Rogers Park

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Walk and Vigil Tonight

Friends & Neighbors,

Please note the two events below.

Join Cease Fire, Organization of the NorthEast
and Rogers Park neighborhood residents for a Cease Fire Vigil in response to the recent shooting on Sunday in the early morning in the area of Jonquil and Paulina.

At 7:00pm on Wednesday, July 19, 2006, we will begin a march around the block, starting from Jonquil and Paulina, followed by a vigil. Please come to show support for stopping violence in the Rogers Park community.
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Chicago

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Immigration Activists to
Rally Downtown Today

Immigrant activists will take to Chicago streets Wednesday for the third time in four months for another march to urge Congress to enact more lenient immigration laws.

The first two marches, in March and May, brought hundreds of thousands of protesters to the Loop and made Chicago a national center for immigrant activism.

The goal of Wednesday's march is to urge the U.S. government to suspend the deportation of illegal immigrants until Congress passes an immigration bill. Activists want a plan that legalizes all illegal immigrants.Wednesday's rally has come together in a less structured way than the first two. A group known as the March 10 Committee, which helped pull together the first two events, is offering support but not playing a central role.

Organizers did not even confirm the route until Tuesday. The march will begin at noon from Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., and proceed east to Grant Park for a 2 p.m. rally. more from The Tribune
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Rogers Park

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NOH Neighbor Wants "shrine" Removed

Ald. Moore, Commander Rottner & Superintendent Erickson,

The North Howard Neighbors Association is requesting immediate City action to clean up the mess at NE corner of the Jonquil/Paulina intersection. The 'mess' is the graffiti and debris obstructing the 'PUBLIC way per the attached photos. After the shooting yesterday morning, at this location, it is difficult to understand why our neighborhood must continue to endure this. Last night people continued to gather here despite several calls to 911. The NHNA further request that this type of 'display' be totally prohibited in the future, on this corner (across from The Harold Washington Memorial Playground) or anywhere else in our community!

Sincerely,
Mike Luckenbach
NHNA














Note: It's unclear who removed the debris but it was not there as of 9am this morning.
gf
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Rogers Park

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Ald. Moore:
"Not Ready to Support Island Groove Liquor License"















Citing "community concern and strong opposition by area residents" Alderman Moore "cannot support the liquor license for Island Groove Cafe at this time" according to Mike Land in a telephone conversation Friday afternoon. Land said that the Alderman also had serious reservations about liquor being served next door to the 7650-54 North Sheridan Road building which has and continues to be a trouble spot. The building is owned by Sargon Isaac who does not enjoy a good reputation with neighbors and whose questioable business practices have stalled the Beachview Development Project.

Alderman Moore is however supporting the PPA license ( Public Place of Amusement ) which does not require a zoning variance ( Special Use Permit ) as does the liquor license approval. In practical terms, the Cafe will still be able to have live music but it will be a BYOB establishment for the time being.

Althought the ZALUC Committee overwhelmingly approved the liquor license application last Tuesday night, Moore wants the owners and establishment to "earn the trust of the community and is willing to revisit the zoning variance at a later date."

Gary Fuschi


North Side bomb threat a hoax

STNG--The Chicago Police Department responded to a bomb hoax on the North Side Sunday morning.
The police Bomb & Arson unit responded to a bomb threat at 8:17 a.m. on the 1600 block of North North Park Avenue, according to police News Affairs officer Marcel Bright.
The threat was “nothing more than a hoax,” according to Bright.

Police Respond to Shots Fired NOH
from 24/7 HowardWatchers
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Chicago

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Blue-chip sponsors see Green in Gay Games

Tribune--While the road to Gay Games Chicago has been a bumpy one, its organizers have lined up an impressive roster of sponsors for the athletic competitions that kick off Saturday, signaling that corporate America is opening its eyes to this lucrative but once-taboo consumer sector.

The 300-plus sponsors include a bevy of blue-chip brands, among them Walgreens, Orbitz, The New York Times, Absolut Vodka, American Airlines, Ernst & Young, Gatorade, Nike, Best Buy, Kraft, Aon, CNA, Chipotle, Merrill Lynch and Motorola.The fact that some of America's top brands are attaching themselves to such a highly visible and international event signals a sea change in corporate thinking.

