Walmart reaches deal for 'dozens' of new Chicago stores

Greg Hinz:

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and a group of Chicago aldermen late Monday announced a deal under which the discount retailer would open dozens of new stores in the city, contribute $20 million to local charities and pay workers a minimum of $8.75 an hour.

   The pact, announced by South Side Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) and others, does not appear to have the support of organized labor, at least not now.

   But given what the deal would bring Chicago, union backing may not be needed.

   At a City Hall press conference, Hank Mullany, president of Walmart's northern U.S. vision outlined a goody-filled package that the retailer clearly hopes will win the backing of a majority of aldermen, who earlier had blocked much smaller expansion plans.

You know I do believe I got a press release in the e-mail from PR reps of Wal-Mart. I won't excerpt the whole thing but some of it is of note:

• Open several dozen stores across the City of varying size and format. This will not only address Chicago’s double-digit commercial vacancy rate but, more importantly, provide customers with more convenient access to affordable groceries, especially those 600,000 residents living within Chicago’s three, self-identified food deserts;

• Create approximately 10,000 associate positions and 2,000 unionized construction jobs, helping to offset the City’s 11.4-percent unemployment rate;

• Generate more than $500 million in sales and property taxes, providing a much-needed revenue boost to a wide range of City and county services;

• Pay competitive wages at all levels, for Walmart associates across Chicagoland;

• Develop charitable partnerships in Chicago worth $20 million that work to eradicate hunger, curb youth violence and help all Chicago residents live better.

It approximated what was already seen in Greg Hinz' blog post. There's one more item to look at from Clout City, also from there note this Community Benefits Memo (PDF) from Wal-Mart regarding the future Pullman store.

Ninth Ward alderman Anthony Beale says it’s “very likely” his plan for a new Walmart in Pullman will come before the City Council's zoning committee this Thursday, and he says he’s optimistic he has the votes to advance it, partly because of a "community benefits agreement" that Walmart officials have put together to try to appease critics of the pay and benefits it offers workers.

But the agreement so far includes little beyond general promises Beale made to the Chicago Plan Commission when it approved the development in April.

Beale insists the company is strengthening its commitment to paying above-market wages. “This makes it more concrete,” Beale says. “It’s a legal document.”
...
It includes a lot of vague language, such as a pledge to “encourage” the site’s contractor to employ more minority-owned businesses than it has to legally. The agreement also states that Walmart will “recommend” that the general contractor work with unions to build the new store, and it says the big-box retailer “will work with local community groups and the mayor’s Office of Workforce Development to source candidates who are interested, qualified and eligible.”

Noticeably absent from the agreement is any mention of a “living wage” of $11.03, which some union-friendly aldermen have been demanding. The memo does include a “Wages & Benefits” section, but it only states that Walmart offers “competitive market salaries” and a “comprehensive benefits package” to its associates.
“This is a community benefits agreement,” Beale says. “This is not a union community benefits agreement.”

Beale says the Pullman agreement was compiled from similar documents that were created for the city's one existing Walmart, on the west side, and another proposed for Chatham. Beale says it also takes into account community feedback he received during 60 community meetings that were held to discuss the retailer's expansion into Pullman.

The odds of this one getting approved not only by the zoning committee of the city council but by the full city council seems to have always been better than Ald. Brookins attempt to build a Wal-Mart near 83rd & Stewart. Is it merely a matter of time or we'll see an even bigger fight for this store I wish I can say for certain!

Clout City: City Council Hearing Turns Into Rally For Handgun Ban

Photo from Chicago Reader by Sam Adams

This post from Clout City had been posted last Friday. It was about a city council hearing held by the police and fire committee with regards to the Chicago gun ban being challenged by the US Supreme Court. BTW, that ruling is expected today!

Ald. Lyle is noted in this piece, but if you're concerned about the gun ban this piece by Mick Dumke is worth a good read when you get the first opportunity. Also note Mick Dumke was the reporter whom Mayor Daley went off on last month when he dared to ask the Mayor whether or not this gun ban had actually been effective.

But from its opening moments, the hearing became a platform for city officials, gun control advocates, and community activists to argue that the city needs to continue to find ways to keep Chicagoans from legally acquiring guns. In nearly two hours of testimony, not one witness raised questions about the utility of the gun ban or other gun restrictions, nor did anyone discuss other potential causes of violence—even though Chicago averages several shootings a day even with the ban in place.

Police committee chairman Anthony Beale, alderman of the Ninth Ward, said there was no need to hear from opponents of the ban, or even skeptics. “I think anybody who’s fighting common-sense gun legislation will be considered the bad guy,” he said. “We’re trying to make our streets safer.”
...
Still, you didn’t have to be a card-carrying member of the NRA to find the discussion strangely lopsided.
“I was waiting to hear from someone from the other side that I could argue with,” Sixth Ward alderman Freddrenna Lyle said afterward.

That’s not to say that those who did speak didn’t make compelling points.

Robyn Thomas, executive director of the San Francisco-based Legal Community Against Violence, told the handful of aldermen present—the number in attendance varied from nine to two—that even if the ban is struck down later this month, the council could enact ordinances requiring more stringent training and registration requirements. Harvard University economist David Hemenway summarized a number of studies linking legal access to guns with higher rates of accidental deaths, suicides, and even robberies and burglaries.


And it was impossible not to be moved by the appeals of several parents whose children have been killed by guns in the last few years. “I’m asking that, if the gun ban is lifted, that we put a strict law in place requiring that the guns have to be locked up in people’s homes,” said Pamela Montgomery-Bosley, whose 18-year-old son Terrell was slain in 2006.

But the origins and point of the hearing—aside from promoting the city's anti-violence strategy—remain unclear.
...
When I asked her if the gun ban is really doing anything about violence, she sighed. Lyle’s ward has been the site of some of the most horrifying gun incidents of the last few months, including the killing of a police officer in May. She actually agreed with much of what [Richard Pearson executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association] argued—that the murders are the result of a “perfect storm” of things, including gang disputes, a crumbling economy, high dropout rates, family instability, and government welfare policies.

“People are looking for short answers but there is no short answer,” she said. “So in the short run all we can do is talk to people about how to stay safe, and one way is to try to keep guns off the street.”

Well, whenever we know the Supreme Court ruling on this issue we shall see what the city will come up with.

Recap of Chatham Foods Fathers day BBQ

The Annual Fathers Day Cookout had a great turnout, music was playing ,neighbors were talking and employees were mingling with customers. The most important part was the FOOD. Locally owned Reggio's Pizza was out giving out samples and Chatham Foods was grilling hot dogs, hamburgers, and other goodies.

Speaking with the owner, the next cookout will be July 3, 2010. and will bigger and better.

Recap of GCA June Meeting

The Greater Chatham Alliance(GCA) June monthly meeting was held at St. Marks. Lutheran Church. The organization interim officers gave their reports with the Crime and Safety chairperson report being of most interest. The organization has started a safety patrol covering from 79th State to 87th over to King Drive. They currently have 23 volunteers who patrol a 2 block area and are suppose to call the police department and report and suspicious activity. It was noted they are not police and do not have arrest authority. The organization is looking to expand past King Drive but currently have no members or volunteers.

