Good Tuesday morning, Evanston.
True, it’s a beautiful morning – at this moment – and we had a lovely weekend. Hold on to those memories because the National Weather Service is warning us this will not last. (“Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!”) We are under a “Hazardous Weather Outlook” with temperatures expected to exceed 100 degrees. The hot weather will then clash with an expected cold front tonight, with possible thunderstorms and hail. We can never take a moment for granted, can we? Now, on to more news.
When the film crew started shooting the opening scenes in June of 2019 at Juneteenth hearings in Washington D.C., they didn’t yet know the documentary would center on Evanston. It was supposed to be a film similar to Ava DuVernay’s documentary 13th, said Whitney Dow, co-director. But then, she said, they discovered the work being done in Evanston. The Big Payback, a new documentary on reparations work here, debuted this past week to national attention.
Greenwood Street Beach remained closed this weekend, leaving beach-goers disappointed. According to the city of Evanston website, the beach was closed due to staffing shortages. The RoundTable was unable to reach city officials from the Parks and Recreation Department to find out when, or if, the beach will reopen. Nor can we yet, tell you the seriousness of the lifeguard staffing shortage. But check back and we’ll get some answers.
At This Time. All of a sudden the lake water doesn’t seem all that cold. Clark Street Beach on the last day before the start of summer.
COVID-19 by the numbers: 32 new cases were reported Sunday, June 19, the last day the city updated totals. The seven-day average is 28.1 cases per day.
Elsewhere on the RoundTable website
Library to move deliberately in replacing executive director. Evanston Public Library trustees will take some time to select the next executive director, according to Board President Tracy Fulce. Karen Danczak Lyons, the recently retired executive director, will be a hard act to follow and trustees want to get it right, she said.
Evanston Dimensions | Ask the historians. The Evanston History Center responds to an inquiry about the house at 1307 Ridge Ave. and ends up taking us on a long and winding road through the history of Ridge Avenue.
Getting to know Brittany Johnson. Did you know that ETHS’ head basketball coach also coaches the USA Women’s National Team? In this edition of People You Should Know, Brittanny Johnson is interviewed by ETHS alum Leighah Wool, who played on Johnson’s team from 2016 to 2017 and is the all-time leading ETHS scorer.
It’s always barkest before the dawn. Dear Gabby is going to the dogs with her advice. Our advice columnist weighs in on loud pooches, complaining next-door neighbors, college sports and a COVID-19 gap year.
Picturing Evanston. Painted steel sculpture by Andrew Arvanetes in Twiggs Park on Simpson Street and Dodge Avenue. This sculpture is part of the leased sculpture program of the Evanston Arts Council.
Traffic Alert: Sheridan Road southbound detour in effect. Please be aware that water main construction on Sheridan Road will require a detour of southbound traffic beginning June 20 and continuing for the next two weeks.
Next Starlight Concert is this Tuesday in Twiggs Park. Don’t miss the city’s next Starlight Concert featuring George Freeman & Mike Allemana Quintet with Chico Freeman at 7 p.m. on Tues., June 21, 7 at Twiggs Park, located at Simpson Street and Dodge Avenue.
Picnic with Central Street on June 23. On Thursday, June 23, Central Street Evanston invites the community to a summer evening takeout picnic in the park. Order take out from one of the many Central Street restaurants, grab a picnic blanket and come listen to indie darlings The Oh Yeahs.
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Around the web
Kellogg is splitting into three companies. In an announcement today, the 116-year-old cereal company said it will split into three areas: cereal, snack food and a new company focusing on plant-based foods.
Young U.S. children will start getting vaccines on Tuesday, but hurdles remain. The New York Times tells us much of the U.S. will begin administering coronavirus vaccines to children younger than 5, allowing babies and toddlers to more safely explore the world. But many parents are hesitant.
Climate change could trigger toxic disasters along Lake Michigan, new report finds. A report released Wednesday warns that rising lake levels, strong wind gusts and high waves are inching closer to flooding hazardous spots in northern Illinois, including coal, nuclear and Superfund sites.
Northwestern honors the legacy of Black Chicago in Juneteenth event. Northwestern hosted its 2022 Juneteenth celebration, The Vibrant Legacy of Black Chicago, Friday over Zoom. The event was hosted in collaboration with the NU Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
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