South Suburban Citizen 11-22-2023

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WEEKLY

Greentown Labs and Browning the Green Space Open Applications for Year 2 of the ACCEL Program

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WEEK OF NOVEMBER 22, 2023

FREE | VOL 43 | ISSUE 01

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias during a press conference about the Illinois Veterans History Project.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE.

VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

ASKED TO SHARE STORIES AND MEMORIES

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is encouraging Veterans in Illinois to share their stories, mementos and photos for the Illinois Veterans History Project.

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High Roi Home Upgrades to improve curb appeal

exterior can the report. When considering new siding, look for Shutters while also high-quality, low-maintenance materials. DependAdding or replacing shutters is another easy (and potential ing on where you live, insulated vinyl siding can way to add a bit of flair and can be a key finishing appeal has add additional protection against the elements, touch in creating the perfect exterior. With the pore willing to as well as increased energy efficiency. While tential to play beautifully alongside windows and homeowners function is important, don’t be afraid to make siding as well architectural style and surrounding right siding bold choices with color, texture, different profiles landscaping, it’s important to make thoughtful materials and and contrasting trim to make a true statement with choices and install them properly to ensure they eneer look and function as designed. ades eliver Composite Decking Another exterior remodeling jects project with a high ROI (62.1%), add

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NEWS

briefly REPS. KELLY, KIGGANS AND SENATORS PETERS, COLLINS INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY ACT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) introduced the bipartisan Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 to expand Medicare coverage for medical nutrition plans and addressing health disparities. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Susan Collins (ME) introduced a companion bill in the Senate.

“Our nutrition has a profound impact on our overall well-being and how our bodies respond to illness and disease,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust. “Medical nutrition therapy is a proven method for managing and alleviating symptoms of many chronic illnesses and diseases, and it is essential that Congress ensures affordable access to this treatment. Expanding access to nutrition therapy is particularly crucial in our ongoing efforts to eliminate health disparities, as many minority and underserved populations have long experienced adverse health outcomes due to limited access to healthcare, healthy foods, and opportunities for exercise. I am proud to work with Congresswoman Kiggans and Senators Peters and Collins on the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act to expand access to this vital health treatment.”

As it stands, Medicare only covers medical nutrition therapy for individuals with diabetes or renal disease. The Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 will provide Medicare beneficiaries with greater access to registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) by expanding the availability of nutrition services under Medicare Part B. This expansion would include coverage for the following diseases: diabetes and prediabetes; renal disease; obesity; hypertension; dyslipidemia; malnutrition; eating disorders; cancer; gastrointestinal diseases, including celiac disease; HIV and AIDS; cardiovascular disease; and any other disease or condition specified by the Secretary related to unintentional weight loss.

Furthermore, the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act will authorize nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, and psychologists to refer their patients for medical nutrition therapy.

MCA CHICAGO ANNOUNCES DESCENDING THE STAIRCASE

CHICAGO — The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA) announces today the exhibition Descending the Staircase, opening on Dec. 16 and running through Aug. 25. Drawn from the MCA Collection, Descending the Staircase considers novel artistic approaches to representing the human body. Using the MCA’s iconic helix staircase as a central axis, the exhibition spreads across the third and fourth floor of the museum, inviting visitors to descend into realms of the uncanny and fantastical. The exhibition explores figures of all kinds, from the fragmented, abject, and surreal to the curated, self-aware, and media savvy. Descending the Staircase features four sections—Mind, Object, Form, and Action—that each delve into different questions about the human body through the lens of the contemporary art world.

This exhibition brings together new works and old favorites—including mixed media, photographs, sculpture, and an automaton—revealing ongoing conversations among past and present artists. Descending the Staircase also celebrates the MCA’s active participation in these conversations as an institution that has collected and supported groundbreaking work by contemporary artists for nearly sixty years. Artists featured include Marcel Duchamp, Cindy Sherman, Laurie Simmons, Rashid Johnson, and Robert Gober, among others.

This will be the MCA’s first exhibition to feature select works from two recent major gifts: the D.Daskalopoulos Collection Gift (2022), a collection featuring 100 extraordinary works from the D.Daskalopoulos Collection, gifted and jointly held between the MCA and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Marilyn and Larry Fields Gift, a donation of 79 works from Chicago-based collectors Marilyn and Larry Fields (2023) which significantly expands the scope of the MCA’s collection.

Descending the Staircase is curated by Jadine Collingwood, Associate Curator, and Jack Schneider, Assistant Curator.

Find more information about MCA’s exhibitions, programs, and special events at mcachicago.org or at 312.280.2660.

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South Suburban | Week of November 22, 2023

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Continued from page 1 dom. I think in order to truly honor and let them tell their stories and amplify their experiences, as a state and as a country, we have to listen and learn from them. These records allow those The Illinois Veterans History Project was launched as the of us in civilian life to better understand the full experience of state’s response to the Library of Congress, which collects the what our Illinois Veterans faced same kind of informaduring war time, during peace tion from the Nation’s keeping missions and even at Veterans and makes it times of peace in the world,” he accessible to the pubsaid. lic. Giannoulias and The Secretary of State’s the Illinois Secretary of Office also has created a Veterans State’s Office wanted Advisory Council to help bring atto make sure Vetertention to the Illinois History Projans and their families ect, as well as to provide input and could share their storecommendations on how to do ries and experiences. a better job of delivering services The goal of the project and programs to veterans across is to preserve the the state of Illinois. It is something memories and legacies Giannoulias is excited about. of those Veterans for Arthur Baltazar, a Vietnam future generations.

Veteran, shared his stories and The stories and photos to the project. He served experiences shared in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. He through this project said it felt good to share his story. will become part of the Veterans with Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias at a press con- He encouraged other veterans to state’s digital archives. ference about the Illinois Veterans History Project. PHOTO PROVIDED BY SEC- share their stories for the project RETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE. He said there was a and to pass those stories down to sense of urgency to their families. gather these stories from the state’s Veterans.

Karen Hernandez is the Executive Director of Chicago Vet“With fewer living Veterans from past conflicts each year, erans. She also is a member of the Veterans Advisory Board. the chances that these stories and these connections we’ll be “I think it’s important for the generations that are following able to form are diminishing, so everyday memories of World us to listen to those stories, to learn from them, and be inspired War II are disappearing,” he said, adding that Korean War Veter- and motivated by them, because that’s what those stories do ans and Vietnam Veterans are getting older as the years go on. for us. When we share those stories, we share the humanity The Secretary of State is in charge of the archives for the in each other and our community can empathize and be more State of Illinois. Giannoulias and his office wanted to the ensure inclusive of each other,” she said. that people were able to upload their stories and memories.

For more information about the Illinois History Project, “We owe all of our Veterans respect, we owe them our free- visit www.ilsos.gov/veteranshistoryproject.

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Returns $18.9 Million In Missing Money in October SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office returned more than $18.9 million in missing money during October, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced.

The total includes more than $18 million in cash and interest and more than $900,000 in stock value. All told, 33,845 claims were paid.

“We help Illinois’ economy by putting money back in people’s pockets,” Frerichs said. “Our efforts to improve the efficiency of reuniting people with their missing money are paying off.”

Illinois’ missing money program — also known as I-CASH — is one of the state’s oldest consumer protection initiatives.

