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 […]
Author Archives: Matt Simonette
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 […]
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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 […]
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The Musical Offering Celebrates 20 years of Bringing Music to Evanston
Rick Ferguson, an Alabama native who is artistic director of The Musical Offering music school, the life of a musician is often “very nomadic – you follow where teaching leads you.” Mr. Ferguson was led to Evanston three decades ago by the prospect of getting his doctorate from Northwestern University. He did not complete his […]
Posted inCity News, Uncategorized
Northwestern Event Proposal Heads to City Council
After several hours of testimony the evening of Sept. 11, the Evanston Plan Commission approved and sent along to the City Council a recommendation to accept a proposal that would allow Northwestern University to change the nature of “temporary” – or special – events that it holds in the U2 (university athletic facilities) district, which […]
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Hearing on Welsh-Ryan Rezoning Now Set For Sept. 11
Evanstonians who had gathered for the City Plan Commission meeting the evening of Aug. 28 to further discuss Northwestern University’s proposal to hold additional events at their Welsh Ryan facility were told they would have to return for the next meeting, which is scheduled for Sept. 11. Five of the nine commissioners were in attendance, […]
Posted inCity News
Fourth Ward Residents Hear New Development Proposals
Residents of the Fourth Ward as well as other Evanstonians gathered at Evanston Public Library on Aug. 6 to hear proposals for developing locations at 601 Davis St. and 1020 Church St. Both proposals were scaled-back versions of projects that had stalled previously. The Davis Street location is another try at developing what has been […]