United Way Announces Allocations for 2007

The Evanston Chapter of the United Way of the North Shore has announced it is investing $622,500 into health and human service programs that will serve the Evanston community in the coming year. The 24 partner agencies and specific programs receiving funds follow.

· McGaw YMCA/   Child Care, Youth and Residence, $76,000 
· Childcare Network of Evanston/Child Care Services, $60,000
· YWCA Evanston/North Shore/ Domestic Violence Services, $56,000
· Metropolitan Family Services/Individual & Family Counseling, $46,000
· Peer Services /Substance Abuse Treatment/Prevention/Early Intervention $37,500
· Childcare Center of Evanston /Pre-School and Home Day Care, $34,000
· Y.O.U., Positive Youth Development,   $33,500
· Family Focus/Parent-Child & Pregnant & Parenting Teen, $32,000
· Shore Community Services/Age 0-3 Day Care//Residential Living/Respite Care/Training for the Developmentally Challenged, $28,100
· Evanston Day Nursery/Child Day Care & School Age Care, $28,000
· Reba Early Learning Center/ Day Care for Low Income Families, $26,000
· North Shore Senior Center/Counseling and Case Management for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren/Senior Services, $23,500
· Connections for the Homeless/Transitional Family Housing Services, $22,000
· Evanston Community Defender/Social Work Services for Low Income Youth, $20,000
· Youth Job Center of Evanston/Preparing Youths for the Workplace, $16,500
· Infant Welfare Society of Evanston//Baby/Toddler Nursery, $14, 500
· Orchard Village/In-Home Respite Care, $14,000
· The Harbour/ Emergency and Transitional Housing for Homeless Girls,   $12,000
· Legal Assistance Foundation/Free Legal Services for the Low Income and Elderly, $10,000
· Housing Options for the Mentally Ill/Housing for Adults Recovering from  Mental Illness, $9,400
· Girl Scouts, Illinois Crossroads Council/Outreach and Fitness for Young Girls,  $8,500
· Senior Action Service/Caring Home Aid, $8,000
· Mental Health Association of the North Shore/Education, $4,000
· Better Existence with HIV/Educational Outreach, $3,000

"Through these resources and our active leadership in the community, United Way helps our residents overcome life's challenges and achieve self-sufficiency," said Steve Carlson, president of the Evanston chapter. 

PRstore Opens On Davis Street

The PRstore, which recently opened at 602 Davis St., says it will be the PR store for "small businesses, non-profits, civic organizations, faith-based groups and individuals who do not traditionally utilize full-service ad agencies and public relations firms."

The store, one of 37 stores operating in 18 states, will provide marketing tools, promotional products and expert advice to its clients, attempting to fill the gap between the free-lancer and the full-service agency, say store owners Regina Roye Curry and Raphael Obafemi.

"The PRstore's professional marketing products and services include more than 70 items such as consulting, lead generation products, websites, radio and television spots, logo design, public relations as well as the graphic design, writing and production of print collateral like brochures, newsletters and sales tools," said Mr. Obafemi.

"All our products are customized to fit the needs of the client," said Ms. Curry.

"Our professional services are delivered in a casual, walk-in retail environment designed to be friendly and non-intimidating. ... Our marketing services are offered on a one-stop, turnkey basis with everything being available under one roof."

First Bank & Trust Seeks Harry Potter Fans

First Bank & Trust is offering junior bankers - those up to age 17 - three ways to receive a free copy of the new Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows": by opening a junior banker account at First Bank & Trust, by making a $100 deposit to an existing junior banking account, or by entering the book drawing at the bank's Harry Potter midnight party on July 20.

Minors opening a junior banker account will receive a coupon for a free book redeemable at the July 20 party or at any First Bank & Trust location starting July 21. To open a junior banker account, a minor must be accompanied by an adult.

Twenty-five copies of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" will be given away at the book drawing, held at the hour-long midnight party beginning at 11:30 p.m. on July 20 at the bank's main location, 820 Church St.

The promotion runs through July 20, and the limit is one book per family. The other locations of First Bank & Trust are 2925 Central St., Green Bay Road and Winnetka Road in Winnetka and 8047 Skokie Boulevard in Skokie.

