South End Citizen 10-06-2021

Y O U R S O U R C E F O R C O R O N AV I R U S N E W S

Citizen Week of Oct. 6, 2021

| Vol. 54 | No. 35 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SOUTH END

Kristle and Kerese Millen are educators who created the Millen Twins Educator Awards to recognize those who dedicate their time to educate others and positively impact students’ lives. Photos provided by Felicia Apprey

AWARDS RECOGNIZE EDUCATORS’ TIME AND DEDICATION

Kristle and Kerese Millen are known as the Millen Twins. They are philanthropist, public speakers, radio personalities and educators. Both hold degrees in curriculum and instruction. They developed the Millen Twin Educator Awards in 2019 to recognize those who dedicate their time to educate others. PAGE 2

COVID, Kids and School: Seven Simple Steps for Staying Safe

Young Children Gained Weight During The Pandemic

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NEWS briefly REGGIO “THE HOOFER” MCLAUGHLIN AWARDED 2021 NATIONAL HERITAGE FELLOWSHIP Chicago’s own Reginald “Reggio the Hoofer” McLaughlin, who has brought his distinctive style of “hoofing” to theaters, classrooms, community centers, and tap festivals throughout the U.S., has received the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts: a 2021 National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

McLaughlin is the only Midwest artist and the only dancer among the nine 2021 honorees.

The NEA National Heritage Fellowship recognizes the recipients’ artistic excellence and supports their continuing contributions to our nation’s traditional arts heritage. Each of the nine recipients will be featured in a film debuting on Nov. 17, on arts.gov. Upon learning he was a 2021 recipient, McLaughlin shared his motto, “If you are true to your art form, it will be true to you.”

Dance artist and teacher Sarah Galle, McLaughlin’s colleague, commented, “Reggio’s passion for tap dancing is matched only by his passion for sharing the roots of the art form with people all over the world. Whether he’s performing or teaching, he makes sure you aren’t just seeing or learning the steps. He wants you to know what’s behind it because that’s when the dancing comes from the heart. Reggio is as much a historian as he is an artist, and that is exactly what makes him so deserving to be recognized as a National Heritage Fellow.”

A master of tap dance, McLaughlin honed his distinctive “hoofing” style of dancing in the Chicago subways before advancing to the worldwide stage. He preserves the tradition of tap dance through educational programs that continue to energize the art form. For 27 years, McLaughlin has taught at the Old Town School of Folk Music, which honored him with its Distinguished Teaching Artist Award in 2015 and named a dance studio in his honor in 2020.

McLaughlin is working on a music CD and has an autobiography, Reggio McLaughlin: Tap Dance of Life, available at the Old Town School of Folk Music’s Different Strummer Music Store and Amazon. He also produced two dance instructional videos, appeared in five documentaries, and is currently working on a one-man show.

CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTERS COVID-19 VACCINATIONS AT LARRY’S BARBER COLLEGE The City of Chicago hosted a special COVID-19 vaccination event at Larry’s Barber College Community Health Day on September 25th as part of the Vax and Relax series. The Vax and Relax initiative offers free haircuts as well as a $50 gift card for each dose of the Pfizer vaccine received as incentives to encourage teens and young adults to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Two dozen Chicagoans attended the special event on Saturday to receive their COVID-19 vaccines in an effort to protect themselves, their families, and communities.

COVID-19 vaccines are widely available at pharmacies, health care facilities, and through special events across the city at no cost to the public. Through CDPH’s Protect Chicago At Home program, anyone 12 and over can receive a vaccination in their home. No insurance or government ID is required to receive a free COVID-19 vaccination anywhere. To learn more, visit Chicago.gov/COVIDvax or call 312-746-4835.

Awards recognize educators’ time and dedication Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Kristle and Kerese Millen are known as the Millen Twins. They are philanthropist, public speakers, radio personalities and educators. Both hold degrees in curriculum and instruction. They developed the Millen Twin Educator Awards in 2019 to recognize those who dedicate their time to educate others.

The Millen Twins Educator Awards ceremony will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Beverly Arts Center, located at 2407 W. 111th St. The Millens currently are in a preschool laboratory at the City Colleges of Chicago, where they teach preschool age children.

Students who are also majoring in child development are in the laboratory and the Millens supervise those students, as well as lead and guide them into their educational career.

Kristle and Kerese knew educators could be burned out after being in the field of education close to 14 years themselves. They wanted to do something to push themselves and their peers. They decided to have an awards ceremony so educators could come together, be motivated, celebrate and acknowledge each other.

“We want them to have that feeling that people are supporting them. We want them to keep pushing and keep going and to let them know they are impacting students’ lives,” Kerese said.

The Millens remember a time when they were in class together as students and a teacher referred to Kerese as the “stupid twin.” It stuck with her, and the experience traumatized her. It made Kristle and Kerese realize there are educators out there who don’t care for students. They wanted to recognize educators who are impacting students’ lives positively.

Kerese has seen the relationship between educators and parents make a positive

At the first Mille Twin Educators Awards, there were 20 educators recognized. This year, 27 will be recognized. Photos provided by Felicia Apprey

impact. When parents are involved in the students’ lives, it makes the teachers’ lives a little easier, and it creates a home-school connection. It also gives the students a positive educational journey.

This year’s MTE Awards will benefit Autism Research. Kristle has noticed there have been more students diagnosed with Autism. The spectrum is so wide with the range of conditions being different for each individual. In supporting Autism research, the Millens want to find out what they can do as far as instruction and child development to help the children and their parents.

Since its first year, the MTE Awards has recognized 20 educators. This year, 27 educators will be recognized.

Last year when COVID-19 first hit, the Millens had to conduct instruction for the preschool aged children that they taught through Zoom. It was a challenge. They had to return to school and then that caught COVID-19.

“We were already afraid, wearing mask and gloves and doing our best the whole

year we were at home to keep safe. But, as soon as they made us go back to work, we caught it,” Kristle said.

It was a challenge for them to care for the kids, worry about themselves and going back home and potentially spreading the virus.

Kerese had to build up a relationship even more to get the parents and students to embrace remote learning. The families had varying resources and the Millens had to go to the administrators to advocate for families to provide necessary resources like computers. They also informed the parents regularly about food giveaways.

When it comes to how we can move forward during COVID-19, the Millens want the administrators to listen to the educators, take what they say into consideration, and help them solve the problem.

“We’ve done so many different things, and in everything we do, we want to make giving contagious,” Kristle said.

For more information, visit www.millentwins.com.

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to begin sending $25.4 million in automatic refunds to Cook County homeowners Almost 11,500 property owners who overpaid their First Installment taxes will automatically get back $25.4 million in refunds this month, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said today.

Almost 4,000 refunds go to homeowners who are receiving property tax exemptions. The value of those exemptions is applied to the Second Installment tax bill, reducing the total taxes due.

Pappas has tried to make homeowners aware of poten-

tial exemptions as she attends community events throughout Chicago and suburban Cook County.

“The outreach efforts of my office, along with the Black and Latino Houses Matter program, are helping homeowners become more aware of how they can reduce their property tax burden,” Pappas said.

To see if you are receiving a portion of the refunds, visit cookcountytreasurer.com, select the purple box labeled

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“Your Property Overview” and enter your address.

