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 Members of Roll Call and Pastor of Healing Temple Church Rev. Vincent Kirkwood Black outfit – center, inside gym above church seek to rehab it for area youth programs. By Todd Thomas Life in the inner city has never been tougher than it is today and youth are facing an uphill battle to stay on the right path. But organizations like Roll Call in North Lawndale are helping to maintain some positive momentum with programs to help guide area youth to more successful futures. Roll Call is only a few years old, but they have already touched the lives of many people on the West Side. They have worked with youth between the ages of 5-24, and they have also worked with seniors, but their motto “empowering the ex-offender in order to prevent the next offender,” is geared primarily toward at-risk youth and young adults. The organization has provided school supplies, taken youth on field trips and held community events like barbecues, but perhaps the most significant program currently running is the work program where they place area youth with local businesses. They had participants working at Wallace’s Catfish Corner, Harold’s Chicken, and the North Lawndale Community News. “It teaches youth how to be responsible, how to value a job, and how to conduct themselves in the workplace,” said administrative director, Linda Weatherspoon. Always looking for ways to expand the program, Roll Call is now planning to rehab an old gymnasium which is above the Healing Temple Church, and adjacent to the Roll Call offices. They have the support of Church Pastor Vincent Kirkwood Sr., and are in the beginning phase of rehabbing the gym and using it as a place for vocational training and recreation. “It will save lives — the gym will save lives,” said Roll Call executive director Milton Golden. “If you’ve got over thirty or fifty people participating in the gym program or vocational program then you’ve got thirty or fifty people that are not out there on the streets.” Golden also said the gym will not just be another unstructured place to play ball. “It’s not just a gym and it’s not just about sports,” he said. “The gym is just to get their attention and put them in an environment to succeed. This gym is going to be vocational, educational, and recreational.” Weatherspoon also points out several areas where the gym can be a positive place for youth. “Sports are good because nowadays kids spend a lot of time on computers. I would like to see them get back into exercising to help prevent obesity.” She also thinks having the gym as an outlet could help stem the ever-growing tide of violence in the community. “A lot of our youth have anger issues. I honestly believe that if they’re punching a bag instead of punching on each other that will help them release some frustration. What they have now is violence, but the gym will be a place for them to come to release some anger and frustration,” Weatherspoon said. The gym, which will be called “Project Safehouse,” is in pretty bad shape now and hasn’t been used for some time. Contractor Chuck Mincy of Chuck Construction recently toured the facility and believes that it can definitely be rehabbed and brought up to code. The facility will need new floors, windows, heating and air conditioning, among other things. “It’s a doable thing,” said Mincy. “If they get the budget for it, it’s a doable thing.” Mincy has over 35 years in construction and he’s been teaching young men and ex-offenders the basics of construction in Chuck Construction Involvement since 2003. He thinks the gym project would be a good place for youth in the community to learn the trade. They would learn all facets of construction such as dry walling, painting, electrical work, basic wiring, plumbing, carpentry, and demolition. “It can help young men from instead of getting ready to go to jail to getting ready to go to work,” he said Roll Call plans on initially approaching Menards to donate materials for the project and they have gathered signatures from over 1000 west side residents to demonstrate the communities support for the gym. Making Project Safehouse a reality and growing Roll Call overall will take a lot of work, but Golden said he’s in it for the long haul. “It’s my responsibility and I love it,” he said. “I love what we do — it’s a passion for me.”
 Ex-NBA superstar/businessman Ervin Magic Johnson is overwhelmed by Bridgescape student Haman Cross’ introduction.  North Lawndale Bridgescape Academy student Haman Cross at podium giving a heartfelt speech before introducing ex-NBA superstar Magic Johnson (right of Hayman). Rapper Common also listening (white shirt).
By Isaac Lewis, Jr An inspiring intelligent speech was given by 18 yr old Haman Cross, a student who attends the new Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academy in North Lawndale, located at one of their two schools in the Chicago area, targeting high school dropouts.
