Karen Sala

Karen Sala

Primrose here, spring on its way

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By Karen Sala

Your correspondent in Gage Park

(773) 471-1429 • karen.sala@hotmail.com

January, on average, is the coldest month of the year. I sure hope it doesn’t get any colder than it has been, although I would rather have cold than snow.

I bought a yellow Primrose the other day. You know what I always say: when the Primrose are out in Jewel, spring is on the way! You have to think positive.

My Christmas decorations are down. I sure could have used Timmy to help, but I had to do it myself. I’ll probably find something still hanging about May or June.

KarenSala2021

Karen Sala

January is National Soup Month. I’m making French Onion soup today. I was watching Dean Richards on WGN-TV, make it on his cooking segment. Now I have a taste for it. I’m probably not doing exactly what he did but it’s starting to look pretty good and smell good too. It should be a nice warmer upper on this terribly cold day!

I bought myself three new bread pans at Jewel the other day. The gremlins in my house better keep their hand off of them.

The 2022 Obama Foundation Scholars have been announced, and one of them is Samantha Alexandra Martinez, co-founder of the Gage Park Latinx Council, who is working to empower young people of color from the Southwest Side to imagine new possibilities and make positive changes in their communities. Congratulations, Samantha!

I don’t have any pets anymore–not even a goldfish. I always had dogs, birds, a cat, fish, frogs, turtles, etc. I don’t understand having an animal, be it a dog or a cat and not letting it in the house. I’ll admit I spoiled all my babies.

If you are cold, your pet is cold. I know some dogs are made for winter more than others, but that doesn’t mean they want to be out all day and night. It doesn’t mean they want to sit in the snow and ice. If you cannot be responsible, don’t own a pet.

When taking your dog for a walk, pay attention to the pads on their feet. Many people use salt on their sidewalks that is not pet friendly. Don’t let them lick the salt off their paws. Booties help, but I have never had a dog that would leave them on.

Brush them to stimulate blood flow and keep their skin and coat in good condition. Antifreeze is deadly to animals, so wipe up any spills and keep it out of your pets reach. If I had one, wouldn’t let my dog out by itself anymore. I would stay out and keep my eyes on it. There seems to be too many lost pets.

There is a challenge on Facebook asking that on what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday, Jan. 17, everyone make a $5 donation to an animal shelter. This seems like a good challenge.

Mark Stubitsch, it was nice to see you the other day.

Local News

Lyons boys volleyball players have a spirited celebration after beating Lockport to win the 12-team Argo Invitational on Saturday. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Area Sports Roundup: Lions grow together while winning Argo Invitational

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Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff writer A few last-minute changes in the schedule forced Lyons to head into the Argo Invitational with just two matches under its belt this season. While some of the other teams in the tournament had played more matches, the Lions adapted and won the 12-team tournament with a 5-0…

The three business leaders (from left) Geno Randazzo of All Exterior Contractors, Mike Riordan of Mike Riordan State Farm Agency and Al Cacciottolo of First Rate Realty (shown here in
a joint effort to serve military veterans) say their current drive is focused on helping Clearing
and Garfield Ridge senior citizens live more safely and independently. --Supplied photo

Biz leaders launch effort to serve seniors

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Spread the loveFocus is on safety By Tim Hadac Several leading businesses serving the Southwest Side have forged a partnership to serve the community’s elderly residents. All Exterior Contractors, Mike Riordan State Farm Agency and First Rate Realty—all members of the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce—are teaming up to offer safety inspections of seniors’ homes, all at no charge.…

GSWNH_BettysIceCream_040122

Serving more than ice cream

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Spread the loveBetty’s is a labor of love By Kelly White Boys and girls thrilled to see the seasonal reopening of Betty’s Ice Cream, 5840 S. Kedzie, are most likely unaware that behind their favorite ice cream cone, sundae or other frozen treat is more than a half century of love. It was February 1967…

Laura Ortega

Easter is a joyful season

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Spread the loveBy Laura Ortega Your correspondent in Greater Ashburn 4214 W. 82nd Place •  (773) 627-6679 Ladies and gentlemen, Easter is around the corner. What is Easter? Easter is a holiday that celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. After his crucifixion, death, and burial, three days later, he arose from the grave.…

Peggy Zabicki

Grocery store manager is a West Lawn original

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Spread the loveBy Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place •  (773) 504-9327 Have you been grocery shopping at the Save A Lot at 4439 W. 63rd St. recently?  If so, you may have noticed some improvements in the food displays. New manager Juan Valenzuela has goals of improving merchandise quality and…

Mary Stanek

We’ll write to you from Timbuktu

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Spread the loveBy Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place •  (773) 284-7394 I want to wish everyone a goodbye. My family and I are moving to Timbuktu. Welcome to 57th Place, baby Santiago. Our neighbor, Claudia, delivered her bundle of joy, and he is as cute as…

U.S. Rep. Marie Newman

Newman notes fed funds for the CTA

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Spread the loveFrom staff reports U.S. Rep. Marie Newman (D-3rd) recently said she has helped secure a $912.1 million award of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). The new grant funding from the American Rescue Plan will help the CTA keep workers on the payroll as communities across the region…

