HAMLETT-ISOM C.M.E. CONGREGATION SAYS GODSPEED TO RETIRING PASTOR & HONORS MEMBERS FOR SERVICE

REPORT FROM ALDERMAN EMMA MITTS

37th Ward Community News & Notes for August 2012


The ‘dog days’ of August have arrived and the 37th Ward is busier than ever, thanks to the hard work and committed activism of our Block Clubs, local residents, businesses, faith organizations, community and civic groups, staff and volunteers! THANKS TO EVERYONE!! THE 13th ANNUAL 37th WARD GOSPEL FEST IS ALMOST HERE!!:
    On Saturday, August 4, 2012, from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m., at La Follette Park, 1333 North Laramie, please join us for our annual exciting neighborhood Gospel and Back-to-School Festival will offer hot fun for all ages, positive images, good food and the cool, spiritual sounds of Chicago’s best gospel choirs and groups during the 13th Annual “Praises & Progress Builds Unity in the Community” 37th Ward Back-to-School Gospel Fest! The event is free and open-to-the-public! The lovely and legendary Pam Morris, the ‘Chicago’s Gospel Sister”, heard every Sunday morning and afternoon on WVON RADIO – ‘The Talk of Chicago,’ 1690-AM will serve as emcee of the morning’s festivities.
    Among those performing will be a wide range of Gospel groups and choirs: Evangelist Tim “I’m Trusting” White, whose soul-stirring style will also Rock the Mike for Christ as co- emcee; Brian Pettis and the Brilliant Place Choir; the New St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church Choir; Lynn McCree and Judah First; Shanka and La-Verne Falls and many more!!!
There will be activities for kids, adults and seniors! A highlight of this family fun afternoon will be the Award-winning Jesse White Tumblers! There will be demonstrations from the Chicago Fire Department; the Jumping Jack trampoline and the ‘Little People’ will provide non-stop entertainment, as well as other exciting resources for young and old alike. It’s an event not to miss! The heart of north Austin, will be rocking with the ‘Soulful Sounds of Inspiration’ of several sensational spiritual local church choirs. The welcoming program for VIP guests starts at 11:00 a.m. To participate, volunteer, or reserve your space in this 37th Ward “Praises & Progress” Gospel Extravaganza, call 773/745-2894.
    NO MONDAY EVENING WARD NIGHTS DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST: Due to the heavy volume of 37th Ward Block Club parties, and other ward events  during August, which are typically held on Saturdays giving us a six-day work week, we will take a ‘brief hiatus’ from the weekly WARD NIGHTS during the month of August. That means there WILL BE NO MONDAY EVENING WARD NIGHTS, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. on the following dates:
August 6,  13,  20, &  27, 2012
    The Ward Nights will resume on Monday, September 10, 2012.
    PLEASE NOTE: There will also be NO Block Club Presidents Meetings on Saturday, August 4, 2012 due to the Gospel Fest and NO Meeting on Saturday, September 1, 2012 due to the Labor Day Holiday.
    Service Office will be OPEN AND READY TO SERVE YOU during regular business hours during August, so feel free to call 773-745-2894 or stop by
    Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00
p.m. Thank you!

Need a service or have a question? Contact my ward office at 773-745-2894, or send an email: emitts@cityofchicago.org

FARRAGUT HIGH ALUMNI HOLD ANNUAL PICNIC

Rites of Summer: Every year, alumni of all years from Farragut High School gather for a picnic in Douglas Park. John, Chuck, Walter, Fuzzy & Freddie – all friends since grammar school – enjoy reminiscing about old school days.

HEALING TEMPLE & ARTHUR LOCKHART CENTER URGE COMMUNITY TO REJECT DRUGS AND VIOLENCE

Peoples Poll for Week of August 8th

Would more gun control have prevented the recent tragedies in Aurora, CO and Oak Park, WI?

