Book Signing

The Almighty Black P Stone Nation By  Natalie Y. Moore & Lance Williams   Book Signing

Natalie Moore Lance Williams   DATE: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 TIME: 5:00 pm  LOCATION: Cinco Estrellas Restaurant 2908 W. 59th Street MORE: This is a Free Event & Open to the Public

Please click on the following link to RSVP for this event: Mairell Torres or send an email to mtorres@swyc.org Southwest Youth Collaborative Amandla Center Chicago, Illinois 60629

CPS

Chicago Public Schools Options for Knowledge Presentation

Date:

Tue. November 15, 2011

Time: 

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Location:
6120 S. Kedzie Avenue
60629

About this event:
A representative from the Chicago Public Schools will conduct an hour long presentation to provide information on K-8 Magnet and Selective Enrollment programs in the Chicago Public Schools and to provide an overview of the application processes for these elementary programs, as well as a number of high school programs.

Money Smart: Banking Services

 How Financial Institutions Help You Save and Manage Your Money

Date: 

Tue. December 06, 2011

Time: 

6:00 pm

Location:
6120 S. Kedzie Avenue
60629

Program: 

Money Smart

About this event:

Learn the fundamentals of banking and the importance of establishing a relationship with a financial institution to build credit, save money, and achieve goals, whether it’s purchasing a home or planning for retirement.  This workshop highlights the importance of developing a plan and wise spending habits along with tips on how to save money in order to attain financial security.  Presented by Money Smart Partner, BMO Harris Bank, N. A.

Gage Park High School 8th Grade Open House

 Attention 8^th Grade Parents/Students

Gage Park High School

Open House

 

You Are Invited!

When:   Friday, November 18, 2011

Where:  Gage Park High School, 5630 S. Rockwell

Time:    10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

You are invited to Gage Park High School’s Open House. The Open House is an excellent opportunity for 8^th students and their parents to learn of the wonderful programs at Gage Park.
At the Open House, you will learn about Gage Park’s Freshman Academy. In addition, information will be provided on Advancement Via Determination (AVID), Equipment Technology Institute (ETI), Advanced Placement (AP), Athletics (Sports), College and Career Center, and community partners.

 

We will be having a raffle and refreshments will be provided.

We look forward to seeing you at our Open House

 

If you have questions, please contact

Ms. Darlene Radford, Counselor at 773/535-9230, ex. 2-5474

To view more detailed information click here

FREE TAX INFORMATION AND MORE!

When: November 12, 2011, 3 am–7 pm



H&R Block tax pros will be available to answer questions and share tips for the upcoming tax season about:

• Recent tax law changes from which you could benefit
• Forms and requirements to file
• ITIN applications, benefits and procedures
• Personal income tax and small business taxes
• Credits and deductions available to maximize your refund

WHERE: H&R Block De La Villita. 4054 W. 26th Street

Solo Cup Company Job Fair

 

When: November 15, 2011, 10 am–2 pm

Where: 7575 S. Kostner Ave., Conference Room, Chicago, IL 60652

Solo Cup Company JOB FAIR
BE PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL
Solo Cup Company, a leading international manufacturer of plastic and paper products for the consumer and the food service industry, has great job opportunities at our expanding south side Chicago facility.  Learn more about these opportunities by attending our on-site job fair.
MACHINE OPERATORS / MACHINE MECHANICSMust have experience in a manufacturing environment.
BUILDING FACILITIES MAINTENANCE LEADMust have working knowledge experience in the following:
-- Industrial HVAC and process water chilling systems in sizes reaching 300 tons
-- Industrial steam and hot water boilers up to 300 horsepower
-- Possession of a City of Chicago Stationary Engineers License and Universal Refrigeration Certificate
-- Able to use precision measuring tools, understand industrial drawings and schematics
--Manufacturing experience is required
MAINTENANCE ELECTRICIAN-Experience on energized machinery, motor drives and controls and PLCs
-Read electrical schematics/diagrams, utilize meters and computers
When you join the Solo family, you will enjoy benefits that include medical, dental, life insurance, 401k plan, paid vacation and more.
Parking is available in the lot west of Kostner Avenue. Be sure to bring copies of your resume to the job fair.  If you can’t attend, please send your resume, indicating position of interest, to:

Solo Cup Company (Logo)Attn: Human Resources
7575 S. Kostner Ave.
Chicago, IL 60652
Email:  h.jones@idpl.orgFax: 773-523-4611
EOE M/F/H/V
No phone calls accepted.

Free Demonstrations

71st Street Tree Lighting Ceremony

71st Street Tree Lighting Ceremony
This annual event presented by 5th Ward Alderman Leslie Hairston will include a hot chocolate reception
for the community. Bring winter items to donate, shop local businesses for the holidays and learn about
improvements and developments happening in South Shore.

on Monday, 21 November 2011
05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
@ Starbucks - 71st/Stony Island Ave.

