Any events to share?

Making another call for those who have events they want to share.

As always if you have events that are worth sharing send them to us. It could be a community meeting, LSC, parent advisory council, PTA, park advisory council, political event, a new business, etc. Send them to us.

Feel free to post to our FB page, tweet us, or if you got a ig ready flyer tag us. As always feel free to send an e-mail to the address below.

blog @ thesixthward.us

 Also bear in mind election season is upon us, we do expect more readership during this period from now to the November elections and through to next year's city elections. This would be a good time to get some exposure for your events, especially if you don't have a significant social media presence.

• facebook.com/thesixthward
• facebook.com/lovechatham (i.e. Concerned Citizens of Chatham)
• twitter.com/thesixthward
• instagram.com/thesixthward

African American Business: Do We Really Care

Another good piece written by Worlee Glover over at Nextdoor:

• There have been several comments making the suggestion that the community decide to use restrictive covenants on the sale on business/commercial properties in our community. A restrictive covenant restricts a certain demographic from purchasing property in the community.
  
  If you follow the paper trail of some properties in Chatham, Beverly and other communities there are documents that contain the language that the sale of the property to Negros(African Americans) is forbidden. Almost 50 years ago the federal courts struck down restrictive covenants and introduced fair housing laws ans well as other real estate laws that made restrictive covenants unenforceable. 
  
  Men such as Marion Manor(Manor Realty), Vernon Jarrett and other African American real estate professionals from this community were on the forefront of the movement. They started an organization called the Dearborn Realtist Board which is still in existence today. They also desegregated the Stevenson Hotel(Conrad Hilton). 
  
  Fast forward to today. the comments state that preference should be given to African American businesses but the question in my mind do we really care anymore. 
  
  Over the years African American businesses have closed because of a lack of support or when the owners retired they received insulting offers from African Americans wanting to purchase the business. Such businesses were:
  
  
  • Khan & Nate- High end clothing 
  • Mr Ebony- High end clothing 
  • Clark Gas - Gas Station 
  • Calumet Paint- Sherwin Williams paint 
  • Williams Hydroplant- Lawn & Garden 
  • Harolds #2(71st State)-Food Service Establishment 
  • All Dry Cleaners 
  • Chatham Foods-Grocery Stores 
  • Collins bros-Grocery Stores 
  • RL Dukes- Car dealership 
  
  There are more, but you get the point. Then when we get young African Americans wanting to open businesses, we fight them to the bitter end such as on 75th. So is the call for African American business real or lip service?

Decline of Black Chicago

Also known as: "How the Great Migration to Chicago became the Great Black Exodus" written by Alden Loury a senior editor for WBEZ

In its many forms — individual, institutional, structural and systemic — racism has blocked the flow of African Americans into certain communities and isolated them in others.

The restrictive covenants, redlining and white flight of yesterday have been replaced by stiff resistance to affordable housing, high-cost housing that effectively prices out some people of color, disinvestment in communities of color regardless of their economic heft, and more white flight.

Practically shunned by all others, homes and businesses in many South Side and West Side neighborhoods draw interest only from African Americans. That means a constricted market for homebuyers and business owners, resulting in lower market demand, fewer customers and lower values.

Almost a decade after the latest recession, some black neighborhoods in Chicago are still waiting on economic recovery.

Found this through the e-mails of The Daily Line! Often lots of goodies there and if you're so inclined they have subscription service also! 

Chance the Rapper buys Chicagoist?

 Speaking of Block Club Chicago recently - having shared two articles from them - how could I have missed this? Chance the Rapper buys Chicagoist and Block Club Chi had acquired the archives of DNA Info Chicago. Big news, but very curious of the direction of a Chance owned Chicagoist.

If you don't believe the write-up from Block Club, perhaps you can read some Robert Feder. It seems in bringing back Chicagoist, Chance is taking aim at Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Where are the Black male teachers?

If there is a need to get for example Black male teachers, where are they? Why aren't they choosing careers in education? We need them now more than ever!

You might have seen this article shared in the Chicago Tribune during this past week.

The University of Illinois at Chicago is investing about $1 million to recruit and train male elementary education majors of color to help spur black boys' academic success.

"This is not just becoming a teacher. This is becoming a leader."https://t.co/HlwjAP0XYw pic.twitter.com/n2D1sK8Deb

— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) July 25, 2018

What do you think? Do we need the men in our classrooms to get the boys back on track academically?

Englewood is about to "buy the block"

Via @buyblackeconomics

You might have seen this on Curbed Chicago this week and to the Resident Association of Greater Englewood it's a good idea to be able to determine the direction of their neighborhood. You determine the direction of your neighborhood by buying up the real estate or someone else from outside of your community will.

