City of Evanston News

Hecky’s Barbecue has been chosen as the 2011 recipient of the Evanston Arts & Business Committee Leadership Award. The annual award acknowledges Evanston businesses and organizations that have provided leadership in arts and cultural support, either financially or through in-kind services, or both. The award will be presented at the Mayor’s State of the City Address and Award for the Arts Luncheon on Friday, March 2, 2012.

The Arts & Business Committee, a subcommittee of the Evanston Arts Council, encourages businesses of all sizes to support the arts in whatever way they can. “We are excited to have several strong nominations and are proud to be recognizing Hecky’s Barbecue this year,” said Lara Allison, co-chair of the Arts & Business Committee. Hecky’s has provided support to several Evanston arts-related events and organizations, including Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, The Actors Gymnasium, Evanston Township High School Jazz Band, and Youth and Senior Theatre Ensemble Project (YSTEP).

Tim Rhoze, artistic director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre and member of the Arts & Business Committee, has witnessed first-hand the many generous meals that Hecky’s has provided for student-related arts events. Hecky Powell, owner of Hecky’s Barbecue, was honored to be receiving the award, and said that the reason that he supports the arts in Evanston is “because they don’t always get the funding they need” and “it is just the right thing to do.”

Previous recipients of the award include Whole Foods Market, First Bank & Trust, Romano Bros. and Co., and Jim Nash of Farnsworth-Hill, Inc. The award itself is being crafted by Evanston metalsmith and jewelry artist Nancy Sickbert-Wheeler, who also provided the design for last year’s award.

The Arts & Business Committee created the Leadership Award five years ago. It reinforces the committee’s primary mission of bringing together local business leaders and arts organizations into a mutually enhancing relationship. This award recognizes the business leaders for their support of the arts, but as most business leaders know, a community with a thriving cultural scene is good business. The committee is currently co-chaired by Paul Giddings and Lara Allison.

The Annual State of the City Address and Mayor's Award for the Arts Luncheon is sponsored by the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and NorthShore University HealthSystem. The luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 2 at the Hilton Orrington Evanston, 1710 Orrington Ave.

The cost to attend the luncheon is $30 for Evanston Chamber of Commerce members and $50 for non-members. Registrations MUST be in no later than Friday, February 24. Non-Chamber members must register by phone with credit card: 847/328-1500 x22 (lunch or admittance for walk-ins is not guaranteed.) If you need a vegan/vegetarian meal, please indicate meal choice at registration as changes may not be made at the event. Chamber members can register online here>>>.

The City of Evanston learned today that its Fire and Life Safety Services was named one of five Illinois fire departments to have received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The $132,000 will help support and improve the capability of Evanston’s Fire and Life Safety Services to respond to fires and other types of emergencies.

“I am grateful for the hard work Senator Durbin has put forth in helping secure for Evanston these much needed funds and the importance that he places on firefighters and their role in protecting our community; this grant will help the brave men and women of our fire department continue to provide excellent, lifesaving services,” said Mayor Tisdahl. "The City of Evanston is grateful to have such strong and dedicated representation in Washington, DC with Senator Durbin and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky who understand the needs of Illinois municipalities.”

"The $132,000 awarded to our Department will be used towards the purchase of four state of the art, high tech cardiac monitor/defibrillators,” explained Fire Chief Greg Klaiber. “These monitors will be placed on each of our three Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances and one of our ALS engine companies, and will assist our professional firefighter/paramedics in saving lives in the community of Evanston."

The funding is provided through the Department of Homeland Security’s AFG Program – a competitive grant program which seeks to strengthen the Nation’s overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and fire related hazards. In the 2010 award year, Illinois received 132 awards which totaled over $14.8 million in federal funding to first-responder organizations for the purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, training, and vehicles. In FY2011, the program will award approximately $380 million nationwide of which $1,377,472 went to five fire departments in Illinois.

See Senator Durbin’s press release here>>>

Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl has announced the recipients of the 2011 Mayor’s Award for the Arts. The Mayor’s Award for the Arts is presented annually to an Evanston arts organization and an individual for contributions to the community through excellence in the arts. Recipients are selected from nominations submitted by the public.

Young Evanston Artists (YEA!) will receive the arts organization award and this year two people were selected to win the individual award: Dr. Stamata Blanas and Jill Brazel.

The awards will be presented at the Annual State of the City Address and Mayor’s Award for the Arts Luncheon. The luncheon is sponsored by the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and NorthShore University HealthSystem and will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 2 at the Hilton Orrington Evanston, 1710 Orrington Ave.

