Thursday, May 28, 2015

Crime News Update


Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post---taken directly from Chicago Police Department incident reports---is not by any means an exhaustive catalogue of all crime reported in the Chicago Lawn (8th) District. For example, it typically does not include news of crimes committed in the eastern and southern sectors of the district---because the Southwest Chicago Post's coverage area is primarily the neighborhoods that border Midway Airport and secondarily because including the relatively large volume of crime news from elsewhere in the district would be a logistical challenge. We make this note to offer a little helpful perspective and remind everyone that while crime is definitely a concern in all parts of the district (as it always has been), crime remains relatively low overall in Sector 1. May all of us work together diligently to keep it that way. May all of us also remember that a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

* * *


A West Englewood man was arrested after he allegedly tried to rob the GameStop store at
Antonio Baskin
7945 S. Cicero at 8:31 p.m. Saturday, May 23.


Antonio Baskin, 34, of 71st and Hoyne was charged with attempted robbery after Chicago and Burbank police surrounded the store and demanded that he surrender, according to the police report.

Two store employees said that Baskin brandished a handgun that turned out to be a replica. Police also said that Baskin is a gangbanger.

Bond was set at $500,000, and Baskin is due in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48, 155 West 51st Street, on Friday, May 29.


* * *


Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 815 or 821 (see map), come to St. Bruno School (south entrance) at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. Hear updates on crime in your neighborhood and learn how you can work with neighbors and police to make the community safer and better for all.

Two thugs robbed a 42-year-old Clearing woman as she pulled her car into her garage after coming home from a family party at 10:30 p.m. Friday, May 22. The incident occurred at the victim's home, near 64th and Long. One of the criminals put a pistol to her head, she told police, robbing her of her purse and cell phone before fleeing.

While police were on the scene later, the victim was notified that one of her credit cards had been used to make a $24 purchase at a Mobil gas station in Hometown.

She described the thugs as black men age 20-23, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-9 and 150-170 pounds, wearing dark hoodies.


* * *

A 21-year-old Sleepy Hollow man told police he was stabbed by several thugs who accosted him under a viaduct just north of 43rd and Cicero at 6:40 p.m. Thursday, May 21. The victim said that he successfully broke free of the attackers and ran home, several blocks away. The attackers were described only as four to five black and Hispanic young men. The victim described them as drug addicts.


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A 31-year-old Archer Heights woman told police that a man with a gun threatened her after he cut her off in traffic near 47th and Kilpatrick at 3:38 p.m. Wednesday, May 20. The victim, who does not speak English, told police that the man hollered at her and waved a pistol at her before speeding off in an older Chevy Caprice. She described the offender as a black man age 25-30, wearing a red baseball cap.

She did report the crime until two days later, saying she wanted to make a record of the incident in case the man can back and attempted to harm her.


* * *

A burglar kicked in the front door of a home near 63rd Place and Lawndale and stole a TV and an iPad. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 27-year-old woman, when she came home at 2:18 p.m. Friday, May 22 and saw the offender carrying a TV out the back door. Upon seeing the victim, the offender dropped the TV and fled on foot. He was described as a black man age 20-22, 5-foot-7 and 155 pounds, with short black hair and wearing a black baseball cap, a black hoody, blue jeans and white gym shoes.


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Burglars entered the service door of a garage near 79th Place and Kilbourn and stole a welding unit. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 91-year-old man, at 8 a.m. Friday, May 22.


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Burglars forced open the rear door of a home near 67th and Knox and stole an Xbox video game console, a set of Beats headphones and $200 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 49-year-old woman, at 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 22.


* * *

Burglars kicked in the front door of a home near 43rd and Keeler and ransacked several rooms. The victim, a 33-year-old man, told police that he was initially unsure about what, if anything, had been stolen. The crime was discovered at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 21 when a burglar alarm was tripped and police responded.


