Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Voter Registration Deadline, Emilio Fernandez, Abraham Lincoln, James A. Sifuentes, Movie Review, Calendar of Events

        
          ELECTION: There are only 51 days left until the Primary Election scheduled for Tuesday, March 20, 2012. The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. If you are eligible to vote, you can register at the City of Chicago Board of Election Office, 69 W. Washington St., 6th Floor, or by submitting a mail-in form. Google: Chicago Board of Election, log on "Register to Vote" and download the mail-in form: Illinois Voter Registration Application, Form 275. After you complete the form, mail it to the Chicago Board of Election. If you have any questions, call the Chicago Board of Election at 312/269-7984.
         TO REGISTER to vote you must:

  • be a U.S. Citizen
  • be at least 18 years of age by Election Day
  • live in your precinct at least 30 days before the election
  • not be in prison/jail serving time for a conviction; and,
  • not claim the right to vote elsewhere.  

          OSCAR TIME: On Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, the 84th Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences award ceremony will be televised from Hollywood. The Oscar statuette was designed in 1929 by MGM art director Cedric Gibbons. In need of a model for his statuette, Gibbons' future wife Dolores del Rio, a very close friend of Mexican film director and movie star Emilio "El Indio" Fernandez, introduced the two men. She suggested Emilio pose for the trophy because of his muscular physique. Emilio, reluctant at first, was finally convinced to be the model and posed nude as the naked knight holding a sword known worldwide as the "Oscar" statuette. 
Emilio Fernandez
          THE NEW GOLD- plated Oscar statuette is cast, molded, polished and buffed by R. S. Owens & Company, 5535 N. Lynch Ave., a Chicago-based awards manufacturer retained by the Academy since 1982. The 24-karat gold Oscar is 13 1/2 inches tall and weighs in at 8 1/2 pounds. The Oscar Knight stands on top a movie reel with five spokes representing the five original branches of the Academy: actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers for their excellence in the movie industry. The moniker "Oscar" was given by the Academy librarian Margaret Herrick who said the statue resembled her Uncle Oscar. The Academy did not officially adopt the nickname until 1939.  
          EMILIO FERNANDEZ [1904-1986], 82, died in Mexico City, Mexico. He was born in Hondo, Coahuila, Mexico. His father Fernando Garza was a 1910 revolutionary and his mother was a Kickapoo Indian, hence the nickname "El Indio". Emilio stars is the movies, "The Wild Bunch" an American masterpiece as a colonel in the Mexican army and "Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia" both directed by Sam Peckinpah. "El Indio" Fernandez’s notable performances included playing in movies opposite Charles Bronson, John Wayne, Yul Brynner, William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Warren Oates, Pedro Armendariz and directed many movies, too numerous to mention. He is the most famous person in the history of Mexican movies.
          THE MOVIE, "The Wild Bunch" will be feature at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St. FREE on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at noon. 
          AN INSPIRATION: America will be celebrating Abraham Lincoln's birthday Feb. 12. He was the 16th President of the United States and considered by historians the greatest President in American history. Lincoln's strong leadership saved the Union of the States with his wisdom and prowess. 
          IMPORTANT FACTS about the life of President Lincoln [1809-1865] which should inspire young people not to despair in following their career.

