Thursday, September 30, 2010

Man shot in head, neck in Chatham dies

A 22-year-old man who was shot in the head and neck Wednesday night on the in the Chatham neighborhood has died from his injuries.

Marlon Dubose of the 7700 block of South Champlain Avenue, was pronounced dead at 8:50 p.m. at Stroger Hospital, according to a spokesman for the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Officers and paramedics responded about 8 p.m. to the 600 block of East 79th Street and found Dubose with gunshot wounds to his neck and head, police said.

Preliminary reports said he was approached by two male suspects, one on foot and the other was riding a bicycle. The person riding the bicycle fired shots, striking Dubose multiple times. Both suspects fled northbound from the scene, police said.

Dubose was taken to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

No one was in custody for the shooting. Calumet Area detectives were investigating.

CYLC

CYLC

Congratulations, Gabrielle! You're enrolled in the Fall 2010 Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C... Your session information and current account balance are below. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.

Wow, everyone the time has come for Gabrielle's fundraising period. I received confirmation that our initial down payment of $350.00 was credited to Gabrielle's conference tuition account four days ago. Trv remainder of the balance is to be paid through two remaining payments of $770.00 due August13, 2010 and the remaining balance due September 1, 2010. From now through October 28, 2010 there will bean opportunity for you to give toward her Junior National Young Leaders Conference, but in order for her to attend the tuition must be covered by August 13, 2010 $ 770.00 and September 1, 2010.remaining balance due.

The conference will consist of six days of leadership training:

Day One Voices of Leadership

The Leader Within: Insights into Leadership The Impact of Leadership Traits

Character

Communication

Goal Setting

Problem Solving

Respect

Teamwork

Day Two Voices of Freedom

Field Study Experience: Behind the Scenes of History and

News

The News Museum: The Interactive Museum of News on

America's Main Street

Around and About Capitol Hill: Walking Tour and Photo

Opportunity

Leadership Focus Groups

"Capturing the Experience" Reflection Activities

Freedom of Expression: Opinions and Decisions

Day Three Voices of Struggle

Travel to Harpers Ferry - Site of a Civil War Rebellion

Testing the Times: Would You Follow John Brown?

YOUR CONFERENCE COSTS Conference Tuition: $1,910.00 Travel (to and from conference): $772.90 (Gabrielle and her Mother (Debra) Lodging $88.20 per night (five nights for Debra) Incidentals (phone calls, souvenirs) & Lunches and Dinner: $164.00 (six days for Debra, 2 days lunches for Gabrielle) $100.00 for incidentals Pay Pal # alphab51@vahoo.com

Choices and Consequences: Loyalties and the American

Civil War

History One-on-One Discovery Experience

"Capturing the Experience" Reflection Activities

Facing the Music: The Impact of Freedom of Speech

Day Four Voices of Courage

Tributes of Valor and Sacrifice: Tour of Our Nation's

Memorials

Lincoln Memorial

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Field Study Experience: National Museum of American

History

The Residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

White House Photo Opportunity

"Capturing the Experience" Reflection Activities

The Process of Social Activism

Day Five Voices of Change

Leaders Take a Stand: Student Collaborative Projects

Leadership in Action: Closing Keynote Speaker

A Learning Adventure

Day Six Taking Leadership Home: The Road Ahead

Making a Difference at Home

We, the Future: Continuing the Voices of Leadership

AVAILABLE FUNDS

Your Savings: $5.55

Family Contributions: $500.00

Total Available Funds: $500

OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL $2,853.00

Conference Costs: $3,353.00

Available Funds: $500

Debra Banks

Citibank Savings Account for Deposits only # 58000334988 Gabrielle Banks

Make Checks Payable to South East Community Housing Association 8153 S. Rhodes Chgo. II. 60619

Chatham Avalon Park Community Council Hosts A Sub-Area IV Meeting

Chatham Avalon Park Community Council

Hosts A

Sub-Area IV Meeting

It is imperative that you attend this meeting, your

Participation is critical and necessary for the survival and growth of our community. We are seeking your attendance and input. Numerous items which have a terrific impact on you and our total community will be addressed.

Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Place:The Northern Trust Company

( Community Room) 2nd floor

Chicago, Illinois 60619

Time: 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm

(AGENDA)

I. Opening Keith Tate

II. Sub- Area Operations Overview Maryellen Drake

III. Sub-Area IV Update Elgie Sims

Area Block Presidents

Area concerns/ Hot spots

IV. Crime Prevention Earl Williams

6th District Police Dept.

V. Upcoming Community Events Keith Tate

VI. Adjournment

Keith Tate, Maryellen Drake, Elgie Sims

President CAPCC Executive Vice CAPCC Sub Area IV Vice

 

For more information, please contact the CAPCC office at 1-866-272-1215 visit our blog at

www.chathamavalonparkcommunitycouncil.blogspot.com

. or our website at www.capcc.org.

Friends & Neighbors of the 8100 Block of South Rhodes

August 9, 2010

Friends & Neighbors of the 8100 Block of South Rhodes

Gabrielle Banks 8153 S. Rhodes has been selected by the Congressional Young Leaders Conference (CYLC) to attend the Junior National Leadership Conference

http://www.cylc.Org/ijrnylc in
Washington D.C. This is a distinguished honor and we would like her to participate in October nominated by Ms. Smith, her seventh grade Language Arts teacher at Beasley School. Gabrielle was subsequently selected by CYLC and confirmed as attending one of the October sessions. We v acknowledge all students that have been awarded honors this year at our block club party on the 28

th of August. We've begun our fund raising campaign and are looking forward to you participating ii some capacity. We are suggesting donations of $25.00 to $100.00. There are three ways to donate:

1. Take the opportunity to use the PayPal account we've set up through our e-mail account he
alphab51@vahoo.com.

Or make checks payable to South East Community Housing Association if at all possible so that donations might remain tax deductible and send them to 8153 S. Rhodes Chgo. II. 60619

Or deposit directly to Gabrielle’s saving account @ Citibank after Sept. 1 acct# 588000334988

For full details of the accounting and itinerary.see the attached document. We are looking forward to Gabrielle's journey to Washington D.C. and will keep you posted through various means of correspondence. For those who like pictures we'll be sure to take plenty.

Once again we thank you so very much for your donations. Truly, it takes a community.

Debra, Joseph, and Gabrielle Banks 8153 S. Rhodes

Chgo. II. 60619

Contact Mobile # 773-484=3390 773 651-0195

Chatham Avalon Park Community Council Hosts A Sub-Area IV Meeting

Chatham Avalon Park Community Council

Hosts A

Sub-Area IV Meeting

It is imperative that you attend this meeting, your

Participation is critical and necessary for the survival and growth of our community. We are seeking your attendance and input. Numerous items which have a terrific impact on you and our total community will be addressed.

Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Place:The Northern Trust Company

( Community Room) 2nd floor

Chicago, Illinois 60619

Time: 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm

(AGENDA)

I. Opening Keith Tate

II. Sub- Area Operations Overview Maryellen Drake

III. Sub-Area IV Update Elgie Sims

Area Block Presidents

Area concerns/ Hot spots

IV. Crime Prevention Earl Williams

6th District Police Dept.

V. Upcoming Community Events Keith Tate

VI. Adjournment

Keith Tate, Maryellen Drake, Elgie Sims

President CAPCC Executive Vice CAPCC Sub Area IV Vice

 

For more information, please contact the CAPCC office at 1-866-272-1215 visit our blog at

www.chathamavalonparkcommunitycouncil.blogspot.com

. or our website at www.capcc.org.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

SILAS PURNELL COLLEGE EXPO

The Chesterfield Community Council

6th Annual

SILAS PURNELL

COLLEGE EXPO

Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010

10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

@

Tuley Park Field house

90th & King Drive

Admission: FREE

Come and meet representatives from Colleges and Universities throughout Illinois and Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Financial Aid/Scholarship Information will be available

Register to Vote at the expo

Seminars: Preparing for the ACT

By the Chicago Public Schools

College Loans (Loan Consolidation, Forbearance, etc.)

By Sallie Mae & the Illinois Student Assistance Comm.

