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African Explosion
Members of “African Explosion” perform traditional African music and talk about the need for HIV testing. L-R: Stadey Perkins and Jata Taylor. 2nd row: Mangue Sylla and Eli Hownai.
 		 Charles A. Hayes center loses technology trainers
 By Crystal Fencke , Staff Writer

A social service agency geared toward training public housing residents in computer skills has closed its doors, at least in the short term.
As of last Monday, the Neighborhood Technology Resource Center, or NTRC, was gone from its location at the Charles A. Hayes Family Investment Center at 4859 S. Wabash Ave. The center offered supportive services to Chicago Housing Authority tenants.
However, NTRC is planning to re-open at another site in Bronzeville by September, said Nicol Turner, its director.
According to Jillian Spindle, director of development for NTRC, the organization left the Hayes Center after its contract with the Chicago Housing Authority expired after three-and-a-half years.
Updated computer skills are increasingly important for CHA residents, who with only a few exceptions will shortly be required to work or attend school under the agency’s $1.6 billion Plan for Transformation, a major overhaul of the city’s public housing stock.
A spokesman for the CHA did not immediately return the Outlook’s call seeking comment. It was unclear at the Outlook’s press time whether a new organization would replace NTRC at the Hayes Center.

At the former location at the Hayes Center in Bronzeville, the NTRC worked closely with CHA residents to help transition them for the new housing requirements. “We’re actively engaged in efforts to create economic futures for residents,” said Turner.
Residents worked in computer labs to learn how to use email, as well as word processing, spreadsheet creation and presentation skills toward the end goal of Microsoft Office certification. The students would also learn other much-in-demand skills, such as wiring a computer and programming languages.
Courses follow the college campus model, said Spindle. Students need to be at an 8th grade reading level to read the textbooks, so NTRC administers adult basic education testing. Michele Anderson, workforce development coordinator, said that sometimes there are exceptions to those rules for eager students who “have a lot of drive.” Other courses to aid beginning learners include English as a second language and study skills classes.
NTRC doesn’t stop with computer training. The agency conducts job fairs and provides free business suits to job interviewers. It also encourages social networking through business-focused sites such as LinkedIn.com and sites that promote social activism, such as the actor Kevin Bacon’s SixDegrees.org.
Spindle said that South Side users of the NTRC should soon receive a postcard updating them of pertinent news about the move. In the meantime, the sites in North Lawndale, at 3517 W. Arthington St., and West Town, at 1170 W. Erie St., continue to offer services. In addition, there is another recently opened location in the southern suburb of Riverdale, Ill., where many CHA residents have relocated. For more information, call 722-5653 or visit ntrconline.com.
c.fencke@hpherald.com
  IIT offers July summer tech camp for kids
By Daschell M. Phillips, Staff Writer

The ProtÈgÈ Career Learning Center, a Naperville-based, educational organization, will offer a Summer Tech Camp starting in July at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
The classes for youth in grades 3 through 12 and will offer college-level, high-tech classes in video game design and creation, 2-D and 3-D animation, film production and robotics, said Debra Thompson, founder of the program.
Thompson said technology reinforces skills in reading and writing as well as math.
“I am glad to be doing something that helps kids become better educated and have fun doing it,” said Thompson. “New York and the West Coast have this in their curriculum already. This is a $200 million dollar industry, and the jobs are going overseas. It is a field that kids in Chicago should be a part of.”
Thompson, who was an English teacher for three years before starting her educational non-profit organization 18 years ago, said she always wanted to teach with an impact and keep her students motivated.
“The courses are taught by professional game designers, web designers and animators,” said Thompson. “By the end of day one, the students will be animating, and by the end of week one, students would have completed designing a video game and an animation project.”
She said students could take what they learn at tech camp and use it in a variety of professional fields such as medicine, law, real estate and the military.
“I want to make sure kids have a portfolio to submit with their applications and show that they are committed to the field,” said Thompson.
In addition to meeting in class, Thompson said her students also take educational trips such as taking a flight and aviation course, where they actually got to fly planes, and visiting Midway Games Inc., where they watched the making of an NBA video game.
“I want to give kids a hands on approach to their dreams,” said Thompson. “And I want them to see themselves in the roles of their dreams. If you can see it, you can be it.”
Thompson said she plans to add after school and Saturday classes to the Chicago program in the fall and add a medical component in the future.
The Summer Tech Camp, which will take place from July 1 through August 5, is a tuition-based program. The first 40 students to enroll in the program are eligible for a scholarship of up to 50 percent of the tuition.
For more information, contact Info@myprotege.net or call ProtÈgÈ at 773-955-1110.
d.phillips@hpherald.com
  IHC accepting Odyssey applications
By Daschell M. Phillips

