Thursday, April 21, 2022 | View in browser
Good afternoon,
Read below for information about Earth Day events, the Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market, two new community surveys, and more!
Plus, the 4th of July Parade will return in 2022, marking the 100th year of the Evanston Fourth of July Association's beloved community celebration.
 City staff tidy up at a 2021 Earth Day cleanup event.
Celebrate Earth Day in Evanston
Earth Day is April 22! Here are a few ways to celebrate in Evanston:
Watch a (really short) movie: Join D65 Climate Action Teams and Citizens’ Greener Evanston for the 10-second Film Festival on Fri., April 22, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Rotary International.
Visit the Evanston Ecology Center: Enjoy free, family-friendly Earth Day activities on Sat., April 23, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Clean up your neighborhood: Join Downtown Evanston on Friday or the Main-Dempster Mile on Saturday for spring clean-up events. Or, organize your own park or neighborhood cleanup; free gloves and trash bags are available at the Ecology Center and Robert Crown Center.
 Farmers' market season is around the corner!
The Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market will kick off its 47th season on Sat., May 7 with over 60 vendors selling everything from fruit to flowers to baked goods. The Market will be open every Saturday through November 5, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at University Place and Oak Avenue.
 Tell us what you think!
Fees, Fines and Payment Options Survey
To help reduce barriers to City services and lessen financial burdens on Evanston households, you're encouraged to provide your input on City fees, fines and payment options through a confidential survey.
Racial Equity Survey
The City’s Equity and Empowerment Commission is seeking community input on racial equity issues in Evanston through its first-ever community survey available in English and Spanish. Share your lived experiences and provide feedback on issues of racial equity, the City’s role in addressing these inequalities, housing affordability, and more.
 Project Update: Central Street Bridge
Work continues to replace and rebuild the century-old Central Street Bridge over the North Shore Channel. Last week, crews began placing beams and preparing for deck installation on the northern half of the bridge. During this final phase of construction, two-way traffic will continue to be maintained on the southern half of the bridge, which was completed late last year.
We look forward to the completion of this major capital improvement project later this summer!
COVID-19 Update
 Local COVID-19 hospitalizations. Click to enlarge.
To better reflect the impact of COVID-19 on health and healthcare systems, the City has updated its weekly Situation Report to include COVID-19 hospitalizations at the top of this report.
Hospitalizations: View local COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Cases: Evanston reported 210 new confirmed COVID-19 cases over the last seven days, compared to 197 for the week prior. The current seven-day moving average of daily confirmed cases is 30.
To date, Evanston has had 11,885 total confirmed cases, and 147 residents have died of illness or complications related to COVID-19. View the City’s interactive COVID-19 dashboard (view on mobile).
Positivity rate: The City’s seven-day moving average positivity rate is 2.70 percent, compared to 2.31 percent for the week prior. (Note: Though still included in this report, the positivity rate metric has reduced utility due to the widespread use of at-home tests, which may not be reported to public health authorities.)
Vaccinations: 97.4 percent of residents 5 years and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 88.1 percent are fully vaccinated. View the City’s vaccination data dashboard (view on mobile) for the latest Evanston-specific vaccination data from the IDPH.
Protect yourself and others
COVID-19 cases continue to increase in Evanston and in areas across the state. Stay vigilant and take these actions to protect yourself and others:
-
Get vaccinated.COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Everyone 5 years and older is eligible.
-
Get boosted. Boosters are recommended for those ages 12 years and older.
-
Get tested. Testing helps identify those at risk of spreading COVID-19.
-
Wear a mask. Masks are still encouraged even with the lifting of the indoor mask mandate. Wear the most protective mask you can that fits well.
-
Maintain your distance. Avoid crowded spaces and people who are sick. Stay at home if you’re sick. Maintain a six-foot distance from others especially if you and others nearby are at increased risk of severe illness.
-
Wash your hands often. Use soap and water and wash for 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
More News and Events
Are you prepared for spring weather hazards?
Receive a free flashlight and other emergency preparedness materials and information tonight, 6:30 p.m., at the Main Library. You'll leave the City's emergency preparedness seminar ready for whatever spring has in store.
Traffic alert: Gas giveaway event on Saturday
Due to a gas giveaway event at the Mobil station, heavy traffic is anticipated in the area of Green Bay Road and Foster Street throughout the morning on Sat., April 23. Avoid the area if you're not participating.
Subscribe to EPD's Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on major incidents, crime trends, prevention tips, and other helpful information by signing up for the Evanston Police Department's bi-weekly newsletter.
Evanston HR staff achieve important certification
Congratulations to four members of the City's Human Resources team for achieving certification as internal investigators, enhancing the City’s ability to respond to employee concerns and appropriately investigate, document, report and resolve workplace conflicts.
Looking for volunteer opportunities?
April is National Volunteer Month! Check out the Volunteer Evanston platform to get connected to non-profit and community organizations looking for assistance.
Spring is finally in the air
Downtown Evanston is launching a “Flower Power” promotion on Fri., April 22 to inspire positive energy as we transition into spring. The monthlong promotion will feature floral-themed installations in businesses and public spaces, spring shopping and dining promotions, creative workshops and outdoor spaces to explore around Evanston.
Spring has sprung on Central Street! On Sat., April 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., join Central Street Evanston for Ready, Set, Spring! Celebrate with a day of shopping, dining, and Mother's Day promotions at participating businesses. Enjoy extra special fun at the free Central Street photo booth from noon to 3 p.m. and leave with a flipbook keepsake.
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
- Frances Willard House Museum: Faith and the Fight for Labor, Gender, and Racial Equality, April 24
- Chicago Area's 49th Annual Bach Week Festival, April 24-May 12
-
FAN Webinar - The Power of the Downstate: Recharge Your Life Using Your Body's Own Restorative Systems, April 25
- Levy Lecture Series: The Beatles, April 26
-
FAN Webinar - Parent Nation: Unlocking Every Child's Potential, Fulfilling Society's Promise, April 28
- Youth Job Center Annual Benefit, April 28
-
14th Annual PLAYground Festival of Fresh Works, April 30
-
Heartwood Spring Event, April 30
100 years of July 4th celebrations!
 Ah, our beloved 4th of July Parade, how we've missed you over the past two years! It's time to get excited, because this year's celebration is returning live and in person and will be one for the books.
The nonprofit Evanston Fourth of July Association is celebrating 100 years of producing Evanston’s July 4th celebrations. Early bird parade entry is now open. Visit evanston4th.org to register and for more information.
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
|
