West Town group honored by Minwax 

Twenty students with their woodworking projects were in attendance as the Greater West Town Community Development Project of Chicago received the Minwax Community Craftsman Award, which included a $5,000 grant, on  June 12 at Greater West Town’s 2045 W. Fulton St. location.

William J. Leavy, executive director of the Greater West Town Community Development Project, accepted the $5,000 check from Dominick Pisciotta, senior vice president of Sherwin-Williams Wood Care Products. Afterward, Bruce Johnson, author and do-it-yourself expert, demonstrated wood finishing techniques and tricks of the trade for students completing the free Greater West Town program.

Greater West Town is a full-time woodworkers training course that gives disadvantaged Chicagoans an opportunity to improve their lives with job training and career placement in the woodworking field. Created as a community/business partnership, the program meets the employment needs of low-income residents while developing a skilled workforce for the woodworking industry.

The Minwax Community Craftsman Award program recognizes individuals and groups who promote community improvement through working with wood and awards them grants and products to encourage continued community service.

For more information, call (312) 563-9570.

 

McGuane Park to host  Summer Fest 

McGuane Park, 2901 S. Poplar Ave, will host Summer Fest, an all-day family- and dog-friendly event, on Saturday, Aug. 4.

The fest kicks off at 11 a.m. with the Canine Unit from the Cook County Sheriff's Department. Patrons can meet the dogs and their handlers and learn how they help to fight crime. From 1 to 1:30 p.m., the Rodriguez Tae Kwon Do School will demonstrate its members' abilities, followed by tai chi from 2 to 2:35 p.m. and cardio kick boxing from 3 to 5 p.m. After the demonstrations, attendees can get information about taking classes in these martial arts.

The fest also will feature all-day information tables introducing organizations, clubs, and local businesses such as the Boy and Girl Scouts of America. A tent will host arts, crafts, and board games.

Dogs can join in the fun when the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society transforms the tennis court into a canine obstacle course. Residents are invited to let their pooch give it a try; all dogs must be on a leash prior to and after using the obstacle course. The Anti-Cruelty Society also will present information about responsible pet ownership and the adoption process.

            Some residents have expressed interest in a permanent off-leash dog run at McGuane, so park leaders will be available to discuss the possibility and get a sense of how many dog-owners would use the dog run.

A monogram vendor also will be on hand. Festival goers can bring a ball cap and for a small fee have it embroidered with their name or initial.

            Two tents serving concessions will be open throughout the day. All games and activities will be free; the food and drink will cost a small fee.

            Activities will conclude between 5 and 6 p.m. with a live band performance.

Summer Fest is intended to generate both funds and enthusiasm for park endeavors, and all proceeds go toward park improvements. According to Judy Marzullo, Summer Fest committee member, many residents are unaware of all McGuane Park has to offer. Park leaders hope the fest will attract community members who have not been to McGuane before as well as current users, showcase the many improvements made to the park, and create interest in future initiatives such as the Quarry Park expansion.

          "It is the community's park," Marzullo said. "They should enjoy it, because that's what it's there for."

            Slots for hosting information tables still are available and are free to non-profit groups. For-profit groups also may reserve a table for a donation of $25. Call (312) 747-6497.

            --April Galarza

 

County to cut hospital police? 

While a Sept. 1 disbandment order looms, members of the police force at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County continue to come to work every day. Police union representatives, however, are fighting to keep the department in service.

            County officials want to eliminate the hospital police to cut costs and address alleged police strongarm tactics.

In early February, Chicago Sun-Times writer Steve Patterson alleged the Stroger police force mistreated him as he attempted to report on a protest by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. In a first-hand story for the Sun-Times, Patterson claimed he was “pushed to the ground” and later handcuffed by an officer, despite repeated explanations that he was a reporter and not a protestor. 

Just one month before that episode, the family of 77-year-old Augustin Sotomayor brought a lawsuit against the force claiming officers pulled Sotomayor out of his car, questioned him, and beat him, leaving him hospitalized for two months because of a stroke. The officers initially charged in the Sotomayor case later were cleared of the allegations.

