UsefulCharts: Popel Leo XIV family tree

 What the YouTube channel Useful Charts does is interesting. They not only look at his family tree, but they look at his "episcopal" lineage also. They look at his connection to other prominent Catholic cardinals, bishops or even other popes.

In the news it has come out that Pope Leo's lineage may include ancestors of African descent. As they discuss here his lineage includes Louisiana Creole who are often mixed race. He is of Italian descent on both sides of his family, and Popes have typically been of Italian descent.

Bear in mind when I say this, Pope John Paul II & Pope Benedict XVI were not of Italian descent. They were Polish and German respectively. Pope Francis was of Italian descent, however, he was born in the Latin American country of Argentina.

Also, another important this about the former Cardinal Louis Prevost is that he is the first U.S.A (or American if you prefer) born Pope in history. His immediate predecessor of course Pope Francis was born in Argentina so he was the first non-European born pontiff.

Pope Leo is also known as a Chicago-boy and a White Sox fan and there are photos of him at a World Series game in 2005 - which the White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win it all. He was said to have lived in the Roseland neighborhood though his childhood was spent in suburban Dolton, Illinois.

His childhood parish is located on the City Limits between Dolton and Chicago known as St. Mary of the Assumption. Both his childhood home and this church could become historic landmarks and that would be cool.

Anyway, here's the Useful Charts video if you want to look at his family and episcopal connections [VIDEO]

I shot some 2025 photos of Shedd School recently

We've had a nice few days here in Chicago. Aside from some rain and sometimes snow. And spring is very close which means the frigid temps of winter are mostly behind us now.

I'm glad to get these pics before the tree and vines reactivate for the season and cover everything right back up. Only wish that my lenses were available to take even better pics. Better go look for them before everything blooms.

You're free to click on the pictures for a larger resolution.

Shot from 99th Street

You might be able to see here the front entrance is boarded up.

The board is devoid of any events and no flag on the pole.
We're looking towards Indiana Avenue here.

This is where my time started. The old Kindergarten classroom.

As always you're free to share your memories of this school whatever they may be. That's what this place is set up for although it seems I have a knack for covering other subjects here.

Only sharing this because Daily Dose of Internet had a birthday

 

[VIDEO] This video was posted yesterday which was his actual birthday, but I got a kick out of seeing a video of an SUV on three wheels. And I recognize Stony Island when I see it. Hopefully you get a kick out of it too especially if you live on the south side.

Of course other videos to make your day.

98th & Cottage Grove #fbf

Via Chicago History Today

It's amazing to see how this part of Cottage Grove which is basically Pullman looked in 1954. As you check out the blog Chicago History Today you see how much differently this part of the city looks today. Of course we no longer have a streetcar running in the city at all just about 70 years later. And there's a lot more brush and trees covering up the railroad right-of-way these days.

Seeing old photographs of this city just blows me away...

Historic south side scenes #Ward09 #tbt

I just wanted to share these two shots with you from Vanished Chicagoland on ig. The first photo is of the 87th CTA train station from during the 1970s. Just north of 87th Street you'd see a Magikist sign and it was a landmark for a lot of us who drove on the Dan Ryan Expressway once upon a time. The sign and that company is now gone. We at least have this picture with a now retired 2200-series train set departing 87th.

White Castle 2 E. State Street in Roseland #Ward09 #tbt

You may well have seen this photo below on social media taken in the mid-1980s of the White Castle that formerly stood at 111th & State Streets or actually 2 E. 111th street. I'm most familiar with this location since often looking for a hamburger slider fix this was where my folks went. At some point during the 1990s this location was closed and demolished.

Then looking for photos I found an even older photo of the White Castle taken in 1937 according to the information on the photograph. Could be the same building and I don't recognize the neighborhood around it.

Via Pinterest

Of course back in the 1980s the White Castle was surrounded by a post office to the north and then to the east on 111th Street was the YMCA. The post office is still there however the YMCA is long gone though the building itself remains.

