A downtown Evanston hotel is in the midst of a name change this week, with the “Hotel Orrington” name coming down off the marquee outside the building at 1710 Orrington Ave. to be replaced by branding for the “Hilton Orrington/Evanston.” A downtown Evanston hotel is in the midst of a name change this week, with […]
Posted inBusiness
Aldermen peck at chicken rules
The Human Services Committee Monday postponed a vote on an ordinance to let Evanston residents raise chickens after some aldermen raised skeptical questions about the proposal. Alderman Judy Fiske, 1st Ward, said “I can’t see that there’s a substantial public benefit to backyard hens,” Fiske added. “I think the people in ’74 (when chickens were […]
Posted inEducation
Former Loyola president removed from ministry
A former Loyola Academy president has been removed from active church ministry for what a superior describes as “an inappropriate relationship” with an 18-year-old student at the school. A former Loyola Academy president has been removed from active church ministry for what a superior describes as “an inappropriate relationship” with an 18-year-old student at the […]
Posted inBusiness, Government
Web conference makes repeat visit
Several hundred web developers and internet business types from around the world have arrived in Evanston this morning for the opening of CMS Expo, a three-day industry conference. The conference sessions, held at the Hotel Orrington, focus on four major open-source content management systems used to build dynamic web sites. Several hundred web developers and […]
Posted inBusiness
Task force tiptoes into privatization
The Mayor’s Budget Task Force this week tiptoed into the touchy topic of privatizing city services. Assistant City Manager Marty Lyons told the group that Evanston already has privatized several programs. The Mayor’s Budget Task Force this week tiptoed into the touchy topic of privatizing city services. Assistant City Manager Marty Lyons told the group […]
Posted inBusiness, Government, Wellness
Farmers market seeks ‘friends’
The City of Evanston is looking for folks who’d like to join a friends group for the farmers market to help improve the market’s operation. When the downtown farmers market was first established 35 years ago it was run by a farmers market commission, appointed like other city boards from among interested local residents. But […]
Posted inBusiness
NU picks ‘one book’ on health and Haiti
“Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Kidder has been chosen for One Book One Northwestern for the 2010-11 academic year. “Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author […]
Posted inBusiness, Government, Real Estate
Plaza receiver to meet with tenants
City officials say the court-appointed receiver for the Evanston Plaza shopping center will meet with business owners in the plaza next month. The city’s planning division chief, Dennis Marino, told members of the Economic Development Committee Wednesday night that the meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 20. City officials say the court-appointed receiver for the […]
Posted inGovernment, Wellness
Tot lot funding vote postponed
Members of the city’s Economic Development Committee, after about 90 minutes of debate Wednesday night, postponed action on a request for city financial support for development of a playground on a vacant lot at 1125 Dewey Ave. Members of the city’s Economic Development Committee, after about 90 minutes of debate Wednesday night, postponed action on […]
Posted inBusiness
Teen arrested in cell phone robbery
Evanston police have arrested a 16-year-old juvenile and charged him with robbing a 15-year-old of his cell phone outside the Davis Street CTA station Tuesday evening. Police Commander James Elliot says four youths wearing dark clothing were standing outside the station about 10 p.m. when one pulled a black mask over his mouth and nose, […]
Posted inBusiness
Tot lot project hits funding snag
Neighbors hoping to take a vacant lot in the 2nd Ward off the tax rolls and turn it into a city park have run into an obstacle. The Evanston city fund they hoped would pay part of the cost is tapped out. The proposed 5,542 square foot park site. Neighbors hoping to take a vacant […]
Posted inBusiness, Government
Report: Shopping center in receivership
Evanston officials say the Evanston Plaza Shopping Center has been placed in the hands of a court-appointed receiver. Alderman Lionel Jean-Baptiste, whose 2nd Ward includes the site at Dempster Street and Dodge Avenue, said at Monday’s City Council meeting that city officials have had an initial meeting with tenants at the center in hopes of […]
Posted inGovernment, Public Safety
Aldermen OK surveillance cameras
Evanston aldermen Monday voted 7-2 to accept over $340,000 in grants from the federal government to install surveillance cameras downtown and in two other city neighborhoods. A cart-full of cameras displayed outside the City Council Chamber. Evanston aldermen Monday voted 7-2 to accept over $340,000 in grants from the federal government to install surveillance cameras […]
Posted inBusiness, Government
Windfarm issue gets more press
Been following the recent debate about a possible windfarm off Evanston’s Lake Michigan shoreline? Wondered about the City Council’s approval of plans to test developer interest in such a project? Then you may want to check out a feature story on the state of wind turbine projects elsewhere along the Atlantic seaboard and on the […]
Posted inEducation
NU student affairs VP to retire
Northwestern University’s vice president for student affairs, William Banis, is retiring. Provost Daniel Linzer says he plans to form a student and faculty committee to search for a successor to Banis, who’s been the school’s top student affairs officer for a decade. Banis has said he plans to leave by August 2011. Linzer, in a […]
Posted inBusiness
Celebration to remember Emerson ‘Y’
Over 400 people are expected to gather next month to honor the history of Evanston’s Emerson Street Branch YMCA. A 1964 photo of the Emerson YMCA. Over 400 people are expected to gather next month to honor the history of Evanston’s Emerson Street Branch YMCA. A 1964 photo of the Emerson YMCA. Brought into being […]