The police force is taking action to keep its members’ jobs. “We’re talking with the commissioners,” Captain Charles H. Booth of the Stroger police said. “We’re trying to make them see the false allegations taken against this department.”

The Cook County Board recently voted to potentially replace the police force with a private security company after the intended disbandment. 

Critics of the force have called its members’ tactics overzealous and rough. Booth, on the other hand, sees his officers as necessary to keep the hospital safe for its thousands of patients. “We’re needed here,” he said. “Stroger Hospital is like no other hospital. There’s great doctor care here, but lots of people come here. It’s like a little city. Not only the sick come here, but a majority of the criminal element” in the County criminal justice system who need medical care.

Police representatives are optimistic the decision to disband the force will be rescinded. Booth claimed the police are integral to the institution’s well being and safety and that keeping them on the payroll would be beneficial to the County.

“I think the [county] commissioners are starting to realize that,” Booth said. “I’m almost positive that they won’t get rid of us.”

--Adam Kivel

Stockyards memorabilia on display 

The Canaryville branch of the Chicago Public Library, 642 W. 43rd St., is displaying part of an extensive stockyards memorabilia collection provided by Canaryville resident Thomas Pierce.

Pierce started his collection when the International Amphitheater and other stockyard properties were auctioned. He realized much valuable history would be lost unless someone accumulated and preserved precious artifacts and memories.

The collection affords a unique opportunity to see memorabilia from an era and industry that had a huge impact on the city and world commerce.

The display is part of the Chicago Public Library's summer reading program for children, City of Big Readers, and the Summer Reads program for adults. The theme for both is Chicago history, and the library is partnering with the Chicago History Museum to bring Chicago residents eight weeks of reading activities.

The Canaryville branch is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed Sunday. Call (312) 747-0644.

 

 

 

International hair styling artist joins Sean Patrick Salon

Sean Patrick’s Salon and Spa, 1304 S. Halsted St., introduces its newest staff member, Shannon King, a specialist in advanced hair cutting, styling, and trend education. King takes appointments Tuesday through Thursday and some Fridays and Saturdays for hair cutting and styling; he plans to increase his hours as his responsibilities expand. His role will evolve into training assistants and sharing his expertise with other stylists.

When not serving clients and training staff at Sean Patrick Salon, King performs nationally and internationally as a platform artist, creating and presenting at various hair shows. He also works as a performing artist concentrating in principle-based design and cutting systems for The Redken Exchange, Redken 5th Avenue, New York. A Redken artist for eight years, King facilitates design and styling classes for salon professionals and educators. “The Redken Exchange is the number one advanced academy in our industry,” he said.

King has done platform work at several trade shows and worked on photo shoots for trade publications including Modern Salon, American Salon, and Hair Sophisticate. 

The full-service Sean Patrick’s Salon and Spa offers hair and skin care, manicures, facials, and massage.

Make an appointment by calling (312) 829-6100. For more information or to book an appointment online, go to www.spsalonspa.com.

--Eva Hofmann

 

No hot water At McGuane 

The McGuane Park locker room showers have had no hot water since May 24, when the boiler broke down, and pool patrons are starting to get aggravated. Kal Moy, park supervisor, assured patrons the park has issued a work order, but the boiler is unsalvageable and must be replaced.

            "This is no simple maintenance problem," Moy said. "A new boiler takes time and funding." The park has not announced a replacement timetable.

            The lack of hot water has created discomfort for senior swimmers, particularly those with arthritis. Other patrons have experienced allergic reactions after swimming because they skip showers and allow the pool’s chlorine to dry on their skin. Perhaps the most pressing concern is the sanitary hazard of allowing swimmers to go in the pool without showering first.

            Park advisory counsel members suggested closing the pool until the new boiler could be installed, but Chicago Park District officials have assured Moy the situation poses no immediate health threat. For now, the pool will remain open, and Moy hopes to get the new boiler installed as soon as possible.