The refunds, which the Treasurer’s Office will begin issuing this week, include: • 5,137 homeowners who paid their property taxes online or by check will see funds electronically deposited to their bank or credit card accounts totaling $14.9 million • 5,484 homeowners who paid their taxes through a bank/ mortgage escrow account will be mailed refund checks total-

ing $10.1 million • 808 homeowners who paid taxes totaling $412,177 in cash and will be mailed a refund application to ensure the proper party receives the refund Pappas launched the automatic refund program in July 2018. Since then, 121,000 property owners have received about $82 million in refunds without having to fill out an application.

As a reminder, Second Installment 2020 property taxes are due Friday, Oct. 1.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 6, 2021

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NEWS

Zing Health-Balto Partnership Gets Medicare Questions Answered PRNewswire -- Zing Health, a Chicago-based provider of Medicare Advantage health plans, is teaming with St. Louis-based Balto to enhance its customer service and inbound sales using advanced call center technology guided by artificial intelligence (AI).

Medicare coverage can be intimidating for seniors to navigate, whether they have limited experience shopping for health insurance or years of tracking down claims. Balto’s AI tools help Zing Health’s Medicare Advantage sales and customer service representatives meet the needs of all seniors but especially diverse, under-resourced ones.

Balto is a game-changer for Zing Health.

“Balto shows representatives the best things to say, automatically scores 100 percent of calls, and alerts managers to coaching moments in real time,” said Vince Lanni, Zing Health’s executive vice president, head of growth. “Balto provides customer service representatives with vital information live on the call, so the customer service reps can analyze problems and quickly fix them.”

As a member or potential member speaks a key word or phrase, Balto’s AI will prompt the sales or customer service reps with a correct, helpful response. This call center technology results in improved sales conversion rates, higher customer satisfaction, and a shorter onramp for new associates.

“For the longest time, contact centers had all the insights about what was going wrong on their calls, but no way to act on these insights at scale. With Balto’s Real-Time Guidance, organizations can now scale their best practices to every representative at the push of a button,” said Marc Bernstein, founder and CEO of Balto. “We’re shifting contact centers from conversation intelligence to conversation excellence.”

Call Center Gears Up for Medicare Enrollment Period Zing Health is launching the AI-enabled call center Oct. 1 in advance of the Medicare Annual Enrollment period held Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Its goal is to provide all senior populations with Medicare Advantage coverage that meets their individual special needs.

“We’re setting up three separate playbooks with Balto: one for new sales, one for member retention and benefit navigation, and the third piece for customer service,” Lanni said.

All sales scripts are approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to protect Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.

“As agents hit items on the checklist, it automatically checks them off in green and then scores the agent at the end,” Lanni

PRNewsfoto/Zing Health

said. “This is really a training tool and an accountability tool to make sure that the agents and the customer service reps are sharing pertinent information with the member in a regulatory compliant fashion.”

While most call centers are set up to serve many people quickly, Zing Health’s consumer-first model allows as much time as necessary to ensure there’s no confusion, all questions are answered, and a member ends the call satisfied with the service they received.

“Balto is a game-changer for Zing Health,” said Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, Zing Health’s founder and CEO. “We entered this partnership to provide advanced call center technology for our Medicare Advantage health plans and make it easier for members to find the best plan that fits their healthcare needs.”

AI Technology Extends Customer Service Commitment With 75 million analyzed calls, Balto brings post-call practices into the future. Its Real-Time Guidance offers scalable, in-the-moment coaching for representatives and a holistic view that helps managers understand which tactics work and which do not.

“Technology helps Zing Health coordinate clinical care to help members live healthier lives,” Dr. Whitaker said. “Balto’s technology now positions our licensed agents and customer service department to offer first-class service. Balto trains our employees better and holds them accountable to members for the best-in-class service they deserve.”

A successful contact center launch will help spread the advanced call center technology throughout the Zing Health organization. In addition to the sales, retention, and customer service initial phase rollout, Zing Health intends to use Balto for other departments like claims, appeals, grievances, and others to increase the efficiency of each unit.

“I’ve been building call centers and distribution channels for 20 years and until now have never seen a more useful tool for telesales reps,” Lanni said. “Growth is about more than new sales; it’s about retention and a great member experience.

Balto will increase both for Zing Health.”

The Avery Coonley School announces its partnership with the Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University Downers Grove, IL - This year, The Avery Coonley School is excited to announce its partnership with the Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University to bring in-person Weekend Enrichment Programs to their campus.

The Avery Coonley School’s mission to serve academically gifted and talented students is a perfect fit for the goals of CTD’s Weekend Enrichment Program.

Starting this fall, their high-quality and engaging courses for gifted learners will be offered at The Avery Coonley School campus, providing more opportunities for families in the western suburbs of Chicago to connect with CTD. Courses are offered in Arts and

Humanities, English and Language Arts, Leadership and Service, Mathematics, Science, and Technology and Engineering.

For these kids, “tell me more” goes to their core! Through hands-on learning experiences, knowledgeable educators work with students to develop independent and collaborative problem-solving skills. Additionally, students build relationships with peers who share their interests. Weekend Enrichment courses are a wonderful way to foster their academic passions.

As the program continues to grow, CTD and ACS look forward to creating more opportunities for the community.

The in-person courses at Avery Coonley School are available for students

in Pre-K through Grade 8 and will run from Saturday, October 9th, to Saturday, November 13th, 2021. To learn more and apply, please visit https://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/weekend-programs.

Driven by the motivation to serve its students, The Avery Coonley School confidently opened its doors for in-person learning on August 27, 2020. It has continued to remain open safely, with no outbreaks or transmissions. The Avery Coonley School is a dynamic and diverse independent day school serving academically bright and gifted students from preschool - 8th grade in Downers Grove, IL. Find more information here: https://www.averycoonley.org/.

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POLITICAL Affairs Obama Foundation Celebrates Obama Presidential Center Groundbreaking President and Mrs. Obama host virtual ceremony to mark the start of construction of the South Side cultural institution.

After first announcing their intent to build the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side in 2015 following a national competition among other cities bidding for the project, President and Mrs. Obama joined Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot at an official groundbreaking ceremony to mark the long-awaited start of construction for the Center.

“The Obama Presidential Center will be the world’s premier institution for developing civic leaders across fields, across disciplines, and yes, across the political spectrum,” said President Obama. “A campus, right here on the South Side, where we’ll train the next generation of leaders not just in government and public service, but leaders who want to start businesses, and run nonprofits, and be socially conscious in an effective way.”

Situated on 19.3 acres of the 550 acre Jackson Park, the Center will put the South Side on a global stage, bringing visitors from around the world to the Center, but also to surrounding restaurants, shops and other cultural institutions to boost the local economy.

“While this center will be one of a presidential scale, its presence and purpose still speaks to the same community-centered vision that have always defined the Obamas’ work – and there’s no better home base than the community that took the family from the statehouse to the White House,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m particularly proud of our state contributions to these efforts – reshaping and enhancing trails and roadways throughout the neighborhood to ensure that the center is an accessible and enjoyable space for all.”

The Center is expected to generate $3.1B in economic activity, create thousands of jobs and serve as a catalyst that attracts other investment to the historically-underinvested community.

"The Obama Presidential Center presents an important opportunity to restore the social and economic vibrancy of our city's South Side," said Mayor Lightfoot. "That's why I am beyond thrilled to help make history and break ground on this incredible project, which will create a ripple effect of inclusive, socioeconomic growth for residents in the surrounding community and our entire city. My team and I are grateful to the many government and community leaders for making this effort possible and look forward to continuing our work to uplift our historically underserved neighborhoods."

Construction of the center is expected to conclude in 2025.