State (Member) Scholarships

By State Rep. Marlow Colvin Office

For More Information: 773-651-3958 or visit us at www.chesterfieldcommunitycouncil.org

Sponsors: ICE Chatham 14 Movie Theater, State Rep. Constance Howard, State Senator

Donne Trotter, Chatham Food Market & Walgreen’s

Monday, September 27, 2010

South Side churches offer prayers, HIV tests

hiv612.jpg

Isaetta "Marie" Walton (left) executive director of Recovery 2000, Inc., labels Jermaine Bell's HIV test today during testing at Southlawn United Methodist Church, part of the First Ladies Health Day in Chicago. Several black churches in Chicago and surrounding suburbs provided free screenings . (Heather Charles/ Chicago Tribune)

After services at Southlawn United Methodist Church let out Sunday, members not only exchanged hugs and handshakes and mingled over coffee. They waited to get their gums and cheeks swabbed.

Around 40 people at Southlawn in Chicago's Avalon Park community were tested Sunday for HIV during the First Ladies Health Day. More than two dozen predominantly black churches -- with a combined membership of around 35,000 -- offered free HIV screenings to strip away the stigma associated with the disease.

"That's really where the power of the church comes in is to say, `Hey, you belong. You're part of us,' " Southlawn senior pastor Robert Biekman said.
Following a national trend, African Americans in Chicago shoulder a large share of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, according to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Blacks represent around 37 percent of the city's population yet account for 56 percent of people living with HIV, according to the foundation.

Once known to have shied away from addressing the diseases plaguing their communities, many black churches have become advocates for awareness and education of HIV and AIDS.

Sunday's event, which also included blood-pressure and diabetes screenings, was brainstormed this summer at the First Ladies Luncheon. About 100 wives of pastors from mainly black churches in the Chicago area, as well as a few female pastors, attended and decided to champion HIV testing, said Jamell Meeks, chairwoman of the luncheon and wife of the Rev. James Meeks.

"We wanted to increase the awareness in other communities and in other churches," Jamell Meeks said, adding that 75 percent of the churches that participated Sunday never before offered HIV testing. "This seemed to be the best way to get started."

The First Ladies did just that. Several people tested positive for HIV, said Tracey Alston, a spokeswoman for the event Sunday.

Though he said he uses condoms and isn't promiscuous, Jermaine Bell patiently waited for his screening at Southlawn. He had just gotten out of a relationship.

"You never can be too sure," said Bell, a cigarette and a cup of coffee in hand.

Bell, 32, of the Chatham neighborhood, wasn't concerned about a stigma linked to HIV, and he called on anyone who might be at risk for having the disease, such as drug users and prostitutes, to get tested.

Carl White, 22, of the South Shore neighborhood, was one of several people sitting near a closed-door room waiting for his turn to be swabbed.

"I'm not real nervous," White said, adding that he was getting tested, "just to make sure that I'm being safe. That's all."

Damon Arnold, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, urged a handful of congregations Sunday to get tested and to seek treatment if needed.

"Your hand controls your destiny," Arnold said. "It opens the clinic door, or not."

Friday, September 24, 2010

Open Forum

We, at the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council, invite our viewers to make suggestions on how you might think economic development in Chatham would best occur. Don't just think of how some project could be green, but, for example, help promote development and revitalization of 79Th Street, and how it would be profitable and lucrative for the community and at the same time create job opportunities and training for high-wage positions for our young people. Leave your comments on the comment line.

Commentary

Open Letter to Mayor Richard M. Daley: Since you are retiring, you could prompt the next mayor to put in a bid for the Summer Olympic Games for Chicago (2020 is absolutely out of the question) for 2024 or 2028, and have built many luxury residences like the 90-story Trump Tower where the former site of the Sun-Times was--many IOC members, themselves the world's rich and famous are former sportsmen (not the highly paid professional athletes in the United States since the beginning of the big-money era of 1985 onward), many of them are billionaires who really don't need a bonus salary contract, who simply won't live in Chicago with all its harsh and brutal winters if there are no real luxurious places for them to live--like the jet-set in New York City. You got to have a place where Mick Jagger, Prince Albert of Monaco, and the high-end polo players of Argentina, would buy a multi-million dollar condo apartment, for example. And real places for them to seriously party year-round. Have the next mayor listen to Donald Trump, SERIOUSLY!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Condolences to the family of Rev. James L. Demus III

Condolences go to the family and Park Manor Christian Church (600 E. 73rd Street) on the passing of their Senior Pastor, James L. Demus III. Rev. Demus pastor since 1985 was both inspirational and advisory in day to day conversations. Known not just as a preacher but as community organizer, consultant, growth activist and motivational speaker, his talent and conversation will be missed. We pray for and with the family.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Blog Question

What type of economic development would you like to see in Chatham? Leave your comments on the comment line.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Summer is Not Yet Over...Still Time to Get Fresh Produce at the Chatham Food Market!!!

