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Monday, April 29, 2013

Art Party on May 18: The Evanston Art Center's Spring Benefit

Sat, 05/18/2013 - 6:30pm - 11:00pm

Join arts supporters under the tent for cocktails and a live auction. The Evanston Art Center's spring Benefit will be Saturday, May 18 from 6:30 p.m. with live auction scheduled for 8 p.m. There will be wine, food, a raffle, silent & live auctions, and lots of fun! Get your bids in early on your favorite artworks - advance bidding of benefit art will be on line and in the galleries beginning Sunday, April 28 at www.evanstonartcenter.org.

Event held at the Evanston Art Center, 2603 Sheridan Road in Evanston.

General Tickets are $100 each. Contributing Auction Artists can bring a guest for $65. Guests under the age of 35 attend for $65.

All proceeds from the event will help support the educational, exhibition and community outreach programs provided by the Evanston Art Center.

Get the list of participating artists who have their works for sale in the silent auction at www.evanstonartcenter.org

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Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog dedicated to helping you too fall in love with 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!

Public Art Treasure Hunt for Buddha Heads in Evanston Continues

Friday night we took a long, full-moon stroll around Evanston, enjoying the lovely spring weather all the while keeping an eye out for one of Indira Johnson's Buddha heads. After walking for more than 20 minutes, we found one - right at the base of the arch at the Northwestern campus entrance on Sheridan Ave. (Thank you Jeff Sachs, trusty reader, for pointing us in the right direction!)

Have you found any? According to Johnson there will be nine installed in Evanston when the project is done and we've only found four so far! We will post images of all nine as we discover them!

Click here to see more photos from the Public Art Treasure Hunt for Indira Johnson's Buddha Heads

Visit www.tenthousandripples.com to learn more about this very cool public art project.

Ten Thousand Ripples (TTR) is a collaborative public art, civic engagement and peace project. It uses art as a catalyst to foster dialogue about peace and non-violence and create innovative solutions to address contemporary social issues. Through TTR, artists, neighborhood leaders, and residents are at the heart of community-driven planning and public involvement efforts. At the center of TTR are 100 fiberglass and resin Buddha sculptures designed by Indira Johnson and installed in sites in 10 Chicago area neighborhoods. The locations are chosen by stakeholders in each community who are also planning and implementing related artistic programming.

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Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog dedicated to helping you too fall in love with 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!

Even the weeds are gorgeous in Evanston!

This is a weed, along the side of the road, in Evanston. Are you kidding me?

Friday, April 26, 2013

Evanstonopoly Game for Sale!

The Downtown Evanston office now has Evanstonopoly in stock! Stop in at 820 Davis St., Suite 151 Monday - Friday, 9-5pm to pick up your copy of everyone's favorite, local board game, only $15!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Photos: We are One Community at Grey Park

Some images from the We Are One Community Event at Grey Park on April 21, 2013

People are invited to treasure hunt for fabric at Main Street merchant stores, and then tie them to a fabric bridge

All ages participated and not everyone hung fabric just on the bridge frame.

Indira Johnson's Buddha head was on display as part of the 10,000 Ripples project and some kids strung yarn from the bridge to the Buddha head to include making a village of fabric creatures at the base. Fun.

This event was sponsored by Open Studio Project, Albany Care, Main Street Merchants Association, Evanston Community Foundation, Ten Thousand Ripples and Changing Worlds.

http://www.tenthousandripples.com/

Ten Thousand Ripples (TTR) is a collaborative public art, civic engagement and peace project. It uses art as a catalyst to foster dialogue about peace and non-violence and create innovative solutions to address contemporary social issues. Through TTR, artists, neighborhood leaders, and residents are at the heart of community-driven planning and public involvement efforts. At the center of TTR are 100 fiberglass and resin Buddha sculptures designed by Indira Johnson and installed in sites in 10 Chicago area neighborhoods. The locations are chosen by stakeholders in each community who are also planning and implementing related artistic programming.

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Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog dedicated to helping you too fall in love with 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!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Graffiti I Love: The Guy Who Cares Sighting

Thanks to Stanislav a "Chicago Twentysomething Arthouse Phony" (check out his Tumblr page at www.mediumgallery.net) I've got another Guy Who Loves photo to share with you! This one was sighted recently, here's the full report from Stanislav: I was just walking through downtown Evanston and spotted what I think is a brand new Guy Who Cares piece. I'm in the neighborhood almost every week, and pretty familiar with the artist's style, so I'm sure I would have noticed the tile if it was up before.

Thanks for the pic Stansilav!

