Parents treating their kids like shit

My internet was down today so I went to the neighborhood library (Douglas) to use their computers.  I was there only for about 15 minutes.  While I was there, I noticed a small child, about 8 years old, approach a women sitting next to me to ask her for help.  

The women snapped at the kid , something to the effect "I told you I'm busy, leave me alone!"  I glanced over and saw she was  watching music videos, very important stuff obviously.  The kid replied "but mom, I need your help" She responded harshly "I'm busy!"  The poor kid walked away.

About 5 minutes later the kid came back wanting to speak to his mother.  Not surprisingly, she was still too busy with her music videos.  She snapped at him again, "What did I tell you, I'm busy, go find something to read"

What kind of mother would rather watch videos than help her kid and why did she have to be such an asshole about it?

I've worked with kids and families before, so I've seen this type of behavior, but it never ceases to shock me.

No wonder these kids end up screwed up.

Former Lawndale Alderman caught carrying a gun outside police station

Former 24th ward Alderman Sharon Dixon was arrested after packing some heat just outside the 10th district police station.  Dixon is no stranger to arrests, when she was Alderman she was arrested for driving under the influence.

Only on the WEST SIDE.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/07/sharon-dixon-gun-charge-f_n_3232674.html?utm_hp_ref=chicago

Upcoming Garfield Park Conservatory craft beer fest, yet no marketing to residents, what gives?

I recently found out about the annual Garfield Park Conservatory craft beer fest (May 14) after it was sold out.   There appeared to be no marketing towards residents.  I've asked many of my neighbors and none are familiar with the event.  Despite belonging to  to several neighborhood  organizations/groups, I barely  found out about it, 2 weeks before the date.

Just like the Garfield Art Walk, there seems to be a disconnect with the neighborhood residents.  It's almost like it's two different neighborhoods.

I was looking forward to going to this fest but now it's too late.   Since it's on a Tuesday I'm not that upset, but I'm still trying to figure out why the residents are out of the loop.

News of the weird, neighborhood store caught with 5,000 illegal cigarettes

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/A-fake-wall-hides-near-5K-cigarettes-on-the-West-Side-194224861.html

"A fake bookshelf in Tom’s Food Mart at 3553 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Lawndale masked nearly 5,000 packs of unlicensed cigarettes, authorities say.

Cook County Sheriff Officers discovered the hidden storage area in the back of a bookshelf behind a false wall.

Inspectors from the Cook County Department of Revenue and sheriff were checking tax stamps on the cigarettes in Tom’s Food Mart when they saw a man pass through the false wall into a closed off unlocked area"

Only in the hood do you hear stories like this.  I knew that stores sold loose cigarettes, but I never knew they had elaborate secret rooms.  

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Melee near Ford City mall results in 19 arrests

Kids gone wild!!   

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-24/news/chi-police-respond-to-ford-city-mall-disturbance-20130223_1_ford-city-mall-mall-officials-mall-minutes

" About 4:45 p.m., a large group of disruptive teens ran yelling through the mall, which is located at 7601 S. Cicero Ave., according to a mall official

Officials closed the mall minutes later, but the chaotic scene continued outside, where police found between 100 and 200 people damaging vehicles in the shopping center's parking lot, according to a police report.

Many of those involved ignored orders to disperse, and police arrested 19 people between the ages of 13 and 18, according to police."

This type of pandemonium occurs frequently on the West Side, yet it rarely gets reported.  I've  witnessed a few right in front of  my home.   I suppose it's only news worthy when it  happens in "other neighborhoods".  This is what happens when problems in certain areas get swept under the rug, they start to resurface in other areas.  I predict you will see more of this.

How does the saying go?  "Chickens coming home to roost"

CPS threatens to close 129 schools, most on West and South Side, West side parents fight back

http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/18187995-418/129-cps-schools-at-risk-of-closing-west-side-parents-vow-to-fight.html

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/14/1186970/-The-West-Side-of-Chicago-says-NO-to-school-closings

"The West Side took it on the chin Wednesday in the list of Chicago Public Schools at risk of closing — but residents who packed a CPS hearing vowed not to give up the fight.

