Evanstonians’ fascination with new dining experiences led to some of the most-read stories on Evanston Now in September, while a big gift to NU and the city bidding farewell to its manager also made news.

Here’s a rundown of the top 10 stories:

  1. Skokie restaurateur has plans for two Evanston sites — Sept. 25 — The co-owner for the past eight years of the Skokie restaurant Libertad has plans to open two new restaurants in Evanston — including one in the city-owned former Cafe Coralie space at 633 Howard St.
  2. Tables and chairs disappearing from Fountain Square — Sept. 4 — If you’ve noticed a thinning of the herd recently among the tables and chairs placed in Evanston’s Fountain Square — you’re not just imagining it.
  3. NU gets its largest financial aid gift ever — Sept. 16 — A transformative gift from two longtime donors will help generations of highly qualified students obtain a Northwestern University education. It will be the largest gift made to financial aid in the University’s history.
  4. ‘The best city manager we’ve had’ — Sept. 21 — Elected officials and city employees said farewell to City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz at a gathering at Evanston’s Levy Center Friday afternoon.
  5. Two downtown buildings to get new owners — Sept. 4 — Alderman Judy Fiske, 1st Ward, told residents at her ward meeting Tuesday night that two downtown buildings will soon have new owners.
  6. Food beat: Philz, Litehouse Grill and more — Sept. 26 — Workers were busy inside the new Philz Coffee location at 1030 Davis St. in Evanston this morning, getting the shop ready for an opening early next month.
  7. High winds knock out power — Sept 3 — Commonwealth Edison is reporting more than 1,000 customers in Evanston without power at this hour after thunderstorms and high winds estimated at at least 50 miles per hour swept through the city this morning.
  8. Craft brews, local eats, live music at Oktoberfest — Sept. 17 — Downtown Evanston hosts the fifth annual Evanston Oktoberfest on Sunday, Sept 29,  from noon to 6 p.m. at the Evanston Farmer’s Market location, University Place and Oak Avenue with 18 breweries, local food vendors, German musicians and dancers, live music by Railheart and fun and games.
  9. Aldermen advance reparations plan — Sept. 10 — Evanston aldermen voted unanimously Monday to name a subcommittee to work with the city’s legal department to develop detailed proposals to provide reparations to the city’s black residents.
  10. Ethics board votes to hear Braithwaite complaint — Sept. 18 — Evanston’s Board of Ethics voted Tuesday night to hear a complaint brought by two residents claiming that Alderman Peter Braithwaite, 2nd Ward, abused his power and intimidated them during a July City Council meeting when he criticized white residents for accusing black elected officials of racism.

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

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