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Good Friday morning, Evanston.
“This is life changing,” says Kathy Chiwah as she and her son Santi, 11, test the city’s new beach wheelchair across the sand from the Clark Street Beach House to the waters of Lake Michigan. It was the first time the wheelchair, one of three purchased by the Parks and Recreation Department, had touched the sand.
Mayor Daniel Biss’ decision to endorse Council Members Krissie Harris and Juan Geracaris in the Second and Ninth Ward races has been criticized by some residents. But Biss’ two immediate predecessors as Evanston mayor say there is historical precedent. “I think it’s fair to let people know in the community who you think is doing a good job,” said former Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl.
Note to readers: As a nonprofit the RoundTable does not issue endorsements nor publish others’ endorsements. We may, however, report endorsements by a group or public figure as news.
The Evanston Police Department issued an update Thursday on the March 17 case that led to schools and day care centers across the city being placed on soft lockdowns. EPD said that though the person involved has not been found, authorities do not believe he poses a danger to the public. Police said in the statement that the person’s identity is not being released and that he is “in need of care.”
Northwestern University has selected its construction manager for its Ryan Field project, a partnership between Turner Construction and Walsh Construction. The university plans to submit its planned development application to the City of Evanston in April. The university and Turner-Walsh plan an initial community outreach session at 10 a.m. April 5 at the Wilson Club in Welsh Ryan Arena.
RoundTable weekend roundup
Indoor farmers’ market: Get a taste of some Midwest grub from local vendors at the Evanston Ecology Center from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Spring Sketch Show: Now through Sunday, Mudlark Theater is featuring Just Laugh Already, a comedy show from a group of young peformers.
Irish music with John Williams & Friends: Enjoy live music at the Celtic Knot Public House 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
More RoundTable reads
After two interim executive directors and an extensive nationwide search, Evanston equity nonprofit Cradle to Career has hired a new executive director, Blake Noel. “My goal is to try to lead from the center, not lead from the front,” Noel said.
The city’s Economic Development Committee voted March 21 to back allocating federal American Recovery Plan Act funds to buy security barriers to protect public events, though likely at less than the $612,821 cost officials are seeking.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois this week is down 5% from last week. Evanston and Cook County remain in the low community risk category.
Letter to the editor: “Our community and others like it need our lawmakers to think deeply about the unintended consequences of any regulations that would handcuff America’s technology leaders,” writes Ande Breunig about federal tech regulation’s impact at the local level.
Linda Matsumoto, a District 65 educator since 2013, has been honored with the Illinois Education Association’s Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award. She is the first Asian American/Pacific Islander to receive the honor.
March is Women’s History Month and the Evanston Symphony Orchestra’s 2022-2023 subscription season theme, “Spotlight on Women Artists,” takes center stage with an April 2 concert featuring acclaimed pianist Kariné Poghosyan (above).
Letter to the editor: “As the plans for the Fifth Ward school are developed, we believe that it would not only be ignorant, but harmful to not have the building meet … green standards,” writes Milo Slevin, on behalf of the E-Town Sunrise student group.
Picturing Evanston: Nope, the back half of this car is not missing. What you might have seen zipping down Oakton Street is the Solo by Electra Meccanica, a three-wheel electric vehicle that seats one person. (Photo by Joerg Metzner)
Photos from our readers
June Bloom shared some glimpses of the first day of spring. Send your photos of people, places and events around town to news@evanstonroundtable.com for a chance to be included in this newsletter.
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Around the web
Highland Park shooting survivor Cooper Roberts, CPD Officer Danny Golden recognized for perseverance. The two will receive an annual cash grant thanks to the Brennan Rehabilitation Foundation.
Exclusive look at Cook County 911 dispatchers’ quiet rooms. Cook County got 700,000 emergency calls in 2022; it has more than doubled in the past six years.
United and Archer will open an air taxi route to Chicago’s O’Hare airport in 2025. The trip from downtown to the airport in electric flying air taxis will take just 10 minutes. The companies eventually plan to add surrounding communities too.
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