Hyde Park Citizen 11-20-2019

Citizen 45% of adults had post-secondary degree in 2018; goal is 60% by 2025 — Page 3 Week of Nov. 20, 2019

| Vol. 30 | No. 52 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

HYDE PARK

The Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Chicago & Northwest Indiana will sponsor its 19th Annual Food for the Body & Spirit turkey giveaway event from Nov. 20 to Nov. 23 at four different McDonald’s restaurants. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

VETERANS HONORED AT ANNUAL BLACK MCDONALD’S TURKEY GIVEAWAY

Military veterans will be honored this week at the 19th Annual Food for the Body & Spirit event sponsored by the Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Chicago and Northwest Indiana. PAGE 2

BUSINESS Amtrak ridership hits record highs on two Illinois lines PAGE 4

ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS

Underscore Theatre Company Presents PROXY

5 Pro Tips to Prep Homes for Winter PAGE 7

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NEWS briefly EDUCATION

DISTRICT 148 PROMOTES 2020 CENSUS The upcoming Census is set to begin on April 1, 2020, and Dolton-Riverdale School District 148 is emphasizing the importance of residents’ participation, including a new district logo.

Starting April 1, 2020, District 148 buildings will be available to assist members of the Dolton-Riverdale community in completing the census. Residents are encouraged to share any questions or concerns with District 148 staff, and to visit https://2020census.gov for more information. “To say the upcoming Census is important would be an understatement,” said District 148 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kevin J. Nohelty. “The participation of parents and guardians helps ensure our schools and staff receive the resources needed to provide the best education and instruction for many school years to come.”

HEALTH

STUDY FINDS GLUTAMATES SUCH AS MSG CAN HELP REDUCE AMERICANS’ SODIUM INTAKE Promising results from a new study published in the journal Nutrients add to accumulating evidence that glutamates such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) can be used to reduce sodium in the food supply. The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), looking at what Americans eat and estimating the reduction in sodium if glutamates are used as a partial replacement for sodium in certain food categories.

“Most of our sodium intake comes from restaurant meals and packaged foods,” says Dr. Taylor C. Wallace, an adjunct professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at George Mason University and lead researcher in the study. “MSG can be used to reduce sodium in these foods without a taste trade-off. MSG contains about 12 percent sodium, which is two-thirds less than that contained in table salt, and data shows a 25-40 percent reduction in sodium is possible in specific product categories when MSG is substituted for some salt. As Americans begin to understand that MSG is completely safe, I think we’ll see a shift toward using the ingredient as a replacement for some salt to improve health outcomes.”

LAW & POLITICS

PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION RELEASES $9.3 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR PURCHASE OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES ACROSS THE STATE Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez and Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) Executive Director Christopher Meister recently issued over $9.3 million in no interest or low interest loans to emergency responders across the state. The loans are made available through the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program and Ambulance Revolving Loan Program.

“Fire departments throughout Illinois face financial stressors that can make it difficult to properly equip and train their firefighters. These no and low interest loans allow departments to obtain vehicles they may not otherwise have been able to afford. This new equipment will help them serve their communities in a safer, more efficient and effective way,” said State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. Under the FTRL program, fire departments, fire protection districts and township fire departments may apply for up to $350,000 in low interest or no interest loans for purchase of a fire truck or brush trucks. The loans must be repaid within 20 years.

Veterans Honored at Annual Black McDonald’s Turkey Giveaway Continued from page 1

BY WENDELL HUTSON Contributing Writer

Military veterans will be honored this week at the 19th Annual Food for the Body & Spirit event sponsored by the Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

As a way to thank veterans for their service, McDonald’s will offer them a free cup of coffee daily from Nov. 20 to Dec. 31, and a priority line will be available to veterans at their four-day turkey giveaway from Nov. 20 to Nov. 23 at four different McDonald’s restaurants. Veterans should bring proof of their military service in order to receive a McDonald’s loyalty card that will allow them to receive their free cup of coffee.

Turkeys will be given away at the following McDonald’s starting at 7 a.m. until lasting supplies are gone on Nov. 20, 6560 S. Stony Island Ave; Nov. 21 at 9560 S.

Halsted St.; Nov. 22 at 3200 W. Roosevelt Road; and Nov. 23 at 3630 169th St. in Hammond, IN. “Food for the Body Spirit was birthed out of our desire to help communities in Chicago and Northwest Indiana most effected by unemployment and poverty,” said Doris Boulrece, chairman of the BMOA’s Food for the Body & Spirit program and a McDonald’s owner. “This is why every year we host the giveaways at our restaurant locations in the communities with the most need. We love our customers and ultimately hope that this effort provides some inspiration for their lives, no matter how big or small.”

She added that BMOA expects to distribute 2,000 turkeys along with baskets filled with side items like canned goods and a small bag of potatoes.

Military veterans like Grover Smith, 66, said he plans to attend the Nov. 20 turkey giveaway since he lives around the

corner from McDonald’s on south Stony Island Avenue.

“I live at 66th and Stony Island, literally walking distance from McDonald’s. I could use a turkey and some trimmings to go along with it,” he said. “I am on a fixed income and after I pay my rent, I don’t have much left for anything else.

McDonald’s has always been good to seniors and to vets and that’s why I always go there to eat.”