Englewood residents organize to take back their block https://t.co/yJgcs9KsBA pic.twitter.com/M7wjJjoR3S

— Curbed Chicago (@curbedchicago) July 23, 2018

Englewood residents filled a room in the historic bank building at 63rd and Halsted in May to learn about purchasing apartment buildings in the neighborhood. During a pair of panels, landlords discussed how best to gut rehab a building and deal with difficult tenants, while banks and nonprofits gave advice on handling a past foreclosure or building a good credit score. The event was called “Buy the Block”—implying, as organizers said repeatedly that day, “or somebody else will.”

“The people I see who are purchasing property in Englewood don’t look like us, by and large,” Gloria King-Wright, loan officer at Seaway Bank, told attendees. “They’re investors, they’re speculators.”

“We need to buy the land in Englewood. Do believe there are people who are buying blocks at a time—at a time. You can’t complain about gentrification if you don’t own anything,” said Antoine Butler, a landlord, to a round of applause. “The property value is rising. They’re not gonna tell you that. They’re not gonna let you know that Englewood is probably the hottest land in the city of Chicago right now.”

Seaway Bank, interesting to see that long-time banking brand noted on Curbed Chicago.

Anyway, I went to the Portillo's located in the South Loop having lunch with a friend of mine. He just made a random comment noting how that general area along Taylor Street just west of the Chicago River had changed and now there's a Portillo's store there. Then noting the Whole Foods Market on 63rd & Halsted stated simply that this what the city "will do to Englewood".

There probably weren't many people fighting for Taylor Street since it's not known as a residential neighborhood to the same extent as Englewood. So at least Englewood has people fighting for the direction of their neighborhood. So hopefully they will be able to buy their block and give the neighborhood what it truly deserves.

From time to time you might have seen various buy the block messages on our ig page. Some memes regarding this which I wholeheartedly agree. What would you do if you have the opportunity to purchase a whole block?

Capitol Fax: Oppo dumps! The connection between Bruce Rauner, Willie Wilson, Ken Dunkin and Maze Jackson

On Sunday Willie Wilson was at New Covenant MB Church giving away cash to those who attended worship services under the guise of "property-tax relief". Guess who also was there? Gov. Bruce Rauner who is in a tough campaign for re-election.

And evidently it's a story that continues even if it's not about Wilson's financial generosity. An oppo dump via Capitol Fax. Wilson is said to be friends with the Governor and he's not the only one.

Oppo dumps! The connection between Bruce Rauner, Willie Wilson, Ken Dunkin and Maze Jackson https://t.co/qDM4Z6vR5c

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) July 26, 2018

There's a video in that post you should check out. A "What's in it for Black People" cookout hosted by WVON personality Maze Jackson with a special guest appearance by one Bruce Rauner. Also it should be noted Rauner has a number of friends among Black politicos though evidently not many in the state's General Assembly.

Block Club Chi: Chatham Doesn’t Need New Convenience Store’s Bulletproof Glass, Cigars And Junk Food, Alderman Says

Worlee Glover also shared the article below to our FB page regarding the new convenience store that opened in the former Church's Chicken store on 87th & King Drive. We wrote about this new business earlier this month as may community stakeholders are concerned about the new business and the image upon the Chatham and Chesterfield neighborhoods.

Chatham doesn’t need new convenience store's bulletproof glass, cigars and junk food, alderman says https://t.co/0F3AnUuQEn pic.twitter.com/EIKiWKlqhn

— Block Club Chicago (@BlockClubCHI) July 25, 2018

Located on the corner of 87th & King Drive in the heart of one of Chatham’s business corridors stands what many in the neighborhood — including Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th) — call a “problem business.”

King Food & Deli, a convenience store at 400 E. 87th St. that replaced a long-standing Church’s Chicken, was recently identified by Sawyer and community groups as a neighborhood concern.

Earlier this month, Sawyer and leadership from Chatham-Avalon Community Council, Greater Chatham Alliance and Chesterfield Community Council held a press conference to criticize King Food & Deli’s use of bulletproof glass, the sale of unhealthy snacks and cigars that could be used for blunts.

“The food was munchies, it was Black & Milds, Backwoods, Swisher Sweets, limited deli items, limited grocery items,” the alderman said. “It was mostly snacks. Is there a place for that? Maybe so. I think for the corner of 87th & King Drive, that’s kind of disappointing to me, personally.”

Following Sawyer’s public criticism of the business, a “constructive” meeting between Chatham residents and the store’s owner happened, he said.

“I think there were other retail opportunities that we could’ve placed in that location that would’ve been more reflective of the community and that would’ve gotten community support,” Sawyer said.

Read the whole thing. This is certainly a curious case it didn't take long for this business to open and already it's a controversial business due to their product offerings. Another angle to this which is what Ald. Sawyer suggests, a "scared operator". Judging based upon usage of bullet proof glass to protect employees although to be honest that's not too uncommon!

