EPR e-News: Winter registration open, letters to Santa, holiday events, and more

City of Evanston, Illinois sent this bulletin at 11/22/2024 10:06 AM CST

Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 | View in browser

Good Morning,

Check out this week's Parks & Recreation e-news featuring information on Winter registration, letters to Santa, holiday events, and more

Winter Registration is Open

Registration for our Winter programs is open for residents and non-residents.

Plan your winter by exploring the Evanston Parks & Rec Winter Program Guide.

Mayor's Holiday Food, Book
& Toy Drive thru Dec. 9

Evanston's annual Mayor's Holiday Food, Book and Toy Drive is underway. 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.

Dog Beach Remains Open Thru Winter

As the winter months approach, we’re updating you on weather conditions and their potential impacts on our beloved community amenities, particularly the Dog Beach. The City is dedicated to ensuring the continued availability of the Dog Beach throughout the winter season. However, everyone must be aware of and adhere to the regulations in place during this time. The use of the Dog Beach is at your own risk and should be used with extra caution during the winter months.

Please read safety precautions.

Events This Week

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. Performances will be Nov. 22-24. For information, call 847-448-8263 or email ect@cityofevanston.org.

Date: Friday - Sunday, November 22 - 24
Hours: Nov. 22, 7 p.m.; Nov. 23, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Nov. 24, 3 p.m.
Location: Levy Senior Center
Cost: $12
Get tickets

Upcoming Events

Santa Accepting Letters Dec. 2 - 15

This just in from the North Pole: Santa will accept letters from the kids of Evanston from Dec. 2 - 15, 2024. Submit your letter to our special North Pole mailbox at the Chandler-Newberger Community Center. If you'd like to receive a letter back from Santa, include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your with list.

Join the Great Elf Hunt Dec. 2 - 15

Evanston's annual Great Elf Hunt Dec. 2 - 15 by finding elves hiding at Evanston Parks & Rec facilities: Chandler-Newberger, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Fleetwood-Jourdain, Robert Crown, Levy, Baker Park, Mason Park, Ackerman Park, and Clark Street Beach.

Take a picture of yourself with each elf you find and send it to kgrundin@cityofevanston.org to be entered into a drawing. Include your name and contact info with each picture submitted.

Ecology Half Day School Camp: Dec. 4

Join the Ecology Center for a day of exploring the natural wonders of Lighthouse Beach through nature play, games, critter visits, and crafts! Please dress for the weather and bring a nut free lunch.

Date: Wednesday, December 4
Hours: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Lighthouse Beach Fog Houses
Cost: $60 R/$78 NR
Register

Evergreen Wreaths and Gnomes: Dec. 5 & Dec. 6

Join our winter workshop! Learn the techniques for making a beautiful and lasting evergreen wreath on December 5 or evergreen gnome on December 6 to decorate your home or give as a gift. Staff will provide instruction, evergreen boughs, ribbons, and wintry decorations for your wreath or evergreen gnome. Please bring clippers and garden gloves if you have them. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Date: Thursday, December 5 and Friday, December 6
Hours: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: South End Community Center
Cost: $42 R/$55 NR
Register

Flapjacks & Flannels: Dec. 8

Wear your flannel, bring your family, and enjoy some flapjacks! Full breakfast and all activities are included in registration. Thank you to our sponsors Goldfish Swim School Evanston, First Northern Credit Union, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Date: Sunday, December 8
Hours: 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
Cost: $15 R/$20 NR
Register

Candle Making: Dec. 13

The winter season is a time to celebrate holidays, festivals, and traditions that use candles to brighten up the darkest time of the year! Learn how to make candles that you can use to incorporate light and fragrances into festive gatherings and in your home. We will make our own candles to take home. Children must be accompanied by an enrolled adult.

Date: Friday, December 13
Hours: 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: South End Community Center
Cost: $23 R/$30 NR
Register

Solstice Bonfire: Dec. 20

Celebrate the shortest day of the year with a winter solstice bonfire! Join us at Lighthouse Beach and stay warm by the bonfire while we learn about the winter solstice and traditions that incorporate nature. S’mores and hot chocolate will be enjoyed. Children need to be accompanied by an enrolled adult.

Date: Friday, December 20
Hours: 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: Lighthouse Beach
Cost: $15 R/$20 NR
Register

School Days Off & After School Programs

Winter Wonder Camp

School’s out and it’s cold outside, so we’ll take the fun indoors. Enjoy snow art, dance, field trips, ice skating and gym games as we celebrate winter vacation. Dress for outdoor play as well; we may even make a snowman or two. Primary and elementary school-age groups are formed to promote individualized attention. Campers bring a nut-free lunch; an afternoon snack is provided. Register now.

Winter Break

Enjoy a winter break at Fleetwood-Jourdain Center. Two sessions offered: Dec. 23-27 and Dec. 30 to Jan. 3. No camp on Dec. 25 o4 Jan. 1. Register now.

School Day Off Gymnastics Camp

Students will train and perfect basic skills on bars, beam, floor, and
vault. This camp is appropriate for students in Beginning I, Beginning II,
Tumbling I, or with no prior-experience - campers will be grouped by age
and experience. Register now.

Classes, Workshops & Programs

Registration for our Winter programs opens Nov. 11! View all of our upcoming classes, workshops, school days off activities, and special events in our Winter Program Guide.

Basic Cartooning

Learn basic drawing and cartooning skills while creating your own characters and improving your own artistic abilities. Register now.

Tots Soccer School

Players and parents will explore the world of soccer. Coaches will lead imaginative games designed to develop all players' fine motor skills while fostering the joy of having a ball at their feet. Guardian participation is required. Register now.

Holiday Hip Hop Class

Chicago Loves Dance is proud to offer a holiday hip-hop class. Students will learn a fun holiday themed dance in the session and perform it the last 10min of class on the last day for their parents. Register now.

Toddler Classes at South End

The Ecology team at South End Community Center is offering three classes designed for toddlers.

Toddler Critter Crew: Learn to take care of the Ecology Center’s animals and learn what each animal needs to live happy and healthy lives.

Toddler Science Club: Learn about nature and science with age-appropriate activities, “science experiments”, and crafts that will introduce us to the wonders of physics and chemistry!

Toddler Biz-E-Town: Learn how to be busy “workers” in E-town! They will put on uniforms, perform tasks, and go on an imaginative adventure into being part of a lively and sustainable neighborhood.

Play Time & Parties

Ecology Birthday Parties

Book an Ecology Center birthday party at South End Community Center! Choose one of 8 themes for guests to meet live animals, perform science experiments, and enjoy other Instructor-led activities. For more information or to schedule a birthday party, please call the Ecology Center at (847) 448-8256 or complete the Ecology Birthday Party Request form online.

Date: December-February
Location: South End Community Center
Cost: $300 R/$390 NR

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.

Request for Proposals

Are you passionate about community recreation? We're looking for innovative providers to help bring exciting, diverse recreation programs to our community! Call 847-866-2935, email purchasing@cityofevanston.org or visit cityofevanston.org/business/bids-proposals.

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.