McDonald’s officials said turkey giveaways are a priority for them because masses of low-income households are on the rise in minority communities whether it’s a single mother or a veteran.

“As unemployment numbers in many urban areas hit record highs, it is critical that the Black McDonald’s Operators Association be at the forefront of helping those who have been effected by unfortunate hardships this holiday season,” added Boulrece.

COMMENTARY

Explainer: No, House Democrats Aren’t Violating Trump’s Rights

BY THOMAS L. KNAPP

“If the facts are on your side,” famed attorney and former law professor Alan Dershowitz instructed his students, “pound the facts into the table. If the law is on your side, pound the law into the table. If neither the facts nor the law are on your side, pound the table.”

As Republican attacks on the US House of Representatives’ impeachment inquiry grow in fury, they more and more resemble the third instruction in Dershowitz’s maxim.

The latest Republican angle on the inquiry is that House Democrats are violating President Donald Trump’s constitutional rights under the Sixth Amendment.

“Impeachment is a legal proceeding,” writes Federalist Society Chairman and law professor Steve Calabresi at The Daily

Caller, “and just as criminal defendants have constitutional rights in criminal trials so too does Trump have constitutional rights, which House Democrats are denying him.”

These rights, says Calabresi (and the US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment) include the right to a speedy public trial, the right to be informed of the charges against him, and the right to be confronted with the witnesses against him.

At first blush, these might sound like cogent legal arguments — pounding the law into the table, so to speak. But they’re not. They’re just pounding the table.

Calabresi calls impeachment a “legal proceeding,” but that term appears nowhere in the Sixth Amendment. The rights protected therein are protected in “criminal prosecutions.”

Impeachment is not a criminal

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prosecution. The maximum penalty is removal from office.

It’s an employee disciplinary proceeding of sorts.

To the extent that the process does resemble a criminal prosecution, the House inquiry function is analogous to a police investigation or a grand jury probe. As of yet, there are no “charges” for the president to be informed of. A House vote to impeach is the equivalent of filing charges or handing down an indictment.

That happens at the end of, not during, the inquiry.

If the House votes to impeach, there will be a trial in the US Senate. At that point the “prosecution” will identify those whom it intends to call as witnesses, and Trump’s attorneys will “be confronted with” those witnesses and have an opportunity to vigorously cross-examine them.

Calabresi’s claims are the equivalent of arguing that if a 911 caller reports a bank robbery in progress, the suspects’ constitutional rights are violated unless the police chief takes them and the 911 caller out on the bank’s front steps and lets them argue the matter in front of a crowd — before charging the suspects, and whether or not the caller would be summoned as a trial witness.

When Trump’s defenders merely pound the table, the presumptive reason is that they’re fresh out of fact and law to pound instead.

Thomas L. Knapp (Twitter: @thomaslknapp) is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism (thegarrisoncenter.org). He lives and works in north central Florida.

CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

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NEWS

Terrance Jordan, principal at Black Hawk Elementary School in Springfield, speaks during a recent event in Springfield held to discuss Advance Illinois’ report on the state of public education in Illinois.

Joining Jordan in the discussion are Jennifer Garrison, superintendent of the Vandalia Unit School District and a member of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill.

Credit: Advance Illinois

45% of adults had post-secondary degree in 2018; goal is 60% by 2025

BY PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD — A group that advocates for public education in Illinois released a report indicating the state has made some progress in improving educational outcomes over the past five years, but it still has a long way to go to achieve the goal of having 60 percent of all adults attaining some kind of college-level degree or certificate by 2025.

“To achieve this goal, we must focus on the entire education continuum, birth through career, and work to ensure that all students are on track across the critical academic milestones that mark their road to postsecondary completion,” according to the report by Advance Illinois.

The report, “The State We’re In 2019,” was released in mid-October. The group has since been traveling the state to discuss the significance of its findings on local communities.

The report examines how the state performed on a wide range of educational outcome measures — from kindergarten readiness to postsecondary completion — in 2018 and in most cases compares that with 2013. It also shows how the state ranks with other states on those measures.

Perhaps the most troubling statistic in the report concerns kindergarten readiness, data for which became available only in 2018.

According to the Illinois State Board of Education, only 26 percent of 5-year-old children in Illinois showed the social, emotional and academic skills needed to start kindergarten.

The report also indicated wide racial, ethnic and economic disparities in kindergarten readiness, which is largely attributable to the availability of early childhood education programs in different communities.

“Kindergarten readiness is critical,” the report states. “Performance gaps on key measures such as fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade math begin to take root much earlier — during a child’s first and most formative years. Kin-

dergarten-ready students have an 82 percent chance of being academically on track and mastering key skills by age 11. Children who are not kindergarten-ready have a 45 percent chance of reaching proficiency.”

In other areas, Illinois made slight improvement over the five-year period. For example, 35 percent of fourth-grade students in 2018 met or exceeded state standards for reading skills, a key indicator of a student’s future risk of failing or dropping out of school. That was up one percentage point from 2013.

But there were fewer students demonstrating mastery of eighth-grade math skills — 32 percent in 2018, down from 36 percent in 2013.

Postsecondary enrollment among high school graduates rose during the period — 53 percent in 2018 compared to 45 percent in 2013 — but the report also noted that enrollment is down across the board at Illinois public colleges and universities, an indication that students are leaving the state to attend college.

