The Sixth Ward

• Chicago Tonight Urban Farms

  
  
  Was this the Urban Farm that I had posted about over the summer? This segment aired on Chicago Tonight on November 19th although unfortunately there was mention of a farmer's market in Lincoln Park that has passed by the time this is published.

  [...]

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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 9:11am EST
  

• OPEN BLOG: Gentrification

  Been a while since I have done one of these. These "OPEN BLOGs" are basically for the purposes of debate, but without being leading (that is pointing the debate towards one direction and indicating a bias towards one position or another). I would like the readers who read this [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 12:37pm EST
  

• Another one bites the dust- King Bowl

  It appears that the management of King Bowl have thrown in the towel and closed the doors. The bowling alley has been in this community for over 50 years and was once one of four. The four being Park Manor (75th Michigan), Stevenson (79Th Cottage Grove), [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 12:28am EST
  

• ARCHIVED NEWS: Making It - The story of Chatham part 3

  This one is entitled "Chatham invests in education:Parents believe that learning holds key to children's future Series". You can probably already tell what the point of this article is, education.
  
  During the very brief life of this blog one of the many issues that was worth exploring was [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 12:42pm EST
  

• Shelter Deli sits vacant

  Enclosure: [download]

  
  It's been closed since September according to Worlee on a post over the The Sixth Ward Facebook Page. They made a mean corned beef and also was home to a lounge, unfortunately both are closed. There is a real estate sign in the window [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 9:11am EST
  

• Where's our TIF Funds?

  In an article from the Chicago Reader
  As I've explained many times, once a TIF district is created it essentially freezes the amount of tax revenue the schools, parks, county, and other taxing bodies get from it for up to 24 years. Any new revenue is diverted into the' [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 12:11am EST
  

• Progress IL: Lyle Slams Proposed Wal-Mart Expansion

  Enclosure: [download]

  As part of a broader post regarding the activities of the Chicago City Council:
  Later in the meeting, one of City Hall's most reliable critics of Wal-Mart's race to the bottom, Ald. Freddrenna Lyle (6th Ward), went toe-to-toe with Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President Jerry Roper yesterday over [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 6:07pm EST
  

• Do we really care about education?

  I attended my child's report pickup session today at Burnside Elementary . Based on conversations with several teachers about 50% of the parents attended. What was the attendance at the other neighborhood elementary schools?
  
  Recently, we have had several CPS High Schools in the news, Fenger H.S.because parents were' [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 1:23am EST
  

• Chase Community Giving on Facebook

  Enclosure: [download]

  Chase N.A. is giving away $5 million to charities. The charities must be registered on Facebook to be eligible. The charities with the most votes will win awards. Individuals can vote up to 20 times. For more details go to
  
  
  

  
  [...]

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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 11:25pm EST
  

• Chicago Breaking News: Man critically hurt in shooting near Dan Ryan

  Chicago Breaking News:
  A 22-year-old man was shot and critically wounded tonight near the Dan Ryan Expressway, authorities said.
  
  The victim was shot multiple times and suffered a graze wound to the head at about 9 p.m. near the intersection of 79th and State streets, fire officials said.
  [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 9:49pm EST
  

• FINALLY: Cook County commissioners vote to cut in half Stroger sales tax increase

  Clout St:
  Today's vote is the latest development in a political struggle between commissioners and Board President Todd Stroger, who pushed through a penny-on-the-dollar sales tax increase last year. The unpopular tax hike pushed the sales tax rate to 10.25 percent in Chicago.
  
  Stroger has vetoed past attempts [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 5:07pm EST
  

• What is this Urban Gardening project the Alderman is talking about?

  Enclosure: [download]

  Recently in Alderman Lyle's monthly newsletter there was a reference to an urban gardening/aquaponics project she is working on bringing into the ward. Newsletter
  
  There are currently several urban gardens in the city with the closest one to Chatham at Jackson Park. The Alderman has not released the' [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 12:59am EST
  

• OH MY GOODNESS: Did they really find the School Board President in the river!?!?

