EPR e-News: Gymnastics registration, holiday toy drive, winter registration, Dia de los Muertos, play time, and more

City of Evanston, Illinois sent this bulletin at 11/01/2024 10:08 AM CDT

Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 | View in browser

Good Morning,

Check out this week's Parks & Recreation e-news featuring information about gymnastics registration, holiday toy drive, winter registration, Dia de los Muertos, play time, and more

Winter Registration Opens Nov. 11

Registration for our Winter programs will open for residents on Nov. 11 and for non-residents on Nov. 18. The program guide will be available on Nov. 4 to help you plan in advance of registration.

You still can register for fall programs!

Late Fall Gymnastics Reg Opens Nov. 4

Registration for late Fall Evanston Parks and Recreation gymnastic classes opens Monday, November 4!

Explore our Late Fall Guide to find classes for kids and adults. To register on November 4, visit https://www.cityofevanston.org/recreation.

Classes will fill quickly so register early next week.

Questions? Contact: gymnastics@cityofevanston.org

Mayor's Holiday Food, Book
& Toy Drive: Nov. 1 - Dec. 9

Evanston's annual Mayor's Holiday Food, Book and Toy Drive kicks off on November 1. Bring joy to other's lives by donating before December 9 at locations across the area. Find drop off locations.

Are you interested in receiving food or a gift box for you and your family? Call Evanston 311 between November 12 and December 6 to place your order.

For more information, visit cityofevanston.org/holidaydonation.

Events This Week

Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market: Nov. 2

Visit the final Farmers' Market of the season! Stock up on fall produce and other goodies this weekend and next before winter sweeps in.

Date: November 2
Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: University Place at Oak Avenue
Cost: Free

Wild Weekends: Nov. 2

Snakes, tarantulas, and scaly lizards...oh my! Face your fears next Saturday, as we meet 10 amazing animals that have inspired monster movies. During the Halloween season, these amazing and beneficial animals can get a bad rap, so we will meet these misunderstood creatures and learn why it’s important to protect them. To register, please call the Ecology Center at (847) 448-8256 or enroll online. Children must be accompanied with a registered adult.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 2
Hours: 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: Levy Center
Cost: $12 R/$16 NR
Register

Old Lady Project Movement Workshop: Nov. 2

The Old Lady Project, which develops scripts and screenplays that feature female identifying characters over 55 years old, is now welcoming non-verbal works. This workshop will focus on theatrical movement to help you prepare a script or screenplay.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 2
Hours: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Studio 225
Cost: Free
Register

Dia de los Muertos: Nov. 3

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at the Levy Center. This event features a performance from the Trabuco Salsa Band, art stations to make ofrendas, and other crafts.

Date: Sunday, November 3
Hours: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Levy Senior Center
Cost: Free

FREE Nature Excursion with BOAT: Nov. 5

With no school on Tuesday (November 5) join the Ecology Center and the Bus for Outdoor Access & Teaching (BOAT) for a free nature excursion to the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie! Meals and snacks are provided on the trip. We have partnered with BOAT and the U.S. Forest Service to provide these trips free of charge. To register for this program, please call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256 or register online.

Date: Tuesday, November 5
Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Ages: 13 - 18
Cost: Free (meals and snacks provided)
Register

Holiday Nutrition Workshop: Nov. 7 & Dec. 5

Worried about managing blood sugars during the holiday season? This engaging workshop, led by Teresa Pangan, PhD, RDN, will teach you practical ways to indulge in your favorite festive foods without guilt. You’ll learn simple, diabetes-friendly strategies to enjoy holiday meals while maintaining your health. Whether you're newly diagnosed or experienced in managing diabetes, this workshop provides valuable tips for navigating holiday parties and recipes, making it easier to savor the season without stress.

Date: Thursday, November 7 & Thursday, December 5
Hours: 3 p.m.
Location: Levy Senior Center
Cost: $20 Levy members/$30 non-members
Register by calling 847-448-8250

Until the Flood: Oct. 26 - Nov. 10

Pulitzer Prize playwright finalist Dael Orlandersmith explores the social uprising in Ferguson, Missouri, following the police shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in 2014.