Finally, the report noted that 45 percent of

Illinois adults had an associate degree or higher, up from 43 percent in 2013 but still far short of the goal of 60 percent by 2025.

Advance Illinois gave credit to the new Evidence-Based Funding formula the state adopted in 2017, which requires annual increases in K-12 education funding, with the bulk of that new money earmarked for the least well-funded districts.

But it also said inadequate funding remains an issue at all levels of public education, especially for low-income families.

“From preschool to postsecondary, lack of funding and affordability are critical barriers for low-income residents,” the report states.

“This is troubling because early education determines outcomes in later school years, and postsecondary attainment remains key to employment and a living wage. If we lose students early, we risk losing them entirely. And if we fail to support postsecondary success, we damage the economic prospects of our students and our state.”

IDOC Revises Publication Review Policy to Increase Access to Educational Materials The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is implementing a new procedure for reviewing publications entering its correctional facilities.

The revised policy is designed to ensure a review process with more oversight and consistency in order to increase access to reading and educational materials.

“I am pleased the Department now has a process for publication reviews that is sound and meets national standards,” said

IDOC Director Rob Jeffreys. “This administration is committed to expanding opportunities for educational advancement while maintaining the safety and security of our institutions.”

The policy ensures publications cannot be disapproved solely based on social, sexual, religious, philosophical, or political content. Reading materials for educational programming are now assessed by the Educational Facility Administrator of each institution. The Department’s Central Publications Review Commitwww.citizennewspapergroup.com

tee, which is comprised of individuals from IDOC’s Operations Division and Legal Services, is overseeing the new procedure and will make final determinations on reading materials.

The Department also instituted a Statewide Publications Determination List to ensure consistency across all correctional facilities.

IDOC incorporated feedback from education experts and the National Institute of Corrections into the final policy.

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BUSINESS Illinois to Seek Disaster Declaration from Small Business Administration to Aid 1.4M Illinois Residents The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently denied the state’s appeal for federal assistance to help residents in 22 counties recover from 2019’s severe storms and historic flooding along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. In light of these new developments, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency will seek a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

If approved, an SBA disaster declaration would enable residents and business owners in the approved counties, and its contiguous counties, to apply for grants as well as lowinterest, long-term loans.

To date, the federal government has approved public assistance funding for 28 counties in Illinois.

The federal public assistance program provides grants to assist state and local governments, nonprofits and houses of worship with the response and recovery costs associated with the declared disaster. Under the guidelines of the PA program, local jurisdictions can be reimbursed for up to 75 percent of eligible costs. Based on the $61M in

losses identified during the joint preliminary damage assessment, Illinois stands to receive an estimated $45.7M. Of that, FEMA has already obligated $1.3M to launch the public assistance program in Illinois.

“While we are extremely disappointed that Illinois did not qualify for Individual Assistance funding, we will not give up fighting to provide resources to the citizens of Illinois,” said Alicia Tate-Nadeau, acting IEMA director. “We are committed to working with our federal delegation to encourage FEMA to change the eligibility requirements of the Individual Assistance program that hurts states like Illinois, and in the meantime, we will work with our state and federal partners to identify any other available resources.”

The state will work with the federal delegation to encourage changes to FEMA’s rules for determining Individual Assistance grants. These rules outline six factors for funding consideration: uninsured home and personal property loss; disaster impacted population profile; impact to

community infrastructure; fatalities; disaster unemployment and the state’s fiscal capacity to recover from this devastating event. However, the practical effect of these rules is that state’s with large urban population centers struggle to reach FEMA thresholds, particularly when disasters are confined to rural or sparsely populated areas of the state.

Public assistance is available in the following counties: Adams, Alexander, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Fulton, Greene, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jackson, Jersey, Knox, Lee, Madison, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Pike, Randolph, Rock Island, Schuyler, Scott, St. Clair, Stephenson, Union and Whiteside.

For individuals and homeowners who still need immediate assistance in the wake of these devastating floods, the State of Illinois has a comprehensive flood recovery website dedicated to assisting flood survivors. From mortgage assistance, emergency housing and debris removal, available resources can be found online at www.illinois. gov/2019floods.

Amtrak ridership hits record highs on two Illinois lines

BY PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com

Springfield – Amtrak routes that connect Chicago to St. Louis and Milwaukee saw record numbers of riders in the federal fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 while the national passenger rail system turned in its best financial performance in several years.

Amtrak reported recently that the Chicago-St. Louis corridor recorded 756,062 riders during the fiscal year, up 5.5 percent from the previous year, and 24 percent higher than fiscal year 2011.

That corridor includes the “Lincoln Service” route that makes four daily trips between the two urban hubs, as well as the “Texas Eagle,” which makes one daily round trip. Both of those services are partially funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The Amtrak “Hiawatha Service” between Chicago and Milwaukee gained nearly 38,000 passengers over the year, growing to 882,189, a 4.5 percent increase over 2018. That route is operated under contract with both the Illinois and Wisconsin

NATIONWIDE, AMTRAK SET A COMPANY RECORD WITH 32.5 MILLION CUSTOMER TRIPS, A YEAR-OVERYEAR INCREASE OF ABOUT 800,000 PASSENGERS. transportation agencies, is Amtrak’s most-travelled corridor in the Midwest.

