Bastille Day events to benefit Mercy Home

Thousands of runners and walkers will fill the West Loop on Thursday, July 10, for the 27th annual Niketown Bastille Day 5K Run, Walk, and Block Party, presented by LifeStart.

            The event, which celebrates the French national holiday (officially July 14), kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at 1100 W. Jackson Blvd.
After making their way through the streets of downtown, participants will enjoy a block party starting at approximately 8 p.m. and featuring live musical performances (including can-can dancers) along with food and other refreshments.

            Proceeds benefit Chicago’s Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, which gives neglected children a healthful home environment. Mercy Home operates multiple facilities for abused and homeless children.

            Pre-registration costs $27 to $35 per person and is required for the regular run; for the fun run, participants can register ahead of time or on-site. Pre-register online at www.chicagoevents.com.  Admission for the block party costs only $5. For more information call (773) 868-3010.

 

 

Avon Foundation awards Mercy Hospital $500,000

Mercy Hospital and Medical Center recently received a $500,000 grant from the Avon Foundation, which announced the award and its other grant recipients at the June 1 closing ceremonies for the sixth annual Chicago Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Each year, the foundation marks the end of the Avon Walk by giving grants to local institutions that support access to breast cancer screening, treatment, and research.

Sr. Sheila Lyne, president and CEO of Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, participated in the walk and accepted the award. Mercy will use the money to support the patient navigation system and other services at the Mercy Comprehensive Breast and Women's Healthcare Center; to add a Breast Module Tracking System; and to purchase a digital mammography machine and ultrasound platform.

            “Mercy is privileged to offer quality breast cancer screening and treatment to all women regardless of circumstances, and we are grateful for the generosity of the Avon Foundation for the funding they have awarded, which enables us to carry on our Mercy Mission,” said Sr. Lyne.
            For more information, call (312) 567-2405. 

 

CPS announces partnership on student uniforms

Target Corp. will be the official provider of uniforms for students who attend Chicago public elementary schools following action recently by the Chicago Board of Education.

The sponsorship agreement allows families with children in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) that require uniforms to purchase the uniforms at a discount at any Chicago-area Target store with coupons that will be distributed by CPS. In addition, Target has agreed to donate, and have CPS distribute, thousands of uniforms for homeless children within the CPS system and pay CPS a sponsorship fee that will support CPS programs.

“We are pleased to welcome Target as our official uniform provider,” said Barbara Eason-Watkins, CPS chief education officer. “This agreement does many things, but primarily it will allow families who have students in schools that require uniforms to save money at the point of purchase and it helps parents and guardians purchase a high-quality, durable product for the students.”

Eighty-five percent of CPS elementary schools had uniform policies in place for the 2007-2008 school year. About 7,000 homeless elementary school students, who will receive free uniforms donated by Target through CPS, attend CPS schools.

Under the agreement, CPS will distribute a Target discount coupon worth $5 off a purchase of $25 or more. In addition, a Hanes discount coupon will provide $1 off socks or underwear at Target stores. The coupons will be redeemable in stores and have an expiration date of Aug. 31.

Student uniforms can continue to be purchased elsewhere as well.

 

ONIAC anti-drug and alcohol seminar held

The Old Neighborhood Italian American Club (ONIAC) recently held its 16th annual anti-drug and alcohol seminar for 425 third through eighth graders from Santa Lucia Grammar School, Bridgeport Catholic Academy, and St. Jerome Grammar School.

            Participating in the event were ONIAC members Rich Catezone Sr., from the Illinois Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse; Robert Tito, C.A.P.S. coordinator; Alderman James Balcer, 11th Ward; Commander Eugene Roy, 9th District, Chicago Police Dept.; Lieutenant Jeffrey Hoffman, 21st District Chicago Police; and representatives from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office Youth Services Division on Internet Safety, Chicago Police Canine Unit, Cook County States Attorney’s Office, and Keeping It Real program.

