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Kenny Johnson speaks with campaign workers at his headquarters in North Kenwood, 1011 E. 43rd St., as they prepare to canvas the neighborhood in support of his candidacy for the 26th District representative seat in Springfield.
Johnson returns to race for 26th
By Sam Cholke
Staff Writer
Kenny Johnson Jr. is back on the campaign trail, again vying for a seat in the Illinois General Assembly. The South Loop business owner’s name may ring some bells for voters in the 26th District, Johnson was narrowly defeated for the seat in 2007 by Will Burns.
Burns left the state legislature after winning a seat as the 4th Ward alderman. His appointed successor, Kimberly Du Buclet, is not running, and again the race is wide open. The district winds along the lakefront, including portions of Streeterville, the Loop, Oakland and Grand Boulevard; it also includes portions of Kenwood west of Woodlawn Avenue, Hyde Park west of South Ellis Avenue and segments of South Shore and South Chicago.
Johnson began his political career as a volunteer for Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-2), who is again backing his campaign. Johnson went to work for Jackson in Washington, D.C., after finishing a degree in sociology at the University of Virginia and the experience he said fostered his commitment to public service — a commitment that lured Johnson to Chicago.
“Chicago is a place to learn how politics was supposed to work for people and communities,” Johnson said in an interview Jan. 27.
In Chicago, Johnson waded in the political waters, volunteering for campaigns, but it wasn’t until 2007 that he dove in with a bid for the 2nd Ward alderman seat. Johnson finished the six-way race with 15 percent of the vote, losing to current Ald. Bob Fioretti, a former challenger that is now endorsing Johnson’s campaign. He dove back into politics later in 2007 in five-way race to unseat state Rep. Elga Jefferies from the 26th District post. Johnson narrowly lost to Burns in the February Democratic primary.
It was during these races that Johnson developed the platform he is running on during this election.
Johnson says he has the experience to jumpstart economic development in the 26th District and the state.
“I haven’t worked in state government, so I can’t say I have all the solutions,” Johnson said. “I’ve been a business guy, so I know how to create jobs and get people to work together.”
Johnson stepped off the political stump for the last four years, instead focusing on running his fitness centers and marketing firm, which works with corporations doing business in African American communities. He has since sold the two gyms, but continues to work at the marketing firm, though it has since merged with Merge Consumer Marketing.
Johnson is also stressing the need to address the state deficit.
“We have to look at where we can make cuts without cutting social servies,” Johnson said.
He said luring economic development would build the tax base and improve state tax revenue. He advocated shifting to a more progressive income tax and supports opening a casino in Chicago and measures to expand gambling in the state.
Johnson’s opponent, Christian Mitchell, is backed by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who continues to have broad political influence in the district and was instrumental in Will Burns’ election and Kim Du Buclet’s appointment.
“If Kim would have run, I would not have run,” Johnson said. “I don’t think [Mitchell] is the guy for this job.”
AFSCME Council 31 endorsed Johnson last week, joining Congressman Jackson and others in support of his bid.
The Democratic Primary Election is March 20.
s.cholke@hpherald.com
 
