Commuting News: No more CTA, two hours a day!

When we moved to Evanston in 2011, I didn't work for six months and joked that I finally took my maternity leave(s). With baby #1 I went back to work in 7 days and with baby #2, I was back at work in 10 days. Staying home with a newborn was much less appealing than working and I had a wonderful husband who was willing to stay with the babies until preschool. So when we moved from El Paso to Chicago, I cashed in my maternity leave with the Universe and my family and didn't work for six months! That is a crazy long time for me to not work and I did nothing productive - AT ALL! Mostly I just made friends in our new city and learned where things like schools, grocery stores and post offices were. Okay, I was partially productive, but I didn't hike the Pacific Coast Trail or write a book during the six month break.

After six months being a lazy bum, I found a job on the southside of the Chicago in Bronzeville, either a 45 minute drive (with no traffic) or a one hour and ten minute CTA train ride. Several locals tried to tell me that the commute would kill me, but I took the job with the intention to stay five years to build my Chicago resume. I lasted 18 months and granted the commute wasn't the only reason I left, it was 80% of it.

In addition to not wanting a commute (at all) I wanted to be able to walk to work or ride a bike in under 30 minutes. Why couldn't my life be 100% walkable? Lots of people lived in Evanston and walked to Northwestern? Why couldn't that be my life too? I wanted a job in Evanston and was very determined to find one. After lots of lunches, meetings and networking, I found a job with a great company less than one mile from my house. I can walk in under 13 minutes, and I'm confident the bike ride will be about 7 minutes. Many of my new friends think I am magic for landing the job, but I know I am laser focused and annoying when it comes to getting what I want.

My last week on the CTA commuting to work, I savored every single minute. I took lots of shoes photos, which I had been doing all year (I'll post a slide show soon). I finished a fantastic book, Wild by Cheryl Strayed. And I said "goodbye" to every single booth worker and conductor. In fact, I managed to get the booth worker to take a photo with me on my last morning commute. We both hadn't done our makeup yet and had very little interest in taking a photo, but I convinced her it was commemorative and wouldn't go anywhere too public.

Goodbye commute on the CTA, hello walk to work! Stay tuned for lots of photos of my walk, who knows what I'll find.

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Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog dedicated to helping you too fall in love with the City of Evanston, just like I did. If you have any questions or need to get in touch with me about this blog, Evanston, or anything else you can email me at thelisadshow@gmail.com. Also feel free to send me announcements about upcoming Evanston events and I will promote them here!

Temperance Beer Company Launch Party at Prairie Moon

It doesn't get my more hyperlocal than this! Last night I was served a locally brewed beer at a locally owned bar, walking distance from my house - did I mention just how much I love Evanston?! This strapping young bartender served me my first pint of Temperance Beer, brewed by Brewster Claudia Jenron.

Temperance Beer Company was started by Josh Gilbert, Evanston native and retired architect, and will provide four types of beer, wholesale only, to bars and stores in the region. The tap room and brewery is located at 2000 Dempster Street and will host tastings on special nights - soon, but not yet.

Last night at the Moon, the joint was packed with well wishers (most of whom were boys wearing Trucker hats with the Temperance logo, like the bartender photographed here) and people happy to drink locally brewed beer.

Given that Evanston was dry until 1971, this is a huge milestone for the alcohol world which celebrated the first distillery a year ago with FEW Spirits. Both booze brands embraced Evanston's dry past in their names - FEW Distillery - Frances E. Willard's initials and Temperance Beer - a nod to the Temperance movement.

What did the beer taste like? Don't ask me, I'm no expert in the beer tasting department. All I know is that my pint has berry in  it and it was yummy and refreshing! How's that for a beer tasting review?!

Congrats to Josh  and the Claudia and all the other Temperance Beer people who made this launch happen!

Visit http://temperancebeer.com for more information.

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Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog dedicated to helping you too fall in love with the City of Evanston, just like I did. If you have any questions or need to get in touch with me about this blog, Evanston, or anything else you can email me at thelisadshow@gmail.com. Also feel free to send me announcements about upcoming Evanston events and I will promote them here!

Evanston Stylewatch: Knee Socks and Ferrets at the Pet Store

WOW! How great do these striped socks look on this girl? And here you were, worried that Evanston wouldn't provide me enough eye candy to keep the fun images of shoes and fashion going!

This knee sock wearing girl is looking at a cage full of sleeping ferrets at Thee Fish Bowl pet shop on Dempster. Awwww....how cute! But ferrets are not cuter than these striped knee socks worn with sandals!

Love that I'll be shooting in Evanston every single day of the week starting Sept. 23!

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Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog dedicated to helping you too fall in love with the City of Evanston, just like I did. If you have any questions or need to get in touch with me about this blog, Evanston, or anything else you can email me at thelisadshow@gmail.com. Also feel free to send me announcements about upcoming Evanston events and I will promote them here!

Save the Dates: Swing Set Drum Kit Plays 9 Shows in Chicago

As you know, I frequently use this blog to cover things beyond Evanston, namely my husband's art career and Chicago restaurant reviews. Below is exciting news about my husband Dave Ford's Swing Set Drum Kit which will be on display in neighborhoods all over Chicago, Sept. 20 - Oct. 26. Swing by on a date and time that works for you and you make some music! (Congrats to you, Dave!)

