Wine for Charity

Last Thursday Evanston had two ‘block parties’. One was the official ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party for which the town is painted purple.

The Northwestern University and Evanston Township High School Marching Bands performed in call-and-answer style prior to a pep rally for the NU and ETHS football games to be played that weekend (the Wildcats and Wildkits).

The Block Party is sponsored by the City of Evanston, Northwestern University, Downtown Evanston, the Evanston Chamber of Commerce, Evanston Township High School, and Evanston/Skokie School District 65.

After the band finished, I moved on to Vinic Wine which was hosting a charity wine walk along Chicago Avenue and Dempster Street.

26 local businesses poured tastings of French wines or offered munchies.

We received 8 tickets for $15 to sample these goodies, of which proceeds benefited No Boundaries & The Evanston Art Center.

I admired Kier of H(om)e’s new decor.

I had stopped in earlier when the boutique had just opened, and the doors add so much warmth.

This boutique is so inspiring and I will have to add one of their gorgeous purses to my Christmas wish list.

The new Cooked and Homestead Meats & Deli were pretty crowded and I heard their tastings were delicious.

Dragonfly was also filled to the brim.

Antiques and second-hand stores abound.

Paramour Bungalow is an inspiration in decor and gift-giving.

It was a great way to visit stores I don’t usually set foot in, and see the new Hewn parklet.

I perused the No Boundaries art exhibit next door.

At No Boundaries, people with and without disabilities learn and build skills in a real workplace setting.

Located in a new tech site in a thriving Evanston business district, it’s the perfect place for transitioning teens and adults with disabilities to learn workplace and community skills including communicating, self-organizing, and self-advocating.

Window-looking was fun too.

As I made my way back to Chicago Avenue I bumped into a friend and we wandered the streets together.

I don’t frequent Lollie but it has lovely children’s gifts.

The Frame Warehouse has another art exhibit up.

Hand Me Downs is another children’s goods store with a fun fire truck my brother would have enjoyed 35 years ago.

Four Finches is a lovely detour off Dempster.

It has an adventurous entrance.

They have more than Four Finches in a cage, and their floral shop is filled with delicious gifts and scents.

SqueezeBox is always fun to peruse.

Wine was flowing freely at each stop. Soapie’s closed the event down.

They had an awesome bottle opener I want to track down.

We had so much fun that we missed the champagne at Christopher Duquet.

It looks like there are more neighborhood adventures to come.

I love this town.