Wendy Margolin

Cook County

Rachel Barnes

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Skokie

Illinois

I’m a part-time-working mother of 4, keeping my head on straight only with the help of a lot of coffee, running and writing.

Evanston

Wilmette-Kenilworth

Niles-Morton Grove

Lincoln Square

Eric DeGrechie

Glenview

Winnetka-Glencoe

Park Ridge

North Center-Roscoe Village

Lakeview

Northbrook

Indian Hill Train Station

Join The Volunteer Center for its 24th year of community impact by donating new and gently used items. You can contribute everything from clothing and furniture to technology and musical instruments to benefit various local organizations. Please sort, bag, and label your donations by category before driving through this convenient community event.

Local Event: Make A Difference Day

Make A Difference Day

Join The Volunteer Center for its 24th year of community impact by donating new and gently used items. You can contribute...

Evanston Made presents First Saturday Evanston Art Events. This self-guided tour invites patrons to see art on display, shop for art and handmade goods, learn to sketch and make ART Friends!

FIRST SATURDAY ART EVENTS LISTINGS BY NEIGHBORHOOD
CITYWIDE : Artist Studio Tour&nbsp;
This free, self-guided tour of Artist Studios in Evanston, is hosted over two days, Saturday &amp; Sunday, October 4, 12-5p. Meet artists, tour studios, shop for local art!&nbsp; List of participating artists at <a href="https://evanstonmade.org/2026-studio-tour/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://evanstonmade.org/2026-studio-tour/</a>
MAIN DEMPSTER MILE
Art Exhibit
<ul><li>SPACE900: A Thousand Cuts. Evanston artist James Deeb presents a pop-up art exhibition the first weekend of October at Space 900 Gallery. Entitled A Thousand Cuts, it features twenty paintings and drawings, many of which are being shown for the first time. All of the pieces are from more experimental aspects of artist’s practice, such as oils on sized linen and expressive charcoals on paper, creating something both unusual and unique. 816 Dempster St., 12-5p</li><li>HIVE Center for the Book Arts: 840 Custer Ave.,10a-6p</li></ul>
NEW SHOP
<ul><li>Shop Evanston Made: Browse original art and handmade goods created by Evanston Made members. 822 Dempster St., 12-5p</li></ul>
Book Signings
<ul><li>Compass Realty: Evanston Authors Books &amp; Bookmarks. Come see the books Evanston is writing. Meet authors, get signed copies and custom fidget bookmarks. Signed books make great gifts! Get an early start on gift-giving season. 814 Dempster St., 12-4p</li></ul>
Make Art!&nbsp;
<ul><li>Sketching at Sketchbook Brewing Company. Sketchbook teams up with Evanston Made to offer sketching tips and free materials. Bob &amp; Hilda will be on hand with sketching tips and a variety of FREE materials are provided! FREE to attend. RSVP here. Sketchbook Brewery, 821 Chicago Ave., 1-2:30p</li></ul>
Art in Business
<ul><li>BrothersK: Studio Tour Artist: Joyce Elias, art on exhibit and for sale. 2006 Central St., 7a-5p</li><li>Evanston Pour: Studio Tour Artists; Alice George &amp; Beth Adler, art on exhibit and for sale. 528 Dempster St., 8a-9p</li><li>Windfree Solar Cafe: Studio Tour Artist: Jean Cunningham, art on exhibit and for sale. 517 Dempster St., 8a-6p</li></ul>

WEST VILLAGE
New Studio
<ul><li>Out of the Fire Clay Studio: Out of the Fire Clay Studio, formerly Fireheads Clay, is reopening! Tour the new studio and learn about studio membership and classes. 1400 Greenleaf St., 12-4p</li></ul>

DOWNTOWN EVANSTON
Mid-Show Reception
<ul><li>Saw Room Gallery: 1712 Sherman Ave., 12-5p</li></ul>
Art Openings
<ul><li>Grove Gallery: 619 Grove St., 2-5p&nbsp;</li></ul>

