BIG MA PEEPLES, AUSTIN TACO RESTAURANT OWNER, DIES AT 74

Shirley Mae Peeples, member of the family who owns the popular Peeples Taco Restaurant in Austin, died January 21, a day after her 74th birthday.

Shirley Mae Peeples, lovingly known as Big Ma, member of the family owners of the popular Peeples Taco Restaurant at 5944 West Chicago Avenue in Austin, died in her sleep January 21, a day after her 74th birthday. She was born January 20, 1937, in Collins, Arkansas. Her mother died in childbirth, so Shirley was raised by her grandparents, Reverend J.T. and Ophelia McNealey. She earned her diploma from Drew County High School in Monticello, Arkansas, in 1955.
    After graduation, Shirley moved to Chicago, where she met and married Norman Peeples in 1959. They had four children: Latrice, Derrick, Clarence, and Jimmy. Shirley attended cosmetology school and was employed by Zenith until 1965, when she and Norman became entrepreneurs by launching the now well-known Peeples Tacos Restaurant.
    Big Ma was known for her hospitality, which always included her great cooking. Two of Big Ma’s favorite pastimes were all-day shopping trips and dining out with family and friends. She was also an active member of Greater Open Door Church.
    Shirley died in her sleep on January 21. She leaves her loving husband of 51 years, Norman; her daughter Latrice; sons Derrick (Nikki), Clarence (Barbara), and Jimmy. She is also survived by her uncle, Rufus McNealey of Milwaukee, 13 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 5 brothers-in-law and 2 sisters-in-law; a God-daughter, Elaine Starks; a special friend, Ora Clay; and a host of family members and friends.
Services are at Greater Open Door Baptist Church, 1301 South Sawyer Avenue.

HARRISON DISTRICT COPS SEIZE 100 POUNDS OF WEED ON LAKE STREET PLUS 9 GUNS

Fernando Camarillo of Melrose Park is charged with felony Cannabis Trafficking and gun charges. Police seized over $700,000-worth of marijuana from his 5100 W. Lake St. car sales business, along with 4 semi-automatic handguns. Police also recovered 5 guns from Camarillo’s Melrose Park home.

Chicago Police Harrison (11th) District Tactical officers seized over 100 pounds of cannabis, 8 handguns, and one shotgun during execution of search warrants at 8:30 PM Sunday evening, January 23, in the 5100 block of Lake Street and at a residence in the western suburbs. Fernando Camarillo, 43, of the 2500 block of Landen in Melrose Park, was charged with one felony count of Cannabis Trafficking-over 5,000 grams, one count of City Ordinance Business License Required, and four City Ordinance weapons violations, after Harrison District Tactical officers learned that a motor vehicle sales business was operating without the required business license and as a front for drug sales.
    The search warrant was executed to investigate the validity of Camarillo’s place of business. During a subsequent search of the premises, police discovered and took possession of several boxes containing multiple bags of cannabis, totaling over 100 pounds, with an estimated street value of over $700,000, and four semi-automatic handguns.
    Police then drove to Camarillo’s residence where he was taken into custody and charged.
    A search of his home resulted in officers recovering an additional four semi-automatic handguns and a shotgun. One of the guns was found to be stolen, resulting in a continuing investigation that could result in additional weapons charges.

RAISE A HAND ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS TRANSFORM MORTON SCHOOL LIBRARY ON KING HOLIDAY

Celebrities from television, radio, and music descended upon Morton School of Excellence, 431 North Troy Street in East Garfield Park, joining executives from the Illinois Lottery and Burrell Advertising, parents, teachers, and students volunteering to transform the school library into an exciting Multi-media Center. The project was part of Raise A Hand Illinois, an annual program of the Illinois Lottery, demonstrating its commitment to education and designed to empower schools by improving learning environments across the state. The volunteer work occurs every year on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and throughout the year.
A festive crew worked at painting murals, replacing windows, carrying in new furniture, exchanging old books for newer volumes, and transforming a dreary, unused space into a modern, inviting Multi-media Center. Ed Sanders, star of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition supervised the remodeling and installed new window treatments.
Ramonski Luv of V103 and Tony Sculfield of WGCI acted as cheerleaders keeping morale high among the 150 volunteers. A radiant and extremely pregnant Drew Sidora (actress appearing on TV’s The Game and Disney’s That’s So Raven) sorted and shelved books while signing autographs and being interviewed by students. Singer Slique carried tables and chairs.
Angel Turner, Principal of Morton School of Excellence, supervised the Extreme Library Makeover: School Edition with 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. By lunchtime, the old library had become the Multi-media Center and the ribbon was cut.
Since being taken over by the Academy of Urban School Leadership two years ago, when Morton was one of Chicago’s poorest performing public schools, enrollment has increased to 328 students in Pre-K through 8th grade and test scores are surging upward. AUSL performed a total turnaround of Morton, replacing the entire faculty and administration, remodeling the school, and changing the philosophy of Morton to success through high achievement. This year, Morton graduates were accepted to the new Westinghouse and other selective enrollment high schools.

