Good Tuesday morning, Evanston.
Have we told you lately how thankful we are for your readership and support? Well, we are. Thank you for reading the RoundTable and for always telling us what we do well and where we fall short. Don’t stop.
Now it’s time to hunt for holiday gifts – like Pam Rolfes in Richard Cahan’s photo above, being assisted by Sean McNeely, left, and Kevin Barthel, at last weekend’s Woman’s Club of Evanston Holiday Bazaar. And if you want to get us a little something (gosh, so nice, thanks!), we suggest you donate here.
With all the thanking and giving and eating and shopping, the newsletter is taking a holiday hiatus. This is a fall break, not a break up: We will be back in your inbox Monday, Nov. 28. Now, on to the news.
A bit of budget news Monday as the City Council focused on what it would take to close Evanston’s pension funding gap – including reconsidering a property tax hike, despite earlier resistance. Several council members expressed reservations about tapping excess reserve funds and other sources.
A group of about 100 came together Sunday night to discuss antisemitism, racism and discrimination. The Rev. Michael Nabors, who organized the event, pointed out that nationwide there have been nearly 50 antisemitic incidents reported so far this month. “The hateful vitriol has grown more and more dangerous,” he said.
City members and advocates gathered in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood on Sunday afternoon, braving the cold to honor the memory of Evanstonian Elise Malary on a Trans Day of Remembrance. The somber event was darkened further by the tragic news of Saturday night’s mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs.
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COVID-19 by the numbers: Eight new cases and no new deaths were reported Sunday, Nov. 20, the last day the city updated totals. The seven-day average is 14.7 cases per day.
Elsewhere on the RoundTable website
Main event: Californian Matt Brannigan, center, vs. Max the Impaler. Pro wrestling in Evanston? “Evanston is known for its history of rules. Prohibition. … It runs the gamut of things that have been ruled out,” said India Mussell-McKay, an owner of the Palmhouse, site of the inclusive event. “[W]e thought it would be fun to showcase something different that you don’t see everywhere.”
This is the first time both Evanston school districts have the entire week off for Thanksgiving. We know you handled the pandemic, but is this a difficult juggle of work and child care or a treasured family time? Tell us: Email your family photos to news@evanstonroundtable.com and let us know how this week works (or not) for you. We may use your story in our story!
Eye on Evanston: Thoughts on Design | Coming of age in the 20s. Read the conclusion of the four-part series on a proposal, never acted upon by the city, to establish a Northwest Evanston Historic District. Does the area deserve to be honored on the National Register of Historic Places?
Ukaj can’t miss, sparks Kits to first victory of season. Dafina Ukaj scores a career high 23 points. “Twenty years from now … it will still make me smile because of what Dafina did tonight,” said girls basketball head coach Brittanny Johnson.
The “blackout” uniforms for select games are the least of the changes for the ETHS boys basketball team this year. The lineup will also look different, as five seniors transferred in over the summer. The season opener is tonight.
No, Evanston police and Sgt. Levy are not about to arrest you. The Evanston Police warn that if someone purporting to be Sgt. Levy calls about arrest warrants for you, don’t dial the phone number he gives. Call the real police at 847-866-5000.
Moms Demand Action and YWCA Evanston/North Shore will host a town hall style event on the state of gun violence and gun violence prevention from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29 at the YWCA, 1215 Church St.
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Around the web
ETHS student starts nonprofit to welcome refugees to the Evanston community. In March, senior Zoe Kaufman launched Refugees are Served Here, which seeks to make her community more welcoming for refugees.
Evanston’s renewable energy powers homes in other states. Are new solutions local? Evanston relies on renewable energy to offset its greenhouse gas emissions. But much of that clean energy doesn’t change the amount of fossil fuels burned in Illinois.
‘We speak for ourselves.’ Northwestern scholars help launch a new exhibition at Chicago’s Field Museum to amplify the diverse voices of Native American and Indigenous people.
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