Quite an array of weather conditions we experienced Thursday night, don't you think? I was at an end-of-season, EBSA Farm League baseball game at James Park when the lightning siren went off.  Teams throughout the park went inside for 20 minutes until the skies were deemed safe.  We mobilized and got back outside, only to hear more sirens.  At that point, the coaches agreed to forfeit; the end-of-season pizza and cupcakes came out just as the skies turned dark. After a few heartfelt words from our coaches, we took a chance and walked over to the base of Mt. Trashmore for the Starlight Concert…

I know I’ll catch some serious $#!7 for writing this post, but the topic is one I refuse to step around, so to speak. My neighbors set up a lovely kiddie pool on their front lawn yesterday, only to find a multitude of fecal piles everywhere.  These neighbors do not own a dog. We live in a civilized society, where every convenience is made for animal owners to dispose of their pets' waste.  Trash cans are available on most corners, not to mention in our alleys.  So what is it?  Laziness?  Disrespect? Gargantuan squirrels with irritable bowel syndrome?  Coyotes roaming in silent, nocturnal …

Well, it finally felt like a summer weekend in Evanston, right?  It’s about time! I really don’t mean to sound bitter and annoyed (but I am…a little).  It’s just been QUITE a challenging season, weather-wise.  I’ve read the updates from Camp Echo (where my daughter is), describing all the rain they’ve endured this past week.  Bless the heart of the lovely Camp Echo newsletter writer for always putting a positive spin on the camp’s activities: unfortunately, there are only so many ways to describe monsoons in an upbeat manner.  While our daughter’s been out of town, we’ve missed her terribly…

I hung a birdhouse outside our dining room window two or three years ago. It remained vacant until this year, after I put some birdseed and nesting material inside the structure.  Then, just before Father’s Day, I noticed some tiny little mouths peeping through the lowest opening of the house…and realized we had a family growing up just outside our window. I’ve come to learn that they’re house sparrows.  Males and females help care for their young (that is, if they don’t eat them) until they’re grown.  I’ve never been interested in birds, but after the Northwestern swallows were pointed out …

Evanston resident S.J. (who asked his full name not be used) noticed his bike had been “removed” from a locked rack on October 1, 2010, just outside his office at 909 Davis Street.  Like most victims of theft, S.J. will never forget the sinking feeling when he realized he’d been robbed, but unlike many, he has photographic proof of the crime (see photo).   The image was captured by his office building’s security camera.  The alleged thief apparently cut the lock, left his own unlocked bike on the rack, and rode away with S.J.’s.  The perps are still at large, the bike is still missing, and …

If you haven't heard, Stephen Colbert spoke at Northwestern’s commencement.  Colbert and his alter ego (also named Stephen Colbert) can be summed up by this quote: "I’m the frosting on America’s cake, and tonight I’m willing to let you lick the bowl." I requested an interview with Mr. Colbert but was informed he wasn't talking to the media.  That's okay; there was so much else to do this weekend in and around Evanston, like the 12th annual Ricky Birdsong Race Against Hate and the 40th annual Custer Street Fair. Seems the Evanston/Skokie area’s the place to be…unless you’re a McGaw YMCA Camp …

I just attended a birthday party held at the Lagoon Picnic Shelter.  The sun poked through the clouds until the pouring rain doused the event, but it was still one of the loveliest settings I can imagine. Why don’t more residents use the shelter?  Gorgeous lakefront views, a grill, and terrific parking make it a great location for just about any event, but it’s also shockingly reasonable.  Here’s the description from the City of Evanston’s website: The Lagoon Picnic Shelter is adjacent to Lake Michigan, at the north end of the lagoon at Dawes Park, Sheridan Rd. at Church St. The building has …

Over the weekend, I was one of seven crew members (four of us Evanstonians) sailing in the inaugural Sperry Top-Sider Chicago NOOD Distance Race. You read it right.  I totally sailed in the NOOD, on a boat with a bunch of guys.  My husband was there, too, and he absolutely loved it. NOOD stands for National Offshore One-Design.  Oh, sorry.  Did you think I meant something else?  Anyhow, the thirty-mile racecourse began and ended in Chicago and included a stretch about two or three miles off the shorelines of Wilmette and Evanston.  During the race, I snapped several skyline photos. Until this…

On a recent run through Northwestern University's campus, my companion (a bird lover) pointed out something I'd never noticed:  tucked up high on The Regenstein Hall of Music's east side is a flourishing community of nesting birds. My running buddy was able to distinguish some of the birds, primarily swallows and sparrows.  She'd taken a course in orinthology and knew which birds had built the nests and which ones were the "squatters."  I tried to listen but was far more focused on the fact I'd never before noticed this feathered colony. When I Googled the building itself, I learned of a plan…

I’m not moving anytime soon. Still, I find it interesting to learn what others’ impressions are of Evanston.  For instance, someone considering our town as a potential home might click on a site like www.HomeSurfer.com. It describes us in a variety of ways, but the one detail we might all consider – whether or not our children attend/attended Evanston/Skokie District 65 -- is how our school district fares in student performance AND in its financial statements.  I’ll be honest: I don’t know anything about HomeSurfer.com.  I'll also leave the number crunching to the experts.  I do recognize, …

If you walk past The Catalpa Gallery at 1231 Chicago Avenue, don't ask, "How much is that kitty in the window?"  It's not for sale.  However, the cat pillows are for sale...as well as hundreds of other unique home accents and decorative accessories (including jewelry).       

