Thursday, April 26, 2012

Farragut National Honor Society, 31st Street Seniors, Earth Day, Events


HACKED: I have been notified by AT&T Internet Services Security Center that my e-mail account has been compromised. AT&T said: "One or more addresses attached to [your] the account were found to be sending spam using authentication. My e-mail ID password has been hacked. To all who received bogus e-mails like "hey" from my account, please delete and sorry for the inconvenience.  
                               Farragut Career Academy
                           National Honor Society Officers
Left to right: Class of 2012. Uriel Ramirez, President; Mariela Alcantar-Villagomez,
Vice-President; Guadalupe Arreola, Secretary; Milika Reyes, Treasurer.
 Class of 2013. Maribel Flores, Secretary; Humberto Castellanos, President;
Veridiana Saucedo, Treasurer; Diana Loyola, Vice-President. 
HONOR SOCIETY: A breakfast was held at Farragut Career Academy, 2345 S. Christiana Ave. on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 for students, and their parents, celebrating their induction into the National Honor Society. The breakfast celebration was organized by Farragut teacher Mrs. Victoria Park-Keeney who has done fabulous work with the students. These students have a high GPA, are involved in extracurricular activities, sports, clubs and service learning. National Honor students focus on college, service, leadership and character development. The students are eligible for scholarships upon graduation. “I hope that in spite of financial and other obstacles I can help them succeed so that they can give back to their community,” said Park.
TONYA HAMMAKER, Interim Principal at Farragut said to the students: “We are here to celebrate your amazing accomplishment of being inducted into the National Honor Society. Each of you have made great achievements in the realms of Scholarship, Leadership, Community Service and Character. Becoming a member of the National Honor Society is not an easy task. I congratulate each of you and your parents. You are the best and brightest in this school and I am very proud of you, as are your teachers, who are here to honor you today.  And, parents, thank you for supporting your children in their academic pursuits. We wish you all continued success in the future!”
FARRAGUT NATIONAL HONOR: FARRAGUT SENIORS, Class of 2012: Mariela Alcantar-Villagomez, Daniel Almanza, Guadalupe Arreola, Christopher Carmona, Cristal Castro, Noel Fontanez, Eva Gallegos, Jazmine Garcia, Fernando Gonzalez, Deysi Gutierrez, Selene Hurtado, Daisy Isidoro, Froilan Marchan, Raul Raigoza, Uriel Ramirez, Milika Reyes, Jasmine Romero, Carina Ruiz, Betsabe Salgado, Diana Sanchez, Vanessa Sanchez, Oliva Tenorio, Laura Topete and Yurivia Vargas.
SOCIETY JUNIORS, Class of 2013: Katherine Abeja, Maria Aguilera, Joanna Arroyo, Ricardo Astorga, Maria Bahena, Ashlie Blanton, Humberto Castellanos, Maria Claro, Eduardo Contreras, Karina Corral, Maribel Flores, Jonathan Gallegos, Estephany Garcia, Maria Garcia, Veronica Gonzalez, Cecilia Gutierrez, Yessica Guzman, Magaly Islas, Jennifer Lopez, Diana Loyola, Cynthia Martinez, Alexandra Navarrette, Michelle Padilla, Beatriz Sanchez, Veridiana Saucedo, Alicia Torres and Brenda Velasquez.
Arlene Zriny
 31ST ST. SENIORS: Arlene Zriny, President of the 31st Street Senior Club in Little Village announced the club is conducting a membership drive. Anyone interested in joining the 31st Street Senior Club should call Piotrowski Park at 312/474-6608 to register. Club members meet every Monday at 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon at Piotrowski Park, 4247 W. 31st in Little Village. 
PRESIDENT ZRINY said:  “We socialize, drink coffee, snack on baked goods, play bingo, enjoy the company of others and occasionally take trips.” A trip is scheduled for Thursday, May 24, 2012 to Silver Lake Country Club for a luncheon and entertainment. It’s called a “Happy Birthday to All” event and the members and friends will be leaving  Piotrowski Park, 4247 W. 31st St. at 10 a.m. Cost: $41.
A FUN TRIP to the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Ind. is scheduled for Monday, June 18, 2012.  Club members and friends will leave from Piotrowski Park at 9:30 a.m. and return at 4:15 p.m. Cost: $5.00. “The 31st St. Senior Club has been in existence for more than 75 years. It was the first club organized at the park when the park was built, known at Keeler Park. Later it was changed to Piotrowski Park. We are the oldest Senior Club in Little Village”, said Zriny. Sally Martinez is the Vice President of the Club. Donations and financial support are always needed. “We welcome the support of public figures,” said Martinez. 
Left to right: Christian Acuna, Jose Juarez, Abertano Rivera,
Jonathan Hinojosa, Saul Silva, Adriana Perez
EARTH DAY: Cleaning up the Little Village neighborhood is a weekly chore. Volunteers and members of the Little Village Community Council are always organizing clean-up campaigns throughout the year. In the winter we shovel snow for seniors and the handicapped, then it is spring cleaning followed by summer sweeping and trash pick-up. Members and volunteers are reminded that we must take pride in our community by keeping our neighborhood as clean as possible.  

