To receive City services, you must ask

By Mary Stanek

Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon

3808 W. 57th Place •  (773) 284-7394

The CHI311 website is the way to go, or a simple 311 phone call can help keep our neighborhoods clean and safe!

To quote from an article written by Mike Kovac in the Archer Heights Civic Association’s newsletter, “We extend a hearty thank you to the graffiti removal crews for your hard work in our community.” From Dec. 16 through Jan. 15, Mr. Kovac submitted 59 service requests for graffiti removal, with all but three locations completed within three working days. Many were completed on the next day following the report.

Mary Stanek

Our household agrees completely with Mr. Kovac. Having our dog, we spend a lot of time walking around West Elsdon, Archer Heights and West Lawn. Our favorite parks are Pasteur, Archer and West Lawn. Or a simple walk around Peck School, or up and down Central Park will do.

On our walks, we notice things like graffiti and street lights being out. We always assume that no one else has reported these incidents, so we do. Lo and behold, within a day or a few days, it’s cleared up or fixed. So, if you see something, use CHI311, the app on your phone, or just a simple call to fix the issue.

There is only about 2½ weeks to Paczki Day. Remember to visit one of our excellent bakeries near or along Archer Avenue for these delights. I need to buy a few dozen for my neighbors here along 57^th Place, who have been so kind to me during this situation with my knee.

My thank-you list is endless to my community. I’ve received awesome food, vodka, tequila, flowers, notecards and prayers, to name just a few things. I also need to take the box of King Cake mix that I bought in New Orleans over to the St. Turibius convent, before the Lenten season, so the Sisters can start baking. Thank you to the Sisters for their prayers.

Yes, it’s going on four weeks now, but I started physical therapy right here in good old Archer Heights at ATI. My hospital’s physical therapy was backlogged, so they suggested that I use a local place. As of this writing, I just have had one visit, so I will keep you posted. But I am so far very pleased with my physical therapist, Neil, down on Pulaski.

I asked all when I fell to please salt your walkways. But there are other things that can be done in this nasty weather. Be sure the fire hydrants and garbage cans are accessible to the firefighters and sanitation workers. And let’s just all hope for an early spring.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday to all. We may be making Cincinnati chili over spaghetti for the game. It’s famous and resembles Greek pasta sauce.

Speaking of football, the students of St. Bruno got an extra special experience. Staley Da Bear visited them. He is the official team mascot of the Chicago Bears. As always, maybe next year for the Bears.

Happy Birthday to my dear friend and best Bear fan, Judie Amato.