87th State Street- Will We See Turf Wars Or Will They End With This Project

The plans above are for the renovation of the Shell Station located at 87th State Street. The renovation will be a $4 million dollar project. The project will entail the acquisition of the property by the current operator, a new convenience store with a fast food restaurant housed in one building and a car wash.

This proposed acquisition/renovation development was the topic of the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council (CAPCC)subarea meeting last Thursday June 14, 2011 at Chatham Avalon Church of  Christ. The operator, attorney and architect were all present at the meeting and all spoke on the project. Also, former Senator Roland Burris was in attendance. A number of residents voiced their displeasure about the current state of 87th State. Their concerns were loitering, loud music, drug dealing, pan handling, much was directed at the BP station on the South corner of 87th State. It was stated the owner of that station has stated he does not care what the community thinks of his store, he is here to make money period. Also, residents voiced concerns about the density of the project as well as the proposed use of the public way (alley). The station is asking for the right to use a portion of the alley so cars can go into the car wash. CAPCC president Keith Tate voiced the concerns of the organization which were:

1. Cleanliness
2. Security
3. Loitering
4. Hiring of African American Contractors for the redevelopment work
5. Establishment of a relationship with an African American Bank

The owner was open to discussing all of CAPCC 's concerns and invited residents to visit his other station at 31st Dan Ryan. A vote was called by the CAPCC vice president and when the question period came up, Senator Burris questioned what the vote was for and what did it really mean? CAPCC executive vice president Maryellen Drake stated that they were voting on whether  CAPCC approved of the project or not and further stated that this was the process that CAPCC has used for the last 50 years. Several residents asked to table the vote and Ms. Drake further explained that time was of the essence and that the Alderman had stated  this could not be a long drawn out process. I asked the question whether CAPCC would sit down with the leadership of The Greater Chatham Alliance (GCA) if there was not a unanimous decision one way or another. I asked the question because the Alderman has stated at several public meetings that he was not going to allow community organizations continue "turf battles" impede economic development in the ward. President Tate stated that there were no plans to meet and Vice President Drake stated that there was question as to whether GCA was a legitimate community organization. The meeting ended with no vote taken with the organization planning to schedule another meeting. I contacted GCA and asked the same question and have not received a response at this time.

I spoke to the Alderman this past Saturday who voiced his displeasure with the outcome of the meeting. He stated he had already had several meetings with this group and was satisfied with the project and wanted to make sure the community was satisfied with all the details. He stated he would be in attendance of the next CAPCC meeting.

So who will make the final decision?

Outdoor reception for Alderman Sawyer

Refer to the sheet below this is to take place at the "Historic Capone House" located at 7244 S. Prairie Avenue on July 23 this coming Saturday from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. Oh and we've talked about this house before! This event was already on our calendar as well.

Sponsors Needed- Myering Park Basketball Classic in Jeopardy

The City of Chicago Sport's 37 program cut the funding for the Myering Park Basketball Classic and has placed the tournament in jeopardy. The basketball tournament allows young men and women 8-18 to play in a round robin basketball tournament during the month of August. The tournament cost from $10,000 to $20,000 to operate. If anyone is interested in sponsoring the tournament at any monetary level, please contact the Alderman's office at 773.635.0006 or 6thwardchicago.com.

RIP King Bowl

We have discussed King Bowl in the past http://concernedcitizensofchatham.blogspot.com/2010/08/king-bowl-what-would-you-like-to-see.html on the blog. Unfortunately, it appears that the last bowling alley in our community will have to be demolished. I received a call to go stop by King Bowl because it appeared it was going to be demolished. When I got there the front of the building was intact but it appeared the back was being demolished. I went to the back and saw the walls were intact. I went to the front and spoke to some men working and was told the a large portion of the roof collapsed from the storm last week. He further stated that the bowling alley was days away from being sold and the collapse has killed the deal. He would not divulge who the owner is but stated he was planning to replace the roof.

Based on what I was able to see and what I saw at Park Manor Bowl I'm doubtful it will or can be replaced and the building will see the bulldozer.  Per the Alderman's office, no filings for demolition permits or new business licenses have been issued on the property. So we will have to see what happens here. Another piece of history gone.

My concern now is how many older structures(garages, homes, etc) were damaged by the storm last week and the damage isn't noticeable?

So is Garrett's coming or not?

In part two of Worlee's drive around Chatham with Joe Zekas of YoChicago.com, he mentioned that Garrett Popcorn Shop is coming to 87th Street. I queried him about where it's going to be on 87th and he stated that it'll be at this former KFC location on 737 E 87th St right next to the PNC bank branch on the corner of 87th & Cottage Grove.

If you've been reading this blog during the course of the 2011 aldermanic campaign you should've seen a scan of a mailer from the previous Alderman touting Garrett as one of those businesses that are coming into the community on her watch. I applauded the potential but had my doubts as it was noted in a campaign mailer.

BTW, Worlee stated that Garrett's (man I wish I had his sources) was coming this fall in either September or October 2011. Although former Ald. Lyle's flyer stated the summer of 2011 for the anticipated opening.

