Taste tips
The 2014 Taste of Chicago food festival runs through Sunday, and FOX Chicago has some pointers for those looking to get out this weekend and grab a bite, or five.
FOX this week laid out all the pertinent information on the festival in a story that includes a list of participating vendors, the lineup of music acts and helpful tips for navigating the event. The Taste began Wednesday and is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and between 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
A Chicago legend
The Chicago Park District’s longest-serving active employee has retired.
Jim Rago worked for the Park District for 54 years – most of which were spent as an attendant at Kennedy Park. Rago retired Monday, DNAinfoChicago reported.
Jennifer Cronin, a Kennedy Park manager who has known Rago almost her whole life, called him “the grumpiest old man with a heart of gold.”
“It’s been like family here,” Rago said before leaving work for the last time.
Top of their game
Crain’s Chicago Business this week published “Meet Chicago’s Top Entrepreneurs 2014.”
Among those profiled are: Nick Floyd, co-founder of Three Floyds Brewing LLC; Tracy Roemer and Bonnie Micheli, founders of the Shred415 fitness brand; and Jesse Diaz, president and founder of Dark Matter Coffee.
Visit Crain’s for the full feature story.
The big dog
From Crain’s Chicago Business: Chicago Franchise Systems Inc. is honoring National Hot Dog Month (July) by offering the “Spicy, Jumbo Ditka Dog” at its Al’s Beef restaurants.
The one-third pound Maxwell Street Polish sausage will be available for $6.95 during July as part of CFS’s broader endorsement deal with former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka.
-Tom Butala