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PROVIDING INFORMATION ON RESOURCES AND EVENTS THAT IMPROVE THE LIFESTYLE OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY PUBLISHER : STRATEGIC HUMAN SERVICES VOLUME NO. 11 - ISSUE NO. 30 ISSN 1548-6087 July 30 - August 5, 2009

Serving North Lawndale, East & West Garfield, Austin, Pilsen, Humboldt Park, Near Westside & South LawndaleSince 1999, More News, More of Your Issues, and More of Your Community Voices and Faces.

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INSIDETHIS ISSUE

METROPOLITANCHICAGOBREAST

CANCER’S 1STEXECUTIVEDIRECTOR

MARIE GILLIAMPAGE - 5

Open StreetsActivity Station

SchedulePAGE - 4

Anchored by more than a centuryof tradition and continually striving togrow and improve, the Mary CraneCenter at 316 N. Pulaski Road inGarfield Park recently celebrated its firstyear of operations as it looks forwardto offering the highest in qualitychildcare and family services to theWest Side for many more years to come.

The Center, which took over thelocation that housed the Bethel NewLife childcare program July 1, 2008, iscurrently in the midst of a drive todouble its enrollment and expand itsstaff there while adding to a legacy ofservice to low income families that beganwhen Teddy Roosevelt resided in theWhite House. State-accredited pre-kindergarten and Head Start programsare also offered by Mary Crane, whichhas six locations serving communitiesin Austin, the Near Northwest andRogers Park as well as Garfield Park.

“We are a very large agency,and we are hiring even in this climate ofrecession because the demand is alwaysthere,” said Melisa Larson, the GarfieldPark Site Manager. “We’ve been sortingthrough the takeover (from Bethel)during our first year here. But we arefinally settling in and starting to seesome growth.

“We are working extremely hard tolet families in the community know thatwe are here, we have a very largeorganization and support network and

Mary Crane Center ContinuesCentury of Care for Children

TRAVLES R. LANE

we are committed to continue providingthem the best services in the industry.”

Specializing in a CreeativeCurriculum, the Center tailors itsprograms to suit each child’s individuallikes, dislikes, strengths and weaknessesand focuses on involving the wholefamily in the learning process. MaryCrane emphasizes its 6:30 a.m.- 6:30p.m. operating hours, a bilingual staff,assisting children with special needs,literacy activities and daily playtimethat “inspires child-to-childinteraction.”

Students also enjoy dailystructured outdoor play as well asinstruction on healthy living, exposureto language tools and a culturally richand diverse classroom, according to theCenter ’s Website atwww.marycrane.org.

The Garfield Park location, whichenrolls 35 mostly African American kidsbetween 16 months and five years old,employs a full-time staff of 12 people,including three bilingual instructors.Larson, who brings more than 20 yearsof experience and a Master’s degree in

Early Childhood Education to her post,said she and Mary Crane ExecutiveDirector Laevetter Terry share a goal offurther enhancing the Center’s servicesand outreach through increased diversityand program expansion.

“We’re about halfway where wewant to be (in terms of enrollment) atthis site,” said Larson. “We have fundingto expand to serve more toddlers andtwo-year olds, and we are exploring theoption of providing school-age care inthe near future.

“We currently are pushing a strongoutreach to the Latino community andwe are heavily recruiting in the HumboltPark area. Because as gentrificationforces many minority communities tomove, we are finding that combiningservices (to accommodate diversity) isthe model to build on for the future.”

Established in 1907 as the MaryCrane Day Nursery by Jane Addams,the Mary Crane Center was originallyformed to assist the children of poorimmigrants on Chicago’s near West Sidebefore moving to the Lathrop Homeslocation in 1963. The organizationpioneered a new way of thinking aboutearly childhood education during itsinception as one of the first experimentsin nursery school education in the U.S.and has since served more than 14,000children and families. Today, Mary

Harry Lennix, one of Chicago’s bestrenown actors appearing in movieblockbusters such as Star Wars, Ray, TheMatrix, as well as TV shows, DOLLHOUSE,COMMANDER IN CHIEF and “24” spokeeloquently of why art makes a difference. “Artcan bring out the best in our youth, theircreativity, their drive, their need to expressthemselves and in some cases it can even savea life.” It was a heartfelt expression that wasmet with nods of appreciation as Chicago’snative son known to many as one of “TheFive Heartbeats” served admirably as the MCfor a festive event recognizing thecontributions of Congressman Luis Gutierrez

CHICAGO’S VERY OWN

HARRY LENNIX MC’S PANAMERICA

PERFORMANCE WORKS EVENT

and Alderman Ed Smith on behalf ofPanAmerica Performance Works (PPW)formerly known as Latino Chicago TheaterCompany.

