9351 S. Michigan Avenue Just got this email from West Chesterfield Community Association President Michael LaFargue. This is an important meeting as a major project is coming up next month. We don't have to think too hard to guess what it is and we'll share the expected agenda for the meeting this coming Saturday: Hello West Chesterfield, Our next meetng is at 10:00am, Saturday May 4, 2012. CTA Representative(s) to share, RedLine, 95th Street Terminal, and Transit Orientated Development land purchase information along State Street and 95th Street. CTA Info at http://www.transitchicago.com/redsouth/   Community Center Roof Tear Off and Repair (Black Contractors Hired For Project!) WCCA Summer Garden and Home Curb Appeal Contest  to be Announce CSU Community Service Day update Of course be advised meetings will be held at the West Chesterfield Cultural Center at 9351 S. Michigan Ave.

Via The Chicago Neighborhoods This almost evokes a post I wrote last year " The Sixth Ward...a state of mind ". Then again when you think of the 6th you might think Chatham. This is something Chicago Weekly is exploring recently thanks to a link from Joe Lake's Chatham Connection FB group. Some of the issues contained there in likely aren't brand new to most of us. We're concerned about the businesses that are either moving in or closing because of the economy. We may also be concerned about the social cohesion of the neighborhood and while it may not have been discussed here often enough it's being talked about amongst neighbors. Another issue that hasn't been brought up on this blog enough is brought up here. Not enough public spaces. The various restaurants that have closed such as Izola's and Army & Lou's as well as not enough space at Whitney Young Library. Of course where can anyone engage in a public game of chess? It's no

This development chronicled by Curbed Chicago is called Hope Manor II located at 61st & Halsted. Not too far from the corner of 63rd & Halsted. Governor Pat Quinn dropped by to ground break this project and it seems appropriate since the Governor does care for our veterans. Primary purpose of this project: That project has a focus on the needs of single veterans. Hope Manor II will offer on-site job training, family counseling, and health care. As depicted in the above rendering, the town homes and apartments will address the street while cradling a small park and children's play area. According to the Hope Manor II page linked above this project is a partnership between " the City of Chicago and Alderman JoAnn Thompson of the 16th ward ".

Saturday April 27, 2013 10:00am-12:30pm New Convenat MBC John Thurston Chapel 740 E 77th Street

Photo by strannik / flickr While I was very sorry to have missed the very important Role Model Movement event that discussed the closure of the Dan Ryan branch of the CTA Red Line on Tuesday, the discussion continues. An article from the Chicago Tribune that shows Metra is coming up with an alternative during the course of the five-month project to rebuild the Dan Ryan branch: Attention CTA riders: Metra has its eyes on you when the Red Line shuts down the South Side branch May 19 for major reconstruction. The commuter rail agency is cooperating with the CTA to accommodate customers left scrambling during the five months when the 10-mile Red Line stretch from Cermak-Chinatown to 95th Street will be rebuilt at a cost of $425 million. Metra said Thursday it would modify its schedule and ticketing to help the South Side branch's 80,000 weekday Red Line riders during the shutdown. But — no surprise here — Metra also wants to hang on to some of those customers. "There&#

The Chicago Tribune reports that the family of Officer Thomas Wortham IV is now suing the gun shop that sold the weapon used in the slaying of their family member. The gun was sold to a straw purchaser, who in turn sold it to a trafficker who sold it to the gang members. The purchaser and the trafficker have already been convicted, but also named in the lawsuit. Here's the video from WGN news:

From Chicago Breaking News State Sen. Donne Trotter pleaded guilty today to misdemeanor reckless conduct for trying to board a flight with a handgun in his carry-on luggage in December. In a plea deal worked out with Cook County prosecutors, Judge Charles Burns sentenced Trotter, 63, to a year of court supervision and 60 hours of community service. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped the original felony charge of bringing a gun onto an airplane. A felony conviction could have resulted in up to three years in prison.

The Nat King Cole Park Advisory Council cordially invites you to join them Saturday April 27, 2013 1-4pm Nat King Cole Park 361 E 85th Street (King Drive) Come out as we recommit to "Save Our Park and Save Our Community". There will be Chicago Park District Registration Free Food (Children under 18 must be accompanied by adult) Raffle Free Fitness Classes Come out and see what Cole Park has to offer. Volunteers and Business Owners who want to donate food or raffle items are welcome.