Young Evanston Artists (YEA!) is a nonprofit volunteer-driven organization that gives Evanston children an opportunity to display their artwork, sing, play instruments and perform in the Dempster/Chicago shopping district each spring. YEA! was founded by Harvey Pranian, who will accept the award.

Dr. Stamata Blanas is the founder and chairperson of the Faces of Evanston, an annual photography and video contest. She has been the driving force behind the Faces of Evanston for the last seven years. Blanas also is a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Evanston, which supports the Faces of Evanston. Submitted photographs are displayed in a traveling exhibition throughout Evanston and also are available online and through social media.

Jill Brazel served on the Evanston Arts Council for six years and served as chair of the council for three years. During her tenure, she established Art Under Glass, the displays of artwork placed in vacant Evanston storefronts to brighten up the streetscape. A professional photographer, she often volunteers to cover events or create graphics for local nonprofit organizations.

The cost to attend the luncheon is $30 for Evanston Chamber of Commerce members and $50 for non-members. Registrations MUST be in no later than Friday, February 24. Non-Chamber members must register by phone with credit card: 847/328-1500 x22 (lunch or admittance for walk-ins is not guaranteed.) If you need vegan/vegetarian - please indicate meal choice at registration: changes may not be made at the event. Chamber members can register online here>>>.
 

Are you looking for ways to volunteer and help make Evanston a better place to live and work? The City of Evanston Volunteer Program has a great opportunity for you as a Civic Center Greeter. Volunteers are needed to serve as front-line citizen engagement support for the City of Evanston.

These crucial volunteers will work with the front desk staff to greet Evanston residents and community members at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center and provide high-quality information in response to inquiries. Other down-time duties may include providing administrative support to city departments and supporting special city initiatives.

Shifts are 3.5 to 4 hours and are available mornings and afternoons, Monday through Friday. The ideal volunteer would have: excellent customer service skills in person and on the phone; computer skills: MS Word, Excel Outlook; and be detail-oriented. Spanish language skills are a plus. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here>>>   and more about the city's Volunteer Program at  www.cityofevanston.org/volunteer.

 

Dempster St. at Elmwood closed to traffic both ways while Evanston Fire Department responds to house fire in 1300 block of Elmwood. Details to follow.

The Fleetwood-Jourdain Art Guild, in partnership with the City of Evanston, will be displaying art work soon in the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center. The donated art work from the Guild representing the Black Experience will be on display in the second floor Meeting Room, Room 2200, on a rotating basis.

The Guild has agreed to donate artwork to the meeting room gallery. The gallery will be accessible during regular city business hours. The opening of the Fleetwood-Jourdain Art Guild Meeting Gallery Room marks the beginning of a new initiative by the City of Evanston to use the Morton Civic Center as a place for more regular exhibits of art that hallmark the Evanston community.

The public is invited to an opening reception for the new exhibition at the Morton Civic Center gallery on Saturday, March 24 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The Fleetwood –Jourdain Art Guild is the first Evanston minority, non-profit Arts Corporation of its kind. The Guild has been instrumental in the conservation, preservation and documentation of Evanston Black history through the creation of a museum and gallery on the second floor of the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, located at 1655 Foster Street. The gallery has served as a source of pride and ethnic identity for the community.

The event is sponsored by the Fleetwood-Jourdain Art Guild and the City of Evanston. The exhibition is free and open to the public from March 26 to April 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Exhibition visits can be arranged by contacting Shanee Weston at 847/448-8266 or by email at sweston@cityofevanston.org.

Exhibition artists: Richard Halstead, Raymond Chen, Jan Spivey Gilchrest, Jay S. Sperman, A. Terrell, Jag, Martin Mancera, and many others.

Exhibition organizers: Patricia A. Vance, Fleetwood-Jourdain Art Guild President; Britany Scurry, Interior Designer Intern; Wally Bobkiewicz; Shanee Weston; and Betsy Jenkins.
 

Today is not a city holiday, so the Lorraine H.  Morton Civic Center and other city facilities are open and all services are operating as normal.  This includes refuse and recycling.  Residents can call 3-1-1 or go online at www.cityofevanston.org/311 if they have a missed pickup, but the new pickup may not occur until later in the week. 

Central St. between Sheridan Rd. and Orrington Ave. will be temporarily closed for four to five hours on Friday, February 24, 2012 in order for a crane to hoist and install a generator.

