Newsletter 1

Volume XI, Issue 10 November 2009

ALDERMANIC MESSAGE

I am a product of the Chicago Public School System aswere my siblings and most recently my nieces andnephews that live in Chicago. My mother was one of those Blacks who protested the Willis Wagons thechildren in our middle class communities were educatedin, because of the segregated housing conditions. TheWagons disappeared; they built a couple of new schools;they let some of the Black children integrate some highschools and then a decade later they created the SelectiveEnrollment/Magnet Schools. We of course, knew that bythat time, there were not enough White students left tointegrate CPS but obviously some of the Judges andlawyers in the ACLU decree did not. So the cream of thecrop in Black elementary schools was skimmed off asthose parents who were committed to education sent theirchildren to the schools with the greatest resources.So we watched as the community schools continued todeteriorate and for the past 20 years the Black middleclass jumped through hoops to get their children intothose Selective Enrollment/Magnet/Classical Schools.(As an example McDade with only 30 spots gets up to500 applications for its Kindergarten class.) Thosestudents that won these slots overall did very well and inreality helped keep the Chicago Public Schools fromreceivership by the scores they earned each year.Remember that this was at a time when there were fewWhites knocking down the doors to get into a ChicagoPublic School.

Aldermanic Message

ontinued on Page 2

Your monthly message from Alderman Freddrenna

M. Lyle

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pg. 1 Aldermanic MessageNational Association for Black Veterans, Inc. (NABVETS)Pg. 2 Aldermanic Message Continued6

Ward Business FairHard Work Pays Off Pg. 3 FYI and Save the DatePg. 4 LIHEAP Customer Application ServicesRebates for Energy Efficiency UpgradesShare the Warmth ProgramOne Stop Utility Assistance Day

Happy Thanksgiving!

NATIONAL ASSOC. FOR BLACK VETERANS

The National Association for Black Veterans, Inc.(NABVETS), initially the “Interested Veterans of theCentral City (IVOCC),” was established by seven VietnamCombat Veterans. IVOCC was incorporated in Milwaukee,Wisconsin (1969), and reorganized (1973) to becomeNABVETS - a membership service organization - with thecharge to address issues concerning Black and otherminority veterans.On April 2, 1998 NABVETS was certified “for thepurpose of preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs,” as a national veterans serviceorganization by the Department of Veterans Affairs.NABVETS has served as a leader to address the unmetconcerns of minority and low-income veterans throughdirect services, empowerment training and collaborativepartnerships; and in the service design to address the“holistic” issues of homelessness among veterans. Sinceinception, NABVETS has provided direct services to65,000 veterans and on behalf of 240,000 veterans -primarily of the Vietnam and post-Vietnam era. NABVETSaccomplishes its veterans’ services through partnershipswith community-based and veterans’ organizations, federal,state and local governments, human service agencies, andconcerned citizens.NABVETS is recognized nationally for its advocacy forfamily and youth empowerment, and communitydevelopment. Over the last 29 years, NABVETS led severalcampaigns to bridge the void for mainstream services toBlack, all low-income and homeless veterans. For moreinformation about NABVETS visit the websitewww.nabvets.orgor

call 1.877.NABVETS

(1.877.622.8387).

Newsletter 2

Congratulations go out to our very own Kari Steele, Presidentof the 6

Ward Young Democrats and Chair of the Cook County Young Democrats. Kari filed more than 22,000signatures securing her spot on the ballot at the Feb. 2

Primary Election. She is running for the position of Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.A chemist who has actually worked in MWRD and at JardineWater Filtration Plant, she is absolutely, unequivocally, highlyqualified for the seat. P.S. Don’t let her baby face fool you.Kari is employed at L’Oreal as a chemist, and is older than shelooks. Congrats go out also to the proud Mom and Dad,Debbie and Justice John O. Steele.Also making the ballot from the super 6

, were Elliott Powell,Linnae Bryant, Judge Thaddeus Wilson, and Judge ArnetteHubbard. More on these races in the months to come.

