The New Year: Looking back and then forward

2011 was an interesting year.

First and foremost residents of the 6th Ward voted for change and elected a new Alderman in Roderick Sawyer. Fredrenna Lyle - the previous Alderman who Sawyer defeated - was herself appointed to a judgeship on the Cook County bench.

Chatham still gained attention thanks to a series of columns from Mary Mitchell (she also appeared on TV to talk about her columns) and a series of videos [Part 1 & Part 2] featuring Worlee Glover shot by the real estate website YoChicago. Chatham still has issues with crime a fatal shooting back in October. Just one of many issues to continue to work through going forward.

2010 census numbers show that a little over 181,000 Blacks have left Chicago. Total population loss for Chicago is approximately 200,000. As a result of the census data we see a ward remap fight where the Black caucus wants to maintain their level of representation on the Chicago City Council. The Latino Caucus on the other hand seeks more representation on the city council as Latinos add 25,000 people to Chicago's total population.

BTW, we also continue to celebrate the heroes of our community from Corey Ankum to Thomas Wortham IV to Michael Bailey. And speaking of Michael Bailey we now have a suspect in his murder!

Looking forward to 2012.

Now Chatham residents can ring in the New Year with Garrett's Popcorn and no longer does anyone have to go all the way downtown to make a purchase! Garrett's new store came just in time for Christmas.

Another big thing to look forward to is the Walmart Supercenter near 83rd & Stewart coming next spring. It's will be interesting to see what traffic it will bring and what traffic Garrett's will bring in the future. Let's also note that last summer Walmart had already opened an Express store in the Chatham Market development where the Supercenter will also reside.

We will have another election, President Barack Obama is up for re-election in 2012. Alderman Sawyer seeks his father's (late former Mayor Eugene Sawyer) old position as 6th Ward Democratic Committeeman. And an open seat for 34th District State Representative with several contenders seeking that seat in the state House of Representatives.

Of course the remap issue still hasn't been resolved although those 6th Warders who are concerned about where they stand see what's been filed with the city clerk so far. Since the City Council still hasn't been able to vote and agree on a map we still have no idea what the final ward maps will look like. And there could be either a referendum or litigation on the future ward map.

Is there anything you would like to add to what happened in 2011? Is there anything you're looking forward to in 2012?

Did you go to the opening of Garrett's yesterday?

[VIDEO] Zack Isaacs of 2CN reports from the opening of Chatham's Garrett Popcorn store near 87th & Cottage Grove. Unbelieveable a 1 hour wait for service. Also note that I've seen pictures and this video here shows a line wrapped around this entire building. People were definitely excited for this welcome addition to the retail near that intersection.

OH, I had to wait for JP Paulus of this very blog to be interviewed in this video at about 45 seconds in!

BTW, Worlee was there to take some pictures and made sure to note that Seaway Bank financed the refurbishment of this building. Believe it or not this used to be a KFC for many years, it does not look the same any longer.

In addition, on their FB page Garrett's have their own photo album. Alderman Sawyer is in the album shaking hands with artist Rahman Statik who created the mural on the side of the store.

And then check out their blog. The first customer at 11 AM yesterday was noted and their rewards for being the absolute first in line! Be sure to offer your first impressions of the newest business in Chatham.

Garrett Popcorn: It's coming to 87th Street December 22nd...

Worlee posted the pic at left and an accompanying press release this morning on our FB page wall. You can also read a posting from the Garrett Popcorn blog as well announcing the opening!

For Immediate Release

Garrett Popcorn Shops®: A Chicago Tradition Since 1949

Opens its First Stand-Alone Shop at 87th Street and Cottage Grove

CHICAGO (December 2011)— Garrett Popcorn announces with excitement it will open its first stand-alone Shop located at 737 E. 87th Street and Cottage Grove in the Chatham neighborhood on Thursday, December 22 at 11 a.m.

To celebrate this historic occasion Garrett will offer loyal fans complimentary treat-size bags of the famous Chicago Mix popcorn from 11 a.m. when the doors open until 1 p.m. The lucky first customer will receive a special Garrett gift. To all customers who make a purchase, Garrett will also give their Signature Holiday Tin Ornament all day while supplies last. Beginning at 4 p.m. until closing customers can enjoy samples of the Garrett CaramelCrisp® Apple Cider that is being sold to benefit The Boys and Girls Club. Also, fans on Facebook will be rewarded with an opening day special not available to the general public.

“So many Garrett consumers have shared in our excitement about our new Chatham home. We wanted to express our appreciation and recognize these loyal and committed Garrett fans with some opening cheer,” says Melissa Mikolajczak, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Garrett Popcorn Shops®.

An enthusiastic on-line fan shared the following, “This is within walking distance. I love Garrett’s Chicago mix! Finally something exciting to eat in Chatham!”

"I'm excited to welcome Garrett Popcorn to Chatham just in time for the holiday season. Investments like this, by major brands, reinforce the viability of Chatham and the South side as a whole as a place where you can do business and be very successful," says Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer, 6th Ward Chicago. "I am convinced that this location will do very well in Chatham. There has been a great amount of excitement about this store's arrival ever since it was first announced. I have told Garrett executives that I fully expect this to be one of the best performing stores very quickly."