Nationwide, Amtrak set a company record with 32.5 million customer trips, a year-over-year increase of about 800,000 passengers.

Amtrak also reported its best financial performance in many years, taking in $3.3 billion in operating revenue, 3.6 percent better than 2018. That resulted in a net operating loss of $29.8 million, the closest the company has come to breaking even in its history.

Amtrak was founded in 1971 and operates passenger rail service in the 48 contiguous states and portions of Canada. Although it receives state and federal subsidies, it is managed as a for-profit corporation.

Redfin Report: New Home Sales Up 5.6% in the Third Quarter New-home sale prices dropped 1.5 percent year over year to a median of $370,300 in the third quarter, according to a new report from Redfin (www.redfin.com). This marks the biggest decline since at least 2012 and the third consecutive quarter of declines.

Meanwhile, new-home sales rose 5.6 percent, marking the second consecutive quarter of increases.

New-home supply decreased 7.9 percent year over year, the biggest inventory drop since at least 2012, and the second straight quarter of declines.

Existing-home prices rose 4.2 percent year over year, while sales increased 2.1 percent and inventory fell 6.9 percent.

The price decline for new homes is partly a reflection of builders responding to buyer demand for affordability, which strengthened sales.

The surge in sales, along with a www.citizennewspapergroup.com

nearly 10 percent year-over-year increase in residential building permits—the biggest in two-and-ahalf years—signals the beginning of a moderate recovery for the newhome market.

“Buyers are returning to the new-home market thanks to low mortgage rates and relatively low prices,” said Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather. “And builders, also taking advantage of low interest rates to fund projects, are paying attention to preferences for affordability, which has led to more sales. Residential construction was a bright spot in the economy in the third quarter, a sign that builders are working to fill an inventory gap. As we head into the new year, I expect more new-home listings to hit the market, which should help sustain the relatively high level of sales.”

To read the full report, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/blog/ new-construction-q3-2019.

CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

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NEWS National Portrait Gallery Announces Winners of the 2019 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition and Opening of “The Outwin 2019: American Portraiture Today” The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has announced artist Hugo Crosthwaite as the first-prize winner of the fifth triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition.

Crosthwaite is the first Latinx artist to receive this prestigious award since the national competition was founded in 2006. His prize-winning stop-motion drawing animation, “A Portrait of Berenice Sarmiento Chávez” (2018), recounts a woman’s journey from Tijuana, Mexico, to the United States in pursuit of the American dream.

It is on view in the exhibition “The Outwin 2019: American Portraiture Today,” which features nearly 50 portraits by the finalists of the 2019 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. The triennial competition encourages artists living and working in the U.S. to submit works that challenge the definition of portraiture.

This year’s competition received more than 2,600 submissions from 14 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Selected by a blind jury based on artistic merit, the featured works reflect the state of contemporary portraiture in the U.S. and is on view in Washington, D.C., now through Aug. 30, 2020, before traveling to up to four venues across the U.S. As winner of the first prize, Crosthwaite, a San Diego resident, will receive $25,000 and a commission to create a portrait of a living individual for the museum’s permanent collection. Second prize was awarded to Sam Comen of Los Angeles, for his photograph “Jesus Sera, Dishwasher” (2018). Third prize was awarded to both Richard Greene of Los Angeles for his photograph “Monroe, LA” (2016) and Wayde McIntosh of Brooklyn, New York, for his painting “Legacy” (2017). Commended artists are Natalia García Clark of Los Angeles and Mexico City for her video “Self-Portrait” (2017); Lauren Hare of Portland, Oregon, for her photograph “Secrets” (2017); and Adrian Octavius Walker of Oakland, California, for his photograph “Black Virgin Mary” (2018).

One exhibiting artist will also win the People’s Choice Award, to be announced in May 2020. Visitors to the exhibition, both at the museum and online, will be able to cast a vote for their favorite finalists.

“The Outwin 2019” is co-curated by the Portrait Gallery’s Dorothy Moss, curator of painting and sculpture and performance art, and Taína Caragol, curator of paint-

Credit: “A Portrait of Berenice Sarmiento Chávez” by Hugo Crosthwaite, stop-motion drawing animation, (3:12 min.), 2018. Collection of the artist, courtesy of Luis De Jesus Los Angeles

ing and sculpture and Latinx art and history. This year’s exhibition addresses themes of socio-political relevance, including immigration, Black Lives Matter, urban youth, the status of American workers, gun violence and LGBTQ+ rights.

The work spans a variety of media and includes performance art for the first time with Sheldon Scott’s “Portrait, number 1 man (day clean ta sun down)” (2019).

The 2019 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition is directed by Moss. Jurors for the 2019 Competition include Harry Gamboa Jr., artist, writer and co-director of the program in photography and media at the California Institute of the Arts; Lauren Haynes, curator of contemporary art at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; Byron Kim, artist and senior critic at the Yale School of Art; and Jefferson Pinder, artist and professor of sculpture and contemporary practices at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The Portrait Gallery’s curators Caragol, Moss and Chief Curator Brandon Brame Fortune also served on the committee.

The Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition is made possible by the Virginia Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition Endowment, established by Virginia Outwin Boochever and continued by her children.

