Friday, February 29, 2008

Chatham on Flickr

YoChicago set up this group about Chatham. Just random pics about the neighborhood and it doesn't matter if you're talking about houses or just life in the neighborhood in general. If you have a digital camera and you don't mind sharing pictures, you should sign up onto Flickr and then join this group. Especially if you're a Chatham resident.

Here's another one about West Chesterfield!

Upcoming Monthly 6th Ward meetings

Monthly Ward Meetings, as listed on Alderman Lyle's website:
  • Thursday, March 13, 2008 Monthly Ward Meeting, 6:30 PM at St. Dorothy Church, 450 E 78th St.

  • Saturday, April 12, 2008 Monthly Ward Meeting, 10:00 AM at Tuley Park, 501 E 90th Place

  • Thursday, May 8, 2008 Monthly Ward Meeting, 6:30 PM at Northern Trust Bank, 7801 S State St.
These monthly meetings rotate throughout the ward, so each area has a chance to meet with the Alderman near their home.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Gov. Blagojevich's Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Address

This is really old news, well this was last week after all. Still let's bring this statehouse message to the entrepreneurs of the 6th Ward. Normally I would put this on my blog and pick it apart but I won't. What the governor is asking for is worthwhile, let's just hope there is some follow thru. This video is courtesy of Illinois Channel.

Part 1


Part 2

Part 3

Passersby Rescue Residents From Burning House

I heard about this fire this morning. This house from what I've heard is absolutely gutted. Unfortunate! From CBS2...
An early-morning fire on the city's South Side put seven people out in the cold, and some were rescued from the fire without their clothes on.

As CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports, the outcome of the blaze at 9654 S. Indiana Ave. could have been significantly worse, but quick thinking and quick action by passersby saved the day.

The fire broke out around 1:45 a.m. at the Indiana Avenue house, fire officials said.

Some people who live in the area and happened to be passing by apparently heard the smoke detectors and smelled the smoke. They grabbed a ladder alongside the house and helped a man who was trapped inside escape the smoke and flames.

After the rescues, the situation flared up severely. Firefighters said the flames spread up to the attic from the basement through the walls, and the roof collapsed.

In all, seven people were displaced, including three children under the age of 10.

One firefighter who slipped on the ice and fell and three men in the house suffered minor injuries. One was taken to Advocate Trinity Hospital because of exposure. When he got out of the home, he had little to no clothing and no shoes.

The other two injured men suffered cuts

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Wednesday Night Headline Link Blog

Board Votes To Close Or Consolidate 18 Schools - CBS2

Economists Say Gas Prices May Hit $4 By Summer - CBS2

Site Of NIU Shooting To Be Demolished - CBS2

Water Main Break Detours Ford Plant Traffic - CBS2

19 CPS applications; 19 rejection letters - Sun-Times

Is Stroger ready to make a deal? - Sun-Times

City may give restaurants, businesses ability to boot cars - Sun-Times

Cook County Board tables tax hike proposals, to debate budget cuts - Tribune

Parents, students protest Chicago school closings - Tribune

How Would You Solve Cook County's Budget Woes? - Chicago Public Radio

Governor's Healthcare Plan Rejected Again - Chicago Public Radio

City establishes block club training program

From today's Defender for those of you who want to start a block club, this might be a good place to start!

Are you a Harlan High School graduate?

Then visit this website and join the alumni association.

An old pic of the now closed Jays plant

This is actually an old shot taken almost three or so years ago of the Jays plant that was closed recently. This looks like a nice sunny day when the photo was taken. Another shot I found on Flickr.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Sears on 79th Street

Other than Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, Walgreen's, or Best Buy another shopping option exists at 1334 East 79th Street. A free standing Sears store a short drive away from the Sixth Ward's easter border on Cottage Grove. I found this photo on Flickr. There's more information about this store here.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Monday Night Headline Link Blog

Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz - State Sen. Julie Hamos on YouTube

NIU students return to class - Sun-Times

Principals may get more elbow room - Sun-Times

Another surge of winter weather to hit Chicago - Sun-Times

County budget peace? - Sun-Times

Louis Farrakhan backs Obama for president at Nation of Islam convention in Chicago - Tribune

Police Lawsuits Adding Up - Chicago Public Radio

Lawmaker: Why Did Cops Wait 7 Hours for Breathalyzer? - Chicago Public Radio

Chicago-area home sales down 34% in January - Crain's

Spelman College Glee Club in Chatham!