  UPDATE 8:14 PM Defender says that foul play was not ruled out in the death of Michael Scott:
  Although the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office ruled Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott’s death a suicide, the Chicago Police Department said too many loose ends need to be shored [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 9:26am EST
  

• Man shot, then killed by hit-run vehicle

  The beginning of the story...
  Chicago police Sunday were continuing their search for the person who shot a convicted sex offender and struck him with a vehicle near a lounge in the city's Chatham neighborhood.
  
  An autopsy Sunday showed that the man -- identified as Howard Hodges, 34' [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 8:54am EST
  

• Convenience Stores- Do we really need them

  There was a post several weeks ago on this blog concerning a store named ANU Store located on 79th between Indiana and Prairie. I saw the outside and was not impressed with the handwritten sign and the potato chip racks at the door. Also, makes me wonder are they operating [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 8:41pm EST
  

• UChicago students need help on study of Deneen Elementary

  I got this e-mail today. Looking for parents of Deneen students, Deneen alumni, and people from the surrounding community.
  Levois,
  
  I saw your post on The Sixth Ward about neighborhood schools and was wondering if you know anything about Deneen Elementary? I along with 3 other members of my [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 12:12am EST
  

• And I almost forgot

  In a flurry of posts for the past week or so I breezed by our two year anniversary here. The first post was on November 7, 2007. The blog was started with one main idea in mind to showcase what I would consider a unique part of our fair [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 2:50pm EST
  

• Gridiron

  
  In Abbott Park where during the course of the football season the Harlan Falcons would play most of their football games. This isn't a particularly proper football field with markings and hashmarks but adequate if you don't feel like attending football games at any venue [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 4:15pm EST
  

• A Costco on 84th and King Drive

  CAPCC blog writes:
  Would you like to see a Costco come to Chatham at the now vacant lot at 84Th Street and King Drive where the land is fenced off where a Jewel-Osco once stood?
  I've written about this site before and all that could be said is not' [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 11:28am EST
  

• Job Opportunity-EOGP Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Program

  EOGP Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Program
  
  Pre2 Construction Program is 28-weeks of free professional pre-apprenticeship construction training:
  
  Pre Apprentice Training; Dawson Technical Institute Construction Industry Training; Job readiness training, job and employment & placement
  
  
  Recruitment sessions are held at 9:00am
  
  845 W. 69th Street - First Floor [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 7:20pm EST
  

• U. S Census Job Opportunity

  Taking A Count
  
  On Friday November 13, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. the United States Census Office will be testing, recruiting, and interviewing for the a verity of positions with U.S. Census at the Coalition for Justice and Respect (CJR) office locates 1525 East 55th Street Suite 312, Chicago, ILIf [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 7:07pm EST
  

• Chicago 'stagnant' on job growth, earns low marks in study

  Crain's:
  The Chicago metropolitan area ranks No. 148 out of 200 U.S. metro areas in an annual report on the nation’s “best performing” cities.
  
  The Milken Institute index ranks cities on their ability to create and sustain jobs and measures employment, salary growth and technology output. Chicago’s low' [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 9:23am EST
  

• Local Holiday Food Options

  The holidays are rapidly approaching and we have some local companies that can provide thiose Holidays treats.
  
  Brown Sugar Bakery- Cakes, Pies, baked goods
  
  Mama Pickys Chocolates- Candies, Chocalates, Sugar Free candies
  
  Honey Baked Hams- 86th & Stony Island
  
  There may be more and [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 3:28am EST
  

• Followup to Walmart Meeting

  Last Saturday at the Walmart meeting Alderman Howard Brookins Jr. stated that he has searched for available options to create jobs in his ward. Per Alderrman Brookins, Walmart was the only company willing to open up a store in his ward.
  
  Today, Chicago Public Radio ran the following [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 2:58am EST
  

• It's Veteran's Day

  
  A quick shout-out to our Veteran's today. If your children are out of school on this day, let us remember why they have today off. Also a shout-out to currently serving men and women in our armed services.