Englewood Opportunity Fair - Today

Via @rage_englewood

Sorry about the last minute notice of this. Worthwhile for those of you who are looking for a job right now.

Where: Kennedy King College - 6301 S. Halsted St.
When: July 26, 2018 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

For job seekers 16-24 years old and RSVP to englewoodopportunityfair.eventbrite.com

Note the companies Amazon - FedEX - UPS - Five Guys - Starbucks - St. Bernard Hospital - etc.

From ISF to GN Bank - name change

ISF Bank branch 87th & King Drive

Worlee Glover shared this on our FB page on Tuesday and this is just another change coming to our community. The Illinois Service Federal name will be no more thanks to the new Ghanaian family who took ownership of the bank in 2016.

So from Illinois Service Federal (ISF) Bank to Group Nduom (GN) Bank!

The last black-owned bank based in Chicago is changing its name https://t.co/TnKmN7rQGp pic.twitter.com/cN2LP4oVYR

— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) July 25, 2018

What is "Dining on the 5"?

This isn't something I've taken advantage of, but it's great that the Greater Chatham Initiative is getting publicity for this. "Dining on the 5" is the subject of an article for the hyperlocal Block Club Chicago. The article is about dining on 75th Street - which over the years is known as Black Wall Street or Renaissance Row.

The potential here as I think was noted here on this blog, 75th Street could become a culinary, entertaining, or nightlife center. There are a number of restaurants or eateries on 75th, perhaps there's an opportunity there that the community should take advantage of. Perhaps "Dining on the 5" is key.

What is "Dining on the 5"?

Six of the strip’s most popular restaurants are offering discounts and outdoor seating to customers who come in through July 23.

“There are 77 neighborhoods in Chicago, and in greater Chatham we have four neighborhoods,” Greater Chatham Initiative director Nedra Sims Fears said. “We have to get our name out there to get our name recognition out there and have people come and visit us, and having an event like ‘Dining on the 5’ attracts people from all over.”

Fears said “Dining On The 5” started last year as a pilot program with help from the city’s Department of Transportation and Dept. of Planning.

Rebranding Chatham is at the core of organizing the event, Fears said. At previous events, people have traveled from as far as Ohio and Indiana.

The participating establishments:

• Original Soul Vegetarian, 205 E. 75th
• Lem’s Bar-B-Q, 311 E. 75th
• Mabe’s Deli, 312 E. 75th
• Brown Sugar Bakery, 328 E. 75th
• 5 Loaves Eatery, 405 E. 75th
• Flammin Restaurant, 641 E. 75th

Ahhhh very interesting line-up and dine on some Lem's on the sidewalk or grab a baked good from Brown Sugar - never been BTW. Better yet another establishment I've never eaten at get some chicken from 5 Loaves.

Either way there's an opportunity here. Can 75th attract more than locals and become a culinary, entertainment, or nightlife center for the south side?

Flex-N-Gate hiring event today July 23, 2018! #OHC

You seen info regarding this earlier this month about a hiring event involving Flex-N-Gate looking to bring people on for positions as a contractor for Ford Motor Company. Apply at http://www.flex-n-gate.com/chicago

Here's more info and flyer is also posted below

• South Chicago Learning Center
  3055 East 92nd Street
  Chicago, IL 60617
  July 23, 2018
  12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Willie Wilson gives away cash at church on Sunday

 Very interesting

Willie Wilson said he handed out a whole lot of money Sunday at a South Side church — a couple hundred grand, in fact.

But he insists that’s nothing new. And he said Sunday’s event, attended by Gov. Bruce Rauner, had absolutely nothing to do with his run for mayor. However, it’s already raised more than a few eyebrows on the campaign trail.
...
“Gov. Rauner attended a Sunday service at the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church as a guest of Rev. Stephen Thurston,” Will Allison, a spokesman for Rauner’s campaign, said. “The governor has attended Sunday services at different churches across Illinois since he first ran for office, and other elected officials and community leaders are often present.”

The Dr. Willie Wilson Foundation promoted Sunday’s event at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church as “one of the biggest property tax relief assistance” events of the year. On its Facebook page, the foundation said Wilson would be “giving away $300,000 to struggling homeowners.”

In the end, Wilson told the Chicago Sun-Times he gave away closer to $200,000 in checks and cash. In a phone interview, he called it “a normal thing for me.”

“We’ve been paying people’s property taxes for years,” Wilson said, adding that the money was also meant to help people pay for smaller expenses, like food or bus passes.

If you want to see video proof look no further than WGN who had cameras rolling at the New Covenant MB Church at 754 E. 77th Street.

