Fine Dining in Homewood and MLK Day: Patch Talk

This week, Chris and Ryan talk about some surprisingly well-composed essays read by high school students on MLK day in the Heights. Also discussed is the opening of The Cottage On Dixie—Homewood's newest fine dining experience.

Visit these articles, mentioned in today's Patch Talk: Martin Luther King's Dream: Three Essays from Bloom 206 Students The Cottage On Dixie Opens This Weekend Sign up for daily news alerts: Join the discussion on Facebook:

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Martin Luther King's Dream: Three Essays from Bloom 206 Students

An essay contest brought out the best in Chicago Heights students. See what some of them had to say about a post-King America.

The "More Than a Dream" essay contest, held by the City of Chicago Heights, called on students to read or listen to one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches and write an essay about what they got from it. Seven Chicago Heights schools had students participating in the contest, according to City Clerk Lori Wilcox, who said the essays were so good she was unable to determine a clear winner.  The City has agreed to share the essays of three Bloom 206 seniors with Patch, and we have published them in our opinion section. Click on the name of the student whose essay you would like to read: All three of these students earned the opportunity to read their essays at the Martin Luther King Day celebration on Monday. Their work caught the …

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Video: Chicago Heights Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.

State Sen. Toi Hutchinson (40th District) and African-American Civic Leader Osei David Andrews-Hutchinson gave rousing speeches about Dr. King's message.

Nearly 45 years after his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is often referred to as one of the greatest civil rights in United States history. The City of Chicago Heights held a celebration of his life Monday morning.  First Ward Ald. Walter Mosby opened the morning with a prayer followed by Third Ward Ald. Wanda Rodgers giving her rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come." The School District 170 Jazz Band provided more music as they performed "Lean on Me." Bloom 206 seniors Zhana Johnson, Yesenia Garcia and Guadalupe Maria Avalos read essays they wrote about King’s message and whether the United States has achieved what he wanted it to. The high school students stole the show with hard truths about the educational system …

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Chicago Heights

Tell us what this holiday means to you and how you will celebrate.

Monday, Jan. 21 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For some, the national holiday honoring the prominent civil rights activist is a time to give back and serve the community, be it through removing graffiti or picking up litter in a local park. For others, it’s an opportunity to educate themselves about King and his life's work. And for others, it’s a time to just kick back and enjoy the prolonged weekend. If you want to celebrate Dr. King's birthday with other Heights residents, the City will have a special celebration in the Council Chambers at City Hall on Monday. Mayor David Gonzalez, Clerk Lori Wilcox, Treasurer Jim Dee and the Chicago Heights City Council will hold the City’s 16th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration …

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Editor's Notebook

Weekly Recap: Dr. King, CarmelCorn and the Bears

A look back at Chicago Heights Patch stories, Jan. 16-21.

This week Chicago Heights Patch is wrapping up a little early to prepare for our coverage of the big game tomorrow. More on that in a bit. For now here's what happened throughout the week. Week started off with two big celebrations in Chicago Heights and Olympia Fields, honoring the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In sports Rich Central's girls had a rough week, with losses to Waubonsie Valley and Bloom. Ron Kremer also pumped out the basketball power rankings, with Marian Catholic topping the girls despite a loss to Nicolet, and Bloom moving up to second place for the boys, although the boys' lost to Crete-Monee may have put them in danger of slipping back down.  We also started a little contest this week. Anyone in the south '…

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City and State Officials Unite in the Heights to Remember Dr. King

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Heights Aldermen use words, music and film to provide an emotional celebration at Chicago Miracle Temple Church.

As far as birthday celebrations go, it couldn’t have been any better, except the guest of honor wasn’t there. Legacies that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. began continue to live on in the city of Chicago Heights. City Clerk Ethel M. Taylor from the Heights introduced the special speakers and musical selections that brought everyone at Chicago Miracle Temple Church to their feet. The Rev. Lawrence Blackful gave a short history on the guest speakers during the 14th annual Chicago Heights Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration. Lt. Commander Ed Spires and the Bloom High School ROTC Color Guard presented the colors and Alderwoman Sonia Perez of the Second Ward led the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the ceremony. Opening in song, …

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Editor's Notebook

Weekly Recap: Tax Talk, Sweets Shops and Good Ol' Guido

A look back at Chicago Heights Patch stories, Jan. 9-15.

Well, the day is here. As the Bears get ready to gobble down the birds and we prepare snacks, look up the best bars and listen to the NFL's talking heads make predictions, let us reminisce on the highs and lows of the week that was. The week started off with a fire on Lincoln Highway early Monday morning, with some rather suspicious information coming out in the police report. Then, thanks to Patch contributor Mary Compton, we learned a little more about Guido and "Mama" Damiani, the singing sausage-maker and his mother. Homewood-Flossmoor Patch editor Ryan Fitzpatrick also kicked off our Adopt Me column with help from the South Suburban Humane Society. The Drama Group opened up it's eightieth season with a special reading and announcement…

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