Also, the membership chair Arthur Turnbull Jr. stated that he was having trouble verifying the group's actually membership total. Per Mr. Turnbull they did not receive an accurate total from the previous administration. They stated that they have records indicating 55-64 members but can only verify 7 paid memberships. They asked those in attendance to indicate if they had paid a membership fee.

The main reason most were in attendance was because the guest speaker was Janice Stewart, Executive Director of Housing Choice Programs (section 8) for the Chicago Housing Authority(CHA). Mrs. Stewart was very personable and gave some background information on CHA and Housing Choice as well as had one her assistant Mr. Bailey state that he was working with 6th district police to identify if any of CHA or voucher holders had or have been arrested. The President of GCA decided that she would moderate the questions. When questions came up concerning details on the number of housing vouchers issued, currently being used, where are they being used, she stated that she could not disclose that information because of privacy laws. This was the response to the majority of questions asked. The question was asked about steering and housing discrimination and she dismissed the question as a joke and started to talk about redlining. Overall the presentation was disappointing and some left before she finished. The only information she gave was if a resident had a complaint was to call a 800 number and leave a message with a voice mail and they would investigate the situation.


I do not understand why it was so hard to say that the 5th ward has a larger concentration of section 8 voucher holders than anywhere on the southside. Also, why they do not want residents to use a paper inspection form that is used outside the city limits as well as lie to us and tell us that CHA employees are not engageing in steering and encouraging housing discrinimation (ask our Alderman). It appears that we in Chatham are going to have to have our federally elected officials hold hearings and hold CHA feet to the fire because the patronizing of our community by CHA must stop.

BTW, they all seem to get a little irritated when Alderman Lyle's name was used. Hmmm?

Question - Where am I...?

This is a building i saw while walking through the neighborhood a few weeks back.

It's a mansion I never would have imagined was nestled in this area. They have a two car garage which is in the basement section of the building (see the windows on the lower left corner), plus a drive way which passes the front steps.

In addition to answering where this building is, can anyone give us some informaiton on the history of it, such as previous owners, how they interacted with the community, etc?

Tree down in the middle of King Drive

i didn't think that the storm on Friday, while some high winds, were so storng to cause a lot of destruction (our couple's bible study was canceled because of it -- which i didn't understand at the time).

But, it did indeed.

An entire tree was uprooted and fell on King Drive north of 82nd street, blocking the southbound lane. These photos were taken at noon on Saturday (today). A police vehicle was stationed at 81st, blocking that traffic. Northbound vehicles could pass (barely).


(My wife mentioned that clean up crews arrived around 1pm)

So it took at least 12 hours for anyone to notice a tree in the middle of a MAJOR road??!

Now, i understand that some roads may have even higher priority, and certainly those that cause bodily or vehicular damage come first.

But King Drive has to wait at least 12 hours to get help?!?!

Can a study be done to see which areas got first priority when it came to clean up? Was it the richer/whiter areas? Did places that have high traffic, but not as "desirable" or "influential" get put on the wait list?

The city takes photos when they repair landscaping...do they have photos of tree clean up? i would be interested to see if things were done fairly, or politically.

Also, were there any other major incidents like this in the neighborhood?

ShoreBank tops capital target; federal bailout funds still in question

Crain's:

The South Side lender, which will fail without hundreds of millions in fresh capital, obtained commitments for about $150 million, well above its $125-million target and previously reported sums.

But the $2-billion-asset bank, which gained a national reputation for lending in low-income city neighborhoods that other banks avoid, needs a $75-million companion infusion from the recently reworked Troubled Asset Relief Program in order to comply with regulatory capital requirements.

A June 15 deadline for an answer from the Treasury Department, which administers TARP, came and went, so the private consortium that made the $150-million commitment agreed to a one-week extension.

Sources say the Federal Reserve appears to have taken the lead from Treasury on whether to back the TARP request, as reported first by the Chicago Tribune’s Web site.

“It’s not going as quickly as we’d like, but we’re working through it,” a ShoreBank spokesman said.
The ShoreBank bailout has turned into a political hot potato.

It ran into a buzzsaw late last month on Capitol Hill, with top Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee requesting information from the White House on any communications regarding ShoreBank’s predicament amid speculation that Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Citigroup Inc. and the other banking giants that came to the little bank’s aid were doing so at the behest of the Obama administration.

On June 9th,  there was a "tea party" outside of a downtown office for ShoreBank. Got wind of it through Marathon Pundit and you can read an accounting of it from there as well.

As you can see there are those who are concerned about this bailout from whether or not ShoreBank can survive or from whether "clout" has played a role in it's survival or in the bank recieving government bailout funds.

Salvation Army community center for West Pullman

Sun-Times:

The Chicago Plan Commission approved a Salvation Army community center and athletic facilities for West Pullman on Thursday.

The $64 million development is funded by a $109 million donation to the Salvation Army by Joan Kroc, late widow of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc. The additional money will be applied to an endowment for operating funds and scholarships, said Maj. David Harvey of the charitable group.

Harvey said the group still needs to raise $6 million for the endowment and that it already has raised about $18 million from other sources.

It will be built on 32 acres near 118th and Racine. The land is on the edge of an industrial area and has been vacant for years.

The Salvation Army began raising funds for the West Pullman site in 2007, after former Ald. Dorothy Tillman (3rd) objected to the group's desire to build in Bronzeville.

One neighborhood's loss is another's gain. What could this center offer to Well Pullman? This is nothing less than positive.

Via CapFax morning shorts!

Loitering at 7846 S. Michigan

The house at 7846 S. Michigan is currently unoccupied, and has been a haven for young (ealry 20's, it seems) loiterers who are there just hanging out and drinking.

They were also next door at 7842 S. Michigan. It's unknown if anyone lives there, and if they are aware of the loitering and drinking.

This is behind the parking lot of Taylor Funeral home and down the alley from Carter Temple Church.

i didn't take a picture with the loiterers because they have seen my face too many times for them to just let me do it. The last picture is the interior of the rear guest house, which has the back door open.

In talking with a neighbor, she has mentioned that neighbors have called about the house several times, but that police don't do anything about it. Also, she said no one has lived there for years.

According to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds, in searching the PIN 20-27-319-026-0000 the last action was in 2005 (not including a notice form the city in 2008). Allegedy it was up for auction in Ocotber 2009. But evidently, no one claimed it. Certainly no activity (such as new ownership) has been listed there for the past few months

The property seems like a good one for a church. Other urban churches have mission groups who stay in the community. This would be a great property for that.


Perhaps they can work on the back building first and then use the guest house in back for some volunteers who can have a hand in cleaning and repairing the front.

So what can we do to prevent this from being a haven for loiterers, alcoholics & gangbangers?