Once completed it will include a presidential museum, a forum building with community space, a branch of the Chicago Public Library and an athletic center. The surrounding grounds will include a vegetable garden, reminiscent of Mrs. Obama’s vegetable garden at the White House, a sledding hill, playgrounds for children and open space for community events like farmers’ markets, family reunions and picnics.

At the ceremony, students from Chicago Public Schools introduced President and Mrs. Obama. Zell Wilson, a junior at Hyde Park Academy involved with Black Girls Code and Girls 4 Science, introduced Mrs. Obama. Trenton Banks, a junior at South Shore High School who plays basketball and also runs track, introduced President Obama.

The content in this weeks column was provided by the Obama Foundation

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BUSINESS

Nailah Ellis-Brown Is Claiming Her Spot At The Top The Founder of Ellis Isle Tea Has One of the Largest, Woman-Owned Beverage Brands in the U.S. Black PR Wire ATLANTA, GA - Nailah Ellis-Brown is the owner of Ellis Isle, Inc (formerly Ellis Island Tea), a Detroit-based beverage company and maker of Ellis Isle Tea and Wet Shuga that has made headlines as a business to watch. Ellis-Brown started the company from the trunk of her car and is now bottling her family recipe for retailers like Amazon and Target.

Over the last decade, Nailah has demonstrated what pure dedication and perseverance can create.

She has grown her company into a sizable enterprise, gaining the attention of investors such as Kevin Hart. Nailah is a trailblazer and innovative risk taker who is paving the way for women and people of color in business.

Entrepreneurship has been a part of Nailah’s plan from an early age. At 18, she dropped out of college after one semester when she realized that student loan debt didn’t align with her goals. As a budding startup, Nailah was constantly rejected for business loans.

However, she didn’t give up. She decided to focus on sales and savings and sold her special tea from the

Black PR Wire

Getty Images Partners with The United Negro College Fund Black PR Wire

trunk of her car for years.

She was so confident in her creation that she offered a money back guarantee.

Over time, Ellis Isle Tea built a strong following and eventually Nailah purchased her own factory.

Today, she is one of the largest female-owned beverage companies in the U.S, as well as one of the few -- if not only -- Black women to own a manufacturing plant. Ellis Isle remains on the cutting edge of innovation in the beverage industry. Her newest product, Wet Shuga, uses cold-pressed cane juice as a sweetener. This is not only a healthier alternative to the standard sugar, but it also offers the company an opportunity to engage

the cane industry and its under-resourced farmers -- a passion of Nailah’s.

Elevating the Ellis Isle brand is one of Nailah’s main goals, but elevating her community is just as important. Nailah made a conscious decision to hire re-entry citizens to work in her facility and have a second chance at a quality life. She understands the economic influence her company has and values her contribution to Detroit’s job market as an employer. Nailah and her team proudly pour into the lives of the Ellis Isle staff and wholeheartedly believe in planting seeds of hope and prosperity.

For more information, visit ellisislandtea.com.

Black PR Wire -- Getty Images and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) have announced the creation of the UNCF-Getty Images Scholarship for students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

The program will provide scholarships to students attending HBCUs across the U.S. and will be funded by revenue created by the inaugural Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs, which is working to digitize the visual history of HBCUs. Launched in partnership with the Getty family and Stand Together, the photo archive program will commit $500,000 toward digitizing HBCU photographic archives. The grant will support the digitization of up to 100,000 photos for two HBCU grant recipients. HBCU schools will retain all copyrights, and the photos will be returned to the HBCUs after scanning.

“We thank Getty Images for its partnership and investment in our students’ futures. The Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs exemplifies Getty Images’ commitment to support HBCUs and to give a visual life to previously untold stories,” Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF president and CEO, said in a release. “There is

a wealth of unseen imagery within the archives of HBCUs that have rarely been seen, and these grants from Getty Images will be an essential part of the ongoing documentation and preservation of Black history.”

All revenue from the HBCU photos will be distributed to HBCU schools to continue impacting the grants program. Fifty percent of the funds will go to grant recipients, and 20% will be reinvested to fund the Getty Images Photo Archive Grants. The remaining 30% will be distributed to the UNCF-Getty Images Scholarship to support the educational future of HBCU students.

The scholarships will be available for students in the 2022 academic year. Getty Images Co-Founder and Chairman Mark Getty is excited about the HBCU partnership.

“At Getty Images, we are excited about this partnership with HBCUs to digitize significant parts of their photographic archives,” Getty said in a statement. “A photographic archive tells a story; it’s a visual history of who we are. As a society, we can only learn from history if it tells everyone’s story. This partnership is an important step in that direction.”

Black-Owned FitTech Start-Up Aims to Fix Healthcare VENICE, Calif., PRNewswire -- JunBugg Fitness Social Network, Wall Street’s “first and only luxury social media brand,” created by African American founder Louis Green, today announced the launch of its NextGen fitness website. Using computer algorithms, JunBugg integrate entertainment into health by sharing unique fitness solutions related to one’s body-type, that leads to better fitness results in least time — influencing success for a

higher quality of life.

The start-up website boasts a sleek interface, vibrant logo, sophisticated font-type, and beautiful images, built on sophisticated software engineering. Through social engagement, members of similar health conditions and body-types share fitness strategies and medical solutions to get fit. JunBugg use algorithms that recommend relevant solutions to newsfeeds, the same technology that has allowed — TikTok, Netflix, and

PRNewsFoto/JunBugg

Amazon to be successful. The NextGen Search Database deliver relevant fitness matches for personalized training.

A personalized fitness solution, members engage, collaborate, and work as a team.

Teamwork allows members to foster camaraderie, innovate, and better problem solve fitness and health obstacles.

The bigger the network grows, the more cures that are created.

Algorithms see patterns of successful fitness solutions, learns the most effective ones, and recommend them to newsfeeds. As solutions evolve and improve, the algorithm learns and thus recommend those.

The African American community was hit hard by COVID19, who stand to gain the most from JunBugg, for a higher quality of life. The platform is easily accessible and allows equal quality

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of health care while being affordable. The management of health conditions is the biggest benefit, and prevention of disease as opposed to disease treatment, by being fit through exercise and eating healthy. See boutique fitness solutions — https://www.junbugg.net Unlike traditional social media services — TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, whose services are free, JunBugg’s boutique membership offerings range between $30 and $500

a month. Fees are comparable to other boutique studios and fitness services, such as — Equinox, SoulCycle, Peloton, and YogaWorks.

It’s all about fitness wealth and a higher quality of life.

The first of its kind, JunBugg will forever change fitness and healthcare,” said Louis. “People are an amazing resource that’s never been used in this way — through the power of social media technology, to solve health problems through entertainment.”

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 6, 2021

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NEWS

COVID, Kids and School: Seven Simple Steps for Staying Safe Black PR Wire - This time last year, the coronavirus pandemic kept Florida’s schools closed and forced students to continue their virtual learning from home. Now, with another school year underway, COVID-19 remains an uninvited guest in classrooms across the state. And with the Delta variant leading to record-high numbers of cases and hospitalizations, experts say younger students returning to school this fall are at as much of a risk of contracting the virus as they were last year – perhaps even more so.

“The Delta variant is a game-changer because it’s so highly transmissible,” says Tina Carroll-Scott, M.D., medical director of South Miami Children’s Clinic, which is supported by South Miami Hospital. “More kids are getting infected and requiring intensive care this time. We’re even seeing infants with COVID-19.”