* * *

Burglars tried but failed to break into a home near 60th and Karlov during the morning of Thursday, May 21. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 66-year-old man, when he returned home in the afternoon. Both a side door and a rear sliding glass-door were damaged in the attempt.



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Burglars tried but failed to kick in the service door of a garage near 59th and Austin. The victim told police that she discovered the crime at 8:22 a.m. Monday, May 18, but did not report it until more than 48 hours later.




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Saturday, May 23, 2015

Dozens of SW Siders Show Support for Police, Firefighters, All 1st Responders

What they lacked in numbers they made up for in spirit.


Several dozen men, women and children walked from Hale Park to Wentworth Park on Saturday morning, in a show of solidarity with and support for police officers, firefighters and all first responders.

The event was organized by Garfield Ridge resident Chuck Dryden, a leader of local efforts to show support for police by tying blue ribbons around trees, light poles, railings and more.

Among those taking part were 13th Ward Alderman Marty Quinn and Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch President Al Cacciottolo.

Thanks to everyone who came out! A good first effort--something to build upon for the future...




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Thursday, May 21, 2015

GRREAT Launching West End Farmers Market Just North of Archer and Harlem

New farmers market launching on the Southwest Side!


The West End Farmers Market starts Wednesday June 3 and will run every Wednesday though October 14--from 3 to 7 p.m.--at European Chalet Banquets at The Mayor's Mansion, 5445 South Harlem.


The new market is sponsored by the Garfield Ridge Retail Entertainment and Amusement Team (GRREAT), an organization dedicated to the economic revitalization of the Garfield Ridge neighborhood.

According a GRREAT press release, the new farmers market
will showcase "farmers from Illinois and Michigan and their efforts to grow fresh produce the way it was meant to be. These farmers are early to rise and work their land to provide fresh quality produce. From luscious fruits to bountiful and colorful vegetables, you’re sure to find something delicious to bring to your table--along with fresh produce, local honey, eggs, jams, jellies and homemade bread."

St. Joe's Announces Main Stage Music Acts; Big Carnival, Big Fun, June 4-7

Old favorites and hot new entertainment acts can be
found on the main stage lineup for this year's carnival at St. Joseph Parish.


Taking the stage from 6 to 11 p.m. Thursday, June 4 will be 
six of the hottest DJs in all of Chicago: Alex Peace, CZR, Gino Rock & Romo, E Rock Rodriguez, Kickin’ Da Hype Luis, and DJ Babaloo.

Two bands will get the weekend off to a rocking start on 
Friday, June 5.

** High-energy punk rock/pop punk band Let It Fly
commandeers the stage at 6 p.m. and will take everyone on a two-hour joyride of "music that makes us wanna throw things, in a good way," the three-man band says. Let It Fly counts among its influences The Misfits, Green Day, The Ramones, AC/DC, Blink 182, Foo Fighters and more.

** Maggie Speaks--one of the most popular and
Maggie Speaks
eclectic cover bands in Chicago history--will own the stage from 9 p.m. to midnight.



Saturday, June 6 starts off with a smile, as the World's Honkiest Polka Band plays from 6 to 8 p.m.

The smile turns to a sneer at 9 p.m., as Hairbanger's
Ball, one of America's best and most successful 80's big-hair rock tribute bands, blows away the audience for three solid hours of music inspired by the likes of Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Def Leppard, Motley Crue and more.

Sunday, June 7 will feature Hillbilly Rockstarz
closing out the four-day fest with a bang and a twang.
Hillbilly Rockstarz
The group bills itself as "Chicago's very own country super group, specializing in covering the latest hits in country music, along with many of your classic favorites" and will cover a pickup truck's worth of today's country hits, as well as covers of favorites by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Patsy Cline.

In addition to great musical entertainment, the four-
day event features thrilling carnival rides, fun games of skill and chance, and a food tent will offering such traditional carnival treats as
hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, pizza, Italian beef,
tacos, tamales and corn-on-the-cob. Cotton candy, ice cream, soda and water also will be available. The beer tent will be open as well.

