Thursday, November 17, 2011

Fall Fiesta, Post Office, Remapping, Turkey Dinner, Eva Madrano, Spina Bifida

              FALL FIESTA: State Representative Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez [D-24th District] expressed her gratitude to 200 guests who attended her Fall Fiesta fund-raiser. The Fiesta was held on Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 at Paisan's Restaurant in Berwyn. "I am greatly honored by the show of support that I am receiving from everyone in the room, and especially from the Speaker of the House Michael Madigan," Lisa said.
Speaker Michael Madigan & State Rep. Lisa Hernandez 
        MADIGAN praised Rep. Hernandez as a full-time working legislator. "I am asking everyone here to do whatever you can to help Lisa go back to Springfield. She has helped pass bills and sponsored bills. She deserves to be elected by her constituents in the new 24th Legislative District," Madigan said.
       REP. HERNANDEZ explained her new district which includes part of the southwest side of Chicago--Little Village. Rep. Hernandez introduced the following Democratic candidates present: Judge Jean Prendergast Rooney, Judge Jesse G. Reyes, Judge Stanley L. Hill, Ald. Ricardo Munoz, candidate for Clerk of the Circuit Court; Judge Alfred M. Swanson, Judge Diann Karen Marsalek, Clerk of the Circuit Court Dorothy Brown, Karen Yarbrough, candidate for Cook County Recorder of Deeds and supporter Cook County Commissioner Jeffrey R. Tobolski [16th District]. The General Primary Election is Tuesday, March 20, 2012. Lisa also introduced her husband Charlie Hernandez, Democratic Committeeman for the Town of Cicero.
          ON MONDAY, Nov. 21, 2011, Rep. Hernandez is hosting a College 101 Workshop from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Morton East High School [Senior Cafeteria-2nd floor], 2423 S. Austin Blvd., Cicero. Students and parents will have an opportunity to learn about financial aid resources, college admission and speak with representatives from state agencies and local universities. For more information or to RSVP, call Rep. Hernandez's service office at 708/222-5240.
          POST OFFICE: The Otis Grant Collins Station, formerly known as the Hawthorn Station, 2302 S. Pulaski Road in Little Village is on a list slated to be closed. This Post Office serves the North and South Lawndale communities of zip code 60623.
Otis Grant Collins Station
2302 S. Pulaski Road
        A LETTER POSTED at the entrance of the Collins Post Office by Postmaster Donald Nichols reads: "To the customers of the Otis Grant Collins Station: The Postal Service is considering the closure of the Otis Grant Collins Station for reasons stated in the accompanying proposal. During the 60-day posting period from 10/25/2011 through 12/26/2011 you are invited to provide written comments. Comments will be most helpful if they offer specific opinions and information favorable or unfavorable regarding the potential effect of the proposed change on postal services and on the community. Your comments will be carefully considered and will be incorporated into the official record which will be made public if the proposal is finalized.
           COPIES OF THE proposal and optional comment forms are available upon request at the Otis Grant Collins Station, Cicero Branch and Otis Grant Collins station. If you choose to use the optional comment form and need additional space, please attach additional sheets of paper.
          PLEASE RETURN the comment form to: ELVIRA PEREZ, 433 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60699-9998. For more information, you may call Elvira Perez at 312/983-8047 or write to the above address. Thank you for your assistance." /signed/Donald Nichols, Postmaster.
         THE OTIS COLLINS STATION is in Congressman Danny Davis', 7th Congressional District. However, it also serves Little Village residents in Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez, 4th Congressional District. The Postal Service claims they will save an estimated $2,374,372 over the next ten years by closing the Collins Station. There are 64 craft employees assigned to this unit.
         A MEETING was held on October 25, 2011 with representatives from the Postal Service at the New Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 4301 W. Washington Blvd. to answer questions and provide information to customers.
         THE LITTLE VILLAGE Community Council is requesting that U.S. Postal Service [bilingual] representatives hold a meeting in Little Village for residents to express their opinions. As of this date, no meeting has been scheduled for Little Village residents. I've called Elvira Perez four times and left a message for her to call me. Perez has not returned my calls.

