Happy
Holidays & Happy New Year
Promoting the voice of our Community December 20, 2012
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• Hegewisch • Vets Park • East Side • South Deering • South Chicago • Bush • Slag Valley www.facebook.com/ontnews
Issue 18 / Vol.5
Holiday Spirit Hits the Southeast Side!
Local Teachers Help Students Understand The Meaning Of Giving. Story continued inside on page 4.
A. Finkl & Sons donates over 100 hams to families and organizations in our community.
Christmas tree lighting in Hegewisch.
Taylor students singing Christmas carols at East Side Christmas tree lighting.
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ONT / Issue 18 / Vol.5
December 20, 2012
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Publisher’s Note
With the holidays upon us and 2012 coming to a close, we at “Our Neighborhood Times” would like to take this opportunity to thank 10th Ward Alderman John A. Pope and his staff, our local advertising customers, organizational partners, event sponsors, and of course our loyal readers & Facebook followers for all of your continued support. I would also like to take this time to thank our ONT staff for all their hard work and dedication throughout the year! My business partner & General Manager Sam Gomez, Editor Christa Torres, Entertainment Director Marisa Munoz, Art Director Brian Grabinski, Office Manager Lydia Gomez, Correspondents Abe Carreon, Dimitri Saranteas & Anthony Vasquez, contributors and volunteers Manny Munoz, John Perez, Carolyn Perez, Brenda Espana, Mike Alvarez and Joe Cisneros. A special thank you to our friend, Arlo Kallemeyn and the rest of his staff at Park Press. Only with their continued sense of pride and commitment in our community, can we at ONT continue to grow and
succeed! With the end of 2012 just around the corner it is time to reflect on what we were able to accomplish this year. We were able to bring our 2nd annual Battle of the Bands competition to the community, in which Corey “CoJack” Cahill was crowned champion. We also brought our 2nd annual Southeast Side Summer Fest which again, drew thousands of community residents where they enjoyed great live entertainment and many food options. We brought a new, one day, Oktoberfest to the Hegewisch community which was a great success. We expanded our support of local musical talent by starting a monthly Spotlight series that features local musical acts and DJ’s from the neighborhood. We launched a new monthly business section in ONT called, “Our Business Times”, which the local industrial and business community have embraced with open arms. Our neighborhood continues to improve through infrastructure updates, which included many of our streets being repaved and renewed, new sewer
installations, and updates and repairs to our bridges,. Major construction on 130th and Torrance continues to progress, which while can be a traffic burden during the construction, promises to relieve a major traffic area. The expansion of Lake Shore Drive is nearing completion. New businesses such as Subway and O’Reilly’s Auto Parts are opened and on the way. If you stop and take a look at all of the progress, you really have to admit, we are finally starting to go places. We would be remiss not to mention the passing of the much respected community newspaper, The Observer, which due to lack of funding, had to close its doors after over a decade of faithful service to our community. Being that we are now the only publication in the community, it is our goal to continue to represent each and every resident, local business owner and local elected official with respect and to focus on positive aspects in our community. Many other publications already seem to only focus on the negative. We are committed to building
a community newspaper publication that you the reader & resident can be proud of. We are working hard to make 2013 the best year ONT has ever had, but we cannot do any of it without you, the community, local business owners and elected officials. We need your support to continue to do what we do. We must do all that we can to shop local and support our local businesses and organizations. Together we can grow strong and show the rest of the city that we can also be a “First Class” destination to live and do business. We at Our Neighborhood Times truly believe this is “Our” neighborhood. This is “Our” community and this is “Our” newspaper. We deeply and sincerely appreciate your ongoing support. Have a safe & happy Holidays Dan Lira, Publisher ONT Media, Our Neighborhood Times
Spend $ome to Get $ome in South Chicago! Spend $250 or more in South Chicago during the holiday season and get a rebate of up to 10% on every dollar you spend! Spend / Receive $250 - $499 / $25
Purchases must be made between November 23 and December 24, 2012 with qualifying merchants in South Chicago located along: Commercial Ave. between 87th & South Chicago Ave; 91st St. between Exchange Ave. & Houston Ave; and 92nd St. between Exchange Ave. & Harbor Drive. All original receipts must be brought to the South Chicago Chamber, 8826 S. Commercial Avenue. Monday - Saturday between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm. December 3rd through December 28th, 2012. ***Rebates are on a first-come first-served basis
Spend / Receive $500 - $999 / $50
Spend / Receive $1000 - $1999 / $100
Spend / Receive $2000 - + / $200
until funds are exhausted*** The following must be clear and present on all original receipts: Name and location of merchant, date of purchase, items purchased. Purchase of the following are excluded: Alcohol, medication, rent, medical, legal and some professional services, such as accounting and insurance. Travel agent services are included.