Fight obesity and reach your target weight with a good serving of fresh produce. Make sure you stock up on fresh produce for the late-summertime season with great grocery shopping at Chatham Food Market, 327 East 79Th Street in the heart of the Chatham retail strip! http://www.chathamfoods.com/

Oh, Michelle, My Dear, My Darling...We Have a Note to Send You!

In order for Chatham to produce the much need jobs, businesses and opportunities for our young people, the main industry in the neighborhood is must be high technology research and development. How about all the the residents and civic leaders of Chatham banding together and asking the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama to aid in gathering the financing for facility development in the creation of the Chatham Council on Infrastructure and Facility Development? Chatham really needs new infrastructure like a fitness center, ice-skating rink, athletic and aquatic center and the like Ms. Obama would be a great help in having Chatham band together and approach Oprah Winfrey, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Bill Cosby, about being benefactors to facility development in Chatham with an all-new state-of-the-art athletic and aquatic center that is superbly well equipped with a fitness center, weight room, indoor tennis courts and with Olympic-size swimming and diving pools and NBA league-type basketball courts, at 79Th & Rhodes, an indoor ice-skating rink at 84Th & King Drive, a two-story "Bucktown-Wicker Park"-type public library at 79Th & King Drive, a YMCA and YWCA right next to each other at 76Th & South Chicago, a Boys and Girls Club at 75Th & South Chicago, and a Starbuck's at 79Th & St. Lawrence. Let's start by creating a letter-writing campaign to: The Honorable Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama, First Lady of the United States, ATTN: Private Secretary for Correspondence, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20025.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Follow-Up Block Club Summit

St. Dorothy's Church at 450 East 78Th Street will hold a Follow-Up Block Club Summit at the church at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14, 2010.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

CAPCC Monthly Meeting

Reminder
Chatham Avalon Park
Community Council Meeting
September 13, 2010
Northern Trust
7801 S. State
2nd Fl.
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Guests will be:
Mr. Coleman - CTA
Mr. LaPart - Warter Department
Mr. Madarus - Dept. of Transportation

Friday, September 10, 2010

Evergreen Park police retire slain officer's badge

Thomas E. Wortham IV was an Evergreen Park police officer for less than a year, but his service to the community will never be forgotten, officials said.

Wortham was honored at Tuesday night's Evergreen Park Village Board meeting during a ceremony that featured the retirement of his badge.

"He will never be forgotten, and his star will always shine brightly," Evergreen Park Police Chief Michael Saunders said. "Officer Wortham died doing a job that he loved."

Wortham, 30, was shot and killed May 19 during a robbery attempt outside his father's home in Chicago. A graduate of Brother Rice High School, Wortham was a Chicago Police officer for three years when he died. A member of the Wisconsin National Guard, he also served two tours of duty in Iraq.

But Wortham began his law enforcement career as a member of the Evergreen Park Police Department, where he served from September 2006 to May 2007.

"He will always be held in the highest regard," Mayor James Sexton said.

Saunders said: "Officer Wortham did not lose his life, he gave it. ... Officer Thomas E. Wortham IV will never be forgotten."

New planter installations







View the planters installed on Cottage on September 6, 2010. Locations are: 8435, 8100 and 8006 S. Cottage. Cottage grove planters take on new look, thanks to Harlan, Park Manor, Tanner schools and Leiana J. Gary Cottage Grove Planters Society.

Daley: 'I want not love, I want respect'

Mayor Richard Daley embarked on the start of what amounts to his farewell tour on Thursday, telling Chicago residents he wants respect, not love, as they remember his 21 years in office.

"You have to have passion. You really do. And you have to love the city and love its people. And sometimes people won't love you, but that's all part of life," Daley said at a morning Chicago Public Schools event. "I want not love, I want respect. No love, but only respect. That's what you want. You want respect."