Friends of the Parks has set up a Thomas Wortham IV Playground Fund

Friends of the Parks has set up a Thomas Wortham IV Playground Fund. In partnership with the Wortham family, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Police Department and the community, a new children’s playground will be constructed in Cole Park at 85th Street and Martin Luther King Drive across the street from his parents’ house. The new playground will be named the Thomas Wortham IV Playground.

Thomas Wortham IV was the President of the Cole Park Advisory Council and was active on a city-wide Park Advisory Council Network. Thomas committed his time, energy and vision to improving Cole Park. As President of the advisory council, Thomas worked on expanding recreation programs for youth, improving the children’s playground and the running track. At 30 years of age Thomas Wortham IV was a dedicated and respected community advocate who was a model for his community and all of Chicago. His loss on May 19th was devastating to all Chicagoans.

The Thomas Wortham IV Playground will be designed and constructed in Cole Park. The playground will be accessible to children of all abilities. The goal is to build the Thomas Wortham IV playground in the fall of 2010 during a two-day community-build event with volunteers from the Police Department, his family and friends and Friends of the Parks. The cost of the playground is expected to be $225,000. Contributions can be made to the Thomas Wortham IV Playground Fund in c/o Friends of the Parks, 17 N. State Street, Suite 1450, Chicago, IL 60602 or at www.fotp.org

Volunteers Needed for Grand Crossing Park Playground Building

From Friends of the Park

Volunteers from the community, Kohl’s Department Stores, Children’s Memorial Hospital and from Friends of the Parks will build the new, accessible playground in Grand Crossing Park, 7655 South Ingleside, over a two-day period in June. Starting early in the morning at 8:00 a.m. and working through the days and under the supervision of a construction management team, the volunteers will be instructed on how to install new slides, climbing equipment, bridges, swings and tunnels. Once the equipment is installed, the volunteers will be trained to install the new safe rubber-mat surface material. The playground build project will take two days to complete.

The total cost of the playground is $220,000. State Representative Marlow Colvin secured $100,000 from the State of Illinois and Kohl’s Department Stores donated $120,000 through Children’s Memorial Hospital.

The community-build days are set for Friday June 18 and Saturday, June 19, 2010, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sixty volunteers on each of the two days have signed up to construct the playground.

Partners include the Grand Crossing Park Advisory Council, the Chatham Avalon Community Council, the Chicago Park District, Children’s Memorial Hospital, Kohl’s Department Stores, State Representative Marlow Colvin and Alderman Michelle Harris.

For more information contact Amy Donatell at donatella@fotp.org

June 2010 6th ward Newsletter

June Newsletter 2010-2

Chicago State loss is Depaul's gain

He's swapping one iconic black heroine for another. Haki Madhubuti, the founder
and director emeritus of the Gwendolyn Brooks Center at Chicago State University,
has been named DePaul University's new Ida B. Wells-Barnett university professor.
This fall he will teach two classes, lecture and conduct faculty workshops on race
at DePaul.

The Brooks and Wells-Barnett legacies are precious cargo. Brooks succeeded the
poet Carl Sandburg as Illinois' poet laureate. In 1950 she became the first African
American to win a Pulitzer Prize, for her book Annie Allen.

Wells-Barnett was a fearless firebrand, a journalist-activist who deployed investigative
reporting to expose the scourge of lynching in the American South.

These ladies did not play.

Madhubuti knows. The career poet, publisher, editor and educator was a mentee and
member of Brooks' "extended family." Before her death in 2000, Brooks entrusted
Madhubuti with her literary memory.

Madhubuti is departing his longtime stint at Chicago State in the wake of fierce controversy.
He was pushed out after 26 years after he criticized the appointment of Wayne Watson
as the new president at the beleaguered and struggling South Side school.

Madhubuti is moving on, but his voice was edged with bitterness over the battle with Watson.
"The president was making it uncomfortable for me," he said last week over the phone.
"I've done what I can do."

If there's one thing you'll do at DePaul, I asked, what would it be?

"To make clear that even though we have elected a black president, race is still the untold
issue and metaphor in this country, and at some point we have to deal with it."

More than a century ago, Ida B. Wells was dealing with it. Born in 1872 to former slaves
in Holly Springs, Miss., she rose to become a black educator-turned-journalist-turned-women's
suffragist-turned-supreme agitator.

One of my favorite Wells quotes still resonates today: "The appeal to the white man's pocket
has ever been more effectual than all the appeals ever made to his conscience."

Wells spearheaded more causes than I can count. She teamed up with Susan B. Anthony
and Jane Addams to push for women's suffrage. She was a co-founder of the NAACP (much
to the chagrin of her male competitors). Her keynote skill was brilliantly biting investigative
reporting that exposed the trumped-up lynchings of hundreds of black men. She published
her prolific chronicles of the racist bloodletting in a pamphlet, aptly named "A Red Record."
Her reporting on the barbarism led to the establishment of anti-lynching laws.

And she was so Chicago. Wells moved here and launched a crusade to open up the
1893 World's Columbian Exposition to black participation.

She married Frederick Barnett in her adopted city, had four children and continued her
activism from her Bronzeville home until she died in 1931 at 68.

I am especially keen on Madhubuti's new gig, since I was honored to hold the Wells-Barnett
chair from 2003 to 2009. While at DePaul, I strived to elevate and emulate Wells' fight
for racial justice. It wasn't easy.

Tragically, most know Wells-Barnett only for her namesake -- the Ida B. Wells Homes
on Chicago's South Side. The public housing development opened in 1941 as a vessel
of hope -- to provide decent homes for thousands of low-income black families transitioning
from poverty to sustainability. But the development and its families eventually spiraled
into disgrace, the victims of official neglect, rampant crime and abject poverty.
It was demolished several years ago.

Wells-Barnett's memory must stand. African-American legacies are fragile, but priceless.
Good luck to Madhubuti. Kudos to DePaul for continuing the professorship.

Recap of 6th Ward June Aldermandic Meeting

The 6th ward aldermandic meeting was full of information with a number of city of chicago departments present. The department of neighbor affairs, purchasing and consumer services were present and encouraged residents to inquire about opportunities to do business with the city and if there are businesses that are presenting a nuisance to file a complaint.

Also, Governor Pat Quinn field representative stopped in and encouraged residents to vote in the upcoming November election and why it is important to vote for Governor Quinn.

One of the featured speakers was Tammy Collins from the City of Chicago Department of Community Development and 6th ward resident. She came to the meeting to speak about the 67th Street tax increment financing (TIF) district. A TIF district is a designated area where a portion of the real estate taxes paid by commercial property owners go into a pool that can be used to make improvements, create job training programs, etc. The TIF district is being created to ensure that the area surrounding the old Kennedy King College receives some benefits from the redevelopment of the that site. The district will run approximately from 67th Ashland to Cottage Grove and south to 79th with the same east and west coordinates. No details were given about what is going to be built on the Kennedy King site. Several questions were raised regarding crime in that area which were answered that the money generated by the TIF can be used to get additional law enforcement presence.

