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Kathy Headley
Weather, and fishing, are just fine
By Kathy Headley
Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor
6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778
The weather has been perfect lately for spending time at Marquette Park, hasn’t it? Whether fishing, golfing, playing tennis or just going for a leisurely walk, folks have been taking advantage of how lucky we are to have this beautiful expanse of nature right here in our neighborhood. This past week I met Peter, who was fishing off the bridge on the Marquette Road side. Peter caught a pretty good-sized channel catfish.
I read that the average size of this fish is 12 inches, but the one Peter caught was much longer at 18 to 20 inches. I also read that this fish can live to be 15 years old, so that made me wonder how long Peter’s catch has been living in our lagoon. As you probably know, the lagoon is restocked on a regular basis, so I guess we’d never know if this big fellow was born here or came as a young adult.
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Kathy Headley
You may recall that at least 10 years ago, if not a bit longer, a major restoration was undertaken by the Chicago Park District to ensure that the lagoon stays healthy for its “residents.” The treated city water that fed the lagoon had phosphorus in it, which created the perfect environment for algae. So, the CPD initiated a new and pretty innovative two-part solution.
There is a system that traps rainwater flowing off the roof of Tarkington School; and as it feeds the lagoon, it helps dilute the phosphorus. In addition to that, even more phosphorus is removed by a “prairie scrubber.” This system filters the water underground through a gravel bed. Guess where the gravel bed is. It is under the large expanse of prairie plants along Kedzie.
Perhaps some of you will remember Jason Malave. He grew up in the neighborhood and was a 1984 graduate of Nativity BVM Grammar School. He is now a priest most recently serving as the cardinal’s liaison for Renew My Church. The Rev. Malave is celebrating 25 years in the priesthood this year.
St. Thomas More Church welcomes their new receptionist, Joyce Fitzgibbons. Thanks to Joyce’s presence, the rectory office hours will now be extended from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Remember this Thursday, Sept. 29 is the celebration of the 42nd anniversary of our Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie. Festivities begin at 11:30 a.m. The International Music Foundation will be on hand, as well as, an Acrylic Pour Art Exhibit, among other surprises.
This Saturday, Oct. 1, Community Cinema brings the 2022 Walt Disney film Lightyear to the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie. If you haven’t followed Buzz Lightyear’s recent adventures, this is the day to do it. The film begins at 2:30 p.m.
This Saturday, Oct. 1, Southwest Chicago Homeless Services (formerly known as Southwest PADS at 3121 W. 71st St.) will hosts their annual Trivia Night fundraiser at St. Rita High School, 7740 S. Western. In addition to trivia competition, the admission donation of $45 includes dinner, cash bar, silent auction and cash raffle. For ticket information, contact Karyn Perkins, Executive Director, at (773) 737-7070.
Coming up on Saturday, Oct. 15, 18th Ward Ald. Derrick Curtis will be holding a “Drive-Thru Community Shred-a-Thon” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Oak Street Health, 3348 W. 87th St. This event is for 18th Ward residents only. Some electronics will be accepted. Feel free to contact the alderman’s office at (773) 284-5057.
Good news for seniors who need to renew their state ID cards or driver’s license. The Illinois Secretary of State’s office will visit the Southwest Regional Senior Center on Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make sure to bring appropriate documents needed. If you are not sure, stop by the Senior Center and pick up a list of accepted documents ahead of time.
Recently on our trip back to 1978, we thought about attending the 20th anniversary celebration taking place at a favorite Italian restaurant here on 63rd Street. So where were we going? As I mentioned last week, the top guess overwhelmingly was El Bianco, followed by several guesses of Palermo’s and also Orlando’s, Italian Villa and Giordano’s. There was only one Italian restaurant left that I could think of, but no one had guessed it.
The day after my column was due, Brad O. called with the correct answer of Little Joe’s. He was followed closely by Dennis D. and Miami Joe.
Little Joe’s, of course, was at 2921 W. 63rd St. For their anniversary celebration, Pat and Joe were giving a free pitcher of beer or pop with a $5 or more food purchase and free flowers to the first 300 ladies to come in.
