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Hello North Shore! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Leed gold ecology center, drive-in movie: zootopia 2, and sidewalk sale and chalk art contest + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around the North Shore help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A greener community hub: Evanston Ecology Center earned LEED Gold after an upgrade that added electric heating and cooling, boosted energy performance 29 percent, cut indoor water use 35 percent, and preserved native habitat -- read the full story.
Expanding college access locally: Evanston Scholars marked 15 years of mentoring ETHS students, supporting first-generation and low-income youths with test prep and counseling. Over 500 alumni have graduated, with nearly 275 enrolled -- read the full story.
New leadership at The Block: The Block Museum of Art named Ainsley M. Cameron associate director of curatorial affairs, effective Sept. 1, citing expertise in Islamic art and South Asia to guide exhibitions and collections -- read the full announcement.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Aura gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background — remove your data.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Unexpected midweek exhale: Skip the chaos for a lap around Arrington Lagoon at Dawes Park, where fountains burble, ducks supervise, and your brain remembers how to breathe. When winter shows up, it turns into an old-school ice-skating scene, but for now it’s prime for a quick walk, a bench, and a mental reset.
Serious brunch energy: Frida's Breakfast and Lunch keeps North Shore mornings interesting with Hangover Chilaquiles, indulgent French toast, and Benedicts that actually live up to the hype. When you want hearty without a food coma, the breakfast burrito plus Frida’s potatoes is a clutch, linger-worthy combo.
North Shore room upgrade: Modern Vibe is that Evanston spot to browse this week for curated mid-century and Danish modern pieces that make you say, ok, we’re rearranging everything tonight. Pop in for inspiration, from sculptural chairs to warm teak accents, then claim bragging rights when guests ask where you found that.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here. You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in Home Depot, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh →
Once your car passes 50,000 miles, the odds of a big repair climb fast. That's usually right when your factory coverage starts running out. Engine, transmission, electrical, they fail on their own timeline, and the bills run into the thousands. An extended warranty covers them before they hit. You receive a free year of Elite Benefits, plus 30 days to change your mind. *$300 off right now →
A window quote that takes an hour and costs you nothing. No showroom, no sales runaround, no obligation to buy anything. A design consultant comes to you, measures your windows, walks you through the options, and leaves you with an exact price and timeline, that's the whole visit. Keep the quote as long as you like and decide whenever you're ready, or don't. Booking takes about a minute. *Book your free visit →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎩 Leopold Magician @ Village Inn Pizzeria Sports Bar and Grill (Skokie) | Wednesday (7/22) at 6:30 PM – Midweek dinner rut calls for a little sleight of hand. Every Wednesday in July, Leopold brings complimentary close-up magic to your table while you wait, keeping the kids entranced, the adults delightfully baffled, and your urge to hover over the kitchen door in check.
🎶 Wednesday on the Green @ Village Green Park (Skokie) | Wednesday (7/22) at 8:00 PM – Midweek slump cure: GCF takes the stage at Wednesdays on the Green, that sweet patch between the library and Village Hall. Bring a chair, soak up the easygoing entertainment, enjoy peak Skokie people-watching, and, yes, savor those three beautiful words, free parking.
🎬 Drive-In Movie: Zootopia 2 @ Skokie Sports Park | Thursday (7/23) at 7:30 PM – For one night, Skokie Sports Park East turns into an old-school drive-in for Zootopia 2, the kind of chaos the kids love and the adults secretly enjoy. Pack snacks, catch it at sunset, and roll in for $19 per car.
🛍 Downtown Evanston Sidewalk Sale & Chalk Art Contest @ Downtown Evanston | Friday (7/24) at 11:00 AM – Stroll downtown for the sidewalk sale, where more than twenty-five local shops haul their racks outside with actually good deals. Saturday brings the chalk art contest, turning the pavement into a pop-up gallery for all ages, and delivering shopping, color, and top-tier people-watching.
🎶 Ravinia Festival @ Ravinia Park (Evanston) | Friday (7/24) at 5:00 PM – Ravinia brings the CSO for movie music written by women, a summer exhale under the trees. Pack a chair and a picnic to share, settle in while lawn tickets run $17, seniors $14, and kids or students get in free. Blanket diplomacy encouraged.
🛍 Skylight Vintage Festival on Sidewalk Sale Weekend @ The Skylight Foundation (Evanston) | Saturday (7/25) at 12:00 PM – Nothing beats rummaging for vintage treasures during Sidewalk Sale Weekend, then sticking around for live music and local bites. It is family friendly, easygoing, and blissfully neighborly. Consider it retail therapy that actually supports therapy, courtesy of Skylight Counseling Center.
🎶 Rhythm Rockets @ Devonshire Park (Skokie) | Sunday (7/26) at 7:00 PM – The Rhythm Rockets are lighting up Devonshire Park with a free concert, Skokie-style, which means easy parking, friendly faces, and zero cover. Bring the good blanket, the snacks you actually like, and your best sway, because chair dancing counts as cardio at our age.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Skip credit card interest until nearly 2028You know the feeling: you make your credit card payment, check the balance, and it's barely moved. That's interest quietly eating most of what you pay. Here's a rare chance to stop it. This card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, so for over a year every dollar you pay goes straight to what you owe, not the bank's cut. And you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. The rewards are where it gets even better. Every purchase earns you at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories climbing as high as 5%, so the card pays you back on the spending you're already doing. Put a little on it early and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting. Between the break on interest, the cash back, and no annual fee, it's a lot of card for nothing to hold. *Take a look → |
07 — North Shore report Weather forecastToday — High: 69°F — Low: 53°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 69. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. North northwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 75°F — Low: 60°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 75. West southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. This house is wildThis bright Hubbard Woods home pairs timeless architecture with a seriously polished 2026 refresh. Six bedrooms, 5.2 baths, 10-foot ceilings, and oversized windows keep every level airy and sunlit. The kitchen stuns with Taj Mahal quartzite and top-tier appliances, while a spa primary suite, heated floors, finished lower level, and unbeatable walk-to-everything location seal the deal.
Take a peek inside → |
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