The second featured speaker was Ervin Currin who is the Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services(DCFS)and 6th ward resident. Mr. Currin gave some facts about DCFS interaction in the 6th Ward. Mr. Currin stated the following:

375 investigations
14 removals
79 foster parents
113 foster children

Mr. Currin stated that mission of DCFS is to strengthen families and not take kids out of homes and place them in the foster care system. he did state that they are having problems placing older children and are creating group homes that teach these young people independent living skills because most will leave the system at age 18. he gave two websites that discuss several initiatives the department is involved in.

www.fosterkidsareourkids.org
www.strengtheningfamiliesillinois.org/


Lastly, the alderman asked residents to volunteer to become block liaisons. These liaisons would be responsible to disseminate information to their neighbors. it was stressed that these individuals would not be paid and are not precinct captains. Also, the alderman asked for volunteers to help with the various programs sponsored by her office.

Walgreen's to text when prescriptions are ready

AP:

Drugstore operator Walgreen Co. said Tuesday it will begin using text messages to tell customers when their prescriptions are ready.

Walgreen will also offer details on coupons and other deals to customers who sign up at its website. The company said it is also relaunching its iPhone app and mobile site. Walgreen's mobile phone application was launched in fall 2009.

How many of you are going to take advantage of this new service from Walgreen's?

REMINDERfor THIS Saturday: THINK ABOUT IT anti-violence campaign

A reminder from a previous post



(Apologies for the ALL CAPS)

SAMUEL B. RAWLS AND SON FUNERAL HOME CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO COME OUT AND PARTICIPATE IN THE “THINK ABOUT IT” ANTI-VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN MARCH ON SATURDAY JUNE 19^TH AT NOON.

JOIN CLIFF KELLEY, RADIO PERSONALITY KENYA SIMONE, ALDERMAN FREDDRENNA LYLE 6^TH WARD, ALDERMAN LATASHA THOMAS 17^TH WARD, AND REVEREND JESSE L. JACKSON SENIOR WILL DELIVER A KEYNOTE SPEECH ADDRESSING YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF CRIME ON OUR COMMUNITY.


THE “THINK ABOUT IT” MARCH STARTS PROMPTLY AT NOON ON SATURDAY JUNE 19^TH AT 71^ST AND MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE AND WILL END AT THE NEW FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH ON 71^ST AND HALSTED WITH A KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY REVEREND JESSE L. JACKSON SENIOR.

EVERY LIFE THAT WE HELP SAVE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR TOMORROW!!

‘THINK ABOUT IT”

--
For more information, contact event sponsor Rawls and Son Funeral Home

Samuel B. Rawls
President
773-445--8266
rawlsandsonfuneralhome@yahoo.com

The 6th Ward Leadership Academy Summer Program

The 6th Ward Leadership Academy is designed to engage 6th Ward youth (ages 10-15) in an inspiring, engaging and intellectually stimulating environment. This program will build leadership, interpersonal and communication skills while providing cultural and career exposure to the youth. Some of the program components are community service projects, gang and drug prevention, entrepreneurship and organized sports in collaboration with World Sport Chicago. We believe it is paramount to provide a safe and productive atmosphere during the summer months when children are most vulnerable to violence.

The 6th Ward Leadership Academy is free for the first fifty (50) participants and is sponsored by Lyle for Kids and Diversified Behavioral Comprehensive Care.

To Apply:
Complete and sign the participant application, which can be picked up at the 6th Ward office or at any 6th Ward school.
Completed applications may be returned via:
•Scan and email (signature required): lyleforkids@gmail.com
•Fax: (773) 846-0503 (Attn: The 6th Ward Leadership Academy)
•Hand Deliver: return forms to the 6th Ward office or Lyle for Kids headquarters at 7318 S. Cottage Grove.

Academy Information:
This is a seven-week program (June 28-August 13) that runs Monday through Friday from 10am- 4pm. The program will be run from Paul Robeson High School located at 6835 S Normal Blvd.

Transportation:
Parents or guardians are responsible for providing daily transportation to and from the location. Lyle for Kids will provide a bus to transport youth on all field trips.

Dress and Attire:
All youth will be given a camp t-shirt that they are expected to wear.

Volunteering:
If you are interested in volunteering with the Leadership Academy, please contact the Program Director directly by calling (773) 756-8061

Questions or Concerns?
Please contact the Lyle For Kids at lyleforkids@gmail.com or by calling (773) 756-8061.

Mayor Daley runs up big debts building his global city; what about the rest of Chicago?

This video above and the article from which I shall excerpt is well worth your time:

To see how Chicago has changed under Mayor Richard M. Daley, walk through the Near South Side.

What two decades ago was an urban desert, best known for its Skid Row, now is a place of glittering condo towers, bustling stores and restaurants. The population — including Rich and Maggie Daley — has tripled since 1990 while income has more than quadrupled.

Just four miles south, in Washington Park, where Mr. Daley hoped to host the 2016 Olympics, population is down, jobs and stores are scarce, and incomes are a tiny fraction of those in the South Loop.

In 1989, the year Mr. Daley was first elected mayor, Chicago was widely considered the buckle on the Rust Belt
In 1989, the year Mr. Daley was first elected mayor, Chicago was widely considered the buckle on the Rust Belt. Getty Images photo
As Mr. Daley, 68, prepares a presumed run for an unprecedented seventh term, economic data examined by Crain's show his success over the past 21 years in remaking Chicago's business center and nearby neighborhoods into a "global city," where incomes and education levels are high and amenities are world-class.

But big parts of Chicago have been left behind. And the city is stuck with the debts Mr. Daley has piled up on infrastructure-rebuilding and gentrification, including the cost of projects such as the Olympics bid, Millennium Park, theater districts, median planters — not to mention underfinanced city pensions and the tax-increment financing subsidies doled out to downtown developers.

"If this was a business, I'd frankly question how long you can keep doing this before the (bond) markets freeze you out," says former Cook County CFO Woods Bowman, now at DePaul University.

Bonded debt and long-term leases have risen much faster than the city's property-tax base under Mr. Daley and now amount to about $5,600 for each Chicagoan. Then there's billions in unfunded pension liabilities — another $5,000 per Chicagoan — and one of the deepest municipal budget holes in the country.

That budget gap, called "unsustainable" by Chicago's Civic Federation, will hamstring Mr. Daley if he wins another term. The question is whether he is the right person to lead the city out of a fiscal morass created in large part by his drive to make Chicago a mecca for wealthy professionals and international corporations.

Do you think Mayor Daley's initiatives have benefited other neighborhoods around the city?

Via Newsalert!