If you see more of this work around town, take a quick picture on your cell or camera and email the image to me at thelisadshow@gmail.com. Thanks!

Click here for background on this artist and his tags in Evanston.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Public Art Treasure Hunt for Indira Johnson's Buddha Heads

This weekend we found three of the nine Buddha heads that will be installed in Evanston as part of the 10,000 Ripples public art project by Indira Johnson (see project description below). Soon all nine will be installed and we are determined to find them all!

This one was decorated by some very enthusiastic kids at Grey Park as part of the One Community event. I'll post more photos in a bit.

The Buddha head above is across from Edzo's Burgers on Orrington. I never drive North on Orrington so I would only discover it walking. Very cool placement.

This Buddha head is sunk below street level by the duck pond and you only see it if you walk down to the water. Sneaky!

We will post images of all nine as we discover them!

Click here to learn more about this very cool public art project.

http://www.tenthousandripples.com/

Ten Thousand Ripples (TTR) is a collaborative public art, civic engagement and peace project. It uses art as a catalyst to foster dialogue about peace and non-violence and create innovative solutions to address contemporary social issues. Through TTR, artists, neighborhood leaders, and residents are at the heart of community-driven planning and public involvement efforts. At the center of TTR are 100 fiberglass and resin Buddha sculptures designed by Indira Johnson and installed in sites in 10 Chicago area neighborhoods. The locations are chosen by stakeholders in each community who are also planning and implementing related artistic programming.

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Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog dedicated to helping you too fall in love with 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!

Friday, April 19, 2013

See you Sunday at Grey Park!

Join community members of all ages at Evanston's Grey Park (Main & Ridge) on Sunday, April 21, 1-5pm to weave a lively, playful art bridge & celebrate the diversity of the Main Street neighborhood.

Start by picking up fabric and a map of participating merchants at Open Studio Project, 901 Sherman Avenue (off Main Street east of Grey Park).

The event is part of Ten Thousand Ripples, a peace and public art project in connection with recently installed Buddha sculptures all over Evanston. For more information, contact OSP at 847-475-0390 or info@openstudioproject.org

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Sublet Available within walking distance from Edzo's Burger Shop in Evanston

May 16 -- June 30, 6 week sublet
$2,700
3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom apartment
Contact us for availability: 847-720-7900

The Judson Apartment building on the corner of Dempster and Judson in Evanston provides first-class apartment living at market-friendly prices. Two blocks from some of the most spectacular beaches on the North Shore, this location is ideal for college students, families and community-minded people who like to walk to work and play.

BJB also offers excellent building management services with a 24-hour hotline and friendly, immediate service for any apartment needs.

The building is wired for Wi-Fi and is only blocks from one of the regions best Apple service centers Lapin Systems.

Apartments have modern accommodations and the courtyard offers a lovely shaded garden for grilling and dining outside in the summer. In addition to spacious bedrooms and living room, the apartment features a sun room, ideal for an at-home-office or salon. There is also space for a formal dining room adjacent to the roomy kitchen. The best part of the apartment is the huge pantry and the ample closet space. Crown moldings adorn the walls and windows, making for a very elegant feel.

Click here to see photos and floor plans

Apartment Features
• Spacious floor plans
• Hardwood floors
• Big closets
• Large sunroom
• Great views
• Decorative fireplace
• On-site laundry
• Back patio
• Storage Unit
• Bike storage room
• Short stroll from Northwestern and downtown Evanston
• Great Location
• Tree-lined residential street
• Responsive 24-hour engineer
• Cats welcome
• Internet Amenity

What's Nearby
• Beaches
• Public Tennis Courts
• Northwestern
• Main Street and Dempster Street CTA & Metra Stations
• Starbucks
• Union Pizzeria
• Space, Concert Venue
• Brothers K Cafe
• Lucky Platter (Breakfast and Feel Good Food)
• Whole Foods Chicago Avenue
• The Alcove
• Found Kitchen
• Edzo's Burgers
• Frontero Fresco (Northwestern)
• Oceanique Fine Dining
• Burnham Park Beaches
• Blind Faith Cafe Vegan

City of Evanston Proposed Lease with Piven Theater Workshop at Noyes Cultural Center

Proposed Lease with Piven Theater Workshop

The City Council’s Human Services Committee will consider an agreement between the City and the Piven Theater Workshop on Monday May 6, 2013 at 7:30 PM. This agreement will allow for the renovation of a portion of the Noyes Cultural Arts Center by Piven for an expansion of its facilities there.

The Human Services Committee will consider the agreement and make a recommendation to the City Council for action.