Gov. Rauner is in a tough re-election fight and if you read Capitol Fax the gubernatorial race is predicted to be a likely Democrat pick-up based on a national political newsletter. Although we have a long way between now and November to see the match-up between the incumbent Governor and his Democrat opponent JB Pritzker.

A guaranteed basic income in Chicago...

And it's something that's being proposed on the city council according to this editorial from Internation Business Daily (IBD):

Apparently not satisfied with the already disastrous condition of its finances, Chicago this week said it would like to experiment with a universal basic income, a socialist pipe-dream that pops up every few years as a "new" idea. It's not. And it will never work.

Chicago alderman Ameya Pawar has already proposed legislation that would give 1,000 families $500 a month. The bill looks like a shoo-in, garnering support already from a majority of the Windy City's lawmakers. Pawar is reportedly already working on the design of the program with Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Chicago is the largest city yet to toy with this bad idea. There are many things that would help the working poor climb out of poverty. But a universal basic income (UBI), also called a guaranteed government income, isn't one of them.

Another city in California no less has also been flirting with the idea of a universal basic income. Where is this extra money supposed to come from? California had their own issues with finance and if you know in the above paragraph so does Chicago.

h/t Newsalert

#fbf: A streetcar named retired with video footage

[VIDEO] Since we gotten on this particular subject fairly recently, on June 22, 1958 the last street car ran in Chicago. This was established in another post from last month the former 22A Wentworth which is now the 24 Wentworth bus. Also know that most CTA bus routes are descended from the old streetcars and the "windy city" at one point boasted the world's largest streetcar network

In this vid you see above from CTA' YouTube channel it shows a number of scenes of Chicago streetcars from about 1955 to 1958. Then at about 1:45 mins into the video you will see footage of the last run of the aforementioned route 22A - well actually you see for the sign 22 Vincennes so time to do more research. Anyway we see it on it's run through Chinatown with a police escort as there is a car with a flashing police light on it.

We get to know the men who were on that last streetcar run for CTA William E. Rye was the conductor & Marvin H. McFall was the motorman. Now I wonder what both men did once the last streetcar had been retired. Did they move on to other roles in CTA?

I hope you enjoy this flashback.

Ben Joravsky: Rahm makes a joke out of Quinn's term-limit push, but voters could have last laugh

I missed this from earlier this month from Ben Joravsky of the Chicago Reader. He talks about the former Gov. Quinn's attempt at a binding referendum on mayoral term limits in Chicago.

This year Rahm had to figure out a way to keep former governor Pat Quinn from placing a binding mayoral term-limit question on November's ballot.

If it passed, Rahm couldn't run for reelection next year.

Quinn has enough obstacles trying to round up the 50,000 valid signatures by the August 6 deadline.

But just to throw another roadblock in his way, Mayor Rahm had the aldermen place three nonbinding questions on November's ballot.

So voters will get to decide, among other things, whether they want to ban plastic straws or whether they want the state to give them a property tax break.

Hmmm, do voters want to pay less in taxes? That ought to be a real cliff-hanger of a vote.

On his WTTW show, Schutz pointed out that most people see this for what it is—a thinly disguised attempt to thwart Quinn by cramming the ballot with frivolous questions.

Goodness no, the mayor responded, as though he were horrified Schutz would even suggest such a thing. Instead, Rahm said he was just "seeking guidance from the voters."

Here is the Mayor's appearance from June 28, 2018 on Chicago Tonight. Watch it for yourself!

Peace in Cole Park August 17 & 18

You might have seen this in a e-mail blast from 6th Ward Ald. Roderick Sawyer earlier this summer. Peace in the Park - After Dark: Overnight Camping Experience. To take place in Cole Park - 361 E. 85th Street from 2:00 PM on August 17, 2018 to 8:00 PM on August 18, 2018.

You may have seen some blurbs on this blog about such an event overtime on this blog.

CBS Chicago: Protests Continue Over Police-Involved Shooting

[VIDEO] This report was shot today from CBS 2. When the shooting first happened there was a protest brewing right on 71st & Jeffrey. If you click this link you see the police having to push back the crowd in a report from ABC 7. It looked like it was getting ugly. Today those protests continue. 

Heartland Alliance Health South Side Health Center Grand Opening

This information was sent to the blog sometime last week

• Heartland Alliance Health has opened a new healthcare center at the corner of Halsted and Garfield. On Friday, July 20, 2018 come check it out at their Heartland Alliance Englewood Health Center Grand opening celebration.
  
  This organization has worked hard to build a health center that will address many of the health- related issues people in the community often face - including primary medical, substance use treatment, mental health/psychiatry, insurance assistance, medical case management, specialty referral care, and chronic disease management including HIV/AIDS care. Walk-ins are welcome. EVERYONE is welcome.
  

