Has Testing of Children Gone Too Far? Come to Kennedy HS and Learn About It

Has standardized testing of our children gotten out of hand?

Is it a reasonable way to measure academic progress or has it become "counterproductive and a lucrative business that violates our children's civil rights," as increasing numbers of parents and teachers are saying?

Interested in learning more?

Mark your calendars for 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 30 at Kennedy High School, 56th and Narragansett, and attend a meeting sponsored by the SWside Parents Alliance, a group that describes itself as "proactive parents from our Southwest Side neighborhood schools organized to raise awareness of issues affecting public education. We are parents from Grimes-Fleming, Hale, Byrne, Kinzie, Ray, Young, Kelly and Curie. Please join us!"

Admission is $5 per person. Special guest speaker, plus the screening of "Standardized," a thought-provoking film about this important issue.

Check out the trailer for the film.

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CPD Issues Alert: Attempted Kidnapping of 10-Year-Old Girl Near 51st and Kildare

Just released this afternoon by Chicago Police:

Archer Heights Civic Association is a "Legendary" Group, Governor Says

Governor Pat Quinn served as guest speaker at Wednesday

night's meeting of the Archer Heights Civic Association, held at the UNO Veterans Memorial School, 47th and Kildare.

Quinn also installed the AHCA's new slate of officers, calling the group "legendary" as an established, effective organization that works to make the community a better place.

The AHCA honored several of its longtime officers, including outgoing Treasurer Ellie Fudasz, outgoing Corresponding Secretary Darlyne Delaney, and former President Stanley Lihosit.

In a refreshing break with politics as usual, Quinn did not deliver a political stump speech, but instead offered some brief but profound thoughts on the importance of citizen involvement in a democracy---praising the AHCA and its members as strong examples of ordinary men and men working together to build and maintain a great community.

The Southwest Chicago Post was there to capture the moment.

With continued frigid temperatures in the air and plenty of potentially dangerous black ice on the ground, meeting attendance was at about 50, less than half of what the popular neighborhood group would expect under better conditions.

The Archer Heights Civic Association, one of the oldest and most successful community organizations in Chicago, is beginning its 76th year of service in making the neighborhood one of the very best in the city.

According to a statement released by the AHCA, "Governor Quinn is no stranger to the Archer Heights Civic Association and has come to civic association meetings several times throughout his political career. The AHCA first became familiar with Patrick Quinn in the 1980’s when he came out to speak as the head the Coalition for Political Honesty. Then in 1982, Quinn came before the AHCA as a candidate for Commissioner of the Cook County Board of Tax Appeals and after winning that election, came again to talk about the “Citizens Utility Board” that he was instrumental in creating. Later, Patrick Quinn came to every “candidates night” that we held when he ran for state treasurer (1986), and again in 1990 when he was successfully elected to that position and once more in 1995.  He also came to AHCA during his campaign for United States Senate (1996), and for lieutenant governor in 1998. Then in 2002 Patrick Quinn again came to Archer Heights during his successful campaign for lieutenant governor.  Upon the resignation of Rod Blagojevch, Quinn assumed the governor’s position, was reelected in 2010, and now becomes the first sitting governor to come to our civic association."

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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 12-year-old bucket boy was robbed on the street in front of the Clarion Hotel at 7353 South Cicero at 1:35 p.m. Friday, December 27. The victim told police, "I was just beatin' on my bucket" with a 15-year-old fellow street performer when three thugs approached. One hit him in the head and stole $17 cash from his pocket before running away south on Cicero. The other bucket boy also was hit in the head, but was not robbed.

The boys refused medical attention, and police transported them back home to West Englewood. The robber is described as a black boy age 17, brown eyes, short black hair, dark complexion, wearing a black hoody and blue jeans. The two with him were described only as black males.

Bucket boys, viewed by some as enterprising street musicians trying to make an honest dollar and by others as a nuisance and even swindlers, have appeared on an increasing number of streets in the city in recent years. (Video below for illustration purposes only. This is not the victim.)

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A 37-year-old Chicago Lawn man has been charged with the murder of an 18-year-old Scottsdale woman that occurred at a house party near 63rd and California at 10:15 p.m.

Adan Montano

Monday, January 6.