CENTRAL STREET&nbsp;
Art on Exhibit
<ul><li>Northminster Presbyterian Church Tower Gallery: Based on the book Lilies of Gaza – Women Artists in the Time of War, this beautifully curated show unveils intimate life stories and artistic journeys of women who have faced war, loss, and displacement – yet chose to resist through art. Each artist’s story captures moments of pain and perseverance, and together their voices form a collective testimony of survival, hope and artistic defiance in the face of devastation. Lilies of Gaza comes to Northminster through Bright Stars of Bethlehem, a U.S. nonprofit which raises awareness and support for Dar al-Kalima University, the first and only university for arts, culture, and design in all of Palestine. Bright Stars’ desire to help the people of Palestine flourish and have life in abundance has gained supporters around the U.S. 2515 Central Park Ave., 1-3p</li></ul>
Art in Business
<ul><li>The Famous Taco Burger: Robert Potter Journey to Guanajuato, Mexico. 2901 Central St. Meet the Artist, 11a-12:30p</li><li>Great Harvest: Val Zee mulit-media paintings. Free Coffee with Great Harvest Bread purchase! 2126 Central St., 8a-2p</li><li>Curt’s Cafe: Studio Tour Artists; Alice George, Bonnie Katz, Craig Jobson, Ken Krimstein, , art on exhibit and for sale. 2922 Central St. 8a-3p</li><li>Backlot: Studio Tour Artist: Kristen Neveu, art on exhibit and for sale. 2006 Central St., 7a-5p</li></ul>
***
FIRST SATURDAYS in 2026
January 3, February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 4, August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7, December 5
About Evanston Made
Started as an Artist Studio Tour in June 2014, by a group of volunteer art advocates, Evanston Made has grown into a 400+ member organization with year round events and hyper local online shopping portal - <a href="https://shopevanstonmade.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">shopevanstonmade.org</a>
Evanston Made is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization with the mission to connect Evanston creatives to the public through programming and events. Learn more at evanstonmade.org and consider <a href="https://evanstonmade.org/donate/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">making a donation</a> of any amount to support programs that drive our mission.

Local Event: First Saturday Art Events • Evanston, IL

First Saturday Art Events • Evanston, IL

Evanston Made presents First Saturday Evanston Art Events. This self-guided tour invites patrons to see art on display, shop...

North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie

Third Coast Symphony's opening concert features beloved classics, plus a new commissioned work by Kareem Roustom.
Third Coast Symphony Victor Muenzer, conductor Jeremy Vigil, piano
KAREEM ROUSTOM Fanfare for a Defiant City (world premiere) GERSHWIN An American in Paris GERSHWIN Rhapsody in Blue MUSSORGSKY/RAVEL Pictures at an Exhibition
The Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra has merged with the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra to become the new Third Coast Symphony. Join us for a post-concert reception to celebrate Third Coast Symphony’s opening night!
Tickets $35-$44.25; children/students $14-$20.60

Local Event: Third Coast Symphony: Rhapsody in Blue & A World Premiere

Third Coast Symphony: Rhapsody in Blue & A...

Third Coast Symphony's opening concert features beloved classics, plus a new commissioned work by Kareem Roustom.
Third Coast...

Third Coast Symphony: Rhapsody in Blue & A World Premiere

1521 S. Linn White Dr., Northerly Island, Chicago, IL 60605

FEATURING ELDERBROOK LIVE AT SUNSET
The Wellness Retreat is taking over Chicago’s Northerly Island for one unforgettable day of movement, music, mindfulness and connection.
Move alongside leading instructors. Discover fresh ways to feel your best. Recharge by the lake, connect with your people and close out the day with a live sunset performance by Elderbrook.
This isn’t wellness as usual. It’s immersive, energizing and meant to be experienced out loud—together.
AND THAT’S JUST THE BEGINNING.

For more information, <a href="https://speakeasygo.com/the-wellness-retreat/the-wellness-retreat-chicago?eid=EVE-I2830I" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">click here.&nbsp;</a>

(Photo Credit: © 2026 The Wellness Retreat. All rights reserved.)

Local Event: The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet

Chicago

The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind,...

FEATURING ELDERBROOK LIVE AT SUNSET
The Wellness Retreat is taking over Chicago’s Northerly Island for one unforgettable day of...