Dorsey Goosby, M.D., director of medical information technology for Baptist Health and a pediatric specialist for more than 40 years, echoes Dr. Carroll-Scott’s assessment. “Roughly 25 percent of all the COVID cases we’re seeing now are pediatric patients, and many of these kids are winding up on ventilators,” he says. “Pediatric hospitals everywhere are stretched to capacity.”

Complicating matters is a hesitancy among some people to get vaccinated or wear a mask, Dr. Goosby said. “Social distancing, masking and hand-washing are all helping, but the vaccines themselves have proven incredibly effective at keeping people out of the hospital,” he said.

The most important thing you can do, Dr. Goosby says, is to stay informed by getting essential information from reliable sources. “Don’t get your medical news from the TV,” he advises. “For the most accurate,

up-to-date information on COVID-19, go to the CDC’s website, the Florida Department of Health or the American Academy of Pediatrics.” Or, he says, just ask your doctor or pediatrician. “They keep up with all the latest developments, and they know your or your child’s health better than anyone.”

Now that children are finally returning to the classroom and the Pfizer vaccine has received full FDA approval, Dr. Carroll-Scott says that, as adults and parents, “we have a responsibility to do the right thing” and help keep them in school. “That means getting vaccinated if you or your child are eligible, and making masking and other mitigation strategies a part of everyone’s daily routine,” she says. Dr. Carroll-Scott believes that the COVID-19 vaccines will be approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for children five to 11 years of age within a month or so, and perhaps sometime next year for children under five.

In the meantime, what steps can you take to avoid COVID-19 exposure and keep your child healthy this school year? David Mishkin, M.D., an emergency medicine specialist with Baptist Health, offers these seven simple steps for keeping COVID-19 out of the classroom: Pick a good mask. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), your mask should have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric; completely cover your nose and mouth; fit snugly against the sides of your face with no gaps, and have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask. The CDC says to avoid masks that fit too loosely, as well as those with an exhalation valve, and to wash masks daily.

Double up. Send your child to school with at least one extra mask, in case one gets lost or dirty. Label the masks so they don’t get confused with another child’s.

(Bonus: if you mark the masks on the outside, it helps the teacher learn your child’s name and recognize him or her more quickly.) Provide your child with a resealable plastic baggie to store their soiled mask.

Coach caution. Talk to your child about the importance of physical distancing and remind them not to share food, drinks, electronics, classroom supplies or other items. Although they may be glad to see their friends, this is not the time for hugs or high-fives. And be a good role model – if the adults in your child’s life wash their hands often, stay at least six feet apart from others and wear their mask in public spaces, then children are more likely to do the same.

Stop the spread. Keep your child home if they show any sign of illness. Check each morning to make sure they don’t have a sore throat or other signs of illness, such as cough, diarrhea, severe headache, vomiting or body aches. If your child has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher, or has had recent close contact with a COVID-19 case, they shouldn’t go to school – even if they seem fine.

Set a home routine. After months of remote learning and the summertime hiatus, many children may likely struggle with returning to a more structured environment. Be patient, but consistent. Keeping a regular schedule for bedtime, meals and other family activities provides a sense of control, predictability, calm and well-being for your child.

Engage in your child’s education. If you’re not a parent who typically engages with your child’s school,

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now would be a good time to start. Chat or email with the teacher if you have specific concerns about how your child is adjusting. And stay informed, as conditions can change quickly. Check your school district’s website, sign up for notifications or join a school-related social media group to stay on top of things.

Get help if you need it. Most children will manage well with the support of family, even if they exhibit some signs of anxiety, such as difficulty sleeping or concentrating. Some children, however, may have risk factors for more intense reactions, including severe anxiety or depression. Parents and caregivers should contact a professional if children exhibit significant changes in behavior.

Even if your child takes every precaution to stay safe at school, Dr. Mishkin warns, there’s still a possibility they could be exposed to another student, teacher or staff member who has COVID-19 and doesn’t even know it. If you suspect your child may have COVID, Dr. Mishkin suggests scheduling a pediatric urgent care visit through the Baptist Health Care On Demand app.

“A virtual visit with one of our physicians via Baptist Health Care On Demand is an easy and convenient way to get initial guidance on your child’s symptoms,” says Dr. Mishkin. “If those symptoms warrant further evaluation, they can refer you to a nearby Baptist Health Urgent Care or Urgent Care Express center for diagnosis and treatment.” If hospitalization is needed, he adds, younger patients are in excellent hands at Baptist Health, which partners with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for Miami-area pediatric admissions.

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FASHION

Gabrielle Union Relaunches Fashion Line Gabrielle Union debuts her biggest line to date at New York & Company and Lord & Taylor NEW YORK PRNewswire -- Gabrielle Union has relaunched her namesake fashion line with New York & Company under the Saadia Group, a leader in multi-category product manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing.

The actress, author and entrepreneur returns to fashion design with her most expansive release yet.

The Gabrielle Union line was first launched exclusively at New York & Company in Fall 2017. The retailer saw immediate success and high demand from its customers with the introduction of the collection. With the relaunch, Gabrielle will continue to bring her individual style to the Saadia Group’s diverse portfolio of brands.

“We are excited to have Gabrielle Union join the Saadia Group, her brand is the perfect fit for our family of brands. We are excited to offer our product development expertise to relaunch her line bigger than before, with product at New York & Company and a debut at Lord & Taylor,” said Jack Saadia, Principal and Cofounder of The Saadia

Group. “Our customers have been asking for the return of her line and we are confident that Gabrielle’s creativity and authentic style will continue to resonate with them.”

The first release of the line celebrates key staples in Gabrielle Union’s personal wardrobe. From errands and work to date night, and everything in between, the collection is comprised of styles for every occasion. Featuring a color palette of soft neutrals with subtle pops of color, the standout pieces include a stunning multi-color swirl maxi dress, bold sexy knits and matching sets. The new fall pieces embrace luxe textures and fabrics and will introduce denim to her line for the first time ever.

The relaunch of the line will roll out with monthly releases, beginning with the September launch. Gabrielle Union, New York & Company and Lord & Taylor all aim to cater to a wide array of customers by offering sizes XS-XXL and US 0-20.

“It’s great to join the Saadia Group and be back with the New York &

Company family, designing my line once again!” said Gabrielle Union.

“With every collection I design, I want to ensure the clothing reflects my personality, style and celebrates confidence. The September collection has everything from styles for work, chic and cozy knits and pops of color for a fun night out.”

The Gabrielle Union line will relaunch with New York & Company and Lord & Taylor for Fall 2021, with plans to release future drops at Fashion to Figure, a leading plus size fashion brand.

The first release, ranging in price from $49.95-$149.95, are available on www.nyandcompany.com and www.lordandtaylor.com.

The Saadia Group is the leader in multi-category product manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing.

Catering to a diversified portfolio of consumer products across multiple categories targeting all age demographics from Fashion Apparel in Men’s, Women’s & Kids, Footwear, Women’s Handbags, Home Textiles, Furniture/Décor & Tech Accessories and more. Its strategic investments

PRNewsFoto/ New York & Company

in fashion brands utilizes their broad experience and leverages their full complement of resources to grow and expand the business.

Through its Saadia Direct division, branded merchandise is sold exclusively at retail and outlet locations and online at www.nyandcompany.com, www.fashiontofigure.com, www.letote.com, www. nyandcompanycloset.com, www. fashiontofigurecloset.com, www. lordandtaylor.com, www.vintagefoundryco.com, www.thechichomestore.com, www.xrayjeans.com, and www.hybridgreenlabel.com.

