Chicago Police Gang Investigations and Narcotics officers, in partnership with agents of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, identified 35 of the most violent members of the 4 Corner Hustlers street gang for arrest and prosecution. The gang hierarchy controls open air drug markets on Harding Avenue from Iowa to Thomas Streets in the West Humboldt Park neighborhood. The joint efforts led to additional intelligence revealing of an international drug cartel as the narcotics supply source.
    The mission culminated in the recovery of more than $1.6 million in narcotics, eight firearms, and nearly $1 million in cash. At a press conference following the arrests, Superintendent Garry McCarthy explained the connection between narcotics sales fueling illegal gun purchases and the urban violence plaguing Chicago’s African American neighborhoods.
    Team members conducted 39 controlled narcotics buys from numerous 4 Corner Hustlers gang members throughout the course of the investigation. Covert purchases and enforcement stops resulted in recovery of eight weapons, including an assault rifle, from targeted offenders. Additionally, undercover buys and seizures yielded a substantial recovery of cannabis, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine. Five narcotics money seizures recovered nearly $955,000 in U.S. currency.
    OPERATION TRIPLE THREAT focused on violent gang-related activity in the Harrison (11th) District, where the Chicago Police Violence Reduction Initiative announced by Mayor Emanuel and Superintendent McCarthy last month has been underway to drive down crime in the area. The drug markets dismantled by OPERATION TRIPLE THREAT are directly associated with the street violence occurring in the 11th District.

Chicago Police & Federal Agents arrested 35 gang members, seized 8 guns, nearly $1 million in cash, and large amounts of narcotics in OPERATION TRIPLE THREAT on Harding Ave.

National Poetry Month

Grandmother
I want to talk to my grandmother
“By and by…”
The church folks sing
I miss the love, joy
and comfort she’d bring
She left me some money
But it couldn’t take her place
If I ever win a million
You can have it!
If I could see her face
“By and by
By and by…”
I want to cry
I want to cry
Sunday mornings
Early spring
Chicken dressing
Collard greens
Homemade ice cream
Happy dreams
I want my grandmother
more than anything
“By and by…”
The church folks sing

By Sharon Cartledge



Black, Beautiful and Proud!
I am black, beautiful and proud of my heritage.        
Some people don’t think my dark skin and kinky hair is attractive.                       
But guess what I know so!  
I am confident when I look in the mirror.                      
I know I am black and beautiful. I love who I am!     
I love the way I look!          
This is why I walk with dignity.                             
This is why I walk with the daring.                             
I dare you to do the same! 
Choose to do what’s right instead of what’s wrong.    
I dare you to stop feeling sad! I dare you to sing a joyous song!                     
Just remember everything God made,
he admitted it was good and beautiful.      
I admit you are! I admit I am a beautiful creation!          
So lift up your heads that are bowed down low!           
Pull up your saggy pants and show, that you know!
That you are black, beautiful and proud of your heritage-

By Shontavia Armstrong



GETTING THERE
 It’s all becoming perfectly clear
that reason why we’re still here.
It seems we’ve all got a chore to do
and to each other. we must be true!
Now we’re bearing witness to a universal change
and to some of us it all sounds a little strange
but to all of us, we know that it’s true;
just look at the changes that we’re going through!!
Now things are changing most everywhere
and some of us might say that ‘we don’t care!!’
but we do!...no matter what we might say
cause it’s just an expression of this present day.
For those who know---it’s truly a blessing.
but for those who don’t- it all seems like guessing
But for ALL, it’s only a matter of time
before the truth forces them to draw a line
And the line must be walked
instead of used as a border
that is...if you’re truly aiming for order
you mustn’t get hung up on choosing a side
‘cause it’s like feeding your ego foolish pride!
Now it’s all becoming clear
and the simple fact that you’re still here
should let you know that there’s still time
....to take heed to this poem of mine!!!

  Leroy Porche’ Jr.



