Good morning, Chicago.

More than two dozen friends gathered at Jimmy’s on E.

55th to honor Deno Hicks, a longtime Hyde Park fixture known for his friendly nature and thoughtful talks who died last Tuesday at 59 from heart failure. A GoFundMe for his cremation raised over $20,400 and his family will hold a formal memorial service at HPNC in early December — a tribute to his lasting impact on the community.

Hyde Park is hosting a week of events that include a leadership session today at Chicago Booth Harper Center, a wine tasting at Binny’s Beverage Depot, and a film discussion at The Seminary Co-op; later, residents can join a community bike ride, dance performances, holiday markets, and a soap sculpting workshop at local venues — all offering free or low-cost ways to engage with local culture.

UIC’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science secured a renewal of its Clinical and Translational Science Award with more than $30 million over seven years to speed up turning lab research into treatments.

The renewed award will help researchers improve methods and train new scientists—strengthening local efforts to bring breakthroughs to patients faster.