Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Free City KeyCard ID, Anna M. Valencia City Clerk, Little Village Community Council


CHICAGO CITY KEYCARD ID: Get your FREE City of Chicago CityKey ID Card this Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No appointment necessary. City Clerk Anna M. Valencia is scheduled to be here.

               YOU NEED two things to get a CityKey Card ID: 
1.      Must prove that you live in the City of Chicago with a utility bill, a bank statement, or an envelope with your address on it. It must be within 30 days.
2.      Must also prove your identity. This part is a point system with things like an ID, Driver’s License, TVDL, passport, or matricula. 
3.      The CityKey Cards, offered to eligible Chicago      residents, can be used for identification, public transportation, and discounts all around the city.
4.      The government issued ID comes with a number of benefits, including for people who are homeless, or in the country illegally.
5.      Getting a CityKey is simple and only takes about three minutes, city officials said. To qualify, you'll need to provide a photo ID (unless you're under 14), your birth date and proof of address. 
6.      The first 100,000 cards will be issued for free. After that, it will cost Chicagoans $10, and $5 for kids. Seniors will always be free.
7.      For more information, go to: www.chicityclerk.com


Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Register To Vote, LV Community Council, Election Judges, Coordinators Bilingual, Qualifications to Register to Vote, Honor Flight, General Colin Powell, Henry A. Roa, Joseph Rodriguez, New Alderman Silvana Tabares 23rd Ward, Ald. Tabares' Background


              BE READY TO VOTE: The mid-term elections are quickly coming up to vote in November 6th for change. If you need to register to vote, go to the office of the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St., Chicago from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 25, 2018 and Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. 

Qualifications to Register to Vote

To register to vote, you must:

  • be a U.S. citizen, and
  • be born on or before November 6, 2000, and live in your precinct at least 30 days before the election, and
  • not claim the right to vote elsewhere; and
  • not be in prison/jail serving time for a conviction. (Note: Ex-convicts who have completed their sentences and who meet all other requirements listed above are eligible to register and vote in Illinois.)
            APPLICATIONS will also be accepted on August 25th and Sept. 1, 2018 to become an Election Judge or Election Coordinator. Bilingual/Spanish speaking judges and coordinators are desperately needed.
ELECTION judges earn $190; Election Coordinators $350, if they complete training and serve all of Election Day. Applications are now being accepted. For more details call 312/269-7984 or visit www.chicagoelections.com  Apply online: chipollworker.com
            BOARD OF ELECTION Spanish Coordinator is Sarita Villarreal. If you have any questions call Sarita at 312/269-7987.
Gen. Colin Powell, Henry A. Roa (holding Powell's hand)
& Joseph Rodriguez (grey hat)
HONOR FLIGHT: Veterans Henry A. Roa and Joseph Rodriguez met General Colin Powell Wednesday, August 8 at the National World War Two Memorial in Washington D.C.
HENRY AND JOSEPH were among the ninety WWII and Korean veterans who were sent on the Honor Flight sponsored by Honor Flight Chicago which recognizes the bravery, determination, and patriotism of our nation’s senior war veterans with a one-of-a-kind journey to Washington, D.C.
BOTH Henry and Joseph are members of American Legion Central Park Post 1028. Roa joined the Army Signal Corp on March 23, 1953 to serve at Camp Gordon, Georgia. He was shipped to Korea and later sent to Okinawa. He served two years in Okinawa, April 1954 to March 1956 and was discharged from the service on March 2, 1956.
THE LATE Juanita [Rodriguez] Roa and husband Henry are the founders of the Mexican Folkloric Dance group.  For information call 773/247-1522. We salute and thank our veterans for their service.
A NEW ALDERMAN: Former State Rep. Silvana Tabares was appointed by Mayor Rahm
Silvana Tabares
Emanuel on June 27, 2018 to fill the vacancy of former Alderman Michael Zalewski [23rd Ward] who resigned.
 AS THE NEW Alderman of the 23rd Ward, Tabares said: “As a State Representative I know how important a strong neighborhood is for our young people and families. I have sought to protect working families and the neighborhoods they call home. It is an honor to continue this work as the 23rd Ward Alderman, a role in which I will continue to fight for strong schools, safe streets and good jobs."
ALD. TABARES’ background and experience consist of the following:
·        A.A. Richard J. Daley College, 2004
·        B.A. Broadcast Journalism, Columbia College Chicago, 2007
·        Democratic State Central Committeewoman, 3rd Congressional  
     District, 2018
·        State Representative, 21st District, January 2013-2018
·        Chair of Elections and Campaign Finance Committee, January 2017-2018.
·        Member of Labor & Commerce, Fire & Emergency Services, and Police & First Responders Committees, January 2016-2018
·        Secretary of Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus, January 2013-December 2016
·        Managing Editor, EXTRA Bilingual Community Newspaper, January 2007-June 2011 
·        Segment Producer, WRTE 90.5FM Radio Arte Chicago, January 2000-August 2004
·        Trained local public high school students in journalism and audio production. Contributor, WBEZ 91.5FM Chicago Public Radio, November 2001-April 2003
ALD. TABARES is a tireless public servant who cares about her constituents. We wish her the best of luck in her new position.


