Future is bright for Angelina “AJ” Juarez
By Joan Hadac
Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge
(708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com
This week, I have the pleasure of congratulating Angelina “AJ” Juarez, who recent graduated from St. Laurence High School after four years of success.
An alumna of Twain School, AJ—among other things—was a four-year starter on the Vikings softball team. This season, the young Black and Gold program had its best year ever, winning an IHSA sectionals crown. As an infielder and a top hitter, AJ played a key role in the Vikes’ success.
The future looks bright. AJ has signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic career at Triton College in suburban River Grove, where she is expected to wear the red and gold and compete for the Trojans.
Congratulations, AJ! I’m sure your mom and dad, Monica and Steve, are as proud of you as they can be.
- Well, file this under Here’s Why They Put Erasers on Pencils. Last week, I shared the wrong date for the annual Patriot’s Day Parade. The correct date is Thursday, June 30. The parade is expected to step off at 7 p.m. near Archer and Central. Heading
- The Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce has been reminding folks that Aug. 15 is the deadline to purchase commemorative bricks to honor military veterans. Bricks purchased will be installed at the triangle at 55th Street, Archer and Narragansett, in time for Veterans Day. Bricks may be purchased for as little as $30 each. For details on how you can honor the veteran in your life, visit tinyurl.com/GRCCbricks2022.
- Speaking of the triangle, I must say a word about the role Geno Randazzo of All Exterior Contractors has played in all this. Three years ago, the center of the triangle looked terrible. Weather (not to mention local vandals) had taken a toll—with dozens of bricks missing from the walkway and the benches broken. Geno—who grew up in the area and is an alumnus of Kennedy High School–had his crews completely refurbish the triangle—all at his own expense. And a couple of months ago, when punks struck again and vandalized the benches and bricks, Geno stepped up and again and made things right. So a big thanks goes to you, Geno.
- Well, the call went out, and the good people of Clearing and Garfield Ridge responded. The recent “bundle weekend” at Two Holy Martyrs Parish was quite a success. Donna LeCompte tells me that the trailer in their parking lot was filled to overflowing, so much so that they needed a second trailer to hold all donated clothes and household items. The next THM bundle weekend will occur in November. I‘ll keep you posted. In the meantime, a big thanks to Donna and all other members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society chapter. Donations help SVdP with its ongoing charitable works through the Chicago area.
- Speaking of answering the call, Clearing and Garfield Ridge residents responded in a big way to last Sunday’s fundraiser for Garfield Ridge mom Della Benveniste, who is battling cancer. The event at Fat Daddy’z in Summit was jammed. It was great to see. About $9,800 was raised, If you missed the event but want to make a donation to help Della, please contact me via email.
- The Garfield Ridge Civic League, with coordination of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, will go on a “Creek Peek” tour of the Sagawau Environmental Learning Center on Saturday, July 2.
Among other things, the tour offers a glimpse at Cook County’s only canyon and dolomite cliffs.
The tour bus is scheduled to depart from CrossRoads Community Church, 5433 S. Austin, at 9:30 a.m. and return at about 12:30 p.m. Bottled water will be provided.
Those on the tour may not wear sandals or open-toe shoes.
Capacity is limited to 25. The GRCL is asking for a donation of $10 per person, cash or check payable to the Garfield Ridge Civic League. Everyone will be required to sign a waiver of liability.
For more information or to make a reservation, call or text GRCL President Henry Pukala at (773) 562-0071.
That’s all for now. Please get out and enjoy everything or neighborhoods have to offer.