Prepared Man
He walks with a pace of confidence
a strong quiet restraint
Lazy, trifling, irresponsible
those words oh no he ain’t
He’s raised that good old fashioned way buttermilk and cornbread fed. Head of his house he ain’t no mouse enemies him they dread.

God fearing man does what he speaks
His promises he always keeps
No bastard child attached to him
No average chick will do for him.
His standards high his bills are paid
A steady foundation he has laid

Hardworking guy sought after much
Rough exterior soft soul to touch
Who is this man I describe you say?
He’s a prepared man they’re bred that way.
Like a cake ingredients added then stirred in
He’s down for you to the bitter end.

Will walk with you when times get hard.
Your feelings will always regard.
Will give his last so you can eat
When you’re down and out the path he’ll beat
To pull you up and lift you high
His aspirations big high as the sky
He’ll help you cook clean and errands run
He works with his fist he don’t need a gun
Upstanding man a friend to many
His shortcomings few if any
Doesn’t waste his time with games boys play
He’s a prepared man, they’re bred that way.

By: Antwan McHenry

“With diverse audiences, performers get diverse responses. African American audiences are often known to be more verbal in expressing their feelings about a performance. It’s what I refer to as the Amen Corner. One of the many things I liked about Sunday was that we may have witnessed Tekki playing to her first Amen Corner. Though I’ve enjoyed several of her performances in the past, the grey-haired African American gentleman’s vocal expression of appreciation gave it something extra for me, and hopefully for her, too.”                                                      
    Those are the words of Victor Cole, who attended the opening of EMBRACE THE SPACE, a program series at St Martin’s Episcopal Church. He was referring to the actor, playwright, director, and educator Tekki Lomnicki who presented her story in a solo performance of Paper Doll, and then taught participants how to use their own life experiences to tell theirs in her entertaining workshop What’s Your Story. 
    St. Martin’s, through a grant from The Chicago Community Trust, is partnering with Bodies of Work, a program of the University of Illinois at Chicago, to present a unique form of artistic expression known as disability art and culture, Disability art refers to the creative work of people with disabilities that reflects a disability experience, advances the rights of disabled people, and widens society’s understanding of what it means to be human. It is found in every artistic medium from the performing arts, literature, and visual arts to comic books, film, and design. Disability art plays a key role in articulating what disability means politically, personally, and aesthetically, and that meaning translates into what many in the disability community consider its “culture.”
    Coming this Sunday, April 15, at 1:30pm is Body Magic, a printmaking workshop for children and adults of all ages presented by Chun-Shan (Sandie) Yi, an artist from Taiwan, whose artwork examines the way art can be used to address the relationship between the body and society’s standards of beauty and disability. The Body Magic workshop begins with a short talk by the artist about her art, a printmaking demonstration, and time to make your creation and share your experience with others. In it you get a chance to create some wearable art on a t-shirt, bandana, or tote bag, which you can take home! As an added attraction in celebration of NATIONAL POETRY MONTH three local poets, Lily Diego, Pennie Holmes-Brinson, and St. Martin’s own, David D. Jones, will read their original works.
The EMBRACE THE SPACE series continues on Sunday April 29, when Alana Hodges Wallace, founder and artistic director of Dance>Detour, Chicago’s first physically integrated dance company, will lead a movement workshop - So You Think You Can’t Dance - for people of all abilities. The series closes on Sunday, May 20 with Carrie Sandahl presenting Images of Disability in Films for Kids, a screening of film clips followed by a discussion with the audience of how Hollywood portrays people with disability in children’s films. 
    All events are FREE, wheelchair accessible, sign language interpreted and audio described. And all are welcomed – young people, single people, couples with or without children, and elders — everyone from the young to the young-at-heart. Food and refreshments will be served.   
    EMBRACE THE SPACE events are funded by a grant from the Chicago Community Trust.. And, in keeping with St. Martin’s flexible worship space and welcoming attitude toward multiple types of families and households, all are welcomed and all events are FREE. Reservations are recommended.
    For EMBRACE THE SPACE program information, disability accommodations, or to RSVP please phone 312 996-1967, or email tpacio1@uic.edu. For Information about St. Martin’s Episcopal Church contact Rev. Christopher E. Griffin, Vicar at 773 378-8111 or
www.stmartinschicago.org.

