New Resident to Evanston Seeking Recommendations for Pediatrician, Vet, Etc.

I have two boys 5 and 3 1/2. There pediatrician is Dr. Susan Roth at 1000 Central, Evanston, IL ###-###-####.
I really like her and most importantly, my boys do too.
She has a very warm personality.

J.:

welcome to the area.... there is a lot of do for families....

visit the chamber of commerce for things to do and contacts,
http://www.evchamber.com/the_chamber.htm

there is a meet up on the second tues at heaven meets earth 2746 Central St at 11:30.

wholistic mom's group meets last tues night at Wolefoods in Northbrook.

vet: GreenBay Animal Hospital - ###-###-####

you are welcome to call with any questions - 800 LACTATE in Illinois or ###-###-####

P., RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

Hi J.!
You will love living in the North Shore!! Congrats on your move and contrats on your baby!
As an RN in Evanston, I can give you a few recommendations..
Another member mentioned Dr. Carol Ellman for an OB/GYN...she is FABULOUS. ###-###-####
Another great group is Dr. Saleh, Goodwin, Kosinksi, and Goldberg...they also have 2 great
midwives...Deb Lesnick and Gaye Kokonis :###-###-####

There is a pediatrician in Winnetka (about 10-15 min North of Evanston, depending on where you will live) Dr. Roma Franzia, who is also terrific. ###-###-####
If you only want pediatricians that are located in Evanston, check out Dr. Molly Capron ###-###-####, or Dr. Sharon Robinson ###-###-#### or Dr. Minkus ###-###-####

Best of luck to you!
K.
www.babyfeat.net

Hi! We are moving out of Evanston to Cincinnati next month, and here are the things we'll miss the most:

Vet - Bramer Animal Hospital. www.brameranimalhospital.com We have two cats and although our FAVORITE vet just left the practice, we've also seen Dr. Swiatkowski and he does great as well, although I've heard good things about the other vets too. They treat dogs and cats.

Preschool - I think Cherry Preschool is considered among the best in Evanston, if not the best. We were lucky enough to get our son in this fall, but since we're moving we had to decline his acceptance and we were very disappointed! www.cherrypreschool.org They are NAEYC accredited.

Parks - there are a million playgrounds here, which is what we love, and so many beautiful parks and beaches along the lake. We live by the Lighthouse Beach (Sheridan and Central St.). They are building a great new playground there and we hope they finish before we move! There are also beaches farther south, as well as a lagoon along the lake where there are concerts and many activities each summer. Get your beach tokens at the Civic Center, on Ridge Ave. south of Noyes St.

Restaurants - Our favorite Mexican restaurant is actually in Skokie, on Dempster just west of McCormick. It's called El Tipico and it looks kind of divey but it's delicious. Bluestone is a great family-friendly bar and grill that's on Central St. west of Green Bay Rd. The Pancake House on Green Bay Rd. (in Wilmette) has the best breakfast. Linz and Vail is an independent coffee shop that has gelatto and it is to die for. They have two locations, on Noyes St. east of Ridge and on Central St. west of Green Bay. On Dempster St. east of Chicago there is a vegetarian restaurant called Blind Faith Cafe and it's very good as well. I could go on and on!

Activities - The Family Room on Central St. west of Central Park is great for both of your kids - they have a drop in program with an open gym and there are activities for toddlers as well as baby-friendly areas so you can bring both kids and not worry about either.

Welcome to Evanston! I hope you like it as much as we do :)

WElcome to Evanston!
I also love Fred Ettner and would highly recommend him.
COSY on Davis is a wonderful restaurant for kids with many displays of toys, interesting gadgets and good Thai food. DOC on Main Street is reasonable Italian and a family place.
As is Blind Faith.
The summer camps run by the city are wonderful and the ecology center has a prechool group that is great. Also safety camp for preschoolers.

Walking along the lake, you will find several beaches and playgrounds that are great. The Dempster Street playground has a boat with steering for the captain.

Dr Fred Ettner St Francis Hospital, same practice Dr. Simpson both great ###-###-####

I second all the answers given. I am sorry to tell you all that the Family Room on Central St in Evanston has recently closed.

On the North Shore Metra line and the Green Bay Rd. Bus line is an excellent alternative. Family Network, a block east of Highland Park train station, past the Highland Park Library is a parent child center. It is staffed by professionals and has been open for over 30 years.

Parents/caregivers come and stay with children from birth to age 4 (pregnant women invited). Parent lounge available.

Hours: Tues-Fri 9:30-11:30 11 months a year. A gym is great for exercise in bad weather. Bilingual staff (Spanish-English) available Thurs AMs

first visit is free--sliding scale afterwards

Contact Terry Beem M.Ed.Program Co-ordinator ###-###-#### or
S. Grossman M.A, Infant Specialist, Outreach Associate at ###-###-#### for more info. Leave message on either phone.

