Thursday, February 16, 2012

State Sen. Landek, Wildcats, Carlos Claudio, BGA Watchdog, 26th Ward, Lincoln Park Zoo, Movie Review, Calendar of Events


          STRONG LEADERSHIP: Steven M. Landek is the new 11th District State Senator representing Stickney, Lyons, Berwyn Townships, 13th and 23rd Wards and part of the 22nd Ward Little Village community in Chicago. Landek is the endorsed candidate of the Democratic Party based on his experience and many years of public service. He is seeking election in the Primary Election Tuesday, March 20, 2012.
Steven M. Landek
          LANDEK BEGAN his career in public service at the age of 19 when he was elected as the youngest Park District Commissioner in the State of Illinois. He became the Director of Parks in 1977, and served until 1996. In the Village of Bridgeview, Landek was elected as a Village Trustee from 1983 to 1987 and is currently Mayor of Bridgeview.
          SEN. LANDEK said, "My priority is to strengthen the southwest side and suburbs to ensure that we get equal treatment, equal services, and equal state funding. My priority has always been to bring jobs and economic support to our village and to the region."
          ONE OF Sen. Landek's high-profile projects was the construction of Toyota Park in Bridgeview. He was instrumental in the development and spearheaded the drive to find the funding and support for the stadium. The stadium is home for the Chicago Fire soccer team and a venue for local and star attractions such as Jimmy Buffet, Eric Clapton and David Beckham of the Los Angeles Galaxy. The stadium has provided full and part-time jobs to the area.
          ANOTHER PROJECT was the underpass for 71st Street in Bridgeview. The underpass increased traffic flow and added safety for vehicles and pedestrians. It was a $20 million project and one of the first CREATE projects funded by state and federal governments.
          LANDEK is a lifelong resident of Bridgeview and a graduate of Saint Blase Grammar School and Argo Community High School. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration from Roosevelt University. In 1998 Landek was elected Lyons Township Democratic Committeeman and in 2000 he was elected the suburban chairman of the Democratic Party and in 1998, he was elected Lyons Township Highway Commissioner and Lyons Township Supervisor in 2010.
          STEVE LANDEK has built a reputation as a dedicated public servant with a long list of impressive accomplishments achieved during his over 35 year career. "I am proud to serve the community and I am honored for the privilege to represent the community's interest and goals," said Landek.
          SEN. LANDEK senate committee assignments: Human Services [Vice-Chairperson]; Appropriations II; Commerce; Revenue; Local Government, Committee of the Whole; subcommittee on Amendments; Subcommittee on Special Issues; Subcommittee on Annexation and Subcommittee on New District. His District Office is located at 6215 79th Street, Suite 1A, Burbank, IL 60459. Telephone: 708/430-2510, FAX 708/430-2610 and Springfield telephone number is 217/782-0054.
Loretta J. Alonzo
           WILDCATS: The Fraternal Order of St. Francis Wildcats are celebrating their 74th Anniversary Annual Scholarship & Award Banquet at the Lexington House, 7717 W. 95th St., Hickory Hill, Illinois on Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Tickets are $65 each. A full-course meal will be served, open bar and entertainment provided by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Youth Marimba Ensemble and dancing music by the Together band. Door prizes, raffles with 5 cash prizes and a 50/50 "split the pot" raffle.
          HONOREE Loretta J. Alonzo will be honored at the banquet as the "2012 Wildcats Person Of The Year". She is the first Hispanic President of the Illinois Association of Realtors and is a member of the Century 21 Alonzo & Associates team. Alonzo & Associates is located at 1011 East 31st St., La Grange Park, IL. and serves 72 municipalities helping clients buy or sell a home. In 2011, Loretta received recognition as a "Quality Service Producer" for her outstanding work as a real estate agent. 
          THE ORIGINAL "Wildcats" were formed in 1938 in a basketball expansion program at the Old Town Boy's Club, 1300 S. Newberry Ave. After World War II, it was reorganized under the direction of Father Patrick McPolin and Father Severino Lopez at the new St. Francis of Assisi gym. In 1947, the Wildcats joined the Mexican Federation Baseball League and won the championship in 1952. In 1977, the Wildcats organization was chartered with the State of Illinois as a non-profit organization. The success of the Wildcats comes from the support of the community with programs such as the Annual Banquet and Scholarship Banquet, annual picnic, the Needy Children's program and the sponsorship of the Little League Baseball teams.
John Ayala
