Today In My City

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

Cultural CriticismCommunity StorytellingLocal HistoryPerforming Arts

Coverage Areas

Arts & Culture
Neighborhoods
Local Spotlights
Food & Drink

Latest Articles

A dimly lit YORK Food + Drink establishment in Ann Arbor on a rainy evening, with a few people gathered outside in a moment of quiet mourning.
Food & Drink

Ann Arbor mourns Tommy York, impacting YORK Food + Drink's future

Tommy York, the visionary behind Ann Arbor's YORK Food + Drink, consistently dedicated ninety hours a week to his enterprise, building a local institution that now employs 40 people and has been repea

Sep 8, 2026 · 4 min read

Artfully plated stuffed chicken wing with exotic ingredients on a table in a dimly lit, upscale restaurant.
Food & Drink

Top 2 Best New Fall Restaurants for Unique Dining Experiences

In Austin, TX, Le Calamar serves a stuffed chicken wing featuring huitlacoche, veal sweetbreads, and chicken breast, grilled over binchotan, epitomizing a new era of hyper-specific, adventurous...

Aug 25, 2026 · 5 min read

Three types of horchata - liquid, granizada, and mixed - displayed invitingly in a vibrant city market setting.
Food & Drink

Best Horchata Drinks and Desserts in 2026

Many assume horchata is just a milky drink.

Aug 23, 2026 · 5 min read

A lively City Expo 2026 showcasing innovative local businesses and startups with an energetic and community-focused atmosphere.
Local Spotlights

Top 5 Local Businesses Showcased at City Expo 2026

This year, 70% of the businesses showcased at the City Expo were less than five years old, signaling a dramatic generational shift in our local entrepreneurial landscape.

Aug 22, 2026 · 5 min read

Elegant interior of Bella Rose Italian restaurant in Royal Oak, featuring a close-up of a gourmet pasta dish and wine.
Food & Drink

Royal Oak's Culinary Scene Welcomes New Italian Eatery

Royal Oak, once home to two self-serve taprooms, will soon have none, even as a new cocktail bar serving oysters and caviar just opened its doors.

Aug 21, 2026 · 2 min read

Children participating in a lively dance class at the Astoria Arts Center, illuminated by natural light, symbolizing educational enrichment.
Arts & Culture

Astoria Arts Center Secures State Grant for Education

The Astoria Arts and Movement Center (AAMC) recently secured a $10,000 grant from the Oregon Arts Commission, earmarked for K-12 dance education in fiscal year 2026, according to the dailyastorian .

Aug 19, 2026 · 2 min read

A brightly painted utility box mural on a city street, showcasing local art and community engagement.
Arts & Culture

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

A lively downtown street in autumn, showcasing the grand opening of 15 new local businesses including bakeries and fashion boutiques.
Local Spotlights

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

A lively street in Oakland, California, showcasing diverse local businesses and engaged community members, representing successful community revitalization.
Local Spotlights

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

A lively street scene in a small town showcasing thriving local businesses and community engagement in 2026.
Local Spotlights

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

Patrons happily socializing and enjoying discounted drinks and appetizers in a lively bar during an extended happy hour.
Food & Drink

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

A charming, sunlit street lined with diverse local businesses, showcasing a vibrant community atmosphere and the appeal of independent shops.
Local Spotlights

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

People dining al fresco in New York City during Restaurant Week, enjoying prix-fixe menus at various price points.
Food & Drink

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

Diverse local artists actively creating art together in a bright, inspiring community studio, showcasing various artistic mediums.
Arts & Culture

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

Diverse group of citizens actively participating in a city planning meeting focused on arts and culture, with art installations visible.
Arts & Culture

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

A high-tech vertical farm with rows of vibrant green produce, symbolizing the future of sustainable urban food systems.
Food & Drink

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

Planet Mercury in retrograde motion with Cancer constellation, under a Full Moon in Capricorn, symbolizing communication challenges and emotional introspection.
Neighborhoods

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

A diverse crowd participates in a Pride parade, celebrating with joy and unity, while a subtle hint of underlying threats looms in the background.
Neighborhoods

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

A lively city street filled with people enjoying year-round outdoor art and music, illuminated by festive string lights.
Arts & Culture

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

A quiet street in Lincoln Park with a distant view of a music festival, symbolizing the conflict between residents and event noise.
Arts & Culture

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