About this column:
Our column about goings on in Evanston.Evanston's got it all, right? Well... After a full year writing for Patch, I think I've heard just about every angle. People say we're... "...diverse." "...leafy." "...vibrant." "...overpriced." "...cultured." "...educated." "...dangerous." "...eclectic." "...active." "...hip." "...hypocritical." "...walkable." "...historic." "...over-developed." "...down-to-earth." "...artsy." "...small-town." "...arrogant." "...controversial." "...urban." "...thriving." "...bankrupt." "...suburban." "...socially aware." "...unique." "...open-minded." How do you feel about all of these terms as they apply to…
A little community involvement and utilizing an individual's skills and passions go a lot further than you might think. For example, take Evanstonian John Noyes. As a mortgage consultant, he recently initiated a free Evanston Real Estate trolley tour for existing (and aspiring) residents. Riders explore Evanston's real estate offerings in a fun and unique manner. His next free trolley tour, which leaves from Tommy Nevin’s at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9, visits several open houses by way of an old time trolley, returning riders back to Nevin's by 3:30 p.m. Click here to check out the …
There's hardly enough room to describe all the scary goings-on in Evanston in just one column; for now, here's the bullet-point version: * Another violent act took place on or near the ETHS campus this week. * Halloween-themed stores are now open in the former Blockbuster Video and Border's Books locations. * Evanston author Sharon Fiffer's novel, SCARY STUFF, just might be the perfect book to curl up with these days. Too bad there's only one more hardcover in stock at a discounted price on Amazon. In fact, It costs less the Kindle version...now THAT'S scary! * Hundreds of middle-aged fans of…
Last night, I walked into the kitchen for a snack and found my teenager reading an issue of National Geographic. I was so glad to see him reading for pleasure. The cover of the magazine reads THE TEENAGE BRAIN. He peered over the top of the magazine and, with a devilish grin, announced, "They've figured me out..." "Learning anything interesting?" I asked, looking over his shoulder, certain he was actually staring at photos of naked tribal women. Come on, I'm not stupid. But, to my surprise, he'd been reading the article about how the teenage brain works, and he pointed to a photo of a …
Over this past weekend, my husband and I took the kids to visit some friends on the East Coast. Now that our youngest is eight, we figured that exploring another part of the country might mean something to all of them, so off to Boston and Cambridge we went. The Freedom Trail was a fantastic experience, walking through some of America’s most meaningful and historic sites. Before that, I got the biggest kick out of watching the kids, born and raised in Evanston, poking around the streets surrounding Harvard University. Some of their more notable comments include: “You know, I thought people …
Calling any pro bono accountants and business managers out there: check out Boocoo and offer your services. What? Did I just say that? Yes, I did. Boocoo is a phenomenal anchor of culture and stability in Evanston, but it's allegedly on the brink of closing. The word from Boocoo management is that economic times are tight...but I'll report (as a parent of two kids taking music lessons there) that the place needs more than money. Boocoo needs management help. Alicia and the team are wonderful and welcoming and doing the best they can, but they'd only benefit from a guardian angel who could …
One of the topics at the September 19th City Council Meeting was the West Oakton Development Committee Report, addressing recommendations about what to do with the vacant, city-owned property formerly known as The Recycling Center at 2310 Oakton Street. The City Council minutes report the empty building “is a 13,000 square foot steel frame structure that formally operated as the Evanston Recycling Center. The Center closed in 2010 when operations were contracted to a third party.” The committee’s findings and recommendations can be found, beginning on page 63, in the 9/19/11 City Council …
I'm just curious. How do you feel about the big box chains in Evanston? Personally, I curl my lip when I pass them on the street. And yet, when I'm in the market for something like, oh, I don't know... ...a television or ...a reasonably priced 12-pack of toilet paper or ...a thumb drive for my computer or ...paper yard bags or ...a combo platter of a furnace filter and a pair of socks and a bottle of cheap (but great smelling) shampoo and some fabric softener sheets and a 25th wedding anniversary card and a pair of soccer cleats... ...that's when I'm relieved we have choices available. I …
It's hard not to notice how purple things are around town, and the Northwestern University Homecoming Committee is making sure Evanston residents and NU students share the town's Purple Pride. The Homecoming Committee webpage states: Paint the Town Purple is one more way that NU Students celebrate NU and Homecoming with our Evanston community. Student groups painted windows of the hosting Evanston Businesses. The winning window of "Paint the Town Purple" will be announced at Saturday's Homecoming football game on October 23rd, and the lucky artists will receive $500. Homecoming Week 2011 …
Lifelong Evanston resident Jeremy Rielley just competed in the Ironman World Championships 70.3 near Las Vegas. The 1.2 mile swim + a 56 mile bike ride + a 13.1 mile run = 70.3 miles. Near Las Vegas. I know. But triathletes have to start somewhere, just like two other Evanston residents have: Anthony Adams, a 4th grader at Willard, completed the McGaw YMCA’s Youth Triathlon in July; Jenni Suvari, a 13-year Evanston resident and mom of 3 competed in her 3rd Trek Women Triathlon in Pleasant Prairie, WI in July. Anthony’s busy schedule prevented a personal interview (but check out his photo!). …