Prior to Harry’s opening remarks, the SinaiInstitute Hall, courtesy of Mount Sinai CEOAlan Channing, was filled with the jazz soundsof guitarist Marco Garcia and the danceperformances of TANGO 21 as FuegoRestaurant provided food and refreshment fora party of guests from all walks of life. In the

See Lennix page 5

(Left to right) PPW Board Secretary NildaHernandez, Congressman Luis Gutierrez, PPWBoard President Bill Natale, Alderman Ed Smith,and PPW V.P. Len Dominguez

Harry Lennix and Alderman Ed Smith

See Care Backpage

Mary Crane Center teacher Jennifer Franklin prepares breakfast for her pre-school class. Photo by Travles R. Lane

The Lawndale Christian DevelopmentCorporation (LCDC) and the office of 24th WardAlderman Sharon Denise Dixon brought togetherresources available to tenants whose landlords areexperiencing foreclosure. The meeting, held at theChicago Christian Industrial League on Saturday,June 27, 2009 gave tenants affected by theForeclosure Crisis the opportunity to speak withattorneys, housing counselors, representatives fromthe Cook County Sheriffs Department, and varioussocial service agencies who provide supportiveservices for tenants who find they face evictionthrough no fault of their own.

Frances D. Pratt, Foreclosure OutreachAdvocate for LCDC, described a scenario, whichmagnifies the depth of destruction once removedfrom the public’s eye due to the focus on the plightof individual owner-occupied homeowners. “There

Foreclosure Outreach Initiatives MeetingSponsored by LCDC & Ald. Sharon Dixonprovides Assistance for Renters - Part 1

Paul Stewart

are large numbers of multi-units in North Lawndale,so when one owner goes into foreclosure, 36-40people can be displaced in just one building” Ms.Pratt reflected. The work of outreach advocates issignificantly more challenging when the income sourceof many Lawndale tenants is dependent on SSI, whichis $674 a month according to Ms. Pratt. “The averageperson must make $1800 to be considered for a studioat a 30% rental increment for subsidized rental housingof a studio” said Ms. Pratt. Ms. Pratt continued”This leaves the rent payment at $600 and $1200 isleft for everything else.” “Considering a significantnumber of renters practice “Hook-up” housing whereone rental subsidized unit often has several extendedfamily members or in some cases the authorizedtenant may not live in the approved unit. Then whendisplacement occurs not only is the family larger

See Foreclosure page 5

Chicago Christian Industrial League where the meeting was held

THE NORTH LAWNDALE COMMUNITY NEWS July 30 - August 5, 2009Page 2

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The North Lawndale Community News is now publishedweekly by Strategic Human Services. Our purpose is tohelp inform our community on resources, events, and issuesrelevant to them and our neighboring communities. Ourcommunity includes those who live, work, worship in, and/or care about North Lawndale. Our focus is on positive,productive solutions, that will improve the lifestyle of ourcommunity members.Board of DirectorsFrank Bass, Chairman Dennis Deer, DirectorMarlo Kemp, Treasurer Creative Scott, DirectorCarolyn Lewis, Secretary Marlone Finley, DirectorVivian Lewis, Director Norman Baldwin, DirectorBetty Mason, Director Dr. Betty J. Allen Green, Director

Former Founding Board of Director: Larry LeonardAdvisory Board:Cong. Danny K. Davis, Rev. Randall Harris, Fred Mitchell, LauraWashington, Susan Munro, Marta Foster, Margaret Davis, Larry Leonard

Consulting Editors and Writers:Wilbert Cook, Bill Goosby, Fred Mitchell, Dr. Shemuel Israel,Tamiko Bowie, Danita Bowie, Marquita Ware, Warren Polk, DavidSchultz, Reggie Lewis, Angelic Jones, Mary Moran, Clemolyn(Pennie) Brinson, Priscilla Lucas, Todd Thomas, Kabuika Kamunga,Sophia Karalexis, X’ernona Woods, Zaki A. Muhammad, BenProtess, Demetrius Porter, David Tenario, S. Mike Cook, DavidSchultz, & Marlone FinleyFounding CEO & Publisher: Isaac Lewis, Jr.Production/Layout Coordinator: Marquita WareIT (Information Technology) Manager: Ronnie AllenStaff Accountant:Communications Manager:Resource Project Director: John MooreMarketing Consultant: Dr. Shemuel IsraelAdvertising Manager: Andre StokesAdvertising Consultant:Technical Assistant:Website Consultant: Lamont SimmonsPhotography: Community members and writersStrategic Door to Door Distribution (Weekly) CommunityYouthCirculation: 15,000 copiesDrop Site Distribution: Kelvin Elkins, James Glover,Reginald Lewis and Phillip Lewis distributed weekly over280 dropsites, and over 340,685 potential readers throughoutNorth and South Lawndale, East and West Garfield, HumboldtPark, Austin, Pilsen and the Near West Communities.Weekly Mail Subscription Rates: $20.00 for 3 months.$35.00 for 6 months $60.00 for 1 year $110 for 2years

