Thursday, August 15, 2024 | View in browser
Good afternoon,
Read below for information about back-to-school events and safety tips, a City website survey, fall bulk trash pickups, and more!
 Back-to-school season is here! 🍎
Safety reminders: Check out tips from the National Safety Council:
- Slow down and take extra care to look for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas
- Stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection
- Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you're on an undivided road. If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop
Embrace the back-to-school spirit: Get ready for an evening of games, food trucks, music, and more at the annual 'Kits, 'Cats and Kids Block Party set for Thurs., Sept. 5, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at ETHS' Lazier Field.
Celebrate the strength of our families: Join the City and Be Strong Families for the 2nd Annual Back to School Family Fun Fest on Sat., Aug. 17, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Robert Crown Center. Bring your family out to enjoy free activities and get ready for school.
 What would make our website better?
To enhance the user experience on the City's website, we have initiated a comprehensive website audit and redesign process that prioritizes ADA accessibility features.
We want your feedback: Your experiences and insights are essential in helping us create a more user-friendly and accessible website for everyone. Please take 15 minutes to complete our community website surveys, available in both English and Spanish by September 13.
Get ready for a clutter-free fall
The City offers the free removal of up to six cubic yards of bulk garbage twice a year as part of the Bulk Trash Pickup program. Fall bulk trash pickups will take place on Fridays, Aug. 23 through Sept. 20, and are scheduled according to your normal refuse pickup day. Don't miss this convenient opportunity to tidy up your space.
 Discover opportunities. Change our community.
VolunteerEvanston has transitioned to a new platform host, Upsquad, which also hosts Evanston WorkforceConnect. This free online platform promotes volunteerism in Evanston by providing a space where community members can discover local volunteer opportunities.
Check it out! Sign up as a volunteer today and peruse current volunteer opportunities. Plus, after you sign up, don't forget to download the easy-to-use mobile UpSquad app from your Apple or Google Play store and sign in.
In response to increased resident complaints about rodent sightings near the Ryan Field construction site, our Health Department has conducted several visits and inspections in the surrounding areas.
After inspections, several conditions promoting rodent infestation were identified, including refuse, debris, overflowing or damaged garbage cans, and overgrown weeds.
To reduce the presence of rodents, bait boxes have been placed, and the City’s health staff are actively monitoring the area. Staff will also implement additional strategies to address the rodent problem. Please note that rodent activity will not decrease if food sources and attractive harborage environments remain available.
The Health and Human Services Department has met with Northwestern University (NU) staff, NU-hired pest control operators, and contractors from the Ryan Stadium construction project to enhance joint efforts in managing the potential impact of rodent activity during construction. Northwestern already has a rodent control plan in place, specifically designed to address the potential displacement of underground rodents due to construction activities at Ryan Stadium.
For additional information about rats and how to control them in your vicinity, visit the City’s website. Please contact 311 if rodents are observed or if you have any questions regarding the City’s rodent control program.
More News and Events
Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival returns, August 16-18
The streets of downtown Evanston will play host to the annual Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival next weekend, August 16-18. Join fellow art lovers in browsing thousands of original pieces from an impressive 150 juried artists.
Did you know?
The City's Health Department offers safer sex supplies to residents of Evanston free of charge. You can order these supplies to be sent by mail to your home or pick them up during a Sexual Health and Wellbeing Pop-up.
Enroll in Evanston Green Homes' Residential Retrofit Program
Evanston Green Homes is a pilot initiative between the City, Elevate, and the Center for Neighborhood Technology that offers no-cost health, safety, energy efficiency, and electrification upgrades to properties in census tracts 8092 and 8102. Interested? Apply for the program today.
Learn about a new mural near the Noyes Street L stop
Check out an article in the Chicago Sun-Times about Jordan Nickel, an Evanston-raised artist living on Chicago's northside. Commissioned by Evanston Art Encounter, Nickel recently painted a mural under the Purple Line at Noyes, which includes a message that pays tribute to the DIY youth subculture he grew up in and Evanston's reputation as a "big idea place".
Property Tax appeal assistance is available
Evanston property owners concerned about their property taxes can submit an appeal to the Cook County Board of Review through August 20. You can file an appeal on your own online or get in-person help from a Cook County Analyst in Room 6551 at the Morton Civic Center, on Fri., Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged.
Community Calendar
#CityHallSelfie Day ❤️
Today is #CityHallSelfie Day! Join us in celebrating public service and local government pride. As City of Evanston employees, we’re honored to serve the Evanston community daily.
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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