I took this picture of the former KFC on Monday morning. Not sure how long it takes to set up a new business in an already erect building, but there doesn't appear to be anything new with this building yet. At least it does have a decent parking lot. Who knows if people can get their popcorn through the drive-thru.

Sun-Times: Feds award $4.5 million to community lenders

Now here's some money neighborhood entrepreneurs should get in on:

A Treasury Department agency awarded a total of $4.5 million to three Chicago community lenders on Monday to help finance affordable housing, health-care clinics, neighborhood charter schools and local startup companies.

The lenders — non-profits lender IFF, the Chicago Community Loan Fund and the Illinois Service Federal Savings and Loan Association — will use the $1.5 million that each received to obtain larger loans from major banks. They then loan the larger amount to projects in needy neighborhoods at lower interest rates than would conventional banks.

For example, IFF will use its grant to borrow another $7.5 million in private capital in order to make below-market loans to non-profit projects. The total is expected to grow into $15 million in investments when other equity and financing are included. One of IFF’s investments is the renovation of a building at 1700 W. 83rd St. that will open this fall as a LEARN charter elementary school.

The Chicago Community Loan Fund helped finance the Dr. Martin Luther King Legacy Apartments — 45 units of affordable rental housing— in North Lawndale, and the savings and loan association helped South Side donut shop Dat Donuts, 8251 S. Cottage Grove Ave., open a second outlet at 1979 W. 111th St.

NBC Chicago: Emanuel to Use Grant from Bloomberg for Entrepreneurs

Could this money be indirectly beneficial to our neighborhood entrepreneurs?

No New York hating here: Mayor Rahm Emanuel is getting $6 million from the private foundation of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and part of it will be used to help entrepreneurs.

Emanuel plans to use the money to cut the amount of time aspiring entrepreneurs wait in line to start a new business, get a permit or obtain a new license. He’s expected to match the grant with $1 million a year from private partners. The mayor said he’ll approach local entrepreneurs to raise the money. No word on names of those entrepreneurs.

He also hopes the cash will help him deliver on a campaign promise to create targeted zones throughout the city that reduce energy use.

YoChicago: All about Chicago's Chatham neighborhood

[VIDEO: PART 1, PART 2, PART 3, PART 4] Worlee Glover drove Joe Zekas of YoChicago around Chatham earlier in the past week. They started at Mather's at 83rd & Wabash and took a tour around Chatham's tree lined streets. We saw some of the modernist homes in there in addition to the unique blue replica of the White House near 84th & Michigan. Also Worlee and Joe drove by Cole Park and saw the memorial there for the late Officer Thomas Wortham (described as one of our community's future leaders). As well as driving by St. Mark's Methodist Church (8441 S. St. Lawrence).

The first video is an introduction which basically sets up the lay of the land. Part 2, a question about whether or not the younger generation will return to this community was asked by Joe Zekas during the course of the video. Part 3 an important question about the role of churches in Chatham. Part 4 has a lot of talk about the parks and neighborhood schools.

The YoChicago videos with Worlee are below. Expect there to be three more videos before this series is done with YoChicago.

Special note, I was very curious about this store called Flawless at 87th & Rhodes. This is where Part 4 ends and while not much was said about this "boutique" we know a lot more about the building in which it is located. Also it's right across the street from Ald. Sawyer's service office.

Mary Mitchell on changes to Chatham neighborhood

[VIDEO: PART 1, PART 2] I was alerted that on CLTV a program aired where Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell and WGN anchor Micah Materre talk a lot about Chatham. Here it is below in two parts. Feel free to post your thoughts.

BTW, tomorrow morning we post the first four videos of Worlee Glover of both this blog and Concerned Citizens of Chatham where he drives around with Joe Zekas of YoChicago. Sorry about the video overload but all are worth sharing for your interest.

This is What Wrong With LSC's- Everybody's Out of Control at Arthur Ashe Elementary

This past weekend I received an invitation to join a Facebook group "Chatham Connection". I accepted the invitation and immediately got involved in the discussion. I received a message from a gentleman named Joe Lake who considers himself a community activist. He doesn't live in Chatham so I questioned his motives and the fact that he submitted an article about the situation at Arthur Ashe Elementary to a nothside newspaper only with having a conversation with one side of the situation. Secondly, he wants to convince me that 85th Ingleside is in Chatham. I, as well as, most Chatham residents consider that Avalon Park which is a part of the 8th ward. We split hairs about this but the major issue is the situation going on at Arthur Ashe Elementary School.

THE FOLLOWING VIDEOS ARE GRAPHIC AND MAY BE UNSUITABLE FOR YOUNGER VIEWERS

The content of the videos is disgusting and vulgar on all levels. The fighting by the kids, the parents and adults watching, idiots videotaping and the administration's lack of response. The videos' were uploaded by the school's former LSC president Ron Mitchell. I questioned his motive because he constantly speaks about a dispute another former LSC member has with the principal. The dispute with the principal  has resulted in Mr Mitchell and a Mrs. Walker being barred from entering the building. I also questioned the motives when I asked the following questions:

1. Was CPS central office security personnel contacted?
2. Was CPD contacted?
3. Did anyone attend the local CAPS meeting?
4. Was the CPS district officer contacted?
5. Was Alderman Michelle Harris contacted?
6. Were any CPS board members contacted?
7. Did they go to the monthly CPS board meeting and make the problem known?
8. Was the Inspector General Office contacted ?

