People sure do like El Indio

.

By Peggy Zabicki

Your correspondent in West Lawn

3633 W. 60th Place •  (773) 504-9327

Hello and happy March to all. I want to thank everyone for the calls and texts last week.

I am still getting restaurant recommendations from many nice people who responded to my request a few weeks ago for good places to eat in the neighborhood. I got three recommendations for El Indio Restaurant, 3930 W. 63rd St. I have eaten there a few times and I do like their tacos, burritos, quesadillas and grilled items. One neighbor recommended their breakfast menu. I will definitely have to check that out.

El Indio offers eat-in dining, dining to go, and a drive through. They have a big parking lot too. I don’t live too far away from them. I should walk there next time I visit. Maybe I’ll burn off a few calories. Call them at (773) 884-1800 for their days and hours.

Peggy Zabicki

I got a call from a parent looking for swim classes for her daughter. I recommended the British Swim School at 6520 S. Cicero in the Marriott Hotel. They offer classes for children and adults. Call them at (630) 833-8145 for their schedule. This school is highly recommended.

I tried to find out if Daley College is offering swim classes as they did a few years ago. Their pool is so big and beautiful. I used to take my youngest son, Joe, there when he was a kid. I called the college, checked out their website and inquired on their Facebook page with no luck. If anyone has any information let me know.

Daley College may not be offering swim classes anymore but their Manufacturing Technology Training facility is open for in-person learning. You can learn more about this state of the art facility by visiting ccc.edu.

The West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St., will have the next in their Saturday concert series on March 4 at 7pm. David Chiraboga will play Spanish guitar music. Admission is free. Call for more information at (312) 747-7381.

I was driving west on 63rd Street a couple of weeks ago and saw that the huge fenced-in property at 63rd and Lawndale (which decades ago was Egan Funeral Home) is still an empty garbage collector. Such a shame. This is a very busy location. I would think it would be an ideal place for a variety of businesses.

As I drove further west on 63rd Street, I drove past the railroad tracks at Knox. This strip mall (on the south side of the street) has been completely empty for a long time. It is a bleak, boarded up eyesore. I wondered what could be done about this–and the property at 63rd and Lawndale. I have received a few calls from concerned residents over the years about both locations.

I called 13^th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn’s office to ask what can be done to speed up the process of attracting businesses to these unused properties. I was told by the person who answered the phone that she didn’t know anything about it and that she would have Alderman Quinn call me back.

I called the office on Feb. 16, but as of today, I still haven’t heard back from the alderman or his office. I hope something can be done soon because this is what makes a neighborhood look neglected and shabby. If I do hear anything, I’ll let you know.

St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish is having a blood drive called Hope Springs Eternal on Sunday, March 5 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. As we can read in Leviticus 17:11, there is life in the blood. Blood donations give hope and life to so many.

There will be a blood drive bus on Kilbourn between 64th and 65th streets. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Call 1-800-7TO-GIVE for information or appointments. You can also make an appointment online at tinyurl.com/6zpffbk9.

The Calvary Lutheran Church Senior Club would like to wish very happy March birthdays to Kathy B., Fran C. and Terry V. May the dear Lord bless each of these lovely ladies with happiness and good health on their birthdays and the coming year.