By Thursday evening, Daley was getting a bit of both amid a torrent of complaints both great and small at the first public hearing as his administration crafts next year's city budget, his last as mayor.

More than 300 people packed a ballroom at the South Shore Cultural Center and applauded Daley before offering him input as he tries to close a record $655 million shortfall.

Lincoln Park resident Allan Mellis called on Daley to reconsider his decision not to seek re-election next year. "Mr. Mayor, I want to thank you for your vision for the city of Chicago and all that you have done to see that vision has become a reality," he said.

Mellis then asked the mayor to bring back the July 3 Grant Park fireworks and restore longer hours at public library branches, both casualties of budget cuts.

Police issues also were on people's minds after high-profile summer violence.

Park Manor resident Ted Seals reacted angrily to Daley's call for somebody to step forward to help solve the slaying of police Officer Michael Bailey. "How dare you?" Seals said, his voice rising as he stood at the microphone in front of the mayor. "For 11 years, we've begged you to do something about the rising violence in Park Manor."

When one man drew raucous applause after calling for police Supt. Jody Weis' immediate resignation, the mayor asked the crowd to calm down. "Come on now, be serious," said Daley, with Weis sitting immediately to his right.

Others came with more prosaic concerns, such as Christina Patterson of the Chatham neighborhood. She drew applause when she said the neighborhood wants people ticketed for not picking up after their dogs. She also called on the city to install catch basins and new curbs and sidewalks to prevent flooding.

The other two public hearings will be held -- Friday at Westinghouse College Preparatory High School, 3223 W. Franklin Blvd., and Sept. 16 at North-Grand High School, 4338 W. Wabansia Ave.

Daley will present a spending plan to the City Council in October. Aldermen must then approve a budget by December. All of it will play out against a political backdrop of Daley not seeking re-election in February and the alderman's job up in each of Chicago's 50 wards.

Earlier on Thursday, Daley again said he would not endorse anyone in the contest to succeed him. Before a crowd that included many Latinos, the mayor touched on the subject of ethnic and racial political rivalries, saying it was OK that people tend to back others like themselves.

"People are naturally proud, and there's nothing wrong with people saying I like to identify with that individual who they believe is well-qualified and can speak on behalf of not only the Latino community, but on behalf of the entire city," Daley said. "In the end result, what everybody wants is an individual that will be as passionate as anyone else, as committed and hardworking."

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

IMPORTANT! New Date for September 6th Ward Meeting

The date and location of the September Ward meeting has been changed.
The Sept. 9th Ward Meeting has been cancelled.
The new date and location is:
Thursday, September 23, 2010
6:30 p.m.
Miracle House of Prayer
8638 S. Michigan Ave.
Please call 773-846-7006 if you have any questions and PLEASE pass the word.
Thank you,
Rosemary McDaniel
6th Ward Service Office
406 E. 75th Street
Chicago, IL 60619
773.846.7006
773.846.9104 (fax)

Overnight campout to honor slain officer to be annual event

Tents, campfires and children laughing at night will hopefully become an annual sight in the Chatham neighborhood's Nat King Cole Park, residents said today as they pledged to make an overnight campout in honor of fallen police officer Thomas Wortham IV into a summer tradition.

More than a hundred people crowded into the South Side park for a Friday night "Peace in the Park After Dark" sleepover, meant to show community strength in the face of violence that has become an increasing fact of life in the long quiet neighborhood.

Dozens of children played games and stayed up way later than they should have, said Ald. Freddrenna Lyle, 6th, who stretched out on an air mattress herself.

"I was about to start making the rounds to some of these tents to let people know it was bedtime," she said.

By 7:30 a.m. Saturday, the young campers were standing shoulder to shoulder, patrolling the park on litter duty under the watchful eye of Canada Killam, a member of the Wisconsin National Guard who served with Wortham.

"I bet they wish they went to bed earlier now," Lyle said with a smile.

On Friday night, former gang members talked to the kids about serving time in prison, a message that hit home for Jaquan Dailey, 12.

"They said nobody came to visit them. Their supposed friends and family suddenly weren't there for them," Dailey recalled, as he waited in line for breakfast.