Some Sat and evening programs

Pediatrician: We go to Dr. Swider with ENH medical. She works out of Evanston Hospital which is great.

Dentist: I use Dr. Lien Lee for a dentist and LOVE their office..super friendly and always know your name etc. (their office will be moving into the same building as Dr. Swider's)

OB/GYN: Dr. Ellman with AGSO. She is fabulous. http://www.agsodoctors.com/index.html

Vet: Bramer Animal Hospital http://www.brameranimalhospital.com/

Restaurants: Really too many to name, there are a ton in Evanston.

Good luck with your move!!

Hi J.,
Welcome to the hood. Our pediatrician is Dr. Cathy DiVincenzo ###-###-#### in Skokie (next to Evanston). Ped. Dentist is also in Skokie, Dr. Andrea Lederman ###-###-####. My OBGYN is Dr. Janice Johnson in Evanston & Skokie ###-###-####. As you can tell I prefer women Dr.'s.

you will love evanston, there are beaches and a cute quaint downtown and a nice new downtown with movie theartre and shopes etc. Ther is a good hot dog oplace and a great gluten free resturant. Tons of parks and youc an walk around the campus etc. Lots to do and you will find it
Safe moving
J.

Dr Fred Ettner for a pediatrician/family doc. He's in St. Francis Hospital in Evanston.
Insurance rep is downtown Chicago, but he's great and very thorough--Howard Tasner in the Board of Trade Building.

Dear J.:
Welcome to the Chicago area! I live in the Andersonville area on the far north side of the city not far from Evanston and can give you a few recommendations. I am blind and have a guide dog; I take her to the Uptown Andersonville Animal Hospital at 5545 N. Clark Street, Chicago 60640, phone ###-###-####. They have office hours every day including Saturday from basically 8 or so until 6 PM most days. I've been going there for almost 5 years. they care for both cats and dogs.
I have a dentist who has served me and my sons for almost 20 years. His name is Dr. Robert Wilkin, and he is located at 2335 W. Foster Avenue, Chicago 60625; phone ###-###-####. He also has early morning hours and works Saturdays.
I use an HMO, but the health clinic I use takes all kinds of insurance programs. I've been going there for probably most of the last 20 years. It is called the Ravenswood Professional Group, and they are located at 1945 W. Wilson Avenue, Chicago 60640; phone ###-###-####. They have pediatricians there as well as regular adult doctors and all kinds of things on site including a lab. The hospital they tend to use is Illinois Masonic.
As for insurance, I've used a representative from MetLife for the past several years. He sells all kinds of products including investments, IRA's, health, etc. His name is Howard Rein, his cell number is ###-###-####, and he would come to your home.
Good luck and I hope some of these recommendations help.
S.

Hi J., I live in Evanston. Raised my kids in Wilmette - next suburb to the North. My kids are grown so I don't really know anything about pediatricians and I am really into alternative health.

The North Shore is loaded with things to do, activities, etc.

School. The public school has it challenges, so try to get your children into a magnet school.

Preschool: Baker Demonstration School which is on the border of Evanston and Wilmette if you can afford it. It is outstanding.

Parks: Running along Lake Michigan is a beautiful continuous park. You can purchase coupons from the Park District and go to the beach during the summer. The Park District has loads of programs for adults and kids for nominal costs.

Gym: EAC (Evanston Health Club) with daycare attached for when you attend classes.

Wilmette Park District holds free summer concerts in Gilson Park that is situated on the lake across from the B'Hai Temple (only B'Hai in the world that is open to the public - exquisite grounds and building). They have a musical once a year. Many of the musicians also play in the Chicago Symphony. It is situated in a beautiful location. I call this the secret of the North Shore.

Evanston is known for its variety of restaurants. There are tons of them. Here is a sampling.
My favorite for adults is KOI on Davis street - aristocratic, high class Chinese restaurant.

Dixie Kitchen for Cajun food but can find non-spicy food here also.

Lou Malnati's for that famous Chicago pizza on Sherman Ave.

Philly's best take out and eat in for making you feel at home on Emerson.

Lucky Platter for old fashion 70's eating on Main Street
(Belguin chocolate store across the street)

Thai food: Thai Sookdee on Church Street - inexpensive but good.

Greek: Cross Rhodes on Chicago Ave

Food Shopping: Whole Foods downtown on Chicago Ave - parking on roof or there is one near Chicago and Dempter with parking on ground floor.

Spice Store on Central for fresh spices.

There is a toy story on Main called Et Cetera and across the street a well-known art/frame store and rock store.

Post office on Main street and Davis.

Fairly new 18 movie theater downtown Evanston. Chilies Restaurant on the corner and fun World Market shopping.

