News across Greater Chicago

On a mission to share Sukkot
The Kovacs family came to Dawes Park to celebrate the Jewish festival of Sukkot by seeking out Jewish passersby and inviting them to shake the lulav and etrog. Offering the ritual is considered an act of kindness in the Orthodox Chabad-Lubavitch tradition. That’s Levi, 11,…
Gun Violence Prevention Advocates Speak About Importance of Community-Based Solutions
Representatives from Chicago Create Real Economic Destiny, a community-oriented nonprofit, advocated for mental health services and life coaching as an alternative to police intervention.

Evanston Community Foundation honors Ralph Segall at 40th anniversary party
The Evanston Community Foundation presented its inaugural Ralph Segall Evanston Forever Award on Tuesday at an event celebrating the organization’s 40th anniversary. The first edition went to the award’s namesake, Ralph Segall, for 40 years of service to the foundation as…
NIPSCO and Indiana FFA Foundation Support Agricultural Education
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), with support from the NiSource Charitable Foundation, has launched Focus on the Farm: Applause to AG, a new grant initiative in partnership with the Indiana Future Farmers of America Foundation that…

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…
Lolo’s Bowls acai and smoothie shop plans to open in early November
A new acai and smoothie shop, Lolo’s Bowls, plans to open in downtown Evanston the first week of November, store manager Kristen Beaudoin said. This will be the fourth location of the growing family-run acai chain. Founder Lauren “Lolo” Schick and her mother, Darlene “Dolly”…
Bookends & Beginnings children’s manager seeks out the unusual in books for kids, young adults
Adrien Sdao manages the children’s section at Bookends & Beginnings, 1620 Orrington Ave., and radiates enthusiasm for books for young people. Sdao has been a bookseller for 12 years and arrived at Bookends a year and a half ago. He said from an early age he found books to be a…
MCHS MCJROTC Raiders compete at Hobart High School
The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) Raider Team competed at Hobart High School on Saturday, September 26. Raiders is a physically demanding competition that requires cadets to combine endurance and teamwork to succeed…

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…