Thursday, September 1, 2011

Expungement Workshop, Mexican Parade, Farewell Friends, Out of Business and Feria del Mole

Jorge Montes
                  EXPUNGEMENT: Adult and juvenile ex-offenders will have the opportunity to learn how to clean up their criminal record on Sat., Sept. 17, 2011. The Little Village Community Council and HOPE in conjunction with Attorney Jorge Montes are sponsoring an “Expungement Workshop”. The FREE workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the New Life Church, 2657 S. Lawndale Ave. in Little Village.
            SERVING ON the Expungement Committee are August Sallas, President Little Village Community Council; Attorney Jorge Montes, Baltazar Enriquez, Executive Director/HOPE;  Blanca Jara,  Hispanic Liaison/ Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court office and Cabrini Green Legal, ENLACE, CONFEMEX, Hispanic Bar Association and La Iglesia New Life representatives.
Blanca Jara
            ATTORNEY MONTES served 16 years as Chairman of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. Jorge wishes to share his valuable experience with our community. “Our goal is to help ex-offenders in removing obstacles that have prevented them from getting work, finding housing, avoid deportation and rejoining our community,” said Montes.
            LEARN FROM EXPERTS on how to apply for clemency and expungement.  Volunteer Attorneys will be on site to assist adults and juveniles understand the necessary paperwork needed for expungement, clemency, sealing of records and/or pardon. The Prisoner Review Board members will screen potential clemency petitions and offer information regarding the preparation of petitions.           
Baltazar Enriquez
            RECOMMENDED: Bring a copy of your “rap” sheet and disposition of your case to the workshop.
            ADULTS’ records Chicago cases: Request your rap sheet from the Chicago Police Dept., Access and Review Dept., 4770 S. Kedzie Ave., Chicago. Fee $16. Hours: 8 a.m. to Noon. Phone: 312/745-1179.
            JUVENILE records Chicago cases: Request your rap sheet from Chicago Police Dept., Youth Division, 3510 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Fee: $16, Hours: 8:30 a.m. to Noon. Call 312/745-6040.                   
            SUBURBAN CASES: Obtain information of your criminal case from the local police agency where you were arrested by requesting a Right to Access and Review. You may obtain copies of your criminal disposition from the Clerk of the Circuit Court. For more info call Attorney Montes at 312/850-9844.
            IN ADDITON to free clemency orientation, participants will obtain information on employment, job training, healthcare, housing and other services.

            MEXICAN PARADE: The Sociedad Civica Mexicana de Illinois will be celebrating 42 years of Mexican pride in the heart of Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011 with its annual parade. The parade will begin 12 noon at Columbus Drive in downtown Chicago. Miguel Zuno Jr., President of MCS, announced this year marks the 201st Anniversary Celebration of the Independence of Mexico. Parade Chairman/Board Member, Mexican Civic Society of Illinois Inc., is Miguel Zuno Sr. If you have any questions about the parade, call Zuno at 312/656-1176, or E-mail: srzuno@zunophoto.com Participa desfilando con tu grupo, organización, escuela. Todos están invitados a participar llame para más información 773/ 376-8445.

[L] Marcos Murillo
& President Adolfo



FAREWELL FRIEND: Marcos Murillo, 85, died Friday, June 17, 2011. Marcos was a highly respected civic leader in our Mexican community, a banker and marathon runner. In 1980, as a friend and supporter of mine as candidate for Democratic Committeeman in the 22nd Ward; Marcos wore my campaign T-shirt while running in a marathon. 
MARCOS was the beloved husband of Pauline [nee Cervantes] and the father of Richard, David Linwood and Michael, Salera and Anna Rivera. He worked as a banker at Central National Bank; Cole-Taylor Bank in the Back-of-the-Yards neighborhood. He was honored for his service by the Mexican Chamber of Commerce, Chief Crusader 1988 United Way Crusade of Mercy; 18th St. Businessmen Association, Inc.; and Board of Director with the Chicago Public Library appointed by Mayor Richard J. Daley. MARCOS was also an active member of the Azteca Lions Club.                                            