Monday, August 13, 2018

Pet Extravaganza, Pet Low Cost Vaccine Clinic, Ald. Gilbert Villegas [36th Ward], Sen. Steven Landek, Bridgeview Active Party, 50th Annual Fundraiser, Amateur Boxing, Movie Review, "Mission Impossible"









        PET EXTRAVAGANZA: Ald. Gilbert Villegas [36TH Ward] and the Chicago Animal Care & Control are sponsoring a 36th Ward Pet Extravaganza Low Cost Vaccine Clinic. The clinic will be
Gilbert Villegas
this
Saturday, August 18, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Prosser Career Academy, 2148 N. Long Ave., Chicago.
THE PET CLINIC is open to City of Chicago residents ONLY. All pets over 4 months of age MUST have current rabies vaccinations and a current dog license or will be required to purchase one at the time of clinic: proof is needed.
ALL DOGS MUST be on a leash or in a carrier. All cats MUST be in a carrier. Pets requiring muzzles MUST be muzzled at the event. You MUST be able to handle your pet around other animals.
FIRST COME first served. Limited to First 100 Pets.  CASH ONLY, please bring exact change to the Pet Clinic.
Fees:
·        DA2PPL and FVRP Vaccinations - $7.00
·        Rabies Vaccinations - $15.00
·        Micro-Chipping - $15.00
·        Dog Registration for Neutered Dog - $5.00
·        Dog Registration for Un-Neutered Dog - $50.00
FOR MORE information call 773/745-4636. Alderman Villegas is Chairman, Chicago City Council Latino Caucus Foundation, and recently elected Chairman of the new Veteran Caucus in the City Council. Congratulations.
            TOYOTA PARK: State Sen. Steven Landek [D] who represents part of Little Village/22nd
Steve Landek
Ward is also the Mayor of Bridgeview. Mayor Landek’s Bridgeview Active Party is sponsoring its 50th Annual Fundraiser at Toyota Park, 71st & Harlem Ave., Bridgeview, IL.  Sunday, Aug. 26th, 2018 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. It’s a class set-up. “This is not your typical political fundraiser!” said Landek.
            SCHEDULE FOR A DAY OF FUN:  Mayor’s Cup Youth Soccer Tournament at 12 p.m.; Bags Tournament [2-person teams] at 12 p.m.; Amateur boxing at 12:30 p.m.; Women of the XL Football League Demo at 1 p.m.; Women of Red Star Soccer Players Demo at 1:30 p.m.; Chicago Fire Youth League Coaches at 1:30 p.m. and Trophies, Prizes and Awards presentation at 4 p.m. There will be lots of food, beverages, and live music all day.
            TICKETS FOR the event are Gold: $200 each and White: $40 each. Gold tickets holders will have admission into the VIP area, seating with tables, servers for your convenience [avoiding the lines and waiting]. White tickets are unlimited food and beverages and general admission to seating in boxing ring area, and bag tournament.
            COME JOIN the fun at Toyota Park. Enter Gate S2 on 71st St. Follow the signs with FREE easy access parking,
            THE BRIDGEVEW Active Party is Mayor Steve Landek, Village Clerk John Altar, Village Trustees: Mary Sutton, Michael Pticek, Claudette Struzik, Norma Pinion, Jim Cecott, Patt Higginson.  Since 1968, the Bridgeview Active Party has held this annual picnic to fund its good works. Over the past 50 years the Active Party has helped Bridgeview grow and prosper. Sen. Landek has been very generous to the Little Village Community Council Annual Christmas Toy Give-Away by donating toys for the children of Little Village and Xmas wrapping paper.
            FOR MORE information call the Active Hot Line at 708/606-3774.