For more information contact the South Chicago Chamber of Commerce at (773) 768-1221 • sochicagochamber@yahoo.com Sponsored by Special Service Area #5 and the South Chicago Chamber of Commerce.
Bring in this coupon with your receipts to receive a FREE GIFT while supplies last! Zone Code: SC • Exp. 12/28/12
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3 December 16, 2012
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Seasons Greetings from
Chicago Lakeside Development
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We look forward to continuing to connect with local community organizations and businesses in 2013.
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A home to progressive thinkers and doers Chicago Lakeside Development is above all, a powerful
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beginning. With visions for a new, dynamic and diverse community, the site that was once the largest steel mill in the country will transform the way the world approaches living in the 21st century.
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McCaffery Interests, Inc. | 875 North Michigan Avenue | Suite 1800 Chicago. IL 60611 | www.ChicagoLakesideDevelopment.com |
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facebook.com/ChicagoLakesideDevelopment
ONT / Issue 18 / Vol.5
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ONT / Issue 18 / Vol.5
December 16, 2012
4
Local Teachers Help Students Understand The Meaning Of Giving
Continued from front page.
For the third year in a row, Arnold Mireles first grade teacher, Mrs. Sierra and Gwendollyn Brooks Academy Spanish teacher, Ms. Santoyo have collaborated to bring their own “Letters to Santa” program to the children in Mrs. Sierra’s class. “A family friend gave my name and school information to Ms. Santoyo as a potential primary teacher that might want to participate” said Mrs. Sierra. “I was delighted to participate and soon thereafter, had my students write their Letters to Santa.” Each student in Mrs. Sierra’s class write letters to Santa with their personal Christmas wishes which
are then read by the high school students in Ms. Santoyo’s class. Each Brooks student is assigned the task of making one child’s Christmas wish come true and through this process, learns the meaning of giving. For the third year in a row, students in Ms. Santoyo’s Spanish class personally deliver the Christmas spirit to children in our community and a paid back many times over by seeing the joy in their faces as the Mireles students open their presents. ONT would like to send a very big thank you to Ms. Santoyo and all of her students that have participated each year and to Mrs. Sierra for making this program possible.
Publishers Note Villa Guadalupe
P2 P6
Friday, February 15, 2013 St. Francis DeSales High School Alumni Raffle Top Prize $18,000! For complete details on the raffle, to purchase tickets securely online, or to purchase tickets by phone, please contact (773)731-7272 ext. 223.
Cub Scouts Classifieds
P7 P8
HAPPY HOLIDAYS & HAPPY NEW YEAR
Staff Dan Lira, Publisher Dlira@ontnews.com Sam Gomez, General Manager Sgomez@ontnews.com Brian Grabinski, Art Director Bgrabinski@ontnews.com
Around Town Saturday, January 19, 2013 Join 10th Ward Alderman John A. Pope, & The Chicago Park District for Winterfest 2013 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Rowan Park Ice Rink (115th & Avenue O – Just South of Washington High School) • Free Skate Rentals • Open Ice • Games • Prizes • Refreshments • Music
Contents
Christa Torres, Editor Ctorres@ontnews.com
Abraham Carreon, Sports Acarreon@ontnews.com Anthony Vasquez, Social Avasquez@ontnews.com Dimitrios Saranteas, Business Dsaranteas@ontnews.com Juan Quintana, Sports Jquintana@ontnews.com Marisa Munoz, Entertainment Mmunoz@ontnews.com
Advertising Information Call: 773-616-1334 P.O. Box 170168 • Chicago IL. 60617
www.facebook.com/ontnews
“Promoting the Voice of Our Community” Our Neighborhood Times is published every other week.
WishingWishing you Peaceful and Safe Holida you Peaceful and Safe Holidays! Wishing you Peaceful and Safe Holidays!
Building Community in South Chicago
Quality homes & affordable apartments New Apartments for 2013! Neighborhood safety initiatives Home energy programs Building Community in South Chicago Building Community in South Chicago New Communities Program
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ONT / Issue 18 / Vol.5
L L A SM N
5 December 16, 2012
Happy Holidays From...
ONT / Issue 18 / Vol.5
December 16, 2012
6
Villa Guadalupe Gets a Facelift to Match High Spirits of Residents
By Anthony Vasquez Avasquez@ontnews.com
On November 15, 2012, the Villa Guadalupe Senior Services facilities held an open house to celebrate recent renovations. Located at 3201 East 91st Street, Villa Guadalupe has been serving South Chicago’s senior citizens for 21 years. Developed by Claretian Associates in 1991, the facilities provide much more than affordable housing to the elderly who reside on the Southeast side. Besides supportive services including health screenings, senior citizens can find an array of activities which include dance courses, arts and craft classes and exercise programs.
