Showing posts with label Front Page News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Front Page News. Show all posts

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Villanueva Condemns Police Actions


Defund Chicago Police, state senator says
State Senator Celina Villanueva


 By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

 State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-11th) is one of 10 lawmakers who recently condemned the Lightfoot Administration over the Chicago Police Department’s response to protesters in the Loop.

 The 11th District includes portions of Midway-area city neighborhoods, as well as other city neighborhoods and suburban towns.

 The letter she signed was penned by United Working Families, a leftist political organization.

 The letter was written in response to police actions on the weekend of Aug. 15-16, when police responded to pushing and hitting by protesters (one protester was seen whacking a police officer over the head repeatedly with a skateboard) with pushback that included pepper spray, arrests and what appeared to be kettling, a crowd-control tactic in which police essentially surround protesters on three sides and prevent them from leaving an area.

 “Sixteen people have been shot so far this weekend, including a 12-year-old boy,” the statement read. “The murder clearance rate is abysmally low. Seventy percent of the deadlines for the federal consent decree, intended to protect civilians from police violence, remain unmet. And this weekend, thousands of officers were sent downtown by Mayor Lightfoot to beat and pepper-spray anti-violence activists who were begging to be allowed to disperse peacefully.

 “This is the opposite of safety—this is violence," the statement continued. "It must stop. That begins with Mayor Lightfoot ordering a de-escalation of police surveillance and abuse, defunding a department that has failed to protect people from harm, and re-investing those resources in the things people truly need—like cash payments, healthcare and non-violent crisis intervention services—in order to be cared for.”

 Joining Villanueva in signing the letter were Aldermen Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, Andre Vasquez, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Jeanette Taylor. State lawmakers signing on included Robert Peters, Lakesia Collins and Theresa Mah. Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson also signed.

A Villanueva spokesman acknowledged a news reporter's request for further comment, but said he was not sure if the senator would respond. She has not.

Last month, Villanueva signed into a UWF letter to Lightfoot and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, urging them to refuse to cooperate with federal law enforcement agents deployed to Chicago.
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Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Health Department Will Spray Insecticide in Archer Heights on Thursday Night

A contractor hired by the Chicago Department of Public
Health will spray insecticide to kill adult mosquitoes in all or parts of three communities this Thursday, August 13: South Lawndale, Brighton Park and Archer Heights.

 This is the first spraying to occur in the city this season.

 The move is part of CDPH's effort to protect human health by fighting the annual spread of West Nile virus.

 Weather permitting, the spraying will begin at dusk on Thursday, August 13 and continue through the night until approximately 1 a.m., with licensed mosquito abatement technicians in trucks dispensing an ultra-low-volume spray.

 Here is a map of the area to be sprayed:


South of the Stevenson Expressway, spraying will occur from Kedzie on the east to Kostner on the west, and 43rd Street on the south.



“CDPH closely monitors for potential health risk due to West Nile virus and quickly responds to protect our residents,” said CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D. “While spraying is an important step to protect city residents, the best way to prevent West Nile virus is to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.”

 In addition to spraying, each year CDPH conducts a mosquito surveillance program which includes placing larvacide in catch basins to limit the number of mosquitoes that can carry the virus, and trapping mosquitoes throughout the city and testing them for West Nile virus.



The material being used to control the adult mosquitoes, Zenivex™, is approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and has been widely applied to control mosquitoes in outdoor residential and recreational areas. The spray will be applied by licensed mosquito abatement technicians from Vector Disease Control International, a leader in the mosquito control industry. Guiding the crews through the streets will be supervisors from the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation.

 The spray is not harmful to people or pets and is routinely sprayed in residential areas across the nation. If residents are concerned about the spraying they can choose to stay indoors and close their windows while it is underway. CDPH staff has been leaving door hangers in the affected areas to notify residents that the spraying will occur.
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 As part of ongoing response efforts, CDPH will continue to collect mosquitoes from traps located throughout the city and test these mosquitoes for West Nile virus. CDPH will determine the appropriate steps to best protect Chicago residents based on these results. CDPH reminds residents that the most effective way to prevent West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites.

 • Use insect repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.

 • Eliminate standing water. This includes emptying water from flowerpots, gutters, pool covers, pet water dishes and birdbaths regularly.

