Property Tax forum on January 12, 2022

You may have seen this in a recent email blast from Aldermen Beale's office. Refer to flyer below.

• Ward09.com
• CookCountyAssessor.com

 

Gately's & S.S. Kresge Co. in Roseland #tbt

I found and saved these two photographs from Roseland south of 111th Street and Michigan Avenue. I feel as if these are appropriate because we're in the Christmas season although tomorrow will be Christmas Eve. And of course these two photos don't show South Michigan Ave during Christmas time. 

Probably during much warmer weather. The dates for these photos are unknown perhaps they were taken in the 1960s or 70s. The Gately's store as many of you may know went out of business in the early 1980s. The building that once contained that store has since been demolished after a bad fire. I do believe the sign survived however as I write this no idea as to the whereabouts of that landmark.

As far as S.S. Kresge Company I don't know when that store closed its doors right next door to Gately's. I have found out that S.S. Kresge Co outlets ultimately became the Kmart chain. Do you remember Kmart? I do and many Kmart stores have closed in recent years. Perhaps you shopped at the one that was once located in Oak Lawn on 95th or a number of locations around the city.

I hope you enjoy this look back and I do wish you a Merry Christmas and hoping that you've had a very joyous holiday season.

No porch pirates - or thieves who steal packages off your porch

 Worlee Glover at Concerned Citizens of Chatham offers these tips to ensure that packages and certainly Christmas presents will be in your hand in time for the holiday. 

If you're ordering through Amazon I would advise you to find an Amazon locker near you. Perhaps you might find one in the city parks or a Whole Foods Market near you or at an L station near you - example there's one at 95th Street now. Of course aside from allowing deliveries to be left on your porch at home there are other options highlighted in the below Concerned Citizens post.

Ward Remap 2021

 I wanted to share these maps with you to see the two proposals between the Chicago Coalition/Latino Caucus which is the map that Ald. Anthony Beale signed on to last week and then the Rules Committee/Black Caucus map that said Ald. Beale has an issue with.

Let's start with the City Council Rules Committee Map. I pointed out some geographical points to show what's where. West Chesterfield which is bounded by State to about 93rd Street to King Drive to 95th Street will be split between Wards 6 & 8. It's safe to say currently that area is in Ward 9 solidly.

Altgeld Gardens is drawn into Ward 10. Pullman which is a special concern for Ald. Beale appears to remain within Ward 9. Also where's Ward 34 well from what I've seen so far it's being drawn up near downtown. They pulled a Ward 2 on us this time around, in the last remap in 2011 they drew that ward out of the South Loop and drew it further north. As you see Ward 21 goes further south where 34 used to be and Ward 9 takes a little territory from 34 as well.

As for the Chicago Coalition map which is what Ald. Beale signed on with, especially as far as getting it up for a potential referendum next year. The only changes from the 2011 map is that Ward 6 is sent further west taking from 21 the Chatham Market mall and Simeon High School. Ward 21 again takes up most of what used to be Ward 34 and going further south. Ward 9 looks basically the same with Pullman and Altgeld Gardens with the boundaries and the ward goes all the way up to 87th Street between State and Cottage Grove.

We got basically two very different maps for this part of the south side. Perhaps some of you have your thoughts on these maps. Feel free to email us your thoughts it's in the sidebar.

CBS Chicago: City Council Rules Committee unveils their own draft ward map

 

[VIDEO] I haven't really covered that here on this blog but have delved into this in recent posts over at The Sixth Ward, perhaps you guys might want to talk about this there. I just felt it was necessary to share this blurb from WBBM-TV here on this blog.

I do want to share that Ald. Anthony Beale is unhappy with the politics of the map by the Rules Committee chaired by Ward 8 Ald. Michelle Harris. He was on WGN Radio a few days ago to talk about what's going on with the remap and how it affects him. Ald. Beale really wants to keep the Pullman area in his ward.

#tbt Coffee Pot restaurant

 

Via Flickr

To be honest I hadn't thought about this site Flickr in years. This was a site for photographers to share their works. Of course it seems it has been supplanted by a number of sites as far as sharing photos such as Facebook, Twitter or even Instagram.

Sometimes it's just fun to see some of the items posted there, it's just amazing how advanced have propelled us from the old fashioned camera to a cameraphone.

I never thought I'd see a sign of the old Coffee Pot restaurant near 115th Street & Michigan Avenue. It was part of that mall that was demolished in 2006. And this area is very close to the future stop on the future CTA Red Line extension. Perhaps someone might decide to bring back another version of the Coffee Pot for future commuters.

CBS Chicago: Woman Fires Gun At Would-Be Carjacker In Roseland

 

[VIDEO] This incident took place at the Chase Branch at 103rd & Michigan. She fired a shot at an armed carjacker. The victim has a concealed carry permit and it's unclear whether or not that perpetrator was hit.

