Thursday, June 26
Dr. Oz Scolded at Hearing on Weight Loss Scams
Under pressure from Congress, celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz on Tuesday offered to help “drain the swamp” of unscrupulous marketers using his name to peddle so-called miracle pills and cure-alls to millions of Americans desperate to lose weight.
Chicago's Newest Pete’s Fresh Market Opens on West Side
Lessie Cokley walked slowly as she made her way from the busy parking lot of the newly opened Pete’s Fresh Market grocery store at Madison Street and Western Avenue last Thursday morning amongst a constant stream of early arrivals to the store. “My arthritis is acting up but I wanted to come to this new grocery store because it offers fresh vegetables and fruit,” said Cokley who turned 65 on Thursday. “The other store I used to go to is small and doesn’t offer fresh produce. I live in walking distance so I’m glad the store is here.
Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office to Offer Grief Counseling
When families of homicide victims and other death cases show up to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office to identify the remains of loved ones, they will soon have access to on-the-spot grief counseling thanks to a collaboration between the County and the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) who will provide second-year graduate students from UIC’s Jane Addams College of Social Work to provide the service.
Groups Celebrate Diversity of African-American Hair
Nearly 100 people packed The Alloy Studios in Friendship recently for discussion groups and a fashion show spotlighting the beauty and diversity of natural African-American hair. Many were part of the local group It’s a Natural Thang, which educates and supports women and men in their journey to let chemical agents and relaxers grow out and natural hair textures and curl patterns grow in.
Cook County’s Summer Repair Schedule Adds More Roads & Bridge Projects
Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (CCDTH) has announced an updated list of construction projects slated for 2014 that will include street resurfacing and rehabilitation, and bridge repairs throughout various areas of the County.
New Medical Center Dedicated to Memory of Rose V. Rita
Residents in the Calumet Township community now have a new healthcare center with the grand opening and dedication ceremony held yesterday for the new MetroSouth Medical Center, located at 12549 S. Ashland Ave., Calumet Park, honoring Ill. State Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita's (Dist.-28th) late mother, Rose V. Rita, who served as an alderwoman for the City of Blue Island and later as the Supervisor of Calumet Township until her death in 2011.
Walgreen to Hold Free HIV-AIDS Testing in Honor of National HIV Testing Day
In recognition of National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), June 27, Walgreens is collaborating with the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation’s Greater Than AIDS (GTA) campaign to help offer free no appointment HIV testing to the public at 27 Walgreens stores in the Chicagoland area. NHTD was launched in 1995 by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPA) in response to the growing number of HIV infections in communities of color.
Wednesday, June 25
CSU Files Official Obama Library Proposal Documents
Chicago State University (CSU) last week, submitted its official Request for Qualification (RFQ) proposal, the first step in the quest to become the future site of the Barack Obama Presidential Library and Museum.
The Chicago Sky Celebrates WNBA’s LGBT Pride Campaign
On Sunday, the Chicago Sky hosted the Tulsa Shock at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd., Rosemont, IL, and held a post-game networking event and panel discussion about LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bi-Sexual Transgender) athletes and their fight for equality in both professional and amateur sports. The reception was in honor of the WNBA’s (Women’s National Basketball Association) Pride campaign, a new national platform celebrating inclusion and equality, while combating anti-LGBT bias which is sponsored by COVERGIRL.
Community Coalition Fight for Dyett HS, Calls Out 4th Ward Alderman Will Burns
The Coalition to Revitalize Dyett High School, which is comprised of local community grassroots and higher education organizations, recently staged an overnight sit-in protest in front of 4th Ward Chicago alderman Will Burns’ office building, 435 E. 35th St., and demanded vocal and demonstrative action to protect Walter H. Dyett High School, 555 E. 51st St., from becoming a “turnaround” school.
Author of "Our Black Year" Featured Speaker at NEIU’s Black Economic Forum
Margarita “Maggie” Anderson, author of “Our Black Year,” along with her husband, John Anderson and her children, made history and dominated headlines as the national media covered their real-life case study in self-help economics for the Black community. The family exclusively utilized Black businesses and talent, and consumed only African American-made products for an entire year.
CBA Hosts Summer Mix ‘N Mingle at the Southern Shore Yacht Club
The Chatham Business Association (CBA) hosted its quarterly Mix ‘N Mingle at the Southern Shore Yacht Club, 6401 S. Richard Dr., last Thursday evening. The gathering was sponsored by CBA members, President’s Lounge night club, Lifesavers Portable Toilets and Special Service Area #51.