  
  

  [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 9:47am EST
  

• Deal reportedly reached to avoid CTA fare hike

  Greg Hinz:
  Transit officials and Gov. Pat Quinn have reached agreement on a deal that will avoid a threatened Chicago Transit Authority fare hike, both in 2010 and 2011.
  
  According to reliable sources, the deal involves the Regional Transportation Authority issuing bonds for capital projects that would be [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 6:25pm EST
  

• Well here's an account on the Wal-Mart forum

  Via Examiner.com. And I did see this guy up front during the portion of the townhall on Saturday for questions and comments. Mr. Theodore Seals outright condemned Wal-Mart for not showing up at the townhall. While I may not use his strong language on this issue Wal-Mart and the [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 7:53pm EST
  

• A follow-up on Whole Foods

  To the post regarding Ald. Howard Brookins (21st Ward) talking to Whole Foods Market about coming to the Chatham Market shopping center to be one of the anchors in addition to Lowe's. Of course that other anchor is expected to be Wal-Mart since at this time' [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 5:56pm EST
  

• County board president's race 2010

  Read this post at the Capitol Fax. Danny Davis drops out of the race to run for re-election to his west side 7th Congressional District. He does so because he and three other blacks would have been competing for the same base, Black voters. However Rich Miller reports that [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 10:27am EST
  

• Man riding in vehicle critically wounded in shooting

  Tribune:
  Shots were fired about 11:30 p.m.in the 6700 block of South Perry Avenue, said Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro. When police arrived, they found a man in a vehicle who had been shot multiple times, Alfaro said.
  
  The man, described as in his 30s, [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 9:48am EST
  

• Quinn sets stage for sales tax rollback

  There are probably going to be a lot of happy people in the suburbs since the law that reduces the number of votes on a county board veto override has finally been signed into law:
  Gov. Quinn signed into law Saturday a measure that slices away some of Cook [...]
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  Posted: November 08, 2009, 9:54am EST
  

• Whole Foods says we're not educated enough for them???

  Expect a more extensive account of today's Wal-Mart townhall in the near future. This was one point heard that I want to address.
  
  Ald. Howard Brookins was there today along with his friend and neighboring Alderman (well our very own) Freddrenna Lyle. Basically he discussed' [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 10:19pm EST
  

• Fannie Mae assist homeowners stay in their homes as renters

  This is not a new idea but one that is now regulated. Article courtesy of  Market watch.
  CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Qualifying homeowners facing foreclosure will be able to stay in their homes -- as renters -- under a new program announced by Fannie Mae on Thursday.
  
  The [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 12:13am EST
  

• Soul Vegetarian Restaurant creates Feed the People Program campaign for 350's Oct. 24 International Day of Climate Action

  This is dated but we feel we need to salute one of our local restaurants for their efforts. This article appeared in Chicago Now.
  On Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m., the Feed the People Program campaign will be visiting Higgins Grammar School on 11710 S. Morgan St., on [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 11:59pm EST
  

• REMINDER: Wal-Mart townhall meeting hosted by the Greater Chatham Alliance

  Enclosure: [download]

  That's tomorrow at the St. James Lutheran Church @ 8000 S. Michigan Ave between 12 Noon -1:30 PM. Here's the flyer embedded below!
  Walmart Townhall hosted by the Greater Chatham Alliance
  

  
  [...]

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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 8:54pm EST
  

• Weis 'extremely nervous' over police retirements

  Sun-Times. Ald. Lyle is quoted in this article so I'm italicizing her comments:
  Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis said today he is “extremely nervous” that a wave of police retirements next year — after an arbitrator rules on the new police contract — will stretch a burgeoning manpower shortage' [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 7:03pm EST
  

• African-Americans hit inordinately hard by recession

  An important story to consider, especially if many seek to keep Chatham a middle-class enclave especially for Blacks:
  The cold fact, however, is that this deep recession is hitting African-Americans more severely than the overall population, due largely to the staggering levels of unemployment for this segment of the [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 9:17am EST
  

• A landmark in our ward

  Michael Reese Hospital wasn't the only site that those would want to declare historical landmarks:
  The two-story Wright House, at 4831 S. Vincennes Ave., and the Brooks House, a modest cottage at 7458 S. Evans Ave., were recommended for landmark status to provide a historic link to what the' [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 10:18pm EST
  

• Second guilty plea in Chicago bank teller's killing

  Sun-Times:
  A second bank robber involved in a violent South Side shooting that took the life of a bank teller pleaded guilty today in a deal with prosecutors that would mean 20 years in prison.
  