Wortham -- who had been head of the Cole Park advisory board - had talked of organizing something to reclaim the park after two shootings there worried people in the area that they were losing the fight against violence.

Instead, Wortham himself was fatally shot in May across the street from the park, outside his parents' home by a group of people trying to take his new motorcycle.

Lyle said that Chatham has a proud history of community involvement that both Wortham and the campout embodied.

"We're going to have to fight for this park, and we're going to do it. We're going to hand this park down to our children, just like it was handed down to us," Lyle said.

As the campers settled in for the night Friday, Wortham's mother Carolyn said her son was likely watching them from heaven with approval.

"I firmly believe he is looking down on this and he is having the time of his life," she said. "This is what he was working toward. This is what he wanted to happen."

Kewanis Carr, 14, was already looking forward to next year's Cole Park sleepover after staying up until 1 a.m. with friends at the inaugural event. But she vowed to be ready for the sudden onset of autumnal weather that had campers shivering in their tents.

"Next time I'll be better prepared," Carr said.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Sixth Ward Alderman Freddrenna Lyle's home burglarized

Sixth Ward Alderman Freddrenna Lyle is the victim of a burglary, according to published reports.

The Chicago Tribune says a thief broke into her home in the Park Manor neighborhood sometime between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday.

Police say the burglar made off with laptop computers, cameras and other electronics. Nobody was home at the time of the burglary.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Residents reclaim park with overnight campout










































































































Chicago police Officer Thomas Wortham IV would have liked what took place at Nat King Cole Park in his old South Side neighborhood Friday night.

As the skies darkened, dozens of children, community leaders, and Chicago police officers gathered to set up tents and fire up grills before settling in for the night. The overnight campout, dubbed "Peace in the Park After Dark," represented a step toward Wortham's goal of reclaiming the park from growing violence in the community.

"He would be happy, he would be smiling," said Wortham's father, Thomas, as he surveyed the scene. "He wanted this park to be a safe haven for people in the community."

Two springtime shootings at the South Side park shook the sense of security long enjoyed by area residents. Then in May, Wortham, who had been head of the park's advisory board, was shot outside his family home, just across from the park, by robbers who were trying to take his new motorcycle.

In recent years, the park had ceased to be a gathering place for many community residents. Wortham's father said that at night, the park typically sees little activity, just a few people taking a walk or a handful of teenagers playing basketball.

But on Friday evening, the park was alive with activity as children dashed about, eating hot dogs and hamburgers, while adults set up games and chatted.

"This is a way for (kids) to see police officers just as people," said police Supt. Jody Weis, who was on hand early Friday evening but didn't plan to spend the night. "These types of events... break down a lot of those barriers that unfortunately exist when they shouldn't."

The campout was organized by the Chicago Police Gresham District and community leaders including Ald. Freddrenna Lyle, 6th, who planned to be among the 100 or so overnight campers.

"I don't really see police together like this, just hanging out," said Joseph Dean, 14, a freshman at Harlan High School. "It's kind of cool."

Wortham's mother Carolyn said that the campout was a testament to everything her son worked for.

"I firmly believe he is looking down on this and he is having the time of his life," she said. "This is what he was working toward. This is what he wanted to happen."

In the Park After Dark Total Success
In honor of our fallen chathamnite Tom Wortham iv the Wisconsin Army
Reserves
which Tom served two tours, The Chicago Police dept.6th
district,Commander Eddie Johnson, Supt.J.Weis, Deput.J. Jackson,SGT.D.
Betts,Judge C. Walker, Rev. K. Dean, Fr. Pfleger, R. Holt, G. Brooks of
Caps, L. Millan Chicago Park District and Alderman F. Lyle were all present
and most importantly many youth from throughout the community which assured
success.
Copy and paste this link into your browser to an ABC7 Chicago story:

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=7649836&pid=7649167

And this link to a story from CBS2Chicago:

http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=73887@wbbm.dayport.com

Chatham residents to camp out to honor slain cop

In the weeks before he was gunned down across from Cole Park in the Chatham neighborhood, Chicago police Officer Thomas Wortham IV had been a leader in efforts to reclaim the park from encroaching trouble and violence.

Two shootings at the South Side park in the spring had shaken the sense of security long enjoyed by area residents and led officials to take down the basketball rims in an effort to stave off further trouble.