The North Lawndale Community News is funded by thededicated work and support of the community, and madepossible with grants from The Steans Family Foundation,TheJohn D. and Catherine MacArthur Foundation, Harris BankFoundation The Leo S. Guthman Family Fund ( Lynne C.Rosenthal), The Soderquist Family Foundation, U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), J-Lab Institute, AfterSchool Matters , SBC (now AT&T), TheIllinois State Board of Education (State Senator RickeyHendon), State of Illinois Depart of Commerce andEconomic Opportunity.DCEO through Sate Rep. Art Turner,The McCormick Tribune Foundation, the National BlackCaucus of States Institute, Advocate Bethany Fund, andcontributions from our community, advertisers, and readers.The North Lawndale Community News was started with agrant from the North Lawndale Small Grants Initiative nowknown as the Small Grants Human Development Corporation,and the Steans Family Foundation.

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NLCN2009 FOCUS

THE NORTH LAWNDALECOMMUNITY NEWS

HEALTH & THE ECONOMYOne of the major issues of the recent presidential campaign

was health care. Health care costs have become an escalatingburden for employers and consumers alike. Research hasshown that total health spending is reduced when consumersbear more responsibility for their health and the expensesrelated to it. One of the best ways to increase life expectancywhile reducing disability is to encourage a culture of self-care practices.

Self care is personal health maintenance. It is the caretaken by individuals towards their own health and well being.Self care includes the actions individuals take in their role ascare givers for their children, their families, and others tostay fit and to maintain good physical, mental, and spiritualhealth.

Extreme self care means making choices and decisions thathonor our soul in everyday living. It means feeding ourselveswhole foods, moving our bodies every day, balancing silencewith activity, and surrounding ourselves with supportive, like-minded people who are committed to improving or restoringhealth and uplifting the quality of their lives as well.

More than 75% of people surveyed in the United Kingdomsaid if they had guidance or support from a professional orpeer they would feel far more confident about taking care oftheir own health. Research shows that supporting self carecan improve health outcomes and increase patient satisfaction.Our intention is to support individuals, families, institutions,and communities in their efforts to practice extreme self care.During 2009, the North Lawndale Community News focuseson cost-effective ways you can improve your health bypracticing self care.

The Economy has made itself the number one issue withgas prices reaching almost $5.00 per gallon and having adomino effect on everything else sold, except housing stockwhich experienced a terrible decline with the high rate offoreclosures. The Chicago metropolitan area reported 5,821new foreclosure filings in December, a foreclosure rate ofone new foreclosure filing for every 499 households — morethan twice the national average. That brought the area’s fourthquarter foreclosure total to 16,949 and its 2006 foreclosuretotal to 57,706, according to Realty Trac.

Even transportation on the CTA went on the rise with one daypasses increasing by seventy-five cents and monthly passessincreased by $10.00 from $75.00 to $85.00. Those are just afew of the increases.

The North Lawndale Community News this year isexpanding on last years financial focus to give attention to itsbroader parent the economy. Saving and making smartershopping decisions will help stop us losing through wastefulchoices. Finding new ways to increase our income is a necessityfor many in an area where gentrifrication is not going to stop.

One of the hardest things to change is behavior. Modifyingbehavior seems to be easy when it comes to pain. Social painlack of money has to be extreme for many to change. 2009should be different for many and of course many will continuetoward economic mistakes and financial ruin.

But in today’s information society there is no excuse for notmaking smart choices. Financial literacy alone is not enough. Lookwhat happened to Lehman Brothers and what’s happening to manyother financial institutions let alone individuals, families. and smallbusinesses.

Solutions come to the internet, books, economic experts,financial counselors and experts, the media and your economicalneighbors.

The North Lawndale Community News will tap into resourcesand share them with you, our reader. So to help you improve yourhealth and your economy keep reading The North LawndaleNews. We say yours because some may not modiy their behavior,except when the pain comes and still some won’t change.. Yourimput is also welcome If you have some information that isbeneficial please submit it. Let’s make smarter health andeconomic moves for life in 2009.

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THE NORTH LAWNDALE COMMUNITY NEWS Page 3July 30 - August 5, 2009

THE NORTH LAWNDALE COMMUNITY NEWS July 30 - August 5, 2009Page 4

Do you remember when you were a child and theimagination was something that never took you into therealm of doubt? Literally, the gigantic mind in such asmall body was endless. It was nothing that you couldnot imagine, all things seemed possible. As all thingsare possible. It wasn’t until I fully got in tune with theUniverse and myself that I could fully understand thisconcept. It is only the limited minds of those who havebeen broken with no ambition to fix or conquer that areleft with the emptiness of “That’s Impossible.”