For more information on the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery visit npg.si.edu.

Think

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Visit mwrd.org and click the Unwanted Medicine banner for a listing of other medication disposal locations throughout Cook County.

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Find us at mwrd.org and on social media

6 | CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

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NEWS

5 Pro Tips to Prep Homes for Winter Family Features - Before blustery winter days arrive, there are plenty of home improvement projects contractors can tackle for homeowners. Many cooler weather projects focus on cost efficiency and sustainability, making the improvements all around smart investments.

Winter is the perfect time to implement upgrades that boost energy efficiency and lower heating bills, helping to manage household costs while improving comfort and enjoyment of the home. Consider these practical upgrade ideas.

Add insulation. Depending on the age of the home, improving the quality or increasing the volume of insulation can make a difference in the home’s energy efficiency. An expert can determine whether old insulation needs to be removed or new insulation should simply be added. A contractor can examine the home to determine where there may be gaps, as well as provide recommendations on the type and amount of insulation needed.

Seal air leaks. Air leaks can cause chilly drafts, contribute to frozen pipes and lead to energy loss. Eliminating leaks is an important aspect of winterizing any home, but not all leaks are easily identified. A skilled contractor can scour the home, checking unknown areas like basement through-wall penetrations, sill

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

plates and the tops of concrete walls. Interior features like light receptacles and outlets are also common sources of air leakage. The caulking around windows and doors is another common culprit to be examined by an expert.

For most leaks, a solution like Great Stuff Pro™ Polyurethane Foam Sealant can seal gaps and cracks to help block air, moisture and pests from entering the home. In some cases,

blocking drafty vents with cut pieces of foam board insulation or replacing seals will suffice to address leaks.

Install a programable thermostat. A programmable thermostat helps to regulate temperatures based on daily routines, so homeowners aren’t heating homes while no one is there to appreciate it. Experts can ensure electrical installation is done safely and provide

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guidance selecting a model that is appropriate for managing a home’s heating and cooling needs.

Replace weather stripping and seal trim. Over time and with frequent use, weather stripping breaks down and loses its shape, even becoming brittle. Cracked trim around doors and windows leads to air leaks, and sometimes homeowners think the only solution is replacing windows and doors, but they still end up with drafts.

Contractors can periodically replace trim using foam sealant to help eliminate inevitable drafts and save homeowners money in the long run – a more cost-effective approach than paying for new windows and doors.

Prevent ice dams. Snow-covered roofs and freezing weather can lead to ice dams – thick ridges of solid ice that build up in gutters and along eaves. Dams can damage gutters and shingles and cause water to back up, which could force the water inside where it can peel paint, warp floors and lead to stained or sagging ceilings. To prevent damming, have a professional clear your gutters of leaves and debris ahead of the first snow and consider installing gutter guards to help prevent melting snow from refreezing in gutters.

For more tips and ideas on how to prepare homes for winter, visit GreatStuff.com.

8 | CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

Underscore Theatre Company Presents PROXY PROXY, by Alexander Sage Oyen, Rachel Franco and Austin Regan, is a story of journalistic and personal integrity set to a punk rock score. Now playing at Underscore Theatre Company’s newly-remodeled, permanent home, The Understudy, 4609 N. Clark St. in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, the play is directed

by Stephanie Rohr with music direction by T.J. Anderson..

The cast includes Tessa Dettman, Carisa Gonzalez, Kyle Kite, Michael Mejia and Jenny Rudnick.

Swings: Matt Tatone and Sinclair Willman.

Fifteen years ago, when she was a kid, Vanessa was almost murdered by her best friend. Now, she is an investigative journalist in a bind and she decides to do what anyone would do – exploit her personal story by disguising herself and interviewing her childhood best friend and attempted murderer.

Vanessa must navigate her estranged family and confront her trauma in the age of going viral. Who has the right to tell our story? When we have been traumatized, how do we pass that pain onto others – and can we ever really heal?

Regular run: Sunday, November 24, 2019 Curtain Times: Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm; Sunday at 4 pm.

Tickets: Previews: $10. Regular run: $25. Tickets are currently available at underscoretheatre.org.

Pictured (left to right) Kyle Kite, Tessa Dettman, Carisa Gonzalez, Michael Mejia and Jenny Rudnick in Underscore Theatre Company’s production of PROXY. Photo by Michael Brosilow

Agent-CEO Tiauna Jackson opens doors to Black writers The Jackson Agency recently announced a new partnership with the Writers Guild of America – West. The Jackson Agency has been the home for underrepresented artists of color since its founding in 2014. Now, as a WGA Signatory, this partnership will create more opportunities for writers of color, allowing for historically underrepresented writers to have Agency representation.

Even amidst the diversity push by the industry, many people of color have lamented the slow transition and challenged industry norms on social media via the widely used #showusyourroom hash tag.

“This is historic. To the best of my knowledge, The Jackson Agency is the first African-American owned agency to become a WGA-West Signatory,” Jaia Thomas, Esq., sports and entertainment and intellectual property attorney and founder of Diverse Representation.

Brandon Miree, writer and producer states, “Bringing about a diverse change in Hollywood will take bold and fearless people like Tiauna

The Jackson Agency was founded by Tiauna Jackson (pictured) in 2014 after seeing a need for underrepresented artists to be given a voice through proper representation. The agency exists for those who have been denied opportunities based on an aversion to diversity.

who’s working behind the scenes and willing to have those uncomfortable conversations.”

