The Voice Newspapers, Serving Chicago's West Side

REPORT FROM ALDERMAN EMMA MITTS

The 18th Annual 37th Ward Gospel & Back-to-School Festival Comes Back to LaFollette Park on Saturday, Aug. 5th

The roots of Chicago and the history Gospel music are as well-known as a breakfast of eggs, grits and sausage, and as beloved as the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears teams. In other words Gospel music is Chicago!
That’s why the highly-anticipated annual 37th Ward Gospel & Back-to-School Festival, now celebrating its 18th year, and produced by 37th Ward Alderman /Committeeman Emma Mitts, the 37th Ward Pastors Alliance and Global Outreach Ministries, unites music-loving residents from across the city who gather each year to enjoy, and pay tribute to America’s undeniably most influential musical art form, out of respect to the legacy of the Gospel holy ground where it was born - - right here in the great mid-western city known as Chicago.
On Saturday, August 5, 2017, from 11am - 7pm - - the 18th Annual 37th Ward Gospel & Back-to-School Festival is back at LaFollette Park, 1333 North Laramie! This FREE and open-to-the-public event, will feature fun and great food, family entertainment, local vendors and a host of powerful voices of prayer & praise - - who are ready to make this Gospel Fest 2017 an unforgettable summer experience, while supporting our youth!
“On behalf of the entire 37th Ward, I invite you, your family, friends and neighbors to join us as we sing, celebrate, inspire and empower each other through spiritually-focused traditional and contemporary Gospel music, good eats, games, prizes, school supplies and more with the wonderful people of the Austin and Garfield Park community on Saturday, August 5th, “ said Alderman Mitts. “I look forward to seeing you there!”
During the 37th Ward Gospel and Back-to-School Festival, we mobilize scores of volunteers, churches such as New Heaven Christian Church and Rock of Salvation Church, city officials, businesses and community organizations to enjoy a giant street fair, complete with spiritually-uplifting, soul-stirring performances by some of Chicago’s hottest local g\Gospel talent, including: Minister Tim White; God’s Posse; Dave Martin & GSM; the Gospel Crusaders; Songstresses Lavargna Hubbard; Chantel Varnado and Cynthia Eubanks; The Brown Brothers; The Sensational Gospel Travelers; Nickolas Lathan & Unrestricted - - and many more!
This event is blessed by the support of local corporate and business sponsors such as Walmart, Coca-Cola, U-Haul, MacArthur’s Restaurant, Walgreens, Freedman’s Seating, Comcast, The City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District, Peoples Gas, ComEd, City Sports, Planet Fitness, PLS Financial Services, Inc., G & N Restaurant, and Moses Butcher Shop. We thank them all for their continued commitment to the community!
The 37th Ward Gospel and Back-to-School Festival on Saturday, August 5th is dedicated to sharing and celebrating Gospel music of all styles including Pop, Rock, Praise & Worship, Urban Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Southern Gospel, and more. This is the summer event you’ve been waiting for and you don’t want to miss it!

Need assistance or have a question? The 37th Ward Service Office is OPEN AND READY TO SERVE YOU during regular business hours, so feel free to call 773-379-0960 or stop by 4924 W. Chicago Ave. Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon (except holidays). Thank you! You can also send an email: emitts@cityofchicago.org.

AS I SEE IT By Representative La Shawn K. Ford

Let’s Support our Schools

As we head to Springfield for a Special Session called by the governor to work on education funding, I urge continued support for Senate Bill (SB) 1, which was passed by the Illinois General Assembly. SB 1 would change how Illinois funds public education using a new funding formula, which is based on the Evidence-Based Model (EBM), and would be a more adequate and equitable way to fund public schools in Illinois. Both Republicans and Democrats support this bill, and there is broad support in the city of Chicago, suburbs and downstate. I support and I voted for SB 1, aiming to change the K-12 public education funding formula based on the EBM.
We also need to urge the governor to sign House Bill (HB) 213 that I authored that passed the General Assembly on June 23 and was sent to the governor on July 21 to ensure the responsible management of the Illinois Common School Fund and provide more funding for local schools. The measure will ensure that tax dollars fund school systems in Illinois, rather than counting on funds from the lottery.
HB 213 is a measure that amends the Illinois Lottery to ensure that any money transferred to the Common School Fund from the State Lottery Fund shall be added to, and not in lieu of, any other money due to be transferred to the Common School Fund by law or appropriation. In Fiscal Year 15, $679 million went to the Common School Fund, meaning schools could win big with these funds helping to make the education system in the state of Illinois a flourishing one.
Summer is soon coming to an end and our children will be headed back to school. We have a responsibility to give as much support to our schools as we can to give our children the best opportunities for success in life. For the sake of our children and our education system, I continue to advocate for the provisions in SB 1, and I urge the governor to sign HB 213 to make it the law of the land.

