Did you know? August 26th is National Dog Day

National Dog Day is a day that celebrates all breeds, pure and mixed, and is meant to remind the public of the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year from shelters and rescues.

This national day was created in 2004 by Colleen Paige, an animal behaviorist who wanted to show appreciation for all dogs and to honor those who work in the community to help save lives, keeping us safe and out of harm’s way.

There are many ways to celebrate this holiday with your furry friend. You can take them to the dog park to play with other dogs, buy them a new toy or take them to the dog spa for a day of relaxation. If you aren’t a dog owner, you can still celebrate by volunteering at your local shelter and taking some of the dogs on walks or assisting with cleaning the animal’s cages.

If you do not get to spend as much time as you would like with your animal companion, take this day to reconnect with your furry family member. Be sure to also consider ways you can help animals in our society and remember the importance of dogs in our lives.

For more information on how you can help dogs in Illinois Click Here

Northwestern Memorial Hospital named among best in the country

Northwestern Memorial Hospital has once again been named among the best hospitals in the nation, according to the newest ranking from U.S. News & World Report.

The Chicago-based hospital was the only Illinois hospital to land in the top 20 hospitals in the country, receiving the 13^th spot for the second year in a row.

U.S. News ranks hospitals across the country on the ability to deliver the highest quality of care across a range of specialties, procedures and conditions. Specifically, hospitals are ranked on a number of factors including survival and readmission rates, patient experience, patient safety and nursing quality, among other measures.

“U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings of Northwestern Medicine is a direct reflection of our relentless pursuit of better medicine,” said Dean M. Harrison, president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare said in a press release. “As Chicago’s premier academic health system, we are proud of our talented physicians, exceptional nurses and dedicated staff who collaborate each day to provide world-class care to the patients we are privileged to serve.”

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Artist of the Month - Gina Perillo

Gina Perillo is the August Artist of the Month. Perillo lives in Washington, Illinois. That’s also where she runs Perillo Art Studio. Perillo is a painter who mainly uses acrylic paint.

How long have you been an artist or when did you start? Was there a single incident or moment when you realized this was your passion? If so, tell us about it.

I have always had a love for art ever since I was little. I received my bachelor’s in Art Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and during my junior year I took a mixed media painting class. During this class I learned how to create abstract pieces - this was the moment I truly fell in love with painting and knew I wanted to pursue a career as an artist.

Illinois has been factored into your work in the past. What does being able to live and work in Illinois mean to you?

I love being close to Chicago and having access to such wonderful galleries and of course the Art Institute of Chicago.

What opportunities does Illinois present for local artists?

Art galleries, art festivals, and communities who support their local artists are some of the best opportunities in Illinois.

What do you like about Illinois?

I paint a lot of seascapes, but I LOVE Illinois corn fields! The farm land is beautiful.

What is your favorite medium to work in?

Acrylic is my medium of choice. I use it for all of my pieces. I like that it dries quickly, and I am able to layer easily.

Where can people view and purchase your work?

People can view or purchase my work on my personal websites www.GinaPerillo.com and www.GPerillo.Etsy.com. I am also on Houzz.

What artist inspires you and why?

I could make a long list of well-known artists who have inspired me... Claude Monet, Frida Kahlo, Georgia O'Keeffe, Andy Warhol, Klimt… The list goes on and on. With that being said, I do feel I am also inspired by many fellow artists. Artists who are juggling life as a parent/spouse and making a living doing what they love. I enjoy following other artists’ Instagram accounts and being able to relate.

U.S. Pizza Museum now open in Chicago’s South Loop

Chicago is known for its signature deep-dish pizza. Now, the city is home to the pop-up U.S. Pizza Museum.

The museum opened last week at the Roosevelt Collection, the mixed-use development in Chicago’s South Loop, and is scheduled through the end of October. If there is enough interest, organizers say they will consider extending the engagement.

It’s open on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free to all ages, but an online reservation is required for timed entry. The first wave of tickets is available now.

Founded by Kendall Bruns, the museum showcases pizza art, pizza-themed clothing, pizzeria menus, pizza ads, pizza toys, pizza-themed magnets and pizza books.

Throughout the summer, the U.S. Pizza Museum and the Roosevelt Collection will partner to offer events and activities such as dough-making demonstrations, pizza parties and book signings.

Visitors can make online reservations for timed entry here.