Over the weekend, my eighth-grade son asked more questions about politics, history, and world events than he’s ever done before. In some respects, it’s not surprising because the ten-year anniversary of September 11 has infused most Americans with memories, questions and introspection. However, my son shared one comment in particular that I cannot let go of – nor will he: Our teachers tell us we’re the generation that will fix things. When I was an eighth-grader in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, at Eisenhower Junior High School, I wasn’t asked to start thinking about fixing our nation, let alone …
After a decade of taking my kids to soccer games, you’d think I’d have all the Evanston field names memorized. Yet here I am, at the beginning of another AYSO soccer season, ill-prepared for the onslaught of questions sure to arise via cell prior to a weekend game: Me: “Hello?” My husband: “Hey.” Me: “Are you already at the field?” My husband: “Uh, sort of.” Me: “It’s Crown E.” My husband: “I know…but…” Me: “Just look for the coach.” My husband: “Well, we are, but…” (child in background screams, “There’s a uniform that looks like mine! No, wait, those kids look older. Never mind!”) Me: “Did …
After a long, hot, lovely summer in Evanston, the windows are now open to the fall-like temperatures. It’s such a liberating feeling. No more air conditioning. No more stuffy house. No more…oh shoot…I forgot…now the neighbors can hear everything. It’s not like we’re doing anything untoward here, but it just takes some getting used to. Call me sensitive, but I care that our neighbors might overhear the shenanigans going on in our Evanston household. For instance, our middle-schoolers (at Nichols) and our 3rd grader (at Washington ) had a little “celebration” at dinner last night over the fact…
September 11, 2011 is a day I’ve thought of often but have never written about. I woke up that morning, as I had most mornings, to the sound of my daughter’s voice, calling from her crib. She was a year-and-a-half old, anxious for the start of another day. Her older brother was three, still sound asleep in his big-boy bed. I gathered my daughter in my arms and brought her to the kitchen for a bottle. I watched my little girl leaning, unsteady, against our saintly family dog, clearly worn out from a morning run with my husband before he’d left for work. We made our way down to the basement …
Imagine if life as you know it stops right at this instant. No access to electricity, communication, fresh water, food or civilization. When Hurricane Irene ripped across the edge of the East Coast last week, most of the world watched to see what kind of destruction might once again fall upon New York City. When Irene merely skirted Manhattan, I let out a sigh of relief thinking about this month’s 10-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Hurricane Irene was less forgiving, however, to the residents of several towns in Vermont. As I drove through Evanston yesterday, I listened to …
The other day I overheard someone say, "The weather's always gorgeous in Evanston in the fall." Thinking back over these last 14 years here, I have to agree. It's really never too hot, and it's not quite sweater weather. It's that perfect in-between weather, when one outfit works the whole day: no changing from a bathing suit into regular clothes; no layering for warmth. Sure, there's always a thunderstorm or a chilly blast of wind whipping off the lake to remind us the weather's sliding ever so slowly toward winter. But these days, while the temps are just about perfect, while the …
I’ve experienced District 65 registration frustration since 2003 when my oldest child entered kindergarten. Seems almost everyone has a registration frustration story, like the District 65 mom whose incoming kindergartener received a permissive transfer application from District 65 because her son’s attendance-area school has yet to meet AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) standards two years in a row. The AYP figures were as eyebrow raising as the application itself -- for Chute Middle School. In years past, I’ve stood in registration lines that snaked through the glowing hallways of the …
When AT&T began to install their video-ready access devices (VRADs) all around town a few years ago, the uproar was huge. Time and again, I’d hear arguments along the lines of, “You’ll be happy they’re here!” and “Once the bushes grow in, you won’t even notice them.” Just look at the full hydrangeas around this device near the corner of Dempster Street and Maple Avenue. If you squint really hard and zoom in on the picture, you might be able to see the box and its graffiti. Full disclosure: as a Comcast customer, I have no loyalty to AT&T’s U-verse system. I don’t even understand it, …
Last year, on a hot June night with very little warning, I was informed that Dr. Hardy Murphy, Superintendent of District 65 Schools, would have his contract renewed at a school board meeting that evening. I'm a tax paying parent of three children in the district, and it was news to me. I only learned of the agenda item from a friend. I don't usually attend school board meetings. I trust the elected members to guide our district. Until that night last June, I felt well-informed and appreciative of the work the board does. That night, however, I was completely surprised -- and shocked -- …
I've heard Bennison's has been serving these long and luscious lovelies all summer. I've also heard they're only available Thursday through Sunday. I've spoken to several people who claim they're incredible. And all I can say when I look at one is...yum.