The Illinois Humanities Council is accepting applications for The Odyssey Project, which is offering a free, eight-month college course for adults living on low incomes.
The council partnered with the University of Chicago’s Civic Knowledge Project, which is the community connections branch of the Division of the Humanities at the university, to provide a humanities course that includes studies in literature, philosophy, American history, art history and critical thinking, said Amy Thomas Elder, coordinator of the Odyssey Project in Chicago.
“We offer the same course of humanities that is taught in top tier universities,” said Thomas Elder. “Our two main objectives [are] to give people space to grapple with great text, art, what makes a good life; what it means to be virtuous.”
The classes will be held at the University of Chicago Charter School - Donoghue Elementary Campus, 707 E. 37th St. The classes will meet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays from mid-September until May. Bard College in New York gives certificates of achievement to any student who completes the course and awards six transferable college credit hours to those who complete it at a high level of achievement.
The program, which was started by Earl Shorris 12 years ago in New York, is a part of a larger movement called the Clemente course in the humanities. There are programs nationwide and a new program was recently started in the Sudan for Darfur refugees. For the past eight years, Illinois has participated in the program. There are several programs in Chicago and one in Champaign, Ill.
Thomas Elder said the class would be an adult environment where students will have a lot of involvement.
“The students will read works of philosophy — not works about philosophy — so they can contribute their own thoughts and experiences,” said Thomas Elder. “It’s not easy reading, but it is text that any thinking adult can read and have ideas about.”
She said that this program is great for people who started college a while ago and want to continue — and those who are coming in for the first time.
“The classes are diverse,” said Thomas Elder. “We have young people taking our courses as well as grandparents. This mixture gives the class a richness of experience and reflection.”
Through its Civic Knowledge Project, the University of Chicago (U. of C.) pays half the cost of the services provided to the program, which includes space at Donoghue, university instructors, free on-site babysitting, tuition, books and bus cards.
Bart Schultz, director of the Civic Knowledge Project, said by combining the project’s services with Odyssey and Donoghue, they are able to add additional educational activities to the humanities course.
“We give them tours of the [U. of C.] campus and take them on trips to the Oriental Institute and other events,” said Schultz.
The program has also held events at Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone Ave., and is in the planning stages of creating a curriculum that will include visits to the Smart Museum of Art, 5550 S. Greenwood Ave., this fall, said Erica Dudley, coordinator for the Odyssey project at U. of C.
The Odyssey Project requires that applicants be at least 18 years old, live in a household with income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level and be able to read a newspaper in English.
For more information on how to apply for the program, call Thomas Elder at 312-422-5585, ext. 223.
d.phillips@hpherald.com
Weekly Outlook - the week starting July 2, 2008

Weekly Outlook
Wednesday, July 2

Asthma education class, 10 a.m.-noon, Provident Hospital, 500 E. 51st St. Admission is free. Contact Ms. L. Walker at 312-572-2309.

Open mic Wednesdays with host Lil Rel, 8:30 p.m., Jokes and Notes, 4641 S. King Dr. Call 773-373-3390. Tickets $5.

Knitting circle, 1 p.m., Blackstone Library, 4904 S. Lake Park Ave. Bring your own needles. To sign up, call 312-747-0511.

Secret garden book making, 1 p.m., Blackstone Library, 4904 S. Lake Park Ave. Children will make a book with a secret compartment to hide a special plant. Open to children five and older. To register, call 312-747-0511.

Soule CafÈ with guest artists, 7 p.m., Negro League CafÈ, 401 E. 43rd St. Call 773-536-7000.

Edwin Daugherty group, 8 p.m., Velvet Lounge, 63 E. Cermak Rd. For more information, call 312- 791-9050.

Live music, 8 p.m., Checkerboard Lounge, 5201 S. Harper Ave. Cover charge is $10. Contact 773-684-1472.

Thursday, July 3

Precious Beginnings, pregnancy centering group with nurse-midwives, 9-11 a.m, and 1-3 p.m., Provident Hospital, 500 E. 51st St. Call 312-590-8476.

Smoking cessation clinic, 9-11 a.m., Provident Hospital, 500 E. 51st St. Admission is free. Contact Ms. L. Walker at 312-572-2309.

Right at Home: Parent-Baby Drop In, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Chicago Childcare Society Townhouse, 5459 S. University Ave. $5 per family or as able. Contact Katie Cadell at 773-256-2426.

Knitting circle, 1 p.m., Blackstone Library, 4904 S. Lake Park Ave. Bring your own needles. To sign up, call 312-747-0511.

Global Warming! What’s a Kid To Do? Journey with Kidworks in our educational and eye awakening performance for children of all ages, 1 p.m., Hall Library, 4801 S. Michigan Ave. To sign up, call 312-747-6872.

Global Warming! What’s a Kid To Do? 3:30 p.m., Chicago Bee Library, 4801 S. Michigan Ave. To sign up, call 312-747-2541.

After Work Networking and Steppin’ Affair, 5:30-11 p.m., Marmon Grand, 2230 S. Michigan Ave. Free of charge. For more information, call 312-225-8100, or Ken Beford at 312-608-6358.

Tony Sculfield’s Poetry and Variety Night, 8:30 p.m., Jokes and Notes, 4641 S. King Dr. Tickets are $10. Call 773-373-3390.