The answer to 1-8 was "Duh" and the answer to 9 was I'm going to do it. My take is this is what wrong with LSC's individuals get on the board and declare it their turf and let their ego's get away from them. When someone bruise their ego's they can't accept it. I feel if the "kids" were the primary concern here 1-9 would have been done before they would have placed them on YouTube and had this guy write the article

Children fighting at South Side elementary school; principal accused of child endangerment

What is your take on this?

Save The Date: South Central Community Services 1st Annual Homecoming Dinner Dance

Saturday July 23, 2011
Sabre Room
Flame Room
8900 W 95th St
Hickory Hills, Il 60457
For ticket info www.sccinc.org

Update- RIP Park Manor Bowl

Update- The demolition continues. The management has pulled out the lockers used by customers, any customer who has a locker key is asked to come and remove their belongings or they will be given to the salvage company. If anyone is interested in a souvenir, old bowling balls are available to be taken away. All pins have been taken.

Yesterday the storm caused the roofing support beam to give way and the roof collapsed on the lanes of Park Manor Bowl. The damage was severe and the bowling alley will be demolished. There owner has not discussed whether he will rebuild the bowling alley at this time. 

Long time residents remember Park Manor Bowl as the first African Americans who moved into the community were denied access and later remember when a Park Manor resident Adolph Gary purchased the bowling alley from the Cave family. There are many individuals including the writer who have memories from the bowling alley as well this was one of the last bowling alleys left on the southside and in the 6th ward. We had as many as four in the 1980's now zero.

What would you like to see build on this site?

Save The Date: Chicago Park District Regional Budget Hearings

Thanks Friends of the Park

The Chicago Park District has announced the dates for the regional budget hearings. It is important for your PAC/residents to testify at these budget hearings to request much needed programs, repairs, playgrounds and projects in your park!

As a result of last year's budget hearings, plans for new playgrounds and improvements have been included in the 2011-2015 Capital Improvement Plan.

When testifying at the budget hearings please keep your testimony to 2 minutes and provide the CPD with a letter of request and back up information.

SOUTH REGION
July 18 Jackson Park, 6402 S. Stony Island 6:00pm
July 19 Gage Park, 2411 W. 55th 6:00pm
July 20 Valley Forge Park, 7001 W. 59th, 6:00pm
July 21 Avalon Park, 1215 E. 83rd, 6:00pm
July 22 Hayes Park, 2936 W. 85th, 6:00pm

If you look at the Capital Improvement Plan all the Parks in the 6th ward are not receiving their fair share of funding. We need to be there and demand our fair share.

We now have an events calendar...

Posted at the bottom of the sidebar just under the Feedjit Livefeed.

All we need are events. We can't possibly know of everything going on in the neighborhood so we ask that if you know of any events that should be publicized feel free to e-mail us at blog@thesixthward.us. You can also send us a tweet @thesixthward and in addition you can also post on The Sixth Ward FB page.

While we do advertise mostly neighborhood events it's not necessarily restricted to neighborhood events. Worlee likes to post job information especially job fairs that's fair game. Also if you own a business if you have an event you would like to share feel free to contact us as well. We would especially like to know about potential business openings in our community. For the time being it would be considered free advertising.

Thanks for reading and in advance for informing us!

911 Operator OJT Training Program

Thanks Shorty

The Illinois Department of Employment Security is holding an onsite recruitment for South Suburban College’s On the Job Training Program for 911 Operators. Training pays $13 per hour and $15 per hour if hired. Qualified applicants should be proficient in basic math and reading. Additional restrictions apply. More information can be obtained at the onsite recruitment/informational session on:

Date:	Friday, July 15, 2011
Time:	10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Where:	IDES Office, 16845 S. Halsted, Harvey, IL 60426
City:	Harvey
Information:	SSC is looking for qualified candidates to begin an OJT training course. $13.00 per hour while in training. $15.00 when hired.
For More Information:	Tina Salgado , 708-596-2325  x237

Wounded victims describe fatal bank robbery

A Chicago Tribune article (from today) talking about the trial, which involves the robbery and murder at Illinois Federal Savings and Loan 4 years ago.

A retired school teacher and security guard calmly recounted in federal court today how they were shot and wounded four years ago when three masked men stormed into a Chatham neighborhood bank.

One of the alleged suspects, David Vance, is on trial in federal court in connection with the takeover robbery in which teller Tramaine Gibson was fatally shot.

Customer Dorothy Sanders told jurors she realized a bank robbery was underway that day in May 2007 when she saw a man running inside Illinois Federal Savings and Loan as she met with the branch manager.

See the rest of the article here --> Wounded victims describe fatal bank robbery

Would You Accept a Methodone Clinic in the 6th Ward?

I've been following a post on Everyblock about a business named Recovery Cafe located at 1516 E. 87th Street . The business is located in the 8th ward and  number of residents are opposed to the reopening of this business. What are your feelings if they wanted to relocate to the 6th ward?

