At This Time
That kind of day. Sophie Brejcha and her brother, Luke, climb a tree in Evanston’s Raymond Park. Sophie is in preschool and Luke is a first grader at Dewey Elementary School. (Photo by Richard Cahan)
Les Jacobson: Protect democracy
The RoundTable’s fall fund drive is underway, and if you’re not a contributing member, you should consider joining our membership family. These are the supporters we rely on to help us provide award-winning, round-the-clock coverage of our beloved city – everything from breaking news and thoughtful analyses to delightful and informative features, wonderful photography and timely event calendars. I know the importance of local journalism because half a century ago I started my career that way. In 1973 I joined Lerner Newspapers as a cub reporter. Founded in 1926 by Leo Lerner, the paper’s focus was always and exclusively local news. “If…
Runners flock to lakefront for early morning turkey trot
On a mild Thanksgiving Day with ideal weather, nearly 3,200…
Peggy Tarr: Thanks and giving
Thanksgiving is just hours away, a wonderful day of celebration,…
How are you spending the holiday break?
For the first time ever, both Evanston school districts have…
Candidates file for City Council special elections
Time for another election – but only for Evanston’s Second…
City Council wrestles with pension funding, possible property tax hike
Evanston City Council members may consider a small property tax…
Creating a new political map is a real balancing effort
Wards 8 and 9 sit next to each other on…
ETHS girls basketball: Ukaj can’t miss, sparks Kits to first victory of season
Dafina Ukaj wore an ear-to-ear grin after scoring a career…
NAACP honors nine, celebrates ‘value of unity’ against racism and injustice
The Evanston/North Shore Branch of the NAACP honored nine local…
The Orion Ensemble continues its 30th season with performance at Nichol’s Concert Hall, Nov. 27
Submitted by The Orion Ensemble The Orion Ensemble’s 30th anniversary…
Jamming Jean Concert Series presents Gerald McClendon and his band at the Levy Senior Center, Dec. 2
The Levy Senior Center Foundation is pleased to welcome Gerald McClendon…
Latest NEWS
COVID-19 Nov. 23 update: Evanston and Cook County both at ‘low’ risk level
In Illinois, the seven-day average of new cases was 2,130 on Nov. 23, up from 1,888 in the prior week,…
Wildkits triumph against Antioch, Adams scores career high
Evanston’s coaching staff talked to the players about the importance of playing better man-to-man defense at Wednesday’s shoot-around, and again…
Rev. Michael Nabors: This Thanksgiving let’s rethink religion and community
It is always dangerous to write about rogue religion and corruption operating in the guise of faith. I get it.…
Sounds Good choir really sounds good
The Sounds Good choir sounded good even at rehearsal on Wednesday, Nov. 16. The group meets weekly in a large,…
RECENT POSTS
Wildkits boys starters learn the importance of defense
Evanston’s boys’ basketball coaches talked to the players about the…
‘Participatory budget’ exchange draws ideas for city’s $3M pot
About 40 Evanston residents and community members, in a lively…
Wildkits boys throttle Libertyville 65-55
The foundation that Mike Ellis has built for the success…
Letter to the editor: Ryan Field hides community costs
Northwestern’s new Ryan Field promises to alter the surrounding neighborhood…
‘Our unity and solidarity is a visual and powerful response to hate-filled people.’
They came together on a Sunday night to talk about…
No, Evanston police and Sgt. Levy are not about to arrest you
The Evanston Police Department is warning the public about a…
Trans Day of Remembrance event honors Evanstonian Elise Malary
Dozens of community members and advocates gathered in Chicago’s Andersonville…
Eye on Evanston: Thoughts on Design | Coming of age in the 20s
Part four of the series summarizes the character of the…
ETHS boys basketball: Transfers bring new look to Wildkits
Fans of the Evanston basketball team might wonder just what…
Upcoming Events
Get festive and support Evanston businesses this holiday season
Every year, Downtown Evanston takes part in Small Business Saturday, a…
Moms Demand Action, YWCA to co-host town hall on gun violence on Nov. 29
Moms Demand Action and YWCA Evanston/North Shore will host a…
City announces Thanksgiving holiday schedule
The City of Evanston has announced changes in service delivery…
Dr. Horton named Superintendent of the Year
District 65 Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton has been named Superintendent…
City’s holiday light recycling program begins Dec. 1
The City of Evanston’s annual holiday light recycling program will…
Police Department to hold gun buyback event Dec. 3
On December 3, the Evanston Police Department will be partnering…
Firefighters honor ETHS student Charlie Kremin with Marty Leoni Award
On November 1, Evanston Township High School student Charlie Kremin…
Evanston Running Club hosts race, shoe drive on Thanksgiving Day
The Evanston Running Club, in partnership with the Evanston Flying…
Support Evanston families by donating to the Mayor’s Holiday Food, Book and Toy Drive
To ensure every Evanston family gets to celebrate this holiday…
McGaw YMCA addresses child hunger with year-round food program
Throughout the year, the McGaw YMCA has been working to…
CITY NEWS
Library statement acknowledges land’s Indigenous history
Evanston Public Library officials led off their regular board meeting at the main library Nov. 16 with a reading of a land acknowledgment statement, recognizing that Evanston and the library facilities are on the land of Indigenous people.