From Wikipedia entry on Spelman College:
Spelman College is a four-year liberal arts woman's college located in Atlanta,
Georgia
. The college is part of the Atlanta University Center academic consortium in Atlanta. [1] Spelman holds the distinction as America's oldest historically black college for women.
Spelman's Glee Club will be here in Chatham at St. Mark United Methodist Church on Friday March 14 at 7pm.

You can contact the church for more details:
St. Mark United Methodist Church
8441 S. St. Lawrence Ave
Chicago IL
773-846-2992
stmrkumc@sbcglobal.net

A PDF flyer is here

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Weekend Headlines Link Blog

No to cuts, silent on tax hikes - Sun-Times

Gov's 'clout lists' surface in Rezko trial - Sun-Times

South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade to roll a week early - Tribune

Former Chicago school official gets 4 years for embezzling - Tribune

Madigan, Jackson vow to help homeowners facing foreclosure - Tribune

Cook County states attorney cautions budget cuts would make criminal justice system 'dysfunctional'- Tribune

On Illinois tax forms, residents are asked to remember military veterans, donate to care facilities - Tribune

North Lawndale TIF opposed by residents - Defender

Residents outraged at possible school closing - Defender

Edgar to Blagojevich: Pay Your Bills - WBBM-AM

Public Affairs - Dr. Steve Sauerberg - A video on YouTube but also available at the Public Affairs Podcast Page

Parent Concerns About Lawrence Elementary - District 299 Blog
Note: This is really outside of the general geographic area of this blog but this is in the general neighborhood. It's something worth checking out still. There might be a similar problem at a school in the ward.

Obama fights back on questions about his patriotism - CNN

This winter is third worst in decade - Sun-Times

Missing money blamed on widespread skimming - Sun-Times

Chatham Food Center in the news again

We wrote about Chatham Food Center already, with a customer review some time in the near future.

They are initially featured in today's Chicago SUn Times metro section under an article :Chicago Urban League: Getting down to business --
Urban League program offers the keys to success to black-owned companies


They have a more specific feature -- 'Aha' moments change Chatham Food owners

Here's that article:

BY FRANCINE KNOWLES
Leonard and Donna Harris, founders of Chatham Food Center have had some "aha" moments, since linking with the program.

"The primary 'aha' was that as a CPA and MBA from the University of Chicago, I'm thinking that I'm an entrepreneur. I came to the understanding that I wasn't," Leonard Harris said.

"I was a small-business operator No. 1. No. 2, I wasn't a growth business. I was a lifestyle business, but the third thing was as long as I was working in the business and wearing all these hats and not necessarily doing any of them really well, I was never going to grow the business."

The Harrises opted to hire a general manager to run things at the store, so they can fully take advantage of the program.

Since being in the program, they've examined research conducted by the Local Initiatives Support Corp./Chicago, which found that in 12 South Side communities, roughly $250 million is spent on groceries outside those communities because of the absence of stores.

That's opportunity, the couple said.

"Our goal is to come up with a new model, to open stores in a couple of different communities simultaneously," said Donna Harris.

They envision their stores as anchors in the development of new South Side shopping centers that include other businesses that meet the needs of inner-city communities. That way, dollars that are now leaving will stay.

"What this program is all about is jump-starting, revitalizing small businesses in the community for the purpose of economic development," Donna Harris said. "We're talking about employing people from the community, about wealth creation, about being a part of the revitalization of communities, so it's about more than just opening more grocery stores."

South Side Crash Leaves Man Dead

Apparently this man worked at Harlan Community Academy high school as a security guard. CBS 2 has the story...
A Chicago family is pleading for a hit-and-run driver to come forward Saturday night. Police say Bobby Jackson died after he was hit by a car and dragged several feet. CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports.

"It's hard to tell my mother that my brother was gone," said Matthew Jackson.

But it was Matthew Jackson who was first notified by authorities that his brother was dead. So it was up to him to give his sister and Bobby Jackson's four kids the bad news. As hard as it was to tell them, it was harder still to tell his mother that her oldest son was dead.

"Telling her was hard," Matthew Jackson said.

That's because the facts are almost too horrible for words. Bobby Jackson was killed at about 3 a.m. Saturday by a driver at Damen Avenue and Garfield Boulevard who didn't care enough to stop and instead dragged Jackson some 20 feet before speeding from the scene. So Saturday evening, Jackson's family appealed to the drivers conscience.

