Tuesday, November 26
10 Things You Should Know About Black Friday
Black Friday is only one day away, but these 10 little tidbits should help shoppers between now and the big morning. Actually, make that the big evening ...
University of Chicago Buys the New Harper Court Property
Just days after a ribbon cutting event celebrating the opening of the new Harper Court shopping complex in the Hyde Park neighborhood on Nov. 8, the University of Chicago (U of C) purchased Harper Court from its developers, Harper Court Partners, LLC.
bmoa Hosts 14th Annual Food for the Body & Spirit Program
The Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA) hosted its 14th Annual Food for the Body & Spirit Program at Apostolic Church of God (Apostolic), 6320 S. Dorchester Ave., last Wednesday.
The City of Chicago Offers Free Business Workshops
The City of Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) offers free business workshops every Wednesday and Friday at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Rm. 805. The workshops are beneficial to both small and large business owners and are also designed to encourage entrepreneurship amongst residents.
CPS Calling for Nominations for Local School Councils
Parents and community members who want to play a role in helping to shape Chicago Public Schools (CPS) can do so by becoming a member of a Local School Council (LSC).
Thursday, November 21
Pan African Association and Northeastern Illinois University Partner
On Friday, at the Pan African Association main office, 6163 N. Broadway St., the Pan African Association (PAA) and Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) held a special memorandum signing ceremony marking the establishment an official partnership between the two entities.
South Suburban College’s Adult Literacy Night
South Suburban College’s (SSC) Adult Volunteer Literacy Program’s fourth annual Family Literacy Night event will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21st.
The Village of Hazel Crest Hosts 1st Annual Community Outreach Summit
The Village of Hazel Crest hosted its 1st Annual Community Outreach Summit at the Hazel Crest Municipal Center, 3000 W. 170th Pl., on Saturday.
Low-Income College Students Not Meeting Financial Assistance Deadlines
It’s easy to surmise that college students from low income backgrounds would be first in line to meet deadline requirements for financial assistance. However, a University of Illinois at Chicago study, found that students with the greatest need for financial aid, are not submitting applications early enough to receive it.
Middle Class Americans
“I’ll Never Retire, But Work Until I’m Too Sick or Die”
As U.S. lawmakers engage in an ongoing fight over how and when to pay the country’s debts, more than half the middle class (59%) are very clear that their top day-to-day financial concern is “paying the monthly bills,” an increase from 52% in 2012.
White Mayor, Black Wife
NYC Shatters an Image
Even in a nation with a biracial president, where interracial marriage is more accepted and common than ever, Bill de Blasio's marriage to Chirlane McCray is remarkable: He is apparently the first white politician in U.S. history elected to a major office with a black spouse by his side.
Breast Cancer Under Forty
For African –American women, breast cancer screening may need to start earlier
When we hear the word mammogram, most of us think of a middle-aged woman headed for retirement. But, for some African-Americans, that word needs to start including those of us who are under age 40.
Wednesday, November 20
Information Sought in Ford Heights Arsons
Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart is seeking information from the public regarding two arsons and an attempted arson that have occurred in Ford Heights in a week’s time.
LUV Institute Provides Entrepreneurial Holiday Spirit for Youth
The Love, Unity & Values (LUV) Institute is making the best of this holiday season via its Wreaths of LUV project, which provides a positive and productive outlet for young women by allowing them to hand make custom decorated 22” holiday wreaths. The wreaths will be sold for $35 during LUV’s first annual fundraiser which is facilitated by students from the LUV Holiday Entrepreneurship Program.
Protest Calls for Cook County State’s Attorney’s Resignation
The Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARP) recently staged a rally to protest the final verdict in the 2011 killing case of Flint Farmer by Chicago Police Officer Gildardo Sierra. The protest, held at the George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building, 69 W. Washington last week, was part of CAARP’s Organizing Committee to Stop Police Crimes.
City of Chicago Contracts Constellation NewEnergy as Electricity Supplier
Constellation NewEnergy, an Exelon company, has been hired by Chicago’s s Department of Fleet and Facility Management (2FM) to manage the city’s facility and street lighting accounts under a 25 month contract.
Residents Protest to Abolish Red-light Enforcement and Speed Cameras
Community activists in Chicago, led a red-light enforcement and speed camera protest and petition drive recently in an ongoing effort to obtain enough signatures to place a referendum (a general vote by a body of people entitled to vote on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision) on the ballot for the 2014 general election, to abolish red light and speed light cameras.
Mayor Emanuel Proposes New Corruption Ordinance
Acting on recommendations from Chicago’s, Inspector General, Joseph Ferguson, Mayor Rahm Emanuel proposed to the City Council, a new ordinance that mandates all City contractors report corrupt or unlawful activity, expanding current reporting requirements already in place.
Seed of Hope Food Giveway Planned for Saturday
The Seed of Hope Food Pantry of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, located at 740 E. 77th St., will distribute Thanksgiving Food Baskets from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 23 along with the church’s Women’s Ministry.
Thursday, November 14
Entrepreneurial Training for Veterans Offered at UIC
Military veterans who are planning to start or grow a business, gathered at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) on Veterans Day to sign up and take advantage of a program that offers training and mentorship.
Wednesday, November 13
Target Removing Criminal History Section from Job Applications
The Minneapolis-based Target Corporation, the nation’s second-largest retailer, announced last Thursday that it will remove questions about criminal history from its job applications in Minnesota and throughout the nation. The move came in response to a new Minnesota law and intense pressure from a grassroots campaign demanding that the company reduce employment barriers faced by people with criminal records.