PRODUCE MOBILE VISITS NEW MOUNT PILGRIM CHURCH 3rd THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH

 Cartons of fresh fruits & vegetables are free for the taking at New Mt. Pilgrim M.B. Church, 4301 W. Washington Blvd., the 3rd Thursday of each month, compliments of the Produce Mobile. (Photo by Stephen Dunn)

It’s a food bonanza when the Produce Mobile pulls into New Mt. Pilgrim Church’s parking lot the 3rd Thursday of each month from 9:00-11:00 AM. Volunteers unload the truck and help people gather the fresh fruits & vegetables to take home. (Photo by Stephen Dunn)

The Produce Mobile brings a bonanza of fresh fruits and vegetables to New Mount Pilgrim M.B. Church, 4301 West Washington Boulevard, the 3rd Thursday of each month, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, for distribution free of charge to whoever wants it. The truck pulls into the church parking lot and volunteers unload crates of fresh produce and put them on tables or stack them for people to carry off. The next scheduled date for the Produce Mobile is Thursday, January 20.

 Norman Stewart, Thad Hall, Alfred Bradley, and Kirsey Sherill stock up on fresh fruits & vegetables given out free when the Produce Mobile visits New Mt. Pilgrim Church the 3rd Thursday of each month. (Photo by Stephen Dunn)

UNITED BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION OF ILLINOIS HOSTS REV. JOHNNY MILLER’S ANNUAL PRAYER BREAKFAST

CPM COMMUNITY PARTNERS CONTRIBUTES MORE THAN $50,000 TO CHICAGO CHARITIES IN 2010

Chicago Parking Meters principals kick off their philanthropy program with a $10,000 donation to Chicago Youth Centers, joining CYC officials and 9-to-12-year-old youth at the Elliot Donnelly Youth Center in Bronzeville.





Santa, aka Kevin O’Hara of LAZ Parking, talks with Special Olympics athletes & coaches during the cross-country skiing & snowshoe competition at Mann Park. CPM Community Partners made a $10,000 donation to Special Olympics Chicago and gave out Santa hats to the athletes.

 Participants in Girls-on-the-Run Chicago celebrate the program’s 10th anniversary at a 5K race at Toyota Park in Bridgeview. CPM Community Partners dropped by to make a $500 donation.

Ald. John Pope (10), a Special Olympics athlete, Kevin O’Hara of LAZ Parking, Special Children’s Charities/Special Olympics Chicago Pres. James Sheahan, and CPM Gen Counsel Rahsaan Sales support athletes at the snowshoe and cross-country skiing competition at Mann Park.


CPM Community Partners, the philanthropic arm of Chicago Parking Meters, LLC, contributed more than $50,000 to local charities in 2010. With the goal of primarily supporting youth-focused organizations, CPM Community Partners kicked off in June with a visit to the Elliot Donnelly Youth Center, located in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville community. EDYC is part of Chicago Youth Centers, a network of eight community-based youth centers in underserved areas that provide a range of services for children ages 3-18, including pre-school, tutoring, and recreational activities. EDYC and CYC shared CPM’s $10,000 donation.
    “The highlight of our work with CPM Community Partners is the opportunity to get a closer look at the outstanding work these organizations are doing for the people of Chicago,” says Chicago Parking Meters CEO Dennis Pedrilli. “We’re looking forward to supporting more projects in 2011.”
    In subsequent months, CPM Community Partners made the following donations:
•    $10,000 in September to the National Foundation of Teaching Entrepreneurship, which trains instructors to work in high schools across the city of Chicago, helping young people develop entrepreneurial skills that enable them to start their own micro-businesses.
•    $10,000 in October to the Avon Foundation for Women’s Breast Cancer Crusade, which supports Chicago facilities like Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center.
•    $10,000 in November to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
•    $10,000 in December to Special Olympics Chicago, which featured a visit by LAZ Parking’s Kevin O’Hara, dressed as Santa to the Special Olympics’ snowshoeing and cross-country skiing event at Mann Park.
•    Toys for the children and gift bags for the women served by Connections for Abused Women and their Children. Santa and his elves visited the shelter’s holiday party.
    CPM Community Partners launched a pilot program in 2009, donating $500 each to nine Chicago organizations: Casa Central, Girls-on-the-Run, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Jane Addams Hull House Association’s Emerge Program, La Rabida Children’s Hospital, Metropolitan Family Services’ African American Male Initiative, Mount Sinai Hospital’s Kids Club Holiday Party, the South Side YMCA’s Youth Basketball Association, and the West Side Pastors’ Alliance Turkey Giveaway.

