Evanston Review

Keep records of vital information for elderly parents

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:26:23 -0500

Sometimes we make assumptions about the information that we have or don’t have when it comes to our parents, grandparents or other seniors in our lives. Unfortunately the moment we realize that the information we need is not available is usually during a crisis.

Taking stigma off incontinence

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:14:03 -0500

Watching daytime TV, and all of the commercials for incontinence products, one might think that incontinence is a normal part of life and aging.

Guest View: Supporting Main Street and its businesses

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 06:27:20 -0500

As we work collectively to move Evanston forward, our local business community is essential to help grow Evanston’s economy: To make investment in their businesses, to create jobs, to sell goods, and to provide services. One thriving Evanston business district can be found at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Main Street. It has a mix of destination-oriented retail, services, restaurants, and is well-served by both Metra and CTA. My colleagues on the City Council and I are actively working at Main Street to put in place an economic development tool called a Tax Increment Financing district that will provide …

This Apple has sour taste

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:42:03 -0500

Dear Fixer: I cannot download any apps on my iPhone. It says my account is disabled. After I sent a request to the Apple support email address, I received a response from an iTunes adviser who said it appeared that my account had been disabled due to “chargeback orders” they had received from my credit card issuer.

Art of compromise is what’s needed now

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:42:03 -0500

In the aftermath of last week’s election, I’ve been listening to my friends on the right and the left. They are saying the same thing, and that’s what worries me.

Christmas shopping, philosophically speaking

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:42:03 -0500

Now that that pesky presidential election is over, it’s time to concentrate on what’s really important. Christmas shopping. But before you can shop, you have to decide what to get friends and family, collectively known as loved ones.

Judy’s Top Five

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:11:51 -0500

Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Evanston area, spiced with a little commentary. Yoo-Hoo William, Yoo-Hoo Arthur The Savoyaires present Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Patience” at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 5, 6, 12 and 13, and 3 p.m., Oct. 7 in the auditorium at Chute School, 1400 Oakton St. in Evanston. To purchase tickets visit www.savoyaires.org/tickets or call (847) 563-0155. I wonder if Gilbert and Sullivan had tiffs about their billing – whose name would come first. Did Mr. Sullivan defer to Mr. Gilbert because “G” came before “S” in the alphabet or because Mr. Gilbert said he would …

Stop ‘straw buyers’ of guns

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:10:01 -0500

For years Chicago and Cook County officials have been pushing a law that would help close the spigot of guns flowing illegally into the city. So far, the National Rifle Association has blocked the law in Springfield, but officials here should keep pushing. The so-called “lost or stolen” law would require gun owners to report a lost or stolen gun within 72 hours of noticing it is missing. It would help discourage “straw buyers” who purchase numerous guns legally in the suburbs and then sell them to felons in Chicago. Straw buyers often say their weapons were lost or stolen …

How about veggie McDonald’s here?

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 13:16:04 -0500

McDonald’s is opening two vegetarian-only restaurants. Not, unfortunately, in one of the hipper neighborhoods of Chicago, or even somewhere in California. But in India — in Amritsar and Katra. This makes sense. For reasons of religion and tradition, Indian diets tend to be low in meat, with about 30 percent of Indians eating no meat at all. But vegetarians are growing in number in this country, too, and we’re pretty sure a veggie McDonald’s would fare well in or around Chicago. Our first reaction when we read the news about a vegetarian-only McDonald’s was to laugh. Aren’t these the folks …

A fabulous life

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:28:00 -0500

Judy digresses from her regular “Top Five” column this week to help dear readers achieve a lifestyle as fabulous as hers. Every morning, I create Judy’s Agenda on a yellow legal pad with a Sharpie fine-point marker (should you want emulate Judy, which, of course, you should). After making this list (thislist,thislist — fun to say!), I put the letter “A” next to tasks of vital importance (i.e., getting out of bed); “B” to chores I’ll whiz through next, and “C” assigned to those pesky projects that I can delay until tomorrow but won’t have to because I use (patent …

Judy’s Top Five for the week of Sept. 6, 2012

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 07:49:18 -0500

EVANSTON — Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Evanston area, spiced with a little commentary. Gotta dance! The Boocoo Festivale takes place from noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 9 at the BooCoo Cultural Center, 1823 Church St. in Evanston. The festivale is a celebration of musical and artistic sights and sounds for the whole family, featuring live music, a craft fair, other entertainment and food. Later, stay for the candlelight tango dancing and starlight salsa dancing. The patio fest is free; the indoor fest is $6.50 per person. For more information, call (847) 864-8164. This BooCoo Festivale …

Judy’s Evanston top five for June 21, 2012

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 06:43:21 -0500

Judy Brinkworth offers suggestions for things to do in the Evanston area.

Refinancing bill could help the housing market

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 02:54:02 -0500

Gail Schechter is the executive director of the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs United States homeowners are in desperate need of relief. More than two million homes are in some stage of foreclosure and millions more homeowners are in homes for which they owe more in mortgage payments than the property is worth. The effect on the nation’s well-being is dire. Housing wealth dropped by 57 percent or $8.2 trillion from 2006 to 2011, resulting in net household wealth plummeting $14.3 trillion, according to a recent Harvard University housing report. Communities of color have been hit hardest with …

JUDY’S TOP FIVE

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 11:27:37 -0500

Ed. note: Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Evanston area, spiced with a little commentary. Not to mention my handstands. A free Children’s Day event will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. May 6 at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 1655 Foster St. Children ages 2 through 13, accompanied by a parent, will enjoy face painting, games, food and a performance by the Jesse White Tumblers. To register, call (847)(448) 8254. When I see the Jesse White Tumblers perform, I’m reminded of the tumbling class I took when I was 10. I don’t know why, because this troupe …

Judy’s top five for April 26, 2012

Mon, 28 May 2012 08:38:48 -0500

Ed. note: Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Evanston area, spiced with a little commentary. Yoo-hoo, Mr. Levy cutie … The 34th annual Jo-Anne Hirshfield Poetry Awards winners will be honored at a reception from 2 p.m. April 29 at the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave. Come offer congratulations to these talented poets from Evanston and Chicagoland. Admission is free. For more information call (847) 448-8600. I was hoping that the library would ask me to recite my latest poem dealing with important cultural issues of today at this Poetry awards ceremony. But noooooo. Here it …