Extraordinary people go to extraordinary measures to make their dreams come true! Tony Butler was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1995. Tony attended School in Chicago Illinois. Tony B began rapping at the age 12 years old when he was inspired by seeing big name rap artist on MTV Cribs and seeing the lifestyle that he could have. Since that time Tony has been unstoppable! He started his own record label (HTM Record Label) since the group split and went their own direction. He change his company name to Live Life Entertainment with the help of his Mother/Manager Yolanda Strickland. “Tony B” frequently appears and performs in parks/venues around the Chicago land area. Tony B also toured with WGCI radio host & pop singer Demi Lobo, R & B singer Jacob Latimore and rap artis Ace Primo. Tony B has a powerful message for his peers to always dream big and never let anyone kill your dreams. Tony B has defiantly shown that your never too young to be a CEO! To check out TONY B go ONLINE to http://www.reverbnation.com/tonybyungceo
WORLD WAR Z (**1/2)
Ever since George Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead”, zombies have been mostly used as a metaphor on social, political, racial commentary. Quite visually, “World War Z” brings forth the zombie apocalypse as an incurable viral epidemic raging on a global scale like “Contagion”. Only there doesn’t seem to be an explainable reason (only suggesting some virus born out of the environment) for the rise of the undead population that has begun to devour like a ravenous tsunami on major cities during traffic congested rush hour. Caught in such a moment is Brad Pitt who plays Gerry Lane, a ex- U.N. investigator who used to work” dangerous places” who retired to be with his wife, Karen (Mireille Enos) and their children. But I guess because of Gerry’s profession, danger has a way of finding a person like him. Gerry with his family finds themselves on route stuck in traffic. Suddenly a fleeing cyclist suddenly rips off his driver’s mirror. And then when a cop on a cycle advises Gerry to stay in his vehicle. The cop gets bulldozed by an out of control truck. These are sudden, shock moments that we observe that drives this And almost like a scene from 9/11 cloud burst and thunderous sounds heads toward the cars to show a wave of fast moving zombies washing upon and turning people into them. Gerry and his family find refuge with a Latino family in a hi-rise project. Where Gerry gets a phone call from his former boss, Thierry (South African actor Fana Mokoena in an impressionable performance here) who blackmails Gerry back into action in order to provide sanctuary for his family on a UN ship monitoring the events. Gerry is placed on a global search for the cure, when he’s paired with a young doctor who knows something about this Zombie epidemic. The trek begins in South Korea aboard a plane where the doctor fighting with the soldiers against the zombies upon landing there; accidentally stumbles with a gun and kills himself. But soon after and throughout the film, Gerry learns some key dialogue from the deceased doctor and on of the elite force soldiers (James Badge Dale) and a jailed CIA agent (David Morse) for selling ammo to the enemy that is obviously mentioned in a matter that will come into play later for Gerry. Gerry is then advised to travel to Jerusalem where the Israelis managed (so far) to keep the zombies out with their Great Wall they’ve built in advance of the one word e-mail warning of “zombies’. Until Gerry arrives and gets paired with a female commando, Segen (Daniella Kertesez) who gets bite that Gerry chops her hand off to prevent the infection from spreading. But not before another doctor tells and soon after arranges an airplane to take Gerry somewhere near Wales to the W.H.O institute. Naturally, somehow a lone zombie is suddenly released from the locked toilet in the coach section that leads to an unsuccessful attempt to keep quiet while trying to barricade. These moments of coincidence are washed over to be less obvious than they become in the film Still, director Marc Forster handles the action and grandeur of this doomsday nightmare with better skillfulness and tighter scenes than what he did with the James Bond opus “Quantum of Solace”. Although there are missteps made that were more the writers’ fault than his efforts that both should have caught. Reportedly, the film had difficulties with its ending. The writers who altered the proceedings from Max Brooks’ 2006 novel (Yes, he’s the son to Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft) find a cheap way out that doesn’t solve the zombie problem but provides some kind of hope of its resolution to the cheers of its gullible audience. When a doctor takes Gerry to see the worst disease in action on the blackest man kept in isolation. Maybe it was, unintentional, but still comes off a bit as an unfair racial slap in the face. Since out of all the plague infected zombies that were white. This film finds and dramatizes the sickness with the darkest black man with the bulging eyes. The filmmakers and writer should have known better in taking a step backwards in this manner that could be misinterpreted (racially offensive) and laughed at. And I guess, this is what probably makes