As head of the park's advisory board, Wortham worked to restore the park as a haven for children and families. On Friday, the slain officer's mission will be carried on with an overnight campout at the park in the 300 block of East 85th Street.

Set to sleep beneath city lights and the open sky are about 50 young people from the neighborhood. They will be joined by officials including Gresham District Cmdr. Eddie Johnson, 6th Ward Ald. Freddrenna Lyle and members of the military who served with Wortham.

"It will send the message that the park is safe," Johnson said.

Lyle said the campout is one way to show shaken community residents that they should continue to use the neighborhood's parks and amenities.

"We want to keep a sense of normalcy," the alderman said. "We're not giving up on (the kids) and we can't give up on the community either."

The campout will be a chance for the children of Chatham to experience sleeping outside and roasting s'mores -- new experiences for most of the kids who plan to attend.

"It will provide our children an opportunity to sleep under the stars," Lyle said.

It's also a way to make a dent in the violence that's been troubling the community, she said.

"You eat an elephant one bite at a time," the alderman said.

Wortham was shot in May outside his family home, just across from the park, by robbers who were trying to take his new motorcycle.

He was an Iraq veteran, and Lyle and Johnson both said they were impressed that Wortham's military peers are coming to lead the camping activities.

"This is what Tommy would have done," said Sgt. Canada Killam, who served with Wortham in the Wisconsin National Guard and was his college roommate. "Those of us who are left want to make sure just because he was stolen, his ideals are not."

Friday, September 3, 2010

Don't Let Them Say We Are Too Lazy to Write A Letter to Michelle!

In order for Chatham to produce the much need jobs, businesses and opportunities for our young people, the main industry in the neighborhood is must be high technology research and development. How about all the the residents and civic leaders of Chatham banding together and asking the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama to aid in gathering the financing for facility development in the creation of the Chatham Council on Infrastructure and Facility Development? Chatham really needs new infrastructure like a fitness center, ice-skating rink, athletic and aquatic center and the like Ms. Obama would be a great help in having Chatham band together and approach Oprah Winfrey, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Bill Cosby, about being benefactors to facility development in Chatham with an all-new state-of-the-art athletic and aquatic center that is superbly well equipped with a fitness center, weight room, indoor tennis courts and with Olympic-size swimming and diving pools and NBA league-type basketball courts, at 79Th & Rhodes, an indoor ice-skating rink at 84Th & King Drive, a two-story "Bucktown-Wicker Park"-type public library at 79Th & King Drive, a YMCA and YWCA right next to each other at 76Th & South Chicago, a Boys and Girls Club at 75Th & South Chicago, and a Starbuck's at 79Th & St. Lawrence. Let's start by creating a letter-writing campaign to: The Honorable Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama, First Lady of the United States, ATTN: Private Secretary for Correspondence, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20025.

CBS 2's Walter Jacobson's Perspective on the Gangs in Chatham

Please copy this link and put it into your browser for video:

http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=73860@wbbm.dayport.com

Teen shot dead in Chatham alley

Teenshot612.jpg



A Chicago police officer searches an alley near 79th and Cottage Grove where a teen was shot dead Thursday afternoon. (Mike Anzaldi/ for the Chicago Tribune)

A 17-year-old boy was shot and killed this afternoon in the Chatham neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, authorities said.

The shooting happened about 2:15 p.m. in an alley near East 78th Street and South Cottage Grove Avenue.

The teenager was shot several times by one of two people who confronted him, Chicago police Sgt. Antoinette Ursitti said.

The victim staggered behind a church near 78th and Cottage Grove and was taken to Jackson Park Hospital by ambulance, officials said.

The shooting may have been gang related, Ursitti said.

Police turned out in force in the neighborhood, with a swarm of officers in the area with M4 rifles, because, a police source said, the victim is the younger brother of a top member of the Gangster Disciples and police fear a retaliation shooting.

Officers were searching for the suspects in the area of 78th and South Champlain Avenue.



The 17-year-old boy -- identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's office as Jeremy Brooks -- was shot at 2:16 p.m. in an alley near the 700 block of East 78th Street, police News Affairs Officer Veejay Zala said.

Two gunmen approached the teen and one fired in his direction -- striking him multiple times, police said. The suspects fled after the shooting.

