The following is a series of text messages I received from my friend Sammy during the month of…read moreApril 2020. I touched it up a little and turned it in for a social studies paper. I got an A! (Note: No Schlitz cocktails were harmed in the making of this Yelp review.) --- So naturally we found a stray beat-up pit bull yesterday and he loves us. Like I usually hate these rescue dog things but this maniac was actually running with traffic and dodging cars after wandering onto the I-90 Kennedy Expressway yesterday. Last night we had him stay overnight at the vet in Skokie, IL because it was the only place open and she basically said that he's got a litany of problems to deal with but that he's generally healthy and fixable. Shane named him Kennedy after the stretch of the I-90/Kennedy Expressway where we found him, but I just call him Kenny. He seems to like watching the expressway from a car window more than running along it in 70-mph traffic. -- We asked about the weird growths on his hind legs and figured that they were horrible tumors and that he was in a lot of pain and would probably have to be put down out of mercy. But apparently they're just benign cysts that don't hurt him and he's fine. Miracle dog. She said he's maybe four years old. He's 90 pounds of pure muscle. And he's got old bite scars on his face which the vet said probably came from years ago when he was maybe attacked by another dog, but she said that he probably wasn't used in any dogfighting situations. Possibly used as a breeder dog. Really messed up. The main problem is that he has a torn ACL which we need to get fixed and will cost us some. Looks like he got hit by a car recently and messed up his hind leg. We've got him taking some pain meds but this nutcase doesn't even care, he just wants to run around regardless of his limp. Just the sweetest guy ever. He hasn't barked once, has no problems with other dogs, and just loves to lick our faces while we drink beers and play loud guitars. I just love this guy. We were walking down the street with him yesterday, and between the two of us and this terrifying-looking pit bull, everyone was just crossing the street and getting the living hell out of our way. Weirdest thing that makes me know he was abused in some way is that we'll give him cheeseburgers and loads of dog food and he won't eat it in front of us. Like he gets really nervous when we give him food. Shane and I have to pull him toward the bowl and whenever he takes a bite, he looks back at us like we're about to punish him for eating. I got down on all fours today and pretended to be a dog eating dog food  out of his bowl to show him that being a dog and eating food was okay, and then he seemed to get the joke and just licked my face and started to chow down. Definitely our spiritual animal. But he eats when we leave him alone. Otherwise he just wants to hang. By the way, I was just acting. Didn't have it in me to actually take a bite but hey, Kenny took a bite. -- Schwarzenegger dog is so afraid of Shane's cat... He likes other dogs but just whimpers when this tiny cat stares him down. -- Well Kenny Dog had a pretty bad epileptic seizure last night... So that throws me another curveball. He didn't look like he was in pain but still concerning. -- So in a nice twist, it turns out that my cousin's wife didn't want to be a law professor at Northwestern anymore and preferred to run an animal shelter in wealthy Evanston, Illinois, where people apparently can't stop donating funds. So looks like Kenny-boy is going to get his surgery. And that's just a huge relief that this is going to happen. Probably headed for adoption. I want to keep this damn guy because I just love him but I'm freakin allergic. Never barks. Is that good? Probably good. But I feel like if I were a messed up pit bull I'd be barking quite a bit. -- Alright I miss Ken-Dog like hell but he's already been adopted by some rich family in Evanston, Illinois, probably learning about the virtues of Joe Biden, veganism, and intersectional feminism. He's got an awesome life. I guess his leg was actually way more messed up than we thought and he was in some pain which is why he was shuddering at night when we thought he was having seizures. Great to hear he already got some surgeries and that he's sleeping easily because I love that dog. I almost think I should take my chances just walking in traffic on the Kennedy Expressway and see how it works out.

Turned away stray 3 month old kittens because they were not Evanston residents. They (Maddie)…read morestopped all communication completely upon learning the cats were a few miles outside of Evanston on Chicago's northside. She offered no alternatives whatsoever, just the cold shoulder. Unhelpful, uncaring place.

Came to donate containers however they only take donations on Wed-Fri on the last 2 weeks of the…read moremonth. Staff was nice to explain. Also they will be moving to Edgewater(?) soon. They have posters. Lots of supplies for inspiration.