Gerry sacrifice himself for humanity more than his family (moved to a concentration camp in Nova Scotia when he was thought to be dead) has to travel through quarantine corridors of the institute. Where contaminated scientists turned into zombies are the obstacles that Gerry must wage through to get the serums with the worst disease that might camouflage the humans from being noticed by the zombies. “World War Z” is quite visually remarkable and suspenseful. But it’s not gory and/or graphic as this genre tends to be for it’s ravish fans who are currently dining on AMC’s “Walking Dead”. It’s also not enough to make up for some of the movie’s shortcomings during this apocalypse. Even though “World War Z” is quite the popcorn movie to watch. PG-13; 115min. A Paramount Pictures Release – Presented at selected theaters MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (**1/2) “Monsters University” is the hollow halls of this year’s offering from Pixar Animation Studios that is an inventive and amusing “pre”-quel to the characters we enjoyed in their introduction to us in their 2001 hit “Monsters Inc.”. Essentially, this is “When Sully met Mike” in what is more parody than farce on college life revolving around the relationship of these ghoulish scarers-in-training. After seeing his destiny as a child monster on a field trip, Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) grows into a social outcast considered not scary enough to fulfill his dream of being a scarer but is determined to prove otherwise. When Mike arrives at the college and enrolls into the School of Scaring; he initially shares a dorm room with Randy (Steve Buscemi), the chameleon reptile that can make itself invisible who befriends Mike in the beginning. Only to leave him to be part of the cool kids from Roar Gamma Roar and serves a reminder us as Randy’s future villain status in “Monsters Inc.”. Soon after Mike meets hot-shot James P. “Sully” Sullivan (John Goodman) making a grand entrance in class; acting cocky and confident as the new “big ghoul on campus” whose living off his father’s reputation and initially becomes Mike‘s chief adversary to prove who can out-scare the other in Professor Knight’s (Alfred Molina’s lab class. Briefly interrupted by the university’s stern dean, Abigail Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren). But like most of the characters she’s little more scary than evil. As it turns out, Mike’s the brainiac to Sully’s brawn. Mike is studious enough to pinpoints Sully’s mental weakness from not studying in their classes. Even though, Mike’s mental ability can’t off set Sully’s natural talent and physicality over his diminutive size and lack of menacing appearance. But when an accident occurs in class to the Dean’s prized scare canister caused by Mike and Sully that gets them placed Hardscrabble’s bad side. Hardscrabble advises the classroom that her final scare” exam will be the determining factor on who passes or will be expelled from the school. I know that I might be pre-dating myself, but this film’s inspiration might have came from some old Harvey Comics cartoons from Paramount Pictures during the 1960’s that featured a similar premise with Casper the Friendly Ghost and his “boo” experiences in school with varied pun jokes. Some of that kind of in-joke humor and puns should have been, but aren’t apparent enough here. Anyway, secretly fronting off out of fear, “Sully” makes himself sought after by the top frat house group, Roar Mecca Roar led by their pompous leader, Johnny (Nathan Fillion) who always wins everything from Scare Games to the finals. While Mike is relegated to the lowest frat house of misfits on campus, Oozma Kappa who is relatively defined characters in their moments like in “Toy Story”. Where all of Andy’s bedroom toys would always followed Woody’s lead. Now Mike intends to be their leader and initially proclaiming he’ll carry the team to victory. When Sully is made to join their ranks. Eventually during the scare games Oozma Kappa manage to be the last surviving team left against Roar Gamma Roar. Only the Oozma Kappa ultimately loses when Mike realizes there is no “I” in “team”. But also eventually, from these spoils develops a friendship between Mike and Sully with the group members who begin to find ways to meet the varied challenges in the finals. Even though throughout the film, Mike periodically hears that he’s not scary enough to be a scarer. This echoes discouraging words all kids have heard before. Whether one is too short, too small, too fat , too slow, not coordinated enough etc. It’s almost like a cinematic page out of the 1993 football movie “Rudy” that fails to come across here. Instead, the movie show Sully receives a warning from Dean Hardscrabble about Mike that makes Sully cheat to help Mike win for their team in a scream –off competition that he later admits to. In order for Sully to admit his insecurities and what he lacks in one area Mike surely makes up the difference in other area that makes him worthy. When Sully and Mike break into Monsters Inc. to go behind one of the doors leading to a sleeping human child that is a security breach Dean Hardscrabble locks the door on the two trapped ghouls who have to figure an alternative to get back over to their side