                                        CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Every Thursday from 7 p.m. to midnight Mechanical Bull ride at Lobo De Mar Restaurant, 5503 W. Cermak Road. 708/298-9182.
Sat., May 5th Cinco de Mayo Tequila Festival presented by Hispanic Pro, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Vertigo Sky Lounge, 2 W. Erie St. Early bird online ticket price: $15. Call: 312/867-0631.
Sat., May 5th Grand Opening 24th District Community Service Office in Little Village, 26th St. & Tripp Ave. at 11 a.m. Hosted by State Rep. Lisa Hernandez and State Sen. Steve Landek. All residents are invited.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

College Workshop, Fiesta Time, Golden Gloves, LV SSA #25


          COLLEGE WORKSHOP: Chicago Public School [CPS] West Side High School Network and the Little Village Community Council will be hosting a Scholarship Informational Workshop. The workshop will be held at Benito Juarez Community Academy High School, 2159 S. Laflin St. in Pilsen Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
          SERVICES available by:
CPS Office of Pathways to College and Career
          Financial Literacy
          Undocumented students
U.S. Department of Education
          Federal Financial Aid
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
          State Student Aid
City Colleges of Chicago
          FAFSA Workshops
 Illinois Education Foundation

          HIGH SCHOOLS targeted are Farragut Career Academy, Spry Link High, and the Little Village Campus Schools: World Language, Social Justice, Multicultural and Infinity.
          FOR MORE information contact CPS West Side High School Network at 773/534-9770.
Vania Lopez & Elisa Bigurra
Los Bom Pleneras
    FIESTA TIME: "Culture Night" was hosted by Columbia College Latino Alliance organization.  Students were celebrating the organization’s 25th Anniversary with a fiesta. The celebration was held at the school's Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago. Food, music, dancing and a raffle was enjoyed by students, friends and family. Advisor to the Latino Alliance, Mark Kelly, said, "Latino students and alumni are young, creative, and will shape the world in the future. Latino culture will become the most exciting.”
Oveous Maximas
 ENTERTAINMENT was provided by Las Bom Pleneras, an all female, Bomba and Plena musical ensemble; poet & Hip Hop rapper Oveous Maximas, and dance group Juventud Boliviana and a female singer and guitar player. The entertainment was exceptional and the food was delicious and plentiful.
          THE JUVENTUD BOLINVIANAs’ ten dancers are Miriam Bigurra, Vania Lopez, Ellsa Bigurra, Mauricio Herrera, Geraldoyn Lopez, Ina Schaeffer, Melanie Schaeffer, Ximena Biguerra, Patricia Gonzalez and Diana Martinez. For more information about the group contacted Miriam Bigurra at 224/595-8078 or email miriam.bigurra@artristan.com 
          LAS BOM PLENERAS can be reached by contacting directors Ivelissa Diaz at 773/441-1650 or Jessica Rodriguez at 773/386-5685. Or, Facebook.com/bomplen.ras or Bomplenera@gmail.com
Katie Popawski
Champion
          GOLDEN GLOVES: It was a night of champions at the 2012 Golden Gloves Tournament Saturday, April 14, 2012 at Gordon Tech High School. Fifteen bouts of three rounds, each weight class pitted the best thirty amateur boxers in the Chicagoland area to become champions.
          Open 123 Weight Class: Champion Adrian March [Scottsdale Park] beat Kevin Martinez [Jaw Breakers Boxing Club].
          Senior Novice 156 Weight Class: Champion Leonard Brady [Garfield Park] beat Matt Mannina [Leydon/Veteran Park].
          Female Senior Novice 119 Weight Class: Champion Katie Poplawski [Fist Law BC] beat Merdeth Lyons [Chicago BC].
          Novice 147 Weight Class: Champion Eddie Ramirez [Jesse Torres BC] beat Raymond Doroteo [Will County BC]. Flores is a tough fighter.
Eddie Ramirez
Champion
           Novice 125 Weight Class: Champion Jose Rivera [Rum Mai BC] beat Hector Guifarro [Park City].
          Female Senior Novice 139 Weight Class: Champion Jaime Jacobson [Fist Law] beat Shelley Kahles [Flo Mma]. This was the best fight of the evening. It was a slugfest and the crowd reacted by giving them a standing ovation.
          Female Senior Novice 147 Weight Class: Champion Natalie Yakhorwky [KMI BC] beat Jill Rizzo [Chicago BC].
          Open 165 Weight Class: Champion Limberth Pone [Alley Cat BC] beat Nathaniel Gallimore [Alley Cats].
          Novice Heavy: Champion Mitch Nix [KMI BC] beat William Hoyfield [Unattached].
Master Class: Champion Ralph Vera [52] [Chicago BC] beat Phil Ranstrom [55] [Degerberg Academy].
          Novice Super Heavy: Sebastian Antosiewicz [Chicago Fight Club] beat Renee Pina [Pina BC].
_____________________________________________________________________


