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A nice Friday morning in Evanston.
Pictured above, Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary Emeritus Caretaker Jerry Hurst (left) guides Emily Leach (center) and other nature educators from the American Horticultural Society through the two-acre nature area. (Photo by Richard Kahan)
City officials approved extending work hours at Ryan Field, allowing two additional hours of work each day starting Monday. The approved schedule is 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday, but the work must comply with the city’s noise ordinance. Ward 7 Councilwoman Eleanor Revell told the roundtable that the dust problem at the site is “gradually improving and the mayor has been quick to address it.” [Luke Stowe] We have determined that the extended time can be approved.”
The Evanston Police Department has revived a previous version of the newsletter, “The Insider: This Week at EPD,” which was discontinued in 2021 following criticism over how it identified criminal suspects. The Roundtable’s Scott Pemberton reviewed the content of “The Insider” and reports that it appears to be approaching the popularity of the previous version, with 3,000 subscribers and a 42% open rate, double the national average for email newsletters.
Roundtable Weekend Summary
Friday: The Plein Air Arts Festival Block Party, featuring live music from Sweet Molly, will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., between the Metra and L stations at 600 Main St. (See the Bulletin Board below for more information about the Arts Festival.)
Friday: Ingram Park will be transformed into a Glow in the Park black light dance party from 7 to 10 p.m. Registration is $6.
Saturday: Unplug Illinois Day will feature nature activities at six locations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday: Unity Soccer Festival begins at 9 a.m. on the Robert Crown Community Center field.
Sunday: Natural Habitat Evanston will host a garden tour at 4pm to help those unfamiliar with native plants get to know the flora better. RSVP for location.
Check out our events calendar for other events.
See more roundtable articles
QR code stickers have been plastered all over the place to promote “Enjoy Evanston,” a city website with information about attractions and activities in the city’s 10 business districts. Designer Rachel Aziz gave an update on the effort at a recent Economic Development Committee meeting.
Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick, who will serve as Rotary International’s 2024-25 president, said the Evanston-based organization needs to form new clubs and expand its reach. “It makes me happy to see young people joining Rotary clubs and Rotary audiences because I don’t want the magic of Rotary to die when I’m gone,” Urchick said Thursday at the Rotary Club of Evanston. “I want people to line up behind me.”
From the Tuscan countryside to Chicagoland: Manouche jazz band La Tosca will bring their talents to The Fat Shallot on Thursday. The band’s mission is to “bring to life the life stories of protagonists of timeless melodies,” says Andrea Falcone, who grew up in Milan.
Evanston Scene: On a crisp summer evening, the empty streets look like a stage set or an Edward Hopper painting. Pictured above is the scene on Sherman Avenue between Greenwood and Dempster Streets. (Photo by Jorg Metzner)
Public Square
Letter to the editor: Winnetka School District 36 parent Katie Scullion disputes claims made by School District 65 Superintendent Angel Turner in a Roundtable article about new Principal Allison Shofman. “I have never been critical of expanding learning opportunities or book censorship of any kind,” Scullion wrote.
Bulletin Board
Plein Air Festival runs from July 12 to 21. Celebrating outdoor painting and sketching, the festival will conclude with a grand finale on July 21 with an outdoor art market.
The city will begin an alley and sidewalk improvement project within the next two weeks, and temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted in the work zone at least 48 hours before construction begins.
Elmwood Street is closed for emergency sewer repairs. The sewer liner on Elmwood Street has collapsed. The City is working with a contractor and plans to excavate the sewer line. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the day Friday.
Photos from readers
Laurel Covert photographed a red-necked lark trying to defend a warning sign. Send us your photo for a chance to be featured in this newsletter.
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On the web
As Chicago convention planners say the Democratic National Convention is ready to go ahead, Mayor Johnson delivers fierce defense of Joe Biden Mayor Brandon Johnson on Thursday defended President Joe Biden’s campaign, arguing that criticism and attention should be directed at former President Donald Trump. [Chicago Sun-Times]
The city of Evanston will send crisis responders instead of police officers to low-risk 911 calls. The team of responders, clad in burgundy polo shirts, will be deployed in a soft launch on Monday. [NBC Chicago]
Thirty-five vendors are gearing up to set up shop at Wilmette’s Sidewalk Sale Friday through Saturday Starting at 10 a.m. Friday, more than 35 local vendors will be taking part in Wilmette’s annual Sidewalk Sale. [The Record North Shore]
One year since the football bullying scandal: Northwestern and Pat Fitzgerald deal with the aftermath One year after allegations of bullying and harassment rippled through Northwestern’s football program, here’s a look back at where things stand. [USA Today]
West Nile virus has been found in mosquitoes in Wilmette and Kenilworth, and insects found in Evanston, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Northbrook, Northfield and Skokie have also tested positive this year. [The Record North Shore]
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