Good morning, Evanston.
Cheers, applause, sirens, and honking horns signaled the start of Evanston’s inaugural in-person Juneteenth parade and celebration, as fire trucks escorted the long line of participants from the parking lot of Robert Crown Community Center to Ingraham Park.
Presented by Evanston Present and Future in partnership with the City of Evanston, Evanston’s Juneteenth commemoration kicked off Saturday morning with Grand Marshals Cheryl Judice and Jason Powell and continued with a celebration lineup that included speakers, muralists, musical and spoken word performances, drumming, poetry, and dance.
Focus and determination can take you a long way in high school athletics. Kalil Johnson used that formula – along with his remarkable talent – to rise to the top Saturday at the Illinois High School Association Class 3A state track and field finals at Eastern Illinois University. Johnson blazed his way to a pair of hurdles championships, in the 110-meter and 300-meter events, on the blue oval at EIU. The Evanston senior became only the third competitor in ETHS track and field history to score two hurdles wins at the same state championship meet, duplicating the feats of James Ashmore (1958) and Robert McGee (1979).
How significant is that accomplishment? Both of those athletes are members of the ETHS Hall of Fame.
Next Week in Evanston
Around the World on Central Street Starting June 18 to 9 p.m. on June 27 businesses on Central Street will offer food, beverages, gifts, and service from around the world. Pick up a gift card from any participating business and turn in the passport at the end of the week to enter a raffle for a $150 Evanston gift card.
Today
- ETHS: Start of Fee Payment Days for 2021-2022 School Year starts at 8 a.m. Mail-In, drop off (checks only) or online.
Tuesday
- Levy Lecture Series: Motown: The Music that Moved the World 1 p.m., virtual. In the 1960s, Motown records was the “Sound of Young America” sung by performers like The Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. Join the Levy Senior Center Foundation for a virtual lecture by Gary Wenstrup on the timeless Motown music. Register here.
- Re Imagining Public Safety Committee Meeting 4 p.m, virtual.
- Trans-Affirming Best Practices Workshop 6 p.m., virtual. Learn about how to support our trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) neighbors in this Zoom workshop led by Alderman Tom Suffredin and Alderwoman Cicely Fleming. Free for 6th and 9th Ward residents. Registration required.
Wednesday
- Wellness Wednesdays at Independence Park (Central Street Yoga) 8 a.m. at Independence Park. Free Yoga class, registration required.
- Design and Project Review Committee 2:30 p.m, virtual.
- Economic Development Committee 6 p.m, virtual.
- Zero Waste Working Group 7:15 p.m, virtual.
Thursday
- 7th Ward Meeting 7 p.m, hybrid. Virtual or in-person at the Evanston Ecology Center.
Friday
- Get Fit Friday with Pure Barre Evanston 4 p.m. at Fountain Square. This class is donation-based, and will tone muscles and improves strength, agility, and flexibility. Register online.
Saturday
- Pop-up Food Pantry 10 a.m. Pop-up pantries are available to eligible participants, who must register in advance and will be directed to location closest to them.
- Repair Cafe 10 a.m. at the Robert Crown Community Center and Library. Free event hosted by the Evanston Public Library and co-sponsored by Citizens’ Greener Evanston, where tools and expert volunteers are available to help attendees repair their own items. This year, attendees are asked to sign up for appointment slots here.
- Evanston Pride Celebration Car parade to celebrate Evanston’s LGBTQIA+ youth at 1 p.m (location TBD), LGBTQIA+ community picnic at 3 p.m. at James Park, candle lighting & remembrance ceremony at 7 p.m. at Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center. Event hosted by Evanston Pride Inc. Twenty percent of funds raised for the Pride Celebration will be donated. RSVP here.
Sunday
- Evanston Garden Walk 12 to 5 p.m. Join the Evanston Environmental Association for their annual Garden Walk. Tickets sold online here.
Around the Web
- Pritzker Signs Voter Access Plan That Moves Primary. Illinois’ primary election will be moved from March to June next year under a plan that expands voter access and was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
- Juneteenth flag raised at Illinois State Capitol. The Juneteenth flag will remain flying over the building throughout the weekend.
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