Poll Closes August 16, 2012

URBAN FARMERS CELEBRATE OPENING OF FULTON STREET GARDEN GREENHOUSE

CITY CITES WEST SIDE BUSINESSES FOR VIOLATIONS

The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) released its flagged business list for July. Businesses on the list have received at least two adjudicated violations in the past 12 months. The flagged locations are subject to increased inspections by all city regulatory agencies and further violations will result in disciplinary action and possible revocation of their business licenses.
    Business & Consumer Protection is recommending revocation of the business license for  GET CONNECTED, a retail store located at 3647 West Division Street. Chicago Police Vice Officers investigating a nearby shooting visited the store and arrested a store employee and another male for possession of firearms and drugs on the premises. The location also had several municipal code violations and BACP will use the incident to strengthen the case for license revocation against the business.
    Another business – NICKEL LIQUORS – located at 3637 West Division Street, is being investigated and added to the flagged list after police officers discovered a blue steel handgun with a defaced serial number under a pallet of soda in a public area of the store. The day before the gun was discovered by police, the location was cited by the Department of Buildings for code violations.
    In both cases, these stores have been identified as places that offer protection and congregation for gang members. BACP is using this information and business histories to bolster cases against them and remove the possibility of more criminal activity occurring at their locations and involved with the businesses. Of the 37 flagged businesses in this report, 18 have already been referred for disciplinary action.
    Other West Side businesses included in the July report from BACP and facing disciplinary action are:
    24 FOODS, 329 NORTH LARAMIE AVENUE - Referred for Action (placed on list in May). This store has more than 5 dockets at Administrative Hearings in the previous 12 months resulting in orders of liability, including violations for deceptive practices and liquor liability insurance. Community calls to 311 report sales of loose cigarettes to minors and selling cigarette packs without tax stamps.
    CHICAGO AVENUE DISCOUNT, 5605 WEST CHICAGO AVENUE (placed on list in May). This store has more than 19 dockets at Administrative Hearings in the previous 12 months resulting in orders of liability, including violations for selling unstamped cigarettes, furnishing tobacco products to minors, and deceptive practices. Community calls to 311 report sales of loose cigarettes and sales of cigarette packs without tax stamps.

    CLARK GAS STATION, 5035 WEST DIVISION STREET – Referred for Action (added to list in May). Gas station & store are now closed. Has two dockets at Administrative Hearings in previous 12 months resulting in orders of liability, including police violations for drinking on the public way and selling unstamped cigarettes.
    DUNKIN DONUTS, 800 NORTH KEDZIE AVENUE (added to list in June). Store has 3 dockets at Administrative Hearings in previous 12 months resulting in orders of liability, including violations for sanitation requirements and control of vermin and insects. Community calls to 311 include seeing large rat in the restaurant near serving area; flies are everywhere, even on the donuts, and bugs on donuts because they are not covered.
    R&G MILLER, INC., 939 NORTH PULASKI ROAD – Referred for Action (added to list in May). Business has more than one docket at Administrative Hearings in previous 12 months resulting in orders of liability, including violations for failing to remove and discontinue using padlocks on all 1st floor doors, police violations for over-occupancy and operating after a cease & desist order.
  
 SWEET TART, INC., 1559 SOUTH HOMAN AVENUE (added to list in May). Business has 2 dockets at Administrative Hearings in previous 12 months resulting in orders of liability, including violations for selling unstamped cigarettes, furnishing tobacco products and tobacco accessories to minors, and deceptive practices. Community calls to 311 report sales of loose cigarettes for 50-cents each, clerk at front counter selling cigarettes from Indiana, and sales of loose cigarettes to a young boy.

    THREE STARS LIQUORS, 310 NORTH KOSTNER AVENUE – Referred for Action (added to list in May). Store has more than 3 dockets in Administrative Hearings in previous 12 months resulting in orders of liability, including violations for price marking and display, outdated infant formula, deceptive practices, and fraud in connection with a sale. Community calls to 311 report sales of alcohol to minors, rat and cat infestations, unsanitary conditions, water in light fixtures, and water leakage inside the store. Community residents have been working with the city and Alderman Ervin to close the store because of numerous shootings in the area and gang members being allowed to congregate at the store. Citizen requests to the owner to shorten hours of operation have been refused. The store is site of regular protest marches by community residents.