Shop Evanston First!
 February is here! During the month of love, of the Lunar New Year, and of Black History, celebrate it and show some love to your local businesses.
Make sure to stop by Downtown Evanston, stroll down the Main Dempster Mile, Central Street, check out Howard Street, Church and Dodge, and many of our other business districts.
Hygge Fest 2019
 Get HYGGE with Downtown Evanston! Pronounced "hue-gah," this Danish expression is an attitude towards life that emphasizes finding joy in everyday moments. Rather than drudge through the winter, hygge is about celebrating coziness, warmth and family, as well as practicing mindfulness.
Downtown Evanston is hosting a series of hygge events kicking off on Saturday, February 16 at Bookends & Beginnings with a lesson on hygge. From February 16 to 22, local businesses will host a range of special in-store events to promote the idea of coziness, mindfulness and overall well-being. Learn more about the upcoming events by clicking on the button below.
North Shore Theater Week
 North Shore Theater Week will take place from February 7-17, 2019. Evanston's own The Actors Gymnasium and Wirtz Center for Performing Arts are participating. You can pair your theater visit with one of the many promotions offered by restaurants participating in North Shore Restaurant Month.
February is Restaurant Month
February is Restaurant Month in the North Shore and 37 Evanston restaurants are participating with special offers. Check out the complete list by clicking the button below.
Valentine's Weekend Cooking Class with Feast & Imbibe
 Join Chef Guiseppe Catanzariti in the Feast & Imbibe Studio Kitchen for a hands-on cooking class. You will work with your partner to create a 3-course meal including a roasted beet and goat cheese salad, handmade spinach gnudi with 2 sauces, and a chocolate dessert. The class will run from Thurs., February 14 through Sat., February 16.
Starting a Business in Illinois Workshop
 Do you have the personal characteristics, the financial fitness and the business readiness skills to own a business? Find out if entrepreneurship is right for you by attending the SBA's "Starting a Business in Illinois" workshop on Mon., February 18. Learn about the critical steps to opening your own business including viability, business formation, financing, and more.
2019 Mayor's State of the City Luncheon
 Join the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Stephen H. Hagerty on Fri. March 8, 10:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., for the 2019 Mayor's State of the City Luncheon, at the Hilton Orrington, 1710 Orrington Ave.
Tickets for Theo Ubique's New Production Now Available
 Advanced tickets for 'The Bridges of Madison County,' Theo Unique's new production, are now available. The production will run from March 8 to April 21.
Ecology Center's Indoor Farmers' Market Now Open
 Make your Saturday morning destination the Evanston Ecology Center Indoor Farmers' Market. Come support Midwest vendors selling your winter time favorites through April 27.
SCORE Chicago Offers Small Business Counseling
 Let a SCORE mentor work with you one-on-one to help with your business challenges. Register in advance at https://northchicago.score.org or by calling 224-372-3432. Mentoring is available on Wednesday afternoons and Thursday evenings at the Main Library, 1703 Orrington Ave., West Conference Room.
Sit Down One-On-One with a FREE Business Advisor
 The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Harper College provides no-cost confidential consulting for small and home-based businesses. Schedule an appointment to receive expert help an advisor. The Illinois SBDC has also partnered with local firms in Law, Accounting/Tax and Prototyping to offer you free expert help.
Apply to Evanston's Cultural Fund Grant Program by April 1
 Arts organizations are invited to apply to the City of Evanston’s Cultural Fund Grant Program. The Cultural Fund, administered by the Evanston Arts Council, supports artistic excellence throughout the community by providing financial assistance to not-for-profit arts organizations for operational costs or projects. Applications must be submitted online at cityofevanston.org/culturalfund by Mon., April 1, 2019 at 5 p.m.
Small businesses are ‘Embraced’ at Evanston’s Indoor Farmers’ Market
 Every Saturday morning from December to April, the Evanston Ecology Center comes alive as vendors set up for the city’s indoor farmers’ market. Businesses from across the Midwest and Chicagoland area share their offerings at this weekly event, highlighting fresh food and other unique products.
In its eighth year of operation, the Evanston Ecology Center Indoor Farmers’ Market draws between 150 and 200 customers each weekend.
 The City of Evanston is continuing its transition to pay-by-license-plate parking with the addition of 80 new parking pay stations in downtown Evanston and nearby business districts.
Drivers can skip the trip to the pay station or meter by using the Park Evanston mobile app, available on the App Store and Google Play, which allows users to pay for parking and extend their time remotely. The app can also be used by drivers to:
- Track their parking history
- Receive notifications and email receipts
- Appeal or pay citations
The Park Evanston app can be used on most City blocks with paid parking, as indicated by Park Evanston decals on pay stations and meters. Users can load payments using a credit card or can do so in person at the City Collector's Office in the Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.
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