The closure will begin at 9 a.m. with a detour route of Central St. to Sherman Ave. to Lincoln St. to Sheridan Rd. Local traffic will be allowed to enter Central St. up to the work area. See detour map here>>>

The project is under the supervision of Gatwood Crane Service and AEC Electric. For any problems or questions with the project, contact: Mark Schiltz with Gatewood Crane Service at 847/364-1400 or Al Baba with AEC Electric at 847/588-3830. The City of Evanston contact for this project is Pelayo Enerio Jr., Division of Engineering, 847/448-4311.

On February 16, 2012 at approx. 1:50AM, Evanston Police officers on patrol in the area of Asbury St. and Oakton Ave. conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a minor traffic violation. During the course of the stop, officers were able to determine that the three occupants in the vehicle had committed a car burglary in Evanston. Further police investigation determined that three more car burglaries in Evanston also occurred. Police located two cars entered in the 1100 block of Monroe St, and two other vehicles being entered. One vehicle in the 600 block of Elmwood Ave and the other vehicle in the 900 block of Seward Ave.

Officers recovered the following stolen proceeds during their investigation. A set of golf clubs, a cassette recorder, a Samsung cell phone, sunglasses, a coat, numerous phone chargers, an air compressor, clothing, an equipment bag, video gaming accessories, miscellaneous change and a wallet as result of their investigation.

The below listed occupants of the vehicle were all charged with four counts of burglary and one charge of criminal damage to property after detectives were able to determine what items came from each of the four vehicles. The driver, Andres Flores was also charged with an additional traffic violation. All court information is listed below.


Arrested & Charge(s):

Andres Flores M/H/18
6621 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL
Burglary – 4 Counts (Class 2 Felony)
Criminal Damage to Property – 1 Count (Class 4 Felony)


Jose Cortes M/H/18
6333 N. Whipple Ave. Chicago, IL
Burglary – 4 Counts (Class 2 Felony)
Criminal Damage to Property – 1 Count (Class 4 Felony)


Ivan Franco M/H/18
3510 W. Evergreen Ave. Chicago, IL
Burglary – 4 Counts (Class 2 Felony)
Criminal Damage to Property – 1 Count (Class 4 Felony)


Court Information:

March 12, 2012 9:00AM Room 105

2nd Municipal District – Cook County Circuit Court
5600 Old Orchard Road Skokie, IL
 

It’s that time again! The 4th Annual Women Out Walking (W.O.W.) 12-week program will kick off on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 8am at ETHS. Please see the attached flyer for more detail. We have a fun-filled program planned.

W.O.W. is focused on helping women of all ages to achieve their health goals in a supportive environment, but men and families are invited to attend walks and program activities.

If you are interested in participating this year, please visit www.cityofevanston.org/wow and pre-register. We ask that you register prior to showing up for the kickoff. Although, walk-ins are always welcome, pre-registering will help us ensure that we have enough equipment for all. Pre-registration ends on Friday, March 16, 2012, but walk-ins are welcome.

Each year we have a handful of folks who are interested in participating, BUT unable to attend the kickoff. If this is you, please register and then send an email to wow@cityofevanston.org letting us know that you won’t be able to attend and we’ll make arrangements for a smaller orientation. However, we strongly advise that if you are able to attend the March 24th kickoff that you do so…it offers a great deal of information, giveaways and activities that we won’t be able to completely duplicate at a smaller session.

Please join us, tell a friend and/or bring somebody to the program!
 

As part of National Drinking Water Week, the City of Evanston is hosting a coloring contest for 3rd grade students to showcase their ideas of how water is important to them. On-line voting of the top coloring projects will occur in April, with the overall winner to be announced at the Evanston City Council meeting on April 23rd. The top voted coloring projects will be displayed at the Main Evanston Public Library from April 24th – May 11th on the 2nd floor landing. The overall winner will receive a four pack of Evanston Beach Tokens for the 2012 summer.

All 3rd graders in Evanston are encouraged to submit artwork, either as part of a school group, after school / recreation program, scout troop, or as individuals. A complete description of the contest rules and requirements can be downloaded from the city’s website. Artwork is due March 15th.
 

The Evanston Police Department during the International Association of Chief’s of Police Conference was awarded an Automated License Plate Reader “LPR” for one year without charge after winning the National Traffic Safety Challenge.

The LPR is being provided by ELSAG North America, a leading company in the technology of Advanced License Plate Recognition. Earlier this week the LPR was installed on one of the Evanston Police Department’s Chevy Tahoe patrol vehicles.