City revises 2023 budget proposal as vote nears
A revised 2023 budget proposal will be presented Monday, Nov. 21, to the Evanston City Council with the overall price tag reduced by about $12 million. This third set of revisions is a result of increased tax revenue estimates (up a total of $750,000) as well…
Equity and Empowerment Commission to support Black employees at City Council
The Equity and Empowerment Commission decided this week it will attend Monday, Nov. 21 City Council meeting to support Black city employees, who have publicly complained about systemic racism in their workplace.
Updated mobile app makes paying to park easier in Evanston
The City of Evanston announces the update of its mobile payment application for parking, ParkEvanston. The app, first launched in the fall of 2017, now includes an update with a more modern user interface allowing for smoother navigation, and improved transparency for changes in parking rates…
City seeks to hire an equity manager amid racial discrimination allegations
Editor’s note: The original story which contained an error, has been corrected. For other decisions made by the Commission, please read this story on the meeting. The city is looking to hire a Manager of Organizational Performance and Equity to develop racial equity strategies. The Racial…
ART & LIFE
The art of pro wrestling comes to Evanston
Walking down Howard Street late Sunday afternoon, you might not have noticed anything going on at Palmhouse, an event space for parties and weddings next to the Peckish Pig Restaurant and Brewery. The curtains were closed, and passersby could only catch the faintest sign of music and…
‘The arts are not voluntary. They’re not extra,’ says Mayor Biss
Mayor Daniel Biss talked about the value of art at the annual Mayor’s Awards for the Arts program Saturday, Nov. 19, at Studio5, 1938 Dempster St. This is an edited transcript of his remarks: “It’s a hard time. I’m not speaking [of] threats to democracy, rising antisemitism,…
My partner is closet eating
Dear Gabby, If two or more people are walking together on a sidewalk, is it too much to expect for them to move over a bit – or go single file – when a person comes from the other direction? Today, I had to move off the…
The Art of Making Art: Lisa Plefka Haskin
Lisa Plefka Haskin is an Evanston artist who creates handmade ornaments, coasters, journaling books, stencils and collages. Haskin says, “I’m a maker.” She enjoys staying very busy creating things and typically has multiple works under development at any given moment. Her work is inspired by living in…
Celebration was nontraditionally traditional – and ‘comprehensively perfect’
When Evan McCarthy asked Emily Boylan out for their first date, her friends cautioned her against it. The two had met online, in what Boylan described as “the very modern love story of Tinder.” After only two days of communicating on the app, McCarthy suggested a nighttime…
SCHOOLS
ETHS chess: Wildkits defeat Glenbrook South in key conference matchup
After a win over Glenbrook South on Friday, Evanston has a 4-0 record and is in first place in the North Suburban Chess League. Glenbrook South, which finished sixth at February’s IHSA State Chess Finals and has very strong players on their…
Third graders decorate gifts for Vet Center
In honor of Veterans Day Nov. 11, Washington Elementary School third graders donated more than 75 pounds of toiletries to the Evanston Vet Center at 1901 W. Howard St. They also decorated tissue boxes with messages telling veterans how brave they are…
D65 two-way immersion families worry about future
Despite what some parents may have heard, Evanston/Skokie District 65 has not made any decisions yet about possible changes to the two-way immersion program (TWI), district officials said at a community meeting Tuesday night. The program offers instruction to elementary schoolers in…
D65’s scores drop in four of five essentials for school success
On the 2022 5Essentials survey, School District 65 scored lower in four of the five essentials deemed critical for school success, than it did on 2021 survey. It stayed the same in one. The district scored in the “Less Implementation” range for…
ETHS girls basketball: Bolingbrook bounces Kits in season opener
Evanston’s girls basketball team opened the 2022-23 season with three starters in street clothes Tuesday. But head coach Brittanny Johnson wasn’t looking for any excuses after a 46-30 loss to Bolingbrook. The Wildkits turned the ball over 23 times and only shot…
PHOTOS
At This Time
“This is a new day in our nation,” said diversity consultant Gilo Kwesi Logan, who gave the keynote address at Interfaith Action of Evanston’s 24th annual Thanksgiving Eve service. “Here we are acknowledging Native Americans and the fact that this is their land prior to most any of us being here.…