I hope you enjoy this look back and a break from the dire news regarding coronavirus.

Editorial: The Avenue could again become magnificent #Ward09

The Chicago Neighborhood

This editorial from the Chicago Sun-Times makes reference to last year's fire at the former Gatelys Department store on the Michigan Avenue shopping strip south of 111th Street. It's probably time to redevelop that corridor, especially in time for that Red Line extension whenever it gets funded and construction starts.

Keep an eye on the Roseland neighborhood’s Michigan Avenue, once a retail strip so popular it was called Chicago’s second Magnificent Mile.

Shoppers could find anything from school supplies to furniture to brand new cars.

Rocked by two devastating extra-alarm fires within the last year, and now slammed by a pandemic that’s likely to change forever how we shop and gather, the faded and struggling commercial strip faces a tough future.

But “The Avenue” — as this stretch of Michigan Avenue between 115th and 107th was called in its heyday — now is being targeted by the city for possible redevelopment.

The plans were in place before the coronavirus broke out and they’ll need to be modified. But given that the COVID-19 pandemic has hit all traditional retail strips hard — have you seen the boarded up stores on North Michigan Avenue these days? — saving The Avenue should be even more of a priority.

When neighborhood shopping dies, neighborhoods die.

The Avenue’s day as a regional commercial giant are not likely to return. People just don’t shop in brick-and-mortar stores the way they used to, and the street’s major retailers, such as JCPenney, are long gone.

But the buildings still stand and could be reused in potentially exciting new ways. And if done correctly, the lessons learned here could be applied to troubled commercial streets in neighborhoods elsewhere on the South and West sides.

Probably excerpted a lot more than I should've so I'll stop there and hope that you'll read the whole thing.

The editorial itself makes reference to this strip's proximity to the Pullman National Monument. How could the businesses and the community leverage that. The Avenue - at least for those old school residents might refer to the strip - might not return to the glory days. I still would like to see what plans could develop with revitalization. What entrepreneurs can become successful in this area.

Frank I Bennett elementary gets a new electronic sign

I've been wanting to get a pic of the new signage outside of Bennett Elementary and did so this past weekend. Too bad that the electronic sign outside of Bennett's main entrance isn't on at all. Is it even on during school days? What information is presented on this board?

Also this on the front fence of Bennett School near the main entrance. It reflects Bennett's new identity Bennett Pride. Hand made letters which is certainly a nice touch.

However, I'm old school and will continue to consider myself a badger. 😛

#tbt Riding Amtrak through the south side

Back in 2014, I took a quick trip during the holiday season to Memphis, Tennessee aboard Amtrak's City of New Orleans train and shot video on my iPhone. Luckily I got footage during the morning hours as we rolled through the south side back to Union Station downtown.

I had uploaded these videos to my YouTube channel and granted it's not the most exciting footage, however, how many people have seen the Roseland and Rosemoor area from this perspective. As we head into the heat of the summer, perhaps some winter scenery will help cool you down.

Here's footage of the train rolling through Roseland starting at 115th Street. [VIDEO]

Here's another shot from going through Rosemoor going past 103rd Street and we see the campus of Chicago State University [VIDEO]

Oh yeah we talked about Amtrak earlier this month!

Back to school for ADULTS

You might have seen this at The Sixth Ward with the flyer below from a friend of the blog Zack Issacs. If you want to know how to start on finishing your education this is it...

We want to announce a back to school event -- but not for the kids. Rather, it is for adults who need to finish their education, whether for high school, associate's or bachelor's degree.

Meet at the Greater Grand Crossing Library, 1000 E. 73rd Street (73rd and South Chicago).

The tme and date is Saturday August 3, from2:30pm to 4:30pm.

Contact Zack with questions or to RSVP at 708-629-1933 .