"I know whoever did it, they couldn't have hit him and think it was nothing," Matthew Jackson said. "Turn yourself in. Turn yourself in. "

At the south side school where Jackson worked as a security guard and coach, there was an emptiness in the hall that mirrored the emptiness Jackson's colleagues were feeling upon learning of their co-worker's sudden death.

"Pretty devastating," said Ted Tines, dean of Harlan High School. can't replace a man like that.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

South Side Community Art Center showcases black Chicagoans

A video from Channel 2 about the oldest Black art center and the oldest surviving WPA (Works Progress Administration, New Deal era, existed roughly 1939 to 1943) in the nation. They are collaborating with the Chicago Defender to exhibit some photos from the Defender's archives to honor Chicago's black businesses. The center itself is located at 3831 S. Michigan Avenue.

ADDITION: Their website is here! Their blog added to the blogroll.

House of Clout on 83rd Street

Another Chatham neighborhood house with a fence extended all the way to the curb on an adjacent street. I suppose it's protecting the lawn, but of course it doesn't affect people who are only using the sidewalk. This is one of YoChicago's Flickr pictures which asks who do you have to be in order to get away with a fence like this?

Friday, February 22, 2008

Luring Retailers

Another old article from last year from The Chicago Reporter. Hmm apparently the Reporter has a problem with dating their articles online as well. Anyway here's the gist...
Some say commercial projects will come to black neighborhoods, but they won’t arrive as quickly as they have in the city’s white communities. Retail experts say big-box developments are likely to make more appearances in black areas, like the Target in Chatham and the Wal-Mart opening in 2006 in Austin.

With their success, other smaller stores are likely to follow, said John C. Melaniphy III, formerly of Melaniphy and Associates, a retail consulting firm. “Look how long it took for retailers to go on Roosevelt Road, to serve the South Loop after all of the housing was developed,” he said of the area that has sprouted a Jewel and a Target in the last five years. Much of the area’s upscale housing has been there for years.

Mary Pattillo, author and associate professor of sociology and African American Studies at Northwestern University, believes that shopping choices for blacks should improve. “I think there is starting to be more attention paid to that and I think that would bode well for the future,” said Patillo, who attributes some of the spark to the realization among retailers of an “incredibly” untapped market.

“Of course this is happening at a time when many neighborhoods on the South Side are gentrifying, many of the closer mid-South neighborhoods,” said Patillo, who has studied Chicago’s black middle class and is finishing a book on North Kenwood and Oakland.
BTW, Ald. Lyle was in this. Hey if you're going to talk about this talk about a mostly middle class area that is starved for these opportunities but won't get it because the perception exists that where blacks live it's the ghetto. How little people know. You know I should include 5th ward Alderman Hairston as well...
Leslie Hairston was brimming with ideas after winning the election to head Chicago’s 5th Ward in 1999. She surveyed constituents to find that they wanted shops like Starbucks, Old Navy, and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Starbucks was a popular symbol of city life and social status, but none of the company’s stores was located in a predominantly black area, like Hairston’s 5th Ward.

She contacted the city’s planning department and was rebuffed. “I was looking for their assistance in making the connection,” she said. “They didn’t say no. They said it was far-reaching.”

Around the same time, retired NBA star Magic Johnson was launching a line of Starbucks in underserved parts of Los Angeles and New York City. Hairston phoned a longtime friend, who worked for Johnson, and arranged a call with him that day. Five years later, in July 2004, they were able to get a Starbucks at 71st Street and Stony Island Avenue---the first to arrive in any of the city’s black neighborhoods. “There were a couple of times that we were told we were going to lose them,” Hairston said. “It is pretty comical that, in an African American neighborhood, it takes five years to get a Starbucks. And, on the North Side, they’d operate out of a shoebox if you’d let them.”
...
Still, some black aldermen say much of their energy is devoted to attracting businesses to their wards. They find themselves trailing city staff to the annual International Conference of Shopping Centers convention in Las Vegas each spring to establish contacts with major retailers, some of which are arranged through Retail Chicago, a city program designed to assist developers with retail market opportunities.