The Glasshouse Hosts Premiere Party For Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3

A view of atmosphere during the premiere of Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3 presented by Amazon Prime Video at the Glasshouse on Sept. 22, in New York City.

Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Savage X Fenty

NEW YORK PRNewswire -- The Glasshouse, New York City’s preeminent venue with breathtaking views and cutting-edge technology, has officially opened its doors by hosting the exclusive premiere party for Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty Show Vol. 3, presented by Amazon Prime Video. The star-studded screening and premiere party were held on Wednesday, Sept. 22.

After years of development and construction, the brand-new venue showcased its beautiful finishes, state of the art technology, immense functionality, and best in class guest hospitality. Located at 660 12th Avenue, The Glasshouse features outdoor terraces, pre-function spaces, and a widerange of production infrastructure.

In addition to the award-winning singer and fashion mogul, the event was attended by influencers, models, fashion leaders and industry executives.

Featuring event production and beautiful decor by SO Events, guests were treated to 360-degree views of Manhattan and the Hudson River, while enjoying music played by DJ Inferno.

“The build for this event was executed in three short days, we built a custom

30-foot high LED wall, an experiential and immersive video tunnel, interactive activations inspired by scenes in the show, satellite bars and an outdoor styled lounge,” says The Glasshouse co-owner Alex Holiday. “After 5 years of development and construction, It’s truly incredible to experience what our team and partners accomplished in transforming our space for this exciting event!”

“This venue functions for a multitude of various industries and clients; it works for this entertainment premier just as well as it does for an investor meeting or a wedding because of its flexibility and immense production infrastructure,” adds The Glasshouse co-owner Jack Guttman.

“With major events under our belt and a fully booked fall ahead, The Glasshouse is positioned to become NYC’s prime location for the next generation of event production in which technology, flexibility, creativity, and luxury are blended together to create unforgettable experiences.”

All Covid-19 operating standards and safety protocols were strictly enforced to protect the health and safety of each guest.

For more information on The Glasshouse, visit www.theglasshouses.com.

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Juvia’s Place Launches New Skincare Line SECAUCUS, N.J. PRNewswire -- Black-owned makeup brand, Juvia’s Place has just launched their brand new Skincare Collection at JuviasSkin.com which includes 12 vegan and cruelty-free, skin-healthy products. The new collection includes the popular Niacinamide PRNewsfoto/Juvia’s Place Serum-a dark spot corrector to even out skin tone and brighten skin, the Let’s Melt It Off Gel Cleanser especially formulated for makeup lovers, and the Peptide and Ceremide cream to hydrate the skin. This skincare is not only environmentally-friendly, many products have been formulated with melanin-rich skin in mind.

Juvia’s Skin infuses many African and natural ingredients such as mango butter with science to create a skincare blend created for all skin types. They have also created some very unique concoctions to appeal to all ages such as the Afterglow Serum and the 25% Vitamin C Serum. Just put the Afterglow serum on before bed, and you’ll wake up glowing. Perfect for that overnight date! The 25% Vitamin C Serum has one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C as compared to competitors and is especially effective at eradicating signs of aging and evening out skin tone.

Juvia’s Skins’ Skincare Collection Cleansers: Let’s Melt It Off Cleansing Balm -infused with pineapple extract and mango butter, this balm will unclog your pores and remove impurities.

Let’s Melt It Off Gel Cleanser -- powerful facial cleansing gel to remove layers of makeup with no fuss.

Serums: The Afterglow Serum -- moisturizes and adds brilliance to the skin, you’ll wake up radiating.

The 25% Vitamin C Serum - powerful concentration of 25% Vitamin C. This serum has the highest concentration of Vitamin C on the market.

The Niacinamide Serum -- get rid of those pesky dark spots with this dermatologist-tested dark spot corrector.

More Serums include: Squalane Oil The Hyaluronic Glow Serum The Glow C Elixir Skin Treatments: The AHA/BHA/PHA Exfoliating Facial Pads The 10% Glycolic Acid Toner The Vitamin C Treatment Wipes Moisturizers: The Peptide and Ceramide Cream The Squalane Glow Oil For more product details or to purchase visit: https://www.juviasskin.com or http://www.juviasplace.com

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 6, 2021

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NEWS

Young Children Gained Weight During The Pandemic A Kaiser Permanente study shows youngsters gained excess weight during the pandemic, with kids age 5 to 11 gaining more than 11- to 17-year-olds.

PASADENA, Calif. PRNewswire -- A Kaiser Permanente study of nearly 200,000 children showed that children gained excess weight during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those between 5 and 11 years old. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

“When we compared the weight gain among children from 2019 to 2020, we found that there was more weight gained during the pandemic for youths of all ages,” said the senior author, Corinna Koebnick, PhD, of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Department of Research & Evaluation. “And, this weight gain fell disproportionally on the youngest children. On average, 5- to-11-year-olds gained 5 extra pounds, while 16- to-17-year-olds gained 2 extra pounds. The result was an almost 9% increase in the youngest children falling into the categories of being overweight and obese.”

“As children go back to school it will be important to focus on health and physical activity to help children not carry unwanted extra weight into adulthood.”

To determine if children picked up extra

PRNewsFoto/Kaiser Permanente

weight during the pandemic, researchers analyzed the electronic health records of 191,509 members of Kaiser Permanente in Southern California who were age 5 to 17 from March 1, 2019, to January 31, 2021.

The study found that during the COVID-19 pandemic there was an increase in body weight and in the prevalence of obesity, particularly for children 5 to 11 years old.

Youth age 5 to 11 years gained 5.07 pounds more during COVID-19 than during the same time period before COVID-19, while youth age 12 to 15 years and 16 to 17 years gained an excess of 5.1 pounds and 2.26 pounds over the prior year, respectively.

Among 5-to-11-year-olds, this weight gain resulted in almost 9% more children becoming overweight or obesecompared to 5% in youth ages

12 to 15 years and 3% in youth ages 16 to 17 years.

Most of the increase among youths 5-11 and 1215 years old was due to an increase in obesity.

“We need to immediately begin to invest in monitoring the worsening obesity epidemic and develop diet and activity interventions to help children achieve and maintain a healthy weight,” Dr. Koebnick said.

Other authors on the study include colead authors Susan J. Woolford, MD, of the Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, University of Michigan, Northville, Mich, and Margo Sidell, ScD, of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Department of Research & Evaluation; as well as Veronica Else, RN, of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Yorba Linda, Calif.; and Ken Resnicow, PhD, of School of Public Health, University of

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Michigan Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans.

Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve almost 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, stateof-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org

8 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 6, 2021

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU WANT TO HELP FIGHT DISEASE TOGETHER.

Now more than ever, diversity and inclusion are vital to clinical research. And with more volunteers, medical advancements can become even better. Visit medicalheroes.org to learn more.

A sincere thank you to all medical heroes from the following organizations:

RESEARCH

24253 CISCRP 2021 Diversity Ad_Chicago Citizen 10 in. W x 13 in. H

ACC E L E R AT E D

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 6, 2021

BE REPRESENTED

Participating in clinical trials helps make medical breakthroughs possible for people of all backgrounds. Learn how you can get involved at PfizerClinicalTrials.com/berepresented1.