Planning on enjoying all four days of fun? Buy a four-day “all you can ride” wristband for $50 (cash only) through June 3 at St. Joseph School, 5641 South 73rd Avenue (708-458-2927) or the St. Joseph Parish rectory, 7240 West 57th Street (708-458-0501)

The Carnival Committee at St. Joe's is encouraging everyone to stop by and have a great time: parishioners, alumni, friends of the school and parish, as well as everyone in the larger community. That's you!


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Monday, May 11, 2015

Crime News Update


Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post---taken directly from Chicago Police Department incident reports---is not by any means an exhaustive catalogue of all crime reported in the Chicago Lawn (8th) District. For example, it typically does not include news of crimes committed in the eastern and southern sectors of the district---because the Southwest Chicago Post's coverage area is primarily the neighborhoods that border Midway Airport and secondarily because including the relatively large volume of crime news from elsewhere in the district would be a logistical challenge. We make this note to offer a little helpful perspective and remind everyone that while crime is definitely a concern in all parts of the district (as it always has been), crime remains relatively low overall in Sector 1. May all of us work together diligently to keep it that way. May all of us also remember that a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

* * *


A thug armed with a five-inch knife robbed The Sock Shoppe, 4012 W. 63rd Street, at about 11:25 a.m. Monday, May 4, forcing the owner to hand over about $500 cash. The robber then fled on foot north, between the building and the West Lawn Branch Library. The victim described the criminal as a black man age 25, 5-foot-10 and 120 pounds, with black hair and a dark complexion.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 812 (see map), come to St. Symphorosa School at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 13. Hear updates on crime in your neighborhood and learn how you can work with neighbors and police to make the community safer and better for all.


Two thugs robbed a 35-year-old disabled man of his cell phone as he stood inside the CTA Orange Line Pulaski station, waiting for a southbound bus to take to his Ashburn home. The victim, who walks with a cane, hollered "Give me back my cell phone!" as the robbers walked away quickly through the parking lot west of the station. The crime occurred at 3:47 p.m. Tuesday, May 5. The robbers are described as black men age 17-19, 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds,wearing gray hoodies and black sweatpants.

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A 35-year-old West Elsdon man told police that someone broke the lock on the service door of his garage near 53rd and Kolin, entered and stole two bicycles, a lawnmower, a grass edger, a weed trimmer and a snow blower. He discovered the crime at 6:45 a.m. Monday, May 4.

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Burglars pried open the front door of the Metro PCS cell phone store, 8117 S. Pulaski, and stole 46 cell phones and two laptop computers. The crime was discovered when a burglar alarm was tripped at 7:24 a.m. Monday, May 4, according to the manager, a 27-year-old Homer Glen man. Video surveillance showed only that the crime was committed by three men age 17-19.

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A manager at Burger King, 5211 S. Cicero, told police that when she arrived to open the store at 4:53 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, she discovered the restaurant burglarized, with a cash drawer thrown on the floor. She claimed that about $1,900 cash was missing, according to the police report.

* * *

Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 71st and Hamlin and stole assorted construction tools worth about $2,500. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 45-year-old woman, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5.

* * *

A South Side real estate agent managing a vacant home near 61st and Kolin told police that he discovered the dwelling burglarized when he visited on March 17, although he did not report the crime until Tuesday, May 5. He said that about $1,600 worth of copper piping had been torn from the house.


Burglars forced open the side door of a home near 66th and Hamlin and stole a watch and assorted jewelry. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 64-year-old man, at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, May 6.

* * *

Burglars entered the rear door of a home near 66th and Kostner and stole two TVs, an Xbox video game console and about 10 games, an iPad, a telephone, assorted jewelry, two pairs of Nike Air Jordans and a laptop computer. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 41-year-old woman, when she came home from work at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7.

