Hey everyone, if you’re looking for a seasonal job over the summer break, run to your nearest Home Depot.  The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Home Depot will be hiring 2,000 seasonal workers this spring.  They have over 60 locations throughout Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.

U can apply online at homedepot.com or inside their store by checking out a kiosk.  Don’t worry if you’ve never had a job either.  They’ll train you in the areas of customer service, basic product knowledge, and where to find things in the store.

-Ron

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart has a new competition going on for high school students throughout Cook County.  Its called the Heads Up PSA Video Challenge and its geared toward raising awareness on the issue of distracted driving.  For the past few months, students have put together 30-60 second viral videos on the topic of safe, non-distracted driving.  Now the voting process has begun and we want all of our readers to get involved.

To vote for your favorite video, please do the following:

1. Visit this address: http://www.cookcountysheriff.org/jail_diversion/youthservices_HeadsUpVideoChallenge.html

2. As you scroll down the page, watch the distracted driving clips posted.

3. Vote for your favorite video, by highlighting it (under the voting poll) and click “cast your vote”.

Various prizes will be awarded to the winning school: Cash incentives toward future community projects, 2011 Auto-show tickets, being on the evening news, etc.

Thanks.

-Ron

Police superintendent Jody Weis has recently caught flack for meeting w/ refuted Westside gang leaders in an attempt to reduce the violence on the streets.  The move, or threat as some view it is part of Chicago’s Gang Violence Reduction Initiative.  During the meeting, Weis warned gang leaders like Labar ”Bro Man” Spann, an alleged Four Corner Hustlers leader and Jettie ”Bo Diddley” Williams, the 50-year-old reputed leader of the Traveling Vice Lords to stop the killings or life for them would become miserable.

To carry out his threat, Weis told the gang leaders to remember the word RICO, and how homes, cars and other assets would be seized while conspiracy cases were brought upon gang leaders.  Many of the gang leaders in attendance said there’s no way I can be held responsible for what someone else does, and even hinted at the fact that they can’t control the young gang members.  After keeping up w/ this story, it’s interesting that gang leaders have really shown their true colors as being powerless (food for thought).

So is group responsibility a good way to quell the violence amongst rival gang members, senseless crimes, and other horrible behavior?

Should gang leaders be held responsible for the actions of the members below them & could this method work?

Share your thoughts…

-Ron

Well, the new House of Hoops is opening up and word is that Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson are scheduled to be in attendance.  If you would like to get a picture w/ a new Chicago Bulls player and 2nd year player Taj Gibson, tomorrow is your big chance.  So bring your cameras and Bulls things that you would like to be signed if you plan on heading down to the House of Hoops.

-Ron

I know we haven’t updated the blog in quite some time but w/ the school year ending and Tom Dart’s Summer Youth Camps in full swing, it would be impossible to regularly update our site.  Here’s an update on how YSD’s summer went down.

• Sheriff Tom Dart’s Youth Camp (two-weeks) w/ campers from Robbins, Chicago Heights, & Ford Heights was a huge success.  It ran from July 12th-23rd and the youth enjoyed two weeks of fun, excitement, and learned various new things.  Our campers also managed to make new friends heading into the new school year.
• The second  youth camp during the summer was also a big hit.  The youth went swimming, skating, witnessed a minor league baseball game, and created arts & crafts, while learning new things during the 1st week of August.

-Ron

Kanye West made an album called "The Graduation"

Today is graduation day for students who have completed the Cook County Sheriff Day Reporting Center Program.  I couldn’t be more happy for the students who are graduating today.  I’ve been there mentor for a couple of months and within that time frame, have seen these guys at low points in their lives and some at high points.  They’ve had to overcome some tough obstacles, but no obstacle bigger than themselves.  The guys at this program for the most part were raised by the streets and acted accordingly.  This caused them to go through the judicial system, some multiple times and ultimately drop out of school.  For these guys though, they’ve received a second chance.  They were able to complete the school portion of the DRC program and have now received their highschool diploma. 

Coming into the program, the students are pretty young and very immature.  They’d practically kick n scream everyday b/c they wouldn’t want to wake up for the program; because they didn’t want to be apart of the morning meetings; because anyone who tries to help them was considered the enemy; or practically feel that no one or nothing can help them.  Then came the cross roads: It’s either school or jail.  Students had to overcome their street mentality and ways, let go of their pride, and realize that they have to complete this program in order to compete for jobs, trainings, and acceptance into college.  

