Evanston Airs Its Grievances on Festivus

EVANSTON, IL - Ever since an episode of “Seinfeld” called “The Strike” first aired on NBC in 1997, December 23 has been known as “Festivus” by fans of the show. As depicted in the episode, It’s a yearly “airing of grievances,” when people gather around an aluminum pole to perform the “feats of strength” and let people they know just how much they have been disappointed in them throughout the year.

“I GOT A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH YOU PEOPLE,” character Frank Costanza - the fictional creator of the holiday - famously shouted in the episode that also followed the storyline of Cosmo Kramer’s return to work and almost immediate strike at H&H Bagels.

Residents of Evanston weren’t shy about airing their grievances on the holiday this year. Some gathered around the pole (which in this case happened to be the Evanston Patch Facebook page) to let us know what’s on their mind.

Related: Evanstonians Speak Out: What Needs to Be Changed

“The ‘Snow Emergency’ signs for side streets do not inform the very occasional visitor to Evanston how to find out that such an emergency has been declared; especially pertinent when the snowfall was two days prior,” Marion wrote.

Stephanie complained of the “ridiculous” bike lanes on Dodge Avenue.

Here are some of the other grievances residents have offered. Everything from parking meters to Christmas lights was fair game.

“Blacktopping Hartrey Avenue South of Cleveland to Oakton. City did North of Cleveland to Washington, not as much traffic as we do with the city's South Water Tank and businesses where at times like driving thru a minefield. Needs resurfacing for the decades of abuse! Pleeeeeze.” - Michael

“The parking meters where you have to walk to a box and press buttons. I LOATHE those. If there is a meter in front of your car you can pay it and leave your toddler in the car until done. Those stupid boxes mean you have to hold a slippery toddler right next to traffic while you stand there and press endless buttons. It's horrible.” - Anne

“My trash guy who after emptying my trash can puts it back right behind my garage door. Then I come out to leave, let the door up & back right into it” - Debra

“The new 'no left turn 7am-7pm' signs at Ridge and Grove. I don't mind them as much as the countless people who blatantly turn left anyway. There's no way they don't see the signs...I dunno...they're just special and don't have to abide? It is fun to watch the cops pull them over though.” - Cyn

“The Evanston Christmas tree and lights are the worst I have seen in any downtown area. It looks like someone rolled the trees with tp lights at the fountain. We would have been better off doing nothing than putting up what is there.” - Amy

We aren't sure whether a donation to "The Human Fund" might help bring better lights next year.

Thanks for playing along, Evanston.