For further information, contact the City Manager’s Office at 847-866-2936 or citymanagersoffice@cityofevanston.org.

TERM SHEET FOR LEASE AND CONSTRUCTION LOAN AGREEMENT PIVEN THEATRE WORKSHOP

1) Term of Lease: 25 year lease with 5 options to renew the lease/ for 5 years each (total possible lease term is 50 years)

2) City Loan to Piven: City will loan Piven Theater Workshop $2.2 Million to construct certain improvements to the lease space, if Piven raises $355,500 in cash by 12/31/13 (can extend fundraising period to 6/30/14). Piven will also provide “in-kind” donations for architecture work, legal work, and other associated donations of time and effort in an amount up to $1 Million towards the completion of the improvements.

Piven will commence loan repayments 2 years after the improvements are finished.

The Loan will be re-paid at simple 2% interest and over a thirty year term, payments will be on an escalating scale.

Tenant will make monthly payments of $4,166.67 per month for the first 8 years; and will make payments of $4,166.67 or the remaining 22 years on a standard amortization schedule. The improvements are the security and collateral for the Loan.

3) Piven Improvements: See the proposed floor plan for the Theatre Workshop

4) Noyes Cultural Arts Center Studios: See Proposed NCAC Studio Changes

4) Capital Maintenance Contributions: If the Loan is granted, Piven will make annual contributions to capital maintenance at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in the amount of $6,624.97, commencing on 1/1/2024.

3) Base Rent: $1.00/year, commencing on the first day of the Lease Agreement for the entire Term of the Lease. However, if Piven doesn’t raise the funds under the timeline established (by 6/30/14 at the latest), Piven will pay rent at its 2012 annual rental rate ($62,135.25) and execute a lease agreement in substantial conformance with its former lease, commencing on 1/1/14.

4) Fleetwood-Jourdain: Following completion of Piven’s improvements, Fleetwood-Jourdain will be given a private office within Piven’s office which will be available for use during the Business Hours of the NCAC, at no cost (no less than 150 square feet). Piven will develop an annual schedule for Fleetwood’s use of theater space.

5) Noyes Center Tenant’s Association: Piven will be a member of the Noyes Center Tenant’s Association formed by the tenants of the Property. The Association will provide advisory guidance and opinions to the City on many issues, including, tenant responsibilities and duties with respect to the Noyes Cultural Arts Center.

6) Community Engagement: By December 1, 2013, the Tenant will have an action plan developed to address its community engagement program and review its proposed program in consultation with the City Manager.

Click here to download the PDF of the proposed lease.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Have you seen the big Buddha sculptures sticking out of the ground all over Evanston?

Have you seen these big Buddha sculptures sticking out the ground around Evanston and wondered what they were? Here is some background from Indira Johnson's project blog at http://tenthousandripples.wordpress.com/about/: Ten Thousand Ripples (TTR) is a multi-platform public art project. Think sculpture, community engagement activities, art residencies, an interactive website, and a citywide culminating exhibition, all rolled into one. We’ve designed it so that artists, neighborhood leaders, and residents are at the center of this community-driven planning and public involvement effort.

This weekend my son spotted two of the sculptures and we're going to spend next weekend on our bicycles finding all of them! Below are some events you can participate in around Evanston as part of this project:

Art and Peace at Bridge Street

Evanston Ecology Center Sunday, April 14th 1:00 – 3:00pm

Work with well known Evanston artists Alice George, Sue Sommers and Claire Alden.

Participate in the Japanese tradition of Tanabata where in we will write our wishes for peace on colorful, strips of paper and hang them on tree branches along Bridge Street.

Bridging Differences is part of the Ten Thousand Ripples (TTR) Public Art Project that uses art as a catalyst to foster dialog about peace and non-violence. Evanston is one of ten communities; the only one outside of Chicago, participating in TTR.

This is the 1st of four Ten Thousand Ripples Arts based workshops "Bridging Differences"

4/14 Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd., Evanston, Claire Alden, calden@cityofevanston.org Phone 847 448 8805
4/21 at Grey Park, 1-5 pm We Are One Community, Janet Beals, janet@openstudioproject.org
4/25 at Family Focus from 5-7pm, Sandy Williams, Sandy.Williams@family-focus.org
5/4 at Twiggs Park from 1-4pm, Indira Johnson, mailto:indirajohnson@comcast.net

Ten Thousand Ripples www.tenthousandripples.com
Changing Worlds www.changingworlds.org/

Ten Thousand Ripples is supported by contributions from the Friends of the Arts Fund of the Evanston Community Foundation, the Weisblat Family Foundation, Albert Pick, Jr. Fund; the Chicago Community Trust; the Field Foundation of Illinois; the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; the Lumpkin Family Foundation; the Raven Foundation; the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; Target; and a host of generous individuals.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Smallest bar in Evanston (possibly the planet) is now on my list of favorite bars and it's .7 miles from my house!

