The Evanston Plan Commision reached a split vote July 14 after hearing a proposal that would both eliminate the word “family” from the City’s zoning ordinances and repeal a rule prohibiting more than three unrelated persons sharing a living space. With the split vote, the repeal next heads to the Evanston Planning and Development Committee […]
Author Archives: Matt Simonette
Posted inCity News
Plan Commission Opens ‘Live-Work’ Discussions
The Evanston Plan Commission on July 14 returned an omnibus proposal allowing so-called live-work units in the C2 zoning district so City Staff could clarify its own suggestions for amending the relevant ordinances. The initial portion of the proposal came from local real estate developer Andrew Spatz, who has already developed similar live-work spaces in […]
Posted inArt & Life
Proudly Braving the Elements: Evanston Pride Parade Kicks Off
Though Mother Nature threw a few curve balls this weekend, Evanston Pride, Inc. nevertheless staged its LGBTQ Pride Parade the afternoon of Saturday, June 26. The organization’s planned picnic and candle-lighting ceremony will be rescheduled thanks to the region’s inclement weather, but organizers were determined to let the parade proceed as scheduled, despite a heavy […]
Posted inArt & Life
Evanston LGBTQ Organization Prepares for June Pride Celebration
A number of Evanstonians, who recently banded together to create a new community LGBTQ pride organization, unveiled plans for a Pride Month celebration at the end of June. The function of Evanston Pride, Inc., according to its organizational website, “is to organize and support the full spectrum of local LGBTQIA+ community members through specialized programming […]
Posted inArt & Life, Uncategorized
W + Co. Salon Owner Reflects on a Challenging Year
Hair salons and barber shops are among the businesses that have been most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The shutdown was rough, because this is my only source of income,” said Matt Weatherford, proprietor of W + Co Salon, 930 1/2 Chicago Ave. “Having people call me and ask my advice on how they should […]
Posted inArt & Life, Uncategorized
Evanstonians and Senior Residents Share Holiday Cheer
Many residents at an Evanston senior living facility are being “adopted” by community volunteers for some extra cheer in the 2020 holiday season. Westminster Place, 3200 Grant St., which primarily offers independent living, assisted living and memory care services to about 500 residents, has for the past few years had an “adopt-a-grandparent” program in place […]
Posted inArt & Life, Uncategorized
Bucephalus Bikes Keeps Bicycles in Tune in 2020
Alex Añón jokingly tells his customers at Bucephalus Bikes, 1424 Lake St., that he’ll be “the last one pounding on your bike’s chest.” Mr. Añón, who opened the shop in 2009, takes pride in resurrecting bikes that might cause other bike repair-people to throw their arms up in frustration. “If I recognize that something has […]
Posted inArt & Life, Social Justice, Uncategorized
New Documentary on the Legacy of Abner Mikva
A group of Chicago-area filmmakers, some with close Evanston connections, have produced a new documentary about the life and work of the late federal judge, congressman and political activist Abner Mikva. The program, “Mikva! Democracy is a Verb,” airs at 8 p.m. on Oct. 29 on WTTW. It was directed by veteran documentarian Bob Hercules, […]
Posted inArt & Life, COVID19, Social Justice, Uncategorized
Evanston Synagogues Pivot for Socially-Distanced High Holidays
Planning for the High Holidays was especially challenging for Evanston’s synagogues in 2020, as the COVID -19 pandemic has shown no signs of abating. Leaders at both Beth Emet and Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation (JRC) were this year faced with planning religious services for an occasion that is by definition about gathering together as a community […]
Posted inArt & Life, Social Justice, Uncategorized
Beth Emet Cantor Looks Ahead to Dec. 15 Chanukah Concert
For Cantor Kyle Cotler, who since July of this year has been the cantor at Evanston’s Beth Emet synagogue, liturgical music has long been a family affair. His father is Cantor Douglas Cotler, who regularly performs for Jewish American audiences and is also a Grammy Award-winning songwriter. He won the award for writing the song […]