Weekend preview: Last blast of summer

Labor Day weekend starts tomorrow and there's a full calendar of events happening in Evanston as the summer draws to a close.

Northwestern kicks off its football season at 11 a.m. Saturday with a non-conference game against Syracuse. Oddsmakers favor the Wildcats.

Before that, music fans can enjoy the Bob Long Septet, playing at Evanston SPACE tonight.

Just at kickoff time Saturday morning performances by church musical groups will be starting at the West Side Farmers' Market, and the downtown farmers market will feature art works for sale from Home Grown Artists Saturday.

Labor Day, on Monday, is the last day for swimming at Evanston beaches.

And school starts for students at District 65 and Evanston Township High School on Tuesday.

With the holiday, trash pickup will be a day later than usual next week, but the City Council will fall back into action, after taking a break the last half of this month, with a special meeting on Thursday.