Adan Montano faces one count of first degree murder, police said. The victim, Stephanie Serrano of 83rd and Komensky, was stabbed several times, including in the eye and armpit. She was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 11 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

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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, January 8. 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.

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A 28-year-old woman from Athens, Georgia was robbed as she sat on a westbound CTA bus near 55th and Kostner at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, January 4. The woman was headed to Midway Airport to catch a flight and was seated near the back door of the bus, texting on her cell phone, when two criminals snatched the phone and bolted from the bus. The robbers are described as black boys age 17, 5'9 to 5'10 and 180 pounds, black hair, dark complexion.

* * *

A 27-year-old Alsip man was robbed at knife point by a man who gave him a ride in his car. The crime occurred at the west edge of Ford City Mall, 7601 South Cicero, on New Year's Day. The victim had offered the man $12 to drive him home. The offender then pulled a knife and took $20 cash from the victim, before driving away south on Cicero in a small, dark car. The offender is described as a black man age 35-40, 5'8 and 160 pounds, brown eyes, black hair, light complexion.

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An 18-year-old gangbanger was shot, apparently by a rival gang member, as he walked on a sidewalk in front of 3717 West 81st Place at 11:15 a.m. Monday, December 30. The victim told police that the shooter appeared to be an Arab man, with no other description provided. 

After being hit twice in the left arm and once in the left side of his stomach, the victim fled on foot, eventually finding a Streets and Sanitation truck near 82nd and Lawndale and asking for help. The crew member, a 56-year-old South Side man, called police. The victim was transported via CFD ambulance to Christ Hospital.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 61st and Kostner and stole an air compressor and two cases of beer. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 40-year-old woman, at 3:30 a.m. Thursday, January 2. She explained to police that she had not locked the service door to the garage, because the lock freezes in winter.

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Burglars broke into a home near 56th and Kolmar and stole two watches, assorted jewelry, a money clip and two collectible coins. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 60-year-old man, when he came home from work at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 2 and found his bedroom ransacked.

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Burglars forced open the rear window of a home near 56th and Lawndale and stole three laptop computers, a camcorder, an Xbox 360 video game console, and assorted jewelry worth $3,000. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 36-year-old woman, when she came home at 1:23 a.m. Wednesday, January 1.

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Hot, Tasty Lunch Chases Winter Chill

With winter's chill finally with us, we stopped in today for lunch at one of the best places anywhere to get a meal that is both hot and delicious---Lindy's/Gertie's at 6544 West Archer.

Taco salad, plus two steaming Tom Tom tamales smothered in Chicago's best chili and grated cheese, with a Green River and a Cherry Coke providing a sweet bit of color.

Sooo good.....

Do you have a favorite place to get a good hot meal in winter? Let us know. We'll check it out!

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Letters to the Editor

Editor's note: We respect your opinion and are privileged to share it via this website. All letters to the editor will

be reviewed before being posted. We do allow anonymous comments, yet we will not allow the Southwest Chicago Post to serve as a forum for bigotry of any kind. We also will not allow personal attacks against anyone, including elected officials and other public figures. On this site, all of us need to keep our tone respectful and our criticisms constructive. That's important as we work together to build better Southwest Side neighborhoods for all. So please join the conversation by sending your letter to editor@swchicagopost.com.

* * *

Dear Editor,

I would like to take this time to thank all community members who I have crossed paths with during my tenure as the 8th District CAPS Sergeant. It has been my privilege over the last two years serving as your intermediary between the community and the police department. I have met some truly remarkable people. The last two years have been the most rewarding years of my 22-year career, which I attribute solely to you, the fine, caring, and devoted citizens of the 8th District.

I left the police department with a heavy heart, yet with visions toward the future. I have moved my family west to Arizona, where I have started a new career as the Manager of Global Security for the West Coast Division of Edward Jones Financial.

I will never forget the times I spent in CAPS, the 8th District, or the police department in general. Chicago will always be my true home! Stay safe and remain strong as a community.

Al Cain

* * *

Dear Editor,

Thank you for posting that nice video you did of the local Christmas decorations last year. Are you doing another one this year?

