It’s been a rewarding experience

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By Patti Tyznik

Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge

(708) 496-0265 • ptyznik@gmail.com

I started writing this column one year ago this month. It has been such a rewarding experience, to say the least.

Along the way I have met many wonderful, caring people who volunteer their time to community events and outreach. It is no small thing to donate your time in service to others. I would like to encourage our readers to make the leap and volunteer your services this holiday season as well as helping out your local church, neighbor watch group or food pantry.

I would also like to thank 23^rd Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares for attending the Garfield Ridge Branch Library’s Summer Bingo event on Aug. 30. We had 37 seniors participate with over 10 winners with prizes donated by the alderman’s office. Thank you also to Rose for all her help in facilitating this partnership and to Alderman Tabares for donating her time to this and so many other wonderful events! Now let’s see what’s going on in our little neck of the woods!

Garfield Ridge Branch Library

Stop by the Garfield Ridge Library, Archer and Mulligan, for our event calendars for children, teens or adults. Or check out chipublib.org/Events.

Senior Saturdays Halloween Costume Party Saturday, Oct. 14 from11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wear a costume or something orange, black or autumnal. Bring some candy to share. Adults 55 or older. Water and soda will be provided too.

           Preschool Yoga Halloween Themed Yoga with Ms. Kim, Thursday, Oct. 19 from 6 to 6:45 p.m. for kids age 3-5. Children should be dressed comfortably to move around, stretch and bend. Wear orange or a Halloween t-shirt!

Time for Tots Story Time meets on Mondays, Oct. 2, 16, 23 and 30 (Dress up for Halloween) at 10:30 a.m. for children ages 18-36 months. Early arrivals can color or build puzzles. A simple craft follows the story time.

Wednesday Programs meet from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. for children ages 18 months-4 years. Oct. 4: Preschool Lego: Learning Patterns Oct. 11: Play Day & Socializing Oct. 18: Pumpkin Story & Craft Oct. 25: Halloween Costume Party. Please register at chipublib.org/Events

Community Safety Team-Citywide “Kids’ Safety Talk” Join us for a children’s safety talk covering topics such as internet safety, stranger danger, car safety and more. Thursday, Oct. 5 at 4:30 p.m. For children ages 5 & up.

“The Luna Blues Machine” will be performing here on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. in a children’s concert Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. (For children ages 5-8 years old with a caregiver). Based out of Chicago, The Luna Blues Machine fuses hip-hop, soul, Latin and folk music to create their own unique sound. Led by the Cervantes sisters, LBM has played at Navy Pier, Taste of Chicago, Chicago Riverwalk and the Maxwell Street Market.

           “The Luna Blues Machine” will be performing a second concert for families to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. This concert is for anyone 5 and older. Both concerts require registration, as space is limited.

Transportation Exploration takes place on Monday, Oct. 9 at 1:30 p.m. for children ages 8-10 years. Explore what makes our transportation work the way it does. Children will make a STEM Buoyant Boat with provided materials and then test how well their creations work. Registration is required.

Clearing Branch Library

Clearing Board Game Club  Choose from our inventory of modern games or bring your own. We are partnering with Fair Games board game store in La Grange to offer a large library of games and game instruction.  Meets every other Monday at 5 p.m. For more information, call Rob at (312) 747-5657.

After School Bingo Join Ms. Kim and play bingo on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 4 p.m. for children ages 3-13. Several games will be played during the hour. If an adult wins, the kids get the prize!

Church Events

The Ladies Guild of St. Faustina will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. for bunco. The cost to play is $10. Join the guild in the St. Pope John Paul II Parish Center. Contact Andi at (773) 610-5686 for more information.

The St. Faustina Senior Club meets twice a month for anyone over the age of 50. Located at 5201 S McVicker, (in the Parish Center), membership dues are $15 annually with a $3 door fee for regular meetings and $5 door fee for meetings with luncheons or entertainment. Meetings start at 10:30 a.m. The next two meetings are Monday, Oct. 2 (Oktoberfest with brats, jumbo pretzels and bingo) and Oct. 16 (mini-pumpkin decorating and refreshments). For more information, call Teresa at (773) 971-1775

Community Events

A shred day will take place on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 6500 S. Pulaski (Alderman Quinn’s Service Office).

Electronic recycling will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Kennedy High School’s Parking Lot (5625 S Narragansett).

The next CAPS Beat 812 meeting will be held at the Clearing Branch Library on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. CAPS Beat 811 will meet at Ward Hall, 5157 S McVicker, on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. Find out what’s going on in the neighborhood.