Chicago Defender back issues from November 2008:
Dems make III. House gains, but not veto-proof
Nov 05, 2008; ... Democrats made gains in the General Assembly but fell just short of gathering enough seats to be able to pass legislation without Republicans' help or the governor's blessing. House Democrats had looked Tuesday to add four more seats to their 67-5 1 seat majority, so they could lead with ...
Barack Obama sweeps to victory: First Black U.S. President
Nov 05, 2008; ... Barack Hussein Obama, son of a Black Kenyan father and a white Kansan mother, swept into the White House as the first Black to win the race for President of the United States, riding a wave of votes from Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, women, youth, new voters and the elderly. Overcoming ...
Election officials estimate 80 percent turnout
Nov 05, 2008; ... Before the crack of dawn, some lines of registered voters piped around polling places, and some were less than one block long. All eagerly waited to cast their ballot in the historic presidential election. "I will wait as long as I can. I just can't be late for work. If it cuts ...
Historic election sparks interest from students
Nov 05, 2008; ... This year's historic presidential election captured not only the interest of Republicans and Democrats alike but also 1,800 high school students who served as election judges for the primary and general elections. Last year a total of 900 students worked as judges for the elections but ...
Private funeral service held for Hudson family
Nov 05, 2008; ... Family, friends and fans wrapped around Apostolic Church of God awaiting entry to the private services of singer/actress Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew. Darnell Donerson, Hudson's mother, Jason Hudson, her brother and Julian King, her nephew, were gunned down ...
Free transportation gets voters to the polls
Nov 05, 2008; ... To ensure voters such as the elderly and disabled were able to get to the polls Tuesday, several organizations provided free transportation. For seniors like Reuben Rotschild, 72. a free ride made all the difference. "I didn't want to miss out on voting and help make history but ...
Multi-racial crowd overflows Grant Park
Nov 05, 2008; ... Defender Staff Report They came from all over Chicago, and from all over the country, to be here, in Chicago, to witness history. Hundreds of thousands of revelers came to Chicago to be a part of the celebration, some on the scene as early as noon Tuesday for a celebration that ...
Maryland's Black colleges historically underfunded
Nov 05, 2008; ... BALTIMORE-A new report says Maryland's Historically Black Institutions have been historically underfunded by the state and more money has to be invested in Black schools if they are going to compete fully with Traditionally White Institutions. "There are many indicators that suggest that ...
Louisiana to receive $61M in emergency energy assistance
Nov 05, 2008; ... NEW ORLEANS-U. S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt announced last week that Louisiana will receive $61.5 million from the federal government's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program under the Fiscal Year 2009 Continuing Resolution. LIHEAP funding is administered to ...
Congratulations Mr. President-elect
Nov 05, 2008; ... President Barack Hussein Obama! We have to say it again. President Barack Hussein Obama! It has a nice ring to it. It has a historical ring to it, and a quite satisfying ring. Barack Hussein Obama (yes, that is his middle name and no one should feel constrained ...
Poem of honor
Nov 05, 2008; ... To the Editor Dear Editor, Honor, Honor Crossing over to the Promised Land On Jesus, our solid rock We will stand! Dr. King, himself declared I've seen the place, God has prepared Brotherhood and sisterhood walking hand and ...
Post-election prayer: Keep those 'change' fires burning
Nov 05, 2008; ... Well, folks, this morning, I think-at least I fervently hope-that we can breathe a collective sigh of relief: The presidential rape, one of the longest, hardest-fought and certainly the most historic presidential elections ever, is over. And, excluding a repeat of the electoral challenge in ...
President Barack Obama
Nov 05, 2008; ... Ransom Notes Once in a lifetime. Once in history. I was reflecting on just what the election of Barack Hussein Obama as 44th President of the United States means. I don't want to oversell it, because today-and the day after-taxes are still too high and sons and ...
Black agenda and the politics of transition
Nov 05, 2008; ... In many ways, this has been a difficult time for Blacks who believe that a presidential election is an opportunity for policy accountability that must be taken advantage of, because they are afraid that such policy demands would be seen by potential White voters as Blacks playing on a racial ...