More information at www.facebook.com/giftedtree

Update

I can't believe this blog has been in publication for over a decade. When I started this place it can't be said there was a solid sustainable plan. I've always done what I've been known to do, just start posting and see what direction it goes.

Sometimes the direction can change on a dime. Perhaps talk about Bennett-Shedd (I started this blog because Shedd School where I started my schooling wasn't listed at CPS although Shedd is closed now), perhaps some local politics, perhaps even some education issues. Even wanted to turn this place into a "Ninth Ward blog" and now I'm not so sure about that.

Either way another update to mention to you all is regarding the domain. I feel referring to this blog as the Shedd School blog or John G. Shedd Public School blog is outdated. I've had some ideas on a domain name which have been executed over the years.

For example I wanted to use ninthward.us until I allowed that domain to expire. Here are a few ideas for domains

sheddschoolbadger.com
bennettsheddbager.com
sheddbadgercity.com
bennettsheddbadgercity.com
badgercityninthward.com

You might see a pattern here, I really would like to use badger as part of the domain name. Badger was during my time in school the original mascot of Bennett-Shedd Elementary School. I understand that now Bennett's mascot is a lion and if Bennett School had any sports teams they would be refered to as P.R.I.D.E (or you can also say pride of lions). I can't believe that I'm just old enough to refer to myself as old school. So to use badger as part of this blog's identity is an homage to Bennett's original mascot.

I've learned recently that a former principal and Bennett-Shedd noted that this blog got his attention with the Shedd School identity. So as of now I have some decisions to make as far as this blog's direction and identity. If this blog gets an audience based upon association (and as always I hope to gain a bigger audience beyond that), hopefully it just shows that I'm on the right track. Time will tell!

The site of the former Halsted Indoor Mall #tbt

I snapped these shots of the site of the former shopping center on 115th & Halsted Michigan during the summer of 2014. I never released the shots back then, but I wanted to share the context of this site with this article from the Chicago Reader which was actually published in 2003.

It illustrated the history of the former Halsted Indoor Mall which was once housed in a building that once contained a Zayre store. The shopping center here contained both a Foot Locker store and a beauty supply as well as a Jewel-Osco. However at some point all these stores have since closed. The Jewel-Osco closed once a new store was built at the new shopping center located at 119th Street and Marshfield (or on the west side of I-57) should be around 2007 or 2008.

I do remember shopping with my family at the old Zayre store and the old Jewel store you see in the photos below was another shopping destination over the years until the new store opened across the I-57 expressway. One ominous piece of information I learned shopping here one day, my mother was told by another customer that they did snatch purses in that store. YIKES!

At some point after 2012 the former Halsted Indoor Mall was razed, I see this looking at Google Streetview. And that largely ends the saga of the former space which seemed to riddled with some issues involving it's management by the people who operated the space and certainly the people who owned it. The property itself remains vacant with the idea of at some point perhaps something else will be developed here. Perhaps more retail or even some mixed-use retail and residential.

Below are the photographs from summer 2014. I wish I had a pic of the sign on the corner of 115th & Halsted which even the last time I drove by here still had a sign for the Halsted Indoor Mall although the building no longer stands.

No. 4 most violent Chicago neighborhood - Englewood

[VIDEO] Englewood is the no. 4 most violent of Chicago's neighborhoods. Just think of the hoopla over a Whole Foods Market store coming to the former commercial district of 63rd & Halsted. And then consider what's going on in the rest of the neighborhood outside of that intersection. It might be changing but there are still a lot of issues, and perhaps time will tell if that area will live down the reputation for crime and violence.

Here's what Victor Maggio writes about Englewood which was posted February 17, 2018

The Englewood neighborhood was home to one of the first documented serial killers in American history, H.H.Holmes, and was also home to the second largest shopping district in the city of Chicago, and also home to gang leader Larry Hoover, he is the notorious former leader of the Black Gangster Disciple Nation, a street gang with a long violent history that spread nationwide.