 •Keep grass and weeds short to eliminate hiding places for adult mosquitoes.

 •When outside between dusk and dawn, wear loose-fitting, light colored clothing including long pants, long sleeve shirts, socks and shoes.

 • Check that all screens, windows and doors are tight-fitting and free of holes and tears.

 • Check on neighbors regularly who may need additional assistance, including the elderly.

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 West Nile virus cannot be transmitted from person-to-person. Instead, it is transmitted by mosquitoes. Most mosquitoes do not carry the virus. Additional information on the virus, including symptoms and how to protect against the virus can be found at chicago.gov/mosquitoes.




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Friday, July 10, 2020

Teens Launch Pony Ride Business



Popular with kids, available for rentals

 By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

 Motorists in Garfield Ridge have recently been heard saying things like “What the…?” and “Did I just see…?”

 Cellphone photos of what they saw have been popping up on local Facebook pages.

 The photos are of a miniature pony pulling a cart down a side street, and they represent the marketing-on-a-shoestring savvy of two high school entrepreneurs.

 Matthew Orta and Armani Diaz are heading into their seniors years—Orta at St. Rita and Diaz at De La Salle. Both are 2017 graduates of St. Daniel the Prophet School.

 “We plan to study business in college and become entrepreneurs,” Orta said. “We started by cutting lawns. We saved our money and then we saw that this kind of business—pony rides--had potential.”

 Their path was made easier by Diaz’s grandfather, an immigrant farmer with a spread in Frankfort that includes trained ponies and other livestock.

 Their unique business—simply named Garfield Ridge Pony Rentals—launched last week and offers rentals of two 2-year-old miniature ponies and three baby Nigerian dwarf goats.

 Different deals and combinations are offered. The full package includes both ponies and the goats for two hours, at a rental price of $300.

 The carts the ponies pull can carry several children at a time. The baby goats are presented petting zoo-style, in a small pen.

 Orta and Diaz also clean up any mess the animals may make while they are at an event.

 The teenagers see the venture as perfect for children’s parties and other festive occasions.

 The animals are cared for humanely, Orta said. He and Diaz are at the farm daily, ensuring that the ponies and goats are well fed and have fresh water, and that they have access to veterinary care.

 Should the venture succeed, Orta said he and Diaz envision expanding and even hiring their younger brothers to help run the business.

 Those interested in more information on rental packages are advised to visit the pony rental service on Facebook.
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Thursday, April 23, 2020

Online Variety Show Coming This Saturday; Music, Poetry, Dance and More

Clearing Couple Launches 'Bohemian Night'


 By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

 With taverns, nightclubs, theaters and coffeehouses closed—and live entertainment a fading memory—Clearing wife and husband Reneé Blixt and William Seiyo Shehan are pulling together a diverse group of artists to celebrate the human spirit.

 “A Bohemian Night: A Virtual Variety Hour” is set for 8 p.m. Saturday, April 25 online.

 The hourlong event will feature six performers—most from the Chicago area but a couple from beyond.

 “I wouldn’t call it vaudeville, but there will be a variety of performances,” Shehan said. “Singing, spoken word, dance, comedy…I think people who watch and listen will be glad they did.”

 There is no admission charge, and instructions on how to view the event can be found on the “Bohemian Night” Facebook page.

 Renée Blixt has many years on the Chicagoland scene. 

 Renée has played for crowds ranging in size from 6 to 60,000 people, and at venues from churches to bars to stages and stadiums. She is an accomplished pianist, as well as vocalist.

She will serve as mistress of ceremonies for Bohemian Night, and she will perform.

 “We’re well suited to put this together,” Blixt said. “With my background in entertainment and his in tech, I think it will work quite well.”

 Also on the bill is Lemon Knife, a Chicago-based hard rock duo pulling from classic rock, punk, garage rock, and anything built on riffs to create a melodic and eclectic sound that is remarkably big for being put out by two people. 

 Formed by "kindred nerds" Mia Blixt-Shehan (bass, melodic vocals, occasional guitar, musical composition) and John Retterer-Moore (drums, punk vocals, lyrics) in the spring of 2017, they have since played an especially varied assortment of Chicago venues, including Burlington Bar, Reggie’s, Crown Liquors, Moe’s Tavern, several memorable DIY spots, and a few notable non-traditional gigs at events such as YesFest 2018 in Elmhurst and Chicago’s Global Reddit Meetup Day, also in 2018.

