Notebook

By: Elsie Sy-Niebar

 

*`The American Dream is dead. I’m going to make it better and stronger than ever before,’ says presidential candidate Donald Trump, during his speech at City Club of Chicago
*Mexican American demonstrators welcome Trump with ‘We don’t love you’ screaming placards!
*Dennis J. Niebar Charitable Fund to hold Dinner Memorial fundraiser Sept. 13 (Sunday) to raise funds for a church van
*Cruising Lake Michigan on July 4th via the Odyssey!
*Cook County Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough explains services of her office
*Atty. Jun Joaquin, a recipient of a Picasso Daley Center replica

“The American Dream is dead! But I’m going to make it better and stronger than ever before.!” Presidential candidate Donald Trump told the 300-audience at the City Club of Chicago last June 29. Commenting on the sold-out event within 15 minutes after CCC announcement on its website, he added: “I heard that you turned down some 5000 people… you should have let them in so you can make more money.” Yeah, MONEY. News report tells us Donald Trump is worth $9 billions!

He delivered his statistics-loaded about his success as a businessman and about the failure of the US government and how he can “make it stronger and better” — extemporaneously. He spit out criticisms against some politicians spontaneously, as though he is on the set of his Reality TV program “the Apprentice” which made him more famous by his “You’re Fired” on-the-spot decision to an “apprentice.” The Donald speaks his mind out, no matter who gets hurt.

Across the street at Maggiano’s on Grand Avenue where the City Club of Chicago holds its events, were peaceful protestors with screaming placards like, “We don’t love you” in response to his recent comments at CNN, towards Mexico saying: “I like Mexico. I love the Mexican people. I do business with the Mexican people. But you have people coming through the borders bringing drugs, crime, and rapists.

In his “campaign speech” at the City Club of Chicago, Trump emphasized that immigration is atop on his agenda when elected President of the United States; he will make America “great again,” a famous phrase used by the late Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos. He said: “If I win, I will make our county get back to work, and be less politically correct. I will make it rich, build up military, no tax on Social Security ….”

After his speech, he met with the media for a few minutes, but evaded some questions… and talked more about his success, his real estate empire like his hotels including The Trump Tower in Chicago, his books, his TV shows, admitting that he makes headlines because he “sticks up for himself.”

When asked why he believes he would be a good president, without butting an eyebrow, the Donald Trump said it’s because “the people currently running the country don’t know what they are doing.” ***

Rejoinders from two of our Kababayan thinkers: Atty. Jun Joaquin: “I like Donald Trump to be our next president. With his optimism which made him what he is today, I believe he will, indeed, be a good president who will make America great again.”

From political critic, Don Azarias: There’s no doubt in my mind that Donald Trump will be a good president. Seeing his poll numbers soaring in recent days only validate the fact that he is not really a demagogue or a charlatan as other people perceived him to be. Although politically incorrect, those true Americans know that he has a point in his pronouncements on some of those immigrants. Of course, he should have not used the word “rapists” to describe the Mexicans. He could have softened the blow on his criticism by omitting that word in his speech thus, avoiding the backlash that will continue to haunt his campaign.

Trump is not afraid to offend anyone as long as he believes that his stance on issues is for the benefit of his beloved birthplace, the United States of America and the American people. Other presidential candidates fear to tread on those issues because of their fear of being called racists or rednecks. But, in the real world, a voter can judge the true color of a candidate and his determination in pursuing his goals as president. For Donald Trump, there is no compromising of his principles.”