Also having an anniversary in September of 1978, this nearby popular place was celebrating 13 years in business. It is in Ashburn and it is still there. It is not a restaurant per se, but you could eat there. There are plenty of options available to spend time there. I’d better not say any more or I will give it away. What do you think?
Local News
![joanhadac Joan Hadac](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/joanhadac.jpg)
It’s a busy January in Gage Park
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…
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You can bank on good service here
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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Crime images spark outrage in Gage Park
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College Report: McAuley grad Swiatek plays hero for St. Francis
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…
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Tax exemptions will be automatic, Kaegi says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports In response to the ongoing pandemic, the Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office will continue the automatic renewal of the Senior Freeze, Veterans with Disabilities and Persons with Disabilities Exemptions. The Homeowner and Senior Exemptions will continue to auto-renew every year. If a homeowner received any of these five exemptions…
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Troop 1441 Scout earns Eagle rank
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A journey that began years ago for Adrian Ayala recently culminated in Boy Scouting’s highest honor. Ayala, a member of Boy Scout Troop 1441 (sponsored by the St. Mary Star of the Sea Holy Name Society) was honored at an Eagle ceremony at Duggan Hall on Jan. 13. The Eagle rank…
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Scavenger Sale different this year, Pappas says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ 2022 Scavenger Sale will look different, as the Treasurer’s Office takes steps to help small developers, homeowners and investors rebuild neighborhoods and create generational wealth. Under Illinois law, the Treasurer’s Office is required to conduct a Scavenger Sale every two years, offering at auction the…
Neighbors
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After 9 months, state data begins to detail new pretrial detention system
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com Nine months after cash bail ended in Illinois, the state is taking its first steps in publishing the data that crafters of the bail reform law saw as essential to judging its effectiveness. The data shows that judges in the 75 counties served by the Illinois Supreme Court’s…
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ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS: Pritzker keeps economic development at forefront in exclusive interview
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com With fiscal year 2025 slated to begin Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker continues to tout available state tax incentives and promote Illinois as a site for business development. On the season finale of “Illinois Lawmakers” this week, Pritzker pointed to a pair of developments in East Alton and Normal…
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Pritzker calls SCOTUS emergency abortion ruling ‘small respite’ as state protections await his signature
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‘We don’t really know what we’re voting on,’ top Dem says of Pritzker’s prison plan
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com LINCOLN – On the eve of a scheduled vote to advise Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration on plans to close and rebuild a pair of dilapidated state prisons, hundreds filed into a junior high school gymnasium Thursday evening clad in matching green T-shirts. Printed on the shirts was a…
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SCOTUS ruling could upend federal corruption cases for Madigan, allies
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday narrowed the scope of a federal bribery law prosecutors have relied on in their cases against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and several of his allies convicted of bribing him. A jury last spring found those allies – former lobbyists and…
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Quantum technology companies set for big tax incentives under new law
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday gave final approval to a plan to bolster the state’s tech industry, including an incentives package – backed by $500 million in the state budget – aimed at making Illinois the nation’s leader in quantum computing. The package also expands tax…
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Illinois child tax credit: who gets it, how much is it?
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com In the final hours of their spring legislative session, Illinois lawmakers approved a tax credit of up to about $300 for families with young children. The credit is available to Illinoisans with children under age 12 who qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC. Although…
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Illinois’ ban on ‘bump stocks’ remains in place despite U.S. Supreme Court decision
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – An Illinois law banning the sale and use of “bump stocks” and other devices that increase the firing power of semiautomatic weapons remains in place, at least for now, despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision Friday striking down a federal ban on such items. “Illinois law…
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Another Choate Mental Health Center employee indicted for abuse of resident
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com Another caregiver at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna is facing charges for abusing a patient. A grand jury indicted Joseph A. Clark, 24, of Grand Chain, on a felony charge of aggravated battery and a misdemeanor charge of battery. Clark pinned a Choate resident to…
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By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois State Police say an automated license plate reader program has helped the agency identify witnesses or suspects in 82 percent of highway shooting cases this year, including all eight that resulted in a death. But as the state looks to further expand its network of more than…