  Alton Marshall, 32, also agreed to testify against David Vance, the third suspect [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 6:13pm EST
  

• Englewood wants a Wal-Mart as well

  Enclosure: [download]

  
  
  Via Worlee's Concerned Citizens of Chatham, this story from ABC7 illustrates the first public push to bring a Wal-Mart to the Englewood community.
  A group of Englewood residents and community activists stood on the site where they say a Wal-Mart would greatly benefit the neighborhood. They [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 10:01pm EST
  

• Man Shot, Killed in Chatham

  
  (Clicking this pic will send you to Tribune's Chicago Breaking News site)
  
  Tribune:
  A 24-year-old man was shot and killed outside a store this morning in the South Side's Chatham neighborhood, police said.
  
  Officers responded about 10 a.m. to a call of [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 3:53pm EST
  

• PRESS RELEASE: Quinn picks four Chicago State trustees

  The Dome:
  CHICAGO - November 4, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today named four new members to the Chicago State University (CSU) Board of Trustees, which oversees the management and operations of the higher educational institution.
  
  "Chicago State University is committed to academic excellence and strives to provide students" [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 11:12am EST
  

• Cook County sales-tax receipts plunge

  Crain's:
  Suburban Cook County experienced the biggest drop in sales tax revenue during the second quarter relative to the six collar counties, according to a study released Wednesday.
  
  Sales tax revenue plummeted 14.4% during the April-June period from a year ago, based on a study conducted by' [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 10:57am EST
  

• City zoning official admits taking bribes

  Well this is a big shock (lol):
  Former zoning investigator William Wellhausen admitted to federal Judge Joan Humphrey Lefkow on Tuesday that he took a wide array of payoffs.
  
  But he pleaded guilty to a single charge of taking $8,000 from building owners seeking approval to squeeze [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 3:51pm EST
  

• "Hey, A Great Idea!" from CAPCC...

  From the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council blog...this entry has had the most comments they have ever had on their blog (so far):
  We, at the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council, think that a way to rid the neighborhood of all the vacant storefronts along 75Th Street and 79Th [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 12:49pm EST
  

• Remember CAPCC blog talking about the site of the Rhode Theater

  
  
  I revisited this the site of this old theater last week and snapped some newer pictures.
  
  First off at the CAPCC blog back in August there was a post that indicated what should be here on this site. What they [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 10:23am EST
  

• Motorist Charged In Chicago Police Chase

  An update from the news yesterday about a chase that ended near 79th and Lafayette. Starting with the Southtown:
  Four people wanted for firing shots from a vehicle are in custody after leading police on a chase on the Dan Ryan Expressway that ended in a crash early today.
  [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 8:27am EST
  

• YoChicago: Neighborhoods for the rest of us: Grand Crossing

  Joseph Askins at YoChicago gives a basic profile of another 6th Ward neighborhood, Grand Crossing. Starting off, Askins would mention how this neighborhood got it's name from a series train wreck in 1853 near 75th & South Chicago the discusses some stats. High and low income people are [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 5:45pm EST
  

• Police chase ends in crash, four in custody

  Sun-Times:
  Four suspects wanted for firing shots from a vehicle are in custody after leading police on a chase on the Dan Ryan Expressway that ended in a crash on the South Side early Monday.
  
  At 1:45 a.m., Targeted Response Unit officers were in the 5100 block of [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 11:20am EST
  

• ARCHIVED NEWS: Making it - The Story of Chatham part 2

  Here's part two of this series entitled "Fulfilling middle-class values : Community is proud of work and education". You might see more of it as I continue this series published in the Chicago Sun-Times in April 1986 a common theme is mention of popular TV sitcom The Cosby Show. [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2009, 12:07pm EST
  

• Daylight Savings Time ends tonight -- fall back an hour!