Red Stars clinics and camps are designed to improve the soccer skills or girls and young women. --Supplied photo

Invite girls to Red Stars soccer camps

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Spread the loveBy Tim Hadac Southwest Side girls are invited to take part in a series of camps and clinics offered by the Chicago Red Stars. The Chicago Red Stars Elite Soccer Academy provides an immersive experience for young female athletes. The program focuses on a full-day structure, much like collegiate and professional players, with…

Red Star Yuki Nagasato (right) tries to clear a path for Vanessa DiBernardo on March 25 against Kansas City. DiBernardo scored Chicago's only goal in a 3-1 loss at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. (Photos by Jeff Vorva)

Red Stars Report: Red Stars upset but Mahomes was happy with KC win over Chicago

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Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Leading up to the Challenge Cup home opener against the Kansas City Current, the Chicago Red Stars were feeling pretty good. New coach Chris Petrucelli said every day was enjoyable. “They come out and have fun,” he said on March 24. “Everyone is smiling. I can’t think of…

Sister Regina Dubickas

Sister Regina was a wonderful and kind leader

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Spread the loveBy Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 As I wrote this column, I received the sad news that Sister Regina Dubickas, SSC passed away today. It is with a heavy heart that I send my deepest condolences to the Sisters of St. Casimir.…

Neighbors

Lawmakers pass on oversight vote for Pritzker’s prison closure, rebuild plan

Lawmakers pass on oversight vote for Pritzker’s prison closure, rebuild plan

By HANNAH MEISEL & DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – For the last two decades, each time a governor has moved to close a large state-run facility like a prison or mental health center, a legislative oversight panel has voted on the plan. That changed on Friday – at least for now –…

‘We don’t really know what we’re voting on,’ top Dem says of Pritzker’s prison plan

‘We don’t really know what we’re voting on,’ top Dem says of Pritzker’s prison plan

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com LINCOLN – On the eve of a scheduled vote to advise Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration on plans to close and rebuild a pair of dilapidated state prisons, hundreds filed into a junior high school gymnasium Thursday evening clad in matching green T-shirts. Printed on the shirts was a…

Illinois child tax credit: who gets it, how much is it?

Illinois child tax credit: who gets it, how much is it?

By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com In the final hours of their spring legislative session, Illinois lawmakers approved a tax credit of up to about $300 for families with young children.  The credit is available to Illinoisans with children under age 12 who qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC. Although…

Members of House speaker’s staff sue over ongoing unionization conflict

Members of House speaker’s staff sue over ongoing unionization conflict

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Members of a would-be union representing staffers in House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s office filed suit against their boss on Friday, asking a Cook County judge to force recognition of the union. The Illinois Legislative Staff Association, which formed in the fall of 2022, claims Welch’s…

Elections board urged to dismiss complaint that Bailey illegally coordinated in 2022 campaign

Elections board urged to dismiss complaint that Bailey illegally coordinated in 2022 campaign

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com A hearing officer is recommending the Illinois State Board of Elections dismiss a complaint that alleged conservative radio host and political operative Dan Proft illegally coordinated with former Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey during his 2022 campaign for governor. Proft, a one-time gubernatorial candidate himself, is behind an…

Communities, commission push Pritzker admin for more prison plan details

Communities, commission push Pritzker admin for more prison plan details

By DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com Jimmy Soto spent more than 42 years wrongfully imprisoned in Illinois Department of Corrections facilities. In 2020, he was moved to the “F-House” at Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet, a condemned unit, not because he was being punished, but because it was where the facility was housing individuals…

Judge blocks law that would have banned newly slated candidates from ballot

Judge blocks law that would have banned newly slated candidates from ballot

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com A Sangamon County judge on Wednesday blocked the Illinois State Board of Elections from enforcing a new law that would have prevented certain General Assembly candidates who didn’t run in the March primary from getting on the November ballot. The move doesn’t void the bill in its entirety,…

“No Schoolers”: How Illinois’ hands-off approach to homeschooling leaves children at risk

“No Schoolers”: How Illinois’ hands-off approach to homeschooling leaves children at risk

By BETH HUNDSDORFER  & MOLLY PARKER  CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS investigations@capitolnewsillinois.com This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Capitol News Illinois. It was on L.J.’s 11th birthday, in December 2022, that child welfare workers finally took him away. They arrived at his central Illinois home to investigate an abuse allegation and decided…

Brushing off concerns of overspending, Pritzker signs $53.1 billion state budget

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By ANDREW ADAMS JERRY NOWICKI & HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday signed the state’s $53.1 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year, the largest in state history.  The signing caps months of work – and tension – among top Democratic leaders in Springfield and within the…

Stalled bills: ‘Dignity in Pay Act,’ Prisoner Review Board changes fail to move

Stalled bills: ‘Dignity in Pay Act,’ Prisoner Review Board changes fail to move

By ALEX ABBEDUTO,  COLE LONGCOR & DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com A bill eliminating the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities failed to pass the General Assembly ahead of its May adjournment, although sponsors say they hope to pass it when lawmakers return in the fall. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938…