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Read below for information about Winter Parks & Recreation program registration, the Indoor Farmers' Market, renewing your pet registration, and more!
 Winter program registration opens soon! ❄️
Evanston Parks & Recreation has launched a new and improved registration platform, making it easier than ever to manage your account, find programs, and explore activities. You can access the new platform at the same web address: cityofevanston.org/recreation.
Winter program registration: Set up your account before the Winter program registration begins for Evanston residents at 9 a.m. on November 10. Non-resident registration opens at 9 a.m. on November 17.
Winter Program Guide: Get ready to fill your winter with fun by exploring classes, events, and activities for all ages in our Winter Program Guide. Through the new registration platform, you can even create a "wishlist" ahead of time.
 The Indoor Farmers’ Market is back! 🍎
Exciting news! The tradition of the Indoor Farmers’ Market returns to the newly renovated Evanston Ecology Center at 2024 McCormick Blvd. Open from 8 a.m. to noon on select Saturdays through April, community members can shop from around 15 local vendors each market date, offering seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and more. Enjoy breakfast and a hot drink while you browse and support local farmers and artisans.
It's time to renew your pet licenses 🐕
Don't forget to register your furry friends for 2026! Pet registration forms were mailed on October 31. Make sure to submit your renewals by December 31 to keep your pet official, safe, and beach-ready! Renewal is quick and easy at cityofevanston.org/pet.
 Celebrate the arts on November 19 🎭
Join us for the annual "A Bright Night for the Arts" on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center. During the event, Mayor Biss will honor the incredible artists and arts organizations that enrich our community. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their achievements, connect with fellow arts enthusiasts, and enjoy live performances and food! Register to attend.
 The Mayor's Holiday Food, Book & Toy Drive returns 🎁
Help ensure every Evanston family can celebrate this holiday season. From November 3 to December 1, we're collecting new, unwrapped toys in addition to staple food items for holiday meals. We're also collecting new and gently used children's books. View a list of donation drop-off locations.
Register to Receive Food and Toys: Families who wish to receive toys and/or food items through the program must register by calling 847-448-4311 (or dial 311 in Evanston) between November 3 and December 1.
Make a financial donation: You can also make a tax-deductible donation to the Evanston Parks Foundation to help purchase food and toys, either online or by check. Learn more.
More News and Events
Make a plan for your post-holiday pumpkins
Rescue your Halloween pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns from withering on the front porch by dropping them off to be composted at the 10th annual “It's the Great Pumpkin Compost” Collection event on Sat., Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to noon, at the old Morton Civic Center parking lot, 2100 Ridge Ave.
Additional fall street cleaning is scheduled
Additional fall street cleaning dates are planned for residential streets in November and early December to clear debris before winter. Signage is posted, and parking restrictions will be enforced.
Need help with snow shoveling or willing to lend a hand?
The City is again offering its Snow Shoveling Program to connect older adults and residents with disabilities with snow shoveling volunteers for the winter season. Residents seeking assistance and those interested in volunteering can sign up at cityofevanston.org/shoveling.
Deputy Chief William “Bill” Muno to retire after 39 years
After a 39-year career, Deputy Chief William “Bill” Muno will retire from the Evanston Fire Department on November 21. A reception and walk-out ceremony will be held at the Fire Department Headquarters on that day. Join us in thanking Chief Muno for his decades of service!
Don't miss the "The Baldwin | Giovanni Experience"
Experience a new work by Tim Rhoze and Bria Walker-Rhoze that brings to life a conversation between James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni through dance, spoken word, and music. Performances run through November 16, Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Grab your tickets today!
CTA Yellow Line track maintenance is expected this weekend
Track maintenance on the CTA Yellow Line between Dempster-Skokie and Howard stations will take place from 11:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, through 4 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, and may cause noise from equipment, metal-on-metal work, and occasional exhaust fumes.
Share feedback with the Equity & Empowerment Commission
The City’s Equity and Empowerment Commission created an Equity Scorecard to promote fairness and inclusion in City projects, policies, and programs. Before it goes to the City Council for consideration, they want to hear from you! Complete the survey and enter your email for a chance to win a Valli gift card.
City text updates may be marked as spam
Some community members have reported not receiving City text updates for an extended period, though messages show as delivered in our system. Our SMS provider has investigated and found that the issue may be caused by carriers marking messages from 866‑950‑7013 as spam. To avoid this, here are a few recommendations:
- Delete message threads from this number and restart your phone
- Save 866‑950‑7013 as a contact in your phone
- Confirm with your carrier that the number isn’t blocked
Good news for local transit systems!
The Illinois General Assembly has passed legislation providing $1.5 billion for transit systems and creating the Northern Illinois Transit Authority to better integrate CTA, Metra, and Pace. This law prevents major service cuts, improves safety and reliability, and lays the groundwork for a more connected region. Learn more and view an overview document.
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
Currently, 1.9 million Illinois residents rely on SNAP for access to healthy food, including families with children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. While SNAP benefits are delayed or are only being partially funded by the federal government, we encourage community members affected by these changes to:
Please note: information about SNAP funding and distribution continues to change quickly. If you or someone you know needs immediate food assistance, please reach out to one of the local food pantries or meal programs listed on our resource page.
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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