The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet

CHICAGO, IL &mdash; For renters watching thousands of dollars disappear every year into housing they will never own, Harbor Point at Wolf Lake is offering a very different alternative.
Located on Chicago&rsquo;s Southeast Side, Harbor Point offers the feel of single-family living without the $300,000-plus price point that comes with many traditional homes. Brand-new three-bedroom, two-bath homes are currently offered from approximately $89,000 to $103,000, giving professionals, families and retirees an opportunity to own something of their own without sacrificing privacy, comfort or style.
No shared walls. No upstairs neighbors. No crowded condo hallways. Instead, buyers have their own home, private driveway, storage shed, outdoor space and room to create a home that feels personal.
For many renters, the numbers are becoming harder to ignore. Even $1,000 per month in rent adds up to more than $60,000 over five years&mdash;money that never creates ownership or equity in the home they live in.
&ldquo;More buyers are starting to ask themselves what they actually have to show for years of rent payments,&rdquo; says Brandy Crask, Director of Sales. &ldquo;For many of them, Harbor Point opens the door to a type of homeownership they didn&rsquo;t realize was within reach.&rdquo;
Crask is closely involved in the design and selection of homes within the community, focusing on cabinetry, flooring, lighting, kitchens, appliances and upgraded finishes that give each home a polished and elevated feel while maintaining an attainable price point.
&ldquo;There is something very different about Harbor Point when you drive in,&rdquo; Crask says. &ldquo;It is quiet, beautifully maintained and tucked back among the trees along Wolf Lake. These are not simply homes we are selling. When I design each one, I think about the person who may eventually live there&mdash;the first-time buyer, the Chicago professional looking for peace at the end of the day, the single woman creating a home and life of her own, or the family ready for more space. I want every home to feel as though it was created for someone, not simply placed on a lot.&rdquo;
A key part of the Harbor Point experience is Erik Salas, a bilingual member of the sales team who works closely with English- and Spanish-speaking families to understand what they are looking for and help locate the home that best fits their lifestyle, household and budget.
Crask added that Harbor Point can also work with no financing needed, self employed and&nbsp;ITIN buyers, creating additional pathways to homeownership for families who may not fit the traditional financing model. Financing options with terms of up to 23 years may be available, with a wide range of credit profiles considered. A down payment may be required, with the amount varying by lender and individual applicant. For buyers who need help identifying where that down payment may come from, Crask also works with them to explore resources they may already have available, including eligible retirement funds such as a 401(k), depending on the terms of their plan.
The setting is another major part of Harbor Point&rsquo;s appeal. Although the community remains within Cook County&mdash;important for buyers who need or prefer to stay within county limits&mdash;it feels far removed from typical city living. Quiet streets, mature trees, friendly neighbors and a peaceful setting near Wolf Lake give the community the feel of a tucked-away suburban or rural neighborhood while still maintaining a Chicago address.
&ldquo;I always tell buyers to drive the streets, look at the yards, walk through the clubhouse and take in how peaceful it is here,&rdquo; Crask says. &ldquo;You can compare square footage and pricing online, but you really have to come here to understand what makes Harbor Point something very special.&rdquo;
Community events bring residents together, neighbors get to know one another, and the overall atmosphere feels more personal and connected than traditional apartment or condominium living.
For professionals, Harbor Point offers privacy and space after a long workday. For families, it offers bedrooms, outdoor space and room to grow. For retirees, it provides a quieter, more manageable home in a community that still feels welcoming and connected.
View available homes for sale here, preowned homes also available, starting around $50,000.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.zillow.com/community/harbor-point-estates/30361399_plid/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.zillow.com/community/harbor-point-estates/30361399_plid/</a>
At Harbor Point, homeownership is not just about the house itself. It is about pulling into your own driveway at the end of the day, knowing your neighbors, having room to breathe, and finally putting your monthly housing payment toward a place that feels like yours.
For some buyers, it may be their first home. For others, it may be a fresh start, a quieter chapter or simply a chance to live differently.
That is what makes Harbor Point special.
It is not just an affordable place to live.
It is a place to come home to.
Contact The Ravinia Team, Brandy Crask and Erik Salas: 815-426-9834

Chicago’s Southeast Side Is Rewriting the Path...

CHICAGO, IL — For renters watching thousands of dollars disappear every year into housing they will never own, Harbor Point at Wolf Lake is...

Chicago’s Southeast Side Is Rewriting the Path to Homeownership

Massage therapist, acupuncturist, or similar needed to sublet a room for their own practice. The room is in downtown Evanston at 1609 Sherman Ave. This is in a shared office suite with a total of four rooms. The room is approximately 120 sf and is available for $400 a month. The suite electric bill is split four ways, coming to around $12 per room. The room has a large wall mirror. Other amenities include a client reception area, a microwave, storage space, and a refrigerator. A massage table can be provided for the room if needed. The building has an elevator with keypad entry to the building 24/7. There is a parking garage across the street, and the CTA and Metra are two blocks away.

Office Space for Rent in Downtown Evanston $400...

Massage therapist, acupuncturist, or similar needed to sublet a room for their own practice. The room is in downtown Evanston at 1609 Sherman Ave....

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Wendy Margolin, Neighbor

Posting Activity

Make A Difference Day

First Saturday Art Events • Evanston, IL

Third Coast Symphony: Rhapsody in Blue & A World Premiere

The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet

Chicago’s Southeast Side Is Rewriting the Path to Homeownership

Office Space for Rent in Downtown Evanston $400 monthly