Aldermanic Message continued from page 1

Fast forward to now. After the building boom in theSouth, North and West Loop; after new communities havesprung up where derelicts used to linger and after theeconomy has crashed, making those who previously paidtuition clamber for seats in the free schools, the times aredifferent. Some things have changed greatly but one thingremains the same, Chicago still has the most raciallysegregated housing of any City. As a result, in a few years,the public schools will mirror those of the 50's and 60's.The children in the White community will get an excellenteducation with a dozen or so children of color inattendance. The poor children in the Black communitieswill get more experiments in education, i.e. Charters, turnaround Schools, etc. The children of middle class parents,those with options, will exit the system just as their Whitecounterparts did in the 70's and 80's. Some will finally fleeto suburbia. Others will cut back on enrichment programsand pay tuition.Of course it won't be because they don't want to be inschool with other Blacks, most of us live in Black communities already. Instead it will be because they knowthe neighborhood schools that they are now being told theirchild must attend have been neglected, under funded,understaffed and allowed to stagnate. It will be becausethey know that there is no commitment to educating ourchildren. It will be because they have seen every other highschool within our community close, making the‘community school’ a dumping ground. It will be becausethey know that a child who has been convicted of armedrobbery can sit next to an honor student in the cafeteria(and strangely enough the law says even the school staff can’t be told the nature of a student’s crime). It is becausethe idea of ‘separate but equal’ reminds them/us of someother period in our history that we have worked real hard toforget. Déjà vu anyone?An update on our Urban Agriculture plans….We have requested that the various City departmentsmeet and evaluate our current Ordinances to remove anyand all barriers to urban farming, and Aquaponicsoperations. Currently there are a couple of farms in theCity including one in Grant and another in WashingtonPark. The one we are trying to create in the 6

Ward willbe at least 4 full lots. At another location we will behousing the Market which will serve as a distribution pointfor other City farmers and farmers from Pembroke andsurrounding Illinois communities.On Veteran’s Day, Ald. Helen Shiller and I toured theGrowing Home farm, and looked at some potential sites forthe year round Farmer’s Market I want to create here in the‘hood. Anyone been to Eastern Market in DC? Well if youhave, that’s the vision we’re shooting for with someChicago twists.

Freddrenna Lyle

ATTENTION 6

WARD BUSINESS OWNERS

Alderman Freddrenna Lyle

Business and Economic Revitalization Assoc. (BERA)And Chatham Business Association’s (CBA)

Presents…

The 6

WARD BUSINESS FAIR

Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 7:45 a.m.

Networking & individual consultation available 7 am to 7:45 a.m.

New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church754 E. 77

St.

(

Free Parking

)

Representatives from the CITY OF CHICAGO’SDepartments of Community Development, Revenue,Business Affairs & Licensing, Streets & Sanitation,Zoning and Transportation will attend and other citydepartments are pending. Representatives fromCongressman Bobby L. Rush’s office and the SmallBusiness Administration (SBA) will also be inattendance. Chicago Police Dept. personnel will beavailable to talk about safety.Information will be presented about:--Building and Strengthening your Business--Business Licensing Agreements--Operating and Staying in Business--Procurement Opportunities for NeighborhoodBusinessesBring promotional materials and plenty of businesscards. This is a great opportunity to network with otherbusiness owners in the 6

Ward. For more informationabout this event, call Francine Smith 773.846.7006 orAlicia Spears 773.783.2636.

FREE CONTINENTIAL BREAKFAST AT 7:00 A.M.

HARD WORK PAYS OFF!

Congratulations go out to our very own Kari Steele,President of the 6

Ward Young Democrats and Chair of the Cook County Young Democrats. Kari filed morethan 22,000 signatures securing her a spot on the ballot atthe Feb. 2

Primary Election. She is running for theposition of Commissioner of the Metropolitan WaterReclamation District. A chemist who has actuallyworked in MWRD and at Jardine Water Filtration Plant,she is absolutely, unequivocally, highly qualified for theseat. P.S. Don’t let her baby face fool you. Kari isemployed at L’Oreal as a chemist, and is older than shelooks. Congrats go out also to the proud Mom and Dad,Debbie and Justice John O. Steele.Also making the ballot from the super 6

, were ElliottPowell, Linnae Bryant, Judge Thaddeus Wilson, andJudge Arnette Hubbard. More on these races in themonths to come.