The grand opening is set to take place
Friday, July 20, 2018
1:30 PM to 4:40 PM
Englewood Health Center
5501 S. Halsted Street

Here's a number to call for an appointment though for further information also (773) 275-2586

Here's another flyer for more details.

Capitol Fax: Harith Augustus coverage roundup

Rich Miller does a round-up of all stories statewide, locally, and in some instances nationally talking about the police shooting of Harith Augustus in South Shore on Saturday. And quotes a few mayoral aspirants Lori Lightfoot, Garry McCarthy, and Troy LaRaviere.

Harith Augustus coverage roundup https://t.co/eVlPDUgG3k

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) July 16, 2018

I had been real tempted to show again the footage from police bodycams of this incident, but I'll just refer to you to this morning's post which shows what you might have seen on ABC 7. Somewhere out there is mostly unedited video of what happened with Mr. Augustus!

I would encourage you all to - at least for those of you who want to know what happened - is to see the video provided by Chicago Police and see for yourself what happened. The last thing I want to do is continue showing the last moments of life for any person.

This almost brings to mind what happened with Laquan McDonald. A video of which had been linked here and with the same reservations that I had no interest in watching a man about to be shot & killed in real time.

ABC Chicago: Protests erupt after man fatally shot by police in South Shore

You might have seen some posts on our FB page about this on Saturday night. Either a live video as the protests happened or another video from Chicago Sun-Times regarding a police shooting and then a scuffle as a result between demonstrators and police. You will see that in the report from ABC 7. Tense moment in South Shore near 71st Street & Jeffrey Boulevard!

Found this late on Sunday also from ABC 7, we have the identity of the man shot by police. And in the embedded vid below we have body cam footage from police officers. You don't see anything graphic at least, but you see what events led up to the shooting.

Chicago police released body camera video on Sunday of the fatal police shooting of 37-year-old Harith Augustus, which sparked a night of protests in the South Shore neighborhood.

Supt. Eddie Johnson said he made the decision to release the video "because the community needs some answers and they need it now." He said he wanted to clear up misinformation about the shooting.

After the shooting, crowds gathered near where the shooting occurred Saturday evening at 71st Street and Clyde Avenue. Four police officers injured and four protesters arrested. Protesters threw rocks and bottles at police officers and jumped on squad cars, damaging two vehicles.

Here's the corresponding video report.

 

Also just think this made a UK news outlet even if it wasn't yet updated with more current information such as the deceased man shot by police. Though what you see there is the man in question was a known barber.

PHOTO: 87th/Cottage Grove 1960 to 2018 #tbt

87th/Cottage Grove - 1960

 The Sixth Ward: PHOTO: 87th & Cottage Grove 1960

I posted the above pic to the link above back in July 2012. Up until about the first decade of the 21st Century Walgreen's was on this corner as you know things have since changed since then. You can read more background of the shopping center we now know as Chatham Village Square in the above link also.

In addition to Walgreen's there is a Chase branch, Nike Outlet, a Target, an AT&T store, and even a military recruiting station. Back in the day say during the course of the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s the shopping center once was home to a Radio Shack, People's Gas, a bowling alley, Sara Lee store, Woolworths, and even a Polk Bros. As happens as time goes on, things must change.

Pic below of the same corner.

87th/ Cottage Grove - March 2018

Capitol Fax: “There is a greater racial gap in infant mortality rates today than there was during slavery in America”

From a press release you might've seen at Capitol Fax:

U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Bobby Rush (D-IL-01), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), and Bill Foster (D-IL-11) today pressed Governor Bruce Rauner on what steps his Administration is currently taking—or plans to take—to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in Illinois, as well as to reduce the stark racial disparities.

The United States is one of only 13 developed countries in the world where the rate of maternal mortality—the death of a woman related to pregnancy or childbirth either during pregnancy or up to a year after the end of the pregnancy—is worse today than it was 25 years ago. Each year, an estimated 700 to 900 women nationwide now die as a result of pregnancy or childbirth, with black women significantly more likely than white women to die from pregnancy related causes. In 2016, Illinois had more than 150,000 births, with 72 pregnancy-associated maternal deaths and 985 infant deaths. In Illinois, black women have 3.5 times higher mortality rates than white women and black infants have nearly 3 times higher mortality rates than white infants—far worse than the national average.

“The United States is one of the very few developed countries where deaths related to pregnancy or childbirth are increasing—and there is a greater racial gap in infant mortality rates today than there was during slavery in America. This is simultaneously unacceptable and heart-breaking,” the members wrote. “More must be done to help women and infants across Illinois—especially black mothers and babies—and we look forward to hearing what your Administration plans to do to assist in these efforts.”

Woah!  

EveryBlock is going away!