Cole Park renovations

If you've been paying attention to the 6th Ward Chicago FB page, the official page for Ald. Roderick Sawyer, you will see a seven-picture album of pictures that show the playground there being rebuilt. The caption for all the pictures show it's to honor the late Police Officer Thomas Wortham who was killed near Cole Park last year.

Hmmm, it's still odd to see Rahm Emanuel as Mayor and it's been what two or so months already!

A random question based on a comment made to the album. Would closing Cole Park rid Chatham of crime?

Why Isn't Everyone Happy About the Reopening of Happy's?

Picture Courtesy of The Sixth Ward Blog

Past by the corner of 79th Cottage Grove yesterday and was met by construction and the reopened Happy Liquors. I looked through all my emails and searched the Internet and I didn't notice any comments from all the CBO presidents, Alderman (Michelle Harris), and ministers who all stood up with their chest poked out claiming how bad they were because they got Happy's closed down. The reality was the closure was not due to any City of Chicago or State of Illinois Liquor license violations but rather City of Chicago building code violations.

Several weeks after the store closed I saw this lady outside the store sweeping trash. I stopped and asked her identity and she declined but did say she was hired by the building owner to sweep the sidewalk around the building. Also, it was noted that I saw two security officers patrolling the block of 79th between Cottage Grove and Drexel.

I guess we will see what happens by the end of the month when all parties are expected back in court.

Sewers - repairs are under way.

I posted an entry on Sunday (but written on Friday) about the sewer problem on the 80th block of Calumet. 

Between Friday and Saturday, someone came out and spray painted information for an imminent repair, as well as laying planks to cover the hole.

Also, I drove by Tuesday morning, and regarding the problem at Calumet & 83rd, serious repairs are now under way.  Hopefully, their next stop is 8012 S. Calumet and the 7900 block of Calumet.

83rd & Calumet getting SERIOUS repair

Englewood Community Meetings

An announcement from RAGE (these community meetings are not run by RAGE, but they wanted the community to know)

Englewood Community Meetings

Tuesday – July 12th

*Teamwork Englewood Education and Safety Taskforce meeting tonight, July 12th, 5:30pm-7:00pm at Kennedy-King College “W Building”, 6343 S. Halsted St. Room W100.

*Beat 722/723 meeting is tonight at St. Benedict The African 6550 S. Harvard 6:30pm-7:30pm-Not sure what beat you live in? Click here to find out!

Wednesday – July 13th

*Englewood Community Cultural Planning Council will meet tomorrow, Wednesday, July 13th at Hamilton Park 513 W. 72nd St. 5pm-7pm

*Please note these meetings are not hosted by RAGE, however, if you are interested in networking and meeting other residents who are active in the community or if you interested in learning about education/cultural initiatives happening in Englewood feel free to attend.

RAGE next meeting will be held next Tuesday, July 19th at the 7th District Police Station 1438 W. 63rd from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

RIP Park Manor Bowl

Yesterday the storm caused the roofing support beam to give way and the roof collapsed on the lanes of Park Manor Bowl. The damage was severe and the bowling alley will be demolished. There owner has not discussed whether he will rebuild the bowling alley at this time.




Long time residents remember Park Manor Bowl as the first African Americans who moved into the community were denied access and later remember when a Park Manor resident Adolph Gary purchased the bowling alley from the Cave family. There are many individuals including the writer who have memories from the bowling alley as well this was one of the last bowling alleys left on the southside and in the 6th ward. We had as many as four in the 1980's now zero.


What would you like to see build on this site?

Crime Alert -- Catalyic converters being stolen.

A crime alert to be aware of: over the weekend (Friday night - Sunday morning), someone stole the catalytic converter from the church van of Greater Institutional AME Church, 7800 S. Calumet.  

The van was securely parked in a fenced in area behind the church. However, it appears the thieves were easily able to climb the fence and steal the converter.

GIAMEC staff members said that vehicles such as vans and SUV's are particularly vulnerable, as thieves can quickly slide under and steal the converter. 

Also, it should be noted that we have had such thefts occur in the recent PAST.

Because of this theft, church members, as well as children of the daycare and summer camp program, are unable to go to activities. 

If you are interested in contributing to help the church repair their vehicle you may visit them at the address above or call them at 773-873-0880

Disclaimer: my daughter goes to the day camp, and has been prepared for school through the work of the teachers in the daycare program. 

Whole Foods Teases the West Loop

What does the West Loop have to do with the 6th Ward. Well I see an opportunity for us on the south side with this. Especially as Asiaha Butler was on TV months ago talking about getting a Whole Foods Market in Englewood. That in addition to potentially filling up some of the empty storefronts on 79th Street for example. It could be a start.

The Chicago Architecture Blog:

While new choices are always welcome, it would have been nice if Whole Foods had opened inside one of the hundreds of empty storefronts nearby instead of squatting in a lobby.  But hopefully, WF is testing the waters to see if some expansion is warranted in the area.  The nearest full store is at 1101 South Canal Street, about a mile and a half away, and not reachable from the West Loop by public transportation.

No full service store necessary just use up a storefront to determine whether or not some expansion in this part of the city is warranted. Think about it!

