Monday, May 17, 2021 | View in browser
Good morning!
Read below for a message from Erika Storlie, information about the ASAPI Heritage Month Arts Festival, employee highlights, and more!
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A message from Erika Storlie
"As part of the City Council's actions last Monday, we are phasing out the term "Alderman" in favor of the term "Councilmember" via an amendment to our City Code. Please utilize this term going forward in your communications with elected officials.
On Monday night, we said thank you to those outgoing members of the council who are departing and we appreciate the service that they have provided to the community over the past four years. We also said welcome to our new Mayor, Clerk, and Council Members who were sworn in.
Our first order of business with the new council will be allocating Evanston's share of the American Rescue Plan Act which provides direct federal funding to municipalities. We will be receiving $43M from this and it will be a huge responsibility and opportunity to invest in our community and stabilize our City finances. There will be a lot of discussion about this with the City Council and the community over the next 6 months. We will keep staff informed of progress and opportunities for input."
Erika Storlie
City Manager
 Attend the ASAPI Heritage Month Arts Festival
Thank you to everyone who has participated in our AAPI Heritage Month programs and events so far this month! We're keeping the celebration going by joining the Kitchen Table Stories Project and the Asian American Caucus for the Evanston ASAPI Heritage Month Arts Festival! Employees are encouraged to attend on Sat., May 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fountain Square to enjoy cultural performances and art making activities for the whole family. More information at kitchentablestoriesproject.com.
Additional Programs and Events
Join in for a Lunch & Learn: This Friday, May 21, the Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Committee will be hosting a Lunch & Learn at noon with guest speaker Nitasha Sharma, Director of Asian American Studies at Northwestern University. Nitasha will speak about the Asian American experience throughout history. Look for a calendar invite in your inbox!
Support AAPI Restaurants: Visit AAPI-owned restaurants or businesses in Evanston and send a picture of you enjoying your meal or your purchased item to communications@cityofevanston.org for a chance to be entered into a raffle to win a gift card to a local AAPI restaurant. Need help finding a spot? Main-Dempster Mile and Downtown Evanston have resources to help you find a new favorite!
Submit a self-authored Haiku, a short form of poetry, originally from Japan, that consists of three phrases in a 5 syllable-7 syllable-5 syllable pattern to communications@cityofevanston.org. Be inspired by the theme "You change the world by being yourself" - Yoko Ono. All submitted Haikus will be published and posted at the end of the month, and those who participate will be entered for the chance to win a gift card. View this video by Tim Rhoze to learn more about haikus.
ICYMI - Origami: Last Friday, the D&I Committee hosted a virtual event where employees learned about the history of origami and 1000 cranes. Employees are encouraged to make their own paper cranes and drop them off or mail them to the Ecology Center to be added to their current paper crane display. Send a photo to communications@cityofevanston.org to be entered into a raffle. Watch some informative videos below.
- The history of origami and the 1000 cranes
- How Origami is used today in Engineering and Science
- How to make your own crane
 Employee Vaccinations
It's highly recommend that all City employees be vaccinated. If you have not yet been vaccinated and wish to be, fill out the Employee COVID-19 Vaccine Contact Form.
Vaccination options for City employees and their families
City of Evanston:The City is hosting a COVID-19 vaccination event to provide the Pfizer vaccine to individuals 12 years or older who live or work in Evanston on Fri., May 21, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Blomquist Recreation Center, 617 Foster St. A registration link is available on the City’s COVID-19 Vaccination page.
Cook County:Walk-in vaccinations and appointments are now available for individuals 12 years and older at Cook County Mass Vaccination sites, including the nearest location in Des Plaines.
Other trusted providers:The State of Illinois provides a list of vaccination locations offering both scheduled and walk-in vaccinations.
Reminders
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Over-the-phone interpretation services: The City has a standing contract with CityFront to provide over-the-phone interpretation services and video interpretation services. We have access to over 100 languages, including American Sign Language to better serve our limited-English proficient community members. You can find this and more resources in the intranet under the "Communications" tab. Stay tuned for upcoming training announcements. For additional questions, contact languageaccess@cityofevanston.org. More information.
- Memorial Day is Monday, May 31
Employee Highlights
 We know that many City employees go above and beyond for residents and their fellow coworkers on a daily basis. Help us shine a spotlight on those employees by giving them a "shout-out" in our Employee E-Newsletter. Fill out this Google Form each week to give a shout-out to a fellow employee.
Erika Doroghazi, PRCS Administrative Coordinator
Erika is a consummate organizer and professional administrative air traffic control genius. Erika coordinated the 2021 Seasonal On-Boarding sessions for PRCS and SYEP seasonal hires almost singlehandedly. This is a feat that involves corralling staff, seasonal hires, and outside vendors, which Erika did with aplomb. Not only was the first session held on May 1 the smoothest ever, despite a few logistic challenges and unforeseen exigencies, but she also took the extra step of adding visual flair by making all the signs esthetically pleasing with a consistent and fun design motif. Kudos, Erika!
Maria Aguilar, Services Desk Officer I/311
"On Tuesday, I phoned the 311 center for assistance. Due to the late hour of the day I was prepared to be contacted by someone from the Health Department the next day. After answering a few questions from Maria, she realized the emergency of the situation and put her experience and knowledge to work. Maria was a great assistance to my situation. She was extremely kind and off the chart with patience. She was able to quickly and smoothly take care of MY self created emergency completely in less than ten minutes." - Sheila
Welcome, Tamiko!
 Join the Community Development Department in welcoming Tamiko Deville as a Customer Service Representative in the Building & Inspection Services Division. Tamiko will assist the permit desk staff in processing building permit applications, plan reviews and contractor registrations.
Tamiko is originally from Chicago's South Side and moved to Evanston four years ago and feels that Evanston is the best little city in the Midwest. She is excited about bringing her extensive customer service experience to the position in order to assist community members and colleagues alike. Tamiko will be training at the Permit Desk office at the Robert Crown Center over the next coming weeks, stop in and say hello!
Get to know...Melissa Sacluti
How long have you worked for the City and what is your role?
I've been with the City of Evanston for 18 years; I am currently a Deputy Chief for the Evanston Police Department where I serve in the Field Operations Division.
What do you like most about your job?
The people that I work with. So many of the Officers that I work with bring so much value to our community and to law enforcement in general.
Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list?
I've travelled a lot during my lifetime and have been to many different countries. An African safari and a visit to Bora Bora are at the top of my bucket list.
What is your favorite food to cook?
I'm not much of a cook but I do enjoy making a Filipino dish called "champorado", which is chocolate rice.
What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you?
It means a lot to me. My parents came to America from the Philippines in their early 20's to live the American dream, build a better life, and have better opportunities. To me, being an Asian American is being proud that I am American but at the same time, holding on to my traditions and values of the Filipino culture that were instilled in me at a very young age. Growing up I was always told "you're American but you must hold onto all of your Filipino values." Now, as an adult, I realize how much of "those" values have actually shaped who I am, who I have become, and what I want to be. Being Asian has always made me feel special - it's beautiful.
Last week was National Police Week
Celebrate National Public Works Week
 This week is National Public Works Week! Thank you to all of our Public Works employees who help to ensure our roads, alleys and sidewalks are ready to use, trash is picked up, water is safe to drink, streets are cleaned, trees are healthy, and capital and engineering projects are successful!
We received a great compliment from a resident this week! "Thanks to Dave Stoneback and all the staff of the public works department on a job well done." - Clif
Have a great week!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston
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