The State Treasurer is tasked with safeguarding unclaimed property, such as the contents of overlooked safe deposit boxes, unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts and unused rebate cards. Illinois holds more than $5 billion in unclaimed property.

The Treasurer’s Office has returned more than $1.84 billion during Frerichs’ time in office. When Frerichs first became treasurer, there were 60,000 claims paid in a year. Today, more than 200,000 claims are paid each year.

So far this year, the Treasurer’s Office has returned more than $220 million through more than 223,700 claims.

The record-setting performance is the result of a complete

restructuring of the missing money process under Frerichs.

The state treasurer’s office has added electronic claims, eliminated red-tape that slowed small-money claims, and leveraged technology to allow payments to be made without a claim even needing to be filed.

In recent months, the Treasurer’s Office has sent out letters to more than 140,000 people through the Enhanced Money Match program, which leverages data already collected by the state and crossmatches it with the treasurer’s unclaimed property database. When a matching name and mailing address is identified and confirmed, the unclaimed property owner will receive a letter from the Treasurer’s Office that describes the amount and source of the money. After one additional security step is concluded, a check simply is issued to the owner. All they have to do is watch for the mail.

Frerichs worked with state lawmakers to raise the limit on the amount of money that can be returned to $5,000. The total to be returned through the two rounds of Enhanced Money Match letters is about $76 million.

Frerichs also has added a Friends and Family “share” feature. When visitors to the I-CASH website come across the name of someone they know, they can select the “share” icon and provide the email address of their friend or relative.

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South Suburban | Week of November 22, 2023

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SOUTH SUBURBAN

SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT DEAN BARNETT LEADS COMMUNITY IN INITIATIVE TO GIVE BACK BEYOND THE CLASSROOM “SCHOOL DISTRICT HONORS MISSION TO SERVE”

“When we unite

together with our community in mind, anything is tangible to help others,” says Dr. Barnett.

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and gratitude, stating, “In my journey, (Hazel Crest, IL) School District 152.5 having been a former student and emis proud to announce a season of success, growth, and giving back to the commuployee of School District 152.5, and now having the opportunity to serve on the nity. As Fall has begun, the district has board of education and impact the lives undertaken several initiatives focused on community outreach and fostering educa- of so many families in my community, it truly warms my heart. I pray their holitional growth among its board members, culminating in a heartwarming holiday day season is filled with joy.” endeavor that impacted the lives of 250 Beyond its holiday outreach, the families. district has also prioritized the profesSchool District 152.5 partnered sional development of its board memwith Top Box Foods Organization this bers. Recently, members had the priviholiday season to provide essential lege of attending the Illinois Association holiday meals to Hazel Crest. Each of the of School Boards’ annual conference, 250 families received turkey boxes filled with an assortment of fixings, including macaroni & cheese, stuffing, potatoes, onions, evaporated milk, and cranberry sauce.

Dr. Dean Barnett, Superintendent of School District 152.5, expressed his gratSCHOOL DISTRICT 152.5 STAFF AND COMMUNITY TEAM MEMBERS itude with just how invaluable the district ARE ALL SMILES AS THEY PREPARE TO SERVE 250 FAMILIES FOR joining together makes THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY SEASON. THIS UNDERTAKING IS ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL INITIATIVES HEADED BY THE DISTRICT. for good results.

PHOTO PROVIDED STH MEDIA LLC. “I want to thank all of Hazel Crest staff, volunteers, and community partners renowned for its enriching educational who made it a successful event. I treopportunities. Dr. Barnett remarked, “It’s always a joy to attend developmental mendously want to thank our School conferences with colleagues and to find Board for making this opportunity posnew ways for us to grow.” sible for our students and their families.

The efforts of School District I want to thank our Assistant Super152.5 reflect a commitment to both intendent, Yolanda Payne, who was educational excellence and commua tremendous help in making this go smoothly. When we unite together with nity well-being. By actively engaging our community in mind, anything is in outreach and fostering continuous tangible to help others,” says Dr. Barnett. learning among its members, the district Newly elected Board member Ivory exemplifies its dedication to serving the Myles also shared sentiments of warmth community at large.

CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

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SOUTH END

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SOUTH SUBURBAN Serves communities in Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Robbins, Dixmoor, Calumet Park, Blue Island, South Holland, and Dolton.

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CHICAGO WEEKEND

Chicag o Westside Communities, Austin and Garfi el d Park

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 ChathamSoutheast, 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 press release information to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com. For more information on subscriptions or advertising, call us at (773) 7831251 or fax (872) 208-8793. Our offices are located at 8741 South Greenwood Suite# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

ELIZABETH “LIZZIE G” ELIE LICENSED REALTOR

ILLINOIS TREASURER... Continued From Page 2 Frerichs’ office then will notify the individual by sending an email that mentions the missing money, along with the name of the friend or relative who spotted it. Then, that individual can start the process of retrieving it.

Illinois is a national leader in the unclaimed property space and is frequently consulted by other states who are reforming their unclaimed property laws, rules and procedures.

The Treasurer’s Office recommends that people check for missing money at least twice a year. You can check icash.illinoistreasurer.gov to see if missing money is waiting for you.

The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office is a powerful economic engine that invests in people to drive prosperity, development and growth throughout the state. As State Treasurer, Michael Frerichs (FRAIR’- iks) is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer and actively manages approximately $55 bil-

lion. The investments help families pay for college and trade school; workers save for a dignified retirement; and local governments process bill payments more efficiently so they can pass along the savings to taxpayers. The office provides financial institutions money to loan to farmers, small business owners, and qualified individuals at below-market rates because better jobs create stronger communities.

The office operates the state’s largest consumer-protection initiative, the missing money I-Cash program, which has returned a record-breaking $1.8 billion since Frerichs was elected.

For more news about the State Treasurer’s Office, please follow Treasurer Frerichs on X (formerly Twitter) at @ILTreasurer, Threads @ iltreasurer@threads.net, Instagram at ILTreasurer, Linkedin and on Facebook at Invested in You – Treasurer Michael Frerichs.

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POLITICAL AFFAIRS

DUCKWORTH, DURBIN ANNOUNCE OVER $1 MILLION TO SUPPORT NAPERVILLE’S CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the City of Naperville will receive a $1,116,174 award to support the city’s transition to clean energy by updating its power grids. This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program (GRIP) and by boosting Naperville’s energy efforts, this investment will also help support union jobs, our state’s decarbonization goals and decrease energy costs for Illinoisans.

“This federal investment will help Illinois create a cleaner future, support good-paying, local union jobs and curb energy costs for working families,” said Duckworth. “Investing in clean energy has a positive ripple effect for Illinoisans and families across our nation and updating our grids is a necessary effort in this progress toward our clean energy future.”

“Naperville is a leading example of a city embracing the clean energy transition,” said Durbin.

“With this federal funding, Naperville will enable a smarter, more efficient grid—one that’s ready for residents who want solar panels on their roof or an EV charger in their garage. Grid upgrades like these create jobs across the region and help ensure a cleaner, more reliable energy future for all Illinoisans.”

In addition to this federal funding to Naperville, ComEd will receive $50 million to improve power grid resilience in Rockford, Illinois, and ­­­Algonquin Power Fund America, Inc, will receive $42,905,918 for clean energy transitions in Illinois and Texas. This totals $94,022,092 in federal investment impacting Illinois through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s GRIP program was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation championed by both Duckworth and Durbin. Through this program, DOE is investing a historic $10.5 billion in rural and urban power systems across the nation, making them more energy efficient and weather-resilient.

