Thursday, February 23, 2012

Kids & Medical IDs, Hispanic Labor, ATU Latinos, Cuahutemoc Morfin, Terry Gallagher, Francisco Juarez, Events


          CITY CLERK: Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza’s staff will be making KIDS ID [Kids Identification Systems] and Medical ID cards at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012.
Susana Mendoza
           FREE TO CHICAGO PARENTS is an ID card with their child's digital photograph and fingerprint produced by new inkless technology. The data, stored securely in the City Clerk's office, will be used only when police and family report a child missing.
          THE I.D. CARD will have the telephone number to call after reporting a missing child to police. The KIDS program will produce a document containing the child's picture and biographical and descriptive information provided by the parents. The information will then be posted via the Internet distributed to law enforcement, the media and other search groups.
          MEDICAL ID: The Medical ID program offers a free medical identification card to Chicago residents of all ages. The program provides medical information and vital statistics readily available to healthcare and emergency providers.  The front of the Medical ID cards provides: A photo, name, address, date of birth, emergency contact, and phone number. The reverse side of the card provides: Primary Care Physician name and phone number, medical conditions [if any], blood pressure status and any medical allergies.
          NO APPOINTMENT is necessary to obtain the KIDS ID or Medical ID card at the Little Village Community Council. No es necesario pedir cita para la KIDS or Medical ID tarjeta.
           HISPANIC LABOR: More than 100 Hispanic labor leaders and Union members will be gathering Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 for a political  "Meet The Candidates" dinner meeting at Mi Tierra Restaurant, 2526 S. Kedzie Ave. from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dinner will be a Mexican buffet with a cash bar. Ticket donation per person is $40.
          DEMOCRATIC state, county and judicial candidates will be given an opportunity to speak to the group about their candidacy, distribute their campaign literature and "work" the room. Labor leader Jesse M. Rios, Chicago Federation of Labor Sgt.-at-Arms will be attending the dinner. Jesse has been a Union Leader for 46 years with the United Auto Workers [UAW] and the American Federal Government Employees Union [AFGE-AFL-CIO].
           UNIONS REPRESENTED at the dinner will be the Sheet Metal Workers Local 73, Carpenters Union Local 181, Ironworkers Local 1, Plasters' Local 5, Chicago Teachers Union, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308, United Steel Workers Local 9777, District Council of Laborers, United Steel Workers Sub 1 Council, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134, Bricklayers Union, AFSCME Local 2946, AFSCME Council 31, Plumbers Local 130 and members of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. For more information contact HALC at 312/286-3405.  
          ATU LATINOS: The Chicago Chapter Latino Caucus of Amalgamated Transit Union 241 "Sweetheart Dinner Dance" sponsored Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 at La Casa Puertariquena was a gala event. Special guests were Javier M. Perez, Jr., International Vice President of the Amalgamated Transit Union AFL-CIO and International Latino Caucus Vice-President Wilson Rios.
Abel Camacho, Carlos Feliciano, Wilson Rios, Ray Berrios,
Luis Aviles, Javier M. Perez Jr. 
          THE BANQUET hall was decorated with colorful balloons with candy hearts on the tables. There was a special corner decorated with inflatable red hearts for taking a photo with your sweetheart. The food was delicious and plentiful with great tropical music by a special group of musicians and DJ Santiago. More than 100 people attended the Sweetheart dinner.
          CHICAGO Chapter Latino Caucus was organized in 1994 and has a membership of 70 with 35 active members. Their membership is anyone who works for ATU 241, including spouses. ATU is the largest labor organization representing transit workers. The organization consist of bus, van, subway and light rail operators, clerks, baggage handlers and maintenance employees. ATU Chicago Latino Caucus officers are President Abel Camacho, Vice President Carlos Feliciano, Treasurer Ray Berrios, Secretary Luis Aviles.
Javier M. Perez Jr. and Jose Guerrero
          FORMER ATU Local 241 Vice-President, Jose Guerrero, also attended the dinner. Jose has been a member of ATU for 38 years. He now spends his retirement serving as a board member of the National Labor Council for Latin American Advancement [LCLAA] [AFL-CIO] and is an Executive Committee member of the Hispanic American Labor Council.
          A FUNDRAISER: Cuahutemoc "Temoc" Morfin, Democratic candidate for State Representative, 2nd District was honored at a "Businesspeople For Morfin"  reception held Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 at Morfin's Campaign Office, 2120 S. Halsted St. in Pilsen. Many businesspeople in the district were present showing their support for Morfin. Special guest was Appellate Court Judge Rudy Garcia who is a candidate for election in the Primary Election March 20, 2012. Garcia announced his endorsement for Morfin at the reception. Delicious Chinese food and refreshments were served to the many guests.
Rudy Garcia and Temoc Morfin
          MORFIN SAID: "I will help the business community in the 2nd District survive these difficult economic times. A tax credit should be given to businesses who hire more workers. I will also support a training program which will provide the needed skills for future employees of businesses.”
Clave Suave Trio 
          MUSIC AT Morfin's event was provided by the "Clave Suave Trio" members Eddie Garcia [lead guitarist] , Gonzalo Cordova [second guitar] and Sammy Torres playing the bongos. The group started in 2007. Their specialty is Caribbean Spanish music, Cuban, Mexican, Vera Cruz, rumba, boleros, Flamingo and son. They will be playing at the Caliente Mexican Restaurant, 1960 N. Clybourn the first and last Saturday in March. The Trio can be contacted at 773/933-7971.
           JUDICIAL: Terry Gallagher is an endorsed Democratic candidate for Judge of the 4th Judicial Sub-Circuit. He has been endorsed by the seven Democratic Committeemen in the 4th Judicial Sub-Circuit, Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge #7 Chicago Firefighters Union.
Terry Gallagher
          GALLAGHER, an experienced trial lawyer, will address the Polish National Alliance Seniors, Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. at Mayfield Banquet Hall, 6072 S. Archer Ave. He will discuss the importance of knowing when it is in your own interest to consult a lawyer.
          TERRY attended Loyola Academy, St. Mary's University and graduated from Seattle University School of Law, Seattle Washington with a Juris Doctor Degree. He spent three years overseas with the U.S. Navy in the Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps. prosecuting and defending cases in the Navy and Marine Corps. He assisted military members and their dependents on a variety of civil matters, helping them with debt collectors’, preparing wills among other matters.
Maria Ellen Juarez, Francisco Juarez, Maria Silva
          CURRENTLY, Gallagher focuses his practice on assisting individuals who have been charged with a crime, assisting those whose Constitutional and civil rights have been violated and assisting individuals who have been injured due to negligence. Terry is the father of five children. Give him your vote.
          FELIZ CUMPLEANOS: Happy Birthday to Francisco Juarez, 81. His birthday was celebrated Saturday, Feb. 18th with his daughters Maria Silva and Maria Ellen Juarez and family. Family and friends gathered around Francisco and sang him "Las Mananitas" with guartist Phillipi. Francisco blew out his birthday candles. Everyone enjoyed a piece of a large strawberry cream cake. Francisco was born in town of Santa Cruz, Guerrero, Mexico.
                                         CALENDAR OF EVENTS

          Thursday, Feb. 23 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.
           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.
         Saturday, March 3--"The Wild Bunch" movie at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St. at Noon. Free admission. Emilio Fernandez, William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Juan Sanchez. 
          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.