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Memories of Max
Cantor Miriam Eskenasy solos during the world premiere performance of Robert Applebaum’s “Tov L’hodot” at K.A.M. Isaiah Israel, 1100 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Sunday afternoon. The piece was commissioned in honor of long-time K.A.M. music director Max Janowski (1912-1991) as part of the synagogue’s celebration of the centennial year of his birth.
MSI election
Museum of Science and Industry seeks energy vote
 By Daschell M. Phillips
Staff Writer
Those visiting the 2012 Black Creativity exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry are being asked to survey and vote on America’s energy use in the future. The exhibit will open on Jan. 25 and will run through April 15 at the museum, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive.
The exhibit, “Powerful: African Americans in Energy,” allows visitors to use a miniature golf course as a guide to explore the pros and cons of various energy sources and African-American leaders in the energy field.
“I wanted to create energy lands and added the golf component so that it could be interactive and fun for kids,” said Angela Williams, exhibit designer about the concept for the exhibit.
Each energy source, such as natural gas, oil and coal, solar power, biomass, wind power, hydropower and nuclear power, has its own island on the course. Each energy island has information about where to find the energy source and the pros and cons of the source.
“We are not advocating the use of any particular energy source,” said Cassandra Rose, a scientist at MSI. “We are here to show choices and allow people to make their own choices.”
Williams also added a “Putt the Vote” component at the end of the exhibit where visitors can drop their golf ball in one of three slots to vote on which energy source America should use. The three choices are:
Goodness, Greenness! that includes wind, solar and hydropower.
A Balanced Diet. that includes nuclear, wind, natural gas and solar energy.
You Know the Drill. that includes coal, oil and natural gas.
Once the final numbers from the vote are tallied at the end of the exhibit,
Williams said the museum would use the numbers to start a conversation on Facebook about energy sources in America.
Another feature are the profiles of 20 African American leaders in the energy industry. The biographies of physicists, CEOs of energy companies, solar companies and startups, including Kevin Brookins, vice president of operations strategy and business intelligence at ComED, and Lisa P. Jackson, President Obama’s cabinet member in charge of environmental protection, lace the walls of the exhibit.
“We wanted kids to see contemporary leaders in the field,” Williams said. “African American History Month is not always about the past but the history we are making to day.”
d.phillips@hpherald.com
 
 
 
 

 
New ward remap takes effect in 2015
 By Sam Cholke
Staff Writer
Residents who are confused about who their alderman is now that the City Council has approved new ward boundaries have until 2015 to figure it out.
After the Council finished its once-a-decade chore of moving ward boundaries to reflect population changes, some in Hyde Park were unsure which alderman to go to with their issues. The new map puts more of Hyde Park in Ald. Leslie Hairston’s 5th Ward. The map pushed the 5th Ward boundary north to Hyde Park Boulevard west of Woodlawn Avenue in Hyde Park, to 53rd Street west of South Lake Park Avenue and as far north as 49th Street east of the Metra tracks.
For residents of Regents Park, Indian Village and other high rises in East Hyde Park, the new map brings in Hairston as the new alderman as Ald. Will Burns (4th) moves to new constituents to the north.
But none of this takes effect until voters have a chance to elect their alderman in 2015, according to the Chicago Board of Elections.
“Aldermen serve the geographic area they were elected to serve,” said Jim Allen, a spokesman for the board. “Even if the map takes effect in May, they still represent the geographic area of the old ward.”
So if residents of Regents Park have a permit request for a block party, it still goes through the 4th Ward office.
But sympathetic aldermen may allow the newcomer to begin nuzzling up to new constituents.
“Technically and legally, the people elected from that geographic area represent that area,” Allen said. “In practicality, some aldermen have deferred to each other in these decisions.”
Where Hairston and Burns have ceded territory to each other, constituents could see greater collaboration between the two aldermen, who already enjoy considerable comity.
Committeemen, who are responsible for organizing political party actions in each ward, may bridge the gap to the new map though.
The committeemen will be elected on March 20 using the old ward map, but will then be responsible for coordinating an election under the new ward boundaries during the next municipal election.
Two of the local Democratic committeemen are unchallenged during this election. Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) is running unopposed for the 3rd Ward committeeman seat. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is running unopposed for the 4th Ward committeeman seat.
Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) faces two opponents for 5th Ward committeeman. Anne Marie Miles, who challenged Hairston for alderman during the last municipal election, and William Godwin are also seeking the post.
Committeemen are responsible for organizing elections and have a vote if a Congressional or state representative seat becomes vacant.
s.cholke@hpherald.com
HYDE PARK HAPPENINGS
week starting February 1
Calendar deadline is noon Thursday before Wednesday publication. Submit calendar items to the editor by fax: 643-8542, e-mail: calendar@hpherald.com or mail:  1435 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago, IL  60615

Ongoing
Saturday Food Pantry. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Hyde Park Union Church, 5600 S. Woodlawn Ave., hpuc.org, 773-363-6062, free. Community Food Panty sponsored by Hyde Park and Kenwood hunger programs. Clients may visit the food pantry once a month.

Wednesday weekly meditation class. 6 p.m., Rockefeller Chapel Basement, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave., through June 6: a graduated practice of mindfulness of breathing for the development of calm and clarity.  Beginners are welcome at any time.  For more information, contact samathachicago@gmail.com.

