For Immediate Release
Media Contact: 
Marie Lazzara 
JJR Marketing 
630-400-3361 
<a href="mailto:marie@jjrmarketing.com">marie@jjrmarketing.com</a>

WHAT: <a href="https://www.autismfoundation.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Turning Pointe Autism Foundation (TPAF)</a>, a Naperville-based nonprofit serving individuals with autism and their families, announces its 10th
annual Naperville Pumpkin Race. Friends of all ages and abilities are invited to build their own Pumpkin Racer and compete in the Annual Naperville Pumpkin Race. Participants race head-to-head in a unique single-elimination competition that delivers plenty of creativity, laughter, suspense, and friendly competition.
Families can enjoy face painting, live performances by local student musicians and a variety of food options from local vendors.
WHY: October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Proceeds from the Pumpkin Race will help Turning Pointe Autism Foundation expand its adult services, including employment programs that prepare autistic adults for meaningful careers and greater independence.
During the event, TPAF will also announce the winner of its Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend SUV Raffle. <a href="https://www.autismfoundation.org/2026-ford-bronco-raffle" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Tickets</a> are available through Oct. 24. The winner need not be present to win and is responsible for all applicable taxes, title, license, and registration fees.
WHEN: 
12 - 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
The following is the event schedule:
12:00 PM- Registration Opens
12:30 PM-Turning Pointe Classrooms Racing Commences
1:00 - 2:00 PM- Community Heats
2:00 - 2:15 PM- Costume Contest on Main Stage/ Pumpkin Decor Contest 
2:15 - 2:30 PM- Business Races
2:30 - 2:45 PM- Quarterfinals
2:45 - 3:00 PM- Semifinals to the Championship Race

WHERE:
Rotary Hill Park, Downtown Naperville by Millennium Carillon. 
COST:
There is no cost to attend or participate. Pumpkin Race Kits are available online or at the event for $25. Assembled by Turning Pointe students, each kit includes axles, wheels, bearings, wingnuts, zip ties, and race instructions. Purchasing a kit supports Turning Pointe's vocational education program, providing students with valuable job training and hands-on work experience.
For additional information about the event, sponsoring or race kits, contact TPAF Development Officer, Events &amp; Partners Julie Schmidt at 630-615-6035 or <a href="mailto:jschmidt@turningpointeaf.org">jschmidt@turningpointeaf.org</a>.
About Turning Pointe Autism Foundation 
Turning Pointe Autism Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to raising the standard of educational, therapeutic, and social engagement supports for children, teens, and adults with autism. Its success is driven by strong partnerships with leading autism researchers, Illinois school districts, employment training partners, donors, and volunteers—all working together to build a thriving, inclusive future for individuals with autism.
For more information, visit <a href="https://www.autismfoundation.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.autismfoundation.org</a>. ###

Local Event: Turning Pointe Autism Foundation Announces 10th Annual Naperville Pumpkin Race 

DuPage County

Naperville

Illinois

Turning Pointe Autism Foundation Announces 10th...

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: 
Marie Lazzara 
JJR Marketing 
630-400-3361 
marie@jjrmarketing.com

WHAT: Turning Pointe...

Turning Pointe Autism Foundation Announces 10th Annual Naperville Pumpkin Race 

marie

Cook County

Rachel Barnes

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Evanston

Skokie

Wilmette-Kenilworth

Lincoln Square

Niles-Morton Grove

Winnetka-Glencoe

Eric DeGrechie

Glenview

North Center-Roscoe Village

Lakeview

Park Ridge

Lincoln Park

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!
<ul><li><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1eqePdW3gTyZlRBBEu1ecwH5yAxhSFGc&amp;hl=en&amp;usp=sharing" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Click here</a> for a Google map to plan your art-filled Saturday.</li></ul>

FIRST SATURDAY ART EVENTS LISTINGS BY NEIGHBORHOOD

CITYWIDE : Artist Studio Tour&nbsp;
<ul><li>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! The Artist Studio Tour Brochure is available at participating studios, online at evanstonmade.org and Shop Evanston Made, 822 Dempster St., Hours: Wed-Thurs 12-6p, Fri 12-7p, Sat 12-5p. List of participating artists <a href="https://evanstonmade.org/2026-studio-tour/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">here</a></li></ul>

