The Lighthouse Keeper sees …

… that there are some very big shoes to fill now that the Traffic Guy has retired and hopes that this view from the Lighthouse will help. 

… that Lake Michigan water levels had dropped enough by last week to allow Greenwood Street Beach to open for the season.

… that the Evanston Public Library is giving away over 500 STEM kits with fun and educational projects inside, such as build-your-own birdhouse or magnetic slime.

… that approximately 19 miles (7%) of all of the City’s existing 280 miles of sidewalks are in need of replacement. The cost estimate to address the backlog of currently deteriorated sidewalks is $6 million.

… that the Robert Crown Center, with support from the Office of Sustainability, is currently offering a free composting pilot program until Oct. 20 intended for residents who would like to try out composting, with priority for those who could not otherwise afford a composting service in Evanston. 

… that Connelly’s Academy, one of Evanston’s own martial arts training centers, is holding Taekwon-do classes in the park.

The Lighthouse Keeper hears …

… that Evanston has been recertified as a Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation for the second year in a row thanks to the work of community members and Citizens’ Greener Evanston.

… that Ravinia concertgoers can show their concert tickets or e-tickets to the Metra conductor for free rides between any stop on the Union Pacific North Line and Ravinia Park on the date of a performance.

… that the Evanston Police issued 81 seat belt citations during the Fourth of July “Click it or Ticket” campaign as well as citations for: 2 child restraints, 35 cell phones, 17 insurance, 7 speeding, 4 suspended licenses and 2 vehicles seized. The enforcement period was funded by federal traffic safety dollars administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation as part of the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” programs.

… that the City Planning Commission will consider a moratorium on the construction of new non-owner occupied accessory dwelling units, hitting the pause button on updates approved in September 2020 to create new accessory dwelling unit regulations in order to expand affordable housing options Citywide. Since October 2020, the City has issued 71 permits for interior renovation and permits for additions. 

… that Evanstonians can look forward to amazing deals, live entertainment and a Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest on the City’s sidewalks, from Downtown Evanston to the Main-Dempster Mile, from July 22 through July 25. 

… that the Design and Project Review Committee has recommended approval of a Planned Development to construct a five-story mixed-use building with ground floor retail, 116 dwelling units and 58 parking spaces at 1012 Chicago Ave.

… that work on the Main Street water main replacement project has begun. The project has several phases: installing the pipe, then capping old service and transferring water to the new pipe this year. The final phase will be a new streetscape after completion of the building going in at Vogue Fabrics.

… That just in time for your summer road trip, Chicago gas prices have fallen 1.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.52 per gallon, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,437 stations in Chicago. Gas prices in Chicago are nevertheless 6.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago, and $1.04 per gallon higher than this time last year. Posted prices at stations around Evanston range from $3.63 to $3.79.

Fortunately, Evanstonians can hit the road without worrying about renewing their driver’s licenses right away. Residents can celebrate a five-month reprieve as lines continue to swell at Secretary of State offices across Illinois. All expired driver’s licenses and identification cards will remain valid until Jan. 1, 2022.

The Lighthouse Keeper hopes …

… that readers will let me know where to shine the spotlight next.