Courtesy of South Shore Chamber Inc

Visit Auburn Gresham, Chicago Lawn and Englewood Web Portals

The Southwest  web portal is one of many tools that will help create tech-savvy communities for the Southwest Smart Communities Initiative (SCCI), comprising three Chicago neighborhoods — Auburn Gresham, Chicago Lawn and Englewood.
The mission of the SCCI is a Digital & Social Link (DSL) between the three neighborhoods with the following goals:

• Connect the three communities to reduce the historical physical, cultural and digital divides between the areas
• Enhance the existing digital systems through working with community members, gatekeepers and technology expert to identify the most efficient and appropriate technologies to serve the community
• Improve access to the Web by making it more accessible to residents, schools, small businesses and city colleges within the three communities

The initiative is the result of a collaborative planning effort that brought together representatives from community-based organizations in the three neighborhoods and more than 100 residents. Those participants created the Southwest Smart Communities Plan, which provides a framework of ideas and projects for local implementation. For example:

• Neighbors involved in trainings to use digital technology to improve their daily lives.
• Students use broadband technology in new digital media labs in school.
• Local entrepreneurs visit business centers where they can learn more about using software to become more efficient — and more profitable.

A First Step, A Big Step

These programs and projects are catalysts. No one program is sufficient to provide all the digital resources a community needs. But by jumpstarting a culture of technology, we can support and enhance the values of our neighborhoods on the Southwest Side.
SCCI is part of a larger program, the Smart Communities program.  A major plank of the City of Chicago’s Digital Excellence Initiative, the Smart Communities Program is managed and supported by LISC/Chicago and funded in part through a $7 million federal Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (B-TOP) grant. The support is allowing the local partners in the five Smart Communities,  Auburn Gresham, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Humboldt Park and Pilsen, to provide enhanced access to broadband technology and training, and opportunities to earn hardware and software for more than 11,000 residents and 360 small businesses and nonprofits, with the goal of overcoming barriers to technological access that exist in many parts of the city.

Gage Park High School Robotics Club

 hopes to clean up the competition at the FIRST Tech Challenge.

Marc Irwin
Published: November 4, 2011

3 students from Gage Park High School have been working very hard to prepare for the FTC regional qualifier at Malcolm X college on Nov. 12th. While most Gage Park students were enjoying their fall intercession, Adonny Barrera, Stephany Barrera, and Rashad Foster were building, programming, and designing a robot that they believe will "clean up" at competition.
FTC, or FIRST Tech Challenge, is a worldwide competition designed to inspire young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Each year the game changes and teams have a mere 6 weeks to prepare for their events. This years competition, called Bowled Over" involves flipping and stacking miniature milk crates and picking up raquetballs on a 12' X 12' enclosed arena.

The teams' coach Mr. Irwin has swayed busy professionals with his entushiastic attitude and heartfelt dedication to donate their time, expertise, and money to the cause. Bill Dods owner of Advance wheel corporationhas donated a 4000 square foot facility where the team practices daily. Independent entrepreneur and machinist Paul Jenskovec has allowed the team to use machinery to fabricate pieces for the robot. He has also donated more than $1200 to date on plastics, aluminum, field mat, and various hardware. They have gained experience with lathes, mills, welding, drill presses, belt sanders and taps. Retired engineer, Bruce Petersen, has lent the team his years of product development experience. His foresight has been invaluable in helping to decide which ideas will work and which ones  are fatally flawed. CPS graduate Daniel Galan has maintained team communication, flyers, brochures, and more behind the scenes help in recruiting as well as helping the drive and programming team.

The team still needs more students. The team has a very strong chance to gain sponsorship for FRC, especially if they fare well in this months contest. Any student or adult that is interested in joining as a mentor or a team member should contact Marc Irwin at mirwin66@gmail.com. Students can have a great time being a part of a great project, have the opportunity to receive scholarships, and build lifelong skills.


Courtesy of Chicago Lawn Portal

R.A.G.E. Public Meeting - Tuesday, Nov. 15th

Asiaha Butler

OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS OF GREATER ENGLEWOOD.
We know there LOTS to talk about in Englewood, from Education, Post Office/Libraries Closings, Englewood Film Festival, CMAP Land Use Plan, Aldermanic Ward Remapping and more!  Let's find solutions together around these issues in our neighborhood!
Refreshments will be served at 6:15pm, arrive promptly!

For more info please contact us at 866.845.1032, or email joinrage@gmail.com. Don't forget to sign up for RAGE email updates at www.RAGEnglewood.org or text RAGE to 55469 for mobile updates!
Thank you!

R.A.G.E. Members are homeowners, stakeholders, business owners, professionals, students, parents and grandparents fighting against the stereotypes that often stigmatize Englewood. RAGE unites with all who wish to FORCE change in Englewood! We hope to see you Tuesday, November 15th!