The new free-standing Shop at 87th will provide the same delicious Garrett Popcorn everyone loves in a stylish, yet familiar setting. It will feature a colorful mural painted by Chicago native Rahmaan Statik, entitled Global Intellect. The mural commissioned by Garrett captures the spirit of the Chatham community and the important role of education. “We are especially excited, in this economy, to support the growth of the Chatham community,” says Melissa Mikolajczak, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Garrett Popcorn Shops®.

87th Street hours are 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday - Sunday;
December 24: Open 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
December 25: Closed for the Holiday
December 31: Open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
January 1: Closed for the Holiday

The official grand opening celebration is planned for early February. At that time, community leaders and neighbors will gather for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and Garrett will announce a special community partnership with Chicago Public Schools.

About Garrett Popcorn Shops

Garrett Popcorn Shops®, a Chicago tradition for more than 60 years, handcrafts its gourmet popcorn using only the highest quality ingredients. Every batch is handmade daily in old-fashioned copper kettles. It begins with a privately grown blend of hot-air popped kernels that are then mixed into a secret, family recipe passed down through three generations. Since its very first days in Chicago, Garrett Popcorn Shops attracts lines of historic proportions outside of all its Shops.

Garrett Popcorn Shops offers these signature flavors: CaramelCrisp® (which can be selected with almonds, pecans or cashews), CheeseCorn™, Buttery, Plain and the famous The Chicago Mix - a blend of savory CheeseCorn™ and rich, sweet CaramelCrisp®.

Vocal fans include Halle Berry, Bill Cosby, Neil Patrick Harris, Salma Hayek, Jane Lynch, Sherri Shepherd and countless others.

In Chicago, Garrett Shops are located at 625 North Michigan Ave., Navy Pier food court, Merchandise Mart (2nd floor), 26 West Randolph St., 4 East Madison St., 27 West Jackson Blvd., 737 E. 87th Street; two at O’Hare International Airport, in Terminals 1 and 3, and in the Northwestern Station/Ogilvie Transportation Center at 500 West Madison St. Garrett also brings a taste of Chicago to its Shops in New York City (at Penn Plaza between 7th & 8th), Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.

For more information and to share Garrett around the country visit www.GarrettPopcorn.com. Join other Garrett fans on Twitter @GarrettPopcorn and on Facebook.

I would like to know what Garrett Popcorn has in store for the Chicago Public Schools. Does this mean that they may do something for some of our area schools?

Welcome to the neighborhood guys. And that store with the mural and the insides looks GREAT!

Ward Remapping: The Return of the Independent 6th Ward

The 19th Ward is getting a lot of press attention about the ward remap hearings. In a recent Southtown article it stated that the residents of the 19th ward packed the City of Chicago remapping hearings held at Morgan Park Career Academy. 

The 6th Ward, which also has been a longtime stable community did not get press attention on this matter. At the Remapping hearings held at South Shore International Academy, the residents of the 6th ward came out and voiced their opinion and let Alderman Dick Mell know they did not want to be remapped into the 9th ward. Several African American Alderman looked perplexed as the residents responded to Alderman Mell's question. The question was "were they willing to sacrifice an African American ward versus accepting the Black Caucus proposed remap?". The residents in attendance resoundingly stated YES. This response has brought on responses calling residents of the 6th ward " bougie Negros", selfish and other nasty names.

 Also, at the monthly Park Manor Neighbors Community Council (PMNCC) meeting they made their feelings clear that they would not support any changes to the 6th ward's north and west boundaries.

 The communities of Chesterfield, West Chesterfield, and Roseland Heights might get remapped out of the Sixth Ward under the Black Caucus remap proposal. The residents of West Chesterfield, Chesterfield, and Roseland Heights are not going to stand for this. West Chesterfield and Roseland Heights have joined forces so far to begin a petition drive, with massive community support. On November 15, the Roseland Heights Community Association (RHCA) is going to have a remap forum at Temple of Glory International Church on 311 E. 95th St at 7 p.m. The RHCA president is Clevan Tucker Jr. The respective boundaries for these groups include everything south of 87th to 99th and King Drive from State to Cottage Grove.

 The key points to remember is that if Chesterfield, West Chesterfield, and Roseland Heights are remapped out of the 6th Ward that means that there will be a possibility of losing a tremendous key voter base that was instrumental in the election of Sixth Ward Ald. Roderick T. Sawyer along with key institutions such as Chicago State University, Illinois Service Federal Bank, McDade Classical School, Gillespie Elementary School, Tuley Park, Abbott Park (named after Chicago Defender founder Robert S. Abbott); Harlan High School, Shedd Elementary School, Burnside Elementary School, Seaway National Bank, and also Garrett Popcorn (which will be coming soon to the 6th Ward).

 It appears that residents of the 6th ward have revived the "Independent" title again and are not going to go along to get along. This means that Alderman Beale and State Senator Meeks political careers will hinge on the success of the mall at 115th street. It also appears the Black Caucus is going to have to go back to the drawing board and make some drastic decisions that do not include the 19th and the 6th wards, if they want any version of their map approved.