FIRST HOME CHICAGO

Chicago Citizen’s Police Academy (CCPA): Day 2

2014-10-14T16:36:00.000-05:00

Chicago Citizen’s Police Academy (CCPA): Day 2

During this week’s class, We discussed a wide variety of topics. This class atmosphere was out of the norm, as a captain of the CPD was wounded while serving an arrest warrant. First hand, I saw the utmost care and concern from the officers in class for their fallen comrade, but they remained focused and upbeat!

We discussed the one of the biggest units, the Bureau of Organized Crime division, who works closely with the Gang, Narcotics, and several related divisions. The biggest discussion of the night was regarding the Vice Control Division, which also handles business license investigations, i.e the illegal sales of alcohol and tobacco to minors (S.A.M).

Other key points of this class discussion were:
-Each business is obligated by law to report illegal activities/crime around there place of business.
-The federal government has a standard formula of how to disperse recovered asset/drug money.
-When you call 911, it goes to the Office of Emergency Mgmt., then its routed to the callers district’s operator,
then to a dispatcher, where calls are routed in order of importance.
-Roughly 18 officers are needed to conduct prostitution stings.
-1^st fine for selling unstamped cigarettes is $1,000, 2^nd offense: $5,000.
-Loose cigarettes aka “loosies” and “loose squares” are the new “dope” spots.
-The superintendent, Gary McCarthy, has great support and positive backing from many officers of the CPD.
-The 18^th district has over 900 liquor licenses.
-One of the greatest points that stuck out was the impact of violence on non-insured victims, which ultimately the tax payers eat the cost of hospitalization, after care, and rehabilitation.

FYI: Did you know: The community is the police dept. biggest asset! Until next time……Thanks for reading!

Chicago Citizen’s Police Academy (CCPA): Day 1

2014-10-01T11:36:00.001-05:00

The Chicago Citizen’s Police Academy (CCPA) is a 9 week, 31.5 hr. course designed to increase the lines of communication and awareness between the community and the Chicago Police Department (CPD). Our first meeting consisted of 20-25 citizens, 5 visiting officers from California, and the CPD officers heading the course.

During this time, we discussed course outlines that will include CPD protocol and procedures, canine and mounted police demonstrations, handcuffing/searching, use of force, troubled buildings (yayyyy!!!), crisis intervention, and many other daily tasks of the CPD. Did you know there are roughly 5 million people in the city, M-F, but only 2200 officer deployed per shift?

The main discussion of the night was about CPD’s Procedural Justice and Legitimacy course, which all officers had to receive training on. This focused on how protocol is to treat everyone with respect, care, and as a human being in an effort to increase positive outcomes, especially with traffic stops. The instructors stressed the importance of “it’s not what you say, but how you say it and not what you do, but how you do it” approach.

Another goal of the CCPA, is for the citizens to take initiative and become ambassadors in their communities, by sharing our behind the scenes knowledge of CPD to increase positive outcomes when interacting! More to come next week for Day 2!!!!!

Have a great week everyone!

Skate schedules for the best skating rinks in the Chicago area!

2014-08-19T13:44:00.002-05:00

Hello fellow skaters!

Below, you will find convenient, condensed skate schedules for the best skating rinks in the Chicago area:

The Rink http://www.therinkchicago.com
1122 E. 87th St., Chicago, IL
Sunday: 5p-9p (30+ no rentals)
Sunday: 9:30p- 1:30a (18+ with rentals)
Tuesday: 10a-2pm (30+ no rentals)
Thursday: 6:30p- 8p (adult instruction class)
Thursday: 8p- 12a (30+ no rentals)
Friday: 7p-11p (all skate w/rentals)
Saturday: 9am-11am (all age instruction class)
Saturday: 12p-3p (all skate w/rentals)

Glenwood Roller Rink http://glenwoodrollerrinkinc.net/

656 Holbrook Rd Glenwood, Il 60425
Sunday: 2p-5p (all skate)
Sunday: 8:30p-12:30a (18+ w/rentals)
Monday: 8p-12a (25+)
Wednesday: 10a-2p (25+)
Wednesday: 6p-9p (all skate)
Wednesday: 9p-1a (18+)
Thursday: 7:30p-10:30p (all skate/gospel)
Friday: 9p-1a (25+)
Saturday: 10:30am- 12:30p (all age instruction class)
Saturday: 1p-4p (all skate)
Saturday: 8p-11p (all skate)

