The Lighthouse Keeper sees …

… that National Lighthouse Day was Aug. 7th.

… that, speaking of lighthouses, a disclaimer is necessary to clarify that the Evanston RoundTable’s Lighthouse Keeper has no formal relationship with, or responsibility for, the Grosse Pointe Lighthouse. Just as the name RoundTable pays symbolic homage to the legend of King Arthur, welcoming many voices and diverse perspectives, the RoundTable’s Lighthouse Keeper pays homage to Evanston’s iconic symbol, shining a light on items that might not otherwise make the news. 

… that new signage and parking pay stations have been installed to enforce non-resident parking regulations in the new lakefront zone number 9902. And in related news, the deadline for Evanston residents to pay the 2022 Wheel Tax is Thursday, Sept. 30.

… that, speaking of taxes, the Lighthouse Keeper wonders how many Evanstonians know that the Lighthouse and Ridgeville Park Districts are autonomous entities, each with their own boards of directors and staff. Residents of the two Districts elect board members during municipal elections and pay a small additional assessment on the annual property tax bill to maintain the Districts’ parks and programming.

… that summer construction season is in full swing, with pavement patching and heavy equipment on streets from Harrison to Oakton. Main Street small business owners steadfastly maintain the Custer Street Corridor for outdoor dining and thank the shoppers, strollers, bikers, friends and neighbors for their support.

… that The Traffic Guy, now retired, forwarded a message from reader Marc Nebozenko about the work on Main Street and a block-long strip of deep sand in the parking lanes. Nebozenko wrote, “If the sand is still there next Saturday I was going to organize a Beach Volleyball game and Sandcastle Building Contest.” If he follows through, the Lighthouse Keeper will try to get a photo.

… that the controversy around the Greenleaf traffic pilot continues and the eastern barrier to the Greenleaf experiment was knocked down. Did someone run into it? Was it deliberately dismantled?

… that, speaking of biking, John Fervoy of Evanston Transit Alliance invites readers to join the Saturday Aug. 14th brewery ride from Sketchbook in Evanston to Sketchbook in Skokie, via Temperance in Evanston.

The Lighthouse Keeper hears…

… that if your bike – or other household item – needs minor repairs, the next Repair Café will take place on Saturday, Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Robert Crown Center Lobby. Sign up here for a 45-minute time slot to get help fixing your broken appliances, sewing your textiles or garments, or diagnosing issues with your electronics.

… that cyclists may also appreciate that developers at 525 Main St. have asked the Design and Project Review Committee (DAPR) to approve changes to the garage on Chicago Avenue, which would close off the north garage exit with planters to create bike parking.

… that DAPR is also recommending that the Zoning Administrator approve the application by Coffee Lab’s owners to develop the property at 2601 Prairie Ave. as an extension of the Noyes Street operation. The new location will primarily be used to prepare Filipino sweets with its own walk-up counter.

… that the Evanston Fire Department has a new piece of equipment for public education purposes and plans to sell the 2003 Mobile Scotty Fire House.

… that Northwestern hosted a Water Park Party for Evanston teens at Skokie Water Park as part of My City, Your City, Our City. Next week’s outing is further from Our City, at Six Flags.

… that Close Knit’s owner has relocated to New Hampshire, so if you knit, have entrepreneurial skills and consider this an essential business, make the owner an offer she can’t refuse.

Finally, the Lighthouse Keeper reminds readers that, global warming notwithstanding, summer in Evanston is beautiful and brief. So, brave the heat and humidity, get outside, support local businesses and always carry your mask with you.