Sunday weekly meditation class. 7:30 p.m., Chaturanga Holistic Fitness, 1525 E. 55th St., No. 302: a graduated practice of mindfulness of breathing for the development of calm and clarity. Beginners are welcome at any time. For more information, contact samathachicago@gmail.com.

Yoga with Bai. 11 a.m.-noon, Hyde Park Jewish Community Center, 5200 S. Hyde Park Blvd., 773-412-3515, free. This class features lessons on breath control, stretching, strengthening and body tone and takes place every Monday and Wednesday.

Wednesday, Feb. 1

Writers’ Circle. 5:30-8 p.m., South Side Hub of Production, 5638 S. Woodlawn Ave., southsidehub.org, free. Writers’ circle will consist of writing discussions, silent writing, critiques and is open to anyone that wants to write in a quiet, constructive setting.

Catcher in the Rye: Poetry Slam. 7:30-9 p.m., South Side Hub of Production, 5638 S. Woodlawn Ave., southsidehub.org, free. This weekly poetry slam is for the purpose of entertaining the University of Chicago and Hyde Park community.

Meditation. 5-6:30 p.m., Rockefeller Chapel, 1156 E. 59 St., 773-702-2100, free. Soto Zen meditation instruction at 5 p.m. for those who are new to this practice, followed by 35 minutes of meditation. All are welcome from any tradition or background.

Tot Lot - Half-Gym. 10:30 a.m.-noon, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave., in the gymnasium, info@babyphd.com, classes are $9 drop-in, $45 for a 10-session pass or $65 for a monthly pass. Opportunity for children 0-4 and their caregivers or parents to get together on a regular basis to learn, play and benefit from one another’s company.

Infant Playgroup and Music Circle. 10 a.m.-noon, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave., info@babyphd.com, classes are $9 drop-in, $45 for a 10-session pass or $65 for a monthly pass. Infants up to 18 months and their caregivers or parents will participate in a music circle.

Musical Story Time. 10:30-11:30 a.m., Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave., info@babyphd.com, classes are $9 drop-in, $45 for a 10-session pass or $65 for a monthly pass. This class is for children ages 2 years and up and their caregivers or parents.

Power Yoga in Hyde Park. 6-7:15 p.m., Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave., restyourbrainyoga.com, $10 per class and the first class is free. Vinyasa Power Yoga open to all levels.

Thursday, Feb. 2

Guang Chang Dancing. 9:30-11 a.m., Southside Hub of Production, 5638 S. Woodlawn Ave., southsidehub.org, free. This event will teach participants how to enjoy this ancient dancing technique from China which increases health, agility and vitality.

Winter Tap Jamboree. 10 a.m., DuSable Museum, 740 E. 56th Pl., dusablemuseum.org, 773-947-0600. The Chicago Rhythm Project and DuSable Museum present this event that will run through Feb. 6.

Game playing for kids and adults. 3:30-5:30 p.m., Southside Hub of Production, 5638 S. Woodlawn Ave., southsidehub.org, free. Settlers of Catan and Risk and Magic will be some of the games featured during this event.

Tot Lot - Full-Gym. 9 a.m.-noon, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave., in the gymnasium, info@babyphd.com, Classes are $9 drop-in, $45 for a 10-session pass or $65 for a monthly pass. Opportunity for children 0-4 and their caregivers or parents to get together on a regular basis to learn, play and benefit from one another’s company.

Sign Language for Toddlers. 10:15-10:50 a.m., Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave., info@babyphd.com, Classes are $9 drop-in, $45 for a 10-session pass or $65 for a monthly pass. This class is intended for children under the age of 3 and their caregivers or parents.

Sign Language for Infants Session I. 11-11:30 a.m., Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave., info@babyphd.com, Classes are $9 drop-in, $45 for a 10-session pass or $65 for a monthly pass. This class is intended for children under the age of 18 months and their caregivers or parents.

Sign Language for Infants Session II. 11:30 a.m.-Noon, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave., info@babyphd.com, Classes are $9 drop-in, $45 for a 10-session pass or $65 for a monthly pass. This class is intended for children under the age of 18 months and their caregivers or parents.