The LPR system is operated by two automated cameras, each being placed to monitor both sides of the police vehicle as it passes vehicles in traffic and parked along streets. The LPR recognizes and reads license plates, storing two digital pictures. The first image is of the license plate and then a wide angle photo is stored of the vehicle with the license plate. The LPR system on a daily basis is downloaded with a program distributed by the Illinois State Police that recognizes license plates and their registered owner’s information on vehicles that are stolen, wanted on warrants, missing persons, suspended registrations, suspended driver’s licenses on owners, and also has the capability to locate a specific vehicle being sought by the Evanston Police Department for an investigation if the vehicle’s registration is manually entered into the LPR system.

When an alert is generated on a plate that falls into one of the listed categories, the LPR records the longitude and latitude on all plates read by the LPR so officers can go back and locate the vehicle if the vehicle is no longer being visually observed by the patrolling officer. The LPR system retains plate scans for a period of thirty days. This allows police to go review the system if necessary to locate a vehicle that may have been checked previously and later determined to be wanted for a crime.

Within the first two hours of this system in Evanston becoming operational earlier this week, a stolen auto was located and recovered. The LPR system has the capability to locate vehicles that are in violation of unpaid parking citations; however the Evanston Police Department does not program the LPR for this type of use. The LPR is currently only being used to locate vehicles that are linked to violations of criminal laws or driver’s that may be in violation of the law by operating a motor vehicle. The LPR is being operated strictly for the safety of the Evanston community.

Many law enforcement agencies are using the LRP system to enhance public safety related to concerns on terrorism in the United States, in addition to identifying vehicles wanted for major types of crimes and locating missing persons. The system has proven to be effective in solving many reported incidents throughout the United States.
 

City officials are pleased to hear that Trader Joe's has announced that it has chosen Evanston, IL for its next new store location in Illinois. The location of the store will be at the site of the former Blockbuster Video store, located at 1211 Chicago Ave.

"The development of this site into a new Trader Joe's is yet another sign that Evanston's economic health is definitely on the upswing," said Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl. "Trader Joe's will be a good asset to the economy not only for the added commerce it will generate but also for the jobs it will create and the visitors it will attract to our community that is already known for its excellent restaurants, shops and entertainment venues."

"I am thrilled that Trader Joe's has signed a lease and is scheduled to come to Evanston in the next year. I'm looking forward to working with Terraco, the property developer, to make this a flagship development for Trader Joe's and our neighborhood," said Evanston Alderman Meilissa Wynne (3rd Ward). "Chicago Avenue is a key corridor for the Third Ward and Evanston and the arrival of Trader Joe's will mark an important step in the continuing improvement of Chicago Avenue."

The Chicago Avenue corridor has seen a lot of recent activity with the ground breaking of AMLI Residential, a new 214-unit luxury rental apartment community located on Chicago Ave. at Kedzie St.; the OMS Evanston LCC mixed-use office and retail redevelopment of the property at Chicago Ave. and Main St.; and the CTA improvements of the retaining wall along the corridor along with the replacement of three CTA viaducts.

The City of Evanston's Economic Development staff has been working closely with the developer to bring Trader Joe's to Evanston. Staff will continue to work with both the developer, Wilmette-based Terraco, and Trader Joe's to facilitate the planning, zoning and permitting process.

Read Trader Joe's announcement here>>>

In honor of Women’s History Month, Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center and Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre will host a Women’s Day Luncheon from noon until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 10. An interactive panel discussion with the theme of “A Woman’s Legacy” will be hosted by “You & Me This Morning” personalities Jeanne Sparrow and Melissa Forman from WCIU Channel 26 “The U.”

The event will be held at Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 1655 Foster St., Evanston. A complimentary buffet lunch will be served and day care will be provided for children age four and older. Space is limited and reservations are required. To RSVP, call Fleetwood-Jourdain Center at (847) 448-8254. 
 

NAACP & Interfaith Housing Center has announced the "2012 Financial Freedom Campaign." The key seminar of Phase 1 will cover "Fair House and Fair Lending," "Foreclosure Prevention & Recovery," and "Loan Scam Prevention."

This event will take place on Saturday, February 25, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St.

On February 20, 2012, Battalion Fire Chief Donald Kunita will retire from the Evanston Fire and Life Safety Services after 35 years of service to the City of Evanston.

Chief Kunita started with the Department in 1976 as a Firefighter. In 1979 he became a Paramedic and was promoted to Captain in 1985. He worked as a fire inspector and investigator and was a state certified evidence technician. Kunita rose to the rank of Battalion Chief, commander of the 32 member Shift in 2003.

"Chief Kunita has been involved in numerous projects over the course of his career and was hired during a time when the department’s new paramedic program was getting underway. Kunita came on with 9 other recruits, including the department’s first female firefighter," said Fire Chief Greg Klaiber. "I would like to thank Chief Kunita for his 35 years of dedicated service to the community of Evanston."

