Joan Hadac
Ladies and gents, here’s Patti
By Joan Hadac
Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge
(708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com
I certainly enjoy this column; but after writing for 163 consecutive Wednesdays (I started in August 2019), I’m grateful to have a week off. This week it is my pleasure to take a break and let Patti Tyznik bring you the news. Take it away, Patti!
* * *
As luck would have it, I have been given the opportunity to be a guest columnist for the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound.
My name is Patti Tyznik, and I am a lifelong resident of Garfield Ridge. Born and raised in this community, I attended Michael M. Byrne Elementary and John F Kennedy High School (Class of 1987).
I met my husband of 29 years at Brown’s Chicken, where we both worked many moons ago. I have two full-grown, beautiful daughters who I am proud to say are CPS teachers.
I have worked as a Library Associate for 22 years at the Garfield Ridge Branch Library and have met the most wonderful children and parents you can image.
I am truly blessed to be able to serve the community where I live and look forward to providing neighborhood information as needed. Stop by the library sometime to say hello. Ask for Ms. Patti.
- Many of you may be bemoaning the end of summer and dreading the uncertain winter that surely lies ahead but there are still plenty of goings-on in our neck of the woods to attend, participate in or just check out.
- Let’s start with one of the local parishes, St. Daniel the Prophet, which just celebrated its 75th anniversary Mass with Cardinal Blase Cupich presiding. The church is hosting the St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive on the weekend of Oct. 8-9 from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. in the Parish Center, 53rd and Natoma. Two trailers will be waiting for your boxed or bagged clothing donations, as well as small household items. So start cleaning out your closets and part ways with shoes, boots, coats, sweatshirts and any other clothing items that you haven’t worn in years. It’s much appreciated.
- Girl Scout Troop 20307 will be having their annual bake sale on Sunday, Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon outside of St. Daniel the Prophet Church. I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to some pistachio bundt cake and chocolate chip cookies! Please consider helping them raise some funds.
- The St. Faustina Ladies Guild has started up its monthly bunco sessions in the hall at 5201 S McVicker. They are always looking for new members to learn this fun, four-player dice game. Next session is Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.
- The Clearing Branch Library, 6423 W. 63rd Place, will be hosting an author’s night on Oct. 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Meet Michael Walsh, author of ZHIMON: A Solitary Adventure, as he reads from and discusses his story, which chronicles his 3,500 mile journey along Canada’s historic Fur Trade route. Copies of the book will be for sale. Contact Rob Bitunjac at (312) 747-5657 for more information.
If you have ever wondered where you came from, I mean really came from, then sign up for Clearing Library’s three-part genealogy series, Investigating Your Family History. Learn the basics of tracing your family history with expert genealogist, Ray Johnson and receive a free genealogy workbook. Program takes place Oct. 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Register at chipublib.org/Events.
- The Garfield Ridge Branch Library, 6348 S. Archer, is gearing up for a whole bunch of fall programs. Time for Tots storytime is for children ages 18-36 months, Mondays at 10:30 a.m., excluding Columbus Day. Stories, songs, play, socializing and a craft will brighten your toddler’s day. Children ages 6-13 can learn to play chess on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Senior Saturday is just the thing for our neighborhood seniors. Join us on Oct. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for some conversation, games and live music from the ‘50s and ‘60s provided by local musicians Bud & Marge. Refreshments will be available.
- As Prayer in the Park comes to its conclusion for the year, they are hoping to gather up a huge group for its last session on Monday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. at Hale Park, 62nd and Merrimac. Our Chicago Lawn (8th) District CAPS officers will be in attendance and ask us to join them for a special prayer for our officers. Let’s show our support for the men and women in blue.
Until next week, keep being nice to one another and share a smile!
Local News
What’s old is new again at the GRCL
Spread the love Almost exactly seven years after he was sworn in as president of the Garfield Ridge Civic League, Hank Pukala (right) formally stepped down last week. He announced he is retiring and moving to California. His replacement is also his predecessor. Rick Techman (next to Pukala) served as GRCL president for a number…
Casten wants conservative group de-funded
Spread the loveFrom staff reports U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-6th) last week called on the CEOs of Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase to commit to de-fund the State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF), a group Casten claimed is a “right-wing climate denialism group that actively promotes legislation requiring state and city treasurers to blacklist companies that…
Invite all to Archer Avenue Bar Crawl
Spread the loveBy Tim Hadac A bar crawl showcasing four of the best night spots in Garfield Ridge is set for 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. Sponsored by the Midway Chamber of Commerce (formerly the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce), the Archer Avenue Bar Crawl will include a quartet of watering holes within…
City expands security-camera program
Spread the loveFree cams available for the poor From staff reports The City’s Community Safety Coordination Center (CSCC) has announced the launch of a new Income-Based Application that allows Chicagoans to obtain outdoor security devices, based on income. The expansion builds on what officials call the success of the Home and Business Protection Rebate Application,…
Is the pandemic over?
Spread the loveNot so fast, city Health Dept. seems to say From staff reports While both public health and political commentators assessed the accuracy of President Joe Biden’s recent proclamation that the pandemic is over, the Chicago Department of Public Health appears to be saying, not so fast. “The pandemic is over. We still have…
Area Sports Roundup: Sandburg boys finish fourth at Richard Spring Invite
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff writer The Sandburg boys cross country team is unlikely to win back-to-back Class 3A state championships. But the Eagles are still strong, and it showed that Sept. 17 by finishing fourth in the Richard Spring Invitational at Detweiller Park in Peoria. Oak Park won the meet with 75 points…
Pigskin Wrap: St. Xavier wins, moves Feminis within two of milestone
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Saint Xavier lost its first two games by a combined score of 88-10. The last thing the Cougars needed was for Siena Heights to come into Chicago and make itself at home. But the Saints tried, scoring on their first drive and putting the Cougars in a hole.…
Pro Soccer Report: Red Stars hanging on to playoff spot; Fire eliminated from postseason contention
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Chicago Red Stars returned to Bridgeview with mixed results in two games, but held onto the final playoff spot in the NWSL and increased their lead over seventh-place Angel City. The top six teams make the playoff in the 12-team league. The Red Stars (8-6-6, 30 points)…
Neighbors
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…
Lawmakers pitch sweeping changes to energy industry and Chicagoland transit system
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com A group of lawmakers and influential environmental advocates are calling for broad changes to the state’s energy industry and a massive increase in state oversight of Chicagoland’s transit system – which faces a projected $730 million budget shortfall. Advocates for the policy platform, which is broken up into…
Democrats flex muscle to kick off final month of session as revenues remain on track
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – With about three weeks to go before the Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn its spring legislative session, supermajority Democrats showed their strength this week as fiscal forecasters noted state revenues remain on track. April is typically a make-or-break month for state coffers, as income…