FRANCIS SCOTT KEY STUDENTS RAISE $876.60 FOR HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

Ms Stacy Wright’s 3rd grade class at Francis Scott Key School raised $86.00 for the Haitian earthquake relief effort. (Photo by Isaac Jones)

 

Students in every classroom at Francis Scott Key School participated in the fund-raising effort to support Haiti relief. Ms Anna Baskin-Tines coordinated the schoolwide crusade. (Photo by Iven Brown) 

Francis Scott Key students opened their piggy banks and their hearts to help the people of Haiti after the devastating earthquake. They raised $876.60, mostly in coins, and donated it to the American Red Cross. (Photo by Iven Brown)

When students of Francis Scott Key Elementary School, 517 North Parkside Avenue, saw pictures on television of the people of Haiti suffering from the recent devastating earthquake, they swung into action. Learning that children and their families were homeless without food, clean water, or clothing, Key students went to their piggy banks and asked their friends to contribute to the rescue efforts.
    In the four days of January 19-22, the students raised $876.60, $589.60 of it in coins. Anna Baskin-Tines, Lead Literacy Teacher, coordinated the fund-raising effort. Every class participated, kindergarten through 8th grade. A little friendly competition developed between grade levels to see who could raise the most money for Haiti.
    Ms Janice Thompson’s 5th grade raised the most money, bringing in $301.00. Ms Stacy Wright’s 3rd grade class was second with $86.00. The money was given to the American Red Cross to help the people of Haiti. The students of Francis Scott Key School are part of the international crusade to save the Haitian earthquake victims.

HSI HOLDING ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN CELEBRATION OF LIFE FEB. 26

On Friday, February 26, Habilitative Systems, Inc., is honoring its heritage in HSI’s annual African American Celebration of Life. The event features entertainment, vendors, Afrocentric fashions, food, and fun. This year’s theme is Across the Decades Serving; Still Building.
    The celebration is being held at 415 South Kilpatrick Avenue. For information, call 773/854-8313.

ALD. SMITH SAYS COM ED WILL HELP WITH BILL PAYMENTS

Alderman Ed Smith (28) announced that ComEd’s Care Helping Hand program will pay half of the electric bills for residents facing disconnection. The program starts March 1, funds are limited, and restrictions apply.
    To sign up, customers must call 1-888-806-CARE (2273) or attend a ComEd Assistance Fair.
    Community meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM, at the Garfield Park Gold Dome, 100 North Central Park Avenue.

MURPHY HILL GALLERY PRESENTS: CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN AMERICAN PAINTING Featuring Jennifer Scott

   

The Murphy Hill Gallery is over 20,000 sq feet of Art. It is located on the 3rd floor the Historic Sears & Roebuck Building at 3333 W. Arthington St. Chicago, IL 60624. Beginning February 24, and running thru April 3. The Opening Reception is Saturday, February 27, at 6 P.M. until 11 P.M. For information, call the office at 773/324-5781, Gallery at 773/956-8841, or Bill Hill at 312/480-7747.

L.E.A.D.E.R.S NETWORK CHURCHES DONATE MORE THAN $15,000 TO WORLD VISION FOR HAITI RELIEF

Dimitri Crittle of North Lawndale College Prep, accompanied by his mother, Evelena Crittle, joins the L.E.A.D.E.R.s Network in making his personal donation to World Vision to help the people of Haiti survive following the devastating earthquake. Crittle had been saving up for a special birthday treat, but decided helping the people of Haiti was more important. (Photo by Deacon Stephen Dunn)

     The member churches of the L.E.A.D.E.R.s Network presented World Vision with an initial contribution of more than $15,000 to aid the relief efforts for the people of Haiti struggling to survive following the devastating earthquake that struck that Caribbean island nation.
    North Lawndale College Prep student Dimitri Crittle, who was saving up for a special birthday treat for himself, instead donated the money to World Vision to help the Haitian people.

FAITH & EDUCATION ARE CELEBRATED AT NEW MOUNT PILGRIM CHURCH

Kassie Vivetter, 18, graduating from Uplift Community High School, plans to attend Syracuse Univ., Bates College, or Florida A&M Univ.; Jemia Simpson, 17, a senior at Al Raby High School, plans to attend the Univ. of Illinois; Christopher Swansey, 17, is a senior at Crane High School and is deciding between Alcorn State, Jackson State & Florida A&M; and Kelley Brown, graduating senior at Providence-St. Mel High School, is planning to attend Butler, Miami of Ohio, or Bradley in the fall. (Photo by Stephen Dunn)

Four outstanding West Side scholars are completing their senior years at four area high schools and preparing to attend college in the fall. All are members of New Mount Pilgrim M.B. Church, 4301 West Washington Boulevard. The congregation, headed by Pastor Marshall Hatch, recently saluted them for their accomplishments and future promise.

