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Good Monday morning, Evanston.
Above, Mahmoud Deek (from left) stands with daughters Leena and Bisan near Northwestern’s Gaza encampment on Sunday, the fourth day students and others have occupied the university’s Deering Meadow.
Read more of what those visiting the encampment had to say to the RoundTable’s Richard Cahan in At This Time.
The Northwestern Gaza encampment was confronted by pro-Israel counterprotesters Sunday. As many as 150 counterprotesters began their demonstration on the walkway by Deering Library, but later moved down the lawn to engage the pro-Palestinan group face-to-face. Susan Radov, a grad student at NU’s Kellogg School of Management, said she and other Kellogg students organized the action as “a peaceful Jewish solidarity stand” that came out of “pain and frustration” from seeing the encampment.
The City of Evanston still has $3 million to spend in federal pandemic relief funds, but there is a Dec. 31, 2024 U.S. Treasury deadline looming. At an Economic Development Committee meeting last week, Economic Development Manager Paul Zalmezak stressed he was “not trying to cause panic,” but that “we’ve got 14 more council meetings [left in the year], so there’s not a lot of time to do it.” So far, the panel has allocated money for public murals, a dining terrace at Independence Park and a new Small Business Recovery Fund.
RoundTable roundup
Monday: WBEZ Chicago and Bookends & Beginnings co-host a book talk with novelist Amor Towles about his new work, A Table for Two, at 7 p.m. in the Athenaeum Center, 2936 N Southport Ave. in Chicago.
Wednesday: Evanston ASPA hosts a virtual presentation by consultant Ayo Magwood on the history and roots of Asian American racialization at 7 p.m.
Thursday: The Chicago Jazz Dads play a live show at 6:30 p.m. at Evanston Pour, 528 Dempster St.
For more events, check out our Events Calendar.
More RoundTable reads
ETHS administrators see real dangers in a popular “Gotcha” game, and have reminded students that even fake and toy weapons are banned from campus. “While the intent of the game is often friendly competition, we are deeply concerned about the potential risks,” an ETHS statement said.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice published protocols to help police departments and schools prevent shootings. The RoundTable spoke to EPD, ETHS and District 65 about their compliance with those guidelines.
After just a year on the job, Evanston Cultural Arts Coordinator Joyy Norris (above) resigned earlier this month. Her predecessor in the position had an even shorter tenure, notes the RoundTable’s Gay Riseborough. And in other arts news, the Evanston Arts Council awarded funds to five of 13 grant applicants.
In the latest episode of the Evanston Rules podcast, hosts Laurice Bell and Ron Whitmore talk with ETHS Superintendent Marcus Campbell (above) about his time in Evanston, his passion for teaching and his leadership of the high school.
Dear Gabby: This week, the RoundTable’s advice columnist tackles questions about cutting plastics from the house, an unfriendly teacher and aging.
A lack of experience didn’t stop the Wildkit girls track team this weekend, as two relay teams led by junior Nyel Rollins (left) and filled with freshmen and sophomores earned top-four finishes in extremely windy conditions in Palatine.
Longtime Evanstonian Thomas J. O’Malley died April 20 at the age of 64. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at St. Athanasius Church, 1615 Lincoln St.
Bulletin board
Evanston Folk Festival pop-up box offices occurring through May 1. The initial lineup for the new two-day September event will be announced at 10 a.m. Monday.
First Presbyterian to host discussion on Gaza and role of religion on May 5. The interfaith panelists will discuss their thoughts on the role religion can, will and should play in ending the fighting in Gaza and bringing peace to the Mideast.
Photos from our readers
Diane Thodos shared this photo of a dramatic raincloud at sunset, as seen from Northwestern’s beach. Send us your photos for a chance to be included in this newsletter.
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Around the web
NAISA hosts third annual Pow Wow in honor of the water. More than 1,000 students and community members gathered to celebrate the cultures of tribes and nations from the Midwest and beyond in Northwestern’s Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Cook County Democratic leaders pick Monica Gordon to run for Cook County Clerk. The county commissioner will run for the remaining term of the late clerk, Karen Yarbrough, who died April 7.
Federal broadband program helping more than 300,000 Cook County residents set to expire. The Affordable Connectivity Program offered eligible households $30 per month toward their broadband internet bill, but with the program ending, some service providers are offering their own options.
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