'It's Thursday!' Dancing Returns To Downtown Evanston

Dance lovers or wannabes can learn basic steps to popular rhythms in the only outdoor dance floor north of downtown Chicago at "It's Thursday!"

The first dance night will be held on Sunday, July 22, to celebrate the finish of the Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Grand Prix of Cycling. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., Chicago long-time favorite Dave Weld Blues Band will lure racers from their bikes and spectators from the sidelines and onto the dance floor at Fountain Square, Davis Street at Orrington Avenue, in downtown Evanston.

Five Thursday evenings of music and dance will follow, July 26 through Aug. 23, at last year's location, the 909 Davis Plaza, Maple Avenue at Church Street, near the Davis el stop.   Each program features the music of a live band and instruction by a professional dance teacher. All are welcome at this free event; visit www.evmark.org for a complete schedule.

Dance instruction lasts from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., and the band will play from 7:30 until 9 p.m. for dancing or listening. R&B, salsa, oldies, swing, Cajun and rock/pop classics will be featured.

Jim Parks returns to host "It's Thursday!" with his on-the-spot humor and entertaining personality.   

Evmark, the organization that manages and markets downtown Evanston, devised the dance series to bring people to downtown Evanston to enjoy its entertainment and unique restaurants and shops. Diane Williams, executive director of Evmark, said, "I am particularly pleased about adding the spirit and joy of music and dance to the excitement of the Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Grand Prix of Cycling. Evmark is pleased to provide this wonderful ending celebration to an event which will bring thousands of people to downtown Evanston."

Chamber Announces New Officers and Board Members

The Evanston Chamber of Commerce announced its new officers for 2007 and welcomed six new directors to its 28-person board at the 87th annual meeting and gala on April 26.  Taking over the gavel as Chamber president is Donald Huff, financial advisor, Merrill Lynch.  Past president is Jesse Peterson Hall, president, Highland Park Hospital.  Named as president-elect is Jim Marsh, principal, Grotto Communications, Inc. New treasurer is Randy Usen, senior vice president, First Bank & Trust.

Other directors on the executive committee are Chamber vice president for regional affairs Eugene Sunshine, senior vice president for business and finance, Northwestern University; Chamber vice president for membership  Randal Sable, principal, total benefit services; Chamber vice president for marketing Corrine Passage, senior vice president, production and systems development, Pivot Point International; and Chamber vice president for governmental affairs Jeff Murphy, chief executive officer, St. Francis Hospital.

New Chamber board members are Jill Brazel, owner, Jill Norton Photography; Ron Fleckman, principal, Cyrus Homes; Dan Mennemeyer, owner, Dan Mennemeyer Agency; Kristen Murtos, senior vice president, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare; Ayla Phillips, owner, Ayla's Originals; and Larry Widmayer, senior sales associate, Koenig & Strey GMAC Commercial Group.

Chicago-Dempster Neighborhood Gives Away Red to Go Green

On July 27, 28 and 29 the merchants in the Chicago-Dempster Neighborhood Association will have a giant sidewalk sale in conjunction with the sale in downtown Evanston.

Store hours will vary, but most merchants will offer huge discounts. Participants include three antiques stores, a children's shop, and a bead store. For a complete list of merchants, visit www.shopevanston.com.

The Chicago-Dempster Neighborhood Association will give away free red canvas shopping bags to the first 300 customers. Shoppers are invited to go red (shopevanston.com) to save green (money and the environment).

For more information, contact Folkworks Gallery, 847-328-0083.

Central Street Sidewalk Sale Begins Tomorrow

This weekend, the Central Street Business Association will present its annual sidewalk sale, craft fair and family festival in the 1900-2100 blocks of Central Street.

The sidewalk sale will begin July 12 and run through July 15, with bargains galore. The festival and craft fair will be held in Independence Park, Central Street at Stewart Avenue, on July 14 and 15.

There will be adult crafters as well as budding artists, children ages 6-17 selling their original crafts. The events run each day 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday will feature live entertainment, including the Storybook Mom telling children's stories, the Rock 'N' Roll Dad playing punk rock for kids, juggler Jason Kollum, a DJ and performances from the Music Institute of Chicago and New Trier High School. Sunday will conclude with an open mike session for performers of all ages. Contact Nili Yelin at 847-864-5565 or niliyelin@aol.com or visit www.centralstreet-evanston.com.