ST. ANGELA STUDENTS HAVE BIG SHOULDERS TO LEAN ON!

RE/MAX REALTY SENDS HOT AIR BALLOON TO ELLA FLAGG YOUNG SCHOOL FOR EXCITING SCIENCE LESSON

 Bill Baker, Senior Pilot for Corporate Balloons, Ltd., discusses the operation and flight of hot air balloons with fascinated Ella Flagg Young students. (Photo by Brad)

 In the school parking lot, startled students jump back as a plume of flame belches from the burner unit that fills the balloon with hot air to fly. (Photo by Brad)

 Ella Flagg Young students get an exciting science lesson about hot air balloon flight, thanks to RE/MAX Realty. (Photo by Brad)

Ella Flagg Young Principal Crystal Bell, with Principal-for-a-Day Wendy Thomas-Williams of Northeastern Illinois University Teachers Center, and students explore the inside of a giant RE/MAX hot air balloon in the school gym. (Photo by Brad)

CITY TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR FURNACE REPAIR & REPLACEMENT PROGRAM

 Chicago Dept. of Community Development Deputy Commissioner Ellen Sahli announces at a LaFollette Park press conference in Austin that, because of the summer floods and the recession, the City is opening the EHAP application process Oct. 27 for low-income households to obtain furnace repairs & replacement. For eligibility requirements and to file applications, call 3-1-1. (Photo by Brad)

Ald. Emma Mitts praises the City for opening the EHAP application process early for households needing repair or replacement of furnace units. (Photo by Brad)

With cold weather fast approaching and an expected increased demand after the summer floods, the Chicago Department of Community Development announced in Austin that it is opening the furnace application process early for the Emergency Housing Assistance Program, EHAP.
    EHAP provides grants to repair or replace heating systems when repair costs exceed replacement costs. Owners of 1-4 unit buildings in Chicago must live in the property and have no other means to pay for repairs. Household income cannot exceed 50% of area median income, which means that maximum yearly income for a family of four is $37,550.
    In addition to the flood damage, Deputy Commissioner Ellen Sahli said, “Due to the lingering effects of the recession, we understand that low-income families are struggling to make ends meet. By opening the program early, we are giving low-income families an early start on planning for home heating this winter.” Sahli urges qualified homeowners to apply for assistance as early as possible.
    Alderman Emma Mitts praised the City’s action and also urged homeowners to test their heating systems if they experienced flooding that affected their furnaces. She reminds residents that the FEMA Flood Disaster Assistance Center at 4905 West North Avenue remains open to take claims until November 17. Damage to furnaces can be included in applications for FEMA assistance.
    EHAP applications are accepted by the City from October 27 to March 31, or until funds are exhausted. In 2009, the program assisted over 258 units with furnaces and boilers.
    To file an application for furnace repair or replacement, call 3-1-1.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON RISING STAR BRANDON HARRIS

Brandon Harris, 11, a talented member of the Pine Avenue Performing Arts Center, sings a solo rendition of “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” during Youth Sunday at Pine Avenue United Church. (Photo by Brad)

Brandon Harris, 11, is the fourth of five children and a musical star of the not-too-distant-future. He is a member of the Pine Avenue Performing Arts Center, 1015 North Pine Avenue and a 6th grader at A.N. Pritzker School, where he is in the gifted class. He performs in school plays and talent shows.
    As a member of One Lord One Faith M.B. Church, 312 North Lavergne, Brandon is active in ministry under the guidance of Reverend Joseph Kelley, Sr. He sings in the church choir and carries the Word wherever he is invited to minister. He is also a member of the G-Phi-G (Glorify God) step team at church.
    Brandon loves to act, sing, write songs, and produce music. In his spare time, he likes to play basketball. As an aspiring actor and musical artist, Brandon’s dream is to write, produce, and record his own album someday soon.