Hear Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl's first State of the City speech as she discusses both the exciting recent accomplishments of her administration and the challenges ahead. Mayor Tisdahl will focus on how Evanston and other similar municipalities are being tested by the fiscal stress of the state and the nation, as well as the uncertain economic conditions. She will also note some of the innovative steps the City is taking to deliver Evanston services and make Evanston more competitive.

At the luncheon, Mayor Tisdahl will honor The Actors Gymnasium and Karen Thomson with the Annual Award for the Arts.  The Actors Gymnasium, founded in 1995, is a school for circus and performing arts which is dedicated to the education and development of multi-skilled, physical-theatre artists.  Karen Thomson is a dedicated teacher who is being honored for founding Literature for All of Us.  This organization makes literature the avenue through which low-income teen mothers can develop self-esteem.  Finally, the Evanston Arts Council Arts and Business Committee will bestow its 2010 Leadership Award to Jim Nash, president, Farnsworth-Hill, Inc., an Evanston-based real estate brokerage and management firm.  Nash was selected because of his participation in Art Under Glass, a program that exhibits local artists in vacant storefront spaces.