PRESTON INTRODUCES MEASURE TO ADDRESS ANTIQUATED OFFICER HIRING DECISIONS SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago) released the following statement regarding new legislation to diversify the state’s pool of law enforcement officers by prohibiting the use of credit history in hiring decisions: “An applicant’s poor credit history should not preclude that person from becoming a police officer.

If we want to address the decrease in officers applying and diversify our law enforcement, we have to remove these outdated, classist policies.

“Senate Bill 2608 would prohibit police departments across Illinois from denying employment and promotions based on someone’s credit. Looking at the Chicago Police Department alone, data shows that only 20% of the force is Black.

“This legislation comes in direct response to conversations I’ve had with constituents. I made a promise to the people of the Sweet 16th District that I would field their concerns and take them to Springfield. It’s so important that we remove unnecessary barriers that were put in place a long time ago that bar many of our community members from joining the police department.

“I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues and community stakeholders to advance Senate Bill 2608 during the spring legislative session.”

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South Suburban | Week of November 22, 2023

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Greentown Labs and Browning the Green Space Open Applications for Year 2 of the ACCEL Program

SOMERVILLE, Mass. and HOUSTON, PRNewswire -Greentown Labs, the largest climatetech incubator in North America, and Browning the Green Space (BGS), a nonprofit dedicated to making clean energy and other climate-related fields more diverse, equitable, and inclusive, are accepting applications from BIPOC-led climatetech startups for Year 2 of the Advancing Climatetech and Clean Energy Leaders Program (ACCEL).

ACCEL bolsters startups as they develop critical climatetech solutions by offering access to funding, networking connections, resources, and opportunities that structural inequities put out of reach. The year-long program combines acceleration with a curated curriculum, incubation at Greentown, and extensive mentorship from Greentown and BGS’s networks of industry experts.

Startups selected for ACCEL will benefit from the accelerator by: Engaging in a curated curriculum of workshops led by experts, including from VentureWell, covering various essential topics for early-stage climatetech founders Working alongside fellow BIPOC founders Receiving $25k in non-dilutive grant funding Gaining valuable mentorship from experienced industry experts Receiving desk space and membership within Greentown for the duration of the program, which grants access to $1M+ of in-kind resources, including software and legal support; 70+ corporate partners; community resources; and more Receiving BGS membership to unlock opportunities to learn, connect, and engage with practitioners in the clean energy sector on a just energy transition for Black and Brown communities

The Year 2 request for applications comes as a successful inaugural year of ACCEL winds to a close. ACCEL Year 1 featured six startups working on innovations as diverse as sneakers made from food waste, ultracapacitors built with hemp sourced from Black and Indigenous farmers, and ultra-light solar panels. Their accomplishments during the accelerator included raising equity funding, earning acceptances into additional accelerators, winning grants, executing customer discovery, and more.

Further results from Year 1 of ACCEL can be found here.

This program is a unique partnership between Greentown and BGS and is supported by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy sector across the Commonwealth.

“The ACCEL Program directly aligns with our mission to ensure that climatetech jobs and wealth creation opportunities are available to all residents of the Commonwealth,” says Emily Reichert, Chief Executive Officer at MassCEC. “We are excited to see the second round of this important program, with our Equity Workforce Fund support fostering a partnership between Greentown Labs and Browning the Green Space aimed at accelerating the growth of minority and women business enterprises in Massachusetts.”

ACCEL is also funded by the Barr Foundation, a Boston-based foundation with a regional focus that works with partners to elevate the arts, advance solutions for climate change, and connect all students to success in high school and beyond.

ACCEL builds on elements of Greentown’s successful incubator programming and its Greentown Go accelerator programs, along with BGS’s expertise in company building and supporting underserved communities. The curriculum

The recurring, year-long program is accepting applications from BIPOC entrepreneurs developing solutions to the climate crisis

for ACCEL is led by VentureWell, a nonprofit with deep expertise in the climatetech space that funds and trains innovators to create successful, socially beneficial businesses.

“ACCEL is one of the most impactful, meaningful programs we’ve run to date,” said Greentown Labs CEO and President Kevin Knobloch. “We are eager to expand upon the great success and momentum of year one, and to welcome another incredible cohort of BIPOC-led startups that are developing much-needed climatetech solutions. We’re equally committed to helping these companies accelerate and deploy their solutions, while also helping to build a more diverse, inclusive climatetech workforce—ACCEL sits at the nexus of those two critical efforts.”

“Through our partnership with Greentown and VentureWell, we are able to put our respective strengths together to create an ambitious program to bolster founders of color in climatetech and propel innovations that benefit communities most impacted by climate change,” said Kerry Bowie, Executive Director and President of Browning the Green Space. “Opening applications for Year 2 of ACCEL is an important milestone in strengthening critical support for traditionally excluded entrepreneurs in our communities.”

“This year, we had the privilege of supporting the inaugural cohort of ACCEL entrepreneurs with investment-readiness programming that spanned strategic partnerships, financial projection and milestone planning, and discussing different pathways for growth,” said Christina Tamer, Vice President, Ventures, at VentureWell. “A year later, it’s amazing to see the progress the teams are making in job creation, pilot programs, and securing strategic partners and funders as they prepare for launch. We look forward to continuing our Year 2 of ACCEL in working with a second cohort of underrepresented founders in advancing their climate solutions.”

Applications for ACCEL are due by Jan. 5, 2024.

Interested entrepreneurs can learn more about the call for applications by visiting the website or contacting accel@ greentownlabs.com. Applicants may apply from anywhere in the world, with priority consideration given to applicants based in Greater Boston and Greater Houston, where Greentown’s incubators are located.

RUSSELL INNOVATION CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURS AWARDED $100,000 GRANT FROM BANK OF AMERICA ATLANTA, PRNewswire -- The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) announced a $100,000 grant from Bank of America (BofA) that will support RICE programming designed to support Black entrepreneurs. This grant underscores BofA’s steadfast commitment to fostering entrepreneurial excellence and promoting economic equity. It represents BofA’s continuous support of RICE and its mission with a cumulative investment of $400,000 since 2020.

Big IDEAS is RICE’s signature learning platform, serving entrepreneurs from start up through scale up.

The learning platform guides each entrepreneur as they develop their action plan for creating a sustainable business—step by step, from ideation, through execution, to scale. Entrepreneurs enter at the stage appropriate for them and progress at their own pace. Along the way, they are supported by a team of subject matter experts and a faculty focused on making mastery and excellence the default. In addition to group learning sessions, the learning platform features unique hands-on experiences and holistic, community-driven development.

“In a short window of time of being a Stakeholder at RICE, I have accomplished my 2–3-year goals in just a few months,” said Natasha Simmons, RICE Stakeholder and CEO of Yacht Club Access, LLC. “The Big IDEAS curriculum and coaching have drastically transformed

my business.”

RICE entrepreneurs emerge from the RICE experience with the knowledge, skills, and acumen to successfully grow and scale their business.

The $100,000 commitment is a testament to Bank of America’s continual investment in nonprofit leadership and advancing economic mobility. RICE was also selected as a 2020 Bank of America Neighborhood Builder awardee. This award provided funding, along with skills development and topics to help RICE leaders address their community challenges.

