STOP GUNICIDE NOW! FATHERS WHO CARE & SAFETY NET WORKS PRESENT CELEBRATING THE CALL FOR COMMUNITY HEALING

GREATER STAR CHURCH LOOKS BACK & FORWARD IN BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM

WEST SIDER CHARGED IN STABBING OF WICKER PARK FLOWER SHOP CLERK

Alexander Hampton, 24, of the 3300 block of Douglas Boulevard, is charged with the robbery of a Wicker Park flower shop and the stabbing of a female employee. He is also charged with violating Sex Offenders Registration.

    Alexander Hampton, 24, of the 3300 block of Douglas Boulevard, was arrested February 20 by officers of the Chicago Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit for the February 16 robbery and stabbing of a female flower shop employee.
    Hampton is charged with entering a flower shop in the 1900 block of West North Avenue at approximately 11:20 AM on February 16. He handed an employee a note announcing a robbery. A struggle ensued at which time he picked up a cutting instrument and stabbed the female victim in the arm and head and fled with cash from the register and an iPod. The victim was transported to Stroger Hospital in stable condition.
    Hampton was identified in a lineup and in interviews. He is charged with Violation of Sex Offender Registration and Armed Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon.

Michele Clark & Columbus Park After School Matters participants with Chicago West Community Music Center/Garfield Park students meet legendary South African musician Hugh Masekela at Northwestern University. (Photo by Jeremy Shine)

    Students from After School Matters programs at Michele Clark Magnet High School and Columbus Park, plus participants in Chicago West Community Music Center/Garfield Park had a one-in-a-lifetime experience of meeting Grammy-winning South African musical legend Hugh Masekela and his band as part of this year’s Chicago-Midwest ANC Centenary celebrations. Masekela’s meeting with the teens was courtesy of Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, with support from the NU Department of African American Studies, and The Black United Fund of Illinois who provided dinner for the group before they attended a jazz concert at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall on the Northwestern campus.
    W. Side Story/AfriCaribbean Connections is a drumming and dance education program for teens to connect their cultural roots from the West Side of Chicago to Africa and the Diaspora, including the Caribbean. Led by teaching and performing artists VCasanova & JShine, the program is designed to build job skills, develop community and a voice for teens through the cultural arts, while helping youth discover the benefits of exploring the arts.
    Based at Michele Clark High School and Columbus Park, these After School Matters students train in dance and music, research and document their historic heritage, and learn to perform and teach.
    Guest speakers, performances, and collaborative events with area colleges are also a major part of the overall experience. This year, students are focusing on South Africa and the worldwide ANC 100th anniversary activities, so visiting Northwestern University, touring the Arts Circle on campus, and meeting the legendary South African musician and his band backstage was as relevant as it was exciting. Inviting a partner program – Chicago West Community Music Center/Garfield Park – to the Hugh Masekela concert expanded the impact.
    Sharif Walker, After School Matters Area 3 Director, oversees programs at eleven campuses and over 20 community-based organizations serving thousands of Chicago teenagers.

KNIGHTS & LADIES OF PETER CLAVER PRESENT MARDI GRAS REVELRY AT OUR LADY OF SORROWS

The French Quarter came alive on Chicago’s West Side at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, 3141 West Jackson Boulevard, on February 17. Hosted by the Knights & Ladies of Peter Claver, the Mardi Gras celebration went on into the night with costumes, beads, hot music, delicious Creole cooking, and lots of fun. Blues, soul, and jazz song stylist Robin Watson opened the festivities with Fats Waller’s anthem, This Joint Is Jumpin’. With champagne flowing and the music turned up loud, the annual Mardi Gras shifted into high gear.

U.S. REP. DANNY DAVIS HEADLINES ST. CATHERINE-ST. LUCY BLACK HISTORY MONTH ASSEMBLY

L.E.A.D.E.R.’S NETWORK PASTORS HOST VALENTINE’S DAY SALUTE TO THEIR WIVES

FAMILY OFFERING REWARD IN 2011 AUSTIN MURDER OF LEVI STUBBLEFIELD

Levi Stubblefield was reported missing Nov. 2 and his body was found three days later in a vacant apartment at 320 N. Pine Ave. He had been shot several times. His family is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest & conviction of the murderer.

    On November 2, 2011, the family of 34-year-old Levi Stubblefield reported him missing to local police. Three days later, Stubblefield’s mother and sister found the body of the father of three in a vacant apartment at 320 North Pine Avenue. He had been shot multiple times.
    Stubblefield’s mother told THE VOICE that the family is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of her son’s killer. She says she has stayed in contact with Area 5 Detectives, but they apparently have been unable to gather sufficient information to identify the assailant or make an arrest.
    Stubblefield was born and raised on Chicago’s West Side. At the time of his death, he was living in Cicero with his girlfriend and their two children. He was last seen with a friend outside the building where his body was found.
    Persons with information regarding this crime are asked to call Area 5 Violent Crimes at 312/746-8262 and THE AUSTIN VOICE at 773/889-0880.