            Following the formal program, attendees enjoyed food from Connie’s Pizza and beverages donated by Vince, Mario, and Rosario Scalise. Each child received a gift courtesy of the ONIAC Foundation.

 

UIC opens health center at Back of the Yards

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) has opened the Mile Square Health Center at Back-Of-The-Yards to deliver a full range of primary medical care to residents of Bridgeport, Canaryville, and other nearby neighborhoods.

"We've been working with the neighborhood on this project for more than a year and a half," said Henry Taylor, executive director of the Mile Square Health Center, who also will take on responsibility for the new Back-of-the-Yards health center, located in the Bishop Plaza Shopping Center, 4630 S.
Bishop St. “I've never received a warmer welcome or more genuine excitement about what Mile Square and UIC have to offer."

UIC ranks as the largest college of medicine in the United States and operates an academic medical center; these resources benefit Mile Square and enable patients to obtain specialty care at UIC when appropriate.

"This is an area that has not had access to the high standard of care an academic medical center can offer," said Taylor. "Mile Square physicians are also faculty of the health science colleges of UIC."

The new center is a federally qualified health clinic, offering services to all, regardless of their ability to pay.

"We treat all patients," said Taylor.

The center will be open five days a week, with additional hours Wednesday evening and Saturday morning. Services include sick and wellness visits for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors; family planning; family medicine; OB/GYN and midwifery care; nutrition and diabetic counseling and education; and sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and AIDS care and counseling. Dental care also is offered through referral to the Mile Square South Shore Center at 7131 S. Jeffery Blvd.

The new center will provide needed services to the growing neighborhood. "According to the census figures, this area has the highest population growth in Chicago, with a very diverse population, including Asians, African Americans, and Hispanics," said Taylor. "These neighborhoods comprise a port of entry to many immigrants coming into Chicago."

Mile Square Health Center at Back-of-the-Yards is a community-based health establishment governed by a community board of directors, 51% of whom currently use the Mile Square system.

 

Son of Taylor Street runs this year’s fest

Ron Onesti, whose father owned a tailor shop on the northwest corner of Loomis and Taylor Streets, is bringing his own business to the neighborhood.

“My heart is on Taylor Street, and I am excited,” Onesti said. “I was born in the neighborhood."

His 22-year-old Onesti Entertainment, which operates about 600 festivals and other programs each year in the United States and Europe, will stage the 2008 Festa Italiana on Taylor Street east of Ashland Avenue from Friday through Sunday, Aug. 8 through 10. Last year's event was run by Jam Productions.

“When it comes to Italian events, we are among the best,” he said at a June 28 meeting of the University Village Association (UVA), which hired him to run the festival. Onesti also produced the Festa Pasta Vino event on south Oakley Street in the Heart of Chicago community.

Building on last year’s festival, the first on Taylor Street in more than a decade, he plans to increase the variety of entertainment and showcase local restaurants’ menus. “My goal is for every restaurant in the area to be involved,” Onesti said.

He also plans more attractions for young families early in the day and more activities for seniors. His company also is scheduling live entertainment for all ages.

“We are very pleased to welcome back a native son,” said John Chandler, UVA president.

--Susan S. Stevens

 

Fioretti hosts town hall meetings

Hundreds of residents met Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd Ward) in a series of four town hall meetings he conducted for a second consecutive spring to detail progress in and plans for the ward.

            “I want communities we can walk through, that we have pride in,” Fioretti said. At a meeting in the Near West Side’s Fosco Park at 1313 S. Throop St. May 27, he said he favored locating a Costco store in the Illinois Medical District because the discount chain has a “good history of pay, health insurance, and does not drive out small businesses.” The project would create about 220 jobs, with cashiers earning $40,000, he said.

Fioretti also described a Rush Medical Center commitment for 500 jobs for residents of the 2nd and 25th wards. “We are going to get people hired,” he said. “I want communities that we can live in, work in, walk to work.”