Little Village Special Service Area #25
Commission Meeting
3rd Tuesday of the Month
SCHEDULE
Tuesday, May 15th 
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
LV Chamber Office
2458 S. Millard Ave.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Latino Wards, F.A.C.E., America's Career Institute, El Dragon, Mike Wallace, Alijah Shell, H.E.A.L. Meeting

          NO SHOW: Here are the stats on how many registered voters voted and how many did not vote in the eight Chicago Latino wards in the Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Democratic Primary Election.
                                  Registered                     Votes                   Votes
                                    Voters                          Cast                   NOT Cast
WARD 1:                     26,893                         3,661                     23,232
WARD 12:                   13,134                         2,195                     10,939
WARD 22:                   14, 961                        2,582                     12,379
WARD 25:                   21,023                         3,285                     17,738
WARD 26:                   22,029                         2,697                     19,332
WARD 30:                   19,794                         2,184                     17,610
WARD 31:                   20,085                         2,912                     17,173
WARD 35:                   21,860                         3,603                     18,257
            IF WE are to have a strong voice in government, we must get out the VOTE!
Alexandra Lopez
         F.A.C.E.: Alexandra Lopez is the CPS Family And Community Engagement (FACE) Manager for the West Side High School Network. She works with 26 high schools located in the Pilsen, Little Village, Humboldt Park, Austin, Garfield and North Lawndale areas. "Most of my schools are predominantly Latino and African American with most students are from low-income families," Lopez said.
           LOPEZ's passion is for school, family and community engagement and making sure all three have long-lasting partnerships. FACE is a new initiative designed to promote these partnerships. "The most important thing is communication and working as a collaborative. My approach is to reach parents on a very constructive level in order for them to stay up-to-speed with what is going on in the school and to be involved with the children on a day-to-day activities," said Lopez. 
          LOPEZ wanted to join the Chicago Public Schools Office of Family and Community Engagement to help empower parents so that they are actively involved in their children's lives and become engaged community leaders. Her role as FACE manager is to bring parents resources that they may not have by collaborating with Principals, Community Stakeholders (Aldermen, Community Organizations etc.) and CPS.
           ACCORDING to Lopez it is a proven fact that extensive communication, along with family and community engagement, student achievement increases.  Lopez said, "High school students need a lot of guidance and we have to start by reaching their parents. We want to ensure that every child has access to a world class education and graduates college and career ready." To learn more about FACE, call Alexandra Lopez at 773/534-9773.
          HAIRCUTS: Students from America's Career Institute, in Berwyn, gave haircuts and manicures to more than fifty residents in Little Village Sat., April 7, 2012. The event was a "win-win" for the community and ACI students. "Students enjoy coming to the Little Village Community Council, they gain experience and credit hours; the residents save on haircuts and manicures," said Patty Caraballo, owner of the Institute. Their next scheduled visit to the LV Council will be July 7, 2012.  
          BUSINESS OF THE WEEK: The Chinese Restaurant, El Dragon, 3331 W. 26th St. opened its doors one week ago. The manager, Jenny Hsu, said they have been in the restaurant business 10 years. The restaurant has been upgraded and remodeled in Chinese decor. It is comfortable and clean. El Dragon serves Chinese [not Mandarin] food improved and with a Mexican flare. Jenny said, "Our chicken wings are very popular." Meals are served with sweet, spicy or sour sauce and El Dragons' servers are attentive and bilingual. "We like it here [Little Village] because it is a family orientated community and a perfect location for our viable business venture," said Jenny.
Jenny Hsu
          EL DRAGON is open for business Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Closed Mondays. Prices are competitive. No delivery available yet, but carry-outs are welcome. Phone: 773/823-1830 and FAX 773/833-1835 and website: www.eldragonchinese.com Go to El Dragon and enjoy a delicious Chinese meal! 
          IN REMEMBRANCE: Mike Wallace, 93, died Saturday, April 7, 2012. He was the "best television interviewer ever" said one of his colleagues. Several years ago, I met Mike Wallace when he came to City Hall [Chicago] to visit Mayor Richard M. Daley. I was working in the Information Booth in City Hall; and as Mike Wallace was passing the booth I asked him if I can take a picture with him. "Yes, if you have a camera," said Wallace. In this brief moment, I told Mike Wallace "60 Minutes" was one of my favorite shows and I enjoyed his style of interviewing. Wallace thanked me for my comment. I will always remember Mike Wallace as being an icon giant in journalism. He was candid and straightforward in interviewing his guests. In his lifetime, Wallace interviewed seven presidents, plus the infamous Ayatollah Khomeini, China's Deng Xiapoing, Dictator Manuel Noriega, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi. Wallace was a Communications Officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II, than worked in Chicago as a reporter for WMAQ, WGN and WBBM. Wallace said, "I have a special feeling about this town [Chicago]”. He was highly respected by his peers and I admired Wallace as a reporter, he was a class act. Watch "60 Minutes" Sunday, April 15 at 6 p.m., on Channel 2 for a special program dedicated to Mike Wallace. 
August Sallas and Mike Wallace
Alijah Shell
          IN MEMORY: The wake of young Alijah DeAnna Shell [10/11/05-3/17/12], 6, killed Sat., March 17, 2012 in Little Village was held at Lawn Funeral Home in Burbank and Mass at Good Shepherd Church in Little Village. There were only two public officials who attended the wake to pay their respects, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Police Superintendent Gary McCarthy. Anyone wishing to make a donation to help pay for funeral expenses can do so by sending checks to Alijah Shell Fund, Chase Bank, Acct. #982308355, Routing #071000013. May young Alijah rest in peace.
      PUBLIC MEETING: Irene R. Acosta, Uprising Prevention Specialist, announced that the next HEAL meeting is Monday, April 30, 2012 at 7 p.m. at Universidad Popular, 2801 S. Hamlin Ave. The meeting will be open to any member of the Little Village community in the following categories: business within the community, resident/volunteer in the community, civic or volunteer organizations, college/university or other schools, Faith based organizations, Healthcare professionals, Law enforcement agencies, local state courts, media, mental and behavioral health agencies and youth serving organizations. For more info call Irene R. Acosta at 773/733-5055. 