            In the meantime, cold water and soap remain available for bathing. Moy encouraged patrons to take advantage of them if they can bear the cold water.

            Lack of hot water has not kept the McGuane Park senior swimmers from continuing their winning ways, as they recently took top honors in a meet against swimmers from Foster and Welles Parks. Senior swimming is open to those 55 and older and is free; new swimmers are welcome.

            McGuane Park is located at 2901 S. Poplar Ave. Call (312) 747-6497. To learn more about the Senior Swim Club, call Adele Kiel at (773) 254-0779.

            --April Galarza

 

Lewis University partners with De La Salle

Beginning this fall, Lewis University will have a permanent site for offering classes in Chicago. University officials have entered into an agreement with De La Salle Institute to renovate classroom and office space at De La Salle to meet the needs of adults taking undergraduate and graduate classes.

The agreement allocates approximately 8,500 square feet of the high school for use by Lewis for adult evening courses. Instead of adults attending class in a traditional high school setting, Lewis will update and equip the current space to resemble the adult facilities at its various campuses.
         While Lewis has offered select courses at De La Salle Institute in the past, the enhanced portion of the high school now will serve as an official site for the university. Lewis will use six classrooms, a student lounge, private bathrooms, a computer lab, and staff offices. These improvements will benefit De La Salle Institute as well because select honors classes will use the space during the day.

De La Salle is located at Michigan Avenue and 35th Street.

“We welcome the opportunity to partner with Lewis University, a fellow LaSallian institution, in its efforts to enhance its offerings to undergraduate and graduate students in Chicago,” said Bro. Michael Quirk, FSC, president of De La Salle Institute.
      Renovation will occur over the summer, with courses for adult undergraduate and graduate students starting in the fall. Lewis University’s College of Education and its Department of Justice, Law, and Public Safety Studies will be the first to offer classes in this new site. Other offerings are being considered for future semesters.

An information session for Lewis’s graduate programs in education will be held at De La Salle Institute on Tuesday, Aug. 14, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. For more information or to attend, call (815) 836-5610 or e-mail grad@lewisu.edu.

 

Chicago Antique Market open 

The Chicago Antique Market returns to west Randolph Street on Saturday, July 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with more than 200 antique dealers, indoor/outdoor shopping, free kids activities, an "indie" designer fashion market, and vendors selling food and beverages.

                With its selection of items in all price ranges, everyone from veteran collectors to casual shoppers will enjoy shopping, mingling, and browsing at the market, which is offered the last Saturday of every month from July through October.

July is Free Appraisal Month, and the market will host a special appearance by Frank Loomis to offer free expert appraisal services to all attendees throughout the day. Visitors will be entertained as Loomis reveals whether their antique purchase or prior possession holds a surprise fortune. Loomis also will sign copies of his guide to the world of antiques, Antiques 101.

At noon, Loomis will join the Junior Collector’s Club at the information tent to teach kids about antiques and collecting. The July 28 club also will feature a new collection presented by Collectors.org, lessons for starting a collection, and a treasure hunt in which children accompanied by an adult can navigate the market with a free treasure map to hunt for specific antiques and receive autographs from dealers. Each youngster with a completed map receives a vintage toy prize.

                The indie designer fashion market will present new designers and one-of-a-kind offerings allowing antique shoppers to take a break to browse fashion and jewelry designs of 2007.

                 Free trolley transportation to and from the Chicago Antique Market is provided as a courtesy to shoppers. Trolleys depart Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave., at the top of each hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and depart the Market for Water Tower at 30 minutes past the hour from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

                The Chicago Antique Market schedule for this season is July 28, August 25, September 29, and October 27. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The market is located on the 1300 block of west Randolph Street between Ada Street and Ogden Avenue. General admission is $8, no charge for children 12 and younger. Early bird buying is offered at 7:30 a.m. with a $20 entrance fee. Street parking is available. For more information call (312) 951-9939 or visit www.chicagoantiquemarket.com.