Bye-Bye

This is such a surprise, EveryBlock has been something utilized on this blog over the years. We were even an EveryBlock publisher and traffic from there has been responsible for some of our pageviews over the years. And now its going bye-bye essentially encouraging users to sign up for Nextdoor. The site will go dark on July 19th!

Perhaps Worlee knows this better than I do, Comcast is an investor in Nextdoor. It owns EveryBlock and shut it down once to bring it back and now it's going bye-bye again! And just think Comcast is another major corporation that not only provides a cable TV service, they do internet, phone and now cable and broadcast networks as well as a film studio. Just like many corporations do these days they just readjust and sometimes this means that somewhat familiar brands are going by the way side.

What had been popular with a number of local blogs was utilizing a widget provided by EveryBlock which we operated on our "Blotter" page since the widget - at least the original one - was first created in 2010-2011. We used to communicate with someone from EveryBlock looking for feedback on the widget and other things company related and of course this was before the takeover by Comcast.

So it looks like we won't have a "Blotter" page anymore. I would wonder if any EveryBlock features will carry over to Nextdoor. Nextdoor I could treat as similar to those old fashioned internet forums that now with the advent of social media just aren't as popular as they used to be. This means perhaps the features that I liked about EveryBlock probably won't carry over and that's a bummer!

RIP EveryBlock!

Grand opening of senior park 107th/King Drive

You might have seen something about this lot on 107th & King Drive close to two years ago. There was a proposal to put up a cell phone tower there. Today Tomorrow, there is a grand opening for a senior park on that lot. Evidently the ones who wanted a small park won out over the company that wanted to put a cell tower here.

Here's the flyer from Ald. Anthony Beale's office below

Also here is a pic of the lot that I shot in April 2016

107th/King Dr by Levois J April '16

Capitol Fax: Chicago polls flying everywhere

Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Rich Miller let's us know about some polls from both Mayor Emanuel and Lori Lightfoot - former President of Chicago Police Board.

Chicago polls flying everywhere https://t.co/GauCBJUaEL

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) July 11, 2018

One thing jumps at Miller about these polls, especially one by Rahm: "Lightfoot hasn’t spent a dime and she’s only behind by 16 points according to Rahm’s own poll?"

At best I see another run-off in Emanuel's future!

Chicago Reader: Pullman to get first new residential building in nearly 50 years

Via Chicago Neighborhoods

More changes coming to the historically and architecturally significant Pullman neighborhood.

The $18 million Pullman Artspace Lofts will be built on land that's been vacant for 88 years.https://t.co/BlW7gLqdgk

— Chicago Reader (@Chicago_Reader) July 10, 2018

CBS Chicago: Governor critical of Dan Ryan shutdown

[VIDEO] If there are two unpopular politicians in Illinois it's Mayor Emanuel and Gov. Rauner who are still going at it with each other over the recent Dan Ryan shut down on Saturday. St. Sabina Catholic Church pastor Father Michael Pfleger is willing to take his activism up a notch if there is no further action in the violent crime in Chicago.

I could just say violent crime in Black communities, but this should be treated as a city problem regardless!

Anyway allow me to share a couple of pertinent tweets from this past Saturday. Here's the retort from the Mayor to the Governor.

It was a peaceful protest. Delete your account. https://t.co/QoKyIHmuQj

— Mayor Rahm Emanuel (@ChicagosMayor) July 7, 2018

I'm going to give the Governor credit for this!

Great piece of community police work today by ISP and CPD. Despite the disruption and traffic chaos, they made sure marchers and drivers were safe. Thanks to officers from both forces.

— Governor Rauner (@GovRauner) July 7, 2018 

Sometimes I forget that these can be deleted perhaps I should just screencap them for posterity. Although the tweets have been reported in the media so they won't like go away soon. Forgotten probably but we know they were shared by the parties involved.

Air ambulance crash on Chicago's south side!

[VIDEO] This happened sometime on Saturday night and actually occurred near the interchange between I-94 (Dan Ryan/Bishop Ford or Calumet Expressways) and I-57. Hence you might see quite a few shots of the CTA's 98th/State railyard.

As an added bonus here's a remote from ABC 7 Chicago which was shot the night of this crash.

VIDEO: Dan Ryan Expressway Father Pfleger Peace March Shutdown #DanRyanshutdown

[VIDEO] It's rare as of late that I do Sunday posts here however since Saturday's peace march on the Dan Ryan Expressway is still fresh on everyone's mind I wanted to share this video from Artistmac. He didn't participate in the march himself but got footage of the march as it happened. And audio of others who are pontificating on this.

We would see that at first police blocked two lanes and ultimately protestors which included not only St. Sabina's Father Michael Pfleger also Rev. Jesse Jackson. There were pics that showed them negotiating with authorities especially Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson. Though I found a pic where he was marching with the protestors on the Dan Ryan via the "Sheriff Blog".

