Good Tuesday morning, Evanston.
Based in the old Fifth Ward school, Family Focus is looking to grow, and city funds may help the social service organization expand its offerings.
At the recent Fifth Ward meeting, Dara Munson, new president and CEO of Family Focus, offered an update and a preview of what’s to come.
Munson says that the organization’s local emphasis is on ensuring its building is maintained well, so that it can attract tenants to fill the 40% unutilized space. What does that mean? A “pretty significant construction project” is headed to Family Focus.
February is Black History Month and artists have long confronted the anti-Black violence permeating U.S. history, asserting their voices through works that memorialize, protest, grieve and bear witness.
Now on view at Northwestern University’s Block Museum of Art, the exhibition “A Site of Struggle: American Art against Anti-Black Violence,” traces the arc of artists’ responses to racial violence, from the anti-lynching movement in the 1890s through the emergence of Black Lives Matter.
At this time: 6:24 p.m. Monday. Lion dancers celebrate the Lunar New Year on Dempster Street near Chicago Avenue. “We want to share our culture,” said Kam Cho, who was at the head of the lion. He runs the Chicago-based Seven Star Lion Dance Group. About 100 people filled the street.
COVID by the numbers: 14 cases were reported Sunday, Jan. 30, the last day the city updated case totals. The seven-day average is 32 cases per day.
Elsewhere on the RoundTable website
CloseKnit to close its doors. After 20 years and two different owners, CloseKnit Yarn Store, tucked away on Orrington Avenue, is closing. Owner Lucie Sinkler said she had to make a hard decision: “It was sad.”
The week in photos: Jan. 24-31. Despite subzero temperatures, a cold weather advisory and up to 10 inches of snowfall, residents headed outdoors this week to explore – and photograph – snowy Evanston.
Celebrate Black History Month with the Evanston Public Library. Throughout the month of February the library offers special programming that highlights the contributions of African Americans and supports the Black community.
ETHS boys basketball: Offense sputters again in shootout loss to Lake Forest. The Wildkits didn’t exactly put their best foot forward as a team at Saturday’s War On The Shore at Loyola Academy.
ETHS boys bowling: Wildkits fall short in state preliminaries. Evanston finished 24th – out of 24 teams – during the preliminary team competition Friday, but it was the final chapter of an epic season.
Call for art: Winter Wonderland at Canal Shores. Canal Shores, Downtown Evanston and Evanston Made invite the public to create an immersive art experience Feb. 1-28.
The Evanston Chamber Music Society presents “Love Triangles and Piano Quartets.” Searching for something romantic to do for Valentine’s Day? The friendship and love between the Schumanns (Clara and Robert) and Johannes Brahms make for a scintillating program.
Community members invited to help plan future skate park. The City of Evanston is encouraging community members to help design a new skate park planned for the east end of Twiggs Park.
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Around the web
20 inches of snow? Chicago is facing 2 major snowstorms this week — but experts not yet sure how much we’ll get. Chicago could get battered by two snowstorms, one on top of the other, this week.
Here’s what events are happening at Northwestern for Black History Month. The university will celebrate in February with events hosted by Multicultural Student Affairs, the Department of African American Studies and other groups.
“InSidewalk Sale” promotes Evanston Businesses during pandemic. Downtown Evanston businesses hosted the “InSidewalk Sale” this weekend, featuring discounts and special offers from 11 local vendors.
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