From GCA Saturday April 27, 2013 10:00am - 12:00pm Whitney Young Library 7901 S King Drive

63rd/Halsted in 1955 It's very interesting that Englewood activists are looking at the already existing public transit infrastructure as another asset for the beleaguered area. I always remind people that once upon a time the intersection of 63rd & Halsted was once akin to a downtown that has been decimated in recent years. There is some redevelopment with Kennedy-King College at that intersection. Also mentioned is utilizing the various elevated railroad embankments as trails and parks. It's noted that Metra does run through Englewood, however, doesn't make any stops through the neighborhood. All the same BRT, investing in the L station hubs, the railroad embankment trails is part of a plan of sorts: Most Chicagoans associate Englewood with poverty and crime, but local advocates and activists see it as a neighborhood with untapped potential, with excellent access to public transportation being one of the keys to its future success. “From the beginning, En

Sometimes we ask whether or not Chatham or other 6th Ward neighborhoods are what they could be. We could also ask is Chicago the city it could be? This article from the NY Times seeks to answer that, but I'm curious what your answers are. Hat-tip to Newsalert where the blogmaster - Steve Bartin - close to five years ago wrote a piece about Chicago in decline and elicited quite a few interesting responses here on this blog.

Courtesy of The Atlantic . Sometimes I wonder if this is a conversation we should be having on this part of town. Just like apparently they're having in the south suburbs!

[ VIDEO ] Thanks to a status message posted by JP Paulus to our FB page , we learned that entrepreneur Jacoby Dickens passed away over the weekend. He had been the majority owner and was Chairman of the board of Seaway Bank since 1983. Here's an official press release that has information on funeral arrangements provided by Seaway Bank. You may have seen Jacoby Dickens in the above video from FOX 32 that originally aired back in February 2010 and had been posted here at that time. He spoke with anchor Robin Robinson about the history of Seaway Bank in his capacity as chairman. The video above had been downloaded to YouTube by me from Seaway's website . Dickens was a significant figure on this side of town who had largely made his money in a number of ventures from real estate to ultimately bowling alleys in addition to being a majority owner at Seaway. He is the namesake of the Jacoby Dickens Center on the campus of Chicago State University. In 2006 I took this snap

The price of sporting equipment continues to rise and is becoming a barrier for some young people to participate in some sports. As part of the Clean and Green effort, please consider donating used sporting equipment to the park so it can continue to be enjoyed by a new generation. Cole Park is accepting the following items: Baseballs/Softballs Baseball Gloves Basketballs Baseball Bats Soccer Balls Tennis Rackets/Balls Footballs Volleyballs/Nets Gently Used Cleats( No Metal) Items can be brought to the park at anytime. The park cannot accept home gym equipment at this time.

The Nat King Cole Park Advisory Council cordially invites you to join them Saturday April 27, 2013 1-4pm Nat King Cole Park 361 E 85th Street (King Drive) Come out as we recommit to "Save Our Park and Save Our Community". There will be Chicago Park District Registration Free Food (Children under 18 must be accompanied by adult) Raffle Free Fitness Classes Come out and see what Cole Park has to offer. Volunteers and Business Owners who want to donate food or raffle items are welcome.

Well earlier this week we found out another speaker for the monthly Role Model Movement series at Whitney Young Library on 79th & King Drive. In addition to a representative of the Chicago Transit Authority we'll also see 6th Ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer's chief of staff Brian Sleet speak at this event. Here is an updated flyer for more information.

What a difference six months makes! Wednesday night I was watching Conan on TBS and there was a TV ad for our neighborhood movie house Chatham 14 . From that ad and also alerted to a write-up at DNA info that the Chatham now has the ability to exhibit 3D movies. In addition all 14 screens now have digital projection! Personally, I'm not a huge fan of 3D but currently amongst movie going audience it is quite the rage. Moviegoers are willing to pay the extra money to watch a 3D film on top of the prevailing ticket prices for theater admissions. Last Friday, Jurassic Park was re-released in 3D now I can only imagine if Chatham 14 had shown Avatar in 3D when it was first released in 2009. OK but now you're asked what happened six months ago? If you've been following this blog, back in October 2012 JP Paulus intended to catch a show at the Chatham when he found on the windows of the property eviction signs in addition to notices that stated the theater would reopen und

You may want to know what this means : Emanuel has enjoyed an average level of support of 93 percent -- more than both the 88 percent support Richard M. Daley experienced during his final term (2007-2011) and the 83 percent support Richard J. Daley (1955-1957) had for his first two years in office, per the UIC analysis. The only vote Emanuel has lost since he took office, incidentally, was regarding a City Council ethics reform proposal . I'm sure many of you have your worst thoughts on this.