Rich City http://www.richcityskate.com/

4645 Sauk Trail Richton Park, IL 60471
Sunday: 1pm-2pm (all age instruction class)
Sunday: 2p-5p (open)
Sunday: 5p-6p (adult instruction class)
Sunday: 6p-10p (25+)
Monday: 8p-9p (18+ class)
Monday: 9p-1a (JB/18+)
Wednesday: 4p-6p (open)
Wednesday: 6p-7p (kids class)
Wednesday: 7p-8p (skate and stepping lessons)
Friday: 8p-9p (adult instruction class)
Friday: 9p-1a (25+)
Saturday: 12p-1p (all age instruction class)
Saturday: 1p-4p (open)
Saturday: 8p-11:30p (open 1st Saturday of month)
Saturday: 12p- 3am (midnight ramble 1st Saturday of month)

Lynwood Sports Center http://www.skatelynwood.com/

2030 Glenwood Dyer Rd Lynwood IL 60411
Sunday: 2p-5p (open)
Tuesday: 6p-8:30p (open)
Friday: 8p-12a (open)
Saturday: 1p-4p (open)
Saturday: 8p-11:30p (open)

Markham Roller Rink http://www.newmarkhamrollerrink.com/

16630 S Dixie Hwy Markham IL 60428
Sunday: 10a-2p (25+)
Sunday: 2p-5p (open)
Monday: 6p-10p (open/gospel)
Tuesday: 10a- 2p (25+)
Tuesday: 7p-10p (open)
Thursday:10a-2p (25+)
Thursday: 7p-11p (25+)
Friday: 6p-8:30p (open)
Friday: 10p-2am (JB/ 21+)
Saturday: 1p-4p (open)
Saturday: 8p-11p (open)

Fleetwood Roller Rink http://www.fleetwoodrollerrink.com/

7231 W Archer Summit, IL
Sunday: 1:30p-4:30p
Sunday: 6:30p- 9p
Wednesday: 6:30p-9p
Friday: 7:30p- 10:30p
Saturday: 10:30a-1p
Saturday: 1:30p-4:30p
Saturday: 7:30p-10:30p

Orbit Skate Center http://www.orbitskate.net/schedule/skating-schedule/

615 S Consumers Ave Palatine IL 60074
Tuesday: 10am (open)
Tuesday: 8:30p (speed skate practice)
Wednesday: 6p (skate and cruise)
Thursday: 10am (open)
Friday: 7p (cosmic)
Saturday: 9:30a (speed)
Saturday: 1p-4p (open)
Saturday: 7p-11p (open)

HAPPY SKATING :) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Erika The Realtor

Sears on 79th St: The rise and fall of an Icon

2013-07-30T15:46:00.002-05:00

Sears on 79^th St: The rise and fall of an Icon.

On November 2, 1925, Sears Roebuck & Company was opened at 1334 E. 79^th St.(Kenwood Ave) Chicago, IL, which boasted 127,000 square feet of retail space. This store was one of the main retail fixtures in the Chatham/Avalon Park/South east areas. After 88 years of continual good service, with the decline of sales since 2009, the store has officially closed its doors forever.

With the loss of 40 full time and 80 part time jobs, many wonder what’s to become of the space? Whatever it is, it will not replace the countless memories that Sears offered: The memories of Back-to-School shopping, walking around with grandparents to pay their charge cards, or even memories of when Sears sold food in the back of the Electronics dept!!! Too often we see a good thing gone!

Check out the article below on planned use for the space:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-05-31/business/chi-sears-shuttered-stores-20130530_1_data-centers-stores-sears-holdings-corp

PADDY LONGS BEER AND BACON PUB REVIEW

2013-05-16T15:32:00.004-05:00

PADDY LONGS BEER AND BACON PUB REVIEW

I read several good reviews about Chicago’s Paddy Long’s Beer and Bacon Pub, so I decided to visit last Tuesday! This is a small neighborhood bar, that has an immense supply of craft beers and bacon!!! Who can go wrong with bacon!!! It was pop culture trivia night when I went and Paddy’s was filled a good size crowd of friendly people. I ordered a very tasty Half Acre blonde ale, which accompanied my “Bacon Board” of Irish, Danish, Jowl, and Cracked Black Pepper Bacons. The bacon was awesome, especially the hard to find Jowl Bacon, which was my favorite! Before I left, I also tried a small glass of high ABV Belgium Ale called Delirium Tremens, which is brewed with Belgium candy to give it a sweet finish. This was one of the most awesome beers ever! I would most definitely go to Paddy Longs again!

Happy Eating!!!