Englewood has been considered one of the top 5 most violent and dangerous neighborhood for almost a decade and has often achieved the number 1 spot many times. The good news is there has been a decrease in the number of shootings this year, the bad news is many of the gang members have fled from this neighborhood to surrounding communities.

The Englewood Neighborhood is ranked number 4 on the list of top ten most violent neighborhoods in Chicago. this year 250 people have been shoot, 49 people have been killed, and 201 have been wounded.

For over a decade I spent many weekends with friends, playing cards and partying in this neighborhood. There are a lot of good people trapped by the never-ending cycle of violence. It is truly a shame how much the area has deteriorated. I believe this neighborhood has been basically forgotten by the powers that be.

Here's a map of Englewood

Sun-Times: Man fatally hit by Metra Electric train, service resumes with ‘extensive delays #Ward09

Well it's a bit interesting I post that Metra Electric ride along video this morning and there was an incident on that same line this morning near Kensington or 115th Street. Here's a tweet with a link to the Sun-Times story

The CTA will honor Metra tickets for affected riders on the Red Line from 95th to Lake and on the 1, 2, 6, J14, 28, 71, 115 and 119 buses. https://t.co/lyRUkPKgHH

— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) February 22, 2019

From the twitter page for the Metra Electric line a new update.

Metra Alert ME - CTA will no longer honor Metra tickets on the Red Line (95th to Lake) and bus route 1, 2, 6, J14, 28, 71, 115 and 119

— Metra Electric (@metraMED) February 22, 2019

Metra Electric ride-along #fbf

[VIDEO] Remember a few years ago that I had shared a video of the CTA Red Line where you would see the whole journey from 95th Street to Howard Street on the north side. What you see above was published on Metra's YouTube channel in May 2017.

In this case you will see the journey of the Metra Electric train from University Park in Will County through the south suburbs and into the city to the Millenium Park station in downtown Chicago just under Randolph Street.

If you want to see it's journey through the south side of Chicago just skip to about 30 mins into this one hour video. Basically you'll see the communities of Ward 9 from about 130th to 95th roughly on it's journey. Of course if you continue watching until it goes into downtown Chicago you will see Hyde Park and Bronzeville along the way.

And it's also interesting to note that this line which also has branches west into Blue Island and east to the South Chicago neighborhood has been part of proposals to become part of the CTA as the grey line. It was also cited as an alternative to building the Red Line extension by a candidate for mayor of Chicago.

Metra Electric Map

No. 6 Chicago most violent neighborhood - Auburn Gresham

[VIDEO] Chicago Auburn Gresham is the next subject of Vic Maggio's series on violent Chicago neighborhoods. It's one you can visit one you get off the expressway just off of 79th Street for example. Maggio writes to this video which was posted on February 2, 2018:

The Auburn Gresham Neighborhood is home to the Thurgood Marshall Branch of the Chicago public library, St. Sabina Church, headed by Rev. Michael Pfleger, and St. Leo campus for veterans, which includes the Catholic Charities' St. Leo's residence-based outpatient clinic.

The Neighborhood has seen many tough times and a lot of violence and has seen a substantial drop in population over the past couple of decades. This is directly due to crime. This neighborhoods gang problem really took off because of the piss poor economy created in the late 70s forcing many young black men to the streets to make a living. This period in time seen the rise of the mega gangs.

I have met a lot of good people in this neighborhood and hope this hood is not on the list next year.

Maggio News

Here's a map of the Auburn Gresham community

 I wanted to share this post over at The Sixth Ward from 2016 with regards to John Ruberry who did an urban exploration of Auburn Gresham. His family once resided in the area and he makes sure to note some of the many abandoned homes there. He even notes the value of controversial Catholic priest Father Michael Pfleger within the community.

Random Acts of Kindness Day #rakday

[VIDEO] Something posted this morning from Jahmal Cole at a local Jewel-Osco parking lot. Here's the description he wrote:

What's something simple you can do to improve your community? After I shop, I always take my cart back to the coral. This small habit helps me build muscle to take on bigger challenges. But when something is easy to do, it's just as easy not to do it.