Brooks, of the 7800 block of South Ellis Avenue, was pronounced dead at 2:30 p.m. at Jackson Park Hospital and Medical Center, according to the medical examiner's office.

A large number of gang-enforcement officers were sent to investigate, police said. The slaying is believed to be gang-related and may have been a retaliation murder.

Per Alderman Lyle and representatives of the 6th district police this WAS NOT an act of random violence but the settlement of "Beef" over a female.

Put this web link into your browser for WGN-TV 9 News video:

http://www.wgntv.com/search/wgntv-teen-shot-killed-chatham-sep2,0,7661166.story

Blogger Wanted!!!

We, at the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council, are looking a blogger willing to report stories about our community to the viewing audience. If you know computers, Internet, and website architecture, join our blog as a contributor. For more information, please call the CAPCC Office at 1-866-272-1215 or visit the CAPCC Blog at chathamavalonparkcommunitycouncil.blogspot.com. You may also visit our website at http://www.capcc.org/.

CAPCC Wants Chatham Restaurant Review Critics!

We, at the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council, invite any of our residents to be restaurant review critics of our Chatham neighborhood restaurants and provide reviews of the local cuisines and report to this blog about their culinary experiences. For more information, please call the CAPCC Office at 1-866-272-1215 or visit the CAPCC Blog at chathamavalonparkcommunitycouncil.blogspot.com. You may also visit our website at http://www.capcc.org/. Also leave your comments on the comment line. Bon appetite!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Annual Labor Day Outdoor Cookout at the Chatham Food Market!!!

Stop by for the annual Labor Day Outdoor Cookout, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 4, 2010, with great grocery shopping at Chatham Food Market, 327 East 79Th Street in the heart of the Chatham retail strip!

Man injured in East Chatham shooting

A 29-year-old man was shot in his leg this morning while he was talking on the street with friends in the East Chatham neighborhood.

Officers were alerted about 3:30 a.m. to the 7900 block of Ingleside Avenue, said Police News Affairs Officer Laura Kubiak.

Preliminary reports said the man was outside talking with friends when the group heard shots and the victim realized he had been shot.

Soon after, the victim and his friends saw a green or blue Chevy fleeing the scene, Kubiak said.

The man was taken to Jackson Park Hospital and Medical Center where he was stablized, Kubiak said.

No one was in custody. Police are investigating.

Chatham residents to camp out to honor slain cop

In the weeks before he was gunned down across from Cole Park in the Chatham neighborhood, Chicago police Officer Thomas Wortham IV had been a leader in efforts to reclaim the park from encroaching trouble and violence.

Two shootings at the South Side park in the spring had shaken the sense of security long enjoyed by area residents and led officials to take down the basketball rims in an effort to stave off further trouble.

As head of the park's advisory board, Wortham worked to restore the park as a haven for children and families. On Friday, the slain officer's mission will be carried on with an overnight campout at the park in the 300 block of East 85th Street.

Set to sleep beneath city lights and the open sky are about 50 young people from the neighborhood. They will be joined by officials including Gresham District Cmdr. Eddie Johnson, 6th Ward Ald. Freddrenna Lyle and members of the military who served with Wortham.

"It will send the message that the park is safe," Johnson said.

Lyle said the campout is one way to show shaken community residents that they should continue to use the neighborhood's parks and amenities.

"We want to keep a sense of normalcy," the alderman said. "We're not giving up on (the kids) and we can't give up on the community either."

The campout will be a chance for the children of Chatham to experience sleeping outside and roasting s'mores -- new experiences for most of the kids who plan to attend.

"It will provide our children an opportunity to sleep under the stars," Lyle said.

It's also a way to make a dent in the violence that's been troubling the community, she said.

"You eat an elephant one bite at a time," the alderman said.

Wortham was shot in May outside his family home, just across from the park, by robbers who were trying to take his new motorcycle.

He was an Iraq veteran, and Lyle and Johnson both said they were impressed that Wortham's military peers are coming to lead the camping activities.

"This is what Tommy would have done," said Sgt. Canada Killam, who served with Wortham in the Wisconsin National Guard and was his college roommate. "Those of us who are left want to make sure just because he was stolen, his ideals are not."