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10 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 6, 2021

HEALTH

(StatePoint) Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Yet, according to a recently released report, Black women in the United States face a perfect storm of issues spanning across every aspect of the health care system and society at-large that are causing them to die about 40% more often from breast cancer than white women. Indeed, in some metropolitan areas, the gap can be as high as 74% Why is this happening? As the report, “Closing the Breast Cancer Gap: A Roadmap to Save Lives of Black Women in America,” by breast cancer leader Susan G. Komen highlights, despite advances in science and increased access to early detection nationally, Black women face the combined effects of racial, gender, ethnic and other forms of bias while navigating systems and institutional structures in which entrenched inequities remain the status quo. This experience is felt by Black women nationwide, regardless of their income, education or insurance status.

For example, one Black health care professional who participated in a focus group for the report noted that her own experience is poor when she goes for treatment without her “white coat.” “I was ignored until the doctor came into the room and started asking me very specific questions. The way I answered made the doctor stop and ask my background. I asked, ‘why does it matter?’ She said, ‘Do you work in the health care field?’ I said, ‘More or less.’... She stopped, and she said, ‘Oh, so what's your title?’ I said, ‘It’s Dr.,’ and within 30 minutes I was upstairs in a room. If I get treated this way, then what do other people go through? I really felt like I was just another Black face, until they understood that this Black face came with a level of influence and authority.”

These issues are exacerbated by the socioeconomic impacts of segregation, unfair employment practices and racist policies like redlining that still divide many metropolitan areas today. For example, many Black women face difficulties finding high-quality cancer care located near them. In the report, one Dallas-area health care provider recounted how a 65-yearold woman walked about 10 miles in the July heat to get to her screening mammogram. By the time she got to the hospital she was dehydrated and had to go to the emergency room to get fluids before her screening. And those who rely on Medicaid or similar insurance are often turned away once they arrive or are forced to wait hours to see someone.

These transportation and insurance issues are just a few of the barriers tragically impacting Black women today. Whether it’s substandard care, the availability and affordability of diagnostics and follow-up care, unfair public policies, insurance practices and implicit bias and racism, the report authors stress that Black women are dying more than white women because our systems are failing them at every step in their breast cancer journey.

Leveraging the insights and solutions recommended in the report, Komen is launching a new initiative called Stand for H.E.R. – a Health Equity Revolution, to take specific action in each of the 10 U.S. metropolitan areas where disparities are the greatest. Made possible by funding from Robert Smith and the Fund II

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Susan G. Komen

why b lack wom en are m ore at risk of dying from b reast cancer

Foundation, this initiative will include several specific interventions to improve the quality of care and to overcome obstacles and bias, including connecting women to care through culturally competent patient navigators.

The hope is that by launching this initiative, other organizations and community stakeholders will join with Komen to address the long-ignored issues that continue to marginalize the Black community.

Why Now is the Time to Schedule That Check-Up or Screening

(StatePoint) If you haven’t visited your physician since the start of the pandemic, medical experts say that the time is now to book check-ups and screenings for the entire family. “The pandemic has had wide-scale negative health consequences beyond COVID-19. Many Americans have delayed important routine health services critical to keeping them healthy, including vital pediatric immunizations and preventive cancer screenings. Prevention is the best cure, so it’s important to get your health back on track today,” says Gerald E. Harmon, M.D., American Medical Association (AMA) president.With school beginning and the cool weather months ahead, the AMA urges Americans to call their physician’s office to learn if they are due for preventive care or screenings. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 6, 2021

CITIZEN On The Move

Walmart Continues its Community Investments By Honoring A Local Church With A Grant Worth $10,000 Pastor Wayne Smith and the "New Pisgah Baptist Church family were the recipients of the Walmart Community Grant Photos by L.M. Warbington

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ENTERTAINMENT STARZ’S New Original Series “BMF” Celebrates World Premiere Black PR Wire ATLANTA – On Thursday, Sept, 23, STARZ hosted a star-studded Red Carpet World Premiere Screening and Concert event in celebration of the new original series “BMF’’ at the Cellairis Amphitheatre in Atlanta, Georgia. “BMF ‘’ was produced in Atlanta and Detroit, where the real-life Black Mafia Family that inspired the series had bases of operation from the 1980-2000s. In homage to the true legends, attendees wore all-black attire to the outdoor event. The evening began with guests viewing the first episode of the series, which will premiere on STARZ on Sunday, September 26. Following the premiere screening, series Executive

Producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, “BMF” recurring star Snoop Dogg and others performed. Guests enjoyed live performances of the “BMF”main title song “Wish Me Luck” performed by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Moneybagg Yo and Snoop Dogg.

In addition to the musical performers, attendees included “BMF” Executive Producer and Writer Randy Huggins and cast members Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., Da’Vinchi, Russell Hornsby, Michole Briana White, Ajiona Alexus, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Myles Truitt, Steve Harris, La La Anthony and Arkeisha “Kash Doll” Knight.

Special guests at the premiere screening and concert included T.I., 2

Chainz, Flo Rida, Young Thug, Gunna, Monica, Kandi Burress, Killa Mike, Jacob Latimore, South Side,

Reginae Carter, Toya Johnson, Jamira “Cuban Link” Haines, G Herbo, Mimi Faust, Ari Fletcher, Pee, Ty Young,

Lecrae, Anthony Hamilton, Angie Stone, Clifton Powell, DC Young Fly, Charles Oakley, Angela Simmons,

Blue “Pretty Ricky”, David Banner, Jacquees and STARZ, President and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch.

Bernie Mac Is Back – With A Néw Motivational Book Announcing Upcoming Book from the Legendary Comedian WHAT: I Don’t Care if You Like Me, I Like Me is a daily motivational in the voice of the late Bernie Mac. It’s a humorous but poignant page-a-day prescription for a better life and career.

We all know that Bernie Mac has been passed on for thirteen years, but here’s the thing... He’s still making a huge impact on folks, and he’s about to make some serious history as the first author of a daily motivational book who’s done it from the other side. Bernie’s widow Rhonda R. McCullough teamed up with Walker-Bryce Creative to write a page-a-day self-help book full of Bernie’s own words of wisdom and good old solid advice, all delivered in his unmistakable voice with no sugar-coating, period. He’s tellin’ it like it T-I-Iz, just like he did in his standup and in his life. With a foreword by Sinbad, an afterword by Lil Rel Howery, and early endorsements from Sherri Shepherd (“It’s the perfect combination of comedy and truth, just like you’d expect from Bernie Mac.”)_and Courtney B. Vance (“An undeniably funny and poignant strategy for reaching your fullest potential one day at a time.”) this book’s about to make a huge impact on millions of people of all ages.

Typical Bernie Mac, giving back on his birthday. On October 5th, Mac would have turned sixty-four. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

WHO: Bernie Mac was an actor and comedian with his roots in the Chicago comedy clubs. He’s best known for his role in The Bernie Mac Show and as one of the Kings of Comedy. His legacy lives on in his work and in his words. Rhonda R. McCullough is the overseer of the Bernie Mac estate as well as the president and CEO of the Bernie Mac Foundation. Rhonda is also a film and television producer. Most importantly, she knows everything there is to know about Bernie Mac… and she’s got some stories to tell. Walker-Bryce Creative, LLC: Denise Jordan-Walker is a celebrity publicist, manager, radio personality, voice talent, producer, and writer. Denise was Bernie’s Chicago publicist and is Rhonda’s publicist. Melinda K. Bryce is an accomplished writer with multiple books and screenplays to her credit.

WHY: These are hard times and folks need some uplifting. Bernie was a voice of reason, a father figure, and comic relief for millions.

This book is a way to reach readers that may not pick up a traditional motivational book, and it’s going to help them live their best life.

