👋 13 Festivals, Fairs & Expos, High School Rankings, Jazz, Thai Dog & Top Things To Do This Week!

Northwest Suburban High Schools Rank Among the Best in the U.S. 🎓

The Northwest Suburbs are home to several of the nation’s top-ranked public high schools, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings:

Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire: No. 208
Glenbrook North High School, Northbrook: No. 378
William Fremd High School, Palatine: No. 406
Barrington High School, Barrington: No. 427
John Hersey High School, Arlington Heights: No. 498

A pretty impressive showing for our corner of Chicagoland.(Link)

With summer winding down, it’s the perfect time to give your home a fresh start with a Summer Refresh before fall arrives.

Naturally Maid Cleaning Co. is a locally owned cleaning company serving families throughout the Northwest Suburbs with recurring standard cleans, deep cleans, and move-in/move-out cleaning.

With 290+ 5-star reviews on Google, they’ve built a strong local reputation for reliable, professional service.

They also offer eco-friendly cleaning options for homeowners who want a fresh, healthy home without the harsh chemicals.

As a special offer for Northwest Neighbor readers, you can get 10% OFF your first cleaning with code NWNeighbor.

Spots are limited, so if your home could use a refresh, now is a great time to book. Just fill out the form on their website & book your clean today!(Book a Cleaning!)

The Chicago Jazz Festival returns to Millennium Park Sept. 3rd-6th with four days of free live music from top jazz artists from Chicago and beyond.

The longtime Chicago tradition is free and takes place at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.(Info)

It’s a busy weekend around the Northwest Suburbs, with 13 festivals, fairs and expos happening Aug 28th-30th.

From food and live music to community festivals, markets and family-friendly events, there are plenty of ways to get out and enjoy the final weekend of August close to home.

Chicago officials say construction on O’Hare’s new Concourse E is expected to begin later this year, adding 14 new gates by 2030 as part of the airport’s ongoing modernization.(Link)

Bally’s says its permanent Chicago casino is still on track to open in early 2027, despite financial concerns surrounding the company.

The River West project remains funded, while city officials continue to monitor its progress.(Link)

• Algonquin: The Village Board convened on August 18, 2026, to review and advance municipal business, including public project agreements and committee reports at the Ganek Municipal Center. (Link)

• Arlington Heights: Village offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor Day, and Groot garbage and recycling pickups will be delayed by one day throughout the week.

• Barrington: The Village is celebrating the completion of the first phase of its downtown streetscape project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, Aug. 27 from 4:30-5 PM at the intersection of Cook and Station streets.

• Bartlett: Trustees are considering two cannabis dispensaries near Route 59 and Army Trail Road, with a Sept. 1 vote expected on the first proposal.

• Buffalo Grove: Buffalo Grove Police took first place in the Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge for the department’s traffic-safety and enforcement efforts.

• Crystal Lake: Crystal Lake will celebrate the new walking trail and Story Walk at Three Oaks Recreation Area with a ribbon cutting Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 5 PM.

• Elgin: Residents can apply for up to $300 through Elgin’s Pollinators at Home grant to replace part of their lawn with native plants. Applications are open through Dec. 31. (Link)

• Palatine: Palatine Township received a $75,000 state grant to help improve access to locally grown food and strengthen local food infrastructure.

• Schaumburg: Schaumburg Village Hall is temporarily operating at 1000 E. Woodfield Rd. while a new Village Hall is built. Construction is expected to finish in 2026.

• Skokie: The historic Skokie Theatre is being renovated and will reopen later this year as The Skokie, featuring live music, comedy, theater, films and community programming.

Sharetea (Morton Grove) | Taiwanese bubble tea shop offering milk teas, fruit teas, matcha, and ice-blended drinks.(Link)

Vaibhavam (Palatine) | South Indian restaurant serving dosa, idli, biryani, and traditional Indian dishes.(Link)

The Couch Brothers (Rolling Meadows) | Furniture showroom specializing in couches, sectionals, and home seating.(Link)

HOTWORX (Rolling Meadows) | 24/7 infrared fitness studio offering short, virtually guided workouts.(Link)

Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers (McHenry) | Aug 27th | Tire sales, auto repair, and maintenance services.( Link)

Meet Richie, Our Former Chiang Mai Street Dog

This week, I wanted to introduce you to a pretty special dog named Richie.

I first met Richie back in 2017 while my wife and I were staying in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He was a street dog who seemed to patrol the same neighborhood every day, and he was definitely the ring leader of the local pack.

Richie was smart. He knew exactly how to work the neighborhood, especially the people coming in and out of the local 7-Eleven. He always seemed to know who might be willing to buy him a snack.

Whenever I saw him and called his name, he would come running over, and I’d usually grab him some of his favorite dog food.

After seeing him on the streets for years, we finally decided in 2020 that Richie had earned his retirement. We took him off the streets and brought him to live at my wife’s parents’ home in the Thai countryside.

He’s been there ever since.

Today, Richie is around 10 years old, has five other dogs to hang out with, plenty of space to roam, regular meals, and absolutely no need to hustle tourists outside 7-Eleven anymore.

After spending years figuring out how to survive on the streets of Chiang Mai, I’d say he’s officially living the retired dog life. And he definitely earned it. 🐶❤️

“You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try.” - Beverly Sills

Want to get in front of 8,600+ local readers each week?
Partner With Us