U.S. Sen. Richard J. Durbin, Cuba Embargo, City Clerk Susana Mendoza, Kids ID, Senior Medical ID Cards, Calendar of Events

         

U.S. Sen. Richard J. Durbin

          CUBA: While in Havana, Cuba this past January as a guest of the Lambda Alpha International organization, I sent both President Barack Obama and U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin post cards from Havana, Cuba. Upon my return home I sent both letters expressing my opinion on America’s 51 year economic embargo against Cuba. The embargo just does not make sense and should be lifted; my trip to Cuba convinced me.
         

August Sallas "playing" the maracas with
 Cuban musicians at El Aljibe restaurant in Havana. 

          THE AVERAGE Cuban struggles to make a living but their ingenuity in making a living impressed me.  Cubans, in native dress, were willing to pose for tourist taking photographs,  they sold paintings depicting old Chevy’s, and peddlers were everywhere selling trinkets, jewelry, cigars and street entertainers. Lifting the boycott would create a lot of jobs for Cubans, and Americans, especially in the tourist industry. Cuba is ten times bigger than Puerto Rico and a beautiful country to visit; I found Cuban’s friendly, courteous and helpful. 
          IF AMERICA TRADES and gives economic support to countries ruled by dictators like China, Vietnam and other foreign countries why do we continue to boycott Cuba? Canada, Japan, Russia, China all trade with Cuba; except America.  The Cuban people are the ones who suffer from the boycott. It’s time for America to lift the economic embargo against Cuba and embrace Cuba now! Cuba is a neighbor and only 90 miles from the coastline of Florida.           
          U.S. SENATOR DURBIN responded to my letter regarding America’s 51 years economic embargo against Cuba. He writes in his letter to me dated March 11, 2013: “I have strongly supported efforts to lift current restrictions on the sale of humanitarian goods to Cuba. We should not maintain policies that hurt the most vulnerable people in Cuba. Our disagreement is with Cuba’s dictatorship, not with the Cuban people, and their essential items should not be used as weapons in that struggle.
          WITH NEW leadership and a series of minor economic and political reforms, the Cuban people have an opportunity to envision a different future. Americans like you can encourage that thinking through our interactions with them.
          I WILL KEEP your views in mind when the Senate considers legislation about Cuba and continue to support a diplomatic approach to establishing stronger relationships and better understanding between the United States and Cuba.
          THANK YOU again for taking the time to contact me. Please feel free to stay in touch. 
          Sincerely, Richard J. Durbin/s/ United State Senator.”.... I will write President Obama and Sen. Durbin again.

Susana Mendoza

          CITY CLERK’S OFFICE: Office of the City Clerk Susana Mendoza has partnered with the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St., Chicago to make available to residents FREE Kids ID Cards and Senior Medical ID cards. The event will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m  

          FOR KIDS ID CARD:

• Applications will be available at the event.
• The child’s digital fingerprint and picture will be taken.
• Card will be available the same day.

FOR SENIOR MEDICAL ID CARD:

• Applications will be available at the event.
• ID Card includes emergency contact, medical condition and allergies, doctor’s contact information and any insurance provider details. 
• Card will be available the same day. 

          NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY. The event is bilingual. Doors will be opened at 9:00 a.m. 

   

Mayor Barrett Pedersen holds up a broom
 for a clean sweep in Franklin Park

           A VICTORY: In the Village of Franklin Park Mayor Barrett Pedersen claimed: “It’s a clean sweep!” It was a victory for his re-election and all of his candidates: Tommy Thomson for Clerk, John Johnson, Andy Ybarra and Karen Special for Trustee. Trustee-elect Ybarra is the first Latino to hold public office in Franklin Park. The Village of Franklin Park has a population of 18,415 with a Latino population of 44%. The Election was April 9, 2013. Congrats to all.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

          SATURDAY, April 13: St. Francis Order of Wildcats organization is celebrating their 75th Anniversary with its Annual Dinner Dance Scholarship and Award banquet, at the Lexington House, 7717 W. 95th St., Hickory Hills, IL. Ticket cost: $65.00.  For more info call Al Martinez 773/896-7733.
         SATURDAY, April 20: SENIOR MEETING: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St.  Teresa Nieto, authorized agent, will host a meeting for seniors with both Medicare card “A” and “B”. Seniors will learn about the advantages of the medical and disabilities benefits. This workshop is for Seniors 65 or under 62 with disabilities, or low income who may qualify for assistance. For more info call Teresa Nieto 847/967-7358. 
         

          SUNDAY, May 5: AMVETS & MAVA will be celebrating their 21st Annual “Cinco de Mayo”. They will be hosting a fundraising banquet at the Polonia Banquet Hall, 4604 S. Archer Ave., Chicago from 5 .m. to 9:30 p.m. Donation: $30 per ticket. Cash bar. Reception at 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. Dinner 6:30 p.m. Music 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. For tickets contact Commander Bill Luna 773/551-4750 Dr. Hector P. Garcia AMVETS Post 326 or the Mexican American Veteran Association [MAVA] Abundio Zaragoza 773/354-5275.