NNPA Holds 2014 Annual Convention in Portland
The National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) 2014 Annual Convention, POWER OF THE PAST—FORCE OF THE FUTURE, gets underway June 25 and continues through June 28 at the Nines Hotel in Portland, Oregon.
Wednesday, June 18
TV One Celebrates Black Music Month with Premieres of "Aretha: Frankly Speaking" and "HelloBeautiful Interludes Live"
In recognition of Black Music Month, TV One will roll out a special programming slate of new specials, original factual series, original reality series, movies and performance specials this June. The programming will be anchored by the premiere of the biographical special Aretha: Frankly Speaking and HelloBeautiful Interludes Live: Trey Songz on Saturday, June 21. Additionally, other new episodes of HelloBeautiful Interludes Live will air throughout the month.
Post-Father’s Day Facts
The idea of Father’s Day was conceived slightly more than a century ago by Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Wash., while she listened to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to raise his six children on a farm. A day in June was chosen for the first Father’s Day celebration,
Potholes Still a Major Problem for Chicago’s West and South Side
Potholes are still a big problem in many neighborhoods throughout Chicago such as the ones that stretch the length of Fulton Street between California and Sacramento on Chicago’s west side, creating hazardous situations for both drivers and pedestrians. The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) says citizens need to report the craters in order to have them repaired.
Ombudsman Chicago Hosts First Ever Graduation Ceremony
Recently, Ombudsman Chicago, 2401 W. Congress Pkwy, celebrated its first ever graduation ceremony at Holy Trinity High School, 1433 West Division St. Ombudsman Chicago is a dropout recovery school that offers an alternative option for students seeking a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) accredited diploma.
Law Signed Banning Police Officer Ticket Quotas
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed Senate Bill (SB3411) on Sunday which prohibits municipalities from requiring police officers to meet ticket quotas. The new law also prevents quotas from being used to evaluate an officer’s performance.
Africa International House Hosts Unique Weekend Only Exhibit
Something for the art and culture lovers to consider is Stephen “BlackButterfly” Carter’s, one weekend only – exhibition of “DESIDERATA Spring/Summer 2014 entitled: “The Roads Not Taken –The Roads Now Taken” Friday, June 20, at the Africa International House Center for Contemporary African Art and Culture, (AIH), 6200 S. Drexel Ave.
University Submits Collaborative Proposal for Barack Obama Presidential Library on South Side
After months of consultation with a broad set of community and university partners, the University of Chicago submited a proposal on June 16 to the Barack Obama Foundation in support of locating the Barack Obama Presidential Library on Chicago’s South Side.
Emory Hires First African-American Woman to Lead Business School
Erika Hayes James, a former senior associate dean for executive education at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia, will assume her new role at Emory on July 15. James earned her Ph.D. in organizational psychology from the University of Michigan and built a career by connecting her knowledge of organizational psychology with executive leadership. She also has served as a consultant to several Fortune 500 companies, according to the Emory announcement.
Gift of Hope African American Task Force to Honor Parents of Jermaine Cullum Jr.
Tarcia Patton watched her 16-year-old son, Jermaine Cullum Jr., languish on life support for a week before she made a decision in a way only a mother can: She consented to donate his organs because “That was something he wanted to do.” Jermaine and his mom previously talked about his choice to sign an organ donor card, something the Christ the King Jesuit College Prep High School sophomore didn’t get around to doing before he collapsed in May, while playing in a basketball tournament at Riverside Brookfield High School.
CPS Expands Summer Bridge and Meal Program
As the school-year comes to an end, parents are no doubt in search of activities that will keep their children occupied over the summer. One to consider is Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) free summer bridge and meal program an expansion of its Safe Haven program where 110 sites across the city will offer school-aged children educational activities and meals while they're out of school.
Thursday, June 12
UIC Clinical Psychologist to Create Mental Health Program for Clergy
Dr. Jennifer Shepard Payne, a licensed clinical social worker at the University of Illinois at Chicago, also an ordained minister, is conducting research to find out how church pastors currently address their congregation’s mental health issues and will use the information to create a training program to help guide clergy in addressing those issues.
CBA Hosts Digital Security Specialist at Monthly Meeting
The Chatham Business Association (CBA) hosted guest speaker, Lisa Thompson-Bennett, Community Relations Liaison, Housing Government & Community Relations for the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, at its monthly meeting yesterday held at the QBG Building, 806 E. 78th St. Thompson-Bennett discussed the importance of businesses securing against digital identity theft.
South Holland Welcomes Unique Family Business to the Community
The Village of South Holland held a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome Xtreme Kustoms Wheels & Electronics, 518 East 162nd St, South Holland, IL, to the community last week. Xtreme Kustoms Wheels & Electronics is an African American family-owned and operated business that provides custom vehicle wheels and tire, alarm integration, remote starting systems, stereo installation, among other automotive customizing services.
