… that Evanston is celebrating Pride and Juneteenth all month, with two parades on the last weekend. On June 27 a car parade will begin at 10 a.m. in the Evanston Township High School parking lot. The two-and-a-half mile route reflects the two-and-a-half years it took for word of the Emancipation Proclamation, Jan. 1, 1863, to reach Texas, June 19, 1865. The next day, June 28, a Pride caravan – series of about five cars each – will make its way across Evanston.
… that the bicycle lane that runs east on Church from Dodge to downtown will in a year or so extend west to McCormick and south on Dodge to Dempster. Civiltech Engineering of Itasca received a contract from the City to “identify pedestrian and bicycle improvements” there. Since the segment of Church is under the control of the Illinois Department of Transportation, the City and its consultants will coordinate with IDOT, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the village of Skokie.
… that the roadway improvements began this week. Residents should be alert for temporary “No Parking” signs.
… that a four-way stop is coming to Hastings and Colfax. Farther south, the new carwash with 20 vacuum spaces and four parking spaces is getting closer to approval for 2425 Oakton, east of McCormick.
… that Mike Roche spotted this deer alongside the Canal Shores 18th green a couple of days ago.
… that Evanston is coming out of lockdown and, it seems, heading for Phase 4 of Rebuild Illinois, which could come as early as June 26. City Council, though, voted to keep the City under a state of emergency until July 13. Beaches, except Disappearing Greenwood, will likely open July 1, and many City buildings and community centers could open the following week. In between, of course, is the Fourth of July, which will have muted or subdued celebrations this year. The Evanston Fourth of July Association has cancelled its annual festivities for this year: no parade, no morning games, no evening concert, no nighttime fireworks. That said, the Evanston Police Department has already begun its Fourth of July campaign for safe and sober driving. EPD Sergeant Tracy Williams advises, “It’s simple: If you’re driving, don’t drink, use marijuana or other drugs. Our officers will be working around the clock to keep impaired drivers off the road and enforce all other traffic laws.”
… that this log is collecting leaves and other debris in the slow current in the canal. TG wonders if things could build up slowly and gently enough to eventually create an island.
… that two new fast-food restaurants are coming to town, Happy Lemon at 1607 Chicago Ave., and 4 Suns Fresh Juice at 1906 Main St.
… that local restaurateurs are inviting patrons to enjoy a drink or dinner outside with their sidewalk cafés. Here are some that have applied: Kokomo at 1639 Orrington Ave., Tereneo at 1709 Benson Ave., and Ovo Frito at 1936 Maple Ave.
The Traffic Guy thinks …
… that Evanstonians are creative even in this lockdown. This youth found a way to suspend worries and rise above earthly considerations on a warm almost-summer afternoon. And a sign on a door on Lake Street reminds people, “As you binge-watch your 10-inch Netflix screen, read a book or sleep to music, remember, in your darkest days, when everything stopped, you turned to artists.”
Happy Summer, everyone. The solstice, the longest day of the year, is June 20.