Friday, June 11, 2010

HEFFERAN & HUGHES 5th GRADERS ARE HAVING A BALL!

Students from Helen Hefferan Elementary School, 4409 West Wilcox, and Charles Evans Hughes Elementary School, 4247 West 15th Street, competed in the semi-finals of the Ballroom Dance championships at Little Village High School. Although neither school’s dance teams won, the students had a ball!
    The competition culminated a 20-week program involving 5th grade students in 15 elementary schools across the city. The popular program has expanded with the assistance of a 3-year U.S. Department of Education Carol M. White Physical Education grant. The rigorous curriculum focuses on the International Style of ballroom dance, which is taught worldwide, and includes lessons in history, culture, geography, health, nutrition, and character education. Principals and teachers agree that the program is extremely popular with students, who work hard to be chosen for the performance teams.
    Participants are required to learn and perform the Cha Cha, Waltz, Paso Doble, Tango, and Jive. Students agree the Waltz is the hardest dance. They like the Cha Cha and the Jive.

PHOENIX MILITARY ACADEMY HONORS OUTSTANDING CADETS AT YEAR-END CEREMONY

Phoenix Military Academy High School, 145 South Campbell Avenue, held its medal awards presentation ceremony for meritorious cadets in the JROTC program. Cadet Colonel Jeffrey Perez, a graduating senior, was awarded the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Medal. This honor is bestowed upon a cadet who displays leadership, soldierly bearing, and excellence to Phoenix Military Academy.
    Superior Cadet Medals were awarded to one outstanding student in each grade level. This year’s recipients are: Cadet SGT Lisandra Villegas (9th grade), Cadet SFC Nia Benton (10th grade), Cadet CPT Katie Villagomez (11th grade), and Cadet CPT Lainer Rodriguez (12th grade).
    Cadet MAJ David Woulard (12th grade) was awarded the Association of the United States Army Medal for exceptional performance at Phoenix Military Academy.
    Seven cadets were awarded American Veterans Association Medals for diligence in the discharge of duty and willingness to serve both God and Country for the mutual benefit. This year’s honorees are: Cadet CPL Tyrell Watson (9th grade), Cadet SGT Jazmin Ocampo (9th grade), Cadet SFC Johnny Villagomez (10th grade), Cadet SFC Mirna Azpera (10th grade), Cadet 2LT Alyssa Gomez De La Casa (11th grade), Cadet CSM Jesenia Martinez (11th grade) and Cadet 1LT Chenetta Watson (12th grade).
    Cadet SGT Adan Herrera and Cadet MAJ Katia Acosta (both graduating seniors) were presented the United States Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award Medal. This honor goes to the top female and male cadets that demonstrate outstanding achievement and excellence in a varsity or intramural sport while maintaining at least a B average.
    Cadet 2LT Bonnie Conner (11th grade) was awarded the Personal Appearance Medal for consistently presenting an outstanding image. Phoenix Military Academy is graduating a class of 78 cadets this year.

CHRIST TABERNACLE STAGING YOUTHAPALOOZA FUNFEST JUNE 26

Christ Tabernacle MB Church, 854 North Central Avenue, is presenting YouthaPalooza Community Outreach FunFest on Saturday, June 26, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM. This event is free and the public is invited.
    There will be performances by guest choirs and appearances by sports personalities, plus a visit by Inferno Mobile Recording Studio.
    Free health screenings are being offered, plus carnival games, a Police Mounted Unit, free food, and lots of fun.
    Sister Vernell Givens and Rev. Renece Weathersby are event Chairpersons and Rev. Willie C. Doss is Pastor of Christ Tabernacle.

READING IS ART-RAGEOUS AT NORTH AUSTIN LIBRARY THIS SUMMER

Reading is Art-RAGEOUS is the theme of this year’s Chicago Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, the free, 8-week drop-in adventure encouraging young people to enjoy books during summer vacation. Weekly raffles, speakers, and variety programs are scheduled to entertain, stimulate, and educate. Participants earn T-shirts.
    For information and to register for the North Austin Branch Library Summer Reading Program, see Jacqueline Primm at 5724 West North Avenue or call 312/746-4233.

HEIRS OF THE PROMISE CHURCH CHANGING NAME & LOCATION FOR SERVICES

Pastor Joseph Kyles announces that Heirs of the Promise Church is shortening its name to The Promise Church and is moving its Sunday Morning Glory Services at 11:00 AM to the Jorge Priento Math & Science Academy Gymnasium at 2231 North Central Avenue, beginning Sunday, June 6.
    Ample parking is available and entry doors are on the west and north sides of the building.
    This launches the church’s 12th anniversary celebration with the theme The Glory Cloud is Moving. For information on services, transportation, and church programs, call 773/342-5377.

