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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
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9 Stories To Remind You How Awesome Chicago Is

By DNAinfo Staff | June 23, 2017 11:29am 

CHICAGO — The Pride Parade is this weekend, meaning Chicago's streets will be full of people celebrating.

That's not the only awesome thing happening in the city, though: A Chicago-style hot dog how-to, a group of Park Manor kids who can finally play outside thanks to a new playground and a babely Abe Lincoln statute in Edgewater have people buzzing this week.

Catch up on these stories from around the neighborhoods:

[Courtesy]

Pilsen Little Leaguers Aid Rival Team After Coach's Gear-Filled Car Is Stolen

WEST LAWN —When West Lawn Little League coach Bobby Delgadillo’s car was stolen on Tuesday, his first thought wasn't about the loss of his vehicle, but about all of his team's equipment that was inside it.

After hearing the news, another Little League in Pilsen offered to donate their own used equipment to the team. 

Read more.

[DNAinfo/Andrea Watson]

After Years Of Indoor Recess, South Side Kids Get A Playground They Deserve

PARK MANOR — After years of staying inside for recess on sunny days, students at a South Side elementary school have built their dream playground. 

Though Murray Park is across the street from Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy, 7120 S. Calumet Ave., fear of shootings and neighborhood violence has kept students away from the park. 

“We didn't do nothing for recess,” said Augustus student Ian Hinkle, who is wrapping up his sixth grade year at the school. 

Read more.

9-Year-Old's Epic Dance Moves Make Her A Festival (And Internet) Sensation

WEST LOOP — A viral video showing a Chicago girl's epic dance moves at Taste of Randolph last weekend has been viewed more than 200,000 times on Facebook. 

Sage Tenfelde, a 9-year-old student at Andrew Jackson Language Academy on the Near West Side, said Monday that she was "very happy" that the video of her dancing at the West Loop street fest was being viewed all across the country. She was at the fest Friday with her dad, Eric Tenfelde. 

"My dad's a DJ, and he loves music, and I like to dance with him and I go to a bunch of street fairs and have fun," said Sage, who lives in Pilsen. 

Read more.

[DNAinfo/Linze Rice]

Babe-raham Lincoln: Statue Has People Crushing On Hot, Sexy Abe Lincoln

EDGEWATER — Abraham Lincoln: lawyer, president and ... hunk?

A 13-foot-tall bronze statue in Edgewater depicting a muscly, chest-baring young Lincoln has some passersby swooning over the image of America's 16th president.

"Young Lincoln is more attractive than I've been imagining," one Instagrammer wrote. 

Read more.

[Provided/CTA]

Get On The Gay Train: CTA Debuts Rainbow Red Line Car For Pride Parade

BOYSTOWN — When it comes to LGBTQ equality, Chicago wants you to get on board.

Ahead of Sunday's Pride Parade, the CTA is debuting a rainbow-themed train in celebration of Chicago's LGBTQ community.

Wrapped in a rainbow flag, the four-car train will run along the Red Line this weekend in an effort by the transit authority "to show our commitment to equality and inclusion," officials said.

Read more.

[Flickr/jeffreyw]

Jeff's Red Hots Will Teach You How To Make The 'Perfect Chicago Hot Dog'

CHICAGO — Proper assembly of a Chicago-style hot dog is required knowledge for all people who call themselves Chicagoans. At least, Steve Vrettos thinks so.

"Everybody who asks for a Chicago hot dog ought to know what comes on a Chicago hot dog," said Vrettos, the owner of Jeff's Red Hots, 3901 N. Cicero Ave.

Vrettos is offering the chance to learn from a professional at a workshop he's calling Best Chicago Style Hot Dog, set to be held outside his restaurant at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Read more.

[DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]

Kobra's Vivian Maier Mural Livens Up North Avenue in Wicker Park (PHOTOS)

WICKER PARK —  Renowned Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra has left his mark on Wicker Park, with a bright and engaging mural featuring late photographer Vivian Maier.

Located on the wall of a house at 1651 W. North Ave. — just a few doors east of Louie's Pub — the mural was completed last Wednesday night on the home of Justine Jentes and Daniel Karuna.

Read more.

[DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]

This Chicago School Keeps 90 Percent Of Its Lunch Trash Out Of The Landfill

LINCOLN SQUARE — Staff and students at Waters Elementary have been keeping a close watch on their waste lines in recent months.

As part of a bid for a grant from the Environmental Research and Education Foundation, parent Julie Moore has been measuring the school's lunchroom trash and the weight loss is impressive.

Her data shows that just 13 percent of Waters' lunchroom waste, by weight, winds up in a landfill, with the remainder otherwise recycled or composted.

Read more.

[Courtesy Portillo's]

Portillo's Lemon Cake Is Now So Famous It Was On 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'

DOWNTOWN — Chicago has a new star: Portillo's lemon cake.

The cake — which has been brought back after a decadelong absence — was used to open "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Tuesday night. The late night show's opening was filmed at Portillo's, 520 W. Taylor St., and featured the restaurant's employees bouncing and smiling while holding lemon cake (and hot dogs, of course).

"After 10 long years, we're bringing back our famous Pooooortillo's lemon cake," a Portillo's employee told the audience. "So come on down and get a slice right after we start the shooooow!"

Read more.