Music Box Thursdays with DJ Emmanuel and DJ Reg, 6 p.m., Negro League CafÈ, 301 E. 43rd St. No cover. Call 773-536-7000.

Anti-aging and vitality: fitness classes, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Mercy Hospital, 2525 S. Michigan Ave., room 204. Admission is free. Call 773-509-6842.

Friday, July 4

Asthma education program, 10-11 a.m., Provident Hospital, 500 E. 51st St. Admission is free. Contact Ms. L. Walker at 312-572-2309.

Saturday, July 5

Graphic design and photography classes, 1-4 p.m., South Side Community Art Center, 3831 S. Michigan Ave. Call 773-373-1026.

Live music, 8 p.m., Checkerboard Lounge, 5201 S. Harper Ave., Cover charge is $10. Contact 773-684-1472.

Live jazz, 9:30 p.m., Velvet Lounge, 67 E. Cermak Road. Call 312-791-9050.

Sunday, July 6

Blu 47 Gospel Brunch, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Blue 47, 4655 S. King Dr., 773-536-6000.

Bronzeville Community Market, fruit and vegetables on sale, plus live entertainment and health activities, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., every Sunday through October 26, 4400-4500 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

DuSable Museum of African American History, 12-5 p.m., 740 E. 56th Place. Admission is free on Sundays. Call 773-947-0600

Ernie Adams, drums, 7:30 p.m., Checkerboard Lounge, 5201 S. Harper Ave. General admission is $10, $5 for students with IDs. Contact 773-684-1472.

Isaiah Spencer’s Jam session 9:30 p.m.-midnight, 67 E. Cermak Road, Velvet Lounge. Call 312-791-9050

Monday, July 7

Musicians’ Network Jam, 7-11 p.m., 59th Street Harbor. This event is sponsored by Little Black Pearl and the Musicians Network Mecca. Musicians are welcome every Monday, especially young musicians. Admission is $10. For more information about the network, call Larry Hanks at 312-808-0005.

Live jazz, 8 p.m., Velvet Lounge, 67 E. Cermak Road. Call 312-791-9050.

Tuesday, July 8

Preschool story time, 10-10:30 a.m., Blackstone Public Library, 4904 S. Lake Park Ave. Open to children up to age 4. For more information, call 312-747-7543.

Jazz jam sessions, 8 p.m., Negro League Cafe, 301 E. 43rd St. Call 773-536-7000.

Wednesday, July 9

Secret Garden Book Making, 1 p.m., King Library, 3436 S. King Dr. Children will make a book with a secret compartment to hide a special plant. Open to children 5 and older. To register, call 312-747-0511.

Knitting, 7 p.m., Blackstone Library, 4904 S. Lake Park Ave. Bring your own needles and yarn. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 312-747-0511

Open Mic Wednesdays with host Lil Rel, 8:30 p.m., Jokes and Notes, 4641 S. King Dr. Call 773-373-3390. Tickets are $5.

Soule CafÈ with guest artists, 7 p.m., Negro League CafÈ, 401 E. 43rd St. Call 773-536-7000.

Edwin Daugherty Group, 8 p.m., Velvet Lounge, 63 E. Cermak Rd. For more information, call 312-791-9050.

ONGOING

Museum of Science and Industry, hours are Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 57th and Lake Shore Dr. General admission is free for children 11 and younger through Sept.1, 2008. For more information, call 773- 684-1414 or email www.msichicago.org.

“The La’Ventana Experience,” photography of Tony Smith, noon-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Monday-Tuesday closed. The exhibit runs for two months. South Side Community Art Center, 3831 S. Michigan Ave. Admission is free. 773-373-1026

Faie African Art in Bronzeville, 4317 S. Cottage Grove Ave. For hours and other information, call 773-268-2889.

Computer boot camp class, Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., senior adult classes, Thursdays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., the Abraham Lincoln Centre, 3858 S. Cottage Grove Ave. Space is limited; pre-registration is required. Call 773-285-1390.

Gallery Guichard, 3521 S. King Dr. For hours and other information, call 773-373-8000.

Neleh Galleries, Ltd., Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m-5 p.m., 3219 S. Calumet. Call 312-225-5692.

Live music, 8 p.m., Checkerboard Lounge, 5201 S. Harper Ave., Cover charge is $10. Contact 773-684-1472.

Meetings

Wednesday

CAPS police beat 2122, 4 p.m., Lake Meadows, 401 E. 32 St.

Thursday

Pershing East LSC, 5:30 p.m., 3113 S. Rhodes Ave. 773-534-9272.

Tuesday

Dyett Academy Middle School LSC, 5 p.m., 555 E. 51st St. 773-535-1825.

CAPS police beat 211, 6:30 p.m., Bee Library, 3647 S. State St.

Wednesday

Dolittle East, James R (and CPC) School LSC, 4 p.m., 535 E. 35th St. 773-535-1040.
The Weekly Outlook covers community events occurring from Wednesday, the date of this issue, through the following Wednesday. The deadline for event information is noon, Thursday before Wednesday publication. Address details of local events to: Calendar editor, Lakefront Outlook, 1435 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago, IL 60615