Friday, Feb. 3

Friday Family Camp. 5:30-9 p.m., Southside Hub of Production, 5638 S. Woodlawn Ave., southsidehub.org, $5/hour. This will be the first family camp in a series of events dedicated to hosting children for snacks, drinks and movies.

Tot Lot - Full-Gym. 9 a.m.-noon, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave., in the gymnasium, info@babyphd.com, classes are $9 drop-in, $45 for a 10-session pass or $65 for a monthly pass. Opportunity for children 0-4 and their caregivers or parents to get together on a regular basis to learn, play and benefit from one another’s company.

Saturday, Feb. 4

Beginning Ashtanga Yoga. 10:45 a.m.-noon, Southside Hub of Production, 5638 S. Woodlawn Ave., southsidehub.org. A mixture of vinyasa and hatha yoga styles will be featured in this class.

Family Day: Life is but a Dream. 1 p.m., Smart Musuem, 5550 S. Greenwood Ave., smartmuseum.uchicago.edu, 773-702-0200, free. Participants will view dream-like paintings by Mark Rothko, Kenzo Okada and Matta. The creation of dreamworld paintings with paper shapes and water colors will be available.

Competent Caring-Peer Relationships. 1 p.m., Older Women’s League, First Unitarian Church, 5650 S. Woodlawn Ave., firstuchicago.org, 773-324-4100, free. This meeting will focus on changes in close relationships and how it affects someone’s health.

Sunday, Feb. 5

Sunday Community Potluck. 5:30-9 p.m., Southside Hub of Production, 5638 S. Woodlawn Ave., southsidehub.org, free. Participants are encouraged to bring their own dish and something to drink to this weekly potluck.

Monday, Feb. 6

Guang Chang Dancing. 9:30-11 a.m., Southside Hub of Production, 5638 S. Woodlawn Ave., southsidehub.org, free. This event will teach participants how to enjoy this ancient dancing technique from China which increases health, agility and vitality.

Bridge. 1-4 p.m., Southside Hub of Production, 5638 S. Woodlawn Ave., southsidehub.org, free. This event will give participants the opportunity to form their own groups and play other games at the Southside Hub of Production.

Beginning Ashtanga Yoga. 5-6:30 p.m., Southside Hub of Production, 5638 S. Woodlawn Ave., southsidehub.org. A mixture of vinyasa and hatha yoga styles will be featured in this class.

Tot Lot - Full-Gym. 9 a.m.-noon, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave., in the gymnasium, info@babyphd.com, classes are $9 drop-in, $45 for a 10-session pass or $65 for a monthly pass. Opportunity for children 0-4 and their caregivers or parents to get together on a regular basis to learn, play and benefit from one another’s company.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Guang Chang Dancing. 9:30-11 a.m., Southside Hub of Production, 5638 S. Woodlawn Ave., southsidehub.org, free. This event will teach participants how to enjoy this ancient dancing technique from China which increases health, agility and vitality.

Midday Concert. 12:20 p.m., Lutheran School of Theology, 1100 E. 55th St., 773-256-0700, free. Thomas Wikman will perform in the Paul Manz Organ Series which takes place on the first Tuesday of each month.

Tae Kwon Do. 3:30-4:30 p.m., Hyde Park Jewish Community Center of Chicago, 5200 S. Hyde Park Blvd., 773-966-1067, for children ages 5-13. For more information, call Brian.

Wednesday

53rd Street TIF Planning and Development Committee. 6:45 p.m., Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave., 773-324-5520.

Thursday

Grand (Re)Opening of Original Pancake House. 8 a.m., 47th Street and Lake Park Avenue

First Thursday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Coldwell Banker, 1314 E. 47th St., sponsored by the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce. Event includes refreshments.

Saturday

RainbowPUSH weekly forum. 10 a.m., RainbowPUSH headquarters, 930 E. 50th St., 773-373-3366. Rev. Jesse Jackson’s live broadcast is heard on CAN-TV Ch. 36 and WGRB-AM radio 1390.

Tuesday

Sunrise Nature Walk. 5:30 a.m., Jackson Park Boat Harbor, 58th and Lake Shore Drive, 773-913-2030.