It's just as easy not to greet your neighbor.

It's just as easy not to pick up trash.

It's just as easy not to shovel your neighbor’s snow.

Thank you Jewel-Osco for partnering to spread this message on Random Acts of Kindness Day.

Visit formyblock.org for more.

BTW, we should be doing random acts of kindness everyday. Great message by Mr. Cole.

No. 7 most violent Chicago neighborhood - South Shore

[VIDEO] This video was published to YouTube via Bloody Chicago on January 26, 2018. As in the earlier videos a basic history of the community is shared in the description.

The South shore neighborhood has some of the most beautiful shore line in the city, and is home to South Shore Cultural Center, Rainbow Beach, Terror Town, and the historic district, the Jackson Park Highlands.

The neighborhood has seen a massive increase in crime since 2000, because of placement of residents from Chicago’s most violent public housing projects and because of this South shore is now the subsidized housing capitol of Chicago.

South Shore is a good example of how political leaders attempted to rectify one mistake with another.

 I hold out hope for South Shore, but unfortunately, I think the damage has already been done.

Maggio News

Here's a map of the South Shore community

In 2017 South Shore was deemed the eviction capitol of Chicago.

No. 9 most violent Chicago neighborhood Greater Grand Crossing

[VIDEO] This video about Greater Grand Crossing on the south side is no. 9 most violent neighborhood. This is what Maggio writes about this video (duration 15 minutes) which was posted to YouTube on January 13, 2018:

The Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood is home to white city park, the parkway gardens projects, and has the most violent block, O Block.

One positive thing this neighborhood has going for it, is New Beginnings Church and Pastor Corey Brooks and his youth organization Project Hood. What this area really needs is JOBS.

Out of all the top ten neighborhoods Grand Crossing and South Shore are the two I spent the least amount of time in because they are so far east.

Updated: This year in the Grand Crossing neighborhood, 131 people have been shot and, 22 have been killed and 109 have been wounded. These stats rank Grand Crossing at number 9 on the 2017 list of the most Violent neighborhoods in Chicago.

This video was made 6 weeks before the year ended. This video contains a mass shooting in the neighboring community of Chatham where 2 brothers were killed, and 5 others were wounded on Christmas day 2016.

For your convenience this is a map of the Greater Grand Crossing community area.

This video experienced some resistance when it was shared on Nextdoor last year. Most people there objected to Maggio's video because many have looked at his political leanings and some people considered him an outsider. I will also warn you that as he discusses the history of this area he will note a racist amusement park known as "White City" where Blacks were banned from patronizing however there were attractions that utilized Black workers. I don't know if this triggered anyone, but at least you'll know about it if you haven't watched the video yet.

Woman shot dead in Roseland alley ‘was loved by so many’ #Ward09

Sun-Times: 

About 2:35 a.m., officers responding to a call of shots fired found Ambriana Collins suffering from several gunshot wounds to her chest in an alley in the 10700 block of South Eberhart on the Far South Side, according to Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Investigators were told a white truck was seen speeding from the scene of the shooting, police said.

Collins was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:51 a.m., authorities said. She lived in the neighboring West Pullman neighborhood.

Collins left behind a 4-year-old son named Angelo, according to her relative Shiela House, who said the boy’s father died from cancer last October.

“Everybody’s just so lost about it,” House said.

Another relative, Devin Williams, said Angelo might be staying with his grandmother for now.

House said Collins was a hardworking mother, noting that she was employed at both a Popeyes restaurant and a McDonald’s location at 103rd Street and Kedzie Avenue.

“We’re just so stunned,” House said. “Everybody called her Ambrii. She was loved by so many.”

An update to the incident reported by ABC 7 Chicago last Friday. Would like to share this video of the scene from the Sun-Times. You would find it in the article. [VIDEO]