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Good Tuesday morning, Evanston.
Above, ETHS senior Anosha Baig gets a hand from volunteer Kim Davis as she tries on a dress Monday at the Woman’s Club of Evanston’s free Dreams Delivered Prom Boutique. Prom is May 13. (Photo by Richard Cahan)
Another big date: April 18 – today – is tax day this year. File that 1040!
Car theft in Evanston is accelerating. The number of cars reported stolen last year, 141, is more than double the 64 vehicle thefts in 2018. This year looks even worse: Through March 22, there have already been 72 vehicles stolen. About half of Evanston car thefts are Kia and Hyundai models, according to Police Cmdr. Ryan Glew. The police offer some tips to help keep your car – or its catalytic converter – from joining the statistics.
District 65 is transitioning its social science curriculum with more culturally responsive, diverse and rigorous units, Director of Social Sciences Jamila Dillard told school board members Monday. The district wrote its own lesson plans for every grade to formulate an “all-inclusive history curriculum,” according to Assistant Superintendent Stacy Beardsley. But Beardsley and Dillard said that while K-5 lessons have worked out well, middle school plans need more substantive content.
In an open letter to the community, Mayor Daniel Biss mourns the tragedy of last week’s shooting: “It was a senseless outbreak of violence, resulting in the loss of life and ripples of pain across our community.” Biss writes that afterward he spent time outside Evanston Hospital, where a crowd gathered “and the situation was on the brink of spiraling out of control.” EPD was aided by other departments in “efforts to deescalate the situation,” he writes. Biss also defends the city not issuing a shelter in place order and outlines plans for more violence prevention work.
COVID-19 by the numbers: Eight new cases and no new deaths were reported Sunday, April 16, the last day the city updated totals. The seven-day average is 4.29 cases per day.
More RoundTable reads
The city’s Redistricting Committee has released a map proposing the first new political boundaries for the city in 20 years. Panel members said they altered existing wards as little as possible while moving closer to equal ward populations. “It’s a bit of a Tetris game,” said chair Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th Ward).
As the city considers revamping its Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance, local nonprofit Open Communities is surveying Evanston tenants to give them a voice in the process. The city is talking with landlords, but plans further outreach.
In Wildkit softball, catcher Delila Liston and pitcher Isabelle Anthony (above) combined to produce Evanston’s second straight victory Saturday, a 10-2 triumph over visiting Rolling Meadows. It’s the first time in three years that ETHS has managed back-to-back regular season wins.
Tickets are still available for Youth Job Center’s annual fundraiser this Thursday at Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago. This year marks a milestone in YJC history as the group celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Picturing Evanston. This magnolia tree on Florence Avenue and Davis Street bloomed during the unusually warm days that marked a magnificent weather week. (Photo by Joerg Metzner)
Photos from our readers
Karri Machut writes, “This mourning dove hatched two nestlings in the window box right outside my bedroom! They are growing so fast!” Send your photos of people, places and events to news@evanstonroundtable.com for a chance to be included in this newsletter.
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Around the web
Authors of new Evanston history book speak at EPL. RoundTable co-founders Mary and Larry Gavin joined Shorefront Legacy Center founder Dino Robinson last week to discuss Encountering Evanston History.
Practical Theatre Company returns to Evanston full time with residency at Studio5. The Summer Vic & Paul & Dana Revue, running from June 8 through July 2, will combine classic company sketches, songs and improv comedy.
April fools! Record warmth gives way to snow as spring takes Chicago on roller-coaster weather ride. Monday’s cold was a shock after last week’s record-setting summerlike temperatures.
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