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No matter what the season, Evanston is a bustling city full of life. In an attempt to capture the essence of our town, we invited local shutterbugs, professional and amateur photographers to help us illustrate the beauty of Evanston across all spectrums on a fall day. The fall session of "Day in the Life of Evanston: A Photo Story" was held all day on October 22, 2011. Photo album available for purchase here>>>

Through the eyes of our residents and their camera lenses, we captured glimpses of the different corners of our town on a beautiful October day. From the colors of the foliage at the Farmer’s Market, the spirit of a child mid soccer game, to the lights of the stadium flooding the night—our residents stepped up to the plate and helped us compile a uniquely interesting view of Evanston. With over 160 submissions, the event was a success.

The enthusiasm for this event was encouraging and the City of Evanston hopes to capture Evanston through the seasons by holding a “photo day” for every season. This project demonstrates the character of our town and provides a distinct interpretation of what it means to live in Evanston.

All submitted photos are posted on the City of Evanston's website and 30 photos were selected to be part of our “Day in the Life of Evanston” printed photo book which is available for purchase.

Winners and the selected pictures were presented at City Council on December 12, 2011. The winners were:

• Soo Jin “Gina” Clark
• Becky Crump
• Susan Taylor Gescheidle
• Rodney Greene
• Samuel Gonzalez
• Julie E. Kaufman
• Candace Kumarski
• Joerg Metzner
• Christopher P. Nicholas
• Kathy Pilat
• Kerry Plencner
• Silvio Ribeiro
• Ronald Rutkowski
• Daniel Schuleman
• Meg Smith
• Honor Spitz
• Karina Wang
• Kelly Weikel
  
  
   

Edgemark Development has requested a continuance concerning the Wednesday, February 8, 2012 public hearing for a proposed text and map amendment at 2628 Gross Point Road. The request has been submitted to the Plan Commission and will be considered when the Commission convenes Wednesday February 8, 2012 at 7:00PM in City Council Chambers of the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center. Edgemark has requested a continuance to the March 14, 2012 meeting. Continuance Letter here>>>

For reference, the Plan Commission received a packet for the December 14th meeting regarding the Chase Bank proposal. The bank is proposed to be built on the vacant lot located 2635 Crawford Ave., at the intersection with Gross Point Road. The proposed plan is to build a 4,200 square foot bank that would include three drive-through lanes and 28 parking spaces. The December meeting packet can be viewed here>>>

We need your input! The City of Evanston is partnering with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to create a Water Efficiency Program.

The program serves as an action toward implementing Evanston's Climate Action Plan and will focus on water use and water supply issues in the city with the goal of increasing water efficiency and promoting water conservation.

The purpose of this survey is to collect input from residents for using the development of the program.

Additionally, the city will hold a public meeting April 26, 2012, 3-5 p.m. for local businesses & 7-9 p.m. for residents to gather additional input- more information to follow. Take the survey here>>>

Staff from the Evanston Ecology Center has “beaver fever!” They recently discovered trees with fresh chewing marks along the bank of the North Shore Channel (canal). It is really exciting for them because beavers, the second largest rodent in the world, haven’t been in that immediate vicinity for a while. They said, “Beavers’ dams help slow erosion and water downstream of North American beaver dams is cleaner.” Stop by the Evanston Ecology Center to learn more fun facts about beavers’ teeth and their habits.

The North Shore Channel is adjacent to the Ladd Arboretum and the Evanston Ecology Center. The channel is teeming with a wonderful assortment of wildlife. The Ecology Center has a board where visitors post what they saw on their visit to the area. Species spotted include fox, coyote, deer, snapping turtle, red-eared slider (turtle), mink and muskrat. Look up and you might see a heron, mallard duck, kingfisher, wood duck, warbler or red wing blackbird. A great indicator of the channel’s improving health is the presence of crawfish, frogs, tadpoles and insects, as these species are very sensitive to their environment.

 For more information, call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256.
 