Mr. President, the Supreme Court matters
Nov 05, 2008; ... On the way to the voting booth on November 4, in addition to dunking about who should occupy the White House, we should also be concerned about who he will appoint to federal courts. The President-elect will likely name one to three Justices to the Supreme Court and hundreds to lower ...
Kitchen uniforms: Why do chefs wear white?
Nov 05, 2008; ... Chef D's Kitchen Chefs, for the most part, wear their uniforms almost every day of their working lives, replete with toque, checked pants and doublebreasted jacket. Though these uniforms are common in the foodservice industry worldwide, they are often taken for granted and worn without ...
Local baker lands deal with Jewel
Nov 05, 2008; ... A Black-owned business built from a homemade recipe now has all of its products available to the public after expanding its distribution agreement with major grocery store chain. New dessert items from ComfortCake LLC, a Chicagobased dessert company, is now available at 65 Chicago area ...
Local comedienne: Gift of laughter can heal wounds
Nov 05, 2008; ... She had her fair share of troubles as a child, but always turned to smiles and laughter to get her through. Kellye Howard, a comedienne from the south suburbs, said cracking jokes was her specialty, but didn't necessarily channel it the right way during her elementary and high school ...
Pianist Stewart Goodyear soloist for CSO's special concert series
Nov 05, 2008; ... Chicago Symphony Orchestra will feature Canadian concert pianist Stewart Goodyear as soloist for its Subscription Series Concert which begins Thursday. Goodyear -will perform Johann Nepomuk HummeFs Piano Concerto in ?-flat Major with guest conductor Nicolas McGegan. Goodyear has ...
'American Idol' judge talks about diabetes
Nov 05, 2008; ... A diabetes diagnosis came as a surprise to an American Idol judge, even though he has a family history of it. He felt fine and thought it wouldn't grab ahold of him. That was until Randy Jackson developed flu-like symptoms, was often dehydrated and urinated more than usual. "I ...
Kiki Sheard launches third gospel project
Nov 05, 2008; ... Sounds of Inspiration Kierra "Kiki" Sheard comes from a long line of musical giants. Her grandmother was the late, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, who formed the music department for the Church Of God In Christ as well as created the ever so popular "call and response" congregational songs heard ...
Business icon Tim Rand elected to ShoreBank's board
Nov 05, 2008; ... Timothy Rand, entrepreneur, civic and justness leader and one of 11 persons honored as a Chicago Defender newsmaker on Saturday has been elected to the Board of Directors of ShoreBank, a subsidiary of ShoreBank Corp., the holding company. Rand is founder and majority owner of Midway Airport ...
Chicago loses a Black history maker
Nov 12, 2008; ... The day after one Chicagoan made history as the first Black U.S. president, another historic Chicagoan died. Cirilo McSween was more than a franchise owner of 1 1 McDonald's restaurants-including the first Black-owned one downtown at 230 S. State St. He was an icon for the business ...
Local Democrats sailed to easy election wins
Nov 12, 2008; ... Democrats holding countywide offices coasted to reelection victory Nov. 4, and one candidate for office made history. Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown eased into a third term against Republican challenger Diane Shapiro and Green Party candidate Paloma Brown won with 79 percent of the ...
Recent homicides nudge city past '07 murder rate
Nov 12, 2008; ... On Nov. 6, five people in Chicago-including two teens-were murdered, surpassing last year's murder rate. According to Monique Bond, news affairs director for the Chicago Police Department, there were 441 homicides as of Oct. 31. For the same time period in 2007, there were ...
Defender Charities hosts Veterans Day parade
Nov 12, 2008; ... Defender Staff Report On Tuesday, Hundreds of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps students from city and suburban schools marched in the Chicago Defender Charities' 82nd Annual Veterans Day Parade on King Drive to salute all veterans and the sacrifices they made for the ...
