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Good Friday morning, Evanston. It used to be if someone was needling you, that was a bad thing, but acupuncture adds a new definition. RoundTable photographer Richard Cahan visited the community acupuncture session Thursday at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, held twice a month, and open to all. Thanks to acupuncturist Amy Landolt and recipient Bruce King (with needles in ear).
Now we’d like to stick in a few sharp points of our own concerning the news of the day.
City Manager Luke Stowe has told Evanston City Council members they have contributed to an “unhealthy work environment” for city employees. He sent a strongly worded email to council members on Jan. 20 about how city workers are treated, listing multiple issues. He added: “We risk continuing to lose some of our best staff members unless there is a substantial and meaningful course correction.”
Northwestern University is finalizing the construction contract for a new Ryan Field, officials said at the Fifth Ward meeting last night. The majority of those speaking up were boosters of the stadium project. The meeting focused more on economic development and the 2,900 jobs the university says the work will create than the proposed concerts that have concerned some Seventh Ward neighbors.
The city’s health focus for the next five years? Advancing health equity, mental health and climate resiliency, Public Health Director Ike Ogbo said last night at the NAACP’s State of the City: A Black History Community Event. Ogbo and other community leaders gave updates at the virtual session sponsored by the Evanston North Shore Branch NAACP. While the information was abundant, attendance was sparse, perhaps due to some technical issues.
More RoundTable reads
The city’s Economic Development Committee on Wednesday moved forward on an independent study of Northwestern’s Ryan Field project and concert plans. The committee voted to seek consultants for an economic impact report and a separate community engagement process.
Saturday is National Reparations Awareness Day. The day of remembrance hasn’t been approved by any state or federal legislative body, but the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America has marked the holiday since the early 1990s. Evanston’s reparations program figures prominently in local celebrations.
While cases of COVID-19 were up slightly in Evanston and Cook County, the risk level in both places for the past week still remains low, according to the CDC’s definitions. COVID-19 cases, however, are believed to be severely undercounted.
Evanston police traffic citations fell 63% from 2019 to 2022. At Wednesday’s meeting of the Reimagining Public Safety Committee, Sgt. Scott Sophier said the drop was due in part to changes made following the murder of George Floyd, and EPD hopes to build on the trend.
The quilt exhibit at the Dittmar Gallery in Northwestern’s Norris University Center is “beautiful, poignant and filled with personal memories and recent history,” writes critic Wendi Kromash. Plan to visit before the exhibit closes March 4.
The Evanston History Center’s Under the Buffalo lecture series will present Edith: The Rogue Rockefeller McCormick at 7 p.m. March 9. Author Andrea Friederici Ross will discuss her biography of the daughter of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller.
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Around the web
Chicago officials warn of potential ‘Day of Hate’ against Jewish communities. There is no known threat, but police and local officials are working closely with synagogues and faith-based organizations.
Evanston Animal Shelter says it’s in danger of closing. Bids for a new shelter building came in $1.7 million higher than anticipated, and the shelter is appealing for additional funds.
Q&A: ETHS teacher Kamasi Hill talks developing the AP African American Studies curriculum. Hill has been working as a member of the 13-person committee creating the course since early last year.
Medill senior Jack Izzo returns to ‘Jeopardy!’ in a blaze of glory. The Northwestern student, double majoring in journalism and psychology, appeared on the show’s Teen Tournament in high school and came back for a reunion episode.
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