On the last day of #BlackHistoryMonth, here’s a story that keeps unfolding. In 2012, I wrote about a white Midwestern family who learned their ancestor was King Ganaway, a celebrated Black Chicago photographer. 13 years later, new developments. More: johnowens711.substack.com/p/an-america...

This Saturday in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood: a screening of "When The West Side Burned", which I co-wrote. Panel led by producer/co-writer Dan Andries, followed by composer Orbert Davis performing themes from the film live with the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic! www.eventcreate.com/e/whenthewes...

New Year’s Eve, 1959: Chicago at full volume. Miles at the Regal. Ahmad Jamal at the Tivoli. Duke at the Blue Note. Comedy, movies, jazz —sometimes all in the same room. Here's how the Chicago rang in 1960, when the city stood poised between eras: johnowens711.substack.com/p/when-chica... #NYE

A worn 1971 Dodgers letter. A misunderstood superstar. A franchise on the brink. Fifty-four years ago this month, Dick Allen arrived in Chicago — and the White Sox were never the same. More on Substack: johnowens711.substack.com/p/a-plain-le...

Danny Davis, the 83-year-old dean of Illinois’ U.S. House delegation and a voice for progressive politics for decades, is expected to announce Thursday that he will not seek election to a 16th term representing his downtown and West Side district.

Dolton gets a bad rap -- it's actually an attractive working class suburb. Movie critic Richard Roeper tours the suburb with @abc7chicago.bsky.social personality Val Warner in this "Neighborhood Walk" segment: abc7chicago.com/post/movie-c...

Blue grey skies