At Mado, a restaurant in Wicker Park, Rob and Ali Levitt work to have the freshest local ingredients. This includes the meat they serve. I had the pleasure to help butcher two sheep they brought in. This really helped me to connect to the process of getting animals from farm to table.

The city began plans to convert the former rail line, on Chicago's Northwest Side, into an elevated park in 2002, and officials say the project is still years away from completion.

Chicago experimental-rock legends Tortoise will play a free show at the Reckless Records location in Wicker Park this Sunday. The show begins at 5 p.m. and it's free, but get there early. The crowd will probably be massive.

Right now is a good time to be a bottom feeder. Whatever business you're in, if you're the cheapest product, you're probably stealing a lot of sales from the high-end competition.

Almost every art gallery in Chicago opens an exhibition with a free bash this weekend. We recommend the shows you shouldn't miss.