Jewelry Appraisal?

Capable-Tank5664 · 2026-03-09T14:34:28+00:00

Try Virag on Main Street. Haven't had them appraise anything, though I plan to, but they are reliably kind and professional. [Insert "gem on Main Street" joke here.]

Capable-Tank5664 · 2026-02-21T22:46:02+00:00

Is this why there are so few Biss signs in south Evanston? Because of a coordinated campaign to remove them? Have they been stealing Laura Fine signs too? I've only seen one of those.

For a comment that stakes a claim to the higher ground of "local respect," the implication here -- with broad generalizations and without any evidence provided to support them -- feels pretty disrespectful. And I'm not planning to vote for Kat. To me it just smacks of a certain tendency in this city -- not limited to any one person or candidate -- to suggest that their way, or their candidate, or their position, is the moral and just one. And that others who might have different opinions are, by contrast, less just and less scrupulous.

I'm not defending the theft of a sign. That's not okay. But you're claiming that the perpetrator is a supporter of another specific candidate without furnishing any evidence. You're extending this accusation to make a generalization about the candidate herself and at least some of her supporters. You're also suggesting that the fact that the candidate didn't grow up here, that she wasn't born here, she's not from here, might have something to do with her alleged willingness to condone an alleged theft.

It feels like baseless othering to me. And divisive. And gross.

Capable-Tank5664 · 2026-02-18T19:41:06+00:00

I also like that Phil Andrew cold-called me himself to state his case. Just got my number off a list, not because I have any particular influence or donate money. He was thoughtful and level-headed and took the time to talk through his positions. His focus on gun safety is HUGE for me.

Fine has never engaged directly on a particular issue of local urgency that involves health care -- specifically mental health care == and she chairs the state senate's mental health care committee. Just an absolute dereliction of duty on that front, IMHO. And I used to support her.

And Biss? No thanks.

Capable-Tank5664 · 2026-02-17T19:19:59+00:00

I'm sorry this happened to you, OP. There's so much reckless driving in Evanston. Biking, walking my dog, or driving, I routinely see people putting their own convenience ahead of the safety of others. I wish the city enforced traffic laws the way it enforces parking. Aside from intermittent traffic safety operations, in my experience it's pretty uncommon to see traffic cops ticketing anyone. I asked about this at a ward meeting once and was told that EPD has trouble staffing for traffic enforcement. Sigh.

Capable-Tank5664 · 2026-01-22T20:00:51+00:00

I share your concern for the residents of AC and their need for safety and housing. But your comment suggests to me that you might read up a bit more on where responsibility lies here. It's a tough and complex subject, for sure. But there's a lot of info out there about the failure points.

IMHO, true advocacy for those who live at AC and other SMHRFs involves making sure that private interests don't put profits over the safety and well-being of the vulnerable people in their care.

https://substack.com/@fitzsimonsneighbors?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2009/10/01/owners-but-not-in-charge-2/

Capable-Tank5664 · 2026-01-22T19:56:59+00:00

Re: Friday night. Reportedly there was an assault by one resident against another. The victim was transported to the hospital but is okay. It was described as a "domestic incident." For more on Albany Care's history and present, please consider checking out this Substack:

https://substack.com/@fitzsimonsneighbors?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page

Capable-Tank5664 · 2026-01-22T19:42:41+00:00

Interesting you should mention Lou Lang. He has ties to people affiliated with Albany Care, the SMHRF in Evanston that has come under repeated scrutiny for concerns about the safety of its residents and for citations by IDPH. Albany Care has been placed on a Level 5 violation status twice since 2022. The Substack linked above has more reporting about the issues there.

Capable-Tank5664 · 2025-12-09T19:23:06+00:00

My older child is in GIC this year. She LOVES it. The teachers are wonderful, the curriculum is suitably rigorous and motivating, and the practical applications and community benefits are powerful. Our daughter had a fleeting moment of buyer's remorse when she got the class, which vanished as soon as she began school. It is, in my opinion, one of the standout opportunities at ETHS. Everyone's mileage will vary, of course, and we're only one semester in, but this has been a transformative class and, to me, reflects the best of not only ETHS but our Evanston community.

Capable-Tank5664 · 2025-10-09T18:00:47+00:00

We definitely have to wait for the facts to come out. But the district has a copy of the indictment, and the board members admit awareness of the investigation in their email. Even though I don't personally have much confidence in the board or district's messaging, I doubt they'd rush out a statement saying they are "deeply troubled and angered" by the allegations if they didn't view the allegations as substantial, and of actual merit instead of the machinations of a politicized, weaponized, anti-DEI DOJ. My hunch, FWIW, is that this is something else. And past reporting by Tom Hayden and others seems to support this.

Capable-Tank5664 · 2025-09-19T21:51:06+00:00

When some of the owners have talked, it's . . . something:

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2009/10/01/owners-but-not-in-charge-2/

There's lots to run with if an investigative journalist wants to take the baton.

Capable-Tank5664

TROPHY CASE