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Chavez Holiday, Presidential Proclamation, PRAA Roberto Clemente Reception, LVCC Free Haircuts

Cristina Barillas, Andrew Gasca, Rep. Hernandez, August Sallas,
Ruben Almendarez, Sara Echevarria, Carlos Carrillo
          CHAVEZ HOLIDAY: Saturday, March 31, 2012, on Cesar Chavez's birthday Hispanic labor leaders met with State Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez and she presented them with House Resolution No. 911. State Rep. Hernandez offered to the House of Representatives, 97th General Assembly, the resolution honoring the Life of Cesar E. Chavez. The House Resolution was adopted March 30, 2012 and states, “Resolved, by the House of Representatives of the ninety-seventh General Assembly of the State of Illinois, that we honor the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez and his contributions to the downtrodden of our society; and a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to the family of Cesar Chavez as a symbol of our great esteem and respect." The Resolution was signed by Michael J. Madigan, Speaker of the House and Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. 
          HISPANIC LABOR discussed with Rep. Hernandez the enactment of an Illinois State Holiday honoring Cesar E. Chavez. The Chavez Holiday Committee was formed consisting of myself, August Sallas, Chicago Typographical Union; Ruben Almendarez, IBEW Local 134; Cristina Barillas, Plumbers Local 130; Andrew Gasca, Bricklayers, Local 21; Sara Echevarria, Chicago Teachers Union and Carlos Carrillo, former Teamsters Local 703. Rep. Hernandez will introduce a bill for the Chavez holiday as an "in school" holiday for students to learn about the life and legacy of Chavez, and not a day off of school.
          THE COLLECTION of discarded keys to build a Chavez statue was also discussed by Hispanic labor. More keys are needed and anyone who wants to donate keys can call 312/286-3405 for pick-up.     
Barack Obama
          THE WHITE HOUSE: Cesar Chavez Day, 2012 by the President of the United States of America: A Presidential Proclamation:
          "ONE OF our Nation's great civil rights leaders, Cesar Estrada Chavez came of age as a migrant farm worker, witnessing the injustice that pervaded fields and vineyards across California. Facing discrimination, poverty, and dangerous working conditions, laborers toiled for little pay and without access to even the most basic necessities. Yet amidst hardship and abuse, Cesar Chavez saw the promise of change--the unlimited potential of a community organized around a common purpose. Today, we celebrate his courage, reflect on his lifetime of advocacy, and recognize the power in each of us to life up lives and pursue social justice. 
Cesar E. Chavez
          INSPIRED by Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and other visionary leaders, Cesar Chavez based his campaign on principles of nonviolence, which he called "the quality of the heart." Through boycotts, fasts, strikes, and matches that demanded both endurance and imagination, he drew thousands together in support of "La Causa"--a mission to ensure respect, dignity, and fair treatment for farm workers. Alongside Dolores Huerta, he founded the United Farm Workers of America [UFW], an organization tasked with defending and empowering the men and women who feed the world. 
          AS A TRIBUTE to Cesar Chavez's life and work, my Administration designated the Forty Acres site in Delano, California, as a National Historical Landmark last year, forever commemorating the birthplace of the UFW. In May 2011, the United States Navy named the USNS Cesar Chavez in recognition of his service during World War II. And this month, we honor ten Americans as Champions of Change for their commitment to realizing Cesar Chavez's dream of a more just tomorrow. Decades after his struggle began, Cesar Chavez's legacy lives on in all who draw inspiration from the values of service, determination, and community that ignited his movement. 
          ON THIS 85TH anniversary of Cesar Chavez's birth, we are reminded of what we can accomplish when we recognize our common humanity. He told us, "We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community. Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own." As we honor his broad ambitions and expansive vision, let us pledge to stand forever on the side of equal opportunity and justice for all.  
          NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2012, as Cesar Chavez Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate service, community, and education programs to honor Cesar Chavez's enduring legacy.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United State of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.                                            /s/ BARACK OBAMA