“It was like a job fair. Very few were very serious,” said 6th Ward Alderman Freddrenna Lyle, who made the trip in 2000. “They were like lemmings. They were saying, ‘If Target comes, we’ll come.’ Somebody will have to take the first step.”
...
But there are several smaller establishments flourishing in black neighborhoods that keep away better tenants, some said. “The dollar stores are replacing [shuttered stores] like rabbits,” said Lyle. “You’re not going to get a Gap to come in and open next to the dollar store.”
And how about a local area business owner...
Musa P. Tadros was 10 years old when his family moved from Jordan to an apartment at 45th Street and Union Avenue in the 1970s. The family opened its first grocery store, where Tadros would ring up sales, mostly Tombstone pizzas, for his grade school classmates during lunch. After school, he’d return and work until 9 p.m. “I felt I was stuck in the grocery store business,” said Tadros, who went on to partner with his brother to open more grocery stores. But the grocery industry got competitive. “Walgreens started selling bacon and bread,” he said. “They were taking business from us.”

Tadros altered his business plan, got a realtor license and began developing property. The Target project started forming in August 1993 when he paid $3 million for the 17-acre site at a bankruptcy sale. The project has been his largest to date.

Initially, he was snubbed by Target. “We’re working on our A-list right now and, when we work on our B-list, I’ll give you a call,” Tadros said he was told. “Some felt they didn’t want to be in a rough community. ‘That’s a risk. We don’t want to take that chance.’”

But Tadros didn’t buy it. He had operated Horizon Foods there for years without major problems. “It was a safe community,” he said. “I think corporate America didn’t figure they could make money in the black community until six or seven years ago.”
Well apparently it's a slow process and it's very unfortunate!

Current Headlines Link Blog

From newspapers, radio, TV, and even blogs! I want to make this an evening headline digest. I'll get it right soon!

The straight dope on CTA pension and retiree health care reform - CTA Tattler

Budget director getting shower installed in City Hall office - Tribune

City kicks pothole repair into high gear - Sun-Times

McCain attacks Obama here - Sun-Times

Cold doesn't deter astronomy buffs on night of lunar eclipse - Tribune

Illinois' Democratic Family Feud - Chicago Public Radio

Post-Vote Battle Over Real Estate Transfer Tax - Chicago Public Radio

Why kids are still locked up - Daily Herald

Governor's budget endangers federal transit funds: pols - Crain's

Cook County Prosecutor Accused Of Drug Possession - CBS2Chicago

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Aldermen discuss S. Side redevelopment

From the New Communities Program from Sept. 25th, 2007. It might be old but still an article worth reading. The issues haven't change for sure. It involves two recently elected Aldermen (Sandi Jackson - 7th, Willie Cochran - 20th & Pat Dowell - 3rd) in addition to one who was re-elected (Ald. Lyle). A pair of unresolved issues is developing a former factory site on the lakefront in the 7th Ward as well a bringing a Wal-Mart to 83rd and Stewart which is actually in Ald. Howard Brookins' ward.

A Chatham Club Home

An example of a home in the Chatham Club development a couple of blocks south of 87th Street between the Dan Ryan Expressway and Indiana Avenue. These houses have been around for the better part of a decade. The lot used to be a Canfield factory and this area is surely but slowly losing the more industrial aspect that it once had.

Photograph from YoChicago.

Oh my I just found out that Chatham Club benefitted from TIFs! I decided to Google it.

The first link blog

New feature, I'll roll this out slowly hopefully I can get some feedback for it. I will endeavor to be more current and hopefully diverse as time rolls on. These links were news yesterday.

All Signs Point to an Early Gubernatorial Campaign - River Cities' Reader

Madigan taking wait-and-see approach on Blagojevich budget - Clout Street

RTA urges seniors to sign up for free rides - Tribune

Stroger ends bid for hospital funds - Sun-Times

Daley gun control plan has new twists - Sun-Times

Brace yourself-- your grocery bill is going up - Sun-Times

Teamsters to endorse Obama - Sun-Times

CPS to sponsor expo for parents this weekend - Defender

Note to defender: You guys might want to consider dating your articles online other than that I like your redesign!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Mansion

I took this pic almost a couple of years or so ago. It looks like an office building a little doesn't it? It's somebody's house. It's amazing that something so big can fit on a relatively small lot in a neighborhood full of middle-class single family homes. This is on 87th Street a block away from the Dan Ryan.

Guv dangles tax cuts, but would levy, borrow more

Did you know that the governor has given his state of the state speech today? You can read it here, but you'll need PDF from Adobe. And here's a story from Crain's...
Rod Blagojevich, tax cutter?