Newsletter 3

F. Y. I.F. Y. I.F. Y. I.F. Y. I.

Watch

the 6

Ward Scene

CAN-TV Channel 19

Every 1

and 3

Thursday, 6:00 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE!!!

One Stop Utility Assistance Days

All Seminars 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.Sat., Nov. 21, Olive Harvey College,10001 S. WoodlawnSat., Dec. 5, Malcolm X College1900 W. Van BurenSat., Dec. 12, Daley College7500 S. Pulaski

(See page 4 for details)

Englewood Community Direct Services Fair

Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, 9:00 am -1:00 pmHarper High School - 6520 S. Wood St.

(See FYI Column for Details)

Housing Resource & Financial Education Fair

Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, 8:30 am – 3:00 pmAKArama Foundation Community Service Ctr.6220 S. Ingleside Ave.Refreshments…Raffles…Door PrizesFinancial Literacy Workshops & Services BoothsCall 773.363.6220 for details.

Candidates Forum (Feb 2

Election)

Saturday, November 14, 2009, 11:00 a.m.New Covenant MB Church754 E. 77

St.

(Free Parking)

(See FYI Column for Details)

Ward Business Fair

Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 7:45 a.m.New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church754 E. 77

St.

(Free Parking)

(See page 2 for details)

Night Club at Noon

Wed., November 18, 2009, 11:00 am -3:00 pmAvalon Park – 1215 E. 83

St.Enjoy an afternoon of music, dancing, food, fashionsand more. 25 and older - Fee $10.00

Ward Monthly MeetingsThursday, December 10, 6:30 p.m.

Carter Temple C.M.E. Church - 7841 S. Wabash Ave.(Enter thru parking lot on 79

St.)

Please help the needy by bringing a non-perishable food item,gloves or a hat to the meeting. The items will be donated todisadvantaged families.

Candidates Forum…

Perri Small, WVON Radio, willmoderate a Candidates Forum Sat., Nov. 14

at NewCovenant MB Church, 77

& Cottage Grove (Free Parking).The invited candidates include: Alexi Giannoulious, CherylJackson and David Hoffman all running for

U.S. Senator

;Rickey Hendon, Art Turner and Scott Lee Cohen all runningfor

Lt. Governor

; Todd Stroger, Dorothy Brown, TerranceO’Brien, and Toni Preckwinkle all running for

Cook County Board President;

William Beavers and Elgie Sims eachrunning for

Cook County Commissioner-4

District

. Theforum is sponsored by Chatham Avalon Park CommunityCouncil, Chesterfirld Community Council, ConcernedCitizens of Burnside, Park Manor Community Council andThe Roseland Heights Community Association.

The Englewood Community Direct Service Fair…

TheEnglewood Community in conjunction with the ChicagoPolice Department and 311 City Services invites you to findthe resources you need at the Englewood Community DirectService Fair. Information on the following resources andservices that will be available include: Dental Care, CityServices, Education, Housing, Well Care, Immunizations,Financial Matters, CAPS, Illinois Secretary of State (forDriver’s License Renewal), A Silver Lining Foundation(Cancer Education & Services, Dr. Sandy – NBC), For moreinformation call Officers Spaulding or Clark 312-747-6722.

Healthy Lifestyles Tips…

If you or your child has thefollowing symptoms, run, don’t walk to your nearest medicalprovider, you might have contracted H1N1. The symptomsof 2009 H1N1 flu virus include fever, cough, sore throat,runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may beinfected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1 and haverespiratory symptoms without a fever. Severe illnesses anddeaths have occurred as a result of illness associated with thisvirus. If you have been diagnosed as having or think youhave H1N1, do society a favor and stay home. Uh, unlessyou work for Walmart, in that case you’d better go to work.So, don’t forget to wash your hands often and use handsanitizer when washing isn’t possible.Also, have you read the ingredients on that can of vegetableslately? If not, you would be surprised to know how muchsodium it contains. Frozen vegetables contain significantlyless salt, so let’s start moving away from that can and cuttingback on the salt.