Tom Cruise
MOVIE REVIEW: “Mission Impossible--Fallout” starring Tom Cruise, 56, is action-packed. The storyline is confusing, but Cruise’s acting was incredible and dangerous. The music and scenery were superb. Cruise did a lot of jumping and running for his age. Also exciting were the car chases, a motorcycle chase and shoot-outs. Spoiler Alert: the best segment was the helicopter drama and chase. A real cliff-hanger. I give “Mission Impossible” three [3]                                                          stars.
        
                        CALENDAR OF EVENT
 SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2018—LV Legal Clinic at Village           Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St. starting 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  For needy people who cannot afford an attorney.

Monday, August 6, 2018

Little Village Arch, Arch Built 1990, drBalti Contracting Co., Ron Balterria, David Ramirez, Centenario Clock, Carlos Salinas de Gortari, Ald. George Cardenas 12th Ward, Free Haircuts



THE ARCH IS FALLING APART: Last week Baltazar Enriquez, Vice-President of the Little Village Community Council, informed me that the Little Village iconic arch at 26th St. & Albany Ave. is falling apart. I went to the arch to see and what I saw I couldn’t believe. The arch is in bad shape. Bricks are missing; a slab of concrete has fallen, there is graffiti, broken lights, and holes in the walls. A plaque that lists the names of the businesses that donated to the arch is dark and unreadable. It is unacceptable that the arch has been neglected, vandalized and in desperate need of repair.
            THE ARCH was built in 1990 by dr/Balti Contracting Co. at a cost of $225,000 for
Ron Balterria, August Sallas, David Ramirez
labor and material
with an additional $50,000 donated by the Little Village Chamber of Commerce for material. The dr/Balti Contracting Co. was owned as a partnership between Ronald J. Balterria and David Ramirez, both Vietnam veterans, and the builders of the Arch.
            ON WEDNESDAY, August 1, 2018, I invited Ron Balterria and David Ramirez to come to Little Village and visit the arch. I wanted them, the original builders, to tell me what they thought of the damage. Ramirez said: “A public structure like the arch should be looked at once a year and maintained every two years.
“TO SET UP and take down the scaffolding cost $15,000-$20,000 with Union labor. Plus, we did not stop traffic. It took us 5 to 6 months to build the Arch,” said Ramirez.
            BALTERRIA NOTICE someone removed the polished granite that was on the bottom of the Arch. “Taking the granite off was a bad move because granite last forever as opposed to concrete slabs. And the polished granite cost a lot of money.” said Balterria.
August Sallas and David Ramirez pointing to missing piece of the Arch.
            “THE HOLES in the arch made by hanging banners is causing water and moisture to seep into the porous arch causing the expansion of the cracks especially in the winter,” said Ramirez. “The arch was not built to put holes in it to hang banners.” Plus, the wrought iron needs to be painted. Ramirez said the arch is 29 years old. “Just think if you neglected your house for 29 years, what would happen?”
RAMIREZ added: “When we completed the job and submitted our last pay request of $22,000, we never received the payment from the city.” Adrian Lozano, the Mexican architect, and Designer of the arch, had given us his final approval, upon completion of the project, for payment; the city also owes Lozano $6,000 for his work. “Both the City inspector and the Little Village Chamber of Commerce gave their approval of final completion,” said Ramirez. Lozano is now deceased.
BALTERRIA SAID, at that time we were dealing with the President of the 26th Street Chamber of Commerce, President Anita Villarreal. “We had many meetings with Villarreal and Lozano and gave Anita our final invoice for the city to pay us,” said Balterria. Anita Villarreal passed away in 2001.
Carlos Salinas de Gortari
“THE CLOCK from Mexico was not part of the arch”, said Ramirez. Former President of Mexico, Carlos Salinas de Gortari, donated the Centenario clock to the Mexican community. It was installed a year later but the arch electrical system was not conducive to the clock from Mexico and this was the reason the clock didn’t work for 28 years.  In 2013, the Little Village Community Council raised the money to upgrade the electrical for the clock to work.        
            IT IS THE responsibility of the Mexican community of Little Village to support the restoration of the Arch. We must take pride in the Arch because it’s a culturally beautiful landmark in Chicago for the Mexican people.  And it’s the entrance into the Little Village neighborhood.
            THE LITTLE VILLAGE Community Council plans to ask Ald. George Cardenas [12th Ward] for his support in asking the Mayor for financial help to restore the Arch to its original form. The Arch is in the 12th Ward.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018—FREE Haircuts, Cannella School of Hair Design at Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St. starting 9 a.m. unti