Thursday, November 24, 2011

Judge Garcia, Free Flu Vaccine, Paul Simon, Union Hall, Movie Review

        JUDGE GARCIA: With the slogan of "Qualifications and Experience Matter," the legal community was well represented at Appellate Court Judge Rodolfo "Rudy" Garcia's Campaign Kickoff Reception. The reception was Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2011 at the downtown law office of Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd. 
Attorney John DeLeon, Attorney Juan Soliz, Judge Ralph
Reyna, Ret., Judge Rudy Garcia, Attorney Steve Hernandez 
        CO-CHAIRS of the Lawyer's Committee for Illinois Appellate Court Judge Rodolfo [Rudy] Garcia are Jeffrey D. Colman, John R. DeLeon, Terri L. Mascherin, Kalman D. Resnick, Manuel "Manny" Sanchez and William A. Von Hoene, Jr. Honorary Co-Chairs are Supreme Court Justices [Ret.] Hon. Thomas R. Fitzgerald, Hon. Mary Ann G. McMorrow and Hon. Benjamin K. Miller and numerous judges and attorneys.
        JUDGE GARCIA is seeking election as an incumbent Illinois Appellate Court Judge.  He served in the First District since March 2003 to the present and as a Circuit Court Judge of Cook County from April 1996 to 2003. In November 1996, he was elected from the 14th Judicial Subcircuit. Judge Garcia has written 130 majority opinions, 20 special concurrence with opinions and 17 dissents with opinions. As of August 2011, the Illinois Supreme Court has accepted for review 15 cases in which Judge Garcia issued a written opinion.
Attorney Benetta Mansfield, Attorney Christine Polk Mohr,
Judge Rudy Garcia, Attorney Marcia Lipkin
        IN 2011, The Chicago Bar Association bar evaluation said: "Judge Garcia ....is well regarded for his knowledge of civil and criminal law, writing skills, strong work ethic and diligence." Rudy graduated from the University of Chicago Law School, Juris Doctorate, 1981; University of Illinois at Urbana, Bachelor of Arts Degree, 1976.
         JUDGE RUDY GARCIA is highly respected by the legal community, civic, labor, business, community leaders and organizations. As an incumbent, Judge Garcia deserves to be elected!
       VISIT www.Garcia4Appellate-Court.com. Friends of Rudy, P.O. Box 64322, Chicago, IL 60664-0322. You can contact Rudy Garcia at 312/493-6204 [24 Hours].
         FLU CLINIC: Under the direction of Melissa Ponce, Senior Project Coordinator, Chicago area Immunization campaign, free flu shots [vacunas gratis] will be given to residents of Little Village.
Melissa Ponce
        MELISSA was born in Coahuila, Mexico, raised in San Antonio, Texas and graduated from Northwestern University in 2004. She has worked for Illinois Maternal & Child Health Coalition, a non-profit organization, for the past five years. The Coalition advocates policy and education on different health issues. Melissa is now applying for her Masters in Social Studies.
        "I WOULD like everyone to know about flu shots. Anyone 6 months or older should get a flu shot every year," said Melissa. The flu virus is transmitted by coughing, sneezing and by touching. "Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and avoid contact with others if they have the flu," said Melissa.
        MELISSA said, "the first defense against the flu is a flu shot." The flu shot will protect you from three different strains or type of flu, but will not protect you from a stomach virus or the common cold.
        THE ILLINOIS Maternal & Child Health is located at 1256 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago.  Melissa Ponce can be contacted at 312/491-8161x33.
        FREE FLU SHOTS will be available at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St. on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Spanish speaking staff will be at the flu clinic.
Paul Simon
        IN REMEMBRANCE: Former U.S. Senator Paul Simon was born on Nov. 29th. He died Dec. 9, 2003 at the age of 73 in Springfield, IL. Paul was my friend and I will be remembering him on his birthday next week. I admired Paul because he was a gentleman, a statesman and honest. He was respected by both sides of the political aisle. When I was President of the Chicago Typographical Union No. 16, I made Paul Simon on Honorary Member of the Chicago Local because he already had a Union Card as a  member of the International Typographical Union.  He became an International Typographical Union member while running a small newspaper in Troy, Illinois.
        IN 2001, I invited Paul to be a guest on my TV show, "Political Roundtable" at Cable Access Inc. He agreed to the interview and we talked on my show for one hour. Paul had just come back from visiting Cuba, meeting with Fidel Castro. He said he met Castro at midnight because Castro was busy and he'd like to hold meetings late. Paul said, "We talked for five hours. Topics ranging from the embargo, world events and baseball. Castro liked baseball. And, we talked about the possibility exchanging baseball teams." His interview was interesting and his parting message was directed towards young people to "get involved in politics."
        IN 2003 WHEN I read that Paul was sick and in the hospital, I called to wish him well. He died two days later. I attended his Memorial Service held in the auditorium of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. It was a very moving ceremony. I miss his friendship.

Attorney John DeLeon, Judge Rudy
Garcia, Attorney Steve Wagner
Attorney Raul Villalobos, Judge Rudy
Garcia, Attorney Fernando Bustamante,
Attorney Samuel Briones
       UNION HALL: The Illinois Labor History Society's 2011 Union Hall of Honor is hosting the live show "The Pitmen Painters" on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. The show will be at the Timeline Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. There are two performances: 4 p.m. or 8 p.m. Reception and induction ceremony into the ILHS Union Hall of Honor is scheduled for 6:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m. Reservations are required for attendance. Learn more: www.illinoislaborhistory.org. The $65 ticket price includes a performance. Tickets can now be purchased online www.timelinetheatre.com

Alejandro Romero
         "THE PITMEN Painters" is a story of five British depression-era union miners and their journey to becoming accomplished artists. This widely acclaimed play by the author of "Billy Elliot". Pilsen muralist, Alejandrano Romero, will be honored and inducted into the Union Hall of Honor.
         MOVIE REVIEW: The movie, "J. Edgar Hoover", starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Clint Eastwood is boring and difficult to believe. How did Eastwood know about Hoover's private life? The film takes creative liberty to new heights. Some actors looked (and acted) plastic and the constant flashbacks made the story line confusing. The movie is not even worth "video" time. I give it a big ZERO!   



HAPPY THANKSGIVING!