Blogs

Tonight, President Obama announced the end of combat operations in Iraq. I was moved, not by his oratory, but by my memory of standing along Ridge Avenue, candle in hand, observing the 1,000th US casualty, then the 2,000th, then the 3,000th casualty. I support the troops and I hope they come home.

To all Evanstonians who worked to make this day possible, thank you.

This fall, the Evanston Public Library presents a series of programs related to mental and physical well-being for children and teens. All programs take place in the Main Library Community Meeting Room, 1703 Orrington Avenue in Evanston.

A prominent wind quintet and an accomplished pianist — each a winner of  one of the most coveted awards in chamber music — will join forces in the season-opening program of the Music Institute of Chicago’s 80th Anniversary Concert Series at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 12, 2010, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston.

John P. Clifford, a Lakota elder, will give a presentation on “Lakota Culture and Storytelling” at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 28, at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston.

Clifford was born in Rosebud, S.D., and is of Oglala Lakota and Sicangu Lakota descent.

The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston is presenting craft workshops for kids on Saturdays in July, August, and September, many of which focus on Native peoples of the Plains.

Have you ever wondered why District 65 holds school for only an hour on the last day? Well, here’s the answer you’ve been waiting for:  Because they can!

Barbara Johnson of Evanston, a long-time volunteer at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston, has received an Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Evanston Volunteer Recognition program, a joint effort of Evanston Township High School, the Evanston Community Foundation, Northwestern University, and the City of Evanston. 

Thomas C. Pleger, associate professor of anthropology and archaeology at the University of Wisconsin Baraboo-Sauk County, will give a presentation on the ancient Native metalworking peoples of the upper Great Lakes at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 13, at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston.

The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston will host its eleventh annual “Native American Jewelry Trading Days” June 19–20 for shoppers looking for bargains on authentic, previously owned Native American jewelry.

Sally Wagoner of the American Indian Center of Chicago will speak on the traditional, medicinal uses of plants by Native Americans at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 23, at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston.
 

As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, I would not have a say in the decision to confirm Elena Kagan, who was nominated today to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Barack Obama to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.

However, since I came to know Ms. Kagan during my time at Harvard Law School, I am able to offer a few short reflections on her possible appointment to our nation’s highest court.

The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian will host an open-house reception, free to the public, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19, to showcase a donation of five refurbished computers and on-site networking services provided by the Youth Technology Corps’ after-school training program at Evanston Township High School.

Media constantly bombards people, particularly women with conflicting messages of staying thin in order to be beautiful, with the ever-present, visually pleasing food ads.  How does a person stay at a healthy weight? Or even permanently lose weight in a healthy way? And how do feelings fit in with weight management?

In several interviews, Rep. Jan Schakowsky has sought to disparage my campaign by linking it with the Tea Party movement.

The Beethoven Project Trio will celebrate the release of its debut CD, featuring the world-premiere recording of a recently rediscovered piano trio by Ludwig van Beethoven, at a concert 7 p.m. Friday, May 7, at Nichols Concert Hall at the Music Institute of Chicago, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston, Ill.