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH BEGINS!!!!

A salute to all poets

I salute each of you this exciting month of April for a job well done.
You took the time to share from your heart and did your part.

You didn’t make any excuse through the winter, spring, summer
and fall. You came to deliver and today you are remembered.


I salute all the poets in the world: every boy, girl, woman and
man. I am a true fan.
Look around you, you have uplift with your god gift!

We can’t forget Shirley yee, she got a promotion and had to leave
but mike is right there because he care.

My mother told me my father had
a line in a play when they were
young
“speak up ike and express yourself”
I say to you this day “speak
up poets and express yourself,
you are one of a kind and thank
you for your time!
Written by:
Frances Loretta Freeman #54

My People, My People

(Inspired by the Presidential Election of President Obama)

My people, my people,
called by my name
Come boldly come swiftly
Be not ashamed.
Come humbly, prayerfully, seeking my face
Turning from darkness, step into my grace.

My people, my people
stretch forth your hands
Reach upward toward heaven
I’ll heal your land.
Behold, I come quickly, my reward with me
For every man as he works it shall be.

My people, my people lift up your eyes
Beyond the pasts darkness
In to new light.
See the fowls, the lilies
and grass of the fields
Help cometh, help cometh just over the hill.

My people, my people sing melodies sweet
Let earth and the heavens
Fill with my peace
I’m Alpha, Omega, Beginning and End
Lord, God and Father Trust in me Amen.
2 Chronicles 7:14, Revelations 22:12, Matthew 6

                       Deborah R. Willis, Poet- Lyricist

 

MS. NATURE

As I sit and listen to the sound of nature,
I realized how blessed we are to have her.
Ms. Nature is what I call her.
Her presence blesses us every March,
April and May at any given day.
When she comes by the grass, flowers and
trees stand at attention and she is pleased,
when it is mentioned.
Boy, I love it when April comes!
The flowers spring up and the birds sing a song.
Ms. Nature is the best and the only one,
that let’s us know when Summer comes.
I love nature!
                                        Clara Ewing

Love is Infinite

Love is infinite! It never dies;
it lies deep in your heart away from unseen eyes!
Bottled up like pop in a can only a person
with real love will understand!
Shaken every time the love of your life walks by;
when full the pressure of love
burst out from your soul and
it can no longer be contained or controlled.
That kind of love is not in vain;
it is real and none void is how it feels.
It takes a special man/woman to know what love really is.
Is that you or him only time will reveal because love is infinite!

By Taniyah Minniefield

How does it feel to have
Everything you ever did turn
Back on you
How does it feel to see
You child grow up and be
just like you?
How does it fee to see
 The things you so called tried hard
To prevent happen to your child
Maybe if you would had though about
your actions before you
did it I wouldn’t be asking you

How Does It FEEL

By Melina Dotson

UNIVERSAL M.B. CHURCH CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY OF FIRST LADY

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL HOLDING OPEN HOUSES FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