Ald. Rey Colon
          REMAPPING: Ald. Rey Colon [35th Ward] reports in his Ward Newsletter that Latino's represent 29% of the City's population. Since the last census the Latino population has increased by more than 25,000 people. Every ten years after the Census data is released, a "redistricting" process begins which takes into account population shifts. Redistricting of the wards is based on the 1965 Voting Right Act to assure equal representation for constituents in compliance with the "one-person, one-vote" principal.
          REFLECTING the Latino population increase, the City Council Latino Caucus is seeking the creation of 14 Hispanic majority wards. The Latino caucus is pursuing six [6] Hispanic wards on the north side and eight [8] on the south side of the city.
          LATINO CAUCUS MEMBERS are: Ald. Joe Moreno [1st Ward], Ald. Danny Solis [25th Ward], Ald. George A. Cardenas [12th Ward], Ald. Ricardo Munoz [22nd Ward], Ald. Ariel E. Reboyras [30th Ward], Ald. Ray Suarez [31st Ward], Ald. Roberto Maldonado [26th Ward], and Ald. Ray Colon [35th Ward].
          ALD. DANIEL SOLIS, Chairman of the caucus, said the city should have 14 wards with a Latino population of at least 65 percent. It also should have two "Latino-influence" wards, with populations that are 35 percent and 55 percent Latino, he added.
         BASED UPON Latino Census numbers, it is imperative that the Latino Caucus members take whatever action necessary to create the 14 new Hispanic majority wards. Based on our numbers we should be fully represented in the political process.
         WE COMMEND the Latino Caucus members for their foresight and urge them to hold steadfastly to the 14 Latino wards recommendation to the City Council.
        TURKEY DINNER: The Asociacion Pro Derechos Obreros [APO/Workers' Rights Association] and the Mexican-American Veterans Association [MAVA] are inviting veterans, friends and residents of the Pilsen community to join them for a FREE Thanksgiving Day dinner. The free Thanksgiving dinner will be on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Benito Juarez Community Academy, 2150 S. Laflin Ave. [22nd St. & Ashland Ave.].
           SPONSORS and contributors of the Thanksgiving dinner are: Mount Sinai Hospital, Benito Juarez Community Academy, Mexican American Veterans Association [MAVA], AMVETS Dr. Hector P. Garcia Post #326, Manuel Perez Jr. American Legion Post 1017, Kristopher's Cafe, APO Arts Center, Cafe Jumping Bean, La Casa Del Pueble, El Nopal Bakery, Nuevo Leon Restaurant, Nuevo Leon Barkery, Del Rey Tortilleria, El Trebol Liquors, El Mazcal Restaurante, La Esperanza Restaurante, El Taconazo Restaurante...Kudos to APO and MAVA for their community service.
Eva Madrano
         IN REMEMBRANCE: Eva Medrano [1923-2011] passed away Oct. 27, 2011. She was the mother of former 25th Alderman Ambrosio Medrano, Felix V. Jr., Rodolfo, Adolaria, and the late Ezequiel. She proceeded in death by her husband Felix V. Medrano Sr. Eva was born in Laredo, Texas and graduated from Martin High School in 1950. She married Felix in 1951 and settled down in Chicago that same year. In 1960, Eva and Felix became business owners of their first grocery store at the corner of Grand Ave. & Peoria St. They later moved to another grocery store at Cullerton & Wood St. In 1980, with their son Ambrosio, they became joint owners of Cermak Bowl. Cermak Bowl became the home of "El Centro Children's Bowling League" organized by Michael and Francis Nares. Later, the couple became owner of the Palace Bowl in Cicero, IL. Eva was an active member of the Cicero Bible Church. May she rest in peace. Our condolences to the Medrano family.



SPINA BIFIDA 

ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS

TOY DRIVE FOR KIDS
WITH SPINA BIFIDA
SATURDAY, NOV. 26, 2011
2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Drop-Off @ Aaron’s Sales & Lease
4830 W. Diversey, Chicago
3017 S. Cicero Ave., Chicago
New, Unwrapped Toys,
Age 0-14
Call 773/444-0305