At This Time
Actress Ann Cusack, center, joins Piven Theatre Workshop President Glo Rolighed, left, and Artistic Director Jennifer Green at Piven’s 50th anniversary celebration Monday at Evanston SPACE. Cusack, who was in Piven’s first classes, returned to emcee and sing at the fundraiser. “They taught me about what it is to be a…
At This Time
Checking out silent auction items at the weekend Woman’s Club of Evanston Holiday Bazaar are Amanda Whelan, foreground, and sister Kaitlyn Whelan. The event, back in full for the first time since 2019, raised about $40,000 for local charities. The club at 1702 Chicago Ave., was crowded with shoppers. “I feel…
Picturing Evanston
“Take what you need . . . Give what you can,” says the Dewey food pantry on Wesley Avenue and Grove Street. (Photo by Joerg Metzner)
At This Time
An ensemble gathered by the Second Baptist Church sings out against antisemitism and racism at Beth Emet Synagogue. About 100 people, including a dozen clergy members, attended the event organized by the Rev. Michael Nabors of Second Baptist, Rabbi Andrea London of Beth Emet and Rabbi Rachel Weiss of the Jewish…
PUBLIC SQUARE
Letter to the editor: Downtown Evanston backs Ryan Field revamp
Downtown Evanston is where Chicago and the North Shore meet. We represent over 300 businesses, property owners and managers, nonprofit organizations and major institutions – all of whom make up the vibrant and rich culture of Evanston’s central business district. It cannot be denied that one of our…
Letter to the community: Larry Suffredin on leaving office
Today, November 18, 2022, is my last day as a Cook County and Forest Preserve Commissioner. It has been my honor to serve for the last 20 years. Together we have seen the County and Forest Preserves governments transformed into effective operations. Thank you for the opportunity to…
Guest Essay: Teacher Mark Collins asks, What is a school’s purpose?
Editor’s note: Mark Collins is an Evanstonian who has been a longtime art teacher at Oak Park and River Forest High School. It’s time to reassert the fundamental purpose of our schools which has become increasingly muddled leaving many students unable to fully explore and reach their academic…
Letter to the editor: Support Evanston Climate Action Fund
Evanston’s City Council unanimously supported a Climate Emergency Resolution on April 26, 2022. Climate change was a hot campaign topic for nearly every candidate running for office in the last Evanston election. That was then, this is now. Emergency Climate Action is hard to find in the proposed…
Letter to the editor: Let’s work with NU to improve Ryan Field changes
I am writing as a longtime resident of the Seventh ward and a proud Evanstonian. I grew up in the Seventh ward and 10 years ago moved my family from Boston to Evanston so my children could be raised in this vibrant university community. My husband and I…
SPORTS
ETHS boys wrestling: Wildkits have a lot to prove in ‘show me’ season
Many of the starters from last year are returning to Evanston’s wrestling program this year. That’s not good enough for head coach Rudy Salinas, who…
ETHS girls wrestling: Expanded mat schedule brings opportunities
Opportunity finally knocked for female wrestlers in the state of Illinois last year after COVID-19 had delayed the implementation of a state tournament series by…
Wildkits girls basketball fall to Milwaukee Academy
Evanston’s first road trip of the girls basketball season didn’t really require this much traveling. But Friday night’s contest, Nov. 18, at Milwaukee Academy of…
Rank and File | ETHS Chess Team shows depth at home tournament
At the recent Evanston Team Tournament, the Evanston Township High School varsity chess team had nearly perfect results in its matches against Conant, Lyons and…
REPORTS & ANALYSES
Evanston’s lead pipes are everywhere, and could become a significant health risk
This series was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center. This is part 1 of the RoundTable’s three-part series: Lead pipes in Evanston: How local government inaction…
Developing a Segregated Town, 1900-1960
Evanston’s first African American residents arrived in the 1850s, and by 1880 there were approximately 125 African Americans in Evanston. The number grew to 737 in 1900.…
Fifth Ward STEM School Plan Promises Equity
The Fifth Ward of Evanston, the historic heart of the Black community in the west-central part of the City dating to the days of redlining, has not…
Ninth Ward Residents Battle Environmental Justice Issues: ‘This Area Has Really Been Abused and Neglected’
Seven years ago an explosion in Evanston’s southwest Ninth Ward rocked the homes of some nearby residents. Highly flammable and combustible materials were densely packed behind the…