Self-defense in action. She's OK and hopefully police will catch that perpetrator.

As always be careful out there! 

CTA Red Line extension meetings in December

Screencaps come from video via CTA

Some of you might have got this in your emails if you've subscribed to any Red Line extension updates

JOIN US!
Final RLE Transit-Supportive Development (TSD)
Plan Virtual Community Meetings:

The CTA is hosting two virtual meetings to get your feedback on the proposed strategies and concepts for Transit-Supportive Development near each of the four proposed RLE station areas. Your input as a community member will help determine the preferred future development of the station areas! Community members are encouraged to attend both meetings!

• Tuesday, December 7th (6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.)
  103rd Street and Michigan Avenue Stations

• Wednesday, December 8th (6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.)
  111th Street and 130th Street Stations

For more information about the TSD Plan, please visit transitchicago.com/RLE/TSD. For questions about the RLE Project and/or the TSD Plan, please contact the project team at RedExtension@transitchicago.com.

I don't plan to copy everything from that email, however, some other parts that are relevant if you want to participate.

Community vision discussion Roseland Medical District Master Plan

Meeting One:

Community Vision Discussion

You are invited and encouraged to participate in planning for the Roseland Community Medical District Master Plan.

Lavizzo Elementary
138 W. 109th St.
Chicago, IL 60628

When?

Community Vision Discussion
Saturday, November 6, 2021
10:00 am - 2:00 pm

• RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/roseland-community-medical-district-master-plan-tickets-200570179807?fbclid=IwAR3vzqEtozwejglx9JHnf477tZ1mWFIhbnOZcXQnAaFIQBm3TvYJ7YILZhY

Refer to flyer from Concerned Citizens of Chatham FB below

CBS Chicago: Overnight carjacking in Roseland

 

[VIDEO] 91-year-old cab driver was shot in a carjacking near 107th & Langley. The victim is being treated at a hospital and police are looking for the carjacker. The victim had been shot after getting out of his Hyundai. 

Be careful out there everyone.

Block Club Chi: New Culver's restaurant in Pullman now hiring

 Culver's is a burger chain that has locations in Bronzeville near 33rd & King Drive and one in Evergreen Park near 95th & Kedzie. They're expanding into the historic south side neighborhood of Pullman. And they're seeking applicants.

Via Block Club Chicago:

The Culver’s will open in early November at 111th Street and Doty Avenue. The restaurant is seeking applicants to fill 60-70 full-time and part-time jobs.

“It’s important that we work in the community to provide people of all ages with new opportunities that offer the skills and experience,” Baron Waller, the owner and a mentor who grew up on Chicago’s West Side, said in a statement. “It is one of the best ways to build a brighter future.”

Although prior restaurant experience is a plus, it is not necessary. Interested applicants can apply on Culver’s website.

...

“We’re excited that Baron has chosen to bring Culver’s to the Pullman and Roseland community,” Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) said in a statement. “Culver’s will be a great addition to the community serving not only residents, but the visitors to the Pullman National Monument Visitor, the Pullman Community Center and employees of all the businesses in the area and more.”

Did you know Harlan High School has a YouTube channel

 

[VIDEO] I like how they did this video uploaded over the past summer which is a prep rally for the girls & boys basketball teams. It starts off with a drumline on a football field - is it from the film Drumline. Then takes a few shots around Harlan High School and then to an intro video of the Chicago Bulls. After that we see some pictures of the players in their jerseys and a few highlights of their games.

Then we see the late Kobe Bryant speaking and then a graphic telling viewers to follow Harlan's live sports & replays at HarlanFalconSports.com

WGN: City leaders, council members debate ShotSpotter use

 

[VIDEO] There is further debate over whether or not ShotSpotter technology is effective in the city at curbing violence. In his report Paul Lisnek, especially notes the spat between Mayor Lori Lightfoot and State's Attorney Kim Foxx on a shooting that took place on the west side where no charges were filed citing "mutual combat". Neither Lightfoot nnor Foxx haven't polled very well on the issue of crime and what happened on the West Side over a week ago probably didn't help their poll numbers.

Supt. David Brown is seen in this report defending ShotSpotter in a city council hearing noting how in using the technology they were able to find wounded victims. Regardless the debate is over whether or not this technology has been a great help in gun violence in high crime areas.

Newsalert: Why does CPS have 160 high schools?

 

Now it makes me wonder about the future of Harlan. The last time I saw enrollment numbers years ago they weren't too far above 300 students at that point. Here's what Newsalert blog states:

The mass exodus out of Chicago's government schools is making news. How can a school district with only 327,000 students ( many who aren't of high school age ) have 160 high schools !

A link in that quote is to another post which further discusses the enrollment decline of CPS schools. 