 Tracks from their debut album, Songs About Water and Death, have also received considerable radio play by stations such as WKQX’s Demo 312, WIIT, and WRSE. They released a history– based conceptual EP, In Our Darkest Sour, in October 2018, and their second full-length album, I Know That This is Vitriol, in December 2019. They are currently working on their third album, a concept album taking place in the mythological realm of Purgatory.

 Also scheduled to perform is Kyle Strong, keyboardist for Think Floyd USA, a tribute band that honors the music of Pink Floyd.

Also on the bill is comedian Tom Simmons, a self-described contrarian and 21-year veteran of stand-up comedy.

 He has travelled on national tours, headlined comedy-clubs, won comedy festival awards and made numerous TV appearances on major networks including Comedy Central, Showtime, BET, Bounce TV, Comedy.TV, Laughs on FOX, and COMICS Unleashed.
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Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Burke, Quinn, Tabares, O'Shea, Curtis Want 'Line of Duty' Designation for COVID-19 Fallen First Responders


Five Southwest Side aldermen are joining forces to push a proposed ordinance designed to make certain that first responders who pass away from COVID-19 will be considered as fallen in the line of duty.

 The aldermen are Edward M. Burke (14th), Marty Quinn
Ald. Edward M. Burke
(13th), Silvana Tabares (23rd), Matt O'Shea (19th) and Derrick Curtis (18th).


“First responders are on the front lines battling an enemy that has already claimed thousands of lives,” Burke said.  “As members of the City Council, we have a moral obligation to support the loved ones of these heroes who have fallen in this fight against COVID-19.”
The ordinance, drafted with input from the representatives
Ald. Marty Quinn
from the Fraternal Order of Police and Local 2 Firefighters, states the city will categorize any death of a first responder from COVID-19 to be “in the line of duty.”  Recipients of line-of-duty death benefits receive the responder’s annual salary for a year from the time of death; and pending approval of the City Council, the spouse and any children under 26 would get health care benefits.  

 “First responders put their lives on the line every day, but the COVID-19 pandemic has added even more stress and uncertainty,” Quinn added. “This ordinance will help to honor the fallen and help the families who have lost their loved one.”
“There should be no question that if a first responder falls to
Ald. Silvana Tabares
COVID-19 that his or her family deserves the recognition and support from the city,” Tabares said. “If we can pass an ordinance and ease some uncertainty for the heroes who are fighting on the front lines to keep us safe and healthy, we need to do it now.”
Chicago Police officers who pass away in the line of duty are also entitled to a full honors funeral.

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Monday, March 23, 2020

Fly the Flag, Raise Your Voice

Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch Calls for Unity in the
Community

 By Joan Hadac
Editor and Publisher
Southwest Chicago Post

 To promote solidarity in the Clearing and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods, the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch is asking that everyone fly the American flag from the front of their homes on Saturday, March 28.
“Flag Day is usually on June 14 every year, but this year we’re celebrating it early,” said GRNW President Al Cacciottolo. “So fly Old Glory, be proud of our community and know that we stand together against this coronavirus pandemic. We will get through it and emerge even stronger than before.”

 Inspired by last week’s social-distancing sing-along of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” GRNW leaders ask everyone to sing “God Bless America” on a block-by-block basis at 3:28 p.m. Saturday, March 28.



 “The weather is a bit unpredictable,” Cacciottolo said. “So if it’s not raining, everyone could sing at the same time, even walk outside but keep a safe distance from each other, that would be great. If it’s raining, stay inside and sing at your front door or window.”

 GRNW leaders also ask that everyone in the community recognize the sacrifices of frontline responders: police, firefighters, health care workers, grocery store and pharmacy employees, restaurant staffs, truckers and everyone involved in keeping the wheels of the community rolling.

 “Honk your horn as you pass your local firehouse—smile, wave, give a thumbs-up,” Cacciottolo concluded. “Let them know that you appreciate their efforts.” 

Lyrics:

 God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above

 From the mountains to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home

 God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above

 From the mountains to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home

 From the mountains to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home
God bless America, my home sweet home
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