“Since2020 our partnership with RICE helps empower Atlanta’s dynamic business community,” said Alfred McRae, president, Bank of America Atlanta. “This grant represents our steadfast commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth and supporting the visionary entrepreneurs at RICE who are driving innovation and opportunity in our city.”

RICE stands as the largest business incubation hub dedicated to nurturing Black-owned businesses in the United States at 54,000 sq. ft. Over the past four years, RICE has expanded its reach, serving more than 350 full-time Stakeholder entrepreneurs and impacting over 10,000 individuals within its extended network.

“We are immensely grateful for Bank of Ameri-

ca’s continuous support,” said Jay Bailey, CEO, RICE. “This grant will enable us to expand our impact and provide even more entrepreneurs with the resources and guidance they need to turn their visions into reality.”

RICE has been instrumental in transforming the entrepreneurial landscape in Atlanta and beyond, and this investment from Bank of America only solidifies its mission to empower dreamers and visionaries.

The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) is Atlanta’s home for Black entrepreneurs.

Positioned as a business generator, RICE serves as an economic mobility engine for the community: driving entrepreneurs and small business owners to innovate, grow, create jobs, and build wealth. Inspired by the legacy of Herman J. Russell, one of the most successful Black entrepreneurs and civic leaders in Atlanta, RICE remains dedicated to its mission to Build. Black. Business. and stands as the only initiative of its kind in the nation. For more information visit www.RussellCenter. org, download the RICE Report, and follow @RICEAtlanta on Instagram and Twitter and @RussellCenterAtlanta on Facebook. To find out how to get involved and support Black entrepreneurs through contribution, visit https://russellcenter.org/donate/ or reach out to bsaadiq@russellcenter.org.

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South of Suburban Week October|5,Week 2022of November 22, 2023

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SOUTH SUBURBAN SUBURBAN TIMES

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HOME 23 HOME 5

HIGH -ROI HOME Upgrades to Improve Curb Appeal (Family Features) Your home’s exterior can the report. When considering new siding, look for Shutters say a lot about you and your family while also high-quality, low-maintenance materials. DependAdding or replacing shutters is another easy making a first impression on guests (and potential ing on where you live, insulated vinyl siding can way to add a bit of flair and can be a key finishing buyers). Because of the impact curb appeal has add additional protection against the elements, touch in creating the perfect exterior. With the poon the amount prospective buyers are willing to as well as increased energy efficiency. While tential to play beautifully alongside windows and spend on a home, it’s important for homeowners function is important, don’t be afraid to make siding as well architectural style and surrounding to look beyond simply choosing the right siding bold choices with color, texture, different profiles landscaping, it’s important to make thoughtful color and consider different siding materials and and contrasting trim to make a true statement with choices and install them properly to ensure they profiles, adding accents like stone veneer look and function as designed. and researching other exterior upgrades that can both increase beauty and deliver Composite Decking performance over time.

Another exterior remodeling In fact, exterior remodeling projects project with a high ROI (62.1%), typically top the list of projects that add according to the report, is replacthe most resale value to homes. Acing your home’s existing wood cording to Remodeling’s 2022 Cost vs. deck with composite decking. An Value Report, nine of the top 10 projects option like Zuri Premium Decking delivering the best return on cost were combines the natural beauty and exterior renovations. warmth of exotic hardwood with If you’re looking to sell or just want the durability and low-maintenance to increase the overall value of your requirements of PVC (cellular polyhome, consider these high-ROI exterior vinyl chloride), which resists stains, upgrades from the experts at Westlake scratches, fading and moisture, for Royal Building Products that can ima deck that will last for years with prove aesthetics and increase resale minimal upkeep. value.

Front Door If replacing the front door isn’t necessary, adding a fresh coat of paint is a simple way to refresh your home’s exterior. You can take your “dated” door and make it modern again with a bold, on-trend color. Take it one step further by adding artistic house numbers, a new light fixture or a door knocker in an unexpected shape for inexpensive pops of style.

Column Wraps Give your front porch an instant facelift by wrapping your existing your home’s exterior. columns with PVC wraps. This is an easy way to For example, Westlake Royal Building Prod- achieve a cleaner and more modern, updated look. ucts offers a wide range of vinyl siding options in Resistant to moisture, PVC column wraps prevent the latest shades, including adding five on-trend issues found in traditional wood columns, such as colors to its Royal Siding and Exterior Portfolio warping, rotting and insect damage. Available in a lines. Inspired by colors found in nature, the gray, variety of ready-to-install styles, they can also be blue-gray, brown and green tones reflect the latest painted to complement your home’s exterior color trends in modern exterior home design. Both lines palette.

Vinyl Siding feature patented color protection technology to Find more ideas to increase your home’s Updating your home’s exterior with vinyl sid- resist fading, which is especially important for beauty and resale values at westlakeroyalbuildinging yields a 67.2% return upon sale, according to darker shades. products.com.

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Week of June 21, 2023

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CHICAGO AWARDED AN ANTICIPATED $17 MILLION CDC GRANT TO BOLSTER OVERDOSE PREVENTION CHICAGO — The City of Chicago has been selected as a recipient of a $17 Million grant over five years from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address the opioid epidemic through the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program. The grant represents a transformative opportunity to strengthen ongoing efforts in combatting the overdose crisis and reducing overdose-related harms.

The CDC’s OD2A program plays a vital role in advancing the nation’s response to the opioid epidemic. OD2A supports funded jurisdictions to implement prevention activities and to collect accurate, comprehensive, and timely data on nonfatal and fatal overdoses. This data is used to enhance programs and data monitoring efforts. With this grant, Chicago will be able to respond more quickly, effectively, and equitably to residents’ needs, using data to drive action to reduce overdose deaths and related harms.

Using the OD2A funding, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is piloting the use of “Public Health Vending Machines” to deliver free general hygiene, health, and harm reduction supplies to individuals experiencing substance use disorder (SUD), homelessness, or similar vulnerabilities in Chicago.

Other OD2A funds will allow CDPH to continue and expand partnerships across 10 different programs that support harm reduction, linkage to care, and improvements overdose reporting and data analysis capacity. Projects range from a post-overdose response pilot program on the West Side (link to CARE dashboard) to the innovative Medication Assisted Recovery NOW (MAR NOW) Program, which has connected over 600 people to opioid treatment and will be expanding to serve people with alcohol use disorder on December 1st. OD2A supports partnerships with public safety entities as well, allowing CDPH to work with Chicago Police Department on the Narcotics Arrest Diversion Program and Cook County Sheriff’s Office to ensure access to harm reduction services for individuals leaving Cook County Jail.

The pilot program bean on Friday, Nov. 17th, and aims to help prevent overdose while also supporting the health and wellbeing of people in Chicago. The vending machines will feature artwork from local artists and be located at five locations across the city identified as “hot spots” for opioid-related emergency medical responses based on a geographic analysis conducted by CDPH : Uptown Library: 929 W Buena Ave – in the front lobby Garfield Community Service Center: 10 S Kedzie – in the main lobby on the first floor Harold Washington Library

Center: 400 S State St – on the 3rd floor (elevator access available) 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line CTA Station: 14 W 95th St – North Terminal building outside of the turnstile Roseland Community Triage Center: 200 E 115th St – in the entryway before the main doors on the first floor A range of supplies will be available in the vending machines.