Local News
Pappas to host phone bank for black, Latino homeowners
Spread the loveCook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and ABC 7 Chicago will host another Black and Latino Houses Matter phone bank on June 15 to help homeowners find refunds, apply for property tax exemptions and avoid the Tax Sale. “Since I started Black and Latino Houses Matter we’ve returned nearly $200 million owed to these…
All Exterior Contractors to the rescue
Spread the loveInstalls 400th roof in Garfield Ridge for homeowner in need By Tim Hadac A company known for saving homeowners and business owners thousands of dollars has come through for a Garfield Ridge homeowner in her time of need. Late last month, All Exterior Contractors donated a new roof (both house and garage) to…
Postseason Softball: St. Ignatius one-ups St. Laurence in supersectional heartbreaker
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer It took a near perfect game — and a close play at the plate — to eliminate St. Laurence from its historic season. St. Laurence pitcher Sarah Klonowski and St. Ignatius hurler Ellie Giles were throwing zeroes through five innings in the Class 3A Rosemont Supersectional at the…
Postseason Roundup: Lincoln-Way East tops Marist in battle of volleyball powers
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer For the first time since 2014, no area boys volleyball advanced to the Elite Eight. In the past seven postseasons, either Marist, Sandburg, Brother Rice or St. Rita made it to the quarterfinals. This year, Marist was the last team standing, but dropped a wild 23-25, 25-22, 25-21…
Pro Soccer Report: Pugh continues hot run, helps Red Stars top OL Reign
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Despite missing the first two games of the season, Chicago Red Stars standout Mallory Pugh entered this week’s action in a three-way tie for second in goals scored in the NWSL. Pugh scored her fourth goal of the season to help the Red Stars (3-1-2) beat OL Reign,…
Garfield Ridge Chamber’s pet parade almost here
Spread the lovePaws to hit pavement at Wentworth Park By Tim Hadac Hundreds of Clearing and Garfield Ridge dogs—and perhaps even a few reluctant cats—are expected to parade around Wentworth Park, 57th and Narragansett, this Saturday, June 4. Sponsor of the event is the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce. “This event has been extremely well-received…
A young mom who really needs our help
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Again and again over the 29 years I’ve lived in Garfield Ridge, I’ve seen examples of the neighborhood pulling together to help its own, especially in time of great need. As a news reporter and columnist in these pages and…
Runners, joggers, walkers, rollers still welcome
Spread the love Registration is still open for the 2022 Garfield Ridge Stars & Stripes 5K, set for Saturday morning, July 2 on a course that starts and ends at Wentworth Park, 57th and Narragansett. Participants must be able to maintain at least a 16-minute mile pace to join. Welcome are walkers, joggers, walkers…
Friends stage fundraiser for Garfield Ridge mom
Spread the loveFighting lung cancer, medical bills By Tim Hadac A Garfield Ridge mom fighting lung cancer and a growing pile of medical bills is getting a boost from her friends, but more are needed to support a fundraiser coming this month. Della Benveniste, already living with rheumatoid arthritis, learned she has small-cell carcinoma in…
Neighbors
House gives OK to new state agency focused on early childhood programs
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House gave final passage Thursday to a bill establishing a new cabinet-level state agency whose mission will be to provide a kind of one-stop shop for services focusing on early childhood development and education. By the time it’s fully operational in 2026, the new…
ANALYSIS: ‘Significant enough’ opposition to Pritzker’s revenue plan leads to call for cuts
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com When Gov. JB Pritzker proposed his budget for the upcoming fiscal year in February, he sought authority from lawmakers to raise more than $1 billion in revenue through various changes to the state tax code. Among other things, he sought to raise $526 million through extending an expiring…
State officials offer last goodbye to former Thompson Center as renovations begin
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State officials kicked off the private renovation of the building which once served as the state government’s Chicago headquarters. The James R. Thompson Center, as it was known under state ownership, was sold in 2022 to a development firm that is renovating the building for its…
Public officials seek greater oversight of prescription drug middlemen
By DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois draju@capitolnewsillinois.com As state lawmakers hold hearings targeting the role of pharmacy benefit managers – an influential arm in how the health insurance industry prices prescription drugs – multiple state agencies are considering how to better regulate the industry. Often referred to as pharmaceutical “middlemen,” PBMs act as third-party intermediaries…
Thousands of youths at risk of losing access to after-school programs
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Advocates for community-based after-school programs say as many as 40,000 youths statewide could lose access to tutoring services, recreation and other extracurricular activities this summer unless Illinois lawmakers approve an infusion of funds to keep them going. “The time is now for legislators to act to…
Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse was rampant in state-run juvenile detention centers
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Rampant sexual abuse occurred unchecked for decades at Illinois’ juvenile detention centers, a new lawsuit filed on behalf of 95 former detainees alleges, citing hundreds of incidents over more than two decades. The plaintiffs were boys between 12 and 17 years old when the alleged abuse occurred and…
House GOP advances 2 human trafficking victim protection bills as others remain in limbo
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com After Illinois received another failing grade from a national advocacy group, state House Republicans have introduced legislation aimed at further protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators of human trafficking. Shared Hope International, an advocacy organization that works to prevent sex trafficking, said in its 2023 Illinois report card that…
Remembering Lee Milner
NEWS TEAM Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com On Wednesday, April 17, the Springfield, Illinois Capitol and journalism communities lost a devoted friend and advocate when Lee Milner passed away. As Dean Olsen wrote in his piece in the Illinois Times earlier this month, “Readers of Illinois Times often have seen Milner’s work as a freelance photojournalist. But…
Former state trooper who caused fatal crash halts effort to get driving privileges restored
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com The former Illinois State Trooper who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter of two sisters in 2007 has abandoned his efforts to have a hearing into the restoration of his driving privileges – for now. Matt Mitchell, 45, requested at least two delays in the hearing after he failed…
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again. The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…