And perhaps to fill up that storefront near 95th & King Drive where Quench: Fresh Family Foods closed up shop not long after having ABC 7 come out for their store opening.

PREVIOUS POSTS

• Calumet Heights wants a Whole Foods
• A follow-up on Whole Foods
• Whole Foods says we're not educated enough for them???

Lee Bey: Old Kennedy-King College site a concert venue???

Basically the WBEZ urbanist guru wants the site at 69th & Wentworth to be used in the same way that the old US Steele site near 87th & Mackinaw was over the weekend with the Dave Matthews Band Caravan:

Not to mention the city is rife with big empty parcels close to public transit--the three-acre former Kennedy King College site at 69th and Wentworth is one of many that yawn at me daily as I ride in on the Metra Rock Island line. Turning them into big ticket festival grounds for even just a few days is one way to bring life and adjust the narrative of these places for the better.

Sounds like a plan to me while we try to figure out what to do with this site as it sits vacant.

Bey is also a photographer who took pictures of the area and of the concert goers. I wish I he some picks of the hustle and bustle before and immediately after the concert. That would be an interesting sight!

How To Request City Services in the 6th Ward

It appears that since there has been a change in administrations at the Alderman 's office that some feel that their service request have been neglected and others are not aware of the options they have available to request City Services.

First, and easiest way is to dial 311 and report what the problem is (i.e Garbage Cart, Lights Out, Potholes, Sinking Sewers, Sanitation Violations, etc.) when making that request ask for the 10 digit request #(11-00000000) and write it down. If the request is not fulfilled in a reasonable amount of time contact the Alderman's office.

Secondly, report via internet on the City of Chicago Website http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/svcs/iwantto.report_file.html. There you can report various type of services, if the service you want is not listed, contact 311 or Alderman's office. You will not receive a service request number but will receive a confirmation email.

Lastly, contact the Alderman's office. The contact information for the Alderman's office is as follows:
6th Ward Service Office
463 1/2 E. 83rd (Eberhart)
Chicago, IL 60619
773.635.0006
6thwardchicago@gmail.com

The Alderman's office is accepting request by either method (phone or email). The more detail information given helps get your request fulfilled faster. Also,if there is something that is not straightforward taking pictures is suggested.

Lastly, sanitation related request (tall grass, fly dumping, trash not picked up , etc. should be called into the ward sanitation office at 312.747.8776.

Hopefully, this information will help you get your problems solved faster. Remember, if you don't call no one else will.

311 Service request follow up

Here's  a sinkhole that has been getting worse each day.

This is particularly a problem for several reasons:

1. The sewer wall has collapsed
2. Parking here is like the nroth side, so bad feelings are being created as the elderly & those with small children are having a hard time finding parking. 
3. Potentially cars will be damaged if they park near the sinkholes.
4. The CTA #3 bus route which ends at 81st will drive down Calumet to turn around. The sinkholes & the many potholes we have can cause some unneeded chaos.

The request # is 11-02-706730 and was filed on June 9.


I called again July 8.

I also forwarded these to the Alderman's office as well.

The sinkholes seems like  systematic problem along Calumet.  At the NW corner of 83rd & Calumet, there is a sinkhole that had just been repaired months before it collapsed again.

And I have posted a photo on another hole at 7928 S. Calumet as well as one forming just 10 feet from the sewer.

In addition, a new hole seems to be forming

This is actually 7928 S. Calumet. It needs work as well.

How is 311 responding to YOUR requests?

Sun-Times: Cops angry over delay in charging suspected cop killer

UPDATE: Read the original text of this post below, but I think it's worth sharing this ABC7 [VIDEO]

This isn't good at all!

The prisoner was questioned Thursday night and admitted to police and prosecutors that he intended to rob the officer July 18 when Bailey pulled his gun, they exchanged gunfire and he shot and killed the off-duty cop, according to sources.

They said detectives who have been working the case for the past year also have statements from eight other people to support their case and think they have a “chargeable case.”

Police were told Thursday night that the filing of any charges against the inmate would have to wait because Alvarez was leaving for a conference and vacation in Hawaii.

“He won’t be charged for two weeks — until she gets back,” one source said. “They want additional interviews done with witnesses whom we and they have talked to already. They want ’em brought down to the grand jury. Normally, they bring witnesses to the grand jury after they charge and before they indict. But they’re buying time until she can get back from vacation.”

Dan Kirk, Alvarez’s chief of staff, said that’s not the case.

“There are things that still need to be done,” Kirk said. “There are significant things that need to be completed in terms of the overall case assessment. Once those items are completed, we’ll be in a position to make a charging decision on the case. We’ll charge the case when the case is ready to be charged. It’s got nothing to do with whether the state’s attorney is physically in Cook County or not.”

The gall at this inmate at being bold enough to want to rob a Police Officer in uniform. I don't know if it's simple boldness or outright stupidity and then being willing to shoot back at someone who also has a gun. At that has a badge as well. I hope the state's attorney office will step up their game!

Dave Matthews Band Concert -- missed opportunitites

Did our community miss the opportunity to cash in on the Dave Matthews Band concert just east of us?