Illinois’ unpredictable governor is reaching for that mantle, unveiling a proposed fiscal 2009 state budget that dangles the prospect of a credit for families with children and for some businesses while jacking up taxes on business overall by far more.

The $31.7-billion spending plan relies heavily on a series of tried-and-true Blagojevich fiscal tactics, including closing business tax “loopholes,” a proposed partial privatization of the state lottery and heavy borrowing. At the same time, it has a new twist: Most notably for business, the possibility of a one-year, 20% cut in the corporate income tax.

Lawmakers are just hearing of the governor’s plans and were not yet prepared to comment, but key elements of Mr. Blagojevich’s proposal have been floated and shot to pieces by the General Assembly in previous years, and this plan is likely to get a rocky reception.

The good news for taxpayers in the proposed budget is that the governor wants to duplicate in Illinois the child tax credit recently enacted nationally by Congress in an effort to stimulate the economy. The refundable credit of up to $300 per child for dependents under 17 would apply to any family earning up to $150,000 for a couple and $75,000 for a single parent.
Tomorrow I might gather more info about this budget. I'll keep them all in one post.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Should Illinois lower it's voting age?

This was the subject of today's Capitol Fax blog question of the day. I figured those of you who read the blog could add your two cents worth. Should we lower the voting age to 17 years?

Monday, February 18, 2008

Mather's More Than a Cafe celebrates Black History month!

Straight from their offices...

See this link for our previous blog entry on Mather's More than A Cafe


Mather’s—More Than a Café Celebrates Black History Month
Programs Include Films, Skits, Musical Performances and Tributes



WHAT: Mather’s—More Than a Café will be hosting a wide variety of events to commemorate Black History Month. Our location in Chatham is in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods and a perfect location to develop a story about Chicago’s connection to this important month. Scheduled events include:

A Look Back: Civil Rights
Friday, February 15, 2:00—4:30 p.m.
A special Civil Rights Movement film screening and a Prime Time Sister Circle II performance.

Soul Food and Mather’s Chorus Performance
A celebration including a special meal and chorus performance!
Monday, February 25, 4:00—7:00 p.m.
Meal cost: $15.00

A Tribute to Our Legends
Café customers and volunteers will portray prominent civil rights activists and legends in the arts, literary and political arenas. The program will be featured with a special tribute to Rev. Al Sharpton. Refreshments will be served.
Friday, February 29, 2:30—4:30 p.m.
Meal cost: $6.00

WHERE: Mather’s–More Than a Café
33 E. 83rd Street
Chicago, IL
(773) 488-2801

WHEN: Throughout the month of February

VISUALS: Music, movement, celebration and original performances by
older adults from the community surrounding the Café

WHO: Special guests and local celebrities
Mather’s–More Than a Café patrons

BACKGROUND:

Based in Evanston, Illinois, Mather LifeWays enhances the lives of older adults by creating Ways to Age Well.SM Founded in 1941 by entrepreneur and humanitarian Alonzo Mather, Mather LifeWays is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing a continuum of living and care; making neighborhoods better places for older adults to live, work, learn, contribute and play; and identifying, implementing and sharing best practices for wellness, workforce issues, memory care and empowering caregivers. To learn more about our senior living residences, Community Initiatives, Institute on Aging and how you can make a charitable contribution to advance our mission, please call (847) 492.7500 or find your Way to http://www.matherlifeways.com/.


CONTACT: Stuart Greenblatt
Mather LifeWays
(847) 492-7434
sgreenblatt@matherlifeways.com

Save North Lawndale!!!

Another eminent domain abuse story courtesy of The Bench.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

The 6th Ward Scene

For some reason I'm never able to catch up to it but hopefully some of you can. It airs on CAN-TV Channel 19. A TV show by Ald. Freddrenna Lyle is described as a video newsletter. More info here from her city of Chicago webpage.

A Chicago-style bungalow in Chatham

More info on Chicago style Bungalows here. Perhaps there might be more about neighborhood bungalows on this blog.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

In case you feel the need to get in touch...

With us bloggers the blog has an email address. I'm going to post a link in the near future as soon as I figure out if I'm going to keep a template. Well I'll keep you updated but I really don't want to mess around too much.