BTW, I feel the need to share this post from Newsalert the last posted yesterday about the Ryan march: Amid #DanRyanShutDown, Rauner slams Rahm, protesters on Twitter: "Unacceptable. We had clear parameters that allowed the protestors to be heard while respecting law and order. Instead, they chose instead to cause chaos..."

What are you thoughts on this march?

UPDATED: Today is the day of the Pfleger march on the Dan Ryan

And Father Pfleger's march has the support of one Rahm Emanuel from ABC 7 Chicago

h/t Newsalert

UPDATED 12:08 PM - Newsalert has two other posts about this march. One from Audrina Bigos of WBBM-TV and the other from NBC News

• NOW: Father Pfleger and youth leading protest onto Dan Ryan - from WBBM's Audrina Bigos' twitter video of the march
• Hundreds of protesters in Chicago shut down part of a major interstate during march against gun violence. - More video from NBC News' twitter

RELATED

• Capitol Fax: ISP warns Pfleger over expressway protest
• Tribune: Police call on Pfleger to not shut down Dan Ryan with July peace march
• Sun-Times: Pfleger plans to shut down Dan Ryan on July 7 by marching on roadway

King Food & Deli #6WardChicago

Photo by Richard Wooten

On Nextdoor Richard Wooten a prominent leader in the 6th Ward posted this picture of a business that moved into the former Church's Chicken on 87th & King Drive. The complaints made by Wooten and others is based upon the signage and also the products they offer. What you see would be acceptable in other neighborhoods - I could dare say low-income - but for Chatham well not acceptable.

Apparently enough people complained that 6th Ward Ald. Roderick Sawyer had to release a statement on this.

• Ald. Sawyer, community leaders speak out about new problem business in Chatham
  
  CHICAGO (July 5, 2018)--Ald. Roderick T. Sawyer (6) stood with community leaders on Thursday to speak out against a newly opened business in the Chatham neighborhood.
  
  Ald. Sawyer joined Chatham-Avalon Community Council President Rev. Dr. Marc A. Robertson, Greater Chatham Alliance President Richard Wooten, and Chesterfield Community Council President Elizabeth Prowell to voice outrage at the King Food & Deli located at 87th Street and King Drive. Ald. Sawyer said he had heard from a number of neighborhood residents who were offended by the store’s use of bulletproof glass and merchandise for sale, including blunts and unhealthy snacks.
  
  “This store is an affront to our community,” said Ald. Sawyer. “Chatham is a family-oriented neighborhood. By marketing unsavory items and using bulletproof glass, the store fails to treat our residents--its potential customers--with the respect we deserve.”
  
  Ald. Sawyer said he had been unable to prevent the opening or regulation of the opening of the store, and called on his colleagues in the City Council to pass 7th Ward Ald. Greg Mitchell’s proposed ordinance to require aldermanic approval of these sort of retail food licenses.
  
  “Unfortunately, this is a problem we see far too often in African American communities,” said Ald. Sawyer, who is chair of the City Council Black Caucus. “I believe this could be at least partially addressed by increased local control over licensing decisions for aldermen. That’s why I support Ald. Mitchell’s ordinance, and hope it is passed quickly by the City Council.”
  
  Ald. Sawyer said he would continue to fight to protect the 6th Ward against problem businesses, and was seeking solutions to address community concerns about King Food & Deli in the immediate term.

This could beg the question of how does Chatham and the surrounding areas that want to be attached to Chatham attract these so-called family-oriented businesses? How do we keep businesses such as the King Food & Deli from opening in the community?

A New Abbott Park Advisory Council

49 E 95th St

Got this in an e-mail from the West Chesterfield Community Association. The Abbott Park Advisory Council fired up this past spring and are certainly looking not for people to attend especially if you live nearby. They're especially looking for people to serve on the council and as officers.

• A New Abbott Park Advisory Council
  The Chicago Parks Consortium, West Chesterfield, Roseland Hts and Red Line Extension Coalition (RLEC) helped organize a New Abbott Park Advisory Council and invite your to attend its 6:30 p.m. meeting July, 18, 2018 in the Abbott Park Field House.
  
  These organizations thank the Chicago Park District (CPD) for addressing many Abbott Park operation service requests since the September 19, 2017 CPD Budget Hearing Meeting. The community would like Abbott Park and the 95th Street area to be a “Preferred Point of Destination” that has good business neighbors, level 1 schools, a great park… all of which will improve area walkability and the use of public transportation within the ¼ mile to ½ mile transit-oriented development area of the at the $280 million 95th CTA Terminal.
  
  Since 2017 the CPD planted 140 new trees at Abbott Park, installed Exterior Lights on the field house, trimmed Low tree branches, planted 1040 trees, install a new sink and water heater and drain pipe in the cultural center, repaired park benches and under ground pipes have been repaired in the center field of the.
  