Obama victory brings about changes for neighbors
Nov 12, 2008; ... Now that Barack Obama is President-elect, beefed up security measures around his South Side home have changed the lives of neighbors. "I use to could park in front of my house when I got off work at 11 p.m. but now before I can even begin to search for a parking space, my car has to be ...
Mya Lyons' mother goes door-to-door searching for information in 9-year-old girl's stabbing death
Nov 12, 2008; ... The chill in die air was reminiscent of a cold winter blast, raindrops fell and the wind showed no mercy last Saturday. Neither did the mother of Mya Lyons. Ericka Barnes, with her family in tow, prayed in a circle then descended on the 8400 block of South Gilbert Court where the ...
West Side teen rape victim speaks out
Nov 12, 2008; ... She spurned a man's advances while she walked to the nearest bus stop so she could get home. She kept looking back after he walked past her and thought he took the rejection well and went about his business. Little did she know that her rejection would almost cost her her life. A ...
Emanuel tapped for Obama Chief of Staff
Nov 12, 2008; ... President-elect Barack Obama tapped U.S. Cong. Rahm Emanuel shortly after winning the Nov. 4 election, to be the White House Chief of Staff: Emanuel's political career spans two decades and includes work on Paul Simon's 1984 election to the U.S. Senate and senior advisor and chief fundraiser for ...
Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother-in-law to remain behind bars
Nov 12, 2008; ... The "person of interest" in the case involving the triple murder of Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson's family will remain behind bars. William Balfour, the estranged brother-in-law of Hudson, was named by Chicago police as a person of interest in the Oct 24 homicides, but two days after his ...
Fight fraud: Avoid staged accidents
Nov 12, 2008; ... Someone is taking money from you. Criminals who commit insurance fraud cost each American household more annually in insurance premiums. Each year, fraud adds $5.2 to $6.3 billion to auto premiums as a result of insurance fraud, according to the Insurance Research Council. Fraud ...
18M reasons to not stop at Barack Obama
Nov 12, 2008; ... The results of the Nov. 4 election are reason for jubilation. For the first time in this nation's history, a Black man has been elected to the highest office in the land. It is a great achievement for Barack Obama, and a testament to his intelligence and the tremendous campaign organization he ...
Barack Obama's election: Vindication, but with an asterisk
Nov 12, 2008; ... Now that America has elected its first Black president, what happens next? What will Sen. Barack Obama's his- toric ascent to the White House mean for African Americans and the state of race relations? In the week since President- elect Obama's history-making event, pundits and editorial ...
Prop. 8 reveals Black split
Nov 12, 2008; ... Ransom Notes There is joy in Black community today. We are walking just a bit taller, and it is one Black nation, under a groove, gettin' down just for the Barack of it. As improbable as it seems, Barack Hussein Obama is the President-elect of the United States. The genuine pride ...
Not Black President Barack Obama, just President Obama
Nov 12, 2008; ... The instant that Barack Obama tossed his hat in the presidential rink nearly two years ago, the twin mantra was that he could be the first Black to be president and if that happened America had finally kicked its race syndrome. The twin mantra has been repeated ad infinitum, and it's dead wrong ...
After historic Nov. 4 victory, Obama will face limitations
Nov 12, 2008; ... Now that Barack Obama has defeated John McCain, Joe the Plumber and a barrage of negative television commercials, he will now strive to balance the high expectations of African Americans and other progressives with the reality of an anemic economy and supersized budget deficits. Like ...
Health expo offers 'magic' solutions
Nov 12, 2008; ... NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson was the keynote speaker Saturday at a free health expo that offered innovative solutions for various health issues facing many Black communities, including HTV/ AIDS. "When I tested positive for HJV I asked my doctor so many questions he had to bring in ...
Grow your business in a downturn
Nov 12, 2008; ... In today's economy, most business owners are thinking about survival. However, many successful entrepreneurs will point to previous economic downturns as the launching pad for explosive growth of their business. Many will point out that, because their core business had declined so rapidly, they ...