This columnist also believes Mr. Trump’s vision will make America greater. However, his “racial remark” towards the Mexican becomes his boomerang. With a long line of Presidential aspirants under the Republican Party, Mr. Trump’s approval for nomination would be his real struggle… more difficult than raising his over Nine Billion Dollars assets today. ***

RE OUR NON-STOP INCREASES IN OUR REAL ESTATE PROPERTY:

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announced that her office had mailed nearly 1.8 million property tax bills beginning July 1 and must be paid by recipients no later than August 3. Pappas’ office instructs property owners to pay in any of the following ways: Online at cookcountytreasurer.com; at nearly 400 Chase Bank locations in Illinois; from an account at some 200 participating community banks; or by mail with a U.S. postmark no later than August 3, 2015. Partial payments are accepted. Payments received or postmarked after August 3 will be charged 1.5 percent monthly. Taxpayers must record their 14- digit Property Index Number (PIN) on the face of each payment check. ***

The ongoing increase in our property tax makes it harder for Home Owner retirees like this columnist, in addition to home improvement repairs. Like the installation of Flood Control device in places where flooding was not a problem when we bought such property. Oh, well…

And, of course, WE Illinoisans are waiting what GOOD WILL IT BRING TO US from DUEL at Springfield between GOV. BRUCE RAUNER (R) and DEMOCRAT STRONGMAN MIKE MADIGAN over TAXing the TAXated folks like us. ***

DENNIS J. NIEBAR MEMORIAL FUNDRAISER ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

at Four Points at Sheraton Hotel, Shiller Park: On bended knees, this columnist (Elsie) appeals for the help of everyone with charitable hearts to please support the DENNIS JOHN NIEBAR MEMORIAL CHARITABLE FUND (DJNMCF) with your presence on September 13 (Sunday from 5 pm- 10 pm) at the above hotel.

With our hardworking officers, we are trying hard to continue raise the funds to buy a van for FAITH COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (FCPC) located at 3900 N. Plainfield Ave in Chicago. Founded in 1945 by our Early Manongs and Manangs (respectful address to Older Filipinos), the FCPC today continues to serve like “The Ellis Islands” to some newly-arrived Filipinos looking for a Place of Worship with their Compatriots. The FCPC is my first “Home and Family” in Chicago; my late husband Dennis and I were the first couple to be married at this church when it officially became a member of the Presbytery of Chicago in 1975.

Please HELP us realize our Dream VAN to service senior citizens (like me). For Dinner tickets or complimentary advertisements in our souvenir program book, please call me (Elsie) at 773) 610-1287 or email me at elsyniebar@msn.com. Thank you for your kindness towards a cause in Service to the Lord. COOK COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS KAREN YARBROUGH EXPLAINS SERVICES OF HER OFFICE:

For sure, not all of us including property owners understand the services of the Cook County Recorder of Deeds. A group of us Filipino Americans who attended the Cultural Celebration of the Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) 2015 at the Daley Center last June 12, chaired by Brenda Stevens, were “educated” by the Hon. Karen Yarbrough, the guest speaker.

In her speech, Recorder Yarbrough, started her informative speech saying:

“MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS! GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

I want to thank NICK VERA PEREZ, our Master of Ceremonies, and ELSIE SY-NIEBAR, who I had the pleasure of spending some time with recently. I love making new friends from diverse backgrounds because it makes me a better person. On this day in 1898, the people of the Philippines declared their independence, and though the United States Government did not recognize it until the 1940s, I’m happy to say that the American people recognize June 12, 1898 TODAY.

As your Recorder of Deeds, I make sure our office reaches out to our County’s immigrant populations. Whether it is Latino, Polish, Chinese, Hindi or Filipino – we are all people of this world, and we all want our communities to be better places. We can only achieve that by working together.

Many people are not aware of what a Recorder of Deeds does, so let me quickly fill you in. In the United States, when you buy or sell property there is a public record, and our office is the keeper of that record. Public records of ownership are the bedrock of the American Dream. When banks know who owns what, they have the confidence they need to lend money at affordable rates, making home ownership possible for you and me.

The Mission of my office is “Accuracy – Efficiency – and Advocacy”. I strive to be a good steward of the Office, mindful that the people demand and deserve advocacy. When something isn’t right, we don’t put our head in the sand and ignore it. At the Recorder of Deeds Office, when there’s a problem, we fix it, and if the system is broken, we change the system.