     IN MEMORIAL to my two friends: Marshall Villanova, and Robert F. Cabrera, Sr.
Marshall Villanova
Marshall Villanova, 49, passed away after a long battle with Huntington's disease.
            IN 1980, I recruited Marshall as a volunteer in my political campaign for 22nd Ward Committeeman. He worked hard on the campaign and accused me of making him a “political junkie.” He worked for the Department of Street & Sanitation Dept. as the 25th Ward Superintendent under former Ald. Ambrosio Medrano. Marshall was an assistant for Attorney Juan M. Soliz. Soliz said, “Marshall was instrumental in my political career.  He coordinated Blood Drives, Health Fairs, Thanksgiving dinners and much more. He was loyal and I respected and admired him”. To my friend Marshall, rest in peace.


Don Roberto
                  ROBERT F. "Don Roberto" Cabrera, Sr., 90, died recently. He was a  proud veteran of the United States Army in World War II, a former 20 year employee at Florsheim shoes and a retired 20 year employee of the Metropolitan Sanitary District. Don Roberto was the well-known bandleader of his band “Don Roberto y sus Rumboleros" for 20+ years. His band was one of the best Mexican dance bands that played great Mexican dance music. He was a class act and respected by his peers and fans.   
            OUT OF BUSINESS: The following businesses in Little Village are now out of business: Armando’s Finer Food, 2627 S. Kedzie Ave.; Los Dos Loredos Restaurant, 3120 W. 26th St.; Del Rey Tortilleria, 2701 S. Trumbull Ave. and [surprisingly] Catedral Café, 2500 S. Christiana Ave.

Catedral Café
            THE DUENAS family, owners of Catedral Café, closed their business on Saturday, August 20, 2011. “It was not an easy decision,” said owner Abraham Duenas, “we had the pleasure of enjoying the relationship with you as a customer and friend in recent years and we thank you.”

            ESTIMADO Amigo: Lamentamos informarle que la familia Dueñas ha decidido cerrar Catedral Café. Nuestro último día abierto será el sábado, 20 de agosto. Después de esa fecha, Catedral Café ya no ofrecerá servicio de comida. Catedral estará ocasionalmente disponible para ser alquilado para eventos y servicios de catering. La decisión de cerrar el Catedral Café no fue nada fácil ya que hemos tenido el placer de disfrutar una relación con usted como cliente y amigo en los últimos años. Queremos darle las gracias por darnos su negocio, y para expresarle a usted otra vez lo mucho que hemos disfrutado contando con usted como un cliente y amigo. Sinceramente, Familia Dueñas.”

                  FERIA DEL MOLE: Universidad Popular will host its Sixth Annual Feria del Mole (Mole tasting and festival) from 12 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Arturo Velasquez Institute, 2800 South Western on Saturday, Sept. 24th, 2011. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door for the opportunity to taste as many moles as you can and vote on the “Best Mole in Little Village.” 
THE FERIA del Mole is an annual event that attracts over 2,500 to watch 40 women and men compete with their home-made recipes to be awarded the “Best Mole in Little Village.” Awards are based on majority votes. With admission, guests receive ballots to taste as many moles as they like, and vote for their favorite.  Besides the mole-tasting, the event includes music and performances by local artists, and sponsorship booths. Celebrity judges will vote on “best dressed” and “best table decoration.
UNIVERSIDAD POPULAR are currently accepting “molera” and “molero” applications for adults and families who would like to compete for best mole. UP is also seeking sponsorships for the event. This year, Casa Chicago will sponsor the winner to travel to the International Feria del Mole in San Pedro Atocpan, near Mexico City in October 2011. There will also be cash prizes. First place mole will win $500, and second place mole will win $400. “Best Table Decoration” will win $250 and “Best Dressed” will win $150.
THE LAST day to submit an application or request sponsorship is September 15th, 2011 at 5 p.m. For more info contact Cesar Lara, Universidad Popular at 773/733-5055.
UNITY MONTH: You are invited to Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Álvarez 3rd Annual Unity Month Conference. The conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011 at UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road [MC126], Chicago. RSVP at 312/603-8710. Discounted parking at UIC Parking facility, Lot 5 [1135 S. Morgan] and Lot 6 [1135 S. Halsted St.]