Artists who would like to show and sell their artwork at Evanston's major lakefront summer festivals are invited to submit an application. 

The Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival is open to individual fine artists who exhibit their work on a local or national level, while the Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival is open to artists and craft vendors of all cultures whose artwork expresses the heritage of a national, regional, tribal or language group.

Lakeshore Arts Festival

The deadline for the 2012 Lakeshore Festival is March 16. The 40th annual festival will be held August 4-5. Click here for more information.

Ethnic Arts Festival

The deadline for the 2012 Ethnic Festival is April 23. The 27th annual festival will be held July 21-22. Click here for more information.

Even though Super Bowl Sunday is not an official holiday, millions will celebrate the “Super Bowl Sunday” with family and friends. In fact, Super Bowl Sunday is the second–largest day of food consumption in the United States after Thanksgiving. However, unlike a sit-down dinner, most Super Bowl parties feature buffet-style.

If you are planning a Super Bowl event, make sure to follow the food safety playbook to ensure that everyone enjoys the party, no matter who wins or loses, and nobody goes home sick. “A popular way to celebrate holidays or any party is to invite friends and family to dine buffet style. However, this type of food service, where foods may be out for long periods leaves the door open for uninvited guests -- bacteria that cause foodborne illness,” according to Evonda Thomas, Health Department Director. “A simple way to remember safe food practices to think of four simple words:

• Clean,
• Separate,
• Cook,
• Chill.

Below is a game plan from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on how to host a champion-style get-together:

Illegal use of hands
Avoid penalties for "illegal use of hands." Unclean hands are one of the biggest culprits for spreading bacteria, and finger foods at parties are especially vulnerable. Chefs and guests should wash their hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before and after handling food. Also, be sure to clean eating surfaces often, and wash serving platters before replenishing them with fresh food.

Offsides
Think of your party entrance fee as two different teams—uncooked versus ready-to-eat foods. Prevent "encroachment" at all costs and keep each team in its own zone. The juices from raw meat can contain harmful bacteria that cross-contaminate other food. Use one cutting board for raw meat and poultry and another one for cutting veggies or foods that will not be cooked. If you use only one cutting board, wash it with hot soapy water after preparing each food item.

Equipment violations and holding
Call a "time out" and use a food thermometer to be sure meat and poultry are safely cooked. Remember that internal temperature, not meat color, indicates doneness. Steaks should be cooked to 145 °F, ground beef should be cooked to 160 °F, and all poultry should be cooked to 165 °F. "Holding" may be one of the most likely offenses your referee encounters if your party lasts late into the night. Never hold foods for more than two hours at room temperature. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers promptly to block offensive bacteria from multiplying. The same rules apply for cold foods. If cold food has been sitting out for more than two hours, do not eat it. When in doubt, throw it out of the game—and your party.

False start
When it comes to foodborne illness, there is no opportunity for an instant replay. To avoid these infractions, make sure you understand the rules completely.

More food safety tips are available at www.cityofevanston.org/health or email food safety coaches at safefood@cityofevanston.org. Food safety coaches are available Monday through Friday at Evanston Health Department 847 866-2948 or by calling 311.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in Illinois, and the U.S. The Evanston Health Department honors American Heart Month by taking part in National Wear Red Day® this Friday, February 3, 2012. Ask your friends, family and co-workers to wear red on Friday to show their support for women's heart disease awareness.

February is American Heart Month, a month to spread awareness about the importance of heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for all Americans and accounts for $1 out of every $6 health care dollars according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Women also are more likely than men to have some other signs of heart attack such as shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting or back and jaw pain.

Risk Factors

Know the risk factors that may increase your chances of getting heart disease.

• High blood cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Being overweight
• Family history of early heart disease
• Age (55 or older for women)
• Being physically inactive
• Smoking

Preventing Heart Disease

The following are some of the steps you can take to decrease you risk of heart disease.