The Wasteshed in Evanston is a bustling nonprofit of used art supplies, knick-knacks, and craft…read morematerials. If you have the patience and passion for the hunt, this is the place for you! I optimistically brought a bag for fabrics, but I unfortunately couldn't find anything quite to my taste. However, they did a great job colorcoding all of the different fabrics. The store is fairly organized considering how many donations come through. I really appreciate how they even use different drawer systems and cabinets for different subcategories of items. I do think most of the supplies would be great for educators or children: lots of odds and ends that would be put to excellent use given the right creative minds. I walked away emptyhanded, but I imagine someone would love the vintage postcards, various stamps, or Nat Geo magazines I flipped through. There's some street parking nearby, and they have a small private lot. Be sure to check their hours and any updates due to weather on their Instagram!

I am so glad I came! I volunteered through a face-book event and I was so elated doing it. I was a…read morelittle hesitant but screw it, its about doing things for others once in a while and just enjoying it. I usually do not like to talk about the good one does, but in this case, its more-so for the fact that others can join in and help them out when the need arises. If a teenager has to do volunteer hours this is the perfect opportunity to do so. I was put in the kitchen to cut up veggies and help make the GIGANTIC VAT of spaghetti. I mean this thing fed the 188 people we served just that afternoon. Seriously, it was something of a feat to see this. I didn't think it was actually going to feed everyone in the hall, but wow if it did! I helped prep the salad, spaghetti and even the desserts. I have to admit, I was so happy I went. And although it was hard work, the workers made it fun and exciting if that can be stated. They are a non for profit organization that gets donations of food from all over, and just recently started getting food donated from Aldi, YES ALDI! 7 days a week they feed the hungry and NEVER turn anyone away. Some guy (who I heard is a regular) came in with his 2 liter of soda already ready for the nights food. And you would think that a they would serve small portions, but no, these portions were fit for a football player. I mean seriously big portions. Then at the end of the night, (Food is served from 5-6 and stops after that), a take home bag is given to everyone which could consist of produce and a whole bag is what they give. Not one pack, a WHOLE BAG. Nutritious foods that some of the participants probably would never get access too. Not to mention that I was told by one of the cooks that people from far away south come for this and they are fine with that. What a wonderful thing to see, and I hope that this review will encourage others to volunteer their time at least once, to give back something to the communities that so need it. Parking down the block is free on Paulina, but if you park in front, its metered. I choose this so be prepared.

Feeding Hungry people all year round is not a Joke but this organization has been doing it…read moreeffortlessly.Glad to get a chance to volunteer as part of "Yelp Takeover event". They feed nutritious dinner 365 days which is really commendable. Apart from feeding homeless,veterans this organization also does social projects like Micro lending,Mentoring kids and guiding them in education. The place is spacious enough for feeding 50-60 people at one go. They have a big kitchen and counter to serve food.Rest Rooms are clean . Tammy, the staff is very friendly.This place is 5 min walk from Howard CTA station incase if you want to volunteer or donate.It is always good to spare time for less privileged. You can donate your money/time.Gift Donation is tax deductible. Helping Hands are better than Praying Lips-Mother Theresa.

The Cradle has an absolutely outstanding staff to help counsel individuals and families through a…read morevariety of adoption decisions. We used them over 15 years ago to help start our family. They have been providing excellent post-adoption services since then and continue to be leaders in the industry. They are also the only adoption agency to have a full time nursery.

I cannot say enough good things about our experience with The Cradle. Start to finish they have…read morebeen incredible. It's no wonder the agency has been around for almost 100 years. They're excellent at what they do. For how hard adoption can be, to have some of that stress lessened by competent professionals who really have the best interest of families in mind has been priceless. Our daughter received excellent care while she was in the Cradle Nursery for the first six weeks of her life before we brought her home. Cradle staff will always be part of our family story and we are so thankful that they were there, and continue to be there, for our baby and her first mother. Our adoption counselor Wendy was a huge comfort during some of the more stressful moments and very adept at guiding us through the process and making sure all our paperwork was in line. From the counselors to the nursery staff to the billing department absolutely every person we came into contact with at this agency was warm, committed to helping and competent. Thank you, Cradle staff for helping bring our family together.