CLARK PARK HOLDING ACT AUDITIONS & SIGNING UP VENDORS FOR JUNE 26 FESTIVAL

Linda McWright announces that auditions of Hip-Hop, R&B, gospel performers, plus dance acts are currently being held for individuals and groups wishing to appear at the June 26 Festival in Clark Park, 4615 West Jackson Boulevard. Registration fee to audition is $25 and auditions are being held every Wednesday and Friday, 5:30-6:30 PM. For information and appointments, call 773/287-7794.
    Vendors for the Clark Park Festival are also being signed up now. Fee for food vendors is $175 and for non-food vendors is $75. All vendors must present appropriate City licenses to participate. To reserve booth space, call 773/287-7794.

SISTERHOUSE: Trauma and Trends of Addiction

Did you know that individuals whom feel that others will provide appropriate assistance to meet their needs are less stressful and more likely to succeed? According to a research study endorsed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Office of Research on Women's Health, women who use drugs and have more social support may resort to substance abuse less often than women with less social support because they may feel less need to turn to drugs in response to stressful life events. Women users with strong emotional and social support systems tend to be more responsive and take an active role in initiating the first steps toward recovery and following through thereafter.

    According to the social network theory, social networks are some very important sources of social support. Social networks for individuals seeking recovery can be family, friends, church members, and Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous (AA/NA) support groups. For women in recovery, social networks can provide the social, emotional, and material resources they need to address the myriad concerns that confront them, especially in the early stages of recovery (Becker & Gatz, 2005). Women in recovery generally have less social support than women who are or have not been chemically dependent.

    Research has found that ethnicity, age, and drug of choice has little effect on women’s social networks, however, once those networks are developed they tend to be influential, long-term, and ethnically similar. These networks can be either positive or negative depending on the goal and purpose of the social connection. Positive networks can create emotional and social support on women in recovery and the bonds developed from these relationships can be long-standing and extremely beneficial for drug treatment program completion.

To receive more information on SISTERHOUSE’s services for women and/or volunteer opportunities, please call 773/626-0525.

NORTH AUSTIN LIBRARY POETRY SLAM JUNE 19

Local poets are invited to perform their works and network with other poets to share ideas at the next Poetry Slam presented by the North Austin Branch Library, 5724 West North Avenue, on Saturday, June 19, 2:00 PM.
    This free event is part of the Chicago Public Library’s City Verse series of poetry presentations. Published local artists conducting the North Austin Library Poetry Slam include Ida Hayes Barnes, Beverly A. McLaughlin, and Frank Alexander.
    For information, call 312/746-4233 or see Branch Librarian Michael Schorsch.

LIGHT OF THE WORLD HOSTING FAMILY & FRIENDS DAYS IN JULY

Light of the World International, 5745 West North Avenue, is designating every Sunday in July as Family & Friends Day. The church is selecting 15 households per week to receive special blessings. Food items will be distributed each Sunday in July at 11:00 AM on a first-come-first-served basis.
    In order to receive a bag of food, persons must attend the worship service. Bishop Thomas A. Clark IV is Pastor.

LAWNDALE ALLIANCE & NORTH LAWNDALE COMMUNITY NEWS HOLDING TOWN MEETINGS

Valerie Leonard announces that The Lawndale Alliance, in partnership with the North Lawndale Community News, is presenting The Community Awareness Series of Town Meetings at the 10th District Police Station, 3315 West Ogden Avenue, on Wednesdays, June 16, 23, and 30, 6:00-8:00 PM.
    The issue for discussion at the June 16 meeting is North Lawndale Schools: Gaining Ground or Shaky Ground?
    On June 23, the discussion centers on the question, Who’s Being Stabilized? Who’s Being Stimulated? Consideration will be given to the Stimulus Package and Neighborhood Stabilization Program’s effectiveness and impact.
    Meeting #3 on July 30 is called Connecting the Dots: TIFs, Eminent Domain, and Building Code Enforcement.
    Local residents are encouraged to attend and participate in these lively and thought-provoking discussions on the state of North Lawndale today and determining the look of the community in the future. For information, call Valerie Leonard at 773/521-3137 or e-mail valeriefleonard@msn.com.

MARKET DAY ON MADISON STREET SET FOR JUNE 12 – VENDORS NEEDED

The Greater Garfield Park Chamber of Commerce is seeking vendors for the 4th Annual Market Day on Madison Street, being held Saturday, June 12, 12 noon to 8:00 PM, at 2800 West Madison Street at California (in the plaza).
    For information and cost for food and non-food vendor space, call 773/722-6650.

REP. LA SHAWN K. FORD PRESENTING CAREER FAIR AT MALCOLM X COLLEGE JUNE 23

State Representative La Shawn K. Ford (D-8) is hosting a free Career Fair at Malcolm X College, 1900 West Van Buren Street, on Wednesday, June 23, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Employers will be present accepting resumes and conducting interviews.
    Sponsors of the free Career Fair are: The Chicago Urban League’s Workforce Development & Diversity Center in partnership with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, and THE VOICE Newspapers.
    For information, contact Tina J. Crawley at 773/602-3044 or Rep. Ford’s office at 773/378-5902.