Greetings:
It is with very mixed feelings that I tell you I am
leaving the Evanston City Council to accept a position with the Chicago
Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) as its Outreach
Principal. Please know that it has
indeed been a singular pleasure and privilege to serve this extraordinary
Evanston community as alderwoman and I am most grateful for your shared
insights and wisdom that have guided my work over the last six years. I look forward to expanding my public service
with CMAP to include the seven counties and 284 communities that the agency
assists for development of comprehensive regional plans addressing the
important issues of transportation, economic development, land use, and
livability.
My time on the Evanston City Council ends December 31, but we will certainly see each other around town. Information about filling the 7th Ward vacancy will be announced at a later date.
I can say that the City of Evanston is without peers
among municipalities. We have an engaged
and smart citizenry, a thoughtful and committed City Council, an incomparably
wise Mayor, an extraordinary professional staff, and a City Manager who leads
an organization that serves our residents with efficiency, innovation, and
compassion, and attracts the best and the brightest. Hiring Wally Bobkiewicz as our City Manager
was the best vote I ever cast.
I thank my parents, Mary Grover and Bob Grover, whose
paths I followed into local public service, for inspiring me with their
commitment to community. Finally, thank
you to my beloved husband, Bill Blanchard, and our three sons, Dylan, Jackson
and Joseph, who have indulged me these last almost-seven years and whose
patience and support enabled me to serve.
Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you. Have a wonderful holiday season with your
families.
Jane
 The next Winter HeARTh project is taking shape. This annual art installation will incorporate
recyclables and those non-recyclable single-cup coffee pods (Keurig cups).
Please bring your collected and clean jar lids, bottle
caps, Keurig cups, and unwanted CD disks to receptacles at the Levy Center, Ecology Center, Evanston Public Library, and Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center. And keep an eye out for this year's Winter
HeARTh project installation near the corner of Church and Maple, across from
the theater. More information to come on the City's Winter HeARTh webpage.
|
 My heartfelt condolences to the family of my fine friend
and neighbor Deborah Graham, whom we lost last month. Deborah was a faithful public servant and
member of the Evanston Township High School board, who served this community
with compassion and enthusiasm.
|
We talk about all the advantages of having a renowned
university in our own backyard, but how many of us actually explore all the
University's cultural and educational public offerings? Check out all these events, just
in December. You can also go directly to
www.planitpurple.northwestern.edu
for ongoing calendar events and details.
The Northwestern Women's and Men's basketball
seasons are underway. And while we wish
both teams well-attended games and successful seasons, we know the men's games
will generate more local traffic. Be
mindful of these mid-week men's home games, especially the two Big Ten
conference games, that fall near rush-hour, and plan accordingly:
- Tuesday, December 15 at 7 pm vs. Mississippi Valley State
- Monday, December 21 at 6 pm vs. Sacred Heart
- Wednesday, January 6 at 8 pm vs
Ohio State University
- Thursday, January 28 at 8 pm vs Michigan State University
If you plan to attend any of the athletic events at the
University's athletics campus, please consider using public
transportation. Welsh-Ryan Arena is
within easy walking distance of both the Central Street CTA and Metra stations,
and stops on CTA bus route 201.
 Support Evanston businesses by shopping local this holiday season. The City's Shop Evanston for the Holidays webpage has information about deals and special events, plus short videos featuring some of your favorite Evanston business owners.
Free evening and weekend parking is available in downtown self-park garages through Saturday, January 2, 2016.
|
 Help local families in need by providing food, toys and financial donations to the City's annual Holiday Food & Toy Drive through Friday, December 11. The City is collecting new, unwrapped toys that encourage physical and/or social activities, in addition to non-perishable food items, at various locations. Financial contributions can be made online or by mail.
|
| 