I want to thank you all so much for asking me to be here today – I am truly honored. The Filipinos I have met care deeply about others, their community, their nativeland, and the world – which is why we are here today, and why I am so humbled that you have invited me to be your guest today.Your nation is a very diverse place, where East meets West, and I am looking forward to visiting your country soon! MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS! GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES.” ***

CHICAGO NIGHTINGALES to hold a Filipino Cultural Show on September 26, 11 am to 4 pm at the Drury Lane Oakbrook. Luncheon tickets are $40. According to Rose Sandiego , “Chicago Nightingales.is a nonprofit group whose mission is to promote health and wellness in the community and to provide assistance to communities stricken by human induced disasters or calamities, locally and in Third World countries like the Philippines. Call Rose either by email, rsunrise2@ aol.com or call 708-843- 1750. *****

RETIRED ENGINEER, ROBERT BROOKS, 88, chose ATTY. ARCADIO JR. “JUN” as RECIPIENT of a collectible PICASSO replica, now a landmark at the DALEY CENTER: In THANKSGIVING TO GOD for his “second life” following his bout with cancer, Atty. Jun Joaquin always celebrates his birthday at their beautiful lakeside home in Plainfield, Illinois. Always with him are his devoted better-half, Dr. Alice Joaquin, and their children and yes – his Friends and relatives mostly from his home province.

However, his Thanksgiving Birthday “belated July 4th celebration” as Jun calls it – was made more touching this year! From a very heartwarming gesture of one of the guests: Engineer ROBERT (Bob) CROOKS who gifted to Jun a very collectible work of Art: A Replica of the Daley Center PICASSO, one of Chicago’s famous Landmark which attracts millions of visitors worldwide.

The story goes that an engineer from Skidmore and Merrill engineering company in Chicago who was a member of team, went to meet with Picasso in Europe and requested the world-renowned painter to sketch a sculpture to stand at the Daley Center. Picasso obliged; the engineer came back to Chicago with the sketch. The American Bridge Division of the US Steel Corp. in Pittsburgh made six 6-inch tall model sculptor which gained Picasso’s approval, the model for the PICASSO landmark at the Daley Plaza. Two of those model replica were given to a very famous Chicago engineer who was working on the project. His name is Mr. Robert Crooks, who had a long professional history in landmark constructions including the John Hancock, Sears Tower (now Willis Tower); American Dental, Daley Center, and the United Airlines Terminals at O’Hare Airport.

I asked Mr. Crooks why he chose Atty. Joaquin as his recipient of such valuable Picasso replica of the Daley Center? Brimming with smile, he said he sees a good heart in Jun in his quiet ways. Mr. Crooks came to know Atty. Jun Joaquin when his Filipina caregiver went to see Jun for legal assistance. Kindness begets Kindness. Indeed, if you have KINDNESS in your HEART, seeing KINDNESS in others is never a problem. That’s how Jun is. Congratulations, Ninong Jun. You best deserve such invaluable PICASSO work of Art from Mr. Bob Brooks! ***

WHAT DENTED OUR RELAXING JULY 4TH LAKE MICHIGAN cruise via the ODYSSEY: It’s been some time when I last cruised our enchanting Lake Michigan. Last July 4th, I made a last-minute Luncheon Crusie reservation at the Odyssey Cruise ship, for me and my sister Vilma. Immediately after our cruise, I got an email from Mr. Michael Higgins, Chief Executive Officer, Odyssey Entertainment Cruises which I am sure is their SOP. My candid response to Mr. Higgins is as follows:

You wrote: “We would love to hear about your cruise experience as it is our best indicator of success…” Gladly, sir: Here’s our experience last July 4, 2015:

The staffers are very nice. July 4th was blessed with a lovely day… guests on board, like me and my sister, enjoyed the great camaraderie. One thing which put my “pleasantry” to a test was the LOOONG WAIT for our main course: crab/mussels/pasta. After waiting for almost an hour between reminders “where’s our main course?” to our very apologetic waitress “Ashley” … I could have walked out of ODYSSEY if we were on the mainland.

