Friday, August 27, 2010

Back-To-School Rally at St. Angela.

Taste of Austin Comes and Goes for another year!

ALD. DEBORAH GRAHAM TAKES THE 29th WARD FISHING

FREE MUSIC NETWORKING PARTY AT EXCALIBUR AUG. 28

CD Music Management is holding a music industry networking party on Saturday, August 28, 10:00 PM, at Excalibur Club, 632 North Dearborn Street. Admission is free until 11:30 PM. Mention Big John or Chris. For information, call 312/266-1944.

FIRST ROUND BASEBALL ACADEMY FORMING TRAINING CLUB FOR YOUTH

The First Round Baseball Academy is now forming a baseball training club for players wanting to develop their skills. The Academy is open to boys and girls ages 8-16 years old.
    Training sessions are being held at Garfield Park, Stella’s Batting Cage, and the McCook Center September 24 through December 17 (every Friday).
    Cost is $25 for the 13-week training session. Groups are now forming and space is limited. For information and registration, call Frank Brim at 773/443-2746.

10TH ANNUAL GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY COUNTY FAIR SET FOR SEPT. 18

Experience the excitement and fun of a county fair in the middle of the city. Chicago’s original urban hoedown is being held on Saturday, September 18, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM, at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 North Central Park Avenue. Admission is $5. Ages 3 and under are free.
    The Garfield Park Conservatory’s County Fair celebrates the harvest and healthy communities in an urban setting on Chicago’s West Side. The connection between plants, food, and American heritage are highlighted through a variety of activities, demonstrations, and entertainment. Families can enjoy hands-on activities, games, a petting zoo, pony rides for $1.00, compost demonstrations, a harvest showcase, beekeeping demonstrations, live music, food, a farmers market with fresh produce from local farms, and much more.
    For more information, log onto www.garfield-conservatory.org or call 773/638-1766, ext. 18.

COOK COUNTY HOLDING BUSINESS EXPO SEPT. 16

The Cook County Purchasing Office is holding the 3rd Annual Business Opportunity Expo on the 1st Floor United Club in Soldier Field on Thursday, September 16, 8:30 AM-3:00 PM. The public is invited and admission is free.
    Business Opportunity Expo workshops begin promptly at 10:00 AM and include: How to Do Business with Cook County /Ethics Education; Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses; MBE/WBE Vendor Development & Training; Alternative Financing; and Doing Business With the Government via SBA’s Certification Programs. There are also opportunities to network with successful businesspeople in a variety of enterprises. Vendors will meet face-to-face with procurement representatives from various county agencies. Government, financial, corporate, and nonprofit agencies will also be represented.
For more information, visit www.cookcountygov.com/purchasing or call 312/603-3702.

REV. DADA ANNOUNCES PARADE FOR JESUS & CONVENTION AUG. 28

Senior Apostle Emanuel Dada announces that the annual Parade for Jesus and Convention are being held Saturday, August 28. The parade steps off promptly at 10:30 AM from 5138 West Division Street, proceeds north on Laramie Avenue, around LaFollette Park, and concludes in the park, where the Convention begins at 12:30 PM. The theme for both events this year is: Reaching All For Christ.
    The public is urged to enjoy the parade and participate in the convention, continuing until 6:00 PM. There will be singing, dancing, inspirational preaching, free refreshments and giveaways, puppet shows, and tumblers.
    For information on entering floats, cars, or marching units in the parade, or to volunteer, call 630/372-5845.

JLM CENTER HOLDING BACK 2 SCHOOL HEALTH FAIR & BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

The JLM Life Center, 2622 West Jackson Boulevard, is holding a Back 2 School Health Fair and 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament on Saturday, August 28, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM.
    Age brackets for the Basketball Tournament are 9-12, 13-15, and 16 & older. To register, call Willie at 773/629-5197.
    The Health Fair is free and provides medical consultations, health screenings, and physicals for adults and children, including dental screenings.
    There will be face painting, food, arts & crafts, music, and fun. Reverend Johnny L. Miller is Executive Director.

