Monday, October 30, 2017

#BoomboxChatham open house/harvest fest on Saturday

79th/Rhodes during nicer weather in early October
I intended to post this on Saturday and not sure what happened with that. However you can visit the Boombox ig page and the Greater Chatham Initiative page to see some images of of the now past event at 79th & Rhodes. You will see the Jesse White Tumblers made an appearance for the Open House on this past Saturday. A tweet shared below from Boombox.

Thursday, October 26, 2017

The Boombox at 79th & Rhodes is installed

79th/Rhodes in Spring 2017
The Boombox coming to the site of the former Rhodes Theater was installed, however, halted by some rain on the date indicated in the video you will see below - on October 10, 2017.

Hopefully worked continued as indicated on Wednesday although it also rained on that day, so who knows of the Boombox crew was able to finish the job on that day. Perhaps it's time to see if they did do more work on this site now that the weather has finally cleared up.

BTW, earlier this month I dropped by the site to take some pics of 79th & Rhodes. How many of you think there is potential here? Here's hoping this boombox which has a nearby located near 63rd & Halsted will prove to be a benefit to this area. The collage of pics of this area I posted to instagram.

RELATED: Boombox Chicago is coming to 79th & Rhodes

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Mayor Emanuel is running again in '19

Well at least if you believe Greg Hinz who writes about the mayor's meeting with Crain's editorial board:
In case you had any doubt, Mayor Rahm Emanuel says there's none in his mind. He's running for a new term in the February 2019 election, with the goal of spreading the prosperity and new jobs that have blossomed in the central area of the city throughout Chicago.

In a meeting with Crain's editorial board yesterday evening, Emanuel had an instant reply when asked if he intends to seek a new term: "The answer is yes." He later repeated the sentiment—"I am (running)"—and said he's doing so because "I want to make sure that every part of the city is participating in the quality of life."

So far, there's no sign that Emanuel will face a major opponent despite some very rough patches after the shooting of Laquan McDonald. Insiders say that his popularity numbers, which had dipped very low, are back about 50 percent in the latest polling.

"My goal is to make sure people feel they have a stake in the future," Emanuel said, saying he's tried do that by luring new employers to town and expanding the schools model from K-12 to pre-college. But "there's more work to be done" he said, referring to widespread variance in crime rates, educational levels, income and other measures from one part of town to another.
Also mentioned are his relationship with Governor Bruce Rauner and the attempt of the mayor and governor to attract Amazon to Chicago.

Friday, October 13, 2017

#NEXTGEN Youth Summit at Simeon Career Academy

 Just got this in via e-mail today.
  • 21st Ward Alderman Howard B. Brookins, Jr. to Host 
    2017 #NEXTGEN Youth Summit in the South Side of Chicago

    2017 Youth Summit at Simeon Career Academy

    Chicago – On October 14, Alderman Howard B. Brookins, Jr. teams up with various organizations, schools, and community leaders to host the 2017 #NEXTGEN Youth Summit. The Youth Summit will take place at Simeon Career Academy located at 8147 S. Vincennes starting at 9:00am and ending at 4:00pm.

    This is the first year that Alderman Brookins will be hosting a Youth Summit in the 21st Ward. “I think it is extremely important that we as leaders and adults develop opportunities for young people to learn and get inspired to become positive productive citizens of our ward and the city,” stated 21st Ward Alderman Howard B. Brookins, Jr., Chairman of the Committee on Education and Child Development.

    The Youth Summit will be filled with keynote speakers, live entertainment, and workshops on career development, college readiness, health and nutrition, STEM, entrepreneurship, public speaking and art. In addition, the Youth Summit will have two panel discussions – one will focus on Government and Politics and its Effect on Young People and the other will focus on Violence in Chicago. Lastly, there will be an area where various organizations will disseminate information to all of the participants. 

    For additional information please contact the 21st Ward Office at 773-881-9300.
Flyer posted to our ig page.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Applying for a CPS school

There is a streamlined process for parents & students to apply for Chicago Public Schools and programs. Whether for elementary or high school students or non-selective enrollment programs or selective enrollment programs.
  • Visit go.cps.edu
  • Also watch the video below regarding usage of this site [VIDEO

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Annual summit: State of education in our community


My apologies if this is entirely last minute as this event occurs today! Not sure why I didn't allow myself an opportunity to post this when I first got the email for it, but here we are.
  • Let's Talk About What's Happening at the Schools in Our Communities!

    THE WEST CHESTERFIELD COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION PRESENTS

    An Annual Summit on  "THE STATE OF EDUCATION  IN OUR COMMUNITY"

    Invited Guests:

    Dr. Michelle Willis, Principal
    Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster Elementary School

    Mrs. Ramona Fannings-Outlaw, Principal
    Harlan Community Academy High School
    Mr. Jeffery Dase, Network Chief
    Network 12 (confirmed)

    Mrs. LaTanya McDade
    Chief of Teaching and Learning

    Dr. Janice Jackson
    Chief Educational Officer

    Dr. Rachel Lindsey (confirmed)
    Interim President, Chicago State University

    Guest Speaker

    Mr. Troy LaRaviere, President of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association will be our guest speaker. Mr. LaRaviere has been a regular critic of CPS, however, he provides very illuminating facts as to the state of education throughout the city of Chicago and the comparison with the charter schools, as well as the State of Illinois.

    What?

    Prepare for the conversation with CPS officials regarding the continuing tenuous status of the Harlan H.S. Local School Council.

    Where?

    Looking forward to seeing you at the Community Center on Saturday, 9351 S. Michigan,Chicago, IL. Remember, Michigan Ave. has permit parking; please park on the east-west streets.
Also: 
  • If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sharon Banks-Pincham, WCCA Education Chair at [redacted] (cell) or respond to this email address sherry8750 @ yahoo.com.


Tuesday, October 3, 2017

It seems a former owner of ICE Theaters is back with a proposed theater development

I had been a bit hard of Ms. Alisa Starks during this past summer. Back in 2015 Starks - who with her late husband Donzell Starks owned ICE Theaters - proposed a theater, restaurant, and retail to be located at the former main branch of Urban Partnership Bank. Incidentally that branch also contained the facade of the former Jeffrey Theater.

In any case there was nothing but questions with regards to her plan such as whether or not ICE Theaters was involved - since sometime that year that company had filed for bankruptcy. Then recently more news on bringing a development to 71st & Jeffrey:
Alisa Starks, who developed movie theaters in Chatham and Lawndale, said at Tuesday night’s 5th Ward meeting that she plans to demolish the former Urban Partnership Bank at 7054 S. Jeffery Blvd. and build an entertainment center

Starks, who lives in the Jackson Park Highlands area of South Shore, bought the building in 2015 for an estimated $307,500, according to county property records, and she originally planned to maintain the building and build a movie theater and bowling alley.

“When the architects got in they said we couldn’t use the building as is, so we’re going to demolish it,” Starks said.
While I'm disappointed that they won't use the building as is, the proposed new building looks great.
Going further:
The three-story building will be topped with an events venue designed by 555 International, the Chicago firm that designed Girl and the Goat and GT Fish and Oyster. The first two stories of the building will be focused on the theater, which will serve food and beer and wine, and the restaurant, which Starks said already is developing a Creole menu.

If it seems early to be thinking about the menu before any work has begun, it’s a sign of the aggressive pace Starks said she wants to hit after two years of planning the project.

Starks said she wants to open next summer. The next step will be to get zoning approval from the city. If there is a mild winter, demolition will begin sooner, Starks said.
Here's hoping that this concept does get off the ground!