Books: Borders is across from the movie theater and a New Barnes and Nobel on the corner of Sherman and Church. On the same side of the street is Ann Taylor and Pier One. maternity clothing store. There is an LA fitness but I like EAC much better.

Across from the BN is a children's shoe store, Coldwater ice cream, Radio Shack. Around the corner on Church is another shoe store and Uncle Dan's (camp/hiking clothing and equipment).

My suggestion is to go to the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and get a map. They have an excellent one. And Evanston City Hall is on Ridge Ave for parking stickers, change of licenses.

A friend of mine also does a free wonderful parenting class in Evanston, Parenting from the Heart, if that is of interest to you. Also has free babysitting in the building while you take the class. Michael Banks, PhD. ____@____.com

M.
www.toy-train-table-plans-store.com

J.,

Congrats on your move to Evanston -- it's a great place to live!

We go to Dr. Teri Merens, of Traisman, Benuck & Merens. They're on Howard St., and she's wonderful. All the other doctors in the practice are great too. If you need a pediatric dentist, we see Dr. Maria Simon, who is at the Rotary building on Sherman and is also wonderful.

Evanston is full of parks and playgrounds. Just start walking and you'll probably hit a playground in less than 10 minutes. Lovelace Park, on Gross Point Road, is fun and there's a pond where you can feed the ducks. There's also a nice playground on Dempster beach, one on Chicago Ave between Lake and Grove streets, etc.

There are also lots of preschools. Remember to tell them you just moved to town because many may be full for next year. Here are some names: Cherry, Barbereux, School for Little Children (and many more; just too many to list). If you're looking for Montessori there's Midwest Montessori and Chiaravalle. If you're Jewish, there are two preschools, one at Beth Emet and one at JRC.

The Lucky Platter on Main St., off Chicago Ave. is one of our favorite restaurants -- very child friendly.

These are just a few things but I hope they'll help you. If you have any more questions, feel free to send me a message.

Good luck with your move!
T.

Hi J.
I live in Evanston, and also have a 3.5 year old boy, (and a 5 year old daughter).
Evanston in great - there is so much to do! We love our pediatrician - Dr. Minkus at ENH. All the docs in the practice seem really good, available for emergencies etc.. We are huge fans of Dr. Minkus, because he takes time to answer all our questions, is flexible about the vaccine schedule, and really supportive of breast feeding. He is also really experienced and smart.
There are too many great restaurants to name - what kind of food do you like?
There are also great parks all over the city. Summer is great here. There is a lot to do. There is also a farmers market in the downtown area every saturday morning.
My kids go the JRC preschool, and we have had an amazing experience! I cannot say enough wonderful things about the program. But we also have friends who love the School for little children, Baker, and Barbaraeu (sp?) so there are a lot of great choices.
Feel free to email me, and I would love to give you more info.
Welcome to Evanston!
D.

I really like our ped, Dr. Minkus. He is associated with ENH hospital. You can visit Dr. Minkus at 2 locations (one is Old Orchard, by the mall and I-94; the other in Lincolnwood, close to another mall and just between Evanston and Chicago).

http://enh.org/apps/findadoctor/doctor.aspx?docid=244&amp...

I delivered at ENH and found Dr. Minkus to be great in the hospital and in his office. He or his nurses will return calls within minutes. You can also make appts and send emails online.

If you need a chiropractor (our 2 month old goes for colic), I'd recommend Dr. Liz at Chiropractic First. She is on Chicago near Davis. http://www.chiropractic1st.com/

Welcome J.! I live on the north side of Chicago but we spend a lot of time in Evanston. Both of my girls went to a wonderful pre-school called School for Little Children in Evanston. Here's the link: http://www.slcevanston.org/ We had a great experience there. Very warm environment. There's a park/playground right by there also, on the corner of Chicago Ave. & Lake St. Another great kid park is up on Central St., west of Greenbay Rd. Nice little shopping area there too. My pediatrician is in Chicago but I know there are many good ones in Evanston, so I'll let someone else weigh in on that. If you're looking for swim lessons, there's none better than the YWCA on the corner of Church and Ridge. They specialize in that and both my girls, now 10 and 8 still go there, the older one is on the swim team. For eating we love That Little Mexican Cafe on Church St., and Lulu's on for noodles and Asian fusion on Davis. Both kid-friendly. There are many great shops in Evanston but my personal favorite for clothes for me is Asinamali on Sherman. For shoes check out William's on Church. There are a number of grocery stores, including 2 Whole Foods, both on Chicago Avenue. If you're looking for a gym, try Evanston Athletic Club. They have free child care for members! Evanston is a great town and the folks are friendly. Good luck on your move!

We come up from the city to go to Evanston Pediatrics, across from Evanston Hospital at 1000 Central Ave. No bad experiences with any of the doctors - our pediatrician is Dr. Robinson. Enjoy Evanston - it's a great town! L.