Energy Efficiency Challenge Pits Evanston against Oak Park

Help the City of Evanston win up to some $100,000 in prize, rebates and incentive offerings by enrolling in Nicor Gas programs.

The City of Evanston is participating in the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program Community Challenge from February through April with the goal of reducing community energy usage, according to a press release. Evanston could win up to $25,000 in prize money and potentially $85,000 in rebate and incentive offerings from Nicor Gas to use towards a community project if the city enrolls new participants in one of six existing Nicor Gas programs. The Energy Efficiency Program Community Challenge aims to help foster energy efficiency awareness and action within Evanston and Oak Park. More details on the challenge from the City of Evanston: 1. Vote for a local non-profit to win an energy retrofit The Evanston community will select one organization…

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Evanston Leaders Gather at Curt's Cafe for Teen, Young Adult Issues

A panel of Evanston community leaders will hold a discussion about topics affecting young people and what can be done to bring more resources together to support them.

  Community leaders from the City of Evanston, District 202, McGaw YMCA, Youth Job Center and other Evanston youth experts will be holding a panel discussion tonight at Curt's Cafe.  Topics covered will include important issues young people face in today's world, and how resources in the community can better work together to support the city's youth.  "We will be discussing the obstacles facing Evanston youth from being successful, and what community resources that may be lacking that could be beneficial to them," said Kim Hoopingarner, from Youth Job Center.  Hoopingarner said more than 200 students at Evanston Township High School are classified as homeless, though that doesn't necessarily mean they are living on the streets. Many don't …

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Outgoing YMCA CEO Built Community, Connections

McGaw YMCA CEO Bill Geiger announced earlier in July that he would step down from the position he has held for the past nine years.

During outgoing CEO Bill Geiger’s nine-year tenure at the McGaw YMCA, membership grew and grew, crossing the 10,000 member mark in 2007 and reaching 13,000 at last count, in April 2012.  The numbers don’t tell the story, however.  In nearly a decade of leadership of the McGaw YMCA before he announced he would step down in early July, colleagues say Geiger emphasized connections, community and cause. Earlier: McGaw YMCA CEO Steps Down “He’s frequently made it clear that for the YMCA in Evanston to be a true cause-driven organization, we have to not only focus on our internal strengths, but we really need to reach,” says board chair Kirk Hoopingarner. Explaining his decision to step down, Geiger would say only that he couldn’t commit to …

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McGaw YMCA CEO Steps Down

The McGaw YMCA announced Friday that CEO Bill Geiger had asked the board to begin the search for his replacement.

McGaw YMCA CEO Bill Geiger is stepping down from the position he has held for the past nine years, according to a press release from the organization. Geiger recently asked the Y’s board of directors begin the search for a new CEO, and the group has formed a committee to find his replacement.  “As exciting as the future is, especially for the next six-10 years for the McGaw YMCA and our community, it is time to begin a CEO transition,” Geiger said in the release. “It’s been tough to come to the conclusion that this longer-range future requires a commitment beyond that which I can make.”  Geiger will continue to lead the organization as CEO while the search committee considers applicants, according to the Y. He also said he and his wife, …

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JJ Hanley

9:28 am on Saturday, June 30, 2012

Bill welcomed the JJ's List Disability Awareness Players to McGaw to teach staff and volunteers how to interact comfortably, appropriately and confidently with people who have disabilities. It was clear to our team of volunteers with disabilities that Bill had a genuine and serious mission to welcome diversity and build community through his efforts. Thank you Bill! JJ's List is sad to see you go…   more ›

Evanston Community Foundation Grant Class of 2012

The Evanston Community Foundation awarded $217,000 to 29 local nonprofits this year as part of its responsive grants program.

Founded in 1986, the Evanston Community Foundation has awarded grants to local nonprofits on a yearly basis since 1987. The 2012 class of grantees, announced in May, will be the largest ever. From a pool of 64 applicants, 24 nonprofits were chosen to receive money through the organization’s responsive grants initiative, which funds programs and infrastructure at local nonprofits.  Related: Armed With $217,000, 29 Evanston Nonprofits Go to Work Want to stay up to date with the latest news on Evanston volunteers? Sign up for our free, daily newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.

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About Town

Stephen Colbert and Sleepaway Camp

Imparting life lessons to Evanstonians young and old.

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 Echo Session 2 camper…in which case, you boarded a bus Sunday at the corner of Maple and Grove and headed to Fremont, Michigan. Camp Echo, as I’ve been…

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Tom Fischl

4:57 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Christine - thank you so much for this great article. I started going to Camp Echo when I was 2 years old for family camp and I have been going back ever since. My father went as a camper when he was 8 (for the whole summer!) and each of my five brothers and sisters worked on staff over the years. I volunteer at Echo when I get the chance as I love everything about the camp - especially people …   more ›

Mayor Tisdahl Appoints New 2nd Ward Alderman

Peter Braithwaite will replace Lionel Jean-Baptiste.

Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl has tapped Peter Braithwaite to be the new 2nd Ward alderman. Braithwaite will be taking the place of Lionel Jean-Baptiste, who left office in February to serve as a judge in the 9th Sub-Circuit Court of Cook County. “Peter will be a caring, responsive and idealistic alderman; I am delighted and honored to appoint him to be the Second Ward Alderman,” Tisdahl said in a press release. Braithwaite grew up in Evanston's 2nd Ward with his four siblings and is the son of Jamaican immigrants. Growing up in Evanston, Braithwaite attended Dewey Elementary School, Nichols Middle School and Evanston Township High School. He later attended the University of Kansas where he studied psychology with an emphasis in African-American…

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About Town

Y Bother?

Because You Just Might Enjoy It. That's Y.

This year marks the McGaw YMCA's 125th year serving the Evanston community.  (If you click on the link, make sure to check out the "Unforgettable" video by Susan Hope Engle).  The anniversary celebration and other activities surrounding this milestone are as diverse and interesting as our community: Saturdays, Nov. 6 & 20:  Parent's Night Out (babysitting), 4-8pm Monday, Nov. 15:    1)  Blood Drive, 3-8 p.m.  Sign up at front desk. 2) Deadline to submit nominations for The Talley-Reece award, which recognizes local middle school students who have made a significant community service contribution.  The award will be presented at the January 2011 "Crystal Ball" Gala. Wednesday, Nov. 17:  125th Birthday Party, 3pm.  Free to the community. Dec…