6th Ward July Newsletter 2009

Your monthly message from Alderman Freddrenna M. Lyle

Volume XI, Issue 7

July 2009

Maintaining Normalcy in a Time of Madness! ALDERMANIC MESSAGE Maintaining normalcy in a time of madness takes effort, but we have been working overtime to move forward with our programs and development plans amidst the drug/gang wars that are erupting all around us. So what have we been doing? We’ve got 10 young people working for us this summer in the City’s Youth Ready Chicago program. They are refreshingly talented, hard working, well mannered, polite and smart. You will be seeing them surveying businesses, mapping vacant lots, cleaning median strips and flower planters, in our office filing and inputting data and you may hear them answering our phones. The purpose of the program is two fold, 1) to provide them with work experience and a little income and 2) to show them that service to their community after they graduate from College is a necessity, not an option. We’ve got a Track program running for children in the Ward ages 14-18. Our first meet is Saturday at Jackson Park and we’ve got some winners on our team. If you know of a child who would be interested, it’s not too late. Practices are held at Abbott Park (behind Harlan High School) on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. We do this because we need to encourage our children to be physically fit and nurture those who aspire to become track. stars. Hey, remember when we sent hundreds of kids to college on track scholarships? One of our goals is to get our track

THE 6TH WARD’S

Annual Picnic & Marketplace SATURDAY, JULY 18TH Alderman Freddrenna Lyle’s Annual 6th Ward Picnic & Marketplace is the place to be Saturday, July 18th at beautiful Tuley Park, 501 E. 90th Pl. (King Dr.) from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There’ll be food, fun, entertainment, shopping and more. So, bring a chair or blanket and have a good time. It’s not too late to be a vendor at the event. For more information, contact Francine Smith at 773.846.7006. GOOD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

The vendors were plentiful.

The entertainment was fun to watch.

Aldermanic Message continued on Page 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS Pg. 1 Aldermanic Message Annual 6 Ward Picnic & Marketplace Pg. 2 Aldermanic Message Continued Vehicle & Residential Zone Sticker Sales 6 Ward Junior Democrats Fundraiser Pg. 3 FYI and Save the Date Pg. 4 Aldermanic Message Continued Chicago Summer Events 2009 Department of Human Services th

th

The guys cooked up some good food.

WE WANT TO SEE YOU THERE! Newsletter 1

Aldermanic Message continued from page 1.

facilities in our communities upgraded so we can start sending them to college on track scholarships once again. We will soon be surveying the 71st, 75th and State Street corridors as we move forward on our goal of getting a Special Service Area designation. This designation will tax those located within its boundaries .01% which monies will be used to provide cleaning services, snow removal, beautification, additional security and other ancillary services. Undoubtedly it will be resented by those businesses that suffer the increased tax but the community that lives around those businesses, after the owners and managers go home to the suburbs, will certainly appreciate the cleanliness of the area. Besides, the improved look and atmosphere should increase the traffic to those affected businesses. We have submitted a grant for federal funds to run after school and summer programming next year. We have reason to believe that our chances of obtaining the funding are good. We will be working in 4 schools initially and expand our services as our capacity, i.e. funding expands. We do this because as you know we have no Boys/Girls Club, YMCA or YWCA in our Ward and the need is tremendous. You can see that on your blocks, on the corners and throughout our communities, our pre-teens and teens need something safe, structured and educational to do with their time. We have asked, and met and begged folks to come in and provide services to our kids for 10 years and frankly I can’t wait any longer, so we are hoping that we will be able to get something started while we wait for others to come in and help us fill the need. I just completed my 4th meeting on an exciting project that we hope to implement in the next 12 months. We are going to start urban gardening (something many of you seniors have been doing all along). We are going to start an aquaponics/hydroponics project in cooperation with Ald. Helen Shiller, Chicago State University, the Chicago City Colleges and a host of others. The short less version is this. WE look to raise Tilapia in large 250-2500 gallon tanks. The water from the tanks will be used to fertilize fresh vegetables and herbs, such as Basil, lettuce, etc. We will then sell the products in a market in the neighborhood where other existing businesses, urban gardeners and green growers can sell their wares. We will use the operation as an educational supplement for the schools and Chicago State and the city Colleges will expand their environmental program doing research and creating degree program. There will not only be fresh food produced to satisfy our ‘food desert’ issues but also a job training component to train our young people in the green jobs Pres. Obama is talking about. Then of course we are preparing for our Picnic on July 18th and our annual Basketball Clinic/Tournament in August. Because of the death of one of our Police Officers, our June bike ride was rescheduled to September, so we are working on that also. Our young people in the 6th Ward Continued on page 4

Vehicle & Residential Zone Sticker Sales at the 6th Ward Office The City Clerk’s office will sell Vehicle and Residential Zone Stickers as well as Parking Guest Books in the 6th Ward Office once again. This is your last chance to buy your sticker in your Ward Office.