CDPH will change the available products according to usage patterns and suggestions from the community. As a part of the pilot program, the vending machines will contain: Narcan (naloxone) Fentanyl Test Kits Xylazine Test Kits General Hygiene Kits Menstrual Hygiene Kits Socks & Underwear The Public Health Vending Machines work just like regular vending machines, except all of the items are free. All you need to access supplies is a unique PIN code that will work at all 5 of the machines. CDPH is collaborating with hosting agencies and local partners to help individuals sign up to receive a PIN at multiple community organizations near the vending machines.

To get a PIN code, there are several options: Complete this form and a PIN code will be emailed: https:// redcap.dph.illinois.gov/surveys/?s=JJL73LHMW44YJ4DA Go in person to a partner organization, where you will receive a card with PIN code information To get a PIN code, you will need to provide your zip code of most recent residence. You will also be asked some optional demographic and other information, which CDPH will use to evaluate the effectiveness of this pilot program.

All machines have Narcan (naloxone), the medication that reverses an opioid overdose available without a PIN code. To access Narcan at any machine, simply key in “1234” and the item identification number. This information is also posted on every machine.

If you have suggestions on what products the machines should offer please fill out this survey: bit.ly/PHVMSurvey In addition to harm reduction, CDPH supports treatment options for people with opioid use disorder, including expanded access to medication-assisted recovery (MAR). Through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (IDHS/SUPR), people can call the Illinois Helpline 24 hours a day/7 days a week and receive a referral for a raid telehealth appointment with a provider who can prescribe medication at 833234-6343.

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South Suburban | Week of November 22, 2023 | 7

SOUTH SUBURBAN

Lt. Governor Stratton Convenes Thought Leaders and Policymakers at the Illinois Legislators Retreat Centered Around Education As a Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellow, Lt. Governor Stratton is Dedicated to Building a Stronger and More Diverse Workforce

Springfield, IL – Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton convened the Illinois Legislators Retreat, in partnership with the Hunt Institute, early this week. Members of the General Assembly and resource experts discussed the early childhood workforce, K-12 reading and mental health, educator diversity and diverse postsecondary experiences.

“Supporting our students and teachers is a team effort and we are bringing everything we have to meet the moment and dig in,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton.

“In Illinois, we are doing the work to make our state the best in the nation to raise and educate children. From ending childcare deserts, to free community college, to expanding mental health resources for students, we know that when children and families are strengthened, our entire state is strengthened.”

While the focus of the retreat was primarily on students’ socio-academic development, part of the retreat was dedicated to teacher retention and recruitment strategies that will benefit both students and educators.

The day concluded with a discussion about fostering a diverse post-secondary experience, most notably concentrating on the Supreme Court’s decision on Affirmative Action. The Illinois Legislators Retreat provided an invaluable opportunity to collaborate with leaders in education and policymakers from both sides of the aisle to better inform the policy making process.

Over the last three years, the Office of the Lt. Governor has been committed to working with the Hunt Institute to promote better pathways to quality education.

In 2020, Lt. Governor Stratton was named a Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellow, providing resources and support in education work—including as a partner in the initiative to build a strong, diverse teacher pipeline. Since then, the Office of the Lt. Governor and the Hunt Institute have partnered on events including a 3-part webinar series on rural post-secondary education in 2020. The Hunt Institute and Legislative Education Forum in February 2022, and the Illinois Educator Diversity Summit, discussing strategies to diversify the teacher workforce in Illinois, in March 2023.

The 2023 Hunt Institute Illinois Legislators Retreat was a success in part due to the work done by the Legislators Retreat Co-Chairs: Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford; Senate Assistant Minority Leader Dale Fowler; Co-Chair and Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons--who while was not able to join, she has taken part in advocating for educational efforts; President and CEO of the Hunt Institute, Dr. Javaid Siddiqi; HuntKean Leadership Fellow and Illinois State Representative Aaron Ortiz, along with Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders, Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, and members of the General Assembly who honored this retreat with their presence.

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South Suburban | Week of November 22, 2023

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BLACK AMBITION AWARDS $3.2 MILLION DOLLARS TO 36 ENTREPRENEURS

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition, the non-profit initiative dedicated to supporting Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs, has awarded $1 million dollars to Antoinette Banks, CEO and Founder of Expert IEP, a parent-facing app that optimizes existing Individualized Education Plans with predictive AI for children diagnosed with a disability, as the Grand Prize Winner of its 2023 Prize competition at the third-annual “Demo Day’’ event held on Thursday, Nov. 9, at Spring Studios in New York, NY. Other Top Prize Winners include ECOMSPACES, a one-stop-shop for e-commerce solutions ranging from product photography to order fulfillment, and HBCU Grand Prize Winner, Monocle, a social e-reader that creates a community-focused reading experience, who were awarded with $250,000 and $200,000, respectively, towards their ventures – in addition to 33 other prize recipients who also received monetary prizes.

Demo Day 2023 celebrated the monumental milestone of more than 100 entrepreneurs funded since Black Ambition’s inception in 2020. This year, over 2,000 applicants began their journey on either the Black Ambition/PRNewsFoto General or HBCU Prize track.

Participating founders represented companies within five distinct categories: Consumer Products and Services, Healthcare, Media and Entertainment, Technology, and Web 3.0. The nationwide competition was then narrowed down to 50 finalists, and then condensed even further to the top 36. This year, the 36 top finalists all received Prize awards ranging from $20,000 – $250,000. The final eight advancing finalists had the unique opportunity to pitch live on stage for the chance to win the grand prize of $1,000,000.

The esteemed panel of judges that determined the Prize winners included Marilyn Webber from Louis Vuitton, Erik Moore, Managing Director at Base Ventures, and Jay Lundy, SVP, Head of Investments & New Ventures at Combs Global. The event was hosted by two-time Emmy award-winning talk show host and Digital Lifestyle Expert, Mario Armstrong.

Following the pitching presentations, Founder Pharrell Williams was joined onstage by Black Ambition CEO Felecia Hatcher and Warby Parker Co-CEO David Gilboa for a compelling discussion on their respective entrepreneurial and leadership journeys. Additionally, prior year Black Ambition prize winners including Kadidja Dosso of Dosso Beauty (2021 HBCU Grand Prize Winner) & Karissma Yve of Gildform (a 2022 General Prize Winner) participated in a conversation moderated by Glenise Kinard-Moore, Founder and CEO of Skiimoo Tech (2022 2nd place General Prize Winner), discussing their entrepreneurial journey & business successes since winning investments.

After the panel conversations came the highlight of the evening, the announcement of the Prize Winners. The Grand Prize Winner, Antoinette Banks, CEO and Founder of Expert IEP, was presented with a $1,000,000 check onstage by both Pharrell and Felecia.

“Black Ambition is a feeling, it’s an overwhelming drive to show up consistently in excellence to create lasting, unapologetic impact. For so long Black and Brown kids with learning differences have been underestimated and forgotten. Earning this $1M prize puts our kids back in the forefront, it gets people thinking deeply about solving the problems in special education.

