Caitlin O'Malley
Columnist and Feature Writer
As a columnist and feature writer for Today In My City, Caitlin O'Malley covers arts and culture, neighborhoods, local spotlights, and food and drink. Her writing utilizes community storytelling and cultural criticism to highlight performing arts, local history, and the unsung community leaders who shape our neighborhoods. By taking a narrative, people-first approach, she helps readers discover the unique stories and hidden gems that define the city's pulse.
Expertise
Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
City Investment in Public Art Murals Grows Amidst Shifting Civic Trends
In Clark County, Nevada, over 400 utility boxes, once dismissed as urban blight, now burst with color.
Aug 15, 2026 · 3 min read
15 New Local Businesses Opening This Fall
This fall, 15 new independent businesses, from artisan bakeries to sustainable fashion boutiques, are preparing to open their doors in our downtown core.
Aug 14, 2026 · 4 min read
What is the role of local businesses in community revitalization?
In Oakland, California, a cooperative helps residents collectively buy and manage properties, directly challenging traditional development models and preserving affordability.
Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read
What is the economic impact of supporting local businesses in 2026?
For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, approximately $50 recirculates and remains in the local economy, according to SustainableConnections .
Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read
Happy Hour Evolution: New Rules & Drink Specials
In Pennsylvania, happy hour can now last up to 24 hours a week, a significant jump from the previous 14-hour limit, ushering in a new era for discounted food and drink.
Jul 21, 2026 · 6 min read
How to Find and Support Local Businesses: A Complete Guide
For every dollar spent at a local independent business, nearly half – a remarkable 48% – recirculates directly into the local economy.
Jul 20, 2026 · 4 min read
NYC Restaurant Week 2026: $30, $45, $60 Menus
New York City's renowned Arvine restaurant is offering a 3-course prix-fixe dinner for just $60 during Restaurant Week Summer 2026, a mere fraction of its usual cost.
Jul 16, 2026 · 5 min read
Top 8 Arts and Culture Grants for Local Artists in 2026
In Onondaga, Oneida, Oswego, Madison, Cortland, and Herkimer counties, 113 artists, organizations, and educators recently shared $228,089 in grants from CNY Arts and NYSCA.
Jul 14, 2026 · 7 min read
Cities Seek Public Input for 2026 Art and Culture Plan
In Sioux Falls, a striking 89 percent of residents want more dedicated arts and culture spaces.
Jul 11, 2026 · 3 min read
The Future of Food: Reshaping Sustainable Systems by 2026
AeroFarms grows 390 times more food per square foot than traditional farms.
Jul 10, 2026 · 4 min read
Mercury Goes Retrograde in Cancer on June 29, 2026
On Monday, June 29, 2026, at 5:36 pm Universal Time, the cosmos delivers a rare double-whammy: Mercury stations retrograde in Cancer just as a Full Moon peaks in Capricorn, according to Astrologyhoros
Jun 29, 2026 · 4 min read
Pride Parades Unite LGBTQ+ Community Despite Rising Threats
In San Francisco, five arrests were made at the annual Trans March on Friday for alleged vandalism, assault, or obstruction, according to KQED .
Jun 29, 2026 · 4 min read
What is Year-Round Arts Programming and Why Does it Matter?
In City X, a summer jazz festival that once packed parks for a single weekend now anchors a year-round music academy, boosting local business revenue by 18% in off-peak months.
Jun 29, 2026 · 4 min read
Lincoln Park Residents Complain About Music Fest Noise, Seek Ban
After eight hours of relentless bass and a park strewn with trash, Ald.
Jun 27, 2026 · 2 min read
Damen Silos owner builds unauthorized parking lot, violating city code
The owner of the Damen Silos site was recently cited for operating an unauthorized parking lot, built without a submitted stormwater management plan—a basic requirement for urban development, accordin
Jun 27, 2026 · 2 min read
Chicago Fans Cheer World Cup 2026 Games at Recess
From a German-American cultural center in Ravenswood to a historic theater in Bridgeport, Chicago's neighborhoods are transforming into vibrant hubs for World Cup viewing parties.
Jun 19, 2026 · 3 min read
Common's Obama Center Freestyle Honors Fred Hampton, Harold Washington
At the grand opening finale of the Obama Presidential Center, rapper Common delivered a surprise freestyle, name-dropping Chicago radical Fred Hampton alongside former presidents Joe Biden and George
Jun 19, 2026 · 2 min read
Obama Center opens, celebrating a new landmark for Chicago
As Barack and Michelle Obama unveiled their presidential center in Chicago on June 18, 2026, local runner Joabe Barbosa, 42, completed his 100th consecutive marathon.
Jun 19, 2026 · 3 min read
Cortelyou Commons Designated Official Chicago Landmark
After years of planning for a new $60 million athletics facility, DePaul University agreed to landmark two of its historic buildings, Cortelyou Commons and Byrne Hall, as part of a strategic compromis
Jun 15, 2026 · 3 min read
Joabe Barbosa First Known to Run Every Chicago Block
After nearly two years and more than 5,000 miles, 25-year-old Joabe Barbosa became the first person known to have run every single street in Chicago.
Jun 15, 2026 · 3 min read