Gershwin's Porgy and Bess opens at Lyric Opera
Nov 12, 2008; ... Porgy and Bess was performed several times during the 20th century, however George Gershwin's greatest masterpiece will be stage-for the first time-as an operatic production with Lyric Opera of Chicago; as part of it's 54th season repertoire. The opera plays at the Lyric beginning ...
Kia Rondo a reliable compact
Nov 12, 2008; ... Although the Kia Rondo I reviewed was a 2008 model, I thought it important to start looking a lot closer at small cars. After all, I think the driving public has been shocked into not wanting to get caught again with a gas guzzling sizable vehicle that is more about ego than need. I ...
For many African American students, Nov. 4 election was lesson in history and hope
Nov 12, 2008; ... Yes, we can, and indeed we did. History was made last night as Barack Obama was elected as the first African-American President of the United States of America. The Howard's Blackburn Center ballroom was filled with excitement and anticipation as students gathered for the ...
Chefs of tomorrow cooking up change today
Nov 12, 2008; ... On Oct. 23, teams of high school students studying culinary arts in Chicago Public Schools presented to a crowd of 400-plus just how tasty and how healthy school lunch can really be. The fundraiser bene- fited the Healthy School Campaign, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving child ...
Teens wanted a boat trip before leaving retreat
Nov 19, 2008; ... A missed opportunity for a boat ride along Fox River in the early days of a mentoring retreat led to the drowning deaths Friday of three West Side teens. Jimmie Avant, 18, Melvin Choice, 17, and Adrian Jones, 16, were among 31 male students from North Lawndale College Prep on an annual ...
Youth march, tell adults to 'stop the violence'
Nov 19, 2008; ... The windy, cold air didn't stop about 40 South Side children from marching through the Woodlawn community Saturday asking for adults to step up and be responsible. Holding signs high that read "Stop the Violence," and chanting "Down with dope, up with hope," students from area schools, ...
Olympic Village attracts international attention
Nov 19, 2008; ... The likelihood of the city building an Olympic Village in Bronzeville despite objections from many residents has caught the attention of international advocates following the debate. About 40 non-profit organizations met Nov. 10 at the Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies at ...
CTA set to increase fares, passes at start of new year
Nov 19, 2008; ... Now that gas prices have dropped well below the $4.35 a'gallon price it averaged during the summer, the' Chicago Transit Authority Board has approved a fare increase that will go into effect Jan. 1,2009. Fares will increase 25 cents to $2.25 for full fare riders who pay cash or use a ...
Ticket or not, many are D.C.-bound for Obama's inauguration
Nov 19, 2008; ... The demand for tickets is sky-high, and the likelihood is slim that all who want a ticket to President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration in January will receive one. The only way to score one of the free tickets to the inauguration ceremony is from your member of Congress, who each get ...
West Side, south suburbs pols divided on Obama successor
Nov 19, 2008; ... Local politicians from differing sides of the Chicagoland area put their muscle behind who they prefer to see succeed President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate. Flanked by more than a dozen supporters, most from the West Side and west suburbs, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-7th) made it ...
White House transition begins
Nov 19, 2008; ... WASHINGTON-Already elected under historic circumstances, President-elect Barack Obama's transition to power seems to be moving at unprecedented speed, beginning with his appointment of Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-IIl., as his chief of staff two days after the Nov. 4 election. "He's beaten a lot ...
Cities seek solutions to end street violence
Nov 19, 2008; ... NEW YORK-The Big Apple is one of several east coast cities grappling with a serious problem: Violence is up and community and political leaders are searching for answers to the growing crisis. The Consumer Affairs and Public Safety Committees of the New York City Council held a joint ...
Obamas will move into house built by slaves
Nov 19, 2008; ... When the new First Family takes up residence in the White House in January, Barack and Michelle Obama and their daughters will be living in a historic mansion that was built in large measure with slave labor. From the early 1790s when the comerstone of the White House was laid, to the mansion's ...