A few hours earlier, Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett had released a list of 129 vulnerable schools, mostly from the South and West sides. The schools she will in fact close in June all are among the names on this list, but not all on the list will close. She encouraged communities of schools on the list to testify at the second round of CPS hearings before she announces her final decision by March 31. "

I realize that many of these schools are underutilized, some  are not even at half  capacity.  I also acknowledge that most of these schools are providing subpar education.   What I don't understand is that while the city is planning on closing 129 schools, they are moving to open 100 more.   This makes me wonder if the true motives are less about efficiency and education and more about privatization and politics. 

http://www.wbez.org/news/education/100-new-chicago-schools-5-yearsagain-99276

http://www.wbez.org/news/proportion-privately-run-chicago-public-schools-increase-104303

Something tells me that these hearings by CPS, just like the CAPS meetings,  are nothing more than a Kangaroo Court.  I suspect that in the end the West side will get the shaft, we are after all, the city's red-headed step child.  Another example of City Hall serving up the West side as some sort of sacrificial lamb to further their agenda.  For decades the West side has gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to infrascruture, political clout, and basic city services.  Is it any surprise that education would be any different. 

Police bust another open air drug market in Lawndale

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20130210/north-lawndale/police-drug-bust-north-lawndale-nets-heroin-pcp-pot

I cam across this story yesterday about a drug bust in North Lawndale

"Police announced the arrest of 19 people involved in a "gang-controlled drug market" late last week.

Along with the arrests, police seized a car and quantities of PCP, heroin and cannabis, according a statement released by the Chicago Police Department.

Police received complaints from community members about drugs sales near 13th Street and South Christiana Avenue in the city's North Lawndale neighborhood. After undercover officers performed a number of narcotics purchases, police were able to identify 20 people involved in the "drug market," according to a statement"

Anyone familiar with the West Side knows the prevalence of open air drug markets. Heroin and crack are openly sold on dozen of street corners and alleys.   Rampant drug sales is one of the biggest complaints residents have.  As someone who leans libertarian I'm conflicted when it comes to drug dealing.  On the one hand I feel that in a free society adults should be allowed to do with their bodies as they choose.  On the other hand, as a resident of the west side I see the destruction it has on individuals, their families, and their communities.  The drug market fuels the gang violence and is probably the biggest contributor to the drive by shootings and quality of life.  For peace loving people living near a drug market, life becomes unbearable.  Drug addicts roam aimlessly like zombies and break into cars and homes searching for money to support their habit.  Gangbangers/dealers overtake an entire block and rule it like ruthless warlords.  It's truly an urban nightmare, not  much different from  some apocalyptic dystopian sci-fi movie.  

This drug market was a few blocks from my home.  Everytime I've driven by it I've witnessed guys slinging dope.  Although I'm happy it was shut down, I realize that nothing more than a Whack-A-Mole.  The police strategy to combat drugs is  nothing more than an endless cat and mouse game.    The reality is that drugs on the west side are a symptom of a  greater problem and until the problem is addressed, the drugs will persist.  In a society where money is king, and  a segment of our populaton  have virtually no chance of earning a decent wage, the lure of easy money is too tempting to resist.  Couple that with mass hopelessness and dyfunction, and it's pretty much guaranteed you will have rampant drug dealing.

Despite this, the decent residents of 13th and Christiana will have a few weeks of normalcy. 

Everyblock abruptly shuts down

Without warning,  Everyblock announced that it will exist no more.  For those not familiar with Everyblock, it was a website devoted to neighborhood information.  Viewers could access all types of data ranging from neighborhood news, real estate listings, community meetings,  crime stats, and announcements.   It was really a great resource.

During the last aldermanic  election there were many heated discussions.  You had some characters posting on there. Sometimes it would get out of hand (veiled threats and downright insults) but it was entertaining as hell.  Various candidates also  posted regularly.  It was a great way to spread news and stay connected with your neighbors.  Too bad NBC decided to shut it down.  Man that sucks.

Oh well, as the saying goes, two tears in a bucket, mother fuck it.

Trashy neighbors acting like fools, cops show up, again

My neighbors were fighting again,  it spilled outside and created an all out street brawl.  They continued to fight even after a dozen squad cars showed up.  This is a regular occurrence

 What the hell is wrong with them??  I'm getting sick of this shit.

