Home

At This Time

Wednesday at 6:49 a.m.

Mari Kang-Clark closely reads the Bible and takes notes in the morning light near Northwestern University. “It was kind of crowded where I usually sit,” she said, “so I found this nook.” Kang-Clark is a Christian campus minister at the university. She’s 23 and says she was an atheist until five years ago. She now ministers to women, mostly freshmen and many from overseas. “Students feel drowned out by the world,” she says. She’s most interested in teaching about the character of God. “People don’t realize that God has emotions.” (Photo by Richard Cahan)

Picturing Evanston

Sunny chairs and a new mural invite guests at the Custer Oasis on Custer Avenue and Main Street to enjoy a beverage and some tacos from La Principal. (Photo by Joerg Metzner)

TOday in Evanston

RECENT POSTS

CITY NEWS

City appoints Sarah Flax interim community development director

Submitted by the City of Evanston Interim City Manager Luke Stowe today announced the appointment of Sarah Flax as the City of Evanston’s interim community development director. This appointment will be effective Aug. 17 with the departure of Community Development Director Johanna Nyden. Flax has worked…

Evanston celebrates end of summer with festival at James Park

Local nonprofits, community organizations, Evanston Township High School, the City of Evanston and Evanston/Skokie School District 65 all came together Saturday afternoon to host the third annual End of Summer Fest at James Park. Even with cloudy skies and a few drops of rain, the mood…

Special Olympics volunteers working to defy expectations

Together, the duo of Lisa Kaya-Noble and Kurt Noble host a podcast called Amazing Individuals and are active volunteers with the Special Olympics programs in Evanston and Special Olympics Illinois. They got involved with the Special Olympics through the Special Recreation community within Evanston’s Health and…

ART & LIFE

New sidewalk markers honor Evanston’s first Black resident, Black hospital

Two new sidewalk markers honoring historic Evanston locations for Black residents were unveiled Saturday afternoon, Aug. 13.  The first marker was unveiled at 325 Dempster St., the former home of Evanston’s first documented Black resident: Maria Murray, who was brought to the city as an indentured domestic…

Curt’s Cafe mural project elevates dreams and aspirations

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 13 marked the unveiling of a new mural at Curt’s Cafe, 2922 Central St. Swirls of vivid colors, striking imagery and the use of a single written word – “elevate” – add a sense of energy and vibrancy to the area around…

I love posting about my kids. Is that so bad?

Dear Gabby, I am proud of my kids’ accomplishments and like to post about them on social media. I have recently gotten flack about that from someone close to me who considers it to be self-aggrandizing and, apparently, distasteful. What do you think about it? Should I…

Interview with Peter C. Baker, author of ‘Planes’

If your wanderings take you down Main Street and past the Brothers K coffee shop, you’re likely to see one of our local literary luminaries. Most days, you can find author and Evanston resident Peter C. Baker typing away. Baker first found his way to this beloved…

From non-runner to marathon runner to running-store owner

Before 2008, Matthew Abitbol never imagined himself as a runner. After struggling with his weight during high school and college, Abitbol decided to make a commitment to himself to take control of his health. After one year of careful eating and exercise, he lost 100 pounds. But…

SCHOOLS

Contract gives ETHS teachers raises, extended parental leave

When teachers at Evanston Township High School kick off the 2022-23 year this Monday, Aug. 15, they will likely get a 2.3% raise and expanded parental leave if the new four-year contract that was negotiated is approved. Most significantly, the contract, which…

District 65 announces school board vacancy

Submitted by Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Marquise Weatherspoon, member of the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board of Education, submitted her resignation, effective Aug. 8. Weatherspoon’s board service began in 2021. She served on the Curriculum & Policy Committee, the Park School Advisory…

PHOTOS

At This Time

“We are trying to soak up the last summer days,” said Dan Fistler, who took his kids Bennett and Vivienne and dog Rizzo to Dawes Park. The family attended each of the Starlight concerts this year. This is the second movie – the film Dog. “It’s the last one before school…

Picturing Evanston

The old English-looking architecture of the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University bathed in the warm light of the setting sun. (Photo by Joerg Metzner)

At This Time

Evanston Township High School Superintendent Marcus Campbell and Principal Taya Kinzie greet students and staff as they walk into the school at 1600 Dodge Ave. for the new year. Campbell took over as superintendent last month. “We are excited,” said Kinzie. “We are thrilled to be here.” The four-year school has…

Picturing Evanston

Joerg Metzner photographed the moon as it rose above Clark Square Park south of Lee Steet Beach. “I was drawn by the bright light of the full reflecting in waves.”

At This Time

As RoundTable readers know, photographers Richard Cahan and Joerg Metzner look for different things when they patrol the city for pictures. Cahan focuses on people; Metzner on scenery. They both photographed the “Sturgeon Moon,” the final supermoon of the year. Cahan found a family at Greenwood Beach: cousins Ethan (from left,…

PUBLIC SQUARE

Obituaries

Larry ‘Lorenzo’ Cose, 1953-2022

Larry “Lorenzo” Cose modeled many qualities: his humility, non-judgmental nature, sincere way of listening, gentle wisdom, unwavering courage … and all with a smile that could heal the world.  Larry was a beloved husband, devoted father to two sons and an infinitely kind and compassionate friend to those…

Letters

Letter to the editor: Thank you, city staff

As a resident and taxpayer in Evanston, I am wincing and sighing with every inexplicable turn of events in the City Manager search drama. But I can’t begin to fathom how demoralized our city employees must feel.  Dozens (hundreds?) of dedicated professionals are getting up every morning and heading to the office to…

Columns

Peggy Tarr: ‘Fix Me’*

Individuals and groups talked about the increase in crime and disrespect for others. Leaders from churches, synagogues and mosques met and decided to hold a conference to discuss these concerns. The conference would be held in a school cafeteria at 6 p.m. on a Tuesday evening in hopes…

Columns

Les Jacobson: Beethoven splains it all for you

Bach and Beethoven are the two giants of classical music, the twin peaks of composition, the K2 and Everest of sonic sensuality. Whether you prefer one or the other depends on your musical sensibility, stylistic preferences and even your mood at the moment. Bach is generally considered more…

Columns

Nancy E. Anderson: What to make of all the lawn signs

I don’t remember lawn signs from my childhood. There were bumper stickers and pin-back buttons, like the WIN buttons in the 1970s. (WIN stood for “Whip Inflation Now.”) But I don’t recall signs. Now it seems like they’re everywhere. I’m not talking about signs that contractors put in…

SPORTS

REPORTS & ANALYSES

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.…