Greater CHatham Alliance is selling concessions and getting some small revenue from the concert.  But other than that, have we taken advantage of what could have been an opportunity?

ChicagoNow has a list of transportation options to the concert.  I-94 is completely ignored, and a shuttle bus is noted for the 87th street stop.

Hundreds, if not thousands of people, from several different states, will converge on this site. We could have marketed our community as a place to stop & shop & eat.

But I wonder if anyone will even notice?

Empty lot incubates uncommon film fest

Opening paragraphs of a Chicago Tribune article featuring a Greater Grand Crossing resident and his unique film festival:

There are more than 175 movies-under-the-stars screenings scheduled for Chicago's parks this summer. Most will feature standard Hollywood fare, from "Meet the Parents" at Fulton River Park July 26 to "Shrek Forever After" at Smith Park Aug. 11.

But perhaps the most unique outdoor film festival in the city will take place in July and August on an empty lot in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood.

Here, on an 8-foot-by-8-foot white fabric sheet suspended from a brick wall outside 6918 S. Dorchester Ave., an audience can take in rarely seen nonfiction films from the past, all with Chicago connections.

Over four nights, the free film fest will play films about the thriving blues and jazz scene on the South and West Sides from the 1950s through the 1970s, as well as a documentary about community organizer Saul Alinsky in theWoodlawn neighborhood in the 1960s.

There also is an early 1960s documentary about theVice Lords street gang, and curiosities that range from a 1978 look at the Maxwell Street Market to a 1958 wrestling event at the South Side's International Amphitheatre (a facility that closed in 1999). And for the finale, home movies, some provided by those in attendance, some dating back decades.

The Greater Grand Crossing venue is owned by internationally known artist Theaster Gates. The films are mostly from the Chicago Film Archives, a film restoration group led by Nancy Watrous. The CFA is teaming with Gates' Dorchester Projects group to present the festival.

Here's the rest of the story

Empty lot incubates uncommon film fest

Inmate questioned in murder of Officer Michael Bailey

Tribune:

A 24-year-old prison inmate is being questioned in the 2010 slaying of Chicago police Officer Michael Bailey, sources told the Tribune.

The man was sent to prison downstate after his arrest last September on vehicular hijacking and weapons charges. At that time, he had been on parole following a 2009 conviction for aggravated battery to a peace officer and a 2008 drug conviction.

The man has not been charged in the officer's killing, and no one was officially calling him a suspect.

Bailey, 62, was shot early on the morning of July 18 last year while cleaning his new Buick — a retirement gift to himself — outside his home in the 7400 block of South Evans Avenue in the South Side's Park Manor neighborhood, police said.

It was duly noted and has been that Officer Bailey was still in uniform when he was attacked outside of his home.

Greg Hinz: Quinn signs bill promising 'universal fare card,' free WiFi on CTA, Metra and Pace

I can only wonder how this universal fare card will be able to manage between the different fare systems of CTA, Pace, or even Metra. I can see how important this is for those who takes the Pace bus into say 95th Street then continue their rides on the CTA Red Line. Or perhaps even those students at Chicago State who may utilize the Metra Electric Line station near 95th & Cottage Grove.

BTW, I wonder what's the purpose of forcing the transit agencies under the Regional Transportation Authority to provide Wi-Fi on all of their vehicles that are either buses or trains?

Anyway this bill was signed into law yesterday by Gov. Quinn read more at Crain's columnist Greg Hinz's blog.

Before the Dan Ryan was built...

From the FB group Forgotten Chicago which is connected with the website of the same name.

CTA "Green Hornet" PCC 7113 on route 36 short turn loop at 84th and State Streets.

Streetcar service in Chicago ended on June 22, 1958. There is no date provided with this picture.

Response to “Changing Chatham” series: Touching and frustrating - Chicago Sun-Times

Response to “Changing Chatham” series: Touching and frustrating - Chicago Sun-Times

Finally, where does Chatham go from here?

In order for Chatham to remain a desirable neighborhood, a lot more of these residents will have to get involved in an activity that promotes the values that Chatham represents.

There’s just no other way to hold the line against encroaching crime.

The 2011 6th Ward Aldermanic campaign the issue of values came up in the campaign of Richard Wooten. He did several videos talking about those values. The first video where he outlines those values he wants restored was posted on the blog.

And then what activities can be organized that promotes those values? Also are there any values you would find important living in any community?

Progress Illinois: Ald. Sawyer to visit Chicago's First People's City Council Meeting

Ald. Sawyer will be one of at least 20 Alderman to attend this event at the UIC Forum (at 725 W. Roosevelt Road) with doors open at 5:30 PM:

The event's organizers say the purpose of the People's City Council Meeting is to give all Chicagoans a voice in what is happening in local government.

"With a new mayor and new City Council in office, community leaders and union members from around Chicago are coming together as the 'People’s City Council,' one that prioritizes good jobs, affordable and stable housing, quality public education, and strong public safety over the desires of billion-dollar corporations," reads a press release announcing the meeting.