          WILDCATS OFFICERS: John Ayala, President; Jose Guidino, Vice-President; Ruben Casares, Treasurer; Louie Raya, Secretary. Board of Directors: Adolph Learas, Phil Ayala, Al Martinez, Lorenzo Gonzalez. For banquet tickets contact Albert Martinez at 773/284-0890 for ad book information contact John Ayala at 312/806-3889 or Joe L. Guidino at 708/220-6826. Deadline for ads is April 3, 2012. Proceeds from the banquet will support the Wildcats Pilsen Athletic Conference, Kid's Christmas Party and awarding of scholarships to deserving college students.
          QUALIFIED: With the campaign slogan, "Justice Over Politics" Carlos Claudio, 42, is a Democratic candidate for Judge in the 6th Sub circuit. He graduated from Kelvyn Park High School, DePaul University in 2002. J.D. in Criminal Law and graduated from DePaul University in 1995 with a B.A. in Political Science.
          CLAUDIO has spent his entire career as a lawyer working for justice and fairness. "I want to ensure that fairness and justice are upheld in the judicial system in the State of Illinois," said Claudio. Claudio is currently an Administrative Law Judge [ALJ] at the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Carlos Claudio
          CAMPAIGN BASH: Friends and supporters are invited to join candidate Carlos Claudio for judge at his last campaign bash on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012 at the Martini Club, 3124 N. Central Ave., 8:00 p.m. until ? Music all night by Chicago's Very Own DJ "E", two hours of Open Bar, free food, free parking, full club access. Tickets $50 in advance, $75 at the door. For more info. call 773/225-8333. Claudio's E-mail address is carlosclaudio2012@gmail.com and website: www.completecampaigns.com/public  
          BGA WATCHDOG: Andy Shaw, CEO & President of the Better Government Association announced that BGA is sponsoring a "BGA Citizen Watchdog" training session hosted in partnership with Saint Xavier University Center to "Study Fraud and Corruption" in government. Andy said: "Tired of public officials taking advantage of your tax dollars? Fed up with politics that benefit politicians instead of citizens? Come to the BGA Citizen Watchdog Training session."
Andy Shaw
         “CITIZEN TRAINING empowers you to keep an eye on government by giving you the tools you need to access government,” said Shaw. Learn from legal experts how to obtain public information using the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act.
          CITIZEN WATCHDOG training session will be held at St. Xavier University, 3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago in the Warde Academic Center-Butler Reception Room, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This training is FREE and open to the public. Space is limited. RSVP required to Barb Macholz at bmacholz@bettergov.org or call 312/821-9025. BGA Office, 223 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 900, Chicago.
          26th WARD: Ald. Roberto Maldonado said: "In light of the recent strong armed robberies against area women we are hosting a FREE, 2 hour ‘Survival Awareness’ workshop for women”. The workshop will be Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at Casa Puertorriquena, 1237 N. California Ave. The instructor is  Ray Bosques, a martial arts expert, has been teaching survival techniques for over 15 years.
Roberto Maldonado
          RAY BOSQUES said, "The ‘Survival Awareness’ workshop teaches people how to be more aware of their surroundings, plus hints and tips on how to avoid being caught in a bad situation. During the workshop the women will learn vital points of the body and which strikes work better. I believe that this workshop will have a positive impact on our community and it will be for free." RSVP for the workshop to prpyc1@gmail.com or call 773/292-1414 and leave a message.
          LINCOLN PARK ZOO: Kids can receive a scholarship for a free session of Conservation Camp or Zoo Crew. Free summer camp at Lincoln Park Zoo. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of a participant submission, recommendations by a non-related adult and participant's financial need. To apply, visit www.lpzoo.org/summercamps today.  
          MOVIE REVIEW: The movie "The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo" it's a thriller. Full of suspense, murder, sex, a mystery with a plot, and a subplot which will keep you on the edge of your seat. Actor Daniel Craig is an investigator hired to find out what happen to the niece of a rich family in Sweden. Actress Rooney Mara [the girl with the dragon tattoo] portrayed Craig's assistant, whose excellent performance should earn Mara an Oscar for "Actress in a Leading Role" and the movie should receive the Oscar for "Best Picture" in 2012. I give it three stars.

                                                        CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jose Sarduy
          Thursday, Feb. 16 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. 25--The Office of City Clerk Susana Mendoza will provide free Kid ID's and Senior 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.