the need for communication and representation.

On January 7, one day after Georgia’s runoff election resulted in its first Black senator and a white supremacist insurrection disrupted the presidential confirmation at the U.S. Capitol, dancers, dancemakers, presenters, and arts organizations convened at “Dance in Chicago 2021: Collecting. Hibernating.…Read More

Let’s be real— Chicago in the winter isn’t the most verdant of destinations. While we love our city in all seasons (for different reasons), the long stretch of cold, gray days can leave us craving sunshine, green grass, and cheerful blooms. Why not bring a little spring to your home or a loved one’s with a bouquet of fresh flowers? These flower shops in Chicago can help you do just that.

Asrai Garden

1935 W North Ave, Chicago IL 60622

309 N Morgan St, Chicago IL 60607

Named a runner-up for Chicago Reader’s Best Florist of 2019, Asrai first opened in Wicker Park in 1999, and has since been a trusted purveyor of “stunning floral arrangements, luxurious fine jewelry, and magical curiosities.”

Fleur

2651 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL 60647

In addition to its brick-and-mortar shop that offers fresh flowers, home goods, and other gifts, Fleur has a design team available by appointment to help furnish your event with a fantastic array of floral decorations.

Steve’s Flower Market

1039 W Grand Ave, Chicago IL 60642

Whether you want to pick out a bouquet for someone special or plan an entirely special event, Steve’s can help you find what you need. This “no thrills or frills” flower market boasts fresh blooms at wholesale prices.

Flor del Monte

1951 W 22nd Pl, Chicago IL 60608

This shop and floral design studio has made its home in Pilsen for more than 18 years. They are currently offering “curated blooms” every month, which you can check out and order through the link in their Instagram bio.

Cornell Florist

1645 E 55th St, Chicago IL 60615

Hyde Park-based Cornell Florist has been selling flowers since 1939, and continues to fill its shop with “a rotating variety of unusual plants as well as a selection [of] handmade goods from around the world.” Peruse their selection of flowers and gifts, or reach out with wedding inquiries.

City Scents

209 E Ohio St, Chicago IL 60611

Head to City Scents for bouquets, floral decorations for events and corporate settings, and even flower subscriptions! With a subscription you can receive roses or seasonal blooms at customized, regular intervals.

Flower Shops Chicago Image by Anastasia Gepp from Pixabay 

The post 6 Best Flower Shops in Chicago for Fresh Flowers appeared first on UrbanMatter.

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A blaze broke out Sunday at a two-story home in the 4200 block of North Monticello Avenue, officials said.

An 80-year-old man died after being critically injured in a fire Sunday at a home in the Albany Park neighborhood.

John Bochenek died Monday afternoon at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Firefighters responded to the blaze about 7:40 p.m. at a two-story home in the 4200 block of North Monticello Avenue, Chicago fire officials said.

Crews pulled the man from the fire and took him to Swedish Covenant Hospital in “grave” condition, officials said then.

Autopsy results released Tuesday found he died of injuries from Sunday’s fire on the Northwest Side.

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The video, which was released earlier this week, has nearly 1.7 million views since going live.

The latest music video of slain Chicago rapper King Von, “Armed and Dangerous,” was released posthumously Tuesday.

In the video, Von, 26, who was killed in a November 2020 shooting outside a club in Atlanta in the aftermath of his album release party, reflects on the moments in his life while being surveilled by police officers.

Watch the video here.

The video details one of the tracks from Von’s October 2020 album release, “Welcome to O’Block,” which was released two months before his murder. The video has nearly 1.7 million views since its release.

In death, Von’s music continues to resonate with fans and those who recently discovered his catalog.

King Von, whose real name is Dayvon Bennett, was a member of Lil Durk’s Only The Family record label. In the weeks after his death, Von charted four songs on Billboard’s Top 100.

His most-known track, 2018’s “Crazy Story,” has 29 million YouTube views to date.

Timothy Leeks, 22, was charged in November 2020 with King Von’s murder.

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With internships, apprenticeships, mentoring, and workshops, Blue Island’s Black-owned Insomniac Studios bypasses white industry gatekeepers.

Just beyond the edge of the south side, the city of Blue Island borders Chicago neighborhoods such as Morgan Park and West Pullman.…Read More

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Viagra Boys’ career as acid-punk raconteurs has been fueled by mutually assured destruction—they’ve pumped their bodies full of illicit substances and squared off with toxic masculinity to a frenzied backbeat. But what happens when you tire of your old enemies as you rage toward a better world?…Read More