Some 1,500 community leaders are expected to attend the meeting to discuss issues affecting local communities, including public safety, housing, the city budget, and the effect big banks are having on the city's neighborhoods and bottom line. "All Chicagoans should have a say in what happens in government," explains the meeting's organizers. "Working families expect corporations and banks to share in the sacrifice. Budgets should not be balanced by cutting public services, but rather through developing neighborhood-based solutions, and demanding that wealthy corporations and banks pay their fair share."

The following aldermen are slated to take part in the city's first People's City Council Meeting: Bob Fioretti (2nd), Will Burns (4th), Roderick Sawyer (6th), Michelle Harris (8th), George Cardenas (12th), Toni Foulkes (15th), Ricardo Munoz (22nd), Roberto Maldonado (26th), Walter Burnett Jr. (27th), Jason Ervin (28th), Deborah Graham (29th), Scott Waguespack (32nd), Nick Sposato (36th), Tim Cullerton (38th), John Arena (45th), James Cappleman (46th), Ameya Pawar (47th), Joe Moore (49th), and Deborah Silverstein (50th).

Several community organizations are collaborating to put on the event, including Grassroots Collaborative, Action Now, American Friends Service Committee, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Chicago Teachers Union, Enlace Chicago, Illinois Hunger Coalition, Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, Lakeview Action Coalition, Logan Square Neighborhood Association, Metropolitan Tenants Organization, Pilsen Alliance, SEIU, Local 1, SEIU Local 73, SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana, Southwest Youth Collaborative, and Unite HERE.

Aldermen Pitch Stricter Curfews for Kids

Could this cut down on youth violence in Chicago's streets?

Under the ordinance, proposed by Ald. Michelle Harris (8th), Ald. Toni Foulkes (15th) and Ald. Lona Lane (18th), children under 12 would have to be home by 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 p.m. on weekends.

The aldermen said the measure is an effort to crack down on children who go unsupervised.

If approved, it would mark the second curfew rollback in as many years, and continue a series of ordinances that began in the '90s aimed at curbing youth violence.

Mayor Richard Daley imposed a curfew on the city's youth in 2008 when he set a 10 p.m. weekday and 11 p.m. weekend deadline for children under the age of 17.

Despite heavy criticism that Chicago was turning into a nanny state, Daley said the curfew would save lives. Under Daley's ordinance truants weren't arrested, but rather taken to community field houses and connected with Park District programs. Prior to that the council passed legislation that fined parents up to $500 for allowing children out past curfew.

The public saftey aldermen said their concern was also from child welfare.

Remember this house...

I posted this picture of this building on 66th & Union in January 2010. This is how it is depicted in three photographs below in July 2011 thanks to R.A.G.E. on their FB page.

Sun-Times: Loss of 180,000 black residents will complicate Chicago ward remap

Something I learned from the Roseland Heights meeting last week, that it's a distinct possibility that Roseland Heights could become part of the Ald. Anthony Beale's 9th Ward. The President of the Roseland Heights Community Association (RHCA), Clevan Tucker, wants to Roderick Sawyer as Alderman because of how he chased down the organization to insure they received their grant. Let's hope RHCA is successful.

Now onto the Sun-Times article:

Chicago’s loss of 200,000 residents — more than 180,000 of them black — will make the process of crafting a new ward map “as challenging as it’s ever been,” a powerful aldermen warned Wednesday.

With Hispanics demanding more City Council seats and blacks determined to hold onto what they’ve got, the once-in-a-decade political sweepstakes to accommodate the 2010 U.S. Census will get under way on Aug. 1.

The City Council’s Finance and Rules Committees plans to hire consultants and set up a war room to begin the process of redrawing the city’s 50 wards, each with a population of 53,000 residents, down from 57,000 a decade ago.

It’s not going to be easy.

“We’re gonna try to, hopefully, keep ’em more compact and coherent [than last time], but you never know,” said Ald. Richard Mell (33rd), the chairman of the City Council Rules Committee. “It’s gonna be challenging — probably as challenging as it’s ever been. And I’ve been through the ’80s, ’90s and … this one.”

21st Ward Ald. Howard Brookins who is the Chairman of the city council's Black Caucus wants to be able to maintain the 20 black wards that currently exists.

Here's more from Clout Street:

The council has until Dec. 1 to approve a map, under state statute. But if any group of 10 or more aldermen endorse an alternative, the competing maps go to voters in a referendum next March, as they did two decades ago. That map still ended up being contested in court in a legal battle that lasted six years and cost $11 million.

Well the map for the Illinois General Assembly and US House districts are largely set, but now is the time to look at ward boundaries for the next decade!

6th Ward Clean and Green with Alderman Sawyer

[VIDEO] On July 2, the Saturday before the 4th of July, Ald. Sawyer and a crew cleaned up a vacant lot near 71st & St. Lawrence. There were pictures posted on Twitter @6thWardChicago. So here's a video report which features mainly Ald. Sawyer and his newly minted 6th Ward Streets & Sanitation Superintendent Paul Bryson.

It was mentioned back in May during the course of the GCA meet & greet with Ald. Sawyer that he did a clean & green in the Englewood neighborhood perhaps not long after he assumed office as 6th Ward Alderman. So in this video he urges everyone to call his office at 773.635.0006 or via e-mail at 6thwardchicago@gmail.com. You would have to join his crew and help out however.