As Founder and CEO, I am deeply grateful to Black Ambition for believing in me, holding space for me, and breaking down barriers. It’s clear that Black Ambition is more than a prize award, it’s a shift in expectation for our culture.”- Grand Prize Winner Antoinette Banks, CEO and Founder of Expert IEP. Following a brief press conference, guests were then invited to join in a celebratory cocktail hour, followed by an elevated networking reception where attendees were treated to gift bags curated by Louis Vuitton, Adidas, Billionaire Boys Club, JOOPITER and more.

Participating brand partners for the 2023 Black Ambition Prize Demo Day included presenting sponsor Louis Vuitton, Adidas, Valor Equity Partners, and Spring Studios.

“We are immensely proud to be supporting an initiative like Black Ambition and hosting the teams and entrepreneurs over the past two days at Spring Studios New York. As a creative business committed to advancement in culture and enterprise, we share common goals of championing ambition and innovation and building a more diverse community. We very much look forward to continuing the support and growing the partnership in the future,” Giuseppe Stigliano Global CEO Spring Studios.

Black Ambition is dedicated to closing the opportunity and wealth gap by empowering Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs.

Through its extensive virtual training initiatives and events, the organization has provided invaluable support to over 5,000 founders since launching in 2020, helping them navigate the challenges of building successful businesses. To date, Black Ambition has awarded funding and resources to 101 Prize Winners and supported an additional 750 entrepreneurs with mentorship to strengthen their ventures. Approximately $10M dollars has been awarded to finalists.

A list of the 36 winners can be found below: $20,000 General Track Prize Recipients: BarBella Co., www.barbellaco.com Bea’s Bayou Skincare, www.beasbayouskincare.com

Hamilton Perkins Collection, www.hamiltonperkins.com The Jefas, www.thejefas.com KT Winery Inc., www.momjuicewine.com $50,000 General Track Prize Recipients: kweliTV, www.kweli.tv Clymb, www.clymbup.io Healthy Oceans Seafood Company (brand: Pescavore), www. pescavoreseafood.com Boxtown Team, www.boxtownproducts.com IndiGenius LLC (CDIAL AI), www.cdial.co Saint Miles, www.saintmiles.co Cerobrand / Singular Care, www.singular.care Rektify AI, www.rektify.ai Redress, www.myredress.com $75,000 General Track Prize Recipients: Katapulte, www.katapulte.io Gently Soap, www.gentlysoap.com Compensate Community Powered By WorldSafe1st Inc. www. compensatecommunity.com KIN Apparel, www.kinapparel.com UnDelay, www.undelayapp.com Therapeutic Innovations, www.therapeuticinnovations.org $100,000 General Track Prize Recipients: MOODEAUX, www.moodeaux.com The Renatural, www.therenatural.com Uncle Waithley’s Beverage Company, Inc., www.unclewaithleys. com $250,000 General Track Prize Recipients: ECOMSPACES, www.ecomspaces.com $1,000,000 General Track Prize Recipients: Expert IEP, www.expertieps.com $20,000 HBCU Track Prize Recipients: Tendaji, Inc., www.tendajiinc.org/ WENITE Inc, www.weniteinc.com

$25,000 HBCU Track Prize Recipients: Parking Pin, www.parkingpin.io $50,000 HBCU Track Prize Recipients: DoctorFlow, www.mydoctorflow.com Scholist App, www.scholistapp.com Venture for T.H.E.M., www.venture4them.com Darknore, www.darknore.com Butter’d Bodycare, www.butterdbodycare.co $75,000 HBCU Track Prize Recipients: Suds Laundry Services LLC, www.sudslaundryservices.com $100,000 HBCU Track Prize Recipients: Rejuvenation, www.drinkrejuv.com $200,000 HBCU Track Prize Recipients: Monocle, www.readonmonocle.com For more information on Black Ambition, please visit www. blackambitionprize.com.

Entergy to sponsor 50th Annual Bayou Classic NEW ORLEANS, PRNewswire -- Entergy is pleased to serve as the diamond sponsor for the 50th Annual Bayou Classic, an annual event that celebrates the rich heritage and legacy of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Entergy has a longstanding commitment to powering life for its customers and communities. The prominent football game, played between the Southern University Jaguars and the Grambling State University Tigers, serves as a platform to not only showcase exceptional athletic talent but also to honor the traditions, achievements and contributions of HBCUs to American society.

“We are honored to be a sponsor of the 50th Annual Bayou Classic and help support a celebration that has become an iconic part of Thanksgiving weekend here in New Orleans,” said Drew Marsh, Entergy’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Our partnership with HBCUs has been instrumental in fostering a diverse and innovative workforce at Entergy.

Through our collaboration, we have been able to tap into a pool of exceptional talent and we look forward to creat-

ing more opportunities for students to thrive, and thereby strengthen our whole community.”

The Bayou Classic, presented by P&G, draws more than 200,000 people to New Orleans each year, providing numerous opportunities to highlight on a national scale all that the city and state have to offer. Entergy’s sponsorship will have a significant impact on the local community, generating economic benefits for the city of New Orleans through increased tourism and revenue for local businesses.

Ranked as the No. 1 HBCU Classic in the nation, the football game will be played Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Entergy recognizes the significance of HBCUs in shaping the educational landscape and empowering generations of Black students. With roots in New Orleans for more than 100 years, the company is committed to taking meaningful action to help create opportunities for fostering HBCU student success, as well as building a more diverse, inclusive and equitable workforce in its communities. Learn more about Entergy’s commitment to

building diverse communities here.

Entergy looks forward to a memorable 50th Annual Bayou Classic event that celebrates the achievements and cultural significance of HBCUs. For more information, visit www.mybayouclassic.com.

Entergy (NYSE: ETR) is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and connect with @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLife

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South Suburban | Week of June 21, 2023 Hyde Park | Week of December 28, 2022

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SOUTH SUBURBAN HYDE PARK

FOOD FOOD 99

Infuse Holiday Gatherings

with Fresh Grape Flavor

(Family Features) The elegance of the holidays starts at the table with meals, desserts and drinks shared among loved ones. This year, let grapes add easy elegance to seasonal recipes as a signature ingredient perfect for special occasions.

As a highly versatile addition to appetizers, snacks, main courses, sides and desserts, grapes are an essential ingredient to keep on hand. Thanks to their delicate sweetness and juicy texture, Grapes from California can be the star at the center of the meal in unique and tasty Braised Pork Chops with Spiced Honey and Grapes served with Spiked Grape Cider for a cozy adult beverage.

Finish the celebration by sharing Grape Basque-Style Cheesecake, where delicious, fresh grape juice is used in the cheesecake batter to lend natural sweetness and enhance flavor. Decorate the top with fresh, juicy grapes for a final festive touch.

Find more sweet ideas to celebrate the holidays at GrapesfromCalifornia.com.

Hot Spiked Grape Cider

A Sweet Party Starter

Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: about 1 hour Servings: 4

5 cups red Grapes from California, plus additional for garnish, divided 3 cups water 1 tablespoon honey 1 cinnamon stick 2 star anise (optional) 1 large navel orange 6 ounces amber rum In large saucepan, combine 5 cups grapes with water, honey, cinnamon and star anise, if desired. Bring mixture to boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until grapes are tender, 50-60 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes.

Lay medium mesh strainer over bowl and pour grape mixture through. Gently press on solids to remove juice from fruit for about 2 cups grape cider.

With peeler, peel off large strip orange zest and add to warm juice. Let cool, cover and refrigerate.