From Harriet Tubman, our beloved ancestor whofought on the road to freedom to Martin Luther King Jr.in his fight for a dream that is today being fulfilled wemust all imagine in order to pave the road for change.On the way, there may be some bumps, hurts, and bruisesbut it is the broken pieces that we glue together in orderto make the artistic beauty of the picture that allows usto continue and imagine “Dare To Imagine.” We mustImagine our neighborhoods being in top notch conditionwith intelligent youth that will be the future leaders andbuild a better tomorrow. We must imagine a light of loveresonating over our school systems that will resolve thehate that has taken so many lives away from our children.We must imagine unity, in order that we must worktogether, not for our own agendas, but to make acommunities grow in love. We must imagine first inorder to order to grow, because without the imagination,we can’t see our future. In the words of Theologian OtisMoss III “Dare To Imagine.” We must imagine in orderto make change, positive change.

There are many references based on the outcome ofthe imagination. A highly recommended book that willhelp us all to get to and through the imagination state iscalled “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne. The Secretfocuses on the Law of Attraction which basis is built onlove. The love for self, others, and the universe in generalwill allow us all to manifest in life what is needed in ourhomes, communities, nation, and world. It is the light oflove, a simple recipe to life.

According to Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith founderof the Agape International Spiritual Center in LosAngeles California, in the book “The Secret” on page 19he specifically states that “You attract to you thepredominant thoughts that you’re holding in yourawareness, whether those thoughts are conscious orunconscious.” So it is important that as individuals andas a community we begin to focus on the positiveopposed to the negative. Have you ever come in contactwith a Debbie Downer, or perhaps a Curious Catalena,who is always draw to negativity? Well the next timethat you do, shift the mood and resonate by your way ofthinking into a positive conversation opposed to thealways negative conversation that one who has thepersonality of the two in order to help make change.You see, it is important that we do it together and try ourbest not to leave anyone out because the shift is for thecommunity/city of Chicago at large. But the best placeto start is with ourselves, and then our friends, and thenour family, which branches out into our communities. Itis important to understand that what ever thought hasdone to the lives of all, it could be fixed by a shift of ourown awareness. So we must “Dare to Imagine” in orderto clean our communities with the love of unity in orderthat we may all understand the concept of One. Yes weare all One. So “Dare To Imagine” and participate in thechange, the positive change. Let The Shift Begin!

Peace & Light my Sisters, your Sista Tali.A simple exercise to help in our pursuit to the

imagination of a cleaner, healthier, safer city:Every day close your eyes for a few seconds and

see exactly what it is that you want for the future ofChicago. Your thoughts must be positive. Place withinyour thoughts your interaction as to what part you willplay in this manifesto, and began to work towards whatyou have imagined and watch it unfold. Be sure to quietyour mind and meditate on this very project for you andyour community at least 3 times a day. “Dare ToImagine.”

Tali Bakhit is a visionary journalist, writer,entrepreneur, and owner of her own company Bon-chic Productions. Born and raised in the inner city ofPhiladelphia, she knows the struggles that youngAfrican American sisters go through on the everydaybasis. As a writer for the the North LawndaleCommunity Newspaper, Tali has made a loyalcommitment to give back to the Sisters and prove yeswe can all get along and create a since of loyalty.Peace & Light My sisters.

FROM SISTER TO

SISTA: “Dare ToImagine”

On Saturday August 1st from 8:30 a.m.to 2:00 p.m., Open Streets will give NorthLawndale residents the chance to enjoy thestreets the way they want. This will be thebiggest, most fun filled block- club partyever! When you consider all of the greatactivities that will be available at the Tasteof North Lawndale, it will be a date you willlong remember.

Open Streets’ route will begin in LittleVillage, pass through North Lawndale,Garfield Park, Humboldt Park and end inLogan Square. Along North Lawndale’sboulevards you’ll find children’s games, artactivities, dance, jazz and hip hop music andmuch more! You’ll have a chance to takeadvantage of the Farmers Market at GreaterGalilee Baptist Church, find your inner artistby painting a mural at the RenaissanceApartments and learn to step at any one ofour dance stations. Take a look at the list ofthe many activities that you can enjoy andbe sure to come out and play!