ALD. MITTS HOLDS TIF-NIP HOME IMPROVEMENT LOTTERY

Judith Smart, Director of the City’s Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP), and Darris Shaw and Destiny Edmonds of Neighborhood Housing Services, joined 37th Ward Alderman Emma Mitts in her office to conduct a lottery to select initial participants in a $200,000 TIF-NIP Home Improvement Program. Included in the lottery were names of West Side property owners who filled out applications for the grants. To be eligible to receive grants, applicants must live in single family, one-, two-, three-, or four-unit buildings located within the Austin TIF district. Thirteen names were drawn by Ald. Mitts to share the $200,000, plus two for a waiting list, in case lottery winners are ineligible to participate. People whose names were selected must undergo investigations ensuring they do not owe the city money in the forms of parking tickets, water bills, etc. If they do have such debts, they will be given the opportunity to work out payment plans. If they cannot agree on a payment plan, their names are removed from the eligibility list and an alternate is selected from the waiting list. The money may be used for most types of exterior building improvements and repairs. Owners of single-family residences can obtain grants up to $12,500. Owners of 2-unit buildings can receive up to $17,500; 3-units, up to $20,000; and 4 units, up to $22,500.

ACADEMY FOR URBAN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

Donald Malone of Academy for Urban School Leadership explains why AUSL is so effective in building student academic achievement and why it will work for Piccolo School. (Photo by Brad)

Ald. Emma Mitts leads the community meeting to decide whether Piccolo School should be transferred to Academy for Urban School Leadership management. Those attending voted unanimously in favor of the change. (Photo by Brad)

Approximately 50 parents & community residents attended a meeting at Orr High School called by Ald. Emma Mitts to air feelings about transferring management of Piccolo Elementary School to Academy for Urban School Leadership. They voted unanimously for the change. (Photo by Brad)

Save Crane High School

KEITH TALBERT CHARGED WITH MURDER IN GARFIELD PARK SHOOTING

Keith Talbert, 26, was arrested and charged in the Sept. 25 drive-by murder of a 15-year-old boy and wounding of his mother in the 700 block of N. Springfield Ave.

Keith Talbert, 26, of the 500 block of North Springfield Avenue, was arrested February 9, and charged with the September 25 murder of a 15-year-old boy and the wounding of his 37-year-old mother. The two were victims of a drive-by shooting while seated on the front porch of their residence. They were taken to Mt. Sinai Medical Center, where the 15-year-old was pronounced dead. Talbert is charged with one count of First Degree Murder, one count of Attempt Murder, and one count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm.

PASTOR ACREE HOLDS VALENTINE’S DAY BOOK SIGNING & BIRTHDAY BASH

Just two days before Valentine’s Day, Pastor Ira J. Acree, author of In Pursuit of Mr. Right, held his first book signing at Greater St. John Bible Church, 1256 North Waller Avenue. Pastor Acree also celebrated his 47th birthday with his family and congregation at the same party. In Pursuit of Mr. Right was published February 1, by Life To Legacy LLC and is available from Amazon.com for $10. The book not only teaches women the art of getting and keeping Mr. Right, but to do so in a righteous and biblical sense. Pastor Acree’s book also gives excellent advice to naïve women who want to avoid meeting “deadbeat men.” Pastor Acree gives women some controversial advice on how to get a man by being aggressive, how to keep him happy, and how to win your man when there is female competition nipping at your heels. What is the secret solution? Pastor Acree uses the Bible as his source of reference. Reverend Acree draws from the depth of wisdom of ancient biblical queens and unlocks ageless secrets on how to recognize, captivate, and keep a man. Plus, he emphasizes that today’s assertive woman no longer wants to sit on the sidelines and wait for Mr. Right to come along. Reverend Ira Acree has pastured Greater St. John Bible Church for more than 20 years. He is well-known for his emphasis on advancement and empowerment through the principles of entrepreneurship, expansion, education, economics, and evangelism. He is a founding member of The L.E.A.D.E.R.’s Network and ranks in the forefront of progressive urban ministry for the 21st century.

ALD. DEBORAH GRAHAM

Ald. Deborah Graham meets with students during an inspection tour of Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School, Central Ave. & Washington Blvd.

Ald. Deborah Graham reads to a class at Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School.

Rep. Camille Lilly, Sen. Don Harmon & 29th Ward Organization Pres. Kyle F. Smith with Ald. Deborah Graham as she announces her candidacy for 29th Ward Democratic Committeeman. (Photo by Walter Tidwell)

Ald. Deborah Graham with judicial candidates Arthur P. Wheatley and Tommy Brewer. (Photo by Walter Tidwell)

MAYOR EMANUEL VISITS MABEL MANNING LIBRARY

Mayor Rahm Emanuel drops in at the Mabel Manning Branch Library, 6 S. Hoyne, and talks with students using the facility, emphasizing that Chicago Public Libraries are again open on Mondays, 2:00 to 6:00 PM. (Photo by Brooke Collins, City of Chicago)

A massive crowd of Chicago parents flocked to the New School EXPO on Saturday to learn more about charter schools and submit applications.

In a show of demand for charter schools, hundreds of parents were in line before the New Schools EXPO opened to speak with school representatives and submit applications.

    Mayor Rahm Emanuel visited the Mabel Manning Branch Library, 6 South Hoyne Avenue, on Monday, February6, emphasizing that Chicago Public Libraries have new Monday hours – 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM – during the school year. Branch libraries are scheduled to be open a full eight hours on Mondays when CPS is not in session.
    “Libraries play an important role in keeping our children safe and helping our children learn, and at the same time provide residents with access to a variety of information and services,” said Mayor Emanuel. “I was happy to see so many children and adults at Mabel Manning this afternoon, taking advantage of the services and resources the library offers.”