“I love sitting at the bar, you always meet the greatest people!” That’s what Dan said right before he picked up his guitar and ran out the door to do open mic night at the coffee shop on the corner.

For months I’ve been told to go and have a cocktail at The Alcove on Main Street across from Oceanique. It’s tiny with only four seats at the bar and two tables – totaling 400 square feet. It’s the type of place where you better like the bartender or the people sitting next to you or your visit will be ruined.

This past weekend we finally had time to spare and went for the first time – lucky for us two seats were available at the bar and the owner was there! My husband ordered the beer on tap which rotates and I ordered the signature drink, the Manhattan.

I ordered the Manhattan for several reasons - I love cocktails and the place has a very French vibe (décor and music) and my grandmother Louise (from France) would always keep a pitcher of Manhattans in her fridge. I also like to order the signature cocktail at a bar as chances are A. it’s the best thing in the house and B. it helps the bartender like you more if you like their signature drink.

The Manhattan was divine and although I could have had several more, I followed it up with a delicious Champagne and St. Germaine cocktail that I will be serving at my next brunch. Who knew Champagne went so well with elderberry liquer?

According to Evanston Now, Scott Bradley, the owner, loves the tiny size because it invites intimate conversation. And during our short stay we met everyone in the place! It turns out Dan went to Chico State at the same time my sister did; smallest world ever!

Be sure to check it out next time you’re in Evanston looking for a fabulous bar. Outdoor seating is available as it gets warmer, there is food to include salad and Panini and it’s only one block below the Main Street Metra and CTA stops. Note – it’s cash only!

The Alcove
512 Main Street
Evanston, IL 60202

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Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog dedicated to helping you too fall in love with 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!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Evanston Food and Farm Events for April

Below is an announcement from the Evanston Food Council

The Evanston Food Council, under our new project and website -- Evanston Eats at http://www.evanstoneats.net/-- will be posting ALL Evanston-based "Food and Farm" events (and other announcements). We hope that the Evanston Eats: Field to Fork site will soon be a complete snapshot of Evanston's food and farm economy.

Once we have the current snapshot, we can then analyze what part of the Evanston economy is "community-based" (local) and which part is global. We're also developing a newsletter to include events, announcements, and analysis.

Here are some upcoming Evanston events (free, open to all, and for general audience unless otherwise noted).

April 4 (Thursday): Evanston History Center lecture & discussion at 7 p.m.
"Preserving the Family Table: The Founding of Evanston's Community Kitchen"

Learn about the woman-run cooperative housekeeping venture, the Evanston Community Kitchen, founded as a canning kitchen during World War I. Can also be seen as a response to the anxieties felt from shifting gender roles and class relations after WWI. $10 for non-members, reservations recommended.
Click here to read more about the event at Evanston Now. http://evanstoncommunitykitchen.wordpress.com/

April 6 (Saturday: Evanston TreeKeepers Work Day

April 25 (Thursday: NU Sustainable Food Talks
"Can Meat be Truly Sustainable?"
Is it possible to sustainably raise meat and procure it without costing valuable land and water resources? What are the current costs? Where do you buy sustainable meat? Why is sustainably raised meat hard to find? Does it even taste better than conventionally raised meat?

April 27 (Saturday): Evanston TreeKeepers Earth Day events at Evanston Ecology Center
Family friendly

More on Evanston Food Council

Evanston Food Council was founded in 2005 as part of a larger community sustainability group, Network for Evanston’s Future (founded in 1999).
Click here to find out more about the Evanston Food Council.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EvanstonEats Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvanstonEats

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Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog dedicated to helping you too fall in love with 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!

Monday, April 1, 2013

7.5: the Amount of Hours Logged at the Beach Last Weekend

Last weekend the weather was gorgeous and felt just like spring; more than 49 degrees both days, with a little bit of clouds and wind. Both days I logged in lots of hours at the beach to include taking my shoes off and walking home barefoot, something I haven't done since October of last year - how I love thee seasons!

One of my favorite things about summer on the beach in Evanston is just how photo friendly the beaches are. Above is a photo by my good friend Erika - she cropped out the rest of the sign and kept just Evanston and I couldn't resist sharing it with you all.

Yes today was cold, very rude for April 1, but soon it will be so warm and we'll all be complaining about the heat at which point we can all go jump in a lake!