In these times of economic strife, when the U.S. housing economy is not doing well and the State of Illinois faces unprecedented financial challenges, it’s hard to think about anything but keeping food on the table and heads above water. Still, as hard as it may be, I think it’s critical to remember who we are as a community.  One can only hope the tides will turn.  Sailing to that “other side,” where things look brighter and more positive, won’t be easy.  However, knowing what we stand for as a community just might make our journey a bit smoother. Take, for instance, Austin, Texas.  I’ve …

Update: as of the publication date, the weeds have been removed! Earlier: The forest of weeds in the vacant lot on the 900 block of Greenleaf Avenue has, well, gotten out of control.  Many clumps are taller than the average adult, and nearly twice as tall as me. While the greenery is appreciated by a dynasty of wild rabbits and their heirs (or shall I say, hares?), I’ve become rather annoyed.  Over the past month, the property owners have all but forgotten that the land is surrounded by neighbors, joggers, walkers, bikers, and students heading to and from school.  They also seem to ignore the…

A note to readers:  According to Wikipedia, Armadillo Day began in 1972 when Northwestern students from Texas held a small celebration in honor of the armadillo. More than 25 years later, "Dillo Day" is the culmination of Mayfest with an all-day Saturday event on the lakefront featuring national and locally known bands, games and vendors. Dillo Day is one of the strongest traditions of the Northwestern community. One of this year's Dillo Day headliners was the performer B.o.B. (click here for a video posted on Youtube). As much as Northwestern University students get a bad rap around town for…

Evanston resident Clif Brown took this photo while walking on the south end of Lovelace Park.  Apparently, the owners modified their fence so their dogs can enjoy the attention of pooch-loving passers-by. (If you’re unsure how to actually pet a dog, simply click here) I stopped by the residence this week but the owners weren’t home.  I’d love to know the story of how they came to design the puppy peep-holes.  Thanks for sending in your photo, Clif.  The world needs more people like you.

Wow.  It’s Wednesday.  What to write about?  Actually, I’m not short on a story idea: I’m long on hope that Mr. Chris Short had a great evening last night.  I was at my friend Becca's house last night, enjoying an impromptu, mid-week pizza party in response to a community effort to raise money for Evanston resident Chris Short.  Chris Short spent a year as my oldest son’s interim principal at Washington Elementary School in  2003-04, having taken over for the school’s longtime (and beloved) principal Judy Yturriago.  As a first time kindergarten parent, I was terrified.  My son (and quite …

This past weekend, I traveled to Madison, Wisconsin to visit my sister and her family.  You may recall from an earlier post that they used to live in Evanston but decided to move to Madison for a variety of very rational reasons. Madison’s a town that’s frequently compared to Evanston.  They’re both college towns.  They’re both situated on lakes.  They both have vibrant, intellectual, artistic and vocal populations.  Neither town is afraid to show its “funk.” While walking down Madison’s main drag, I was struck by how similar – and dissimilar – the two towns actually are. Madison and Evanston…

Lincolnwood Service, located at 2949 Central St., doesn’t have a website.  The owner doesn’t advertise.  It’s nothing showy. It’s just an honest-to-goodness, local business. I knew nothing about the place.  Then, I received this email from Evanston resident Steve Fiffer: ...Over the weekend, we sold one of the guys there our beat up, non-running old buick. [My wife] Sharon dumped everything from the trunk into a garbage bag to bring home.  Last night there was a knock on our door. Barry, one of the guys from there, was returning our ipass device.  Sharon had left it attached. We hadn't even …

Eileen Madden was a little embarrassed that I dropped in. “We’re sort of like deer in the headlights here,” she said, swiping her red tendrils off her face as she hung signs in the window.  “This event keeps evolving.  We didn’t know it would get this big.” I felt a little guilty just dropping in as I did, but I couldn’t help it.  I was doing my usual drop-the-kids-at-Washington-then-head-to-the-Dunkin’ Donuts-drive-thru at Evanston Plaza last week when the colorful signage caught my eye.  I pulled my car into one of hundreds of empty spaces and walked into the building formerly known as …