Team up to fight leukemia

An opportunity to help others comes to Grant Park June 19 with the ABC 7 Jim Gibbons 5K Run, 3K Walk, and Survivors’ Strut. Presented by www.Chicagojobs.com, the event benefits the Leukemia Research Foundation (LRF).

            Local residents are invited to form teams of runners and walkers collect contributions for completing the course. Proceeds from the event fund blood cancer research and help LRF staff educate the public about leukemia and other blood diseases including lymphoma and myelodysplastic syndromes.

            “I enjoy running on a team because your team members support you through every step of the way,” said Gloriann Capo Miller of the Near West Side. “I get to run with my friends, cheer on my teammates who choose to walk, and know that at the end of the evening I have helped other families fight their blood cancer—and bring the world closer to a cure.”
Miller lost her father to leukemia in 2006 and soon after formed Team Running for Joe in his memory. The team has raised thousands of dollars in just two years, and Miller has since become an LRF employee.

            For information about creating a team for the event, visit www.leukemia-research.org/Gibbons  or call (847) 424-0780.

 

Cultural Center to show Maxwell Street films 

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, in conjunction with the Maxwell Street Foundation and the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, presents the Blues Season Maxwell Street Film Series from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, in the Chicago Cultural Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theater, 78 E. Washington St. Admission is free.

Films in the series explore the former open-air market on Maxwell St. and its connection to the blues and gospel music that occurred there. Films, showtimes, and synopses are:

And This Is Free, 1 p.m., introduced by filmmaker Gordon Quinn; documents Maxwell St. as a place for pitchmen, vendors, merchants, and street musicians.

At Maxwell Street, 2:15 p.m., introduced by filmmaker Tom Palazzolo; showcases the colorful characters and unique merchandise found at the old Maxwell St. market.

The Church on Maxwell Street, 3:15 p.m., introduced by filmmaker Marvin Newman; explores the rural roots of Maxwell St. musicians whose families migrated to Chicago from the South.

Maxwell Street Blues, 3:45 p.m., introduced by filmmaker Raul Zaritsky; highlights 50 years of blues performances at the Maxwell St. market and features interviews with street musicians who performed there.

The day concludes with comments from a Maxwell Street Foundation representative. For more information call (312) 744-6630 or visit www.chicagoculturalcenter.org. For information on the Maxwell Street Foundation, visit www.maxwellstreet.org.

 

Division Street fest scheduled

West Town residents will be able to enjoy a true neighborhood festival when the second annual “Do Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale” takes over Division St. from Ashland Ave. to Leavitt St. Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1. The festival will spotlight food from local restaurants, bakeries, and outdoor cafes; products and services offered by the area’s trendy boutiques, salons, and spas; and live music sponsored by the local music venue Empty Bottle, a neighborhood staple for 15 years.

            Organizers pride themselves on the festival’s local flavor, giving priority to artists, vendors, and businesses from the community, said Kara Salgado, executive director of the West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce. As opposed to street festivals in other parts of the city that are all similar and do not reflect their neighborhoods, Do Division will rely on local merchants, she said.

            Do Division Street will kick off the summer with a revamped format after splitting from the Renegade Craft Fair. Salgado explained that last year the street fest combined with the annual craft event, which features 200 craft vendors, but that the combined effort resulted in a street fest too big for festival-goers to navigate easily and to experience fully.

            This year’s street festival will feature plenty of attractions for people of all ages, including family activities such as pony rides and face painting. Some of the festival’s more novel aspects include a sidewalk chess tournament and a DJ dance party inside a local car wash, which will add a “cool element to the festival,” Salgado said.

            The sidewalk sale will operate between Damen and Ashland Aves., but Division St. will remain open.

            Festival proceeds will pay for the event’s expenses and for beautification projects around the neighborhood. The festival’s goal is to benefit the neighborhood while marketing the area and promoting Division St. businesses by exposing them the estimated 30,000 visitors expected to attend this year.

            Festival sponsors are Pabst Blue Ribbon, Q101, CLTV, and Time Out Chicago.

            For more information, visit www.do-divisionstreetfest.com or call (312) 850-9390.

            --Miriam Y. Cintron

 

Smyth rally marks city basketball championship

A victory rally at Smyth Magnet School, 1059 W. 13th St., celebrated students' string of successes this year.

            The school’s 12-member team of seventh and eighth grade boys won the city basketball championship March 29. Also, its wrestlers finished undefeated this season, the cheerleading team ranks fifth in the city, and the double-dutch jump rope team placed in citywide competition. Test scores rose at the school as well.

            "We talk about all the good things that are happening," said Ronald Whitmore, Smyth principal, as he noted that students’ improved academic achievement holds highest importance among the school’s accomplishments.

            "You guys are the best in the city," said Homer Lyons, who helps the basketball team and greets players as they arrive at 7:30 a.m. daily at the Newberry Center's gym, located across the street from the school. Lyons has worked at Newberry Center for 27 years.

            Basketball team members are: Carl Booker, Jerry Davis, Terrion Hill, James Holmes, Devante Jones, David Magee, Kevin Mason, Kendall Reed, Deandre Robinson Rashwan Stimage, Markee Williams, and Martrell Williams.

            Head coach Syvell Loury was named Chicago Coach of the Year. He broke a foot when he jumped while celebrating the team's final victory. As he limped in his cast at the rally, he joked he would be happy to break his other foot if it meant celebrating another championship.

            Related Midwest, developer of the Smyth School area's Roosevelt Square neighborhood, donated $800 for team jerseys and after the city championship contributed $3,500 to allow the team to attend a weekend sports camp

            - Susan S. Stevens

 

Dunkin film plan pays off for State

Illinois's growing film industry posted record revenues of $155 million in 2007, due in part to legislation introduced by State Representative Ken Dunkin (D-3rd) in 2003.

          Movies shot in Illinois in 2003 brought in only $23 million in revenue, prompting Dunkin to introduce the film production tax credit bill; the legislature passed it, and the governor signed the legislation, which gives a 25% tax credit to film production companies that shoot in Illinois. Since then, Dunkin has worked to increase the credit to 35% for companies that shoot in areas of high unemployment and poverty.

          "Before we enacted the film tax credit in Illinois, our film industry was on life support," Dunkin said. "But thanks to the tax credit, Illinois is becoming more attractive each year as a site for filmed productions, and that means more jobs and revenue."

          For more information, call (312) 266-0340.