Such a great resource and a great shop. I used to work at Uptown Bikes in Chicago, and The…read moreRecyclery has a similar but better vibe. They offer more than just repairs, sales, and tune-ups: they offer classes to the community to empower residents with the skills they need to maintain, repair, and even upgrade their own bikes. Everyone who works or volunteers there comes across not just as very helpful but also very open and supportive - they're willing to answer any question and solve just about any problem. You can buy bikes online now or shop in-person on Sundays from 10am to 2pm. Many of the classes and special event evenings are on hiatus due to covid, but keep an eye on the website for updates.

Great place to get a bike at an affordable price point. If you are looking for something specific,…read morethey make not have it available. However, if you are just looking to get a bike for a kid or to have one, this is a great way to get a bike that is already tuned and ready to ride at an affordable price point (also a great way to avoid Facebook marketplace or some online purchase where you might get a questionable quality bike that is not tuned). Will get my kid her upgraded bike here, walked away today with a $155 Vintage (1960s) Schwinn suburban cruiser.

While my wife was in palliative care and then hospice, we benefited from the wonderful services of…read moreMeals on Wheels. Generally tasty meals brought by cordial volunteers. Can's say enough about this amazing service.

Received meals on wheels in the past and recently approved and receiving again. The gift of food…read morehas helped my financial and being home bound from illness. Wonderful gift of fresh prepared foods, chicken,beef, potato,fruits, juice,breads highly to appreciated to receive the Meal On Wheels, the delivery includes frozen, refrigerator and room temp foods. Thank All Associates , Catholic Charities, Hospital staff for priority referral and approval and delivery. Many people count on this and should not be cut by Trump SHOULD NOT BE CUT

Almost unreal how great this place is…read more First off, just on vibes, this is an amazing bike shop. You're effectively rolling your bike into someone's living room and they just jack it up and make it all right again. Kelly also fiercely believes in being part of the local community and takes every opportunity to show it. So on those bases alone, it's an amazing community bike shop. What puts it over the top is the quality and mechanical skill. I had a tune up gone bad at another highly rated bike shop in town this year. Nothing too drastic but persistent nagging problems that their best mechanics couldn't resolve despite repeated visits over multiple months and several multi-week stays in their shop. Eventually I just lost faith and brought it into Mack's. They politely pointed out several of the immediate issues (which the other shop had somehow entirely missed), but were reasonably conservative about their ability to diagnose the deeper and more intermittent issues I was experiencing. They quoted me two weeks. Two *hours* later I got a call. They had rebuilt all of the major systems. Everything was fixed, and it was less than a tenth the price of the other shop. I can't think of any higher proof of the quality of the work they do and their true attention to detail. Don't even think about going anywhere else!

My bike is in great shape now thanks to Mack's!! I called around and everyone had a much longer…read moretimeline. The people that work there are so knowledgeable and treat you with respect. No down talking here!!

They took all my old textbooks and misc other titles. Will put to good use. Easy. Very niceread more

Sent me a book that I'd autographed 40 years ago, iwell-packaged - noticed my authorship -…read morecoincidentally the couple's first names coincided with another couple here as did the odd inscription referencing 'a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.' The couple here also has that word in their last name.

Total arty art school vibes…read more I was thinking about cobbling together a screen printing setup at home and realized I should probably find a refresher class somewhere. Just so happens that this Evanston Art Center had a screen printing class coming up! I signed up and walked into class expecting that all the arcane screen printing processes have been made obsolete at last. Back in the day we had to flood screens with chemikills and expose them to light like neanderthals. Welp, it turns out that is how it's still done (boohoo) but indeed some of the technology has advanced in ways I didn't expect. Anyway, great gallery, great classes, great teachers and staff!

3.5 I'd searched…read morefor museums in Evanston to avoid driving to Chicago for some culture and the Evanston Art Center came up. This place has a lot of potential, particularly upstairs - there are blank walls galore - but there's just not very much art there at the moment. Evanston is small, but had I known I could blow through this venue in 5 minutes, for a 10 minute drive, I probably would have skipped it. That said, the art that was there was great and I enjoyed seeing it.