Looking up Harlan's stats at the CPS website they list current enrollment at 295 students. I don't know if that's for this year or last year.

#Ward09 Resource Fair - October 7, 2021

9th Ward Resource Fair

Thursday, October 7, 2021

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Pullman Community Center

10355 S. Woodlawn

Chicago, IL

 

WGN: More Chicago area Secretary of State office to require appointments starting this week

 

[VIDEO] We've all seen the lines at Secretary of State drivers services facilities since the pandemic. Lines going out the door presumably for the purposes of social distancing. I personally couldn't even imagine standing in a long line just to renew my driver's license or renew my license plates.

Starting this week 16 drivers services facility for the Secretary of State will require appointments. Reserve a time and hopefully your needs will be met in a quick fashion and no waiting in lines. If anyone goes up to the facility at 99th Street & King Drive perhaps you can tell us about your experience with an appointment. Just look for our email in the sidebar to the top left.

Sept. 5th Pullman Nat'l Monument Opening

 

[VIDEO] I see there were other festivities on Labor Day that featured the Governor of Illinois and the Mayor of Chicago among other dignitaries. And of course the Alderman of Ward 9 Anthony Beale was around for this since the nat'l monument is in our ward. Here's to the positives of this new tourist destination on this part of town.

This was recorded by local YouTuber artistmac. Enjoy!

I hope you get a kick out of those antique bikes called penny farthings and the two gents riding them in period clothing.

I hope everyone had a restful and safe Labor Day weekend.

Urbanize Chgo: Historic Pullman Nat'l Monument ready for Labor Day grand opening #Ward09

The Chicago Neighborhoods

Something to look forward to this weekend the National Monument in the historic Pullman neighborhood in our part of the city will have a grand opening this coming weekend.

Jewel-Osco Melrose Park facility hiring

 Long time no see Ninth Ward Chicago so here I share a job opportunity found via Concerned Citizens of Chatham on fb. It's for Jewel-Osco's distribution facility in Melrose Park so hopefully you're prepared for that commute if anyone is interested. Refer to information below if you have any questions about the position posted.

Former Ald. Robert Shaw dies #Ward09

 Robert Shaw served two non-consecutive terms as Alderman of the 9th Ward with his more recent tenure ending in 1998 when he was ultimately succeeded by current Alderman Anthony Beale.

Robert Shaw, a longtime powerhouse of Black leadership in Chicago politics, died Thursday after a battle with cancer at the age of 83.https://t.co/WPfz96Vz91

— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) July 27, 2021

It was noted that in addition to be an alderman he served as a member of the Cook County Board of Appeals and not only ran for Village President of South Holland but attempted to run against Rahm Emanuel in 2014. Here's a statement from Ald. Beale regarding Shaw's death

Current 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale remembers Shaw for his determination and push for inclusivity.

“On behalf of the 9th Ward and the Roseland and Pullman community, I want to express my sincere condolences to the family of Robert Shaw,” Beale said in a statement. “Chicago lost a man whose passion for public service, reaching out to everyone and working with everybody, is one I enjoyed and respected. I will remember him as one who sought solutions to bring people together and to make positive change.”

WGN News: 'Taste To Go' offers reimagined Taste of Chicago experience

 

[VIDEO] I've been wanting to share this event before it occurred for a while and then when I thought about it again it was today - OOPS!

Anyway, you might have gotten an email blast from Ald. Beale which shared a flyer to this event which is to take place in Pullman today. Taste to Go is a number of Taste of Chicago style events to take place around the city. It's cool that one such event takes on our part of town.

WGN shares a short story about this event.

FOX 32: Ald. Beale wants Nat'l Guard to patrol city #Ward09

 

[VIDEO] Ald. Anthony Beale proposes that the Nat'l Guard secure the perimeter of the Loop in the wake of unrest downtown. To be honest, this just seems to be a go to though at least we're not hearing anything about martial law which I think could set a dangerous precedent.

What's the point in this situation get some attention. What's wrong with suggesting that more resources are necessary with what happened the Fourth of July weekend?

Either way as you see in the above FOX 32 story we hear from Ald. Beale and we hear from Mayor Lightfoot. She's quoted as stating the Ald. Beale is a critic who likes to grandstand and lamented that reporters are covering him anyway.

Who's ready for the election for mayor and city council in 2023?

CBS Chicago: Fatal hit & run closes all Dan Ryan southbound lanes

 

[VIDEO] I saw this when I got onto the Dan Ryan heading north this morning at least a half-hour before 7:00 AM which is when this report seemed to have aired. I see IDOT trucks blocking all traffic just before the 95th exit of the expressway. I see IL state police on the other side investigating.

I didn't know what exactly happened until I saw this report from WBBM-TV when I got home this afternoon. Not a lot of details in this report though dramatic video of the heavily damaged vehicle, I thought I saw a pair of jeans. Sorry to hear this was fatal.

