For my block: When was Target local?

You might have seen this exact video on instagram through Jahmal Cole's My Block My Hood My City instagram page. Earlier this month he's shared this video on his FB page.

Basically what's he saying in this video? Cole is saying that we have an opportunity to build our local economy. We don't necessarily need a large chain store in our community. We need our own businesses to keep our cash in our communities. To go further we need our local businesses to hire people from our community and to help build up our communities.

Cole is right "Shop local. Buy local. Think Chatham".

Local School Councils need YOU as a candidate

Tomorrow is the NEW extended deadline for LSC elections. Thousands of slots remian open.
The map doesn't specify the need, but these include parent representatives (who can live anywhere in the city, as long as a child is a student), but also community representaives (who live within the school's immediate area. Contact the school for details). Community reps can include grandparents who do NOT have custody of a student in the school, but they need to live within the boundaries.

 In the 6th Ward, these include (according to the map):

• Deneen
• Dixon
• Ashe
• Neill
• McDade (surprisingly!)
• Gillespie
• Harlan
• Bennett
• Lenart (also a surpise)
• Westcott
• IDOC/Healy HS (8007 S. Cottage Grove)
• Harvard
• Yale
• Parker
• Banneker
• Robseson
• Kershaw
• Reed
• Hinton

You may also run in OTHER schools, such as Ruggles or Burnside, but they have at least have enough candidates to fill open slots, but a CIVIL election with more options is preferred.  These elections do NOT have to be like our recent local elections. Not at all -- but rather ways for parents to see other motivated leaders they can choose from to help their school.

Click on the map on CPS's web site  to find your local/child's school.

The process is quick and you can even download your forms ahead of time.

Elections are April 18 and 19 (for elementary and hig schools, respectively.).

Election judges are also needed. This is a temporary paid position, and you are not tied geographically.

For any questions about this information , call the Office of Local School Council Relations at 773-553-1400

And let the blog know by comment or at blog (at) thesixthward (dot) us

Keith Tate on the threats to police officers

Click picture to watch video

With regards to that e-mail you've seen an excerpt from in a post from yesterday (you can also watch the video):

"My true hope is we don't fall into a scenario of The Lord of the Flies, you know where there's lawlessness and things of that nature happening within our community, because it's a lose-lose situation for everybody," said Keith Tate reacting to the text message.

Tate is the President of the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council.
...
"Police, their primary objective is to maintain communities and also exhibit authority, when their authority is needed to be exhibited. I would hope that anything like that, that's being said, can and should not be, taken as a truism because we're going to work continually to make our community strong and more viable," Tate said.

The threat to officers working in the Chatham community comes just two months after the death of Officer Thomas Wortham IV in Chatham, right in front of his family's home.

Tate has not only been the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council President for the past 14 years, he's also a close Wortham family friend.

"In the Wortham situation, it was not just the Wortham family, it was four additional families. So it's important that people understand, that we are our brothers' keepers. That we need to make sure, that we take care of each other," said Tate.

Hat-tip 2nd City Cop!

Chatham Business Association Awards dinner -- NOT in Chatham?!

Saw this sign for the Chatham Business Association's annual awards gala, to be held on September 17, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency downtown.

Why isn't it being held at some place such as Captain Hard Times Dining? It's a perfect place for an awards banquet (or a wedding reception, or other special events)

Seems kind of strange that an organization that is supposed to promote business in the neighborhood is taking it (necessarily?) out of the neighborhood, no?

Unless there isn't capacity in our neighborhood, why not have it here?

Now, if there are so many attendees that it might not be practical to have it at Captain's. But if the only issue might be parking, perhaps they could provide complimentary valet service (using places such as Ruggles School and local businesses).

Let's hope other community leaders continue to use the meeting rooms of businesses such as Army & Lou's and Chatham Pancake House.

REMINDER: Greater Chatham Alliance is seeking interim officers.

Just a reminder that tomorrow is that LAST day for nominees for the Greater Chatham Alliance. It is a temporary position, until November, when you may run again if you wish.

See our previous entry for details.

Izola's featured on NATIONAL Public Radio

Chatham's Izola's Restaurant on 79th street was featured NPR's new short series, "Take Me to Your Leader" yesterday (Monday, Augst 25). According to NPR, "The trip is an attempt to get away from the hype surrounding the political conventions in Denver and St. Paul — and to talk to people (and leaders) from Chicago to Phoenix."

Click the link above to get more details on the story.

It's brief, but gives you a taste of the restaurant -- and the neighborhood.

85 year old Izola White has run her restaurant for 50 years, and has had several politicians dine there, some on a regular basis.

Izola's is open 24 hours, 6 days a week (closed on Wednesday). It's cash only -- so don't bring your credit card (but an ATM is on the premises).

Check out the Metromix review here.

The address is 522 E. 79th St. (near St. Lawrence Avenue), Chicago IL 60619

Other area restaurants to check out include nearby Captain's Hard Time Dining, Army & Lou's, 5 Loaves and Mather's More Than a Cafe.