• Quit smoking
• Control your blood pressure
• Control your blood cholesterol
• Control your weight
• Reduce your stress level
• Be physically active
• Eat a nutritious diet

For more information about heart disease go to www.cityofevanston.org or www.idph.state.il.us/heartstroke/index.htm, and don’t forget to wear red this Friday, February 3, 2012 to raise awareness of heart disease and support the women in our lives.

Today, February 2nd, the Text – A – Tip campaign kicked off at Evanston Township High School encouraging students to use Text – A – Tip to report illegal activity or information on crimes occurring in an around the school campus and throughout the City of Evanston. This event was coordinated through the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Group.

The Evanston Police Department fully supports this Text – A – Tip program with E.T.H.S. and wants not only students of E.T.H.S. to utilize this program, but also all citizens of Evanston that have the availability of a cell phone. The Text-A-Tip program allows for anonymous tips to police or E.T.H.S. safety for students via their cell phone.

Tips regarding criminal offenses that have occurred or that may be planned, can be sent to the Evanston Police Department by texting the number 274637 which spells out the word CRIMES on their cell phone. Then adding the word EPDTIP in the message line followed by as much detailed information as possible about the crime. Remember, that this is completely anonymous and a third party carrier handles the information before it reaches the police or E.T.H.S. safety. This is to ensure that tipsters remain anonymous and also allows for texting conversations to occur between police and the tipster if necessary, but the tipster’s anonymity always remains intact.

For Evanston Township High School Students and Faculty that are utilizing this program to communicate anonymously with high school safety personnel, information can be text to the same number 274637 and in the message line put ETHS and then provide the detailed information.

This program is an important tool to assist the high school safety department and police to ensure a safer community for all of Evanston. The Text – A- Tip program can be used 24 hours a day & 365 days a year. This program is not meant to be used for emergencies. All emergencies should be reported by calling 911. Persons calling 911 do not have to leave a name with police.

Further information on the police department’s Text – A – Tip program is available at the following city webpage: http://cityofevanston.org/police/text-a-tip/


 

On Tuesday, January 31st at approx. 10am, investigators of the Evanston Police Department’s N.E.T. Unit (Narcotics & Gang Crimes) and members of the N.I.P.A.S. Emergency Services Team executed a search warrant at 1710 Monroe St. reference an illegal drug investigation being conducted by the Evanston Police Department’s N.E.T. unit.

Evanston Police were able to seize approximately 115 grams of cannabis, an AR-15 assault rifle, assault rifle ammunition, approximately $900 in U.S. Currency and items commonly used for packaging cannabis for sale, such as plastic baggies and a digital scale. As a result of the investigation and execution of the search warrant, the following individuals were arrested and charged with the following offenses.

Demetrius D. Mason M/B/32
1710 Monroe St. Evanston, IL

Charge(s):

Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapon - Felony
Armed Violence - Felony
Unlawful Use of Weapon by a Felon – (2) Counts - Felony
Unlawful Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Deliver - Felony
Unlawful Possession of Cannabis - Felony
Firearm Possession without a Valid Firearm Owners Identification Card - Misdemeanor
Possession of Firearm Ammunition without a Valid Firearm Owners Identification Card - Misdemeanor

Brandon A. Wright M/B/24
1710 Monroe St. Evanston, IL

Charge(s):

Unlawful Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Deliver - Felony
Unlawful Possession of Cannabis – Felony

Both Mason and Wright have an initial court appearance scheduled for February 16, 2012 at 9AM in Room 105 at the 2nd Municipal District of the Circuit Court of Cook County located at 5600 Old Orchard Road in Skokie.

 

Cojuan D. Ruffin M/B/36
1520 Dempster St. Evanston, IL

Charge(s):

Possession of Cannabis – Misdemeanor

Precious S. Jobe F/B/22
723 Dodge Ave. Evanston, IL

Charge(s):

Possession of Cannabis – Misdemeanor

Both Ruffin and Jobe have an initial court appearance scheduled for March 1, 2012 at 10:30AM in Room 104 at the 2nd Municipal District of the Circuit Court of Cook County located at 5600 Old Orchard Road in Skokie.




