The Riot Fest festival has caused unacceptable damage, denied lengthy access to the community, created many negative issues for surrounding residents, and produced ecological destruction to the park.

For these reasons, Humboldt Park Citizens Against Riot Fest respectfully ask our Alderman Maldonado,  Chicago Park District and Mayor Rahm Emanuel to deny any permits that will allow the Riot Fest festival to continue in Humboldt Park.

In 2014, to the objection of many community residents, the festival grew to over 4X its original size and occupied the entire park. Not only were residents, sports groups and local park vendors denied access to the entire park, the set-up and breakdown of the festival caused major disruption of traditional events and access for residents for almost three weeks. Contrary to what festival organizers claim  the community and businesses around the park did not benefit from the experience.

Bookmark the link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7347778 and support us every time you shop.

On May 5, four of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center's In-Person Counselors traveled to Springfield, IL for the Illinois Latino Unity Day. José Soto, Stefanie Rodríguez, Edwin Cortés, and Luis Rodríguez joined hundreds of other Latinos across the state for the opportunity to take part in important decisions that impact our communities. 

Many local politicians were present and they each had a chance to address the audience. One of them was State Representative Cynthia Soto, who was there to advocate for Latino youth and to talk about what she has been doing to continue fighting for our rights as residents of the state. Some DREAMers also spoke about their experience. Additionally, our very own Edwin Cortés spoke. He addressed a group of high school students and spoke about the struggle he is so devotedly fighting for. The students were impressed and Edwin was given a pin from ASPIRA as a form of gratitude for sharing his story and the importance to keep fighting for your beliefs.  

Latino Unity Day was of great encouragement to all Latinos and minorities alike; we look forward to taking part in future events. 

It's been a busy, busy start to the bike season, and we have lots of new and exciting developments at Ciclo Urbano!

Ciclo is excited to welcome our newest youth apprentices, Ulana and Max!  Ulana got involved in programs at WTB nearly 3 years ago, and is one of the early members of WTB Girls Bike Club.  Ulana is a whiz with a wrench, rides a wicked KHS pursuit bike, and has maintained a terrific role as a youth leader of GBC.  Max comes to us from the world of freak bikes, and has built more tall bikes, choppers and swing bikes than there are rats scurrying through your alley after midnight!  Max is a graduate of WTB's apprentice program, and brings with him an arcane knowledge of all things repurposed.  Ulana and Max are experiencing 'baptism-by-fire' as they and the rest of the Ciclo gang respond to Chicago's springtime bicycle mania.

We are building scores of new and used bikes every week, so if you don't find something today, stop back in a week and we're bound to have a whole new batch. Ciclo is currently stocking bikes from Breezer, SE, State, Torker, and Surly - and soon we'll have new bikes from KHS!  Stop in for a visit to check out what we've got!

On Saturday May 9th, 2015 the Hispanic/Latino Resource Center at Southern Illinois University invited Jose E Lopez to Keynote the Latino Recognition Ceremony.

The program included remarks by Dr. Rene Francisco Poitevin, Coordinator, Hispanic/ Latino Resource Center and Dr. Katherine Sermersheim, Dean of Students. The introduction of the keynote speaker was made by Yahaira L. Heller, Student Staff, Hispanic/Latino Resource Center.

The ceremony is an annual event recognizing the achievement of Latino students from S.I.U. upon their graduation. The group of graduates included those receiving Bachelors, Masters and P.H.D. degrees.

After congratulating the graduates, Jose framed his remarks about their role as future citizens of the Americas, within the context of the following quote from the Brazilian educator, Paolo Freire: "Education either functions as an instrument whish is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world."

Last Friday May 8, 2015 saw ten parent participants from the Safe Passage program take part in the first installment of Chef Monica Hayes' Tasteful Manners healthy cooking class. Parent University participants from the Safe Passage programs at Clemente Community Academy and Wells Community Academy have participated in mini-courses in Digital Video through the Grace Media Group, African Drumming through Holy Goat percussion, and now Tasteful Manners healthy cooking class with Chef Monica Hayes. The Tasteful Manners mini-course is scheduled to run every Friday morning for the next five weeks at Parent University on the 3rd floor of Clemente Community Academy.