Be careful out there.

And I hope you're enjoying your holiday I wish I had shared something more positive today.

Ald. Carrie Austin (Ward 34) indicted

 

[VIDEO] Ald. Austin and her chief of staff were indicted by federal authorities for bribery. Allegedly a contractor wanted to curry favor with the Alderman and offered free home improvements as they sought a contract for a $50 million development in Ward 34.

Video from WGN 

Seen the new 7000 series L cars on the Red Line yet

 

[VIDEO] It appears they're in service on the CTA Red Line as of Monday. Chicagoland Transit on YouTube is showing these newest train sets in action either on the north side and as far south as 63rd Street. Perhaps I'll finally see these trains in action and certainly ride on one.

If you're tired of facing the aisles when you ride this train doesn't have aisle facing seating. Aside from of course priority seating for the elderly or passengers with disabilities.

CBS Chicago: Man shoots at bus after being denied a ride

 

[VIDEO] Reported this morning presumably. A CTA bus was shot at near 119th & Princeton. Thankfully no one was hurt and the shooter was in custody. The shooter got mad because he wasn't allowed a ride on the bus without a face mask.

Although the state & city will open up further on Friday wearing a face mask on public transit is a federal mandate.

#Ward09 Summer clean out fair

 Will be taking place June 17, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Pullman Community Center located at 10355 S. Woodlawn. Also from the email from the Ald. Anthony Beale's office

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer and we've prepared the 9th Ward Summer Clearout Event to kick it off.

Join us for residential shredding, electronic recycling, prescription pill disposal, and general junk removal services. For more information on acceptable items contact the Service Office at 773-785-1100.

You can find more info from the flyer below

I just hate to hear about expressway shootings

 

[VIDEO] This incident occurred near 120th Street on the Bishop Ford (and I still call it the Calumet) Expressway last night at about 10:30 PM. The victim had the wherewithal to drive himself to Roseland Hospital on 111th Street to get treated. As you see in this footage the Illinois State Police scoured the scene looking for evidence.

I've seen too many stories like this especially on fb of shootings on our expressways whether I-57, the Dan Ryan or even the Eisenhower on the way to the West Side.... What can we do about this?

The mayor's office plan for a safe summer 2021

 The Mayor of Chicago seemed to have had a very rough time in office since taking over for Rahm Emanuel in 2019. And now she's unveiled the city's strategy to combat crime and violence during the summer of '21. Do you think she will be successful utilizing for example other city services such as our public libraries and Chicago's parks to give youth something to do this summer.

The graphic below posted to the Mayor's office ig shows which areas will be getting attention in the city. If you swipe for other graphics on that post, there's other information shared about the plan.

Sun-Times: Altgeld Gardens Commercial Building

Via WisconsinHistory.org

Since I mentioned Altgeld Gardens a few days ago on this blog, I found this Sun-Times article on an architecturally significant building in that part of town called the Altgelt Gardens commercial building:

Driving around Chicago's Altgeld Gardens #Ward09

 

[VIDEO] Found this through the YouTube channel CharlieBo313 where he drives around urban neighborhoods throughout America. He's done more than a few videos in the Chicago area driving around inner-city neighborhoods and most recently he drove around the nearby suburb of Harvey, Illinois.

On this recent occasion he drives around the Altgeld Garden neighborhood which has been made famous because a young man named Barack Obama came here to be a community organizer. It's amazing to see how this neighborhood looks in 2021. Perhaps in the near future we'll see how it looks once the Red Line extension is in service.

Hasty Tasty Grill

 Found this in a fb group for Harlan High School alumni this building was said to be located east of Michigan Avenue on 95th Street. No indication of how long this business has been on operation, however, it was said that it was where the "coach buses" used to stop. So perhaps this was the old Trailways depot which is soon to become a food pantry?

CBS Chicago: Workers at south side motor vehicle facility says coronavirus is rampant

[VIDEO] This is out of the Charles Chew Driver Services facility at 99th and King Drive, employees spoke to Jermont Terry hiding their identities over fear of retaliation from the Illinois Secretary of State:

The employees hid their identities, yet spoke out after receiving a letter dated May 1. It warns them someone tested positive for COVID-19 and they were possibly exposed.

“It’s kind of concerning – to not just myself, but everyone else – because we have families to go home to,” the first employee said.

That notice was the second in fewer than three weeks that the Secretary of State sent to employees about a positive case and the chance of exposure. But workers told CBS 2 there is no recommendation or mandate ever to get tested.

And if they do get a COVID test, they say they have to burn up sick time while waiting on the results.

Here's hoping they resolve this as hopefully this state will begin the process of returning to some semblance of normal. 

Is ShotSpotter effective?