Although entertaining at times, “Monsters University” is not one of Pixar’s strongest films in recent years. Maybe the animators and brain trusts at Pixar are in a rut. After 20 years, Pixar’s audience has gotten older and may feel a little nostagliac at times. But there is not enough balance here to suggest that the animators might be inadvertently overlooking their next generation of young children who may not find enough to enjoy for themselves this time around. Only tolerate for the sake of their parents who might feel differently. Well, this is what I sort of over heard in the theater. As parents who usually ask their young ones what they thought of the movie they were brought to view. And it’s the kids that were the ones responding in a neutral, almost diplomatic-like comment more like their adults would do to their kid flicks. Now that’s kinds scary The feature opens with a another gentle mini short, “The Blue Umbrella” about another in-adamant object leading into romantic expressions on the city streets like last year’s Oscar winner short, “Paperman” that is cute but might be going to the same well once too often here. G; 110min. A Pixar Animation Studio Picture – Preleased through Walt Disney Pictures – Presented at selected theaters MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (***) Doing mega-budgeted fantasy-action adventure movie blockbusters like “The Avengers” is more of a logistic nightmare with actor reacting behind green screen background that is later inserted with massive special effects wizardry. Obviously, filmmaker Joss Whedon who came from comic books and TV horror and sci-fi creation that has given him cult status with “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”, “Angel”, “Firefly” and “Serenity” and now working on Marvel’s “Agents from S.H.I.E.L.D” for ABC and scripting “The Avengers 2”. Before the latter two projects began, Whedon artistically felt the need to scale down and challenge himself on this personal pet project. The end result is a remarkable well tailored and engaging “The Big Chill”-type ensemble from Whedon’s stable of TV actor alums from his series doing Shakespeare on a shoestring budget With a contemporary look filmed at Whedon’s own Santa Monica mansion with a royalty-like attitude from his cast that are wearing suits and casual wear over medieval armor and gowns. Shot in twelve days; photographed in glorious black and white and taken from the Bard’s own text
Shakespeare’s comedy of the eventual wooing from the sparing matches between Benedick (Alexis Denisof) and Beatrice (Amy Acker) amidst a cast of mismatched characters with their own motives and desires. Such as the cruel scheme of Don John (Sean Maher) to sabotage the passionate courtship of the lovesick Claudio (Fran Kranz) and Hero (Jillian Morganese), the beautiful daughter of Leonato (Clark Gregg). Whedon’s screen variation does not have enough energy and rowdy high spirit as star/ director Kenneth Branagh’s 1993 British made, all star version set in an Italian villa in Tuscamy Also some cast member aren’t up to the Bard’s text and tend to lean on their facial impressions. Also this film could have benefited from a more spacious and forestry locale somewhere in the Hollywood hills or the Hamptons in upstate New York. But Whedon’s attempt to bring this literary work into contemporary sensibilities retains much of the humor as intended and the genuine performances that make this screen treatment mature and entertaining. R; 109min. A Roadshow Attractions Picture Released through Lionsgate – Presented at selected theaters  Cook County Commiissioner Robert Steele, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle,  Community staker holders listening to Cook Countyboard President Toni Preckwinkle speak, 24th Ward Ald. Michael Chandler (black suit – center)  Community stakeholders and residents presented Cook County Bd President Toni Preckwinkle with questions after the meeting  Former Cook County Board President Bobbie Steele (center) and others listening to current Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle  (l-r), Nicole Harvey, Rev. Wilson Daniels, Cook County Commiissioner Robert Steele, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Steele answering a question from audience.
Cook County Government from the 2nd District – Audio Cook County Board, President Pro Tempore, Commissioner 2nd District Robert B. Steele hosted and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle were at United Baptist Church in Chicago for a panel discussion. Commissioner Steele together with several community organizations followed an agenda focused on issues facing our community and how Cook County plays an important role in addressing these issues. The room was filled with concerned Community Leaders, Stakeholders, Faith Leaders and Residents and 24th Ward Alderman Michael Chandler. Panelists included Cook County Board President, Toni Preckwinkle, and Cook County Commissioner 2nd District, Robert Steele, Nicole Harvey, Executive Director of Eden Advocacy CDC, Donald Dew, Executive Director of Habilitative Systems, Debra Wesley, Executive Director of Sinai Community Institute, Kim Jackson, Executive Director of Lawndale Christian Development Corp. and Claude Robinson, Vice President of UCAN.