Trip to Disney World

My daughter, like most 5 year olds is really into princesses, so for her 5th birthday we decided to take her to Disney World in Florida.   I have to admit that I wasn't particularly looking forward to a 22 hour drive.   Since we made multiple stops  the drive wasn't bad at all, minus the  horrible food choices (Mcdonald's/Wendy's everywhere)

Our first stop was in Nashville TN, home of country music.   Music is everywhere in Nashville, practically every bar has live music at all times, we got to hear a guitar player from Chicago.  He was telling us he lived in Bucktown when it was full of  Latin Kings.   The main strip  kinda cheesy, lots of neon lights, locals call it Nash Vegas, but it's fun.  We were bummed to heard that the Johnny Cash museum wasn't opened yet. So we  went to The Tennessee State Museum and saw a photo exhibit of Elvis in his early years.   They also had a history of guitars.

The next day we set off to Orlando Florida.   As we drove through southern Georgia and northern Florida I noticed all these religious billboards.  They had images of Jesus with the military.  I also saw many anti-abortion billboards.  The strangest billboard I saw was one that  appeared to be the pleas of a neglected wife.

Next stop,  Kissimmee.  Kissimmee basically looks like huge suburb that wouldn't exist if not for  Disney World.  So the next day we finally arrive in Disney World.  The place is enormous.  My daughter fell in love with the place, she didn't want to leave.   One thing I noticed was that the adults in Disney World seem to be as into the whole Disney thing as much as the kids.  During the shows and parades the adults rushed and bulldozed  their way to the front.

After hanging out in Florida for a few days we set off to return home.  We made a pit stop in Savannah Georgia.   We've been to Savannah several years back and loved it.   I was disappointed to find that Savannah had been hit really hard by the recession.  Boarded up buildings dotting downtown Savannah reminded me that the recession is far from over.   I hope it rebounds.  

One last stop before home, Asheville NC.  We had lunch  at a local brewery, Lexington Avenue Brewery,  had a flight of their beers, not bad, but not great either.  We went to nearby town of Black Mountain for an outdoor  Christmas party.   The drive home through Tennessee and Kentucky is breath taking.

As I drove home I realized how much I love traveling, how I wish I lived closer to the mountains, and how important nature is for the soul.

Fall harvest!

Here are a few photos of our harvest.  This was the first year that we  really got into.  I build a few raised beds and  planted fruits, vegetables, and herbs, all organic of course. No pesticides, no GMO, and no cheetos!! All natural.

I was surprised at the yield from the cucumbers.   Not a bad harvest for novices.

Strawberries were on the small size, but it's trial and error.

Eldery tenant recently passed away

My elderly tenant, who was also my neighbor recently passed away after struggling with a debilitating illness.  I didn't know her very well but my condolences go out to her family.

RIP Mrs. J.

Voted early this year

I just cast my ballot for the upcoming Presidential election.   I was hoping that voting early would save me from the crowds.   I was surprised at how long the lines were.  I assumed that people aren't as interested this year as they were in the last election.  Lawndale in particular has a very low turnout rate.  25% voter participation is not unusual in some precincts.  You would have never known that from the looks of the polling place.  Maybe they are voting twice or three times, (JK, or maybe not) At any rate,  I can't wait till the election is over.   I'm sick of all the bickering,

One thing I noticed was that the majority of the voters were older people, and by older I mean senior citizens.  I guess that trend even occurs on the West Side.

East Garfield Art Walk 2012

Let me start off by saying that I was really looking forward to this event. Previous years were pretty fun.      I enjoy art fests quite a bet.   The most famous one in Chicago was probably "Around  The Coyote" in Wicker Park (now defunct thanks to gentrification).  Now I wasn't expecting this one to be in the same category as the Coyote, but  this years art walk was a pretty big disappointment.

We went to the  Albany Carroll Arts Building were we chatted with some of the artists and  bought some art.  However  I was disappointed that many of the studios were closed this year.  The place also didn't seem to have the excitement it had of previous years.  I don't know if it's because of the economy, but the mood was pretty dismal. I have my theories, perhaps the artists have a beef with the landlord and decided to boycott the event, perhaps the organizers didn't really care, perhaps the artists don't care, or maybe the artists in EGP are not really a part of the community.