MAIN DEMPSTER MILE
Performance Art
<ul><li>TrackSuit Tarot: Sit down and let Jill and Lisa with Tracksuit Joy pull tarot cards to predict your next art acquisition. 822 Dempster St., 12-2p</li></ul>
Art Openings
<ul><li>Perspective Gallery: Alexa Frangos' solo exhibit (RE)ARRANGING. 1310-1/2B Chicago Ave. Opening Reception: 5-7p</li></ul>
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 – On our Walls Gallery: respite | work by jamie lou thome. 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>
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. <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sketching-at-sketchbook-tickets-2002100744221?aff=oddtdtcreator&amp;keep_tld=true" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">RSVP here</a>. Sketchbook Brewery, 821 Chicago Ave., 1-2:30p</li></ul>
Art in Business
<ul><li>Brother’s K: Studio Tour Artist: Joyce Elias, art on exhibit and for sale. 500 Main St.,&nbsp; 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>Luna Delgado Botanicals: Sunhouse Craft and Topanga Window. 800 Dempster St., 11a-5p</li><li>Windfree Solar Cafe: Studio Tour Artist: Jean Cunningham, art on exhibit and for sale. 517 Dempster St., 8a-6p</li></ul>
New Studio
<ul><li>Alley Cat Studios: Studio open to the public! Check out our new studio space, Pottery wheels and clay activities free to the public, paintings and ceramics on display. 600 Oakton St., 1-5p</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
Art Opening
<ul><li>Saw Room Gallery: "All That Remains" - Paintings by Peter Jablokow &amp; Stephen Siegle 1712 Sherman Ave., 5-8p</li></ul>
Art Openings
<ul><li>Grove Gallery: Grove Gallery: Got Rhythm? Music-Inspired Visual Art, 619 Grove St., 2-5p</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>

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...

Dawes Park

Step Up Calendar Event


Event Title:
Step Up for Recovery 2026 

Blurb:
Walk. Connect. Make a Difference.

Join <a href="https://peerservices.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">PEER Services</a> on Sunday, October 4, from 1–3 PM at the Evanston Lakefront for a festive, family-friendly afternoon supporting substance use prevention and affordable treatment. Enjoy a half-mile walk, music, refreshments, children’s activities (face painting, balloon creations), a raffle, and a Community Wellness Fair with local organizations and giveaways.

Tickets: $50, $25, or Free—everyone is welcome. Register or donate at <a href="https://secure.qgiv.com/event/stepupforrecovery2026/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://secure.qgiv.com/event/stepupforrecovery2026/</a>

Local Event: Step Up for Recovery

Step Up for Recovery

Step Up Calendar Event


Event Title:
Step Up for Recovery 2026 

Blurb:
Walk. Connect. Make a Difference.

Join PEER Services...

Holtschneider Performance Center

Bach in the City’s season opens with “Fantasticus: Bach and Before,” a chamber concert devoted to works composed in the free-wheeling, improvisational “Stylus Fantasticus” Baroque style that predated J. S. Bach. The program includes music by Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber, Dietrich Buxtehude, Johann Rosenmüller, Johann Christoph Bach, Johann Pachelbel, and J. S. Bach himself, the “youngest” composer in the group.
Bach in the City’s co-music director Jason Moy has mapped out a “Fantasticus” voyage.
In a program note, Moy cites 17th-century music theorist Athanasius Kircher’s description of Stylus Fantasticus as “the most free and unrestrained method of composing … instituted to display genius and to teach the hidden design of harmony and the ingenious composition of harmonic phrases and fugues.”
Moy invites listeners to savor this middle-Baroque period style “through the imaginative and virtuosic works” of Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber, Dietrich Buxtehude, Johann Rosenmüller, Johann Christoph Bach, Johann Pachelbel, and Johann Sebastian Bach.
A highlight will be a rare performance of Pachelbel’s ubiquitous, widely beloved Canon in D Major in its original version for just three violins and continuo (Baroque rhythm section), along with Pachelbel’s oft-neglected Gigue in D Major, a playful, energetic dance piece with which the Canon was originally paired by the composer.
“Some have referred to the Gigue as the ‘B-side’ of the pairing,” Moy says. “But the B-side of a recording sometimes turns out to be the hit song.”
Biber wrote some of the most notoriously difficult, complex violin music of the Baroque era. The concert includes Biber’s Sonata violino solo representativa and Sonata à 6 in C Major, in which the trumpet also gets opportunities to shine.
Violin and viola da gamba are prominent in Buxtehude’s austere, elegant Sonata in A Minor, BuxWV 272, which illustrates the composer’s masterful use of “basso ostinato,” a repeating bass line.
Rosenmüller’s Sonata Decima à 5 in F Major blends strict German Baroque counterpoint with the lyrical, theatrical virtuosity of the Italian Renaissance operas the composer heard during his sojourn in Venice.
Johann Christoph Bach’s masterwork, his deeply moving Lament “Ach, dass ich Wassers gnug hätte” (Oh, if only I had enough tears) for alto soloist, is a profound expression of repentance. He was the older cousin of J. S. Bach, who referred to him as “the profound composer.”
The program, directed by Moy, closes with J. S. Bach’s
uplifting sacred cantata “Jauchzet Gott in Allen Landen” (Exult in God in all lands), BWV 51, featuring soprano and trumpet solos.
Soloists are soprano Hannah De Priest, countertenor Ryan Belongie, violinist Amelia Sie, and trumpeter Ryan Berndt.This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
Tickets and information
Single tickets are $45 for VIP admission, which includes reserved seating; $30 adult general admission; $25 seniors 65 and older; $10 students.
Tickets and information are available at <a href="https://www.bachinthecity.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">bachinthecity.org</a> and by phone, 312-273-9834.