Roberto Clemente
          A CELEBRATION: You are cordially invited to a Roberto Clemente reception hosted by the Roberto Clemente Community Academy and the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance [PRAA] at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2012 at the Roberto Clemente Community Academy, 1147 N. Western Ave., Chicago. The event called, "Beyond Baseball. The Life of Roberto Clemente", will feature Roberto Clemente Jr. and Luis R. Clemente; the sons of the legendary baseball player Roberto Clemente. This celebration is a prelude to the upcoming PRAA Smithsonian exhibit of Robert Clemente. Refreshments and appetizers will be served. Please confirm your attendance by emailing: info@praachicago.org or call 773/342-8865. Carlos R. Hernandez is the Executive Director of PRAA Cultural Center. 
          THE LEGEND: Robert Clemente Walker [1934-1972] was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico to Don Melchor Clemente and Luisa Walker. He was the youngest of seven siblings. Roberto worked delivering milk cans because his family had limited resources. He studied at Vizcarondo High School, a public school in Carolina. Clemente showed interest in baseball early in his life and played against neighboring barrios. He played in an amateur league at the age of sixteen years old. On Nov. 14, 1964, Roberto married Vera Zabala at San Fernando Church in Carolina. They had three children: Roberto Jr., Luis Roberto and Enrique Roberto.
          CLEMENTE was a baseball right fielder. He played 18 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 through 1972.  He was awarded the National League [NL] Most Valuable Player [MVP] Award in 1966 and was on the NL All-Star team 15 times. Clemente received 12 Gold Glove Awards, and led the NL in batting average four times. In 1972, Clemente got his 3,000th major league hit. In 1971, he received the Babe Ruth Award. His number 21 with the Pittsburgh Pirates was retired in 1973, the same year he was the first Latin American selected to the Hall of Fame.
A statue of Clemente
stands outside PNC
Park in Pittsburgh
          OFF THE FIELD, Clemente was involved in charity work in Puerto Rico and other Latin American countries delivering baseball equipment and food. He died in a plane crashed off the coast of Isla Verde, Puerto Rico on Sunday, December 31, 1972, delivering aid to earthquake victims in Managua, Nicaragua. Clemente's body was never recovered.           
          A MARINE: In 1958-59, Clemente joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He spent six months in active duty commitment at Parris Island, South Carolina, and Camp LeJeune in North Carolina. He served in the Marine Corps Reserve until Sept. 1964.
          HONORS: The Major League Baseball [MLB] presents the Roberto Clemente Award every year to the player who best follows Clemente's example with humanitarian work. In 1973, Clemente was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and the first Presidential Citizens Medal. In 2002, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2003, he was inducted into the United States Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame.
          FREE HAIRCUTS: This Saturday, April 7, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St. the students from America Career Institute will be giving free haircuts and manicures to LV residents.



HAPPY EASTER TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!