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Burglars forced open the overhead door of a garage near 54th and Keeler and stole a lawnmower, a set of Beats headphones, an iPad, two iPods, a pair of sunglasses, two pairs of gym shoes and two gym bags. The crime was discovered by one of the victims, a 43-year-old man, at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 7.

* * *

Burglars pried open the front door of an apartment near 87th and Keating and stole a iPad, a tablet computer and about $485 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 35-year-old man, at 7 p.m. Friday, May 8.

* * *

Burglars forced open the overhead door of a garage near 53rd and Millard and stole assorted tools, an air compressor and a nail gun. The crime was discovered by a neighbor, a 20-year-old woman, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 8.


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Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Les Misérables Coming to Hale Park

Just sharing some information from the Hale Theatre Company. Sounds like some great local theater!

~ ~ ~


Tickets are now on sale for the Hale Theatre Company production of Les Misérables at the
Hale Park Fieldhouse, 6258 W. 62nd Street, later this month.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students senior citizens (age 60 and up) and are available at Hale Park now. For more information or ticket reservations, call Hale Park at (773) 229-1032.

Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28, Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31.

A description of Les Mis provided by HTC:

Winner of more than 100 international awards and seen by over 65 million people worldwide, Les Misérables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The true modern classic is based on Victor Hugo's novel and features one of the most memorable scores of all time.

In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is released from 19 years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean's adopted daughter.

Epic, grand and uplifting, Les Misérables packs an emotional wallop that has thrilled audiences all over the world. The sung-through pop opera overflows with melodies that are already standards. A spectacle on Broadway and in London, Les Misérables is a powerful affirmation of the human spirit that has become a modern day masterpiece. 

The production is directed by Lauren J. Polenske, assisted by Amanda Case, with musical direction by Jason Baumann.

Cast:

JEAN VALJEAN.......................................Rob Sorensen
JAVERT................................................ Brian Baumann
THE BISHOP OF DIGNE.......Branden Lancaster-Williams
FANTINE....................................................Sarah Sands
THE FOREMAN....................................... John Wognum
LITTLE COSETTE.......................................Sydney Hall
THENARDIER........................................Michael Murphy
MADAME THENARDIER..........................Nancy Alvarez
YOUNG EPONINE.................................Stephanie Vega
GAVROCHE.........................................T.J. Saylor-Lohse
EPONINE...............................................Sandra Mendez
COSETTE........................................Maelee Richardson
ENJOLRAS...............................James Edward Dauphin
MARIUS......................................................Rocco Ayala
COMBEFERRE...................Branden Lancaster-Williams
FEUILLY........................................................Jake Stern
COURFEYRAC........................................John Wognum
MONTPARNASSE...........................................Joe Streit
BABET................................................... Thomas Moran

BRUJON.................................................Sammy Burnett

FACTORY WOMEN, FACTORY MEN, SOLDIERS, PROSTITUTES, PIMPS, INN GUESTS, WEDDING GUESTS, ENSEMBLE:

Jennifer Burnson, Izabella Burnson, Wina Shelly, Amy Hall,Terrie Golden, Haily Graf, Heather Skutnik, Tessa Merella, Stephanie Avilla, Lillian L. Quinn, Karen Latz, Anajah Roberts, Megan Rexius, Jessica Woodburn, Maggie Reagan, Ellen Kribbs, Mabel Lopez, Daniel Murphy, Sean Murphy, Cody Olbrecht.

Visual Effects by Rocco Ayala.

# # #

Monday, May 4, 2015

Crime News Update


Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post---taken directly from Chicago Police Department incident reports---is not by any means an exhaustive catalogue of all crime reported in the Chicago Lawn (8th) District. For example, it typically does not include news of crimes committed in the eastern and southern sectors of the district---because the Southwest Chicago Post's coverage area is primarily the neighborhoods that border Midway Airport and secondarily because including the relatively large volume of crime news from elsewhere in the district would be a logistical challenge. We make this note to offer a little helpful perspective and remind everyone that while crime is definitely a concern in all parts of the district (as it always has been), crime remains relatively low overall in Sector 1. May all of us work together diligently to keep it that way. May all of us also remember that a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

* * *


Two South Side men, said by police to be admitted gangbangers, were arrested and
Blaise M. Smith
charged with unlawful use of a weapon when they were apprehended near 79th
 and Springfield at 5:26 p.m. Saturday, April 25.