 For you Star Wars fans out there "May the 4th be with you"

Now in all seriousness here's something for those of you to discuss. Occasionally on @thesixthward twitter I may run across tweets that note "ShotSpotter" data. I don't really listen to police scanners, however, it seems as if ShotSpotter is noted in police communications.

So this morning over at The Capitol Fax there's a discussion over whether or not ShotSpotter is effective. Can it distinguish between a gunshot, fireworks, construction or even a car backfiring? The Mayor of Chicago is definitely behind using this technology and certainly the response time to check out a possible case of gunfire.

ShotSpotter reliability questioned, but Lightfoot stands firm https://t.co/zin3MJyGrm

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) May 4, 2021

The next question that hopefully you might be able to answer at CapFax is whether or not you think ShotSpotter is effective?

CPS is now hiring crossing guards

 Via Concerned Citizens of Chatham

cps.edu/careers

And any questions email crossingguard @ cps.edu

Sun-Times: Man charged with stabbing 61-year-old woman to death in Roseland

The crime actually occurred last Friday arrest made on Monday:

A man has been charged with fatally stabbing a 61-year-old woman last week in a home in the Roseland neighborhood.

Richard Rollins, 54, stabbed Vicky D. Braboy several times after entering a home in the 100 block of West 111th Place about 1:30 p.m. Friday, according to Chicago police.

Braboy, who lived in the same block where she was stabbed, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Rollins was arrested Monday by the Great Lakes Regional Task Force in the 3000 block of West Roosevelt Road, police said. He lives about a block away from the stabbing.

Mr. Beast feeding a city in need

 

[VIDEO] I shared one Mr. Beast video here already might as well share another one. He has another YouTube channel that involved philanthropy and he shows himself distributing meals to a community in his home state of North Carolina that needs it.

WTTW: Jahmal Cole - Firsthand Coronavirus

 

[VIDEO] Other than digging out snow in Englewood I haven't showed much of the good work of Chatham's Jahmal Cole of My Block My Hood My City. He's actually running for Congress against Bobby Rush and well we have time to know more about Mr. Cole.

In this video, Cole is showing his operation as he helps seniors during this pandemic. Other than helping to dig out snow for those who need it - and beyond that public market in Englewood he does this for snowed in senior citizens - he's insuring seniors have care packages. Especially those who don't want to go shopping especially for things that were in short supply once we had two weeks to flatten the curve - toilet tissue, face masks, hand sanitizer, Lysol, etc.

Pullman tourism poster

 I've been following the work from The Chicago Neighborhood for years. The talent he brings in designing brands for Chicago's neighborhoods and for the many parts of the city that tourists should come visit is impressive.

What if there was still a Lake/Dan Ryan line

 

[VIDEO] Before 1993 trains from 95th Street were instead routed towards the west side through the Loop elevated. After passing through the Loop trains continued west along the Lake Street elevated tracks where the line terminated at Harlem/Lake in Oak Park, Illinois. Basically image the Dan Ryan route from 95th to Cermak/Chinatown (or 22nd Street) being the CTA Green Line which still has Harlem/Lake as its western most terminal now.

What if CTA had never created the CTA Red Line and Green Line as we know it today - after 1993 - and trains from 95th still goes west to Harlem/Lake. And what if the automated announcements we're familiar with on CTA trains reflected this. Well from Chicagoland Transit youtube channel they have created such announcements.

Something I hope you transit aficionados who read this blog will appreciate.

Vaccination event on Friday open to #Ward09 residents only

Unlike the last time there was a blast from Ald. Beale's office about vaccination there are no further details beyond who to contact. The last time we knew where they're vaccinatining people. However like the last vaccination event it was only for 9th Ward residents.

 

Free produce distribution for Greater Roseland #Ward09

The flyer here you may have seen in a recent e-mail blast from Ald. Anthony Beale's office. This event will happen on Friday at the Dollar Tree Parking Lot located on 209 E. 103rd Street. Across from the Burger King and Churches. Open to anyone who is in need of support. Refer to flyer below

 

95th/State on February 1, 2021

 

[VIDEO] I shot this video after the snowfall of January 30 & 31, 2021. You see a mini-loader on this day removing snow on the sidewalks around the former gas station and polish sausage stand. Basically shoveling the snow and dumping it onto the vacant lot behind the fence.

You also see what I showed in a video from 2016, the lot along State Street near the 95th Red Line terminal is now vacant any of the longtime structures that were there are now a memory. Now the next question is what's next on that corner.

Update to the former ISF branch on 87th & King Drive #Ward09

 

You might have seen this on Concerned Citizens of Chatham where a sign was posted on the building to the former Illinois Service Federal now GN Bank branch regarding a zoning change from business to residential. That means they must come to Ald. Anthony Beale for any proposals for this property.