“I’m excited to play a part in bringing these deliberately ignored artists to the mainstream.

Championing Diversity has been the heart and soul of this agency,” said Tiauna Jackson, founder of Jackson Agency.

“As a female writer of color, the barrier to entry into Hollywood can feel much higher than for others but having representation like Tiauna increases the odds of getting in front of the right people to allow my work to speak for itself,” says Danielle Motley, screenwriter.

“This agency is legit and honest in an industry that needs it. People of color need an agency founded by a person of color that understands their needs and how to navigate the industry,” Jeffery Thompson, Jr., filmmaker/ CEO of Epoch Media.

“TJA is on the forefront of introducing the world to the works of writers of color,” M. LaVora Perry, author, “TANEESHA NEVER DISPARAGING.” The benefits of this new partnership include: l Writers of color will have an opportunity to submit their materials for consideration. l Showrunners and Producers now have

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the ability to find writers of color for their staffing needs. l All artists of color have a highly visible champion of diversity in their corner. l Making history, Tiauna is currently the only known Black Literary Agent who owns a boutique agency.

About Jackson Agency: Founded in 2014 after seeing a need for underrepresented artists to be given a voice through proper representation, The Jackson Agency exists for those who have been denied opportunities based on an aversion to diversity. The Jackson Agency works tirelessly to combat that by focusing on representing artists of color.

About Tiauna Jackson: CEO and Agent, Tiauna was profiled by the New York Times along side ICM agents Lorrie Barlett and Andrea Nelson-Meigs. As the only boutique agent profiled, Jackson spoke truth to what it is like for lesser-known actors in entertainment.

For more about The Jackson Agency: http:// tja.agency

CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

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CALENDAR EVENTS AT NAVY PIER

Discover Navy Pier’s 19th annual Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest!

‘Tis the season for holiday fun at Navy Pier’s 19th annual Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest! For more than five weeks, guests can dash through an indoor winter wonderland as Chicago’s iconic lakefront destination transforms its Festival Hall into a dazzling spectacle with 170,000 square feet of holiday-themed fun.

Kicking off on Friday, December 6, 2019 and running through Sunday, January 12, 2020, Chicagoland natives and seasonal travelers will have the opportunity to enjoy festive décor, returning favorites and this year’s brand-new attraction, The Wind Chill.

Upon entry to Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest, guests will be greeted by abundant winter decorations and a twinkling forest of nearly 500 trees decorated with 25,000 ornaments hung on glittering wire. Dozens of classic rides and attractions will adorn the Pier’s Festival Hall under shimmering white lights and above a wintery blue carpet, including the Xfinity Ice Skating Rink, Polar Extreme Obstacle Course, Cliff Hanger, Polar Ice Peaks Climbing Walls, Winter WonderWhirl, Kringle Carousel and more.

Families are welcome to take a ride around Winter WonderTown on the Arctic Express Train and decorate holiday cookies at the Aquafina Cookie Cottage.

The “Sugar Plums” from Aerial Ataraxia will grace Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest with dazzling acrobatic performances each weekend (Saturdays and Sundays) at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

New this year, The Wind Chill will take holiday lovers on an exciting ride, soaring guests to heights of nearly 53 feet above the indoor winter playground in Festival Hall. On the way to Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest, guests can stroll through Winter Wonder Market near the front entrance of the Pier, where Navy Pier’s Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion will be transformed into an all-new holiday market featuring meet-and-greet opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus on select dates. A one-stop shop for all things holiday, find unique gifts and enjoy seasonal treats and food specials at onsite dining establishments.

Winter Wonder Market will be unveiled on Black Friday (Friday, November 29) and run through Christmas Eve (Tuesday, December 24).

Tickets to Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest can be purchased online or at the on-site box office. Ticket options vary based on date, height/age, time of sale (advance or day of) and location of sale (online or on site). The event will open at 10 a.m. every day and closing hours vary.

On Thursday, January 9, Navy Pier will host sensory friendly hours from 4 – 8

Third Annual Sequence Ch!Cago Showcases Chicago’s Arts And Culture Scene Sequence Ch!cago, going on now at Navy Pier, highlights the city’s vibrant arts and cultural scene. Presented by the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, the series includes performances from Chicago’s gifted musicians, handcrafted works by local artisans and special events. The series kicked off on Saturday, October 5 and concludes on Saturday, December 20 with “A Blues Christmas” in the spectacular Aon Grand Ballroom.

Please see below for remaining events on the the Sequence Ch!cago schedule. To note, events are subject to change: Wednesday, November 27 Housegiving: 8:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. (Thursday, November 28) Aon Grand Ballroom MUSIC: “The King of House Music” Farley Funkmaster Flex; Dee Jay Alicia

‘Tis the season for holiday fun at Navy Pier’s 19th annual Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest! For more than five weeks, guests can dash through an indoor winter wonderland as Chicago’s iconic lakefront destination transforms its Festival Hall into a dazzling spectacle with 170,000 square feet of holiday-themed fun.

