News across Cook County

The Evanston and North Shore NAACP to host ‘Building Collective Impact Through Community Organizing’ on Oct. 10
From 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, the NAACP Evanston/North Shore Branch is hosting “Building Collective Impact Through Community Organizing,” part of its Evanston environmental justice conversation series. The free event will take place at the Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center, 1823…

Northlight Theatre takes visitors backstage at open house
The new Northlight Theatre in Evanston opened its doors to the public for a behind-the-scenes look Monday night at its 1012 Church St. location. Members of the Northlight team gave visitors guided backstage tours of the theater, which were offered every 15 minutes with small…

Fall into a good book this season
Beach season has transitioned to crisp weather, so what better time to immerse yourself in a good book? We asked a few Evanstonians what they’re enjoying and also got the inside scoop from the team at Bookends & Beginnings on what’s trending. Jeremy Gilbert: I’m reading London…
Rob Miller discusses independent music industry at PYGMALION Day 4
PYGMALION welcomed Chicago-based independent music publisher Rob Miller to the Rose Bowl Tavern Sunday evening to do a Q&A panel on his book, “The Hours Are Long, But the Pay Is Low,” for the final day of the festival. “The Hours Are Long, But the Pay Is Low” was published last…

NU’s Block Museum to host screening of two Kip Hanks horror films on Oct. 1
On Thursday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m., Northwestern University’s Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Drive, will screen two rare horror films by Gulf Coast-based filmmaker Kip Hanks, together on screen for the first time. In 1986, then-22-year-old Hanks announced his ambitions in the…

How an Evanston audience’s reaction to ‘Sunset Boulevard’ changed movie history
Sunset Boulevard is an iconic and classic film. But the film that audiences know and love was not the film its director, Billy Wilder, planned to release. A test screening in front of an Evanston audience in January 1950 generated a surprising reaction that ultimately altered the…

ETHS girls golf: Hilbrant, Sheehan qualify for sectional
Halfway through the Class 2A regional golf tournament at Winnetka Golf Club Tuesday, things didn’t look good for Evanston. Elise Hilbrant had reduced herself to tears after nine holes. Gemma Sheehan had one word to describe her score — “terrible.” But the Wildkits weren’t…
The new Ryan Field debuts this Friday — here’s what you can expect
Almost three years after winning city approval, and a century after its predecessor opened in the same spot, the new Ryan Field football stadium is about to make its debut in the national spotlight Friday night. Northwestern University’s $875 million project will be put to the…

Cooking with heart: A first look at the new Soul & Smoke
When a chef is cooking with their whole heart, you can taste it on the plate. D’Andre Carter cooks like every dish means something personal to him. You can taste his intention; you can taste the history. His food feels truly lived in, not merely inhabited. Listen: Great food…

ETHS girls volleyball: Spikers still waiting for leader to emerge
At the midway point of the girls high school volleyball season, Evanston head coach Mike McDermott is still waiting for a leader to emerge. That hasn’t happened yet. But once it does, the Wildkits have the talent — especially in the sophomore class — to reverse a losing culture.…

ETHS and EPD partner to host inaugural Homecoming Hustle 5K
Evanston Township High School hosted its first Homecoming Hustle 5K walk/run Sunday morning at Lazier Field. Presented in partnership with the Evanston Police Department, the inaugural event capped a week of vibrant homecoming activities. The Homecoming Hustle was open to…

ETHS girls swimming: Gatchell burns foes with breaststroke win
Nina Gatchell hasn’t mastered using a glue gun quite yet and, as a result, the Evanston junior wasn’t sure she’d even be in the lineup for the Evanston Invitational girls swim meet Saturday. But Gatchell was able to make her presence felt after all. Out of the water all week…