CTA fare hike ignores funding questions
Nov 19, 2008; ... Editorial Ah, the fall weather brings a crispness to the air, the changing color of leaves-and a projected Chicago Transit Authority fare hike. Once again, the CTA is saying that' it' will need extra money from transit patrons to meet its budget, and this time, they are only ...
Foreclosure rescue a bad PR scheme
Nov 19, 2008; ... Have you ever gotten mad about something then realized later you didn't get mad enough? I had such an experience last week after receiving an email from the Chicago Urban League's otherwise even-tempered Director of Housing and Foreclosure Prevention, Margaret Wooten. The Chicago Urban ...
Jackson for U.S. Senate
Nov 19, 2008; ... Ransom Notes Illinois needs a new U.S. Senator. President-elect Barack Obama has resigned from his seat, getting ready to move to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., and that means someone will have to join the 99 other members of the U.S. Senate. There has been feverish lobbying and ...
Thank you to the people of Illinois
Nov 19, 2008; ... I am ending one journey to begin another. After serving me people of Illinois in me United States Senate-one of the highest honors and privUeges of my life- I am stepping down as senator to prepare for the responsibilities I will assume as our nation's next president. But I will never forget, ...
Continued instability in Republic of Congo
Nov 19, 2008; ... At least five million people have died as a result of wars in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1997. The wars, which are sometimes described as civil conflicts, are more accurately described as Africa's first world war. Why? Because the struggle in the DRC involves forces from several ...
Countdown to Thanksgiving: Part Two
Nov 19, 2008; ... Chef D's Kitchen Let's talk turkey Fresh or frozen? Free-range or kosher? The choices for types can be a little confusing. So here's a quick guide on what the different labels mean: Butterball: These turkeys don't have any butter. Although I bet that would be pretty ...
GM gets first Black female auto designer
Nov 19, 2008; ... Special to Defender Crystal L. Windham, 35, has been appointed Director of General Motors North American Passenger Car Design, as of November 1 . In her new position, Windham will head the interior design for GM North America's: Global Midsize Car, Global Compact Car, and Global Small ...
Chicago Urban League hosts annual golden affair
Nov 19, 2008; ... Recently over 1,500 of Chicago's civic, business, religious, education and government leaders attended The Chicago Urban League's 47th annual Golden Fellowship Dinner at the Hilton Chicago. The gala celebrated another year of transforming lives, building successful businesses and advocating for ...
Usher does 'One Night Stand' at HOB
Nov 19, 2008; ... R&B singing sensation Usher may have some more Confessions to make, after a steamy performance Nov. 13 at the House of Blues that featured scantily clad dancers and a fair amount of simulated sex. Thousands of shrieking fans packed the downtown venue on a drizzly Thursday night to ...
Students lead initiative to curb high dropout rates
Nov 19, 2008; ... They've either been down that road before, or have friends who have. They said "they" know best how to encourage dieir peers to stay in school, and graduate. Students from Chicago Public Schools-52 in totalwho are part of Voices of Youth in Chicago Education, launched a pilot program ...
Pershing West school only of its kind to offer archery team
Nov 19, 2008; ... Complete quietness and hand-eye coordination is what students in an after-school program on the South Side practice. What are they concentrating on? Making sure their arrows hit the targets, said Jeff Skocilich, a teacher and archery coach at Pershing West Elementary school in ...
Chicago choral group named nation's Best Choir
Nov 19, 2008; ... How Sweet the Sound best describes the Acme M.B. Church choir, 8758 S. Peoria, on city's South Side, where Rev. Bernard Sutton is the pastor. Recently, the high-energy choir demonstrated tremendous vocal abilities by winning a continuous sweep of victories in regional and national choir ...
Sinfonietta's Southside Friends set Magical Holiday Breakfast
Nov 19, 2008; ... Magic Music-A morning of seasonal music, themed "Embracing Hope," ushers in the holiday season when Southside Friends of Chicago Sinfonietta host a Magical Holiday Breakfast Dec. 13, 8:30 a.m, in Navy Pier's Crystal Garden. Some 500 guests are expected at the annual event, which will feature ...