Peggy Zabicki

Peggy Zabicki

Today is indeed a special day

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By Peggy Zabicki

Your correspondent in West Lawn

3633 W. 60th Place •  (773) 504-9327

Happy June 3rd to all. There are so many observances and holidays that fall on June 3. There is something for everyone. June 3 is National Egg Day, World Cider Day, National Chocolate Macaroon Day, Insect Repellent Awareness Day, National Donut Day, Love Conquers All Day and Hug An Atheist Day. Celebrate responsibly.

On June 3, 1880 Alexander Graham Bell transmitted the first wireless telephone message on his newly invented photophone from the top of the Franklin School in Washington, D.C. This was just the beginning of the invention of the telephone. What would we do without our phones?

PeggyZabicki

Peggy Zabicki

I get phone calls all the time from friends who read my column. I learn a lot about what’s going on in West Lawn and other nearby neighborhoods. A friend recently called me with details about a musical play taking place at Hale Park, 6258 W. 62nd St. I told her I would share the details with everyone. She highly recommends this show.

The musical Sister Act is now being performed at Hale Park on June 3, 4,10 and11 at 7:30 p.m. and June 5 at 2 p.m. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for seniors. You need to call the park at (773) 229-1032 to make a reservation. I hope to attend on June 10 or 11.

There is a yard sale taking place on June 3-5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the entire 6600 block of South Karlov. I’m always on the hunt for treasures. Maybe I’ll see you there!

The West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St., is hosting a Computer Basics for Adults class on Tuesday, June 7 from 4 to 5 p.m. You can learn about search engines, websites and basic computer usage. Call the library for more information at (312) 747-7381.

The library is also presenting a fun program for all ages called Let’s Play! on Monday, June 6 and Monday, June 13 from 6 to 7 p.m. All are welcome to play the Pokemon card game and a variety of board games. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Call the library to register for all events.

Thirteenth Ward Ald. Marty Quinn is hosting the next Senior Citizen Club meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, June 10 at the Balzekas Museum Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski. If you are interested in attending, please call (773) 581-1313 by June 7 to see if there is space available and to register.

A big thank you to Alderman Quinn in helping put a stop to the noisy drag racers using the parking lot at 71st and Pulaski. Barricades have now been put up in order to block drag racers from entering the lot after business hours when their illegal activities would take place. Alderman Quinn, your time and effort are much appreciated.

Here’s some good news about a young person in our neighborhood.  Michael Kozel, an Eagle Scout and 2018 graduate of St. Mary Star of the Sea School, reconstructed the wooden furniture in the outdoor play yard at St. Mary’s as part of his Eagle Scout service project.

He had to solicit materials from Home Depot and recruit a volunteer construction crew. Michael and his crew rebuilt benches, flower boxes and picnic tables. All items were weather proofed with stain. The picnic tables were painted with checkerboards for the children to play checkers and chess. The yard was spruced up, and trash was cleaned up. Thank you, Michael, for your hard work!

Thank you to my neighbor, Pat, for the nice card you sent me. Thank you to my neighbor, Gladys, for the homemade strawberry jam, and thank you, dear readers, for your kind and helpful calls.

Local News

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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

Sophomore Danni Scully of Nazareth is triple-teamed by Marist in a 53-42 victory in LaGrange Park on Jan. 19. Photo by Jeff Vorva

‘Grizzled’ sophomores help Naz beat Marist

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Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Nazareth’s “grizzled veterans” have won 19 of their first 20 games. The Roadrunners’ were victorious in a big East Suburban Catholic Conference showdown with Marist, with two sophomores doing most of the damage in a 53-42 win in LaGrange Park on Jan. 19. Nazareth improved to 19-1, 4-0.…

Sandburg’s boys bowling team is headed to state for the first time since 2017 after winning its own sectional on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Carl Sandburg

Postseason Sports Report: Area stars ready for state bowling and dancing

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Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The first two IHSA state tournaments for winter sports will take place this weekend, and an army of area athletes will be competing in both. The boys bowling and competitive dance championships will be held Friday and Saturday, with the bowlers heading to St. Clair Bowl in O’Fallon…

Peggy Zabicki

We need real solutions to crime

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Spread the loveBy Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place •  (773) 504-9327 Crime and safety concerns are the number one topic of all the calls and texts I receive. It seems that many politicians offer no solutions except the usual lists of ways to keep safe. I think everyone knows about locking…

Mary Stanek

Icy spill yielded plenty of good will

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Spread the loveBy Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place •  (773) 284-7394 Here is a giant shout out to our first responders in the community. On Jan. 9, when a sheet of ice descended on Chicago, I was walking the dog. Walking around Peck School was great.…

Joan Hadac

It’s a busy January in Gage Park

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Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Neighborhood correspondent at large Greetings, Gage Parkers! I’m pleased to be filling in this week for Karen Sala. It’s fun for me to report on Gage Park, the neighborhood where I lived for the first 26 years of my life. There’s always something happening in this big, exciting part of…

Kathy Headley

You can bank on good service here

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Spread the loveBy Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 In this world of corporate takeovers, it is kind of hard to feel safe in the hands of big business. First, we have to supply some of our personal information to the automated system. Then there’s…

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A heavenly sound

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Spread the love In what is arguably the most ornate and beautiful house of worship on the Southwest Side—St. Joseph Church in Back of the Yards–the Polonijna Orkiestra Chicago played liturgical music selections last Sunday. Founded in 2011, the orchestra is designed to teach young musicians Polish music and culture. St. Joseph parishioner Konrad Pawelek…

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Crime images spark outrage in Gage Park

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Spread the loveRobbed at gunpoint in his own garage By Tim Hadac Home-security camera images of a 48-year-old Gage Park man being robbed at gunpoint in his own garage outraged a number of Southwest Siders this week. Images showed the man driving his car down the alley in the 5500 block of South Richmond at…

Former Mother McAuley star Hannah Swiatek (right) smiles and walks off the court with Justene Charlesworth after a recent University of St. Francis victory over Cardinal Stritch. Photo by Jeff Vorva Former  Mother McAuley star Hannah Swiatek (right) smiles and walks off the court with Justene Charlesworth after a recent University of St. Francis victory over Cardinal Stritch. Photo by Jeff Vorva

College Report: McAuley grad Swiatek plays hero for St. Francis

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Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Hannah Swiatek comes off the bench for the University of St. Francis and is averaging 3.1 points per game. But when called on for the biggest shot of her college career, the 5-foot-8 junior guard from Oak Lawn delivered. Swiatek scored the winning basket in a wild 99-97…

Neighbors

Capitol Briefs: Senate advances elections bill, measure targeting ‘predatory’ lending

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Law enforcement community honors fallen officers at Illinois Capitol

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By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Six fallen police officers were honored at an annual memorial service outside the State Capitol Thursday. The Illinois Police Officers Memorial occurs annually on the first Thursday of May to honor officers who died in the line of duty and to support their families.  “No one…

Democrats muscle through changes to ballot access, advisory questions

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After 3 years, state poised to enforce law aiming to end lending discrimination

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

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Election officials to weigh whether Darren Bailey and GOP operative Dan Proft illegally coordinated

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

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As state continues to inventory lead pipes, full replacement deadlines are decades away

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By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com Lead pipes in public water systems and drinking fixtures have been banned in new construction since 1986, when Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, but they are still in use across the U.S. and in Illinois.  The presence of lead pipes has persisted due in part to…

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

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By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Tackling homelessness requires addressing racial injustice, according to a new report commissioned by the state’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness.  The report found that Black people are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than white people. Remedying this disparity, according to the report, would require “long-term…

Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?

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