Medical messaging: Want to message your doctor online? It may cost you. NorthShore University HealthSystem has begun charging for some online medical advice. There are decidedly mixed opinions about the new policy.
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City News
The City of Evanston will hire consultants, revamp human resources policies and revise training, it said in its most comprehensive response to more than 60 allegations of racial discrimination made by a group of Black city employees. But despite calling it a “60-day roadmap,” the city has attached no firm deadlines.
City Manager Luke Stowe says hiring a manager of Equity and Organizational Performance is one of his top priorities. “I would describe this as critical work – especially in light of the report that we’ve received,” Stowe said, referring to the document filed by the City of Evanston Black Employees Action Group.
Council Members Bobby Burns, 5th Ward, and Devon Reid, 8th Ward, have argued that the Referrals Committee, which assigns items for public discussion, should be larger. But a proposal to expand the three-person panel was rejected Dec. 5.
Evanston and Cook County remain at a “medium” COVID-19 risk level because their new hospital admissions due to COVID-19 exceed 10 per 100,000 population. The Illinois Department of Public Health urges people to get an updated booster shot and flu vaccine.
The city’s Preservation Commission unanimously adopted a new plan, replacing one from 1981. The nearly 18-year timeline sets out historic preservation and community engagement goals. The plan is tied to the city’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan, affordable housing program and economic development efforts.
Business
The Evanston Economic Development Committee voted to support granting more than $1 million to C&W Market and Ice Cream Parlor and Whole & Free Foods. C&W’s owners would get $560,000 to acquire and renovate the building they rent. Whole & Free Foods would get $550,000 to improve a commercial kitchen site.
Workers at a local Starbucks store filed a petition to unionize. “We’re doing this because we’re severely understaffed,” said Hannah Anderson, a barista at the 519 Main St. store. In a statement, Starbucks defended its commitment to employees.
Schools
More than 300 students in District 65 schools are homeless or housing insecure, a figure that has ballooned this year. Some are longtime Evanstonians, while others are newly arrived immigrants or refugees.
The ETHS varsity chess team had its best result of the season, finishing second at the Palatine Pirate Team Tournament. The Wildkits have two league matches remaining this month.
Art & Life
When your church is named for St. Nicholas, celebrating the Christmas season seems like a natural fit. St. Nick’s Fest – with a tree sale, craft fair and this year, Mexican food – is a key church fundraiser. And the tradition is “one of the things that brings us hope,” said Bob Shuford, coordinator of the craft fair.
Our drama critic Cissy Lacks says Northlight Theatre’s Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley is a seasonal treat that offers the engaging banter of social fabric in the tradition of Jane Austen, but with meat on the bones too.
Hundreds of Evanstonians braved 20-degree weather and a fierce wind at the tree lighting at Fountain Square. Hot chocolate from Collectivo Coffee warmed the crowd for musical performances and a Santa sighting. Check out our photos.
Public Square
Columnist Simone Larson, a third-generation teacher, reflects on teaching a traumatized child. “The impacts of trauma,” she writes, “are not equally felt along color lines.” And she notes that kids of color “are not always extended the benefit of the doubt in our public school system.”
The dilemma of the artificial Christmas tree. Columnist Nancy E. Anderson reflects on the advantages of fake trees and the complicated suspension of disbelief associated with some genuine Christmas memories.
When is it OK to tell a lie to preserve people’s feelings? Gabby sounds off on the rules and realities of little white lies. And she wants to her from you, dear readers, about how you balance honesty and white lies.
“Herschel Walker was an embarrassment to nearly all Black Americans,” writes the Rev. Michael Nabors. He compares the biographies of Walker and Sen. Raphael Warnock and their stances on the issues and concludes it “simply seemed shocking that Walker nearly won the Georgia Senate seat.”
From his first ride, columnist Les Jacobson was drawn to trains: “… the impatient automobiles behind the merry dinging gates and the sound of the train whistle, plangent and insistent – that drew me like a fly to a light.”
Columnist Peggy Tarr reflects on some of the observances this month. She shares a childhood memory from World War II in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and notes that December is Universal Human Rights Month.
If Evanstonians want to establish a Northwest Evanston Historic District, the community should fully understand the facts about historic districts, writes columnist Jack Weiss of Design Evanston. He explains more about the city’s five National Register Historic Districts.
Sports
Fans of the Evanston girls basketball team didn’t get a chance to witness much offense Friday night at Beardsley Gym. But ETHS stymied Glenbrook North High School 27-18 – yes, that’s not a misprint.
Evanston’s boys basketball team suffered its first loss of the season Thursday. The Wildkits, playing Glenbrook North High School, managed to close within 60-54 with 2 minutes, 2 seconds left. But the Spartans thwarted the comeback attempt.
Evanston Township High School bowling teams saw mixed results Tuesday as the girls team beat Wheeling High School while the boys team fell to New Trier. The boys’ loss came after eight consecutive wins, a string that included a perfect 300 game for senior Clay Krasinski.
ETHS senior Charlie Bolich led his teammates on the boys wrestling team as the Wildkits wiped out Mather (70-6), Phillips (70-0) and Simeon (78-0) at the Elias George Memorial Tournament at Willie May Fieldhouse.
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