Courtsey of the Englewood Portal 

ALDERMAN SAWYER SUPPORTS MAINTAINING LIBRARY FUNDING IN THE 2012 BUDGET

6th Ward Chicago
Published: October 31, 2011

Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer of the 6^th Ward supports maintaining library staffing and hours of operation at its current levels.  “This is not the time to be laying off workers,” Alderman Sawyer said, “the city council must do what it can in order to maintain services.”
Not only is the library facing a reduction of nearly 33% of its staff but there will also be a reduction in hours.   Furthermore, in communities that are facing challenges in bridging the digital divide there needs to be an expansion in community resources provided by the public library system, not a reduction.  Job searchers need to be able to look for jobs, update their resumes and print out cover letters at our public libraries.  Alderman Sawyer joins those who believe that the reduction of hours will disproportionately affect lower income communities.
While joining others who are looking for alternative savings or revenue that could offset covering the cost Alderman Sawyer is focused on a serious political reality.  Funding for the Chicago Library System was never intended to be covered by the corporate fund, the initial ordinance called for all operations to be handled through a real-estate levy.  Many years ago the decision was made to transfer a part of the budget to the corporate fund, a decision which is leading to the service cuts requested in this budget.
“Right now it seems like we are asking our workers and communities to once again pay the cost for the politicians’ short term political decisions.   That’s not right and I can’t support it.”


Courtesy of the Englewood Portal

From the Mayor's Office: Amendments to 2012 Budget Proposal

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

• Download this Press Release

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that he has reached an agreement with City Council members on several items in the proposed 2012 budget and will submit formal amendments to his budget plan on Monday.
“We have held to our principles, followed through on the tough choices and that’s a win for Chicagoans and their future,” said Mayor Emanuel.
Mayor Emanuel was joined at the announcement by Ald. Carrie Austin (34th), Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Government Operations, Vice-Chairman Brendan Reilly (42nd) and Budget Director Alex Holt.
“This process is about working together to reach a balanced budget plan that will provide the people of Chicago with quality services, while keeping those services affordable to taxpayers,” said Alderman Austin. “These amendments will help accomplish that goal.”
The amendments to the mayor’s budget plan will include the following:

Libraries

• Restoring $3.3 million to the library budget to allow for a full six-day-a-week schedule when school is out, during the summer months and over holiday breaks, providing children with more library access when they are away from school.
• The reduced schedule on Monday and Friday mornings will resume during the school year with agreement from the unions.   The move will restore more than 100 of the planned library layoffs.

City Vehicle Sticker

• Maintaining the weight threshold for heavier passenger vehicles at 4,500 lbs.
• Increasing the tier for lighter vehicles by $10 (from $75 to $85) and the heavier tier by $15 (from $120 to $135). 
• The planned increases for truck stickers will remain as proposed. Stickers for motorcycles will remain at their current rates. Discounted sticker fees for seniors will also remain at current rates. Several groups, including veterans, the disabled, and government entities will continue to receive sticker fee waivers.
• The amendments to sticker fees will be revenue-neutral to the original proposal.
• Increasing fines (from $120 to $200) for sticker scofflaws and late fees (from $40 to $60). 

Fee waivers

• Extending a discount on fees for water services to all non-profit organizations with less than $250 million in assets.
• The three-year phased-in discount will be 60% in 2012, 40% in 2013 and 20% in 2014 and beyond.
• The amendments will result in approximately $12 million in lost revenue for the water and sewer funds over the next three years, which will be absorbed by the fee increases scheduled to begin next year. 

Streets and Sanitation

• Restoring $1 million worth of lot cleaning, weed cutting and graffiti removal services.

The changes in the budget proposal will be cost neutral in that the additional $4.3 million in corporate fund expenses will be offset by the additional revenue from increasing the fines and enforcement for vehicle sticker scofflaws.
Mayor Emanuel announced his budget plan last month that included $417 million worth of expense reductions to help close a $635 million gap between expected revenues and expenses next year.

Important Info For CDBG Funded Agencies

Download

Fall 2011 Career Expo

 

When: November 17, 2011, 10 am–2 pm

Where: Kennedy King-College, Building W Atrium, 6343 South Halstead, Chicago, IL 60621

If you are currently unemployed, underemployed, a student, a veteran, or just curious to know what the job market has to offer, don't miss this career expo!
Dress for success and bring copies of your resume!
Click here to see the full flyer

Daley College Open House

Courtesy of the Manufacturing Technology Institute, on November 10, 2011 the Manufacturing and Logistics programs of Richard J. Daley College will host an Open House.

There will be two sessions: 10 am to 1 pm;  and again from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Our students will provide demonstrations of advanced manufacturing technology and faculty will be on hand to answer questions and provide detailed information on our programs.

Refreshments will be provided.

We hope that you will be able to stop by and see our state-of-the-art machine shop. To view the official announcement for the event, click here.

Illinois Dream Act Information Night

 

When: November 8, 2011, 4 pm

Where: 5630 S. Rockwell, Chicago, IL 60629

Governor Quinn signed the Illinois Dream Act on August 2nd, 2011! 

Now what does this mean for our students and community?

Come to Gage Park’s IL Dream Act Information Night for:

 

• Scholarship opportunities for undocumented students

• College resource guides for students and counselors

• Information on how to prepare for college as an undocumented student

• Learn more of how to get involved in the community around this issue

   

Tuesday November 8th, 2011 @ 4:00 pm

Gage Park High School Auditorium

5630 S. Rockwell

Chicago, IL 60629

For more Information, Please Contact Sarah Mesick of the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) at 773-471-8208 x 17