  A friendly reminder for Chatham/Avalon Park Community Council
  Remember daylight savings time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 2:00 A.M. Set you clocks one hour BACK! Don't forget to replace the batteries in your smoke and CO2 detectors!
  In our house, however, we will only turn it' [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 4:18pm EDT
  

• PHOTOS: 79th & State Street with vacant lot and abandoned building

  I took these pictures near 79th and State Street sometime in September when there was actually sun out! This lot that's vacant, well I don't remember when it first turned vacant. What I will say is that in earlier times there was a store (probably a convenience/liquor store) that had' [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 2:19pm EDT
  

• OPEN BLOG: Election 2010

  At various points in the brief history of this blog, I have attempted to follow politics from virtually all levels of our government (state, county, city, federal). Sometimes the level or frequency of this coverage varies. What happens in Springfield from transit bailout to the impeachment and removal of Rod [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 11:08am EDT
  

• Community organizations buying up vacant houses and apartment buildings

  A post from the CAPCC blog:
  We, at the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council, seek the cooperation, coordination, and company of all of the Block Club Presidents to work and discuss the need for private ownership and rehabilitation of the housing stock in the Chatham and Park Manor neighborhoods [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 8:13pm EDT
  

• Halloween activities

  Just a reminder of a couple of the neighborhood activities
  Friday: Family fun night at St, Mark United Methodist Church.
  
  Saturday: Whitney Young Library Magic Show
  
  ALSO: A number of neighborhood businesses will be giving out treats for Halloween. In the past (and planned) include the [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 1:35pm EDT
  

• EVENT: GCA Wal-Mart town hall November 7th

  I just recieved this info recently via e-mail. This is something worth attending in the near future.
  
  For Immediate Release 
  
  
  For More Information Please Contact:
  Toni Costonie
  costonie@comcast.net
  773.723.4892
  
  Greater Chatham Alliance Community Council (GCA)
  hosts a Town Hall Meeting on the proposed Walmart store
  for [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 4:20pm EDT
  

• Free Halloween Day activitiy: Magic Show

  The Whitney Young Library is hosting a magic show on Saturday (Halloween, October 31) , from noon to 1pm.
  
  It is free, and for all ages.
  
  For more information, contact the library:
  7901 S. King Drive , Chicago, IL 60619
  (312) 747-0039

  
  [...]

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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 1:02pm EDT
  

• Family Fun Night (for Halloween) THIS Friday night!

  From the Chatham/Avalon Park Community Council blog,
  Please join us for our Annual St. Mark United Methodist Church, 8441 S. St. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60619, phone: 773-846-2992; for Fall Family Fun Night, Friday, October 30, 2009 6:30-9:00 p.m. Free admission. Come out for games, prizes, Food and [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 1:01pm EDT
  

• ARCHIVED NEWS: Filling station a roadway to style of past

  
  
  Worlee posted pics of this property on his Facebook page a while back and I just so happened to have found this article at HighBeam regarding this former gas station. It was in fact written by Lee [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 9:47am EDT
  

• Whose property taxes went up most in Chicago?

  Enclosure: [download]

  Sun-Times:
  Four out of five Chicago homeowners will see their property taxes go up when they get their bills later this week, Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan said Monday.
  
  In the West Garfield Park neighborhood, the median tax bill will jump 46.4 percent, the highest spike in the [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 11:25am EDT
  

• Chicago police officers injured in crash in Chatham

  Tribune:
  Two Chicago police officers were hospitalized Monday evening after the squad car they were driving struck a utility pole in the Chatham neighborhood on the South Side, police said.
  
  The accident at about 10:30 p.m. 300 block of East 79th Street involved two officers from the Gresham [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 9:23am EDT
  

• Saving ShoreBank

  ShoreBank is one of many banks that have branches in our community. They have a branch on Cottage Grove a block from 79th Street. That branch used to be the HQ of Independence Bank, a formerly black owned banking company that was sold in the mid-1990s.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 5:32pm EDT
  

• ARCHIVED NEWS: Making it - The story of Chatham

  I found this article through Highbeam.com. Actually it's a series of articles I would like to gradually roll out over time. I found a number of old articles about Chatham recently on Highbean and there are four "Making it" article. On this day we start with the very first [...]
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  Posted: October 25, 2009, 8:27pm EDT
  

• What's the difference between community areas and neighborhoods?