Date: Saturdays and Sundays, October 26 - November 10
Hours: Saturdays, 7 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m.
Location: Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre at Noyes Cultural Arts Center
Cost: $32
Get tickets

Ecology Half Day School Camp: Nov. 13

Join the Ecology Center for an afternoon of exploring the natural wonders of Lovelace Park through nature play, games, critter visits, and crafts. Please dress for the weather and bring a nut free lunch.

Date: Wednesday, November 13
Hours: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Ages: 5-11 yrs
Location: Lovelace Park
Cost: $60 R/$78 NR
Register

Family Trivia Night: Nov. 15

Challenge your brain to a night of family trivia! Enjoy pizza with friends and family while answering questions for all ages. The top teams will win prizes. Limit 6 people per team. Register one person per team.

Date: Friday, November 15
Hours: 6 p.m.
Cost: $50 R/$65 NR
Register

Fall Fermenting & Pickling: Nov. 15

After the fall harvest, it is time to preserve foods from our gardens for the winter season! Participants will learn about the science and art of fermenting and pickling vegetables and will test out techniques.

Date: Friday, November 15
Hours: 7-8 p.m.
Cost: $20 R/$26 NR
Register

Newsies Jr.: Nov. 22-24

Evanston Children’s Theatre presents Disney’s “Newsies Jr.,” with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman and a book by Harvey Fierstein. Everyone who auditions gets a part. Performances will be Nov. 22-24. For information, call 847-448-8263 or email ect@cityofevanston.org.

Date: November 22 - 24
Hours: Nov. 22, 7 p.m.; Nov. 23, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Nov. 24, 3 p.m.
Cost: $12
Get tickets

Trunk or Treat Attracts Little Monsters

Evanston's little ghosts and ghouls turned out in force to haunt the Robert Crown parking lot for today's Trunk or Treat event! Special thanks to the businesses and organizations that decorated their vehicles and filled them with treats for our pre-Halloween festivity.

Play Time & Parties

Critter Visit and Play

Kids love animals and animals love kids! Bring them together at our Ecology Critter Visit & Play at South End Community Center. For information, call (847) 448-8256.

Let's Play: Drop-in Play at South End Center

South End Community Center is now offering Let's Play Drop In on Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., as well as Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.. Cost is $15 per child for residents and $10 for each additional child. Cost is $20 for non-residents and $15 for each additional child.

Middle School Open Gym

The South End Community Center will host an open gym for middle schoolers beginning on October 1. Open gym will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The cost for drop-in play is $5.

School Days Off & After School Programs

School Day Off Sports Camp

Station style instruction along with multiple games a day are sure to keep campers engaged and active on their day off school. Register now.

Snapology School Day Off Camps

Snapology’s STEAM programs teach through building. Using LEGO® bricks, K’Nex and technology, kids have fun while they learn! Children are meant to learn through play. When children are actively engaged in hands-on, interactive learning activities, their creativity flourishes and they show a greater interest in school. At Snapology we help your child grow up with a thirst for knowledge. Register now.

Robert Crown Day Off School

The Robert Crown Day Off School offers field trips, activities, ice skating and more from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on this fall. Each day will have a different fall theme. Activities will include visits with field trips, crafts,
games and outside time. Register now.

After School Adventure

The After School Adventure program at Robert Crown Community Center offers a wealth of activities from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and from 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. on school improvement days. To register, call 847-448-5949.

Classes, Workshops & Programs

Registration for our Fall programs in open! View all of our upcoming classes, workshops, school days off activities, and special events in our Fall Program Guide.

Submit Your Script to The Old Lady Project

The Old Lady Project develops scripts and screenplays that feature female identifying characters over 55 years old. Submit your work to https://filmfreeway.com/oldladyproject.

Get Engaged with Parks and Recreation

Share your skills and teach classes

Our Parks & Recreation team invites individuals from diverse backgrounds to showcase their incredible talents. If you're a budding artist, fitness guru, cooking maestro, or tech wizard - we want you to share your unique talents with our vibrant community.

We welcome all creative proposals and ideas that are not listed. Let's transform our community spaces into lively hubs of learning and fun. Your passion could be the spark that ignites new hobbies and friendships.

Submit your program proposal today and bring your unique talents and skills to our community.

Accessibility for all

The City of Evanston is committed to promoting a citywide culture of accessibility and inclusivity. To request an accommodation for a program, service, or activity, please call 847-866-2919 to make an ADA service request or complete a request form online.