At the onset of the class Chef Hayes spoke with parent participants about their diets, what they commonly eat at home, what they commonly enjoy cooking, and where they go grocery shopping.  She made the point that each of the ingredients her recipes call for can be purchased at local stores. At this point in the class the founder of Tasteful Manners went on to provide creative ways in which to use healthy alternatives in common recipes, and emphasized that she does not use salt in the preparation of her dishes.

Chef Hayes then introduced the first recipe of the class, a Thai recipe for chicken sate with a tantalizing peanut sauce and a delicious cucumber onion salad. Chef Hayes took the parent participants through each step of the recipe, going into some detail on each ingredient and answering questions and responding to comments. Once the dish was completed and participants began to eat and enjoy the Thai delicacy, Chef Hayes began to take suggestions for next week's dish. The participants of the mini-course finally decided on a Tilapia dish, and were excited to get their minds and hands into next Friday's recipe!

Chef Monica Hayes-Jones is a pastry chef and the CEO and President of Tasteful Manners NFP. Tasteful Manners was founded out of Chef Monica's disappointment concerning the poor diet choices and lack of manners today's youth exhibit.

By Leony Calderón

Health Education Every Wednesday, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.

Manage, Control and Prevent Diabetes.  Ask Doctors, Residents, Nutritionist, Pharmacist and Dietitian Your Pressing Health Questions.

Weekly Topics

• *       Diabetes 101
• *       Medication Education
• *       Nutrition Class
• *       Intro to Diabetes & How the Body Works
• *       Protecting Your Eyes
• *       Protecting Your Feet
• *       Oral Health
• *       Using The Glucose Meter & Meds
• *       Heart Health Education
• *       Physical Activity and Diabetes

Diabetes Empowerment Center, 2753 W. Division St. 773-342-0855

Free and Bilingual.

Educación de Salud todos los Miércoles de 12:00pm a 1:00pm

Manege, Controle y Prevenga la Diabetes. Haga Preguntas a los Médicos, Residentes, Nutricionistas, Farmacéuticos y Dietista Acerca de Su de Salud.

Temas Semanales

• *       Diabetes 101
• *       Educación Medicamentos
• *       Clase de Nutrición
• *       Introducción a la Diabetes y Cómo funciona el cuerpo
• *       Proteja sus ojos
• *       La protección de sus pies
• *       Salud Oral
• *       Uso del medidor de glucosa y Medicamentos
• *       Educación para la Salud del Corazón
• *       Actividad física y la diabetes 

Gratuito y Bilingüe.

Centro de Empoderamiento Contra la Diabetes, 2753 W. Division St. 773-342-0855

JOB DESCRIPTION

Organization: Puerto Rican Cultural Center

Job Title: In-Person Counselor (IPC) (Full-time, temporary position)

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) is a non-profit organization founded in 1973 to serve the social and cultural needs of Chicago's underserved communities.

We are seeking bilingual (English and Spanish or other languages), motivated, and organized who are already certified or have an inactive In-Person Counselors (IPCs) license. IPCs will maintain expertise about the newly expanded Medicaid program and the Health Insurance Marketplace that are part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The IPCs will provide information and services in a fair, accurate, and impartial manner to the community members. Additionally, IPCs will be comfortable as public speakers and conduct activities to facilitate enrollment in health coverage.

Qualifications:

• Seeking Certified IPC - or IPC with inactive license
• Bilingual (English and Spanish)

November Chicago Magazine "Why José López Stands Between Gentrification and Humboldt Park"

Be sure to pick up the November issue of Chicago Magazine, which features an interview by Puerto Rican Cultural Center ED José E. López conducted by Elly Fishman.

Tues. May 19th Naming of Dr. Steve Whitman Greenhouse at Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School. (Time TBA)

Fri. May 29th Event commemorating Oscar López Rivera's 34 yr. Anniversary of his arrest, La Casita de Don Pedro & Doña Lolita, 2625 W. Division St.

Sat May 30th NY Rally for Oscar Lopez Rivera's 34 yr. anniversary of his arrest (leaving Chicago on Fri May 29th)

Puerto Rican People's Parade                    22nd Fiesta Boricua "De Bandera a Bandera"

Sat June 20, 2015                                        Sept 5 - 6, 2015 * 12pm - 8:30pm

Starting 2PM-Division/Western                Honoring: Cayey, Puerto Rico, Orlando, Florida