For more information, contact one of Ford’s Constituent Service Offices: 816 S. Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park at 708-445-3673, 4800 W. Chicago Avenue in Chicago at 773-378-5902 or in the Stratton Office Building in Springfield at 217-782-5962, or visit www.lashawnford.com.

REACHING BEYOND THE WALLS By Reverend Dr. T.C. Thomas, Sr. Pastor

Resume

Whenever you are looking for employment it is customary to prepare a resume for the prospective employer. The resume details your qualifications, your objective and your work and education history. The resume is prepared to help you land the job because you are the most qualified applicant. If you are stumped on how to build your resume, there is a tool on the word document called a resume builder. In our Christian lives, we have a resume builder named Jesus! He has hung, bled and died, then rose again to help us build the spiritual resumes in our lives. If you have no experience, Jesus will still accept you as you are because He is looking for those who are willing to be trained as workers in the vineyard. Luke 10:2 states, “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field”. Allow Jesus to prepare your resume that tells of how you are a witness and a soldier of Jesus!

Dr. T.C. Thomas is the Pastor of Walls Memorial C.M.E. Church, 200 S. Sacramento Blvd., on Chicago’s west Side. He is a strong advocate for children, education, healthcare and most of all the people of God “being better and not bitter.” Rev. Thomas may be contacted at 773/533/2721.

A Call To Action: By Reverend Charles C. Brown, Ph.D. - Pastor, New Heaven Christian Church

Living Together Before a Marriage Can Ruin Your Relationship

Currently, most couples are choosing to live together before getting married, and doing so may be damaging their relationship. It may also be changing the view of the family structure. Today, the “nuclear family” which consists of a married couple is being replaced by the modern family which consists of partners in a “committed” relationship. Although many couples may view living together as being the first step in getting married, it tends to also be the final step within many relationships. This is partly due to the notion that the initial phase is the “trial period,” and if it does not work both parties are free to walk away. In other words, living together provides couples with an opportunity to “test” the strength of the relationship. However, it often occurs before there is a clear MUTUAL commitment to getting married (Rhoades, 2009). At this stage, one person may view marriage as being the final goal, while the other person may view the relationship as being good enough. Over time, this may cause a strain in the relationship, and trouble down the road for the unexpecting couple.
Living together or cohabitating, occurs when two individuals choose to live together in a committed relationship, and take on the role and responsibilities of a married couple (Merriam-Webster, 2017). Herein lies the problem, two individuals are taking on the role and responsibilities of a married couple, without having the legal benefits of doing so. Within this process, two individuals agree to live together, and then make plans to do so. However, at times the process may be unplanned, where spending one or two nights together has turned into a ten-year relationship. Where commitment may be found in action, but not on paper. Author, Jennifer Morse, eloquently summed up this type of living arrangement when she stated, “Many people imagine that living together before marriage resembles taking a car for a test drive” (2001). You can drive it around the block a few times, and get the feel of how it handles. Then, if you do not like the ride, you can simply return it and pick another car.
For the most part, living together provides the couple with the opportunity to experience married life, without the hassles and benefits of being married. However, there are certain legal rights and benefits that only married couples are privileged to receive. In other words, couples short change themselves when they choose to live together without being married, and doing so can damage the relationship overtime. Consequently, there is a direct correlation between living together before the marriage and experiencing an increase in the number of relationship ending episodes. Furthermore, Stanley, Whitton, and Markman (2004) argues, cohabitating couples tend to experience the following six negative consequences during the relationship:
1. Lower marital satisfaction
2. Lower interpersonal commitment among men
3. Poorer perceived and observed communication in marriage
4. Higher marital conflict
5. Higher rates of wife infidelity
6. Higher perceived likelihood of getting divorce

In all fairness, getting married before living together does not guarantee a successful relationship. However, it does provide a foundation for a stronger commitment, and makes it a little harder for couples to simply walk away.

