Peggy Zabicki

Peggy Zabicki

No waffling about her favorite holiday

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By Peggy Zabicki

Your correspondent in West Lawn

3633 W. 60th Place •  (773) 504-9327

Today, March 25, is one of my favorite holidays. As you probably know, it is International Waffle Day. This holiday was first celebrated in Sweden after the invention of the waffle iron. Norway and Denmark soon followed. Now, Waffle Day is celebrated all around the world.

I like to observe Waffle Day by eating waffles with friends and family. We then gather around the waffle tree and sing waffle carols and exchange waffle presents.

PeggyZabicki

Peggy Zabicki

OK, I’m kidding; but truthfully, here in West Lawn we are lucky to have not one but two wonderful restaurants to celebrate this important holiday. Huck Finn restaurant, 6650 S. Pulaski, has delicious waffles with a variety of toppings. They are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Call them at (773) 581-4285. Top Flight restaurant, 4715 W. 63rd St., also serves wonderful waffles. I have probably eaten a few hundred of their delectable delights over the past few decades. Top Flight is open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Call them at (773) 581-1770. Enjoy and celebrate wisely.

Isn’t it great that restaurants are open once again and that all are welcome? I am always looking for West Lawn dining suggestions. If you have any favorites, just give me a call or send a text.

Thirteenth Ald. Marty Quinn’s Senior Citizen Club will meet at 9 a.m. Friday, March 25 at the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski. All are welcome to come and bring a friend. If you’d like to be placed on the mailing list, call Barb at (773) 581-1313. You will then get a reminder in the mail about the monthly meetings.

Marquette Bank is participating in the Marquette Bank Education Foundation scholarship program. They will be awarding a $2,500 scholarship to one high school senior at dozens of schools across the Southwest Side and in the suburbs the bank serves.  Hubbard High School is on the list of participating high schools.  Students can go to emarquettebank.com/scholarship to download the application form, fill it out, and bring it to their school administrator or counselor. The scholarship award is based on community service, academics and financial need. The deadline to submit the application is April 1.

Congratulations to the Queen of the Universe 5th and 6th grade soccer team. On Friday, March 11 they won a league championship. There are a lot of proud parents and friends here in West Lawn. Go Cobras!

The West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St., is now offering free homework help for kids of all ages through their Teacher in the Library program. The afterschool group meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. Call first to confirm availability at (312) 747-7381.

The library now has a yoga exercise program for adults on Fridays at 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Registration is required. Call or visit during library hours: Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 to 5 p.m., Monday noon to 8 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday noon to 8 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Envision Community Services is presenting a men’s health awareness event. Bring your own team or group of men to Envision’s First Annual Basketball Competition on Saturday, March 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event will be held at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish Center, 4620 W. 63rd St. In addition to the basketball competition there will be free health screenings for blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels. Register by calling (773) 931-3446.

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Ald. Silvana Tabares

Thank you to 23rd Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares for her efforts in speaking out against the harsh discipline against  our police who endure dismissals and suspensions because of vaccine mandates.

Tabares has been standing up for our men and women in blue. She recently stated, “In the wake of anti-police sentiment–not only in our city but across the state, I’m not at all surprised that COPA (Civilian Office of Police Accountability) has felt empowered to dish out these ridiculous punishments compared to previous years.”

Thank you, Alderman Tabares! We appreciate all you do.

Local News

Plant Chicago is a non-profit that encourages the growth neighborhood-based start-up businesses and which promotes what it calls a circular economy. It promotes a community-wide adoption of business models designed to recycle and reuse materials, money, expertise and more. Initially headquartered in a century-old warehouse in Back of the Yards, Plant Chicago has relocated to what was a vacant firehouse at 45th and Marshfield. Its indoor farmers markets are possibly its best-known and most popular events. The next market is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29 at its headquarters. For details, visit plantchicago.org. --Supplied photo

Funds flow to Back of the Yards

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Spread the loveFour groups get grants; millions more available  By Tim Hadac Four organizations in Back of the Yards—three businesses and a non-profit—are among 31 awarded more than $14.4 million in small business grants being allocated through the Chicago Recovery Plan. They are: Diaz Group Office Space, 5100 S. Damen, $250,000. El Nuevo Guadalajara, 4350…

Talbert Fleming

Offer reward in grandma’s slaying

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Spread the loveWas shot on 71st Street  By Tim Hadac             A $15,500 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot and killed a 49-year-old grandmother in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood. Tamiko L. Talbert Fleming, of south suburban Dolton, was in the driver’s seat of her vehicle at 71st…

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A sweet salesgirl

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Spread the love Alessandra Valentina Paredes, a Daisy Scout with Girl Scout Troop 20637 (sponsored by St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish), shows a sweet smile as she begins her first-ever time selling Girl Scout Cookies. The daughter of West Lawn residents Jose Antonio and Lorena Paredes, Alessandra, age 5, joined the Daisies just four months…

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Midway is new for Frontier

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Spread the loveLow-fare airline coming in April  By Tim Hadac Low-fare passenger airline options are set to increase at Midway International Airport this spring, with the arrival of Frontier Airlines. The expansion of air travel options was announced at a press conference last week at the airport. With 10 new nonstop routes taking off starting…

U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush

Rush rips USDA over plight of black farmers

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Spread the love‘House is on fire,’ congressman says  From staff reports U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-1st) recently questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack about what Rush called “the dire prognosis of black farmers in the U.S. and the steps USDA is taking to help minority farmers.” “As you well know, our nation’s…

Handley

Charge man with Archer Heights carjacking

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Spread the loveBy Tim Hadac Police say they’ve solved a carjacking that occurred in Archer Heights earlier this month. An 18-year-old Southeast Side man was charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking in connection with the crime. Monte Handley, of the 9000 block of South Muskegon, was apprehended by police in the 7500 block of South Ellis…

Barco

Charge man in shooting of 2

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Spread the loveBy Tim Hadac A 22-year-old West Lawn man was charged with two counts of aggravated battery, as well as aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, after he was arrested in the 3700 block of West Marquette Road at 4:06 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17. Isaiah Barco allegedly shot two men in a crime that…

Chicago Police Department

Police reports

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Spread the loveShot in the head, killed on Archer A 33-year-old man was shot in the head and killed as he drove a vehicle in the 4200 block of South Archer at 5:13 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22. The victim was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:47 a.m. Police said…

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Tabares backs West Lawn Branch Library

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Spread the love Twenty-third Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares (left) recently toured the renovated West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St.,, with new branch manager Mina Duarte. Details about the renovation’s may be found in the West Lawn column in the January 28 Greater Southwest News-Herald.   –Supplied photo

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Chuy backs Starbucks unionization

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Spread the love U.S. Rep Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th), white mask, recently stood with those who support unionization of Starbucks workers, outside a shop in the city. Workers are attempting to organize under the banner of Chicago and Midwest Joint Board, Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union. –Supplied photo

Neighbors

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Capitol News Illinois partners with ‘Illinois Lawmakers’ program to bring it back to air

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Immigrant advocates tout new report showing benefits of state-funded health plans

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Capitol Briefs: State unveils report on racial disparities among homeless populations

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