St. Martin’s to Hosting Embrace the Space: Body Magic

Body Magic, a printmaking workshop for children and adults of all ages, will be held Sunday, April 15, 1:30pm at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 5700 West Midway Park in Austin. The second in a series of art-based programs offered at St. Martin’s, the event features Chun-Shan (Sandie) Yi, an artist from Taiwan who enjoys making body adornments for disabled people using metals, fabrics and found objects.
    Yi’s work examines the way art can be used to address the relationship between the body and society’s standards of beauty and disability. She has a BFA and MA in art therapy from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, a MFA from UC Berkeley, and is currently a PhD student in Disability Studies at University of Illinois at Chicago. She has exhibited her work in the U.S., Prague, and Hong Kong, was featured in PISTIL magazine, Fall of 2005, and recently published an article in an edited book on art therapy.
    The Body Magic workshop begins with a short talk by the artist about her art, and a demonstration of how to make a print. Participants will have a chance to make prints on a t-shirt, bandana, or tote bag, share their creations with the others in the group, and then get to take their artwork home!  As an added attraction three local poets, Lily Diego, Pennie Holmes-Brinson, and St. Martin’s own, David D. Jones, will read their original works.
     Bodies of Work, a program of the University of Illinois at Chicago, is partnering with St. Martins to share this unique form of artistic expression for the enjoyment and awareness of its parishioners and neighbors. Disability art refers to the creative work by people with disabilities that reflects a disability experience. It can be found in every artistic medium from the performing arts, literature, and visual arts to comic books, film, and design. Disability art plays a key role in articulating what disability means politically and personally, and that meaning translates into what many in the disability community consider its “culture.”  
    Funded by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust events in the EMBRACE THE SPACE series at St. Martin’s are wheelchair accessible, sign language interpreted and audio described. And, in keeping with St. Martin’s flexible worship space and welcoming attitude toward multiple types of families and households, all are welcomed and all events are FREE. Reservations are recommended, and refreshments will be served.
    Other events in the series at St. Martins include “So You Think You Can’t Dance, a movement workshop on Sunday April 20 with Alana Hodges Wallace, founder and artistic director of Dance>Detour, Chicago’s first physically integrated dance company. The series closes on Sunday, May 20 as Carrie Sandahl presents “Images of Disability in Films for Kids,” a screening of film clips and a discussion with the audience of how Hollywood portrays people with disability in children’s films.  
    For EMBRACE THE SPACE program information, disability accommodations, or to RSVP please phone 312 996-1967, or email tpacio1@uic.edu. For Information about St. Martin’s Episcopal Church contact Rev. Christopher E. Griffin, Vicar at 773 378-8111 or www.stmartinschicago.org.
    For 96 years, The Chicago Community Trust, our region’s community foundation, has connected the generosity of donors with the needs of the community by making grants to organizations working to improve metropolitan Chicago. In 2010 the Trust made over $100 million in grants. From strengthening community schools to assisting local art programs, from building health centers to helping lives affected by violence, the Trust works to enhance our region.

Learn more at www.cct.org.

WEST SIDERS TURN OUT FOR GRAND OPENING OF CHICAGO’S FIRST PLANET FITNESS

Everyone who is someone was on hand to celebrate the Grand Opening of Chicago’s first Planet Fitness exercise club. Located at 4905 West North Avenue in the Harold Washington Shopping Plaza, the bright and spacious center is more of a spa than a gym. Founded in New Hampshire, Planet Fitness is now the largest chain of exercise centers in America. In addition to providing all of the latest and most popular workout machines and free weights, Planet Fitness also offers 30-minute workouts and professional assistance from personal trainers helping members set attainable goals and learn to safely and effectively use the equipment. This assistance is provided 24-hours a day with the basic membership and enhanced Black Card membership. Planet Fitness offers two types of membership: Basic at $10 per month and Black Card for $20 per month. Both memberships allow unlimited use of the center 24-hours a day for as long as members want to use the facilities. They pride themselves on being a “Judgment-free Zone”, catering to regular people wanting to look and feel good, not to body-builders or exercise extremists. Most people joining Planet Fitness are first-time gym members. With the $20 a month Black Card, members have access to all 5,000 Planet Fitness clubs nationwide. Black Card members also receive unlimited use of chair and hydro massage, half-price drinks, red-light therapy, plus one free guest per day. They are also entitled to free haircuts at the center Barber Shop. The Austin center already has 5,400 members. There are nine centers in the metropolitan area and seven in Cook County. For information, stop in at Planet Fitness anytime.