True Stories of ‘The Underground Railroad’ will be celebrated at a dramatic reading for Black History Month to be held on Saturday, February 11 at 1 PM at Southside Hub of Production (SHoP), 5638 S. Woodlawn.

Written by Hyde Parker Osa Buchner, the Underground Railroad, tells the true stories of the heroic people who helped enslaved African Americans escape to freedom. Featured characters include Harriet Tubman, Thomas Garrett and Henry Box Brown. The parts will be read by Hyde Park residents Richard Buchner, Marcus-David Brown, Judith Heineman, Brian Phillips and Brenda and Rod Sawyer; and by South Sider Alma Washington.

We need to support this local playwright as she works to inspire and enlighten audiences with stories about the people “who helped in the struggle for freedom.” Be sure to put The Underground Railroad on your event list for Saturday.
Image: tntwebs

Are you a teen girl with big dreams of going to prom, but has a small budget? If so, Princess Closet is the answer to your dream!

With over 1,50o dresses plus shoes and accessories to choose from, you will be sure to find at least one dress you like. There are two little problems, though. Dresses sizes 14 and up are scarce and more shoes are needed. No worries. Maria Davalos, a proud mommy and the Founder of Princess Closet, is working on that.  Also, be sure to enter one of their contests they have going on right now: the Curvy Girl Design Your Own Prom Dress Contest and the Ultimate Prom Package (details below). One more thing, be sure to spread the word to other girls with big dreams and small budgets.

To learn more about how the organization started and how it helps to make girls’ big prom dream come true, listen to my interview with Maria Davalos. Then, visit Princess Closet to find out how to get the dresses; to learn about upcoming events; and to find out how to contribute.

Image: Princess Closet

Elmhurst College College Night will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 7:00 p.m., Village Center. To RSVP, call  773-966-1508 or e-mail thecevents@thec4success.org.

Carter G. Woodson - The Father of Black History

Black History Month actually started as Negro History Week in 1926, but it has roots in Chicago beginning in 1915.

One of my historical heroes, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, started Negro History Week to celebrate the post-slavery accomplishments of the race. He was the first person to acknowledge and record black people’s progress in politics, education, economics and other aspects of society since 1865. He conducted studies and recorded them in the Negro History Journal. People started to acknowledge his findings, and the study of Negro history grew. In fact, it was actually taught in schools around the country. In 1976, exactly 50 years after the initial celebration of Negro History, Black History Month was created. Of course, this is a condensed version of the story. But I wanted to recognize Chicago’s role in this historical event.

People always ask why Black History Month is celebrated during the shortest month of the year. Because Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln- two people Dr. Woodson admired – were born and celebrated during this month.

I also want to encourage people to join in the celebrations around the city during the month, but also keep it alive throughout the year. I know that DuSable Museum of African American History, Museum of Science and Industry and the Chicago Public Library have events lined up. Where are other events taking place?

Lastly, I am reading The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson this month. Feel free to join me.

How are you going to observe Black History Month? What are you going to do to make sure young people know about the contributions of African Americans past and present?

We are always talking about our future, but we somehow fail our future we we fail to do what we can to make sure they are prepared for the future. Since I cannot be all things to all teens, the least I can do is try to help boost their education and employment opportunities. Thus, if you learn of any job or  scholarship information or any other educational opportunities please post them in the comment section below or on our South Side Shorty Facebook Page.

We all have opinions about people and organizations that should be serving us – police, Mayor, Alderman, etc. Unfortunately, very few of those opinions actually reach those places because we tend to complain amongst ourselves and NEVER share it with those people. And when we do get our chance, we end up complaining without providing solutions.

To remedy this situation, I would like to suggest creating community report cards for each of those entities. Instead of complaining all the time, this is YOUR opportunity to do actually step up and do something. I will take the lead in creating the report cards, but you are responsible for using them. If you have a problem with someone or something, you will have the report card so you can have a tangible document to present when you have an issue.

Here are just a few of the reports cards I think need to be created.

• Mayor
• Alderman
• State representative
• Library
• Police department
• 911 operators
• 311 operators
• Teachers
• Administrators
• Community organizations
• And anyone else who is PAID to service you, especially those whose salaries you are paying with your tax dollars

Ok, I can’t do this alone. Your suggestions and input are needed. We can create one form at a time. What other report cards need to be created? What are some of the criteria that is common to all of these entities that should be graded? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.

Image: discoveryeducation

Are you a small business, community organization, cultural center, church, community newspaper or educational institution wanting to expand your reach? Have you considered a blog but don’t quite understand how it works?

Well, you’re in luck.

Marcie Hill ~aka~ Shorty: Your Chicago South Side Resource will be holding a Blogging Q & A session on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.  at Woodson Library at the corner of 95th & Halsted.

See you there!!

Image: soulati

Presented by Dante Hamilton, Founder, Chicago WordPress Meetup Group and Scott Winterroth, Pro Blogger and Chicago WordPress Consultant, this hands-on workshop is guaranteed to give you a full-fledged WordPress education in just one day on January 28, 2012.

Lessons attendees will learn include

• WordPress 3.3 and the WP Dashboard
• Web hosting
• Selecting Themes
• Uploading Content
• Social Media for WordPress
• Ecommerce
• Search Engine Optimization
• And much more…

In addition to this full-day education, you will get a boxed lunch, beverages and individual coaching.  The workshop will be held at  the University Center Conference Chicago, 525 South State Street, 2nd Floor in Chicago.

Visit the Chicago WordPress Meetup page for more details and to register for the WordPress 1-Day Workshop.