Failed in business, 1831
Defeat for Legislature, 1832
Again failed in business, 1833
ELECTED TO LEGISLATURE, 1834
Nervous breakdown, 1836
Defeated for Speaker, 1838
Defeated For Elector, 1840
Defeated for Congress, 1843
ELECTED TO CONGRESS, 1846
Defeated for Congress, 1848
Defeated for Senate, 1855
 Defeated for Vice President,1858
Defeated for Senate, 1858
ELECTED PRESIDENT, 1860
          President Lincoln, 56, was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, April 14, 1865. 
          ST. ANTHONY HOSPITAL: James A. Sifuentes, 48, is Vice President of Mission and Community Development at Saint Anthony Hospital located in the Pilsen/Little Village community at 2875 West 19th St., Chicago. VP Sifuentes was born and raised in the Back of the Yards neighborhood and is a resident of the Garfield Ridge neighborhood. He is married and has two daughters, Amanda Pilar and Sadie Gabriella. Sifuentes graduated from Saint Xavier University where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. He is a Fellow of Leadership of Greater Chicago Class of 2003. 
James A. Sifuentes
          HE HAS held membership on the Board of Directors of the following organizations: Board of Advisors to the President at Saint Xavier University and Alumni Board of Directors at Saint Xavier University, Leadership Greater Chicago and Eighteen Street Development Corporation. 
          SIFUENTES began his career as a site coordinator for the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, running the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls Friends First program. After six years, he took his experience into managing and implementing several programs for various organizations such as Loyola University, Chicago Park District and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. 
          AT ST. ANTHONY hospital, Sifuentes leadership is focused to assure core values, mission and beliefs of the hospital and the Catholic Church, which are visibly integrated throughout the hospital. Jim said, "I've been blessed to have been born and raised in the Back-of-the-Yards. And, to be associated with St. Anthony Hospital who fights for our community and advocates on behalf of the community." St. Anthony Hospital service area is Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards, North Lawndale, Austin, Brighton Park and the McKinley Park community. St. Anthony Hospital has a 114-year history as a community hospital.
          COMMUNITY EVENTS: St. Anthony Hospital sponsors an annual Summer Fest providing free health screens and information to 3,000 people in the community. Free backpacks were given to all the children who attend. Another event is their annual Thanksgiving/Christmas Food Baskets providing food baskets and gift cards to 160 families in the community. St. Anthony Hospital works closely with the community and has many community partnerships.
          SERVICES: St. Anthony Hospital provides the community with free pregnancy tests, prenatal classes, First Time Moms Club, Child Development Consultations, Interactive Parent Toddler Group and Parent Education Series. The Hospital also gives public benefits and referral services with free application assistance and insurance counseling and free information and referrals. Health Education and Workshops, Health Screenings and Individual Health Counseling is also available free of charge. For Senior Wellness: Free counseling on Government Benefits, Free Medicare Part D Assistance, Free Circuit Breaker Applications and Free Senior Breakfast Club.  For more info call 773/484-4152 or log on www.saintanthonyhospital.org
          MOVIE REVIEWS: Here's my brief review on four movies "The Artist", "The Iron Lady", "The Descendants" and "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy". The silent movie, “The Artist”, was well produced, funny, entertaining with a good romantic story line and good actors. Even the dog in the movie was talented and entertaining. I give it three stars. The “Iron Lady” is a historical setting of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Meryl Streep did an excellent job of portraying Margaret Thatcher. Streep's acting was very believable and deserves recognition. I give it two stars. “The Descendants” with George Clooney was boring, plus the storyline was not entertaining. It was a waste of time and money. I give it a zero! The movie, “Tinker Tailor” etc. was confusing and hard to follow because of all the editing done to the movie. Every scene was a different location and setting. It didn't flow smoothly. However, Gary Oldman is one of my favorite actors. Because the plot was hard to follow, I give it only two stars. 

                               CALENDAR OF EVENTS
          Thursday, Feb. 9 to March 28 -- Cesar Chavez Food Drive sponsored by State Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez. Drop off donations at Hernandez's Service Office, 2137 S. Lombard Ave., Suite 205, Cicero. Items needed: Paper towels, canned fruits and vegetables, sugar, bottled water, etc. For more information call 708/222-5240.
          SaturdayFeb. 11--Sweetheart Dinner Dance sponsored by the Chicago Chapter Latino Caucus at La Casa Puertoriquena, 1237 S. California Ave. from 7:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Music by DJ Santiago, dinner music by a Special Trio Group. Cash Bar. Donation $15. For tickets call Abel Camacho 773/704-8243, Carlos Feliciano 773/392-5092, Roman Berrios 773/627-9678 or Luis Aviles 773/623-9266.
          SaturdayFeb. 25--The Office of City Clerk Susan Mendoza will provide free Kid ID's and Medical ID's from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St. For more info call 312/286-3405.
          WednesdayFeb. 29--"Meet the Candidates" dinner meeting hosted by the Hispanic American Labor Council. Meet State, County and Judicial candidates at Mi Tierra Restaurant, 2528 S. Kedzie Ave., Chicago/Little Village, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mexican buffet/Cash Bar, Open Seating. Donation: $40. Mail and make check payable to Hispanic American Labor Council, 2538 S. Christiana Ave., Chicago, 60623.
          Sunday, Mar. 4--LAPA "Si Se Puede!" Comedy Jam with comedian Jose Sarduy direct from Texas. Joe's Bar, 940 W. Weed St., Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $20 each. For ticket information contact www.lapa961.com or call Ruben Dominguez at 773/501-2277.
          Saturday, April 14--Universidad Popular's 40th Anniversary Gala starting at 6 p.m. at UPs Community Center, 2801 S. Hamlin Ave. in Little Village. Tickets $50. Dinner, dancing, presentations and a silent auction. Tickets are available on UP's website: www.universidadpopular.us/news-and-events.php or call Joanna Zuckerman Bernstein at 773/733-5055x14.