  A question worth discussing as it was on our tour on 75th Street. It's something I wondered myself. It seems as if neighborhoods are a different animal from these community area.
  
  For instance Chatham is said to go up to about 75th Street to the north and 87th to' [...]
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  Posted: October 24, 2009, 12:38pm EDT
  

• A need for the National Guard?

  Chatham/Avalon Park Community Council: Blog Question: Thug Life
  Source: chathamavalonparkcommunitycouncil.blogspot.com
  Do you think the National Guard should be called in to the Chatham neighborhood to rid the area of the thug element terrorizing residents with their crime wave?
  
  The term terrorist has some legal issues surrounding it that [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 8:21pm EDT
  

• Black Enterprise Homeownership Contest

  Enclosure: [download]

  Here a contest for First Time Homebuyers
  

  Here is where you sign up [www.blackenterprise.com]

  
  

  [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 8:03pm EDT
  

• 'Renaissance Row' Is Reborn

  Today even Mike Flannery came out to see the rebirth of 75th Street:
  It's a strip known as Renaissance Row, and that name has never been more appropriate than now.
  
  The street is back open, after construction nearly caused some of the businesses to shut down.
  [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 6:54pm EDT
  

• Ribbon-cutting on 75th Street

  
  The grand re-opening of Renaissance Row. More to come later!

  
  

  [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 3:19pm EDT
  

• Gubernatorial launches 'jobs tour' at Chatham Market on 83rd St.

  A GOP candidate for Governor next year, Brady paid a visit to our part of the South Side recently:
  State Sen. Bill Brady, a Bloomington Republican running for governor, went to the Chatham neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side Tuesday to launch what he called his “jobs [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 9:05am EDT
  

• Mellody Hobson and Mayor Richard Daley endorse the Legacy Project by Fellowship MBC

  Enclosure: [download]

  This is the redevelopment of the Soft Sheen facility. Do you agree with the project and because the mayor endorses this project does it mean that we will see a bridge over the Dan Ryan at 85th Street.

  I has this real-estate listing and was looking for an excuse to [...]

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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 11:23pm EDT
  

• Come to the grand re-opening of Renaissance Row - 75th street!

  Join the communty at 10 am THIS FRIDAY for the re-opening of Renassaince Row.
  
  See this posting from the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council Blog:
  Save the Date
  
  Celebration for the 75th Street-Renaissance Row RE-OPENING　
  
  Event: A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating there-opening of the 75th Street-Renaissance [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 6:09pm EDT
  

• 95th becomes focus of beautification project

  Medill Reports:
  The last stop on the Red Line – 95th Street – is not, for most of the South Siders who travel there daily, a final destination. The station instead is a gateway to a multifaceted commute home.
  
  More than 20 CTA, Pace and Greyhound buses all [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 6:04pm EDT
  

• Michael Richards joins ISACorps

  Michael Richards is from the Marynook area, and is assigned to the Richland Community College District.
  ISAC Tabs Richards for Illinois Student Assistance Corps
  
  Corps members to deploy throughout state as near-peer mentors to guide students on the college path
  
  CHICAGO – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 8:55am EDT
  

• Section 8 Housing -Good idea gone Bad ?

  [www.chicagonow.com]#
  
  
  This article asks the question "Do white families deserve the crime Section 8 tenants bring with them? ".
  
  Do you feel that the rise in crime comes from section 8 housing?

  
  

  [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 9:14pm EDT
  

• City to offer free H1N1 flu shots

  Tribune:
  Beginning Saturday morning, free H1N1 swine flu shots for city residents will be made available on a regular basis at six city college locations for at least the next several weeks.
  