By: Charles C. Brown, PhD
drccbrown@gmail.com
Pastor, Professor, Advisee to State Representative LaShawn K. Ford, Illinois 8th District Chair of Higher Education, and the Co-Chair for the 37th Ward Pastors Alliance

What Does God Have To Do With It? Who’s Running It? By Angie Mims

THE LITTLE FOXES OF SIN IN A BELIEVING CHRISTIAN’S LIFE

If we’re honest with ourselves, some sins have a tendency of feeling good. Whether it’s the succulent kiss and hand filled grasp of our forbidden romantic love or the ongoing sips of Sangria, Moscato and Courvoisier with our friends, sin, plainly put, has a tendency of feeling good. After all, what is wrong with enjoying great company, with a room full of laughter and fun? Imported spirits that perfectly satisfy our palettes with honey suckle, pomegranates, raspberries, limes and green apples, provide us with a surge of relaxation that just could not be wrong, let alone be evil. Besides, it isn’t like we’re out snorting cocaine or parading up and down Cicero soliciting for paid sex from a hypocritical deacon. So what’s the problem?
As you’ve already gathered, this columnist previously didn’t mind a taste of a fine imported wine with great company around. Nevertheless, upon discovery during this Christian walk, I’ll readily admit that although many of us aren’t being serial killers, as Paul was in the Bible days nor are we aiding Boko Haram in kidnapping and trafficking young girls, it’s sometimes the subtle sins that cloud our judgement, blind our vision and stunt our growth in Christ.
And before the Christian who proudly proclaims that they’re neither a fornicator or a drinker, rest assured, the gossiper, the back stabber, the liar and the Big Pick Lottery Player are not guaranteed to have VIP seating in heaven’s box office.
So, what does God have to do with it? It’s the little foxes of sin that deter us from our destinations. Be it gossiping, a lack of integrity, over indulging in drinking, fornicating, or being envious of our fellow brothers and sister in Christ within our churches, inevitably, we end up spoiling the vine and wreaking havoc in our own lives. If these sins are unchecked, unfortunately, we delay our own destiny. My dear friend, you could be on the cusp of something so great, but these little foxes of sin are trying to delay your destination. Identify those little foxes and protect what God has given you - a future and a hope.

Angie Mims is a radio personality for the Promoting Precision Radio Show. She has interviewed many greats on her show such as NBC 5’s Art Norman, CLTV News Dr. Garrard McClendon, Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, Ebony Magazine’s Senior Editor, Lynn Norment, the former president of Nigeria, General Olesugun Obasanjo, NBA players and many others. Visit her online at www.promotingprecision.com. Angie loves to meet new people and is in a constant attempt to unite people from all over the world. If you have a great story, don’t hesitate! Email her at AngieMims@PromotingPrecision.com today! You may also call (708)-612-4864. Support The Austin Voice Newspaper and let them know your thoughts about her column.

JESUS FREEWAY EXPRESS

The Power of Positive thinking –
“The Bible Act of Faith”
Greetings my dear brethren (everyone that I may ask you this household question of old, which came first – the chicken or the egg’? Bible tells us how that in the beginning the earth was void and there was darkness all over the world; then came the Divine Spirit of the Living God who was, He is, and will be forevermore. Who hovered all over the face of the earth (the deep) causing light to appear dissipating the darkness. Then followed His creation of the inhabitants of His new earth in six days and rested the 7th day. The devil (Lucifer – Satan) began the cunning acts of disobedience on man to dishonor the supernatural power of his creator (God). Negative thoughts was brought to the man who God created; but the positive thoughts (faith) in God is needed by man in order to move God to answer his prayers.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Psychologists & sociologists infer that baby chicken must have come first before the egg in the beginning, but the supernatural power of God had concealed chicken life in the egg He first created and which on command the egg hatched giving birth to the baby chickens male & female – thus starting the generation of this big land bird (chicken) great for food (meat).
My lovely wife (Dorothy) now up in age reflected on her youthful years being raised in a Christian home where all the children must read the Bible daily; their mother a retired Rev. (Retired Pastor) of a church in Mississippi. One day the sky got gloomy, dark clouds hanging overhead, the wind blowing feartlessly with lightening skies – heavy high rain soon started, horrific thunder followed, everything in the house shaking and the light outage came while little Dorothy (age 10 at the time) read the Bible. Her mother had covered the mirror and turned off the lights earlier due to the strong lightening. Little Dorothy was disturbed by light outage because she wanted to read her Bible. She complained to the mother as she could not see to continue reading the Bible in which she was so engrossed. She innocently appealed to God in faith to stop the rain and lighting and God answered. Light soon returned. And Dorothy continued reading the Word of God (the Bible).
Little Dorothy’s situation taught all two things: 1. To have faith (trust) in God as an innocent little child with no atom of doubt. 2 Read the Bible daily. It is the heart and voice of God and pray without ceasing in faith. Prayer changes things for better. For prayer support call mat at (630) 965-0256. Also to volunteer in this year (2017), “All Christians, All churches Parade for Jesus/Revival – planning meetings continue. The events scheduled for August 26, 2017. Please call same number above to volunteer. Jesus loves you and so do I. Your brother in the Lord, Rev. (Apostle/Prophet ) E. Dada.