When light-heavyweight boxer Martez McGregor lands a punch it has a distinctive sound like a Michael Jordan jump shot swishing through the hoop sounds a little different from other players. It’s a sound that means it was done the right way, with precision and strength. McGregor hopes to land enough of these punches to win his second Golden Gloves title and advance to national competition in his pursuit of a professional boxing career. A few years ago the 6-foot 175 pound 22-year-old was a standout athlete at Proviso East High School in Maywood. He lettered in three sports, but received most of his notoriety as a linebacker and safety where he earned all-state honors in 2007. McGregor went to junior colleges in Iowa and Illinois, but things didn’t work out for him so he came back to Chicago and eventually started boxing. “As far a college I had insufficient funds. It was kind of hard getting the support I needed so I picked up boxing to get ready to play football again, but I stayed and I’m here now. People who saw me fight said convert your passion for football to boxing and I’m here,” McGregor said. Although he’s played many sport over the years McGregor said that boxing is unique because it’s a completely individual sport that requires a lot of skill development. “In boxing it’s just you,” he said. “But it depends on how bad you want it. I’m athletically gifted so athletic-wise it was easy, but as far as technique there was a lot more to it. You have to work hard at it and repetition is the key.” McGregor won his division at last year’s Golden Gloves tournament, and he won his first bout in this year’s Golden Gloves competition. His career amateur record is 22-1 and he’s confident in his abilities in the ring. “After a while of staying focused on boxing the technique kicked in with the athleticism, the hunger, and the ambition, and everything together just helped complete me as a fighter,” he said. McGregor works out most days at Sam Colonna Gym on the South Side. He runs up to six mile per-day, trains on the punching bag, and spars. He puts in a lot of work, but trainer Sam Colonna said he needs to work even harder to reach his potential. “Martez is a naturally talented guy, but he’s so naturally talented he feels he doesn’t have to work as hard,” said Colonna, who’s been training boxers for over thirty years. “If he would commit himself more than he does there’s no telling how far he can go — the skies the limit.” McGregor’s Mother Lisa Givens is also a big part of his life, and she has been there to support him in his athletic endeavors even while battling a severe kidney illness that eventually required her to undergo a kidney transplant. “He’s so athletic … I‘ve never seen a kid like him,” said Givens. “He stays busy in sports and I just like to support him. You have to support your kids because that’s the only way you’re going to win in this society today.” Boxing is an all-encompassing sport that doesn’t leave a lot of time for other things, and even holding down a part-time job would be interfere with training in a big way. McGregor and his Mom said they would love to have someone help them out financially with his boxing career. “We need sponsors — one or two people to help him out with transportation and equipment,” Givens said. “If there are sponsors that want to lend me a hand that would be awesome,” McGregor adds. “But until then I’ll just have to live it one day at a time.” But for now they’ll keep doing things the only way they know how and that’s to keep pushing even if it’s just the two of them. Boxing can be an unforgiving sport, but McGregor is confident that he can last, and make it in a sport that has gotten the better of many before him. “If you don’t love it you’re not going to be able to get in here and do it — you have to be driven. If I fall off I’m dead. I refuse to fall off – I want to live,” he said.
On the northwest corner of Fifth Ave. and Pulaski Rd. sits a piece of history that tells a story of good food and family pride. Mary’s Barbecue Restaurant has been serving the community since 1968. Owner, Chris Jones has been groomed for the restaurant business since his mother and father, Mary and Mckinley Jones both started him, along with nine other siblings, helping out when he was around eight years old. He took over the restaurant in 1997 after his mother died. His father died in Although the economic climate has been devastating for many businesses and home owners in the community, Mary’s Barbecue has found its niche and remained even during tough times. Chris Jones says, “most of it is because of our barbecue. He showed his special seasoning mix that he uses on the meat in preparing it for the smoker pit. You can smell the barbecue from the smoke stack in the area outside surrounding the restaurant. We have pleased our customers, I believe because we use premium meats from our suppliers. It may cost us more but the satisfaction from our customers gives us a justifed return on our investment in the best meat we can buy, said Chris Jones. “I have started the process to began marketing the seasoning mix that we use, to sell it at our restaurant and in stores,” he said. “We also added gyros, philly cheese steak, chicken Sandwich, gyro-chicken sandwich, bacon cheeseburger, catfish fillet, and our chicken wing special, which we sell six wings for five dollars with fries to our menu,” he stated, when asked has he changed the menu any. Mary’s Barbecue and Chris Jones were in the TimeOut Chicago 2010 Eat Out Awards magazine as a Chicago Barbecue Pit Master. TimeOut Chicago is part of a International Magazine that has city versions from New York to London. Mary’s Barbecue has also been featured at North Lawndale’s Taste of Chicago and supports. Chris’ nephew, Shawn Jones has been working with Chris for over 20 years. Nicholas, another family member also works at Mary’s Barbecue and worked his way through school. To get tender and succulent rib tips from Marys Barbecue or some their other great menu items visit them at 606 S. Pulaski Rd. or call them at 773-638-2233. |
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