Dee Karstens

Clearing

Editor's reply: Just as we did in 2012, we were out late on Christmas Eve of 2013, shooting some great local decorations. We finished just before midnight and then edited it in the wee hours of Christmas Day. And then the computer we were using crashed. So we hope to post it in the days ahead, when the computer is back from the repair shop.

* * *

Editor,

Over the last year or so, I noticed that you occasionally seem to take joy in dinging the other local newspapers for being under the thumb of the local politicians.

I agree with you on that, but why have you not said anything yet about Steve Landek buying the Southwest News-Herald, or did I miss it? There's something to criticize. Politicians buying newspapers. No more independence.

John Wilkosz

Garfield Ridge

Editor's reply:  Thanks, John. Several thoughts. First, politicians have every right to own and operate newspapers, just as we all do.

Second, we wouldn't worry about the News-Herald's independence being compromised. To a large degree, it already was serving as a bulletin board for politicians' press releases and photos. So in that regard at least, it had nowhere to go but up, in our opinion. Chances are, it will.

Third, we have no bone to pick with Steve Landek. While he has his share of fans and foes, there's no denying he's a man of action. A do-er in a world of ditherers. State senator, Lyons Township Democratic committeeman, mayor of Bridgeview, and more. Speaking from our Southwest Side perspective, we only wish he were mayor of Bedford Park, rather than Bridgeview---because that way, Toyota Park would have been built at 65th and Central, and Landek would have built the Central Avenue Overpass and underpasses at 63rd and 65th and Neva. Really.

Finally, we encourage everyone to judge Steve Landek and the rest of the new ownership team at the Southwest News-Herald by their actions, not words. Give them a chance. The design changes they've already made make the paper easier on the eyes. We definitely wish them well, as we do all local newspapers, and hope they prosper in 2014.

* * *

Editor,

It's sad that your website serves as a mouthpiece for [23rd Ward Alderman Michael R.] Zalewski. You let him go on and on in the video at Normandy Park, beating his chest about all his so-called achievements. Sad.

Anonymous

Editor's reply:  Thanks for the feedback. Regarding the video from Normandy Park, we shot, edited and posted it C-SPAN style, meaning we just let our cameras roll, mostly from start to finish, and post it as is, for two reasons: to let people unable to attend an event see the whole thing, as if they were there, and to let people make up their own minds about what's being said.

Regarding Alderman Zalewski, rest assured that we have as many criticisms of his job performance as we do other elected officials. Among them are a poor record on local economic development, streets often in poor repair, a fairly static aldermanic website that appears not to have been updated in several months, no social media tools for people to interact with the alderman quickly and efficiently, and a few other things. He needs to add to staff or shuffle existing staff, do something to ratchet things up before the aldermanic primary in 2015. With re-districting seeing the 23rd Ward lose so many Garfield Ridge precincts to the 13th and 14th Wards (another criticism that can be leveled at Zalewski) and gain so many new ones east of the airport, Zalewski may find himself in a political battle for survival. The time for him to act is now. Will he? And will it be enough? Time will tell.

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Editor,

I just want to say that I thoroughly enjoy the crime reports that you publish. It gives me a glimpse into things that I don't get anywhere else, even our neighborhood meetings. Please keep it coming.

Delores Murphy

Scottsdale

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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 30-year-old West Lawn man was arrested and charged with criminal trespass to land after

Noel Castillo

he was spotted in a garage near 63rd and Kostner at 3:02 a.m. Friday, December 27.

Noel Castillo of 6210 South Kildare will answer charges in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 34, 155 West 51st Street, on Wednesday, January 8.

According to police, a witness said he saw Castillo pounding on the garage's overhead door and trying to lift it with a stick. The witness said he then heard Castillo kick in the garage's service door. Police officers responding to a 911 call said they saw the service door open and Castillo standing behind it, with a stick lying nearby.

* * *

Anthony C. Donaldson

A 50-year-old South Side man was arrested and charged with retail theft after he allegedly stole a number of items and threatened the manager of the Walgreens at 3920 West 79th Street at 3:24 p.m. Sunday, December 29.

Anthony C. Donaldson of 7604 South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is scheduled to answer charges on Monday, January 6 in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48, 155 West 51st Street.