CANCER SOCIETY WARNS WOMEN OF THREAT FROM RADON EXPOSURE

A new report finds a statistically significant positive association between high levels of residential radon and the risk of hematologic (blood) cancer in women. This study is the first prospective population-based study of residential radon exposure and hematologic cancer risk, leading the authors to caution that it requires replication and whether it truly differs by sex.
Radon is a naturally-occurring byproduct of the decay of radium and is a known human lung carcinogen, the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Modeling studies show that radon delivers a non-negligible dose of alpha radiation to the bone marrow and therefore could be related to risk of hematologic cancers. More than 171,000 new cases of hematologic cancer and more than 58,000 deaths are expected in the United States in 2016. Hematologic cancers are the most expensive cancers to treat per quality-adjusted life year gained.
For the current study, researchers led by Lauren Teras, Ph.D., of the American Cancer Society used data from the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort established in 1992, to examine the association between county-level residential radon exposure and risk of Hematologic cancer. The analysis included 140,652 participants among whom there were 3,019 hematologic cancers during 19 years of follow-up. They found women living in counties with the highest mean radon concentration had a statistically significant 63% higher risk of hematologic cancer compared to those living in counties with the lowest radon levels. They also found evidence of a dose-response relationship.
The authors say men may have a higher baseline risk, possibly because of more exposure to occupational or other risk factors for hematologic cancer, reducing the impact of any additional risk from residential radon. In women, who have a smaller baseline risk, residential radon exposure might be a larger contributor to overall risk. Another reason may be that the women of this generation spent more time in their homes, so had more residential exposure than men.
According to Dr. Teras, “Radon is already associated with lung cancer and if other studies confirm the link to blood cancers, we think it would warrant strengthened public health efforts to mitigate residential radon risks.”

ST. MALACHY + PRECIOUS BLOOD REQUESTS HELP FOR MOBILE PANTRY

Father Matthew Eyerman, Pastor of St. Malachy + Precious Blood Catholic Church, 2248 West Washington Boulevard, reminds everyone that his congregation hosts deliveries by the Greater Chicago Food Depository Mobile Pantry on the third Tuesday of each month. Volunteers unload the truck, bag the food, and distribute non-perishables, fruits, and vegetables to West Side residents. This food is available to anyone free of charge and without income verification. Each month, St. Malachy + Precious Blood serves more than 250 households representing well over 750 people, regardless of weather conditions.

In past years, the public has donated a pallet mover, tables, and bins. This year, Father Eyerman is requesting help in obtaining items to keep staff and clients dry and warm:

• $500 will install a retractable canopy

• $100 will purchase a pop-up canopy to keep food and volunteers dry

• $75 provides hand warmers for volunteers

• $50 provides single-use rain ponchos for clients & volunteers

For information about the monthly Mobile Pantry at St. Malachy + Precious Blood or making contributions to the program, call Father Eyerman at 312/733-1068 or 312/919-1610.

MT. VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH OFFERING YOUNG ADULT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR EAST GARFIELD

MT. VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH OFFERING YOUNG ADULT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR EAST GARFIELD AND NEAR WEST YOUTH

Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 2622 West Jackson Boulevard, is providing assessment, support, and referral services as part of its Community Violence Prevention Program (CVPP) Re-Entry Program for East Garfield and Near West youth and young adults being released from Department of Correction facilities.

Any East Garfield Park and Near West juvenile between the ages of 13-28 currently on parole from any Department of Correction facility, or returning to CVPP communities from Department of Correction facilities are eligible to participate in the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church CVPP Re-entry Program. Interested persons should call Denise Harris at 773/826-3295.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

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