Kunita recalls many changes in the fire service over the years that included the addition of breathing apparatus, better radio communications and enclosed cabs on vehicles that no longer required firefighters to ride on the outside of apparatus. Many changes to the methods used today and life safety codes have protected the citizens of Evanston and the firefighters that protect those within the community. A generation of firefighters has benefited from Don’s clear and steady leadership throughout his distinguished career Klaiber said.

A retirement party recognizing his career will be held on February 20, 2012 at Fire Department Headquarters 909 Lake Street, Evanston, IL. At 3:00PM.
 

The Evanston Health Department conducted a survey to determine the health needs of our residents. In 2011 the department analyzed the results and developed the EPLAN (Evanston Project for the Local Assessment of Needs).

This plan will guide the Health Department in its mission to protect, preserve, and promote wellness for people who live, work, and play in Evanston through creative and sustainable partnerships. The department has partnered with Northwestern University to administer brief surveys checking on their progress reaching the goals set by the EPLAN.

This survey will be available from February 12-25, 2012.  Please take a few moments to complete the survey and help us improve the health of Evanston.

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre is holding general auditions for its 2012 summer season from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3 at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Room 223, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. The theatre will cast two plays and two dramatic readings. People of all types are encouraged to audition. Please prepare a one- to two-minute monologue and bring a headshot and a resume.

The first main stage play is Heat by Marsha Estelle. Women age 18-70 will be cast; commitment dates are May 14-June 24. The second main stage play is Home by Samm-Art Williams. Men and women age 20-40 will be cast; commitment dates are June 11-July 15).

The first play in the Dramatic Reading Series is Going to St. Ives by Lee Blessing. Men age 20-30 will be cast; commitment dates are August 6-12. The second play, Woza Albert!, was written by Percy Mtwa, Mbongeni Ngema, and Barney Simon. Women age 40-50 will be cast; commitment dates are August 13-19.

Appointments are required. For more information or to arrange an appointment, please call Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre at (847) 448-8260 x2519.
 

Founded in 1979, under the name of the Foster Community Theatre, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre has been thrilling audiences with over three decades of unique, inspirational and invigorating African American and African Diaspora-centered storytelling. From original plays to the best of Broadway, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre remains committed to supplying the very best in theatre. The theatre is a program of the City of Evanston’s Recreation Division. 

The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) in conjunction with the National Weather Service (NWS) and the City of Evanston will be offering a Weather Spotter class to interested residents and first-responders.

Weather Spotters learn to identify the signs of severe and threatening weather before and as it approaches, to alert community officials and the NWS, and to assist the NWS by warning the public. NWS meteorologists often depend on real-time reports from trained spotters to know exactly what is occurring on the ground under a storm.

Attendees will learn to become an integral part of a community’s front line early weather warning system. Learn why we need spotters, severe weather terminology, what to report and severe weather safety. Attendees will also learn about supercells, land spouts, night
spotting and more.

WHAT: Severe Weather Spotter Training - Free to Public

WHO: For first-responders, emergency managers (such as police, fire, EMA, public works, or volunteer organizations) and/or interested adults

WHEN: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave. 4th Floor, Parasol Room.

Most classes last under two hours and are held in late winter and early spring - before severe weather season. Because of the complexity of severe thunderstorms structure and development, and the potential danger involved, spotting is recommended for adults, though students may attend the classes for informational purposes. These sessions are most appropriate for individuals who work in public safety (emergency management, police, fire), public works, schools, hospitals, nursing homes and day care facilities, but anyone who’s interested can attend.

For further information, call 312/603-8180.

The City of Evanston will erect temporary protective scaffolding at the sidewalk level around the Sherman Plaza Parking Garage beginning the week of February 20, 2012, in order to prepare the building to be inspected.

As a precautionary measure, an engineering firm has been hired to inspect the precast concrete panels on the façade to evaluate small areas of concrete spalling which were recently identified during the 2011 deck maintenance program in select locations. The City will also be replacing the lighting on the top of the deck during this time and the top of the deck will remain closed until this is completed later in 2012.

Scaffolding will be erected on Benson Avenue adjacent to the garage north of Davis Street as well as on Davis Street east of Benson Avenue. Access to the alley between the north side of the parking garage and the First Bank & Trust building will be partially closed.

Signs will be displayed on or near the scaffolding to alert the public that businesses in the area are still open for business. The timeline for removing the scaffolding is dependent on the weather, the inspection timeline and the results of the engineering report. For more information, please contact Rickey Voss, Parking/Revenue Manager, Department of Administrative Services, at (847) 448-8292.