All told, corporate, small-business and individual donors chipped in $13.5 million of the estimated $20 million in projected revenue and contributed goods and services that will fuel the games, said Sam Coady, co-chairman of the Gay Games Chicago board of directors. This level of support far surpasses any private backing since the launch of the quadrennial games in 1982.

And the fact that early sponsors, including Kraft Foods Inc., Harris Bank and Walgreen Co., did not back down in the face of criticism from conservative Christian groups and the potential for pickets and boycotts sends a signal that increasing numbers of mainstream businesses are recognizing the importance of this consumer sector, said Jim Andrews, editorial director of the IEG Sponsorship Report, based in Chicago.

Everything we do should reflect the diverse society we are," said Niya Moon, a spokesman for Kraft Foods, whose shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to rescind the company's support.

For Walgreens, the goal was HIV/AIDS prevention, spokesman Michael Polzin said. The firm will distribute informational brochures and offer HIV testing at the Hilton Chicago for the first three days of the event.

Conservative groups, including the Illinois Family Institute of Glen Ellyn, last year targeted early-bird sponsors, including Kraft, Harris Bank and Walgreens. The attacks made other companies wary of signing on, and the resistance lasted several months until it became clear the companies were standing their ground, Baim said."No one pulled back, so everyone kept coming on," she said. "And this encouraged others, because some had said they'd come later, when there were more brand names

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion or belief regarding our support," said Kraft's Moon. "But this is about being inclusive and supporting the communities we serve, and they are diverse communities." More...

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Rogers Park

ANNOUNCEMENT

CREATE A NEW ARTS CENTER - WISDOM BRIDGE ARTS PROJECT

We are pleased to invite you to an open-house meeting July 17 to discuss plans and request volunteer assistance in our effort to develop a Community Arts Center in Rogers Park. The Arts Center, to be built on Howard Street at the former location of Chicago’s legendary Wisdom Bridge Theater, will offer workshop and studio rehearsal space, aprojected 125 seat performance space, and a venue for creative development in the arts for residents of Rogers Park and beyond.

Our aim is to provide comprehensive programs for both children andadults in all art forms—theater, music, dance, visual arts, andwriting—conducted by Chicago artists in partnership with the community.

It is our belief that participation in the arts promotes empowerment,personal transformation, and positivesocial change.Wisdom Bridge Arts Project is seeking volunteers to work in programming and fundraising for the community arts center. Here is an opportunity to truly influence public access to the arts. We need your opinions, input, connections, skills, and imagination to help make this happen!

Please join in the process:
Community Arts Center Volunteer Meeting
7 PM Monday, July 17, 2006
at 7543 N. Paulinain the plaza level of
The Gateway Centre
just below the Howard Red Line el stop

Come create with us and RSVP to info@wbap.org
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Chicago

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City proposes $550M LaSalle Street TIF

Crain's--After months of rumors, the Daley Administration formally proposed to designate a 40-block section centering on LaSalle Street south of the river as a tax increment financing (TIF) district.

The city did not immediately spell out who would get money or in what amounts. But under an overview proposal submitted to the Community Development Commission, at least $550 million in property-tax receipts would be diverted from the Board of Education and other local governments over the next 23 years and instead be used to clear land, subsidize new building and redevelopment, and pay for public projects in the area, possibly a proposed Monroe Street express busway.

Another $200 million is allotted for rehabilitation of existing buildings, with $50 million for property assembly.

The projects would be funded by growth of property-tax receipts within the TIF area. The city argues that much of that growth would not occur if not for the subsidies, but some civic groups have argued that it is not wise policy to strip schools of even inflationary growth in tax receipts. More...
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Rogers Park

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2 Stabbed, 1 Dead on 6100 N. Oakley
Tribune--Two people were stabbed, one fatally, during a domestic-related quarrel around 6:40 p.m. in the West Rogers Park neighborhood on the city's Far North Side, police said, citing a preliminary report.
A 20-year-old man suffered multiple stab wounds and was dead at the scene, in the 6100 block of North Oakley Avenue. The survivor, a female victim, was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where she was being treated in critical condition for her wounds, police said.
No further Information available.
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Chicago

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Bond denied for slaying suspect who fled to Mexico
Tribune--On Monday Roberto Ramirez, 26, stood before Cook County Criminal Court Judge Laura Sullivan, who ordered Ramirez held without bond. He faces up to 120 years in prison if he is convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault and home invasion, prosecutors said.