  The announcement of the vaccination clinics heralds the arrival of steady, regular supplies of the vaccine [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 8:15pm EDT
  

• Sen. Burris on Washington Journal this morning

  Enclosure: [download]

  
  
  He appeared sometime after 8AM this morning on C-Span's live call-in show. This clip unfortunately is only a minute and a half long, but he spent half an hour taking questions from callers. He basically talked about his support for a public option in the current health care [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 5:34pm EDT
  

• Scene outside at Abbott Park today

  Well, it was unusual to see a long line outside of the field house there today. Not sure what was going on, perhaps I should place a call to figure it out. I couldn't tell if this line was full of high school students from Harlan, but most looked relatively' [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 11:31am EDT
  

• This should also go onto the CTA Tattler, part 2

  Yesterday afternoon after leaving downtown Chicago I rode back with JP and a friend back to the south side and would like to mention one oddball occurence.
  
  There was this guy who sat in front of us and decided to start talking to a woman. We both noticed him [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 12:41pm EDT
  

• The Princeton University Summer Journalism Program

  Enclosure: [download]

  Information courtesy of TUCC Higher Education Corp.
  
  The application for summer 2010 is available here.
  What is the Princeton University Summer Journalism Program? We welcome about 20 high school students from low-income backgrounds every summer to Princeton's campus for an intensive, 10-day seminar on journalism. The program's goal [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 11:02pm EDT
  

• Didn't know you can comment on an EveryBlock crime report

  The report was on the 9100 block of South Wabash on criminal vandalism to property. This was to a residence and occured at around 6:30 PM:
  On this same day at ~8:55 p.m. I saw three black males in this same vicinity. Two were on the east side ( [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 1:08pm EDT
  

• Citizen Newspaper: Nation of Islam Expresses Interest in Former Building

  JP was right, the Nation of Islam wants their old property at 78th & Cottage Grove back!
  Ronald E. Garner, architect for the building and president of Group Design Associates expressed an interest in the building during a Sixth Ward meeting. Garner, who said the property has been [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 11:55am EDT
  

• This should also go onto the CTA Tattler

  
  I was on the red line Friday morning and at either 79th or 69th street a street preacher walked on. He had  flyers (such as the one above) with him and started telling his story about how he was down and out on the L and [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 10:25am EDT
  

• Chicago man charged in sham property selling scheme

  Wow, I think JP called it before the Tribune covered it!
  John Hemphill, 39, was arrested last week and charged with mail fraud and falsely posing as a federal official.
  
  Authorities alleged he filed fictitious deeds in counties around the Chicago area that purported to transfer [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 9:07am EDT
  

• The Histoical Bugalow and Green Home Expo

  I attended the Historical Bungalow ad Green Home Expo today held at the Merchandise Mart. There was a lot of info on restoring bungalows as well as making them energy efficient. I was pleasantly surprised to see a local business there. Here are some products and services that stood out [...]
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  Posted: October 17, 2009, 4:22pm EDT
  

• 'Black Wall Street' hit hard by sewer project

  Sun-Times:
  When Stephanie Hart was frustrated that a massive construction project outside her Brown Sugar Bakery was devastating to her business, her fans on Facebook turned out to be saviors for her South Side store.
  
  "I told the Facebook fans my plight, and they responded," Hart said of her [...]
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  Posted: October 17, 2009, 11:17am EDT
  

• Mayor Daley: Economy Could Affect Debate Over Wal-Mart

  CPR:
  At a news conference on the city's dire budget situation, the mayor said the economy is making some aldermen think hard about the jobs Wal-Marts could bring.
  
  DALEY: It creates jobs and people working and they will have to come to grips with that.
  
  But Alderman' [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 4:27pm EDT
  

• 2 wounded in South Side shooting

  Tribune:
  A 14-year-old boy and a companion were shot Thursday night by three men who approached them on a South Side street, police said.
  
  At about 11:15 p.m., officers responded to shots fired in the 7000 block of South Indiana Avenue, said Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro.
  [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 9:09am EDT
  

• Precious- A movie that requires a community discussion

  [movies.yahoo.com]
  
  I had the opportunity to see an advance screening of this movie. Not for children but I believe that the themes in this movie need to be discussed as a community.

