Dispatches from Chicago's south side.
On a non-campaign related issue, we will be having our Annual Souls of Black Folk Oratorical Contest Saturday, March 26th at Harlan High School, 9652 S. Michigan, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for our youth to gain an invaluable experience in public speaking and a greater understanding of the black literary tradition. Please come out and support our youth.This event will be at about the same time as the Harlan Family Conference and Resource Fair to take place between 9 AM to 1 PM.
Footworking in Chatham from WBEZ on Vimeo.
It doesn’t really look anything like a typical dance club. For starters, the lights are on, blazing. They serve zero, zip, when it comes to beverages. And it only happens on Sunday nights.
But Battle Groundz, on 87th just east of Stony Island in Chatham, isn’t a very typical place. This is where a good bunch of Chicago’s hardcore footwoorkers -- from the South Side, the West Side, the suburbs, even a few stragglers from the North Side -- come to practice, compete, and hang out.
NOTE: the Following is SOLD OUT, according to the web site. But if you are still interested, you may want to contact the organizers. Maybe they can do another event? I would love to tak emy daughter...
Thanks to Worlee for passing on this info on an event at ICE Chatham Theater. Unfortunately, we have another event to go to.
But it sounds like some great family fun.
Please post on your experience there...or if you wish, we can even have you do a guest blog. Photos are very much appreicated.
For more information, go to www.princessandthefrog.eventbrite.com
Please join us for our Annual St. Mark United Methodist Church, 8441 S. St. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60619, phone: 773-846-2992; for Fall Family Fun Night, Friday, October 30, 2009 6:30-9:00 p.m. Free admission. Come out for games, prizes, Food and fellowship for the whole family! Costumes are not required. If you do choose to wear one, please no witches, devils, or characters from horror movies, etc. This is a wholesome God-honoring, family event that is an alternative to traditional Halloween activities.Check back on this blog for other Halloween activities.
"In the Paint and Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corp presents:Nice to see that the site is being used for something! It'd be nice if perhaps a church could take over the site on a permanent basis, if they can't get another grocery store (like Pete's Produce, or a black-owned grocery), or other store.
"TRUE HOOPIN"
What: Free basketball clinic, tryouts and games. Ages 8-19,
When: August 29, and September 5, 2009.
Where: 79th and the Dan Ryan at the old Dominick's parking lot.
Time: 12-4pm
In the wake of one of the deadliest school years in Chicago history, anti-violence groups are trying to keep students safe this summer despite funding cuts to already tight budgets.Read the whole thing!
With less than three weeks before Chicago Public Schools let out for the summer, the student death toll is perched precariously at 36-the highest in years-causing community organizations to fear the worst for this summer.
Though anti-violence organizations are facing a funding crunch, one federal program will provide grant money to Chicago neighborhoods with youth gang problems. The Justice Department's Federal Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative will give as much as $105,000 to support programs designed to curtail gang involvement on Chicago's south and west sides.
Children in at least 17 Chicago wards will have track and field clubs as a new summer recreation option, city officials announced today.You can see more about this program at the official website, youthreadychicago.org.
The new program is part of a city push to provide activities to keep children out of trouble this summer.
"There are still thousands of openings in the summer programs so I want to ask every parent or guardian to accept your responsibility and help us fill those empty slots," said Daley today, standing on a track in Jackson Park.
The track program, which sponsors hope to expand across the city, is expected to start in 17 wards and run between June 21 to July 25, said Ald. Willie Cochran (20th).
Gov. Pat Quinn has the opportunity next month to resume the tradition of the state’s chief executive making an annual appearance at both the Boys State and Girls State programs.Another venue to allow our youth some activities outside of school.
Boys State and Girls State bring high school juniors from across Illinois to the Eastern Illinois University campus for a week during the summer to learn about government and then set up mock governments at the state and local level.
Boys State and Girls State are sponsored by the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary, which work with high schools to select students and set up the program.
The students develop platforms, argue for their positions and work to persuade others to join them. The students elect their peers to various offices, with a couple of Illinois students being selected to participate in a national program later in the summer.
Both programs are a great opportunity for the students to connect with and experience firsthand the political process, and to do it in a fun format with peers. In some cases, lasting friendships are made.
The purpose of Youth and Government is to prepare young people for moral and political leadership as well as informed citizenship in the American democratic process. Guidance, training, and experience are provided in all three branches of government — “Democracy must be learned by each generation.”