The Jacksons and Berry Gordy Back Together Again!
Motown founder Berry Gordy recalls that when he first signed The Jackson 5, he sent them to live in a house in California — and the rowdy kids ended up getting kicked out and had to move in with him.
Ombudsman Chicago Opens West Side Chicago Location
Ombudsman Chicago, an alternative school for students ages 14-20, that allows them to earn a high school diploma, has recently opened its third Chicago location at 2401 W. Congress Parkway, on Chicago’s West side.
Sharpton and Thomas Deliver Message of Love and Respect to Magnet School Students
Self-empowerment, love and respect for your fellow man, was the message shared on Thursday by Civil Rights Leader Rev. Al Sharpton, President of the National Action Network (NAN) and former NBA basketball player, Isiah Thomas, as the pair addressed students at Frazier International Magnet School, 4027 W. Grenshaw, during Sharpton’s first day in Chicago as a temporary resident.
Veterans Honored in Hazel Crest
Veterans who served in all branches of the United States military were honored Saturday at the American Legion Hall, 17034 Page Ave. in Hazel Crest, IL. Local, state and federal elected officials, many of whom served in the armed forces, celebrated the military veterans in honor of Veteran’s Day.
City Expands Crackdown on Illegal Cigarettes Sales
Those involved in the sale of illegal cigarettes may soon find it harder to do so. The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) unveiled its 2014 strategy for maintaining momentum in an on-going effort to crackdown on illegal tobacco sales.
Marriage Equality Bill Passes in Illinois
On Tuesday, November 5, the Illinois House of Representatives voted in favor of Senate Bill 10 (SB10), the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, which ultimately makes Illinois the fifteenth state in the United States to pass marriage equality into law.
Property Fraud Meeting Held in Chatham
Area residents packed the Crerar Memorial Presbyterian Church (8100 S. Calumet Ave.) on Chicago’s South Side on Saturday to hear what Cook County Recorder of Deeds (CCRD) Karen Yarbrough had to say about the often occurring practice of property and deed fraud, something even City of Chicago Treasurer, Stephanie Neely has been a victim.
Wednesday, November 6
South Suburban College Seeks Literacy Volunteers
South Suburban College (SSC) needs tutors for its Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program. "Tutoring is a very rewarding opportunity for anyone who is able to read and/or process mathematical problems, because it will give the volunteer the opportunity to help someone who desperately is in search of assistance to improve his or her abilities in these areas,” said Jane Ellen Stocker, Vice President of Enrollment & Community Education South Suburban College.
Construction Begins on $45 million Distribution Center at Olive Harvey College
The Olive-Harvey College campus is getting a new $45 million Transportation, Distribution and Logistics (TDL) Center. Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Cheryl Hyman for the recent ground breaking on the first of its kind facility in Illinois that is expected to prepare students for the more than 110,000 TDL jobs coming to the region over the next decade.
Free Clinic Provides Services for Residents in Need
Hamilton Talbert used his walking cane to balance himself as he leaned against the wall of the Kenwood United Church of Christ (UCC) which houses the Norma Jean Sanders Free Clinic at 4600-08 S. Greenwood Ave.
South Side Chamber Presents Website Essentials for Small Businesses
On Monday, the South Shore Chamber, Inc., 1750 East 71st, hosted the “Art eVentures: Essentials of a Small Business Website” workshop presented by Norman L. Lawrence, Jr., founder & CEO of Arts eVentures. The event’s focus was to provide small business owners with a comprehensive understanding of how to create, update and sustain an effective business website, regardless of the size of their company.
Cook County Board Pres.Downsizes County Gov. Real Estate
In a plan expected to save more than $100 million over the next 15 years, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle wants to downsize county government real estate by reducing downtown office space and consolidate highway facilities.
Federal Government Cuts Funding for Food Assistance Program in Illinois
Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see a reduction in benefits due to the expiration of the temporary increase put in place by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
Monday, November 4
Ford Targets HBCU Students as Part of Unique Community Challenge Competition
Are you a student attending a Historically Black College and University who’s interested in giving back to both your community and your university? If so, Ford is inviting you to enter the Ford Community Challenge Competition for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
Friday, November 1
Mayor Emanuel Presents Proposed 2014 Budget
Mayor Rahm Emanuel presented an $8.7 billion 2014 proposed budget last week that he said promotes continued job growth, improves public safety and the quality of life for Chicago residents.
Open For Business
Millions toil away in their office cubicles, dreaming of owning their own piece of the American dream. Meanwhile, many entrepreneurial thinkers are using rough economic times as the catapult for making their small business dreams come true.
QBG Foundtion Mentee Inducted into the National English Honor Society
Congratulations to Stacie Webb, a Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School student was inducted into the National English Honor Society on October 8, 2013. Webb is also a QBG Foundation (QBG) mentee.
A Decade-Long Peace in Mozambique Now in Peril
Mozambique, profiled as the next Norway enjoying a windfall from its recent finds in off-shore gas, may be headed for troubled waters instead.
Embattled High School Principal Resigns
The principal of King College Prep High School, which has recently experienced its share of challenges and tragedy, resigned last week saying she was stepping aside for someone who could provide better leadership.
$75 Million Black History Museum Planned
Standing near where tens of thousands of African slaves landed in Charleston, S.C., Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. announced updated plans last Wednesday for a $75 million International African-American Museum.