I was also disappointed that the studios across the street were closed as was the building at 3200 W. Carroll.  We were however able to see The Egyptian Lacquer manufacturing Company Building.  and see one of the studios.  The next day we headed over to the studios at 3311 W. Carroll which supposedly has 25 studios.  I think we saw 2 open at the most.

Our last stop was at the Switching Station Artist Lofts.  This one was equally uneventful.   We met a few of the artists, one woman was working on a mural, which was pretty cool.  However, just like the other buildings, most of the studios were closed.  A couple of the artists who were open didn't even have their work displayed.  They seemed disinterested.   We asked one of the artists why so many of the studios were closed and he replied, "we weren't getting a lot of visitors"   Maybe they weren't getting visitors because they aren't open.  I'm not sure why there was such low participation and a general malaise.  

The following week I was in Pilsen when they were hosting their own art walk.   Completely different experience.  There was trolley's full of dozens of people walking around the neighborhood and there many different activities going on at multiple locations.  There was this festive atmosphere.   It's too bad  because I think this festival has a lot of potential.  I'll probably still go back next year, though I'll probably skip the Switching Station and 3311.  Who knows, maybe it will be better. 

Bridgeport Mash Tun Oktoberfest

Two weekends ago I attended a craft beer festival at the  Bridgeport Art Atrium called the Mash Tun Fest, located on the loading dock of what was the former Spiegal's Warehouse on 35th street.  I heard about the event after seeing a flyer at Maria's.   This was first time I attended this fest and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Admission included a souvenir beer glass and sampling of dozens of microbrewery beers.   I wasn't able to sample all the beers, 13 tastings  was my limit.    The fest also featured a pig roast, along with a few food trucks located just outside.  The crowd was very eclectic, different ages and different backgrounds.  As my friend said that night,  that's the great thing about Chicago.

Here is my review of the samplings.

Lagunitas Brewing Company,  an ale called A Little Sumpin Wild. This particular batch was pretty strong, packing almost 9% alcohol. Very strong but also good.  Thumbs up.  I recommend it if you like strong ales.

Belgian White from  Brooklyn Brewery called Fiat Lux.  I enjoyed it, good flavor.  I also tried their Sorachi Ace, which I was told is a Japanese type of beer.  I'd have to go with a solid thumbs down.  I didn't care for it at all.

A Pilsner by Baderbrau. This was my least favorite.   This beer was horrendous to the point that it's not edible.  The guy standing in line next to me at the pig roast described the taste  it as beer with oil mixed in.  I'd have to agree.  Apparently there are some positive online reviews of this beer.  Perhaps this was a bad batch, who knows. Whatever the case may be, my experience was extremely negative.

Blood of the Unicorn by a new company called Pipeworks.  As my friend Keith pointed out, with a name like that, you have to try it.   When I think of unicorns I think of  rainbows and my 4 year old daughter likes,  things that are wholesome and  innocent.  I remember hearing about Pipeworks last year. They are a new brewery in Chicago.  I remember when they were searching for a location they were considering the West Side.  I think they eventually settled in Bucktown. Anyways The Blood of the Unicorn is a strong Ale, approximately 8.5% alcohol.  Good strong flavor. I give it a thumbs up.   I also tried their Ubiquitous Pale Ale.  Another good choice.  

Belgian Ale from Pauwel Kwak.   I'd rate this beer as good.

Stone Brewing, Stone Levitation Ale.  I   rate this beer very good, one of my favorites.

I also tried a sampling  from Half Acre brewery. I don't remember the name of the specific beer but it was also good.  I've had Half Acre before and I've liked it.

Next on my list is Oaskar Blues.  I found their beer to be quite enjoyable. Another good choice.

Nosferatu by Great Lakes.  Not sure if the alcohol finally kicked in or not but my next choice was probably my favorite. Excellent beer.  Strong beer, but  also very smooth.  I liked it so much I had to get seconds.

Firestone Brewery.  The first one I tried was DBA ( Double Barrell IPA).  I overheard some guy discussing double barrell IPA and saying that it's not for everyone.  Now I know what he meant.  To put it bluntly, it sucked ass.  The other Pale beer from Firestone was actually good.  Unless your into DBA, I'd stick with their other pales.