NORTH AUSTIN LIBRARY OPEN MICS GROWING LARGER & MORE POPULAR

Poets Assembled: The presenting artists for the Open Mic gather for a group portrait. This was Shirley Yee’s last day as North Austin Librarian. She left to head the Logan Square Branch. (Photo by Brad)

WHARP GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING FEB. 22

The Westside HIV/AIDS Regional Planning Council (WHARP) is holding its monthly membership meeting on Monday, February 22, 10:00 AM, at The Prevention Partnership, 5936 West Lake Street.
    Guest speaker is Marcus Wilson, speaking on the topic: HIV and People of Color (in recognition of Black History Month). Admission is free and the public is invited. Breakfast refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome.
    For information regarding WHARP, call Regina Hampton, Vice Chairperson, at 773/921-8100, ext. 4952.

MALCOLM X COLLEGE LAUNCHING KARNAK WELLNESS INSTITUTE FEB. 20

Malcolm X College and its President Ghingo W. Brooks are officially opening the Karnak Wellness Institute on Saturday, February 20, 3:00-4:45 PM, at the Malcolm X College Campus Cultural Center, 1900 West Van Buren Street. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.
    The Karnak Wellness Institute is named for the temples of Karnak in ancient Egypt. The Karnak Wellness Institute at Malcolm X College is bringing together the most respected thinkers and practitioners of our time to conduct workshops and seminars for the community on a wide spectrum of subjects each Saturday from February 20 through May 15.
    At the ribbon cutting ceremony, the Karnak keynote speakers will be presented. These include: U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis (IL-7), Dr. Carl Bell, Dr. Edyth E. Young, Bertha Paul Buchanan, Dr. Leonard Ingram, Hunter H. Adams, Roy Walker III, and Andre Grant.
    Free parking is available in the Jackson Boulevard lot.

U.S. REP. DAVIS ACCEPTING BLACK CAUCUS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-7) is now accepting Congressional Black Caucus Scholarship applications for CBC Spouses Education and Cheerios Brand Health Initiative Scholarships, and the Wal-Mart Strive for Excellence Scholarships.
    To request a CBC Spouses Scholarship application, contact Congressman Danny K. Davis’ office at 773/533-7520 or visit the CBCF website: www.cbcfinc.org. Choose CBC Spouses and print out an application. Deadline for submitting an application is April 23, 2010, 6:00 PM, to Congressman Danny K. Davis, 3333 West Arthington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60624. Incomplete applications will be returned.

AUSTIN COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE MEETING FEB. 25

The next meeting of the Austin Complete Count Committee to ensure an accurate census count of all Chicago West Side residents is Thursday, February 25, 3:30 PM, at The Friendship Baptist Church, 5200 West Jackson Boulevard.
    Reggie Bachus is Chairman of the committee. For an agenda and information on the organization, call 773/227-8478. The public is encouraged to join and participate.

ALD. MITTS HOLDING MINI CONSTRUCTION FORUM AT 37th WARD MEETING FEB. 25

Alderman Emma Mitts (37) is hosting a mini Construction Information Forum on the new remodeling project at the city’s only Wal-Mart on Thursday, February 25, during the monthly ward meeting at Julia Ward Howe School, 720 North Lorel Avenue, starting at 6:00 PM.
    Representatives of Wal-Mart and General Contractor Ujamaa Construction, Inc., will present plans for the project to the community, outline proposed project pre-development specifications for specialty trade contractors, and answer questions.
    Hosted in conjunction with Empowerment Consulting, this mini forum is part of the meeting agenda, which also includes a presentation by the Cook County Assessor’s office. For more information, contact the 37th Ward Service Office at 773/745-2894.

DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY PRESENTING CHANGING THE DESTINY OF MEN OF COLOR FEB. 20

The Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is presenting STATE OF EMERGENCY: Changing the Destiny of Men of Color on Saturday, February 20, 2:00-4:00 PM, at Sinai Community Institute, 2653 West Ogden Avenue. This event is free and the public is invited to participate. Information booths open at 1:15 PM.

COMMISSIONER COLLINS OFFERING FREE LEGAL CLINIC FEB. 20

On February 20, Street Justice, Inc., in conjunction with Cook County Commissioner Earlean Collins, is conducting a free legal clinic at 5943 West Madison Street, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. For an appointment, call 312/217-9656 or 773/385-8981.

DISPROPORTIONATE JUSTICE IMPACT COMMISSION HOLDING PUBLIC HEARING FEB. 22

The Illinois Disproportionate Justice Impact Study Commission is holding a public hearing on minority contact with the criminal justice system relating to drug laws and how they are applied. The Commission is seeking public input on this subject.
    The hearing is Monday, February 22, 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon, in the Thompson Center, 100 West Randolph Street, Room 16-503.
    All visitors must present a government-issued photo ID card to enter. Oral testimony is limited to three minutes per individual. Written testimony will be accepted. For information, call 312/573-8210.