Aug. 17: Duck Race and Pluck at Dawes Park Lagoon

From the City of Evanston website:

The annual Duck Race and Pluck is a "fun-raiser" for theEvanston Environmental Association, which supports the City of Evanston's Ecology Center. Rubber ducks travel around the Arrington Lagoon in Dawes Park on waves created by volunteers with paddles. Funds raised from the event go towards the Evanston Ecology Center’s resident "critters."

Sponsor one duck for $10 or a “Quack Pack” of three for $25. The fastest ducks and those lucky ducks plucked from the brace will win prizes for their sponsors. You may take your ducky home after the race. For more info. or to reserve your duck(s), please call 847/448-8256.
Location: Dawes Park, Sheridan Rd. at Church St., 1700 Sheridan Rd.
Day/Date/Time: Sat., Aug. 17, 3-5pm
Fee: see above for duck sponsorship; free admission
Age Level: All ages

Saturday: First Farmer & Artisan Food Market at Evanston Ecology Center

From the City of Evanston website:

First Farmer & Artisan Food Market Dec 1

The market returns this winter to the Evanston Ecology Center at 2024 McCormick Blvd. and will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Sat. from Dec. 1, 2012 through April 27, 2013. The market extends the farmers' selling season for local fresh produce and gives them an opportunity to add value to their produce by making and selling sauces, pickling products, soups and salsas. The market also provides local food artisans with a place to sell their products.

This market extends the farmers' selling season for local fresh produce and gives them an opportunity to add value to their produce by making and selling sauces, pickling products, soups and salsas. The market also provides local food artisans with a place to sell their products.

It is anticipated that fresh produce will include root vegetables, spinach, kales, broccoli, kohlrabi, cauliflower and herbs. Lettuces will be available as indoor growing conditions allow. The market will also sell pork, beef, chicken, eggs, lamb and goat that are natural free range meats, as well as frozen blueberries, apple cider and fruit preserves. Locally-produced cheese, artisan breads, honey, pastries, coffee and ice cream will also be sold, with goat milk soaps and organic herb teas rounding out the selection.

New this year! Some prepared foods will be sold, including crepes, tamales and other savory dishes. Finally, don’t forget to bring your knives to be sharpened. For more info., please call 847/864-7238.

It might be cold, but beach tokens for 2012 are on sale already which means winter is over!

From City of Evanston website: http://www.cityofevanston.org

2012 SEASON GENERAL INFORMATION

A season token or daily pass is required for beach admission during operating hours. One token or daily pass is required per person. A season token is valid for the entire beach season. In 2012, the season will be expanded and will open on Sat., May 26. Until June 8, beaches will close earlier; hours will be 10:30am-6pm. From June 9 through Sept. 3 (Labor Day), beach hours will be 10:30am-7:30pm.

Starting Monday, April 2, 2012, season tokens may be purchased weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave., and at local community centers during their office hours (Robert Crown, Chandler-Newberger, Fleetwood-Jourdain, Levy Senior Center and Evanston Ecology Center). Cash, personal checks and credit cards are accepted.

Tokens also will be sold at the Dempster St. Beach Office and Clark St. Beach Office. Cash, personal checks and credit cards are accepted. The Dempster St. Beach Office will be open on in May on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-5pm. The office will be open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Clark Street Beach Office (1811 Sheridan Rd.) will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from June 9 through Sept. 3, 2012.

Free beach days for Evanston residents will be held at Clark Street Beach on Mondays from July 9 through August 27, 2012.

2012 daily beach admission is $8, adult and $6, child age 1-11.