 

Evanston Township Assessor Bonnie Wilson is reminding residents that the first installment property tax bills for the tax year 2011 will be arriving in the first week of February.

"Property taxes are paid in two installments,” Wilson said. "The first installment bill is fifty-five percent (55%) of the total property tax bill for the previous year, and will be due on March 1."

First installment tax bills will not reflect homeowner, senior citizen or other exemptions, nor will they reflect successful assessment appeals that were filed in calendar year 2011. "The first installment is just an estimate based on what was paid last year,” Wilson explained. "When the second installment bill is mailed in the fall, it will reflect all exemptions for which the property is eligible as well any savings due to successful 2011 tax appeals."

Details about Paying Taxes
If money for property taxes is paid into an escrow account with a taxpayer's mortgage company, the financial institution should receive the tax bill electronically, even if the taxpayer also receives a copy of the bill. Assessor Wilson advises taxpayers with property tax escrows held by their mortgage companies not to pay property taxes on their own. If they do, an overpayment of property taxes may result.

Property owners who do not have mortgage companies paying their taxes can make tax payments in person, by mail, or on-line at the Cook County Treasurer's web site, www.cookcountytreasurer.com. In-person payments are accepted at the Cook County Treasurer's downtown office at 118 N. Clark Street and at any Chase Bank in the Chicago area.

Last Year's Due Date Was Different.
Although March 1 has long been the due date for first installment tax bills, it is worth noting that last year's due date for first installment taxes was April 1. But the April 1 due date was in effect for one year only. Prior to the first installment bill last year, a tax bill had been due on December 13, 2010, the latest due date ever for property taxes in Cook County. Because the prior bill was unusually late, the state legislature delayed the due date for the next tax bill by one month. Circumstances are different this year, and as a result, the normal due date of March 1 has returned.
 

In order to balance the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget, the Evanston City Council voted to reduce numerous expenses, reduced several positions and increased fees in five areas. Two of those fee increases, parking meter and sanitation services, took effect February 1, 2012.

Parking Meter Increases Effective February 1, 2012
Ordinance 114-O-11 increased parking meter fees by $.25/hour for meters with max time limits of 2, 3 & 4 hours as well as increasing the remaining meters by a commensurate amount. The fee change took effect on February 1, 2012. This was introduced at City Council on December 12, 2011 with expected approval on January 9, 2012.

The city has very few 20 minute and 30 minute meters and the impact of these changes to the budget and the user is minimal. Longer term meters impact employee and commuter parking and the city also has considerably fewer meters in this category than in the two hour zones. See fee structure and ordinance here>>>

Sanitation Service Charge Increases Effective February 1, 2012
Ordinance 109-O-11 increased the sanitation service charge per unit fee structure to $7.95 for a 65 gallon cart, $14.95 for a 95 gallon cart, and $7.95 per unit for the city condo program and to increase the additional cart fee to $7.95 per cart. This ordinance was introduced at the November 28, 2011 City Council meeting and was approved on December 12, 2011. See fee structure and ordinance here>>>

The purpose of the increase is to encourage increased recycling and increase the self-sufficiency of the newly created Solid Waste Fund. All Sanitation fees are billed on the bi-monthly City of Evanston water bills. The fee structure is as follows:

It's almost time for Super Bowl Sunday. Following their successful Thanksgiving host progam, the International Office at Northwestern University is actively seeking families and individuals to host an international student, scholar or family from Northwestern University at your Super Bowl party!

Share the uniquely American traditions of the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 5 with members of NU's international community! We will match you up via email so that you and your international guests can exchange information and decide on a meeting time and location. To sign up, please fill out this short form, here.

If you have any further questions or need clarification. Please contact Debbie Kaltman at d-kaltman@northwestern.edu or 847/491-3836.

Every day, all over Evanston, volunteers are making a difference – providing direct services such as mentoring youth, feeding the hungry, building nonprofits by serving as board leaders, and serving in many other ways. The City of Evanston, Northwestern University, Evanston Township High School and the Evanston Community Foundation are joining together to celebrate the extraordinary work of volunteers.