March 16, 2021 9th Ward Residents Only

COVID-19 vaccinations for 9th Ward Residents only at the Pullman Community Center. Just follow the instructions on the flyer below. This is from Ald. Beale's email blast to his constituents.

 

Food pantry coming to 119 E. 95th Street #Ward09

119-121 E. 95th St

This building has been vacant perhaps for over a year it was formerly home to an insurance company, and for many years before that it used to be a Trailways bus depot until that company got bought out by Greyhound. Of course that was at least back in the 1990s. Now it has another hat:

Endeleo Institute, a community group in the majority-Black Washington Heights and Roseland neighborhoods on the city’s Far South Side, received a grant that will allow it to open a food pantry at 119-121 E. 95th St., in a 3,500-square-foot building that once housed an insurance business.

“It’s going to be nothing like a traditional food pantry,” said Executive Director Melvin Thompson. “We really want to dignify the space, to destigmatize this.”

It will be a choice pantry, where people can select what they want. The plan is to offer cooking demonstrations, nutrition education and a financial opportunity center to help people with budgeting.

The building sits on a 12,000-square-foot lot and the hope is to eventually bring a mobile pharmacy to fill a gap left by the closure of several neighborhood pharmacies over the years, Thompson said.

“We really want to take advantage of people coming through the door and fortifying them beyond food but with things that will help them along the way,” Thompson said. He expects to serve 500 to 1,000 people weekly.

West Chesterfield and Roseland Heights Community Associations will partner with Endelo who is affiliated with Trinity Church further west on 95th Street per an e-mail that was forwarded to me.

The main thing is those who aren't able to put food on the table will have somewhere else to go to fill their pantries in their homes. 

CBS Chicago: 22-Year-Old Woman Shot While Sitting In Car In Rosemoor

 

[VIDEO] Sorry to have missed this it was from overnight Thursday into Friday a 22-year-old woman was found shot in her head near 102nd & King Drive reported on WBBM-TV. She survived but due to her injuries was't able to give a good description of the shooters.

WGN: Chicagoans start to dig out following massive snowfall

 

[VIDEO] As we defrost from the heavy snow that fell over a week ago, I wanted to share this video with you all. And to share an idea with any community leaders or business people that perhaps could be expanded to our part of the city at least.

The gist of this story is Jahmal Cole - and if you don't know he's filed to run against Bobby Rush for Congress - organized volunteers to help shovel out this property in Englewood which contains a "free market" implemented by the Resident Association of Greater Englewood or R.A.G.E. The property was formerly a Church's Chicken at one point is a place people to get food, toiletries, etc whatever anyone is willing to donate that is necessary in these difficult unprecedented times.

It's great to see people from all over the city come around and volunteer to help other parts of the city dig out from heavy snow.

My how the streetscape of 95th & State Street has changed #tbt

[VIDEO] It wasn't that long ago that this was the scene from the 95th Red Line Terminal. And the reconstruction is largely done now in 2021. It seems that we're getting ready to see in a new phase in the redevelopment.

Earlier this year the gas station, Ed's Livery building, a currency exchange building, another gas station, and them a Cosmo store have all been demolished. Even the old Jim's Polish stand closed since 2014 were all demolished last month.

So the scene you see here was from back in 2016 and who's have thought all the structures you saw back then would be nothing more than a memory?

Terms for Chicago Teachers to return to the classroom

 If you were concerned about the negotiations between the city and the teacher's union as far as opening public schools back up, here's a post about it from Rich Miller. Gives you a basic idea of what these negotiations are about.

Question of the day https://t.co/Cl8WgNGWB9

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) February 8, 2021

WGN: City prepares for over a week of bitter cold, warming centers open

 

[VIDEO] Rob Sneed reports on the weather as it's expected to get very cold for the next week. The city has warming centers if you need somewhere to stay warm for 24 hrs. Call 311 for a location near you, and they even list some warming center sites within the city.

BlockClubChi: Chatham Building That Housed Black-Owned Bank For Sale For $1.5 Million

 I shared news about this last week on this blog. Jamie Nesbit Golden writes about this.

A Chatham building that housed a Black-owned bank is for sale for $1.5 million. https://t.co/YuYZrYyTlL pic.twitter.com/iq4k623UdG

— Block Club Chicago (@BlockClubCHI) February 5, 2021

CTA Red Line extension meeting regarding the station at 130th street

 I'm sorry I haven't be able to adequately advertise these virtual townhalls regarding the CTA Red Line extension. One had just passed last night, however, regarding the proposed station at 103rd Street as you see in the flyer below. There will be two other meetings on the 103rd Street and Michigan Avenue stops later this month.