*This event will also serve as a clothing drive for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

Guests are encouraged to bring and drop off coats, hats, gloves, scarves, hand and foot warmers, socks, underwear, personal hygiene items, sleeping bags, dental kits, towels and blankets.

Saturday, November 30 Chicago Culture Market: 3 – 6 p.m. Food Experience Corridor MUSIC: Kyle Madsen Trio; Ashley Stevenson; Almond&Olive MARKET VENDORS: Tangible Things Store Saturday, December 7

p.m., consisting of discounted tickets, limited lighting, reduced sound, quiet zones and more to accommodate the special needs community.

In addition, to access to Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest, every ticket purchase will include a complimentary pass to ride the iconic, 200-foot-tall Centennial Wheel – an $18 value. This treasured attraction features enclosed and temperature-controlled gondolas, offering guests comfortable, enjoyable rides and unparalleled views year round. Centennial Wheel tickets provided with admission are valid from the time of purchase through March 21, 2020.

Hosted by the Navy Pier Associate Board, Cheer at the Pier will return on Thursday, December 5 from 5 – 9 p.m. as an exclusive pre-opening celebration of Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest.

Tickets include food, an open bar for guests 21 and older and access to all rides and activities at Chicago’s largest indoor winter attraction. All proceeds from Cheer at the Pier will support Navy Pier’s free, year-round public programming.

Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest also offers opportunities to host festive private events, from corporate holiday outings to birthday parties and special occasions, in an exclusive Navy Pier event space with all-inclusive package options.

Please call (312) 595-5300 or email navypierevents@navypier.org to book a private event. Additionally, stay at any of the 98 Chicagoland Hilton hotels and save on admission, parking, food and more at Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest.

For the comfort and safety of all Navy Pier guests, those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Guests 18 years and older must present a valid driver’s license, state ID or military ID with their pass to enter Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest. Parents or guardians are responsible for the safety and conduct of minor guests in their respective parties.

For more information on Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest or to purchase tickets in advance, please visit www. navypier.org.

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Seasonal Concert: 5 – 6 p.m. Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion MUSIC: TRIIO Saturday, December 14 Seasonal Concert: 5 – 6 p.m. Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion MUSIC: The Oh Yeahs Friday, December 20 A Blues Christmas: 7 – 8:30 p.m. Aon Grand Ballroom MUSIC: Toronzo Cannon; Lil’ Ed; Lynne Jordan; Matthew Skoller While attending Sequence Ch!cago, guests are encouraged to take advantage of the many other Pier-wide experiences in dining, retail, boats and other activities and attractions, including the iconic and year-round Centennial Wheel.

Sequence Ch!cago is part of the Pier’s ongoing commitment to offer guests free, one-of-akind arts and cultural programming, designed to inspire, educate and connect communities and guests across the city and globe. For more information, visit www.navypier.org.

10 | CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

FASHION Sally Beauty Expands ‘Color Before You Commit’ ColorView™ AI Technology to Mobile App and to In-Store Experience in 500 Locations Nationwide Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. recently announced the expansion of their ColorView™ AI Technology to the Sally Beauty App and to kiosks in 500 Sally Beauty stores across the country. The implementation is part of the brand’s revamp of the customer experience and approach to retail fundamentals.

“Sally Beauty customers over-index on mobile phone shopping and are hair color enthusiasts,” said JC Johnson, group vice president, digital commerce, strategy and insights. “We are excited to provide a fun experience that allows our customers to dynamically try on color before they commit to a hair transformation. They can try it, share it, buy it, save it, or start all over again, with dozens of our best products.”

The technology allows consumers to virtually try on hair color and makeup before purchasing, creating a more confident shopping experience.

ColorView™ queries the user’s preferences and goals, then matches them to recommended product categories and shades. The user can then virtually try on the products and selected shades through real-time Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality hair and makeup color technology.

“The app uses a framework that allows

us to build once and publish to multiple app stores,” said Joe Brenner, group vice president & chief information officer.

“The app accomplishes Augmented Reality by using a proprietary set of Artificial Intelligence libraries to perform facial recognition, facial mapping and real-time biometric tracking using our customer’s smartphone.”

When a customer tries a product using the AI technology, it is automatically added to her shopping list with options to ‘Add to Cart,’ and ‘Save for Later,’ allowing customers to purchase multiple products to create a complete look.

The innovative technology aggregates product recommendations from Sally Beauty’s extensive product offerings with hair brands such as Ion®, Arctic Fox™, Wella® and Good Dye Young. The makeup capabilities feature COL-LAB and Ardell® product items for virtual try-on. Additional items for purchase are recommended during the consultation, including gloves, brushes or bowls, so shoppers can bring their virtual hair color and makeup look to life at home.

The experience will be expanded to additional stores in coming months and is already available in both the Android and Apple app stores.

PRNewsfoto/Lands’ End, Inc.

Lands’ End Matching Family Flannel Pajamas Selected As One Of This Year’s Oprah’s Favorite Things Lands’ End recently announced that the matching family flannel pajamas in rich red plaid are included in this year’s Oprah’s Favorite Things holiday gift list featured in the December issue of O, The Oprah Magazine and on OprahMag.com.

The Oprah’s Favorite Things annual list is a must-have holiday shopping guide that features the most decadent desserts, ingenious gadgets, and finest finds in home, fashion, and beauty.