As of late gay marriage is the debate of the moment. It has heated up even though we already have in this state civil unions for everybody. Still right now in spite of the many issues that are truly affecting this state such as its finances, crime, economy, etc. gay marriage seems to have the attention of our state's leadership. I found this comment interesting this morning from a Tribune article found via Capitol Fax last Thursday. The underlying issue is gay marriage, however, there is a wrinkle in this as many of this state's Black legislators aren't yet on board: "To be honest with you, it's a little disheartening," said Democratic Rep. Will Davis of Homewood, a black caucus member who has not made up his mind as he works out whether gay marriage is a moral or public policy issue. "There are so many large-scale issues important to the black community, but you've never heard from them," Davis said of the churches opposed to gay marriag

Janet Strickland - Chicago Police photo Another update to the murder of an elderly man from early last month. We already know that the man's grandson was charged but now we hear about his wife being part of the plot! Bond for a 64-year-old woman who allegedly paid her grandson to kill her husband was set at $500,000 Saturday. Janet Strickland, of the 400 block of East 95th Street, was charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of armed robbery with a firearm after her husband was fatally shot in the gangway near his home on the Far South Side while on his way to dialysis, police said. William Strickland, 72, was shot six times in the back on March 2 while on his way to dialysis treatment in what police suspected to be a robbery. Janet Strickland was reportedly not in court for her hearing Saturday because she was receiving treatment for a lung disease, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Janet Strickland allegedly commissioned her grandson to kill her

This Tribune article was posted onto our FB page earlier today with this question: " Who do you want to see as Commissioner? " It's a brief article so we probably can excerpt the whole thing if it's no problem: Cook County Democratic leaders are scheduled to meet Thursday to pick a replacement for Commissioner William Beavers, who was convicted last month of federal tax evasion. Ald. Howard Brookins will lead the meeting at which Democratic committeemen will decide who will finish Beavers’ unexpired county board term based on the weighted votes cast in the district in the 2010 commissioner election. Brookins, whose 21st Ward cast the most weighted votes, said at least six candidates submitted resumes. Among the contenders, Stanley Moore is considered a leading candidate for the post. Moore unsuccessfully sought a seat in the Illinois House in 2008. Other hopefuls include Kenneth Sawyer, nephew of former Chicago mayor Eugene Sawyer; Brian Sleet, chief of staff to A

Thanks to Sixth Ward Blog Reader LB. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the City of Chicago's Department of Water Management Basement Flooding Understanding Your Sewer and Ways to Avoid & Address Flooding Issues Wednesday, April 10, 6-7:30pm Woodson Regional Library 9525 S. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60628 RSVP to  bungalow@chicagobungalow.org  April showers bring May flowers, and unfortunately storm water and flooding. Wade through the basics of understanding your sewer with David St. Pierre of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and Thomas LaPorte of the City of Chicago’s Department of Water Management.  Join us for an overview of the combined sewer systems in the Chicago area and how they operate during rainstorms. Why do basements flood during heavy rains? What causes sewer backups? Most importantly, learn what you can do to prevent sewer backups, and what the City and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District o

Another Role Model Movement event at Whitney Young Library located at the corner of 79th & King Drive. Even better a representative from the Chicago Transit Authority will be there to answer any questions. This is probably getting us ready for the Red Line reconstruction that will commence next month! Mark your calendars for the evening of Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013! Refer to the flyer below for more details!

[ VIDEO ] Last month Jahmal Cole's Role Model Movement series at Whitney Young Library took up the subject of public education. This event that took place on March 26, 2013 came around the time of the disclosure of which schools are slated to close. The video above is Ay-Sha Butler of Resident Association of Greater Englewood. Her community organization was all over the school closings and the Englewood neighborhood would greatly impact that beleaguered neighborhood. Give Ms. Butler's video a watch and let us know what you think. Stay tuned for April's entry in the Role Model Movement series. It comes just in time for another major project coming to our communities! You can watch the other videos here on the official website of the Role Model Movement!

Students in grades 10 – 12 are invited to learn about careers in hospitality and tourism on Saturday, April 13, 2013. The career day will be held on from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at  Crear Memorial Presbyterian Church , 8100 S. Calumet. Pre registration is required. Register at  EventBrite

The Hurvis Center at Lincoln Park Zoo is offering Summer Internship Opportunities for high school students. The internships available are: Malott Family Zoo Intern Program (ZIP) Community of Conservation Career Explorers Observe to Learn Partners in ieldwork Research Apprenticeship Program The application deadline is April 15, 2013. For more information  Internships  . 

Coming this weekend for young men and women of all ages, races, and ethicities. It will take place at the Lake Shore Ramada at 4900 S. Lake Shore Dr from 10 AM to 1 PM on April 6th. Hat-tip to the Greater Chatham Alliance for this event.

