Breaking: Evanston Tops List of 10 Suburbs that Don’t Suck!

I was driving south on Lake Shore Drive this morning and caught some of WBEZ’s 848 (a show I should be hosting because I would be so good at it, more on that later) and I heard a great interview with travel writer Dave Seminara who was talking about 10 Chicago suburbs worth visiting and Evanston made it on the list! That’s right, Evanston is on the top of the list of 10 Suburbs that Don’t Suck and I’m excited on so many levels, here’s 2; #1 I love a headline with the word “sucks” in it, #2 I’m thrilled to have chosen such an awesome suburb.

Here’s what Seminara has to say about Evanston:

This big, diverse community directly north of the city along Lake Michigan belongs on the itinerary of every visitor to Chicago. It's home to Northwestern University, some 61 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and six sandy beaches. The pedestrian friendly downtown is filled with nice bookstores, cafés, shopping and restaurants and there are beautiful homes scattered among several historic districts within the town. Evanston also has an amazing library, which allows patrons to take out up to 75 books a time (seriously).

Click here to read the full story

and find out what the 9 other suburbs are. What’s so great about this article is that I plan to print it out and go visit all 10 suburbs. In case you forgot, I’m still a newbie in that there are endless places, stores, beaches, etc., I’ve yet to visit. Just the other day I visited Tamales lo Mejor de Guerrero on Clark Street for the FIRST time and I’ve been in town since June 2011 – someone is not doing their homework!

Keep the ideas coming and get me ingrained in this new locale!

p.s. I took this photo on Dempster Street beach. Feel free to use it as your screensaver.

This Saturday in Evanston: Farmers' Market Fall Fest

From the City of Evanston:

Farmers' Market Fall Fest on October 27

Besides the gorgeous autumn plants, delicious food and fresh produce available for purchase, the Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market will have a festive look and fun things to do at this year's Fall Fest, which will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 27, 2012.

Fall Fest activities include free arts + crafts activities and mini-pumpkin decorating. Children age 11 and younger, who come in costume, will receive a goodie bag. Vendors will be dressed in Halloween costumes; so, be sure to vote for your favorite!

In addition, you’re invited to celebrate Arts and Humanities Month by helping paint mural panels that will hang in the Early Childhood rooms at Robert Crown Center. Join Evanston artist Lea Pinsky and your neighbors between 9:00 a.m. and noon at the Fall Fest for a "Big Paint" — brushes and paints will be waiting!

The final day of the market's 2012 season will be Saturday, November 3. Each week, as many as 51 vendors sell a wide variety of goods each week, including fruits, vegetables, meat, flowers, cheese, milk, eggs and bakery items. Reusable and biodegradable bags are sold on site. Free parking is available in the adjacent 1800 Maple Avenue Self Park Garage. Please note that dogs are not allowed at the market (with an exception for service animals).

Wildlife Sighting: Canadian Geese Honking in the Autumn Sky

I love it when I take my trash out at night and the only sound I can hear, besides the rustling of the leaves on the tree in our yard, is the honk of goose or the honks of geese flying in the night sky.

Geese are yet another animal on the long list of wildlife that one is constantly exposed to in Evanston.

I don't remember the geese staying for winter last year but then again, winter never really got here.

Free: Race to Nowhere screening and discussion at ETHS

I loved this movie and think this is a great event! It's free and I'm sure the discussion will be lively. Register and reserve tickets, info below. The event is FREE, but you should register so the planners know how many people are coming.

Screening of "Race to Nowhere" Film at ETHS

How do we define success for our children? How do we achieve balance in our homes, schools, and communities? Raising Children in Evanston: A Conversation about the Demands of Modern Childhood will take place Oct. 10th at 7:00pm at ETHS. Evanston parents and educators of children from preschool to grade 12 are invited to a screening of the critically-acclaimed documentary Race to Nowhere (with Spanish subtitles) followed by breakout discussions about what’s going on and what we want to change. Register and reserve your tickets at http://rtnevanstonhs.eventbrite.com. For additional information on the film, see www.racetonowhere.com.

Author Series; Naomi Wolf reads from Vagina at Evanston Public Library

It's not often that I use the word "vagina" in a headline or blog post so this is pretty exciting. (I am breaking the vagina hymen on my blog with this post!)

Naomi Wolf is reading at the Evanston Public Library tomorrow!

Wednesday, October 3, 4 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library Author Naomi Wolf discusses her latest book Vagina: A New Biography. The renowned social critic and political activist will take questions and sign books following the program, and copies of Vagina: A New Biography will be available for purchase courtesy of Lake Forest Bookstore.

Naomi Wolf is the author of eight books including the landmark bestsellers The Beauty Myth and The End of America: A Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot. Her essays have appeared in the NY Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Esquire, and her TV appearances include Meet the Press, Larry King Live, and the Colbert Report. She lives in New York City.

Please register online or call (847) 448-8620.