The flannel pajamas are available for purchase at LandsEnd.com and in the Oprah’s Favorite Things storefront on Amazon at amazon.com/ oprah or on the Amazon App on iOS and Android anytime, anywhere.

As Oprah says in the December issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, “you and yours will enjoy

a holly-jolly Christmas in these adorable flannel PJ sets (complete with dog bandana), which suit lazy-omelet making mornings and holiday-card photo shoots alike.”

Twelve lucky readers will have the chance to win every item, including the Lands’ End matching family flannel pajamas, on Oprah’s Favorite Things List in the 12-Day Give-O-Way Sweepstakes (www.oprahmag.com/12days), which runs from November 27 through December 8.

To see the full list of items please visit www. oprahmag.com/oprah-favorite-things-2019.

The December issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, featuring the Lands’ End family flannel pajamas on this year’s list, recently hit the newsstands nationwide on November 19. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Sally Beauty Expands ‘Color Before You Commit’ ColorView™ AI Technology to Mobile App and to In-Store Experience in 500 Locations Nationwide

CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

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11

CLASSIFIEDS BIDS

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Barnard Soletanche Bessac JV (BSB) An Equal Opportunity Employer

MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes, 333

Requests subcontractor bids from qualified WBE/MBE Subcontractors and Suppliers for: Design-Build Services South Airfield Consolidation O’Hare International Airport

The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable customers to be able to identify the TRUE owner of a business. ASSUMED NAME: ALEXANDER ROHSAAN K

OWNER: City of Chicago BID DATE: December 6 th , 2019 at 4:00 PM (CST) BID ITEMS: Earthwork/Excavation; Asphalt Paving; Site Security; Traffic Control; Office Maintenance; Materials Testing; Rebar Furnish & Install; Concrete Ready-Mix; Concrete Pipe; Preconstruction & Post-Construction Surveys; Environmental Consulting; Tunnel & amp; Site Survey; Geotechnical Instrumentation and Monitoring; Erosion & Sediment Control; Site Restoration; Muck Disposal; Reservoir Wall Support; Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring; Water Pumping/Pipeline; Electrical; Mechanical; Plumbing; HVAC; Trucking & Disposal; Hazardous Material Handling; Tunnel & Shaft Construction Safety; Equipment Rental; Heavy Equipment Mechanics; and Steel Fabrication for the Tunnel Liner.

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 8212 SOUTH ESCANABA AVENUE CHICAGO ILLINOIS [IL 60617-2119 US] NAMEHOLDER(S): R A Bey Trust C/O General Delivery 433 West Harrison Street Chicago Illinois [IL 60699-9998 US]

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS: Contact Rivers Topping – Barnard Construction at PH: (406) 5861995 or email: rivers.topping@Barnard-Inc.com for information on obtaining plans and specifications.

ASSISTANCE AND QUESTIONS: BSB will provide technical assistance as needed through- out the bidding process. We will work with subs and suppliers to develop a delivery schedule that accommodates the needs of subs and suppliers on non-critical work items. When economically feasible, we will divide total contract requirements into small portions to permit maximum qualified Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Women Business Enterprises (WBE) participation. Upon request, we will assist interested businesses in obtaining bonds, lines of credit and/or required insurance. Questions regarding assistance and bids should be directed to Rivers Topping at (406) 586-1995. Questions regarding obtaining bonds should be directed to Austin Neff at (760) 8222184, or Austin.Neff@TheBondExchange. com. All bids should be faxed to (406) 586-3530 or emailed to BWBids@Barnard-Inc.com.

Rohsaan Kwame Alexander Bey C/O General Delivery 433 West Harrison Street Chicago Illinois [IL 60699-9998 US]

SERVICE

SERVICE

CITY OF CHICAGO or COOK COUNTY MBE/WBE CERTIFICATION FORM DUE BEFORE: November 6 th , 2019 SCHEDULE C AND SCOPE DUE BEFORE: November 20 th , 2019 BID DUE BEFORE: November 27 th , 2019 _________________________________________

DATE FILED: October 24, 2019 ORIGINAL FILE NUMBER: 1113542400027

MISCELLANEOUS

SIGNED BY:

EDUCATION AIRLINE CAREERS FOR NEW YEAR BECOME AN AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECH. FAA APPROVED TRAINING. FINANCIAL AID IF QUALIFIED - JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE. CALL AIM 800-481-8312 __________________________________

Rohsaan Kwame Alexander Bey All Rights Reserved UCC 1-308 EMAIL FOR NOTICES: shyraent@gmail.com PUBLISHED IN THE:

HELP WANTED

This space can be yours Call us at (773) 783-1251.

R A Private Bank Estate & Trust C/O General Delivery 433 West Harrison Street Chicago Illinois [IL 60699-9998 US] I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.

PROPOSALS: We ask that all subs and suppliers complete this form and return to BSB as soon as possible indicating your interest in the Project. At this time we are asking all subs and suppliers follow the below schedule for submitting cost proposals to insure sufficient time to evaluate all proposals.

Bookkeepers: 12 mo. exp. in bookkeeping or related req. Mail Resume to: Manning & Silverman Ltd. , Attn: HR- 175 Olde Half Day Road, Ste. 290, Lincolnshire, IL 60069. __________________________________

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12 | CITIZEN | Hyde Park | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

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