MORE MINUTES PASSED: Lo and behold! A server came and served us THE APPETIZER which we already had for almost an hour past! I told the server, “We had this already. We want the main course.” We waited again… another hour??? Poor Ashley… she was really very apologetic but told her it’s not her fault. Maybe 30 minutes before the party was over — we finally got our MAIN COURSE: 1- inch crabmeat and 3 small mussels served in its shells.

Really, the food is NEVER what pissed me off and put a dent on my “refreshing July 4th Cruise aboard the Odyssey.” It was the “ODYSSEY’S SLOW BOAT TO CHINA FOOD SERVICE.” ***

At press time, I haven’t received any response from Odyssey re my complaint. I look forward to their explanation to the above matter. However, in spite of that poor food service, I would still recommend that short cruises on our beautiful Lake Michigan is great, especially with your out-of-town guests. Or a cruise with a Special Someone you love who LOVES YOU.

ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL SUMMER. MORE BLESSINGS TO ALL!#

(1) The Donald Trump, presidential hopeful; (2) Notebook columnist Elsie and her sister, Vilma boarding the Odyssey for their July 4th Luncheon cruise of Chicago’s beautiful Lakefront Lake Michigan aboard the Odyssey, she later described as a the ” “ODYSSEY’S SLOW BOAT TO CHINA FOOD SERVICE.”

(1) Mr. Bob Brooks, happily presenting to Atty. Jun Joaquine the PICASSO replica of the famous PICASSO sculptor landmark in front of the Daley Center in downtown Chicago, which attracts millions from all over the world. (ESN photo); (2) It’s never too late to give one more “Thank you” from the heart to Ms. Diana Palomar (first from left), vice president on Public Affairs of ABCTV CH 7, for inviting Asian American members of the media and community leaders, to the annual celebration of WLSTV’s of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in May. Above photo is a follow up appreciation. In photo next to Ms. Palomar is this columnist; and ABCTV Ch 7 President & Gen. Manager, John Idler, and a gregarious Fil-
Am intern whose name I forgot. My apology. (ESN); (3) Fil-Am community Leaders Margie and George Boerema who are now Balikbayan residents of Angeles, Pampanga, make it their “duty” to come back for the Philippine Independence Day in Chicago to help the PIWC. From left are Margie and George Boerema, this columnist Elsie Sy-Niebar, who with Margie cofounded the Filipino International Couples Society (FICS) in 1985; Becky Belbis and Velia Guffey.

At PIWC Gala: from left is MEGADVENTO, the hardworking chairperson of the PIWC souvenir program book, a most difficult task. Next to her is her very supportive husband, Pepito; and Virgie Cagandahan. Standing at back are Mer Tan, and Tarco Cagandahan (ESN); (2) At PIWC Gala: Chris (PIWC Auditor) and Vilma Briones dancing the night away; Chris and me (Elsie) were former “Malacanang” public servants; 3) Madam Carlota Domantay, the Lady no “Beauty Queen” can refuse when she recruits them to be one. (4) Faue Mendiola, past PIWC chairperson; (5) Spontaneous stage entertainment performed by the Duo Nenneth Miranda and Elsa Castillo, kept the atmosphere lively during the PIWC Gala
night. Joining the Duo later are, from left are Baby Sales, Chaz Patron, NENETH, unidentified, ELSA and Evelyn Tolledo. (ESN)

 

Dr. Gerry Guzman with his wife, Gigi, at the reception of President Benigno Aquino III, last May 6, 2016 held at the JW Marriott Hotel in downtown Chicago. Dr. Guzman will be inducted as the new President of the Philippine Medical Asso. of Chicago (PMAC) on September 15 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois. (ESN photo).