OPEN STREETS ACTIVITY STATION SCHEDULE

THE NORTH LAWNDALE COMMUNITY NEWS Page 5July 30 - August 5, 2009

Board Meeting Dates2009 - 10

September 10, 2009

December 10, 2009

February 11, 2010

April 8, 2010

June 10, 2010

All meetings start at 5pm and will belocated at the 1615 S. Christiana Campus

North Lawndale College PreparatoryCharter High School

1615 S. Christiana, Chicago , IL 60623 1313 S. Sacramento, Chicago, IL 60623 (773) 542-1490 voice (773) 542-6766 voice (773) 542-1492 fax (773) 542-6955 fax

CHICAGO, IL – The Board of theMetropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force,a city-wide task force representing over 100health care organizations and more than 100community stakeholders, advocates, faithleaders and health care professionals dedicatedto reducing the black-white disparity in breastcancer mortality in Chicago, is pleased toannounce Marie Rule Gilliam, MHSA, as its firstExecutive Director.

”Marie brings a rare combination of morethan 15 years of health care managementexperience and a passion for advocacy andcommunity activism to her new role at the TaskForce,” said Dr. David A. Ansell, Chair of theTask Force Board and Chief Medical Officer atRush University Medical Center . “Both arenecessary components in our ongoing effortsto reduce breast cancer mortality disparities inChicago .”

Gilliam is a versatile, senior-level health careexecutive with specific experience incommunity-based health initiatives, operations,partnerships, grant management and advocacy. Prior to joining the Metropolitan Chicago BreastCancer Task Force, Gilliam held positions withthe University of Illinois at Chicago , theUniversity of Chicago Hospitals, the ChicagoAsthma Consortium and the American Collegeof Healthcare Executives.

In the four years prior to joining the TaskForce, Gilliam was with UIC’s Division ofPrevention and Public Health Sciences in theCollege of Dentistry as Assistant to the Dean. Other previous leadership positions includeExecutive Director of the Chicago AsthmaConsortium and Project Coordinator for UIC’sResearch Framework for Public Health

Performance Project in the School of PublicHealth , a project co-sponsored by the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and theAssociation of Schools of Public Health.

“I am honored to have this opportunityto lead such a broad-reaching, dedicated andeffective collaborative in the fight againstdisparities in breast cancer mortality, the mostimportant public health issue facing ourcity,” Gilliam said. “I am a passionate believerin the power of communities; and this projecthas not only received support andparticipation from our city’s leading health

METROPOLITAN CHICAGO BREAST CANCER

TASK FORCE NAMES MARIE RULE GILLIAM

AS ITS FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Gilliam leads citywide task force representing over 100 health care

organizations dedicated to reducing breast cancer disparities

See Gilliam page 7

Marie Gilliam

center of the room, directly behind thepodium hung a huge rendering providedby architects Wallin & Gomez for what willeventually be the new home of PPW.Congressman Gutierrez and Alderman EdSmith admired the beauty and vision of thenew structure that will complement theconstruction of a new parking lot andshopping mall also being planned by MountSinai Hospital. But this evening of MondayJune 22nd, was reserved for theacknowledgement of two self-less publicservants and their history of helping LatinoChicago Theater, now known as PPW.

Congressman Gutierrez helpedChicago’s first Hispanic theater troupeacquire an abandoned firehouse that wasreclaimed and converted into “TheFirehouse Theater.” Ironically aftershowcasing works by playwright-in-residence Migdalia Cruz (“Fur,” “Lolita deLares,” “Miriam’s Flowers”) and by PuertoRican playwright Edwin Sanchez (“Dona Soland Her Trained Dog”) as well as probingplays such as “Bitter Homes and Gardens,”“Prospect” and the incandescent “LucyLoves Me,” the theater burned down.

The equity from that structure servedas the down payment for phase one of the

construction of a new theater/culturalcenter, known as the Mother Road ArtsCenter that will hopefully revitalize theNorth Lawndale/Douglas Parkneighborhood. Alderman Ed Smith made itpossible for PPW to acquire the eight citylots necessary to create the new complexthat will include a 100 seat theater, anoutdoor Greek theater for children’s playsand a 250 seat theater for performing artsand independent cinema. PanAmerica hasmade a commitment to make the complexavailable for meetings and outreachprograms vital to the community.

Harry Lennix along with PanAmerica’sboard members presented theCongressman and the Alderman withbeautifully etched glass awards and framedrenderings of the project. Both recipientsapplauded PPW’s efforts to bridge the gapbetween Latinos and African-Americans bycreating a center that provides residents ofNorth Lawndale/Douglas Park theopportunity to celebrate the arts, be it music,performance or cinema.

If you’re interested in contributing tothe effort by PPW to construct the newcultural center, please send yourcontributions to PPW at 8500 S. BrandonAvenue, Chicago, IL 60617.

Parade from front page

than approved, but how can they live in a studio?”Ms. Pratt says.