In collaboration with Packer Schopf Gallery, Fountain Art Fair Chicago and Chicago Artists Month, Dave Ford’s Swing Set Drum Kit will tour the city of Chicago this fall; four neighborhoods, four venues, nine shows, Sept. 20 – Oct. 26.

Swing Set Drum Kit is an interactive sonic sculpture encouraging people to build rhythmic sounds through their swinging. Three swings activate large colorful wheels that trigger multiple drumsticks, striking percussive instruments. From the snare drum to sleigh bells, the visual and auditory layers to the piece are endless.

Swing by and play the drums!

Venue, dates, times

Fountain Art Fair Chicago, 2233 S. Throop St., (fountainartfair.com), Pilsen, $10,Sept. 20 – 22 

EdgeUp Festival, 6018 North Kenmore Ave., (6018north.net), Edgewater/Uptown,Sept. 27-29, Oct. 5-6, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 South Shore Dr., (773-256-0149), South Shore,Oct. 13, 2 – 7 p.m. 

Garfield Park Observatory Farmers Market, 300 N Central Park Ave, (312-746-5100), East Garfield Park, Oct. 26, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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Dave Ford is a visual artist living in Evanston. He shows with Packer Schopf Gallery, most recently wowing crowds with his Truck Drawings show Hauling Graphite: Five Road Recordings 

Visit his blog at http://fordart.wordpress.com

Evanston Stylewatch: DIY Archie Comics Mini Skirt

Look what I found when sifting through the fun items at Secret Treasures, THIS treasure. This darling young lady ordered Archie fabric online and then sewed this mini skirt with her mother's help.

Good thing I start a new job in Evanston on Sept. 23, that way I'll be more available to capture all the fun things people wear in our city!

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Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog dedicated to helping you too fall in love with the City of Evanston, just like I did. If you have any questions or need to get in touch with me about this blog, Evanston, or anything else you can email me at thelisadshow@gmail.com. Also feel free to send me announcements about upcoming Evanston events and I will promote them here!

Do Good: Youth Philanthropy Program at Center for Civic Engagement, Northwestern University

I am very excited to share this information with you from http://www.engage.northwestern.edu/

At the core of Allowance for Good is the Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy program. Youth who participate in this student seminar series are introduced to themes in global development, philanthropy, and civic action. The program culminates with a Certificate in Global Philanthropic Leadership and equips students with the skills to lead change-based projects in their communities.

We work side-by-side with and empower youth leaders to develop and execute a self-contained or small group project that synthesizes personal interests with concepts of philanthropy and global development. Youth leaders mobilize projects in their communities to raise awareness for, give their time to, and invite contributions for their AfG Global Affiliate of choice. Youth efforts contribute to one or more of five key project areas: Access to Water, Health & Hygiene, Classroom Materials, Bricks & Mortar, and Funds for Fun. Join us this spring to expand your knowledge about global philanthropic leadership. Youth ages 13-18 welcome!

Every Thursday, 7-8:30pm, from September 19 – November 21, 2013

Location: Center for Civic Engagement, Northwestern University, 1813 Hinman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60208-4175 

For our upcoming sessions, please sign up no later than September 15, 2013 by completing this form. 

Fee is $125 per person for the full course. Need-based scholarships available via inquiry only.

We welcome inquiries from local foundations, community centers, schools, and religious centers regarding customizable programming. Please contact us for more information.

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Programs

The Center for Civic Engagement offers a range of programs that promote civic participation and engaged learning throughout the Northwestern community. Programs are often run in collaboration with other schools, departments and offices, serving a variety of different populations across campus. Click the icons below to learn more about each program.

Evanston Flower Porn

Look at this gorgeous flower I found in someone's front yard on Lake Street! Evanston has the most beautiful blooming flowers even in September! Please feel free to steal this and make stationary!

P.S. This post is the first post EVER on this blog to have three sentences followed by an exclamation point! That is exciting!

Grand Opening: Space 900 Artist's Collaborative

The members of Space 900:

Artists KEN AVICK, COLLEEN CONLEY, CLARK ELLITHORPE,
JUDITH ROSTEN FREILICH, DUSTIN HARRIS AND JOANNA PINSKY

Invite you for wine and refreshments to celebrate the inaugural opening of their new exhibition space in Evanston.

Dates: Saturday, September 7     7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

             Sunday, September 8      2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Exhibit Dates: September 7 - October 6, 2013:

Open by appointment email space900gallery@gmail.com

Address: 1040 Wesley Ave., Evanston, IL 60201

Space 900 is an artist's collaborative where members meet to talk about their work and generate ideas for group and solo exhibitions. This exhibit features recent paintings, collages and sculpture by the artists.

Contact space900gallery@gmail.com to be on the mailing list for upcoming exhibits and musical events.

Watch Back to the Future at Dawes Park for FREE

Watch Back to the Future this Saturday night at Dawes Park, for FREE at 7:25 p.m.

From the City of Evanston website:

The City of Evanston's Cultural Arts Division will once again offer free movies in the park on select Wednesdays and Saturdays as part of its Starlight Movie series. Movies start at dusk. Movies will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. A great time for the whole family.

Dawes Park, Sheridan Rd. at Church St. (at the lagoon)

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Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog dedicated to helping you too fall in love with the City of Evanston, just like I did. If you have any questions or need to get in touch with me about this blog, Evanston, or anything else you can email me at thelisadshow@gmail.com. Also feel free to send me announcements about upcoming Evanston events and I will promote them here!