Walgreens staff told police that they had observed Donaldson stuffing merchandise into his jacket, including a utility knife set, six tubes of

3920 West 79th Street

toothpaste, a bottle of eye drops, three bottles of pain killers, two bottles of cough medicine, and two toy helicopters. They claimed that when confronted, Donaldson made threatening gestures with what they thought was a knife, but which turned out to be a pair of needle nose pliers.

* * *

A 27-year-old Ashburn man was shot in the lower back by a thug who tried to rob him in the parking lot of Pizza Nova, 3836 West 79th Street, at about 5:00 p.m. Monday, December 30.

3836 West 79th Street

The victim told police he had just pulled up in his car when a robber got in the passenger side, sat down, drew a revolver and said "Give me your money and cell phone." When the victim saw a second assailant approaching his vehicle, he bolted from the car. The first assailant then shot him, before fleeing on foot--empty handed---with the other criminal, south through the parking lot, then east on 79th Street.

The victim then ran to a friend's house nearby and called police. He was transported by CFD ambulance to Christ Hospital.

The robbers are described as black men age 18-22, 5'11 to 6'1 and 160-170 pounds, dark complexion.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you

live in Beat 834 (see map), come to Bogan High School at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, 

January 2. 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 burglar cut through fencing at a construction site at 54th and Harlem (Jet Brite Car Wash)

54th and Harlem

and stole scaffolding worth about $1,000. The crime occurred at midnight Monday, December 23. Video surveillance showed the burglar to be a white man age 35-45, driving a white Ford F150 pickup truck.

* * *

5403 South Harlem

Burglars forced open the front door of the Verizon Wireless store at 5403 South Harlem and stole 15 cell phones. The crime was discovered by a manager (a 39-year-old man) at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 27.

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Burglars pried open the rear window of a home near 62nd and Menard and stole three acoustic guitars, 25 collectible hockey jerseys (worth an estimated $6,000), and two I-Pass transponders. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 37-year-old man, when he returned home at 11:50 p.m. Wednesday, December 25.

* * *

A 60-year-old Scottsdale man returned home from vacation at 11:10 p.m. Saturday, December 28 to find the back door of his home near 86th and Komensky kicked in and his residence burglarized.

Stolen in the crime were two laptop computers, two TVs and a fur coat.

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A 19-year-old West Lawn woman and her 24-year-old boyfriend from Back of the Yards were robbed at gunpoint as they walked on a sidewalk near 60th and Kolin at 3:10 a.m. Sunday, December 29.

The victims said they were approached by two well dressed men, one of whom asked to borrow a cigarette lighter. As the victims obliged, one of the robbers pulled a revolver and demanded their valuables---stealing two cell phones and a total of $200 cash before fleeing on foot south and possibly getting into an older gray van.

The two criminals are described as black men age 19-23--one 5'4 and 130 pounds and the other 5'9 and 170 pounds, both dressed in black.

* * *

A 40-year-old Archer Heights woman was robbed as she walked on a sidewalk in front of 5030 South Kolin at 3:20 p.m. Sunday, December 29. She told police she was coming home from shopping when a thug pushed her to the ground, snatched her purse and fled on foot.

The victim said that her purse contained $300 cash, along with various IDs. Her arm was injured in the attack, although she refused medical attention. The criminal is described as a white man age 18-20, 5'8.

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Burglars broke the lock on a wrought iron gate, entered a garage near 63rd and Kolin and stole a 24-foot ladder. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 51-year-old man, at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 25.

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Burglars cut the lock on the door of a garage near 57th and Parkside and stole several power tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, an 84-year-old woman, at 8:00 a.m. Sunday, December 29.

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Burglars entered a basement apartment near 55th and Keeler and stole a cell phone, a digital camera, a bottle of perfume, assorted clothes, and $160 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 38-year-old man, at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 24. There was no sign of forced entry, police said.

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Burglars entered a garage near 62nd and Melvina and stole a lawnmower and various lawn care tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 53-year-old man, at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, December 29. There was no sign of forced entry, police said.

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Burglars entered a home near 51st and Newland and stole a hand gun in its case, several dozen rounds of ammunition, a jewelry box with assorted jewelry inside, two watches, a bottle of perfume, two laptop computers, a tablet computer. The crime was discovered by the victims, a 33-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, at 1:55 a.m. Sunday, December 29.

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