The Evanston 4th of July Association will host several activities commemorating Independence Day on Thurs., July 4, including a parade at 2 p.m. on Central Street. Additional festivities include family playground activities at the ETHS Track Area starting at 9 a.m., a Kids Fun Run, a concert from the Palatine Concert Band, and fireworks!

The City has announced facility closures and refuse collection schedules for the Independence Day holiday.

Please remember to be a good neighbor and help keep yourself and others safe this Fourth of July by leaving the fireworks to the professionals. The use of fireworks without a permit is illegal in Evanston; violators can be cited. 

Enjoy the Evanston Haitian Community Festival on Thurs., July 4, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at James Park. Experience a live music concert, Caribbean food, sports tournaments, face painting, and more!

It's time to get rid of unwanted items in your home! Recycle and donate a variety of items and securely shred documents at the "drive up, drop off" Evanston Recycles event on Sat., July 6, from 9 a.m. to noon at Evanston Township High School, 1600 Dodge Ave.

The Health and Human Services Department has partnered with Howard Brown Health to provide free community HIV and STI screenings in Evanston. Screenings are offered at the Evanston Public Library in the Small Community Room, 1703 Orrington Ave., from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the second Monday of the month. No appointment is required.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository's Producemobile will be in Evanston on Tues., July 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St. The Producemobile distributes free fresh fruits and vegetables on a first-come, first-served basis every second Tuesday of the month. 

Mayor Hagerty will host a Facebook Live Q&A on Wed., July 10, at noon, on his Facebook page. Local journalist Bob Seidenberg will facilitate the interview and take questions from residents. Tag your questions #AskMayorHagerty on Facebook and Twitter, or submit questions on the City's website. 

The Illinois Sand Management Work group is convening a public forum on lake level rise and coastal erosion at the Evanston Ecology Center, located at 2024 McCormick Blvd., on Wed., July 10, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Learn from expert panelists about coastline erosion and community-level resilience. Each panelist will present for 15 minutes followed by a Q&A.

Curt's Cafe has recently closed in the neighborhood, leaving the space open for another cafe to fill it. Members of the community are invited to a meeting on Thurs., July 11, from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., at Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St., to share ideas about what kind of cafe should open in the space. For questions, please contact Nancy Floy or Dickelle Fonda.

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's production of 'Sunset Baby,' by Dominique Morisseau opens on Sat., July 13. Performances are on Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St. Tickets are $20 online in advance, or $30 at the door. 

Don't miss the 5th annual Taste of Evanston on Sun., July 14, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., on the east lawn of the Charles Gates Dawes House, 225 Greenwood St. Enjoy food and drinks from 40 of Evanston's trendiest restaurants, local breweries, and wine shops.

The Cook County Board of Review will accept appeals from Evanston property owners for 2019 assessments from Mon., July 1 through Tues., July 30. Learn how to appeal your property tax assessments at two Property Tax Appeal Seminars on Thurs., July 18, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Levy Center, 300 Dodge Ave. and Tues., July 23, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Parasol Room at the Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave. (Note: The same content will be presented at each seminar.) 

To continue Pride celebrations, the City is hosting an inaugural Evanston Pride Fest on Thurs., July 25, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Fountain Square South Plaza. Pride Fest will occur in coordination with the Thursday Night Live! event held by Downtown Evanston. Enjoy live music, art activities, food vendors, the “Let’s Play” Mobile Recreation Trailer, and more!

This year, the Evanston Public Library is working with Evanston camps and local businesses in every ward to promote literacy and learning for all. Almost 3,000 kids, teens and adults are already signed up for the Summer Learning Program, which helps to expand horizons through reading and learning about the world. You can help by donating to the Evanston Public Library!