GCA Meeting This Saturday

Formerly the W.I.M. Block Association


JUNE 2010 Meeting
Saturday, June 19
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
St. James Lutheran Church
8000 S. Michigan

Now accepting GCA $30 yearly member dues per family for 2010.
One vote per membership

773.635.6500 for more info
REQUEST OUR E-NEWSLETTER VIA
email: gcahonor@sbcglobal.net

http://www.scribd.com/full/32996653?access_key=key-29femtpfc6jgdr3x0lf
























































Formerly the W.I.M. Block Association


JUNE 2010 Meeting
Saturday, June 19
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
St. James Lutheran Church
8000 S. Michigan

Now accepting GCA $30 yearly member dues per family for 2010.
One vote per membership

773.635.6500 for more info
REQUEST OUR E-NEWSLETTER VIA
email: gcahonor@sbcglobal.net

OPEN BLOG: Movie and a meal meet-up

Last month we talked about whether or not there was any interest in doing a meet-up at the Chatham 14. We brought up the possibility of doing a dinner and a movie. At the same time my first idea was to just catch a show.

If this was to happen we may have to decide if we should either do a matinee show and eat lunch first or do an evening show and eat dinner afterwards. Either way we should discuss how we want to do a movie and then visit one of our local restaurants for this meet-up.

Either way I want to note that Ald. Lyle in that last open blog wants to do a "dinner and a movie" type of event.

QUESTION: What local restaurant would you like to eat at for our Chatham 14 meet-up?

= What happened to the new Park Manor Christian Church...?

Early last year, Pastor James Demus presented at a 6th ward meeting the plans for a new building for Park Manor Christian Church, to be located at 84th & King Drive.


Their earlier work was destroyed, but seemed on the road to rebuilding, with a sign noting the church.



Walking home from the Wortham prayer vigil 3 weeks ago , i noticed that the sign was removed.

Anyone know what's going on (or not going on)? Is this project going to happen? Or do they need to sell the land to someone else?

Also -- will they have another "Taste of Park Manor"? If so, I hope they check out our review and suggestions for this upcoming year.

Please let us know...

June 2010 Monthly Meeting

For Ald. Lyle previously advertised in another blog post. As soon I can upload the flyer then you will see it on the blog. The flyer contains the people who are expected to speak at this meeting:

• DCFS Director, Erwin McEwen
• A representative from the 67th & Wentworth TIF

This meeting will take place at St. Columbanus at 331 E. 71st Street this Saturday at 10 AM.

Rival Chains Secretly Fund Opposition to Wal-Mart- Is it fair?

Robert Brownson long believed that his proposed development here, with its 200,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter, was being held hostage by nearby homeowners.

He had seen them protesting at city hall, and they had filed a lawsuit to stop the project.

What he didn't know was that the locals were getting a lot of help. A grocery chain with nine stores in the area had hired Saint Consulting Group to secretly run the antidevelopment campaign. Saint is a specialist at fighting proposed Wal-Marts, and it uses tactics it describes as "black arts."

View Full Image

Philip Scott Andrews for the Wall Street Journal

P. Michael Saint, left, is founder of Saint Consulting Group, which specializes in using political-campaign tactics to build support for or against developments. Many of its efforts to block projects are clandestine.
.As Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has grown into the largest grocery seller in the U.S., similar battles have played out in hundreds of towns like Mundelein. Local activists and union groups have been the public face of much of the resistance. But in scores of cases, large supermarket chains including Supervalu Inc., Safeway Inc. and Ahold NV have retained Saint Consulting to block Wal-Mart, according to hundreds of pages of Saint documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal and interviews with former employees.

Saint has jokingly called its staff the "Wal-Mart killers." P. Michael Saint, the company's founder, declines to discuss specific clients or campaigns. When read a partial list of the company's supermarket clients, he responds that "if those names are true, I would say I was proud that some of the largest, most sophisticated companies were so pleased with our success and discretion that they hired us over the years."

Read the entire story at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704875604575280414218878150.html?mod=WSJ_business_whatsNews

6th Ward meeting this Saturday

Saturday, June 12
10:00 a.m.
St. Columbanus Church
331 E. 71st St.

For further information about any of these events, call the 6th Ward Service Office at (773) 846-7006 or e-mail at ward06@cityofchicago.org

HOW TO PURCHASE $100 WORTH OF GROCERIES FOR ONLY $16.00

Chesterfield Community Council and St. Mark Lutheran Church Outreach
Ministry will host a special money saving event on Saturday,
June 12, 10:00 a.m. at the church located on the corner of 88th
& Langley. Dorothy Mack aka "The Coupon Queen" will give a special
presentation on utilizing coupons on your next grocery bill.

This event is FREE and open to the public. Space is limited.

Please RSVP by June 9 by calling 773-651-3958
or via e-mail at chesterfield@ameritech.net

Join Team Sleet with the Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon

From one of our local residents, Brian Sleet

The Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon is both the largest day of community service in Chicago and the largest fundraiser for Chicago Cares. Join thousands of volunteers from companies, churches, alumni groups, fraternities, block clubs, neighborhoods and families to paint a brighter future for Chicago children. It is now in its 17th year.

We'll help students succeed as we beautify Chicago school classrooms, libraries and playgrounds! In just one day, Serve-a-thon volunteers transform schools into wonderful, vibrant places to learn and grow. The Serve-a-thon is also the largest fundraiser for Chicago Cares, and money raised through this event makes it possible for us to create, manage and lead 215 volunteer projects every month.

Sixth Ward and Chatham resident Brian Sleet has started his team, "Team Sleet" to help out. You can join or donate to Team Sleet or any Chicago Cares Team at http://chicagocares.kintera.org/serve-a-thon2010/teamsleet

Bets wishes for Team Sleet!

We encourage others to send us your good news by e-mailing us at thesixthward (at) 1chicago.net

THINK ABOUT IT anti-vilence campaign = Saturday, June 19th

Here's an upcoming event that was brought to our attention while at the Ruggles Prayer meeting.

(Apologies for the ALL CAPS)

SAMUEL B. RAWLS AND SON FUNERAL HOME CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO COME OUT AND PARTICIPATE IN THE “THINK ABOUT IT” ANTI-VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN MARCH ON SATURDAY JUNE 19^TH AT NOON.

JOIN CLIFF KELLEY, RADIO PERSONALITY KENYA SIMONE, ALDERMAN FREDDRENNA LYLE 6^TH WARD, ALDERMAN LATASHA THOMAS 17^TH WARD, AND REVEREND JESSE L. JACKSON SENIOR WILL DELIVER A KEYNOTE SPEECH ADDRESSING YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF CRIME ON OUR COMMUNITY.


THE “THINK ABOUT IT” MARCH STARTS PROMPTLY AT NOON ON SATURDAY JUNE 19^TH AT 71^ST AND MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE AND WILL END AT THE NEW FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH ON 71^ST AND HALSTED WITH A KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY REVEREND JESSE L. JACKSON SENIOR.

EVERY LIFE THAT WE HELP SAVE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR TOMORROW!!

‘THINK ABOUT IT”

--
For more information, contact event sponsor Rawls and Son Funeral Home

Samuel B. Rawls
President
773-445--8266
rawlsandsonfuneralhome@yahoo.com

Woman charged with animal abuse in Chatham house case

Remember that story about a house that contained either dead or dying animals. Well there are charges filed:

A microchip in a dead dog helped lead investigators to the woman who left it and two others to perish in a South Side home that was foreclosed upon twice, police said Saturday night.