Burnside Elementary Commemorates 1962 Sit-In with Mural
In recognition of 17 mothers and 27 students that staged a sit-in at Burnside Scholastic Academy (BSA), 650 E. 91st Pl., on January 2, 1962, a 300 sq. ft. tile mural was unveiled at the school last week. The Burnside sit-in was one of the first acts that led to end segregation within the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system and helped ignite Chicago's Civil Rights movement.
Obesity: Not Just A Woman’s Problem
It almost seems unfair. As women, we have to work extra hard to lose weight, but it seems like men can simply wish to lose weight and do it with no problem.
Wednesday, June 11
Real Men Cook Host Seminar in Preparation for its 25th Annual Father's Day Event
Real Men Cook, Charities, Inc. and Real Men Cook, Inc. (RMC) partnered with the Safe Dining Association (SDA) last week to host a Summer Festival Food Service Sanitation seminar at the Give Me Some Sugah bakery, 2234 E. 71st St., that educated RMC Father’s Day cookout event participants on how to provide safe food samples to the public. The RMC cookout event was launched in 1990, is presented annually on Father's Day and is a food tasting family celebration featuring men volunteering to cook for and serve the community. This year, RMC is celebrating its 25th consecutive Father’s Day cookout event in Chicago.
JET Magazine Transitions to Digital Only Platform, Releases Final Print Issue
For many African American households, Johnson Publication’s JET magazine was very much a cultural component commonly found on coffee and dinner tables nationwide, however; as technology has made way for the new digital age, JET magazine, initially billed as “The Weekly Negro News Magazine,” released its final print issue on Monday as the 63-year-old publication transitions from print to a digital only platform as a way to provide readers quicker and easier access to its news and information coverage.
Thursday, June 5
Gay Marriage Now Legal Statewide in Illinois
Gay and lesbian couples across Illinois can now legally wed as the state becomes the latest in the nation to allow same-sex marriage.
22 New Food Vendors at the 2014 Taste of Chicago Festival
An assorted lineup of 66 restaurants that will participate throughout the highly anticipated, five-day food and entertainment festival Taste of Chicago, July 9-13 in Grant Park. Showcasing Chicago’s diverse culinary scene, Taste goers are guaranteed an endless variety of dining options to suit every palate from five-day restaurants to the popular one- and two-day Pop-Ups, as well as food trucks.
Wednesday, June 4
African-American Cowboy Crooner Herb Jeffries Dies
Herb Jeffries, the jazz singer and actor who performed with Duke Ellington and was known as the "Bronze Buckaroo" in a series of all-black 1930s Westerns, died of heart failure Sunday morning at a Los Angeles hospital. He was 100.
Student group calls for public flogging of Iranian actress for kissing Cannes Film Festival president
TEHRAN, (UPI) --Iranian actress Leila Hatami should be publicly flogged for kissing Cannes Film Festival president Gilles Jacob on the cheek, the Hizbullah Students organization argued in a petition to Iran's judiciary.
Obama accepts veterans affairs chief resignation with 'regret'
U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki resigned on Friday after a political firestorm over widespread delays in veterans' medical care, leaving President Barack Obama with a freer hand to address systemic problems bedeviling the agency.
Chicago Aldermen Present City Council with Increased Minimum Wage Ordinance
Last week, Chicago aldermen were joined at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., by Raise Chicago, a grassroots coalition working to ensure that major corporations who make over $50 million in profits pay a living wage of $15/hr., to announce the introduction of a $15 an hour minimum wage ordinance, sponsored by Alderman Roderick Sawyer (6th), Alderman John Arena (45th), and Alderman Joe Moreno (1st).
Gresham Elementary Deals with "Turnaround"
Last week, faculty at Walter Q. Gresham Elementary School, 8524 S. Green St., celebrated the opening of its new library by establishing a “Literacy Day program,” designed to allow students more time in the library and to encourage them to read more.
Obama Library Study Sheds Light on Economic Benefits for Chicago’s South Side
Now might be a good time to start that business venture you’ve been thinking about especially since a study commissioned by the University of Chicago ( U of C) and carried out by an economics research firm concluded that a Barack Obama Presidential Library would provide a “significant economic boon to Chicago’s South side and the city.”
Chicago Apostle Has Global Reach
Apostle Bishop Bridget C. Outlaw, Senior Pastor of New Global Destiny World Vision Ministries, recently received the prestigious, “2014 President’s Lifetime Achievement for Hunger Relief Advocate Award,” a national honor from the White House, offered in recognition of sustained service.