Local Event: Bach in the City's 'Fantasticus: Bach and Before'

Chicago

Bach in the City's 'Fantasticus: Bach and Before'

Bach in the City’s season opens with “Fantasticus: Bach and Before,” a chamber concert devoted to works composed in the...

Trophy Pet

Join us every Sunday for a relaxing afternoon where dogs and their humans can gather on the back patio of Trophy Pet (624 Grove St, Evanston) for a delightful wine tasting experience by Hops &amp; Grapes. Please RSVP by sending a direct message to @trophypet2026 on Instagram or via text 9177551924 to secure your spot for this weekly social event.

Local Event: Sunday Funday Wine Tastings

Sunday Funday Wine Tastings

Join us every Sunday for a relaxing afternoon where dogs and their humans can gather on the back patio of Trophy Pet (624 Grove...

Fair Trade Rug Event - October 7-11 at Gather (formerly Ten Thousand Villages Evanston)
Where: Gather: Consciously Curated located at 1509 Chicago Ave in Downtown Evanston
When: Weds-Sun, October 7-11, 2026
Come out to see stunning hand-knotted wool rugs made by fairly paid adults in Pakistan! All durable and high quality in a wide variety of colors and styles from 2’x3’ to 10’x14’ plus runners, rounds, squares and pillows. Gather will be filled with fair trade rugs from Bunyaad artisans for 5 days only!
Store Hours - Mon-Fri 11-6, Sat 10-6, Sun 12-6
More info at <a href="https://bunyaad.com/event/rug-event-in-evanston-il/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">bunyaad.com/event/rug-event-in-evanston-il/</a>

Local Event: Fair Trade Rug Event October 7-11

Fair Trade Rug Event October 7-11

Fair Trade Rug Event - October 7-11 at Gather (formerly Ten Thousand Villages Evanston)
Where: Gather: Consciously Curated...

Celebrate the season with <a href="https://www.thetalkingfarm.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Talking Farm</a> at a festive fall picnic at the Howard Street Farm, featuring the toe-tapping folk and bluegrass sounds of The <a href="https://www.sullivansistersbluegrass.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Sullivan Sisters</a>!
We’ll serve two vegetarian dishes made with fresh, seasonal produce from the Howard Street Farm, along with cocktails by <a href="https://us.mothdrinks.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Moth</a> and delicious desserts from <a href="https://www.threetartsbakery.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Three Tarts Bakery</a>. Bring your favorite picnic extras—charcuterie, proteins, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages—to make your meal your own.
We’ll also fire up the grills, so feel free to bring something to cook. Grilling utensils will be provided.
Pack your favorite picnic gear if you’d like, or simply bring yourself! We’ll have tables, chairs, and compostable dishes, utensils, and cups ready for you.

Local Event: Farm Picnic Concert with The Sullivan Sisters

Farm Picnic Concert with The Sullivan Sisters

Celebrate the season with The Talking Farm at a festive fall picnic at the Howard Street Farm, featuring the toe-tapping folk...

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

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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