Greetings from your new columnist

By Laura Ortega

Your correspondent in Greater Ashburn

4214 W. 82nd Place •  (773) 627-6679

I’m excited to become the new correspondent for Greater Ashburn (covering the Wrightwood, Ashburn, Parkview and Scottsdale neighborhoods).

Please allow me to introduce myself to you. I work full-time as a finance professional, specializing in state and local tax for the past 16 years. I am a mother of three teenagers (keep me in your prayers) whom I love and adore.

I was born and raised in the Gage Park neighborhood where I lived for 20 years. I’ve been in the Scottsdale neighborhood for 20 years, and I attend and serve St. Bede the Venerable Church.

Laura Ortega

I’ve attended many great events in the Greater Ashburn area and hope to share useful information with you and your loved ones.

I look forward to attending the Laff-Jam Comedy night mentioned below. Feel free to say hello. I promise I won’t bite (unless it’s a full moon)!

Mark your calendars for these:

• The Laff-Jam Comedy Night is set for Friday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) in the St. Bede Church hall, 83^rd and Kostner.

Comedians set to perform are Anthony Bonazzo and Marci Deloney (Laugh Factory) and Anthony Fuentes (Kelly Clarkson Show). Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. There will be a DJ, cash bar, raffles and split the pot. You must be age 18 or older. Buy your tickets at the school or rectory. For more information call the rectory at (773) 884-2000 or email stbedeathletics@stbedechicago.org.

• A bunny hop and fun run is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9 at Durkin Park, 8445 S. Kolin. Activities include a one-mile fun run, bunny hop and photo with the Easter Bunny. The fee is $7 for both the bunny hop (for children ages 3-5) and fun run (children ages 6-12). All participants will receive a swag bag full of goodies. Top three winners in each age group will receive a medal and an Easter basket. There is limited space for 30. Pre-registration is required at chicagoparkdistrict.com.

The following events are for 18^th Ward residents only. For more information, please call Ald. Derrick Curtis’s office at (773) 284-5057 or visit derrickgcurtis.com/events.

• The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office staff will be at Transformation Church, 7711 S. Kedzie, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday March 24. At this event, you may renew/correct of your driver’s license, your state ID, and renew your license plate registration.
• An Easter egg hunt is set for noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9 at Rainey Parkm 4350 W. 79^th St. There will be games, snacks and an Easter basket giveaway.
• Eighteenth Ward Ald. Derrick G. Curtis will host an Earth Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 14 in the north parking lot of 8329 S. Pulaski. Sponsors may include Lowe’s, ComEd, Peoples Gas, ITI Intermodal, Oak Street Health, the Chicago Department of Streets & Sanitation, United Fidelity Bank and more.
• A paper shredding and electronics recycling is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at the parking lot of Oak Street Health, 3348 W. 87^th St.
• A pet health fair is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 25 in the north parking lot 8359 S. Pulaski. Staff from Chicago Animal Care & Control will be on hand with 100 free vaccines (rabies, FVRP, DA2PPL). There also will be free microchipping, ID fags, pet food & supplies. Sign up to receive a “curb your dog” lawn sign.

If you have any news you’d like to see in this column, please call me or send an email to editor@swnewsherald.com. I’ll do what I can to include it in this column.

Well, that’s all for now. Remember to make someone laugh this week!