  Michael LaFargue, Chicago Parks Consortium president, congratulates Ms. Lori Burns and Sharon Banks Pincham, Co-Chair’s of the Park Advisory Council for Abbott Park. The PAC is working on its by-laws and goals for the next year.

BTW, I wanted to explore this but will do so at a later time even if it's already a done deal. There is an old playlot on 98th & Michigan that has long since been dismantled and has often seen little activity. Perhaps someone might have a picnic there rarely and sometimes more frequently grown folks or Harlan student just loitering there.

All the same, there is finally a plan to turn this former playlot into a dog park that should've been debated at the last Roseland Heights Community Association meeting in June. I should ask for an update although unfortunately I didn't attend this meeting to observe the results. Though I hope to talk more about this soon and I'm sure this is a topic of conversation at the Abbott Park Advisory Council also.

I even took some more pics recently of the playlot close to 10 years after snapping some shots there as the future of this lot was still uncertain!

From Playlot on 98th/Michigan

We have an Athletico Physical Therapy location in our area

We got this pic from a manager at the local Athletico Physical Therapy office at 8301 S. Holland Road, Unit A. They just wanted us to let the community know that they're in the area and are one of the options for physical therapy nearby.

Flex-N-Gate Chicago Hiring Event on July 13th & 23rd, 2018 #ohc

Found this through Olive-Harvey College's IG page.

The jobs Flex-N-Gate are contractors with Ford Motor Company and are looking to hiring for that opportunity. Apply at www.flex-n-gate.com/chicago

First hiring event is on Friday, July 13th:

• Olive-Harvey College
  10001 S. Woodlawn Ave.
  Chicago, IL 60628
  July 13, 2018
  11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Second hiring is on Monday, July 23rd:

• South Chicago Learning Center
  3055 East 92nd Street
  Chicago, IL 60617
  July 23, 2018
  12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Refer to the IG post from Olive-Harvey College below

Olive-Harvey will be the host of two hiring events in July. Positions will be starting at $14 per hour working for contractor of Ford Motor Company. Pass on to anyone you know who can benefit from the opportunity.

A post shared by Olive-Harvey College (@cccoliveharveycollege) on Jun 30, 2018 at 10:51am PDT

4th of July

Ward09.com

You might have seen this in an e-mail blast from 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale marking today's holiday. Happy 4th of July or Independence Day. Hopefully you're having a very wonderful and safe holiday today!

Capitol Fax: ISP warns Pfleger over expressway protest

Read a press release from the Illinois State Police over at the Capitol Fax regarding the upcoming march on the Dan Ryan Expressway to commence this coming Saturday.

ISP warns Pfleger over expressway protest https://t.co/ghjAbskxMc

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) July 3, 2018

RELATED

• Tribune: Police call on Pfleger to not shut down Dan Ryan with July peace march
• Sun-Times: Pfleger plans to shut down Dan Ryan on July 7 by marching on roadway

Future Ald. Beale town halls #Ward09 #BuildingwithBeale

Ooops, I've done pretty badly with Ald. Anthony Beale's town halls having only attended two in recent years. So here are a list of remaining meetings for the rest of the year with a break in August and of course taking a break for the rest of the year after October.

Unlike former 6th Ward Ald. Fredrenna Lyle his office doesn't seem to announce who'll be speaking before hand. However he does have various officials with city government and some people from the community talking about what they're doing for their neighborhoods. It's worthwhile to come pay a visit. Of course he'll have his ward superintendent which was formerly Nicholas Smith who's now a state representative give updates from the streets and sanitation side.

The two times I attended a former police officer talked about utilizing local high school students to help paint murals. Another time representatives from the Chicago Transit Authority gave us an update on the future red line extension. Like I said these are worthwhile meetings to attend.

All of Ald. Beale's town halls or community meetings are held every 4th Tuesday starting at 6:30 PM at the Pullman Presbyterian Church 550 E. 103rd Street. Call his office at (773) 785-1100

BTW, I have to admit that I liked the branding the office seemed to have started "town halls" as opposed to "community meetings". Perhaps I'm being a tad nit-picky, but as far as an event discussing ward issues I just like town hall better than a community meeting. Anyway just my two cents that no one asked for... :P

Community Shred Days July 20 & August 22 #Ward09 #BuildingwithBeale

451 E. 103rd Street (103rd & Eberhart) on Friday, July 20 & Wednesday August 22, 2018 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. All paper will be shredded on site. Remove binder clips and paper clips. This event is sponsored by 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale, Special Service Area 71, and the Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce.

Want more information call the 9th ward service office of Ald. Anthony Beale 773.785.1100

Click for larger resolution