 
Thursday, December 10, 2020 | View in browser
Good evening,
Read below for information about community holiday celebrations, ways to support local restaurants, a COVID-19 update, and more!
As a reminder, you can find the latest Evanston-specific COVID-19 updates on the City's website.
 Safe holiday celebrations continue!
Wave to Santa and his elves: The CTA Holiday Train will visit Evanston on the Purple Line December 11 and 12! This year, you won't be able to board, but you can still enjoy the seasonal sight from the platform or street.
Community Sharing holiday events: For the third year, Beth Emet The Free Synagogue and Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre are teaming up to share their seasonal celebrations together. Join in for a virtual Chanukah celebration on Fri., Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. and a celebration of the first day of Kwanzaa on Sat., Dec. 26 at noon.
Evanston Loves movie night: Bring your family out for a fun night at the Drive-In in Evanston on Sat., Dec. 19. Enjoy a holiday screening of "Home Alone" and order from the La Cocinita Food Truck!
Drive By Santa Sighting: Santa and his friends will be stopping by Fountain Square on Sat., Dec. 12 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to wave as people drive or walk by. Head over and catch a glimpse of holiday magic!
 Click image to play video
Keep Calm and Carry Out!
Evanston is filled with delicious local restaurants and eateries to fulfill any craving! Behind every restaurant is an owner and staff who handcrafted their menus and dishes just for you. Meet some of our local restaurateurs in our dining video and find out how you can help your favorite spots stay afloat this holiday season.
 Youth delegates attend NLC Virtual City Summit
In November, the City partnered with Evanston Cradle to Career and 5th Ward Alderman Robin Rue Simmons to send its first cohort of youth delegates to attend the National League of Cities (NLC) Virtual City Summit! Eleven students ages 14 through 18 attended to learn about the issues affecting local government, expand their professional network, and gain leadership skills. Learn more!
 Community Spotlight: Connections for the Homeless
Connections for the Homeless has been delivering essential services to people facing homelessness and housing insecurity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been critical to Evanston’s communitywide response. Consider supporting Connections this holiday season so that they can support more community members in need:
Homes for the holidays: Make a donation in honor of a loved one this holiday season to help Connections locate housing for every individual in their care. Don’t forget to send your loved one a Homes for the Holidays card. You can also give by texting Homes4Holidays to 91999.
Make it feel like home: Connections has moved more than 100 people from hotels to housing since March. Help furnish their new homes by shopping Connections’ Feels Like Home wish list.
Get involved:Connections has both on-site and from-home volunteer opportunities available.
Coronavirus update
Situation Report
Below, you’ll find the latest COVID-19 data from the City’s Health and Human Services Department. Visit the City’s interactive COVID-19 dashboard (view on mobile) for information and metrics updated daily. You can also view IDPH Restore Illinois indicators for Region 10, which includes Evanston.
Confirmed daily cases remain high
 Evanston’s seven-day moving average of confirmed daily cases decreased slightly to 24.86 new cases per day this week, compared to 25.86 for the week prior. Twenty-seven new COVID-19 cases were reported today in Evanston. The city has had 2,617 total confirmed cases to date, and 89 residents have died of illness or complications related to COVID-19.
The seven-day average of new cases per 100,000 residents decreased slightly in Evanston (236.82), remaining below Skokie (532.7), Chicago (453.31), Cook County (441.1), and Illinois (504.81).
Testing and hospitalizations
The City’s seven-day moving average positivity rate increased to 6.47 percent, compared to 5.59 percent for the previous seven days. The positivity rate in Evanston remains lower than the state (9.5 percent) and county (13.8 percent). Local COVID-19 hospital admissions decreased slightly over the last week.
As a reminder, you can access free testing daily at the State's COVID-19 community-based testing sites, including the nearest Harwood Heights and Arlington Heights locations. Testing is also available at some CVS, Walgreens and Physicians Immediate Care locations. Call your primary care provider for inquiries about testing.
Vaccine Update
 Yesterday, local research physician, Dr. Richard Hubbard, joined Mayor Hagerty and Health and Human Services Director Ike Ogbo for a "Coronavirus Q&A" regarding vaccinations. Watch the video.
The City’s Health and Human Services Department is working closely with federal, state and local health partners to prepare to receive and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine following emergency approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and will share information as updates are available. View vaccine FAQs and more information from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Despite progress towards a vaccine, COVID-19 continues to spread in our community and across the country. It’s critical that we all continue to vigilantly follow public health guidance, including practicing social distancing and wearing a face covering in public settings when maintaining a six-foot distance from others is not possible. Your actions can save lives.
Support the Evanston Community Rapid Response Fund
 Mayor Steve Hagerty has partnered with the Evanston Community Foundation in its effort to raise $2 million in two months to assist Evanston families most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who are struggling with housing, food insecurity and other unmet basic needs. We’re less than $400,000 away from reaching our goal! Donate now.
Mental Health is Essential
As part of the Mental Health is Essential campaign, the Evanston COVID-19 Mental Health Task Force created a resource guide of organizations that provide free or low-cost mental health services to Evanston residents, focusing on organizations whose staff are trained to support people who have experienced trauma and provide culturally sensitive services for the Black and Latino communities. View English and Spanish resource guides.
More news and events
Keep diverting food waste through Collective Resource
Keep composting through the winter with Collective Resource Compost.
Food and yard waste pickup in City yard waste carts has ended for 2020 and will resume in April 2021.
Resident Cash Assistance Program extension
With an additional $7 million in funding available to help suburban Cook County residents experiencing financial insecurity due to the pandemic, applications have reopened for the COVID-19 Resident Cash Assistance Program and will remain open through tomorrow, Dec. 11. Apply today!
Next Emergency Food Pantry, December 17
To support residents facing economic hardship and food insecurity, the City will host its next Emergency Food Pantry, located at James Park, on Thurs., Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration is required.
Pop-Up Food Pantries: As a complement to the existing pantries and to ensure food accessibility during COVID-19, the City will be running pop-up pantries for those who qualify. Once registered, participants will be directed to one of four pick-up locations closest to them. Find out more about this program and sign up.
Congratulations and best of luck, Chief Scott!
After 21 years of dedicated service, Chief Brian Scott announced his retirement from the Evanston Fire Department effective January 15, 2021. More information.
Mayor Chooses Colonoscopy Over Council Meeting
Mayor Hagerty will be absent from the December 14 City Council meeting as he prepares for an even more important obligation: getting a preventive colorectal cancer screening as recommended for adults over age 50.
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
Mayor's holiday card contest winner and finalists!
That’s it for today's e-news. Be well and be safe!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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