DOWNTOWN — This week a stranger committed a random act of kindness in Irving Park, kids learned about gardening in Rogers Park and teens worked to change how people see the South Side.
Plus, the weather was really nice. (And the city is prepping for Mardis Gras.)
If you missed that, check out these stories to see what's happening around the neighborhoods:
[Linze Rice/DNAinfo]
'We Grow Kids': Garden At Gale Elementary Sows More Than Plants
ROGERS PARK — Sitting at a table in Gale Math and Science Academy, 11-year-old Azaria Mallory answers questions about her school's gardening program with the quiet poise of a young adult.
But outside, within the gates of her beloved garden, she can't contain her excitement.
"This is the compost dirt. Look, touch it," she said, running to scoop up a handful.
[Ariel Cheung/DNAinfo]
Stranger Who Paid It Forward Made Visiting Man's Birthday At Smoque
IRVING PARK — A meal at Smoque BBQ was supposed to be the perfect end to the Ross family's visit to Chicago.
But they didn't expect it to be free.
Steve and Dayna Ross brought their two adult sons from Detroit to the city for the Chicago Auto Show. Their son Bradley, who has cerebral palsy, also turned 28 on Saturday.
The family ordered dinner at Smoque, 3800 N. Pulaski Road, only to find that the man who ordered before them had given the cashier $80 to cover their meal while picking up his own order.
[Supplied photos]
Brother Rice Wrestler Motivated In Tourney By The Late Jacob Schmitz
MOUNT GREENWOOD — High school wrestling is not a tag-team sport, but Scott Sierzega of Brother Rice High School said he never felt alone on the mat.
Sierzega took second place last weekend in the 220-pound weight division of the Illinois High School Association's state wrestling tournament. It was an unlikely achievement he would have undoubtedly shared with Jacob Schmitz.
"I was mad that I couldn't bring it home for him," Sierzega said of his runner-up finish in the 2A division. "But I know he'd be looking down and have a smile on his face about what I've done thus far."
[Mikva Challenge]
Chicago Students Push #ChangeTheStory Campaign To Show City's 'Better Side'
ROSELAND — Students from Fenger High School have a message for the city.
The narrative that Chicago is a city plagued with violence and is a war zone is something they want to change.
The young community leaders are a part of the Mikva Challenge Peace and Leadership Council, which aims to develop young people into informed and active citizens and community leaders.
[Courtesy Eric Nordstrom]
Check Out Gorgeous Photos Of The Congress Theater's Terra Cotta Facade
LOGAN SQUARE — It's hard to tell just how intricately designed the Congress Theater's facade is from the street.
So, with permission from the developer, urban archeologist Eric Nordstrom climbed the historic theater's scaffolding to get up close.
What he found was incredibly detailed Italian Renaissance-style terra cotta, featuring faces with "unsettling frozen" expressions, eagles and symbols, all of which left him awestruck.