Carla Smith, 44, of the 8100 block of South Shore Drive was charged with a number of animal abuse counts today after a neighbor had alerted authorities earlier this week to a putrid smell and a swarm of flies outside the home in the 8200 block of South Rhodes Avenue.
...
Smith, who turned herself in Saturday, was charged with felony aggravated cruelty to animals, misdemeanor cruelty to animals and violation of animal owners duties.

Police said the Animal Crimes team was able to identify Smith by information on a microchip implanted in one of the deceased dogs, as well as through talks with neighbors.

Smith is scheduled to appear in court Sunday.

Daley pushes again for South Side Wal-Mart

Sun-Times:

"There should not be one community that's a desert for retail," the mayor said, at the rain-soaked dedication of Marshfield Plaza, on 119th Street in the Morgan Park neighborhood.

Daley has pushed for a second city Wal-Mart in Pullman, another South Side neighborhood, but faces opposition from union leaders who want the retailer to pay better wages. The City Council's Zoning Committee recently delayed a vote on the issue.

Asked if he would insist on a City Council vote on the Wal-Mart expansion, Daley insisted such pressure would have to come from the community.

In this very brief article, another issue at play is the role of TIFs in developing Marshfield Plaza. Other than that it doesn't look like Daley will help to push the Wal-Mart issue out of the Zoning Committee.

Tighter security puts Cole Park back in play

Tribune:

On a steamy afternoon, young men faced off at Cole Park's basketball court under several watchful eyes: a Park District security team, five Chicago police officers wandering by on patrol and a newly installed security camera perched atop the court.

Don Lampkin, with his graying stubble, also was there, bumping shoulders and driving the lane with boys and men decades younger.

When Thomas Wortham IV and other Chatham neighborhood leaders strategized in recent weeks about how to rid Cole Park of rising violence, they called on the city for more security. But they also knew they would need residents such as Lampkin, a Chatham retiree who is committed to his community and is willing to come out and play.

"I think for the most part they are all good kids," said Lampkin, fit at 60.
...
On the Sunday after Wortham's slaying — during an event to reclaim the park that was long-planned — a Park District official told Lyle that a security car would be assigned to Cole from 3:30 p.m. until the park closes.

The next day, the Police Department installed a camera high above the court.

A week later, a group of local young men — joined by Lampkin — played on the basketball court that was reopened after security was beefed up. The rims had been disabled following the shootings.

"I'm so glad they're doing this, because it was going to get to a serious point," said Darion Simmons, 22, a Southern Illinois University student who regularly plays at the park when he's home on summer break. "I'm here to play basketball."

That it took Wortham's death to get the security in place is not lost on many.

"People are sawing and climbing and putting up security and you say, 'Wow.' That is what it had to take," Lampkin said.

This is great news! As long as there is a visible presence of security and police around Cole Park or any other park where there may be issues hopefully people can come and go as safely as they please.

This is step one, but I hope that there are other things we can do to insure that we can lower the incidents of violence in our community.

Movies in the Park -- 6th ward area movies

Sent to us from Mike Harris, from the recommendation of Uptown Update (Thanks, UU!)

Mike did a great job plugging the information into a map to help us find locations throughout the city

Friday, July 30, 2010
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner NR
Tuley Park
501 E. 90th Pl.
312.747.6763
(This movie is a part of Chicago Park District's Cultural Center "Film 'n Fun" Series)


Thursday, August 12, 2010
Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs PG
Lorraine Dixon Park
8701 S. Dauphin Ave.
312.747.6763


Saturday, August 21, 2010
The Blind Side PG-13
Avalon Park
1215 E. 83rd St.
312.747.6015


Monday, August 30, 2010 The Blind Side PG-13
Grand Crossing Park
7655 S. Ingleside Ave.
312.747.6158

The full list of Movies in The Park is available here.

Just wondering...

Why does Cricket Hill (on the North Side, east of Uptown) have so many movies (6 movies! 3 definitely for kids, 3 more geared for adults)?

Why do we have the same movie playing twice in our area?

Don't Forget: 6th Ward Annual Bike Ride

Myering Park
7140 S. King Drive
June 5, 2010
Registration 8:00am
Ride: 9:00am- 12:00pm

Bikers will bike to Tuley Park (90th King Drive) and back to Myering Park. Light Refreshments will be served.

New Life Covenant Oakwood men's breakfast tomorrow

New Life Covenant Oakwood (senior pastor = John Hannah) is sponsoring a free men's breakfast tomorrow at their Greater grand Crossing location: 7757 S Greenwood on Saturday June 5th at 9am

The topic for men will be sexual immorality.

New Life is also planning a prayer chain on 79th street on Saturday June 26 at noon. More details are forthcoming. They are most willing to work with other Christians and ministries on this issue. They are also planning outreaches with handing out cold water (as is Chatham Fields Lutheran Church).

It looks like churches are coming together, and stepping out into the community, and making it a better one. Please let us know details of these and other events as they come out.

REVISITED: Artwork at the 95th Terminal

I posted a photo of this artwork at the 95th terminal back in August 2009. I finally noticed this information with regards to it a while back. Recently decided to take a picture of it.

The mural displayed in the 95th Street station was commissioned by the Coalition for Developing the Ninety Fifth Street Corridor as part of their participation in the CTA's Adopt-A-Station program. Created by local artist Katie Flowers, the mural incorporates many businesses and community groups that comprise the neighborhood served by the station.

The artist, whose influences include the Harlem Renaissance movement, science fiction and the surrealist movement, believes the mural is relevant to the community's 95th Street Beautification project. Painted in an organic manner that also symbolizes the theory and study of certain insects, the mural refers to the manner in which insect communities are created from the inside out and how this development assists us in maintaining fresher air, cleaner water and a cleaner environment.

Burke questions whether developer who wants Wal-Mart paid taxes

Another excuse to NOT allow another Wal-Mart store in the city:

But Finance Committee Chairman Edward M. Burke (14th) showed up anyway to question why the developer of the proposed Wal-Mart-anchored Pullman Park did not pay the city or the CTA a transaction tax after a change in ownership.

The ownership change — to an entity known as North Pullman 111th, Inc. — was triggered by the takeover of Park National Bank, an original partner in the development, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC).

David Reifman, an attorney representing the developer, argued that the Far South Side property is located in an enterprise zone and, as a result, would be “exempt” from the transaction tax.

But he was not as certain about the CTA portion of the transaction tax and acknowledged that additional research would be needed.

Burke let him have it.

“If an applicant is [in] arrears on a tax — just as we have disclosure requirements for scofflaws or deadbeat dads — if it isn’t now an invalid application, it ought to be,” Burke said.

Even if Reifman is correct and enterprise zone transactions are exempt from city taxes, it may not apply to the CTA portion of the tax, Burke said, adding, “I don’t think we included that in the ordinance.”

