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Good Monday morning, Evanston.
Brad Wisniewski sweeps the northwest corner of Chicago Avenue and Dempster Street on Sunday. He’s been sweeping and shoveling there for 14 years. “It’s the cleanest corner in the city,” he said. (Photo by Richard Cahan)
More than 60 people packed a room in the King Home building Saturday to discuss a plan to turn the vacant structure at 1555 Oak Ave. into an apartment hotel. Attendees had many questions for owner Cameel Halim. Council Member Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th Ward) moderated – and had to step in when discussion momentarily turned to shouting.
The Fifth Ward STEM Fest returned from pandemic hiatus Saturday, bringing science experiments and activities to the Family Focus building. Volunteers from 16 Evanston and Northwestern groups staffed tables in the gym, while upstairs students could attend sessions on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) topics. District 65 EvanSTEM Director Kirby Callam said 98% of festgoers were people of color, who are underrepresented in STEM fields.
Designed by Associate Principal Kiwana Brown (right), the ETHS Literacy Lab is helping fill the gap for students who need additional support in reading and literacy skills. “They are typically students who could fall through the cracks,” Brown said. Such students might require additional support, but “we didn’t have anything in the building that could support them.” Mary Helt Gavin has more on the program.
News & Brews: Treat yourself to an evening of live music and drinks at Sketchbook Brewing on Sunday, May 7. Join us from 6 to 8 p.m. as the RoundTable celebrates 25 years serving the Evanston community. Your ticket includes two drinks and unlimited selfies with the folks who make local journalism happen!
RoundTable roundup
Wednesday: The Highland Garden Club celebrates the anniversary of the Central Street Garden’s redesign with a 1 p.m. program at the Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd.
Wednesday: The city’s Aging Well Conference begins with a free 6 p.m. screening of the film Team Dream at the Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave. (and online). Register here.
Thursday: The Main-Dempster Mile is hosting a preview party at 5 p.m. at Binny’s, 1111 Chicago Ave. for its upcoming Arts and Crafts Beverage Crawl.
Friday: The Aging Well Conference resumes at 8 a.m. at the Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave. Illinois Department on Aging Director Paula Basta will give the keynote address.
COVID-19 by the numbers: No new cases or deaths were reported Thursday, April 27, the last day the city updated totals. The seven-day average is 5.29 cases per day. The RoundTable will discontinue daily reporting of this data when the national COVID-19 emergency ends May 11.
More RoundTable reads
Native land acknowledgments: What are they? Why write them? The Unitarian Church of Evanston is one of many groups that have recently adopted land acknowledgements. Kristen Lems explores the significance of such statements.
National Poetry Month just ended, but Evanston author Kenan Heise (above, with wife Carol) advises aspiring poets to “Have it come out of you, in whatever form you choose, and about whatever subject you choose,” no matter the month.
Dear Gabby: This week Gabby offers wisdom to others – a student feeling insecure about a summer job, a parent irritated by a father-in-law – as well as her younger self.
Letter to the editor: The Rev. Michael Woolf of Lake Street Church calls “NIMBYism” opposition to zoning approval for the Margarita Inn homeless shelter, including a proposal for an alternative “Good Neighbor Agreement,” a “spiritual sickness.”
Picturing Evanston. Dried flower bouquets near the entrance to the pier at Dawes Park, which perhaps are meant to remember a loved one. (Photo by Joerg Metzner)
Photos from our readers
It’s clear why reader Kristin Lems calls this part of the Northwestern lakefront “Hammock Grove.” Send your photos to news@evanstonroundtable.com for a chance to be included in this newsletter.
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Around the web
Residents, local activists convene to discuss climate-friendly home improvements. A Saturday morning gathering spotlighted individual actions instead of government initiatives.
Illinois’ assault weapons ban enforcement blocked by federal judge in southern Illinois. Judge Stephen McGlynn ruled that in some cases, the ban “completely obliterated” the right to defend oneself.
2023 Chicago Summer Festival Guide. Get ready for fun with this guide to street fests, art shows and outdoor concerts across Chicago and the suburbs.
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