Saturday, July 11th ----9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Representatives from the State of Illinois’ Cash Dash and Bright Star Programs will also be available to assist you. For more information, call 773.846.7006 This service is provided by Alderman Freddrenna Lyle and the City of Chicago for your convenience.

CAR WASH FUNDRAISER Come out and support the only Junior Democratic Organization in Illinois, The 6th Ward Junior Democrats Saturday, July 11 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 363 Auto Spa, 363 E. 75th Street Prices: Truck/SUV $10.00 Cars $5.00

For more information, contact Michael Harris, President of the 6th Ward Junior Democrats at 773.994.5747

Newsletter 2

Watch the 6th Ward Scene

F. Y. I.

CAN-TV Channel 19 Every 1st and 3rd Thursday, 6:00 p.m. & Every 1st and 3rd Friday, 1:00 p.m. July Guest, Todd Stroger, County Board President

SAVE THE DATE!!! Last Chance to get involved in Mayor Daley’s SUMMER TRACK PROGRAM… Kids ages 9-14, join the “6th Ward Running Rebels” for the City’s Summer Track Program. There will be weekly practices and Olympic style track meets featuring running, long jump and the softball throw. The program runs from Monday, June 22 to Saturday, August 15. For information about registration, practice times, locations, contact Keith Harris in Alderman Lyle’s Office 773.846.7006. Summer Fun at the Library…The Whitney Young Jr. Branch Library has an abundance of programs and events this summer. Join them July 15 at 2 p.m. for storytelling featuring Lincoln Tales Tall & True; July 15 at 3:30 p.m. Junior Science Café (12-18 yrs.) examines how scientists explore the atomic world; July 29 at 6p.m. Abraham Lincoln in Song features an entertaining & educational evening of vintage songs and instruments. For more programs & events in July and August, call 312.747.0039. Business Stimulus Networking Events…Black Pages International announces a series of Business Stimulus Networking Events. Business owners are asked to bring a give-away product or service to exchange with other business owners to increase business-to-business transactions. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday August 20 10 am-2 pm 210 W. 87th, Chatham Ice Theater, Chicago 708.798.2700. Circuit Breaker Grant…If you are a low income senior (65 and older) and/or a person with disabilities, be sure to come to the 6th Ward office or any Senior Satellite Center to fill out the 2008 Form IL-1363. You may be eligible for financial assistance with prescriptions, an automobile license plate discount, and Circuit Breaker Grant. For more information, call Vinona Summers, 773.846.7006 or go on-line to www.cbrx.il.gov. The deadline is December 31.

Vehicle & Residential Zone Parking Sticker Sales Saturday, July 11 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 6th Ward Office – 406 E. 75th St. Public Meeting with Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid Committee Wednesday, July 15 5:30 p.m. South Shore Cultural Center 7059 South Shore Dr. Ask about the plans and financing of the event. Annual 6th Ward Family Picnic and Market Place Saturday, July 18th 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuley Park 501 E. 90th St. (90th & King Dr.) Call the Ward Office for more info 773.846.7006 FREE Jazz Concert featuring The Merchants Thursday, July 23, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Nat King Cole Park-85th and King Dr. Nat King Cole Park Basketball Classic 8500 S. King Drive Registration August 3-6 5:30-7:30 p.m. Skills Camp Aug. 10-28,Tournament Aug. 29 & 30 Call Vinona Summers for details 773.846.7006 Annual 6th Ward Bike Ride (Rescheduled) Saturday, September 12 Bike Clinic 8:00 a.m. - Bike Ride 9:00 a.m. Leave from Meyering Park 7140 S. King Dr. ride to Tuley Park 501 E. 90th Pl.& back to Meyering. Movies in the 6th Ward & Neighboring Parks 7/17-Meyering-7120 King-The Dark Knight 8/1-Tuley-501 E. 90th-In the Heat of the Night 8/13-Grd. Crossing-7655 Ingleside-Kung Fu Panda 8/14-Avalon-1215 E. 83rd-The Longshots 8/28-Cole-361 E. 85th-Meet the Browns 7/29-Hamilton-513 W. 72nd-To Sir, With Love 7/21-SSCC-7059 So. Shore Dr.-The Wiz 8/21-SSCC-7059 So. Shore Dr.-Uptown Sat. Night 8/22-DuSable Museum-740 E. 56th-The Fighting Temptations 8/29-DuSable Museum-740 E. 56th-Sparkle

Home Affordable Modification Program…The Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago is urging mortgages holders to contact their banks and mortgage holders for information about applying for loan modifications through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). HAMP is part of the Obama Administration’s Making Home Affordable program. The Treasury Dept. has estimated that 75% of loans are now eligible for loan modifications. Go to www.makinghomeaffordable.gov for details or call LAF at 312.261.6799. Newsletter 3

6th Ward Monthly Meetings NO MEETING IN AUGUST Thursday, September 10, 6:30 p.m. Crerar Memorial Presbyterian Church 8100 S. Calumet Ave. Thursday, October 8, 6:30 p.m. Greater Institutional AME Church 7800 S. Indiana Ave.