When ready to serve, gently warm cider over medium heat. Pour 1/2 cup cider into each cup. Add 1 1/2 ounces rum and garnish with twist of orange and small skewer of grapes.

Nutritional information per serving: 170 calories; 0 g protein; 18 g carbohydrates; 0 g fat (0% calories from fat); 0 g saturated fat (0% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 5 mg sodium; 0 g fiber.

Set the stage for a delicious get-together by serving an easy, attractive appetizer like this Grape Party Tray with fresh grapes, prosciutto, cheeses, pistachios and more holiday favorites.

Grapes are easy to include as they offer variety – different colors, shapes, sizes and textures – which makes them an ideal healthy snack or ingredient in tasty recipes.

Braised Pork Chops with Spiced Honey and Grapes Servings: 4

4 thick pork chops (about 3 pounds) 4 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted 1 1/2 cups whole red or black Grapes from California 1/3 cup honey 2 small cinnamon sticks, broken 3-5 whole cloves

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1/2 teaspoon dried ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional) Preheat oven to 325 F. Heat heavy, lidded saute pan or casserole dish over medium-high heat. Dust pork chops with flour and brown slowly in melted butter. Do not let flour burn.

Remove pan from heat and add grapes, honey, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, salt and pepper. Cover and place in oven. Braise slowly 50-60 minutes, or until pork is tender. Remove pork from pan and keep warm. Skim pan sauce of excess fat.

Arrange pork chops on serving platter, spoon with sauce and sprinkle with chopped mint, if desired.

Nutritional information per serving: 569 calories; 54 g protein; 41 g carbohydrates; 21 g fat (33% calories from fat); 9 g saturated fat (14% calories from saturated fat); 33% calories from fat; 165 mg cholesterol; 407 mg sodium; 1.6 g fiber.

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South Suburban | Week of November 22, 2023

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JANELLE MONÁE

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JOINS MILK TO CELEBRATE FEMALE MARATHONERS IN NYC NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- Milk, as in real dairy marathon training and recovery. Milk’s nutrients can help provide sustained energy to fuel runs, rehydrate with milk, proudly returned to New York bringing back the electrolytes, repair and rebuild muscles, and help prevent ‘26.2 You’re Gonna Need Milk for That’ campaign in an next day muscle soreness. To learn more about dairy effort to support and sponsor every woman running milk’s benefits for runners or the 26.2 You’re Gonna Need the marathon over the weekend.

Milk for That campaign’s commitment to support female As part of the campaign’s unparalleled support marathoners, visit gonnaneedmilk.com. for Team Milk runners before, during and after the The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), race, Milk surprised runners after the finish line with Washington, D.C., is funded by the nation’s milk compathe electrifying presence of Janelle Monáe at the Team nies, and dedicated to educating consumers and increasMilk VIP Recovery Lounge. The singer-songwriter and ing consumption of fluid milk. For more information, visit actor helped female runners celebrate the incredible MilkPEP.org. accomplishment of running a marathon with an Founded in 1996 with 13 girls, Girls on the Run, an inempowering DJ set within the VIP Recovery Lounge ternational nonprofit organization, has now served which also featured professional stretchers from NY over 2.25 million girls. Over the course of the Stretch, compression boots, recovery gear and chocoprogram, girls in 3rd-8th grade develop late milk to help repair and rebuild their muscles. essential social, emotional and physical Milk’s on-site marathon presence in New York skills to successfully navigate life expemarked a continuation of the program’s Sponsorship riences. The program culminates with Tour, which started last year in New York and has girls positively impacting their comcontinued to expand into a community of more than Janelle Monáe surprises Team Milk runners with munities through a service project 14,000 Team Milk runners. From pre-race shakeout private DJ set. MilkPEP. and being physically and emotionruns in Central Park led by certified run coach Alysha empowering girls through running and ally prepared to complete a celebraFlynn and Sad Girl Track Club’s Izzy Seidel, expert advice physical activity. Milk’s ‘Every. Woman. tory 5K event. With the largest 5K along their training journey, curated race-ready gifts, and Sponsored’ fund supports Girls on the series by number of events in the a community focused IRL expo experience, Milk provided Run with the development of a new world, Girls on the Run hosts more support at every mile along the way. And literally, along the suite of curricula designed to empower, than 330 5Ks per year. Girls on the marathon route, Milk created a milky white tunnel of moinspire and motivate young girls and proRun is included as a top research-based tivation with a Cheer Squad between mile 23 and 24 - the vide them with confidence through runprogram in a Social-Emotional Learning notoriously hardest part of the course to help power runners ning. To-date Milk has helped generate Guide developed by researchers at forward when they need it most. $1,000,000 in fundraising.

Harvard University and has been recJanelle Monae Teams Up With Milk to “Milk is dedicated to championing the strength and reWhether you’re training for your ognized by the National Afterschool Surprise Marathon Runners. MilkPEP silience of every woman,” said MilkPEP CEO Yin Woon Rani. first marathon or tackling your 30th, any Association (NAA) as one of the most “We were excited to join forces with Janelle Monáe to help female runner can sign up to be a part influential after-school programs. commend these incredible female athletes on achieving an of Team Milk at gonnaneedmilk.com/26.2 to gain exclusive Visit www.girlsontherun.org to learn how to get involved in accomplishment of a lifetime.” access to female-centric marathon training, recovery, and your community. National Afterschool Association (NAA) Even better, through Milk’s continued partnership as one of the most influential after-school programs. Visit nutrition tips from leading experts, custom gear and an with Girls on the Run, your run supports her run. For every www.girlsontherun.org to learn how to get involved in your empowering community of women runners. woman that signs up for Team Milk, Milk has committed to community. donating to Girls on the Run, an organization dedicated to Dairy milk is an excellent nutritional partner for both

FENDER HONORS BRUNO MARS WITH ARTIST SIGNATURE STRATOCASTER® GUITAR HOLLYWOOD, Calif., PRNewswire -- Fender Musical nated music charts with the hit single “Uptown Funk,” Instruments Corporation (FMIC) announces the launch of which took home three GRAMMY Awards, including the Bruno Mars Stratocaster®, a limited-edition celebration Record of the Year. In 2022, Mars and Anderson .Paak of the chart-topping artist, multi-instrumentalist, performer, his Silk Sonic counterpart, took home four GRAMMY songwriter and producer Bruno Mars. awards including Record Of The Year The Bruno Mars Stratocaster® guitar (“Leave The Door Open”), Song Of The pays tribute to his trailblazing career, Year (“Leave The Door Open”), Best dazzling showmanship, and mastery R&B Performance (“Leave The Door of genre through the power of guitar.