He addressed safety and services, including pothole repairs, garbage pickups, and lighting upgrades, noting that it costs $300 just to paint a light pole. On the Near West Side, the City has spent $300,000 on recent painting projects. Fixing potholes, however, has not gone as quickly as Fioretti wished because the holes are so numerous.

Ward Superintendent Luis Zepeda and representatives of the Streets and Sanitation Department, the 311 and 911 centers, and Commonwealth Edison also attended the meetings. People in the audience received information about services and could take home energy-saving light bulbs.

Fioretti urged those attending the meetings to become more active in government, such as attending C.A.P.S. meetings. “I encourage everybody to be involved,” he concluded.

            --Susan S. Stevens

 

Galileo students create new sign for Mario’s         

The fourth grade class at Galileo School was all smiles on June 10 when the sign they made for Mario’s Italian Lemonade Stand was unveiled for the entire Chicagoland area to see.

            Owner Mario “Skippy” DiPaolo initially thought up the idea to have a “kids’ lemonade stand” theme when he was considering new signage. He did not want professional work to be done on a new sign, but rather was looking for art that would reflect on a “little kid’s lemonade stand.” So, as an alternative, he suggested that Galileo students paint it.

            DiPaolo met with several teachers from Galileo at Demitasse Café on Taylor Street and told them about his idea. The teachers loved the proposal and DiPaolo chose the fourth grade to create the advertisement as part of their “Celebrity Judge Art Fair.” DiPaolo provided the students with the billboard material and paints.

            The billboard now is displayed at the stand. When people come to the stand they will see the children’s names, along with their teacher’s. The artwork also shows off their creative minds and love of art. The children spent two weeks working on the billboard and are very proud of their work.

            “Congratulations to the Galileo students and teachers, and to all those who contributed to the art project,” said DiPaolo. “My family is very pleased with the end result and proud to have their work associated with our business.” 

            Mario’s Italian Lemonade Stand is located at 1068 W. Taylor St. Hours are 10 a.m. to midnight, seven days per week.

            --Gabriella Valentino

 

 

AFSC fights vets' suicide

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC, also known as the Quakers) honors fallen U.S. military personnel and returning veterans who have committed suicide with its traveling exhibition Eyes Wide Open: The Cost of War to Illinois. The AFSC has used black combat boots in the display to show the number of Illinois service personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan; it now has added white boots representing Illinois service personnel who have committed suicide after serving in those conflicts.

            The suicide rate among Iraq and Afghan vets is three times the level of suicides among 20 to 24 year old non-vets, up to 120 per week nationally.

            "These staggering figures indicate the importance of mental and physical healthcare for returning war veterans," according to Mary Zerkel of the AFSC, whose Chicago chapter is located in the South Loop at 637 S. Dearborn St. Call (773) 704-8155.

 

Veterans hospital opens new facility

The Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Medical Center at 820 S. Damen Ave. recently opened an inpatient bed tower and surgical center with 200 beds, seven operating rooms, an outpatient surgical center, a dialysis center, and a chapel. On May 27, the center began moving patients from its original 1953 building to the new tower, and the first surgery in the new facility took place June 16.

            “This facility is comparable to any medical center in the country, and it is exactly what the veterans of Chicago deserve," said Brown VA Medical Center Director James S. Jones.

            The bed tower is the first new inpatient facility constructed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs since the Detroit VA Medical Center opened in 1996.

            The seven-floor, 224,000 square foot addition cost $99 million and was designed by two architectural firms, Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill and Ellerbe Beckett, with input from VA employees.

Workers used recycled materials for woodwork and flooring and installed thermal windows for temperature control and a green roof that controls storm water runoff and returns oxygen to the atmosphere. It is the “greenest” medical center in the VA and one of the most ecologically constructed medical facilities in the nation.

            Earlier this year, workers completed renovations in the old building’s emergency services, dental, laboratory, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and nutrition and food service areas. Construction continues on a new radiology suite adjacent to the bed tower.

            --Susan S. Stevens