“I, for one, will oppose any further action by this committee until such time as we get answers to these questions, and until we learn whether there’s an obligation for a transaction tax, what the [financial] consideration was for a transfer of ownership,” the alderman said.

Via CapFax morning shorts!

Summer Camp Update

As school comes to an end for both private and public schools most parents have found activities for their children. In light of the recent violence it is imperative that our children and young adults are involved in constructive activities. This is a partial list of summer programs compiled from the Chicago Park District , The Chicago Journal Camp Guide and residents. This is not a complete list and has been updated with several new entries. If you know of any more please feel free to add.

Summer Camp 2010.1

Clout St: South Side Wal-Mart vote delayed again

Another stall tactic? Well Wal-Mart supporters want to be sure that there will be enough votes to advance beyond the zoning committee and eventually the full city council. Enough to continue stalling with the excuse of getting labor and Wal-Mart to talk through there differences as was indicated in Clout City.

A key zoning vote on a controversial Far South Side Wal-Mart has been delayed again as labor unions continue to talk to the giant retailer.

Ald. Daniel Solis, chairman of the City Council’s Zoning Committee, said today that he's putting off Thursday's planned vote on the Pullman Park development at 111th Street and the Bishop Ford Freeway to give the two sides more time to negotiate.

Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th, whose ward includes the proposed 180-acre development, joined project developer Park Bank Initiatives in asking for the delay, Solis said.

Union leaders wanted Thursday’s vote to go ahead, contending Wal-Mart has not been willing to meet to discuss the company’s labor practices. The unions want the retailer to agree on a living wage ordinance putting minimum wages at the store above $11 an hour.

"We are puzzled by the decision to postpone the Zoning Committee vote on the proposed Wal-Mart development in Pullman," Chicago Federation of Labor Secretary-Treasurer Jorge Ramirez said in an e-mail. "Postponing the vote does nothing to bring Wal-Mart back to discuss residents’ concerns about wages and community relations."

Parking meters causing problems for Chicago church goers

 

Almost a month ago we did a post here about Rev. Webb Evans with regards to the city privatizing their parking meters. WGN Channel 9 follows up on this story with a video report.

At Israel Methodist Community Church members are upset over meters lined up right outside their house of worship.

Dr. Webb Evans is almost 97-years-old and says he used to be able to park a few feet from the church without paying. Then the City of Chicago leased the parking meter system.

Since LAZ Parking took over he has had to pay $1.25 an hour. When he didn't re-feed the meter in time he got a $50 ticket. Dr. Evans says, "I certainly was angry. I think God was angry. "

Israel Methodist is one of about two dozen churches in the 6th Ward dealing with the parking meter pains.

6th Ward Alderman Freddrenna Lyle has been getting the phone calls and says, "You can't say churches help us in providing services, help us with the community and then penalize them by giving tickets on Sundays."

She would like to remove the meters but says there is a catch. If she removes the meters must find a way to make up for the lost revenue by placing meters somewhere else.

Not sure when this article was first posted or this report first aired. I just got wind of it when I had Google Alerts for Ald. Lyle and it was updated June 1st.

Should Brown Memorial Park be renamed Brown/Wortham Memorial Park?

I wondered how the community would memorialize Officer Wortham and my meetings with Mr. Brown, the brother of Sidney Brown came to mind.



Brown Memorial Park located at 634 E. 85th Street was named for fallen Fireman Sidney Brown who was a Chatham resident. Brown Park has been overlooked by both residents and the Chicago Park District and is not used as much because it lacks bathroom facilities. Several years ago an overzealous developer attempted to approach the park district about acquiring a portion of the park.



I had the pleasure of talking to Officer Wortham several years ago about Brown Park because the Cole Park Advisory Council also oversees Brown Park and I know that he wanted to upgrade the park as well. Also, I met the brother of of Sidney Brown at Brown Park during his annual Memorial picnic celebrating his brother and other fallen African American firefighters. During the picnic fire trucks come out so the kids can get on and see them up close as well as interact with fireman. During this meeting Mr. Brown discussed that he would like to see a memorial for fallen African American firefighter.



So why not honor both fallen officers by naming the park in their honor with a memorial garden/section at the Park that shows those who serve and protect us that we care. Also, start the rebuilding process at that park. The park is a blank canvas and it has enough space that all residents in our community can participate whether they are young or young at heart and all other in between.as well as the business and the faith based community can participate so it is truly a community park.

Tributes to Officer Wortham

You know I hadn't checked out any media coverage of Officer Thomas Wortham's funeral. At this point I want to look at other events to mark his memory. He's meant a lot to a lot of people outside of his family. What he wanted to do for the Chatham community I hope that there are others who would continue the charge.

That being said I want to note a post from the CAPCC that I hope you'd want to add your two cents. The blog question there is what do you think should be Thomas Wortham's legacy?

Also Worlee's Concerned Citizen's of Chatham asks whether or not Brown Park should be renamed for Brown/Wortham Memorial Park.

Finally Congressman Bobby Rush has gotten into the act of honoring Thomas Wortham:

One South Side congressman wants the memory of a slain Chicago police officer remembered for years to come by building a proposed field house named in his honor.

Thomas Wortham IV was killed May 19 outside of his parents’ home during an attempted robbery U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-1st Dist., said he has reached out to U.S. Sens. Roland Burris and Richard Durbin, both Democrats from Illinois, to seek public and private funding to build the state-of-the-art facility, which he estimates could cost millions.

“By all standards Officer Wortham was a pillar to his community, a leader among his peers and a hero to our nation” Rush said in a written statement. “The 1st Congressional District has lost a hero and war veteran but his heroism and love for his community and his country will forever live on in our hearts and minds.  His spirit serves as the best example of leadership, commitment and selfless service to others.  It is fitting that we honor this American hero with a field house in his honor. It will be a deserving tribute to his name and his commitment to bettering the lives of others.”

The field house would be built at Nat King Cole Park, 361 E. 85th St., in the Chatham community on the South Side. Ald. Freddrenna Lyle (6th) said Wortham IV was president of the park’s advisory council and was an active resident in the community.

This young man deserves the recognition. So hopefully something will be memorialized so we won't forget his contribution to this community.

Sun-Times: ‘Strong odor’ leads to discovery of dead dogs & cats

‘Strong odor’ leads to discovery of dead dogs & cats :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Chicago Crime

Two dogs and two cats were found dead inside a vacant home and police also discovered four living dogs who were suffering from “severe dehydration and malnutrition’’ Tuesday night in the Chatham neighborhood on the South Side.

At 8:40 p.m. patrol officers were flagged down by a concerned citizen who said they smelled a “strong odor’’ coming from a vacant house in the 8200 block of South Rhodes Avenue, according to police News Affairs Officer Ronald Gaines.

Police made entry where they found two dead dogs, two dead cats and four living dogs  suffering from “severe dehydration and malnutrition,’ Gaines said.

It was not immediately known where inside the vacant home the remains were found, Gaines said. No one lives at the address, he said.