LCDC normally works with the Lawndale officeof Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS), however inMs. Pratt’s Opinion NHS is “overwhelmed” in termsof capacity to serve, and LCDC has reached out toAgora Community Services Corporation to assist withthe overload. Mary T. Jones, Executive Director andHUD Certified Housing Counselor for Agora, said “Wereally have had to integrate a wide variety of resourcesto assist displaced tenants.” Ms. Jones stated Agoraand LCDC are networking with Claretian Associatesfor the Rental Stabilization Component of theNeighborhood Stabilization Program(NSP) from theObama Administration(Phase 1 was aimed at stabilizing

rental housing), Metropolitan Tenants Organizationon Tenant Rights, Lawyers Committee for BetterHousing, John Marshall Law School Fair HousingLegal Clinic, Illinois State Treasurer’s Office’s FinallyHome Program, New Age Services provides One-on-One Counseling, Covenant Bank, and the Cook CountySheriff’s Department covers “What it means to beserved. Ms. Jones further stated Agora is including intheir grant requests funding for the homeowner side ofthe Foreclosure Crisis to do post-closing counselingfor first-time buyers, outreach to Real Estate Agentsto send all buyers to the free homeownership counselingseminars, and is going to incorporate green technologyinto the Budgeting component of the seminars. Wediscussed how one 75 watt compact fluorescent lightbulb in typical usage in one lamp saves $56 on electric

Foreclosure from front page

See page 7

THE NORTH LAWNDALE COMMUNITY NEWS July 30 - August 5, 2009Page 6

THE ANSWER MAN (**) Nothing is asdeep and profound as we think is part of themessage in this lighthearted romantic comedywith a Scrooge-like performance from JeffDaniels as a reclusive author of an immenselypopular self-help spirituality book, “Me andGod” that has entered its 20th year ofpopularity and notoriety.

Arlen Faber (Daniels) uses hismisanthropic demeanor to maintainanonymous toward his neighbors andpostman to avoid being besieged with theirlife questions.

Even on this auspicious occasion, Astressed out Arlen stays held up in his house,showing little interest or cooperation towardhis agent, Terri (Olivia Thiriby) who seeks hisapproval over a new commemorative bookcover, While Terri is unable to trick him intodoing one interview when she’s summonedby Faber whose back goes out, leaving himon the floor.

Once Arlen awakens the next day to findhimself on his back; He manages to pullhimself off the floor and literally crawls hisway down the street to the recently openedhealing center. Where Arlen becomesinfatuated after his treatment done by a femalemasseur, Elizabeth (Lauren Graham), a singleparent with a seven yr. old son that mighthelp Arlen find the diversion in life.

Another more strained relationship thatoffers the same possibilities for Arlen is hisrelationship with Kris Lucas (Lou TaylorPucci), a young book store owner just recentlyfrom rehab who struggles with his father (TonyHale).

While Kris tries to get his business fromunder creditors caused by his assistant (KatDennings) when she loses the keys to theshop. Arlen becomes a persistent presencetrying to make him accept the return of a 21

AT THE FLICKSDavid H. Schultz, film critic

volume book set.Eventually when the postman realizes the

man whose been singing for Faber’s mail isthe man himself. The postman pops up withhis family to sing at his door that leads to theauthor throwing water on the family.

And in retaliation, the postman revealsFaber’s identity to Kris who arrives on Arlen’sdoorstep and agrees to terms to accept fivebooks back for each question Kris seeksanswers to, that relates to his life and troubles.

Until the questions leads to a relationshipwith Kris that Arlen seems identify andsympathisize with when Kris’ father suddenlydies. Along with Arlen spending time withElizabeth and her child that helps fill somegaps in his life. While providing him with thecourage to arrange a single autograph booksinging event at Kris’ shop that Arlen intendsto use to clear up some public misconceptionsand beliefs about his book.

Even as “The Answer Man” appears totry and moralize how we seek solutions toproblems that in most cases we can do forourselves. There is a price that is paid ontothose we entrust over our own ability.

Fame can happen by chance for a guywho was just looking for the answers in hisown life. But when those questions couldn’tget some kind of response. Arlen decides touse himself to answer his own questions.

It was those answers that the publicwanted to believe in, as if God used Arlen ashis spokesman, This show how sometimeswe put too much emphasis on things we cando for ourselves. “The Answer Man does doenough to show both sides.

After all, We sure know better by nowand are less like sheep in our trials andtrubulations. Its just that all of this seems tocome through too little and late into thismovie. PG-13; 95min. A Magnolia Picture

Release – Presented at selectedtheaters

G-FORCE (**) AfterDisney went to the “dogs” with“Beverly Hills Chihuahua’;There’s a bit of a rebound withguinea pigs as secret agentsalong with veteran action filmproducer Jerry Bruckheimr’susual slam bang theatrics.