It’s self-help, Mac’d out.

WHEN: The book is scheduled for publication by Permuted Press on: May 24th, 2022 WHERE: Available now for pre-order at: Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/3uDFVDq Amazon: https://amzn.to/3a0cFxkb

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 6, 2021

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HOME

Mastering the dishwasher: 4 tips to best utilize your appliance

(BPT) - Have you ever found yourself rearranging the dishwasher after a family member, roommate or partner loads the dishes? One of the great household debates is how to properly load the dishwasher, and how to use your appliance to properly clean your dishes. To rinse or not to rinse? Bowls on top or bottom? Should pots, pans and plastic go in the dishwasher at all?

From better drying results, to finally settling the debate of how to properly load your dirty dishes, Bosch home appliances, a leader in highquality appliances, shares their tips and tricks to best use and care for the dishwasher.

1) Select a quality dishwasher: The secret to spotless dishes starts with a quality dishwasher.

When purchasing a new one, look for one that does the hard work for you, with features that simplify cleanup post-meal. These include drying technology, flexible loading features, energy efficiency and design options - and of course, a thorough, reliable clean.

2) Load your dishwasher like an expert: Dishwashers operate best and produce the cleanest dishes when loaded properly. To maximize space and ensure your dishes are clean and dry, load your dishwasher with the following simple steps: * No pre-rinsing needed: Simply scrape food off the plate before loading. * Load your glasses at an angle to avoid water pooling on top and dripping when unloading. * Make sure your plasticware is dishwasher

safe, and that you've followed your dishwasher's manual and instructions for plastics (Pro tip: With Bosch dishwashers, you can place plastics anywhere, even on the bottom rack, for safe drying.). * Ensure tall items, such as large plates or pots, are not blocking the movement of the spray arms. * Avoid stacking silverware and put knives sharp end down for safety. * If you own a Bosch dishwasher, your unit may have some of the following features that make loading easier: * A third rack adds versatility and offers more loading capacity compared to those with two racks. * The RackMatic feature adjusts the flexible middle rack to make room for large items on the middle and bottom rack.

3) Maximize drying: There's nothing more frustrating than unloading your dishes from the dishwasher with your plasticware still dripping wet. A few simple switches in your cleaning routine can dry your dishes more easily and make cleanup a breeze.

First, look for a unit with CrystalDry technology. This feature in select Bosch dishwashers delivers thorough, reliable drying results as opposed to units without.

Next, be sure to use Rinse Aid to help dishes dry faster, especially on plastics. Finally, for www.citizennewspapergroup.com

enhanced drying utilize special drying options such as "Sanitize" or "Extra Dry"; Sanitize operates at a higher temperature to help eliminate bacteria and enhance drying results, while Extra Dry delivers enhanced drying results.

4) Keep your dishwasher spotless, inside and out: Just because your dishwasher cleans your dishes doesn't mean it remains clean itself. To keep your appliance clean and operating efficiently, follow these tips for a proper clean.

Starting with the exterior, wipe down door seals with a damp, soft cloth. To clean stainless steel, wash with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. Always wipe in the direction of the steel's grain, and never use abrasive cleaners, chlorine-based cleaners or abrasive sponges.

For the interior, use dishwasher cleaner to remove grease, starch and protein residues. To remove hard water deposits and limescale, use a dishwasher descaler. Additionally, clean your filter every few months to remove food debris that may hinder your dishwasher's performance. It's located at the bottom of your dishwasher and can be cleaned with warm, soapy water and a scrub brush.

14 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 6, 2021

Chatham/ SE

REAL ESTATE AC 9-22-2021 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION Toorak Capital Partners, LLC Plaintiff, vs.

Colibri Construction, LLC; City of Chicago; Unknown Owners and Non Record Claimants; Defendants, 21 CH 134 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, October 25, 2021 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 20-26-403-033-0000.

Commonly known as 1402 East 76th Street, Chicago, IL 60619. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff's Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 3609455. W20-0666 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3176321 ____________________________ AC 9-29-2021

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CORNELL VILLAGE TOWER CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, AN ILLINOIS NOT-FORPROFIT CORPORATION Plaintiff, v.- WILLIAM P. BUTCHER, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE ESTATE OF ANNA E. KOLHEIM, ROBERTA JACKSON PACK, BRIAN JACKSON, TODD JACKSON, UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES AND LEGATEES OF ANNA E. KOLHEIM, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2017 CH 15031 5201 SOUTH CORNELL AVENUE, UNIT 4A CHICAGO, IL 60615 NOTICE OF SALE FOR RECORDED LIENS PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on August 30, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on October 21, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 5201 SOUTH CORNELL AVENUE, UNIT 4A, CHICAGO, IL 60615 Property Index No. 20-12-108-039-1002 The real estate is improved with a condominium. The judgment amount was $83,503.83. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted.

The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No

fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property.

Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport,

etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, Sandra A. Aguilera and/or Vanessa E. Seiler, ARONBERG GOLDGEHN DAVIS & GARMISA Plaintiff's Attorneys, 330 N. WABASH AVE., SUITE 1700, Chicago, IL, 60611 (312) 755-3165. Please refer to file number 103224-000100. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. Sandra A. Aguilera (saguilera@agdglaw.com) Vanessa E. Seiler (vseiler@agdglaw.com) ARONBERG GOLDGEHN DAVIS & GARMISA 330 N. WABASH AVE., SUITE 1700 Chicago IL, 60611 312-755-3165 Attorney File No. 103224-000100 Attorney Code.

30375 Case Number: 2017 CH 15031 TJSC#: 41-1474 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I3176967 ____________________________ AC10-6-2021 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR THE HOLDERS OF THE ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2005-3 ASSET BACKED NOTES Plaintiff,

vs. WILLIAM E. MARTIN A/K/A WILLIAM E. MARTIN, III, HOMESIDE FUNDING CORPORATION, PARK TREE INVESTMENTS 21, LLC, ONEMAIN FINANCIAL OF ILLINOIS, INC., SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO SPRINGLEAF FINANCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS, INC., SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO AMERICAN GENERAL FINANCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS, INC., UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants, 18 CH 2807 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 20-35-209-041-0000.

Commonly known as 8055 S. AVALON AVE , CHICAGO, IL 60637. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff's Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

(312) 357-1125. 18-00061 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3177363 ____________________________

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: SCARY MOVIES ACROSS 1. Shenanigan 6. “Losing My Religion” band 9. Kind of learning 13. Capital of Egypt 14. Nest egg acronym 15. Cupid’s target 16. Bar, legally 17. Indian restaurant staple 18. Kind of committee, two words 19. *Hedge maze, dull boy, redrum, with The 21. *Pretend girlfriend, surgery, body parts 23. Monkey ____, monkey do 24. Post-it message 25. It makes a guitar louder 28. Royal Indian 30. Perfumes 35. Glorify 37. Freeway exit 39. Like today’s cell phones?

40. Keen on 41. Like a confection 43. At any time 44. One of the large keys on the right 46. Greek portico 47. Common workday start 48. Former President of Egypt 50. Ancient eternal life symbol 52. *Bathtub, hacksaws, Jigsaw 53. Euphemism for “darn” 55. *Blind violinist, transplant surgery, sees ghosts, with The 57. *Hotel, mother, shower 60. *Count, bite, cross 64. Hot winter drink 65. Aye’s opposite 67. Financial benefactor 68. Seize a throne 69. Headquartered in Langley 70. Exclude or omit 71. Done on a Smith Corona 72. Old age, archaic 73. 6666...