Anyway here's the address. Questions, comments, inquiries or volunteers. We could really use volunteers.
I haven't decided whether or not I'll post this e-mail icon on the blog itself or not but expect to see this link courtesy of Contactify in the near future. That way you won't have to worry too much about having to remember the email address just to send us a message. OK!

Addition: I took advantage of a hack I found. You won't have to go to another page when you want to leave a comment. Just click on comment and then the form to enter a comment will be right there under the post in question and you're good to go. Let me know what you think!

Friday, February 15, 2008

Ald. Lyle subject of a post in Clout City

Basically they're talking about the situation surrounding the appointment of Jody Weiss as superintendent and from that the appointment of a deputy superintendent who just so happens to be a Black man who was a commander of a high-crime police district. They bounce off of a recent 6th Ward aldermanic newsletter of all things. I wonder if they've visited this blog.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

"Souls of Black Folk" Oratory Contest

"Souls of Black Folk" Oratory Contest , as listed on Alderman Lyle's website:

"Souls of Black Folk" Oratory Contest : A contest designed to encourage writing and public speaking skills. Students in grades K through 12 are eligible to participate. More information coming soon.

Saturday, February 23, 2008 at John Marshall Harlan High School Auditorium beginning promptly at 12:00 noon


For further information about any of these events, call the 6th Ward Service Office at (773) 846-7006

Former City Clerk Jim Laski Says He's Revealing How City Hall Corruption Works

Read more at FOX Chicago. Video here. Hat-tip Newsalert.

Chicago schools to Springfield: We need $180 million

From Crain's...
Chicago Public Schools officials said Thursday they need an additional $180 million in state aid to balance the fiscal 2009 budget. But they stopped short of threatening to shut schools, lay off teachers or take other severe steps if the money doesn’t arrive.

In a news conference that provided the first peek at finances for fiscal 2009, which starts in September, schools CEO Arne Duncan said the system faces a hole of $340 million in its $5-billion budget — mostly due to rising costs, but also because of a few new spending initiatives.

Mr. Duncan said he’s already identified $90 million in achievable administrative cuts, partly by shrinking support staff to mirror declining enrollment. CPS would take in $50 million from drawing down reserves and $20 million in proceeds from a higher property tax. That leaves a potential shortfall of $180 million.

Mr. Duncan called on state lawmakers to “step up and do the right thing.”

Arguing that Illinois pays a smaller share of the local school bill than almost any other state, Mr. Duncan said legislators and Gov. Rod Blagojevich — who rarely agree on much of anything — need to “find the political courage to put education on the agenda.”

Mr. Duncan conceded that won’t be easy, given that the state faces severe fiscal problems of its own with a reported $600-million to $700-million deficit in this year’s budget.

But Chicago schools have worked hard to raise student test scores and physically rebuild schools, and the system has operated for 25 years without a teachers’ strike, he said.

Chicago schools got an additional $130 million in state aid last year. The city system generally gets about 20% of the state’s school dollar, so boosting Chicago aid by $180 million would imply a $900-million increase statewide, an unlikely figure without some major new state revenue source.

I'm thinking about changing templates again

This blog will be undergoing some redecoration again soon. I think it's time to brighten things up around these parts once again. So don't be surprised when you load up this site and things look different and some things that were already a part of the blog are missing. They won't be missing for long. My assurances.

Of course when the change starts I would like your input especially how do you like the look and layout. Feedback is always good!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Super Tuesday Reactions at Obama Headquarters

This video is part one from the Illinois Channel YouTube account. If you want to watch the full segment go here. This video runs about 28 minutes.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Upcoming Monthly 6th Ward meetings

Monthly Ward Meetings, as listed on Alderman Lyle's website:
  • Thursday, February 14, 2008 Monthly Ward Meeting, 6:30 PM at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 6954 S Union Ave.
  • Thursday, March 13, 2008 Monthly Ward Meeting, 6:30 PM at St. Dorothy Church, 450 E 78th St.
  • Saturday, April 12, 2008 Monthly Ward Meeting, 10:00 AM at Tuley Park, 501 E 90th Place
  • Thursday, May 8, 2008 Monthly Ward Meeting, 6:30 PM at Northern Trust Bank, 7801 S State St..

