Candace - sometimes the initial controversy overshadows the outcome, but in both projects my observations are the same as yours. Things are looking very fine. Stop in to the chicken restaurant - it is very large, I had no idea how big the place was.

No time for shopping here - clean up from Thanksgiving was our priority.

The Bike Lady and the Bike Gent had planned to participate in the Don't Buy Anything on Friday movement, but the bright sun the afternoon beckoned. We gloved up and wheeled to the lakefront to take a look at the new restroom building and beach gateway north of the pond. What an upgrade! Heck, you would think we were Wilmette or something. The building is very nicely designed with benches and a outside shower and an office. The brick work and drive-up is great for dropping off and picking up kids. We saw an arc of bike racks already installed and suggest that this amount should be doubled, but perhaps this is all in the plan. I predict huge bike traffic to this beach and a much higher percentage of families at this beach. Bring in a good food vendor and this will be a most popular spot.

Heading downtown, we stopped for coffee at Borders and just had to pick up a box of cards. The new wide sidewalks are wonderful, how nice to walk down Maple without fighting elbow to elbow. New little trees are planted and lights are already up. I see that the seven silver formerly empty planters are gone, and that the little plaza in front of Borders will be upgraded, lots of benches I hope.

We greatly enjoyed the free roasted chestnuts, what a really nice idea, and looked in the window at the new chicken wing place, which is also a great idea right next to the movie theater, which was hopping. The more welcoming, the more spending, the more tax revenue for us. I plan to spend all my holiday dollars right here at home.

Edited by author 11-27-2009 05:05 PM
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I, too, am grateful to live here and very thankful for everyone's good work.

Diane - there is no really short answer to your question. However, I have found that an outside antenna makes all the difference. Further, I have heard it suggested that you "rescan" your channels since upgrades have been made at various times after the changeover date. I have all kinds of trouble with a small new (type) TV with an inside antenna.

Is anyone else having trouble receiving channels 2 & 7 without cable? We bought a digital TV shortly before they stopped analog broadcast & discovered all these extra channels. But at sometime after the switch to digital only, we lost 2 & 7. Is it something in our house, or a neighborhood thing?

Candace,
Just so everyone knows, there are more scheduled upgrades to come to the Oakton School grounds. A new and improved walkway/garden leading to the Kindergarten Courtyard. And, thanks to donations from St. Francis Hospital and a grant from the City of Evanston for $5,000, we will begin planning how to use this money for grounds beautifications at our next Beautification meeting in December.

Mr. Daniels, the District and the PTA continue to try and find a solution for the "dumpster area".. the awful eyesore off of Oakton.

I'll try to keep everyone posted. As always, any questions about Oakton School, contact me at julieort@hotmail.com

Happy Thanksgiving all! I'm thankful to be a part of Oakton School's vibrant and diverse community, as well as South Evanston's!

Julie Fleetwood
Oakton PTA President

Happy Thanksgiving, one and all! I'm very thankful I live where I do!

Hi Michele...it's not a multi-family building next door, it's a single family home with several families living there. And I've called Property Standards a few times, but never the Health Department. Besides I don't want it to become "me against them". I feel I'm a good neighbor, I'm considerate of others and pay attention to my surrounds, both for my safety and theirs. But I don't think it's my job to police my neighbors garbage abuses, I thought there was a department for that...Property Standards, Streets Sanitation, Health Department...I've seen their cars, I know they're out there....HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

For those of you who don't ususaly go down Austin between Ridge and Barton, you may not have seen the very well done upgrade to the parking lot at Oakton School. Over the summer it was enlarged, with new blacktop, handicap parking, and nearly double the spaces, which has opened up parking on the street. Very nice new fencing was installed, along with a handsome rolling gate. And today, a brand new sidewalk is being installed between the school and the lot, meaning visitors and children will not have to walk through the parking lot to get to the main entrance of the school. This is a huge safety improvement and I'm thrilled to see it.

All in all, this upgrade has made a very nice street look even better.

Edited by author 11-25-2009 12:25 PM
tires and metal waste (we don't have much of that because of the junkers) are picked up by the city for free. Fly dumping is illegal, we cannot get hung up on it and do nothing about resolving the other issues. When you see it - report it.


from the Streets and San site:

We do not accept car parts (for tires, call for a special free pick-up).
Please call the Streets and Sanitation, (847) 866-2940,

I wonder what solutions there are to fly dumping; at this point, our garbage cans are more than sufficient, though we are eagerly awaiting the recycling cart (our bin is almost always overflowing.)

The sad truth is, though, that fly dumping is a problem now. Streets & San has very kindly waived the fee when we called in a police report, but I don't see this as a long-term solution. When tires cost $4 per tire, tires were scattered throughout the neighborhood. What kind of enforcement is going to be effective in addressing this problem?

Keeping in mind that many Multi-Family buildings have their own service - and, Mary, if a yard is attracting rats, you can always call the Health Department.

Hello neighbors...I'm adding my two cents regarding the garbage issue. I'm single and don't have a problem paying "my share" of school taxes and fees for the "common good". I recycle and reuse religiously, but to many people abuse the system. I've talked to other responsible neighbors who've requested a "special pick-up" only to discover someone has added garbage to their pile and expense. I have a multi-family household living next door who tend to keep garbage in their yard (the critters love it)and constantly overflow their can - I feel households like that should be charged extra and required to add a 2nd can - for the "common good!"

http://www.cityofevanston.org/departments/...pdf/solid_waste.pdf

This is last night's presentation on garbage, recycling and yardwaste upheaval.

Michele - I hope you are better.

Thanks to Jeanne and Omar for attending and keeping the watch. Let's have a big turnout on Dec 7 and how about a brunch after? Anyone who has not attended, join us. Contact me.

Thank-you to the folks who made it to court: so sorry I bailed; I will be there on the 7th, though!

Better than Average Lady:

You are going to do us proud on the Mayor's budget committee.

We should all pay the same for a routine pick up. Rich or poor, you pay more for add'l service.