PINE AVENUE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER LAUNCHES HOLIDAY SEASON WITH CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA

Young participants in the Pine Avenue Performing Arts Center instrumental, vocal, and dance classes set the mood for this year’s Christmas season with a Holiday Extravaganza before a packed house in the Pine Avenue United Church auditorium, 1015 North Pine Avenue in Austin.
Dance Instructor Brittany Gill opened the show with a lively interpretive dance selection, followed by singers and the student dance troupe, Youthful Praise.
Special surprise guest performers were singers Burgandi Cashimer & Dora Washington. Closing the concert were holiday selections by the Pine Avenue Performing Arts Center Band, who brought down the house despite being together for only eight weeks and composed of many musicians who have just recently taken up learning instruments. They are under the direction of Eugene Westmoreland.
For information on the free courses in drama, singing, dance, and instrumental music at Pine Avenue Performing Arts Center, call Charley Johnson at 773/626-2528. Classes meet at 1015 North Pine Avenue every Saturday beginning at 9:00 AM.

PINE AVENUE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA PERFORMERS
   
    Jodira Goss
    Ahja Marshall
    Jada Marshall
    Aniyah McCline
    Ariel McMahon
    Brandon Harris
    Catorie Ross
    Aliyah Ward
    Tanaja Bowen
    Brittany Gill, Dance Instructor
    Eugene Westmoreland, Band Director
    Billye Biles, MC
    Burgandi Cashimer & Dora Washington, Guest Performers
    Charley Johnson, President

STRANGERS JOIN HANDS TO BRIGHTEN HOLIDAY FOR FAMILY OF GIRL RECOVERING FROM SURGERY

 

A surprised and delighted Jamila Ward opens Christmas gifts as her mother & Principal enjoy her happiness. (Photo by Brad)

The miracle of the Christmas season was displayed in very human form in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood when families came together to help a little girl recovering from major brain surgery and her family left financially devastated by the health crisis.
    Jamila Ward is a 4th grade student at St. Angela School. With quiet grace and patience, she has struggled through a frightening ordeal. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor and her family was forced to move to Boston for her treatment, including surgery. Her mother quit her job to be with Jamila.
    Doctors are cautiously optimistic, calling Jamila’s surgery a success. Now, she and her family are going about the hardships of putting their lives back together, with the knowledge that all of their savings and resources are exhausted.
    Mary Kay O’Rourke, Principal of St. Angela School, began reaching out on behalf of Jamila and her family. A benefactor stepped forward to pay Jamila’s tuition so she could continue attending St. Angela.
    A bleak Christmas appeared to be in store for Jamila and her family, with no money for gifts. After the tough times she had been through, she didn’t deserve a Christmas without presents.
    Again, two generous families came forward despite never having met Jamila or her family. Patrick and Lisa Kelly and their family joined Josh and Virginia Hale and their family in throwing a surprise holiday party for Jamila and her family at St. Angela’s on the last day of school before the Christmas vacation. Josh Hale is Executive Director of the Big Shoulders Fund that provides scholarships to deserving students to attend Catholic schools in Chicago. The Fund also makes grants to Chicago Catholic schools for special needs and projects. St. Angela has become a favorite school of the Big Shoulders Fund.
    The Kellys and the Hales had gone shopping. During Jamila’s long hospitalization for surgery and follow-up treatment, she had relied upon an interactive Wii system to keep her occupied and her spirits lifted. When she left her Boston hospital, Jamila also left behind the Wii system. Ms O’Rourke told the Kellys and Hales about this. At the party, presents were distributed to a surprised Jamila, her mother Farrah Jackson, brother Cyrus Stokes, and grandmother Irene Jackson.
    As Jamila opened her gifts, one was a Wii game she enjoyed in Boston. Not wanting to appear ungrateful, she thanked everyone for the game but finally admitted she didn’t have a system to play it on.
    “Oh, that’s too bad,” said Virginia Hale as she and her husband presented one last cheerfully wrapped box for Jamila to open. “Let’s see what this is,” Mrs. Hale urged Jamila. Of course, it was the Wii system required to play the game.
    This Christmas will be memorable for the conclusion of a little girl’s terrible ordeal and her family’s darkest financial crisis. But, it will also be remembered as a time when three families met as strangers and embraced as friends to brighten the holiday with hope and good cheer, which is, after all, the real meaning of Christmas.

Jamila Ward, with her brother Cyrus, mother Farrah, and grandmother Irene at the surprise Christmas party thrown for them by St. Angela School. (Photo by Brad)

 Families coming together in the Christmas spirit: The Kellys & the Hales met Jamila & her family for the first time and brightened their lives with holiday gifts. (Photo by Brad)