Aldermanic Message continued from page 2 Democrats are moving forward and its President, Ms. Kari Steele was just recently elected to Chairman of the Young Democrats of Cook County. Congrats to Kari. Our even younger people, the 6th Ward Junior Democrats are hosting their first fundraiser carwash this Saturday at the 363 Auto Spa, 363 E. 75th St. Please come out and support them, these are kids trying to make a difference in the communities in which they live. Finally, yes we are alarmed, shocked and horrified at the violence that is occurring in our streets. There were 63 incidents of shooting this past weekend. As has been the case, and certainly by no means constitutes a defense, most if not all of the shooting was directed by people at people they knew or assumed to be members of rival gangs, drug groups, etc. As is most often the case some of the people shot were innocent bystanders. The solution to a violence free society is a whole set of long term programs. In the meantime we have to get the guns away from the thugs, which is no small task in a country that is in love with the gun. We have met with everybody that can affect policy here in Chicago and to their credit we have had more police on the street over the last two weeks than I can remember in a long time. That however did not stop the shooting of 4 people at the 50 yard line, the shooting of a man at the car wash on 87th, a retaliatory shooting the same day on 90th which resulted in a death and the 11 other deaths across the City during a 72 hour time period. Parents if you have young men in your home, talk to them, pray with and for them, search their rooms for the guns and disarm them. We’ve got a lot of work to do before we get to a no shooting existence and it is a waste of time for us to go over, for the 900th time why the shooting is happening here. The point is that it is and we all have to work on remaining safe until that day comes. But one last point that I would like to raise. When folks on the north side were getting mad about having to put 8/9/10 quarters in a meter it was on every television station and the subject of editorials and front page stories in both major papers. Some of you who in this neighborhood don’t even have $2.00 an hour meters were just mad about it. Now however when the Westside and Southside is becoming Dodge City, where are the stories?? So my question to you for you to ask of any and everyone you meet is this. WHERE IN THE HELL IS THE OURAGE OVER THIS VIOLENCE!!!!!!!!

Freddrenna Lyle

Department of Human Services The Department on Aging has a new home. It is now a part of the Dept. of Human Services. The Department still has a number of excellent programs and services to offer our seniors. Here’s a small sampling of the the services: --The Golden Diners Program-receive hot nutritious meals while dining with other seniors. --Benefits Eligibility Program-Seniors 60 yrs & older can find out which benefits are available to you to reduce your expenses. --Housing Options for Older Adults-Remain in your home and receive assistance (if you qualify based on income), Tax Rebates (Circuit Breaker, Senior Homestead Exemption, Sewer Tax Rebate and more, Large and small scale multi-resident options. --Cooling Centers to ‘Beat the Heat’-Call 311 to find a cooling center near you; to request a well being check for yourself or someone who may be suffering from the heat; register for the City’s Extreme Weather Notification System. --$enior $ave Discounts for Chicago residents 60 and older-Learn about valuable merchant discounts in Chicago Stores. --Grandparents Raising Grandchildren-Senior grandparents receive support programs to assist them as second time parents. --Lifelong Learners Program-Take FREE continuing education courses at a local senior center. Classes are taught by instructors from the Chicago City College. --Meals on Wheels Chicago-Nutritious meals delivered to homebound older persons who need to Seebalanced you next month! sustain a healthy diet but are unable to cook Your monthly message for themselves. Hot and frozen mealsfrom are available. Freddrenna M. Lyle, 6th --Transportation Programs-The CityWard offers senior Alderman and Committeeman citizens as array of transportation options including: Service Office 406 East 75th Street, Chicago, IL 60619 CTA interim(773) medical transportation for fax the mobility846-7006 (773) 846-9104 limited elderly, Senior [email protected] Shuttle Service which provides Email Address: Website Address: www.6thwardalderman.com weekly round-trip transportation to the local grocery store, Taxi-Access Program is a reserve-a-ride program for seniors. Call 311 for information about other programs and for more details about the programs above.

See you next month! Your monthly message from Freddrenna M. Lyle, Alderman and Committeeman

July 25 Venetian Night August 15 & 16 Air & Water Show Sept. 4-6 Chicago Jazz Festival Call 311 for more information. Admission is FREE.

of the 6th Ward Service Office 406 East 75th Street, Chicago, IL 60619 (773) 846-7006 (773) 846-9104 fax Email Address: [email protected]

Newsletter 4

Website Address: www.6thwardalderman.com