Surveillance pic of the May 2007 robbery released by FBI - Sun-Times It's been almost six years since a deadly bank robbery at the neighborhood Illinois Service Federal branch on 87th & King Drive. One of the perpetrators have finally received his prison sentence: A bank robber who murdered a teller during a botched heist on the South Side nearly six years ago has been sentenced to life in prison by a judge who called his case “a horrific tragedy.” But the harshest words for killer David Vance came from the teller’s father, who branded him “vermin” during an emotional sentencing hearing Wednesday. Vance, 34, shot dead 23-year-old Tramaine Gibson, a father of two, when Gibson said he couldn’t open the vault at the Illinois Service Federal Savings and Loan in the Chatham neighborhood on May 22, 2007. Gibson’s dad, Verton Gibson, has been attending court hearings ever since. On Wednesday, he stood just a few feet away from Vance and loudly asked Federal Ju

[ VIDEO ] In the past week on this blog we've chronicled at least as far as the media reports Mayor Rahm Emanuel's losing support in the Black community with one name who would could possibly take him on credibly. Although for that time can only tell. The story you see above you will see the Mayor attempt to engage in some damage control. He was at the ground breaking for a project to take place near 47th & Cottage Grove in Bronzeville. Looks like he knows what could come.

I'm sure many of you who were unhappy about last year's remap (the image you see to the right) would be very happy about this development . Someone stepped up to the plate and filed a suit! More than a year after Chicago aldermen thought they had settled the contentious issue of redrawing the city's 50 ward boundaries, the new map they approved is facing a challenge in federal court. The remap is unconstitutional because it was designed to protect most of the current aldermen, rather than ensure equal and full representation of individuals, minorities and neighborhoods, according to a lawsuit filed today by the League of Women Voters of Chicago and 14 individuals. The suit also alleges that City Council committee chairmen have improperly implemented the new map before voters have had a chance to pick aldermen from within the new boundaries. Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration “acquiesced” in that change, the lawsuit adds. “The purpose of the new redistricting plan

Roosevelt University , Walter E. Heller College of Business is offering an opportunity to incoming high school juniors and seniors who demonstrate an aptitude in the areas of math, science and technology along with an interest in entrepreneurship. The entire program is free for your student, including meals and room and board.  If you have not already done so, you can register students by logging on to   http://cvent.com/d/zcqvdm/4W   and completing the online application process. Selected students will attend one of two five-day, green-technology focused Entrepreneurship Academy at Roosevelt University's new Wabash Building at  the Chicago campus July 14 - July 19, 2013   - Only 5 Spots Available July 28 – August 2, 2013  20 Open Seats Application Deadline Has Been Extended Until  Friday April 5, 2013 For more information about the academy, visit  www.roosevelt.edu/business/academy The Academy will be led by Master Certified Entrepreneurship Teacher, Scott L. St

 There are plenty of events going on in the community that are FREE or nearly free. Saturday April 6, 2013 10:30am 6th Ward Meeting Greater Salem Baptist Church 215 W 71st Street Saturday April 6, 2013 10:00am Chicago State University TIF Seminar    Chicago State University     9501 S King Drive Tuesday April 8, 2013 Time: TBD Chatham Business Association Seminar Legal Aspects of Starting A Business 8441 S Cottage Grove Saturday April 13, 2013 9:00 am Expungement Seminar Ruggles Elementary 7831 S Prairie Saturday April 20, 2013 All Day 6th Ward Clean and Green Various Locations   Saturday April 20, 2013 10:00 am- 1 pm Illinois Service Federal Shred O Rama 8700 S King Drive Saturday April 20, 2013 10:00 am- 1 pm Chesterfield Community Council Home Expo 2013 90th S King Drive Saturday Ap

Written by Edward McClelland at Ward Room . He writes about the inequalities of living in Chicago: Last weekend's flash mob attacks on the Magnificent Mile are a reminder of a fact that residents of big, liberal cities don’t like to acknowledge: nowhere else in America is so much inequality concentrated in such small areas. Chicago is famous for its racial segregation, but it’s also segregated economically. The rich and poor areas are not that far apart -- and they’re linked by bus and train lines. ... That’s the thing about Chicago. This isn’t Los Angeles, where there is very little public transportation. Or Detroit, where the wealthy and white have retreated to the suburbs, and prevented the poor and the black from building trains to follow them. (One suburban Detroit mayor explained her vote against a line that would have linked her village to downtown by saying she didn’t want a “heroin train.”) In Chicago, inequality is impossible to avoid. You can spend your en