Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Music Institute To Launch RCM Smart Start For North Shore Families In Fall 2026

And on the Evanston Patch calendar - Wake up to donuts on your doorstep from Do-Rite! Order by 10pm Friday.

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Thursday August 27th Patch AM
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Morning Evanston! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • New research-based music program coming to Evanston's youngest learners this fall
  • What Evanston residents should do about storm-damaged trees on their block
  • How will Northwestern's African Studies shake-up affect students and faculty?

Also on today's calendar: Wake up to donuts on your doorstep from Do-Rite! Order by 10pm Friday. and 12 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Afternoon sprinkles, with a high of 78 and low of 67 degrees.
  • Friday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 79, low: 68.
  • Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 81 and low of 71 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Music Institute To Launch RCM Smart Start For North Shore Families In Fall 2026 (patch.com) — Families in Evanston and the North Shore can sign up this fall for RCM Smart Start, a research-based early childhood music program offered through the Music Institute of Chicago's Evanston, Lake Forest and Winnetka campuses. Designed for babies through preschoolers, the small weekly classes aim to boost attention, memory, language, coordination and confidence while introducing children to a broader music education journey.
   

2. A look at Evanston's trees in the aftermath of summer storms (evanstonroundtable.com) — After a summer of intense storms, Evanston's forestry team is still clearing damage and prioritizing hazardous trees along streets and sidewalks. Forestry Supervisor Tom Iannetti explains how residents can report problems through 311, care for young trees, and support a long-term vision for a healthier, more resilient urban forest across every neighborhood.
   

3. Northwestern University to Restructure Its Program of African Studies (jbhe.com) — Northwestern University is shifting its long-standing Program of African Studies from the Office for Research to the Office of the Provost in Evanston, a move that also eliminates two staff positions. Leaders say the change is meant to better align the program's teaching mission, while options for its long-term home, including becoming a department, are still under discussion.
   

4. New leads emerge in 1992 murder of Tammy Zywicki (journalstandard.com) — State and federal investigators are renewing efforts to solve the 1992 killing of Tammy Zywicki, who disappeared while driving from Evanston to college in Iowa. With new DNA testing and a person of interest linked to a truck driver, authorities are seeking tips and offering a $50,000 reward to help identify whoever was responsible.
   

5. Moorhead, Cole (rochester.edu) — An Evanston-born saxophonist, Cole Moorhead, is building an impressive classical career after earning a performance degree from the University of Iowa and racking up national competition wins with his Nightshade Quartet. He's now headed to the Eastman School of Music on a teaching assistantship, continuing to premiere new works in the U.S. and abroad while representing Evanston on major stages.
   

📸 Around Evanston

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • HUGE Multi-Family Garage Sale
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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Class Of 2026 Set For Hall Of Fame Induction —Dennis Mahoney Read on Patch
  • The Douglas Center Public Hearing Notice —Linda Cordero Read on Patch
  • Bellis Throws For Three Scores In Varsity Debut —Dennis Mahoney Read on Patch
  • Double Clutch Brewing Company to Host 5th Annual Clutchtober Fest Sept. 12 —Kate Ahern Read on Patch
  • To all the kids young and old.
    Plus all the teachers and professors who teach. Thanks for continuing to teach our younger generations. Despite all the distractions the world brings… (Nextdoor Downtown Evanston)
  • My sister is looking for a reliable and responsible handyman/building maintenance person for a 3-unit residential building in Rogers Park, Chicago.
    Guaranteed monthly payment - even if there is no work that month. Responsibilities may include: ● Minor repairs and general maintenance ● Checking… (Nextdoor South Central Evanston)
  • Trice Healthcare posted a job opening for Cleaning Services Worker in Evanston. Apply here.
  • CROSSMARK posted a job opening for Part Time Product Event Demonstrators - Evanston, Illinois 60202 in Evanston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Evanston here.

Ok Evanston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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