3 Floyds. The Snow Weasel.    I've had good beer from 3 Floyds before, their Zombie Dust in particular.   The Snow Weasel was mediocre at best, so so.  I'd stick with the Zombie Dust, although it's pretty strong.

The event also featured a re-enactment of a Prohibition era speech.   To be honest, I really didn't pay attention since I was too busy sampling the beers. The event ended off with performance from a  local high school band which put on a good show.

Overall  good beer, good food,  good crowd, and great time.

Shooting right next to our house

A few weeks ago there was a party in the street that numbered in the hundreds.  This party went on till the wee hours of the morning.   We called the police multiple times to report the disturbance, but as  usual, the police  did nothing.   At around 3 am me and my wife heard a series of what sounded like5 - 6  gun shots. .   We looked out the window and saw   quite a few people walking to their cars.  At first I doubted it was gun shots because I saw how calm everyone was.  I assumed that if they were gun shots people would be running for cover.    Shortly afterwards I saw a swarm of police cars and ambulance arrive.

We discovered that several men had been shot,   one of them right in front of our house.  There was blood stains splattered right on the sidewalk.  No one seemed phased, not the police, and not the neighborhood residents. Just another day in the hood.

How did I get here?

People often ask me why I live here?  Well, there are several reasons we decided to move here.  Most of our friends and family members thought we were crazy to move into North Lawndale.  To be honest, if you would have told me 10 years ago that I'd be living in Lawndale I'd call myself crazy too.

I grew up not to far from North Lawndale, just to the south.  In spite of this it might have been 1,000 miles away.  As a kid a never went into Lawndale.  I knew very little about the area, aside from the occasional news reports I'd see on television.  Lawndale was considered "no mans land"   As a young adult I worked in a hospital in the Douglas Park area.  Working there gave me a glimpse into the lives of the residents of the area.  I heard stories of poverty and a lot of crime and high unemployment.  Aside from my work experience t at the hospital however, I never ventured into the community, so my experience was limited.

Fast forward to 2005. Me and my fiance were looking for a home to start our family.   Unfortunately for us, we were house shopping at the peak of the housing bubble.  Home prices in 2005 were outrageous and for us, a middle class couple, we were limited in our choices.  We didn't want a condo and we didn't want to live in the suburbs.  We both grew up in the city and are urban folks at heart.    2flats and single family homes were out of range for virtually all of the north side of the city.  We never really cared for the south side of the city.   So by process of elimination we began to look at the West Side.

We began our search in Humboldt Park, the Near West Side, Pilsen, and South Lawndale.  The homes we saw in our price range were absolute dumps.  We started to become discouraged and depressed, thinking we would never find a decent home.  Then one day when I did a search online I decided to expand the radius and I started to find beautiful Graystone buildings in Lawndale.  I showed my fiance the listings and we decided to check out some of the buildings.  We both knew very little about the area but were surprised to find such beautiful architecture  ( My wife is an architecture buff. )  The beautiful buildings, along with the wide boulevards, central location, and Douglas Park made us fans of the neighborhood.  Call me a dreamer, but when I  looked at Lawndale,  I didn't see the poverty or crime, I saw the potential.  Like an artist who sees a blank canvas.  I still do, although at each day passes it gets harder and harder to see.

Why a blog?

Why "The Cheetos Diaries"  you ask?  After living in  North Lawndale since 2005, I decided it was time to tell the story of the Wild West.  I suppose I should have started this blog years ago, but  hindsight is 20/20 and my procrastination didn't help.  Better late then never they say. In my 7 years here,  I've seen things that have made me laugh, made me angry, made me sad, brought a smile to my face, and made me question my faith in my fellow man.

I got the idea for the name of my blog after seeing empty Cheetos bags littering the streets and yards everywhere.  At first I found it unusual that there were so many Cheetos bags scattered throughout the neighborhood.  I then came to the conclusion that these Cheetos bags were a  staple food for many kids in the neighborhood.  This conclusion struck a chord in me.  I realized that in many ways, these Cheetos bags were symbolic of life in Lawndale.