1.    Friday, October 18th marks the day of the Northwestern University Homecoming Parade on Sheridan Road. The parade begins at 8:00pm and will feature Olymipic Gold Medalist Matt Grevers, as well as music performances by local musicians and students. Upon the conclusion of the parade, make your way to NU’s campus to view fireworks over the lake. The celebration does not end there, however. The Northwester Wildcats take on the Purdue Boilermakers at Ryan Field the following morning. Kick off is scheduled for 11:00am, so be sure to arrive early.

2.    Evanston is celebrating their fine arts and culture, with Arts Week Evanston. The festivities will begin on Friday, October 10th through the 19th. You will experience an array of musical performances, from classical symphonies to local favorites. You can also learn a thing or two by attending some of the workshops and classes, like the Pinhole Camera Family Workshop or the Drop-in Ceramics Class. Experience unbelievable art by touring the many art galleries and studios that will also be open throughout the week. There are far too many shows and activities to begin to list here, so visit the City of Evanston website.

3.    The Evanston farmers market will be running for a few more weeks, so make sure to take advantage of the fresh vegetables, fruit, and flowers while you still can. The market is held from 7:30am until 1:00pm Saturdays at Oak Avenue and University Place. Be sure to attend on October 30th, where adults and children can make pumpkin crafts and even win some prizes. Call (847) 866-2958 for more information.

4.    With Halloween approaching, the time is now to pick up your pumpkin and carve those Jack-O-Lanterns. Didier Farms in Prairie View not only has the pumpkins, they have pony rides, a petting zoo, hay rides, a corn maze, crafts, and much more. Visit the Didier Farms website for more information, and directions.

5.    Take to the trails and absorb the natural beauty this fall season produces in Wheeling, IL. The Des Plains River Trail runs south through the Potawatomi Woods Preserve along Milwaukee Avenue, and is perfect for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Start at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Dundee Road, and enjoy the outdoors while the weather still permits it.

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1. Northwestern University Sculpture Garden and Gallery
   1967 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60201
   847-491-2300

   The Sculpture Garden of Northwestern University’s Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art constitutes one of the most significant groupings of modern sculpture in the region. In 1987, Leigh Block, bequested a large group of outdoor bronze sculptures to the museum. These pieces formed the core of the collection, which now features monumental sculptures by some of the 20th century’s most renowned European and American sculptors. In 1989, the Block Museum opened its Sculpture Garden with nine of the monumental bronzes donated by Block. The Sculpture Garden was designed by Chicago architect John Vinci and has grown to 22 pieces. Located on the University’s Evanston campus, it is open year-round. Free Block Sculpture Garden Tours are available by appointment only. For more information about the Sculpture Garden call (847) 491-4852.

2. Noyes Cultural Arts Center
   927 Noyes Street, Evanston, IL 60201
   847-491-0266
   www.cityofevanston.org/departments/parks/news/noyes_art_exhitibitons.shtml

   Noyes Cultural Arts Center is the home of the City of Evanston’s Cultural Arts Division, which manages major art festivals, art camps. Arts Week, and Cultural Fund Grants. The historic building is also home to many arts organizations and artists including:  Piven Theater; Art Encounter; Actors Gymnasium; Light Opera Works; Next Theatre Company; Figurative Art League; and Halstead School of Portrait and Figure Art. There is a full stage at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center that seats 190 people with two galleries. The galleries exhibit local artists, with exhibitions changing every two months. For an updated program, please view the link above.

3. Charles Gates Daves House
   225 Greenwood Street, Evanston, IL 60201
   847-475-3410
   www.evanstonhistorical.org

   Built in 1894 this mansion was the former home of Vice President Dawes.  Designed in the Chatequesque style, the varicolored orange and tan brick exterior with red sandstone trim, three and 1/2 stories, and terra cotta hip roof. There are 25 rooms with six bedrooms, seven bathrooms and 12 fireplaces. The public can view the first two floors that feature: great hall, east parlor, west parlor, library, dining room, 1/2 bath, kitchen, day room and butler’s pantry and second floor: with family and guest bedrooms, manuscript room, den, bathrooms. The third floor, which is used for storage, is not open to the public.

4. Frances Willard House
   1730 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201
   847 328 7500
   www.franceswillardhouse.org

   Frances Willard was one of the most prominent social reformers in 19th century America. As president of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union from 1879 until 1898, Willard rallied support for temperance as well as many other important reform movements including woman’s suffrage, women’s economic and religious rights, prison reforms, education reforms and labor reforms. The Frances Willard Historical Association invites visitors to tour the Frances Willard House and learn about her life and work.

For those who have concerns with the cost of living on the rise and gasoline prices at an all time high, Grand Bend at Green Bay is practical solution. It is perfectly located for easy commuting to and from the city without having to break the bank.

Driving to Michigan Ave., you are only half an hour away. If you would rather take public transportation, the “L” and Metra lines are within a few minutes walk. When the city appears to be too much, and you want to stay local, Evanston offers many of the attractions found in downtown Chicago with the perfect blend of suburban life as well.

Click here for more information about Grand Bend at Green Bay in Evanston, IL.

Some home builders may give out small discounts for referrals, but we’re not just any builder. We are proud of our communities as well as the great people that have chosen to call them home — that’s why we offer BIG incentives for your valuable recommendations.

When you refer someone to Ferris Homes, we pay you CASH! All you have to do is inform any guest to list you as the referrer when they come in for their first appointment, and if they purchase a new home or condo we give you $5,000. But that’s not all. In addition to the money we’ll put in your pocket, we’ll also take $5,000 off the price of their new home too! So go ahead, tell a friend, family member, co-worker, …anyone, and help them move into a home that they’ll surely love.

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Peruse the gallery and start visualizing your life there. You may also want to picture the oh-so-necessary housewarming party you’ll have to throw once you move in. Looks good, doesn’t it?

The grand opening will take place Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from noon to 5pm. In addition to the savings, your VIP status will also allow you to schedule a pre-grand opening appointment with us for this Friday, the 18th.

This is your last chance to become a VIP with us. It’s free and only takes a few minutes, so why delay? Sign up today to save $7,000 on your new home at Grand Bend at Green Bay.

The best part is, all of the dishes take only 20 minutes or less to prepare. That gives you more time to get outside and enjoy the weather, but be careful.  With a tasty spread like the one you’ll get from these tips, you might have to keep an eye out for any Yogi Bear-types.

The parade, which begins at 2pm, is a fourth of July staple for all Evanstonians. With over 140 entrants, this is more than a parade - it’s an event. In fact, it has become so popular that people start setting up chairs along side the road  three days before the parade even occurs. The procession begins at Central Park Avenue East on Central Street and ends at Ashland Avenue.

The festivities don’t stop with the parade. At 7:30 head to Clark Street beach to hear the Palatine Concert Band perform on the lakefront as pre-firework entertainment. Enjoy the live music until 9 and wait just 15 minutes for fireworks to light up the sky, capping off the evening in true 4th of July fashion.

Every year Evanston’s 4th of July festivities top those of the prior year - so don’t miss what they have in store for 2008!

More information here>>

Come early this year to hear live music performed by the Village Band. The performance will begin at 7:30 pm and last until dusk. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Bring family and friends. Sit back and enjoy the weather, music, and the fact it’s Friday night. Let the patriotic tunes get you in the mood for the pinnacle of every 4th of July - fireworks.

What a holiday. A day off to barbecue with your favorite people followed by a night of free entertainment.