Meanwhile StreetsBlog Chicago has a recent story about the meeting about the 130th Street stop for the proposed Red Line extension

Bank branch at 87th & King Drive for sale

347-371 E 87th Street

This former Illinois Service Federal/GN Bank branch is for sale on 87th & King Drive. When driving by I've observed that there's hardly any business taking place there. I and perhaps others who live nearby wondered if this branch had been closed since ISF was purchased by GN Bank. And now we see some evidence of this with this listing shared by Concerned Citizens of Chatham.

This location is right on the borderline of both Wards 6 & 9.

Fran Spielman: SC Johnson steps forward to fund Beale’s $250,000 Roseland ‘cop house’ #Ward09

Sun-Times:

SC Johnson & Son, Inc., a multi-billion dollar manufacturer of household cleaning supplies, identified itself Thursday as the $250,000 corporate donor behind Ald. Anthony Beale’s Roseland “cop house.”

“You can’t get any bigger and more credible than that,” Beale (9th) told the Sun-Times.

“This is a great tool that they fund elsewhere. They wanted to bring it to my community. ... To have a Fortune 100 company step up to the plate in my ward is really a tribute to what we’ve been able to do out here.”

...

The company’s $250,000 commitment in Roseland, where they own Method Manufacturing and a second distribution facility, will test the concept in the Chicago Police Department’s Calumet district.

“As a member of the Chicago community with manufacturing operations in the Pullman neighborhood, SC Johnson is invested in supporting the people and communities where we live and work,” the company said in a statement.

“We view these funds, given to Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, a non-profit organization dedicated to economic development and neighborhood revitalization, as a pathway to help improve outcomes for communities.”

SC Johnson has a vested interest in improving neighborhood safety, Beale said. The company approached him about bankrolling CNI’S purchase and renovation of a Roseland home on a crime-plagued block to create a place where police officers, adult residents and young people can come together to build trust.

After a trip to Racine to see how it works, Beale decided to try it in Chicago, only to have Lightfoot stonewall the idea — with deadly consequences, according to the alderman.

“The very first house we had in mind — we had a contract on it. We ended up losing the contract. Five people have been shot and two people have been killed in or around the house where we were trying to first implement this,” he said.

I got some research to do on this "cop house". How will this plan be implemented? Why is the Mayor of Chicago opposed to it?

We should be trying anything to get crime rates down in the city, and especially in unsafe neighborhoods.

Read the whole thing. 

103rd & Eberhart #tbt #Ward09

 

[VIDEO] I found this article in the archives recently and decided to upload this. On a cold January day in 2015 I was walking along 103rd Street shooting video on my then new iPhone 6. So I captured the traffic near 103rd & Eberhart including this very loud Chevrolet Caprice making a turn onto Eberhart. I wish I could tell you why you hear that helicopter, however, there is heavier traffic seemingly on this street than normal after 4 PM on that day.

If there's anything from the neighborhood or from around the city you'd like to see on YouTube feel free to subscribe and let me know.

Block Club Chi: "My Block, My Hood, My City needs volunteers to help shovel senior’s sidewalks Tuesday."

 

ForMyBlock.org

One of the many wonderful initiatives by MBMHMC founder Jahmal Cole. He's been organizing volunteers to shovel snow for senior citizens for many years around the city. And our city is getting hit my heavy snow as of late:

My Block, My Hood, My City needs volunteers to help shovel senior’s sidewalks Tuesday.

The city got hit with its first big storm of the season Monday night and Tuesday morning.

People who want to help seniors can sign up with the organization online. My Block, My Hood, My City will send them information Tuesday morning about the homes of one or two seniors who need help with shoveling, according to an email newsletter from the group.

Once participants get that information, they will go to those homes and shovel the sidewalks.

CPS: All instruction could be halted if teacher's don't return to work

 For those of you concerned about the back and forth between the city and the teacher's union. The union doesn't want teachers to go back to in-person instruction at the schools. If CPS teachers don't return to school all instruction including virtual instruction could come to a halt.

From the Sun-Times

If Chicago teachers collectively refuse to return to their schools on Monday in defiance of Chicago Public Schools’ reopening orders, the district will consider the labor action a strike, schools chief Janice Jackson reiterated Friday, suggesting the outcome could be all classes coming to a halt.

The 25,000 rank-and-file members of the Chicago Teachers Union are voting through Saturday night on a resolution to continue working from home next week because of health concerns tied to in-person work.

CPS officials have said working from home is no longer an option for about 10,000 educators who have been told to report in person, nor for the 3,800 who have been ordered to schools since early January.

The union has repeatedly argued its action Monday would not be a work stoppage since teachers plan to continue working remotely. The CTU’s pending resolution instead says a strike would start if CPS “retaliates” by locking out all its teachers from remote work as it has done with about 90 pre-Kindergarten and special education staff members who were supposed to report to their schools earlier this month but haven’t shown up.