Open”), and Best R&B Song (“Leave Bruno Mars’ catalog is defined by air The Door Open”). Additionally, Mars tight songwriting, stunning musicianbecame the first male and third act overall to have at least three top 5 Hot ship and a fearlessness in the face of 100 hits from each of his first three genre and at the foundation of this albums, following only Mariah Carey iconic body of work is a fundamental and Beyoncé. Honorably, Mars is one appreciation of versatile musicality. of the few artists to have written and The Bruno Mars Signature Stratocaster® has classic appeal with highly op- P R N e w s f o t o / F e n d e r M u s i c a l produced all of his No. 1 hits and has had a No. 1 song on the Hot 100 from timized features that keep the modern Instruments each of his first three studio albums. player in mind. Mars envisioned an The Bruno Mars Signature Strainstrument with class that could still appeal to the most technically driven shredders—and tocaster® is meticulously crafted with songwriters and this signature guitar is just that. performers in mind. It’s a guitar that empowers artists to Fourteen-time GRAMMY Award winner and unleash their creativity and self-expression. Featuring thirty-time GRAMMY Award nominee Bruno Mars is a the newest addition to Fender’s vibrant library of colorcelebrated singer, songwriter, producer, and musician ways, the all new Mars Mocha Heirloom™ nitrocellulose who has sold over 200 million singles worldwide, maklacquer finish, and Heirloom™ Aged Gold Hardware, gives this signature Strat® a worn-in feel straight out of ing him one of the best-selling artists of all time. The the case. An accurate recreation of Mars’ beloved 1969 17x Multi-Platinum has earned an astonishing eight Stratocaster® neck shape, the Bruno Mars Signature No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100. In 2015, Bruno domi-

Stratocaster® features sleek, vintage elements, designed to be both played and admired. The 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo and Deluxe Locking Tuners provide enhanced tuning stability with modern convenience and the worn-in, Heirloom™ finish as well as the subtle leopard print accents, are nods to two of Mars’ guitar playing heroes—Jimi Hendrix and Prince. Finally, the model comes loaded with a set of custom-voiced Bruno Mars pickups that will allow players to emulate Mars’ buoyant tone and singing leads. With this Stratocaster® design and sound, guitarists everywhere have access to unlock endless creativity that helped turn Mars the artist, producer and songwriter he is today.

In true tradition, Fender’s Artist Signature Series honors iconic musicians through product progression and storytelling, creating instruments inspired by the unique specifications of the world’s greatest guitarists and bassists.

Crafted from resonant ash, this guitar features sculpted American Ultra body contours for unmatched comfort and seamless access to high notes, watch Artur Menezes the Limited Edition Bruno Mars Stratocaster for a test drive.

Bruno Mars Stratocaster® Guitar ($2,999.99 USD, £3,149.00 GBP, €3,599.00EUR, $5,199.00 AUD, ¥431,200 JPY) Get ready to channel your inner 24K Magic with the irresistibly elegant Bruno Mars Stratocaster®. For technical specs, additional information on new Fender products and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.fender. com. Join the conversation on social media by following @Fender.

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Suburban | Week of November 22, 2023 HydSouth Park, Chgo Weekend and South Suburban Classified

Classifieds REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE DON'T LOSE YOUR PROPERTY TO FORECLOSURE. Put money back into your pocket. Here is how you can win. CALL US AFTER 10am AT (708)378-7324 ASK FOR DIANA (ILLINOIS HOUSING SERVICE.INC). _______________________________

TECHNOLOGY

‘Tis the Season for Scams: 5 Ways to Protect You and Your Family Customers who want even more protection can download the Scam Shield app or dial #662# from their T-Mobile smartphone to enable Scam Block, which automatically blocks any calls that match the database of scam calls.

Take that, tricksters. To learn more, visit t-mobile.com/scamshield.

4. Shop Smarter Online: According to Statista, 57% of holiday shoppers plan to use their smartphone to make holiday purchases this year, and scammers are onto them, ramping up activity during the two weeks before Christmas. To minimize any cyber Grinches trying to steal your personal info, monitor your financial accounts regularly for suspicious charges and sign up for your bank or credit card company’s text or email notifications to stay on top of fraudulent activity.

5. Use Secure Tools: Safeguard your online accounts with Multi-Factor Authentication, which requires users to enter two different

DOGS PETS LIVESTOCK Happy Jack® Liquiavict 2x® is recognized safe & effective against hook & round worms by the USCVM. Double strength, 3 year stability. At Tractor Supply® (www.happyjackinc.com) _______________________________

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE 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 certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County.

Registration Number: Y23011126 on October 24, 2023. Under the Assumed Business name of ALL 4 HIS GLORY with the business located at: 454 SPRINGFIELD ST., PARK FOREST, ILLINOIS 60466. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name KENNETH LEONARD PHILLIPS Complete Address 454 SPRINGFIELD ST., PARK FOREST, ILLINOIS 60466, USA and SUZETTE RENE’ PHILLIPS Complete Address 454 SPRINGFIELD ST., PARK FOREST, ILLINOIS 60466, USA _______________________________

SERVICE BLUE P&P SERVICE CENTER CLEAN & CHECK FURNACE WE ALSO INSTALL HOT WATER TANKS AT REASONABLE PRICE WE DO ELECTRICAL WORK INSTALL- LGHTS, CEILING FANS REPLACE- SOCKETS OR LIGHT 5/W DON’T WAIT CALL US TODAY ASK FOR TOM AT 773-567-1761 WE CAN ALSO REMOVE AND REPLACE FAUCET IN KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS SINKS WE ALSO FIX DYERS NOT WORKING _______________________________

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

(Statepoint) In today’s hyper-connected digital universe, cyber criminals have more information than ever before, with the ability to reach you through unsecure public Wi-Fi, your email inbox, via text message, and more.

According to a Scam and Robocall Report from T-Mobile, Americans lost an estimated $39.5 billion to phone scams in 2022. Lucky for you, there are several ways to protect and safeguard your personal information to help prevent scammers from scammin’ this holiday season.

1. Avoid Public USB Ports: Traveling by plane this holiday season?

The FCC warns that cyber criminals can download malware to public USB charging ports to gain access to your information. Prevent this by using an AC power outlet instead.

2. Beware of Charity Scams: It’s the season of giving, but the FCC warns many cyber criminals take advantage by creating fake charities staged as real nonprofit organizations

to gain access to your payment information. Woof. To prevent this, don’t click on suspicious email or text links and verify the organization is registered at the National Association of State Charity Officials or Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance before donating this holiday season.

3. Screen Your Calls: Scammers are continuously upping their game, with total robocall attempts up 75% from 2021 to 2022. Detecting whether an incoming call is a potential scam isn’t always easy, but T-Mobile’s Scam Shield app makes it simple. Free to all T-Mobile customers, Scam Shield enhances your scam-blocking protections so you can say goodbye to scam calls. In 2022 alone, Scam Shield identified or blocked 41.5 billion scam calls in the T-Mobile network. That’s a whopping 1,317 calls identified or blocked every second. With Scam Shield, when the network detects a potential scam call, it is flagged and displayed as “Scam Likely” on your device.

ELIZABETH “LIZZIE G” ELIE LICENSED REALTOR

773.543.1783 eelie@kalerealty.com elizabethelie.kalerealty.com 2447 N. Ashland Chicago, IL 60614 @SoldbyLizzieG

kinds of information to log in, like a password and one-time PIN code. It’s like having a digital bouncer to make sure only you get into your accounts.

Another protection is a password manager, giving you the ability to securely store passwords across multiple platforms and websites. The tool also provides an autofill password function and a new password generator.

To learn more about the industry’s top fraud trends and how to stay protected from scammers year-round, check out T-Mobile’s Scam Shield Report found at t-mobile.com/news.

While cyber threats are on the rise, you can sleigh scams by staying vigilant and incorporating these best practices into your life this holiday season.

12 | South Suburban | Week of November 22, 2023

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SOUTH SUBURBAN