WRIGHT COLLEGE SEEKING VENDORS FOR SEPT. 12 CRAFTS FAIR

Wright College is seeking artists and crafters for its indoor 43rd Annual Craft Fair on September 12, at 4300 North Narragansett Avenue. Tables for this fair range from $65 to $100. The fair is regularly attended by thousands of shoppers because of its long history and the quality of the hand-crafted items being sold. Admission and parking are free.
    Wright College’s Center for Lifelong Learning sponsors the fair, which runs from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Tables are assigned on a first-applied-for/first-assigned basis. For information, contact Gail Toribio at 773/481-8804. Obtain vendor applications at Wright’s website: wright.ccc.edu.

Sisterhouse: What will y’all do over there?!?!

I’m excited to report that people are reading this! Every week I get calls asking what we do at SISTERHOUSE. So, here are the basics: SISTERHOUSE is an 18-month, faith-based recovery home for women. SISTERHOUSE provides housing and supportive services for women seeking to restore their lives from the perils of substance abuse.

We offer a 3 phase program so residents can gradually build the skills needed to thrive once they graduate. We partner with local agencies that offer Intensive Outpatient Therapy, Job Readiness, and Job Placement. Our dedicated alumnae remain connected, stopping by to help newcomers adjust to recovery, keeping SISTERHOUSE active and connected in the local community, or just visiting, which maintains a family atmosphere.

We welcome those curious phone calls to continue and we thank the Austin Voice for keeping our community informed about important events and organizations like ours.

To receive more information on SISTERHOUSE’s services for women and/or volunteer opportunities, please call 773/626-0525. On Friday, September 24th we’ll be hosting our first annual Night at the Races benefiting SISTERHOUSE at the Maywood Park Racetrack at 8600 West North Avenue, Melrose Park, IL. Tickets are available for purchase by calling or emailing Bonnie Johnson sisterhousechicago@yahoo.com.

ASSOCIATION HOUSE OFFERING CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS

Association House, 1116 North Kedzie Avenue, is offering job training programs leading to placement in rewarding careers. Among the career fields for which training courses are provided are: College Prep Computer Repair, College Prep Certified Medical Assistant, and Customer Service & Retail Training. Orientation sessions are offered for each employment discipline. For information and course schedules, call 773/772-7170, ext. 1050. Students must be at least 18 years old.

BEVERLY D. ROGERS HOLDING CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF AUG. 29

    Former Chicago Police Officer Beverly D. Rogers is holding a kick-off fundraiser for her 29th Ward Aldermanic campaign on Sunday, August 29, 2:00-5:00 PM, at 6216 West North Avenue. For information, call 773/622-6900.

COMMISSIONER COLLINS HOSTING GARDEN BARBEQUE SEPT. 25

Cook County Commissioner Earlean Collins is hosting a Garden Barbeque fundraiser at her home, 5939 West Race Street, on Saturday, September 25, 3:30-6:30 PM. The event features music, karaoke, fun, and some of Commissioner Collins’ favorite homemade dishes.
    Tickets are $50 per person, with sponsorship levels available. Checks may be made payable to Citizens for Collins. Co-Chairs are Willie Wilson and Larry Huggins, with Dolores Thibodeaux and Sandra Robinson on the Host Committee. For reservations and information, call Reginald Brown at 630/873-0572 or 773/287-8600.

LaFOLLETTE PARK SEEKING DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR & HOLDING DANCE AUDITIONS

Coach James announces that LaFollette Park currently needs a dedicated and experienced Defensive Coordinator to volunteer for its 11-13-year-old football team. Practice is held Monday through Friday, 5:00-7:30 PM. Contact Coach James at 773/355-7749.
    Aggression Dance Troupe and AGG CH2 are currently auditioning potential new members for the dance groups. If you are a male or female dancer ages 9-15 or 16 and older, try out for the troupe. Contact Ms Williams at LaFollette Park: 773/287-0541.