Melissa Dorner was found beaten and strangled in her apartment in the 6100 block of North Winthrop Avenue on Jan. 24, 2005. Ramirez, whose hair, some clothing and other evidence were found at the scene, had fled to Mexico. He allegedly admitted to a friend that he had done "something bad," police said.

Ramirez was arrested in a Mexico City suburb Jan. 4 following a tip authorities received after an FBI agent appeared on a Mexican TV show in November seeking information about Ramirez's whereabouts. Ramirez was returned to the U.S. about 3 a.m. Saturday, and he made a videotaped confession Saturday evening, police said. More...
More from The Sun Times
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Rogers Park

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Crash brings calls for increased intersection warnings
Pioneer--The intersection of Rogers and Touhy has been the scene of many minor fender benders over the years but on Saturday the crash was serious.
A man in a neck brace was lifted carefully onto the litter and taken to the Chicago Fire Department ambulance as another man in a neck brace sat on the sidewalk.

Paramedics take motorcyclist to waiting ambulance as driver of vehicle waits on the curb.
In the middle of Rogers, a northeast/southwest street, was a motorcycle, facing north, wedged under the undercarriage of a car facing northwest. The bike was parallel to the car as if the rider saw him coming and tried to swerve out of the way or dump the bike.
“It’s always something on this corner,” said one man whose house was directly in front of the accident. He came out when he heard the crash.

“No one ever stops at that stop sign,” said another man. More....

Dangerous Condition



























An electrical conduit lies on the street yesterday after apparently being hit and knocked loose by a truck traveling east on Rogers. Live wires could be seen protruding from the junction box that connected the yellow caution light on the Metra overpass at Rogers, just across the street from Runge's Auto Repair.

Rogers Park

Outdoor Seating at Charmers Cafe

I just happened to be walking past Jarvis Square yesterday and saw the employees of Charmers Cafe emptying boxes, putting together tables and setting up their new outdoor seating area.

Charmers Cafe is located at 1500 West Jarvis Avenue.


Annual Blood Drive

This year's Blood Drive will be a competition between police districts. We want the 24th district to win. Everyone who donates will receive a softball t-shirts. So be sure to stop by the police station (6464 N. Clark Street) on Wednesday, July 26 from 2 - 8 pm.
By donating you lower your blood pressure temporarily, and save 3 lives. For more information, call the 24th District front office at 312-744-2043.

From the Blogs

Report on Wednesday's Community Meeting about 7441 North Rogers
"The proposed condo building to replace the formerly beautiful gray Arts & Crafts house is a 6-unit brick-faced building. It's a slightly less generic design than the new 8-unit building immediately to the east, but certainly not an improvement on what the old house could be if it were restored. " more from Fargo Observer

Update: This proposal is on the Agenda for The ZALUC Meeting this Tuesday at 7pm at Alderman Moore's office .
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Rogers Park

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CAPS COMMUNITY ALERT
Wanted for Financial Exploitation of the Elderly

Area Three Detective Division
June 30, 2006, RD# HM 415301 et al, #630-06-017

The Chicago Police Department is looking for an offender who has telephoned six elderly women and identified herself as Stephanie Adams Hall, an employee of Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance. She fraudulently claims that the victims’ Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Insurance or Disability Insurance Premiums are seriously overdue. She warns that if payment is not made immediately, their insurance will be cancelled. The offender makes arrangements to go to the victim’s home and pick up the money. She also requires that the victims reimburse her for traveling expenses, sometimes claiming additional funds for her car being towed or in need of repair.

On one occasion, an unknown male placed the original call and advised the victim that Stephanie Hall would come to her residence to pick up the money owed.

In another incident, the offender was seen leaving the victim's residence in a vehicle bearing license plate #8505662, registered to a 2003 Chevy Blazer.

If you have any knowledge of similar incidents or are contacted by this woman, please call the Chicago Police immediately. Talk with your neighbors about these incidents. Bring this information up at other gatherings you may attend informing as many people as possible.