We need your help to recognize volunteers who exemplify the difference one person can make in the Evanston community. Please consider nominating high school students, Northwestern University students and/or Evanston community members you know who have gone above and beyond in contributing to the community or who have a remarkable service story to share, as an Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.

Submit your nomination online by Friday, February 10 at: www.norris.northwestern.edu/vr

“It is always an extremely difficult decision to revoke a license of a local business, but I have to also consider the health and welfare of the community as a whole. Serving minors alcohol is a serious matter that cannot be left unaddressed,” said Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl who also serves as the city’s Local Liquor Control Commissioner. “The rationale behind my decision today to revoke the liquor license of The Keg of Evanston is outlined in the City of Evanston Liquor Control Board order.”

View order here>>>

The American Public Works Association (APWA) recently announced the recipient of the 2012 Charles Walter Nichols Award for Environmental Excellence. The City of Evanston’s Public Works Director, Suzette Robinson was presented with the award for the department’s Thinking G.R.E.E.N. (Greater Recycling in Every Evanston Neighborhood) at a luncheon on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. One of the city’s Equipment Operator II’s, Robert Pompey, also received the Award of Merit at this luncheon.

The Charles Walter Nichols award was established in 1951 by Charles Walter Nichols of Nichols Engineering Research Corporation to recognize outstanding and meritorious achievement in the environmental field in its broadest sense. This may include street sanitation, refuse collection, disposal and recycling, sewers and sewage treatment, water supply, and water treatment.

Thinking G.R.E.E.N was the Evanston Public Works Department’s campaign that was launched in May 2011 to increase recycling education and awareness, and to show residents appreciation for their recycling efforts. The campaign consisted of three components: Introduction of Business District and Athletic Field Recycling, Get Caught Thinking G.R.E.E. N. Recycling Appreciation and Waste Audit Sign-Ups.

Additionally, Streets and Sanitation employee Robert Pompey was awarded the APWA Award of Merit, which is given to an individual at the operational level who performs his/her responsibilities in an exceptionally efficient and courteous manner. Robert Pompey has demonstrated these traits in the collection of his recycling route and the leadership and initiative he has shown in sanitation and snow removal operations.

“The city receiving these awards is personally gratifying because it is the first time that Evanston’s sanitation employees have been recognized outside of Evanston for the outstanding services they provide the Evanston community,” said Public Works Director Suzette Robinson.

The APWA is a non-for-profit professional association that serves professionals in all aspects of public works. They provide varied educational and networking opportunities that help public works personnel to grow in their professionalism and directly impact the quality of life in all communities they serve.
 

The Citizen Police Academy, established in 1995 is a 12-week program designed to give the participants a working knowledge of the Evanston Police Department and has produced over 800 graduates. It consists of a series of classes and discussions held once a week, on Thursday evenings from 7p.m. until 9:30p.m. There are two academy sessions every year and each class size is limited to approximately 25 students. There is NO COST to anyone who resides or works in the City of Evanston.

The classes provide an in-depth view into various areas of law enforcement. It is an educational and informative program that allows citizens the opportunity to learn about the issues that effect law enforcement efforts in the City of Evanston, and how to develop a partnership with the police department.

An application form can be found at the following link http://www.cityofevanston.org/police/citizen-police-academy/ and submitted via email.  Applications have a submission deadline of Friday, February 24, 2012. Any questions or applications regarding the academy can be directed to the class coordinator, Police Officer Loyce Spells of the police department's community strategies office at (847) 866-5018 or email: lspells@cityofevanston.org



 

If you live in Evanston and are above the age of 18, you are eligible for up to 8 weeks of free Nicotine patches when you call the Illinois Quitline. 