These monthly meetings rotate throughout the ward, so each area has a chance to meet with the Alderman near their home.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Save Your Pennies

I originally posted this video over at my other blog on February 14th of last year. There are a few banking options in the Sixth Ward and the surrounding communities. This episode takes place in a black bank not much different than Seaway or Illinois Service Federal. Of course there is a TCF in Jewel at 87th Street, Chase on Cottage Grove just north of 83rd, and how could I forget Shore Bank's Chatham Banking Center on Cottage Grove just south of 79th Street. BTW, a little history Shore Bank's Chatham Banking Center used to be another black-owned bank, Independence Bank, until it was purchased by Shore Bank in the 1990s.

Oh and please visit My Urban Report. The link provided is old and I didn't want to change it. Amani Channel does great work present videos of his adventures in citizen journalist/new media.

Oh and I should ask perhaps you can talk about where you have done your banking. Especially after you watch this video. Enjoy!


My Urban Report

Blip.tv had a sort of a compilation of their favorite videos that are hosting by their service. One of them was this and they highlighted this video about A.Man.I's visit to a bank where he illustrated how to start a saving account at a bank and interviewed an elderly man who had some sound advice about banking and financing. What he said was basic stuff but very important.

And I won't leave you hanging you can view the video here and if you like what you see post a comment here...

It starts off with the fact that most other communities a dollar would circulate multiple times with in a community. For blacks that dollar would circulate once. A.Man.I explains that what happens is that we get paid and we spend our money with someone else who isn't black. A great video worth sharing with you.

I hope you enjoy anything else he presents.

Friday, February 8, 2008

We're on Facebook!

Well, the neighborhoods of the 6th, at least, are represented on Facebook.

Chatham Neighborhood has over 55 members

Grand Crossing Neighborhood has only 5 members (none in Greater Grand Crossing)

Park Manor has just 3 people

Englewood , though a small part of the 6th, has 52 members!

Chesterfield, West Chesterfield & Roseland Heights aren't even mentioned.

There are also "groups". The Uptown neighborhood for example has at least two, as well as for Uptown Baptist Church (several different) and block clubs like Clarendon Park. The 6th ward doesn't have one specific to the area. One of the largest is calle "I was raised on the south side, therefore I am better than you." Started by white youth from the Beverly area, it has attracted people from all over the South Side, who might not think of the South Side as being "Irish" for example.

How about your neighborhood? Are you on Facebook?

How do you connect with your neighborhood online? Through Facebook? Myspace? This blog? Another blog?

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley: Rant



Check this out for added context.

CTA Working To Reduce Frustrating 'Bus Bunching'

From Channel 2 and I'll just highlight the solution to the idea of buses arriving at a stop two or three or more at a time...

For more than a year now, GPS systems on board the CTA Route 20 buses have helped riders log onto real-time maps and arrival information. Called Bus Tracker, the pilot program can even be accessed via Blackberry at the bus-stop.

But the same system putting bus arrival times in the palm of our hands can also be a useful tool to those trying to avoid bus bunching in the first place.

"If there's a problem that looks like it is going to appear, this allows us to take more preventative action," said Wai-Sinn Chann of the CTA.

From the CTA's command center it's possible for controllers to use Bus Tracker to see gaps in service along the route, theoretically notifying field supervisors what's happening, who then can take appropriate action, for example delaying departures of buses on bunched up routes.

The program is still in its infancy, but also in recent months the CTA has given its drivers on all routes new power to navigate around a bunch.

"Drivers are now allowed to pass each other up to adjust their schedule so they do something called leap-frogging," Huberman said.

Small moves like leap-frogging have helped the CTA reduce bus bunching by 8 percent over the past few months. But the goal is double digit reductions and the CTA admits that will take time, all while commuters like Goedde are losing time at the bus stop.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

More local super Tuesday news

Clout Street has a post about the 7th Ward Democratic Committeeman's race. Yeah I know that's outside of the Sixth Ward or at least way outside but she won against Commissioner Bill Beavers. Actually they talk about other races as well, but let's talk about this one and what this means...
Far below the radar of the presidential primary, voters also decided some intensely local turf battles in Chicago’s 50 wards, electing Democratic committeemen.

Being a ward boss doesn’t come with nearly the clout it meant in the golden era of machine politics, as the power of local ward organizations has declined sharply under Mayor Richard Daley.

But defeat in a committeeman race can hasten the fall of a local elected official, while victory can help an unstable new council member solidify his or her power base.