In his first foray into 3Dcomputer animation blendingwith live action; “G-Force” is aforce to reckon with, on a“smaller” scale within thisharmless yet generallyentertaining, action comedyadventure.

“G Force” is a movie that sounds a bitredundant as a screen assignment forBruckheimer who essentially has been makingkid movies for adults out of most of his moviesall along.

Movies based more on commercial appealover creditable depth and artistic merit thatserves that “boys with toys” macho mentality

Now with this movie; it’s just more familyfriendly without being overly gratuitous. Butkids are less discriminating than their adults(or are they?). So a film like “G-Force” alreadyworks for them, but only up to a point and incertain areas such as Bruckheimer’s over-the-top action sequences set to 3D effect thatprovides the perfect “eye candy’ here.

The film gets off to a fast start, explainingits initial story premise involving an elite groupof highly trained and classified rodentcommandoes who set out on their first missionby their animal rescuer and scientist Dr, BenRandall (Zach Galifianakis, fresh from “TheHangover”) to prove themselves and validatethis special unit function and need before the

Feds shut them down..With each rodents given ethnic

characteristics and human voiceovers, Darwin(Sam Rockwell), Blaster (Tracy Morgan),Juarez (Penelope Cruz), Speckles (a voicealtered Nicolas Cage) the mole, and a gadget-filled housefly, Mooch infiltrate the lavishmansion of billionaire, Leonard Saber (BillNighy).

Saber is responsible for most of the homeappliances in the world; whose hosting acooperate party that suggests somethingsinister with the codename “Clusterstorm” setto go off in hours that is on a computer chip.

The rodent commandoes manage to stealbut can’t decode the chip in time to save theirprogram from the hack FBI agent, Kip Killian(Will Arnett). In turn, Ben (Zach Galifanakis)manages to help the rodents escape with theFBI agents in hot pursuit.

The G-Force

See Flicks page 7

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The rodents end up in a petshop for sanctuary where they arebefriended by Hurley (JonFavareau), a fat guinea pig alongwith his food smuggling buddy-hamster, Bucky (Steve Buscemi).During their breakout attempt,Speckles seems to sacrificedhimself for the team in a diversiontactics with a garbage truck

As the rodents move in a raceagainst time and being capturedby the FBI before they can stopthis plot against mankind thatleads to appliances reuniting andmerging into one giant killingmachine that wanders close to“Transformers’ territory The filmoffers the usual subplot mixturewith moral undertones andcomedic purpose that are likeArnett and Nighy’s characterseem under developed and existby their facial demeanor.

Juarez misleads her furrycomrade Darwin and Blaster on herromantic interest in order to have thejoy of two male making advancesfor her. Naturally, Blaster is full ofattitude and saying something hip.While Darwin has been misinformedof his origin that makes him overlookhis abilities when Hurley thinks hemight be a pet shop reject that’s hislong lost brother who joins the teamto discover some self worth in theprocess.

There is only moderatepleasure from a movie whereclarity isn’t the writer’s strong suithere. As the script’s motivesdoesn’t make enough sense to theaction. With only a handful ofparaphrase jokes derived fromcatch phrases other blockbustermovies from Bruckheimer’s own“Top Gun” to “Die Hard” as aweak attempt at clever humor thatfizzle more than pop.

“G Force” warrants the roomfor improvement, but is toopreoccupied in its formulaic effortto please the eyes over the mind.PG; 87min. A Walt Disney PicturesRelease – presented at selectedtheaters

Flicks from page 6

care institutions, researchers, legislators andgrantmakers, but has gained momentum atthe grassroots community level among breastcancer survivors, churches and community-based health providers.”

Gilliam holds a master’s degree in healthservices administration from the Universityof Michigan in Ann Arbor and a bachelor’sdegree in liberal arts and science from theUniversity of Illinois in Urbana . She wasalso a Stuart A. Wesbury Jr. postgraduatefellow (1993-1994) in the American College ofHealthcare Executives.

In the role as Executive Director, Ms.Gilliam serves as a prominent leader in theChicago health care community in an initiativethat is gaining national recognition as a modelfor citywide collaboration to address racialhealth care disparities.

For more information on the MetropolitanChicago Breast Cancer Task Force, pleasego to www.chicagobreastcancer.org.

Gilliam from page 5

A NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN,pursuant to “An Act in relation to theuse of an Assumed Business Name inconduct or transaction of Business inthe State,” as amended, that acertification was filed by theundersigned with the County Clerk ofCook County under file no. D09118601on July 21, 2009 under the AssumedName of Beleza Natureza BeautyConsultant with the business located9050 S. Dobson, Chicago, IL 60619.The true name and residence addressof the owner is Edinette Nava-McCain,9050 S. Dobson, Chicago, IL 60619.

bill each year. Multiply the savings times the number of light fixturesin a typical two-three bedroom apartment or the typical three bedroomstarter home and the energy cost savings is significant to the monthlybudget. “We all realize there needs to be a new approach to theeducation component for both renters and homeowners” said Ms.Jones. “We not only want to assist clients in acquiring rental housingand achieving homeownership, we want to provide the responsibilitytraining to keep them in their rental unit or home” stated Ms. Jones.

