NO. HALSTED BUSINESS ROBBED AT GUNPOINT
A North Halsted business was robbed at gunpoint one evening last week, by a man who pretended to be a customer before pulling a large weapon from his coat, police said.
The suspect entered the business, in the 3400 block of North Halsted, at about 5:40 p.m. April 17. After brandishing a gun, he forced everyone in the shop behind the counter, including the owner, an employee and a customer and her small children, ages 4 and a year and a half.
After emptying the register, the suspect demanded more money, and he led the adults to the basement to find the safe. The children were left upstairs behind the counter. After emptying the safe, he bound the adults with duct tape and fled, police said.
Officials did not have details on how much money was taken. The suspect had not been apprehended by presstime. Police are searching for a Black male, about 6'1", 190-200 lbs., between 30 and 40 years old with a dark complexion. During the robbery he wore a long dark coat with dark sunglasses and dark gloves.
WilliAms killers plead guilty
Two men accused in the 1999 shooting death of transwoman Barretta Williams pled guilty to murder last week.
Spanish Brown, 25, and Michael Key, 22, both avoided trial by reaching plea agreements. Brown, who was dating Williams at the time of the shooting, received 40 years, and Key, the gunman, is to be sentenced in mid-May. He faces the death penalty.
A third man, William Jones, 23, pled guilty to murder in mid-March and received a 20-year sentence.
TransGenesis founder Lorrainne Sade Baskerville was satisfied with the case's outcome. "The community needs to know about this. Justice has really been done," she said.
Pebbles, a friend of Williams' who was seriously injured in the shooting, was credited with helping authorities apprehend and prosecute the men. See next week's WCT for a profile of Pebbles.
HARVARD GAY REV. IN CHICAGO
McCormick Theological Seminary's annual alumni/ae and continuing education event features keynote addresses by The Rev. Dr. Peter J. Gomes of Harvard University, whose book The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart, re-examines homophobic biblical scholarship. He speaks Monday, April 30, 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 1. At Fourth Presbyterian Church, Michigan and Chestnut, ( 773 ) 256-0781.
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Howard Brown's Who's That Girl 2001, two evenings of drag performance to benefit the center, runs April 27-28. Special performances by Patricia Roberts and Monique Moyet, Park West, 322 Armitage, ( 773 ) 388-1600.
Gerber/Hart Library hosts the pre-event for the 13th Annual Lambda Literary Awards, the largest literary awards program for the gay and lesbian community. Lammy-nominated authors will read from their work, including James J. Berg, Chris Freeman, and Achy Obejas, 6-8 p.m., Friday, April 27, FREE. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres served, 1127 W. Granville. ( 773 ) 381-8030 or www.gerberhart.org
Dr. Sex, the newest program and bi-weekly fundraiser for Test Positive Aware Network, kicks off their 2001 Bar Crawl Wed., April 25; $20 includes cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, doors open at 6 p.m. at Circuit, 3641 N. Halsted.
The 17th Chicago Latino Film Festival has films through May 2, including lots of queer-related cinema delights. Call ( 312 ) 431-1330. See calendar for details.
Ladyfest Midwest Chicago hosts a Xanadu Screening and Roller Skating Party Wed., April 25. Come see the spectacle that is Olivia Newton-John circa 1980, and roller skate to raise funds for Ladyfest, a festival of women Aug. 16-19. DJs, drinks, games, prizes for costumes. $10, 8 p.m.-1 a.m., Rainbo Roller Rink, located at 4836 N. Clark, www.ladyfestmidwest.org
Diana Laffey, Susan Borland and Tricia Alexander play the blues at No Exit Cafe Friday, April 27, ( 773 ) 743-6970, 6970 N. Glenwood.
Amigas Latinas hosts Una Noche De Boliche: Cosmic Bowling III, Friday, April 27, a benefit for the programs of Amigas Latinas. Cost is $10 to mingle, $20 to bowl ( includes shoes ) . Sign up at 8:30 p.m.; bowling from 9-11 p.m., Drake Bowl, 3550 W. Montrose. Tickets include free admission to Star Gaze after party, 5419 N. Clark. ( 312 ) 409-5697
GLSEN's Youth Leadership Summit 8, with a live performance from About Face Youth Theater, discussions, workshops, and film, is April 28. Call ( 773 ) 769-9009, GLSENToni@aol.com
The Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum Grand Opening Weekend for its newly expanded facilities features the opening of the newest permanent exhibition, Mexicanidad: Our Past is Present, April 28, 6 p.m. 1852 W. 19th, ( 312 ) 738-1503, www.mfacmchicago.org
Chicago House's 13th annual Every House Needs a Garden benefit is April 29, with silent auction, mimosas, brunch, open flower market. Cost is $100, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State, ( 773 ) 248-5200, ext. 307.
Congregation Or Chadash's 5th annual Rabbi Daniel I. Leifer Memorial Program, features a panel discussion on Juggling Jewish and Gay Identities, moderated by Rabbi Suzanne Griffel, Sunday, April 29, free, 1-4 p.m. University of Chicago, Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th, ( 773 ) 752-1127, www.hillel.uchicago.edu . Also speaking: Gay author Lev Raphael.
Music Box Theater hosts Sing-A-Long Sound of Music, The Sound of Music with subtitles and audience participation. A special sneak preview of the May 11-May 24 run, to benefit Windy City Performing Arts and the Howard Brown Health Center, is May 1. Charmian Carr, "Liesl" in the original film, will attend; $35, 7 p.m. 3733 N. Southport, ( 312 ) 902-1500.
Alexandra Billings stars as Margo Channing in Applause, to benefit HealthWorks Theatre's touring HIV/AIDS and violence prevention programs. It's Monday, April 30, $40, $100 V.I.P. tickets available, 7:30 p.m., Apollo Theatre, 2540 N. Lincoln, ( 773 ) 935-6100 or www.healthworkstheatre.com