Area Three Robbery/Burglary/Theft, 312-744-8263
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Chicago

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Census figures show that the state, despite having the fifth-largest economy in the nation, Illinois has the highest poverty rate in the Midwest.

Tribune--Under a moonlit sky, Judy Sirko drives slowly past the expansive brick homes and fountains of a Bloomingdale subdivision in search of treasure.The single mother of three expertly eyes the trash on the curb, stopping her rusty Cavalier to examine a promising plastic bag. It's soft, a good sign.
She rips it open, she finds a towel, then admires a cream velour blanket.A man walks out the front door and yells, "What are you doing?""Oh, I'm just taking your nice blanket and towel that you threw out, sir," Sirko says.
What the 52-year-old Itasca woman doesn't tell the glaring resident in Founder's Pointe is that she is poor, extraordinarily poor. Selling his old blanket may put gas in her car, buy a box of laundry detergent or perhaps cover a medical co-payment.

Judy Sirko's regular trash runs--she calls them "treasure hunts"--help sustain a precarious existence shared by thousands of people in Illinois. Census figures show that the state, despite having the fifth-largest economy in the nation, has the highest poverty rate in the Midwest.

Illinois also leads the region in a grim subset of that category: the group of nearly 724,000 residents, including Sirko and her children, trapped in what experts call "deep poverty." More...
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Rogers Park

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Community Meeting Tonight

Alderman Joe Moore and ZALUC
invite you to a Community Meeting
to view and discuss a proposal to
redevelope the lot at 7441 North Rogers Ave.

Wednesday July 5th, 2006 - 7PM
Gateway Center Apartments

Courtesy of Fargo Observer Blog
No Notice on Alderman Moore's Website

24th District Crime Blotter
for the week ending June 28

Robbery
A 40-year-old man was robbed on the 1100 block of West Thorndale around 2:40 a.m. June 20, according to Rogers Park (24th District) police reports.

A 22-year-old man said he was robbed by an acquaintance who came to his apartment on the 6600 block of North Sheridan Road around 12:40 a.m. June 20. The man told police he let the 18-year-old man in his apartment.

A 33-year-old man old police that someone tried to rob him in the hallway of his apartment building on the 6400 block of North Mozart around 1:35 a.m. June 22.

Burglary
A former roomate burglarized a 19-year-old man's apartment on the 2600 block of West Fitch around 7:45 p.m. June 21.

A 50-year-old woman arrived home to her apartment on the 6300 block of North Francisco, to discover that someone had cut a square hole out of her front door sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. June 22.

More from Pioneer Press


Chicago Vehicle Stickers on Sale
At the 49th Ward Service Office, 7356 N. Greenview

The city of chicago 2006-2007 vehicle sticker sales season begins June 1, 2006 and ends July 15, 2006.

Chicagoans must comply with the Wheel Tax ( Vehicle sticker) Ordinance and display the new sticker on their windshields by the July 15th deadline or face citations and fines.

In an effort to accommodate 49th ward residents, the City Clerk"s Office and Alderman Joseph Moore are teaming up to provide convenient vehicle sticker sales on two dates:

Wednesday, July 5 , 12pm to 7:00pm
Zone 56 resident sticker are also on sale.

For More Info please contact
Alderman Joseph Moore
49th Ward Service Office
7356 N. Greenview
Chicago, Il 60626
Phone: 773.338.5796

Chicago

Daley shifts stance on big box ordinance

Medill via Chi Town Daily News--Though Daley does not support the initiative, recent comments indicate that he may not be taking such a hard line.

"Now, I'm not a big box proponent," he said of the ordinance last week. "But like everything else, what we basically have to have is...them pay better salaries, better benefits. There's nothing wrong with that."

Daley cautioned, however, that he did not want to send the message that big businesses should stay out of Chicago. He also expressed concern that other "big box" companies, like Marshall Fields, might have to shift to part-time employees.

Under an amended version of the ordinance, approved by the City Council Finance Committee on Wednesday, the "living wage" will be phased in over three years to lessen the shock to big businesses. The new plan sets wages at $9.25 an hour, plus $1.50 for benefits to start, before they go up to $10 an hour and $3 in benefits by 2010. More...