Police said that Dante Thomas, 21, of 73rd and Greenwood, and Blaise M. Smith, 22, of 76th and Kingston, were part of a crowd of nearly 100 people attending a gang-related wake at the Southwest Memorial Chapels funeral home (formerly McInerney & Sons) at 7901 S. Komensky.

Police said the crowd flashed gang signs at police and passersby, many shouting “F~ck the police! They killed JJ!” 


Dante Thomas
Police said that the guns they confiscated from Thomas and Smith were loaded, and one was reported stolen from Tennessee.

Bond was set at $350,000 for each man. Smith is due in court at 51st and Wentworth on May 5, and Thomas is set to appear on May 15.






* * *


Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 815 or 821 (see map), come to St. Bruno School (south entrance) at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 6. Hear updates on crime in your neighborhood and learn how you can work with neighbors and police to make the community safer and better for all.

A pregnant woman told police that a man kicked her in the stomach during an argument in a parking lot at Ford City Mall, 7601 S. Cicero. The 29-year-old South Side woman said the incident occurred at about 10 p.m. Friday, April 24. She reported it to police about 12 hours later, because she said she was having contractions. She was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. The victim described the attacker as a Hispanic man age 23, 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair and a dark complexion.

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A 43-year-old Scottsdale woman told police that another woman threatened her with a handgun while she was driving her car near 83rd and Cicero at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28. The victim said the offender pulled alongside her in a 2000-05 Buick LeSabre and threatened to kill her—saying, “B~tch, I told you I was going to kill you”--before speeding away south on Cicero. The victim told police she had never seen the offender, described only as a black woman age 40-45.

* * *

Two men employed by a towing company told police that a man from a rival company pointed a gun at them and made a verbal threat at 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, April 29 on the street near 55th and Keeler. The victims gave the offender’s name to police, who are following up.

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A 27-year-old Scottsdale man told police that someone broke through the rear window of his home near 78th and Komensky and stole an iPad, a pair of Beats headphones, an Xbox video game console, a bottle of Gucci Guilty cologne, three pairs of Nike Air Jordans and about $25 in loose coins. The crime was discovered by the victim at about 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 29.

* * *

Burglars cut through a chain-link fence at the north end of a storage yard belonging to 2-in-1 Construction, 4344 W. 45th St., and stole a Bobcat vehicle and an undetermined amount of steel rebar. The crime was discovered by an employee at 7 a.m. Monday, April 27.

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Burglars forced open the rear door of a home near 63rd and Kilpatrick and stole assorted jewelry, two cameras, an iPad, a cell phone, a TV, a Yamaha music keyboard, $2,000 cash and about $300 in Mexican currency. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 43-year-old man, when he came home from work at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 30.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 44th and Komensky and stole a bicycle and a lawnmower. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 47-year-old woman, at 5:30 a.m. Monday, April 27.

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Burglars tried but failed to break into a home near 51st and Newland. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 32-year-old woman, at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 27. The home’s door was damaged, and the CPD incident report did not speculate on how or why the crime had been interrupted.

* * *

Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 60th Place and Lawndale and stole a generator, a snow blower, a TV, 24 units of women’s hair care products and 24 bottles of Irish Spring liquid soap. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 45-year-old man, at about 4 a.m. Wednesday, April 22. He told police that he had left the garage’s service door unlocked.

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Burglars pried open the front door of an apartment near 87th and Kostner and stole a camera, two camera flash units, two camera lenses, three memory cards, batteries, battery chargers, cables and a TV. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old man, at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25.

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