In the 7th Ward, freshman Ald. Sandi Jackson won a landslide victory over incumbent committeeman William Beavers, a county commissioner. The win helps further consolidate power in South Side black wards in the alderman’s husband, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.).
Does this mean that we'll see the emerging Jackson "dynasty" coming into it own being a force to reckon with in the future? We'll have to see! They can't keep pouncing on the Beavers machine just to prove they are.

More local races at Clout Street here.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Super Tuesday in Cook County!!!

It looks like it will be Anita Alvarez will carry the Democratic nomination for Cook County State's Attorney with only 26% of the vote. Ald Tom Allen was second and at least 1% behind.

Also Eugene Moore is winning his contest with Ed Smith for Cook County Recorder of Deed. I though Ed Smith could have won this one. He didn't appartenly!

Oh and Obama wins in Illinois, so does John McCain!

Check out live streaming coverage from CBS 2. That's if you're not near a TV at this moment.

WBBM-AM Voter guide

If you'd like take a look at this before you cast your ballot in the primary next week!

Super Tuesday items!

Done by yours truly over at my own blog!

Addition: I may do a Super Tuesday post here with mainly local content regarding Illinois races and an obligatory reference to our sitting junior US Senator.

What's going on at your precinct?

Go over to the Capitol Fax Blog and give your experience.

CTA Tattler has some advice for voters today.

Vote with the CTA issue in mind. Read on!

Monday, February 4, 2008

Chatham Pancake House in the news...


I meant to do a review of the restaurant after getting some information on it (some great history on the current owner, for example).

It was just on the news, as some major politicians, including Chicago's Mayor Daley and 6th Ward Alderman Lyle, wer ein attendance. You may have seen them & others at the Pancake House this afternoon or evening.

Feel free to visit it (at the area that is home to Target & the Nike Outlet Store) and write a review if i don't beat you to it.

Chatham Pancake House
700 E. 87th
Chicago, IL 60619
Open Daily, 7am-3pm

Here's the article from WBBM-AM, Newsradio 78 (780 AM)

Daley Voices Support For Obama, Urges Voters To Follow
Suit

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Mayor Daley is joining other local officials
campaigning for Barack Obama on this day before the crucial Super Tuesday
primaries.

WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore caught up with the Mayor at a South
Side pancake house.

After enjoying breakfast at Chatham Pancake House with Senate President
Emil Jones, several Aldermen and others, Daley worked the room. He urged voters
old and young to support Barack Obama and vote for delegates committed to
Obama. Illinois is not a winner take all state when it comes to democratic
delegates.

And, like the African-American officials by his side, the Mayor bristled at
any suggestion that Obama’s strength lies mostly in the African-American
community. He says there are strong Obama supporters throughout the state and
the nation.

Still, the Mayor sees Barack Obama as an underdog, much like the Giants in
Sunday’s Superbowl. He can beat the odds, suggests the Mayor.

Chicago Aldermen Want Power in Exchange for CTA Funds

From Chicago Public Radio.
Chicago aldermen spent today grilling the CTA over a proposed hike in the city's real-estate transfer tax.

It's little wonder aldermen scrutinized the real-estate transfer tax hike proposal so closely. It would cover a $2 billion bond issue for CTA pensions and retiree health funds.

But Alderman Isaac Carothers says, as the proposal stands now, the city gets little in return.

CAROTHERS: I'm of the opinion that if you're going to be taking this much money from the City of Chicago, that we need to be involved in the process of who's going to be handling and doing this underwriting for this two billion dollar deal.

In particular, aldermen want minority and woman-owned firms to do half of the bonds' investment work. The CTA says it can not guarantee that, but will return with an updated agreement Wednesday. That's when the full city council could vote on the real-estate transfer tax hike.

How the primary election works in Illinois

From the Pantograph.com. It just let's you know what you're in store for tomorrow. That's when you will go to the polls.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Friday, February 1, 2008

From Google Maps, the Alderman's service office


In one of the vids that I presented on Monday, Alderman Lyle mentioned that her service office actually used to be a small grocery store. Interesting isn't it! They cycle of a small business sometimes they just fade away and close.


Hey I took a bus there once to buy a city sticker so it's very accessible by public transportation. Of course to the west is some eating establishments but the only one I'm most familiar with is Lem's BBQ. Of course the area also has some bar/lounge action as well. That is if you feel like going out for a drink or a good night on the town!

I know that office location changes from Alderman to Alderman in ward but would this office be considered a ward seat of sorts. Meh, why make that distinction anyway?