As part of the open house, visitors were given the opportunity to partake in tours of apartments on each of the residential floors. While the tours were stated to be self-guided, in many instances potential residents were given the opportunity to interact with current occupants. The residents appeared to be alert and cheerful. Eloise Martinez, who has lived at Villa Guadalupe since it originally opened, announced to guests, “I hope everybody who comes will be as happy as I’ve been.” The rededication ceremony included a prayer by Father Mark Brummel, and a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Director Angela Hurlock. 80-year-old Jenny Martinez was also honored at the ceremony for her 13 years of service at Villa Guadalupe, leading up to her retirement, which was also celebrated on November 15, 2012.
Happy Holidays from our family to yours. Barbara Flynn Currie Illinois House Majority Leader State Representative, 25th District 1303 E. 53rd St. Chicago, IL 60615 773-667-0550
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Happy Holidays From the Betkowski Family
Contributed by Lisa Downs
December 16, 2012
Cub Scouts Spread Holiday Cheer
7
ONT / Issue 18 / Vol.5
Senior Suite Resident Lucy decorates her cookie while Cub Scout Elijah Bermejo helps senior Jenny M with her cookie.
Aunt Sally’s
RESTAURANT & PANCAKE HOUSE
Front Row: Elijah Bermejo, Nicolas Gomez, Anthony Moreno, Christian Garcia, Alex Williams, Aaron Gorny, Eli Ford, David Meduga, Abby Gorny (Girl Scout) Second Row: Dale Downs, Eric Godinez(hidden) Liam Bermejo, John Garcia, RJ Reiger. Also in attendance were scouts Keoni and Kaweli Montero, JeremiahGarcia and Matthew Donahue.
Breakfast & Lunch Served Anytime
Cub Scout Pack 773 then took time out of their busy holiday schedules to spend some time outdoors. The scouts hiked for two miles at Gibson Woods in Hammond,IN and then took their talents inside the nature center to decorate some ornaments for the wildlife of the forest. Pictured: Anthony Cuellar, Brian Barragan (both first time hikers!) Keoni Montero, Kaweli Montero, Adam Morales (also a first time hiker) and Nicolas Gomez. Back row: Jacob Kusar (who has hiked a total of 49 miles since joining as a Tiger), Jacob Morales (Boy Scout of Troop 701) and Javier Larios.
Happy Holidays from our family to yours
Happy Holidays At Aunt Sally’s You’re Family! 1215 Burnham Ave. Calumet City, IL
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10554 S. Muskegon Ave. Chicago, IL 60617 773-734-9305
ONT / Issue 18 / Vol.5
December 20, 2012
8
Classifieds For Sale
Mobile Home $11,000 Or reasonable offer 2 Bed -2 bath on lot Appliances Included Hegewisch East 134th Call 804-516-2375 __________________________ For Sale
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13429 S. Avenue N 2 bdroom Apt on 1st Floor $700 Montly Rent, Heat Included, No Pets - 312-404-4340 __________________________ For Rent
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13356 Brandon Nice 1 bedroom, 1 bath apt. heat, hot water, refrigerator & stove included $575. Call 312-683-5174 __________________________ For Rent
9116 S. South Chicago Ave Nice 2 bdroom 1 bath apt carpet & appliances included $640. Call 312-683-5174 __________________________ For Rent
Apartment for Rent in Hegewisch 3rd Floor, 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath No Pets, Washer/Dryer available $700 p/month; Utilities not included. Call 773-209-8264
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes from CAIC’s Board of Directors. Members and Staff.
9 December 16, 2012
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ONT / Issue 18 / Vol.5
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ONT / Issue 18 / Vol.5
December 20, 2012
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ONT / Issue 18 / Vol.5
You deserve it.
December 16, 2012
Make your New Year’s Resolution... a great smile!
December 20, 2012
12
ONT / Issue 18 / Vol.5
Happy Holidays & Best Wishes from 10th Ward Alderman John A. Pope & Staff.
Join 10th Ward Alderman John A. Pope, & The Chicago Park District for
Winterfest 2013 Saturday, January 19, 2013 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Rowan Park Ice Rink
(115th & Avenue O – Just South of Washington High School)
• Free Skate Rentals • Open Ice
• Games • Prizes • Refreshments • Music
For More Information, please call the office of Alderman John Pope at
773.721.1999