Mayor lifts stay-at-home advisory on Friday

 From WTTW

Mayor Lightfoot's stay-at-home order will expire on Friday.https://t.co/Qyt26nDX2C

— WTTW (Chicago PBS) (@wttw) January 20, 2021

Mayor Lori Lightfoot will allow the advisory that urges Chicagoans to stay home in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 to expire on Friday, officials announced Wednesday.

Lightfoot updated the advisory Monday to reflect Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s decision to lift the toughest restrictions in Chicago after the Illinois Department of Public Health launched a new plan to add hospital staff and beds where the need is greatest.

Although the order issued Monday extended the stay-at-home advisory until Jan. 30, city officials told WTTW News on Wednesday that was an error.

The mayor on Wednesday morning updated the order for the fourth time to allow it to expire at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

“In recent weeks, Chicago has made significant progress in the ongoing fight against the deadly COVID-19 virus,” said Chicago Department of Public Health spokesperson Andy Buchanan. “While there is much more work to be done, we have reached important milestones in curbing the spread of the virus, and we want to thank the countless Chicagoans that continue to do their part to save lives.”

WGN: MBMHMC near MLK Memorial Bridge this morning

 

[VIDEO] That 15 second clip shared earlier on another post didn't do justice to what My Block My Hood My City did at the Charles Chew Secretary of State facility on this MLK holiday. And I also wanted to share this FB post over at MBMHMC today regarding this volunteer PPE giveaway.

MLK: 'Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.'

 

[VIDEO] I was driving along King Drive one evening and saw the lettering on the bridge. I knew of the designation of this bridge over the Bishop Ford fka Calumet Expressway as the MLK memorial bridge. It's something Roseland Heights Community Association is talking about. It's great to know Jahmal Cole's My Block, My Hood, My City was involved with along with the Rosemoor Community Association.

Meanwhile, this morning My Block, My Hood, My City was handing out PPE to senior citizens at the nearby Secretary of State facility at 99th & King drive on the MLK holiday as you see in this short video from WBBM-TV. [VIDEO]

Chicago Tribune: Authorities investigating ‘suspicious package’ at Far South Side Metra facility

I'm checking the Metra website and see no mention of any service updates with regards to this. Trains were stopped during rush hour, however, nothing that shows definitively that service has been continued.

This was the story from the Tribune as of 4:30 Friday evening.

A Far South Side Metra facility was evacuated and Metra Electric District trains were halted Friday afternoon after an employee noticed a suspicious package, Metra officials said.

The package was reported at a maintenance facility at 12301 S. Indiana Ave. in the West Pullman neighborhood, Metra spokesman Michael Gillis said. As of about 4 p.m., Metra Electric trains were still stopped, and authorities continued to investigate the threat.

The trains were halted around 3:20 p.m. “out of an abundance of caution” because the line passes near the facility, Gillis said.

#tbt Chicago History Today: Then and Now, Torrence-112th

112th & Torrence in 1947

 A bit outside of the scope of this blog, however, this shows a different scene from what's at this same location just last year. This photo and the 2020 photo is seen at Chicago History Today blog which shares:

In 1947 the Wisconsin Steel plant dominated this section of Torrence Avenue. Here, at paper-112th Street, was the southern terminal of the South Deering streetcar line. By then an off-street turn-around loop was already in place—the tracks are visible at the bottom of the older photo. However, most of the double-ended cars still changed directions the old-fashioned way, parked in the middle of the street while the seats and trolley poles were flipped.

Buses replaced streetcars on Torrence Avenue soon after the 1947 photo was taken. Today those buses use that off-street loop. Wisconsin Steel closed in 1980. The drinking fountain that guy in the older photo was using is gone, too,

High-Low Foods on E. 111th Street #tbt

Via Pete Kastanes of Vanished Chicagoland. This store was located at 409 E. 111th in the Roseland neighborhood. This is the corner of 111th & King Drive and the building itself is still standing, the business itself is still a neighborhood corner store.

Here is a photo of a High-Low Foods Store. Once located at 409 E 111th St in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago. pic.twitter.com/5MNegwpQuD

— Pete Kastanes (@PeteKastanes) January 6, 2021

Here is a Google Streetview look at the same location in 2019

IL driver services facilities are reopening today

 

[VIDEO] This was reported not long after the new year on WBBM-TV, however, it's worth sharing with you that secretary of state driver's services facilities will reopen today. Of course we're still in a pandemic so perhaps what you experienced during the summer last year before they closed down facilities again will still be ongoing.

Check out WBBM's Jim Williams for more details for example:

Extended to June 1st are expirations of driver's licenses and I.D. cards

Also it's advised that you visit cyberdriveillinois.com for renewals of license plates, driver's licenses, and I.D. cards.

BTW, Happy New Year's. I hope it was both safe and enjoyable.