All in all, in the end I hope the guys who have completed the program understand that not everyone gets a second chance in life.  You may have made one mistake but learn from it and don’t fall into the same trap as before.  The ball is now in your court. 

-Ron

Everytime you turn on the local news in Chicago, u hear about it.  Another person being shot or killed due to gun violence.  As the summer heats up, the streets seem to get even hotter.  Youth especially are dropping at an alarming rate.  Whether we look at how more than 36 CPS students died in 2009, or how more than 40 people were shot this past weekend, something has to be done.

Mayor Daley and a host of others have proposed a Chicago Handgun Ban throughout the city.  The purpose behind the new law is to decrease the number of guns on the street, while creating harsher punishments and consequences for thugs or delinquents who possess weapons.  I like the means behind the idea but it also put many at a disadvantage.  The biggest problem w/ the new law though is that its unconstitutional.  Chicago citizens have a constitutional right to keep & bear arms.  The other huge problem w/ this law is that now everyday working class citizens have a true reason to feel unsafe.  If a gun-toting home invader walks into someone’s home w/ the intent to steal, what leverage does the home owner have? It’s illegal to have a weapon in one’s own home, according to the new handgun ban.  This law makes home owners and citizens in general very uneasy, considering how often some see and hear about violence in their neighborhoods. 

Imagine, gang members & other criminals walking around w/ illegal weapons but you have nothing to fend for yourself nor family.  It’s a scary situation.  Even though the Supreme Court has struck down this handgun ban, something has to be done.  Mayor Daley plans to revise the ban but I don’t think it solves the bigger issue at hand.

Any suggestions???

-Ron

The performance that left a lasting impression though was Chris Brown’s tribute to MJ.  It served as a transformation period for the young star, and left many wanting more.  It was almost eery to watch him imitate MJ’s every dance move, including the moonwalk.  He seemed effortless and back in his element (as a performer on the big stage).  When he had the chance to woo the audience even more, he began to breakdown and cry.  Perhaps due to the fact of how he idolized MJ, or maybe b/c he felt sorry for all his mishaps.  Whatever it was, he sure made a lasting impression on everyone who witnessed his performance (some good, some bad).  Maybe, he’ll be able to make a comeback after all.

-Ron

This July, the Auditorium Theater of Roosevelt University will be hosting its award-winning summer camp Hands Together, Heart To Art for children ages 7-14. This camp is designed for children who have lost a parent to death. The camp runs in 2 session July 5-16 (ages 7-11) and July 19-30 (ages 10-14) from the hours of 9am-4pm with optional 1 hour pre and post camp child care.

This unique camp uses the arts of theater, music, and dance to help children process and cope with their loss. It also gives them an opportunity to build a support group of peers who have been through the same experience. Campers will participate in singing, dance, drama, music, and group activities involving art to assist in the grieving process . The cost for this camp is just $50 per child. Applications can be downloaded from www.hthta.org.

Families with multiple children or extreme need can apply for financial assistance through the HTHTA. Scholarship deadline is June 28.

-Erik

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On the Mexican American Holiday of Cinco de Mayo,  a symbolic Holiday representing liberation and freedom, the  Phoenix Suns will be wearing their Los Suns jerseys against the Spurs in protest of the new Arizona immigration bill SB 1070. The bill would allow authorities to question and search individuals who they suspect may be illegal immigrants and require them to have documents to be in the U.S. on them at all times. Many believe that this law encourages racial profiling of Hispanics and is at the center of  local and national political debate. The idea to wear the jerseys came from the team’s owner Robert Sarver who was born and raised in Arizona and is frustrated with the law. He stated

“However intended, the result of passing the law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question,” he said, “and Arizona’s already struggling economy will suffer even further setbacks at a time when the state can ill-afford them.”

The Suns opposing second round rival the San Antonio Spurs also motioned to wear the Spanish version of their jerseys although it was already too late for league approval to occur. Suns guard Steve Nash has openly spoke about his views on the law and wearing the jersey saying

“I think it’s fantastic (the jerseys).I think the law is very misguided. I think it’s, unfortunately, to the detriment of our society and our civil liberties. I think it’s very important for us to stand up for things we believe in. As a team and as an organization, we have a lot of love and support for all of our fans. The league is very multicultural. We have players from all over the world, and our Latino community here is very strong and important to us.”

The NBA as a whole has denounced the passing of the law and many athlete’s across the professional sports world are of Hispanic descent and/or from foreign countries including Nash who is originally from Canada. Unless some detailed modification takes place on the bill we can expect the controversial law to continue to generate more opposition.

-Erik