DOWN 1. Single pip cards 2. Crosby, Stills, ____ & Young 3. South American monkey 4. Actor Jeremy 5. Xerox machine 6. *Videotape, stone well, seven days, with The 7. Paleozoic one 8. Tropical smoothie flavor 9. Make over 10. Hawaiian island 11. Ragtime turkey dance

12. And so on, abbr.

15. Bias crime perpetrators 20. Closes in on 22. Pilot’s announcement, acr.

24. ID badge, two words 25. *Sigourney Weaver, outer space 26. Old Testament miracle food 27. Hits while on the green 29. *Beachgoers, police chief, need for bigger boat 31. *Boy, shadows in photographs, three sixes, with The 32. “Transylvania” daughter 33. Entertainment complex 34. Scatter 36. “Nobody ____ It Better” 38. Low-ranking worker 42. One who accepts the offer 45. Porter’s head gear 49. U Rah ____!

51. Seven daughters of Atlas 54. Present 56. Food-borne bacteria 57. One in a pocketful, according to Mother Goose 58. Fish a.k.a. porgy 59. Bygone era 60. Two of a kind 61. Type of operating system 62. Prospector’s mother?

63. God of war, son of Zeus 64. Director’s cry 66. Be ill

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 6, 2021

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15

CLASSIFIEDS SERVICE

SERVICE

REAL ESTATE

HELP WANTED

HUD/BANK FORECLOSURES CITY & SUBURBS Call: FRED D. CLINK (773) 294-5870 REALTY SERVICES CONSORTIUM ____________________________________

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR A PERSONAL ASSISTANT MUST HAVE DRIVERS LICENSE CALL (773) 233-5678 ASK FOR PAUL CALL AFTER 6:00 P.M.

3+ Bedroom HOMES FOR SALE SELLER FINANCING Call: FRED D. CLINK (773) 294-5870 REALTY SERVICES CONSORTIUM ____________________________________

Advertising

Display Advertising advertising@citizennewspapergroup.com or jgarth@citizennewspapergroup.com

Classified Advertising call us at

(773) 783-1251

Display Advertising call us at

(773) 783-1251

Coverage Areas: CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

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(StatePoint) The pandemic has changed our lives in numerous ways. As a result of all the upheaval, many people are reassessing their priorities and thinking about early retirement.

According to Pew Research, 28 million baby boomers retired in 2020 and a recent study found 39% plan to retire by 65, while 18% said they plan to retire by age 59. Before taking that step, here are four questions to ask yourself.

1. Can I afford to stop working? Look at your retirement savings, your life expectancy, your projected income and annual expenditures in retirement. You’ll want to consider unforeseen circumstances down the line that could be costly, such as the need to reside in a nursing home. Use the free retirement calculator and resources available at fidelity.com to help you make a realistic determination as to whether you can afford to retire now, or whether you need to keep earning your fulltime salary for a few more years.

So, how much would you need to leave behind?

Calculate your needs with the life insurance calculator available at erieinsurance.com/life-insurance or contact an independent Erie Insurance agent to discuss options.

Chatham, Avalon Park, Park Manor, Greater Grand Crossing, Burnside, Chesterfield, West Chersterfield, South Shore,and Calumet Heitghts.

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SOUTH SUBURBAN Serves communities in Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Robbins, Dixmoor, Calumet Park, Blue Island, South Holland, and Dolton. Shopping- their favorite pastime!

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Lake Meadows, Oakland, Prairie Shores, Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Woodland, South Shore and Hyde Park.

CHICAGO WEEKEND

Chicago Westside Communities, Austin and Garfield Park

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) monkeybusinessimages / iStock via Getty Images Plus

2. Do I need life insurance after retirement?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer here.

However, those carrying debt into retirement, such as mortgages and personal loans, should consider a life insurance plan. Today, many baby boomers are financially supporting children and grandchildren and have significant debt.

According to the National Council on Aging, the median consumer debt for households headed by someone aged 65 or older is 4.5 times higher now than in 1989. Paying off a mortgage is one of the most common reasons to purchase a life insurance policy. Doing so can help ensure your family is able to enjoy the home they love without the burden of outstanding payments.

“You would do anything to ensure your family has a bright future and having insurance is a simple and affordable way to protect them,” says Louis Colaizzo, senior vice president of Erie Family Life. “Life insurance can help loved ones maintain the standard of living they are accustomed to.”

Sales Manager General Manager

Editorial

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certificationwas registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number Y21007749 on SEPTEMBER 9,2021.

Under the Assumed Business Name of LESECEAL CREATIVE DESIGNZ with the business located at: 1726 E 85TH PL, CHICAGO , ILLINOIS 66017. The true and real full name (s) and residence address of the owner (s) /partner (s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name SHIRESE WOODARD Complete Address 1726 E. 85TH PL, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60617, USA _____________________________________

START LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE

Janice Garth

Send news tips, press releases, calendar listing etc to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com

LEGAL NOTICE

THERE’S NO BETTER TIME. . .

Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

3. How will I get health insurance? The current Medicare eligibility age for most people is 65, so if you plan retire before then, you’ll need to find another way to get health insurance. Even after you’re covered by Medicare, health care expenses can add up, especially if you’re on a fixed retirement income. Some insurance companies, including Erie Insurance, offer Medicare supplemental insurance to help pay the portion of expenses not covered by Medicare.

4. How will I spend my time? Retirement can come with ample newfound free time you may not be accustomed to. While that can sound amazing to those working full-time, the transition can be jarring. Whether it’s volunteering, taking up new creative hobbies or traveling, planning now for how you will spend your time is a good idea to stave off boredom.

As you consider when to stop working, first ask yourself these four questions so you can take the appropriate steps to help ensure your retirement reality matches your retirement dreams.

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

Bloom Township, Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Homewood, Lansing ,Lynwood, Olympia Fileds, Park Forest, Sauk Village, South Chicago and Steger Citizen Newspaper Group Inc., (CNGII), Publisher of the Chatham-Southeast, South End, Chicago Weekend, South Suburban and Hyde Park Citizen and Citizen Suburban Times Weekly. Our weekly publications are published on Wednesday’s (publishing 52 issues annually). Written permission is required to reproduce contents in whole or in part from the publisher. Citizen Newspaper Group, Inc. does not assume the responsibility for nor are we able to return unsolicited materials, therefore they become property of the newspaper and can or will be discarded or used at the newspapers disgratation. Deadlines for advertising is every Friday at noon. Deadlines for press releases are Thursdays at 10 am prior to the next week’s edition. Please send information for the calendar at least three weeks prior to the event. Send to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com. For more information on subscriptions or advertising, call us at (773) 783-1251 or fax (872) 208-8793. Our offices are located at 8741 South Greenwood Suite# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

16 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 6, 2021

Celebrating the Grand Opening of Larry’s BarberMaximus Throughout the year Walmart is celebrating Black excellence by highlighting entrepreneurs from the community. This fall Larry E. Roberts Jr. will begin the next chapter in his amazing story with theMagnis first Walmart in-store at ea thedolupta Chatham aut modipicid utlocation volectotas tiatur?

Superstore.

ThisOccusan launch will expandasit Larry’s ability to reach, cumque null Ecatur? daeptates moluptatur si deleste teach, and grow the community he loves. We are thrilled to join with Larry in support of his transformative work in Chicago.

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Walmart Brief Mock Layouts Citizen.indd 15

9/13/21 2:33 PM