Street performers entertain customers outside the Subway on 63rd St.
Starting in November of 2009, the 63rd Street Growth Commission sponsored daily events along the 63rd Street business district to promote commerce in the area and bring joy to shoppers during the holiday season. Events included street performers, bands, and choirs and occurred at businesses all throughout the corridor, including Marquette Bank, Subway, Walgreen's, Sears and Rio Valley grocery store. Performers also handed out candy donated by GSDC and local businesses to children in the community.
After hosting the 63rd St. Holiday Parade for many years, GSDC, in conference with the 63rd Street Growth Commission board of directors and other local business owners, decided it was time to rethink the event. Many felt that the closing of the street may have reduced some traffic to businesses during the most important shopping season of the year. Instead, this festival provided an entire month of attractions throughout the district.
On Friday, October 16th, Garifuna Flava was featured on WTTW Channel 11's show, "Check Please!". "Check, Please!" features local Chicagoland resaurants, reviewed by everyday Chicagoans. Garifuna Flava recieved a great review! Take a look at these 2 videos from the WTTW Website:
Overview of Garifuna Flava, its owners, and the neighborhood
Reviewers talk about their experience at Garifuna Flava
They weren’t indoors at the negotiating table, but the 200 demonstrators praying and singing on the front lawn of St. Rita’s church rectory on a rainy Wednesday morning delivered a powerful message to the bankers inside.
“Bank of America!” they repeatedly inveighed. “Keep our families in their homes!”
Father Tony Pizzo announces a partnership agreement reached between Southwest Organizing Project and Bank of America on the steps of St. Rita of Cascia rectory.
PHOTO: JOHN MCCARRON
Maybe their prayers weren’t totally answered, but they did spur negotiation of a new partnership between a coalition led by Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) and the nation’s largest commercial bank.
“I knew enough to know that I’d have been signing my death warrant,” says recent GSDC home counseling client Alexis Smith. Smith, a West Englewood homeowner, knew the loan modification – or “loan mod” – she refused to sign and that a for-profit housing counseling agency negotiated for her with lender Wells Fargo was a sham. Facing foreclosure in August 2008 on a mortgage with an interest rate over 10%, a Cook County judge granted her time to pursue a workout with her lender: to keep the home, she would need a more affordable monthly payment.
Days after Smith’s case was finally – and successfully – resolved by a GSDC counselor in April 2009, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn gave those in danger of similarly falling behind on their mortgages relief. With Southwest Side leaders standing alongside, he signed into law (signing pictured above) a grace period of up to 90 days before foreclosure proceedings may be initiated against borrowers who fall behind, a period granted if they pursue free government-certified housing counseling to seek a workout with lenders. The law’s chief sponsors were Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-16) and Sen. Terry Link (D-30).
“I knew enough to know that I’d have been signing my death warrant,” says recent GSDC home counseling client Alexis Smith. Smith, a West Englewood homeowner, knew the loan modification – or “loan mod” – she refused to sign and that a for-profit housing counseling agency negotiated for her with lender Wells Fargo was a sham. Facing foreclosure in August 2008 on a mortgage with an interest rate over 10%, a Cook County judge granted her time to pursue a workout with her lender: to keep the home, she would need a more affordable monthly payment.