  
  

  [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 1:32am EDT
  

• US Mortgage Relief Corporation -- RAID!

  Please note: the following were just observations...please check the news for any hard facts.  If anyone has any knowledge, however, we are interested. However, please note that we do not publish libel.
  
  
  As we were picking up our child from daycare, we saw several personnel from the US [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2009, 6:31pm EDT
  

• City employee indicted in 'booze cruise' theft

  Tribune:
  An employee of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services has been charged with official misconduct, forgery and attempted theft, accused of using public money to buy supplies for a "booze cruise"-style bus trip for her friends and co-workers, the Cook County state's attorney said today.
  [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2009, 2:37pm EDT
  

• VIDEO: Artist Kerry James Marshall

  
  
  On Chicago Tonight from October 6th. This black arist discusses why he chooses in spite of his success as an artist to remain in the Bronzeville neighborhood. His answer may well be very important for people in the 6th Ward and in other black communities in the [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2009, 12:20pm EDT
  

• PHOTO: Minimalist block club sign

  
  A clear sign with blue lettering found at King Drive and 88th Place. I wish I got a better picture than this. Hopefully if you click the pic it will be in better resolution.

  
  

  [...]
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  Posted: October 13, 2009, 6:25pm EDT
  

• Chatham and the Nation of Islam

  It isn't widely known but a portion of Chatham as we know it was owned by the nation of Islam. The Chatham Village Cooperatives and the surrounding buildings including the mall are located on land that was once owned by the Nation of Islam. The land was seized by the' [...]
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  Posted: October 13, 2009, 1:04am EDT
  

• Ex-stickup man teaches kids to stay out of jail

  The school referenced in the article used to be housed on State Street; you can see a remnant of the sign on that building.
  
  Ex-stickup man teaches kids to stay out of jail :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Mark Brown
  
  Shared via AddThis

  
  [...]

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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 3:50pm EDT
  

• CTA fares to go up, express routes and operation hours cut

  The CTA's plan to close a $300 budget deficit. Two local routes that will be affected is the X3 King Drive and the X4 Cottage Grove.
  
  The major changes would include:
  • Basic train fares to $3 from $2.25.
  
  • Basic bus fares to $2.50 from $2.25.
  [...]
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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 10:01am EDT
  

• Park Manor Theater

  
  View Larger Map
  
  Another old movie house to be mindful of. I found this place thru Cinema Treasures and it claimed this theater was demolished long ago, but if you look at this image via Google Street View it looks like it may still be erect.
  [...]
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  Posted: October 11, 2009, 9:11am EDT
  

• PHOTOS: Michigan lights are back on!!!

  A follow-up to Thursday's post with pictures of a dark Michigan Avenue. The lights were back on Friday night!
  
  Looking North on Michigan Avenue with bright lights!
   
  I never had the opportunity to photograph the light fixtures attached to the streetlights. [...]
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  Posted: October 10, 2009, 7:17pm EDT
  

• Foster Bank sees profits as other minority banks struggle

  What would this mean in terms of the city's black-owned banks. We see that Highland Community Bank (one of four black-owned banks located on west 87th Street) is facing loan woes!
  In his office on the Far North Side of Chicago, Foster Bank Chief Executive Paul Byungtag Kim [...]
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  Posted: October 10, 2009, 5:22pm EDT
  

• Jakendra Williams is a part of the ISACorps

  Jakendra Williams is from the Chatham area, and is serving the South Suburban Community College District. Happy Birthday, Jakendra!
  
  
  ISAC Tabs Williams for Illinois Student Assistance Corps
  
  
  Corps members to deploy throughout state as near-peer mentors to guide students on the college path
  [...]
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  Posted: October 10, 2009, 8:07am EDT
  

• CAPCC on the 6th Ward montly meeting Thursday night

  That post tackles a number of subjects covered at that meeting, but I want to focus on the property at 7801 S. Cottage Grove:
  The property known as 7801 South Cottage Grove was discussed with the interested party of the Nation of Islam with Ron Garner as architech seeking [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 4:52pm EDT