There may be a “Brighter Day” for both the Landlord owners andtheir Rental Tenants. Mark Swartz, Attorney-at-Law, LawyersCommittee for Better Housing mentioned Chief Chancery Court JudgeDorothy Kinnard implemented in an April 1st order that Lenders mustgo to immediate mediation and start the process of Loan Modificationor Loan Restructuring. Purportedly, Judge Kinnard ordered all pre-2009 cases to go in front of a judge again. This statement was confirmedin part by Ruthie Johnson, Counselor for Action Now for NorthLawndale and other Mid-West Side Neighborhoods, who stated ActionNow attorneys, are intervening in foreclosure cases at the ChanceryCourt level to assist in the initiation of the mediation process on behalfof the property owner. This writer mention this to both Ms. Pratt onvoicemail and in person to Kim Jackson, Executive Director, LCDCwhile we were attending Illinois State Senator Art Turners’ annualFundraising Barbeque at his lovely home in North Lawndale, whostated she knew the Director of Action Now and would follow up.This development could become a major impact on stopping thedamage of the Foreclosure Crisis in Cook County and could become amodel for the nation. This could affect tens of thousands in CookCounty experiencing the devastation of the Sub-prime causedForeclosure Crisis and potentially millions nationwide. Imagine, onephone call from a tenant being served an eviction notice to a ForeclosureOutreach Advocate, such as Ms. Pratt, could initiate a coordinated,integrated effort to outreach to both the landlord, to network them tothe mediation process through the Chancery Court, while keeping thetenants from displacement at the same time. Perhaps this intervention,would allow Landlords to feel more comfortable about being openwith their difficulties with their tenants. The reality is landlords andtenants need to cooperate with each other because they are really inthis together.

To this end, Ms. Pratt stated “The House and The Senate havepassed and signed Bill S.896 Protecting Tenants in Foreclosure whichprovides tenants with bonafide leases of six months or more with 90days after the service is rendered by the Sheriff, to relocate.” The Billis awaiting Governor Pat Quinn’s signature. If Landlord’s are receivingmediation on the mortgage and the Loan Modification or Re-Structuringis successful then the Landlord keeps the property, and the tenantswould not have been served. These procedures could begin to put areal brake on the Foreclosure Crisis.

Foreclosure from page 5

THE NORTH LAWNDALE COMMUNITY NEWS July 30 - August 5, 2009Page 8

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Crane continues to pursue a mission dedicated “to the comprehensiveearly development of urban dwelling children and their families” anda goal “a quality education in a safe and diverse environment tostrengthen the bonds between children and their families.“

The Center began pre-kindergarten services in association withChicago Public Schools in 1990, and added its Head Start program ayear later. In 2000, toddler admissions began. The Lathrop Homessite is current the only center that serves infants.

In addition to the supporting resources of education coordinators,nutritional and health and mental health consultants employed toenhance and improve the quality of its services, the Mary CraneCenter also relies heavily on parent volunteers and their classroomparticipation to facilitate a program that reaches out to families toprovide them “the full range of family services.” Parents also conductthematic monthly meetings focusing on topics ranging from health,dental and fire safety as well as workshops in budget trainingdisciplining and stress management.

The Bethel Education and Family Services organization alsooccupies the building and complements Mary Crane’s efforts withits own.

Spearheading the Center’s enrollment/recruitment efforts since

joining the staff in May, Traci Medina, who has two daughtersattending Center, said the pace has picked up with the addition ofabout 10 families since June. She added she has been prospectingblock parties, carnivals, fairs and other public family events all overthe West Side this summer in the effort to build up the Mary Cranerolls.

Medina, a nine-year veteran of the childcare field, said manyfamilies were wary of enrollment because “they hear about all thebudget cuts (in social services and child care) these days with therecession and all.”

The Center’s fees are subsidized on a sliding scale according tofamily income. however, Larson stressed that Mary Crane enjoysvaried funding sources through the United Way, corporations andfoundations in addition to its government subsidies. The Centeralso participates in partnership agreements with CPS and otheragencies to assist each other in recruiting.

“We are eager to offer Mary Crane Center’s quality services tothe families of Garfield Park and the surrounding neighborhoods,and we look forward to becoming a vital part of the community foryears to come,” she said.

More information about the Center and its services can beobtained by calling (773) 265-5954 or by accessing the Website.

Care from front page