The Best Shortcut Streets in Chicago

2013-01-29T15:56:00.000-06:00

Living in Chicago, we all know the expressways are everything but express!!! Sometimes getting on the e-way will cause you to lose time, as opposed to street routes. As a realtor in the city, I know Chicago like the back of my hand and I have found a few hidden shortcuts that I would like to share:

· Loomis St. to Roosevelt Rd. [1400W, 1200S] (North to South)

·        Roosevelt Rd. to Sacramento Ave. [1200S, 3000W] (East to West)

·        Sacramento Ave. to Elston Ave.-ends near Belmont Ave. {3000W,3200N] (North to South)

·        State St. to Roosevelt Rd. [0E/W, 1200S] (South to North)

·        Indiana Ave. [200E] (Quick way to get from 69^th St to 95^thSt. South)

·        South Chicago Ave. at 69^thSt. to 95^thSt./Torrence Ave. [400E, 9500S/2634E] (quick way to get to Indiana)

·        California Blvd. to Montrose Dr. [2800W, 4400W] (North to South)

·        Racine Ave. to 95^th St. [1200W, 9500S] (South)

·        76^thSt.-Lakefront to Damen Ave. [7600S, 2000S] (South; East to West)

I hope these quick routes will be useful! Be safe and Happy driving!!!

WEEK OF 01/21/13: LOWEST DAILY 30YR FIXED MORTGAGE RATE

2013-01-21T12:12:00.000-06:00

01/21/13- Today’s lowest 30yr fixed home mortgage rate in Chicago: 3.46%

First time home buyers: What to expect

2013-01-16T15:09:00.000-06:00

Are you considering buying your first home? Where do you start? What do you expect? Here are the steps of buying your first home:

· Contact a Mortgage Loan officer to determine your credit worthiness and maximum home purchase price; You can also contact a Realtor, who can provide a small list of reputable mortgage lenders.

·        Once you have your pre-approval letter from your lender, you can start to view homes with your Realtor.
·        When you find your dream home, you will submit an offer to purchase (with the help of your Realtor), which can be accepted or countered by the seller.
·        After all parties have agreed on pricing and terms, you now have a fully executed contract! Within the first 5 days after acceptance of offer, you must submit the Earnest Money (usually $1,000 via Certified Funds), conduct a home inspection with a licensed Home Inspector, and have your real estate attorney review the purchase contract to amend if needed.
·        Your mortgage lender will have you submit an application for mortgage financing, where you will gather financial information such as employment info, bank statements, w-2’s, etc. Your home mortgage lender may also ask for appraisal fees upfront, at your expense.
·        Before closing, a final walk-thru will be performed on the home to make sure it’s in the same condition when inspected and broom cleaned.
·        Closing on the home will take roughly 45 days with financing, and 14 days for Cash deals.

I hope the steps above were helpful. Please feel free to contact me for more information.

Happy house hunting!!!

Chicago Open House “horror” story

2012-12-13T15:48:00.003-06:00

Due to the recent assault on a Realtor in my area, I decided to share a similar scary experience. About 3 weeks ago, I hosted an Open House on the north side of Chicago; Something just didn’t seem right with the home, possibly due to the next door neighbors arguing and fighting loudly outside! Anyways, upon entry to the home, I noticed that the alarm system’s keypad and door/window sensors were on the floor and there were open and unlocked windows. After inspecting the home, which had a ton of cubby- holes and hidden areas, I deemed it safe.

After 30 minutes passed, with no visitors, a man came to the property. He stated the seller had given him “permission” to park “a car” in the garage. As he barged in and started to feverishly look into drawers and cabinets for a garage door opener, I became extremely worried. Me and the listing agent knew nothing about this arrangement, so the seller was called. After I told the man, we have no knowledge of this arrangement and we would contact seller, he became agitated and left. He soon returned with another man and stated he had the seller on hold on his cell phone, but this situation was odd and unsafe as the man tried to get me outside of the home, but I declined. I locked the door and left the men outside by the garage and called the seller again, where he did verify the validity of the man’s story. Even so, the men seemed unsavory and this whole situation was like an NBC “Date Line” story, so I left!

The moral of the story is: If a situation is questionable or unsafe, leave immediately…Safety first!

2012-10-25T12:58:00.001-05:00

martial arts in June 2012, I moved up in rank the middle of September!!! Progress and change is
After starting martial arts in June 2012, I moved up in rank the middle of September!!! Progress and change is good!

The beginning of First Home Chicago's blog...

2012-10-24T17:54:00.001-05:00

Today is a start of a new endeavor! I hope to keep Chicagoans informed on Real Estate and living life to the fullest!