The four dogs were taken to a nearby animal shelter, Gaines said.

In a vacated house in our community! This incident is to be investigated as a case of animal cruelty. We may need to keep an eye on vacated properties in our neighborhood.

Hmmm are there any shelters on the South Side of town nears. This is something in mind if you either have animals you can no longer care for or if you find any strays running around.

UPDATE 5:54 PM: CBS2 has a story on this very sad story at this Rhodes Avenue house

Also Chicago Breaking News has the story as well!

Clout City: As City Council Vote Approaches, Walmart and Unions Still Haven't Met

One of the issues we have covered on this blog during its brief time publishing is Wal-Mart. It doesn't matter if we're talking about the one to be built in Chatham west of the Dan Ryan or further south in Pullman. Ironically the Pullman Wal-Mart is more likely to be built than the Chatham Wal-Mart.

Either way it seems that inspite of a willingness to talk things through with regards to whether Wal-Mart should be able to build more stores in Chicago, organized labor and Wal-Mart executives apparently have yet to meet. A recent meeting was apparently cancelled and no one is sure if the Pullman Wal-Mart will exit the city council's zoning committee.

You know I just wonder how this issue might play out next year. It was mentioned in the Clout City post that city Aldermen were loathe to talk about this issue with city elections coming up next year. We saw somewhat how it played out in 2007. Not sure the dynamics is the same at this point in time.

Update on Whitney Young Re-construction

The Chatham/Avalon Park Community Council blog has the scoop on us with this news about the Library construction:

New Library Update

It has come to our attention at the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council that the final real estate parcel (the old laundromat) for the new Whitney Young Branch of the Chicago Public Library, 7901 South King Drive, has been purchased as agreed by the Facilities Committee Board of Directors, allowing for demolition of the old structures and the groundbreaking for a new facility.

Thanks for the info!

Review of The Prayer Vigil at Ruggles School

On Friday, May 28, several community residents gathered to pray..for our community for ourselves and for each other. We had "celebrities" such as Ald. Lyle and Philip Jackson of the Black Star Project.  However, they weren't there to promote themselves but simply to pray and be prayed for. Everyone had a chance to pray, and the mood of the playground shifted to one of community and hope.


About 25 people attended, plus a few others (including 2 police officers) at the end.  In the background, kids safely played in the playground.

Thanks so much to Mr. Jackson of the Black Star Project for providing these wonderful photos, helping those who couldn't make to get a picture (literally) of what happened.

After the prayer, we did share some events going in our respective lives and invited others to events people are sponsoring. We will post on them as we receive information. One example is the Deborah Movement. Dorthy Davis, also of Black Star, shared this information at the prayer.

Something i noticed...at the end of the prayer, when i looked around the park all i saw were families...mothers & fathers and their children. Despite evidence of previous beer drinking, on a Friday night at 8pm, no one sitting around Ruggles Park drinking alcohol or  smoking pot or otherwise loitering.

It was a beautiful sight that can - and must - keep happening..

Deborah movement: raising up godly women leaders

This was shared with us at the Ruggles Prayer meeting. The Deborah Movement seeks to raise up leaders in our communities.


The Black Star Project is interested in supporting any Deborah movements in our neighborhoods (Chatham, Park Manor, Chesterfield, Roseland Heights, Englewood), so please let them know if you are interested in finding out more.


Here's a press release about several Deborah Movement activities. Check one out and/or start one where you live!

*Join Us For The Deborah Movement: West Side of Chicago*

The Black Star Project presents

The Deborah Movement - West Side!!!

Women as Mothers, Prophetess, Judges, Warriors and Leaders Working to Eliminate Violence in Chicago Wednesday, June 2, 2010, 6:30 P.M.at The Golden Dome 100 N. Central Park Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

Join us for a special kind of Wednesday Bible Study, where we discuss the roles of women in waging war against the forces of evil that have taken over Chicago.

Much of this evening will be modeled after Deborah the Prophetess(Judges 4: 8-9), who was a woman honored for fighting great battles for the Lord with men.

Judges 8) Barak said to Deborah, "If you will go with me, I will go, but ify ou will not go with me, I will not go." 9) And Deborah said, "I will surely go with you.

Women will pray, plan and act to eliminate violence in Chicago. Men who are willing to support strong, positive, pro-active and courageous women are welcome. Women are being asked to sign-up to walk safety patrols in the city and suburbs, mentor young women, teach young mothers, tutor youth, encourage their sons, brothers, husbands and boyfriends to stop killing each other, teach sports to girls, help bring calm to schools, support positive male groups in their efforts to eliminate violence and to pray for peace in our communities.*

Please call Dorothy at 773.285.9600 for more information or to confirm these sessions.

Join the Deborahs and do the work of the Deborahs at these places:

1) Friday, May 28, 2010 - Funeral for Officer Thomas Wortham IV, 10:00 am,at Trinity United Church of Christ, 400 West 95th Street, Chicago Illinois.All "Deborahs" serving.** **

2) Friday, May 28, 2010 - March for Peace in Chatham with "Deborah" Dorothy Davis serving, and community march and praying between 6:30 pm and 7:30
pm at Ruggles School at 7841 South Prairie, Chicago, Illinois. ** **

3) Saturday, May 29, 2010 - African Liberation Day with "Deborah" Catherine Jackson serving and speaking, with event and community march between 12:30pm and 2:30 pm at 7847 South Jeffrey, Chicago, Illinois (Please wear all white if possible).** **

4) Saturday, May 29, 2010 - Operation Push with "Deborah" Afrika Porterserving to
organize women for peace and justice with Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.at 10:00 am at
950 East 50th Street, Chicago, Illinois. ** **

5) Sunday, May 30, 2010 - Marcus Hendricks Memorial Motorcycle Ride forPeace and Mentoring with "Deborah" Cynthia Flowers serving to commemorate her brother, Marcus Hendricks and fallen police officer Thomas Wortham with a motorcycle ride from 115th and Halsted to Randolph and Halsted, inChicago, Illinois, at 10:00 am ** **

6) Wednesday, June 2, 2010 - Attend the organizing meeting for the Deborah's West Side Chapter at the Golden Dome, 6:30 PM, 100 North CentralPark Avenue, Chicago, Illinois with "Deborahs" Mary Moore and Charlene Davis serving. **

7) Saturday, June 12, 2010 - Attend a Youth Expo at the Richard JonesArmory at 5200 South Cottage Grove, Chicago, Illinois from 10:00 am to 1:00pm to support our youth with "Deborah" Cynthia Flowers serving. **

8) Saturday, June 12, 2010 - Attend the 10th Annual Block by Block Graduation Celebration, 3pm-5pm, 6623 S. Union Avenue (Backyard),Chicago, Illinois with "Deborah" Asisha Butler serving.** **

9) Friday, June 18, 2010 - St. Sabina Youth March for Peace at 7:00 pm
with"Deborah" Sister Keelelah Muhammad serving to help guarantee a
safe, productive summer for our children at 1210 West 78th Place,
Chicago,Illinois.*