Ward Room: Emanuel Proposal Allows Some Gun Ranges in City

This is an interesting development:

The plan will respond to a standing federal lawsuit brought against the city, which says the city's ban of gun ranges has created a burden for those seeking a Chicago gun permit, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

The proposed ordinance limits gun ranges to areas zoned for manufacturing. Outdoor ranges would continue to be banned.

Not to say it will be a boon for the city, but the next thing that we should see is gun shops allowed to operate in this city. Why force city residents to have to leave the city in order to buy a gun if they so choose. If the city is hard pressed for revenue this is something else they could pursue.

I can only imagine what the financial projections would be.

Chicago News Coop: Black Chicagoans Fuel Growth of South Suburbs

And here's the why:

But many left despite having good jobs in the city. Although the census data does not indicate where those who left Chicago ended up, the new population figures show that Matteson recorded the largest numerical increase in blacks of any city in the Chicago area.

Statistics obtained by the Chicago News Cooperative reveal rising income levels in parts of Matteson and other south suburbs where the black population grew rapidly in the last decade, suggesting that high wage earners factored prominently in the movement from the city to the southern periphery of Cook County.

The trend of blacks’ leaving Chicago in the past decade apparently included all economic levels, said Alec Brownlow, a geography professor at DePaul University. Spiking foreclosure rates in South Side and West Side neighborhoods increased the already high number of vacant and abandoned homes, making those areas less popular with middle-income blacks, Mr. Brownlow said.

“I would imagine that the wave of out-migrants displaced by the teardown of public housing units is supplementing the middle classes moved by the foreclosure crisis,” he said.

Then there's also this:

But whatever their income level, the newcomers say they feel more at ease after leaving the city. James Turner, an engineer at the University of Chicago, said he and his wife moved to Newbury Estates in 2005 because “there is too much chaos” in Englewood, where they used to live. Mr. Turner, 58, recalled his old neighborhood as he worked in the front yard of his 3,000-square-foot home.

“You can’t trust the city,” Mr. Turner said. “You can’t trust it to have peace unless you are somewhere on the North Side, next to the lake. Maybe Rahm Emanuel can do something and put the police where they should be.”

Foreclosures and concerns over safety to name a couple I've been able to excerpt. What if some of the ills they hoped to escape came out to Matteson with these individuals?

Also mentioned in this article CHA transplants from the many now demolished and revitalized housing projects around the city.

July 2 = Annual Independence Day Outdoor Cookout at the Chatham Food Market

From the Chatham Now blog...

Stop by for the annual Independence Day Outdoor Cookout, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, July 2, 2011, with great grocery shopping at Chatham Food Market, 327 East 79Th Street in the heart of the Chatham retail strip!

Concerned Citizens of Chatham: Recap of Carter Temple Meet and Greet

with Alderman Roderick Sawyer...

Worlee was able to make it to this event from last Saturday. I wanted to make it, but had other things going on that day. Hopefully the next one is being planned right now.

This aspect of the meeting is a nice touch:

This past Saturday there was a Meet and Greet with Alderman Sawyer. the meeting was well attended with approximately 200-250 residents in attendance. The Alderman started the meeting with a prayer and then asked those in attendance to find someone they did not know and introduced themselves. After about 15 minutes the Alderman started the meeting with introducing his staff starting with Chief of Staff Brian Sleet.

Also he's asking for people to be involved with his advisory committees on such areas as Education, Economic Development, Beautification, Crime, etc. If you're interested don't contact us the e-mail is 6thWardChicago [@] gmail [.] com.

The Hidden Truth About Chatham

This is worth sharing Zack Issacs gives us something to consider about those three Mary Mitchell columns about Chatham from earlier this week:

Chatham is not a perfect neighborhood, but it still has potential. One of the things plaguing the neighborhood is the lack of unity. The neighbors don't speak to each other because they don't understand one another. Understanding is based on interpretation, so if you judge people incorrectly that will lead to unfair assumptions.

His main point is to talk to our neighbors. We have to live together somehow either way.

You know I could relate this to what JP quoted a neighbor as saying to him when he first moved to Chatham:

I'm a relatively new person on the block. The first thing one of my neighbors said, when we introduced ourselves and i mentioned working with urban youth ministries, was "we don't tolerate any riff raff here." Not exactly a great way to welcome people. (And she had only owned her home 2 years herself).

Let's hope that we don't hear any further stories like that about Chatham in the near future.

You should read Zack's piece!

YoChicago: The Sun-Times begins a series on Chatham

YoChicago, a major real-estate blog, makes special note of the Mary Mitchell series of columns on Chatham. There are already comments and I urge you very much to be part of the discussion. I made a comment questioning the need of a university to anchor Chatham.

Oh and also note a video there of the late Dempsey Travis who very much like to talk about the Chatham community. You can find more from Mr. Travis here!

Do you believe Chatham will turn into Englewood?

If you believe Chatham is in decline, should it be blamed on Section 8 tenants?

What does Chatham need for stabilization (such as a university, for example)?

I urge you to go there to continue this discussion!