The City of Evanston’s Health Department is offering a program through the Illinois Tobacco Quitline entitled “Break the Habit” for all City of Evanston residents age 18 and older who have a desire to stop using tobacco products. This program is made possible by funds from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Residents enrolled in the program will receive eight weeks of free nicotine patches and information on how to quit effectively. To receive these nicotine patches, a resident would have to call the Illinois Tobacco Quitline, set a quit date, and participate in a weekly counseling session over the phone with a Quitline counselor.

To enroll in the “Break the Habit” program, call the Illinois Tobacco Quitline at 1-866-QUIT-YES. The Quitline is staffed Monday-Friday, 7 am-11 pm CST. For more information on Evanston’s “Break the Habit” program or for information about equipment pick-up sites, please call the Evanston Health Department at 847-866-2920. 

City of Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl will be hosting the very first Evanston “Twitter Town Hall” Meeting on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 6 p.m. As the city continues to search for new and innovative ways to engage its residents, social media continues to be at the forefront of this new wave. This is part of a series of events in which the city hopes to engage residents via a social media platform.

Twitter has proven to be a very powerful tool in both delivering and collecting information. From blizzards to beach closing, city residents remain informed and responsive. “We get daily inquiries from our residents and we recognize that twitter is a tool that enables us to help bolster our customer service efforts,” said Citizen Engagement Coordinator Adelita Hernandez.

Starting February 8, 2012, residents can submit their questions at www.twitter.com/CityofEvanston or by emailing ahernandez@cityofevanston.org. The Mayor will be discussing economic development and the Safe Summer 2012 initiative in the virtual meeting and then will field pre-submitted and live questions.

To participate, Twitter users must include the hashtag #askTisdahl when posing a question. All questions with the hashtag will be included in the selection process. If web users do not yet have a Twitter account, they can visit www.twitter.com to sign up and follow the city at www.twitter.com/CityofEvanston.

For more information please contact Adelita Hernandez at ahernandez@cityofevanston.org or 847-859-7833.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco causes more than 5 million deaths per year worldwide, and is estimated to cause more than 8 million deaths annually by 2030. The City of Evanston wants to help you decrease this statistic.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. The City of Evanston’s Health Department, along with the American Cancer Society, is offering a program through the Illinois Tobacco Quitline entitled “Break the Habit” for all City of Evanston residents age 18 and older who have a desire to stop using tobacco products. This program is made possible by funds from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Residents enrolled in the program will receive eight weeks of free nicotine patches and information on how to quit effectively. To receive these nicotine patches, a resident would have to call the Illinois Tobacco Quitline, set a quit date, and participate in a weekly counseling session over the phone with a Quitline counselor.

To enroll in the “Break the Habit” program, call the Illinois Tobacco Quitline at 1-866-QUIT-YES. The Quitline is staffed Monday-Friday, 7 am-9 pm CST.

For more information on Evanston’s “Break the Habit” program or for information about equipment pick-up sites, please call the Evanston Health Department at 847-866-2920. 

The Evanston Public Library is pleased to announce a new online history resource aimed at expanding the public’s knowledge of local and African American history. The Chicago Defender, one of the most respected and well–known black news sources, chronicles decades of events and stories relevant to Chicago and Evanston’s African American community. Now, Evanston residents have direct access to the early and mid-century Chicago Defender issues online.

“The Chicago Defender has been the voice of African American Chicago for over 100 years,” says Lesley Williams, head of Adult Services. “The Archives is an invaluable primary resource for students, genealogists, and anyone interested in seeing the African American perspective on local and national historical events. We are thrilled to be able to provide the Archives to our Evanston Library cardholders.”

The complete full text of this legendary paper, from 1910-1975, including every obituary, photo, advertisement and article, is available to any Evanston resident with a library card. To access the Chicago Defender Historical Archives from any home computer or mobile device, follow these three simple steps:

Step 1: Go to www.epl.org/search
Step 2: Select "Magazines/Newspapers/Journals" on the left hand side of the page, or "A- Z Electronic Resources"
Step 3: Scroll down to ‘Chicago Defender Historical Archive’

For any questions, please email klanigan@cityofevanston.org or call the Reference Desk at 847/448-8630.